Tag: Ridgewood Police

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October 4th,the Ridgewood Planning Board will be discussing the Conflict of Interest complaint

CBD high density housing

Like last Sept 30th – Your help is needed

Friends and Neighbors,

I can’t believe it was a year ago today that over 600 of us went to Village Hall to stop the Village Council from moving forward on the High Density Housing issue. It was truly a remarkable night that brought people together and made an incredibly clear statement: We do not want high density housing in our Village!

So, here we are, a year later and we need your help yet again.

As most of you know, last March the previous VC majority passed an ordinance allowing these massive multifamily dwellings to be built – and make no mistake – once the shovels go into the ground, our schools in particular will be impacted.

What many of us didn’t know then is that the Planning Board and then the Village Council process was riddled with possible conflicts of interest. A few weeks ago, several residents and I filed a formal complaint requesting that the current Planning Board cease their high density site plan process immediately and investigate.

On Tuesday, October 4th, at 7:30pm in Village Hall the Planning Board will be discussing this formal complaint. I would urge you, for the sake of our kids, to attend so that the Planning Board is encouraged to make the right choice. If you do plan to come, please email me to help better coordinate the evening.

Please also consider sending the following note to the Planning Board and our Mayor via email:

Dear Mayor Knudsen, Chairman Joel and Planning Board Members,

I am aware that a group of concerned residents delivered a Motion of Complaint to the Ridgewood Planning Board, under By Law Sections 2.13 and 7.21, dated September 16th. Their motion brings to light a series of conflicts of interest and unacceptable mistakes that impacted the high density housing votes. It spotlights the truly defective process by which these highly unpopular ordinances (3489, 3490, 3491 and 3493) were passed. It is not right for Ridgewood residents to have such important decisions made, and the future of our village impacted, by a forum influenced by potential personal conflicts and/or mistakes. Preventing such actions is clearly the intent of the Planning Board’s own By Laws.

Therefore, I fully support the motion made by these residents. I ask that the Board stop all current high density site plan reviews and promptly begin a complete review of the residents’ complaints. Should any conflicts or mistakes be found, the Ordinance votes and Ordinances themselves should be rescinded and reevaluated via a proper and untainted process.

Secretary Cafarelli, please forward/print this email to all Planning Board members.

Thanks for considering this request.

EMAIL TO:
Mayor Susan Knudsen, Mayor ([email protected]) Michael Cafarelli, Planning Board Secretary ([email protected])
My email address: ([email protected])

Thanks for doing your part to protect our Village and hope to see you Tuesday night!

Sincerely,

Dana

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Ridgewood once again hit by a rash of stolen bicycles

bikeatthePostOffice_theiridgewoodblog
September 30, 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood once again hit by a rash of stolen bicycles .
The Ridgewood police report :
A Van Buren Street resident responded to police headquarters on September 25, 2016 to report the theft of a bicycle in the past. The resident reported his red colored GT road bike was stolen from Station Plaza on September 21, 2016. The bicycle was reportedly left unlocked and was valued at approximately $200.

On September 25, 2016 a Shelton Road resident reported the theft of a bicycle from Station Plaza in the past. The bicycle was reportedly a Cannondale Hybrid mountain bike grey in color, valued at $800.

On September 25, 2016 a resident from Midland Park, N.J. reported the theft of a bicycle from Station Plaza in the past. The victim reported the Iron Horse mountain bike was grey and black in colored and valued at $400.All actors are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Robbery Allegations Bring Out Ridgewood Police in Full Force

ridgewood Police

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

September 30,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, An adult male who claimed to have been the victim of an armed robbery and assault brought Ridgewood police units out in force on Thursday evening, 09/29. The incident reportedly took place at the intersection of Godwin and Ackerman Avenues in Ridgewood shortly before 2100 hours. After questioning by Ridgewood PD officers, aided by a Spanish speaking patrol officer from neighboring Glen Rock, the man’s story was determined to have been fabricated. The injuries he sustained appeared to have been consistent with those of a fall. He was evaluated and treated on the scene by Ridgewood EMS volunteers. There was no information available as to whether the individual was charged with making a false police report.

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Reader says The only way this Arts Center would be useful is if Rurik performed his monologues on the stage

Rurik Halaby

Great news on Valley. Performing Arts Center is a great idea. It is going to be so appealing for Jay-z, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Justin Bieber to ditch MSG for the beauty and diversity of our village. Whoever came up with this idea should be kicked out of Bergen County altogether. The only way this Arts Center would be useful is if Rurik performed his monologues on the stage. I would pay 50 cents for that.

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NJ TRANSIT SERVICE PLAN FOR MORNING COMMUTE

Ridgewood Train Station

photo by ArtChick

September 30,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT has announced service plans for the morning of September 30th, 2016 following a commuter train accident at Hoboken Terminal.  All rail service into and out of Hoboken Terminal remains suspended.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will resume full service into and out of Hoboken station tomorrow morning.

 Rail

The following service will be in effect:

  • All New York City bound trains (Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, MidTOWN DIRECT), Raritan Valley and Atlantic City lines will operate on normal weekday schedules.
  • Main, Bergen, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines will continue to operate on a modified weekend schedule originating/terminating in Secaucus.
  • There will be limited rail shuttle service on the Montclair-Boonton Line west of Montclair State University (MSU) – between MSU and Denville stations.
  • There will be rail shuttle service on the Morris & Essex Lines (M&E) between Hackettstown and Dover.
  • The Gladstone Branch will have its two regularly scheduled MidTOWN DIRECT trains in addition to rail shuttles between Gladstone and Summit.

Customers may experience overcrowding and possible delays caused by congestion.

 Metro-North Service for Pascack Valley Line and Port Jervis Line Customers

For schedule information go to: https://web.mta.info/mnr/html/NJTRANSIT_accident.htm

 

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Appeals Court Agrees to hear Ridgewood against Valley Hospital Expansion Case

valleyEmergency_theridgewoodblog
Ooops we jumped the gun with initial headline Appeals Court Rules in Ridgewood’s Favor against Valley Hospital Expansion
September 29,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Appeals Court Agrees to hear Ridgewood against Valley Hospital Expansion Case.

The Valley Hospital had filed suit against the Ridgewood Planning Board for rejecting its proposal to nearly double in size, arguing the board illegally sided with neighborhood opponents rather than permitting an upgrade for “an inherently beneficial regional hospital.”

The lawsuit was filed in state Superior Court in Hackensack . It was an attempt by Valley to end a protracted and costly stalemate with the village  and force its expansion plans have been defeated two times .

While Valley wasted its efforts on its “May way or no way” approach its competitors have expanded, renovated and in one case, reopened a hospital in Westwood.
According to Ridgewood resident John Hersperger , “I’m not surprised the Appellate Division agreed to review the lower court’s decision against the Village in the ordinance case.  Valley’s lower court victory was short-lived and (knock wood) should be its last.  Why?  Because the legal grounds for any court to force a municipality to squeeze in a development of this size on such a small parcel simply don’t exist.  Valley needs the Appellate Division to create new legal precedent to support their expansion.  Such a change would have implications statewide, with healthcare businesses imposing development wherever they please.”
Pete Mckenna President of Concerned Residents of Ridgewood concurred , “The appellate division has not made a decision on the merits, but has decided to review the Judge’s decision.  I agree with John’s comments that this Judge’s ruling was without precedent and that the Village’s case to appeal is strong and we are optimistic the Village will prevail in this matter.”
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Village Council : truly good government at work!

New Ridgewood Village Council
September 29,2016

the Staff of the Ridgewood Blog

Ridgewood NJ, Last night’s Village Council Work Session was great.  All of our elected officials are working well together, even when they disagree.  No one teams up on anyone else and there is no disrespect on the dais or from the dais to the audience.  There is plenty of laughter and camaraderie while work is being accomplished.  This is truly good government at work.

Here are some highlights, in no particular order:

1. Tony Damiano got up and thanked Mayor Knudsen for resolving the schedule problems with the PSEG work on Broad St.  Yes, he thanked her.  Guess he took so much heat on the Blog and on Facebook for claiming full responsibility for this that he decided he looked really small.  Well, he did take some credit, but at least he made a stab at thanking the Mayor.

2. And speaking of looking really small, oh my gosh Mr. Rurik Halaby has completely lost his mind.  He is the lone soldier left from those few who ever supported the three amigos and Roberta, and he is fighting mightily.  His comments are not worth repeating, but he sure looked like a total idiot.  And he sounded like a crazy man, spewing invective about rumors he has heard and such.  He actually verged on threatening the council including singling out Ramon.  Yep, would love to see a showdown between Ramon and Rurik.

3. Jeff Voigt in his library report announced that “the library” wants 5 Million Dollars for an interior renovation to make the auditorium into a performing arts center and some other sprucing up.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, $5 million.  And they will be looking for money.  Maybe Mr. Halaby can write the check?

4. It was explained that we will be entering into a shared services agreement with Washington Township in which we will service up to 30 of their vehicles at our Village Garage.  Yes, that garage which Mr. Pucciarelli wanted to eliminate will now be making plenty of  money for us.  Hear that Albert?  Yet another of your idiotic suggestions and schemes is going down the drain.  Do you have any comments?  Oh, that’s right, no comments from the former Deputy Mayor as he is named in a lawsuit and is scrambling to keep his reputation intact.

5. Parking was a huge topic of discussion.  Mike Sedon provided an informative history of parking pricing dating back for the past 10 or 15 years, which was interesting.  Jeff Voigt had prepared and distributed copies of parking suggestions that he had gathered from many sources.  It was very well put together and very transparent because everyone could hold it in their hands and read it.  The discussion was cordial, lively, and very productive.  A few highlights include paving and re-lining the Hudson lot and thereby adding up to 40 spaces.  This would include closing some of the several curb cut entrances into the lot from Hudson.  Imagine that, 40 spaces in the blink of an eye.  They are also going to have tiered pricing so that those who are willing to walk from Cottage can pay significantly less.  Bernie Walsh and Jeff walked in and out of 17 stores to assess where the employees park.  She said it was very friendly and informative and she is hoping all the council members can join in this project.  New signage will be going up shortly to direct people to the various lots.  The Zabriskie Lot is under consideration.

6. Looks like they will be going back to now allow parking on one side of Pomander Walk.  This makes good sense.   Why did the Pomander Walk residents ever get such an exclusive deal in the first place?

7. Heather Mailander highlighted two Village employees who have gone above and beyond.  This was a nice report and one which she intends to do regularly.  She is not singing her own praises, nope, she is singing the praises of others.  This is the sign of a great manager, one who does not toot her own horn incessantly.

8. Matt Rogers provided a litigation update, at the request of Mayor Knudsen.  This will now be a regular report.  Updates on the Water Company, Valley, COAH and the referendum petitioners were included.
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Reader says Vote NO to the enhanced babysitting tax!

homealone1990-1

We all know full day K is extended day-care for moms who work (except in Ridgewood where if fills the need of moms who go to the spa or lunch or tennis). But that is OK, we’ll just pay for it and move on.
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To say that it has and significant educational value and kids who don’t attend full day K will be at a (long term) disadvantage is disingenuous at best.
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The only place where full day K might make sense would be for those children diagnosed with significant (medical) developmental disabilities
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But again, these facts don’t matter – give the moms what they want, pay for it and move on.
Why start applying logic to the Ridgewood school budget now…

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Resident Suggests Former Village Manager’s Staff should be Investigated

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

September 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Ridgewood resident Jacqueline Hone spoke during both public comment segments. She explained why Roberta’s departure is just the tip of the iceberg and suggested her staff also needs to  be investigated.

see the video : https://www.tubechop.com/watch/8400128

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BREAKING FURTHER UPDATE : MAJOR TRAIN ACCIDENT CLOSES HOBOKEN TRAIN STATION

Hoboken Train Station Crash

September 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A New Jersey Transit train crashed into the terminal in Hoboken. The incident happened at around 9am on Thursday. It’s been confirmed  Pascack Valley Train #1614, departs Spring Valley 7:23 am(?) due to arrive at 8:30 am. Train came in on Track 4 .

Initial report is over 100 injuries .

Massive Emergency services response.

Hoboken is shut down to non emergency services.

Correction 1 confirmed dead by Governors Christie and Como  , not passenger someone standing on the platform .

PATH service to HOB will be operating full rush hour service .

Shuttle buses from HOB to SEC running.

Cause of accident is still unclear .

It is being reported that major damage has been done to the train  station including a partial roof collapse. Reports from riders say no indication that anything was wrong.

Rail service is suspended in and out of Hoboken due to a train accident at Hoboken station. NJT bus and private carriers are honoring NJT rail tickets and passes. PATH & HBLR is suspended in/out Hoboken. NY Waterway accepting rail tickets/passes. 
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AeroScout RTLS Helps The Valley Hospital’s Staff Feel Safer

valley_hospital_theridgewoodblog

The Stanley Healthcare solution includes Wi-Fi RFID badges that nurses, physicians and other personnel can use to identify their locations and call for assistance.
By Claire Swedberg

Sep 27, 2016—

The Valley Hospital, in Ridgewood, N.J., has been using a real-time location system (RTLS) to monitor the locations and identities of staff members who press their emergency badge. Before the hospital deployed the system, only 50 percent of personnel reported a sense of workplace safety. Once those workers began utilizing the RTLS, provided byStanley Healthcare, that figure rose to 85 percent.

The Valley Hospital rarely experiences violence in its ER, but there have been incidents in which employees have indicated feeling uncomfortable, the hospital reports. After members of a patient’s family prevented a nurse from leaving that patient’s room, that nurse asked the hospital to institute a better means of protecting personnel. The facility, which treats 74,000 patients in its emergency department each year, already offered wired emergency alarms in each room, but it decided that a wireless system would provide greater support to employees wherever they were in that department. The solution consists of Stanley Healthcare Wi-Fi-enabled call badges and software that helps security personnel identify who has placed a distress call, as well as where that person is located and what he or she looks like.

https://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?15022

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Home price growth in NYC, North Jersey lags rest of U.S.

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

By Erin O’Neill | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on September 27, 2016 at 5:35 PM, updated September 27, 2016 at 6:03 PM

Home prices in the New York area ticked up slightly over the last year but increased at a slower rate than 19 other major metropolitan markets in the country, according to a new report released on Tuesday.

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-City Composite index notched a 5 percent year-over-year increase in July led by big gains in real estate values in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Portland and Seattle. The New York region, including northern New Jersey, saw home prices rise just 1.7 percent over that same time frame, the weakest growth among all of the cities included in that index.

The Washington, D.C., area’s rise in home prices was the second-worst at 2 percent year-over-year.

https://realestate.nj.com/realestate-news/2016/09/homes_prices_case_shiller_new.html

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Village of Ridgewood Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Tonight

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

AGENDA

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Village Hall Court Room – 7:30 P.M.

            Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Statement required by the Open Public Meeting Act “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in the Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including date and time of this meeting”.

Please note: A curfew of 11:00 PM is strictly adhered to by the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood. No new matter involving an Applicant will be started after 10:30 PM. At 10:00 PM the Chairman will make a determination and advise Applicants as to whether they will be heard. If an Applicant cannot be heard because of the lateness of the hour, the matter will be carried over to a future meeting to be determined by the Board at 10:00 PM.

Roll call

Approval of minutes:

Non-agenda items:

Board member comments

Members of the public comments

Discussion:   Capital One Bank, 10 Godwin Avenue – material for base

Public hearings

Old Business:

121 FRANKLIN AVENUE ASSOCIATES – An application to permit use of the property located at 121 Franklin Avenue, Block 2010, Lot 16, as a drive-through Starbucks Coffee Shop, and to permit construction of an addition to the existing one story building. The applicant requests use variance approval to sell products outside the confines of the building. Additional variances being requested include a side yard setback for parking spaces of 3.5 feet where 5 feet is the minimum required, and sign variances. The property is located in an R-2 zone. (Continued from September 13, 2016)

PANICO – A request that the approval of variances for the property located at 152 Valley View Avenue be extended for a period of one year, through September 22, 2017.

AGENDA – CONTINUATION                                                                September 27, 2016

McHUGH – An application to permit the construction of a second floor addition which will result in Gross Building Area within 140 feet of the front lot line of 36.4%/3,823 square feet where 32%/4,060 square feet is the maximum permitted at 624 Shelton Road, Block 3308, Lot 4, in an R-2 zone. (Continued from August 9, 2016)

VERIZON WIRELESS, 6 S. MONROE – Whispering Woods settlement hearing – Proposed wireless communications facility amended to provide that antennas be placed inside of the existing steeple behind RF friendly material. The proposed settlement would also provide that the condition that “no part of the premises shall be rented to outside entities” shall be interpreted to mean that the uses currently being conducted at the Church shall be permitted to continue. (Continued from August 23, 2016)(Carry to October 25, 2016)

New Business:

TZOULAFIS – An application to permit the construction of a covered porch, two-story and second story addition which will result in coverage by above-grade structures of 22.5%/2,500 square feet, where 20%/2,250 square feet is the maximum permitted and coverage by above-grade structures within 140 feet of the front lot line of 23.4%/2,428 square feet, where 20%/2,100 square feet is the maximum permitted at the Property located at 426 Colonial Road, Block 3609, Lot 5, in an R-2 Zone.

ANGIOLINO – An application to permit the construction of a second floor addition and front portico which will result in front yard setbacks of 32 feet to the front steps, and 39 feet to the portico, where 40 feet is the minimum required and a distance of 9.83 feet to an accessory structure from the principal structure, where 12 feet is the minimum required for the Property located at 706 Ellington Road, Block 4606, Lot 24, in an R-2 Zone.

HALLOWELL – An application to permit the construction of a one-story addition and to relocate the rear steps which will result in a side yard setback of 17.5 feet, where 20 feet is the minimum required; coverage by above-grade structures within 140 feet of the front lot line of 20.8%, where 20% is the maximum permitted, and coverage by improvements of 50%/4,898 square feet, where 45%/ 4,410 square feet is the maximum permitted for the Property located at 126 Avondale Road, Block 1402, Lot 5 in an R-1 Zone.

Resolution memorialization:

Discussion

Adjournment

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Ridgewood Chief of Police Quoted in New York Times Article on Tulsa Shooting

CHIEF OF POLICE JACQUELINE LUTHCKE

September 27,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Chief was quoted by the New York Times in a recent article on ,”Rarity of Tulsa Shooting: Female Officers Are Almost Never Involved” https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/25/us/rarity-of-tulsa-shooting-female-officers-are-almost-never-involved.html?_r=1

….But most current female officers interviewed said those stereotypes did not play out in the field. “We have some men that are the first ones we would put in with difficult people because they are such good communicators,” said Jacqueline Luthcke, who is chief of the Ridgewood, N.J., Police Department….

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Ridgewood Route 17 Starbucks Evacuated Over Unattended Bag

Ridgewood Route 17 Starbucks Evacuated Over Unattended Bag

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

September 27,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Monday A customer of the Starbucks located at 363 Route 17, Ridgewood departed without his laptop computer bag, which resulted in a temporary evacuation of the facility and a response by Ridgewood PD & FD units on Monday, 09/26 when a passing police supervisor noticed the unattended package. However, prior to the arrival of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad unit, the customer returned for his property. An all clear was given after the bag was inspected; police subsequently reopened the parking lot and allowed employees to return inside the establishment.

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