Ridgewood NJ, yesterday we reported the Village was having continued issues with computer trouble , the Mayor led off an email with “Apologies for this very late notice (computer issue) regarding tonight’s Village Council Special Public Meeting. The meeting is regarding the Ridgewood Water lawsuit and the hiring of professional services for a rate study in compliance with the recent court decision of by Judge Friscia dated July 20, 2017. This is the only agenda item. Feel free to email questions or comments.”
We interpreted this to mean Village Hall IT issues but further research into the issue and a quick call to the Mayor and we realized we were off base . The Mayor’s computer crashed , no issues with Village IT , meeting notices went out on schedule and the mayors email was merely a courtesy reminder , which is a nice professional touch .
Its nice to have a Mayor that goes out of her way to remind residents of public meetings and the Ridgewood blog in no way wants to cast dispersion on her effort at transparency.
Apologies for this very late notice (computer issue) regarding tonight’s Village Council Special Public Meeting. The meeting is regarding the Ridgewood Water lawsuit and the hiring of professional services for a rate study in compliance with the recent court decision of by Judge Friscia dated July 20, 2017. This is the only agenda item. Feel free to email questions or comments.
Best regards,
Susan
VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING AUGUST 17, 2017 6:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act
MAYOR: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in 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 the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call
4. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person
– 40 minutes in total)
5. RESOLUTIONS
17-247 Award Professional Services Contract – Rate Analysis
Study for Ridgewood Water Lawsuit (NTE $52,000)
MOVE: SECOND: ROLL CALL VOTE:
6. Adjournment
**** Ridgewood Water lawsuit: The Village Council, as the Governing Body of the Ridgewood Water Utility, is complying with the Court Order to conduct an independent rate study in conformity with the Court’s opinion and Order dated July 20, 2017, Superior Court, Judge Friscia.
Ridgewood NJ,Members of the Bergen County Rapid Deployment Team fanned out Thursday to bus and train stations across the county on a “See something, say something” campaign.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police and Fire personnel investigated an incident believed to have involved a significant spill of hazardous materials onto a property used for the storage of heavy construction equipment and shipping containers on Thursday evening, 08/17. A uniformed Ridgewood PD officer on routine patrol observed an unusual accumulation of liquid at the Chestnut Street, Ridgewood storage site and requested FD units to investigate further. The Bergen County HazMat Unit was summoned to assist in substance identification and to recommend a clean up process.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood News edition of Friday, August 18th will carry the attached legal notice, which indicates that Fish Urban Dining’s liquor license is being transferred to a new establishment, Oak Street Liquors, LLC.
Our June 7, 2017 Headline Story was then indeed accurate then; Fish Urban Dining is gonzo. The “closed for kitchen renovations” sign previously posted on their front door was just propaganda. Figures. They must think that we’re all a bunch of idiots. Nice try John.
Ridgewood NJ, at the “Anti Hatred/Anti Violence” candlelight vigil the Ridgewood Police reported “No” incidents during the peaceful assembly of several hundred local residents. Again not really sure one would have reasonably expected any.
In addition to Chief Luthcke, Ridgewood Tax payers paid at least five (5) other Ridgewood Police members were observed in active service during the event.
Interesting to note one the participants “Anti Hatred/Anti Violence” candlelight vigil was the People’s Organization for Progress or POP for short. A group looking to have cop killer Joanne Chesimard removed from the Most Wanted Terrorists List. Know we know why the police presence .
The People’s Organization for Progress (POP) is an independent, grassroots, community based, politically progressive (communist) association of citizens working for racial, social and economic justice and greater unity in the community.
The main purpose of POP is to work for the immediate improvement of conditions in our community and the fundamental transformation off this country towards a more just society…..hummm through Communism , didnt learn anything from North Korea or Venezuela I guess.
from their website :
The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) is calling a MARCH FOR REPARATIONS: A march to demand Reparations for African Americans from the United States government for the enslavement of our African ancestors. The march is scheduled to take place a year from now on Saturday, June 24, 2017, 12 noon in Newark, New Jersey.
On July 6th, the People’s Organization for Progress participated in a press conference and rally in support of beleaguered Essex County College professor Lisa Durden, who was recently suspended and then terminated for a recent appearance on Fox Five in a debate segment on The Black Lives Matter Movement.
The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) calls upon the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to remove Assata Shakur (Joanne Chesimard) from its Most Wanted Terrorists List. She does not belong on the list because Ms. Shakur was never charged nor convicted of an act of domestic or international terrorism.
Is the mayor or the police supporting this ? Are residents supporting this ?
A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Rob Clifton, R-Monmouth, would force NJ Transit to offer a free replacement ticket to a rail rider if their train is more than an hour late.
Clifton points out that a similar idea was offered for awhile by SEPTA in Pennsylvania before it was discontinued.
“We heard from the customers and the commuters about the issues. You guys (New Jersey 101.5) reported, actually, back in April, about customer service issues, customer complaints and the delays. There was a hearing back in April before your story, where folks got up and addressed their complaints.”
Clifton says this refund idea is all about improving the customer experience for NJ Transit rail riders. The independently run NJ Transit reports that 13 percent of their trains in June were late.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke personally supervised all uniformed and plainclothes officers who were assigned to provide security at an “Anti Hatred/Anti Violence” candlelight vigil held at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, 14 Hope Street, Ridgewood on Wednesday evening, 08/16.
The candlelight vigil was held on the lawn of Emmanuel Baptist Church and started at 7:30 p.m . It was an opportunity to reach out to your friends and neighbors .
Attendees held candles and listened intently as leaders representing many faiths spoke up and offered prayers of peace .Among the speakers were , Rev. Nolan Palsma of the Upper Ridgewood Community Church,and Pastor Joanne Van Sant, of Friends to Friends Community Church. Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen also spoke.
The Ridgewood Police reported “No” incidents during the peaceful assembly of several hundred local residents. Not really sure one would have reasonably expected any. In addition to Chief Luthcke, at least five (5) other Ridgewood Police members were observed in active service during the event.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce is presenting Restaurant Weeks 2017 – For ten days, participating restaurants are offering a chance to experience dining in Ridgewood like never before. Each business will prepare a 3 course, prix-fixe menu for you at $30.17 + tax/tip/beverage. Below is a l ist of participating restaurants and their contact information. Call for details. Parking in Ridgewood is free after 6pm and all day Sunday.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police and Fire Department personnel responded to a “downed utility wires” incident at 382 Gilbert Street, Ridgewood on Wednesday afternoon, 08/16. Members of Ridgewood FD Engine Company #31 deployed yellow caution tape around the affected area and requested that a section of Gilbert Street be barricaded off until utility company technicians restrung the wires. The wires were likely hit by a large truck, e.g., a moving van.
file photo by Boyd Loving Councilmen Jeff Voigt has his OPRA troubles
By Donald Scarinci • 08/15/17 2:22pm
On the heels of several important decisions in the New Jersey courts, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee has advanced long awaited legislation to amend state’s Open Public Records Act. The bill (S1046) aims to improve and modernize the statute, while also boosting transparency.
Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) has been calling for reform for several years, but has seen prior attempts stall in committee. “There is no issue that overrides the public’s right to know what we in the Legislature and what our municipalities are doing on their behalf,” Weinberg said prior to the budget committee vote.
The OPRA statute has undergone few significant changes since it was enacted in 2002. Since then, the nature of government records has changed, largely due to the proliferation of the Internet, email and cell phones. One provision of S1046 would extend public record obligations to quasi-governmental organizations engaged in service to the public, such as the New Jersey League of Municipalities and the New Jersey School Boards Association. Another would allow residents to send records requests via email.
Beginning in January the Ridgewood blog published a host of articles starting with, the “Financial Advisory Committee Must Meet Professional Standards ” https://theridgewoodblog.net/financial-advisory-committee-must-meet-professional-standards/ , in that article we laid out the case that the absence of financial standards creates a legal liability for the Village.
We also accused the FAC of playing politics many times and questioned its relevance and professionalism .
Recent research into the FAC has opened a whole can of worms and here is just a summary of our findings:
We found Evan Weitz was WAY overstepping his boundaries; where Bob Rooney tried to remind him and others that the FAC was strictly advisory; where Evan wanted to get in on contract negotiations with the Police and Fire (for real?!>!?) and then of coarse is Nick Whitney’s resignation letter where he confirms all the Ridgewood blog claims as to the Ridgewood Financial Advisory Committee not meeting commonly accepted standards, over stepping its boundaries, leaving members open to significant legal liability as well as the Village and of coarse interjecting politics into the committee.
Whitney’s resignation letter confirmed our fears and spells out in no uncertain terms the damage the FAC did and could have done to the village and implies it was nothing more than a committee to push former mayor Paul Aronsohn’s agenda .
Ridgewood NJ, The adult male driver of a Toyota SUV was uninjured in a Tuesday afternoon, 08/15, crash during which his vehicle left the roadway, mounted a curb & sidewalk, and slammed into a utility pole and traffic control sign at the intersection of Linwood and Walthery Avenues in Ridgewood. Ridgewood Police, Fire, and EMS units responded to the incident. The wrecked Toyota was removed by a flatbed tow truck. A PSE&G crew was dispatched to replace the snapped utility pole. Police officers at the scene did not indicate whether the driver would be issued any summonses in connection with the mishap. The downed traffic control sign is likely to be replaced by the Village of Ridgewood’s Signal Bureau.
This is a disgrace. The Water Company is the most mismanaged department in town they don’t need their own space we spent millions on the Village Hall Shrine complete with spiral staircase and marble floors. There is zero reason for this. This mayor and council are out of control with unnecessary spending that is of no use to taxpayers
