Tag: Ridgewood schools

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Former Village Manager’s Letter to the Editor Generates Flack

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

Letter: Ridgewood budget issues remain:
https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/05/03/letter-ridgewood-budget-issues-remain/309712001/

May 7,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, in a recent letter to the editor former Village manager Roberta Sonenfeld looked to undermine the current Village Council on the Village budget . Tony Loving of Ridgewood asked “Doesn’t Ms. Sonenfeld have a formal ethics complaint pending against her? For allegedly using tax revenues inappropriately? And didn’t she resign in a huff? Makes me wonder about both the accuracy and intent of her letter.”

While the idea of a lawsuit was refuted by none other than Jan Philips.Anne LaGrange Loving followed up with some hard evidence “Actually, Jan, yes and yes. For those who are interested in the facts, here are three links to information regarding the ethics violation pending against Ms. Sonenfeld:”

https://www.northjersey.com/…/lawsuits-emerge…/94821932/

https://njfog.org/…/ridgewood-mayor-manager-accused…/

https://njrandomgovt.blogspot.com/…/ridgewood-mayor-and…

Loving went on , “I was in touch with the complainant yesterday, and indeed the matter is still outstanding. It can take up to two years for resolution of these complaints.

And as far as “resigning in a huff,” we all read the letter of resignation, which was made public, and it was not exactly a friendly lovey-dovey letter of resignation.”

Ridgewood village manager resigns, citing ‘contentious’ work environment  https://archive.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-village-manager-resigns-citing-contentious-work-environment-1.1655420

Reader says Roberta was a time bomb waiting to explode left behind by the Aronsohn conglomerate
https://theridgewoodblog.net/reader-says-roberta-was-a-time-bomb-waiting-to-explode-left-behind-by-the-aronsohn-conglomerate/

 

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Another Swastika found in Ridgewood

Swastika found in Ridgewood

courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook

May 7th,2017

the staff of the Ridgewod blog

Ridgewood NJ, For the second time in recent memory a Swastika has appeared in Ridgewood .

swas·ti·ka
ˈswästəkə/
noun

An ancient symbol in the form of an equal-armed cross with each arm continued at a right angle, used (in clockwise form) as the emblem of the German Nazi Party.

On March 6th a Swastika was found by resident Dana Glazer at the intersection of Northern Parkway and Overbrook Road. Yesterday Ridgewood PD Patrol Officers Kevin McKeon and Raymond Tarino investigate a Swastika found painted on the retaining wall of a home located at 658 Shelton Road in Ridgewood on the morning of Saturday, 05/06.

 

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Reader Sees Nothing but Doom for Hudson Garage

PIKE Garage

Unfortunately , despite the fact that the new price tag is significantly less than when the Aronsohn cronies were running the show, this parking garage is still destined to become a financial disaster of major proportions. I predict that parking rates throughout the Village will skyrocket and parking times will be extended in an attempt to raise revenues. This will kill the restaurant business for sure, and maybe even some service businesses and retail stores. Unless the garage is filled to the brim, it won’t even break even. The only way to fill it is to force all commuters there. An operational and financial fiasco in the making. Just you wait and see

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Reader predicts the Village council has already decided to move forward on a garage

PIKE garage

photo by Boyd Loving

My prediction is that the council has already decided to move forward on a garage that will fit on the Hudson space. The new garage proposed offers 240 spaces in total. I believe we have something like 80-90 spaces there now so we are picking up 150-160 additional spaces. Will that solve the parking problem?? of course not. I think it will end up being used as a commuter parking garage which will free up spaces in other lots. Adding another level adds about 60 extra spaces.

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Ridgewood Police Department : the 2017 Jr Police Academy class has reached capacity

Pascack Valley Jr. Police Academy Class 13 theridgewood blog.net

May 6,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police Department reports that the 2017 Jr Police Academy class has reached capacity. We would like to thank all the students for their interest in this year Chief Michael Feeney Jr Police Academy. Unfortunately the class size has reached maximum capacity for the field trips we have scheduled. There is currently a waitlist on Ridgewood Community pass if you would still like to register. Waitlisted students will be given priority registering for the 2018 Academy.

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Former Mayor Paul Aronsohn is back in the running

Democrats
May 5,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, residents who recieved their absentee ballots for June’s primary noticed former Mayor Paul Aronsohn’s name on the ballot as one of five out of five candidates running for Bergen County Democratic Committee. Some people will never lean ?

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Fraudulent check Results in 2 taken into custody by Ridgewood Police

Ridgewood Police

courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook

May 5,2017

the staff of Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Two (2) adult males were taken into custody by Ridgewood PD Patrol Officers at the TD Bank, 133 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood shortly after officers responded to a Thursday afternoon, 05/04, 911 telephone call from a bank employee who indicated that an individual was allegedly attempting to cash a fraudulent check. Both individuals were transported to Ridgewood PD headquarters for processing.

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Pothole hazards at cottage place town parking lot

Pothole hazards at cottage place town parking lot

May 5,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, reader says its been pointed out so many times before ,cottage place lot and other muni lots are like an artillery range of deep potholes…if Parkers fall an break bones and sue town for outright neglect..completely mill and repave and
repaint stall lines for all of those lots.people don’t see those lots as safe and useable.Impossible to shovel and plow those surfaces to any degree of safety..they are ice fields and broken unsafe utilities…shackle and spit
Fill never worked and was a waste of towns money.

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Testimony winds down on two multifamily housing projects in Ridgewood

high density housing

NorthJersey8:02 p.m. ET May 4, 2017

RIDGEWOOD — Public hearings are winding down on two more applications for multifamily housing projects proposed for the village’s downtown. If approved, the developments could bring great change to the bustling business district.

A 43-unit apartment complex with affordable housing units mixed in has already been approved on Chestnut Street at the site of an old MVC inspection station. Two more — a mixed-use 66-unit project at the former Ken Smith Motors site on Franklin Avenue; and The Dayton, a 93-unit residential building slated for the Brogan Cadillac property on South Broad Street — are nearing their conclusion.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/ridgewood/2017/05/05/testimony-winds-down-two-multifamily-housing-projects-ridgewood/310601001/

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Ridgewood school board adopts $105 million budget

BOE_theridgewoodblog

NorthJerseyPublished 11:01 a.m. ET May 4, 2017 | Updated 19 hours ago

The Ridgewood Board of Education unanimously passed its annual budget this week.

The $105 million spending plan is funded primarily through a $91 million tax levy, an increase of .97 percent over the previous year. School taxes on a home assessed at the village average of $696,063 will be $11,401, up from $11,325 this year, an increase of $76.

The budget has a tax rate of $1.638 per $100 of assessed value, up from $1.627 last year, for a 0.67 percent increase.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2017/05/04/ridgewood-school-board-adopts-105-million-budget/309964001/

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Political talk is causing problems at work, survey finds

House Minority Leader Boehner wipes tears as colleague Johnson speaks about his prisoner-of-war status in Washington

By MARY BROPHY MARCUS CBS NEWS May 3, 2017, 6:09 PM

Last fall, before the presidential election in November, a survey of U.S. employees found many were stressed out by political conversations happening in the workplace. So have stress levels died down now that the election is history? Just the opposite, it seems. A new post-election survey indicates that the political climate for workers has only gotten worse.

“We did the survey last fall in the lead-up to the election and found, indeed, all these discussions swirling around at work were affecting people on the job. So, on the heels of the election, we were curious about how that might have changed,” Dr. David Ballard, director of the American Psychological Association’s Center for Organizational Excellence, told CBS News.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/political-talk-at-work-on-the-job-disruptive-after-election/

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Council : American Flag only Flag for Ridgewood Village Hall

flagpole3_theridgewoodblog

May 4,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, Village attorney Matt Rogers  told the council the Village is not obligated to fly the “Rainbow or Gay flag”. Rogers talked at length of both legal and policy implications .Rogers went on to explain the “freedom of Speech ” issues as well as  the Village flag pole had not history been used to make a political statement or as a public forum . Temporary signs are also banned from Village public property  which would include the Village hall flag pole .

11377073 10101410203523018 8066910429001055780 n

Mike Sedon chimed in that the American flag is inclusive and is the most potent symbol of inclusion world over. Both Bernie and Jeff were supportive of the Rainbow flag on the idea of “inclusiveness ” along the road that other groups  celebrate on Village property like the RBSA and so on. Councilmen Hache worried about other groups who may want to raise a flag that may not be supported by the community in general. The mayor worried it was a road  we don’t want to go down to be auditing countless groups looking to fly their flag over the Village hall.

 

 

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Pike Parking Garage Presentation for Ridgewood

Pike Parking Garage Presentation for Ridgewood

photo by Boyd Loving

May 4,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, the Pike Company made a very impressive parking garage presentation to the Ridgewood Village Council . Pike uses a pre-manufactured system , like a modular home ,and they have been doing so for 15 years.Pike looked at Hudson Street ,and came up with a precast approach to the Hudson Garage . The reason for pre-cast is to keep down the cost and also cost controls.

DSCF1322

Pike was founded in 1873 and is a billion dollar company ,has no debt and no law suits .Pike views Ridgewood as a good risk and they would front the costs ie… a “no money down ” deal.

Pike used aerial drone footage and then semi imposed the proposed garage on the site . Pike pointed out that there would be fire access on all sides of the garage . Pike said there would be no encroachments on any easements. The company seemed to go to great lengths to fit the garage into the Central Business District ,be respectful to Mount Carmel Church and think through the logistics of building the garage unlike in the past. Planning included everything from lighting ,safety to the brick face.

DSCF1362 1

Pike offered many options including even a management lease option .According to Pike the project would take about 8 months of construction with cost estimates for 240 spaces coming in at $8 million dollars. Pike would provide all financing using lender mandated requirements .

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Higher Taxes and Congestion Likely from New Ridgewood Apartment Complexes

high density housing CBD

May 4,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The massive new 66 unit, multi-retail store complex coming to Franklin and Broad sets off a chain reaction of traffic problems in Ridgewood. As always, taxpayers will be left holding the bag for nearly a million dollars worth of needed traffic signal upgrades alone.

In the zoomed in version of developer John Saraceno’s “rendering” above we see the Franklin & Broad intersection which will be drastically impacted by the new 5 story building and the nearby 4 story Chestnut apartments. The archway on the right is one of two entry/exit for the 150 new parking spots on Franklin. The current lot is private and not open to the public. There will be a great deal of new traffic at one of the most important, dangerous, and crowded intersections in the village.
The new light at this intersection will cost $300k, Saraceno has offered to pay 25% [which is more than the law requires]. The bigger problem is how other, non-upgraded intersections will handle the traffic flow. By law, developers of Ridgewood’s 4 new high-density buildings only have to pay a small fraction of any needed new lights.
Listen here to the village’s traffic expert, Andrew Feranda: https://youtu.be/ENr_LFZAQuQ?t=10238
As northjersey.com reported:

The board also spent considerable time with its own traffic professional, Andrew Feranda, further discussing the Franklin Avenue thoroughfare.  They looked specifically at the coordination of traffic lights in the area. Feranda recommended coordinating the timing of the lights on Franklin Avenue at Broad Street and Oak Street to ensure more efficient traffic flow.

Voigt said any traffic improvements made to those intersections, the two closest traffic lights to the development, could necessitate changes at all lights from Wilsey Square to Maple Avenue. Feranda agreed the corridor would be more efficient with all the lights working in tandem.

“It certainly doesn’t move traffic efficiently if they’re not coordinated,” said Feranda.

Feranda said his layout would look “similar” to the plans put forth by the applicant. He cited the use of the signalized intersection at Broad Street and Franklin Avenue, and the fact that the driveway, on Chestnut Street, was about as far away from Franklin Avenue as possible.

 https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/ridgewood/2017/04/19/ridgewood-housing-hearing-focuses-franklin-ave/100647038/
All 4 of the high-density developments downtown are allowed thanks to controversial laws championed by Ridgewood resident Saraceno and then-mayor Paul Aronsohn.
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Ridgewood Mayor puts an end to personal attacks during the pubic comment period

Village Council -Halaby

photo by Boyd Loving

May 4,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Mayor puts the hammer down on personal attacks during the pubic comment period . After a bitter attack by Rurik Halaby on the council praising former Mayor Paul Aronsohn and former Village manager Roberta Sonnefeld .Halaby called the council unprofessional amateurs at the same time praising the Financial Advisory Committee .Halaby questioned weather the FAC was invited into the village budget discussions.

Once the Ridgewood blog reminds you that in order for the Financial Advisory Committee to be an effective part of the Village governance the following criteria must be met:

Publish clear and realistic by-laws
Post agenda’s of all meetings
Post minutes of all meetings promptly
All members must sign Financial disclosure forms  
All members must sign NDA’s or non-disclosure forms

These are professional standards that are used and commonly accepted everywhere in the world.

In the real world this is how you run a financial decision body. It is also important to fill the committee with people who have some experience in finance, not failed or “wannabe” politicians who are promoting their own secret agenda.