Tag: Ridgewood schools

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Village of Ridgewood Planning Board September 20th Meeting

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PLANNING BOARD AGENDA – SEPTEMBER 20, 1016

PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Village Hall Court Room– 7:30 P.M.

(all timeframes and the order of agenda items below are approximate and subject to change)

 

  1. 7:30 p.m. – Call to Order, Statement of Compliance, Flag Salute, Roll Call – In accordance with the provisions of Section 10:4-8d of the Open Public Meetings Act, the date, location, and time of the commencement of this meeting is reflected in a meeting notice, a copy of which schedule has been filed with the Village Manager and the Village Clerk, The Ridgewood News and The Record newspapers, and posted on the bulletin board in the entry lobby of the Village municipal offices at 131 North Maple Avenue, and on the Village website, all in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act.Roll call: Knudsen, Voigt, Altano, Joel, Reilly, Patire, Thurston, Scheibner, Torielli, McWilliams
  2. 7:35 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. – Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board
  3. 7:40 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. – Committee/Commission/Professional Updates for Non Agenda Topics, Correspondence Received by the Board
  4. 7:45 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. – Ridgewood/Dayton, Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan, 100 & 152 South Broad Street, Blocks 3707/3905, Lots 5.01/1.01 – Public Hearing continued from September 6, 2016
  5. 10:15 p.m. – 10:20 p.m. – Adoption of Minutes: October 20, 2015
  6. 10:20 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. – Unfinished Business and New Business- Open Space Committee Liaison, Resolution re: Appointment of Alternate Planning Board Counsel, Scheduling of meetings and applications, Committee Appointments, and discussion of any other open items
  7. 10:30 p.m. – Executive Session (if necessary)
  8. AdjournmentIn accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, all meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work sessions, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings, which are always open to members of the general public.

    Members: Susan Knudsen, Jeff Voigt, Joel Torielli, Melanie McWilliams, David Scheibner, Richard Joel, Kevin Reilly, David Thurston, Isabella Altano, Debbie Patire

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“Golden Toilet” by Maurizio Cattelan retrospective at the Guggenheim

"Golden Toilet" by Maurizio Cattelan retrospective at the Guggenheim

Photo: Kris Mckay

“Golden Toilet” by Maurizio Cattelan retrospective at the Guggenheim
September 17,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New York NY, Are you sitting down? Maurizio Cattelan: “America” opened yesterday, September 16, in one of the museum’s public restrooms. “America”—the first piece that #Cattelan has exhibited since his 2011 retrospective at the Guggenheim—is a working toilet cast from gold, which museumgoers are allowed to use just as they would any other facility in the building. In a gallery environment where visitors are usually told, “don’t touch,” this is an extraordinary opportunity to spend time completely alone with a work of art.

Its nice to see a Golden Toilet get a appreciation it deserves .

We often get asked great article ,but what does this have to do with Ridgewood ? The Ridgewood blog was inspired by the “Golden Toilet” retrospective.  Many of our readers have accused the Village of flushing money down the toilet years . Recent projects like the idiotic “traffic easing”, or the over priced ramp at Graydon pool ring a bell but for many the “Golden Toilet Fiasco:  was one of the biggest flushes of money down the drain .The $400,000 toilet rivaled  only the “Village Hall Fiasco” . While not quite on the same scope financially as the Village Hall Fiasco ,the “Golden Toilet ” became emblematic for everything wrong with the Village of Ridgewood.

“I was at the field with the $400,000 toilets and decided to go in and see, they looked ok, but the soap was empty the electric was off so the toilets didn’t flush and we couldn’t dry our hands. I guess you don’t get much for $400,000.00 anymore. ” https://theridgewoodblog.net/golden-toilet-i-guess-you-dont-get-much-for-400000-00-anymore/

Absolutely ridiculous. You can build a 2,000 sf house for $375,000 (build not buy land).https://theridgewoodblog.net/the-big-flush-golden-toilet-outrage-grows/

In later years the residents were even promised that there will be “No “Golden Toilets ” for Habernickel” https://theridgewoodblog.net/no-golden-toilets-for-habernickel/

Government has become a self perpetuating beast; enacting regulations (to protect the people!) which require people to enforce, require extra hours and costs to adhere to them and thus driving up costs for everyone else. The private sector has profit as motivation, government has service as its mandate. Government should not be running businesses that private enterprises can provide cheaper https://theridgewoodblog.net/the-golden-toilet-government-has-become-a-self-perpetuating-beast/

So next time you hear that the “Government” , or “Village Hall ” ought to do something remember the “Golden Toilet ” a $400,000 place wher only an 5th grader can go.

“here I sit all Brokenhearted paid a dime and only ….well you know the rest.

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Ridgewood Water Restriction Waiver

ridgewood water

September 16,2016
the styaff of the Ridgewood blog

Rodgewood NJ, September has arrived along with weather that is more favorable for the planting of landscape materials. Water system operating conditions and vital capital projects still limit our ability to sustain reserves in peak demand situations, so Stage 2 Water Restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. Beginning on September 6th, however, Ridgewood Water will be able to accept requests for waivers from some of the Stage 2 provisions.

The following guidelines are the basis for granting or not granting individual exceptions to restrictions on outdoor water use. Applicants must provide proof that they meet the criteria listed below. Residents are strongly urged to postpone landscape installations when weather conditions are unfavorable. Waivers cannot be guaranteed and are subject to cancellation if conditions worsen.

  • New trees, shrubs, and perennials – Waivers may be granted, but will be limited to use of soaker hoses or drip irrigation on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday only. No automatic irrigation will be allowed for this purpose.
  • New lawns (sod or seed) – Waivers may be granted for automatic irrigation on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday only.

Click HERE for an application. Application may be submitted in the following ways:

  • Mail or drop off copy to:

Village Hall

131 N. Maple Ave.

Fifth Floor

Ridgewood, NJ 07450

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Another Major Traffic Alert for Ridgewood Saturday

Road_work_theridgewoodblog
September 16th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On Saturday morning September 17th the underpass on West Glen Ave will be closed to all traffic from 8am until 4pm for utility work. Detours will be in place at Oak Street and North Monroe Street. Police officers will be stationed at intersections around the detour to assist with keeping the traffic flowing.
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New Jersey Transit Police charge man with Sexual contact of a women while on board a train

Ridgewood Train Stataion
September 14,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEWARK NJ ,New Jersey Transit Police have charged a man with criminal sexual contact after identifying him from a victim’s description given to police a few days earlier.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday, September 9, 50-year-old Raghavan E. Narayanan of Hillsborough was arrested at Newark Penn Station and charged with criminal sexual contact. Officers recognized him from a description given by a female customer, who reported a man inappropriately touched her while on board a NJ TRANSIT train two days earlier.

“We are grateful that the New Jersey Transit Police were able to act so quickly in apprehending this person,’’ said Interim Executive Director Dennis Martin. “The safety of our customers is paramount to us and we do not take that lightly.’’

“The officers of the New Jersey Transit Police Department are the eyes and ears of the state’s transportation system,’’ said Police Chief Christopher Trucillo. “Incidents like this reinforce how our police department is vigilant when it comes to protecting our customers both in plain sight and behind the scenes.’’

Narayanan was issued a summons and released pending a court date for later this month.

The charges and allegations contained in this release are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Reader Gives Synopsis of Last nights Ridgewood Council Meeting

Ridgewood Village Council

A few high points:

Rurik Halaby called Schedler a DUMP, said any plan to spend money there is STUPID, And with his penchant for big fancy words and historical accuracy, he still cannot pronounce the Mayor’s name. Rurik, it is not KAH-nudsen. It is a silent K. You KAH-now how the silent K works, dontcha?

Tony Damiano made a fool of himself and the entire Ridgewood Guild. First he gets all huffy that his name was put on a committee. Seems he is unwilling to serve on any committee unless he knows all the members beforehand, because, well, he wants TOTAL CONTROL. Then he whines and whines about his mom and pop store and how his 8-hour employee has to lock the store and drive around for 20 minutes after four hours in order to find another parking space to cover the next four hours. Ummm …..start at Cottage Place before your work day begins, park there all day, you never need to leave. It is so simple. Damiano LIED when he said there is nowhere for his employee to park. He just doesn’t want his employee to walk a couple of blocks from the always empty Cottage lot. Duh.

The owner of Roots restaurant mentioned that “Roberta” is a bad word that he hesitates to use in the council chambers.

On a very sad note, Mayor Knudsen acknowledged the passing of Meegan Shevlin, who lost her battle with breast cancer last week. Whether you agreed with Meegan or not, hers was always a lively, passionate, and informed voice on various subjects. She was a wonderful person and a fine example of citizen participation in local issues.

And then there was the continuing revelation that the mystery of the concrete which was illegally dumped at Kings Pond last year remains, well, it remains a MYSTERY. Boyd Loving has attempted to learn what contractor did this dumping, who from the Village enabled it, all with the goal of making sure that such an EPA violation never happens again. And to make sure that this contractor is never hired again. And to make sure that anyone on the inside who enabled this illegal action gets called on the carpet.

The meeting was smooth, efficient, and wow, just amazing how Roberta’s absence is a beautiful presence…..or you might say it is the PRESENT that just keeps on giving.

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Ridgewood Council Meeting : More Turf Talk About Maple Field

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September 15,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, last night council meeting saw Rurik Halaby in fine form, pronouncing Mayor Susan Knudsen’s name wrong once again and ranting  that Schedler was a dump filled with broken glass,plastic bottles and god knows what else.  He further claimed the house was a junk heap and there were no endangered species there  claiming that Eagles don’t hang out near highways.

Anne Loving remedied the situation, durring the public comment she asked Susan about the pronounciation of her name so that all would hear. Don’t know if Rurik or it was past his bed time but it will be in the minutes.

Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon is planning to request municipal funds to be used to upgrade the tree replacement program which is practically non existent except for volunteer efforts. We have been losing trees due to age, sidewalk replacement, storms and neglect. At one time Ridgewood had nine employees in the Shade Tree Division now we have three.

But the big news I heard is that the sports groups/ field committee are looking to replace the turf at Maple Field. Councilmen Ramon Hache said that it is so hard and damaged that it is unsafe to play on. Artificial turf in a flood plain well here we go again. A little snippet from the Ridgewood blog in 2007 ; Reader says, “All you “fiscally responsible” folks — artificial turf, like that at Maple, is the way to go”
https://theridgewoodblog.net/reader-says-all-you-fiscally-responsible-folks-artificial-turf-like-that-at-maple-is-the-way-to-go/

Parking came up as usual and there is concern that it is now on the back burner but the council is currently looking at all their options and revisiting the Hudson Street Garage.

Heather Mailander was very competent and managerial.  What a pleasure and such a change from our previous manager who talked more than the whole council put together.
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VILLAGE HALL OFFICES CLOSING EARLY SEPTEMBER 16TH

thats all folks

VILLAGE HALL OFFICES – CLOSING EARLY SEPTEMBER 16TH @ 3:30PM

September 15,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, September 16, 2016 – All Village offices in Village Hall and The Stable will close at 3:30 p.m.

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NJ TRANSIT ISSUES SAFETY ADVISORY ON SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE7

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Strongly Urges Customers Not to Use or Charge the Device Onboard Vehicles or in Facilities

September 13, 2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Following safety concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note7, NJ TRANSIT is strongly urging all customers not to use or charge the mobile device on board trains, buses, light rail vehicles or in stations and facilities.

“We are asking our customers who have the Galaxy Note7, to simply turn it off before entering an NJ TRANSIT facility or boarding a vehicle.” said interim Executive Director Dennis Martin.  “Because of the uncertainties surrounding this device, we are issuing this precautionary advisory to ensure the safety of all of our customers.”

The Samsung Galaxy Note7 has been the subject of numerous accounts of the batteries bursting into flames.  Both Samsung and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission are urging owners to power down these devices and stop charging or using them.

“NJ TRANSIT is urging our customers to do the responsible thing and heed the manufacturer’s advice to power down the Galaxy Note7” said Gardner Tabon, Chief of NJ TRANSIT’s Office of System Safety.  “This is especially critical when riding a transit system along with hundreds of thousands of others.”

NJ TRANSIT has not had any reported cases of a Samsung Galaxy Note7 becoming a fire hazard.  In February 2016, NJ TRANSIT restricted customers and employees from using, charging, storing or transporting hoverboards following similar fire safety concerns.

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Reader says there is a prevalence of distracted driving in Ridgewood

Ridgewood crossing guards 2

file photo by Boyd Loving

The prevalence of driving with phone in hand is very high. But the worst case I have seen was a woman driving a Hummer, talking on her cell phone with one hand and holding a cup of coffee in the other. She would regularly turn from Meadowbrook onto Fairfield during the school rush while steering that Hummer with her knees! She was followed closely in stupidity to the man driving down Rt 17S during rush hour while reading his newspaper. PLEASE, for everyone’s sake, DRIVE SAFELY!

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Ridgewood Schools Public presentations on Full Day Kindergarten at 7 p.m.. at BFMS , October 5 and at GWMS , October 27.

home alone

September 14,2016

the staff of the Ridgewoood blog

Ridgewood NJ, FAQ on Full-Day Kindergarten: Vote is November 8. The November 8 election ballot will include a question for residents about implementing full-day Kindergarten FDK) in Ridgewood. Public presentations will be held on FDK at 7 p.m.. at BFMS on Wednesday, October 5 and at GWMS on Thursday, October 27.

To learn more about full-day Kindergarten, please click here for a FAQ sheet, updated on August 23, 2016. Please click here to go to other Full-Day K documents that are located in the Full-day Kindergarten Exploratory Committee folder on the Curriculum web page.

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One hundred thirty six students at Ridgewood High School have been named AP Scholars

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September 13,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ ,One hundred thirty six students at Ridgewood High School have been named AP Scholars by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college level Advanced Placement Examinations.

The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on the students’ performance on AP exams. At RHS:

  • Six students qualified for the National AP Scholar Award by earning an average grade of 4.0 or higher on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.
  • Twenty-nine students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
  • Fifty-one students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher.
About 18 percent of the more than 1.9 million high school students worldwide who took AP Examinations in May 2016 performed at a sufficiently high level to merit such recognition.

Twenty-one award recipients are juniors. These students have at least one more year in which to do college-level work, and possibly earn another Advanced Placement Award.

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BREAKING: Ridgewood BOE-REA Sign Memorandum of Agreement on Teachers Contract

BOE_theridgewoodblog
September 13, 2016
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT’S OFFICE
Ridgewood NJ, The Board of Education and the REA negotiating teams signed a Memorandum of Agreement at 12:15 AM on September 13, 2016 concluding negotiations on a 3-year contract for the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.  Terms of the agreement will be released after the REA members have ratified the contract.
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Reader says : Everyone tries to criticize anonymity on The Blog, but the fact is you get utter honesty here and that is what we really need

Clock_Ridgewood_theridgewopodblog

On The Blog people are the most honest of all because they are not afraid of repercussions from their employer (if they work at village hall) or the board of ed (if they work for the school system) or their neighbors or school acquaintances. Let’s say you hate the teachers but your neighbor is a teacher. Well, you are not likely to post honestly your feelings on the contract negotiations if you have to identify yourself. In fact, you are likely to post whatever you think your neighbor wants to hear, because you want to remain friendly with the neighbors. Let’s say you are a fireman in town or your spouse is a cop. Well, you are not going to write anything negative about the village manager if you have to be identified in the posting, because this could impact your employment or that of your spouse. Supposing you are totally opposed to the parking garage but you live next door to a person with pro-garage signs all over his front lawn. Are you going to keep the peace in your little world or go to war with him by posting under your own name how much you oppose the garage? The online discussion forums in which everyone has to be identified tend to contain a lot of politically correct BS and not a great deal of gut-wrenching honesty.

Now there are some exceptions, some people who are more than willing to state their case and not worry about repercussions. To these people I say thank you, but I also suspect that they are not in any of the situations described in the previous paragraph.

The Blog = honesty = transparency = THE BLOG RULES

Everyone tries to criticize anonymity on The Blog, but the fact is you get utter honesty here and that is what we really need.

Thank you James Foytlin for serving our community so well.

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Village Council Liaisons for Ridgewood Boards and Committees

New Ridgewood Village Council

file photo by Boyd Loving

LIST OF COUNCIL LIAISONS TO BOARDS/COMMITTEES FOR VILLAGE

Click here for the List of Council Liasions to the Board/Committees for the Village.