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Ridgewood Top 5 Biggest Drops in Housing Inventory in New Jersey

ridgewood real-estate

The 5 most competitive places to buy a home in New Jersey

By Carla Astudillo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on April 11, 2017 at 7:20 AM, updated April 11, 2017 at 4:39 PM

New Jersey buyers beware – it’s a competitive time to search for your dream home.

Housing inventory data for nearly 500 New Jersey zip codes from Realtor.com provided by the Associated Press shows that 77 percent of them saw a plunge in the number of homes on the market in February of this year, compared to the same time last year.

That means it’s mostly a seller’s market in the state.

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/five_of_the_worse_places_to_buy_a_home_in_new_jers.html#incart_river_home

LOCALITY
COUNTY
ZIP CODE
PERCENT CHANGE SINCE LAST YEAR
MEDIAN LISTING PRICE
1 Buena Atlantic 08310 -59.1%

$219,900
2 Ridgefield Park Bergen 07660 -55.4%

$298,500
3 Glen Ridge Essex 07028 -53.6%

$558,300
4 Ridgewood Bergen 07450 -48.0%

$899,000
5 Township of Washington Bergen 07676 -45.5%

$574,500
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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING, Bogart ,Cambridge ,and Pomander Walk

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING

APRIL 12, 2017

8:00 P.M.

1.   Call to Order – Mayor

2.   Statement of Compliance with the Open Public       Meetings Act

3.   Roll Call – Village Clerk

4.   Flag Salute and Moment of Silence

5.   Acceptance of Financial Reports

6.   Approval of Minutes

7.   Proclamations

  1. Proclaim April as Tree Planting Month and   April 28, 2017 as Arbor Day
  2. Proclaim April 29, 2017 LAX Day in Ridgewood
  3. Proclaim May 7-13, 2017 National Drinking    Water Week
  4. Proclaim May as Building Safety Month

    8.   Presentation by Bradford Fritts, Owner of Jersey     Mike’s Subs – Donation for Restoration of Bell      Tower at Ridgewood High School

     

    9. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes    per person – 40 minutes in total)

    10.  Village Manager’s Report

    11.  Village Council Reports

    12.  ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER

    NONE

    13.  ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER

    3588 – Amend Chapter 269 – Water Irrigation Schedule      and Water Emergencies

    14.  RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

    THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-87 THROUGH 17-92 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

    17-87     Title 59 Approval – Approves the plans and              specifications for Tree Maintenance Services,         prepared by the Ridgewood Water Department,              pursuant to Title 59

    17-88      Award Contract – Tree Maintenance Services –              Awards a contract to the sole responsible              bidder, Downes Tree Service, 65 Royal Avenue,           Hawthorne, NJ on a per item basis

    17-89     Award Contract – Water Main Replacements at               Stream Crossings ($998,500) –Awards a                    contract to the lowest responsible bidder,            Fred Devens Construction, 403 Stonetown Road,          Ringwood, NJ

    17-90      Award Contract Under State Contract –                    Materials and Supplies – Water Main Repairs –      Awards a contract under State Contract to             Stone Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 8310,                    Haledon, NJ

    17-91      Authorize Change Order – Rehabilitation of              Glen Avenue Tank ($29,766) –Authorizes a                change order for this project, to the                    original contractor, Brave Industrial Paint,              LLC, 177 Elmwood Avenue, Long Branch, NJ.                This change order was necessary due to the                fact that additional work, beyond the                    original contract scope, is necessary.

    17-92      Authorize Change Order – Furnish and Install            Control Valves at Various Locations ($26,960)           – Authorizes a change order for this project,        to the original contractor, CFM Construction,       Inc., 5 Bay Street, Stirling, NJ. This change        order was necessary due to the fact that           additional work, not anticipated at the time              of award, is necessary.  

    15.  ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION

    3592 – Establish a CAP Bank

    3593 – General Capital Ordinance

    3594 – Water Utility Capital Ordinance

    3595 – Parking Utility Capital Ordinance

    3596 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –             Parking Restrictions – Bogert Avenue and              Cambridge Road – Prohibits parking at all times            on the east side of Bogert Avenue within 25-feet     of the 90 degree inside corner in the road north      of Glen Avenue and on the west side of Cambridge     Road within 25-feet of the 90 degree inside         corner in the road north of East Glen Avenue.         In addition, prohibits parking in other sections  of Bogert Avenue and Cambridge Road from 8:00      a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.      Monday through Friday, September 1st through June      30th.

    3597 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –             Parking Restrictions – Pomander Walk –Prohibits  parking on the South/West side of Pomander Walk         8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on all days and restricts  parking to two hours on the North/East side of          Pomander Walk from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on all     days except Sundays and Holidays

    3598 – Amend Chapter 260 – Trees and Shrubs – The goals  of this ordinance are: preservation of the           Village’s native tree stock on both public and      private lands; advocating for the removal of          invasive and non-indigenous tree and shrub            species; replacement of trees removed on both          public and private properties; maintain the          number of trees in the Village

    16.  ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING

    3589 – Establish Rules and Regulations for Rental of            Rooms in The Stable

    3590 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Establish Rental Fees     – The Stable

    3591 – Repeal Chapter 29, Historic Preservation             Commission, Amend Chapter 190, Land Use and        Development, and Repeal Chapter 251, Swimming        Pools

    17.  2017 BUDGET INTRODUCTION

    A.   Budget Message

     

    B.   RESOLUTION

     

         17-93      Approve 2017 Municipal Budget and Set                May 10, 2017 as the Date for the Public                    Hearing Thereon

    18.  RESOLUTIONS

    THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-94 THROUGH

    17-118 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

    17-94      Approve Temporary Emergency Capital Budget

    17-95      Approve Temporary Emergency Budget                        Appropriations

    17-96     Title 59 Approval – Conduit Installation for              Traffic Signals – Approves the plans and              specifications for Conduit Installation for              Traffic Signals in the Village of Ridgewood                prepared by the Engineering Division,                    pursuant to Title 59

    17-97      Award Contract – Conduit Installation for              Traffic Signals (NTE $25,325) –Awards a              contract to the lowest quote, ConQuest                    Construction Corporation, 20 Carver Avenue,           Westwood, NJ

    17-98      Award Contract – Disposal of Recyclable                 Materials – Authorizes a contract for                  disposal of the Village’s recyclable                    materials for the first year of a two-year               contract to Atlantic Coast Fibers, LLC, 101               Seventh Street, Passaic, NJ

    17-99     Title 59 Approval – Gate House Sloped Entry –           Irene Habernickel Family Park –Approves the            plans and specifications for Gatehouse Sloped           Entry at the Irene Habernickel Family Park             prepared by the Engineering Division,                pursuant to Title 59

    17-100    Award Contract – Gate House Sloped Entry –           Irene Habernickel Family Park (NTE $67,735) –         Awards a contract to the lowest responsible             bidder, Onque Technologies, Inc., 297-146             Kinderkamack Road, Suite 101, Oradell, NJ

    17-101    Title 59 Approval – Furnishing, Delivering,             and Maintenance of Emergency Equipment and            Other Patrol Equipment – Approves the plans                and specifications for Furnishing,                        Delivering, and Maintenance of Emergency           Equipment, Radios, Vehicle Computer Systems,             and Other Listed Patrol Equipment for the             Ridgewood Police Department, July 1, 2017             through June 30, 2018, inclusive prepared by               the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title              59

    17-102    Award Contract – Furnishing, Delivering, and              Maintenance of Emergency Equipment, Vehicle            Computer Systems, and Other Patrol Equipment              – Police Department –Awards the second year           of a two-year contract to the lowest                 responsible bidder, Regional Communications,               Inc., 64 East Midland Avenue, Paramus, NJ at             the unit prices stated in the contract

    17-103    Title 59 Approval – Paving – Approves the           plans and specifications for 2017 Road                  Resurfacing and Repair of Various Village               Streets in the Village of Ridgewood prepared                by the Engineering Division, pursuant to               Title 59

    17-104    Award Contract – Paving ($1,000,000) – Awards          a partial award of a contract to the lowest              responsible bidder, J.A. Alexander, 13-158                John F. Kennedy Drive North, Bloomfield, NJ

    17-105    Award Professional Services Contract –                    Traffic Engineering Services – West Side              Study Area ($14,945) – Awards a Professional               Services contract to the lowest proposal by              Petry Traffic and Transportation Engineering,        155 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, NJ

    17-106    Authorize Shared Services Agreement – Police           Pistol Range (Wood-Ridge $150 per                         officer/retired officer) – Authorizes a                  Shared Services Agreement between the Village      of Ridgewood and the Borough of Wood-Ridge so         that the Ridgewood Police Department may use             the Police Pistol Range in Wood-Ridge to                conduct their annual firearms qualifications

    17-107    Reject Bids – School Bus Transportation –              Summer Day Camp – Rejects the sole bid by           First Student, Inc. of Englewood, NJ due to                the fact that the bid received exceeds the              available funding

    17-108    Declare Police Vehicles Surplus Property –            Declares a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria and a           2009 Ford Crown Victoria Police vehicles                surplus property and authorizes the Village              Manager to dispose of these vehicles

    17-109    Declare Radar Systems Surplus and Authorize               Donation to Englewood Cliffs Police                   Department – Declares three radar systems             surplus and authorizes the Village Manager to       dispose of and transfer them to the Borough              of Englewood Cliffs for use by their Police               Department. No warranties or guarantees of            the condition or usefulness of the equipment           are offered by the Village of Ridgewood.

    17-110    Accept Partial Donations – Portable Fuel Cell      Trailer – Parks and Recreation – Accepts                donations from Maroons Soccer Association            ($1,600), Ridgewood Soccer Association                   ($850), and Ridgewood Jr. Football                         Association ($600), toward the purchase of a            Portable Fuel Cell Trailer which costs $5,478

    17-111    Accept Donation – Restoration of Sally Port –         Ridgewood Police Department – Accepts a                donation valued at $3,800 from the owner of           Five Star Painting, 38 East Ridgewood Avenue,        Ridgewood, NJ to paint the walls and floors              of the Sallyport. The owner of the company,               Christian Cruz, has volunteered to donate the       labor and supplies to the Village of                    Ridgewood. He currently has no applications               before any Village Boards or Committees nor                does he have any pending business with the                Village.

    17-112    Support Responsible Pet Ownership –                   Delineates actions to be taken by the Village      to support responsible pet ownership,                    including: enforcing rabies control statutes;        impounding stray dogs and cats; educating all      residents about responsibilities for pet             ownership; increasing the percentage of                  licensed dogs and cats through ease of                    licensing and licensing enforcement;                  identifying and implementing best practices           for spaying and neutering animals;                        identifying alternatives to euthanasia of            adoptable companion animals; assisting in              identifying resources to      improve the                   condition and increasing the capacity of              animal shelters

    17-113    Authorize Mayor’s Pledge for Age Friendly              Ridgewood Initiatives – Authorizes the Mayor                to sign a Mayor’s Pledge to take steps to            adopt some policies widely recognized as            being advantageous for older adults

    17-114    Authorize Release of Cash Security Bond –               Sludge Hauling Contract – Authorizes the             release of a cash security bond for Ridgewood       Green RME, LLC for sludge hauling from the               Village’s Water Pollution Control Facility,              due to the fact that Ridgewood Green RME, LLC       is no longer the Village’s vendor for this               service

    17-115    Authorize Partial Release of Cash Bond – J.P.      Development – 143 & 147 West Glen Avenue –                The project is substantially complete,                  according to the Village Engineer, so the              majority of the cash bond will be refunded,             with the balance being refunded at the                 completion of the project

    17-116    Authorize Cleaning of Kings Pond Park by             Ridgewood      Wildscape and Partners –Authorizes          a cleanup of the Kings Pond area by Ridgewood        Wildscape and their partners on April 30,           2017. The Village will provide assistance by               providing chest waders, gloves and other           protective equipment to handle the debris,               rakes and hand tools, and pickup and disposal      of the debris. This cleanup has been reviewed       by the Village Engineer, pursuant to Title              59.

    17-117    Authorize Installation of Bus Shelter – North      Monroe Street and West Glen Avenue –                 Authorizes the installation of an IKEA                    Paramus, NJ model bus shelter on North Monroe        Street, just north of West Glen Avenue and            authorizes the Village Manager to execute the      necessary agreements

    17-118    Rescind Resolution #15-257 on Schedler Park –      Determination of Uses for Schedler Park                 Property – Rescinds Resolution #15-257 which            laid out the uses of the Schedler Park                     property, to include active and passive                   recreational areas, as well as a 90-foot             baseball diamond

    19.  Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes    per person)

    20.  Resolution to go into Closed Session

    21.  Closed Session

  1. Personnel/Contract Negotiations – Blue    Collar, White Collar and Supervisory Union   Negotiations
  2. Contract Negotiations – Consideration of Purchase of Properties

    22.  Adjournment

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Reader mostly agree The settlement isn’t designed to address low income housing availability. It is designed as a club developers can hold over the heads of affluent communities

Paul_Aronsohn_dunking_theridgewoodblog

Seven low income housing units are planned for the Chestnut Avenue development that was just approved. How the heck does Ridgewood make any sort of real dent in its preposterous court-imposed low income housing deficit, seven units at a time?

Judicial fiat in any area of life over a time span measured in decades is utter lunacy. In this case it constitutes a naked denial to New Jersey citizens of their right under the U.S. Constitution to a republican (small ‘r’) form of government. The Municipal Law course at Rutgers Newark offered at the turn of the millenium featured a hands-upturned, shoulders-shrugged admission of all of the above by the part-time prof and active municipal law practitioner (who, of course, supported the system despite its unconstitutionality, but why? Because the prof was a reliablly progressive statist drone who agreed with the POLICY!).

The issue of affordable housing is based on a NJ Supreme Court decision over 10 years ago that requires EVERY municipality in the state to provide affordable housing in their community. The towns then essentially passed that burden along to developers who wished to build new housing units in their community by requiring that a percentage of the new units be dedicated to affordable housing. Nonetheless the legal obligation to provide affordable housing ultimately rests with the municipality and not developers..

It doesn’t. The way the ‘settlement’ has been structured, it never will.The settlement isn’t designed to address low income housing availability. It is designed as a club developers can hold over the heads of affluent communities. No prizes for guessing who the driving force behind the settlement was.

If they REALLY cared about affordable housing, they would insist that developers build 100% affordable housing, instead of giving ‘credit’ for a few units in a giant multifamily building. But there the $$$$$ are just not there for developing pure affordable housing, you see!

The part I can’t understand is that to get the seven we have to get a lot more of the “non-low-income” kind, thereby increasing the proportion of those. At that rate, the more affordable units we build, the farther behind we’ll get. By the way, Aronsohn promised the disabled community that he would make sure appropriate housing became available. Why isn’t his name invoked when complaints are made that Ridgewood needs this? No–instead, he’s thanked.

That was the fallacy and lunacy of the Mayor Arohnson approach – – the last council approved close to 400 new family units downtown with only a small percentage addressing our coah requirements. But, the new council does not seem any more intent on doing what we need to do in a rationale manner. Now we have these new units going forward, our schools and other village services will be innundated with new people and we still have the problem we had before — where do we put hundreds of new coah units??

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NJ TRANSIT BACK ON TRACK…ALMOST

waiting _for-the _bus_theridgewoodblog

TIPS FOR COMMUTERS

April 7,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  At 6:55 a.m., Amtrak advised NJ TRANSIT that all but one track is back in service at Penn Station New York (PSNY). NJ TRANSIT’s MidTOWN Direct Service has been operating to PSNY this morning, and the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line train service is operating on their regular weekday schedules.

Trains are running with 15-20 delays !

As a precaution, NJ TRANSIT is advising customers that they may experience some delays and should give themselves some extra time to get to their destinations.  We also urge customers to check njtransit.com before traveling.

At approximately 9 a.m. Monday morning, NJ TRANSIT’s Northeast Corridor line train #3926 experienced a slow-speed derailment while pulling in to Track 9 at New York’s Penn Station.  Three cars in the middle of the ten car train derailed.  These were cars 5, 6, and 7.  Amtrak, which owns and maintains the tracks near Penn Station New York, has determined that a track problem was the cause of the derailment.

As long term commuters many on the staff of the Ridgewood blog would like to offer the following advise : Always have a backup plan  or a plan B . Long term commuters often have a plan C as well .

If you take the Train everyday be familiar with the NJT bus schedule (163,164 ) as well as the Short line bus schedule and the NJT 165 express buses that leave the park and ride at Garden State Parkway off Ridgewood ave. Also be familiar with the 752 buses ,they link Ridgewood to Hackensack bus station. And don’t forget the 175 goes to the GWB bus station linking to the A express subway line.
Midtown direct passengers should be familiar with the Hoboken PATH trains  as well as trains from Newark Penn to Ridgewood .Main line Bergen Line passengers should also be familiar with Pascack Valley line .
Complaining about commuting does not get you home to your family but good planning does.
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The most toxic sites in each New Jersey county

town garage ridgewood

no its not the town garage in Ridgewood 

BY S.P. SULLIVAN | NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

New Jersey has more places under the federal Superfund program, which prioritizes cleanups of dangerous contaminated sites, than any other state.

Many have histories more colorful than an oil slick: A massive chemical fire at a mob-controlled waste storage facility. Agent Orange in the Passaic River. Local wildlife turned green. And the only site ever to be put on the Superfund list twice.

While many of those sites have been cleaned up, they require longterm treatment and monitoring. With the EPA’s budget on the chopping block under President Donald Trump’s administration, advocates worry things will backslide for the Superfund, which has already been near-broke for decades.

“Just think about it: We’ve got over a hundred Superfund sites in this state. We’ve got 21 counties,” former Gov. Jim Florio, who wrote the Superfund law when he was in Congress in the early 1980s, said recently. “Nobody lives very far from these sites.”

BERGEN COUNTY

Garfield Groundwater Contamination

The former E.C. Electroplating company’s activity at this Garfield site spilled and leaked cancer-causing chromium into the ground, creating a plume of groundwater contamination at least a half a mile wide. One of New Jersey’s orphan sites, the EPA hasn’t identified a funding source for a cleanup, and says there’s “insufficient data” to measure the risk it poses to the surrounding community.

The city’s mayor appeared in front of a U.S. Senate hearing to plead for federal dollars for the site in 2014, but the cleanup still lacks funds.

Curcio Scrap Metal, Inc.

This active scrap metal yard in Saddle Brook saw a spill of oil containing PCBs in the 1980s and a major cleanup project in the 90s. Because of the nature of the work done there, it was also contaminated with heavy metals and volatile organic compounds, according to the EPA. Soil cleanup was completed long ago but groundwater cleanup is ongoing.

Fair Lawn Well Field

This site includes three municipal drinking water wells in the Bergen County borough. Volatile organic compounds were detected in the water in the late 1970s and traced to a nearby industrial park. Monitoring is ongoing, but the EPA says it has “insufficient data” to determine the site’s threat to human health.

(EPA)

Maywood Chemical Co.

The Maywood Chemical Works processed radioactive thorium ore from 1916 to 1955. The work generated chemical and radioactive waste.

The site is being cleaned up by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the company deemed responsible for the contamination. Cleanup of radioactive soil is “underway” and the rest of the plan is “in development,” according to EPA.

Quanta Resources Corporation

This site saw nearly a century of coal tar, paving and roofing material production along what was once an industrial wasteland along the Hudson River. Now surrounded by booming waterfront development, the EPA is overseeing cleanup of PCBs and other contaminants, but says it has “insufficient data” to determine the site’s threat to human health.

Berry’s Creek Study Area

A small chunk of the Meadowlands in Bergen County is home to three distinct Superfund sites along Berry’s Creek, a six-mile tributary of the Hackensack River. The area includes the Scientific Chemical site in Carlstadt, Universal Oil Products site in East Rutherford and the Ventron/Velsicol site, which spans Wood-Ridge and Carlstadt.

All three sites are laden with PCBs and Berry’s Creek is considered among the most mercury-laden locations in the country. Only the Scientific Chemical site is listed as “under control.”

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/the_most_toxic_sites_in_each_new_jersey_county.html#incart_2box_nj-homepage-featured

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NJT: MidTOWN Direct trains continue to operate in and out of Hoboken Terminal

Ridgewood-Trainstation1_theridgewoodblog

Cross-Honoring Continues, Enhanced Ferry Service to Midtown

April 6,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  NJ TRANSIT is adding additional train service to the holiday schedule for the Wednesday morning and afternoon peak periods on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and North Jersey Coast Lines (NJCL) operating into Penn Station New York (PSNY).  Additionally, enhanced cross-honoring ferry service into midtown Manhattan will be available every half-hour at Hoboken Terminal during morning and afternoon peak periods.

At approximately 9 a.m. Monday morning, NJ TRANSIT’s Northeast Corridor line train #3926 experienced a slow-speed derailment while pulling in to Track 9 at New York’s Penn Station.  Three cars in the middle of the ten car train derailed.  These were cars 5, 6, and 7.

Please Note: Customers are advised to expect this level of service through the close of the service day on Thursday, April 6, 2017 as Amtrak continues to make repairs in PSNY.

Highlights of the additional peak period train service include the following: two additional trains will operate on the North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL) providing one seat rides to/from Bay Head during morning and afternoon peak periods; two additional trains on the NEC will operate to/from New Brunswick; and one additional NEC train will operate to/from Trenton making local stops (except Jersey Ave. in a.m.).

The following additional trains will operate inbound to PSNY:

NJCL 5:45 a.m. from Bay Head
NJCL 6:59 a.m. from Bay Head
NEC 8:11 a.m. from New Brunswick
NEC 8:41 a.m. from New Brunswick
NEC 8:32 a.m. from Trenton (local stops except Jersey Ave.)

The following additional trains will operate outbound from PSNY:

•           NEC 4:38 p.m. to Jersey Ave.

•           NEC 5:28 p.m. to Jersey Ave.

•           NJCL 5:38 p.m. to Bay Head

•           NEC 6:31 p.m. local to Trenton (including Jersey Ave. stop)

•           NJCL 6:38 p.m. to Bay Head

Enhanced ferry service

Beginning at 6:30 a.m. through 9:30 a.m. New York Waterway Ferry will operate service from Hoboken Terminal slip 5 to 39th St. in midtown Manhattan every half-hour.  This service will operate in the afternoon peak hours between 3:30 p.m. (39th St Manhattan) and 7:00 p.m.  All of these trips will accept and cross honor NJ TRANSIT tickets and passes to New York.

NJ TRANSIT is continuing the HOLIDAY schedule for the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL).  Customers should locate the SATURDAY/SUNDAY/HOLIDAY schedule on their timetables and note that all trains will be operating, including those listed in the color-shaded columns.

NJ TRANSIT and private bus carriers have increased bus service as much as possible on routes along the affected rail lines.  Academy has enhanced their PNC park-and-ride service to accommodate North Jersey Coast Line customers.  Suburban Transit has also added service to accommodate Northeast Corridor customers.

MidTOWN Direct trains continue to operate in and out of Hoboken Terminal where customers can access PATH, NJ TRANSIT bus service and New York Waterway ferry.

Raritan Valley Line service will operate on a regular weekday schedule and originate/terminate at Newark Penn Station.

Main/Bergen, Pascack Valley, Port Jervis and Atlantic City Rail Lines will operate on regular weekday schedules.

Customers are encouraged to check njtransit.com for complete details.

Cross honoring remains in effect with NJ TRANSIT bus, light rail, private carrier bus, NY Waterway ferry, and PATH at Newark, Hoboken and 33rdStreet. Path also has increased its level of service to accommodate the additional demand.

Hoboken services will be impacted due to the additional trains in the terminal. Because of track limitation in the terminal some Summit-bound trains will be impacted.

Due to the circumstances, impacted customers are advised to build in additional travel time as delays and overcrowding conditions are anticipated.

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New Jersey Department of Education Issues School Report Card

RHS_theridgewoodblog

April 5,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey Department of Education ( NJDOE) has posted its School Performance Report for the 2015-16 school year.

As in previous years, the report allows visitors to view the academic performance of any district or any school by grade level. The report also includes a broad array of information not included in past years.

According to the NJDOE website :The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) presents the 2015-16 School Performance Reports. These reports are designed to inform parents, educators and communities about how well a school is performing and preparing its students for college and careers. In particular, the School Performance Reports seek to:

Focus attention on metrics that are indicative of college and career readiness.

Benchmark a school’s performance against other schools that are educating similar students, against district and state-wide outcomes, and against state targets to illuminate and build upon a school’s strengths and identify areas for improvement.

Improve educational outcomes for students by providing both longitudinal and growth data so that progress can be measured as part of an individual school’s efforts to engage in continuous improvement.

The latest report provides data on faculty attendance, absenteeism, PSAT and ACT performance in addition to SAT scores, advanced placement and international baccalaureate counts, and the percentage of students concentrating in approved career and technical education programs.

However the report no longer provides “peer school comparisons,” however, which compared each school’s data to a group of similar schools.

For Ridgewood High School “Academic Achievement” : School wide Performance 72% of students met or exceeded expectations in English Language Arts Literacy Met or Exceeded Expectations putting RHS in the 91% Statewide Percentile.In Mathematics 71%  of students met or exceeded expectations putting RHS in the 99% Statewide Percentile.

For College and Career Readiness Indicators , Percent of Students Participating in PSAT , RHS 64.4% vs Statewide 95.5% .
Percent of Students Participating in SAT ,RHS 42.4% vs Statewide 58.0% .
Percent of Students Participating in ACT ,RHS 58.4% vs Statewide 27.6%.

See the full report at https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/

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NJ TRANSIT CONTINUES TO ADD NEW YORK RAIL SERVICE

NJT ticket machine

Cross-Honoring Continues, Enhanced Ferry Service to Midtown

April 5,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is adding additional train service to the holiday schedule for the Wednesday morning and afternoon peak periods on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and North Jersey Coast Lines (NJCL) operating into Penn Station New York (PSNY).  Additionally, enhanced cross-honoring ferry service into midtown Manhattan will be available every half-hour at Hoboken Terminal during morning and afternoon peak periods.

At approximately 9 a.m. Monday morning, NJ TRANSIT’s Northeast Corridor line train #3926 experienced a slow-speed derailment while pulling in to Track 9 at New York’s Penn Station.  Three cars in the middle of the ten car train derailed.  These were cars 5, 6, and 7.

Please Note: Customers are advised to expect this level of service through the close of the service day on Thursday, April 6, 2017 as Amtrak continues to make repairs in PSNY.

Highlights of the additional peak period train service include the following: two additional trains will operate on the North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL) providing one seat rides to/from Bay Head during morning and afternoon peak periods; two additional trains on the NEC will operate to/from New Brunswick; and one additional NEC train will operate to/from Trenton making local stops (except Jersey Ave. in a.m.).

The following additional trains will operate inbound to PSNY:

NJCL 5:45 a.m. from Bay Head
NJCL 6:59 a.m. from Bay Head
NEC 8:11 a.m. from New Brunswick
NEC 8:41 a.m. from New Brunswick
NEC 8:32 a.m. from Trenton (local stops except Jersey Ave.)

The following additional trains will operate outbound from PSNY:

•           NEC 4:38 p.m. to Jersey Ave.

•           NEC 5:28 p.m. to Jersey Ave.

•           NJCL 5:38 p.m. to Bay Head

•           NEC 6:31 p.m. local to Trenton (including Jersey Ave. stop)

•           NJCL 6:38 p.m. to Bay Head

Enhanced ferry service

Beginning at 6:30 a.m. through 9:30 a.m. New York Waterway Ferry will operate service from Hoboken Terminal slip 5 to 39th St. in midtown Manhattan every half-hour.  This service will operate in the afternoon peak hours between 3:30 p.m. (39th St Manhattan) and 7:00 p.m.  All of these trips will accept and cross honor NJ TRANSIT tickets and passes to New York.

NJ TRANSIT is continuing the HOLIDAY schedule for the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL).  Customers should locate the SATURDAY/SUNDAY/HOLIDAY schedule on their timetables and note that all trains will be operating, including those listed in the color-shaded columns.

NJ TRANSIT and private bus carriers have increased bus service as much as possible on routes along the affected rail lines.  Academy has enhanced their PNC park-and-ride service to accommodate North Jersey Coast Line customers.  Suburban Transit has also added service to accommodate Northeast Corridor customers.

MidTOWN Direct trains continue to operate in and out of Hoboken Terminal where customers can access PATH, NJ TRANSIT bus service and New York Waterway ferry.

Raritan Valley Line service will operate on a regular weekday schedule and originate/terminate at Newark Penn Station.

Main/Bergen, Pascack Valley, Port Jervis and Atlantic City Rail Lines will operate on regular weekday schedules.

Customers are encouraged to check njtransit.com for complete details.

Cross honoring remains in effect with NJ TRANSIT bus, light rail, private carrier bus, NY Waterway ferry, and PATH at Newark, Hoboken and 33rdStreet. Path also has increased its level of service to accommodate the additional demand.

Hoboken services will be impacted due to the additional trains in the terminal. Because of track limitation in the terminal some Summit-bound trains will be impacted.

Due to the circumstances, impacted customers are advised to build in additional travel time as delays and overcrowding conditions are anticipated.

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Due to Northeast Corridor Train Derailment NJT will continue to operate an adjusted schedule

Ridgewood-Trainstation1_theridgewoodblog

Cross-Honoring Continues, Delays and Crowding Expected

April 4, 2017

Ridgewood NJ,  NJ TRANSIT will continue to operate an adjusted schedule to and from Penn Station New York (PSNY) for Tuesday, April 4th.  The reduced train service is due to track constraints at PSNY following the slow-speed derailment of a NJ TRANSIT train Monday morning.

At approximately 9 a.m. Monday morning, NJ TRANSIT’s Northeast Corridor line train #3926 experienced a slow-speed derailment while pulling in to Track 9 at New York’s Penn Station.  Three cars in the middle of the ten car train derailed.  These were cars 5, 6, and 7.

Northeast Corridor (NEC) and North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL) trains will operate on a HOLIDAY schedule with some additional service.  Customers should locate the SATURDAY/SUNDAY/HOLIDAY schedule on their timetables and note that all trains will be operating, including those listed in the color-shaded columns.  Due to the holiday schedule, rail service with NOT be operating to/from Jersey Avenue and Avenel stations.

NJ TRANSIT and private bus carriers are increasing bus service as much as possible on routes along the affected rail lines.  Academy will enhance their PNC park-and-ride service to accommodate North Jersey Coast Line customers.  Suburban Transit will also add service to accommodate Northeast Corridor customers.

MidTOWN Direct trains will continue to operate in and out of Hoboken Terminal where customers can access PATH and NJ TRANSIT bus service.  PATH will also be increasing service.

Raritan Valley Line service will operate on a regular weekday schedule and originate/terminate at Newark Penn Station.

Main/Bergen, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis Lines will operate on regular weekday schedules.

Atlantic City Rail line rail service will operate on a regular weekday schedule.

Customers are encouraged to check njtransit.com for complete details.

Cross honoring remains in effect with NJ TRANSIT bus, private carrier bus, NY Waterway ferry, and PATH at Newark, Hoboken and 33rd Street.

Hoboken services will also be impacted due to the additional trains in the terminal. Because of track limitation in the terminal some Summit-bound trains will be impacted.

Due to the circumstances, impacted customers are advised to build in additional travel time as delays and overcrowding conditions are anticipated.

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Reader says supporting simple, low-cost, low-impact, high-ROI programs undermines their entire narrative of over-developing Ridgewood

ridgewood train station parkiong

The crowd who loves high-density CBD housing, massive hospital expansions, and giant money losing garages hate adding more parking to the train station and CBD in a simple and low-cost manner. Why? Because supporting simple, low-cost, low-impact, high-ROI programs undermines their entire narrative of over-developing. Is Sears failing from a lack of parking? Is Englewood, NJ struggling with store-front retail due to a lack of parking? We have the parking, the very well done Walker and Maser reports show we don’t use what we have. Why don’t we try maximizing all the space we have already dedicated to parking first, then think about building. The garages all lose money even while requiring huge fee increases and are really subsidies for the local developer and a couple land owners in the CBD.

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Ridgewood Fire Department battled a 3-alarm house fire on Van Emburgh Avenue Thursday Evening

Ridgewood Fire Department battled a 3-alarm house fire on Van Emburgh Ave

photos courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook

March 31,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood FD personnel battled a 3-alarm house fire on Van Emburgh Avenue early Thursday evening, 03/30. The fire reportedly started in wood burning stove’s vent pipe. No injuries were reported and damage to the home appeared to have been light to moderate. Firefighters from Glen Rock and Waldwick assisted Ridgewood FD at the scene. A portion of Van Emburgh Avenue remained closed for an extended period while emergency responders worked.

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Women Missing In Ridgewood Found at Home in Oakland

Women Missing In Ridgewood Found at Home in Oakland

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

March 30,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,Ridgewood Police, Fire department, EMS, OEM, Parking Enforcement and Emergency Services personnel all participated in the search for an adult female dementia patient who went missing while on foot in Ridgewood’s Central Business District on Wednesday afternoon, 03/29. The missing woman was located safe & sound at her home in Oakland, two (2) hours after having last been seen by her spouse on Franklin Avenue in Ridgewood.

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PSE&G to paving in Ridgewood

Road_work_theridgewoodblog
March 30,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, After PSE&G upgrades the gas lines in your neighborhood, we first wait for the ground to settle and then return to restore roads with permanent paving in accordance with each town’s ordinance and paving requirements. Our goal is to complete this work with minimal impact to customers. Police will be directing traffic, and residents will be able to drive on the roads once paving is complete. You will have access to your driveway throughout the work.

If you have any questions about the restoration process, you may call and leave a voicemail (Oakland Gas District 201-337-2519)

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to complete these important upgrades to your gas service – ensuring the safety and reliability of your gas service now, and for many years to come.

The streets below are scheduled to be paved, with an approximate start date of March 28th and completion date of April 4th. Please remember that this work is weather dependent and the schedule may be adjusted if necessary.

Alpine Terrace

East Glen
West Glen
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RHS Project Graduation 2017 Fashion Show and Auction

RHS Project Graduation 2017 Fashion Show and Auction

March 29,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Support Project Graduation 2017 at this fun event! Watch more than 200 RHS seniors walk the runway wearing clothing from many local retailers and bid on fantastic auction items- there’s something for everyone! Email [email protected] with questions or to RSVP.

Sunday at 1 PM – 4 PM
5 days from now · 39–61° Partly Cloudy

Teaneck Marriott At Glenpointe
100 Frank W Burr Blvd, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666

Find Tickets
Tickets Available
www.paypal.com

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West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood Presents Handel’s Messiah Parts II and III

Hadels messiah

March 26,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, There’s no need to travel to New York City to enjoy a performance of George F. Handel’s Messiah Parts II and III, a classical music high point of the Easter season. You can simply travel to West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, where the Oratorio Choir and Orchestra (directed by Deborah Holden-Holloway) will present the Messiah on Sunday, April 9 at 3:00 p.m.

Part II focuses on the death and resurrection of Jesus, ending with the glorious “Hallelujah Chorus.” Part III features some of the most uplifting and triumphant music of the Messiah, including “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” “The Trumpet Shall Sound” and the culimating chorus, “Worthy is the Lamb.”

Featured performers: Kristine DiMauro-Gonzalez, soprano, of West Milford; Apryl Beddingfield-Helder, mezzo-soprano, of Fair Lawn; Kevin Hanse, tenor, of Fair Lawn; Robert Preuss, tenor, formerly of Glen Rock; and David Langan, bass-baritone, of Ridgewood.

Tickets are not required, but early arrival is suggested. A free-will offering will be received.

Sunday, April 9 at 3 PM – 4:30 PM
West Side Presbyterian Church Ridgewood, NJ
6 S Monroe St, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450