Posted on 16 Comments

Ridgewood Parking :The fact is everyone is going to have to give something

CBD_theridgewoodblog-300x220
March 25,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, During Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session, Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser was asked to ascertain the feasibility of adding approximately 40 additional parking spaces at the Ridgewood train station.  Mayor Susan Knudsen suggested that additional parking spaces might be added by removing the large, grass & tree covered center island in the current parking lot.
The fact is Ridgewood commuters need the parking, and this is a small price to pay along with perhaps a smaller far less ambitious parking facility on Hudson street.
The reality is that on  weekends and during large events ,such as the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce car show there is not enough parking.
After extensive observations the Ridgewood blog concludes it is going to take a multi-pronged effort to create viable solutions for the Village . The fact is everyone is going to have to give something.
1) First we need to get as many commuters off the Street of the central business district as possible . Parking for Commuters needs to be a minimum of 12 hours .  This can be done by creating more parking at the train station and the bus station but also by using more carpooling , uber etc..and dare we say a massive increase in bicycle parking to get people to their point of departure.
2) Employees in the central business district MUST park in the allocated employee parking spaces . Lack of use of the designated spaces is egregious . We suggest a carefully coordinated  ticket blitz to encourage compliance .
3) Instead of increasing fees for parking meter rates , increase meter hours so that restaurant patrons can relieve some of the burden from merchants .
4)  The Valet parking seems to cause more  trouble than its worth unless the cars are parked clearly offsite ,like Graydon pool lot in the evenings.
5) For their part the Ridgewood blog would suggest merchants pick some night during the week to stay open late so someone who actually has a competitive job could consider shopping in the central business district . We are convinced that the only stores that can thrive and survive in the current climate are those that make them selves destination retailers.
6) Finally access to the central business district which no one is talking about is a far bigger issue than parking . The traffic easing project under the train trestle has vitally cut off the West side of town from the East side. Not to mention the danger imposed by slowing response time for emergency vehicles .
The garage on Hudson will create major traffic congestion , while Linwood Ave and Ridgewood Ave remain the only viable way to get in and out of town. Approaches from the west side ,Godwin and West Ridgewood Ave are now all most impassable , however  the approach from Prospect Street seems very under utilized.
For Westsiders if you add the current issues on Glenwood road , it far faster and easier to go to Midland Park, Wyckoff , Allendale and other towns north to shop than head to down town Ridgewood.
The Ridgewood blogs observations have concluded that not only is their not enough parking during peak hours ,but changes in vehicular traffic are literal choking off commerce to the Central Business District .
Posted on 2 Comments

Ridgewood and Glen Rock Make America’s 100 Richest Places list

CBD Ridgewood by ArtChick
file photo by ArtChick
March 25,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood bog

Ridgewood NJ, in a Bloomberg report on America’s 100 Richest Places ,cities and towns with ties to Wall Street and the Silicon Valley, and a smattering of communities in between, boasted the highest U.S. household incomes in 2015, according to a Bloomberg analysis of census data. Ridgewood came in 67th on the list with and avage household income of $219,566 .

Atherton, California, in the technology corridor between San Francisco and San Jose, topped the list as America’s wealthiest town, while more than one-third of the nation’s 100 richest households were located within 50 miles of New York City.

Here are some of the top 100 from New Jersey

19. Upper Saddle River, $276,982
34. North Caldwell, $251,248;
41. Franklin Lakes, $243,441;
43. Rumson, $242,158;
49. Upper Montclair, $236,382;
56. Glen Ridge, $227,198;
61. Tenafly, $222,633;
67. Ridgewood, $219,566;
70. Summit (Union), $215,515;
72. Chatham (Morris), $213,408;
73. Woodcliff Lake, $211,473;
79. Bernardsville (Somerset), $206,277;
92. Glen Rock, $197,914.
Posted on 1 Comment

Ridgewood Makes the List of Top 10 Safest Towns in Bergen County

Ridgewood_Police_new_carbets_theridgewoodblog

March 19,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, According to Backgroundchecks.org Ridgewood came in ,in the top 50 safest places to live in New Jersey .Ranking number 47,and scoring a top 10 in Bergen County and Passaic County . Ridgewoood scored well despite have a larger population than many of the top place towns, a larger school district , a local hospital and easier commuter access  with a train , bus station and highway park and ride .
Rounding out the Bergen County and Passaic County list were :

#2 Saddle Brook
#6 Mahwah
#14 Wanaque
#21 Tenafly
#27 River Edge
#30 Ringwood
#31 Hasbrouck Heights
#33 Wyckoff
#38 Franklin Lakes
#45 Hawthorne
#47 Ridgewood
#49 Rutherford
#50 Westwood

The Backgroundchecks.org  list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary BackgroundChecks.org research data.  Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 261 for violent crime and 1,734 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.

The website described #47 Ridgewood in glowing terms , “Located in Bergen County, Ridgewood is a village that is home to 24,900 residents.  Just 20 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan, Ridgewood is considered a suburban bedroom community and was included on Money’s list of Best Places to Live in the U.S.  The violent crime rate here is 43.6, and residents of Ridgewood have a 1% chance of being affected by property crime.”

https://backgroundchecks.org/50-safest-cities-in-new-jersey-2016.html

Posted on Leave a comment

The “roach” approach: Developers swarming over emerging neighborhoods

CBD high density housing

From Queens to Fort Lee, developers are targeting “affordable” price points: panelists

By E.B. Solomont | March 15, 2017 03:00PM

What’s a New York developer to do when renters are priced out of neighborhoods? Turn to emerging areas in Queens, the Bronx, New Jersey, Westchester and Long Island.

“We’re like cockroaches, we try to figure out what’s needed next,” said Jan Burman, president of Long Island-based Engel Burman Group, a developer of assisted living properties.

He was speaking Wednesday at a panel on residential real estate trends hosted by the newly-launched Fordham University real estate program. Moderated by Madison Realty Capital’s  Michael Stoler, Burman was one of 10 panelists assembled, along with Madison’s Josh Zegen; Benjamin Stacks of Capital One Bank; RXR Realty’s Seth Pinsky; KABR Group’s Kenneth Pasternak; Kushner Companies’ Laurent Morali; Jeff Levine of Douglaston Development; SJP Residential Properties’ Allen Goldman; the Beechwood Organization’s Steven Dubb and TD Bank’s Roy Chin.

“Prices have increased dramatically in core areas, pushing people out to areas that were formerly peripheral,” said Pinsky, who is heading RXR’s investment in “emerging markets” like New Rochelle and other suburban enclaves. “If we want to get ahead of this problem, the ultimate solution is to have supply meet demand.”

https://therealdeal.com/2017/03/15/the-roach-approach-developers-swarming-over-emerging-neighborhoods/

Posted on 5 Comments

Ridgewood Water Did they fix the leaks?

ridgewood water leaks

March 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
,
Ridgewood NJ, Lost water is a serious issue in North Jersey, where drinking water is an increasingly scarce resource. Utilities are caught between the clashing realities of rising demand and chronically low reservoirs. The watershed is under so much stress that some utilities have been forbidden by the state from drilling new wells in their search for more water.

This story was first published July 15, 2012. United Water is now called Suez.

Drinking water going to waste
James M. O’Neill , Staff Writer, @JamesMONeill112:10 p.m. ET Nov. 23, 2016

In 2011, Ho-Ho-Kus couldn’t account for 33 percent of the water it pumped and treated — one of every three gallons — according to state documents. Oakland lost 28 percent, while Ridgewood Water lost 20 percent. In fact, across the nation, water utilities lose billions of gallons of drinking water each year because of their aging infrastructure.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/environment/2016/11/23/drinking-water-going-waste/94338582/

Posted on Leave a comment

NJT OFFERS EXTRA BUS SERVICE TO NEW YORK FOR ST PATRICKS DAY PARADE

St Patrick Shamrock Image
March 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT will operate extra bus service on selected routes to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) on Friday, March 17, to accommodate customers traveling to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City.  Trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail and River Line will also operate regular weekday schedules.

Please note: liquid containers of any kind, open or closed, will not be permitted on any train to and from New York/Hoboken on March 17.  Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.

NJ TRANSIT will have Ambassadors will be on hand at Secaucus Junction, Aberdeen/Matawan, Middletown, N.J., and Penn Station New York to assist customers.

The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of New York City’s greatest traditions. The first parade was on March 17, 1762 — fourteen years before the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. The first NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade was comprised of a band of homesick, Irish ex-patriots and Irish military members serving with the British Army stationed in the colonies in New York. This was a time when the wearing of green was a sign of Irish pride but was banned in Ireland. In that 1762 parade, participants reveled in the freedom to speak Irish, wear green, sing Irish songs and play the pipes to Irish tunes that were meaningful to the Irish immigrants of that time.

Extra trips to and from New York will be offered on the following bus routes:

No. 163 (Ridgewood – New York) additional local trips from Hackensack (Summit Ave. and Essex St.) to PABT from 8:46 a.m. until 10:42 a.m. operating via the Boulevard in Hasbrouck Heights, Wood-Ridge, Carlstadt, and East Rutherford. Additional Turnpike Express (T) trips from Paramus (Paramus Rd. and Ridgewood Ave.) to NY/PABT at 8:57 a.m. and 9:17 a.m.

Posted on 1 Comment

Pornhub Pledges to Plow Street for Free In New Jersey

snow plow pornhub

March 16,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  while Ridgewood residents were pretty happy with the Village response to Stella, a readers sentiments were that ” All the roads could use salt! Even schools are sheets of ice and still mounds of snow. Sidewalks not cleared. Should have been no school today too. Just sayin.” Many also felt the schools could have done a better job with the clean up .

Maybe next time the Village can take Pornhub up on its offer :

“Pledging to assist anyone who “wants to get plowed,” the adult entertainment site says it is sending out a fleet of branded trucks to clean the city’s streets and parking lots for free.

“The Pornhub team understands that by this time of year, most cities have run up their budget in snow removal,” Pornhub Vice President Corey Price tells Boston, “and we thought we’d lend a hand in getting our fans plowed.”

The cheeky service, which is only being offered in Boston and New Jersey, is slated to begin when the flakes start falling overnight and continue for the duration of the storm, Price says. Each of the trucks—he says there are more than two dozen of them—will have the porn website’s black, white, and orange logo on their plows and doors.”

Posted on Leave a comment

NJ TRANSIT Rail service will operate on a President’s Day schedule on Wednesday

ridgewood Train station
March 15,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, As road conditions improve following today’s storm, NJ TRANSIT anticipates increasing service levels across Bus, Rail, Light Rail and Access Link for Wednesday March 15th.  Customers are strongly advised to check the status of the system on njtransit.com prior to making their trip, particularly bus and Access Link customers.

Rail service will operate on a President’s Day schedule on Wednesday. President’s Day  service is more robust than a weekend schedule, with additional service on some lines including service west of Dover on the M&E and west of Bay St. on the Montclair-Boonton Line.  However, trains do not operate out of Jersey Avenue on the Northeast Corridor or west of Raritan and Lake Hopatcong.

Metro-North west of Hudson service, operated by NJ TRANSIT, on the Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines will operate on a President’s Day schedule.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail and RiverLINE will all operate on regular weekday schedules.

Systemwide Cross-Honoring in Effect:  To give customers additional travel options, NJ TRANSIT will offer full systemwide cross-honoring, enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode including rail, light rail, bus and PATH.   For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass or ticket on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station.  Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge.

For the latest travel information, customers should visit njtransit.com, access NJ TRANSIT’s Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT or listen to broadcast traffic reports.  Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit), which delivers travel advisories to your smartphone. Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555

Posted on Leave a comment

Commuter Alert : NJ TRANSIT service changes for Tuesday, March 14th

Ridgewood_snow_storm_theridgewoodblog

March 13,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Out of an abundance of caution and safety, NJ TRANSIT is making service changes for Tuesday, March 14th due to the forecasted severe winter weather expected to hit the region.  NJ TRANSIT encourages all customers to prepare their transportation needs in advance of the storm, if they must travel.

All Bus and Access Link service will begin shutting down at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning.  Customers should expect those services to remain suspended for the duration of Tuesday’s service day.  Service is anticipated to resume on Wednesday as weather and road conditions allow.

All but one rail line will operate on a weekend schedule on Tuesday for as long as weather conditions allow trains to operate safely.  Customers should be aware that weekend rail service does not extend west of Raritan on the Raritan Valley Line, west of Dover on the M&E Line or west of Bay Street on the Montclair-Boonton Line.  Please Note: The Atlantic City Rail Line will operate on a regular weekday schedule.  Pascack Valley Line trains will add Teterboro and Woodcliff Lakes stops and Train 2125 will operate as a local making all station stops.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule with the addition of service, operating every 20 minutes, between Tonnelle Ave. and Hoboken Terminal.  Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule.  RiverLINE service will operate on a Sunday schedule.

Systemwide Cross-Honoring in Effect:  To give customers additional travel options – if they must travel – during expected winter weather conditions, NJ TRANSIT will offer full systemwide cross-honoring, enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode—rail, light rail, PATH or ferry.  As a reminder, on Tuesday, March 14th all bus service will be suspended.  For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass or ticket on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station.  Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge.  NY Waterway and Billybey ferries will accept NJ TRANSIT tickets and passes.

All customers are strongly advised to check njtransit.com before traveling for up-to-the-minute service information before starting their trip. NJ TRANSIT will have a special winter storm section on the homepage of its website.

NJ TRANSIT will continue to monitor the weather conditions and impacts to services as the storm progresses.  For the latest travel information, customers should visit njtransit.com, access NJ TRANSIT’s Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT or listen to broadcast traffic reports.  Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit), which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your smartphone. Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.

Rail and light rail crews and equipment are on standby to quickly respond to downed trees, power outages or other issues that may arise.  In addition, NJ TRANSIT will be positioning locomotives at strategic locations across the rail system to rapidly respond in the event of a disabled train.  NJ TRANSIT’s employee Emergency Response Team will be at Newark Penn Station, Secaucus Transfer and Penn Station New York to assist customers who must travel on Tuesday.
Posted on 1 Comment

NJ TRANSIT ADDS EXTRA BUS SERVICE TO NEW YORK FOR ST PATRICKS DAY PARADE

St
March 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  NJ TRANSIT will operate extra bus service on selected routes to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) on Friday, March 17, to accommodate customers traveling to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City.  Trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail and River Line will also operate regular weekday schedules.

Please note: liquid containers of any kind, open or closed, will not be permitted on any train to and from New York/Hoboken on March 17.  Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.

NJ TRANSIT will have Ambassadors will be on hand at Secaucus Junction, Aberdeen/Matawan, Middletown, N.J., and Penn Station New York to assist customers.

Extra trips to and from New York will be offered on the following bus routes:

To New York – PABT:

No. 163 (Ridgewood – New York) additional local trips from Hackensack (Summit Ave. and Essex St.) to PABT from 8:46 a.m. until 10:42 a.m. operating via the Boulevard in Hasbrouck Heights, Wood-Ridge, Carlstadt, and East Rutherford. Additional Turnpike Express (T) trips from Paramus (Paramus Rd. and Ridgewood Ave.) to NY/PABT at 8:57 a.m. and 9:17 a.m.From New York – PABT:

No. 163 (New York – Ridgewood) additional local service from PABT to Hackensack (Summit Ave. and Essex St.) operating via East Rutherford, Carlstadt, Wood Ridge, and Hasbrouck Heights at 4:25 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.  Additional Turnpike Express (T) service from PABT to Ridgewood Terminal operating via Hackensack, Maywood, Rochelle Park, Paramus and Ridgewood at 3:20 p.m. and 4:58 p.m.

No. 321 (Vince Lombardi Park & Ride – New York) frequent express service from the PABT to Vince Lombardi Park & Ride every 30 minutes beginning at 12:45 p.m. through the late afternoon, then every 10-15 minutes during the afternoon peak hours.

Travel Tips

Ticketing:  To speed your return, purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip from bus operators inbound to New York or at ticket vending machines where available.  Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) are reminded that tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus.
Allow Extra Travel Time:  Traffic congestion during the morning period and early to mid-afternoon hours before and after the parade may affect bus travel times to New York City.  Customers should plan accordingly.
Plan Ahead:  Extra bus service will operate a few minutes ahead of regularly scheduled trips on the routes listed above.  Customers should arrive at their bus boarding location 10 minutes earlier than the departure time.
Parking:  Customers traveling from Park/Rides at Allwood Road, North Bergen, Willowbrook Mall, Mothers and Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center are advised that parking fees still apply.
IMPORTANT NOTE:  No liquids of any kind, in any type of container, open or closed, will be permitted on any train to and from New York/Hoboken.  This policy will be strictly enforced.  Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.

For schedules and fares, visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.

Posted on Leave a comment

Systemwide Cross-Honoring in Effect for New Jersey Transit Today

ridgewood Train station

Match 10,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT operations, customer service and police personnel are taking steps to minimize delays, and ensure service reliability and safety due to the anticipated winter storm. All customers are strongly advised to check njtransit.com before traveling for up-to-the-minute service information before starting their trip.

Snow is expected to arrive in the early morning hours of Friday, March 10, and the status of the system may change as the storm progresses. NJ TRANSIT will continue to monitor the weather conditions and impacts to the morning rush hour will be determined during the next several hours. Customers should continue to check our web site at www.njtransit.com where they can sign up for service alerts as well as monitor social media channels and broadcast, web, and print media for additional updates.

For the latest travel information, customers should visit njtransit.com, access NJ TRANSIT’s Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT or listen to broadcast traffic reports. Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit), which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your phone. Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.

Systemwide Cross-Honoring in Effect: To give customers additional travel options during expected winter weather conditions, NJ TRANSIT will offer full systemwide cross-honoring for the entire service day on Friday, March 10, enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode—rail, bus or light rail. For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass or ticket on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station. Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge.

NJ TRANSIT will closely monitor the crowds at New York Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal and make adjustments to service as necessary.

The Corporation is preparing to minimize disruptions and delays to the extent possible, particularly in light of the potential snow that may impact portions of the area. Rail and light rail crews and equipment are on standby to quickly respond to downed trees, power outages or other issues that may arise. In addition, NJ TRANSIT will be positioning locomotives at strategic locations across the rail system to rapidly respond in the event of a disabled train.

Customers are advised of the following:

Systemwide: NJ TRANSIT plans to operate a regular weekday schedule on Friday, March 10. Depending on the impact of the storm, it may be necessary for NJ TRANSIT to modify transit service as conditions change.
Bus Service: While every effort will be made to continue operating bus service throughout the state, customers may experience delays or detours on their routes in the event of extreme winter weather conditions. Customers are advised to plan accordingly and anticipate disruptions to bus service.

Travel Advice:

For the latest travel information, visit njtransit.com or access our Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT prior to starting your trip. In the event of delays or service adjustments, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone. (If you are not yet a My Transit subscriber, we encourage you to sign up at www.njtransit.com/mytransit) Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.
Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.

Build additional travel time into your trip to a station, terminal or bus stop.
Stairs, flooring and platforms can be slippery, so please use caution when walking along wet surfaces or any outdoor surface exposed to the weather. Use extra care when boarding or exiting buses and trains.

Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or NJ TRANSIT staff.

If you park, ensure your car is stocked with a snow brush and ice scraper so you can clear your car upon returning to the lot.

NJ TRANSIT is prepared to handle the impending winter weather:

Snow plows and salt spreaders are ready for service and snow-removal contracts are in place with outside vendors.
NJ TRANSIT is well-stocked snow-melting supplies, and hundreds of shovels and snow blowers.
NJ TRANSIT has performed maintenance and testing on its two rail-mounted jet snow blowers in the event they are needed to help clear train tracks of snow and ice, particularly in rail yards.
Rail switches, switch heaters and overhead wires were inspected as part of NJ TRANSIT’s preventative maintenance program.
Onboard heating systems, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components have been inspected on NJ TRANSIT railcars, light rail cars and locomotives.
Bus maintenance personnel have inspected and performed necessary maintenance on a fleet of more than 2,200 buses – from the heating and airbrake systems, to the engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers and doors.

Posted on 7 Comments

New Jersey’s Unjust “Last In, First Out” Quality-blind Teacher Layoff Law

Ridgewood Teachers

March 10,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Newark, NJ—A short video that explains New Jersey’s “last in, first out” (LIFO) teacher layoff law was released on social media today by Partnership for Educational Justice (PEJ), the nonprofit supporting six Newark parents and their pro bono legal team in a legal challenge to the constitutionality of this statute. In the lawsuit filed on November 1, 2016, the parents assert that New Jersey’s LIFO law violates students’ right to an education by unjustly requiring school districts to ignore teacher quality and retain ineffective teachers while laying off effective teachers, despite substantial research establishing that teacher quality is the most important in-school factor affecting student learning.

The video supports the plaintiff parents in their fight to end an illogical law that puts their children at risk of losing the thorough and efficient education guaranteed to them by the state constitution. By explaining the LIFO policy mandated by this law, the video also informs other New Jersey parents about the negative impact of LIFO and encourages them to follow the progress of the lawsuit. The video appears on PEJ’s website and will also be promoted on PEJ’s social media channels – Youtube and Facebook – as well as select local news platforms. The full script of the video is included at the end of this press release.

State funding for local school districts in the 2017-18 school year remains somewhat uncertain after Governor Christie’s budget address last week. But, in the 2017-18 state aid summary budget released by the State Education Department last Thursday, district allocations are projected to be flat with current funding rates. In Newark, this will result in a $60 million deficit for the public schools. Under the LIFO law, this financial situation forces the district to make a difficult decision: either lay off dozens or hundreds of teachers, many of whom are effective; or, retain ineffective teachers and make cuts to other educational expenditures. Newark Public Schools employ more than half of the state’s ineffective teachers, according to the most recent data released by the state education department. Other school districts around New Jersey are also facing significant funding deficits.

“Most parents I know have no idea about this law and how it hurts our kids,” said Wendy Soto, mother of two Newark Public School students and plaintiff in HG v. Harrington, the parent-led lawsuit challenging the state’s teacher layoff statute. “As a mother, I’m outraged that our children will be forced into classrooms with ineffective teachers while effective teachers are let go. I hope parents pay attention and join the fight to keep our best teachers in schools, especially with budget cuts on the horizon.”

“Especially as districts face significant funding deficits, it’s important that public school parents understand how the current teacher layoff law violates students’ right to a quality education,” said Ralia Polechronis, Executive Director of Partnership for Educational Justice. “Research is clear that teachers are the most critical in-school factor affecting student learning. Because of New Jersey’s LIFO law, districts like Newark, with a significant number of ineffective teachers, are forced to retain these ineffective teachers, and either lay off their more qualified colleagues or cut important educational programming. In the current funding climate, it’s more important than ever that New Jersey’s unconstitutional teacher layoff law is repealed.”

The video released by PEJ today highlights academic research showing that students with high-quality, effective teachers are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, have higher paying jobs, and higher lifetime earnings than their peers who have ineffective teachers, even for just one year.

Newark ranked in the bottom third of twenty-five urban school districts investigated in a report released last year by the Fordham Institute looking into how difficult it is for ineffective veteran teachers to be removed. Newark Public Schools received only three out of a possible ten points awarded for degree of difficulty removing a veteran teacher who has been identified as ineffective, with ten indicating that it is easy to remove an ineffective teacher and zero indicating that it is very difficult.

To better understand the effect that LIFO layoffs would have on Newark’s overall teacher quality, Newark Public Schools ran the numbers in 2014 on a hypothetical teacher layoff scenario. Under the quality-blind LIFO layoff mandate, 85 percent of the teachers laid off would have been rated effective or highly effective, and only 4 percent of the teachers laid off would have been rated ineffective. Under a performance-based system, only 35 percent of teachers laid off would have been rated effective and no teachers rated highly effective would lose their jobs.

Since at least 2012, the Newark Public School district has avoided laying off effective teachers by paying millions of dollars per year to cover the salaries of ineffective – but more senior – teachers even when no school would agree to their placement in the school. This costly work-around, which cost the district $10 million dollars in 2016-17, has diverted valuable resources from educational programming and other expenses that could improve the education of Newark students.

Posted on 5 Comments

RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING : Ridgewood Water Tops Agenda

New Ridgewood Village Council

file photo by Boyd Loving

March 8,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the regular public meeting of the Ridgewood Village council will feature Graydon Pool Fees,Ridgewood Water irrigation policies, sewer discharge fees, parking, the Stable rental and Recognition to 2016 Boys Cross Country!

 

VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD

VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING

MARCH 8, 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

Declare March Red Cross Month

Declare March Colorectal Cancer Awareness         Month

C.   Declare March as DeMolay Month

8.   Presentation of Certificates of Recognition to 2016 Boys Cross Country North 1, Group 4 State    Sectional Champions

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

3588 – Amend Chapter 269 – Water Irrigation Schedule           and Water Emergencies – Limits watering of lawns     for both governmental and non-governmental              properties to two days per week, year-round.        Irrigation by a hand-held hose or drip/micro         irrigation system is allowed any day. Defines           the exceptions to this ordinance as well as the         hours when watering of lawns is permitted, and        enforcement policies and procedures.

13.  ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER

NONE

14.  RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-68 THROUGH 17-70 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:

17-68          Title 59 Approval – Water Billing and Data           Collection/Processing Services –Approves the        specifications for Water Billing and Data            Collection/Processing Services prepared by           Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59

17-69          Award Contract – Water Billing and Data                   Collection/Processing Services (NTE $237,395)        – Awards the second year of a two-year                  contract to the sole responsible bidder,               Computil, Inc., 30 Controls Drive, Shelton,           CT

17-70          Authorize Agreement for GIS Data Exchange            from      Ridgewood Water to Bergen County for Use        by Public Safety – Authorizes a GIS Data           Sharing Agreement between the Village and               Bergen County for the GIS Data Exchange from           Ridgewood Water to Bergen County. This GIS           data will be used by Bergen County and other              Municipal public safety agencies in order to              deliver emergency services.

15.  ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION

3589 – Establish Rules and Regulations for Rental of          Rooms in The Stable – Establishes rules and      regulations for rental of rooms at The Stable,         including an application form, Hold Harmless      Agreement, and Certificate of Insurance. Also            establishes Class Usages, based on the group’s           affiliation with the Village; whether or not          they are charitable and/or civic in nature;          and the size of the groups.

3590 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Establish Rental Fees    – The Stable – Establishes various fees for the        use of rooms in The Stable, depending on the           group’s affiliation with the Village; whether or      not they are charitable and/or civic in nature;        the size of the groups; and the hours the rooms          are rented

3591 – Repeal Chapter 29, Historic Preservation                Commission, Amend Chapter 190, Land Use and          Development, and Repeal Chapter 251, Swimming           Pools – This ordinance deletes duplicative or           obsolete provisions in the Village Code;           clarifies the meaning and application of          existing regulations; reconciles conflicting         and/or inconsistent provisions in the Village          Code; addresses various omissions in the Village  Code; and provides for more reasonable and more          rational development standards

16.  ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING

3581 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –              Prohibit Parking – Sections of Sherman Place 3582 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Angle     Parking

3583 – Amend Chapter 238 – Sewers and Sewage Disposal –    Addition of Masticated Food Waste

3584 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Sewers and Sewage      Disposal – Liquid Waste Acceptance Program Fees 3585 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Bus        Stops

3586 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Significant Sewer        Discharger Fees

3587 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Graydon Pool Fees

17.  RESOLUTIONS

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-71 THROUGH 17-82 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:

17-71          Endorse Submission of Recycling Tonnage Grant        – Annual resolution which endorses the                 submission of the Municipal Recycling Tonnage       Grant Application to the New Jersey                    Department of Environmental Protection and           designates John R. Spano, Recycling                  Coordinator, to ensure that the application             is properly filed

17-72          Approve Budget Reserve Transfers – Annual            resolution which transfers money in the 2016              budget from departments which have excess              funds to those departments which do not have              adequate funds

17-73          Award Contract Under State Contract –                Purchase of Parts and Related Services –             Fleet Services – Awards a contract under              State contract for various parts and related             services used by the Village’s Fleet Services          Division

17-74          Title 59 Approval – Horticultural Supplies –              Approves the plans and specifications for            Horticultural Supplies for the Years 2017 and       2018 prepared by the Parks and Recreation              Department, pursuant to Title 59

17-75          Award Contract – Horticultural Supplies (NTE              $45,000) – Awards a contract to the low                   bidder, SiteOne Landscape Supply, 100                   Weyerhauser Road, Mahwah, NJ. The Parks                 Department budget will pay $35,500 and the              Project Pride budget will pay $9,500.

17-76          Title 59 Approval – Coach Bus Transportation              Services – Approves the plans and                         specifications for Supply of Coach Bus                    Transportation Services prepared by the                   Department of Parks and Recreation, pursuant              to Title 59

17-77          Award Contract – Coach Bus Transportation            Services – H.I.L.T. (NTE $9,000) –Awards a               contract to the low bidder, Vanderhoof                   Transportation Co., Inc., 18 Wilfred Street,              West Orange, NJ

17-78          Title 59 Approval – Concession Refreshment           Services – Graydon Pool – Approves the plans              and specifications for Concession Refreshment       Services – 2017, 2018, The Water’s Edge Café,       Graydon Pool

17-79          Award Contract – Concession Refreshment                   Services – Graydon Pool –Awards a contract               to the sole proposal by Michael Sims,                  Mellsworth Foods, Inc., 102 East Main Street,       Ramsey, NJ which will pay the Village $9,300             for the summer season

17-80         Authorize Payment for Settlement of Property              Damage – PSE&G Pole ($6,643.95) – Authorizes              the payment for settlement of property damage       to be paid to PSE&G for damage sustained to               their pole which was caused by a Village            vehicle

17-81         Award Professional Services Contract –                    Professional Appraiser –Appoints Ernest Del              Guercio, SCGREA, CDA and Darren Raymond, MAI,       of Associated Appraisal Group, 266 Harristown        Road, Glen Rock, NJ to provide professional            appraisals of several properties

17-82          Appoint Member to Green Team Advisory                Committee – Appoints Christopher Rutishauser              as the staff member of the Village of                  Ridgewood for a term which expires on                  12/31/17 and Emily Shovlin as a resident           member for a term which expires on 12/31/19

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

19.  Resolution to go into Closed Session

20.  Closed Session

21.  Adjournment

Posted on 16 Comments

Swastika Found at the intersection of Northern Parkway and Overbrook Road in Ridgewood

Swastika Found at the intersection of Northern Parkway and Overbrook Road in Ridgewood

photo by Dana Glazer

March 6,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, this was shared on Facebook by Ridgewood resident Dana Glazer ; the discovery of this swastika at the intersection of Northern Parkway and Overbrook Road. It has evidently been here a while.

If you think that our village is immune to hatred, think again. Dana asks everyone to “Please be vigilant. Thank you.”

Mayor Susan Traina Knudsen is on top of the situation and prompt removal will occur today.

Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal reminds us of law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute bias incidents/crimes, including the need to report such events and the $10K reward offered by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for information leading to a bias crime conviction.

Posted on Leave a comment

The Most Expensive Zip Codes in the State of New Jersey

Ridgewood_Real_estate_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

March 4,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, At the end of last year, PropertyShark compiled a list of the most expensive zip codes in the U.S., and 2 New Jersey zip codes made the cut: Alpine’s 07620 landed the 44th spot on our list, and Short Hills’ 07078 landed the 88th. This year, PropertyShark took a closer look at the market and round up the most expensive zip codes in New Jersey.

The top three zip codes on our list will come as no surprise; the most expensive zip code on our list is occupied by Alpine’s 07620. with the medium price of $2,050,000. The next zip code in the state is Short Hills’ 07078, with a median home price of $1,430,000. The third priciest zip code on our list is Stone Harbor’s 08247, with a median home price of $1,110,000.

Ridgewood’s 07450 came in 26th with the median price of $712,500 with 350 real-estate transactions.

Hoboken’s 07030 ranked 33 but the small city had the largest number of residential transactions in the past year, with 830 sales closed here in 2016, at a median price of $685,000.

The methodology:  In order to determine which were the most expensive ZIP codes in New Jersey, PropertyShark looked at all residential transactions closed in 2016, taking into account condo, co-op, single- and two-family homes. All package deals were excluded.

Check out the full list of New Jersey zip codes below: