Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that Ptl. Michael Karcher was dispatched to 175 Franklin Avenue on a report of a shoplifting in progress on May 12th. The business reported observing the actor flee in an orange taxi cab and provided a direction of travel. Ptl. Michael Karcher located the described vehicle and conducted a motor vehicle stop. The driver and occupant were identified at the scene and the loss prevention officer was escorted to the scene and identified the passenger as the shoplifter. A 45-year-old male from Little Ferry, N.J. was arrested at the scene for shoplifting, receiving stolen property, hindering apprehension, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of hypodermic needles. The arrestee was also found to have multiple outstanding warrants for arrest out of New Milford, Teaneck, Parsippany, South Hackensack, and Lodi, NJ. The arrestee was transported to Ridgewood Police headquarters and issued multiple criminal complaints. The arrestee was then transported to the Bergen County Jail.
Ridgewod NJ, A Bergen County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 65 months in prison for participating in the December 2015 robbery of a North Jersey bar and the violent carjacking and kidnapping that took place shortly afterwards, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Wilbur Jonathon Barahona, 22, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares to a three-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping. Judge Linares imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Barahona admitted that on Dec. 25, 2015, he and others forcibly robbed a bar in Hawthorne, New Jersey, and subsequently fled with approximately $200 in cash.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 2015, Barahona and others hailed a taxi in Paterson, New Jersey, and forcibly took the taxi from the driver. Barahona admitted that he and others forced the driver into the back of the vehicle and took over driving. Barahona also admitted that during the carjacking, other conspirators caused seriously bodily injury to the driver by hitting him in the head with a beer bottle and slicing his throat with a knife before eventually leaving him on the side of the road in New York. The taxicab driver survived.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Linares sentenced Barahona to five years of supervised release and fined $1,500.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Dennis Calo, and the Ridgewood and Hawthorne Police Departments, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elaine K. Lou and Karen D. Stringer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Department is currently monitoring a bear in the area of North Monroe Street and Fairmount Road. Willard and Ridge students have been advised to stay in the building. Please use caution and notify the Police Department if you observe the bear as it travels through the area. 201-652-3900 . UPDATE: 11:50pm The bear has moved into Waldwick
Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announces the formation of the Bergen County Safe Schools Task Force. The Task Force will take a multi-disciplinary approach to the issue of school safety, with the primary focus on developing best practices for prevention and response to potential school shooting situations.
According to Acting Prosecutor Calo, “The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (“BCPO”) and all of Bergen County Law Enforcement place the highest priority on the safety of our children, our schools, and school personnel.” He also noted that the BCPO has been at the forefront of the effort to ensure the safety of our schools and communities. For example, in 2013, the BCPO introduced a School Security Initiative comprised of officers from various Bergen County municipal police agencies. To further this effort, the BCPO sponsored training by Texas A & M University Engineering Extension Service (“TEEX”). As a result of that training, 56 police officers and 41 school security professionals were certified to conduct risk and vulnerability school assessments. Since then, Bergen County has coordinated the security assessments of 165 public and 56 private schools. The BCPO has also partnered with Bergen County municipal law enforcement agencies, the New Jersey Department of Education, and the New Jersey State Police to conduct unannounced visits to local schools to monitor and provide technical assistance for the enhancement of their lock-down procedures. To date, these unannounced visits have involved 66 schools from 42 school districts.
In 2017, the BCPO totally overhauled Bergen County law enforcement’s active shooter policy and training curriculum. Together with Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino and the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, the BCPO trained every police officer in Bergen County in these new response protocols. Additionally, the BCPO, in conjunction with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department, instituted the Regional SWAT Team’s mobile patrol, which puts specially trained and equipped officers on routine patrol throughout Bergen County for a more rapid and effective response to emergency situations, such as active shooter calls.
In addition to law enforcement’s efforts, many Bergen County school, mental health, and private sector professionals have been hard at work to address the dangers presented by active shooter situations. It is the goal of this newly formed task force to bring all of these professionals together under one umbrella to identify and implement best practices to address this problem in Bergen County.
The Acting Prosecutor has appointed Senior Assistant Prosecutor Martin Delaney, the Prosecutorial Chief of Investigations, as Executive Director of the Task Force. Assistant Prosecutor Delaney, who oversees all of the BCPO’s specialized prosecutions, has deep experience in crime prevention and response and serves as Legal Advisor to the Regional SWAT Team. Other members of the Task Force are drawn from the law enforcement, educational, mental health and business communities. These members and their affiliations are as follows: Chief Robert Anzilotti, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office; James J. Tedesco III, Bergen County Executive; Michael Saudino, Bergen County Sheriff; Park Ridge Police Chief Joseph J. Madden, President of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association; Joseph Zarra, Interim Executive Bergen County Superintendent of Schools; Joseph Masciandaro, President/CEO of CarePlus New Jersey; Harrington Park School Superintendent Adam Fried, Ed.D., President of the Bergen County Association of School Administrators; Saddle River Police Department Sergeant Timothy Gerity, President of the New Jersey Association of School Resource Officers; Jonathan Miller, Bergen County Association of School Security Professionals; Julien Neals, Esq., Bergen County Counsel and Acting Bergen County Administrator; Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Freeholder Pro Tempore; Matt Zames, former Chief Operating Officer of JP Morgan Chase and board member of Tomahawk Strategic Solutions; Agent William Stallone, Risk Mitigation Planner/Critical Infrastructure Coordinator, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Acting Prosecutor stated with reference to the Task Force members, “These busy professionals have committed themselves to study and advise our school districts on best practices to prevent school violence and to keep our children safe. Part of that effort is identifying dangerous individuals and situations and addressing them before they turn into tragedies. The Task Force will also advise on the best law enforcement responses to violent situations.”
The Task Force is charged with making its initial recommendations by October 2018. However, the Acting Prosecutor emphasized that he envisions the Task Force as an ongoing endeavor to provide ever increasing safety to our schools and children.
Ridgewood NJ, a coalition organized as the New Jersey Coalition for Diverse and Inclusive Schools, including the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and the Latino Action Network, and Shiloh Baptist Church, the African American Chamber of Commerce and others, decried the existing, still unrectified educational divide in this state and have filed a lawsuit to force integration in New Jersey Schools.
The groups filed the suit yesterday on the 64th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v Board of Education decision, which ruled school segregation unconstitutional. They argue that New Jersey’s segregated school system violates the state constitution and ask the court to stop the further assignment of students solely on the basis of residency. They also ask that the Legislature and education commissioner be ordered to devise a different system for placing students in schools. It is the first lawsuit challenging statewide school segregation filed anywhere in the nation in more than a half century.
The suit is highly critical of the state oversight of charter schools, alleging that segregation in these schools occurs not only because they are predominantly located in communities with large minority populations, but also “results from the failure of the State Commissioner of Education to perform his statutory and regulatory duties.”
The state’s largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association, also backs the effort.
“New Jersey’s public schools are as segregated by race and poverty today as they were in 1954,” said Ryan P. Haygood, President and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. “Sixty-four years after Brown, we have important promises to keep and still others to make to New Jersey’s students. This case is about finally making good on our promises.”
Haygood noted that the state’s racial diversity and racial segregation, in combination with its extreme wealth and punishing poverty, has fostered some of the fiercest segregation by race, ethnicity, and poverty in this country:
The median net worth for New Jersey’s white families is $271,402—the highest in America.
The median net worth for New Jersey’s Hispanic and Black families is just $7,020 and $5,900, respectively, together totaling less than 5 percent of the net worth of white families in the state.
Of the approximately 585,000 Black and Latino public school students in New Jersey, 63% of them attend schools that are more than 75% non-white.
Nearly half of all Black and Latino public school students attend schools that are more than 90% non-white.
More than 40 percent of white students attend schools that are at least 75% white.
“New Jersey cannot fulfill the promise of Brown, or the promise owed to our kids, without this lawsuit,” said Haygood. “No amount of good will, well wishes, or optimism will accomplish the systemic relief and fundamental transformation that is required. Integration is possible, it is necessary, and it is long overdue.”
Ridgewood NJ , Join Pro Arte in the last concert of the season, and the last concert with 2017 Grammy nominated Maestro Steven Fox. “Masters of Baroque” – Vivaldi’s Gloria and Handel Coronation Anthems. This will be a spectacular concert featuring members of Clarion Orchestra, NYC, and Soloists Esteli Gomez and Mikki Sodergren. Tickets can be purchased at the door the day of the event, or discounted tickets online: www.proartechorale.tix.com
For more info www.proartechorale.org or 201-497-8400.
Ridgewood NJ, Special Properties Real Estate Services, LLC, an exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, has welcomed Vivienne Muldoon, a design expert and experienced real estate professional as a Realtor Associate in its Ridgewood, NJ office. Her addition is part of the agency’s ongoing growth and expansion throughout the region.
Vivienne draws upon her years of work in the decorative painting and design field, when she works with her real estate clients. As a second-generation Ridgewood resident, she capitalizes on her intimate knowledge of homes and architecture, both in the village and throughout the region, to collaborate with clients and help them find a home that best meets their wishes and practical needs. With her design and real estate experience in conjunction with her affiliation with Special Properties, Vivienne is able to leverage the strength of Christie’s and Special Properties’ unparalleled corporate marketing resources and superior customer service to assist her clients in all facets of the real estate transaction.
Vivienne works side-by-side with her sellers to simplify the process with warmth, compassion and humor, and she takes a proactive sales approach, using her strong marketing and negotiating skills to help sellers secure top dollar. With her buyer clients, she is committed to providing a custom experience that demonstrates a deep understanding of their needs and preferences, matching them with homes in what has become a competitive market. She has been recognized as a top performer in Ridgewood and the region, including receiving the New Jersey Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award.
In her spare time, Vivienne enjoys family time with her husband, Mike, and two sons. She can often be found on the sidelines at her sons’ lacrosse games or playing frisbee with her border collie. She enjoys volunteering in the community with her husband. Together they have been past producers and current supporters of the Ridgewood High School Jamboree, which raises need-based college scholarships through a parent-led, on-stage musical.
Special Properties Real Estate Services, LLC embraces the history and traditions of its flagship brokerage location in Saddle River, NJ, into an expanded, modern presence in Mahwah, Franklin Lakes, Ridgewood, Hoboken and Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. With a staff of accomplished real estate agents and brokers, its clients across northern New Jersey and southern New York are provided with customized, personalized services, backed by the luxury real estate brand of Christie’s International Real Estate. Special Properties provides local expertise with global connections. For more information, call 201-962-9552 or visit www.specialpropertiesres.com.
Ridgewood NJ, For the second time in less than 48 hours, a motor vehicle accident resulted in a passenger car mounting a busy sidewalk in Ridgewood’s Central Business District. The most recent incident occurred in front of 32 South Broad Street, Ridgewood, on Sunday evening, 05/13. Miraculously, no injuries were reported in the mishap despite the sidewalk having been crowded with dozens of restaurant patrons celebrating Mothers Day out. Both damaged vehicles were removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. Ridgewood PD is investigating the crash.
Ridgewood NJ, according to Councilmen Ramon Hache ,Ridgewood welcomes its newest restaurant and bar Bareburger to our Downtown at 15 E Ridgewood Ave. Bareburger has officially opened its doors at the location previously occupied by Gen Sushi. The New York-based chain is committed to serving sustainable fare and offers organic burgers and locally sourced foods. Bareburger has restaurants in six states across the U.S. as well as international locations. Its other New Jersey locations are in Closter, Edgewater, Hoboken, and Montclair.
In 2008 they had a very simple vision: let’s make an awesome burger and use the best organic, all-natural and sustainable ingredients. So we opened a small burger shop in Queens, NYC, our hometown. We promised that we would always be transparent with the ingredients that fill our restaurants. Now years later, we are lucky enough to serve communities around the globe, and our vision remains as a simple as it started. Thank you to all the partners, farmers, producers and distributors that we proudly call friends and family.
15 E Ridgewood Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Get Directions
Phone number (201) 528-5133
Mon 9:00 am – 12:00 am
Tue 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wed 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Thu 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Fri 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Ridgewood NJ, as the weather begins to turn, Ridgewood Water would like get through the summer with no additional water restrictions. As a reminder, two-day per week irrigation has been made permanent year round for conservation purposes. Please ensure that all irrigation complies with the following:
Odd numbered addresses on Tuesday & Saturday
Even numbered addresses on Wednesday & Sunday
No irrigation is permitted between the hours of 10:00am and 6:00pm
Automatic system use permitted only between 3:00am and 7:00am
If you are looking for a hardy, drought-resistant lawn that requires little or no maintenance? Then perhaps you would like to try growing Zoysiagrass rather than traditional lawn grass. This thick, hardy grass not only chokes out weeds, but it requires less mowing, watering and fertilizing once it has been established in the lawn. What is Zoysiagrass? Zoysia is a rhizomatous, warm-season grass that holds up well to a myriad of conditions, including foot traffic. In fact, with its tough stems and leaves, zoysiagrass has the uncanny ability to heal itself quite effectively when trod upon. Although zoysia generally thrives in full sun, it can tolerate shade. Zoysiagrass has the ability to remain alive in conditions that most other grasses would perish in. Their root system is amongst the deepest for grasses and adapts easily to numerous soil types, from sand to clay. However, there is a downside. Zoysiagrass is very susceptible to cold conditions and is, therefore, best suited to warm climates. In cooler areas, zoysiagrass will turn brown and unless or until warm conditions return, this grass will lay dormant.
According to Rutgers University ( https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs521/ ) Zoysia Grass is not a “miracle” grass as some ads tend to portray. However, zoysiagrass has some distinct advantages that make it useful for lawns in some situations. Test plantings, trials, and observations of zoysiagrass have been made in New Jersey and nearby states for more than 25 years. This fact sheet is designed to summarize present knowledge on the desirability, use, and culture of zoysiagrass. In part, the decision to use or not to use zoysiagrass involves personal preference on its brown winter color. Before purchasing or planting zoysiagrass, become familiar with the characteristics of a zoysiagrass lawn during the different seasons of the year. Consider these advantages and disadvantages before deciding on its use:
Advantages of Zoysiagrass
Grows especially well during the hot summer months.
Produces a thick, dense, and cushiony turf.
Prevents and controls crabgrass and summer weeds because of its thick growth.
Has a pleasing green color during the hot summer months when it is more difficult to maintain an attractive appearance of the cool-season grasses.
Withstands close mowing (1/2 to 1 inch).
Grows in most types of soil with proper management.
Withstands wear and tear during the summer.
Can survive severe heat stress.
Tolerates low fertility once it is established.
Requires less water than most cool-season turfgrasses.
Disadvantages of Zoysiagrass
Loses its green color and becomes brown and straw colored about mid-October. This color remains until about mid-May of the following spring. In contrast, cool-season grasses usually have good green color for 8 months or longer during the season. Even in mid-winter in New Jersey, cool-season grasses have some green color.
Requires vegetative establishment by propagation of stolons or plugs.
Establishes slowly. Under ideal conditions, it may cover in one season. Normally, 2 to 3 years are required. When plugged or sprigged into an existing lawn, complete establishment may require 5 or more years.
Tends to have more winter annual weed problems than those occurring in cool-season turf.
Can be difficult to eliminate, once established, and may be a nuisance around plant beds.
May be injured severely, while dormant, from persistent winter traffic.
Becomes flammable when brown and straw colored, and may be a fire hazard when allowed to grow tall near wooden buildings.
Requires regular mowing in summer for an attractive appearance, because of its tough and dense-growth characteristics.
Is subject to rust and fairy ring, but inclined to have less disease than most turfgrasses. Occasionally, summer patch disease has caused serious problems.
Does not grow well in shady areas.
Ridgewood NJ, Forbes has named NJ TRANSIT to its prestigious America’s Best Employers 2018 list, which was released earlier this month. Only 20 New Jersey-based organizations were included in the annual rankings which, according to Forbes, measure leading companies from around the world to identify those best-liked by employees.
“This honor is a reflection on the hard working men and women who keep New Jersey moving every day,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “Now is the perfect time to join this great organization. We are currently recruiting and hiring for positions throughout our system. This is an exciting time to be a part of NJ TRANSIT.”
Forbes works with the research firm Statista to compile the list, which ranks the top employee-recommended 500 large and 500 midsize employers. To view the full Forbes list, visit https://www.forbes.com/best-employers/list/
As New Jersey’s public transportation corporation, NJ TRANSIT is the nation’s third largest transit system. The agency employs almost 11,000 workers across a wide range of trades, professions and crafts to operate a multi-modal transportation network of trains, buses and light rail systems.
In addition to being ranked as a Forbes best employer, NJ TRANSIT offers its employees opportunities for growth and exceptional benefit packages as well as rewarding and stable career paths. Additional information about the agency’s current job openings, upcoming job fairs and application processes are available on the
NJ TRANSIT website at https://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=CareersTo
Governor Murphy’s proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budget calls for an additional $242-million investment in NJ TRANSIT including 114 additional staff members from bus operators and locomotive engineers to human resources and training personnel.
More information on becoming a bus operator and upcoming hiring events can be found at njtransit.com/drive.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 944,000 weekday trips on 252 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.
20180509 – Village Council Regular Public Meeting
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING MAY 9, 2018 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
A. National Cancer Survivors Day
B. Emergency Medical Services Week
C. Proclaim May as Mental Health Month
D. Proclaim May as Older Americans Month
E. Proclaim June as Gay Pride Month
F. Proclaim National Gun Violence Awareness Day
8. Police Department Awards and Recognitions
A. CPR Save – Sergeant Michael Lembo, Sergeant Peter Bolten, Police Officer Brandon Donnelly
B. Assisting in Birth of Baby with umbilical cord around its neck: Lifesaving Award – Police Officer Patrick Elwood; Honorable Service Award – Police Officer Douglas Christopher
C. Lifesaving Awards for Choking Victim: Police Officer Joseph DiBenedetto, Police Officer Peter Tuchol, Jr., and Police Officer Rosario Vacarella
D. Grand Cordon Medal – Sergeant John Chuck
E. Andrew K. Ruotolo, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Recipient – Sergeant Michael Lembo
9. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)
10. Adoption of Ordinance 3643 – Establish a CAP Bank
11. 2018 Budget Hearing
a. Overview of 2018 Budget
b. Village Council’s Comments
c. Public Hearing on 2018 Budget
12. 2018 BUDGET RESOLUTIONS
18-145 Amend 2018 Budget
18-146 Adopt 2018 Budget, as Amended
13. Village Manager’s Report
14. Village Council Reports
15. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
16. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER
3642 – Water Utility Capital Ordinance ($1,317,000)
17. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 18-147 THROUGH
18-151 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:
18-147 Title 59 Approval – Landscaping Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Landscaping Services prepared by the Ridgewood Water Department, pursuant to Title 59
18-148 Award Contract – Landscaping Services (NTE $61,000) – Awards the first year of a two- year contract to the lowest responsible bidder, LTI, Inc., 122 Main Road, Montville, NJ
18-149 Award Contract – Roof Repairs at Various Village Water Facilities (NTE $38,000) – Awards a contract to the lowest quote from American Construction Chimney & roofing Specialist, 378 Lawton Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ
18-150 Authorize Change Order #2 – Water Main Stream Crossings (NTE $32,084.56) – Authorizes a change order to the original contractor, Mott MacDonald, 111 Wood Avenue South, Iselin, NJ. This change order is necessary due to engineering charges resulting from contractor schedule overruns; field changes to match map records; and replacement of an adjacent main to facilitate the tie-in of the crossing
18-151 Authorize Change Order #2 – Installation of Backup Power at Critical Facilities (NTE $66,802) – Authorizes a change order to the original contractor, Arcadis U.S., Inc., 17- 17 Route 208 North, Fair Lawn, NJ. This change order is necessary due to additional permitting efforts for Planning Board approvals in thee municipalities; design changes required by the Planning Boards including bollards around the generators, moving the generator to a different location, and additional fencing and landscaping; and finalizing permitting with NJDEP.
18. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3639 – Amend Chapter 212-31 – Skate Park Rules and Regulations – Amends Chapter 212-31 of the Ridgewood Village Code, by removing the sections that require a fee for the badge; to delineate the non-smoking area; and to add scooters as a prohibition in the Skate Park
3646 – Establish Valet Parking Area on North Broad Street – Establishes a valet parking area on North Broad Street from 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on all days, for use by an approved Valet Service
3647 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Establish Regulations for Blade Signs in Central Business District – Establishes regulations for Blade Signs, perpendicular to the building facades, in the B-1 and B-2 zone districts
3648 – Amend Chapter 172-6 – Nuisances Enumerated – Bands and Music – Amends the Village Code to add “bands and music” to Chapter 172-6(18)
19. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
3644 – General Capital Ordinance ($4,948,000)
3645 – Increase Fees for Corrections to Vital Records
20. RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 18-152 THROUGH
18-164 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:
18-152 Award Contract – Disposal of Recyclable Materials – Authorizes a contract for disposal of the Village’s recyclable materials for the second year of a two-year contract to Atlantic Coast Fibers, LLC, 101 Seventh Street, Passaic, NJ
18-153 Title 59 Approval – Crossing Guard Services – Approves the specifications for Furnishing and Delivering of Crossing Guard Services for Village School Posts for the Ridgewood Police Department, June 1, 2018 through July 31, 2019, inclusive, prepared by the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
18-154 Award Contract – Crossing Guard Services (NTE $387,369.45) – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, All City Management Services Inc., 10440 Pioneer Boulevard, Suite 5, Santa Fe Springs, CA
18-155 Title 59 Approval – Parking Transactions Using Mobile Technology and Other Related Services – Approves the specifications for Parking Transactions Using Mobile Technology and Other Related Services, prepared by the Finance Department, pursuant to Title 59
18-156 Award Contract – Parking Transactions Using Mobile Technology and Other Related Services – Awards a contract to Parkmobile, LLC, 1100 Spring Street NW, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA. The users of this technology will be assessed a $0.40 fee per transaction, in addition to the parking meter charges. The merchant services for processing the transactions will be incurred by Parkmobile. The Village of Ridgewood will pay nothing for this technology. This resolution also allows for authorized users to obtain parking permits electronically at a cost of $1.00 per permit, if the Village decides to implement this service.
18-157 Award Professional Services Contract – Professional Planner – Affordable Housing Planning Consultant – Awards a Professional Services Contract to Elizabeth McManus, of Clarke Caton Hintz, 100 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ
18-158 Award Contract – Eradication of Bicycle Lane Markings – Portion of Westbound Garber Square (NTE $11,503.70) – Awards a contract to Pavement Impressions, Inc., 900 Minesite Road, Allentown, PA, for eradication of a portion of the bicycle lane, westbound Garber Square, with their propriety products
18-159 Award Contract – Animal Control Services and Waterfowl Management (NTE $31,200) – Awards a contract to TYCO Animal Control Services, 1 Stout Lane, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
18-160 Authorize Planning Board to Prepare Redevelopment Plan for Hudson Street Parking Lot (NTE $1,800) – Authorizes the Planning Board to prepare a Redevelopment Plan for the Hudson Street parking lot to be used for a parking garage, by hiring Professional Planner Brigette Bogart of Brigette Bogart Planning and Design Professionals, LLC, 366 Harvey Court, Wyckoff, NJ
18-161 Approve Lease of Pease Building First Floor and Balcony – Approves the lease with the sole bidder, Ridgewood Medical Media, LLC, 30 Garber Square, Suite A, Ridgewood, NJ for the main and balcony levels of the Pease Building for an initial lease of three years, with one three-year renewal. The total annual rent is $111,963.20.
18-162 Endorse Application for Community Development Block Grant – Village of Ridgewood – Tables for Patrick A. Mancuso Senior Center – Approves endorsement of a $7,835 CDB grant. This resolution does not obligate the financial resources of the Village but will expedite the expenditure of Community Development funds.
18-163 Appoint Municipal Recycling Coordinator – Appoints Edward Bethune as the Interim Municipal Recycling Coordinator, effective immediately
18-164 Appoint Member to Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board – Appoints Lizabeth Kloak to a term which expires 12/31/20
21. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
Ridgewood NJ, The 8th Annual Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival continues Wednesday and Thursday, May 9-10 in downtown Ridgewood. This year’s theme The Impact of Film showcases human rights films, international subjects, women’s issues and how film impacts American culture.
Headlining the Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival on May 10, presented by the Ridgewood Arts Council as part of their Artists Talk Series, is a conversation with Hollywood producer Scott M. Rosenfelt. Rosenfelt is known for Home Alone, Mystic Pizza and Teen Wolf among others. Also on May 10, actress/director Cady McClain (All My Children, As the World Turns) will show her documentary on famous female filmmakers and will be part of a panel discussion entitled Women Behind the Camera Forecast: 2018. Foreign Film Night will be held at the Ridgewood Library on May 9 and 10. Admission to Foreign Film night is free.
On May 9, opening night starts at the festival’s base, the Art Deco Bow Tie Cinema on Ridgewood Avenue. The evening begins with a red carpet event with the filmmakers. The night will include a variety of student films, both foreign and American as well as foreign and American shorts. There will also be Q & A’s with New Jersey award-winning writer/director, Anthony Marinelli and Bergenfield High School film teacher, Ashley McKee talking about the roles and possibilities for young filmmakers.
The final night of the Festival, May 10, starts with a red carpet event with filmmakers and celebrities. Featured films of the evening include Butterflies, The Last Visit, and Silk City Artists and Musicians. The film Breaking Point will also be shown. This is the premiere screening of this film. Breaking Point was filmed in New Jersey and stars Real Housewife of New Jersey, Dolores Catania in her movie debut.
The Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival will also feature panel discussions, including Q & A’s with documentary filmmaker, Vince Parrillo , former Ridgewood resident and first time filmmaker; Brad Forenza (Breaking Point); and New Jersey director/producer Joe Paul. Six-time award winning Actor Jack Mulcahy (Brothers McMullen, Porkys, Sex and the City) will host a Q & A about his new short and his roles.
An after party and awards presentation will be held on the final night of the festival, May 10, at the Steel Wheel Tavern, 51 N. Broad Steet, Ridgewood. Festivities start at 10:45 and the public is invited to attend. After party admission is $15 per person.
Festival tickets are $10, $5 for those over age 62. Admission includes all films being shown that evening. Purchase tickets here. Tickets can also be purchased at Mango Jam, 41 North Broad Street, Ridgewood or at the door. View a complete schedule of films and get more Festival news. For more information, contact Tony Damiano at 201-493-9911.
Service Adjustments Required To Advance Positive Train Control (PTC) Equipment Installation
May 4,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT continues installation of PTC equipment on its rail fleet. To accommodate this critical safety upgrade, weekday rail schedules are being adjusted to allow for hardware components to be installed on locomotives and cab cars.
Beginning Monday, June 4th, some trains will be temporarily discontinued or have changes of origin/destination. This will impact customers along the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, Morris & Essex Lines, and Pascack Valley Line. Other trains throughout the system will have schedule and/or station stop adjustments. These schedule adjustments are temporary and will be restored in early 2019.
“NJ TRANSIT understands that any change to the train schedule has an impact on the travel patterns of our customers,’’ said Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “We are doing everything in our power to install this important safety technology as quickly as possible. I ask for customers’ patience during this process as the end result is a safer railroad for everyone.”
The following trains will be temporarily discontinued or have a change in origin: Customers are strongly encouraged to view the full timetables on njtransit.com for all travel options.
Main Line /Bergen Line Unaffected
Northeast Corridor (NEC)
INBOUND
Train 5822, the 7:05 a.m. departure from New Brunswick to Newark Penn
Earlier option departs at 6:59 a.m. (Limited additional capacity)
Later option departs at 7:10 a.m.
OUTBOUND
Train 3811, the 4:51 a.m. departure from PSNY to Trenton
Earlier option departs at 4:17 a.m.
Later option departs at 5:07 a.m.
Train 5869, the 6:03 p.m. departure from Newark Penn to Trenton
Earlier option departs at 5:56 p.m. (Limited additional capacity)
Later option departs at 6:11 p.m.
Pascack Valley Line
INBOUND
Train 1618, the 7:59 a.m. departure from Spring Valley to Hoboken. (Metro-North express)
Earlier option departs Spring Valley at 7:37 a.m.
#1620 moves 5 minutes earlier to depart Spring Valley 4 minutes later than the discontinued #1618. Metro-North customers arrive in Hoboken 13 minutes later than the current #1618
OUTBOUND
Train 1639, the 7:20 p.m. departure (M-TH) from Hoboken to Spring Valley (Metro-North express)
Earlier option departs at 6:48 p.m.
Later option departs at 7:29 p.m.
Note: Train 9653 which currently operates only on Friday afternoons and before specific holidays (departing Hoboken at 2:58 p.m.) will operate only on 7/3, 8/31, 11/21, 12/21. On those dates, train 1633 (departing Hoboken at 5:58 p.m.) will not operate.
The following column appeared in The Ridgewood News on April 27, 2018.
Dare I say that springtime is finally here? The crocuses and daffodils have had to push a bit harder to get to the surface due to some late snowstorms but it seems winter is now well behind us as we move from school closures and delayed openings to the spring sports calendar, Earth Day celebrations and the first barbecues of the season ahead … and yes, cutting the grass.
Along with turning our thoughts to the great outdoors, this is also the time of year in which the Ridgewood Board of Education finalizes and approves the next year’s school budget. For the past several months our administrators have been working to develop a 2018-2019 budget that provides resources for our outstanding instructional and co-curricular programs, our fine staff, and for the maintenance and operations of our facilities. Given rising costs and legal mandates, it is a tall order to put together a fiscally responsible budget but I am happy to say that once again we have succeeded.
The 2018-2019 budget, which will be approved by the Board of Education on May 7 and is approximately $110,000,000, maintains our outstanding staff, upholds and improves our excellent and rigorous academic offerings and supports new initiatives. As detailed in our 2018-2019 budget presentation, next year’s budget will also permit us to add new staff and programs, maintain and continue to upgrade our instructional technology equipment, implement new curriculum at all grade levels and undertake some facility renovations and improvements to school security.
How do we develop the budget? We start the process by creating instructional goals, which focus our work on the budget. Those goals for next year are as follows:
• Build capacity to create and implement authentic growth-based, innovative assessment practices to measure progress and foster student success. We do this through a review and update of curriculum and assessments, through formal and informal observations in classrooms, and by continuing to shift and leverage technology integration and learning environments.
• Continue to build capacity for implementation of interventions and instructional strategies for diverse learners to maximize students’ individual success. Examples of this goal are the two-year training of 21-plus staff members in multi-sensory reading strategies, and also curricular improvements such two new A.P. classes (Physics C and Human Geography) at the high school and many other courses in grades K-12.
• Build capacity to foster student wellbeing by focusing on social/emotional learning as an integral component of student health and achievement. We will do this by replicating our Ridgewood High School therapeutic program at our middle schools, by continuing to grow and infuse mindfulness activities into our classrooms and programs, and by fostering building initiatives like the “Choose to be Nice” programs within our schools. In addition, we are adding significant security measures to improve physical safety for staff and students.
Goals aside, some thoughtful residents have asked whether Ridgewood’s tradition of excellence continues to be upheld over the years. I want to share with you here some basic information taken from New Jersey official reports showing how the Ridgewood Public Schools continue to be effective and efficient:
• SAT and ACT scores: The RHS Class of 2017 had an average SAT score of 1272 and ACT score of 27, which exceed the average New Jersey SAT score of 1103 and ACT score of 23.75 and the average national SAT score of 1060 and ACT score of 21.
• Per pupil spending: Our per pupil spending continues to be significantly lower than surrounding districts. According to the 2016-2017 NJ Department of Education Comparative Spending Guide, Ridgewood came in at $15,119, while for example, Paramus was $18,826, Mahwah $18329 and Tenafly $17,049.
For additional information and commentary, I invite you to take a look at the full 2018-2019 budget presentation, which may be found on the home page of our website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. I would also encourage you to browse through the Program of Studies for the elementary schools, middle schools and high school, which are located on the website under Academics/Departments. I also welcome any questions about the 2018-2019 budget, which may be emailed to [email protected].
The Ridgewood community is a critical partner in financing our mission of educational excellence. Due to the manner in which the State of New Jersey funds schools, the majority of our school funding is generated through the local property tax. Our proposed total budget for 2018-2019 of $110,167,997 will add $250.71 to the local tax bill on the average-assessed Ridgewood home.
In closing, the Ridgewood Public Schools continue to be fiscally prudent and efficient as well as educationally successful. For your support of the budget through taxes, and for the community’s further generous donations that this year exceeded one million dollars for curricular and co-curricular programs, I am grateful.
As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns.
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D., is Superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools
