Ridgewood NJ, This is a year of momentous anniversaries for The Ridgewood Choral! Celebrating 90 years of song and service, the Choral will present its Annual Spring Concert on Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. at West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe Street, Ridgewood, NJ.
Under the direction of Marjorie Vandervoort, who is celebrating her 25th year as Music Director, the choral will sing classics by Purcell as well as modern pieces such as A Spring Bouquet written for the Choral by our beloved friend and former accompanist, Richard Lane. To make our 2018 concert even more unique, the Northern Highlands Regional High School concert choir, under the direction of Thomas Paster, will join us.
Susan LaFever, pianist is celebrating 10 years with the Choral. She will also accompany the choral on French Horn in two Emily Dickinson poems set to music by James Mulholland.
Jazz Saxophonist, Isaac Ketter of Fair Lawn, winner of the 2018 Florence Reinauer Memorial Music Award, will perform at the concert. The scholarship is presented annually for excellence in vocal or instrumental music.
The Marjorie Vandervoort Vocal Award was instituted this year in honor of Marjorie Vandervoort’s 25 years as Music Director. The winner Alto Tiffani Rivera of Suffern, NY will also perform at the concert.
A reception with light refreshments will follow the performance. Join us as we welcome Spring with this beautiful blend of choral pieces.
Tickets are $20 advance sale; $25 at the door. For advance tickets, call 201-327-8184. For more information on The Ridgewood Choral, visit www.ridgewoodchoral.org.
Ridgewood NJ, after last night Village council meeting antics it is clear that Chairmen Lehmann can not impartially represent the people of Ridgewood , it is time for him to step down or be removed from office.
Board of Adjustment
MISSION:
The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall follow the provisions of the Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.) and Chapter 190 of the Ridgewood Village Code and accordingly shall have authority to:
(1) Hear and decide appeals where it is alleged by the appellant that there is error in any order, requirement, decision or refusal made by the Zoning Officer based on or made in the enforcement of the zoning regulations. (2) Hear and decide requests for interpretation of the Zoning Map or zoning regulations or for decisions upon other special questions upon which the Board is authorized to pass by any zoning regulation or Official Map regulation, in accordance with this chapter and the Municipal Land Use Law. (3) Hear and decide requests for variances. Notwithstanding the above, the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall not have the power to hear and decide variances if the application also requires subdivision, site plan or conditional use approval, unless the application involves a “D” variance. (4) Exercise control over and review of subdivisions, site plans and conditional uses, only when such applications involve a “D” variance. (5) Direct the issuance of building permits for buildings or structures in certain areas shown on an Official Map, unless such building permits also require subdivision, site plan or conditional use approval. (6) Direct the issuance of building permits for buildings or structures on a lot not related to a street, unless such building permits also require subdivision, site plan or conditional use approval. (7) Prepare at least once a year a report for the Village Council and Planning Board, based upon its review of its decisions on applications and appeals for variances since any previous report. The report shall be adopted by resolution of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and shall comment on the zoning regulations which were the subject of variance requests and shall make recommendations for any amendments to the zoning regulations that the Board may deem appropriate based upon prior variance applications.
MEETINGS: Meeting are held twice a month in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Courtroom on Level Four
Click here Form:
Variance Instructions and here to download the Application of Variance.
Zoning table Application form and Instructions on the Lot,Bulk and Intensity of Use Standards.
Variance Application Checklist and Zoning Board of Adjustment Meetings and Hearing Procedures.
MEMBERS:
Hans-Jurgen Lehmann, Chairman (6/30/19)
Sergio Alegre, Vice Chairman (6/30/21)
Gary Negrycz (6/30/20)
Diana Ruhl (6/30/20)
Alyssa Matthews (6/30/18)
Ines Bunza (6/30/19)
Gregory Brown (6/30/21)
Jonathan Papietro (Alt. #1) (6/30/19)
Isaac Lebow (Alt. #2) (6/30/18)
CONTACT:
Counsel Bruce E. Whitaker, Esq. McDonnell & Whitaker, LLC 245 East Main St P.O. Box 379 Ramsey, NJ 07446-0379
Secretary Jane Wondergem 131 North Maple Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Meeting dates are published in the Village Calendar and are shown in Calendar of Events on this Website.
VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING
APRIL 25, 2018
7:30 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act
MAYOR: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided
by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall,
by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call
4. Approval of Minutes
5. RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 18-140 THROUGH 18-143 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:
18-140 Title 59 Approval – Approves the plans and specifications for Tree Trimming Ridgewood Parkland Crest Road at the View in the Village of Ridgewood, prepared by the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
18-141 Award Contract – Tree Trimming on Crest Road at The View (NTE $17,450) – Awards a contract to the vendor providing the sole quote, Downes Tree Service, Inc.,
65 Royal Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ
18-142 Award Professional Services Contract – Financial Advisory Services for Hudson Street Parking Garage Project (NTE $25,000) – Awards a Professional Services Contract to Acacia Financial Group, 6000 Midlantic Drive, Suite 410 North, Marlton, NJ
18-143 Award Professional Services Contract – Green Acres Certified Appraisal – Block 3905, Lot 19 – South Broad Street (NTE $3,000) – Awards a Professional Services Contract to a Green Acres Certified Appraiser, Mark E. Hendricks, Hendricks Appraisal Company, LLC, 7 Hutton Avenue, West Orange, NJ
Village Council Work Session
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
APRIL 25, 2018
7:30 P.M.
1. 7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
5. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
6. Discussion – Budget
a. Award Contract – Tree Trimming
b. Award Contract – Financial Advisor – Hudson Street Parking Garage
c. Award Professional Services Contract – Green Acres Diversion Property – South Broad Street
7. Motion to Suspend Work Session and Convene Special Public Meeting
8. Special Public Meeting – See Attached Agenda
9. Motion to Adjourn Special Public Meeting and Reconvene Work Session
10. Presentation
a. Hudson Street Parking Garage – Epic Management
11. Discussion
a. Ridgewood Water
1. Award Contract – Year One of Two Year Contract – Landscaping Services
2. Award Change Order #2 – Water Main Stream Crossings
3. Award Change Order #2 – Installation of Backup Power at Critical Facilities
4. Award Contract – Water Smart
b. Parking
1. Payment for Parking Transactions Using Mobile Technology and Other
Related Services
c. Budget
1. Award Contract – Year Two of Two Year Contract – Disposal of Recyclable Materials
2. Award Contract – Eradication of Bicycle Lane Markings – Portion of Westbound Garber Square
3. Award Contract – Crossing Guard Services
4. Award State Contract – Replacement of Carpeting – Police Department
5. Discuss Contract for Professional Planner – Affordable Housing Planning Consultant
6. New Five Year Lease – Pease Upper Levels
d. Policy
1. Blade Sign Ordinance
2. Amendment to Village Code – Backyards – Bands and Music
e. Operation – None
12. Manager’s Report
13. Council Reports
14. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
15. Resolution to go into Closed Session
16. Closed Session
A. Personnel – Faulkner Act; Dept. of Public Works; Fire Department; Boards and Committees; Anti-Nepotism
B. Contract Negotiations – Property Acquisition – Green Acres Diversion
C. Legal – Affordable Housing
17. Adjournment
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Police Department is pleased to announce the 5th annual Chief Michael Feeney, Jr. Police Academy scheduled from Friday June 22nd through Friday June 29th 2018, at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. The Academy is open to Ridgewood residents entering 5th 6th and 7th grades in the fall of 2018.
Last year’s academy featured demonstrations from The Ridgewood Police Department, Bergen County Sheriff’s Department K-9 and Bomb Squad, Police Motorcycles, Ridgewood Emergency Services, FBI, Ridgewood Fire Department, State Police Helicopter landing, Tactical driving, as well as demonstrations from various other agencies. A field trip to the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Complex in Mahwah is also scheduled.
Applications will be available online in community pass.
For more information contact Lt.Glenn Ender [email protected]
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company is so excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for our Spring 2018 production of Princess Ida! We will be rolling out more information on our exciting take on this work in the coming days, but for now, make sure you grab your tickets for this hilarious twist on a traditional medieval fairy tale!
A hilarious twist on a traditional medieval fairy tale, Princess Ida tells the tale of a Princess, who eschews her marriage obligations to the Prince of a neighboring kingdom (made when they both were infants) to run a women’s university. Prince Hilarion has been waiting for his wedding day for twenty years. He is about to meet Princess Ida to whom he was betrothed, as a baby. Unfortunately, Princess Ida has decided that she does not want to honor the commitment, and has, instead, gone off and started a women’s college. But Hilarion does not give up hope! In an attempt to woo her, Hilarion, dresses up as a maiden and sneaks into the women’s compound, accompanied by his friends, Cyril and Florian, who are forced to dress up, as well. Once the “maidens” are in the compound, various girls attending the college discover their secret.
Friday, May 11 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 12 at 7:30pm
Sunday, May 13 at 3:00pm
Ridgewood United Methodist Church
(100 Dayton Street, Ridgewood, NJ)
Friday, June 1 at 7:30pm
Fair Lawn Community Center
(10-10 20th Street, Fair Lawn, NJ)
Want a preview of the show? We are performing a concert version of highlights from Princess Ida at Mahwah Public Library (100 Ridge Road) this Sunday at 2pm. Come and join in on the fun!
I am fairly well educated and successful. I reflect back on my accomplishment and look forward to future goals. I am confused by what we vote for
I know little about the candiatates to date I do believe that the mayor is a class act and nice and so forth, but she and Sedon are not effective at all.
I can’t water my lawn, drive down the street without hitting a pothole, drive with seeing cars speeding, expenses are out of control, union and school costs are exploding. Parking at the train station is a mess, residents can’t park after 645 and just try to get home when the evening trains come in. Take an issue and solve it please
I am a 25 year resident and see the village failing at many levels. We don’t need nice class acts. We need leaders and folks to address issues and have a impact. If we are voting for nice folks I guess this makes sense. Show me a list of accomplishments show me what you goals are for the village. Show me a future Stop blaming the past.
Editors note : unfortunately the past does not just go away , actions have consequences, and the election of the 3 amigos doomed the Village to years of fixing their mess , you only have your selves to blame
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police have issued a traffic alert for East Saddle River Road and Paramus Road Paving today. Linwood Avenue east bound traffic will be detoured at N.Pleasant Ave. to East Glen.
East bound Traffic on East Ridgewood Ave at Paramus Road is being diverted North on Paramus Road. Best route to Rt 17 is E.Glen Ave. or Grove Street to Midland Ave. Additionally the exit ramp from route 17 south onto East Saddle River Rd is closed and being detoured to Linwood Ave. please allow extra time or choose an alternate.
photos from Road Work on Paramus Road on Wednesday April 11,2018
Ridgewood NJ, NICHE ranked Ridgewood the number one place to live in Bergen County and 6th over all in New Jersey . Ridgewood Placed just a head of Haworth #8,Ho Ho Kus #11,Tenafly #17,Glen Rock #19, Allendale #20, and Leonia #24.
The NICHE 2018 Best Places to Live ranking provides a comprehensive assessment of the overall livability of an area. This grade takes into account several key factors of a location, including the quality of local schools, crime rates, housing trends, employment statistics, and access to amenities in an attempt to measure the overall quality of an area.
Ridgewood placed 3 of 412 Best Suburbs to Live in New Jersey , 5 of 410 Suburbs with the Best Public Schools in New Jersey and 6 of 573 Best Places to Live in New Jersey . The Median Household Income is $144,734 . The Median Home Value is $724,400 and the Median Rent $1,960 .
Ridgewood NJ, a big thank you to Saurabh Dani for pointing out Jeff Voigt’s change of heart on the Ridgewood blog . If you don’t like “nasty anonymous posters ” , the staff suggest that you and all your coconspirators quit making them. Its just that simple .
Jeff Voigt – two years ago, vs today. One screen shot is from two years ago from his views on the blog. The lead one is from few days ago from his letter to the editor in Ridgewood News.
Ridgewood NJ, High winds toppled at least two (2) utility poles along a PSE&G right of way in the rear of 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood late Wednesday afternoon, 04/04. The right of way, which supports high tension electric lines running between sub stations in Fair Lawn and Waldwick, abuts a popular athletic field complex and running/walking track. Ridgewood Police, Fire Department, and Emergency Services personnel responded to make the area safe until PSE&G Electric Division crews could arrive to repair the damage.
US NEWS STATE of NJ RANK:
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Eleven (not even the TOP 11 BTW) of the top 25 on the list are magnet or Vocational schools (which is not “more than half the top 25” but I guess math is hard for you)
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Also these PUBLIC (non-magnet) Schools are ranked AHEAD of Ridgewood:
#5 – Elizabeth High School
#6 – Princeton High School
#7 – Chatham High School
#10 West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North
#11 – Livingston High School
#12 – Summit Senior High School
#13 – Millburn High School
#14 – Glen Ridge High School
#15 – Ridge High School, Basking Ridge
#18 – West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
#19 – Mountain Lakes High School
#20 – Tenafly High School
#23 – Northern Highlands Regional High School
#25 – Montgomery High School #26 – Ridgewood High School
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. US NEWS NATIONAL RANK:
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RIDGEWOOD IS RANKED #583 (almost below 600) in NATIONAL Rank
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. US NEWS COLLEGE READINESS (arguably the most important ranking)
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RIDGEWOOD HAS A 53.6% COLLEGE READINESS rating (barely half of the students graduate as ready for college).
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——————————— STATE OF NJ’s OWN SCHOOL RANKINGS
. You are also ignoring that THE STATE OF NJ ranked Ridgewood High School as 83 out of the 385 NJ high schools.
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Neighboring Glen Rock was ranked #13
(the top twelve on the NJ State list are specialized “academies” and vocational schools which have academic standards for acceptance)
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Here’s some other (local) schools that are ranked higher than Ridgewood:
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#20 – Pascack Hills (Pascack Valley)
#25 – Northern Valley – Demarest
#28 – Tenafly
#29 – Mahwah
#45 – Northern Valley – Old Tappan
#46 – Pascack Valley
#48 – River Dell
#52 – Indian Hills
#55 – Emerson
#56 – Fair Lawn
#60 – Northern Highlands
#61 – Fort Lee
#72 – Waldwick
#73 – New Milford
#76 – Bergenfield
#82 – Ramapo
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Then Ridgewood at #83
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But at least we beat out Dumont (ranked #84)
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—————————-
. No Matter how you look at the data, it IS NOT good news for Ridgewood.
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Free talk: Graydon sycamore assessment and removal
Have you been wondering what led the village to remove the historic sycamore tree from the island in Graydon–and even whether it was really necessary?
The expert consultant himself, Wayne Cahilly, will describe his assessment procedure at next Tuesday’s meeting of the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission.
The public is invited to attend and to ask questions. For those still mourning and perhaps questioning the loss, this presentation may promote closure. Anyone wishing to learn how tree professionals make such decisions would benefit as well.
o What: “Risk Assessment in Municipal Arboriculture: The Graydon Sycamore Case Study”
o Who: Wayne Cahilly, Cahilly’s Horticultural Services, LLC, Dumont, NJ
o When: Tuesday, April 10, 7 PM
o Where: Ridgewood Public Library auditorium, 125 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ
Shade Tree Commission chair Andrew Lowry, quoted in a press release from the group, said, “The Graydon sycamore was an icon in our village. Many residents had strong feelings about its removal. We hope this presentation will help people understand what went into making this tough decision and the complexities of risk assessment more generally.”
Adapted from the Shade Tree Commission press release:
Speaker’s background
In 35 years of working with trees, Wayne Cahilly has assessed the structural condition and health of more than 60,000 trees in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and elsewhere. A graduate of the New York Botanical Garden School of Professional Horticulture, he has served the Garden as Forest Manager, Arborist, Manager of the Arboretum and Grounds, and Manager of the Mapping Department. He lives in Dumont, New Jersey.
About the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission
The purpose of the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission is to protect, preserve, and enhance the village’s shade trees, defined as trees planted next to streets on village property. Goals are to foster public-private partnerships to educate the community about the contribution to the Village environment made by shade trees and to increase the number of shade trees in the village by actively promoting community tree-planting programs.
We hope to see you there.
Swimmingly,
The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
“It’s clear—we love Graydon!” [email protected] PreserveGraydon.org
Ridgewood NJ, Note: These streets are not listed in order of paving. The order of paving will be determined by the contractor and the Village Engineering Department. The paving season is April through November 2018, and some streets listed may be delayed until spring 2019, depending on weather conditions and logistical issues that may arise during the paving season.
Street – From – To
E. Ridgewood N. Maple Paramus Rd.
Bergen Spring Court
Somerville Spring E.R.A.
Spring S. Pleasant East End
Addison Irving Southern Parkway
Beveridge Norman Stratford
Bingham E. Saddle River Eastbrook Road
Chesterfield Sheffield Fairfield
Deerfield Sheffield Fairfield
Doremus Ackerman Godwin
Eastgate VanEmburgh Ave. Town Line
Fairway N. VanDien N. Pleasant
Fox Dead End East Side
Hamilton Norman Stratford
Hillcrest Morningside N. Monroe
Jefferson South End Orville
Jefferson Orville Hampshire
John Wyndermere Linwood
Litchfield Sheffield Fairfield
Madison N. Hillside N. Monroe Ave.
Madison N. Monroe Crest
Maynard To Dead End W. Ridgewood Ave.
MonteVista N. Monroe Heights
N. Hillside W. Ridgewood Ave. N. Monroe
N. Monroe W. Ridgewood Ave. Monte Vista
N. Pleasant E. Ridgewood Ave. Linwood
N. Pleasant Linwood E. Glen
Pershing Wall Linwood
Randolph Doremus East End
S. Irving Spring E. Ridgewood
Salem Van Emburgh West End
Sherman Godwin Washington
Sherman Washington Place North End
Terhune W. Saddle River East End
ValleyView N. Monroe Heights
ValleyView Heights Crest
Wall Pershing East End
Washington S. Monroe W. Ridgewood
West End Lincoln Bellair
West End Bellair Godwin
William Jefferson South End
William North End Jefferson
Woodland N. Monroe Crest
Ridgewood NJ, Drugs and alcohol continue to be a pervasive problem in New Jersey’s cities as well as suburban areas. The New Jersey Department of Education released its most recent data of substance abuse cases reported by each school district . In the current list of the school districts cases in 2016-17, Ridgewood Schools broke the top 50 coming in 3rd in Bergen county and 49th over all with 17 reported cases , trailing only Englewood with 19 and tying Ridgewood field park with 17.
The state Department of Education has cautioned that these numbers are reported by each district, each jurisdiction is self reporting and is responsible and required by law for reporting its results fairly and accurately.
Ridgewood NJ, The driver of a 4-door Hyundai sedan was transported by ambulance to Hackensack University Center’s main campus after crashing her vehicle into a utility pole located in front of 414 Linwood Avenue, Ridgewood on Monday afternoon, 04/02. Ridgewood Police, Fire department, and EMS personnel responded to aid the victim. A paramedic team from The Valley Hospital assisted Ridgewood EMTs with patient evaluation and care. The wrecked Hyundai was removed from the scene by a hydraulic lift tow truck. A representative from PSE&G’s Electric Division responded to assess damage to the pole and attached infrastructure. The victim’s injuries appeared to have been non life threatening.
