Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Deputy Mayor Susan Knudsen made a statement for the Ridgewood Village Council requesting a rescheduled joint meeting date to discuss this topic. BOE member Jennie Smith Wilson gave a Board presentation outlining the facts and regulations that pertain to Ridgewood’s school budget vote and Board member elections. The presentation was followed by a period of public comment. Two more dates for public comment on this issue are scheduled for the Board meetings of November 5 and 19.
Click here to view the resolution approved by the Board at their September 17, 2018 Regular Public Meeting regarding the school budget election .
Ridgewood NJ, lost in all the debate over school board elections was that the Village Council has moved ahead with plans to develop the Schedler Park property ( 18-236 Approve Field Design for Schedler Park ).
The Village council approved a plan Wednesday night to construct a multi-use athletic field, playground, a walking trail, bathrooms, and 44 more parking spaces to the tract of land on West Saddle River Road just off of Route 17.
The athletic field will be the slimed down version , a 75 by 50 that could be used for soccer, lacrosse, and kickball games .
Schedler Park Back Ground Information:
Updated Schedler Grant Application Click Here
For the Bergen County response regarding the Schedler Grant Click Here
Below are the Site Development Plans prepared by the Ridgewood Engineering Department.
Click Here for Part 1A
Click Here for part 2B
Click Here for Part 3 C, D, E
Maps – Revisions
Schedler Map Rev 8 – October 7, 2015
Info Click Here for the Schedler Park and House Grant Timeline – as reported by the Village Manager at the September 16, 2015 Village Council Public Meeting. Wednesday, August 12th the Village Council discussed the use of the Schedler property.
They voted on the following resolutions:
Click Here for Schedler Property Resolution including House , Click Here for Resolution to apply for Schedler House Grant
Ridgewood NJ, Village of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen announced Friday afternoon , “As Promised – Ridgewood Village Council approved the hiring of NV5 to begin the Village Master Plan vsioning process. Details will be announced soon!”
The Mayor goes on , “Ridgewood is embarking on the development of a new Village Master Plan to replace the current, outdated document which is about 35 years old. A Master Plan encompasses all zoning laws and regulations that shaped the Village into the community it is today. From downtown development to the allowable property setbacks in everyone’s neighborhoods, the document is critical in maintaining the character of the Village. Our goal is to allow for smart development that doesn’t overwhelm streets and neighborhoods while supporting a vibrant and healthy Central Business District.”
“A new Village Master Plan document will guide Ridgewood’s development 40 plus years into the future making it critically important for trusted, experienced Council members to be active participants. Council members with a proven track record of protecting resident property values, Ridgewood neighborhoods, and the character of the Village we call home. Mayor Knudsen is the most experienced Council member in the area of Municpal Land Use making her participation important to the future of the Village. Experienced Council members with a comprehensive understanding of Municipal Land Use patterns, development and zoning, will serve the community best as we begin the exciting Master Plan process.”
The Master Plan project will commence in May with public engagement, charrettes, surveys, and more.
Ridgewood NJ, at last nights council meeting , the council once again revisited Ridgewood Waters push for the Water Smart software . The crux of the debate seemed to be weather the software could pay for itself with cost savings . Ridgewood Water has some very aggressive water savings goals . Ridgewood water stated the need to save 50,000,000 gallons of water per year.
Some critics of the water company suggest massive water saving in the system will be necessary with all the new development in Ridgewood and the other towns Ridgewood Water services in order to avoid ,”no flush Fridays” .
During the meeting much of the focus was on the user interface . The Water Smart software would offer users community comparisons as well as personal comparisons . One of the major advantages would be localized leaks would be more quickly identified .
Ridgewood Water seems to be looking for a more interactive consumer management.Resident Saurabh Dani voiced concerns over integration of multiple software systems .
Nothing presented last night addressed the elephant in the room ; the simply fact there is not enough water capacity for the coming high density development .
Ridgewood NJ, This past Monday the Martin Luther King, jr. interfaith celebration was held. It was intended to be a celebration of the teachings of Dr. King and was to include Rev. Sampson, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in New York as the guest speaker, followed by an outdoor rally and a light lunch. The program was also to feature Ridgewood and Glen Rock student speakers and musical performances by the Indian Hills Chamber Choir and Men of Umoja chorus.
Much of the event was beautiful until Aronsohn and Gottheimer turned it into their own personal soapboxes.
It turned into a political rally of sorts. After Pastor Mack Brandon introduced Rep. Gottheimer and welcomed him to the podium, suddenly FORMER Mayor Aronsohn shoved his way to the front, all but pushing Gottheimer back down. Aronsohn then proceeded to give an unscheduled speech (unscheduled, but not unplanned, because he had a paper in his hand as he bulldozed his way to the altar). Following this ridiculous display, Aronsohn himself went on to welcome Gottheimer to come and speak, even though Gottheimer had already been invited to the microphone by Pastor Brandon a few minutes earlier. People were kind of shocked by Aronsohn going off-script and just inserting himself into the event. Gottheimer then proceeded to give a political rally type of speech, not one honoring Dr. King and his principles and teachings, but one that was self-promoting, all about him and his agenda.
Politicians (or wannabe politicians like Aronsohn) should be banned from speaking at such an event. It was a disgrace.
Ridgewood NJ, Congratulations, to Mike ,Susan and Heather Village of Ridgewood and the Ridgewood Village Council received the 2017 Innovation in Governance Award, honored by the National League of Cities and Sustainable Jersey Silver certified!!
Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. By supporting community efforts to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve environmental equity, Sustainable Jersey is empowering communities to build a better world for future generations.
The Sustainability Champion award recognizes municipalities that have scored the most points in the Sustainable Jersey certification program in three population categories (large, medium and small).
“The Sustainable Jersey municipal awards recognize the outstanding work being done at the local level,” said Randall Solomon, who co-directs Sustainable Jersey with Donna Drewes. “We are extremely impressed by the innovative and effective sustainability programs and initiatives of these towns. They deserve to be commended for their accomplishments.”
Ridgewood NJ, Village Council members are now considering approval of a Soil Movement Permit in connection with construction work on the Dayton housing project, located at the old Brogan Cadillac site on South Broad Street.
During Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session, Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser informed Council members that current plans call for approximately 400 large dump trucks full of soil to use a route which would require them all to exit the site and head southbound on South Broad Street into Glen Rock.
Citizen concerns were expressed as to the appropriateness of directing 400 large dump trucks full of dirt directly into a neighborhood consisting mostly of single family residences, along a primary walking route to and from the Orchard Elementary School, and into neighboring Glen Rock. Mayor Susan Knudsen indicated that given the aforementioned concerns, alternative routes would be reviewed and considered.
The Council is scheduled to formally vote on the Permit during a public meeting next Wednesday evening, November 8th.
Ridgewood NJ, the Village has awarded a contract to replace the collapsed storm sewer on Circle Avenue just south of East Ridgewood Avenue .According to Village Manager Heather Mailander , “the concord grated metal pipe has failed and needs to be replaced “. A seepage tank will also be added . The street is currently impacted by an indent surrounded by cones. The project needs to be finished before the cold weather sets in.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Village Council on Wednesday nights council meeting finally approved the dissolution of the Financial Advisory Committee in favor of a “Special Projects Task Force”.
The council voted 4-1 with Jeff Voigt the only dissenter, for what the mayor called a “rebranding” of the current committee, and assured the public that the change was met with the committee’s favor.
Financial Advisory Committee was nothing but controversial from the get go. Spearheaded by former Mayor Paul Aronsohn when he was in the council the committee was often used to attack Aronsohn opponents and his plans to Urbanize Ridgewood .
The Hudson County Democrat came to the village with the full intention of turning the Village into the next Hoboken , with many critics of the former mayor thought the next Bayonne was a more fitting description of the direction.
The Financial Advisory Committee was used effectively to attack former mayor Kieth Killion and Village Manager Ken Gabbert over his $12,000 deferred pay raise, while the same committee hardly ever mentioned a word at any of the multitude of Village over spending .
In a town that spent $500,000 for a toilet , a $12,000 pay raise hardly seems worthy merit.
After a massive defeat of the Aronsohn backed slate in the previous election , the hiring of a highly qualified Robert G. Rooney as Chief Finance Officer the Financial Advisory Committee seemed a bit of a rudderless ship.
They focused their attacks on the Mayor Kundsen joined by many Aronsohn holdovers , but failed to make their case often looking out of touch and way off base.
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. RESOLUTIONS
17-170 Award Contract – Infra-red Paving Restoration
17-171 Reject Bids – Central Valet Parking Services
17-172 Authorize Application to the Bergen County Historic Trust Fund – Zabriskie-Schedler House, Phase 2
17-173 Authorize Application to the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund – Turf Field at Maple Park
17-174 Annual Renewal of Liquor Licenses
17-175 Set Public Hearing Date for Settlement Negotiation
5. Adjournment
VILLAGE COUNCIL WORK SESSION
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S
PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
JUNE 28, 2017
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. Presentation – Open Space Survey Findings
7. Discussion
a. Ridgewood Water
1. Award of Contract – Infrared Asphalt Restoration
b. Budget
1. Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant Application
c. Operations
1. Purchase of Property
d. Parking
1. Rebid Central Valet Services
8. Motion to Suspend Work Session and Convene Special Public Meeting
9. Special Public Meeting – See At tached Agenda
10. Motion to Adjourn Special Publc Meeting and Reconvene Work Session
11. Discussion (Continued)
a. Ridgewood Water (continued)
1. Lease of Property for Co-Location of Wireless Telecommunications Antennas – Glen Avenue Tank Location
2. Award Contract – Polyphosphate Pumps for Corrosion Control
3. Award Professional Services Contract – Cedar Hill Reservoir Improvements
b. Parking
1. Train Station Parking
2. Update on Parking Garage
3. Clinton Avenue Parking – Safety Concerns
c. Budget
1. Declare Fire Department Equipment Surplus
2. Award Contract Under State Contract – Tires
3. Award Contract Under State Contract – Police Handguns, Holsters, & Magazine Pouches
4. Award Contract Under State Contract – Two Police Patrol SUVs
5. Award Contract Under State Contract – Lifts and Support Stands – Fleet Services
6. Award Contract Under National Joint Powers Alliance – Front End Loaders with Snowplows
7. Award Contract Under National Joint Powers Alliance – Two Sanitation Trucks with Snowplows
b. Policy
1. Boards and Committees – Fields Committee
2. Endorse Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Program – The James Rose Center
3. Title 59 Approval – Painting Curbs Yellow
4. Options for Glenwood Road Railroad Crossing
5. Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Tree Protection
6. Garber Square Bike Lane
e. Operations (continued)
1. Appoint Clean Communities Coordinator and Recycling Program Coordinator
2. Municipal Complex Parking Lot Changes
12. Manager’s Report
13. Council Reports
14. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
Ridgewood NJ, the Village Council recognized the Ridgewood Art Ambassadors, Audrey Fink and Rosey Mccoe.
3rd grader Emilia Kelly and Madison Lenard a graduating senior was recognized ,for her work with the augmented reality virtual gallery.
photo courtesy of Ridgewood Arts Council
The mission of the Ridgewood Arts Council is to promote and support the vital part all arts play in enriching our lives, and the lives of our children and community.The Emerging Artist Gallery is still up along Ridgewood Ave. There are 51 pieces of art. Download the Wallame App and discover our virtual gallery.
Ridgewood NJ, During last night’s Village Council meeting it was announced that design changes requested by Council members have resulted in a projected cost increase of $900k for the Hudson Street Garage. Resident Boyd Loving pointed out that the requested design changes were cosmetic in nature only.That’s right folks; an additional $900k because those on the dais didn’t like the way it looked. Loving reminded council members ,”It’s a parking garage, not the Taj Mahal , $900k more in a heartbeat.”
The PIKE garage proposal has so far not cost the Village a penny , but some of the final numbers and lose ends are still missing.The proposed $8 million garage now $9 million garage will add 240 spaces for a net gain of 140 plus spaces, additionally the Village is moving forward with the 30 plus extra spaces at the Ridgewood train station ,by re-configuring the grassy medium .
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. RESOLUTION
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION, NUMBERED 17-142 IS TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE THIS RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THIS RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
17-56 Award Professional Services Contract – Professional Historic Architectural Consultant – Zabriskie-Schedler House Stabilization Project (Phase I)(NTE $50,000) –
This resolution authorizes the hiring of Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects to document the current conditions of the site, restore and stabilize roof, prepare and present nomination to New Jersey and National Register Nomination, and provide assistance for preparation of 2017 Bergen County HPTF Application.
5. Adjournment
PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
MAY 24, 2017
7:30 P.M.
7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
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.”
Roll Call – Village Clerk
Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
Motion to Suspend Work Session and Convene Special Public Meeting
Special Public Meeting – See Attached Agenda
Motion to Adjourn Special Public Meeting and Reconvene Work Session
Presentation
a. FAC – Amend Various Fees and Fines
Discussion
a. Ridgewood Water
b. Parking
1. Discussion of Proposed Parking Garage
2. Train Station – New Parking
c. Budget
1. 2017 Estimated Tax Rate
2. Hardware for E-Ticketing Software
3. Award Second Year of Contract – Crossing Guard Services
d. Policy
1. Boards and Committees – Structures and By-laws
e. Operations
1. Request for Resource Room at Gatehouse – Women Gardeners of Ridgewood
2. Proposed Stop Signs – Upper Boulevard and Glenwood Road
3. Kings Pond Area Cleaning Program – Ridgewood Wildscape Assoc. & Partners
4. Renew Agreement for Community Development Block Grant Program & Other Grants
5. NJDOT Request for Additional Bus Stop – State Highway 17 at Race Track Road
Manager’s Report
Council Reports
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
Resolution to go into Closed Session
Closed Session
A. Legal – Partial Divestiture of Ridgewood Water, COAH; Valley Hospital; HealthBarn
B. Contracts/Negotiations – Barrington Road
C. Personnel – Appointments to Boards and Committees
Adjournment
Ridgewood NJ, the Village council responds to erroneous assertions made by former Village Manager Roberta Sonenfled.
IMPORTANT: In response to a recent Ridgewood News letter to the editor written by Roberta Sonenfled: Residents should be cautious relying on the content due to errors, omissions and misrepresentations.
• Sonenfeld’s suggestion that the process wasn’t transparent is remarkable! The process follewed is the same shwas required to follow as former Village Manager. AS REQUIRED BY LAW, once the budget is introduced it must be reviewed by the Village auditor and afterwards, again as required by law, must be submitted to the State in THEIR BUDGET FORMAT for review with the completion of check list and all required documentation. This process is no different than any other year – even during those she was village manager. When the budget is advertised, it advises the public to contact the Village CFO with the appropriate phone number and extension. No phone calls have been received to date.
• Sonenfeld’s feigned surprise about the use of “rainy day” funds is curious since Sonenfeld utilized the surplus over and over again. She need only review her use of $3.032mil in 2015 and $3.3mil in 2016. The 2017 use of surplus, at approximately 10% more, is well within the amounts stipulated by the guidelines of the resolution recommended by Sonenfeld and adopted by Village Council last year for the utilization of “rainy day” reserves.
• Sonenfeld writes, “the budget proposes $7.4 million in authorized general debt for 2017 – an 88 percent increase over last year.” If she had provided the actual 2016 amount of $6.021 million ( authorized general debt) readers would have recognized her math error…. The increase in 21% NOT 88% – the difference is for possible property acquisition. Remember this is not incurred debt, IT IS AUTHORIZED BUT NOT ISSUED
• Too many error, omissions and misrepresentations to list!!!
Again readers should consider the source. Email if you have any questions: sknudsen@ridgewoodnj.net
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood council took on some local parking issues many of which have been well documented on this blog .
This included live discussions on parking on Pomander Walk, parking Cambridge Road and Bogert Avenue and Repeat Zone Parking.
Unlike the previous council ,the current council tried to look at the local parking issues in a more holistic approach reminded residents that its going to take compromise . Keeping in mind the unintended consequences of parking regulations on neighboring streets , local businesses and pedestrian safety.
Again the Village engineer with help of the Ridgewood Police put together a compromise plan the could hopes will me most of the local parking objections .
Repeat Zone Parking was more of an issues to get CBD employees to not park in customer parking . The issues has been raised that employees have not been parking in the designated spots in the CBD ,the main issue for “Repeat Zone Parking” is the amount of hands on effort needed by the parking utility to enforce the “Repeat Zone Parking”. The council and police clearly need a strict definition of “repeat parking”.
The council seemed to uniformly feel business owners the Chamber of Commerce and the Ridgewood Guild need to remind employees parking in the wrong spots cost them money and in the end they are the ones to suffer.
