Is Ridgewood on the verge of a parking revolution or a taxpayer nightmare?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, on Tuesday, February 3rd, Village Hall transformed into a battleground of ideas as the community gathered for the Community Forum on Downtown Parking. While the official invite promised a “comprehensive look” at the Central Business District (CBD), many residents are smelling a rat—specifically one involving rising debt and potential conflicts of interest.
48 Million Pounds of Contaminated Soil: Ridgewood’s Massive Zabriskie-Schedler Cleanup Plan Explained
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Village of Ridgewood is moving forward with a major remediation project to remove vast amounts of contaminated soil and solid waste from the historic Zabriskie-Schedler House property on West Saddle River Road.
Ridgewood Community Meeting Set for NJDEP-Submitted Cleanup Plan Details
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood residents, mark your calendars! The highly anticipated soil remediation plan for the controversial Zabriskie-Schedler property is officially finalized and ready for public review.
Matrix New World Engineering, the firm tasked with the cleanup, has completed its detailed plan and submitted it to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Now, the community gets its chance to see exactly how this critical piece of Ridgewood land will be made safe.
A Golden Anniversary: Ridgewood’s H.I.L.T. Senior Club Celebrates 50 Years of Community and Wellness
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
What’s the secret to a happy, active retirement? For over 50 years, the members of Ridgewood’s H.I.L.T. (Highlights in Leisure Time) senior club have found the answer right in their community. The club recently celebrated its 50th anniversary at Village Hall, bringing together more than 50 seniors for a special celebration.
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The Village of Ridgewood has announced a public hearing to address a long-standing land issue involving 0.378 acres of former parkland that was sold without proper approval in 1983. The meeting will take place on September 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Patrick A. Mancuso Senior Center, located on the first floor of Ridgewood Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue. Hybrid Zoom access will also be available for residents who wish to participate remotely.
Ridgewood NJ, Public Hearing on the 2023 Municipal Budget and Capital Ordinances – April 27, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. – Court Room of Ridgewood Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue. The Village Council will conduct a Public Hearing and final vote on the 2023 Municipal Budget and 2023 Capital Ordinances during a Special Public Meeting on April 27, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. in the Court Room of Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue.
Ridgewood NJ, Upcoming Village Council Meetings – Held in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room of the Ridgewood on the 4th floor of RidgewoodVillage Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue.
Ridgewood NJ, FEMA will be sending a Disaster Survivor Assistance Team to Ridgewood on Saturday, Sept. 25th at 9am – 5pm. FEMA will set up on the patio outside Village Hall to assist residents affected by Hurricane Ida.
Ridgewood NJ, Non-essential retail establishments may open their doors to allow the public inside beginning June 15. However, Ridgewood Village Hall remains closed to public access indefinitely. What sense does this make, if any? We can buy a pair of sneakers, but I cannot go into Village Hall for essential services like engineering, health, building/zoning, and tax payments?
Ridgewood NJ, sources tell the Ridgewood blog the a homeless man has moved into the lobby at Village Hall creating a “Health hazard for people visiting town hall”. Reports of an extremely strong smell .
The Ridgewood blog has reported on many instances of homeless in Ridgewood in recent months.
The word seems to be that the police are concerned over law suits ,but many suspect an act of “virtue signaling “.
Ridgewood NJ, The Village of Ridgewood will be holding an open house for the public on June 11, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room, on the 4th floor of Ridgewood Village Hall to present information about the Hudson Street parking garage. Representatives from EPIC Management (developer), Tim Haahs (architects for design and structural elements), Bohler Engineering (Civil Engineers), and Robert Rooney (Village CFO) will be available in an informal setting to provide additional information and answer questions from the public about the Hudson Street parking garage.
We encourage Ridgewood residents, as well as business owners and those who work in the Central Business District, to attend this open house to learn more about this exciting project.
Ridgewood NJ, Village attorney Matt Rogers told the council the Village is not obligated to fly the “Rainbow or Gay flag”. Rogers talked at length of both legal and policy implications .Rogers went on to explain the “freedom of Speech ” issues as well as the Village flag pole had not history been used to make a political statement or as a public forum . Temporary signs are also banned from Village public property which would include the Village hall flag pole .
Mike Sedon chimed in that the American flag is inclusive and is the most potent symbol of inclusion world over. Both Bernie and Jeff were supportive of the Rainbow flag on the idea of “inclusiveness ” along the road that other groups celebrate on Village property like the RBSA and so on. Councilmen Hache worried about other groups who may want to raise a flag that may not be supported by the community in general. The mayor worried it was a road we don’t want to go down to be auditing countless groups looking to fly their flag over the Village hall.
BOE – stay strong. The teachers are unreasonable. Might not have this opinion if it was a different town but Ridgewood has always been very supportive of teachers and education as illustrated by the pay scale. We just can’t and don’t want to afford to indulge them any more. Note: Rankings are slipping … time to reconsider a lot when it comes to our schools. Some new blood might be a very good thing. Please move on if you are not happy with what our BOE is offering you.
Teachers remain completely unreasonable and are not negotiating with our volunteer BOE in good faith. Time for higher pension contributions, higher copays, and salaries growing less than the 2% property tax cap. It’s time to wake up to the reality faced by all residents of Ridgewood, not just your “la-la fantasy world” union rose tinted glasses greed.
It is time for teachers and there arrogant union leaders to step in to the twenty first century and stop livening as though it was the 1950’s where you did not have great pay and benefits. BOE say no to these people the taxpayer is fed up.
You can keep someone around with a less-than-great attitude if they’re highly competent, experienced, and brilliant. Maybe you can keep someone around who’s less than great, but their sunshine makes everybody happy and they get things done. People kept saying that at least she wasn’t an alcoholic like previous managers. Can you imagine hearing someone say that about yourself in your job? Talk about faint praise.
She worked hard–many hours–we know this because she mentioned it a lot. But what was she doing? Working on projects behind some council members’ backs and intended to foil the wishes of residents. Determinedly following through on Aronsohn’s plans. This woman was a hiring disaster except for the person who hired her. Unqualified for many important Village Manager tasks, requiring expensive outsourcing and in one case, the excuse for creating an HR position for a friend that quickly morphed from part time to full time. Let’s get rid of that person and that position soon.
Sonenfeld was incompetent, defensive, “attitude” prone, disrespectful of council members and the public, all too willing to do the former mayor’s bidding. Shockingly, did not hesitate to chew out council members–totally unacceptable. Expressed far more personal opinions than a manager should.
Waster of money, pusher of projects we didn’t need–most recently the digging up and overhauling of Van Neste, which fortunately was caught in time. Cashed in her favor-chips with that HR job and giving her Health Barn friend part of a municipal park (let’s rip up that contract asap). Never learned the true role of a village manager. We will be far better off without her. Aronsohn’s legacy is now diminished in the most significant way since the council election. CLEAN HOUSE. (Judge Pfund needs to go, too.)
(all timeframes and the order of agenda items below are approximate and subject to change)
7:30 p.m. – Call to Order, Statement of Compliance, Flag Salute, Roll Call – In accordance with the provisions of Section 10:4-8d of the Open Public Meetings Act, the date, location, and time of the commencement of this meeting is reflected in a meeting notice, a copy of which schedule has been filed with the Village Manager and the Village Clerk, The Ridgewood News and The Record newspapers, and posted on the bulletin board in the entry lobby of the Village municipal offices at 131 North Maple Avenue, and on the Village website, all in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act.
7:55 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Riverside Medical Group Minor Site Plan and Variances, 74 Oak Street, Block 2009, Lot 6
9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Ridgewood Dayton, LLC Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan, 100 & 152 South Broad Street, Block 3707, Lot 5.01 and Block 3905, Lot 1.01
11:00 p.m. – 11:05 p.m. – Adoption of Minutes: August 23, 2016
11:05 p.m. – Executive Session (if necessary)
Adjournment
In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, all meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work sessions, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings, which are always open to members of the general public.
Members: Susan Knudsen, Jeff Voigt, Joel Torielli, Melanie McWilliams, David Scheibner, Richard Joel, Kevin Reilly, David Thurston, Isabella Altano, Debbie Patire
Professional Staff: Blais L. Brancheau, Planner; Christopher J. Rutishauser, Village Engineer; Michael Cafarelli, Board Secretary
