Tag: Ridgewood Village Hall

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Ridgewood Water Issues Corrections on Consumer Confidence Report

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Click HERE to view the corrected 2016 Consumer Confidence Report.

July 28,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, You should have received the 2016 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report that was mailed to you on June 30, 2016 (ClickHERE to view).  We hope you have had an opportunity to read the report and learn about the water quality parameters that we monitor and the contaminants we test for.

Ridgewood Water is a complex water supply system and our Annual Report is similarly complex. This year’s report may be even more challenging to understand because the pages appear in a different order than was intended.  Please be assured that all of the information has been included and nothing was omitted.

There are two corrections to the report, however, that you should know about.  On the first page of the Report, under “BACKGROUND INFORMATION,” the following sentences appear, “In 2015, Ridgewood Water exceeded the 15 ppb Action Level for Lead of which you were previously notified.  We are still working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to correct this Issue.”  The year referred to is incorrect.  The lead exceedance occurred in 2012.  The treatment plan proposed by Ridgewood Water to correct this issue was approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and has been fully implemented.

In the section labelled “Unregulated Contaminants for Which EPA Requires Monitoring” the level detected for Perflourooctanic acid – PFOA and Perflourooctane sulfonic acid – PFOS are reversed.  The PFOA Range should be ND-0.04 and the PFOS Range should be ND-0.06.

To help consumers better understand the Annual Drinking Water Quality Report and to provide a special opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification, Ridgewood Water is sponsoring a daytime forum on July 27 at 9:00am in the Courtroom of Village Hall and an evening forum on August 2 at 7:00pm in the Youth Center of Village Hall. Consumers from all of the municipalities served by Ridgewood Water are invited to attend either forum.  Space is limited, so please register by contacting Donna Omelianuk, Ridgewood Water, at 201-670-5500 x271 or by email at domelianuk@ridgewoodnj.net. Recordings of the forums will be made available online for those unable to attend.

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Ridgewood Board of Ed Incumbents Run Uncontested

BOE_theridgewoodblog

July 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, BOE Members Jeannette Wilson and James Morgan will be running uncontested for Ridgewood School Board Seats. Two incumbents are seeking reelection to the Ridgewood Board of Education.

Despite efforts by the REA to run union members and pro union people for Ridgewood BOE seats no one stepped up.

Click here to read an updated statement on REA – BOE contract negotiations, issued by the Ridgewood Board of Education on July 22, 2016.

The two incumbents, Jeannette Wilson and James Morgan were the only two candidates to file petitions to run this year. Monday July 25th at 4 p.m. was the deadline to file petitions for the school board to be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The November 8th election ballot will include a question for residents about implementing full-day Kindergarten in Ridgewood. To learn more about full-day Kindergarten, please click here for a FAQ sheet.

 

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RIDGEWOOD POLICE TRAFFIC ALERT WEST GLEN AVE DETOUR FOR PSEG

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Update on PSEG Gas Work

July 28,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, Starting Wednesday, July 27, 2016 PSEG will be working on W. Glen Ave. with the large detour in place until Friday, July 29th. Then on either Friday or Monday they will move to E. Glen Ave. working between Maple Ave. and Fairfield Rd. for about 2 weeks. They will start at Fairfield and work backwards.

PSEG will stop short of the firehouse driveway and try to get the work in front of the firehouse/Water/ Recycling yard all done on one day. Please know that during that day there will be very limited and sometimes no access to those driveways.

After they complete the gas work on E. Glen Ave., they will return to the work on W. Glen and that includes starting off with the large detour for about 5-7 work days. And will continue west until they reach Monroe St.

To clarify, while working on E. Glen Ave., W. Glen Ave. will be completely open.

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Readers feel Ridgewood Teachers are living in the “Land of Make believe”

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Why are you conveniently ignoring the benefits package? Is it because that’s not in your self-interest to mention that? Add in your lifetime defined benefit pension (which current REA members only contribute 6.5% of their base salary to, rising to only 7.5% by 2018!) which you can start collecting at age 55~60 when you have enough service time. Add in the sick leave you’ve accumulated year after year. Add in your lifetime health plan which covers 96% of all medical costs, both in- and out-of-network, with $10 co-pays, with all of the above being subsidized by Ridgewood taxpayers. How is that not fair? No one in the private sector has benefits like these. That’s was supposed to be the trade-off, but now you want more wages growing faster than the 2% property cap (and inflation), too? Most Ridgewood residents think you’re asking for far too much; we’re being taxed to death to pay for this and your benefits should be diminished. Time to accept you’re in a losing position.

Your pension and health benefits are better than the private sector. That’s always been the trade-off. Teachers make less than comparable professionals in the private sector, but get an incredible retirement deal. Now your union and the NJEA are telling you that you deserve equivalent wages, too? You are getting the wrong advice. Prorate your salary for 187 days a year, add in all of your excessive benefits, and remember there are 1,100 applicants to replace you if you decide there’s a better deal elsewhere. Stop holding us hostage.

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Readers Debate “Free Speech” at Village of Ridgewood Council Meetings

Village Council Meeting2

file photo by Boyd Loving

July 28th ,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, After a federal court judge in Newark denied the dismissal of a freedom of speech violation lawsuit filed by a political operative against the City of Hoboken after he was ejected from the October 21 city council meeting.

Its seems that speech can not restricted during public comment at a council meeting . The previous mayor Paul Aronsohn and his administration tried many times either through rules, ordinances ,intimidation or silly anti free speech committees like the “Civility Committee”.

While readers best describe the new council ,”it’s amazing to watch the new council meetings. Respect for all those who ask questions. Even questions that are asked are answered or will be researched and followed up on. Keep up the good work.”

A reader suggests that some Section’s of the Village Code may violate an individual’s right to Freedom of Speech , we are not so sure :

“Except upon consent of the Council, by the majority vote of those present, each person addressing the Council pursuant to this section shall be required to limit his remarks to five minutes and shall at no time engage in any personally offensive or abusive remarks. On a hearing on ordinances on second reading, a person who has previously addressed the Council on the issue may be permitted a period of no more than an additional five minutes, after all others desirous of speaking on the issue have had an opportunity to do so, provided the comments of the speaker are not repetitive. The Chair shall call any speaker to order who violates any provision of this section.”

As does this one:

“Any person who shall disturb the peace of the Council, make impertinent or slanderous remarks or conduct himself in a boisterous manner while addressing the Council shall be forthwith barred by the presiding officer from further audience before the Council, except that if the speaker shall submit to proper order under these rules, permission for him to continue may be granted by a majority vote of the Council.”

Matt Rogers: Are you on this?

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RIDGEWOOD’s KASSCHAU SHELL FREE SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT UNDER THE STARS

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July 27,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The music shell on Veteran’s Field was erected and donated as a gift to the Village in member of Frank Kasschau, a widely recognized choral conductor, organist and teacher.  The shell is dedicated to and accepted for use by the citizens of the Village of Ridgewood as a place where summer programs of fine music and related artistic and cultural endeavors may be presented to the community in a setting of natural beauty.

Bring your chair and blanket starts at 8:30pm.

Only three performances left ; July 28th TREBLE – Popular Rock , August 2nd Bishop of Jazz and His Abbotts (Rio Clemente) and August 4th Mack Brandon & The Connection – Popular Gospel .

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Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon Beats the Heat at Ridgewood’s Graydon Pool

Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon

photos by Boyd Loving

July 27,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Like a lot of residents ,Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon spent a day at Graydon trying to beat the heat .

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2016 SEASON GRAYDON POOL SEASON
Regular Season
Saturday, June 4 through August 14, 2016
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
**Holiday** – July 4th, close 4 pm
Late Season
Monday, August 15 through Labor Day, September 5, 2016
Weekdays – 12 noon to 7:30 pm
Weekends/Holiday – 10 am to 7:30 pm

CONTACTS
Pool Manager’s Office – 201-670-5500, ext 7002 (in season)
Badge Office – 201-670-5500, ext 7003 (in season only)
Recreation Office at The Stable- 201-670-5560
recreation@ridgewoodnj.net

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RESIDENT MEMBERSHIPS – Village priced memberships are available to Ridgewood residents, non-residents who pay local property taxes to the Village of Ridgewood, and employees of the Village of Ridgewood and Board of Education.  Proof is required.
ADULT – $120.00
CHILD – (ages 2-15, under 2 free) $110.00
SENIOR – $30.00 (62 and older)
PERMANENT DISABLED – $30.00
DAILY PASS – $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00

NON-RESIDENT MEMBERSHIPS – The Village Council and the Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to invite all families in the surrounding area to join the Graydon Pool facility for the 2016 summer season.
ADULT (ages 16 and up) – $200.00
CHILD (ages 2-15) – $175.00
GUEST PASSES (must be accompanied by 2016 season member)- $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00

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Readers say There is no room for your NJEA style tactics in our Village of Ridgewood

Ridgewood EA teachers protest

Picketing our BOE with red shirts and signs is a union thug tactic . There is no room for your NJEA style tactics in our Village. Tell the full-time NJEA lawyers, activists and lobbyists advising the REA that we have no room for their thug-like tactics in our beautiful Village. Take it back to Hudson County.

I think the term “thugs” was used referring to union tactics but our teachers are not behaving professionally. If you look at the faces in the middle picture above none of them look very happy. I’d say malcontent is an accurate description. If I made a face like that at my job, I’d be placed on a PIP for having a bad attitude! I believe the majority of Ridgewood residents support the BOE holding the line given that we already pay our teachers very generously. We live in a beautiful town and we value education but a lot of us are struggling to make ends meet and our property taxes are getting out of hand. We don’t speak openly because we do not want our children punished in the classroom for our opinions.

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Two More Ridgewood Residents Report Identity Theft Incidents

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July 27,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Ridgewood Police Department would like to remind citizens of the increased amount of scams. Always investigate communications made through postal mail, telephone, and/or the internet to prevent fraud and deceptive activity. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Ridgewood Police Department to ensure you’re not becoming a victim of these scams.

A Unadilla Road resident responded to headquarters on 7/20/16 to report identity theft in the past. The victim reported an unknown person utilized his personal identity to open a Comcast account in the state of Maryland between 10/07/15 and 12/31/15. The victim reported Comcast is in the process of clearing the victim’s name from balance of $2777.44.

A Hamilton Road resident responded to police headquarters on 7/23/16 to report a fraud in the past. The victim reported an unknown person utilized his personal identification to open Verizon Wireless account without authorization. The victim reported he began receiving letters from a collection agency in reference to the fraudulent account. Verizon was notified and advised the victim the situation is being taken care of.

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Ridgewood Motor Vehicle Stop Results in Stolen Car and Drug Arrest

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file photo by Boyd Loving
July 27,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ptl. Elwood conducted a motor vehicle stop on 7/22/16 which led to the arrest of Matthew Clancey Jr., age 50, 267 Hamilton Avenue Paterson, N.J. and Jordan R. Stevens, age 27, 88 North Street, Saddle Brook, N.J.

The vehicle was reported and confirmed to be a stolen motor vehicle operated by Mr. Clancey. Mr. Clancey was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and provided a false name in attempts to conceal a criminal history. Mr. Clancey was arrested and charged with Receiving Stolen Property, Hindering Apprehension, and Possession with intent to use Drug Paraphernalia .

The passenger, Mr. Stevens was arrested and charged with Possession with intent to use Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Hypodermic Syringe. Both arrestees were transported to headquarters, processed, provided criminal complaints and transported to the Bergen County Jail after failing to post bail.
All actors are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Free Speech is a Live and Well at Village of Ridgewood Council Meetings

New Ridgewood Village Council
file photo by Boyd Loving
July 26,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, as previously reported on this blog the new Council has lead to more positive environment at council meetings. A reader said it best ,”it’s amazing to watch the new council meetings. Respect for all those who ask questions. Even questions that are asked are answered or will be researched and followed up on. Keep up the good work.”

In an article in the Hoboken/Weehawken, News by John Heinis July 25, 2016 , Hennis reports on why a Federal Judge denied Hoboken’s motion to dismiss freedom of speech violation suit.

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file photo by Boyd Loving of the 3 amigos 

Its seems that speech can not restricted during public comment at a council meeting . The previous mayor Paul Aronsohn and his administration tried many times either through rules, ordinances ,intimidation or silly anti free speech committees like the “Civility  Committee”.

“A federal court judge in Newark denied the dismissal of a freedom of speech violation lawsuit filed by a political operative against the City of Hoboken after he was ejected from the October 21 city council meeting.

On July 21, Judge Kevin McNulty denied two motions filed by the city to dismiss the complaint, writing that “the same issues of factual interpretation bar dismissal on grounds of qualified immunity.”

In the 11-page ruling, McNulty earlier noted that “qualified immunity issues (such as whether a violation was ‘objectively apparent’ under the circumstances at the time) may often require the kind of factual context that is only available on summary judgement or a trial.”

McNulty also states that although it is not proven that Liebler’s First Amendment rights were violated, “if it happened as plaintiff claims, then a First Amendment violation would have been apparent to a reasonable official in these Council members’ positions.”

https://hudsoncountyview.com/judge-denies-hobokens-motion-to-dismiss-freedom-of-speech-violation-suit/ “

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Reader says 1,100 applicants for Ridgewood BOE job openings in the past 12 months

REA Members come out to greet our Board of Ed

1,100 applicants for Ridgewood BOE job openings in the past 12 months. Hopefully there are a lot more job openings once we get rid of the thugs pictured above. Can anyone name these people? The look on their faces tells it all: they are smug, self-entitled, and angry about $15 co-pays instead of the current $10… let’s fire the malcontents and replace them with educators who want to work with our kids.

These teachers and their benefits are out of control. Hold the line BOE. Thank goodness most of our volunteer BOE members don’t have kids in the schools anymore – the REA abused previous board members who did have kids with veiled threats and heaped abuse. The REA’s tactics are in BAD faith, and they are selfish. Support our students, support the BOE and support Ridgewood taxpayers.

The greedy teachers don’t $15 co-pays, they want to keep $10. And their platinum coverage covers up to 96% of medical expenses both in and out of network with full family coverage worth $28,000 a year in premiums…. NO ONE in the private sector gets a plan like that, only greedy public sector workers who think it’s their right.

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Reader says I am still very annoyed to read that Gwenn Hauck was so involved in the Duck Derby

Gwenn Hauck Duck Derby Ridgewood

Whoever wrote that about Gwenn Hauck was on point. Why was she there in some kind of official capacity? Does she work for the Village? Is she an elected official? No, she does not and she is not. She is a VOLUNTEER on a committee. The event should have been run by an employee of the Village, not by a committee volunteer. Sorry, Mrs. Hauck, we no longer need or want you around. I was not at the duckie derby, but I am still very annoyed to read that she was so involved in it.

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Ridgewood Residents : Stay Safe During the Heat

Garydon Pool Ridgewood

Stay Safe During the Heat

The Red Cross recommends taking these steps to stay safe during the heat:

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for critical updates from the National Weather Service
Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles
Eat small meals and eat more often
Avoid extreme temperature changes
Limit intake of alcoholic beverages
Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid drinks with caffeine.
Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing
Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day
Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat
Take frequent breaks if working outdoors
Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat
Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat, and ensure they have water and a shady place to rest

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HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM EDT MONDAY

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…VERY HOT AND HUMID MONDAY… …HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM EDT MONDAY… THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON HAS ISSUED A HEAT ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM EDTMONDAY. THE EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* HEAT INDEX VALUES…UP TO 103 DUE TO TEMPERATURES AROUND 90… AND DEWPOINTS IN THE LOWER 70S.

* TIMING…HIGHEST HEAT INDICESMONDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS…THE COMBINATION OF THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL INCREASE THE RISK FOR HEAT RELATED HEALTH ISSUES…ESPECIALLY FOR THE ELDERLY…THOSE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS SUCH AS LUNG AND HEART DISEASE…THOSE WORKING OUTDOORS…AND OTHER HEAT SENSITIVE GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

* AFFECTED AREAS: EASTERN BERGEN … EASTERN ESSEX … EASTERN PASSAIC … EASTERN UNION … HUDSON … WESTERN BERGEN … WESTERN ESSEX … WESTERN UNION

Instructions:

A HEAT ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY IS EXPECTED TO MAKE IT FEEL LIKE IT IS 100 TO 104 DEGREES FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE HOURS. TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY…CALL 9 1 1.