Tag: Ridgewood Water

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Ridgewood Waters New Strategy Blame “Climate Change ” for Poor Management Decisions

RidgewoodWaterLogo_061912_rn_tif_
March 18,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, After at lest 10 years of water restrictions Ridgewood Water is now pushing “environmental changes” as an excuse for poor service.

A series of missteps has led Ridgewood Water from one disaster to another characterized by massive excuse making and under investment.

The fact is that poor management decisions have even resulted in a lawsuit that could have a significant impact on Village finances. A long-pending class action lawsuit of $14M against Ridgewood Water was brought by Midland Park, Wyckoff and Glen Rock and is now in state Superior Court in Hackensack.

Council meeting March 1, 2017 live stream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mX4O8ZhNcY

at the 39:00 mark, 39:14 “several wells down due to contamination issues, historic data back in 1978, there were 61 wells in operation, today 34 wells. Good majority of those that are out, are due to contaminates, not caused by us, but over the years, may be caused by adjacent properties or over pumping the acquifier over the years.”

According the the Village of Ridgewood website there will be a non stop series of events promoting and attempting to establish “climate change”  as the reason behind Ridgewood Waters failure to deliver proper service to Ridgewood residents.

2017 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR RIDGEWOOD WATER

March 29th – The Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC), in conjunction with Ridgewood Water, will be hosting a presentation on issues relating to local water resources.  The Ridgewood Water service area is under a State drought warning and continued Stage 2 watering restrictions.  Changes in local municipal water restrictions are proposed which will make these conservation efforts permanent. Mike Furrey, Chair of the New Jersey Section of the American Water Works Association and president of AGRA Environmental & Laboratory Services will address the audience on the state of the water industry and Ridgewood Water’s “Journey from Rain to Drain”.  Information on what customers can do to conserve water will also be presented and made available.  The event will take place from 7:30 – 9 pm in the Senior Center at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ, on the first floor.

 April 6th – The Ridgewood Public Library, Ridgewood League of Women Voters and the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) will present a documentary screening and discussion on the movie, “Tapped”.  This film explores the role of the bottled water industry and its effects on health, climate change, pollution and the environment.  Dave Scheibner, Ridgewood Water Business Manager, will also speak at the event which will take place from 7 – 9 pm in the Ridgewood Library Auditorium, 135 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ.

 April 6th – The Wyckoff Environmental Commission’s FLOW Green Film Festival will feature The Highlands Rediscovered.  Following the movie will be a discussion with Sean Gilson of the NJ Highlands Coalition and updates on conservation and contaminants from Ridgewood Water’s Director of Operations, Richard Calbi Jr.  The film starts at 7 pm in the Wyckoff Public Library, 200 Woodland Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ.

 April 23rd  The Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands and the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) in partnership with Ridgewood Water welcomes your participation at this year’s Earth Day event focusing on water conservation and featuring Ridgewood Water’s “Journey from Rain to Drain” as well as educational exhibits, food, musical entertainment, petting zoo, crafts, dog parade, giveaways and more.  The event will be held from 11 am – 2 pm at Van Neste Memorial Park, E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ.

 Sept. 14th – The Ridgewood League of Women Voters, in conjunction with Ridgewood Water, will host a water forum.  Discussion topics to be announced this summer.  The event will take place from 7:30 – 9 pm in the Senior Center at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ, on the first floor.

 Oct. 18 th – The Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC), in conjunction with Ridgewood Water, will be hosting a presentation on issues relating to weather and drought.  Dr. David Robinson, New Jersey State Climatologist, will address the audience on the changing climate in the state and the effects on utilities like Ridgewood Water.  The event will take place from 7:30 – 9 pm in the Senior Center at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ, on the first floor.

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Village of Ridgewood Asks Residents to Continue to Bring Garbage Cans to The End of the Driveway

snow snow snow

Dear Friends at the Ridgewood blog ,

Snowstorm Stella brought over eight inches of snow to the Village this week, and many of us are still digging out.  I want to thank the residents for staying indoors and not traveling during the storm.  Due to your assistance, only two motor vehicle crashes were reported and our crews doing the plowing were better able to manage the snow removal, in an attempt to keep the roadways clear.

Our crews doing the plowing and salting did a good job on the roads, despite the fact that they were challenged by large amounts of snow falling in a short amount of time.  In addition, there was sleet mixed in with the snow, and bitter cold temperatures, which turned many streets to ice.  Our crews doing the plowing also spent two nights clearing out both the streets and the parking lots of the Central Business District, the train station lot, and the Park and Ride lot.  Many of you contacted the Village to let us know where there were ice or snow issues, which allowed us to address them as quickly as possible.  We appreciate the feedback, because there is always room for improvement.

Due to the continued cold temperatures and the possibility of more snow in the coming days, all garbage must continue to be brought to the end of your driveway (not in the street), for the safety of our Village employees.  This will continue through March 24th.  Backyard collection of garbage will resume on March 27th, weather permitting.

Thank you for your continued cooperation.

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Heather A. Mailander
Village Manager
201/670-5500 x202

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The “roach” approach: Developers swarming over emerging neighborhoods

CBD high density housing

From Queens to Fort Lee, developers are targeting “affordable” price points: panelists

By E.B. Solomont | March 15, 2017 03:00PM

What’s a New York developer to do when renters are priced out of neighborhoods? Turn to emerging areas in Queens, the Bronx, New Jersey, Westchester and Long Island.

“We’re like cockroaches, we try to figure out what’s needed next,” said Jan Burman, president of Long Island-based Engel Burman Group, a developer of assisted living properties.

He was speaking Wednesday at a panel on residential real estate trends hosted by the newly-launched Fordham University real estate program. Moderated by Madison Realty Capital’s  Michael Stoler, Burman was one of 10 panelists assembled, along with Madison’s Josh Zegen; Benjamin Stacks of Capital One Bank; RXR Realty’s Seth Pinsky; KABR Group’s Kenneth Pasternak; Kushner Companies’ Laurent Morali; Jeff Levine of Douglaston Development; SJP Residential Properties’ Allen Goldman; the Beechwood Organization’s Steven Dubb and TD Bank’s Roy Chin.

“Prices have increased dramatically in core areas, pushing people out to areas that were formerly peripheral,” said Pinsky, who is heading RXR’s investment in “emerging markets” like New Rochelle and other suburban enclaves. “If we want to get ahead of this problem, the ultimate solution is to have supply meet demand.”

https://therealdeal.com/2017/03/15/the-roach-approach-developers-swarming-over-emerging-neighborhoods/

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Ridgewood Police Department would like to thank all residents for their cooperation during the blizzard

Ridgewood Police Snow

photo courtesy of the Ridgewood Police Department

March 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Police Department would like to thank all residents for their cooperation in staying off the roads during the blizzard on Tuesday. Due to your assistance, only two motor vehicle crashes were reported and our Street Department was able to better manage the snow removal in an attempt to keep the roadways clear.

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NJT TRAIN HALTED THIS MORNING AT RIDGEWOOD TRAIN STATION DUE TO SAINT PATRICK’S DAY SHENANIGANS

NJT TRAIN HALTED THIS MORNING AT RIDGEWOOD TRAIN STATION

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

March 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, At least seven (7) Ridgewood PD officers, two (2) NJ Transit PD officers, one (1) Glen Rock PD officer, and an officer from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department Patrol Division were present at the Ridgewood train station on the morning of Friday, 03/17 to keep order after a Hoboken bound NJ Transit train was halted at the station when a train conductor observed several individuals who were allegedly smoking marijuana. One (1) car of the train was cleared of all passengers before the train was allowed to continue to Hoboken. No arrests were made. Passengers cleared from the train car in question were allowed to board the next Hoboken bound train.

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Park West Tavern Celebrates St Patrick’s Day today

St

March 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Park West Tavern celebrate St Patrick’s Day today .Park West Tavern turns green for the day.

Todays St Patrick’s Day today Festivities include :

Listen to live authentic Irish music by The Poor Finnian’s from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The music continues later on when The Declan Power Band performs at 10:00pm.
And a surprise visit from the Ridgewood Irish Dancers.

Traditional Irish Fare served all day
Corned Beef And Cabbage
Fish & Chips
Lamb Stew with Barley
Bangers & Mash

Park West is Located at 30 Oak St
Ridgewood, New Jersey
@parkwesttavern
Call (201) 445-5400

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NJ Assembly votes to make it easier for towns to raise property taxes

village-hall-theridgewoodblog

By Michael Symons March 16, 2017 8:12 PM

TRENTON — Towns and counties would gain another exemption to the spending limits of the cap on property tax increases if a bill passed Thursday by the Assembly makes it into law.

Assemblyman Gary Schaer, D-Passaic, said he has heard from municipalities about having to pass on opportunities to use federal or private grants to hire police or buy fire trucks because of concerns over fitting the required local matching funds under the 2 percent cap.

The Assembly voted 48-26 to exempt matching-funds spending from the cap.

“We cannot hamstring local government from doing necessary things that members of one municipality or another would otherwise want to do but they have their hands tied and vital, vital considerations like police, like fire, like EMS, etc., are being jeopardized right now,” Schaer said.

Republicans opposed the bill.

“Any time we begin to erode away that 2 percent property tax cap level, that’s a problem for taxpayers. There’s no question about it,” said Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, R-Morris.

“We had a property tax cap years ago, but it had a million exemptions,” Bucco said. “We were able to negotiate a new property tax cap and limit the number of exceptions to very few, and I think you have to take very seriously any bill that begins to put exceptions back in.”

Read More: NJ Assembly votes to make it easier for towns to raise property taxes | https://nj1015.com/nj-assembly-votes-to-make-it-easier-for-towns-to-raise-property-taxes/?trackback=tsmclip

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Ridgewood Police Tell Residents to be aware of “diversion burglaries”

chimney sweeps

March 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Police Department reminds all residents to be aware of “diversion burglaries” as many of our surrounding towns have seen an increase in these. A diversion burglary is when someone posing as a utility worker or chimney inspector or repairer comes to your door and while you are distracted speaking with them or when they request you take them to a distant part of the home, an accomplice enters and burglarizes your home.

If anyone comes to your door that you are not expecting, please verify who they are before allowing them access into your residence and maintain proper safety at home with your doors and windows locked, even while you are home. If you do not believe the person is who they say they are or they are unable to show you proper credentials, deny them access to your home and call the police department.

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Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee in conjunction with Ridgewood Water Present “Journey from Rain to Drain”

tapwater-1

WATER EVENT – MARCH 29TH PRESENTED BY RIDGEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

March 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Water service area is under a State drought warning and continued Stage 2 watering restrictions. Changes in local municipal water restrictions are proposed which will make these conservation efforts permanent.

The Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC), in conjunction with Ridgewood Water, will be hosting a presentation on issues relating to local water resources. Mike Furrey, Chair of the New Jersey Section of the American Water Works Association and president of AGRA Environmental & Laboratory Services will address the audience on the state of the water industry and Ridgewood Water’s “Journey from Rain to Drain”. Information on what customers can do to conserve water will also be presented and made available. Wednesday, March 29th, 2017 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Senior Center at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, on the first floor. Attendance is free.

REAC is a board of volunteers, appointed by the Village Council, to assist in developing long-range planning on environmental issues.

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Ridgewood Water Did they fix the leaks?

ridgewood water leaks

March 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
,
Ridgewood NJ, Lost water is a serious issue in North Jersey, where drinking water is an increasingly scarce resource. Utilities are caught between the clashing realities of rising demand and chronically low reservoirs. The watershed is under so much stress that some utilities have been forbidden by the state from drilling new wells in their search for more water.

This story was first published July 15, 2012. United Water is now called Suez.

Drinking water going to waste
James M. O’Neill , Staff Writer, @JamesMONeill112:10 p.m. ET Nov. 23, 2016

In 2011, Ho-Ho-Kus couldn’t account for 33 percent of the water it pumped and treated — one of every three gallons — according to state documents. Oakland lost 28 percent, while Ridgewood Water lost 20 percent. In fact, across the nation, water utilities lose billions of gallons of drinking water each year because of their aging infrastructure.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/environment/2016/11/23/drinking-water-going-waste/94338582/

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NJT OFFERS EXTRA BUS SERVICE TO NEW YORK FOR ST PATRICKS DAY PARADE

St Patrick Shamrock Image
March 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT will operate extra bus service on selected routes to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) on Friday, March 17, to accommodate customers traveling to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City.  Trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail and River Line will also operate regular weekday schedules.

Please note: liquid containers of any kind, open or closed, will not be permitted on any train to and from New York/Hoboken on March 17.  Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.

NJ TRANSIT will have Ambassadors will be on hand at Secaucus Junction, Aberdeen/Matawan, Middletown, N.J., and Penn Station New York to assist customers.

The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of New York City’s greatest traditions. The first parade was on March 17, 1762 — fourteen years before the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. The first NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade was comprised of a band of homesick, Irish ex-patriots and Irish military members serving with the British Army stationed in the colonies in New York. This was a time when the wearing of green was a sign of Irish pride but was banned in Ireland. In that 1762 parade, participants reveled in the freedom to speak Irish, wear green, sing Irish songs and play the pipes to Irish tunes that were meaningful to the Irish immigrants of that time.

Extra trips to and from New York will be offered on the following bus routes:

No. 163 (Ridgewood – New York) additional local trips from Hackensack (Summit Ave. and Essex St.) to PABT from 8:46 a.m. until 10:42 a.m. operating via the Boulevard in Hasbrouck Heights, Wood-Ridge, Carlstadt, and East Rutherford. Additional Turnpike Express (T) trips from Paramus (Paramus Rd. and Ridgewood Ave.) to NY/PABT at 8:57 a.m. and 9:17 a.m.

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Ridgewood Library Comic Con

Ridgewood Library Comic Con
March 16,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Last weekend the Ridgewood Library wrapped up the Friends Of the Ridgewood Library READING MARATHON Month with our first ever Ridgewood Comic Con.

The Library had cosplay actors and comic book artists, crafts, games, face painting, raffle prizes and a FANTASTIC costume contest.

The Ridgewood Library offered a ,”Congratulations to all participants from preschool to 8th grade, and thank you to everyone who attended our event and to Whole Foods for providing delicious snacks!”

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KINGS FOOD MARKETS DEBUTS PIAZZA ITALIA, AN EXCLUSIVE TASTE OF ITALY

kings ridgewood

Customers are welcomed to taste, learn and explore from an Italian artisan showcase

March 16,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Kings Food Markets (Kings) is excited to take its customers on an authentic culinary journey through the regions of Italy with an eight-day tasting and entertainment event called Piazza Italia, beginning March 31. The exclusive showcase will recreate a traditional Italian market, or “piazza” across 12 Kings’ stores, featuring a collection of hand-curated products that customers will be welcomed to sample and learn about directly from the Italian artisans. The showcase will feature 25 artisans from 12 regions across Italy, bringing over 75 products for customers to explore including traditional products spanning centuries of history, alongside innovative concepts that will intrigue and please even the most discriminating palates.
“At Kings, we’re always looking to delight our customers with new and authentic options,” said Judy Spires, chairman and CEO of Kings Food Markets. “Our passion for food is what drives us and programs like Piazza Italia are what inspire us. We can’t wait to share this inspiration with our customers and give them the opportunity to taste the highest quality products and engage with these skilled Italian artisans.”

Featured products, hand selected from almost 100 producers, will feature:

·         Olive oils from four different Italian regions including Liguria, Tuscany, Umbria and Apulia

·         Giusti Balsamic Vinegars, the oldest producer of balsamic vinegar established in 1605

·         Rich and succulent specialty sauces direct from Sicily

·         Genuine artisanal pasta from different Italian regions including Marche, Campania and Apulia

Additional Italian delights will be available: marinated vegetables, decadent sweets including chocolates, cookies and coffee/tea. There will even be a selection of craftsman ceramic dishes as well as pots and pans to purchase. Kings customers’ will have the opportunity to vote on the top artisan products to bring to its stores and enter to win one of four $250 gift cards, creating yet another exclusive offering with a brand new line of Italian goods.

To celebrate this distinctive showcase, Judy Spires, chairman and CEO of Kings Food Markets, will kick off the event with an opening ceremony that includes Francesco Genuardi, the General Consul of Italy in New York, as well as partners of Italian Products USA at 11:00 a.m. in the Kings’ Short Hills, NJ location. Following the ceremony and throughout the eight-day event, customers will be able to enjoy:

·         An operatic flash mob with young promising talents on the rise

·         Two centuries of Italian Music with the musical duo Kristine Massari and Enrico Granafei

·         A musical Grand Finale with the Ron Aprea Big Band

Customers will also be able to meet Rossella Rago, the star of the Cooking with Nonna Show, and listen to Julia della Croce, distinguished as one of America’s best cooking teachers and food historians by the James Beard Foundation, talk about the regional differences of pastas and sauces as well as the traditional sweets of Easter. The Kings Short Hills Cooking Studio will also be offering an Italian Boot Camp Class, on Friday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to the class can be purchased athttps://kingsfoodmarkets.com/in-store-events/italian-boot-camp.

To help shoppers learn more, Kings will have information posted on its site beginningMarch 17, sharing specific times and locations for each of the in-store events occurring during the eight-day artisan showcase, here: www.kingsfoodmarkets/Italian. Additionally, customers can look to take part in the conversation in real-time on Kings’ social media channels via Twitter (@KingsFoodMkts) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/kingsfoodmarkets).

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Ridgewood Board of Education and Dr. Fishbein Host Residents for Coffee on March 28

Dan Fishbein 10

March 16,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein will host residents for coffee and casual conversation on Tuesday, March 28. The casual meeting will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Ridgewood. All residents are invited to drop in to share their thoughts, questions, suggestions and concerns.
The final 2016-2017 Coffee and Conversation is planned for Wednesday, May 17.

Superintendent’s Monthly Column: What’s Your Story?
Click here to read Dr. Fishbein’s monthly column for The Ridgewood News, March 10 edition.

Preliminary 2017-2018 School Budget
At the March 6 Board of Education meeting, Business Administrator Dr. Alfredo Aguilar presented the preliminary 2017-2018 budget, which is based on a .97% local tax levy increase. The total preliminary budget is $105,565,593, which would mean a $184.39 annual tax increase on the average assessed Ridgewood home of $696,093.

Click here to view the preliminary budget presentation as a PDF.

Following discussion, the Board approved the following resolution for Adoption of the 2017-2018 Preliminary Proposed Budget for Submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools:

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Ridgewood Board of Education, to approve the 2017-2018 school district preliminary proposed budget, as follows, for submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools:

There should be raised for the General Fund Tax Levy $91,519,173 for the ensuing School Year: (2017-2018).

Budget Tax Levy
General Fund $ 100,503,229 $ 91,519,173
Special Revenue Fund $     1,378,767 $                 0
Debt Service Fund $     3,683,597 $   3,265,784
Total Budget $ 105,565,593 $ 94,784,957


2018-2019 School Calendar
Click here to view.

Full-day Kindergarten update from the BOE 2.27.17 meeting
Elementary school principals are getting ready for full-day Kindergarten this fall. The goal is to expand the day so that the children can have better time to apply what they are learning rather add more to the curriculum. There will be continuing professional development on May 12 for all teachers, including the newly hired, and six teachers will go to the Paramus Parkway School to observe the program there. Furnishings and libraries are also being carefully researched. Click here for the presentation.

A letter from Dr. Fishbein on inclusiveness in the Ridgewood Public Schools
Click here to read a letter from Dr. Fishbein sent on February 2, 2017.

A letter from Dr. Fishbein, Dr. Gorman, Mr. Orsini and Dr. Kashmanian
The superintendent and principals of RHS, BFMS and GWMS wrote a letter to middle school and high school parents and guardians regarding the uptick in abuse of prescription drugs by students. Click here to read the letter, which was sent on January 30.

Superintendent’s January Column: New Year, New Website and New Ideas for Beating the Winter Blues 
Click here to read Dr. Fishbein’s January column for The Ridgewood News.

HIB District and School Grade Reports
Please click here to view the Ridgewood District and School Grade Report for 2015-16, a self-assessment required under the Anti-bullying Bill of Rights.