Weather Summary for the local Tri-State Region
National Weather Service New York NY
505 AM EST Sun Dec 11 2016
Another dry and cold day today but snow coming into the picture this afternoon and tonight as a low pressure system moves into the Great Lakes. Its associated warm front will be approaching and eventually moving northward across the region late tonight into Monday morning. Likewise, we should see a transition of snow to a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the far interior parts of the region while closer to the coast, this will be more of mix of snow, sleet, and rain. Eventually all precipitation changes to rain late Monday morning with warmer air moving across on an increasing southerly flow. The rain tapers off behind the cold front from west to east Monday afternoon into Monday evening. Dry and seasonably cold weather is in store for Monday night with high pressure building southwest of the area.
The Pomander situation reminds us that All Streets Are Equal but Some Streets Are More Equal Than Others. The Pomander no parking came about based on the CSAC (which did not see the need for no parking) but residents of the street wanted no parking and the previous council made it so without any study. Sherman residents have requested safety changes (with parking remaining intact) – but the Council is requiring an expensive tax payer funded study before even allowing our qualified village staff to make these changes. Pomander had changes with no study – no consideration for how it would affect surrioundings streets. Sherman, with very obvious safety concerns and closer proximity to GW, is being left to wait FOR MONTHS for any of the issues to be simply reviewed by the council.
Some streets in Ridgewood are much more equal than others. Let’s hope you and your children live on a street that is deemed worthy of being safe.
And don’t get me started on how poorly businesses on the west of the tracks are treated. God Forbid anyone not get parking to go to one of the CBD’s high price restaurants – you can get valet! If you want to eat at a restaurant on the other side of the tracks you are just out of luck. Only our fine Mayor cares about them. No solid parking solutions are ever discussed – not at the CBDAC, not at the council meetings, not by anyone except the Mayor. I feel for her having to deal with the short-sidedness of some of the council and committees.
Ridgewood NJ, at Wednesday night’s Council meeting Mayor Knudsen suggested that the missions and bylaws of boards and committees need to be reviewed. Some have cumbersome bylaws some have none, while others overstep beyond the original intent. Some, most notably the Financial Advisory Committee, border on performing management functions.
While the volunteer efforts of committee and board members is greatly appreciated and was duly acknowledged, the fact remains that these hard-working individuals need guidelines under which to function.
Interesting this obvious point resulted in an angry, nasty, vituperative outburst from Councilman Voigt, who made wild accusations about Mayor Knudsen. Were we back in the days of the 3 amigos and their consorts? One could close one’s eyes and think, for a horrifying moment, that the angry quartet of Aronsohn-Pucciarelli-Hauck-Sonenfeld had returned to the dais.
Desperately defending the worthless Financial Advisory Committee, just going on and on about it. The committee that adds nothing to the Village ,has no minutes and no defined responsibilities .The FAC was set up and used by the Aronsohn and Co. to oust former Mayor Kieth Killion and discredit Village Manager Ken Gabbert.
Paraphrasing Shakespeare…….methinks thou dost protest too much. Who is pulling your strings to protect the FAC with such venom??? (and the Jeopardy answer to that question is……).
The other four elected officials (you know, the four that are level headed and do not have people behind the scenes telling them what to do) agreed that Mayor Knudsen’s suggestion is valid and that the review of committee and board bylaws will be worthwhile…..all while Councilman Voigt continued to spew his objections. A template for committee bylaws will be developed, thus providing a framework for each group.
Well that is just not good enough, New council members were well warned about ceding power to nameless special interest run committees. It was a huge mistake not disbanding this “fake” finance committee right from the get go. FAC which only exists to push and justify special interest politics on Village Taxpayers. There is nothing they have to offer about running the Village that could not be found in the comment section of the Ridgewood blog over the last 10 years . FAC is no less of a joke than that ridiculous”civility “committee set up to squash free speech and stifle dissent .
Ridgewood NJ, Acting Village Manager Heather Mailander has announced that the portion of Glenwood Road between Upper Boulevard and the Ho-Ho-Kus train station will be designated one-way eastbound (i.e., all motor vehicle traffic down hill only; no motor vehicle traffic will be permitted to travel from the Ho-Ho-Kus train station up hill) sometime within the coming year.
This change is being mandated by the NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT) because tractor trailers, buses, and other larger motor vehicles attempting to travel westbound on Glenwood Road from Ho-Ho-Kus are continuing to create hazardous conditions at the grade level railroad crossing just north of the Ho-Ho-Kus train station.
NJDOT gave the Village two (2) options; ban motor vehicle traffic completely between Upper Boulevard and the Ho-Ho-Kus train station, or keep the route open to eastbound traffic only. Village officials chose the later option.
The one-way change will be implemented shortly after the grade crossing itself is rehabilitated, which is scheduled to happen sometime in 2017.
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
DECEMBER 7, 2016
REVISED
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. Public Hearing
a. Brownfield Grant – N. Walnut Street Parking Lot
7. Presentation
a. ITN – Senior Transportation
8. Discussion
a. Ridgewood Water
1. Award Contract – Line Stop and Valve Insertion Services
2. Award Contract – Laboratory Analysis Services
3. Award Contract – Water System Divestiture Study
4. Award Contract – Vance Tank Rehabilitation
5. Award EUS – Repairs to Air Stripping Tower – Main Treatment Facility
6. Award Change Order – Water Main Stream Crossings
7. Rejection of Bid – Glen Tank Rehabilitation
b. Parking
1. CBD Parking Improvements
2. Central Valet
3. Parking Garage
4. Amend Valet Parking Fee Ordinance
5. Amend CBD Parking Permit Ordinance – Parking Permit for All Parking Lots
6. Free Last Minute Shopping Parking – December 22nd
7. Rental of Parking Spaces on N. Broad Street – Taxi Stand
8. Discussion (cont’d)
c. Budget
1. Award Contract – Purchase of Ammunition
2. Award Contract – Purchase of Bullet Proof Vests
3. Award Contract – Electronic Ticketing Software
4. Authorize Shared Services Agreement – Child Health Clinic
5. Award Contract – Professional Services – 2017 Child Health Conference Physician
6. Award Contract – Two Kenworth Sanitation Trucks
7. Award Change Order – Disposal and Recycling of Vegetative Waste
8. Award Contract – Sanitary Sludge Hauling – Water Pollution Control
9. Award Contract – Edmunds Service Contract
10. Award Contract – 2017 Employee Assistance Program Services
11. Award Contract – 2017 Recreational Program Instruction
12. Award Contract – Preparation of 2017 Village Council Meeting Minutes
13. Budget Transfers
14. 2017 Temporary Budgets
15. 2017 Cash Management Plan
16. Cancellation of Grant Receivables and Grant Reserves
17. Approve RFP for Pilot Program for Ridgewood Resident Commuter
Transportation To and From Ridgewood Train Station
18. Approve RFP for Grant Writer
19. Authorize Application for Brownfield Grant
20. Authorize Application for Bergen County Municipal Alliance Grant
21. Surplus Fire Equipment
d. Policy
1. ITN – Senior Transportation
2. Civility and Sports
3. Establish Regulations for Bird Feeders and Bird Food
4. Short Term Rentals of Private Homes
5. Boards and Committees – FAC, RAC and Planning Board
6. Vacation of Portion of Barrington Road – Paper Street
e. Operations
1. Recycling of Electronics Legislation
2. No Left Turn – Van Neste Square
3. Glenwood Road Railroad Crossing
4. Donation of Generator for Traffic & Signal Building
5. Ridge School Traffic Study
6. Sherman Place, Pomander Walk and Washington Place Traffic Study
7. New Master Plan Budgeting
9. Review of December 14, 2016 Regular Public Meeting Agenda
10. Manager’s Report
11. Council Reports
12. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ad’s targeting Ridgewood Water on Facebook has some residents rattled . A resident recently asked ,”Is it ‘over the top’ / ‘misleading’ or our kids who drink unfiltered water at school are really at risk?”
While the risks of Chromium 6 have been well documented .Chromium 6 is the same suspected carcinogen that made Erin Brockovich famous and was found in Ridgewood Water. The levels, however are well within EPA, guidelines.
Some residents are concerned whiles others think the current risk is overblown and the Brockovich comparison is without merit at this time.
from Ridgewood Waters website:
Chromium 6
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released a report raising concerns about the presence of chromium 6 – also known as hexavalent chromium – in public water supplies. Hexavalent chromium, a suspected carcinogen, is the contaminant made famous by the 2000 movie “Erin Brockovich.”
Ridgewood Water shares the EWG’s concern for water quality and public health protection. Water utilities currently monitor for “total” chromium, of which hexavalent chromium is a component. Most public water utilities, including Ridgewood Water, are in compliance with the existing standard.
The Safe Drinking Water Act, which was established to protect the quality of drinking water, requires a rigorous scientific approach for evaluating contaminants for regulation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been looking at health effects data on hexavalent chromium. Ridgewood Water has been testing for this substance as part of the unregulated contaminant sampling program which provides data to EPA for scientific evaluation.
It’s important to remember that detecting a substance in water does not always imply a health risk. The key question that researchers seek to answer is whether the substance presents health concerns at the level it is detected. That’s why the federal regulatory process requires EPA to examine potential health impacts of the substance, paths of exposure and occurrence data. A thorough evaluation of all this data increases the likelihood that new regulations will offer meaningful risk reduction. Ridgewood Water is committed to meeting all regulatory standards for public water supplies including any new requirements for hexavalent chromium that may be instituted.
For more information on chromium in drinking water, please refer to the following links:
Here come those moving trucks for the late Spring selling season..so many
Families moving south for lower taxes ,retirees seek social security favorable or non tax status for retirees.Younger families will end up holding the bag of worst choices in order to stay in north jersey. Technology is also creating a huge increase in home office remote work lifestyles.which means that as long as the children are in a decent school district the past ties to the need to be in a commuter friendly costly tax town is not as high on the list as in years past.Familiies also have to save hundreds of thousands of after tax dollars as their kids college and high costs years are just ahead.Not everyone is a Wall Street mogal or a ridgewood millionaire.We need to keep costs in check,examine cross township shared muni services,Garbage , Maintenance ,sewers departments ..even Fire Department etc.TAXES ARE TOO HIGH RIDGEWOOD AND NO ONE IS ADDRESSING THIS RISK To our home investments here ..lots of for sale signs I mid winter is a possible early warning .people getting out early
Tuesday, December 6 with New York Times money columnist Mr. Ron Lieber, who will address parents and guardians on “How, When and Why to Talk to Your Kids about Money.”
December 5,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The district’s free Wellbeing Series for parents, guardians and the general adult public continues on Tuesday, December 6 with New York Times money columnist Mr. Ron Lieber, who will address parents and guardians on “How, When and Why to Talk to Your Kids about Money.”
Mr. Lieber’s program will cover the basics of allowance, chores, clothing, phones, cars and college, with a focus on values. His talk will be given at Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m.
Mr. Lieber has written extensively on the topic of money and personal finance. He is the author of several books, including bestsellers “The Opposite of Spoiled” and “Taking Time Off: Inspiring Stories of Students Who Enjoyed Successful Breaks from College and How You Can Plan Your Own,” co-authored with Colin Hall.
Closing out the first part of the series is a program on Special Education 101 on Tuesday, December 13 by Dr. Kim Buxenbaum, district Director of Special Programs. Dr. Buxenbaum will provide an overview of the process and procedures for educational intervention with struggling students and discuss referral for special education evaluations, classification and service delivery.
This program will take place at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, from 7-9 p.m. Parents and guardians of children currently receiving special education and those concerned about their child’s progress in school are especially encouraged attend.
Dr. Buxenbaum currently oversees the district’s pre-K through Grade 12 programming for Special Education students, English Language learners and students at risk, while also directing the district’s crisis counseling program. Dr. Buxenbaum earned her doctorate in School Psychology from Rutgers University, where she also worked as an adjunct professor. Over the years, Dr. Buxenbaum has served as a clinical psychologist both in institutions and private practice.
Programming in the second half of the school year will begin with a meaningful interactive program on suicide from the Minding Your Mind organization on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. “Just Talk About It: A Suicide Prevention Program will take place at George Washington Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. (snow date, January 11).
On Wednesday, February 1, author, New York Times columnist and teacher Ms. Jessica Lahey will present “The Gift of Failure” at George Washington Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. The program will focus on the importance of self-motivation to success and ways that parents can support their children to stay motivated over the long term. “Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder” will follow on Tuesday, March 14 with author,
“Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder” will follow on Tuesday, March 14 with author, advocate and Founder of the Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness Ms. Johanna Kandel. This program will take place at George Washington Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. On Tuesday, April 4, district Director of Special Programs Dr. Kim Buxenbaum will return to the program schedule with a presentation on “Least Restrictive Environment/Transitions.” She will explain terminology and describe the district special education program. This presentation and panel discussion will take place from 7-9 p.m. at the Education Center. Psychologist and author Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair will cover the topic, “Protecting Children and Family Relationships in the Digital Age” on Tuesday, April 18 at the George Washington Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. The final speaker in the Wellbeing series will be Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg,
Psychologist and author Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair will cover the topic, “Protecting Children and Family Relationships in the Digital Age” on Tuesday, April 18 at the George Washington Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. The final speaker in the Wellbeing series will be Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, pediatrician,
The final speaker in the Wellbeing series will be Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, pediatrician, professor and author. Dr. Ginsberg will speak to parents and guardians on Tuesday, May 23 at 9:30 a.m. on the topic, “Fostering Resilience,” and at 7 p.m. on “Authentic Success.” The morning program will take place at the Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium, located at 125 North Maple Avenue. The evening program will take place at George Washington Middle School Auditorium.
All programs are free and open to the adult public.
Ridgewood’s Benjamin Franklin Middle School is located at 335 N. Van Dien Avenue. George Washington Middle School is located at 155 Washington Place. The Education Center is located at 49 Cottage Place.
This year’s Wellbeing Series, developed for parents, guardians and the Ridgewood adult public by the district’s Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. The ten-presentation series is a component of the Ridgewood Public Schools Community Outreach Program, which strives to help parents and guardians create balance in children’s lives and support their emotional health.
The series is co-sponsored by The Valley Hospital, with support from The (Ridgewood Education) Foundation and the district’s Home and School Associations.
For more information, please contact the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment at 201-670-2700, ext. 10532 or email [email protected]
photo and video courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook page
December 4,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ,Ridgewood FD personnel from Engine Company #35, “C Shift” transported Santa Claus into the Village on top of a fire truck on Saturday morning, 12/03 and took time out for a photo op inside the Columbia Bank on South Broad Street.
Ridgewood NJ, As previously reported the PSEG planned final paving of W. Glen Ave will be delayed until the Spring due to the late completion of the project and curbing required by Bergen County. W. Glen Ave is a county road and for that reason their regulations must be followed.
A reader pointed out that, “There is no reason why they can’t start the curbing now and finish the paving. If not, then PSE&G should be required to make W Glen safe for the winter by temporarily repaving where necessary. Not only will the Village not be unable to plow the street properly when it snows, it is literally tearing cars apart on daily commutes. Can someone post the address of PSE&G so we may send our car repair bills to them for reimbursement!”
Ridgewood NJ, The Annual kick off for Ridgewood Downtown for the Holidays got started with the Christmas Tree lighting
Celebration on Friday evening.
Mayor Susan Traina Knudsen ,Deputy theMayor Mike Sedon ,Councilmen Jeffrey Voigt, Councilwomen Bernie Walsh, Councilmen Ramon M Hache were all on hand for the festivities.
The weather was cold the crowds were large and the kids all had fun.
Location: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, E Ridgewood Ave and Oak St
Santa will be all around Ridgewood today!
8am-10am Breakfast with Santa at
The Office Beer Bar & Grille
call for reservations 201-652-1070
10am-1pm…Santa starts up E. Ridgewood Ave in a Fire Truck and goes straight to Columbia Bank
-60 S. Broad St.- inside a warm cozy setting.
All children get a FREE gift and picture.
10:30am FREE MOVIE at the Warner BowTie
Theatre in Ridgewood.
2-4pm…Santa in his little red house located at
Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, in the middle of Ridgewood’s business district.
Little Ivy Learning Center sponsorship
Ben & Jerry’s sponsorship with hot choloate
Salvador Rizzo , State House Bureau, @rizzoTK6:19 p.m. EST December 1, 2016
During a tense hearing Wednesday, the state Supreme Court appeared ready to reject an argument by several towns seeking to tamp down their affordable-housing obligations.
In a series of landmark rulings dating to the 1970s, the Supreme Court said that New Jersey’s low- and moderate-income residents have a right to affordable homes in their communities, and that towns must allow their development.
