Ridgewood NJ, Main/Bergen and Port Jervis line service has resumed in both directions, following earlier police activity near Ridgewood station.
NJT reports ,”trains are now delayed up to 60 minutes in both directions. NJT bus and private carries are still accepting rail tickets and passes system wide.”
Train service on NJ Transit’s Bergen and Main Lines was halted through the RIdgewood Station for over one (1) hour on Thursday morning, 09/22 as a result of a suspicious package found near or under a bench on the station’s center platform. Pedestrian & motor vehicle traffic was restricted within a 1000 foot perimeter of the affected bench. Train service and pedestrian & motor vehicle traffic resumed after the package was inspected and cleared by members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad. Ridgewood PD and NJ Transit PD officers provided motor vehicle traffic and crowd control throughout the incident.
Earlier this morning a false alarm was set off when a NJT officer called in the bomb squad over what ended up being a pair of shoes .
the concern is that the lot slopes from one side to the other and that when developers like these start building they can play games with the grade from which the building is measured. By measuring from the high point of the property, they can get away with more building.
The problem here is that just as they were being chased out of office, Aronson & Co. passed laws allowing for these multi-unit, multi-family complexes to be built throughout Ridgewood. We are all struggling with the legacy of these laws. This site, for instance, could potentially add a few hundred cars, students, etc to our budget. It is only one of several sites already in the works. Undoubtedly other land speculators and profiteers are lining up to try and build more. Saurabh and others are doing their best to try and either prevent the monstrosity from moving forward or keep it as curtailed s possible.
You should go to the planning board meetings where these projects are being discussed. See if there is anything you can do to prevent the damage that is about to happen. First and foremost you can write your council people and the planning board members to use the means available to them to undo these monstrosities before they are built.
Ridgewood NJ, 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:
Reader explains, “Actually, its not a petition but a formal motion asking the planning board to take action and correct the problems caused by the prior planning board. Those problems included conflicts of interest by board members and dramatic mistakes in the planning board hearings. In short, it is apparent that the residents of Ridgewood were denied due process because of transgressions. The new planning board has the opportunity to make amends.
The motion is not “in support” of the RCRD’s lawsuit. That lawsuit is independent and it seeks to undo the Aronson ordinance allowing multi-family housing.
In any event, while the motion is not a petition, any interested party can join in the request to the Board by signing on to a copy of the motion paper.”
Ridgewood NJ, In the film “Erin Brockovich,” the environmental crusader confronts the lawyer of a power company that polluted the tap water of Hinkley, Calif., with a carcinogenic chemical called chromium-6. When the lawyer picks up a glass of water, Brockovich says: “We had that water brought in ‘specially for you folks. Came from a well in Hinkley.”The lawyer sets down the glass and says, “I think this meeting’s over.”
It’s almost 25 years after that real-life confrontation, the conflict over chromium-6 is not over. A new EWG analysis of federal data from nationwide drinking water tests shows that the compound contaminates water supplies for more than 200 million Americans in all 50 states.
Federal and state regulators are stalled with no national regulation of a chemical yet ,state scientists in California and elsewhere say causes cancer when ingested at even extraordinarily low levels.
Alarm bells have been rung by the Environmental Working Group a Environmental Advocacy group who’s mission is to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. With breakthrough research and education, we drive consumer choice and civic action.
EWG says in 2008, a two-year study by the National Toxicology Program found that drinking water with chromium-6, or hexavalent chromium, caused cancer in laboratory rats and mice. Based on this and other animal studies, in 2010, scientists at the respected and influential California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment concluded that ingestion of tiny amounts of chromium-6 can cause cancer in people, a conclusion affirmed by state scientists in New Jersey and North Carolina. https://www.ewg.org/research/chromium-six-found-in-us-tap-water
In New Jersey, the press reported the water quality institute’s recommendation before it could be formally submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection for development of a regulation. According to former DEP planner Bill Wolfe, now an environmental advocate, this angered Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin, appointed by Gov. Chris Christie. Wolfe said Martin not only blocked submission of the recommendation, but effectively stopped the institute from meeting for four years,[15] delaying drinking water regulations for more than a dozen chemicals.
In a statement to EWG, a Department of Environmental Protection spokesman said the department “vehemently disagrees with the EWG’s contention that political pressure in any way influenced the New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute’s consideration of an MCL for chromium-6.” The spokesman said EWG’s characterization is based on the “opinion of a single, former NJDEP employee who was last employed by the agency 12 years ago,” and that EWG’s criticism is “critically flawed – and blatantly misleading.” https://www.ewg.org/research/chromium-six-found-in-us-tap-water
Human studies by government and independent scientists worldwide have definitively established that breathing airborne chromium-6 particles can cause lung cancer, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets strict limits for airborne chromium-6 in the workplace. Whether inhaled or ingested, it can also cause liver damage, reproductive problems and developmental harm. Studies have found that exposure to chromium-6 may present greater risks to certain groups, including infants and children, people who take antacids, and people with poorly functioning livers. https://www.ewg.org/research/chromium-six-found-in-us-tap-water
In a 2009 letter the NJ DEP stated , “We agree that the results of the recently completed National Toxicology Program (NTP, 2007) chronic drinking water study indicate that hexavalent chromium is carcinogenic by ingestion. We also agree that development of an oral cancer slope factor for hexavalent chromium based on a non-threshold approach is appropriate, and that the data from the NTP (2007) study provide an appropriate basis for developing such an oral cancer slope factor. Prior to the completion of the NTP (2007) study, several laboratory animal and human epidemiology studies suggested that hexavalent chromium could be carcinogenic by the oral route, but no study showing this definitively or providing data suitable for quantitative risk assessment was available.” https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/water/comment/112509nj.pdf
Ridgewood NJ, Resident Saurabh Dani gave us his take on the Planning board meeting last night , “This new Dayton building they are discussing at the planning board has 34.8 units per acre. We were told by ex deputy mayor in council meetings multiple times that because of the set backs and floor plan ratios, they will never go beyond 28-29, even if the ordinance allows 35. That was a big lie.
Also max height at some places (four units to go that height) is 58 feet from AVERAGe grade. I asked what is the max height from the lowest grade level, not averaged grade, and they would not answer it. How difficult is it to ‘grade’ a slope by adding a few truck loads of dirt?”
Since there was not a vote last night on the petition nor high density housing, there is still more time to collect names.
There wasn’t a vote last night re the petition nor high density, so we have more time to collect names!
Ridgewood NJ, a last minute petition is making the rounds looking to forestall any decision on development in the Central Business District . The petition in support of a law suit brought against the planning board in May by Ridgewood Citizens for Reasonable Development claiming that “mistakes” were made which corrupted the entire planning process.
Dear Friends,
Please review the attached petition/testimony and consider adding your name to it. Supporting this petition is our best chance at stopping the Planning Board’s high density housing review process which COULD GO TO A VOTE TONIGHT!!
In order to add your name to the petition:
1) Print out the signing page of the attached petition letter and sign it.
2) Either scan or take a jpeg snapshot of the autographed signing page with your phone and email it to: myself, Mayor Knudsen, Planning Board Secretary Cafarelli and Planning Board Attorney Christopher Martin:
Ridgewood NJ, This screen shot above was posted on the FB discussion to discredit this email from Tony. This shows clear contradiction in what he is claiming about Mayor agreeing to include him in the conversation or not. Readers say, “He is a habitual liar.” Remember HPC letter? — please read this email + the screen shot posted in the original article for full picture:
Thank you Susan,
But I am confused. Your last email on Friday afternoon (sent to me only) said, “Tony, can you join me in meeting with PSEG next week.” I replied,”Absolutely.” You never called me so I called PSEG myself at noon today.
The good thing that came out of this is….,Andrew Wesley now has my cell number, and I have his. He will consult with me personally on any and all PSEG matters regarding our CBD.
Also, you and the bloggers need to stop pointing a finger at Roberta, It is on record that she mentioned this project at 2 August Council Meetings and you did not do anything about it. As u know, I do not attend all meetings. I missed both of these meetings or I would have taken action sooner.
Best………………..Tony Damiano
To make matters worse, Damiano sent the message below to Guild members. Clearly/compared to the official transcript above, he lied to his members and distorted what actually transpired. SHAMEFUL!!
Reader says , “You know when Keith Killion lost by just 6 votes to that dimwit Gwenn Hauck, he exited with great grace and dignity. These three who were unelectable in any possible was are going out with absolutely no grace and no dignity. They are all so pissed off that their three replacement candidates were trounced and that their garage to save the world was voted into oblivion. Sore losers hardly describes their behavior. They should take a lesson from Keith, and other very fine council people who left office, and be classy about it.” Definition of sore loser
: a person who becomes very upset or angry when he or she loses a game, contest, etc.
I don’t remember Tony, Rurik, et al trashing Paul/Al/Gwenn during their tenure. Sore losers just throwing mud. And yes, Tony is petty because no one chose him to be part of ANOTHER team. If I remember correctly, he couldn’t play nice with the COC so he left to start the guild. Never thought that him as president of the guild would be a lifetime gig.
To be fair, PSEG has been a pain in the azz this summer. That said, Rurik is stirring the pot and is coming across as the latest village troll. TD is a triple sore loser with the garage being voted down, the 3 amigos no longer on the council and now, he can’t play “historian”. All very petty.
Fool us once…Let them just go away. They will never return despite them still hanging around? Chamber of Commerce etc. Sore Loserman ran and lost and they eventually went away. So will these 3. The new Council is awesome and out of the ordinary issues will be attributed to those 3….so we will overcome. They are already off to a great start repealing Pfundwood! Can we get rid of that Gyro Wall next? Tell the sidewalk Nazi he may be next after the wall fall…wasn’t he responsible for the $750,000 coin guy? People have to be held responsible. Thank you 1st amendment…
Aronsohn’s recent op ed piece in The Record and Pucciarelli’s letter to the editor in The Ridgewood News suggest that their plan is to lob hand grenades into the Knudsen administration’s agenda with the hopes of inflicting casualties of some sort. SORE LOSERS.
Clearly, he is the sorest of the sore losers. The two websites, his and Gwenn’s, are pitiful testaments to their longing for a return to power. Good riddance to bad rubbish, the both of them.
He is just an angry sore loser.He needs a hobby.
Clearly, the sore losers are now out in force trying their best to disrespect (got that Gwenn?) those who were able to successfully bring their 4 year reign of terror to an end.
What a bunch of sore losers. Where were all of you when the dirt bag mayor, nit wit Gwenn, fatso Roberta, and full of himself Albert thought nothing of calling Susan every derogatory name in the book? You’re a bunch of losers who just can’t let it go
Ridgewood NJ, Amazingly Anthony Damiano the Ridgewood Guild President and owner of Mango Jam posted and email yesterday claiming that “I have successfully postponed the debilitating pseg project”.
As if we think or are expected to believe that PSEG took a meeting with, and then rearranged a project timeline at the request and demand of Anthony Damiano, and not the hard work of our mayor, acting village manager, and engineers.
It is rather disturbing that Damiano and his cohorts would attempt to falsely and blatantly takes full credit for getting PSEG to change their start date, especially asking for kudos to be heaped on The Ridgewood Guild. Apparently he and some of the sore loser comrades of the 3 amigos have a serious hang up with Mayor Susan Knudsen and clearly have a hang up with the fact she is a women and good at her job.
Ridgewood NJ, PSE&G representatives agreed to reschedule work on North and South Broad Street to begin in January after meeting Village officials Monday.
While is was well known that the previous Mayor Paul Aronsohn had issues with PSE&G Mayor Knudsen moved quickly to resolve the situation putting old issues to rest.
Village officials including the Mayor Susan Knudsen and Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser met this morning with David Hollenbeck, PSE&G regional public affairs manager, who along with other representatives from the utility agreed to implement a work-around schedule pushing the start date to on or about January 9, 2017, avoiding a critical fourth quarter impact on businesses in that area.
The rescheduling resulted from a cooperative effort to resolve the issue of work previously scheduled to begin Sept. 26, in the Village’s historic business district.
“The meeting was cordial and professional,” Knudsen said. “PSE&G officials appreciated the vulnerabilities of our small businesses, especially during the fourth-quarter holiday retail season. They responded and we’re most appreciative.”
The Village Council, recognizing the serious nature of the work in upgrading utility infrastructure, expressed gratitude to PSE&G for working collaboratively with Village officials. The Village Engineer is already began planning to ensure both the Village and PSE&G are prepared for the January start date.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Blog has learned the Ridgewood new code enforcement officer has been making the rounds in the CBD counting chairs and tables to check if restaurants are in compliance with their the outdoor cafe permits . She has issued several written warning for those that are in violation. We wonder if she is also check for encroachments in to the pedestrian right of way? Is she checking for planters and flower pots that made impeded people from walking or parking their car ( and lets nor forget people with disabilities) ? Does she do her checking during her 9-5 work day or does she come out at night and on the weekend when restaurants load up the sidewalk and tables?
This morning at 10 am I had the opportunity to meet with PSEG officials along with Village Engineer, Chris Rutishauser and Janet Fricke, Assistant to the Village Manager. The hour long meeting resulted in PSE&G representatives agreeing to reschedule work on North and South Broad Street to begin in January. David Hollenbeck, PSE&G regional public affairs manager, who along with other representatives from the utility agreed to implement a work-around schedule pushing the start date to on or about January 9, 2017, avoiding a critical fourth quarter impact on businesses in the area. The rescheduling resulted from a cooperative effort to resolve the issue of work previously scheduled to begin Sept. 26, in the Village’s historic business district. The meeting was cordial and professional. PSE&G officials appreciated the vulnerabilities of our small businesses, especially during the fourth-quarter holiday retail season. They responded and we’re most appreciative.
The Village Council, recognizing the serious nature of the work in upgrading utility infrastructure, is grateful to PSE&G for working collaboratively with us.As well we appreciate the patience of our businesses while we worked through the details with PSEG. We wish you all the greatest success and many, many sales during the upcoming fourth quarter.
(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.Roll call: Knudsen, Voigt, Altano, Joel, Reilly, Patire, Thurston, Scheibner, Torielli, McWilliams
7:35 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. – Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board
7:40 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. – Committee/Commission/Professional Updates for Non Agenda Topics, Correspondence Received by the Board
7:45 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. – Ridgewood/Dayton, Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan, 100 & 152 South Broad Street, Blocks 3707/3905, Lots 5.01/1.01 – Public Hearing continued from September 6, 2016
10:15 p.m. – 10:20 p.m. – Adoption of Minutes: October 20, 2015
10:20 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. – Unfinished Business and New Business- Open Space Committee Liaison, Resolution re: Appointment of Alternate Planning Board Counsel, Scheduling of meetings and applications, Committee Appointments, and discussion of any other open items
10:30 p.m. – Executive Session (if necessary)
AdjournmentIn 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
“Golden Toilet” by Maurizio Cattelan retrospective at the Guggenheim
September 17,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York NY, Are you sitting down? Maurizio Cattelan: “America” opened yesterday, September 16, in one of the museum’s public restrooms. “America”—the first piece that #Cattelan has exhibited since his 2011 retrospective at the Guggenheim—is a working toilet cast from gold, which museumgoers are allowed to use just as they would any other facility in the building. In a gallery environment where visitors are usually told, “don’t touch,” this is an extraordinary opportunity to spend time completely alone with a work of art.
Its nice to see a Golden Toilet get a appreciation it deserves .
We often get asked great article ,but what does this have to do with Ridgewood ? The Ridgewood blog was inspired by the “Golden Toilet” retrospective. Many of our readers have accused the Village of flushing money down the toilet years . Recent projects like the idiotic “traffic easing”, or the over priced ramp at Graydon pool ring a bell but for many the “Golden Toilet Fiasco: was one of the biggest flushes of money down the drain .The $400,000 toilet rivaled only the “Village Hall Fiasco” . While not quite on the same scope financially as the Village Hall Fiasco ,the “Golden Toilet ” became emblematic for everything wrong with the Village of Ridgewood.
Government has become a self perpetuating beast; enacting regulations (to protect the people!) which require people to enforce, require extra hours and costs to adhere to them and thus driving up costs for everyone else. The private sector has profit as motivation, government has service as its mandate. Government should not be running businesses that private enterprises can provide cheaper https://theridgewoodblog.net/the-golden-toilet-government-has-become-a-self-perpetuating-beast/
So next time you hear that the “Government” , or “Village Hall ” ought to do something remember the “Golden Toilet ” a $400,000 place wher only an 5th grader can go.
“here I sit all Brokenhearted paid a dime and only ….well you know the rest.
