September 16,2016
the styaff of the Ridgewood blog
Rodgewood NJ, September has arrived along with weather that is more favorable for the planting of landscape materials. Water system operating conditions and vital capital projects still limit our ability to sustain reserves in peak demand situations, so Stage 2 Water Restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. Beginning on September 6th, however, Ridgewood Water will be able to accept requests for waivers from some of the Stage 2 provisions.
The following guidelines are the basis for granting or not granting individual exceptions to restrictions on outdoor water use. Applicants must provide proof that they meet the criteria listed below. Residents are strongly urged to postpone landscape installations when weather conditions are unfavorable. Waivers cannot be guaranteed and are subject to cancellation if conditions worsen.
New trees, shrubs, and perennials – Waivers may be granted, but will be limited to use of soaker hoses or drip irrigation on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday only. No automatic irrigation will be allowed for this purpose.
New lawns (sod or seed) – Waivers may be granted for automatic irrigation on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday only.
Click HERE for an application. Application may be submitted in the following ways:
Ridgewood NJ, On Saturday morning September 17th the underpass on West Glen Ave will be closed to all traffic from 8am until 4pm for utility work. Detours will be in place at Oak Street and North Monroe Street. Police officers will be stationed at intersections around the detour to assist with keeping the traffic flowing.
NEWARK NJ ,New Jersey Transit Police have charged a man with criminal sexual contact after identifying him from a victim’s description given to police a few days earlier.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday, September 9, 50-year-old Raghavan E. Narayanan of Hillsborough was arrested at Newark Penn Station and charged with criminal sexual contact. Officers recognized him from a description given by a female customer, who reported a man inappropriately touched her while on board a NJ TRANSIT train two days earlier.
“We are grateful that the New Jersey Transit Police were able to act so quickly in apprehending this person,’’ said Interim Executive Director Dennis Martin. “The safety of our customers is paramount to us and we do not take that lightly.’’
“The officers of the New Jersey Transit Police Department are the eyes and ears of the state’s transportation system,’’ said Police Chief Christopher Trucillo. “Incidents like this reinforce how our police department is vigilant when it comes to protecting our customers both in plain sight and behind the scenes.’’
Narayanan was issued a summons and released pending a court date for later this month.
The charges and allegations contained in this release are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Rurik Halaby called Schedler a DUMP, said any plan to spend money there is STUPID, And with his penchant for big fancy words and historical accuracy, he still cannot pronounce the Mayor’s name. Rurik, it is not KAH-nudsen. It is a silent K. You KAH-now how the silent K works, dontcha?
Tony Damiano made a fool of himself and the entire Ridgewood Guild. First he gets all huffy that his name was put on a committee. Seems he is unwilling to serve on any committee unless he knows all the members beforehand, because, well, he wants TOTAL CONTROL. Then he whines and whines about his mom and pop store and how his 8-hour employee has to lock the store and drive around for 20 minutes after four hours in order to find another parking space to cover the next four hours. Ummm …..start at Cottage Place before your work day begins, park there all day, you never need to leave. It is so simple. Damiano LIED when he said there is nowhere for his employee to park. He just doesn’t want his employee to walk a couple of blocks from the always empty Cottage lot. Duh.
The owner of Roots restaurant mentioned that “Roberta” is a bad word that he hesitates to use in the council chambers.
On a very sad note, Mayor Knudsen acknowledged the passing of Meegan Shevlin, who lost her battle with breast cancer last week. Whether you agreed with Meegan or not, hers was always a lively, passionate, and informed voice on various subjects. She was a wonderful person and a fine example of citizen participation in local issues.
And then there was the continuing revelation that the mystery of the concrete which was illegally dumped at Kings Pond last year remains, well, it remains a MYSTERY. Boyd Loving has attempted to learn what contractor did this dumping, who from the Village enabled it, all with the goal of making sure that such an EPA violation never happens again. And to make sure that this contractor is never hired again. And to make sure that anyone on the inside who enabled this illegal action gets called on the carpet.
The meeting was smooth, efficient, and wow, just amazing how Roberta’s absence is a beautiful presence…..or you might say it is the PRESENT that just keeps on giving.
Ridgewood NJ, last night council meeting saw Rurik Halaby in fine form, pronouncing Mayor Susan Knudsen’s name wrong once again and ranting that Schedler was a dump filled with broken glass,plastic bottles and god knows what else. He further claimed the house was a junk heap and there were no endangered species there claiming that Eagles don’t hang out near highways.
Anne Loving remedied the situation, durring the public comment she asked Susan about the pronounciation of her name so that all would hear. Don’t know if Rurik or it was past his bed time but it will be in the minutes.
Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon is planning to request municipal funds to be used to upgrade the tree replacement program which is practically non existent except for volunteer efforts. We have been losing trees due to age, sidewalk replacement, storms and neglect. At one time Ridgewood had nine employees in the Shade Tree Division now we have three.
But the big news I heard is that the sports groups/ field committee are looking to replace the turf at Maple Field. Councilmen Ramon Hache said that it is so hard and damaged that it is unsafe to play on. Artificial turf in a flood plain well here we go again. A little snippet from the Ridgewood blog in 2007 ; Reader says, “All you “fiscally responsible” folks — artificial turf, like that at Maple, is the way to go” https://theridgewoodblog.net/reader-says-all-you-fiscally-responsible-folks-artificial-turf-like-that-at-maple-is-the-way-to-go/
Parking came up as usual and there is concern that it is now on the back burner but the council is currently looking at all their options and revisiting the Hudson Street Garage.
Heather Mailander was very competent and managerial. What a pleasure and such a change from our previous manager who talked more than the whole council put together.
Strongly Urges Customers Not to Use or Charge the Device Onboard Vehicles or in Facilities
September 13, 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Following safety concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note7, NJ TRANSIT is strongly urging all customers not to use or charge the mobile device on board trains, buses, light rail vehicles or in stations and facilities.
“We are asking our customers who have the Galaxy Note7, to simply turn it off before entering an NJ TRANSIT facility or boarding a vehicle.” said interim Executive Director Dennis Martin. “Because of the uncertainties surrounding this device, we are issuing this precautionary advisory to ensure the safety of all of our customers.”
The Samsung Galaxy Note7 has been the subject of numerous accounts of the batteries bursting into flames. Both Samsung and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission are urging owners to power down these devices and stop charging or using them.
“NJ TRANSIT is urging our customers to do the responsible thing and heed the manufacturer’s advice to power down the Galaxy Note7” said Gardner Tabon, Chief of NJ TRANSIT’s Office of System Safety. “This is especially critical when riding a transit system along with hundreds of thousands of others.”
NJ TRANSIT has not had any reported cases of a Samsung Galaxy Note7 becoming a fire hazard. In February 2016, NJ TRANSIT restricted customers and employees from using, charging, storing or transporting hoverboards following similar fire safety concerns.
Ridgewood NJ, looks to be a very full plate for the Village Council for tonight’s meeting .The agenda features some changes in public comment at Village council meetings, the repeal of the requirementof notification of audio/video recordings , amending the Valet Parking Ordinance for Chestnut Street, amending the 2016 Capital Budget for Northwest Bergen County Central Dispatch, authorizing the Application for Historic Preservation Grant for Zabriskie-Schedler House, and authorizing the Application for Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant for Kings Pond Park. There are also a host of appointments to the Financial Advisory Committee, Central Business District Advisory Committee and the Ridgewood Arts Council.
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL
REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
8:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
5. Acceptance of Financial Reports
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Proclamations
A. Fire Prevention Week
B. Gold Star Mother’s Day
C. National Breast Cancer Awareness Week
8. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 5 minutes per person – 30 minutes in total)
9. Village Manager’s Report
10. Village Council Reports
11. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
12. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
13. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
16-285 Award Contract under State Contract – Two Jeep Patriot Vehicles (NTE $42,793) – Awards a contract under State Contract to Hertrich Fleet Services, Inc., 1427 Bay Road, Milford, DE
14. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3548 – Amend Chapter 265 Vehicles and Traffic – Parking Regulations – Brookside Avenue – Amends this chapter to provide for three hour parking, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, from September 1 through June 30, on both sides of Brookside Avenue from Spring Avenue southward
3549 – Repeal Ordinance 3532 – Audio/Video Recording of Public Meetings – Repeals Ordinance 3532 which requires notification of audio/video recordings of public meetings of Village Boards/Committees which are not usually recorded
3550 – Amend Chapter 275 – Yard Waste Regulations – Amends this chapter to provide new regulations concerning putting leaves out into the street and leaf pick-up as well as new regulations regarding the separation of grass clippings and other types of yard waste
3551 – Amend Chapter 3 – Administration of Government Section 3-13(A) – Order of Business Relating to Public Comment – Amends this chapter to allow for Public Comment at the beginning of the meeting for no longer than 40 minutes; and changing the time for speakers to three minutes each; and allowing speakers to only speak once,
3552 – Various Capital Improvements at Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch ($26,000) – Appropriates $26,000 from the Capital Fund Balance for improvement at NWBCD including cameras, doors, computers, air conditioners, emergency generators and alarm panel
3553 – Amend Ordinance #3547 – Sale of Dogs and Cats – Amends Ordinance #3547 to disallow hobby breeders to sell their dogs and cats in pet stores in Ridgewood
3554 – Amend Valet Parking Ordinance – Chestnut Street
15. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
3542 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Violations and Penalties – Increase Parking Ticket Fines
3545 – Amend Chapter 249 – Streets and Sidewalks – Increase Fines for Paving Moratorium Violations 3546 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Sewers and Sewage Disposal Fees – Increase Annual Service Charge for Out of Village Dischargers
3547 – Regulate/Ban the Sale of “Dog and Cat Mill” Animals in Pet Shops
16. RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 16-259 THROUGH
16-284 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
16-259 Title 59 Approval – Laboratory Analysis Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Furnishing Laboratory Analysis Services Beginning January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, Inclusive, prepared by the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
16-260 Award Contract Laboratory Analysis Services – Graydon Pool & Water Pollution Control Facility (NTE $14,316.50) – Awards a one-year extension of the 2016 contract to Garden State Laboratories, Inc., 410 Hillside Avenue, Hillside, NJ, at the same price as 2016
16-261 Title 59 Approval – Sodium Bisulfite and Sodium Hypochlorite Solutions – Approve the plans and specifications for Furnishing and Delivering of Sodium Bisulfite Solution and Sodium Hypochlorite Solution Beginning January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, Inclusive, prepared by the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
16-262 Award Contract – Sodium Bisulfite and Sodium Hypochlorite Solutions – Water Pollution Control Facility – Awards a one-year extension of the 2016 contract to Miracle Chemical Company, 1151 B Highway No. 33, Farmingdale, NJ, at the same price as 2016
16-263 Title 59 Approval – Property Maintenance Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Rebid Property Maintenance Services (October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017, inclusive) prepared by the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
16-264 Award Contract – Property Maintenance Services – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, ConQuest Construction, 20 Carver Avenue, Westwood, NJ at various prices based on the tasks performed
16-265 Award Contract Under State Contract – Ford F350 Pickup Truck – Traffic & Signal (NTE $57,416) – Awards a contract under State Contract to Cherry Hill Winner Ford, 250 Berlin Road, Cherry Hill, NJ
16-266 Award Contract Under State Contract – Ford F350 Pickup Truck – Traffic & Signal (NTE $47,284) – Awards a contract under State Contract to Cherry Hill Winner Ford, 250 Berlin Road, Cherry NJ
16-267 Award Under State Contract – Electronic Equipment, Software, and Computer Upgrades (NTE $223,248.77) – Awards a contract under State Contract to SHI International Corporation, 290 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ
16-268 Award Contract Under National Joint Powers Alliance – Brush Chipper – Parks Department (NTE $119,738.36) – Awards a contract under the National Joint Powers Alliance to Northeastern Arborist Supply, 50 Notch Road, Woodland Park, NJ
16-269 Award Contract Under National Joint Powers Alliance – Street Sweeper – Streets Department (NTE $206,896.45) – Awards a contract under the National Joint Powers Alliance to Timmerman Equipment Company, P.O. Box 71, Whitehouse, NJ
16-270 Award Contract Under The Education Services Commission of New Jersey Contract – Two Stump Grinders – Parks Department (NTE $67,504) – Awards a contract under The Education Services Commission of New Jersey Contract to Cherry Valley Tractor Sales, 35 Route 70 West, Marlton, NJ
16-271 Award Extraordinary, Unspecifiable Services Contract – Blower Motor – Water Pollution Control Facility (NTE $30,000) – Awards an Extraordinary, Unspecifiable Services Contract to various vendors: Spencer Turbine Co., 600 Day Hill Road, Windsor, CT; Carfi Electric, 124 Emeline Drive, Hawthorne, NJ; and Keystone Engineering Group, 590 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 200, Fazer,
16-272 Authorize Extension of Contract – Leasing and Maintenance Program for Police Cars (NTE $30,000) – Authorizes the extension of a contract for the third year of a three-year contract to Enterprise Fleet Management, 1550 Route 23 North, Suite 101, Wayne, NJ
16-273 Declare Property Surplus – Parks Department Dump Truck – Declares a Parks Department dump truck surplus property and authorizes the Village Manager to dispose of said property
16-274 Amend 2016 Capital Budget for Northwest Bergen County Central Dispatch Capital Improvements – Amends the 2016 Capital Budget to indicate that $26,000 from the Capital Fund Balance be appropriated to pay for the Village’s share of capital improvements at Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch
16-275 Approve Shared Services Agreement – Child Health Clinic (Glen Rock and Fair Lawn) – Authorizes a Shared Services Agreement with the Borough of Glen Rock and the Borough of Fair Lawn to have their residents participate in the Child Health Clinic in the Village of Ridgewood. Each municipality will pay one- third of the cost for the remainder of 2016, which is $1,266.
16-276 Reject Bid – Janitorial Services – Rejects the sole bid for this service due to the fact that its benefits were outweighed by its detriments
16-277 Authorize Application for Historic Preservation Grant for Zabriskie-Schedler House – Authorizes that an application for a Historic Preservation Grant for the Zabriskie-Schedler House be submitted
16-278 Authorize Application for Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant – Kings Pond Park – Authorizes that an application for a Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant be submitted for various improvements at Kings Pond Park
16-279 Authorize Cleaning of Gypsy Pond/Kings Pond Park by the Ridgewood Wildscape Association and Partners – Authorizes several volunteer groups to clean the Gypsy Pond/Kings Pond Park, along with a Public Awareness Campaign, on October 15, 2016. The Village Engineer has reviewed the proposal, the group has agreed to certain safety precautions, and the resolution is adopted pursuant to Title 59.
16-280 Establish Annual Service Charge and Payment for Guarantee Bond for Ridgewood Senior Citizen Housing Corporation and Guaranty of Payment of Revenue Bonds – Authorizes the Village Manager to execute an agreement reflecting the annual service charge, in lieu of taxes, for Village services provided to the Ridgewood Senior Citizens Housing Corporation’s housing development. In addition, it requires the payment of $25,000 from the Ridgewood Senior Citizen Housing Corporation for guaranty of the timely payment of principal and interest of 2005 Revenue Bonds.
16-281 Authorize Letter be Sent to the Planning Board for the Review of Ordinances 3489, 3490, 3491, and 3492 – Authorizes that a letter be sent from the Village Council to the Ridgewood Planning Board requesting that the Planning Board openly discuss and
re-evaluate the zoning criteria which was the basis for regulations found in Ordinances 3489, 3490, 3491 and 3492, specifically the appropriate densities of development compared to floor area ratios and on-site parking in the Central Business District
16-282 Appointments to Financial Advisory Committee – Appoints members to the Financial Advisory Committee
16-283 Appointments to Central Business District Advisory Committee – Appoints representatives of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, the Ridgewood Guild, resident members, business owners, Village Council liaison, the Police Chief or designee and the Village Engineer for staggered two-year terms
16-284 Appointments to Ridgewood Arts Council – Appoints members to the Ridgewood Arts Council to terms expiring 6/30/17. Also appoints Audrey Fink as the Chair and Rosemary Gunther McCooe as the Vice-Chair for terms expiring 6/30/17.
17. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
Ridgewood NJ, The Board of Education and the REA negotiating teams signed a Memorandum of Agreement at 12:15 AM on September 13, 2016 concluding negotiations on a 3-year contract for the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018. Terms of the agreement will be released after the REA members have ratified the contract.
On The Blog people are the most honest of all because they are not afraid of repercussions from their employer (if they work at village hall) or the board of ed (if they work for the school system) or their neighbors or school acquaintances. Let’s say you hate the teachers but your neighbor is a teacher. Well, you are not likely to post honestly your feelings on the contract negotiations if you have to identify yourself. In fact, you are likely to post whatever you think your neighbor wants to hear, because you want to remain friendly with the neighbors. Let’s say you are a fireman in town or your spouse is a cop. Well, you are not going to write anything negative about the village manager if you have to be identified in the posting, because this could impact your employment or that of your spouse. Supposing you are totally opposed to the parking garage but you live next door to a person with pro-garage signs all over his front lawn. Are you going to keep the peace in your little world or go to war with him by posting under your own name how much you oppose the garage? The online discussion forums in which everyone has to be identified tend to contain a lot of politically correct BS and not a great deal of gut-wrenching honesty.
Now there are some exceptions, some people who are more than willing to state their case and not worry about repercussions. To these people I say thank you, but I also suspect that they are not in any of the situations described in the previous paragraph.
The Blog = honesty = transparency = THE BLOG RULES
Everyone tries to criticize anonymity on The Blog, but the fact is you get utter honesty here and that is what we really need.
Thank you James Foytlin for serving our community so well.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood shortly after 11 AM on Sunday, 09/11. Fire department personnel from Glen Rock, HoHoKus, and Waldwick assisted Ridgewood units at the scene. All occupants of the home were safely evacuated by Ridgewood PD officers prior to the arrival of firefighters. No one was injured in the blaze, however the house sustained damage that rendered it temporarily uninhabitable.
Historic Zabriskie-Schedler House/Village Council’s September 7 Work Session
September 8,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Read this for a full understanding of how former Ridgewood Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, supported by former Village Council members Paul Aronsohn, Gwenn Hauck, and Albert Pucciarelli, worked AGAINST those seeking to preserve the Historic Zabriskie Schedler House.
Friends of Historic Zabriskie-Schedler House addressed the council last week . The Zabriskie-Schedler House, is a historical home built in the 1820’s and located at 460 West Saddle River Road.
The Zabriskie-Schedler House was purchased by the Village of Ridgewood, together with the surrounding area commonly referred to as the “Schedler Property”.
The group formerly known as RED made the following salient points to the council:
1. Since 2012 our group, the “Friends of the Historic Zabriskie-Schedler House” (previously known as “RED” (the Ridgewood Eastside Development)) has been repeatedly asking the Village to stabilize the house (which would include roof replacement and mold remediation). Despite our requests the only funds that have been spent by the Village thus far were for the installation of window louvers by the engineering department as a way to increase ventilation and decrease mold production. In lieu of Village funds, privately donated funds have been spent to provide for tarps (on several occasions) in order to protect the house from further water infiltration and saturation and for the removal of vegetation posing a threat to the structure of the house. These actions are merely “band aid” solutions which only have short term benefits. With fall nearly upon us and the accompaniment of torrential rain, as well as another harsh winter on the horizon, more permanent solutions are desperately needed at this time. Without immediate necessary remediation to the house, the house will not survive through the winter.
2. First and foremost, in order to stabilize the house, the house is in dire need of a professional roof replacement. The previous Council’s majority was instrumental in ensuring that no funds would be spent on the house stating that “no decision had been taken on the use of the house”. The Council made this statement ignoring the fact that our group had provided a use – the Bergen County Historical Society was very interested in using the house as a library. The interest was so strong that the President of the BCHS appeared at least twice before the Council. This use, as well as other productive suggestions (such as a field house for athletic groups, a community center and a nature classroom/organic garden) were continually ignored because we believe that the majority of the Council’s intent was for the house to be demolished by neglect.
3. The Schedler Property was purchased by the Village for $2.7 million funded through grants from the Bergen County Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. The Village received a $1 million grant in 2009, followed by a $570,000 grant from Bergen County in 2010 and a $450,000 matching grant received in 2011 from the Garden State Preservation Trust Fund. Historic preservation is an essential element of these grant monies. Nonetheless, the 2009 grant application (attached hereto) failed to include the historic house together with its historic four lots (9,10,11 and 12) of land. Also, a false NO answer was given on the grant application with respect to potential historic structures on the Schedler Property and the square footage of the house was grossly exaggerated to 21,000 when it is in fact only 2,200. The Bergen County Cultural Historic Commission was not contacted in connection with the application, however the application falsely states that the Village contacted the Ridgewood Historic Commission (the “RHC”) – while in fact there is no record of any such contact. In light of these errors it is our belief that the application was intentionally misleading in order to solely address the supposed “needs” of the Village’s athletic groups, rather than the needs of the entire community.
They went one step further and listed the steps that have been taken:
1. In 2014 our group, worked with the RHC on an application to give the house a Certificate of Historic Eligibility (a “COE”), which is attached hereto. The COE was awarded on May 2, 2014 and it recognizes the historical importance of the structure. This recognition allows the Village to file an application that once approved, places the house on the national historic preservation list.
2. In July of 2014, our group, tired of obtaining no assistance from the Council, worked on an application for grants to be issued by the Bergen County Historic Preservation Trust Fund, Bergen County Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. These grants were a great opportunity to receive 50% of the total cost of stabilization since the Village kept stating that no funds were available for the house. However, the Village Manager, Roberta Sonenfeld, refused to sign the application, nor would she provide the required 50% of funds to match the grant. Moreover, Ms. Sonenfeld advised that our group was responsible for the 50% matching funds, but because the deadline to submit the application was very close, the application was never sent.
3. In July of 2015, thanks to privately donated funds our group was able to open a bank account to deposit the required 50% of matching grant funds in escrow. This information was communicated to Ms. Sonenfeld and our group was able to compile a labor intensive grant application (herewith attached) that included cost estimates, the history of the house and several other necessary documents. With 50% of matching funds in the account, there was no reason why the application could not go forward but, unbeknownst to us, there was another application being issued by Tim Cronin, the Director of Parks and Recreation, requesting Phase 1 grants to construct a 90′ multipurpose field. Mr. Cronin’s application provided for the demolition of the house. Additionally, while our group was always told that there were no capital funds available for the house, Mr. Cronin’s application clearly stated that the Village would provide $100,000 in capital funds, equal to 50% of matching funds. The grant application was signed by Ms. Sonenfeld.
4. On August 5, 2015, Mayor Aronsohn announced that in order to proceed with the application or municipal historic grants for the house, the Council needed to approve a resolution. In addition, Mayor Aronsohn mentioned the need for a second resolution relative to the 90′ field, which also required Council approval. The date for said resolutions was set for August 12, 2015.
5. On August 12 2015, the Council’s chambers were packed with concerned citizens who voiced their opinions regarding the house and the field. The meeting minutes, herewith attached, offer an additional glimpse into what transpired that night. To a very disappointed crowd, Resolution 15-257: Acceptance of Open Space Committee Recommendations Concerning the Schedler Property was approved (by a majority of 3-2) and Resolution 15-258: Apply for Grant – Schedler House was denied (by a majority of 3-2).
6. With our chances of applying for municipal historic preservation grants being denied, we had felt that once again we wasted our time and effort to preserve the history of our Village and the Schedler Property. Following the passage of these resolutions we were alerted by Ms. Sonenfeld that Resolution 15-257 included a section that would allow a 501(c)(3) group to file a grant application for the house on behalf of the Village on the conditions that the 501(c)(3) group would (i) enter into a 20-year lease with the Village and (ii) be responsible for the maintenance of the house. Our group immediately filed for 501(c)(3) status and asked for lease documents, but Ms. Sonenfeld stated that the Village attorney would have to charge our group legal fees in connection with the preparation of the lease. As a result, although a September 3, 2015 grant application deadline was met by our group, without 501(c)(3) status and a signed lease with the Village, our application was considered invalid. All of these consequences could have been avoided if Ms. Sonenfeld had signed the application on behalf of the Village as the owner of the house.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Water wants to remind you that Stage 2 water restrictions are still in force.
In accordance with the Codes of the Village of Ridgewood, the Boroughs of Glen Rock and Midland Park, and the Township of Wyckoff, Stage II water restrictions in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff, New Jersey are in effect beginning June 23, 2016 until further notice.
Residents, businesses, governmental agencies, and all other water users must adhere to Stage II of the restrictions shown on our website,water.ridgewoodnj.net.
If your address is an odd number, you may irrigate on Tuesdays and Saturdays only. If your address is an even number, you may irrigate on Wednesdays and Sundays only. A handheld hose may be used at any time including Mondays. No irrigation is allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays except the use of a hand held hose.
The restriction level had to be increased to Stage II because water is being consumed at a greater rate than the supply system can sustain, thus reducing the amount of water in reserve for fire fighting and other emergencies.
Compliance with the Stage II restrictions will reduce the likelihood that more severe controls will be needed. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Violators will be subject to a fine and court appearance
