Due to the very dry conditions that we have experienced over the last few months, we have deemed it necessary to invoke a Stage 4 irrigation ban. Beginning immediately, there will be no irrigation allowed other than using hand-held spray nozzles – these hand-helds can only be used on Tuesdays and Saturdays for odd-numbered houses and Wednesdays and Sundays for even-numbered houses. No irrigation of any kind is allowed on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of obeying these restrictions – this is a public safety issue – our firefighters need to have the necessary water and water pressure to be able to fight fires and we also need to maintain reserves for household use.
As you are aware we have ratcheted up enforcement over the last several weeks issuing over 50 summonses and hundreds of warnings. This has had some impact but unfortunately we need to take this further – so, I have taken the additional step of appointing more Village employees who will have the authority to issue summonses in order to achieve a higher rate of compliance.
We will continually monitor our water supply. Hopefully we will not need to also ban hand-held watering but this may still be a possibility…..let’s hope for some rain! For up-to-the-minute restriction status, please visit our website at water.ridgewoodnj.net.
It really does take all of us to address these types of problems. Thanks for your help and support,
SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015, 2:41 PM
BY RICHARD DE SANTA
STAFF WRITER |
GLEN ROCK GAZETTE
Mayor John van Keuren has directed Glen Rock police to begin issuing warnings and subsequent summonses to property owners who do not observe the current Stage 2 watering restrictions imposed last month by Ridgewood Water.
The village-owned utility supplies Ridgewood, Midland Park and Wyckoff in addition to Glen Rock. .
In effect since Aug. 6, the restriction prohibits the use of above and below-ground water sprinkler systems at all properties on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Property owners with odd-numbered addresses are permitted to use the systems on Tuesdays and Saturdays only, while those with even-numbered addresses can irrigate lawns on Wednesdays and Sundays.
There is no restriction against the use of hand-held hoses at any time.
The new arrivals in my neighborhood, pus some here 10-15 years, don’t play by the rules and don’t care, they sprinkler water every day, morning daylight or night time in the cloak of darkness, they are only concerned that they have a nice green lush lawn. They didn’t care about stage 1 restrictions, let alone stage 2, even tho other neighbors mentioned water rules to them, it rolls off their shoulder and it is not important enough and ignored. Yes, they sprinkler water on Monday when no one is to. Shame on them.
…I never got a reverse robo call on water sprinkling rules, used to, but in the know, do follow the rules, use hand held hose and have burned out areas of lawn, it doesn’t grow – no water, no rain, dry hot season, and have the landscaper skip grass cuts at times.
…The town should have sent a postal notice to all customers, as they did in past years, as there are many new residents. Education and respect for our water resources could be in flyer form, to inform people of the artesian well water here, and that its not from a resevoir. They don’t know, don’t care, think its an endless supply. Parents should set an example for their kids, and not break rules – saying its ok to do so. If not, they could take their bad habits and move back to the city.
I agree with the above and also see neighbors breaking the rules. Besides grass is not a native ground cover and shouldn’t be the main cover of yard space anyway: requires too much water, and pesticides, herbicides to maintain. Many articles have appeared on this subject including a great one in the Ridgewood News from former Eco Ed Schwarz.
Send an email with the offenders address to [email protected] is the boss at ridgewood water. When they are doing enforcement they can see it and do something .Police used to enforce but just like all jnight parking they won’t do anything unless a complaint is called in
SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015, 11:22 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
A treatment program currently being implemented by Ridgewood Water designed to combat the levels of lead found in testing samples taken in 2012 should be completed by the third quarter of next year.
Utility officials have made recent appearances in Ridgewood, Glen Rock and Midland Park to educate residents on the subject. The utility also serves Wyckoff.
Testing done three years ago by Ridgewood Water revealed 11 cases where the water contained more than .015 milligrams per liter of lead, which triggered the need for public education and a course of action to remediate the situation, as mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection.
Lead leached into the water from lead service lines was listed as the cause for the exceedance of the action level. Officials have said the water itself is lead-free.
Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters a person’s body, and the effects are especially harmful to young children, infants and pregnant women. Lead is stored in the bones and can be released after building up for several years, causing brain and kidney damage.
The hot weather and limited rainfall has led to a big increase in water use for irrigating. At the same time, the rainfall and groundwater status as monitored by NJDEP has recently been downgraded from “near normal” to “moderately dry.” Stage I restrictions have not moderated the water demand enough to maintain reserves for firefighting and other emergencies, so Ridgewood Water is implementing Stage II restrictions. Stage II limits the use of water for irrigation to two days per week. If your street address is an odd number, you may irrigate on Tuesdays and Saturdays only. If your street address is an even number, you may irrigate on Wednesdays and Sundays only. A hand held hose may be used at any time. No irrigation is allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays except for a hand held hose.
We appreciate your cooperation in conserving this vital, shared resource.
*Please DISREGARD the notice published in the Village Calendar about Water restrictions ending in September. Stage II Water Restrictions remain until further notice.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS – Cold Water meters and Accessories 2015 – 2016
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Sealed bid proposals will be received by the Village of Ridgewood, in the Office of the Water Department/Director of Operations, Level 5 of Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07451 on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. prevailing time, and then publicly opened and read aloud for following project:
BID NO. 022-2015 – COLD WATER METERS AND ACCESSORIES 2015-2016
The work of the Contract shall be to supply Neptune Cold Water Meters and Accessories or approved equal, for the Ridgewood Water Operating Center at 205 E. Glen Ave., Ridgewood, New Jersey 07451, as needed and described in the contract specifications.
Specifications and bid forms may be obtained by mail or in person from the office of the Director of Operations, Ridgewood Water, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07451, telephone (201) 670-5521, for a non-refundable fee of $10.00, per set of bid documents. Documents may be examined or picked up in person between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Operations Division, Ridgewood Water, Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07451, Monday through Friday. Prospective bidders requesting bid documents be mailed to them shall be responsible for providing their own postage/delivery service remuneration. No Specifications and/or Proposal forms shall be given out after 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2015.
The contractual obligation of the Village of Ridgewood under this Contract for these items is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for this Contract can be made.
Prices quoted must be net and exclusive of all Federal, State and Local Sales and Excise Taxes. Bids may be submitted prior to the bid opening in person or by mail, addressed to the Office of the Village Clerk. The Village assumes no responsibility for loss or non-delivery of any bid sent to it prior to the Bid opening.
Each bid must be enclosed in a sealed envelope with the name of the bidder thereon and endorsed, “BID responding to BID NO. 022-2015 –COLD WATER METERS AND ACCESSORIES 2015-2016, Do Not Open Until September 2, 2015 at 10:30 AM” and must be accompanied by all required forms.
Any award or awards may be made at a later or subsequent time or meeting of the Village Council. All required schedules, that is required forms are to be submitted on the forms attached to the bid documents. No other forms will be accepted.
The successful bidder shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Prevailing Wage Act, as determined by the New Jersey Department of Labor. All contractors, their subcontractors, and material suppliers shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Public Works Contractor Registration Act, pursuant to Public Law 1999 Chapter 238 and the Contractor Business Registration Program, pursuant to Public Law 2004 Chapter 57.
The successful bidder shall furnish and deliver to the Village of Ridgewood a performance and payment bond (Schedule F) in the amount of 100 percent of the accepted bid amount as security for the faithful performance of the Contract. Additionally, the successful bidder shall furnish policies or Certificates of Insurance required by the Contract. In default thereof, said checks and/or bonds and the amount represented thereby shall be forfeited to the Village of Ridgewood as liquidated damages, not as a penalty.
Proposals submitted by Bidders and/or Bidder’s Insurance Company(ies) not chartered in the State of New Jersey, must be accompanied by proper certificate(s) from the Secretary of State, indicating that such Bidders, Bidder’s Insurance Company(ies), and/or Surety Company(ies) is (are) authorized to do business in the State of New Jersey. The Village of Ridgewood reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informality or to accept a bid which, in its judgment best serves the interest of the Village. No bids may be withdrawn for a period of sixty-days (60) after the date and time set for the opening of bids.
“BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF P.L.1975, C. 127. (NJAC 17:27) regarding Affirmative Action, and Executive Order No. 11246 regarding equal employment opportunity, as amended”. A complete statement as to these requirements is included in the specifications.
By Order of the Village Manager Publication date: August 21, 2015
AUGUST 20, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY LYNN BRUGGEMANN
CORRESPONDENT |
MIDLAND PARK SUBURBAN NEWS
MIDLAND PARK — The Borough Council flooded officials of Ridgewood Water with questions about the high level of lead in water supplied to the community but was left parched by its steps to remediate the situation.
Richard Calbi, the company’s new director of operations, and its business manager David Scheibner were asked to appear at the council’s Aug. 13 meeting to explain information contained in a brochure the company sent to residents and businesses about the contamination.
The brochure states that routine monitoring in June 2012 found that some drinking water samples had lead levels above the “EPA action level” of 15 parts per billion (ppb) or 0.015 milligrams of lead per liter (mg/L).
The representatives explained that samples were taken at addresses identified as “high-risk” or known to have lead pipes.
Scheibner said results at “six homes triggered treating the whole system.”
Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan asked whether any of the “high-risk” addresses were in the borough.
The representatives said three residences, all known to have lead service lines, located on Godwin Avenue, Erie Avenue and Van Blarcom Avenue, were used in the sampling and showed lead contaminants.
AUGUST 19, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015, 9:58 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Village of Ridgewood has a new director of Operations on board with the hiring of Rich Calbi, a longtime municipal engineer with a background in running public utilities.
A native of Lyndhurst, Calbi has his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and master’s degree in environmental engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He also has a professional engineering license and professional planning license. Calbi is also a certified public works manager and municipal engineer.
Calbi takes over for Frank Moritz, who retired from the post at the end of June.
Aside from serving as the head of Ridgewood Water, Calbi also takes over the director of Operations role, which includes oversight of departments such as recycling, fleet and sanitation.
The announcements of Calbi’s hiring and Moritz’s retirement took place on the same evening, May 27. Calbi started working for the village a few days before Moritz left to ensure a smooth transition during the changeover in personnel.
Calbi began his career working for the Army Corps of Engineers, specifically on the Passaic River Flood Tunnel project, which never came to fruition. He spent five-and-a-half years in the private sector doing flood abatement, storm water management and system design before going to work for local governments.
He started in the public sector in Clifton as the assistant township engineer before becoming the engineer in Maplewood Township in Essex County. Most recently, Calbi was the township engineer in Livingston, where he was also in charge of the Division of Public Works and Water Utility.
AUGUST 14, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2015, 7:29 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Time to mandate rain sensors for irrigation systemsTo the Editor:On Aug. 6, patrons of Ridgewood Water received the dreaded robo-call announcing stage II watering restrictions. At this writing, less than a week later, sprinklers and other irrigation systems may be used only two days a week.
Home and other property owners who have spent time, effort and money to make their places green may watch their investment wither as green turns to brown. A simple way to conserve water would require an update to a water department regulation: mandate the use of a rain sensor with every existing irrigation system as well as new ones.
These small, unobtrusive, inexpensive monitors tell the sprinkler system not to turn on when the gauge contains a certain level of water. Avoiding wasted sprinkling during or just after a rainfall helps the homeowner as well by saving money, especially as water rates rise.
Rain sensors are mandated by Ridgewood Water only for newly installed irrigation systems, with older systems grandfathered. With stage II in force and the specter of stage III looming, the time for grandfathering is past. A deadline of April 2016 would be reasonable, after which a warning could be given and then fines levied for noncompliance.
Ridgewood Water asks residents to alert their neighbors who flout watering restrictions. Passing the buck to neighbors for oversight on this issue is unrealistic. It has to come from the top.
My own story includes a cautionary tale. After years of observing other people’s sprinklers working in the rain, and having done too much planting to continue hauling sprinklers around or water the yard with a hose, I finally had a sprinkler system installed about six years ago. As required, a rain sensor was included. I congratulated myself upon being an environmentally aware and frugal citizen.
One night last summer I happened to be awake at dawn, when my sprinkler system turned on – to my surprise, since it was raining. When this happened a second time, I called my current sprinkler company (having dropped the original one for other reasons) to request a visit. The technician found that the sensor had been installed under a small overhang. It had never worked. Neither company had ever checked.
I had the sensor moved. It works now. But for years I was an unwitting scofflaw.
Moral: even those with a rain sensor in place would do well to make sure it is actually working. But first, let’s make sure everybody has one.
The hot weather and limited rainfall has led to a big increase in water use for irrigating. At the same time, the rainfall and groundwater status as monitored by NJDEP has recently been downgraded from “near normal” to “moderately dry.” Stage I restrictions have not moderated the water demand enough to maintain reserves for firefighting and other emergencies, so Ridgewood Water is implementing Stage II restrictions. Stage II limits the use of water for irrigation to two days per week. If your street address is an odd number, you may irrigate on Tuesdays and Saturdays only. If your street address is an even number, you may irrigate on Wednesdays and Sundays only. A hand held hose may be used at any time. No irrigation is allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays except for a hand held hose.
We appreciate your cooperation in conserving this vital, shared resource.
The hot weather and limited rainfall has led to a big increase in water use for irrigating. At the same time, the rainfall and groundwater status as monitored by NJDEP has recently been downgraded from “near normal” to “moderately dry.” Stage I restrictions have not moderated the water demand enough to maintain reserves for firefighting and other emergencies, so Ridgewood Water is implementing Stage II restrictions. Stage II limits the use of water for irrigation to two days per week. If your street address is an odd number, you may irrigate on Tuesdays and Saturdays only. If your street address is an even number, you may irrigate on Wednesdays and Sundays only. A hand held hose may be used at any time. No irrigation is allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays except for a hand held hose.
We appreciate your cooperation in conserving this vital, shared resource.
E – Notice – Water Restrictions – Stage ll – August 6th
Dear Resident,
The hot weather and limited rainfall has led to a big increase in water use for irrigating. The Stage I restrictions that we have had in place have not moderated the demand enough to maintain reserves for firefighting and other emergencies so we need to immediately implement Stage II restrictions which limits the use of water for irrigation to two days per week. If your street 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. Hand held hoses may be used at any time.
We appreciate your cooperation. I know that we have communicated several times about enforcement and compliance and we have stepped up our monitoring in this area. In order for us to address this issue, we must do so together – I think we would all want to avoid going to Stage III restrictions and we can go a long way in that goal by abiding by these conservation measures.
As usual, please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Best,
Roberta Sonenfeld
Village Manager
201-670-5500, ext. 203
9 -PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS-
JULY 23, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY REBECCA GREENE
CORRESPONDENT |
WYCKOFF SUBURBAN NEWS
The five-year-old class action lawsuit filed by Wyckoff, and joined by Midland Park and Glen Rock, claiming overcharges by Ridgewood Water to the tune of $3.3 million has been remanded to Superior Court — a favorable development, according to local officials.
The lawsuit, which was filed in 2010, alleges that a 21 percent rate hike in 2010 and 5 percent increases in 2011 and 2012 were used to plug gaps in the Village of Ridgewood’s budget.
The towns are seeking a return of the amount officials believe their residents were overcharged: Wyckoff, 1,640,492; Midland Park, $619,635; and Glen Rock, $1,049,165.
A 25-page opinion handed down Wednesday, July 15, by the Appellate Division of state Superior Court reversed a decision by Superior Court Judge Lisa Perez Friscia in December 2013 that the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) should handle the litigation.
“We conclude the trial court misconstrued the jurisdictional provision [in state statute] causing it to erroneously transfer this case to the BPU,” the appeals panel wrote. “We discern no legal or public policy basis to defer to the BPU’s jurisdiction a function historically associated with and inherently performed by the Superior Court.”
“We’re pleased that the Appellate Division finally remanded it back to a Superior Court judge,” Wyckoff Mayor Kevin Rooney said. “We have a strong case and the facts are clear. We want our day in court.”
JULY 15, 2015, 2:19 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015, 2:23 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Years-long litigation against Ridgewood Water must be decided by a Superior Court judge, a state appeals court ruled on Wednesday.
The Appellate Division of New Jersey’s Superior Court reversed a trial judge’s 2014 decision transferring the suit to the Board of Public Utilities for resolution.
In a 25-page ruling, the Superior Court Appellate Division remanded the matter back to the trial court, noting “this is not a case requiring the particular expertise associated with the jurisdiction of the BPU.”
Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn declined to comment Wednesday, citing the ongoing nature of the litigation.
The class action lawsuit was filed against Ridgewood Water in Superior Court by Wyckoff officials in 2010, with the municipalities of Glen Rock and Midland Park joining the action as plaintiffs a year later.
The lawsuit alleges the water utility raised its rates in 2010 by 21 percent and that rates further rose 5 percent in 2011 and 2012.
The suit contends the rate hikes were approved in an ordinance adopted by the village council, and characterizes the increases as “arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable and, accordingly, should be declared invalid and unenforceable.”
In accordance with the Codes of the Village of Ridgewood, the Boroughs of Glen Rock and Midland Park, and the Township of Wyckoff, Stage I water restrictions in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff, New Jersey are in effect beginning June 1, 2015 and ending August 31, 2015.
Residents, businesses, governmental agencies, and all other water users must adhere to the Stages of the restrictions shown on our website.
Ridgewood Water has recently simplified water restrictions. The new plan matches odd and even addresses with days of the week.
If your address is an odd number, you may irrigate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only. If your address is an even number, you may irrigate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays only. A handheld hose may be used at any time including Mondays.
This plan will be in effect each year starting on June 1st and will continue through August 31st. If conditions warrant, irrigation will be prohibited on additional days of the week up to and including a total ban on irrigation.
Compliance with the initial 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
