Christie signs bill allowing simplifying towns’ selling of water systems to for-profits
FEBRUARY 6, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY JAMES M. O’NEILL
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Governor Christie signed a controversial bill Thursday that will make it easier for towns to sell their aging drinking water systems to for-profit companies by eliminating a public vote on such sales.
The bill pitted large for-profit water companies against an unusual alliance of groups opposing the proposal, including environmentalists and the state advocate for utility ratepayers, who say the bill could bring higher water rates.
Advocates of the bill, including state Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Wood-Ridge, said the changes would help towns escape the financial burden of making costly upgrades to systems that routinely leak up to 25 percent of treated water before it reaches customers.
The bill comes as towns try to figure out how to pay for upgrades to old water pipes, some of which were installed a century ago. The federal government estimates it will take $4.7 billion to upgrade New Jersey’s water infrastructure over the next 20 years.
Ridgewood NJ, Since the Ridgewood blog had come up more than once in the last few civility meetings Mayor Aronsohn and Jan Philips reached out to us for an invite so we updated our Last Will and Testaments and graciously accepted .The meetings of the Civility Round Table are held on Tuesday’s, once a month at 7:30 PM in the Ridgewood Village Hall Senior’s Lounge. Residents are encouraged to attend .
The meeting started promptly at 7:30 and was to my mind well attended given the time of the year . Jan Phelps hosted the meeting , with Mayor Aronsohn and Councilwomen Hauck . Everyone introduced themselves representing various groups and organizations in the Village , from the BOE , the Planing Board , the Ridgewood Library ,several local clergy , the HSA’s , RBSA and may other fine organizations that serve Ridgewood as well as a few residents . The purpose as stated by the Mayor is to create a more civil discourse in the Village .
Civility is about more than just politeness, although politeness is a necessary first step. It is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences, listening past one’s preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same. Civility is the hard work of staying present even with those with whom we have deep-rooted and fierce disagreements. It is political in the sense that it is a necessary prerequisite for civic action. But it is political, too, in the sense that it is about negotiating interpersonal power such that everyone’s voice is heard, and nobody’s is ignored. https://www.instituteforcivility.org/who-we-are/what-is-civility/
The group seemed to agree that Ridgewood is a town where people like to excel , and that drive and those expectations create a very passionate , as you can see from blog comments and opinionated populace . People care about their community and thats a good thing , but many felt that sometimes we all go a bit to far .
We looked at the causes of incivility , the when and why .Sheila Brogan long time BOE member , felt that todays parents had a lot of additional pressure and worried that in todays world their kids would have a hard time doing as well as they have done . She went on to speak about the changing times and how one could expect to have several careers over a life time ,all this she though made being a parent a lot harder than it was in the past and a lot more pressure .
We managed to go till 8:08 be for someone mentioned the elephant in the room, “I want to talk about the blog”…….
I learned a lot , mostly that I am glad I can sit in my PJ’s drinking coffee writing a blog getting yelled at by anonymous commenters ,and don’t have a tuff job like the RBSA people who are pulled in many directions ,by so many demands all at once .
There were interestingly a surprising large amount of blog enthusiasts there some open and some secret admirers .
While I could see there were some sore spots , like turf fields , PSEG ,sports issues , Valley Hospital , the Village Hall renovation and alas Marty Brooks the daggers were lowered for the night .
While anonymity of blog posters took a hit as expected some pointed out that even on facebook were you know who everyone is the comments can be even nastier . A resident put it down to a type of “keyboard bravado.”
PJ’s Rules
1) Stick to issues don’t make it personal
2) Don’t take anything personal
M. Forni’s 25 Rules:The 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct
1. Pay attention
2. Acknowledge others
3. Think the best
4. Listen
5. Be inclusive
6. Speak kindly
7. Don’t speak ill
8. Accept and give praise
9. Respect even a subtle “no”
10. Respect others’ opinions
11. Mind your body
12. Be agreeable
13. Keep it down (and rediscover silence)
14. Respect other people’s time
15. Respect other people’s space
16. Apologize earnestly and thoughtfully
17. Assert yourself
18. Avoid personal questions
19. Care for your guests
20. Be a considerate guest
21. Think twice before asking for favors
22. Refrain from idle complaints
23. Give constructive criticism
24. Respect the environment and be gentle to animals
January 15, 2015 Last updated: Thursday, January 15, 2015, 2:53 PM
By Laura Herzog
Staff Writer |
The Ridgewood News
Two developers proposing high-density multifamily housing in Ridgewood were the final witnesses in a year-long master plan amendment hearing
At Tuesday’s Planning Board hearing, they discussed their personal Ridgewood connections, the scant number of schoolchildren living in their other existing properties, and what makes their proposals “luxury.”
Garden Homes Development’s principal Scott Loventhal said his 1,000- to 1,800-square-foot units, proposed for a South Broad Street complex that could feature high-end appliances, WiFi café common areas and a doorman, would go for $3 per square foot, plus utilities.
Proposing a more-than-100-unit development at the old Brogan site (The Dayton) that could incorporate affordable housing, Loventhal was the first speaker of the night.
He said more than a dozen homes are currently for rent in Ridgewood, most between $3,000-$4,000 a month.
“They can rent a single-family home if their goal is to place their children in the school system,” Loventhal noted, adding that his expensive, small apartments “are simply not a place where families are going to go.”
Reader asks Is there any legal recourse unusually large water bill?
Ridgewood Water Customers in Wyckoff.
I just got my water bill for the quarter ending in Dec. 2014 and the bill is $800. That is 4-5 times my normal bill. It comes following our meter being upgraded.
How is it that a company can “recreate” history from 8 years ago. How is it that a company can say “oops”, we under billed you?
JANUARY 15, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — One developer proclaimed his firm’s apartment building would have “no amenities” for children. Another said some people will pay more for high-end luxury housing in the village. And a third allowed his proposal to speak for itself.
The three developers, who want to bring high-density multifamily housing complexes to Ridgewood, were given the opportunity to testify this week before the Planning Board, which is considering a master plan amendment that would allow such buildings.
Only one developer declined to address the board, saying he didn’t want to be redundant.
Scott Loventhal, the director of development for Garden Commercial Properties in Short Hills, said the development proposals would “fill a void” in Ridgewood’s housing market and help “make the downtown even more vibrant.”
For nearly five years now, the Planning Board has been considering the amendment to allow such projects in three distinct zones in the village. Four developers initially requested the amendment change; since then, one of the projects has been withdrawn.
JANUARY 9, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015, 11:11 AM
BY STEPHANIE ALBERICO AND DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
During a presentation at a council work session on Jan. 7, Ridgewood Water Business Manager Dave Scheibner reiterated facts from a notice that the water utility distributed to its customers last month and confirmed that there is no lead in the water supply.
“As your water system, we are required to conduct public education in regards to lead contamination,” said Scheibner. “I understand that this notice has created some concern among some of the residents in our community. Please know that the language in the notice is prescribed by regulation and my appearance here tonight is for the purpose of providing facts and context to help our residents put this issue into proper prospective.”
“The water supply by Ridgewood Water does not have lead in it,” he continued. “Regulatory agencies require that water utilities test for lead by setting up worst-case scenarios at locations with increased risk such as those knowing to have lead service lines.”
Ridgewood Water, during regular testing performed in June 2012, detected elevated lead levels in “drinking water found in some buildings.” Testing took place at high risk locations in the service area, which includes residential and commercial addresses in the village, Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff.
According to Scheibner, Ridgewood Water was required to develop a treatment strategy to address the situation. Water officials are currently testing phosphate additives that remediate lead corrosion, which “effectively stops the leaching of lead into the water.”
“This treatment provides other official benefits for the water system and has no negative health effects,” said Scheibner. “A permit to allow this treatment to be implemented permanently is pending with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Until this treatment plant is in full effect, residents can take one simple step to eliminate their exposure to lead in drinking water. Let the faucet run for several seconds before drawing water for cooking or drinking. If your service line is made of lead, run the water for a longer period to clear all the water from the service line.”
Scheibner provided information, material and handouts for residents with contact information about service lines, testing for lead, phosphate water treatment, health effects of lead and also answered any questions posed by the public at the meeting.
Mayor Paul Aronsohn asked Scheibner if there was a reason to be concerned.
“There’s a reason to be cautious,” said Scheibner. “Getting in the habit of running the faucet if it hasn’t been used for awhile is just a common sense habit to get into. You don’t need to be concerned about it. It’s just a good habit to get into.”
Ridgewood water supply free of lead, utility reports
JANUARY 9, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — Ridgewood Water has declared that the village water is free of lead — a move made in response to concerns following a 2012 report that showed the chemical had leached into the system.
The utility’s business director, Dave Scheibner, addressed the council this week to allay fears created by the water analysis, which was sent to customers last week.
“The water supplied by Ridgewood Water does not have lead in it,” Scheibner said, adding similar notices were issued in 2012 and 2013.
An analysis determined higher-than-acceptable lead levels in the water, Scheibner said, attributing the spike to homes in the utility’s territory that use plumbing materials that can leach the chemical into the water.
Scheibner made the comments after Catherine Gray, the mother of three children, asked the council whether her children’s health was at risk.
“Our population seems at risk for lead exposure,” Gray said. “We are worried, we are concerned and we are here for answers.”
Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld says NO Lead in the Drinking Water
January 5th 2015
Dear E-Notice Residents,
It has come to our attention that the public education notice regarding lead test results has created concern among some of the residents in our service area. Please be aware that the language in the notice is prescribed by regulation and may cause undue concern.
The water supplied by Ridgewood Water does not have lead in it. A small number of homes in the Ridgewood Water service territory have plumbing materials that can leach lead into the water which caused an exceedance of the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for lead during routine testing in 2012. Regulatory agencies require that water utilities test for lead by setting up “worst-case-scenarios” at locations at increased risk such as those known to have lead service lines. Additionally, the samples taken for testing must be water that has been undisturbed and in contact with the household plumbing for at least 6 hours. These samples are usually taken in the morning before any water has been used including the flushing of toilets. Therefore, samples are usually collected by residents. Each participating resident received the test results for their specific location.
Additionally, virtually every faucet has brass components that contain a percentage of lead. This is why it is prudent to let a faucet run for several seconds before using the water for cooking and drinking, especially if the faucet has not been used for several hours. If your service line is made of lead, run the water for a longer period to clear all of the water from the service line. Please call 201-670-3372 if you are unsure of your service line material.
Ridgewood Water will start using a phosphate-based additive later this year that will also address this issue by coating the lines and faucets effectively stopping the leaching of lead into the water.
There will be a presentation at the Council Meeting this Wednesday that will provide a forum for additional questions and answers. You may also watch it on TV. You are invited to attend and voice your concerns at that point or you may call Ridgewood Water at201-670-5500 ext. 273 or 275.
East Orange officials and William Mowell, former assistant executive director of the East Orange Water Commission, pictured right, have been facing a lawsuit by a former commission employee. (File photo/New Jersey Department of Corrections) (File photo/New Jersey Department of Corrections)
Lawsuit involving contaminated drinking water in E. Orange, S. Orange to be settled soon
EAST ORANGE — A tentative settlement has been reached in a lawsuit over an effort to hide elevated levels of an industrial solvent in drinking water pumped to residents in the city and neighboring South Orange.
The agreement would resolve a lawsuit filed by former East Orange Water Commission employee Thomas Valenza involving claims that the commission’s former executive director, Harry Mansmann, and former assistant executive director William Mowell schemed to hide the water contamination.
Mansmann and Mowell were both indicted in February 2013 on criminal charges related to the alleged scheme. Mansmann later died and Mowell was sentenced on Dec. 12 to three years in state prison after pleading guilty.
In the lawsuit, which was initially filed in April 2013 in New Jersey Superior Court, Valenza alleges he was directed to turn off contaminated wells before collecting samples, but he refused to do so. Valenza was later “forced to retire,” after learning about illegal activity at the agency, the lawsuit states.
RIDGEWOOD WATER BOIL WATER ADVISORY – Upper Blvd. Water Main
For customers of Ridgewood Water – 00251001.
Ridgewood Water is providing notification that a water main break has occurred at Upper Blvd. in Ridgewood, NJ. which has caused customers within our service area to (Select applicable phrase: be without water or experience a significant loss of pressure). A potential or actual threat to the quality of water being provided to you currently exists. As a precaution, we are implementing a (Select applicable phrase: system wide or limited Boil Water Advisory until testing of the water supply is deemed satisfactory.
What should I do? What does this mean?
Effect immediately and until further notice, customers within the impacted service area of Upper Blvd. Customers are instructed to bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow the tap water to cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking; preparing foods; mixing baby formula, food, juices or drinks; washing vegetables and fruit; cooking; cooking; making ice; brushing teeth; and washing dishes until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
The following measures are also recommended:
– Throw away uncooked food or beverages or ice cubes made with tap water during the day of the advisory;
– Keep boiled water in the refrigerator for drinking;
-Do not swallow water while showering or bathing;
– Rinse hand-washed dishes with a diluted bleach solution (one tablespoon of household bleach per gallon of tap water) or clean your dishes in a dishwasher using the hot wash cycle and dry cycle;
– Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling or using bottled water; most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from microorganisms;
– Use only boiled water to treat minor injuries;
– Provide pets with drinking water that has been boiled and cooled.
Please continue to boil your water or use bottled water until you are notified that the water quality is satisfactory.
Ex-top official of East Orange water agency gets 3 years in prison
Formerly the chief engineer for Ridgewood Water.
TRENTON — A former top official of the East Orange Water Commission was sentenced to three years in prison today for hiding elevated levels of an industrial solvent in drinking water pumped to more than 80,000 residents in the city and neighboring South Orange.
William Mowell, 52, of Wyckoff, pleaded guilty in July to conspiring with the agency’s former executive director, Harry Mansmann, to falsify levels of tetrachloroethene to show the water was safe to drink, the state Attorney General’s Office said.
As part of his sentence, handed down by state Superior Court Judge Carolyn Wright, Mowell will be permanently banned form public office and public employment in the state.
Planning Board Meeting Schedule : Land Use Amendment of the Master Plan
Planning Board Amended Meeting Schedule – December 16th at BFMS
PLANNING BOARD AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE
Special Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Change of Location
In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled a special public meeting and work session for TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014, in the Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ – 7:30 P.M
The Board may take official action during this Special Public Meeting at which time the Board will continue the public hearing concerning a proposed amendment to the Land Use Plan Element of the Master Plan which would recommend changes in zone district classifications and boundaries within the Central Business District and surrounding area, creating the AH-2, B-3-R, and C-R Zone Districts and amending the existing C Zone District.
All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.
NJ Senate bill would ease sales of water utilities
NOVEMBER 29, 2014, 11:50 PM LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2014, 11:54 PM
BY JAMES M. O’NEILL
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
As some New Jersey towns weigh whether to sell off their aging, burdensome drinking-water systems to for-profit water companies, a controversial bill making its way through the state Senate would speed up such sales by stripping away a mandatory public vote on the deals.
Proponents say the bill would make it easier for towns to sell their water and sewer systems and escape costly regulation and infrastructure upgrades — a decision recently weighed by several North Jersey towns, including Ramsey and Allendale.
Critics, however, say the Water Infrastructure Protection Act would cut the public out of the process and could lead to water rate hikes. There is also a concern about selling off a natural resource.
For the 200 small publicly owned water systems in the state — 20 or so in Bergen and Passaic counties — the sharp debate over the bill comes at a time when municipalities, struggling to keep up with more stringent drinking water regulations and facing old water mains, weigh whether to get out of the water business. For-profit water companies are interested in buying the municipal systems to continue their own growth.
Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Wood-Ridge, and a prime sponsor of the measure, believes “no town should be in the public water supply business.”
Privatization of public water, sewer services systems could be fast-tracked under N.J. bill
Trenton voters were given the opportunity to sell the city’s water system to a private company in 2010. The $80 million sale was defeated in a 4-to-1 landslide.
At Tuesday’s polls, hundreds of voters in tiny Sussex Borough overwhelmingly rejected a similar sale of their public system to private hands, while Haddonfield in Camden County solidly approved selling its deteriorating system to New Jersey American Water.
But such direct public mandate on water and sewer sales may become a thing of the past, as a bill in the Legislatures allowing public entities to fast-track selling water and sewer systems that serve millions advances this fall.
The sponsors of the “Water Infrastructure Protection Act” say it’s a way to get desperately-needed investment into water systems that have been neglected to the breaking point by government owners. The bill’s opponents warn that it’s an attempt to turn private profits of public infrastructure at the expense of taxpayers – who themselves will end up paying for the purchase prices with each flush of the toilet.
Water meter conversion project in Ridgewood almost complete
November 3, 2014 Last updated: Monday, November 3, 2014, 1:35 PM
By Jodi Weinberger
Staff Writer |
The Ridgewood News
The village expects to complete its water meter upgrade program in the next six months.
File Photo
Ridgewood’s conversion to radio water meters, which are believed to result in more accurate billing, should be completed in the next six months.
The water utility has been working for years to convert its 20,000 customers – including ratepayers in the village, Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff – to radio meters, which officials said would result in more accurate billing for customers.
According to Ridgewood Water, the new meters will make it possible to “quickly and efficiently” collect meter readings without entering the property or connecting to telephone circuits, a process that was causing major swings in usage estimates.
Ridgewood Water has contracted with Lenegan Plumbing and Heating for the conversion.
In July, the Village Council voted to accelerate the program, which Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said would have taken up to three more years to complete.
However, in the process of conversion, some customers received a tidal wave of usage fees in their first billing following the upgrade as previous bills had likely been underestimated..
https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/end-in-sight-for-meter-upgrade-project-1.1125590
