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NJ Senate bill would ease sales of water utilities

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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.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/nj-senate-bill-would-ease-sales-of-water-utilities-1.1143657

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Privatization of public water, sewer systems could be fast-tracked under N.J. bill

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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.

https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/11/public_would_no_longer_get_vote_on_selling_water_sewer_systems_under_advancing_nj_bill.html#incart_river

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Water meter conversion project in Ridgewood almost complete

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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

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New water meters lead to much higher bills for some in Ridgewood

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New water meters lead to much higher bills for some in Ridgewood

OCTOBER 24, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER | 
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — A move to upgrade thousands of water meters throughout the village has been a shock for some business owners and residents who have received larger-than-expected bills.

Some residents have received water bills that are thousands of dollars higher than they’ve been used to paying. A number of businesses have paid hundreds of dollars more for their water.

The bigger bills, officials said, are the result of accurate readings on actual use. In recent years, estimated water and sewer discharge bills were based on predicted or past use.

The village has stepped up efforts the past month to replace all of the water meters in Ridgewood, according to officials.

Meters that were installed several years ago have since become obsolete, requiring installation of so-called radio-read meters.

The updated meters emit low-level radio frequencies, easily detectable using specialized hand-held instruments; such meters eliminate the need for readers to enter homes or businesses.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/new-water-meters-lead-to-surprises-1.1117227#sthash.93rgXbKh.dpuf

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No “Golden Toilets ” for Habernickel

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No “Golden Toilets ” for Habernickel

Habernickel horse barn renovation scrapped for now – prefab building maybe
October 22,2014
Boyd A. Loving
12:45 AM 

Ridgewood NJ, Based on the recommendation of Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, Village Council members have seemingly nixed plans to undertake an expensive renovation of the Irene Habernickel Family Park’s horse barn.  The renovation project was being considered to satisfy a need for permanent restrooms and shelter from inclement weather at the expansive park located on Hillcrest Road.

Sonenfeld suggested that a prefabricated restroom may be a less expensive alternative, with preliminary estimates in the $60K – $90K price range.  A $60K grant may help offset costs.

Many of you may remember that the restroom project at Vets Field wound up costing taxpayers almost $400K, and those commodes were constructed in an existing building.

Pay close attention to this one folks . . .

Esurance

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Overnight Milling Project at Garber Square in Ridgewood

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photos by Boyd Loving

Overnight Milling Project at Garber Square 
October 21,2104
Boyd A. Loving

Ridgewood NJ, Garber Square, Ridgewood was closed in both directions (eastbound and westbound) to all vehicular traffic from 2000 hours on Monday, 10/20/2014, through 0600 hours on Tuesday, 10/21/2014 to allow for milling of the road surface in preparation for paving.  This work was performed in connection with a major streetscape project approved by the Ridgewood Village Council.  In addition to paving, the project will include the addition of bike lanes in both directions, the reduction of traffic lanes from two lanes to one lane, and a median island.

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photos by Boyd Loving

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“Significant discharger” fees may have been billed in error

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“Significant discharger” fees may have been billed in error

ATTENTION:  Owners/operators of Ridgewood businesses at which water meters were upgraded to “radio read meters” may have received bills for “significant discharger” fees in error.

If you received an unusually high water bill due to prior use of “estimated” readings, the Village of Ridgewood’s accounting department may have mistakenly thought you were a “significant discharger” and billed you as such.

If you believe you may have been billed in error, you should contact Ms. Mary Jo Gilmore, Village of Ridgewood Tax Collector, at 201-670-5500 extension 225.

YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE –  The Village seems to be leaving up to business owners themselves to determine if a billing error took place; i.e., no effort is being made by the Village to find out who might have been billed in error.

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Ridgewood Water – Emergency Repairs

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photo by Boyd Loving

Ridgewood Water – Emergency Repairs

Ridgewood Water made emergency repairs in two locations today – South Van Dien Avenue at Spring Avenue in Ridgewood and Ravine Avenue at Ravine Court in Wyckoff. If your home or business is near these locations you might experience discolored water from your faucets. The discoloration is from minerals that have been stirred up by turbulence in the mains. You may flush the discoloration out of your piping by running faucets until the water is clear. There is no need for health concerns but residents are cautioned to avoid doing laundry until the discoloration has been completely flushed from household piping.

Esurance

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Ridgewood’s Valley Hospital sues over rejection of expansion project

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Ridgewood’s Valley Hospital sues over rejection of expansion project

OCTOBER 3, 2014, 11:53 PM    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2014, 11:56 PM
BY MARY JO LAYTON
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

The Valley Hospital filed suit Friday against the Ridgewood Planning Board for rejecting its proposal to nearly double in size, arguing the board illegally sided with neighborhood opponents rather than permitting an upgrade for “an inherently beneficial regional hospital.”

For Valley, the lawsuit filed in state Superior Court in Hackensack is an attempt to end a protracted and costly stalemate with the village — its expansion plans have been defeated two times in the last four years.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-s-valley-hospital-sues-over-rejection-of-expansion-project-1.1102356#sthash.4G5tiib0.dpuf

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Ridgewood council weighs costs of turf versus grass

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file photo Boyd Loving

Ridgewood council weighs costs of turf versus grass

AUGUST 14, 2014    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014, 3:48 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

Artificial turf appears to cost less to maintain than grass, at least on Maple Field.

According to Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, an estimated $121,500 was spent maintaining the turf on Maple Field during an eight-year period from 2006 to 2014.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-council-weighs-costs-of-turf-versus-grass-1.1067710#sthash.qIgm1R3Q.dpuf

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Turf king endorses Aronsohn, Hauck and Puciarell criticizes police and firemen, attacking salary and benefits

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Turf king endorses Aronsohn, Hauck and Puciarell criticizes police and firemen, attacking salary and benefits

TAKEN FROM THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG (Archived ) You should read the whole article.

From 2009-2010 Brian Abdoo repeatedly endorsed the multi-million dollar controversial turf projects at Stadium and Stevens fields. As we all know the turf has been an unmitigated disaster resulting in Ridgewood Taxpayers incurring the burden of costly repairs

Found it! Posted May 7, 2012.

https://theridgewoodblog.net/turf-king-endorses-aronsohn-hauck-and-puciarell-criticizes-police-and-firemen-attacking-salary-and-benefits/

Turf king endorses Aronsohn, Hauck and Puciarell criticizes police and firemen, attacking salary and benefits

Moments ago, after a long day at work I sat down to review my personal emails, check school info and sports emails, kids schedule, etc. In the mix was an email from Brian Abdoo who I know from a number of sports programs my kids are involved in. I began reading the Abdoo’s endorsement of candidates, Aronsohn, Hauck and Puciarelli. The more I read the sicker I became. Abdoo has thoroughly disgusted me with his hypocritical rhetoric.

From 2009-2010 Brian Abdoo repeatedly endorsed the multi-million dollar controversial turf projects at Stadium and Stevens fields. As we all know the turf has been an unmitigated disaster resulting in Ridgewood Taxpayers incurring the burden of costly repairs.

Now, this same Brian Abdoo wants to express concern over taxes? He attempts to peddle Paul Aronsohn’s gimmicky zero based budgeting. Even my 6th grader understands built-in inherent cost increases. Abdoo states he wants more transparency and Village Council should “open the books”. The fact that Brian Abdoo is ignorant should not persuade anyone to his argument. Brian, the books are open. They are a matter of public record and are available for anyone to review. Brian, feel free to visit APP DataUniverse if there is anything you need to know. However, Mr. Abdoo, while doing your research you likely will not find the value of your candidate Aronsohn’s health care costs, at village taxpayer expense, for the past four years. Mr. Abdoo, while Mr. Aronsohn is busy telling you he wants to help Ridgewood Taxpayers, he has been busy helping himself for four years
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Brian Abdoo proceeds to attack our police and firemen, attacking their salary and benefits. If this is such a concern why on earth would he support Aronsohn who voted for each and every raise, and contract , pertaining to the police & fire department. Maybe he prefers regionalized police and fire departments like Hauck and Puciarelli. Hauck announced the savings for each village taxpayer during the debate: a whopping $ 285 each! For that money I will sleep better at night with Village police and firemen.

Abdoo professes the revitalization of Ridgewood downtown and how committed each of his threesome is to this goal. Mr. Abdoo, Paul Aronsohn is the Council liaison to the Chamber of Commerce. What has he been doing for the past four years? Shopping at the mall? And Hauck and Puciarelli prefer a more urbanized Ridgewood. If they want urbanization let them move to Hoboken.

Best for last, Abdoo states each of these candidates is committed to helping Valley and residents to negotiate a compromise to allow for expansion. For goodness sake, Brian, where has Al Puciarelli been? He has been a member of the planning board forever. Hauck didn’t speak of compromise when she endorsed the massive expansion, as is, over and over again. Valley Hospital is not interested in compromise. The only time that was suggested by Valley was at the last Village Council hearing. Audrey Meyers, seeing the writing on the wall, begged council to hold off their vote so Valley could develop a compromise. Seriously, where was the compromise for six years?

Mr. Abdoo, reconsider and bullet for Killion and Shinizuka before we are in another turf-like drowning mess attributable to the likes of you.

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Reader says it only fair that the Sports Groups step up and contribute to maintenance and depreciation of the turf fields

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file photo Boyd Loving

Reader says it only fair that the Sports Groups step up and contribute to maintenance and depreciation of the turf fields 

If the sports clubs have gotten so much value out of the fields, I would think it only fair that they step up and contribute to maintenance and depreciation. It shouldn’t always be the VC or BOE (the rest of us). Given that maintenance seems to be running about $100K year and depreciation another $200K for $1.5M to replace the carpets after a flood-shortened 7 year life, the sports clubs should be contributing on the order of $100K.

Raise dues if you have to — it’s part of the true cost of doing business.

And did they ever contribute everything they had promised for the lights?

Microsoft Store

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Post storm conditions at artificial turf fields, Ridgewood

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Post storm conditions at artificial turf fields, Ridgewood

Ridgewood Nj , Photos taken at Maple Field, Stevens Field, and the Ridgewood High School Stadium on08/03/2014.

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Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving

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Readers Say Turf Fields Exacerbate Village Flooding

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Photos By Boyd Loving

Readers Say Turf Fields Exacerbate Village Flooding 

Is seems ever time it rans now , significance damage is done to our playing fields and Village property .
We were told the turf fie;ds would drain faster , well yes they sure do but the water still needs some place to go like the Village Hall , the Ridgewood library .
Since the Village Hall Rebuilding Fiasco  , and the addition of turf fields along the Ho Ho Kus brook the 50 year flood has now become an almost yearly event .
Is it time to recognize the damage to the environment all this turf is doing  ?
The problem is not just the fields at Stevens ,Maple and the RHS Stadium but the many turf fields all along the banks of our rivers all over Bergen County . Again the water needs some place to go .
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Photos By Boyd Loving

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Maple Park flooded over into Meadowbrook on Aug. 1

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photo by Boyd Loving

Maple Park flooded over into Meadowbrook on Aug. 1.

Police had to direct traffic. I was part of the directed traffic on my way home from the library. It was scary and dangerous driving through the flooded street. That’s why the police had to be called out.

I was coming home from the library where my shoes and socks and pants had gotten soaking wet as I had to wade to my car, in leg deep water. Note: Not ankle deep; leg deep, above the ankles.

Before Maple Field was turned artificial, REAC had done a report stating that artificial turf is safe for Maple field and good for the environment.

If the rains had continued the new village hall and new library would have been flooded.

Flooding was not supposed to occur there. Supposedly Ridgewood engineering experts had designed the buildings to prevent flooding.

You know what, the members of REAC should pay to have the artificial truf (grass) removed from Maple Field and real, mother nature’s grass
replanted.

Trust me as they say: The kids will profit by playing on real grass.

I don’t trust you, experts.

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