Tag: Ridgewood

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THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA FOR TONIGHT MARCH 28th

village council

file photo by Boyd Loving

20180328 Village Council Work Session
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
MARCH 28, 2018
7:30 P.M.

7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
Roll Call – Village Clerk
Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
5A. Presentation – Special Projects Task Force – Report on SEM Energy Rate Cost Savings
Discussion
Ridgewood Water
Yearly Renewal of Mapping Software – Geographic Information System (GIS)
Parking – None
Budget
Update on Status of New Tub Grinder
Award Contract – Replacement of Interior and Exterior Main Entrance
Doors at Village Hall
Policy – None
Operations
Declare Property Surplus – Miscellaneous Equipment – Police Department
Declare Property Surplus – 1998 Auto Packer – Streets Department
Increase Fees for Correcting State Records
Memorandums of Understanding – Health Department
Planning Board Recommendation for Master Plan Visioning Processing Consultant
Authorize NJDEP Treatment Work Permit Application Processing for Carr Well Facility
Declare Property Surplus – Graydon Pool Inflatable WIBIT Aquatrak
Manager’s Report
Council Reports
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
Resolution to go into Closed Session
Closed Session
Personnel – Boards and Committees
Adjournment

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Pink Bungalow in Ridgewood is Closing

Pink Bungalow Ridgewood

March 27,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood location will be closing it’s doors in 2-3 months. We are having a store wide sale, adding new items and further discounts throughout our closing sale. “We have so many fond memories and dear customers since opening in 2010. Thank you all for your continued support! “Xoxo Patrice

The Montclair location will remain open. Please follow us on Instagram for updates on sale. @pinkbungalow

Pink Bungalow Ridgewood
185 E. Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood NJ 07450
201-444-2918

Pink Bungalow Upper Montclair
617 Valley Road
Upper Montclair NJ 07043
973-337-5371

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Ridgewood Board of Education Misstep to Cost Taxpayers

tradition of excellence

 

March 27,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, despite many assurances the decision more than a year ago to move Ridgewood Schools to an all-day kindergarten format may finally catch up with residents to the tune of a $500,000 tax increase this year.

During that time there was heavy debate as to the value of full day kindergarten ,which seemed to amount to no more than a convenience for parents personal schedules.  Lately the schools have been under pressure due to a well publicized bullying incident , falling academic rankings and use of school time for administration sponsored protests .

This is looking like another poor decision by the Ridgewood BOE is going to cost Ridgewood ‘s over taxed residents .

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PARCC Tests May Finally be On the Way Out

SAT

March 27,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, One bright spot in education policy changes . Governor Murphy told audiences during his campaign that he would end PARCC tests “day one,” a promise that could not be kept due to state and federal requirements to use assessments to measure student progress and evaluate schools.  It would be unrealistic to think that PARCC assessments would be eliminated this spring with no plan to replace these state tests.  Acting Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet issued a memo on March 6 to school districts informing them that he will establish an advisory group to study the next generation of assessments and schedule a listening tour to meet with students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members in every county.

Commissioner Repollet affirmed his commitment to transition away from the PARCC tests and to improve NJ’s assessments. Understanding that this will take time, the PARCC tests will be administered this spring as planned.

Repollet stated that “ There are many issues to take into consideration when transitioning an assessment system, including the amount of time needed to procure a new vender, the fiscal and operational impact of assessments, and continued alignment of our NJ Student Learning Standards.  Additionally, as state and federal law require all states to use assessments as one method to gauge and compare progress of students and student groups and to evaluate how schools support learning, we need to ensure our next generation of assessments provides a fair and accurate picture of student progress towards the mastery of the skills we expect them to achieve.”

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Ridgewood Schools: Update on Spring Recess changes

Snow Blizzard of 2016 Ridgewood CBD

File photo by Boyd Loving

Update on Spring Recess changes:
March 26, 2018
Dear Parent or Guardian,
Although I hope this is the last time I need to write to you about emergency closing days, unfortunately, I must report that last week’s spring snowstorm and subsequent emergency closing requires that our schools be open on Thursday, April 12, during Spring Recess. This change is in addition to the previously announced date that schools will be also open on Friday, April 13.
Making the decision to close schools for weather-related events is never easy. Aside from the various meteorological scenarios that can cause a tricky weather forecast, there are also factors such as declared states of emergency by our governor that must be taken into account.
The two most recent nor’easters are good examples of the challenge of calling a school emergency closing. Based on the best predictions and fairly consistent forecasts across the channels that Ridgewood would receive significant snow and high winds, and also factoring in the state of emergency declared by Governor Murphy, there was no option but to close our schools. Frustrating as it may be, in many ways we were fortunate that the storm paths veered slightly from the predicted models, sparing us potential loss of power, felled trees and downed wires that are real issues for our Village.
Enjoy the upcoming long weekend, as we will be closed March 29 and 30 and then closed again for Spring Recess on April 9, 10, 11 but open on April 12 and 13.
Sincerely yours,
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D
Superintendent of Schools

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UPDATE ON SPECIAL PICKUP – TREE LIMBS AND BRANCHES, RESTORATION OF CORSA TERRACE STAIRS, AND OTHER INFORMATION

Village of Ridgewood's Water Pollution Control and Signal Bureau facilities Blocked by Fallen Tree

file photo by Boyd Loving

March 27,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Village Manager Heather Mailander issued a few updates on Monday, first the Parks and Street Departments are finishing Section A (using the leaf pickup schedule) today, March 26th, for the Special Pickup for the tree limbs/branches, due to the fact that the volume in Section A was greater than expected. Pickup in Section B will begin tomorrow, March 27th, and once all streets in Section B have been picked up, the crews will then move on to Section C, and then Section D. Please be patient, as our crews work to remove the many tree limbs and branches which fell during the March 7th storm.

As a reminder, the crews will remove the limbs and branches from every street in each section only once and after this pickup has taken place, there will be no additional pickups for these tree limbs and branches.

Also the restoration work on the stairs from Corsa Terrace to Pease Library will begin tomorrow, on March 27th, weather permitting. The stairs will be closed during this restoration work, which means that pedestrians must walk down Corsa Terrace to West Ridgewood Avenue while the work is being done. This restoration work will continue on a daily basis (excluding weekends), weather permitting. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

All Village offices will be closed on March 30th, in observance of Good Friday. There will be no garbage or recycling pickup on this day and the Recycling Center will also be closed. The Police Department, on the second floor of Village Hall, will be open on this Holiday.

Please share this information with your neighbors.

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Reader says The Catholic laity still desperately need true spiritual leadership but the same is becoming harder and harder to find in any given diocese

Our_Lady_of_Mount_Carme_l Church_theridgewoodblog

Many, many Catholic faithful are not complicit in the least with the moral depravity among the priests. They remain faithful and are further growing in their faith, but are sadly struggling to hear the shepherd’s voice. The baneful influence of the Modernist heresy seeks to rot the faith from the inside out until the whole structure of the institutional Church can appear to outsiders to be at risk of collapse. The moral misbehavior of bishops and cardinals is a symptom of this modernist-fomented rot and should therefore never be considered in isolation from other such symptoms if one seeks to understand the true plight of the church. The Catholic laity still desperately need true spiritual leadership but the same is becoming harder and harder to find in any given diocese. The public weaknesses of many of our prelates really do tend to scandalize the faithful and cause many to turn away from the faith. It’s a shame but it takes time to recover with backsliding always being a possibility (or a present reality).

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Reader Calls 3 Amigo Puppets a “toxic mix “

3 amigos

file photo by Boyd Loving

Voting Knudsen. like her and trust her. Sonenfeld was bad for village and she’s lying to get her job back. Be very careful before you know it you’ll be bowing to the toxic mix of Village Manager Sonenfeld, Mayor Voight and two aronsohm Hauck puppets named Willett and Harwin. Vagianos is salivating to bring back the huge garage and Delzio is warming up the bulldozer to clear cut the schwdler.

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Reader says In five years Ridgewood will be unrecognizable and a very crowded unpleasant place to live.

Sealfons-rendering

Don’t you get it. Ridgewood is already ruined. I know the four multi family monstrosities are not yet built. But they will be. In five years Ridgewood will be unrecognizable and a very crowded unpleasant place to live. And what about the unintended consequences of the four apt. complexes; water problems, sewage problems, crime; dangerous streets from too many vehicles, noise , vehicle pollution.
It doesn’t matter who wins this election. The damage is done. Your taxes will sky rocket most likely; the profit from renting the apts. will not cover the new problems.

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Reader says Aronsohn’s puppets will just pick up where they left off

aronsohn

As I said previously, we have no candidates with new ideas running. Sedon and Susan may have done nothing visible but push the garage that no-one wants anymore, but they haven’t done too much actual damage to Ridgewood. Aronsohn’s puppets will just pick up where they left off. That means that they will promote even more outlandish development in town, and may revert to that huge garage when basically we don’t want any. Everyone who cares at all about Ridgewood, or who plans to live here a few more years MUST VOTE. If you can’t stomach voting for any of them, you still must vote. Otherwise Aronson’s people will be a shoe in as they will be the only ones to draw the voters. If you stay home, you choose the puppets because they will win by default. All you can do this time is to vote for the current council and then spend some time finding someone with the kind of knowledge we need to lead this town.

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Reader says To wait for the perfect candidate would be to abdicate from your civic responsibility

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

FOUR years later. And from a disgraced former village manager who created an HR position for one pal from Bergen Leads and more or less gave the house at Habernickel to another for low rent who is now running roughshod over the neighborhood while absorbing endless village services. She should talk! As for not voting, that is a copout. I could not count how many times in my life I have voted for the lesser o two, three, or more evils. It is never true that all candidates are alike. If you must, choose the ones you dislike the most, hold your nose, and vote for the others. More Aronsohn acolytes on the council would be a disaster as Voigt voted with them and created another “council majority” to do Aronsohn’s bidding. To wait for the perfect candidate would be to abdicate from your civic responsibility.

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Readers Favor Smaller Garage that Would fit the Footprint of the Hudson Street lot

Hudson garage

The Ridgewood Blog Polls :

VOTE NOW!
Thank you for voting!
Would You be In Favor of a Smaller Garage that fit the Footprint of the Hudson Street lot

Yes 64.76%
No 35.24%

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In Wall Street Journal Op Ed Cardinal Dolan says Democrats have abandoned Catholics

Timothy-Dolan

March 25,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New York New York, In an a scathing op-ed published Friday in the Wall Street Journal, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York lamented that the Democratic Party’s shifting principles have effectively shut out and alienated orthodox Catholics.

Dolan cited the Democrat’s current opposition to school choice programs and tax credits for education, along with their unwavering support for abortion rights, among the reasons why he is disappointed with the party in its current state. Dolan said believes that the Democrats of today have abandoned many of the tenets that made the party attractive to Catholics generations ago.

Dolan was particularly critical of a proposed New York law titled the “Reproductive Health Act,” which he says would “morbidly expand” the “most radical abortion license in the country.” The New York State Assembly is overwhelmingly Democrat.

“For instance, under the proposed Reproductive Health Act, doctors would not be required to care for a baby who survives an abortion. The newborn simply would be allowed to die without any legal implications,” wrote Dolan.

What’s more, Dolan explained, is that he feels the Democrats are making it harder for low and middle-class children to get an education at a Catholic school.

“In recent years, some Democrats in the New York state Assembly repeatedly blocked education tax credit legislation, which would have helped middle-class and low-income families make the choice to select Catholic or other nonpublic schools for their children,” said Dolan. The cardinal said this type of legislation impedes the mission of these schools to serve poor, often immigrant, children.

Dolan admitted that while he has “ had spats and disappointments” with politicians from both major political parties in the United States, he is particularly upset by the Democratic Party’s swing in a direction that excludes people like his grandmother.

“But,” he said. “It saddens me, and [it] weakens the democracy millions of Americans cherish, when the party that once embraced Catholics now slams the door on us.”

The Cardinal, 68, said DNC Chairman Tom Perez insisted in 2016 that pro-life candidates have no place in the modern Democratic Party.

“The ‘big tent’ of the Democratic Party now seems a pup tent,” he said.

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A “West Side” Easter in Ridgewood

A "West Side" Easter in Ridgewood

March 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce is hosting the annual Easter in Ridgewood Event on Saturday, 3/31. The Easter Egg Hunt and Photos with the Easter bunny will be provided in Memorial Park. Saturday, March 31 at 8 AM – 6 PM.

? Lora Celli Salon 39 Godwin Ave, will be providing a safe and fun environment for families and children of all ages with music, CAKE-POPS, Spring inspired Hair styles for parents and children and give-aways all day! All guests will be eligible for in-store discounts on services and products! Call 201.882.1100 to book or walk-in!

? Whole Foods Market- 44 Godwin Ave: Food tastings throughout the entire store, feast while you shop for your Easter Dinner!

? SMOKED BBQ- 2 Godwin Ave: Award winning BBQ on Godwin Ave will be providing tasty treats for the entire family, make sure you stop by and fill up!

Easter In The Park – Weather Permitting
Sat, March 31, 2018
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Memorial Park, E. Ridgewood Ave., Van Neste Square-Business District
Event Description

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce presents its annual Easter in Ridgewood 2018!

11am-2pm Easter Bunny arrives – weather permitting. Families can take pictures with the East Bunny.

11:15am Ben & Jerry’s sponsoring their famous
Easter Egg Hunt for 4-7 year old children.

This traditional event will take place in
Memorial Park at Van Neste Square and
E. Ridgewood Avenue.

We need to thank our Chambers member
who have sponsored this event:
BEN & JERRY’S
CONNECTONE BANK
FREEDOM BANK
HEALTHBARNUSA
PARK WEST TAVERN & LOFT
PINOT’S PALETTE
PRECISION ORTHODONTICS
SANTONI’S PIZZERIA
THE PEARL
ZOOMRIDES

In the park – fun provided by:
Al Price Toys, Feel Your Best Coach, Boiling Springs Savings Bank, Brainstorm Learning, Clemente Orthodontics, Corefire, Curtain Up Studios, Doctor’s Urgent Care, Freshcoat Painting, HoHoKus Livning, Little Nest Portraits, LINK Concierge, LuLaRoe, Riverside Medical Group, MassMutual, New York Life, Piano Workshop Bergen Co., Primerose, Racefaster, Ridgewood Party Rental, Ridgewood YMCA, Spiva Spa, Taekowndo All In, YWCA of Bergen County, House of Glam, Racefaster, The Fitness Academy, Whole Foods,

In the park you will have fun with the Easter Egg Hunt, please children 4-7 years old only.

FOR ALL AGES -With your cameras, we will help you take pictures of the children with the Easter Bunny. Dress them up to meet and greet.

Also in the park, there will be music, fun games arts and crafts and much more

as we get closer there will be more stores participating…check later

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Annual Knights of Columbus OLMC St. Patrick’s Dinner

Annual Knights of Columbus OLMC St

photos courtesy of Village mayor Susan Knudsen

March 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen along with deputy Mayor Mike Sedon and Councilmen Ramon Hache at the annual Knights of Columbus OLMC St. Patrick’s Dinner. The event featured Irishman, bagpipes, Irish Step, Irish line dancing, Danny Boy, Corned beef and cabbage!

An Old Irish Blessing: May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.