Tag: Roberta Sonenfeld

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Village of Ridgewood Leaves and Snow Update November 26th

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Village of Ridgewood Leaves and Snow Update November 26th

Dear Residents.

I want to give you another quick update on the status of our leaf collection.  We are currently experiencing equipment malfunctions with our sweepers and leaf vacs causing us to have to slow down in our leaf removal efforts.  The good news, however, is that yesterday, we hit an all-time record of picking up 2,000 cu. yds. of leaves in one day! This beats our previous record of 1,500 cu. yds. from last year, and represents a determined effort to meet our schedule given the weather predictions for today.

Also, we are now in the process of switching over to snow removal mode (e.g. putting plows on vehicles) which will also have an impact on our leaf collection today.

While it has been our intent to meet our leaf pick up schedule before the Thanksgiving holiday, we may not be able to do so due to these new weather conditions.  We will resume normal collection after the holiday.

In addition, if snow and icy conditions continue on Friday, I would like to ask residents on the East Side to please bring your garbage to the curb for collection.

Wishing you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Best regards,

Roberta Sonenfeld

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VILLAGE LEAF REMOVAL

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file photo Boyd Loving

VILLAGE LEAF REMOVAL

 

Dear Residents,


Just wanted to provide you with another update on how our leaf collection season is going.


We have picked up 13,933 cubic yards of leaves so far this season; in 2013 the total number was 35,967 cubic yards so we still have a bit to go.


Most of our resident comments still relate to the schedule; I am including the schedule below, and as a reminder – if we get to your area earlier than we have indicated, we will be back.

 
The number of resident complaints is down significantly year over year  Our most significant number of complaints over the previous two seasons was that we left a mess and didn’t clean up.  This was a valid resident complaint as we stopped using rakers the last two seasons; the rakers are back and we believe that it is making a huge difference.  We are also getting some kudos on the level of communication and the quality of the work.

 
The fact that the season is running better also has to do with each of you; following guidelines on what can be in the piles, as well as keeping the streets open so that we can work, makes us all more effective.


Leaf Collection Schedule:

Area A   Dec. 1-5
Area B   Nov. 24-28, Dec. 11-17
Area C   Dec. 8-12
Area D   Nov. 20-26, Dec. 15-19


Best regards, 

Roberta Sonenfeld

Village Manager
201-670-5500, ext. 203

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Ridgewood’s manager settling into new role

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file photo Boyd Loving

Ridgewood’s manager settling into new role

AUGUST 18, 2014    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2014, 1:25 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

In her first four months as Ridgewood’s new village manager, resident Roberta Sonenfeld has struck a different tone in local government, with the help of her private sector background and eager-to-learn, hands-on approach to the job.

Sonenfeld has already had one-on-one meetings with more than 60 village employees from several departments, including health, fire, police and finance, with plans to meet with all roughly 270 individuals who work in village government.

“I think the morale is improving. I think that she took the time to meet with everyone and find out what’s needed, what’s happening,” said Supervisor of Health Dawn Cetrulo, who has already had her one-on-one with Sonenfeld. “I think she’s listening. She’s talking to each of us and making a lot of changes, a lot of positive change.”

“We (recently) had a staff meeting,” added Cetrulo, “and you could just tell that the feeling in the room was positive. It was a nice experience.”

The public has experienced a difference, too: Sonenfeld brought brownies to this Wednesday’s council meeting.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-s-manager-settling-into-new-role-1.1069246#sthash.yTMmsaxP.dpuf

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Readers say Honeymoon over for the New Village manager

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Readers say Honeymoon Over for the New Village manager 

I knew someone would get around to blaming Gabbert. Its not the council fault when something goes wrong. They only take the credit when something goes right and that is far and few.

This is the same Roberta Sonenfeld who was getting such praise when she was appointed.Looks like the “partisan hack” criticism was all true .

So what your saying is that are new hand pick Village Manager didn’t notify the Council because the past Village Manager had an arranged it that way. Really. A Village Manage with any background on that intersection should have brought it to the Council especially when they live on the West Side and should be familiar with that route. This is not on the job training. Next you are going to tell us that our mayor is going to use a page from our president book. “I only found out about this when he watched the news.” Please

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Over the Top Hype Surounds New Village Manager

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Over the Top Hype Surounds New Village Manager 

Ridgewood’s new administrator gets a running start

APRIL 6, 2014    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Her official first day was Monday, but Roberta Sonenfeld got a head start as Ridgewood’s new village manager three weeks ago.

Sonenfeld, a 17-year village resident and the first woman to hold the village’s top administrative office, said she “wanted to hit the ground running.” So, following her appointment in mid-March, she started meeting one-on-one with several of the village’s directors.

“We discussed anything that they wanted to talk about,” Sonenfeld said, including any “outstanding issues or concerns” they had.

“I also attended all of the departmental budget reviews, and met with our attorney for an update on all important legal issues,” said Sonenfeld, 59, who has three decades of experience in upper management for several financial institutions.

Sonenfeld has already met with Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan and Bergen County Administrator Ed Trawinski, and “agreed that the answer to stemming the tide of higher and higher property taxes is for each municipality to do things differently than we are doing them today and to engage the county where it makes sense,” the new manager said.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/town-s-new-manager-gets-running-start-1.842518#sthash.vkkwNTF4.dpuf

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Ridgewood village manager gets a head start on new job

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Ridgewood village manager gets a head start on new job

APRIL 2, 2014, 11:50 AM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014, 11:50 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Her official first day was Monday, but Roberta Sonenfeld got a head start as Ridgewood’s new village manager three weeks ago.

Sonenfeld, a 17-year village resident and the first woman to hold the village’s top administrative office, said on Tuesday she “wanted to hit the ground running.” So, following her appointment in mid-March, she started meeting one-on-one with several of the village’s various directors.

“We discussed anything that they wanted to talk about,” Sonenfeld said, including any “outstanding issues or concerns” they had.

“I also attended all of the departmental budget reviews, and met with our attorney for an update on all important legal issues,” said Sonenfeld, 59, who has three decades of prior experience as upper management for several different financial institutions.

Sonenfeld has already met with Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan and Bergen County Administrator Ed Trawinski, and “agreed that the answer to stemming the tide of higher and higher property taxes is for each municipality to do things differently than we are doing them today and to engage the county where it makes sense,” the new manager said.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-village-manager-gets-a-head-start-on-new-job-1.839744#sthash.RH0zdbl6.dpuf

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New Ridgewood manager to oversee Parking Utility to prevent future thefts

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New Ridgewood manager to oversee Parking Utility to prevent future thefts

APRIL 2, 2014, 9:39 PM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014, 9:39 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — The new village manager said she would temporarily oversee the Parking Utility to protect future thefts of money after an employee stole nearly half-million dollars in coins over two years.

Roberta Sonenfeld also called for “independent reviews of each of the areas where we accept cash and checks to insure proper controls are in place.”

The move comes after Thomas Rica admitted last month sneaking handfuls of quarters out of the parking meter coin storage room. Rica, who was working as the village’s public works inspector, did not have authorization to be in the room, but carried a master key because of his job duties. He was later fired and struck a plea deal last month with prosecutors that will see him repay the entire amount — $460,000 — in monthly increments of at least $2,000.

Rica will be sentenced in June to five year’s probation, under the terms of the deal; he will avoid serving any prison time.

Sonenfeld, who started as village manager earlier this week, told the village council at its meeting Wednesday night a forensic review of Ridgewood’s financials should occur soon.

An independent review, analyzing the way the village manages its parking meter revenues, will also be undertaken, she added.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/new-ridgewood-manager-to-oversee-parking-utility-to-prevent-future-thefts-1.840084#sthash.pfY3khAv.dpuf

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Reader says , either she is a political hack, or she isn’t. Nothing I can say will cause her to change her stripes.

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Roberta Sonenfeld , Village Manager

Reader says , either she is a political hack, or she isn’t. Nothing I can say will cause her to change her stripes.

From what I’ve seen of Ms. Sonenfeld’s background, she may have a left-of-center political perspective, which I regret, but she’s solid in other areas. I might say that people should be more moderate, or at least more thoughtful, in their statements, though, particularly if they are in a position to be asked to take a non-partisan position that obliges them to serve people of all kinds, faithfully and without bias or prejudice. But in the heat of a political campaign, things get said, both in letters-to-the-editor (Sonenfeld) AND in response to a reporter’s question (Lonegan) that could be phrased better and that don’t necessarily prove that the person has a ‘dark heart.’

She looks like nobody’s fool. I like the fact that she lives in Ridgewood. The last VM had split municipal loyalties (which caused problems during the aftermath of a big storm), and a regional political reputation to cultivate that had nothing to do with Ridgewood. I say this even though I might have had more in common with the earlier VM politically.

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Roberta Sonenfeld – In her own words

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Roberta Sonenfeld – In her own words

Ridgewood Village Voices: Roberta Sonenfeld

Friday, May 24, 2013
The Ridgewood News

Occupation and volunteer positions: I have my own management consulting business; vice president of the Ridgewood Education Foundation; secretary of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County; Ridgewood Historical Society board member.

MARION BROWN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Buy or license this photo
Roberta Sonenfeld, a village resident for 16 years, adjusts the vintage wedding dress on exhibit at the Schoolhouse Museum.

Age: 58.

How long I have lived in Ridgewood: 16 years.

Interests and hobbies: Broadway theater, traveling, cooking.

My favorite place to relax in Ridgewood: During spring, summer and fall, hanging in our backyard with friends.

A “perfect day” in Ridgewood would include: Starbucks in the morning followed by a library visit or shopping and topped off by dinner at either Mediterraneo, La Lanterna or Café 37.

The best-kept secret in the village: The Schoolhouse Museum – come visit and see our current exhibit – “The Collection.”

The best thing about Ridgewood: The educational system and the support it has in the community, including the significant contributions that the trustees at the Ridgewood Education Foundation make.

One thing I would like to change in the village: The level of discourse on seemingly divisive issues, e.g. Valley Hospital and Central Business District development.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community/208769971_Ridgewood_Village_Voices__Roberta_Sonenfeld.html?page=all#sthash.MBerzD5S.dpuf