Posted on 14 Comments

Reader says the Former Village Manager did not follow the standard procedures and signed a contract without proper approval from the Village Council

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

I too read the minutes from the March 2015 minutes. I got a completely different take on the iissue than Ms. Willet. It is clear from the transcript that Roberta was pushing for the deal,with ParkMobile. Boyd Loving’s comments and concerns were stated at that meeting and Roberta was extremely dismissive. As VM/ CFO she was responsible for the process and failed miserably as the Council was not made aware ,not to mention the public , of the overall cost of this contract with the village. Where was the resolution that talked of the additional credit card fees? This should have come before the council. Where was the FAC? It is not playing the blame game when tax dollars are spent with an absence of a financial analysis of the expenditure in question is not included as part of the final decision. She did not follow the standard procedures and signed a contract without proper approval from the VC.

Posted on 14 Comments

Who Pays for Veterans Field Helicopter Landings

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December 14,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, as the Ridgewood blog reported earlier today the Ridgewood Police, Fire Department , and Emergency Services personnel responded to assist at a medical transport helicopter landing on Wednesday, 12/13 at Veterans Field.
At Wednesdays council meeting resident Boyd Loving stated that lately these “courtesy transfers ”  from Valley Hospital  seem to be a frequent reoccurring event . He made the point that the use of Village services for courtesy transfers should not be paid for by Village taxpayers . Significant Village resources are being deployed and occupied by these transfers .
Loving stated that the Village should pass an ordinance requiring Valley to pay for the use of Village assets with the transport of patients outbound from The Valley Hospital to other facilities.
Posted on 15 Comments

Potential Village Council Candidate says Don’t Play the Blame Game on ParkMobile

janice willett

December 14,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , Janice Willett sounded like she was running for council at Wednesday nights council meeting when she attempted to defend the unethical , gross incompetent and perhaps criminal behavior of he Village’s former manager Roberta Sonenfeld. In her comments she said she was “concerned we are playing the blame game ” . Willett did make a good point pointing out the ridiculousness of pretending no one had previously recognized the fee schemes imposed by ParkMobile and referred to a council meeting on March 11th  where the fees were discussed by the then council and questioned by residents . Willett’s point was that instead of trying to blame one person we should just admit it was a collective drop of the ball .

Nice try while some of her argument makes sense , the fact is the people who were being paid to manage Village finances were once again not doing their job . Making excuses is like making excuses for the previous “meter thief” episode when $800,000 or so of quarters walked out of the Village hall in 50lb bags and “no one saw nothing”.

A reader commented ,” it sounded to me like Janice Willett is planning to run. It also sounded like she was defending Roberta Sonenfeld. Not a good plan. Anyone who defends Roberta does not deserve to be in office. Come on people. Roberta was a disaster.”

While Willetts comments go a long way to blaming the entire previous council ,led by so called the “3 amigos” , who used themselves used the blame game on many occasions .

Like the meter thief as the facts present themselves and it becomes harder and harder to believe that there was just one person involved in this latest scam of Village tax payers.

Posted on 5 Comments

Expect Light Snow for the Morning Commute

snow day

December 14,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, Light snow will continue to fall during the morning commute.Around 1 to potentially 2 inches of snow is forecast. Roadways may
become snow covered which would create slippery conditions.Motorists are urged to use extra caution while traveling this morning.

Light snow will continue through the morning commute. Around 1 to potentially 2 inches of snow is forecast

Posted on 5 Comments

Readers Continue to Comment on the Flagrant Abuse of Power of the Previous Administration in Ridgewood

Ridgewood 3 amigos

So first Roberta and Paul use public funds illegally to influence their stupid parking garage vote. Then we find out that Roberta, under the reign of Paul, has signed a contract that is in direct conflict with the resolution, costing us (according to the CFO last week) upwards of $200,000. Wow, Roberta, you were aces. Thank you so much for the breath of fresh air that you left on our fair town.

Active “vote yes” promotion of the parking garage by elected office holders and village employees was always wrong, wrong, wrong, and NOBODY should be criticized for complaining. Whether they live in Ridgewood or not. This was a thumb in the eye of village residents and a flagrant abuse of the reins of government. The fact that we have neighbors willing go on record with complaints against such behavior is a blessing we don’t always deserve.

Posted on 1 Comment

Valley Hospital patient transported out by medical transport helicopter

ridgewood police

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook Page

December 14,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police, Fire Department , and Emergency Services personnel responded to assist at a medical transport helicopter landing on Wednesday, 12/13 at Veterans Field, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. The transport involved a patient outbound from The Valley Hospital to an out of state facility.

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GOP leaders cut a deal Wednesday on a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s tax laws

1040taxirs_010415getty

December 14,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, House and Senate GOP leaders cut a deal Wednesday on a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s tax laws, paving the way for final votes next week to slash taxes for businesses and give many Americans modest tax cuts starting next year. While some deduction were eliminated or curtailed , the standard deduction was doubled .

Here is what we know so far , the agreement would set the top individual rate at 37 percent, down from today’s 39.6 percent. The corporate rate would come down to 21% down from the highest in the world 35 % and would take effect in 2018.The deal is also expected to eliminate the alternative minimum tax for corporations.

House and Senate negotiators finally agreed to expand the deduction for state and local taxes and to allow individuals to deduct $10,000 in property taxes. A change important to residents in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey ,California and Connecticut, but probably not enough to offset other cuts for certain types of wage earnings and will adversely impact towns like Ridgewood.

Among the other tax breaks, negotiators also agreed to let homeowners retain some of the mortgage interest deduction on the first $750,000 of a new mortgage, down from the current limit of $1 million.

From what we see so far it appears the changes favor entrepreneurs over wage slaves .

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Ridgewood Art Institute Hosts their Annual Member’s Holiday Show and Sale

Ridewood Art Institute

photo courtesy of the RAI

Tue, December 19, 2017
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Ridgewood Art Institute, 12 East Glen Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Art Institute is home to many talented artists. We welcome you to visit us and view our Annual Members’ Holiday Show and Sale, usually featuring over 150 pieces of beautiful artwork. In addition, this year we are also including a Small Works Fundraising Exhibition with pieces priced at $150, all proceeds benefit The Ridgewood Art Institute.

What better way to kick off the Holiday Season, than to meet our artists and other art enthusiasts in a festive setting? Please join us for our opening reception on Sunday, November 19, 2017 from 1-4 pm. Work will be on view daily from 11am-3pm till December 24th, 2017.

Art makes a unique gift that can be treasured for a lifetime. Also, your gift helps support this fine institution, which is a gift to so many.

Members are invited to enter two original works to be exhibited in a festive holiday setting.

The Holiday show will include a special Small Works Fundraising Exhibition**.

Members are invited to donate a framed 8” x 10” painting. All proceeds will go to support RAI.

Receiving: Monday – Tuesday, November 13th- 14th

Pick-Up: Monday – Thursday, January 2nd – 5th, 2018

** Receiving/hanging/pick-up dates are same

for Small Works and Members’ Holiday Show

Posted on 22 Comments

Reader says The complaint was NOT filed by a group of dissatisfied residents. It was filed by John Paff, who is an open-government activist who does not live in Ridgewood

Ridgewood News

Evan Weitz –Aren’t you an attorney? Somewhat educated? Well., let’s see. The complaint was NOT filed by a group of dissatisfied residents. Nope. It was filed by John Paff, who is an open-government activist who does not live in Ridgewood. As an attorney, which you purport to be, you ought to get the FACTS straight. The Local Finance Board found Aronsohn and Sonenfeld GUILTY of using public funds to promote their own agenda. The size of the fine is meaningless – the fact is, they were found guilty, and rightly so. Mr. Weitz, you ran a (thankfully) failed attempt to get elected in Ridgewood. So we know now that you are NOT an advocate of the people. You, as a resident, do not care that your tax dollars were used to promote one side of a referendum question. You will never get elected, I hope you know that. Never. You come from the same poison well as Sonenfeld and Aronsohn. Done.

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2017 8:00 P.M.

Ridgewood Village Council

file photo by Boyd Loving

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2017 8:00 P.M.

  1. Call to Order – Mayor
  1. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
  1. Roll Call – Village Clerk
  1. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
  1. Acceptance of Financial Reports
  1. Approval of Minutes
  1. Proclamations

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over – 2017 Year End     Holiday Statewide Crackdown

 

  1. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3           minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)
  1. Village Manager’s Report
  1. Village Council Reports
  1. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER

NONE

  1. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER

NONE

  1. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-372 THROUGH

17-379 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL.  THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

 17-372    Title 59 Approval – Line Stop and Valve                Insertion Services – Approves the plans and            specifications for Line Stop and Valve                 Insertion Services prepared by the Ridgewood           Water Department, pursuant to Title 59

17-373    Award Contract – Line Stop and Valve                   Insertion Services (NTE $100,000) – Awards             the first year of a two-year contract to the           lowest responsible bidder, Carner Brothers,           10 Steel Court, Roseland, NJ

17-374    Title 59 Approval – Water Billing and Data              Collection/Processing Services – Approves the           plans and specifications for Water Billing             and Data Collection Services prepared by the               Ridgewood Water Department, pursuant to Title          59

17-375    Award Contract – Water Billing and Data                Collection/Processing Services (NTE                    $237,395/year) – Awards the first year of a            three-year contract to the sole responsible              bidder, Computil, Inc., 30 Controls Drive,              Shelton, CT

17-376    Award Contract Under State Contract –                  Emergency Generators (NTE $100,291.65) –               Awards a contract under State Contract to             United Rentals, 222 Bergen Turnpike,                Ridgefield Park, NJ

17-377    Award Professional Services Contract –                 Evaluation of Water Quality (NTE $170,000) –            Awards a no-bid Professional Services                    Contract to Mott MacDonald, 111 Wood Avenue               South, Iselin, NJ. The required Pay to Play               forms have been filed with the Village                 Clerk’s Office.

17-378    Authorize Change Order #1 – Professional               Services for Lafayette Reservoir Improvements         (NTE $5,000) – Authorizes Change Order #1 to            the original low bidder, H2M Associates,               Inc., 119 Cherry Hill Road, Parsippany, NJ.             This change order is necessary due to                  remediation recommendations for the                 deteriorating inside of the reservoir dome.

17-379    Authorize Change Order #1 – SCADA System               Software (NTE $14,944.96) – Authorizes Change         Order #1 to the original low bidder, Emerson               Process Management Power and Water Solution,               200 Beta Drive, Pittsburgh, PA. This change             order is necessary due to additional                   software licenses needed for the Ridgewood            Water Department and the Village Water                 Pollution Control Facility.

  1. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION

3626 – Amend White Collar Salary Ordinance – Amends            Ordinance No. 3608 to make minor adjustments to           the previously adopted White Collar salary             ordinance

3627 – Amend Blue Collar Salary Ordinance – Amends        Ordinance No. 3607 to make minor adjustments to          the previously adopted Blue Collar salary             ordinance

3628 – Amend Management Salary Ordinance – Amends             Ordinance No. 3620 to make minor adjustments to           the previously adopted Management salary               ordinance

3629 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – CBD          Employee Parking – Cottage Place Lot – Restores          15 parking spaces to general parking by              eliminating 15 CBD Employee Parking spaces in          the Cottage Place lot

3630 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –              Prohibit Overweight and Over Length Vehicles –           Glenwood Road – Prohibits vehicles in excess of           22 feet in length and 10,000 pounds in Gross            Vehicle Weight on Glenwood Road, from Upper             Boulevard to the Ho-Ho-Kus municipal boundary

  1. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING

3623 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –             Establish Stop Signs at Cliff Street and First            Street

3624 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –             Establish Stop Signs at Various Locations at        Intersections with West End Avenue

3625 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development –          Allow Certain Illuminated Interior Signs in           the Central Business District

  1. RESOLUTIONS

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-380 THROUGH

17-411 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL.  THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

17-380    Approve 2018 Village Cash Management Plan –            Annual resolution which approves the Cash           Management Plan and Policy.  This Cash                Management Plan is to be used as a guide for           Village officials when depositing and                  investing the Village’s funds.   

17-381    Designate Official Newspapers for 2018 –               Annual resolution which designates The Record         and the Ridgewood News, and the USA Today               Network (the parent company of both                 newspapers) as the official newspapers of the        Village of Ridgewood

17-382    2018 Annual Meetings Statement – Annual                resolution which sets the schedule for the             Village Council Meetings for 2018

17-383    Approve Budget Transfers – Annual resolution            which transfers money in the 2017 budget from       departments which have excess funds to those           departments which do not have adequate funds

17-384    Approve 2018 Temporary Budgets – Approves              the 2018 Temporary Budgets for the General            budget, the Water Utility budget, and the               Parking Utility budget, which will fund               Village operations prior to the adoption of            the 2018 Budget

17-385    Award Contract – Preparation of 2018 Village           Council Meeting Minutes ($8.50/page/NTE         $18,000) – Awards a contract for preparation         of the 2018 Village Council Meeting minutes       to Caitlin Powers, 413 Van Emburgh Avenue,           Ridgewood, NJ as the sole quote

17-386    Title 59 Approval – Leasing of Police                  Vehicles – Approves the plans and                     specifications for 36 Month Lease and Service        Agreement for Two (2) SUVs, Two (2) Sedans,             and One (1) Minivan, as well as Service for            Other Authorized Vehicles Ridgewood Police              Fleet January 1, 2018 through December 31,               2020 for the Village of Ridgewood, prepared            by the Engineering Division, pursuant to                Title 59

17-387    Award Contract – Leasing of Police Vehicles            (NTE $2,335.10/month) – Awards a contract to           the lowest responsible bidder, Enterprise            Fleet Management, Inc., 1550 Route 23, Wayne,         NJ

17-388    Title 59 Approval – Landfill Disposal of               Solid Waste – Approves the plans and                    specifications for Landfill Disposal of Solid         Waste, prepared by the Ridgewood Water                    Department, pursuant to Title 59

17-389    Award Contract – Landfill Disposal of Solid            Waste ($66.95/ton) – Awards a contract for              2018 and 2019 to the lowest responsible                 bidder, IWS Transfer Systems of NJ, Inc, 375            Routes 1 & 9, Jersey City, NJ

17-390    Title 59 Approval – Rental of Two Designated           Parking Spaces on North Broad Street by the          Taxi Stand – Approves the plans and                specifications for Lease of Two (2)               Designated Parking Spaces at North Broad          Street Taxi Stand from the Village of               Ridgewood for One (1) Year Starting January        1, 2018, prepared by the Engineering              Division, pursuant to Title 59

17-391    Award Contract – Rental of Two Designated              Parking Spaces on North Broad Street by the               Taxi Stand – Awards a contract to the sole               bidder, E & K, LLC, 99 Royal Avenue,                    Hawthorne, NJ with payment to the Village of            $2,000 for the 2018 calendar year

17-392    Title 59 Approval – 2018 Recreational Program           Instruction – Approves the plans and                   specifications for Recreational Program                Instruction with the Department of Parks and           Recreation, Contract Year 2018, prepared by             the Ridgewood Recreation Department, pursuant           to Title 59

17-393    Award Contract – 2018 Recreational Program              Instruction – Awards contracts to various              vendors for 2018 recreation programs offered             by the Village of Ridgewood’s Department of            Parks and Recreation

17-394    Title 59 Approval – Poster Display                     Advertising at Train Station Complex –                 Approves the plans and specifications for            Rebid Poster Display Advertising at the                  Village Train Station Complex Specific                  Locations in the Village of Ridgewood,                 prepared by the Engineering Division,                 pursuant to Title 59

17-395    Award Contract – Poster Display Advertising            at Train Station Complex – Awards a contract               to the sole bidder, Intersection Media, LLC,           10 Hudson Yards, 26th Floor, New York, New            York. The Village will receive 60% of the Net           Annual Billings earned by Intersection Media,           LLC.

17-396    Award Contract Under State Contract – Police           Radios (NTE $30,648.50) – Awards a contract              under State Contract to Motorola Solutions,           Inc., c/o Regional Communications, 64 East               Midland Avenue, Paramus, NJ  

17-397    Award Professional Services Contract – Risk             Management Consultants (NTE $60,000) – Awards           a Professional Services contract under a

no-bid contract to Brown and Brown Metro,              LLC, 56 Livingston Avenue, Roseland, NJ. The              hiring of a Risk Management Consultant is           required under the Joint Insurance Fund’s              bylaws.

17-398    Award Professional Services Contract –                 Employee Assistance Program (NTE $5,000) –            Awards a non-exclusive Professional Services              Contract to West Bergen Mental Healthcare,              120 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood, NJ for an               Employee Assistance Program

17-399    Award Professional Services Contract –                 Security Improvements – Phase 1 (NTE                  $143,922) – Awards a no-bid Professional             Services Contract to Secure Watch 24, 70                Moonachie Avenue, Moonachie, NJ. The required           Pay to Play forms have been filed with the               Village Clerk’s Office.

17-400    Endorse Application for Community Development           Block Grant – SHARE, Inc. – 104 Cottage Place       – Air Conditioning Improvements – Confirms            endorsement of a $13,600 CDB grant. This           resolution does not obligate the financial              resources of the Village but will expedite             the expenditure of Community Development              funds.

17-401    Endorse Application for Community Development           Block Grant – Village of Ridgewood – Ridge              Road Ramp – Confirms endorsement of an                  $80,000 CDB grant. This resolution does not            obligate the financial resources of the                Village but will expedite the expenditure of            Community Development funds.

17-402    Endorse Application for Community Development           Block Grant – Family Promise – Sheltering               Programs – Confirms endorsement of a                   $25,000 CDB grant. This resolution does not            obligate the financial resources of the                Village but will expedite the expenditure of            Community Development funds.

17-403    Declare 1998 Ford E-150 Van Surplus – Traffic           & Signal Department – Declares this piece of               equipment surplus and authorizes the Village             Manager to dispose of said property

17-404    Authorize Refund of Portion of Property Taxes           Paid and Cancellation of Real Estate Taxes            for Disabled Veteran – Block 3609, Lot 4 –            Authorizes the Tax Collector to cancel                  property taxes paid on and after August 31,            2017, to a 100% disabled Veteran who has              filed proof of his disability with the Tax             Tax Assessor. Also authorizes the Tax                   Collector to provide for a refund of such              property taxes already paid on and after              August 31, 2017, which amount is $5,929.12.

17-405    Accept Grant Funding from Bergen County                Municipal Alliance Grant – Accepts a                   Municipal Alliance Grant in the amount of              $11,677 for the 2018-2019 program year. This            grant provides for Drug and Alcohol Awareness      Programs for the community.

17-406    Authorize Village Manager to Send Letter to             ParkMobile – Nonrenewal of Contract –                  Authorizes the Village Manager to send a               letter to Parkmobile indicating that the            Village wishes to terminate the current                Agreement with Parkmobile

17-407    Oppose New Beekeeping Regulations – Opposes            the new beekeeping regulations which limits               beekeeping and the number of hives to                 specifically sized lots throughout the State               of New Jersey

17-408    Appoint Health Officer – Appoints Dawn                 Cetrulo as the Health Officer for the Village         of Ridgewood

17-409    Appoint Joint Insurance Fund Commissioner –            Appoints Heather Mailander, Village Manager,               as the JIF Commissioner for 2018

17-410    Appoint Public Agency Compliance Officer               (P.A.C.O) – Designates Heather Mailander,              Village Manager, as the P.A.C.O. for the             Village of Ridgewood for the calendar year            2018

17-411    Endorse Application for Community Development           Block Grant – SHARE, Inc. – 104 Cottage Place       – Boiler Improvement Project – Confirms                    endorsement of a $12,925 CDB grant. This               resolution does not obligate the financial              resources of the Village but will expedite             the expenditure of Community Development              funds.

 

  1. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
  1. Resolution to go into Closed Session
  1. Closed Session
  1. Legal – Water Pollution Control                        Facility/RGRME Project; Ridgewood Water                Lawsuit
  1. Contract Negotiations – Parkmobile
  1. Personnel – Water Department; Performance              Review – Village Manager/Village Clerk
  1. Adjournment
Posted on 7 Comments

2018 RIDGEWOOD PARKING PERMITS GO ON SALE MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2017 at 8:30AM

Ridgewood Trainstation_theridgewoodblog

January – December 2018

Ridgewood Parking Permits – RPP

Hourly meter rates in all Village lots and streets are $.50 per hour from 10AM to 6PM, Monday through Saturday. 3 hour meters on streets & in all lots, except the Cottage Place Lot which has 8 hour meters.

RPP – (Ridgewood Parking Permit) provides ‘coinless’ convenience and can be used for unlimited parking in specified lots.  $750 Annual permits are issued for a calendar year to residents for parking in Chestnut St., N. Walnut St., Cottage Pl., Route 17 Park & Ride Lots. $1,000 Annual Premium RPP will be issued for parking at the Train Station, and all other Ridgewood Lots. A maximum of 210 Annual Premium RPP will be issued.

$1,500 Non-Resident Permit allows parking in Cottage Place Lot; $750 Permit allows parking in the Rt. 17 Park & Ride Lot.

Payment may be made by check or cash. We accept credit cards that will have a 3% convenience fee charged to the purchaser.

If the Resident RPP is purchased later in the year, fees are prorated as follows:

RESIDENT Purchase Month  

FEE

 

Purchase Month

 

FEE

RESIDENT Purchase Month  

FEE

 

Purchase Month

 

FEE

January $ 750 July $ 370 January $1,000 July $ 496
February $ 690 August $ 300 February $ 916 August $ 412
March $ 625 September $ 245 March $ 832 September $ 328
April $ 560 October $ 185 April $ 748 October $ 244
May $ 500 November $ 120 May $ 664 November $ 160
June $ 435 December $ 65 June $ 580 December $ 76

Applications are available at the Village Hall Reception Desk Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM. All Applicants – residents and non-residents – must show current Driver’s License and valid Vehicle Registration(s) for up to three vehicles. For flexibility, you can list 3 vehicles on a permit, but the permit can only be used by 1 car for 1 parking space at a time.

All lots, including the Train Station Lot, will require a free Ridgewood Resident Parking Sticker in addition to the purchased RPP.  Resident parking stickers are issued annually for free to residents only at the Village Hall Reception Desk.  This sticker confirms you are a resident.

RPPs can be used in any metered space in the lots designated for that particular permit and provides unlimited parking from the hours of 6AM to 2AM. On Saturday, RPPs may be used in any lot, but not in the CBD Employee Spaces. They are not valid for street parking. The hangtag permit must be displayed on the rearview mirror when the vehicle is parked. RPP does not guarantee availability of a parking space.

Posted on 5 Comments

Reader says I don’t know that I disagree with Weitz on his general point, but he completely overlooks the fact that nasty barbs and citizen put downs were the stock in trade of Mayor Aronsohn

Ridgewood Yard Signs

I don’t know that I disagree with Weitz on his general point, but he completely overlooks the fact that nasty barbs and citizen put downs were the stock in trade of Mayor Aronson. Simply put – He was mean and nasty to those who disagreed with him. No one trusted him in the least. (And who can forget Deputy Mayor I Am the Only One IN Town with a Day Job.) And Evan, to be frank, you were rumoured on the campaign trail to toss a few barbs yourself when you ran on the Arohnson supported ticket.

So, yes, Evan is right, we need to tone it down sometimes. But his fake news and attempt to resurrect Arohnson from the political graveyard he richly deserves isn’t helping us at all.

Posted on 7 Comments

Simply put, the situation involving Parkmobile constitutes a blatant case of FRAUD.

parkmobile_meter

 

December 13,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Simply put, the situation involving Parkmobile constitutes a blatant case of FRAUD.

Officers of Parkmobile convinced elected officials to adopt a formal resolution that approved the signing of a contract with their company. The adopted resolution stated in plain English that the Village would not be charged in any way, shape, or form. All costs were to be paid for by users on a per transaction basis. Then, Parkmobile somehow convinced former Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld to sign a contract granting Parkmobile a percentage of the parking revenue from every transaction involving their app.

Bait and switch, plain and simple. One bill of goods was sold to the Council, another was sold to Roberta Sonenfeld.

FRAUD I say. I maintain the contract is invalid because it is in direct conflict with what our elected officials were told, and what they approved via resolution.

I’m about to call up that attorney who is handling the case against the Board of Education (Rosemarie Aronold of Fort Lee) and ask her to file a class action suit against Parkmobile for triple damages, court costs, and attorney’s fees.

FRAUD, FRAUD, FRAUD!

https://www.rosemariearnold.com/

Posted on 16 Comments

Former Council Candidate Evan Weitz Defends Past Unethical Behavior of Former Mayor and Village Manager

Roberta

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood Blog

Ridgewood NJ, In a letter to the editor : A lack of civility in Ridgewood https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/12/12/letter-lack-civility-ridgewood/944073001/, former council candidate Evan Weitz sticks up for ethically challenged former Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn , and former breath of fresh air Village Manager Roberta Sonnefeld .

Wietz like may New Jersey politicians supports the philosophy that the rules are only for the little people and politicians and their flunkies are always above reproach ,they are here for self promotion, self aggrandizement and personal gain at your expense .

The boiler plate letter is almost believable except that it defends a group of people and their supporters who called residents “terrorist” , “grandstanders” , physically attacking legal petitioners in the central business district , mocked people who lived on the far east side of Ridgewood, hosted efforts to silence dissent , attacked businesses that didn’t go along with their schemes and egregious mishandled almost ever public forum they held.

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AGENDA

temp_cell_tower_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AGENDA
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Village Hall Court Room – 7:30 P.M.

Call to order
Pledge of Allegiance
Statement required by the Open Public Meeting Act “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in the 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 date and time of this meeting”.
Please note: A curfew of 11:00 PM is strictly adhered to by the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood. No new matter involving an Applicant will be started after 10:30 PM. At 10:00 PM the Chairman will make a determination and advise Applicants as to whether they will be heard. If an Applicant cannot be heard because of the lateness of the hour, the matter will be carried over to a future meeting to be determined by the Board at 10:00 PM.
Roll call
Approval of minutes: September 12, 2107
Non-agenda items:
Board member comments
Members of the public comments
Public hearings
Old Business:
657 RIDGEWOOD LLC – Review revised landscape plan as per Resolution, at 657 Franklin Turnpike, Block 4703, Lot 14, in an OB-2 zone.
NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC – An application to amend the Resolution approving a temporary 75 foot pole with antennas at the top and related equipment at the base of the pole to extend the time of removal from January 10, 2018 to June 30, 2018 at 490 Route 17, Block 4703, Lot 11, in an OB-2 zone.
309 WESTGATE ASSOCIATES, LLC – An application to permit the construction of a new single family residence on a nonconforming lot located upon a steep slope
at 309 Westgate Road, Block 2808, Lot13, in an R-125 zone. (Continued from October 24, 2017)

AGENDA – CONTINUATION December 12, 2017
New Business:
KIM HEKIMIAN – An application to permit a second floor addition and stone patio which will result in a front yard setback of 34.7 feet to the porch, where 40 feet is required and a side yard setback of 6.5 feet, where 10 feet is required at 255 North Walnut Street, Block 1920, Lot 1, in an R-2 zone.
Resolution memorialization: Kleimann, 224 S. Van Dien
Licitra/Douglass, 584 Cliff Street
Discussion
Adjournment