Let us call out the rainbow flag wavers for what they are – racists.
No I am not kidding. And this is not a conservative accusation. PROGRESSIVES are calling the rainbow flag racist because it excludes minority LGBTs.
Philly has now added a brown and a black stripe to make the flag inclusive (see link below).
So let us call out those flying a rainbow flag sans black and brown stripes in a white town like Ridgewood for what they are – racists.
I sense a huge opportunity for 4 members of the council to seize the initiative, call out the flag bearers for their bigotry and install an inclusive version of the flag.
This entire debate is silly. I agree with previous posts that this Road has been in use for several decades with minimal issues. Traffic on this road is mostly local, and the hill is obviously used by those who are comfortable with it. Folks who get nervous about traversing lanes of normal width ought not to — and as a matter of practice don’t — use the hill. As far as I can tell, the “safety” issues all arise out a few anomalies where drivers of large trucks/buses have managed to get up/down the road without noticing the traffic signs. As with many other roads in the village, this is simply a matter of poor — or entirely missing — signage. Simply install PROPER and VISIBLE signs (“LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY”, “NO BUSES”, “NO TRUCKS”) and this will be quickly resolved. Turning the road into a one-way street is intellectually lazy and doesn’t address any of the true underlying concerns.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood high school is flying the LGBTQ community’s gay pride flag for the month of June, raising it in a short ceremony to signify and spread a message of acceptance for all.
Tyler Clementi , a gay student at Rutgers who came to a tragic demise was an alumnus of Ridgewood High School.
The rainbow or Pride flag will fly above Ridgewood High School for the rest of June . June is LGBTQ Pride Month. Students, teachers and residents were on hand to witness the flag raising ceremony June 1.
The staff went by Ridgewood High School on Wednesday and unfortunately it was no where to be found.
According to several sources Ridgewood High School is the first high school in Bergen County to display the flag.
Ridgewood NJ, Please consider supporting the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Each year the parade and fireworks are organized and put on by a Private Non-profit, All-volunteer group. It relies entirely on the generous donations of individuals and businesses. The Fourth of July in Ridgewood is going on its 107th year, please consider making a donation to continue this tradition! Without your help, this event would not be possible!
Please join us for the 107th annual Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017.
The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee 2017 is “Honoring Those Who Serve.” The 2017 theme recognizes and honors the many men and women who dedicate their work and life to others through military, police, fire, ems or civil service.
Each year, the Fourth of July Celebration Committee chooses a theme that celebrates a certain aspect of American history or culture. The theme also serves as the basis for the float competition held among the town’s elementary schools.
Thank you for your continued support of this great tradition!
Matt Rogers blew it when advising the Village Council regarding the grave legal implications of approving third party displays on municipal property based on the content of the message that third party is trying to convey. More specifically, the Village Council deliberately voted to approve the display of the six-color flag/banner on municipal property because the five voting councilmembers personally supported so-called “gay pride” or “gay rights.”
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Acccording to black letter federal Constitutional law, this is a huge no-no. (For a concept to be considered black letter U.S. Constitutional law, the related issues will typically have been long since been resolved by one or more precedential decisions by the federal Supreme Court such that they are no longer seriously being questioned by the legal community.) This remains true, despite the recent overwhelming onslaught on our secular and religious institutions, led by former president Obama, intended to promote sodomy as a valid lifestyle choice, and, in true Alinskyite fashion, condemn detractors, however well-meaning, to cruel social isolation.
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Village Attorney Matt Rogers had plenty of time to consider the relevant issues, and was paid plenty of money to support the legal work that might be necessary to formally convey to the Village Council the foolishness of imagining that it is free to consider the merits of the social or political message being conveyed in the process of deciding whether or not to allow a proposed third party display to be erected on municipal property. It is not now, nor has it ever been free to do so, and for his part, Mr. Rogers should know this fact like the back of his hand.
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In light of the above-described professional failure, and others in the past, such as the proposed (unconstitutional) law intended to ban signs bearing political messages on signs erected on the property of fee simple residences outside of election seasons, the Village Council at its meeting tonight should quietly decline to appoint Matt Rogers to another year as the Ridgewood’s Municipal Attorney.
Ridgewood used to be a nice place to live where you could peacefully go about your lives. Now these intruders are led by the Record editor & championed by a councilman & a developer (gigantic flag ruining the view of downtown) who is trying to change the face of the whole town. Zero interest in anything except that of the self centered kind. Why have these towns become targets of intrusion where previously there was none? This thing of theirs has gotten the village on edge where previousy there was none.
20170614 – VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
JUNE 14, 2017
8:00 P.M.
Call to Order – Mayor
Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
Roll Call – Village Clerk
Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
Acceptance of Financial Reports
Approval of Minutes
Proclamations
NONE
Recognition of Ridgewood Art Ambassadors
Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)
Village Manager’s Report
Village Council Reports
Public Hearing – Historic Preservation Grant Application – Restoration of Zabriskie-Schedler House Phase II at Schedler Park Property
ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-148 THROUGH
17-149 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:
17-148 Award Contract – Improvements to Booster/Transfer Stations (NTE $827,000) – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Fred Devens Construction, 403 Stonetown Road, Ringwood, NJ
17-149 Award Professional Services Contract – Design and Construction Administration of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Treatment System at Carr Treatment Facility (NTE $303,400) – Awards a no-bid contract to Arcadis U.S., Inc., 17-17 Route 208 North, Fair Lawn, NJ. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office.
ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3601 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Establish Stop Signs at Upper Boulevard and Glenwood Road – Establishes Stop Signs at Glenwood Road and Upper Boulevard
3602 – Amend Chapter 222 – Power Tools, Landscaping, and Yard Maintenance Equipment – Amends this ordinance to prohibit the commercial use of power tools in all residential zones or within 200 feet of a residential property line, when such use is conducted on a commercial or industrial property, on all Federal holidays
3603 – Authorize Special Emergency Appropriation – Master Plan Revision ($250,000) – Authorizes this expenditure, which will be financed over 5 years, with one-fifth of the amount paid each year
3604 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Hours for Closure of Clinton Avenue to Through Traffic – Authorizes Clinton Avenue to be closed to through traffic from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on school days
ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
3599 – Amend Chapter 260 – Trees and Shrubs
3600 – Amend Chapter 212 – Parks and Recreation Areas Prohibition of Dogs Off-Leash in Certain Parks
RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-150 THROUGH
17-185 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:
17-150 Waive Fourth of July Vendor Fees – Waives solicitor’s fees for vendors connected with the Ridgewood Fourth of July Committee
17-151 Grant Permission to Fireworks Company for Fireworks Display – Permits Fireworks Extravaganza, 174 Route 17 North, Rochelle Park, NJ to hold a fireworks display on July 4, 2017, with a rain date of July 5, 2017
17-152 Authorize Snow Plowing Agreement with Bergen County – Approves the second year of a two-year Agreement for snow plowing with Bergen County for 2017-2018, whereby the Village plows County roads, and is reimbursed for same by the County
17-153 Title 59 Approval – Reconfiguration of Ridgewood Train Station Parking Lot – Approves the plans and specifications for Train Station Parking Expansion with Compact Car Spaces for the Village of Ridgewood, prepared by the Village of Ridgewood Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
17-154 Title 59 Approval – Butterfly and Sensory Garden at The Lester Stable – Approves the plans and specifications for Butterfly/Sensory Garden at Lester Stable prepared by the Department of Parks and Recreation, pursuant to Title 59
17-155 Award Contract Under State Contract –
E-Ticketing Hardware (NTE $4,797.01) – Awards a contract under State Contract to CDW Government, 75 Remittance Avenue, Suite 1515, Chicago, IL
17-156 Award Contract Under Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission Cooperative Purchasing Program – Furniture for Village Hall Lunchroom (NTE $15,000) – Awards a contract under Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission Cooperative Purchasing Program to KI Furniture, 1330 Bellevue Street, Green Bay, WI
17-157 Title 59 Approval – Furnishing and Delivering of Crossing Guard Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Furnishing and Delivering of Crossing Guard Services for Village School Posts for the Ridgewood Police Department, June 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017, inclusive, renewed for an Additional Year, August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018, prepared by the Engineering Division, in conjunction with the Ridgewood Police Department, pursuant to Title 59
17-158 Award Contract – Furnishing and Delivering Crossing Guard Services (NTE $329,630.49) – Awards a contract for the one-year extension in the original contract, to the lowest responsible bidder, All City Management Services, Inc., 10440 Pioneer Boulevard, Suite 5, Santa Fe Springs, CA
17-159 Title 59 Approval – On-Call Traffic Engineering Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Request for Proposals for On-Call Professional Traffic Engineering Services for the Village of Ridgewood, prepared by the Ridgewood Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
17-160 Award Professional Services Contract – On- Call Traffic Engineering Services (NTE $5,000) – Awards a Professional Services contract to Petry Traffic, LLC, 155 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, NJ from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018
17-161 Authorize Shared Services Agreement – Disposal of Dewatered Sludge (Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, NTE $48 per 1,000 gallons) – Authorizes a three-year Shared Services Agreement with the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, for disposal of dewatered sludge from the Village’s Water Pollution Control Facility
17-162 Approve Resource Room at Gatehouse at Irene Habernickel Family Park – Women Gardeners of Ridgewood – Approves the request of the Women Gardeners of Ridgewood to renovate and utilize one room in the upper level of the Gatehouse at the Irene Habernickel Family Park to serve as a collection site to house printed literature, periodicals, gardening books, reference materials, and historical artifacts or the Women Gardeners of Ridgewood. In addition, this resource room will be open to the public one afternoon per month, and a member of the Women Gardeners will be present to supervise activity and provide information and gardening assistance to the public. The Women Gardeners of Ridgewood will renovate and furnish the room as well as provide for insurance coverage, at their own expense, as a gift to the Village.
17-163 Authorize Cleaning of Kings Pond Park by Ridgewood Wildscape and Partners – Authorizes a cleanup by Ridgewood Wildscape and their partners of the Kings Pond area on June 11, 2017. The Village will provide assistance by providing chest waders, gloves and other protective equipment to handle the debris, rakes and hand tools, and pickup and disposal of the debris. This cleanup has been reviewed by the Village Engineer, pursuant to Title 59.
17-164 Support the Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Awareness Initiative – Supports the FOP Awareness Initiative and urges the medical community to continue researching for treatment and a cure for this rare genetic disorder in which the body makes additional bone in locations where bone should not form which in time produces a “second skeleton” that immobilizes the joints of the body
17-165 Approve 2016-2017 Renewal of Ridgewood Lodge No. 1455 BPOE Liquor License – Approves the 2016-2017 renewal of the Ridgewood Lodge No. 1455 BPOE liquor license
17-166 Approve 2017-2018 Renewals of Liquor Licenses – Approves the annual renewal of liquor licenses in the Village of Ridgewood
17-167 Authorize Refund of Taxes for Disabled Veteran (Block 3106, Lot 28) – Authorizes a refund to a resident who has filed proof of a 100% permanent disability due to active service in time of war. This refund shall be from November 28, 2015 forward, without interest.
17-168 Urge Support of 2% CAP on Police and Fire Arbitration Awards – Urges the State Legislature to support a five-year extension on the 2% CAP on Police and Fire arbitration awards, which will provide them with hard data to examine and then make a final decision as to whether this law should be made permanent
17-169 Authorize Mailing of Estimated 2017 Third Quarter Tax Bills – Authorizes the mailing of estimated tax bills for the 2017 third quarter
17-170 Approve Funding of Master Plan Revision through Special Emergency Notes – Approves the funding of the Master Plan Revision through Special Emergency Notes and that they be paid in amounts of not less than one-fifth of the total amount appropriated
17-171 Authorize Acceptance of Senior Bus from NJ Transit – Authorizes the Village Manager to accept a Chevrolet El Dorado from NJ Transit, which is used as the Senior Bus by the Village. This vehicle is being released to the Village in “as is” condition with no warranties. This acceptance also requires that when the vehicle is sold in the future, any proceeds will be used for transportation services.
17-172 Approve and Authorize Execution of Agreement – Estate Card Tax Savings Program Master Service Agreement – Approves the Estate Card Tax Savings Program Master Service Agreement and authorizes its execution by Village Officials
17-173 Appoint Members to Planning Board – Appoints James Van Goor as a Class II Member with a term expiring 6/30/18; Councilman Jeffrey Voigt as a Class III Member with a term expiring 6/30/18; Joel Torielli and David Scheibner as Class IV members with terms expiring 6/30/2021; and Frances Barto as an Alternate #2 member with a term expiring 6/30/19. All appointments will be effective at the Planning Board’s Reorganization Meeting.
17-174 Appoint Members to Zoning Board of Adjustment – Appoints Sergio Alegre and Greg Brown as regular members with terms expiring 6/30/21 and John Papietro as Alternate #1 with a term expiring 6/30/19
17-175 Appoint Municipal Court Judge – Appoints David T. Pfund as the Municipal Court Judge from 7/1/17-6/30/20
17-176 Appoint Village Attorney – Appoints Matthew Rogers as the Village Attorney under a no bid contract from for a term of 7/1/17-6/30/18. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed.
17-177 Appoint Village Labor Attorney – Appoints Dominick Bratti of Budd Larner, P.C. as the Village Labor Attorney under a no bid contract from 7/1/17-6/30/18. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed.
17-178 Appoint Village Bond Attorney – Appoints McManimon, Scotland, and Baumann, L.L.C., 75 Livingston Avenue, 2nd Floor, Roseland, NJ as the Village Bond Attorney from 7/1/17 through 6/30/18 under a no-bid contract. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed.
17-179 Appoint Municipal Prosecutor and Assistant Prosecutor – Appoints Margaret Sullivan, Esq. as the Village Prosecutor and Christine Lilore as the Assistant Village Prosecutor from 7/1/17-6/30/18
17-180 Appoint Public Defender and Alternate Public Defender – Appoints Susan Cassell, Esq. as the Public Defender and David Altieri, Esq., as the Alternate Public Defender from 7/1/17-6/30/18
17-181 Appoint Community Development Representative – Appoints Janet Fricke as the Village Council’s representative in the Community Development program
17-182 Appoint Representative to Open Space Trust Regional Committee – Appoints Timothy Cronin as the Village Council’s representative to be a part of the County of Bergen’s Open Space Trust Regional Committee
17-183 Appoint Members to Community Center Advisory Board –
17-184 Appoint Members to Ridgewood Arts Council
17-185 Appoint Village Councilmembers as Liaisons to Various Boards and Committees – Appoints Village Councilmembers as Liaisons to various boards and committees through June 30, 2018
17-186 Approve Release of Closed Session Minutes
Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
Resolution to go into Closed Session
Closed Session
Legal – COAH; Valley Hospital
Contract Negotiations – Central Valet
Personnel – Boards and Committees
Ironically after all the hoopla in FB , local media etc. when I drive around town I only see a tiny number of flags around and this is great. People do not give a shit for pride about nothing. I am much more inclined to respect people who don’t show me their personal flags than someone who is waving it in my face. The American flag is what everyone should respect and embrace. Any other “pride” flags can be flown in private.
Yesterday, I heard they are raising “the flag” at RHS. I think this is discriminatory , the flag show be flown in middle schools and why not in elementary as well. I won’t be surprised if these people ask for it next year. A big , hearty FU to these jerks.
Ridgewood NJ, According to Vicky Herbert ,When the Ridgewood Historical Society and Schoolhouse Museum needed some heavy lifting, they called on local student entrepreneur, Joe Rahaim. We had bulky furniture and years of accumulated material in the attic we needed moved ,” said Historical Society volunteer, Kelly Gioia. Since the non-profit organization didn’t have regular volunteers with the strength, nor did they have a budget, Gioia called Joe’s Odd Jobs. Joe was happy to volunteer his time and said he would reach out to get some of his student crew to help too. “When I put the text out to my regular workers, the response was amazing, everyone wanted to help even though it was going to be an unpaid project,” said Joe Rahaim, “the Ridgewood community and it’s word of mouth have been very good to me, my business, and my team so we were happy to give back to the Historical Society”.
Joe Rahaim, is a rising senior at Ridgewood High School and Owner and Founder of Joe’s Odd Jobs, a local business he started his freshman year of high school. The business started out as a way to work given his busy sports schedule, but as word got out, he couldn’t do all the jobs himself and had to enlist fellow students. The business has now grown to a 10- plus person operation. “I found a niche”, said Rahaim, we do a lot of small projects like moves, clean-outs, minor landscaping, and small painting jobs. “It has been a great experience for me, I like hands-on projects and most of all, working with a great crew that knows how to have fun and work hard,” said Rahaim”
Updated on June 12, 2017 at 5:12 PMPosted on June 12, 2017 at 1:49 PM
BY ADAM CLARK
NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
WALL — The Wall Township High School yearbook advisor is suspended indefinitely as the district investigates why photos were edited to remove images supporting President Donald Trump, a district official said Monday.
The paid suspension comes after parents and students complained that at least two photos of students wearing Trump campaign shirts were edited and a Trump quote was removed from beneath another student’s photo.
Yearbook advisor Susan Parsons, a technology/media teacher, could not be reached by phone. A message to Parsons’ school email account was returned as “undeliverable” and a woman reached at her listed address in Wall Township declined to comment.
Parsons has worked in education for 21 years, including 13 in the district, according to state records.
I suggest sending an email as I did. A few key points:
The traffic counts taken in November (reported date November 2017 even though it’s only June ! ) were observed while west Glen ave was closed due to pseg construction installing new gas mains.
The huge delays in this construction were the direct result of NJ Transit refusing to allow Glen ave excavation under the trestle to replace gas mains. This required the contractor to dig huge holes on both sides of the train overpass and push pipes underneath creating massive delay for project completion.
This forced vehicle traffic to take alternate routes, specifically glenwood ave. Other than “road closed” sign and cones with arrows , along with a parked police cruiser there was no information Available to trucks that glenwood was restricted to 4 tons. I would not expect a trucker to pay attention to a sign for a one time detour.
This road used to handle a lot more traffic. Years ago when there was a traffic light and jug handle at route 17/racetracks road, most of the traffic destined for upper Ridgewood & midland park would exit rt 17 north and return home that way. After the state dot closed that intersection, that traffic migrated to Linwood age west, then walthery ave north to Glen , thus destroying that formerly quiet neighborhood.
The state had another traffic count on 2 days this spring. I would like to know if that was on the same day Glen was getting paved.
There is no reason to make this one way. The state should use our gas tax money to widen the road, widened the turn radius.
If you do not write emails as stated above the state bureaucracy will do what they want.
Ridgewood NJ, While PSE&G expects to have no trouble delivering additional power during the forecasted heat wave, we are closely monitoring weather conditions and have additional personnel scheduled to handle any power interruptions should they occur. Our call centers will also have extra personnel on duty to speak with customers and appliance service technicians are ready to quickly respond to an expected influx of air conditioning repair calls.
Stay connected:
•To report power outages call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734), or log in to My Account at pseg.com to report an outage or view outage status.
•You can also report an outage by texting “OUT” to 4PSEG.
•Sign up for MyAlerts for 2-way text or email notifications about the status of power outages in your area.
•View our Outage Map that is updated every 15 minutes and displays the location and status of power outages in PSE&G’s service area.
Tips to help you save energy and stay cool as temperatures rise:
•Turn off everything you’re not using: lights, computers, etc. Use dimmers, timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.
•Close blinds and shades facing the sun to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans and air conditioners cool more efficiently.
•Close doors leading to uncooled areas. With central air, close off vents to unused rooms.
1) How does making it one-way help when there are instances of vehicles getting stuck both going up as well as going down (James – you should start posting the photo of the tractor trailer that got stuck going down).
2) That bus in the photo was already in violation of the posted vehicle restrictions for that road. Who is to say they will not violate a new restriction?
3) Where is the traffic study for the impact on the three immediate train line crossings in the vicinity of this crossing – Glen St and Franklin Tpke in Ridgewood and Wyckoff Ave in Waldwick? How about the traffic impact study on Linwood Ave, intersection of Linwood and N. Maple, and intersection of N. Monroe and Wyckoff Ave?
Ridgewood NJ, The State of New Jersey requires all drinking water in our school facilities to be tested for lead during the 2016-2017 school year. The Ridgewood Public Schools are currently conducting those tests; the results of the schools we have received are listed below. We will post results within 24 hours of notification for the remaining schools.
Willard had 1 fountain over the lead limit , GW 1 ,BF 3,Glen 4,Hawes 1, RHS 1, Somerville 1, Travell 2,the fountains or sinks were all taken out of service .
The school system also noted that this summer of 2017 they will be replacing old water fountains with filtered water fountains throughout the district.
Test results and Links to the results for the schools:
Ridgewood NJ, Stage II restrictions (2 days per week irrigation) were imposed in June 2016 and are still in effect in Glen Rock, Midland Park, Ridgewood and Wyckoff. Without these restrictions, the use of drinking water for irrigation will continue increasing toward levels that are unsustainable regardless of drought conditions. To reverse this trend, an ordinance was approved by the Village Council on April 12, 2017 to amend the provisions governing Watering and Water Emergencies in the Village of Ridgewood Code. Changes include:
Making 2 days per week irrigation permanent year round,
Restricting irrigation hours to limit losses to evaporation,
Restricting irrigation using private wells to 2 days a week,
Adding new exemptions, including drip irrigation and smart controllers.
This ordinance became effective on May 2, 2017 and applies only to Ridgewood, but it is expected that the Boroughs of Glen Rock and Midland Park, and the Township of Wyckoff will enact similar rules as they have in the past. Below is the approved ordinance. Questions can be directed to Ridgewood Water at 201-670-5521 or [email protected].
