There is great value to preserving the history and character of our village. Does 315 East Glen Avenue qualify? I don’t know, but if the home is from the 1830s then I think it is at least worth considering. There is and always will be tension between those who wish to preserve certain qualities of the village and its structures and those who argue that development needs to naturally proceed and a property owner can do what he wishes, within reason, with his own property.
Certainly we don’t want the village to become a cookie-cutter suburb like much of New Jersey. The area of the lawns is testament to what happens when a developer does as he pleases (nothing against the people there at all). The village should have proper controls in place to determine what is worth saving and what is not. Room for public debate should be included in any discussions.
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
FEBRUARY 7, 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)
Announcement – Launch of Burbio App
Presentation
New CBD Website
Explanation of Complete Streets Program
Explanation of Purchasing Process
Discussion
Ridgewood Water
Award Contract – Pipes, Appurtenances and Service Materials
Award Contract – Customer Portal, Communications and Consumption Analytics Software
Award Contract – Tree Maintenance Services
Property Easement Agreements
Parking
Coinless Parking
Budget
Declare 2006 Ford Focus Surplus – Building Dept.
Increasing Amount of Petty Cash for Fleet Service Dept.
Turf Replacement at Maple Park Field
Wi-Fi in Memorial Park in Van Neste Square and Graydon Pool
Release of Bid Bond for Public Valet Parking
Policy
Discuss Donations to Parks and Recreation Department – Screens for Somerville Tennis Court “No Knock” Solicitation Ordinance Sale of Fireworks Property Tax Refund
Operations
Liquor License Transfer – FISH Ridgewood to Oak Street Liquors
Explanation of Bergen County Police Services
Review of February 14, 2017 Public Meeting Agenda
Manager’s Report
Council Reports
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
Resolution to go into Closed Session
Closed Session
Ridgewood NJ, from the National Weather Service ..WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON…
* WHAT…Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of up to 2 inches, with localized amounts up to 5 inches across the
extreme northern portions of Fairfield and New Haven counties. Ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch are expected.
* WHERE…Portions of northeast New Jersey, southern Connecticut and southeast New York.
* WHEN…Until 5 PM EST this afternoon.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The snow and ice will result in difficult travel conditions. Be prepared for reduced visibilities at
times.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for
slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. Check local Department of Transportation information
services for the latest road conditions.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood resident Saurabh Dani has discovered that anyone can pull anyone’s water bill on the Ridgewood Water website. Mr. Dani brought it to Mayor Knudsen’s attention buy sending her a copy of her Ridgewood Water bill further driving home the point.
1. go to – https://water.ridgewoodnj.net/
Official Site – Ridgewood Water – Ridgewood Water
water.ridgewoodnj.net
Updated- 11/13/17-Water Main Replacements at Various Stream Crossings. Water Quality Information. Water Conservation Ordinance Information, FAQ’s & More- Click HERE
2. Click on “pay bills”
3. Click on “HERE” in the text which says ‘click here to pay bills”.
4. It will take you to the site – that will look like this – https://www1.mcc.net/tvhactive/BillPayerLogin.aspx?TID=LvQL2uPQJNQ8LLsUecwtmcb40pIW9MOwWDH13A4vdTubywfTfyR%20Xg==
5. Then create an account- you just need user name password.
6. then sign in to that account.
7. Now click on “search” then select “bill category” as “water” – then “search by” – Location — there type an address – for example “390 bedford rd” is my address. then click on search.
Ridgewood NJ, The annual NJ School Performance Reports are out. Each year, the New Jersey Department of Education releases school performance reports on every public school in New Jersey. The Ridgewood district’s 2016-17 performance reports can now be found on the individual school web pages. Please contact your school with any questions. Click here to access the links to the Ridgewood Public Schools’ individual school reports : https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/cms/one.aspx?portalid=207600&pageid=4184469
1)Ridgewood needs high-end apartments
2)Ridgewood needs a performing arts center
3)Ridgewood needs parking decks/garages
4)Ridgewood needs to be more business-friendly
Many view this “Vision” as a vision to destroy the Village of Ridgewood and turn into just another New Jersey overbuilt dumpy town .So now for ever more the Current Village Council and Village residents are stuck with the mess they created .
Unfortunately the high density housing was approved with the idea that a garage would pick up the slack with parking and allow the developers to offer less parking spaces . The fact that the developments will create a need for more schools, more water, more parking and generate more congestion in an overly congested central business district is left for the Ridgewood taxpayer to pick up the tab.
One wonders if some those who suggested there was enough water and that parking and congestion were not issues could and should be prosecuted ?
PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Village Hall Court Room – 7:30 P.M.
(all timeframes and the order of agenda items below are approximate and subject to change)
7:30 p.m. – Call to Order, Statement of Compliance, Flag Salute, Roll Call – In accordance with the provisions of Section 10:4-8d of the Open Public Meetings Act, the date, location, and time of the commencement of this meeting is reflected in a meeting notice, a copy of which schedule has been filed with the Village Manager and the Village Clerk, The Ridgewood News and The Record newspapers, and posted on the bulletin board in the entry lobby of the Village municipal offices at 131 North Maple Avenue, and on the Village website, all in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act.
Roll call: Knudsen, Voigt, Joel, Patire, Scheibner, Torielli, McWilliams, Barto, Van Goor
2. 7:30 p.m. – 7:35 p.m. – Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board
3. 7:35 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. – Committee/Commission/Professional Updates for Non Agenda Topics, Correspondence Received by the Board
4. 7:40 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. – 200/210 South Broad Avenue, LLC, Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan and C Variance, Block 3905, Lot 6 and 7 – Pubic Hearing continued from November 7, 2017 – continued from January 16, 2018. To be carried to March 6, 2018 without prejudice to the Board
5. 7:45 p.m. – 8:05 p.m. – 257 Ridgewood Avenue, LLC, Block 3703, Lot 4, 6, & 8.01, Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan. Adoption of Memorializing Resolution of Approval – continued from January 16, 2018 without further notice and without prejudice to the Board
6. 8:05 p.m. – 8:25 p.m. – KS Broad Street II, Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan, 76 & 80 Chestnut Street and 25-27 Franklin Avenue, Block 2005, Lots 11,12,13,14. Adoption of Memorializing Resolution of Approval – continued from January 16, 2018 without further notice and without prejudice to the Board
7. 8:25 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Ridgewood Water, Informal Review, 205 East Glen Avenue, Block 3107, Lot 33.01. Adoption of Memorializing Resolution of Approval
8. 8:30 p.m. – 8:35 p.m. – Ridgewood Water, Informal Review, Dead End of Salem Lane, Block 4805, Lot 4. Adoption of Memorializing Resolution of Approval
9. 8:35 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. – Robert Jennee, Minor Subdivision and C Variance, 246 Mountain Road, Block 2509, Lot 13.01. Adoption of Memorializing Resolution of Denial
10. 8:40 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Ordinance #3625, which amends Chapter 190, Land Use and Development to permit certain illuminated signs in the B-1, B-2, and C Districts
11. 9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. – Calbi, Minor Subdivision and Permit for not Abutting Street, 315 East Glen Avenue, Block 2106, Lot 20. Public Hearing continued from December 19, 2017 without further notice and without prejudice to the Board
12. 10:30 p.m. – 10:35 p.m. – Adoption of Minutes: March 7, 2017
13. 10:35 p.m. – Executive Session (if necessary)
14. Adjournment – In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, all meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work sessions, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings, which are always open to members of the general public.
Professional Staff: Christopher Martin, Esq., Board Attorney; Christopher J. Rutishauser, Village Engineer; Brigette Bogart, Village Planner; Michael Cafarelli, Board SecretaryMembers: Susan Knudsen, Jeff Voigt, Joel Torielli, Melanie McWilliams, David Scheibner, Richard Joel, Debbie Patire, Frances Barto, James Van Goor
Ridgewood NJ, a petition is circulating to Stop the disruption of History, Stop Developers from building 6800 sq ft homes within an already sub-divided flaglot. Planning Board meeting scheduled for 2/6/2018 at 730pm.
The historic 1830s Ridgewood home at 315 East Glen Avenue where I grew up is currently being threatened with destruction so that the current owner can replace it with two houses to sell on this large property! The house shares many original architectural and decorative details with the Hermitage and Hohokus Inn and has a fascinating history with residents including the actor Edwin Boothe, and it was reputed to have been a part of the Underground Railroad. Aside from the beauty, history and trees/landscaping that would be lost with the destruction of this home, the proposed variances create issues for the town and neighborhood (detailed in the petition.) These proposed variances will be discussed this Tuesday, Dec. 19th at 7:30 at Village Hall – if you do not want to see this historic home lost, please consider signing the petition below, forwarding it to friends and/or joining us at the Planning Board meeting on Tuesday! https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-destruction-of-historic?source=c.em.cp&r_by=19358725
the concept of a garage solving all our downtown problems was the narrow minded vision of those two buffoons Arohnson and Pucciarelli. They were totally out of touch with reality and where our society is heading.Unfortunately, their mantra of “we need a garage” caught hold of others. But, we don’t need a garage. We need downtown landlords and businesses that are willing to adapt to our foot print and the needs and wants of a citizenry that now lives in the 21st century. The so-called progressives who ran for council last time around on placards of “let’s build garages and blocks of apartments!” are simply out of touch with reality. Building a garage is not going to bring back Mayberry RFD nor is it going to turn us into Futureworld. Its only going to saddle us with an eyesore and make it harder to adapt to chaning circumstances and lifestyles while preserving our standard of living..
So, let’s preserve our Village and stand up to the developers and others who simply want to shake us down like an immmense piggy bank and watch our loose change fall into their pockets. Tell the council not to go forward with the garagemahal. Haven’t we already been saddled with enough unwanted building?
The best thing this Council can do is to fix the parking distribution problem stated and recommended in their own commissioned report (Walker and Maser). Before changing of the guard (May election) build smaller, low-level parking decks, in opposite corners of the Central Business District. D I S T R I B U T I O N !!!!! Clearly, one ginormous garage at Hudson is only to appease personal interests. Follow the professionals recommendations/reports.
The notion of building two simple parking decks instead of one big garage makes tremendous sense. It would offer distributed parking throughout the CBD and it has been suggested before and rejected by previous VC’s. The problem with a “distributed” solution is that the economics do not work. Much of the cost of a garage goes into site development costs for footings, , foundations etc. The first level is the most expensive to build and each successive level is less costly.Thus, maximum economic efficiency is achievedby building a single multi-level structure.
Clearly the garage is primarily for the benefit of the business community. It will help keep retailers and restaurants stay in business however it is equally clear that only those residents who commute to NY stand to benefit from a garage. Since many residents do not want or need the garage perhaps they shoulkd not be forced to help pay for it. On the other hand the business community should not be forced to bear the cost of items or services it does not need or use. Specifically, a SIGNIFICANT portion of the rent paid by tenants to their landlord goes to pay real estate taxes of which a large portion are used to pay for the school system. This begs the question why should the business community pay for sending residents kids to school ? Each should only pay for the services they use or need.
In conclusion, the residents should NOT be forced to underwrite the cost for a garage and the business community should NOT be forced to help pay for costs relating to schools or the Board of Ed.
Ridgewood NJ, It’s Mardi Gras time in New Orleans and time to celebrate! – Now that New Orleans is 300 yrs old, local artist Andrea Mistretta is bringing a piece of New Orleans culture back home with a King Cake and Café au Lait party this Tuesday night and she’d love for everyone to enjoy a little taste of New Orleans. For the first time ever all of her New Orleans Mardi Gras posters are exhibited together at the Ridgewood Public Library this February.
Among the top 20% of hospitals considered the best for having your baby in 2017
February 5,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Hospital has received the 2018 Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics for a fourth consecutive year.
According to the Women’s Choice Award®, Valley is one of 400 hospitals that women feel confident in choosing for their maternity needs. This designation identifies the country’s best hospitals for obstetrics based on criteria that considers female satisfaction and clinical excellence.
“We are very pleased to be recognized as a hospital that’s highly regarded by women for providing high-quality and patient-friendly obstetric services,” said Paul Quinn, Director of Inpatient Women’s and Children’s Services at Valley. “Our staff and physicians at The Center For Childbirth deliver personalized and compassionate care to mothers and their babies, which is essential for delivering the best patient outcomes and overall experience.”
“Pregnancy is one of the most special times in a woman’s life,” said Delia Passi founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “Our award gives a woman the confidence that her choice of a hospital for her delivery will be the best in terms of quality care and patient safety for her and her baby.”
The Center for Childbirth at Valley offers a family-centered approach to the childbirth experiences, recognizing that each family has individual needs and desires concerning childbirth on emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and physical levels. The Center offers a relaxed, flexible and comforting environment, which includes private Labor Delivery Recovery rooms that combine a beautiful homelike environment with sophisticated medical technology, as well as state-of-the-art Cesarean Delivery Rooms and a Level 3-Intensive 15-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The professionals at The Center For Childbirth help to bring more than 3,000 babies into the world each year.
For more information on The Center For Childbirth, please visit www.experiencevalleychildbirth.com.
In order to build the garage there must be increased meter rates and increased meter times.Even with that, the garage will not pay for itself and will cost additional taxpayer dollars.
Ridgewood NJ, The next Regular Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Board of Education will be held on Monday, February 5, 2018 at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be aired live on television, FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77, and streamed via the “Link in Live” tab on the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. Meeting webcasts are generally posted to the district website within 48 hours.
At all regular meetings, two opportunities are provided for citizens to make comments. The public comment periods will be scheduled after presentations and approximately 9:00 p.m. or just prior to the end of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The first opportunity may be limited by the presiding officer to conclude at about 8:00 p.m. in order for the Board to continue with its scheduled agenda. The second opportunity will occur at about 9:00 p.m. at the discretion of the presiding officer taking into consideration a break point in the agenda.
At every opportunity for public comment, citizens are invited to comment on subjects on the agenda or general topics.
At the discretion of the presiding officer, public comments may be permitted at other times.
Persons wishing to speak must, upon being recognized, rise, sign in, and state their names and addresses. Each speaker shall be limited to four minutes. The Board Recorder will note the time. A speaker who has not finished in the allotted time will be directed by the presiding officer to summarize quickly and relinquish the floor within 30 seconds.
Comments shall be limited to issues. If personal remarks or discourteous statements are made, the presiding officer shall require the speaker to stop. No person will be recognized for a second time until all others asking to speak have been heard.
