Ridgewood NJ, More than 75 percent of the 921 certified public accountants (CPAs) who were surveyed by the New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJCPA) in July said that New Jersey’s 2019 state budget, which was signed by Governor Murphy on July 1, would have a negative impact on the state’s economy. Thirty-nine percent felt the economy would get “marginally worse,” and 37 percent said it would get “significantly worse.” Fourteen percent said it would have no impact, and only 10 percent said the economy would get either “marginally better” or “significantly better” under the new budget.
The budget consists of $37.4 billion in spending, to be funded in part by instituting a tax increase from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent on taxpayer income of more than $5 million. The budget also included several significant corporate business tax changes, including a surcharge of 2.5 percent for the next two years and 1.5 percent for the subsequent two years for corporations with income of $1 million or more as well as a new combined reporting system. No change was made to the sales tax rate though a tax will be levied on e-cigarettes and short-term lodging, such as Airbnb.
NJCPA survey respondents cited several reasons why the budget plan will not help the state’s economy over the long term. Taxing millionaires could lead to more residents in high-income brackets leaving the state, said respondents. As one noted, “the outward migration of wealth will continue, and the long-term effect will be disastrous.”
Survey participants also said the tax increases on corporations will not help the hiring process or provide incentives to remain in the state. It will likely make the state less friendly to investors and businesses.
Ridgewood NJ, after years of debate ,last night the Village Council in a 5-0 vote approved a $12 million bond ordinance to construct a 240-space parking garage on Hudson Street .
Parking meter rates in the Central Business District will be increased to help fund the garage. As of September 4th ,Fifty-cent hourly meters will be increased to 75 cents and the $1.25-an-hour meters will increase to $1.50.
Ridgewood NJ, as expected the Village Council on Wednesday voted to move the Board of Education election from November back to April.
Most of the comments made last night at the council meeting favored the move of the school board election to April. Residents overwhelmingly wanted the opportunity to vote on the school budget which constitutes nearly 67% of their tax bill.
Mayor Ramon Hache said the discussion was in no way passing judgement on the Ridgewood Board of Education .
The council voted 3-2 in favor of the move. Council members Jeff Voigt and Bernadette Walsh voted against it.
Walsh was on the Village Council the last time the School Board budget was voted down and voiced concern that the Village council is ill prepared as to the knowledge of the school budget .
Council member Michael Sedon, Deputy Mayor Susan Knudsen, and Mayor Ramon Hache voted in favor of the move.
Ridgewood NJ, A apparent medical episode experienced by an adult female driver from Pennsylvania caused a two (2) vehicle collision in front of 522 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood on Wednesday afternoon, 07/18. Following impact, both vehicles were catapulted off of the roadway onto nearby front lawns. One (1) driver was transported by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center’s main campus. No other injuries were reported. A flatbed tow truck removed both wrecks from the scene. Ridgewood Police, Ridgewood Fire Department, Ridgewood EMS, and Ho-Ho-Kus Police responded to the incident. A paramedic team from The Valley Hospital assisted Ridgewood EMTs.
Ridgewood NJ, Your family’s history is so much more than birth and death records. Did you inherit a special family artifact?: a piece of jewelry, the family bible, a wedding dress, a china set, a well-worn tool. Maybe you were reunited with an artifact or found something on eBay important to your family.
Lauren Maehrlein will provide a short lecture on “Heirloom Genealogy,” followed by show-and-tell. All are welcome to bring family artifacts and take a minute or three to tell a story about it!
Free and open to the public—all are welcome.
July Program + GSBC General Meeting
Monday, 23 July 2018
Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium, 7pm
“Heirloom Genealogy” and Show-and-Tell
Ridgewood NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean released the following statement, in light of today’s news that the Murphy Administration has authorized New Jersey Transit to divert $511 million in capital funds to pay for operational costs.
“Governor Murphy swore to commuters that he would fix New Jersey Transit, without relying on financially-unsustainable practices. Today he broke that promise. His decision to use capital funds to cover up his complete inability to manage money is misguided.”
“Governor Murphy is using the very same practices that he campaigned against, by diverting money from the Clean Energy Fund, the Turnpike Authority and now, New Jersey Transit’s capital funds to plug holes in his budget.
New Jersey Transit’s capital budget should be used to make essential investments and expand services that benefit our commuters, such as one-seat rides. As someone who represents thousands of commuters, I am deeply disappointed to see Governor Murphy make the same mistakes that got us into this mess in the first place. I will continue to be a vocal advocate for ensuring people have a safe, easy and affordable way to get to work.”
Ridgewood NJ, On Friday, July 13, the district received notice of additional state aid in the amount of $890,876. At its July 16 meeting, the Ridgewood Board of Education unanimously voted to give $551,887 of this state aid back on the property tax to Ridgewood homeowners, reducing the tax increase for the 2018-19 School District Budget by .62%. The remaining $338,849 will be placed in the Capital Reserve account, to be used in the 2019-2020 school year for identified capital projects within the district.
It is estimated that the tax relief approved by the Board will be approximately $48 on the average Ridgewood home valued at $696,093.*
The National Weather Service in Upton has issued a Flash Flood Watch In northeast New Jersey, Eastern Bergen, Eastern Essex, Eastern Passaic, Eastern Union, Hudson, Western Bergen, Western Essex, Western Passaic, and Western Union. A slow moving frontal system will bring numerous showers and thunderstorms to the region this afternoon into this evening.
Any thunderstorms will have the potential to bring torrential downpours with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. These types of rainfall rates will cause urban and poor drainage flooding, with potential for flash flooding in areas affected by multiple successive thunderstorms. Additionally, rapid water level rises can occur on flashy small rivers and streams in basins affected by this activity.
According to the National Weather Service, more people are killed by flooding on average than by any other single severe weather hazard, including tornadoes, lightning, and hurricanes. Most of these deaths occur at night, when it is more difficult to recognize flood dangers, and when people are trapped in vehicles. Do you and your family know what to do in case of a flood?
Remember:
DO NOT drive onto a flooded roadway.
DO NOT drive through flowing water.
If you approach a roadway that is flooded, TURN AROUND – DON’T DROWN.
Drive with extreme caution if roads are even just wet or it is raining. You can lose control of your vehicle if hydroplaning occurs, which is when a layer of water builds up between your tires and the road, causing there to be no direct contact between your vehicle and the road.
Why is “Turn Around – Don’t Drown” so important?
Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather related hazard. The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. More than half of all flood related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Of these, many are preventable.
IF A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA:
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately! Act quickly to save yourself, you may not have much time.
Get out of areas that are subject to flooding and move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood waters. Low spots such as dips, canyons, and washes are not the places you want to be during flooding!
DO NOT camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.
DO NOT drive if not necessary. If driving is necessary, do not attempt to drive over a flooded road, as the depth of the water is not always obvious, and the roadway may no longer be intact under the water. Never drive around a barricade, they are placed there for your protection! If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and move to higher ground before water sweeps you and your vehicle away.
DO NOT try to walk, swim, or play in flood water. You may not be able to determine if there are holes or submerged debris, or how quickly the water is flowing, and you may be swept away. If water is moving swiftly, as little as 6 inches of water can knock you off of your feet! There is also a danger of hazardous materials polluting the water. Also remember that water is an electrical conductor, if there are power lines down, there is a possibility of electrocution.
Always continue to monitor the situation through the National Weather Service website, your NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards, or favorite local television or radio stations
To read about more consumer tips, you can visit my website www.kevinjrooney.com. I hope these tips are useful for you and that you stay safe while the flash flood warning is in effect.
Sincerely,
Kevin J. Rooney
Assemblyman
Legislative District 40
Ridgewood NJ, Comedian and Former co-host of The Howard Stern Show, Artie Lange, will sign his new book: Wanna Bet? at Bookends .
Artie Lange once revealed that Howard Stern was like a dysfunctional “father figure’ to him
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.
Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.
First In Line Certificate use is the the discretion of Bookends. Blackout dates may apply.
Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.
Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to ensure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
Today at 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Bookends Bookstore
211 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Ridgewood NJ, While the tone deaf Ridgewood School Board has continued to reject the idea , the Village Council is considering moving the Board of Education election back to April so that residents once again have a say on the school budget process.
According to local resident Steve Kim , “The cost of the budget vote is less than $2 per resident per year. You can maybe buy a cheeseburger at McD for that price. Turnout (measured by votes cast) has not been any better in November vs April.April gives us the budget vote. The poll is the most straightforward and democratic way for the residents to express their views. It’s a good way to have an added control, a sanity check, on the $110,000,000+ budget.”
The Village Council discussed moving the election in order to give people a chance to vote on how their tax dollars are spent.”It is time we talked about it,” , said Mayor Ramon Hache. The Ridgewood Council intends to exercise its authority to move the Ridgewood Board of Education elections back to April, restoring the public vote on the school budget. Mark your calendar for Village Council meeting July 18.
The Mayor said the matter would be discussed at the Village Council’s next meeting Wednesday. Members of the Board of Education have been invited to attend the meeting Wednesday.
The Ridgewood Board of Education approved a massive $110 million budget for the 2018-19 school year, with a 4.3% increase including and nearly $95 million local tax levy.
Under a state law that went into effect in 2012, a local board of education or municipal governing body could decide to move their municipality’s school board election from April to November. Doing so meant residents lost the ability to approve their school district’s budget for that coming year as long as the budget remains until the state-mandated 2 percent increase cap.
NJEA released the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, in which the court overturned more than four decades of established law in order to tilt the balance of power in workplaces even further toward employers:
“This morning’s blatantly anti-worker, anti-middle class ruling by the Supreme Court demonstrates what unions have always known: we must always fight for the rights of working people in America and never take any of those rights for granted,” said NJEA President Marie Blistan. “The court’s attempt today to stifle labor’s collective voice will fail, because we refuse to be silenced. They can change the law, but they cannot do anything about our determination to organize, to advocate and to fight for our fellow members and all working people.”
“The wealthy and powerful have always wanted to weaken unions, because we, the people who make up unions, refuse to be intimidated by them,” declared NJEA Vice President Sean M. Spiller. “But unions have never needed the permission of courts or legislators to do what we’ve joined together to do. Our mission has always included challenging the status quo and disrupting the structures built to hold back working people. That work doesn’t depend on the Supreme Court’s permission and it will not be stopped by this misguided ruling.”
“NJEA members know the value of our union, because we see the power of collective action at work every day,” added NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beatty. “We bargain contracts, we advocate for students and public schools, and we work to build a fairer, stronger and more just society for everyone. Separately, we could not win those fights. Together, we cannot be stopped.”
The anti-union effort that led to the Janus case has been bankrolled by the National Right to Work Foundation, part of a network funded by corporate billionaires whose goal is to use the courts to rig the rules against working people. It is a multiyear, multimillion dollar effort to manipulate the system for their benefit, at the expense of the middle class. For decades, they have used the vast resources at their disposal to chip away at the progress unions have made for working families. Their goal is to weaken unions in order to muffle the voices of middle class families.
While the full legal ramifications of the ruling must still be examined, NJEA will continue to fight for all members’ professional and economic interests, and advocate for students, families and public education.
NJEA was founded in 1853 and today represents over 200,000 active and retired school employees in New Jersey, as well as students preparing for careers in education.
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
JULY 18, 2018
8:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
5. Acceptance of Financial Reports
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Proclamations : NONE
8. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)
9. Comments from the Ridgewood Board of Education on moving the School Board Election from November to April
10. Village Manager’s Report
11. Village Council Reports
12. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER : NONE
13. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER : NONE
14. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 18-212 THROUGH 18-213 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: 18-212 Award Professional Services Contract – Eastside Reservoir Improvements 18-213 Award Contract – Linwood and Cedar Hill Wells.THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION, NUMBERED 18-214, WILL BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AND READ IN FULL:18-214 Award Contract – Public Policy Consultant
15. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3653 – Amend Valet Parking Ordinance
3654 – Establish Position of Municipal Humane Law Enforcement Officer
3655 – Establish Licensing of Sellers of E-Cigarettes
3656 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – No Left Turn – In and Out of Starbucks on Franklin Avenue
3657 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – No Turn on North Maple Avenue into Exit Driveway of 305 East Ridgewood Avenue (Jersey Mike’s)
3658 – Amend Ordinance – Enforcement for Dead/Dangerous Trees
3659 – Amend Outdoor Café Ordinance – Enforcement
3660 – Amend Parking Meter Rates and Times 3661 – Establish Residency Requirements for Civilian Positions
16. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
3650 – Bond Ordinance – Hudson Street Parking Garage ($12 million)
3651 – 2018 NJDOT Grant – Hillcrest Road Capital Ordinance
3652 – 2018 NJDOT Grant – North Pleasant Avenue Capital Ordinance
17. RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 18-215 THROUGH 18-237 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:
18-215 Award Contract – Vehicle Emergency Equipment – Fire Department (NTE $25,000)
18-216 Award Contract – Vegetative Management – The View at Crest Road (NTE $5,050)
18-217 Award Professional Services Contract – Meter Rates and Times for Funding for Hudson Street Parking Garage – Walker Consultants
18-218 Title 59 Approval – Snowplowing Services
18-219 Award Contract – Snowplowing Services (NTE $120,000)
18-220 Award Contract – Purchase of Compost Material
18-221 Title 59 Approval – Leaf Collection Services
18-222 Award Contract – Leaf Collection Services (NTE $92,240)
18-223 Title 59 Approval – Infra-red Asphalt Repair,Trench Patching and Misc. Curb & Sidewalk Repair
18-224 Award Contract – Infra-red Asphalt Repair, Trench Patching and Misc. Curb & Sidewalk Repair (NTE $150,000)
18-225 Title 59 Approval – Partial Roof Replacement – Village Hall
18-226 Award Contract – Partial Roof Replacement – Village Hall (NTE $122,650)
18-227 Award Contract Under Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Contract – 2018 Utility Vehicle – Emergency Services (NTE $118,000)
18-228 Award Contract Under Sourcewell National Cooperative Purchasing Agreement – Self- Contained Compaction Unit – Recycling (NTE $35,000)
18-229 Award Contract Under National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance – Hot Box for Asphalt Repairs (NTE $44,200)
18-230 Amend Contract – Security System at Village Hall (NTE $) 18-231 Authorize Interim Health Officer Coverage Agreement with Borough of Fair Lawn
18-232 Authorize Release of Escrow Funds – Stop & Shop Supermarket
18-233 Establish Annual Service Charge and Payment for Guarantee Bond for Ridgewood Senior Citizen Housing Corporation and Guaranty of Payment of Revenue Bonds
18-234 Authorize Tax Collector to Charge for Mailing of Tax Sale Notices
18-235 Authorize Village Manager to Execute Membership Agreements with Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement (formerly National Joint Powers Alliance Cooperative Purchasing Program)
18-236 Approve Field Design for Schedler Park
18-237 Authorize Shared Services Agreement – Snowplowing (Bergen County)
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 18-238 THROUGH 18-239, WILL BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AND READ IN FULL:
18-238 Award Contract – Appraiser for Green Acres Diversion
18-239 Authorize School Board Elections to be Changed from November to April 18. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
19. Resolution to go into Closed Session
20. Closed Session
Potential Purchase of Property – Green Acres Diversion
21. Adjournment
PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Village Hall Court Room – 7:30 P.M.
(all timeframes and the order of agenda items below are approximate and subject to change)
1. 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: Hache, Knudsen, Joel, Patire, Scheibner, Torielli, McWilliams, Barto, Van Goor, Wesner, Bandelt
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. – Jeanne Burke, Minor Sub-Division, 174 Elmsley Court, Block 2104, Lot 3.01- Execution of Minor Subdivision Deed
5. 7:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Louis J. IV and Stephanie Reynolds, Minor Subdivision and C Variances, 562 Morningside Road, Block 1313, Lot 18.01
6. 10:00 p.m. – 10:05 p.m. – Adoption of Minutes: February 21, 2017
7. 10:05 p.m. – Executive Session (if necessary)
8. 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.
Members: Ramon Hache, Susan Knudsen, Joel Torielli, Melanie McWilliams, David Scheibner, Richard Joel, Debbie Patire, Frances Barto, James Van Goor, Alysson Wesner, Matthew Bandelt
Professional Staff: Christopher Martin, Esq., Board Attorney; Christopher J. Rutishauser, Village Engineer; Brigette Bogart, Village Planner; Michael Cafarelli, Board Secretary
Ridgewood NJ, JULY 16TH – FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL! The word “Carmel” in Aramaic means “Garden of God” are refers to the mountain in northern Palestine where the Prophet Elijah defeated the pagan prophets. It is also where a community of Christian hermits lived in the early beginnings of Christianity. Later, after the group was exiled into Europe following the Crusades, this order of hermits was dying out. St. Simon Stock, the group’s leader at the time, received a vision of a woman dressed in a brown robe who gave him what is now known as the brown scapular. She instructed him to have the members or the order dress in the brown robes as she was and to distribute the scapular. In doing so, their group would continue to spread the Gospel message. When Stock asked who she was, the woman (who of course was Mary) stated, I am the Lady of Mount Carmel, referring to the mountain range where the group originated from. From that time forward the group wore the brown robes, distributed the brown scapular, and the order still exists to this day. We call them Carmelites! From that time forward May has had the title, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
DID YOU KNOW…One of the most popular names for Catholic Churches in the state of New Jersey is OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL! There are twenty in the state with that name!
According to CoStar, a nationally recognized real estate data resource, North Central Bergen County has a 7.2% office vacancy rate which equates to 180,000 square feet of vacant space. The Route 208 Corridor has a 6.7% vacancy rate which equates to 147,400 square feet of vacant space. So there is 327,400 square feet of vacant office space in the immediate vicinity. Ridgewood Water couldn’t successfully negotiate a lease under these conditions?
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