Tag: Village Council

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The Peanut Gallery Continues to Defend Unethical Behavior in Ridgewood

aronsohn and jan phillips

December 19,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, for the third time in as many weeks a supporter of the failed Aronsohn administration attempts to make excuses for the unethical behavior of both the former mayor Paul Aronsohn and his side kick former Village manager Roberta Sonnefeld . In a letter , “Regarding ethics fines brought against former officials”https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/12/14/letter-regarding-ethics-fines-brought-against-former-officials/952325001/ Ridgewood resident Jan T. Philips attempts to throw dispersions by attacking “transparency” , in her letter she says , “what was the basis for the seven-member board’s determination? Without the finding of fact for a conclusion, what we are left with is a capricious and arbitrary ruling that mocks transparency.”

Funny coming form supporters of the Aronsohn Administration aka the 3 Amigos , did they not lie and obfuscate the size and scope of the garage as well as its intended use ? Did not the former Village manager make a mess of the Parkmobile contract ? And what about the gimmie at Habernickel Park ?

The Ridgewood blog has documented at length their disgraceful and abusive behavior toward residents while pushing special deals for their friends and supporters . It time for residents to distance themselves from this aberrant behavior and treat these followers like the social piranhas they are. Unethical behavior should never be supported , endorsed or promoted, period.

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2% cap on Arbitration Awards set to Expire , Property Taxes set to Zoom

VillageHall_floods_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

December 19,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The League, along with a coalition of local government groups have made clear to the Legislature the need to extend the cap on arbitration awards , The league called on local mayors , saying “We know that hundreds of municipalities have publicly called for the extension of the cap, but it is clear we must redouble our efforts to maintain this important protection for property taxpayers”. The law is set to expire in two weeks.

In an analysis of the cap released this fall found it saved taxpayers $530 million on police and firefighter salaries and more broadly found the duo of caps saved taxpayers $2.9 billion.

The expiration date coincides with the expiration of at least 100 public safety municipal contracts, according to the League of Municipalities, and proponents said they would expect unions to quickly file for interest arbitration.

“The conclusions the data supports are undeniable. The arbitration award cap and property tax cap are unseverable and essential policies if we are serious about keeping property tax increases at the historically low rates of the last few years. The data and the report confirm what the laws of mathematics dictated from the start, you can’t have an effective cap on property taxes without an identical cap on arbitration awards. We can’t tell local officials their revenues can only increase by two percent, but that the largest line item in their budgets must increase by three percent or eight percent or any amount higher than the tax cap. And it isn’t just police and firefighter salary costs that are effected, there is a ripple effect throughout all salary expenses.” ,  Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon.

The League of Municipalities  says that Trenton needs to hear directly from you on the critical need for the common sense extension of the 2% cap on interest arbitration awards. In 32 calendar days the cap will expire along with over a 100 police and fire contracts. With this deadline looming, local officials’ voices must be heard in Trenton. If the cap is not extended it will be local leaders, not the special interest groups or State elected leaders, facing the dilemma of funding an unelected third party arbitrator’s award under the state mandated 2% levy cap.

In addition, to personally contacting your State representatives on the urgent need for the 2% cap on interest arbitration awards, please contact the following:
Senate President Sweeney at 856-251-9801 or [email protected]
Senate Republic Leader Kean at 908-232-3673 or [email protected]
Assembly Speaker Prieto at 201-770-1303 or [email protected]
Assembly Republican Leader Bramnick at 908-232-2073 or [email protected]
Assembly Speaker Elect Coughlin at 732-855-7441 or [email protected]
Governor Christie at 609-292-6000
Governor-Elect Murphy (Transition office) 609- 292-4075

 

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Consultant says Ridgewood Water Actually Undercharged During Lawsuit Time Period

ridgewood water bill

file photo

December 19,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, in a new twist on the long standing lawsuit again Ridgewood Water a consultant hired by the village says Ridgewood Water actually undercharged ratepayers in 2010 and 2011, a time when the utility was found by a Superior Court judge to have wrongly raised rates to cover village debt.

In July, Superior Court Judge Lisa Perez Friscia ruled in favor of the plaintiffs ;Wyckoff, Midland Park and Glen Rock, which are served by Ridgewood Water and had sued the village over rate increases between 2010 and 2012. The three municipalities argued that Ridgewood Water was using the excess fees to cover unrelated operating costs for the village of Ridgewood.

As previously reported Judge Friscia, called Ridgewood Water’s rate hikes arbitrary, and told the village to recalculate the charges.

An announcement Monday by Village Manager Heather Mailander said that Howard Woods, the consultant hired to recalculate the correct rates, released a 247-page “initial report” to Judge Friscia on Monday, stating that customers were actually undercharged for their water usage during the first two years covered in the lawsuit.

Mailander’s announcement went on to say that despite the increase there was still an overall “shortfall” of over $400,000 for the span of all three years.

Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff are currently appealing the July decision and are asking for not only a recalculation of rates, but are seeking $13.4 million in refunds and $3.6 million in damages.

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IRS phone scam using the Ridgewood Police Departments phone number

IRS Scam

file photo by Boyd Loving

December 19,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Residents have reported that the latest round of IRS phone scams is spoofing the Ridgewood Police Departments phone number to make it appear that the call is coming from the Ridgewood Police.

How it works and what you can do to protect yourself.

Scammers make unsolicited calls claiming to be IRS officials. They demand that the victim pay a bogus tax bill. They con the victim into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. They may also leave “urgent” callback requests through phone “robo-calls,” or via a phishing email.
Many phone scams use threats to intimidate and bully a victim into paying. They may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the license of their victim if they don’t get the money.

Scammers often alter caller ID numbers to make it look like the IRS or another agency is calling. The callers use IRS titles and fake badge numbers to appear legitimate. They may use the victim’s name, address and other personal information to make the call sound official.
Here are five things the scammers often do but the IRS will not do. Any one of these five things is a tell-tale sign of a scam.

The IRS will never:

* Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
*
* Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
*
* Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
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* Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
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* Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here’s what you should do:
If you don’t owe taxes, or have no reason to think that you do:
* Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
*
* Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” webpage. You can also call 800-366-4484.
*
* Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
If you know you owe, or think you may owe tax:
* Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you.
Stay alert to scams that use the IRS as a lure. Tax scams can happen any time of year, not just at tax time. For more, visit “Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts” on IRS.gov.
Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.

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Ridgewood Water ; Water Main Replacements at Stream Crossings

Ridgewood Water

December 19,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The project is progressing along with two of the stream crossings, East Ridgewood Ave. & North Irving St. completed with the exception of final restoration which will be completed in the Spring of 2018. The third stream crossing, Spring Avenue is 60% completed.

Keeping to schedule, Deven’s Construction will mobilizing to the fourth stream crossing, Linwood Avenue during the week of December 4th. Construction activities will include moving equipment and materials on site followed-up by mobilization of the crew. The first order of business will be to install the sheet piling in the stream bed and construction of the new water main thru the stream. We anticipate approximately 5 – 7 weeks for completion of the entire Linwood Avenue water main reconstruction barring any unforeseen conditions and inclement weather.

Devens Construction will be coordinating with the Ridgewood police who will be directing traffic around work areas on an as needed basis. Expected work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7am – 4:30pm, with possible Saturday work.

  • New water main
  • East Ridgewood Ave. & North Irving St
  • Monday through Friday, 7am – 4:30pm
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Ridgewood Board of Education Meeting Tonight in the Ed Center

cottageplaceBOE_theridgewoodblog

December 18,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Board of Education will be holding its regular public meeting December 18 2017 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM in the Board Room, 3rd Floor, Education Center.

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.

Agenda : https://ridgewood.ss10.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_207516/File/Our%20District/Board%20of%20Education/Board%20Business/12-18-17.pdf

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NJ TRANSIT TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL DUAL-POWERED LOCOMOTIVES

ridgewood train station

December 18, 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today approved the purchase of 17 additional dual-powered locomotives manufactured by Bombardier Transit Corporation. The new locomotives will allow NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations to retire some of the oldest locomotives in the fleet to increase mechanical reliability, operational flexibility and efficiency.

“The addition of these new dual-powered locomotives continues our effort to modernize our rail fleet,” said Executive Director Steven H. Santoro. “These locomotives can operate across the entire rail system in either electric or diesel mode providing us with greater versatility and operating efficiency.”

The ALP45 locomotives will replace NJ TRANSIT’s aging fleet of GP40 and F40-series locomotives, which were initially manufactured in the late 1960s. The older locomotives have reached the end of their service life and have become increasingly more expensive to maintain. In addition, the GP40s and F40s are becoming functionally obsolete as a result of their limited pulling power and ability to provide electrical power to the larger, heavier multi-level passenger coaches.

The ALP45 locomotives are designed to operate push-pull passenger train service on both electrified and non-electrified lines at speeds of up to 125 mph in electric mode and up to 100 mph in diesel mode. The locomotives will meet the current EPA Tier IV requirements, reducing emissions compared to the locomotives to be replaced when operating in diesel mode, and producing no emissions when operating in electric mode. The ALP45s offer a significant increase in horsepower, acceleration and available head-end power over the GP40s they will be replacing.

In 2008, the Board of Directors approved a contract with Bombardier Transit Corporation for the purchase of 26 ALP45 dual-powered locomotives, with an option to purchase up to 63 additional locomotives in the future. In July 2011, NJ TRANSIT purchased 9 additional locomotives, increasing the total number of ALP45s to 35. The first locomotive was delivered in December 2011. The introduction of the dual-powered ALP45s in 2011 marked a first for this technology in the United States.

Today, the Board approved the purchase of 17 additional ALP45 locomotives at a total contract authorization of $184.5 million, under the 2008 contract with Bombardier Transit Corporation.

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Petition to Stop Destruction of Historic 1830s Ridgewood Home at 315 East Glen in Ridgewood

StopSign_081712_rn_tif_

December 18,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, an online petition is be circulated by Ridgewood residents looking to stop the over development of the Village . The planning board in the past has not excepted online petitions some residents hope to bring pressure and sanity to the process .

TIRED OF SUBDIVISIONS AND DEVELOPERS taking down our homes, clear cutting 16 trees, eliminating open space, reducing our property values but raising our taxes.
#JUSTSAYNO to this 250 year old street and 157 year old homes being torn down. Attend the next planning board meeting 12/19 and support your residents – or please help to sign the petition.

Stop Destruction of Historic 1830s Ridgewood Home at 315 East Glen!

Petition by Jill Williams

To be delivered to Mayor Susan Knudsen, Ridgewood Mayor, Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon, Deputy Mayor, Councilman Ramon Hache, Councilman, Councilman Jeff Voigt, Councilman, Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh, Councilwoman and 8 other targets (click here to see more)

Please do not approve the variances that would allow the historic 1830s home at 315 East Glen Avenue in Ridgewood to be destroyed and replaced with two new homes!
There are currently 54 signatures. NEW goal – We need 100 signatures!
 Petition Background
I grew up in the historic home at 315 East Glen Avenue, which was built in the early 1830s and shares many original architectural and decorative details with the Hermitage and Hohokus Inn (woodwork, moldings, floors, banisters, windows etc.) It has a fascinating history with residents including the actor Edwin Boothe, and was reputed to have been a part of the Underground Railroad. A woman named Miss Colie lived there during the Depression who was supposed to distribute flour and sugar as a part of the WPA program, but she ended up committing suicide in the garage when she was found to have stolen the supplies.
Aside from the beauty, history and trees/landscaping that would be lost forever with the destruction of this home, the variances requested create issues for the town and neighborhood including:
– non-conformance of buildable and usable square footage to other homes in the area
– water collection, drainage and flood prevention given the reduction of trees and grass due to additonal paving proposed and requirements for running of utility lines
– access and safety of additional cars from secondary home
– non-conformance of variances for a home to be set back and sideways
– non-conformance to expand pathway to 20 ft, (currently no examples in town)
Please join us in opposing the variances that would allow this home to be destroyed and help us to save this historic home for future generations to enjoy as a part of the varied architectural and historic tapestry that make up our community! Thank you for your support!!

https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-destruction-of-historic?source=c.em.cp&r_by=19358725

 

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Reader says The truth is we all bear responsibility for having allowed the exploitation to take place

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

Arohnson is enough of a politician to have seen the gathering winds of suburban change and the undercurrent of discord that was building up. Then, he exploited. He used fear of change to create an appealing political message averring managed growth based on shared values. Once he had his triumpherate in place, however, he then set about reoraganizing things according to his own myoptic view. As he was fond of saying, he wanted to remodel Ridgewood in the pattern of the Brunswicks. Developers, hospital administrators, restaurant owners and others drove pick up trucks through his naivete, arrogance, stupidity and, yes, greed, and we taxpayers are left with the mess and the tax burden.
But, its wrong to blame this one target (no matter how blameworth it is ). The truth is we all bear responsibility for having allowed the exploitation to take place. And now the question is what are we really doing to undo what was done and put us back on track.

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Reader Recommends a “professional search process” to fill Village of Ridgewood Vacancies

RHS_theridgewoodblog

Absolutely there should be a more professional search process…. However, when talking about government related, other factors are involved. It’s not the private sector. Yes there may be SOME nepotism in RWood but it’s a LOT worse elsewhere and the ones that people bring up aka some certain police officers, the requirements, tests and training ensure that the brightest and best are hired, even though some local town cranks don’t believe it…. the other part is that there are a number of residents who will make a lot of noise and whine when an outside hire is not “attuned” to issues in our “quaint village”. Plus spending our precious tax dollars for professional recruitment will bring howls of protest as well. But yeah, the idea is a good one.

While it sounds good on paper and given the experience with former Village manager who had zero experience  as a town manager  and little experience in finance sounds like a very good idea . Long time residents will recall the “Marty Brooks fiasco” , for which the Ridgewood Schools District paid a significant sum of money to attract and hire a deeply flawed candidate , Marty Brooks of TERC math fame  . Fortunately Brooks declined and  the Village and the School system dodged a bullet on that one and was saved  .

 

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Reader claims island at train station provides safety and attractiveness to the town

Toilet_garber -square

I know that taking away islands is Knudsen’s idea. I mean that she is working in the spirit of Aronsohn and gang, continuing their work so to speak. Therefore Aronshon and gang get a bonus, a reward. Aronsohn and gang overdeveloped the town as much as possible, but didn’t think of islands at train station. Knudsen did think of it, continuing to tear away at what provides safety and attractiveness to the town. A narrow path at train station makes it virtually impossible for shoppers at farmers market to traverse the area. Commuters will find it much more dangerous to get to their parked cars.
. If CBD is sometimes too crowded to park , so is Westfield Garden State Plaza. And so is Paramus Park Mall and Fashion Center sometimes too crowded. Hey, this is Bergen County. One million people live here.
Hudson St. is the worst possible intersection for a parking garage. Too congested,creating a traffic mess. The garage will never pay for itself; raising parking meter rates to one dollar will keep people away.

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Yes Kids there Really Was A Santa Claus

CookiesWithSanta3_theridgewoodblog

December 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On Dec. 6, the faithful commemorated a bishop in the early church who was known for generosity and love of children. Born in Lycia in Asia Minor , modern day Turkey around the late third or fourth century, St. Nicholas of Myra is more than just the inspiration for the modern day Santa Claus .

St. Nicholas, the original person behind the Santa Claus legend. Known as Nicholas of Myra .The bishop was noted for his unbridled generosity .

Interestingly enough, he played a role in a key event in Christian history, as he answered a request in 325 by the Roman emperor Constantine and took part in the First Council of Nicaea. During that council, leaders of the early Christian church including Nicholas approved the Nicene Creed and settled on a date for the Easter celebration.

St. Nicholas became associated with Christmas because of the tradition that he had of giving secret gifts to children. It is also conjectured that the saint, who was known to wear red robes and have a long white beard, was culturally converted into the large man with a reindeer-drawn sled full of toys because in German, his name is “San Nikolaus” which almost sounds like “Santa Claus.”

Interesting enough, letters weren’t sent to Nicholas until long after his death. While he was recognized as a saint, “letters to santa “didn’t start coming from children until more than 900 years later. They were not seen as toy requests as much as written prayers. The St. Nicholas Center records the first letter as being sent by a little girl at some period after the year 1200.

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Reader debate the Extent of the Damage Done to the Village by the Previous Administration

Ridgewood 3 amigos

Well, the previous council and their committees got everything they wanted. That is the reality.

Multi family housing, parking garage, athletic filed at Schedler and to boot a bonus prize for hard work…. tearing away the lovely islands at the train station and putting in a narrow pathway and calling it just as attractive. Aronsohn and his gang must be laughing hard at that one while they sip their champagne. They got an unexpected reward!! Even they would never have suggested tearing away that lovely greenery. Clunk heads , the current council, clunk heads.

or maybe no….

well we do not have a parking garage and we might not ever. The proposed field at Schedler is way smaller than Don Delzio and his denizens proposed. The train station parking lot re-furb will be way WAY better than a gargantuan garage.

Aronsohn and his gang are meeting with lawyers and spending lots of money trying to figure out how to save the remains of their reputations from ethics charges, charges of lying about parking-app contracts, etc. Not a lot of champagne flowing there.

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Reader Questions Current Ridgewood Councils Motivations

Village Council

The current council has put bids in for a garage design. They are determined. The field at Schedler with parking spaces and bathrooms will take away enough trees to reduce all wildlife, like the eagles and make the place ugly and full of pollution. The cost of the field and golden bathrooms and parking spaces will be gargantuan. Sedon said he doesn’t care HOW MUCH IT COSTS THE TAXPAYERS. Sedon said it will be done over a period of years and budgeted little by little.. That is cheaters talk. It will still cost taxpayers the same, big raise in taxes overall.

As for those lovely islands at the train station.

” Refurbish” is another SUBURBAN euphemism that means destroy nature for a perceived financial gain. that will make an environment, ugly, polluted, dangerous. By golly, oh jolly let the people who live in the rain forests and lands where wild animals dwell , chop down trees, poach for ivory and sell skins of wild animals. They are POOR and trying to SURVIVE. What example are we rich folds showing them. We can’t save a measly seven acres. When eagles are threatened and leave their nest they die. WHO CARES A CRAP about that.

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Reader says Ridgewood is an Easy Target for Political Scammers

Paul_Aronsohn_theridgewood blog

This town is about as good as it gets when it comes to attracting these chancers and crooks to our political process.

1. It’s wealthy

2. It’s mostly disconnected from the goings-on being that many of the adults work long Wall St hours and the wealthy wives are far too preoccupied with lunches and social activities.

3. It’s a very transient population. People move in so that their kids go through the schools – then move on.

4. The majority are Democrat and have a macro view of Democrat politics, having no clue as to the small town crookery that exists in local politics.