Ridgewood NJ, Resident Saurabh Dani gave us his take on the Planning board meeting last night , “This new Dayton building they are discussing at the planning board has 34.8 units per acre. We were told by ex deputy mayor in council meetings multiple times that because of the set backs and floor plan ratios, they will never go beyond 28-29, even if the ordinance allows 35. That was a big lie.
Also max height at some places (four units to go that height) is 58 feet from AVERAGe grade. I asked what is the max height from the lowest grade level, not averaged grade, and they would not answer it. How difficult is it to ‘grade’ a slope by adding a few truck loads of dirt?”
Since there was not a vote last night on the petition nor high density housing, there is still more time to collect names.
So let me get this story straight and see if I have it right. PSEG schedules major work on Broad Street to commence in late September and run through the Christmas season. This is done when Roberta is still employed. The summer comes and goes, and Roberta goes…and goes. Then last week Tony Damiano gets up at a meeting and states that this is the worst possible time for the merchants, as they make most of their money in the 4th quarter. This makes sense, but it is hard to hear the sense in his message since he is all but accusing Mayor Knudsen of doing this on purpose to screw the merchants. As if she would do anything remotely like that, honestly, Damiano is insane. But I digress.
So the meeting ends at midnight or whenever, and Susan goes right to work the next day setting up a meeting with PSEG to see if they will change the time frame away from the Christmas season. In a text exchange with Damiano, she tells him she will be meeting with PSEG and encourages him to give her any input or insights before she meets with them. He does not do so.
On Monday morning at 10:00 she meets with PSEG, along with Rutishauser and (in the absence of Heather who was off) Janet Fricke. Mayor Knudsen manages to accomplish a major victory, because she gets the giant utility company to change their dates. This happens because Susan is very pleasant and diplomatic. We know that the PSEG folks DESPISED Aronsohn because he was such an Atilla the Hun with them, bossing them around through the hurricane aftermath.But now we have a mayor who is pleasant, polite, professional, and easy to get along with.
Mayor Knudsen immediately composes a press release to let everyone know that the dates have been changed, but before she can send it Mr. Damiano in his great arrogance sends out a victory letter taking full credit for accomplishing the date change. Un-effing-believable. He was NOT in the meeting, but he takes full credit for this. He does not acknowledge Mayor Knudsen, he does not thank Mayor Knudsen, and in fact he goes on to write some very snarky and sarcastic comments about her. He accuses the Mayor of trying to stick it to the merchants, instead of thanking her for solving the problem. And then he goes on to posture that he will be doing direct negotiations with PSEG moving forward for any work they want to schedule. What???? Damiano is not an elected official, he is not an employee of the Village. He has ZERO authority to schedule any utility work in this town.
In the end, Mayor Knudsen took the right approach, solved the problem, and took the high road in the face of incredible invective from Tony Damiano as well as Troll Halaby.
We are all so grateful for Mayor Knudsen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
There wasn’t a vote last night re the petition nor high density, so we have more time to collect names!
Ridgewood NJ, a last minute petition is making the rounds looking to forestall any decision on development in the Central Business District . The petition in support of a law suit brought against the planning board in May by Ridgewood Citizens for Reasonable Development claiming that “mistakes” were made which corrupted the entire planning process.
Dear Friends,
Please review the attached petition/testimony and consider adding your name to it. Supporting this petition is our best chance at stopping the Planning Board’s high density housing review process which COULD GO TO A VOTE TONIGHT!!
In order to add your name to the petition:
1) Print out the signing page of the attached petition letter and sign it.
2) Either scan or take a jpeg snapshot of the autographed signing page with your phone and email it to: myself, Mayor Knudsen, Planning Board Secretary Cafarelli and Planning Board Attorney Christopher Martin:
Ridgewood NJ, This screen shot above was posted on the FB discussion to discredit this email from Tony. This shows clear contradiction in what he is claiming about Mayor agreeing to include him in the conversation or not. Readers say, “He is a habitual liar.” Remember HPC letter? — please read this email + the screen shot posted in the original article for full picture:
Thank you Susan,
But I am confused. Your last email on Friday afternoon (sent to me only) said, “Tony, can you join me in meeting with PSEG next week.” I replied,”Absolutely.” You never called me so I called PSEG myself at noon today.
The good thing that came out of this is….,Andrew Wesley now has my cell number, and I have his. He will consult with me personally on any and all PSEG matters regarding our CBD.
Also, you and the bloggers need to stop pointing a finger at Roberta, It is on record that she mentioned this project at 2 August Council Meetings and you did not do anything about it. As u know, I do not attend all meetings. I missed both of these meetings or I would have taken action sooner.
Best………………..Tony Damiano
To make matters worse, Damiano sent the message below to Guild members. Clearly/compared to the official transcript above, he lied to his members and distorted what actually transpired. SHAMEFUL!!
Reader says , “You know when Keith Killion lost by just 6 votes to that dimwit Gwenn Hauck, he exited with great grace and dignity. These three who were unelectable in any possible was are going out with absolutely no grace and no dignity. They are all so pissed off that their three replacement candidates were trounced and that their garage to save the world was voted into oblivion. Sore losers hardly describes their behavior. They should take a lesson from Keith, and other very fine council people who left office, and be classy about it.” Definition of sore loser
: a person who becomes very upset or angry when he or she loses a game, contest, etc.
I don’t remember Tony, Rurik, et al trashing Paul/Al/Gwenn during their tenure. Sore losers just throwing mud. And yes, Tony is petty because no one chose him to be part of ANOTHER team. If I remember correctly, he couldn’t play nice with the COC so he left to start the guild. Never thought that him as president of the guild would be a lifetime gig.
To be fair, PSEG has been a pain in the azz this summer. That said, Rurik is stirring the pot and is coming across as the latest village troll. TD is a triple sore loser with the garage being voted down, the 3 amigos no longer on the council and now, he can’t play “historian”. All very petty.
Fool us once…Let them just go away. They will never return despite them still hanging around? Chamber of Commerce etc. Sore Loserman ran and lost and they eventually went away. So will these 3. The new Council is awesome and out of the ordinary issues will be attributed to those 3….so we will overcome. They are already off to a great start repealing Pfundwood! Can we get rid of that Gyro Wall next? Tell the sidewalk Nazi he may be next after the wall fall…wasn’t he responsible for the $750,000 coin guy? People have to be held responsible. Thank you 1st amendment…
Aronsohn’s recent op ed piece in The Record and Pucciarelli’s letter to the editor in The Ridgewood News suggest that their plan is to lob hand grenades into the Knudsen administration’s agenda with the hopes of inflicting casualties of some sort. SORE LOSERS.
Clearly, he is the sorest of the sore losers. The two websites, his and Gwenn’s, are pitiful testaments to their longing for a return to power. Good riddance to bad rubbish, the both of them.
He is just an angry sore loser.He needs a hobby.
Clearly, the sore losers are now out in force trying their best to disrespect (got that Gwenn?) those who were able to successfully bring their 4 year reign of terror to an end.
What a bunch of sore losers. Where were all of you when the dirt bag mayor, nit wit Gwenn, fatso Roberta, and full of himself Albert thought nothing of calling Susan every derogatory name in the book? You’re a bunch of losers who just can’t let it go
Ridgewood NJ, Amazingly Anthony Damiano the Ridgewood Guild President and owner of Mango Jam posted and email yesterday claiming that “I have successfully postponed the debilitating pseg project”.
As if we think or are expected to believe that PSEG took a meeting with, and then rearranged a project timeline at the request and demand of Anthony Damiano, and not the hard work of our mayor, acting village manager, and engineers.
It is rather disturbing that Damiano and his cohorts would attempt to falsely and blatantly takes full credit for getting PSEG to change their start date, especially asking for kudos to be heaped on The Ridgewood Guild. Apparently he and some of the sore loser comrades of the 3 amigos have a serious hang up with Mayor Susan Knudsen and clearly have a hang up with the fact she is a women and good at her job.
Ridgewood NJ, PSE&G representatives agreed to reschedule work on North and South Broad Street to begin in January after meeting Village officials Monday.
While is was well known that the previous Mayor Paul Aronsohn had issues with PSE&G Mayor Knudsen moved quickly to resolve the situation putting old issues to rest.
Village officials including the Mayor Susan Knudsen and Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser met this morning with David Hollenbeck, PSE&G regional public affairs manager, who along with other representatives from the utility agreed to implement a work-around schedule pushing the start date to on or about January 9, 2017, avoiding a critical fourth quarter impact on businesses in that area.
The rescheduling resulted from a cooperative effort to resolve the issue of work previously scheduled to begin Sept. 26, in the Village’s historic business district.
“The meeting was cordial and professional,” Knudsen said. “PSE&G officials appreciated the vulnerabilities of our small businesses, especially during the fourth-quarter holiday retail season. They responded and we’re most appreciative.”
The Village Council, recognizing the serious nature of the work in upgrading utility infrastructure, expressed gratitude to PSE&G for working collaboratively with Village officials. The Village Engineer is already began planning to ensure both the Village and PSE&G are prepared for the January start date.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Blog has learned the Ridgewood new code enforcement officer has been making the rounds in the CBD counting chairs and tables to check if restaurants are in compliance with their the outdoor cafe permits . She has issued several written warning for those that are in violation. We wonder if she is also check for encroachments in to the pedestrian right of way? Is she checking for planters and flower pots that made impeded people from walking or parking their car ( and lets nor forget people with disabilities) ? Does she do her checking during her 9-5 work day or does she come out at night and on the weekend when restaurants load up the sidewalk and tables?
This morning at 10 am I had the opportunity to meet with PSEG officials along with Village Engineer, Chris Rutishauser and Janet Fricke, Assistant to the Village Manager. The hour long meeting resulted in PSE&G representatives agreeing to reschedule work on North and South Broad Street to begin in January. David Hollenbeck, PSE&G regional public affairs manager, who along with other representatives from the utility agreed to implement a work-around schedule pushing the start date to on or about January 9, 2017, avoiding a critical fourth quarter impact on businesses in the area. The rescheduling resulted from a cooperative effort to resolve the issue of work previously scheduled to begin Sept. 26, in the Village’s historic business district. The meeting was cordial and professional. PSE&G officials appreciated the vulnerabilities of our small businesses, especially during the fourth-quarter holiday retail season. They responded and we’re most appreciative.
The Village Council, recognizing the serious nature of the work in upgrading utility infrastructure, is grateful to PSE&G for working collaboratively with us.As well we appreciate the patience of our businesses while we worked through the details with PSEG. We wish you all the greatest success and many, many sales during the upcoming fourth quarter.
(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, Altano, Joel, Reilly, Patire, Thurston, Scheibner, Torielli, McWilliams
7:35 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. – Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board
7:40 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. – Committee/Commission/Professional Updates for Non Agenda Topics, Correspondence Received by the Board
7:45 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. – Ridgewood/Dayton, Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan, 100 & 152 South Broad Street, Blocks 3707/3905, Lots 5.01/1.01 – Public Hearing continued from September 6, 2016
10:15 p.m. – 10:20 p.m. – Adoption of Minutes: October 20, 2015
10:20 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. – Unfinished Business and New Business- Open Space Committee Liaison, Resolution re: Appointment of Alternate Planning Board Counsel, Scheduling of meetings and applications, Committee Appointments, and discussion of any other open items
10:30 p.m. – Executive Session (if necessary)
AdjournmentIn 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: Susan Knudsen, Jeff Voigt, Joel Torielli, Melanie McWilliams, David Scheibner, Richard Joel, Kevin Reilly, David Thurston, Isabella Altano, Debbie Patire
We have a case of FOOT IN MOUTH disease, as in when someone says something completely moronic. Currently on Facebook Rurik Halaby is making a gigantic fool of himself on It Takes a Ridgewood Village. Rurik do you want some salt and pepper with that shoe you are eating?
It is good to see that Rurik’s Facebook posts are challenged. Many people don’t like to get in arguments on Facebook but we have a dedicated group of residents who challenge him with the facts. He just posts misinformation and lies. Any idiot can do that.
It amazes me that a business owner in town can show up at a council meeting and blame them for the PSEG work schedule. Why doesn’t he complain to PSEG?
Why doesn’t he embrace the Ridgewood Fall Craft Fair? It is great to have Ridgewood Ave closed for a pedestrian fair.
Ridgewood NJ, according to Rurik Halaby, the following is an email sent to Tony Damiano, owner of Mango Jam and President of The Ridgewood Guild in response to a letter written by Tony to the Mayor re the PSE&G project:
Dear Tony,
I can’t express how disappointed I am with your email. First, PSEG work schedules are not controlled by Village Council and I, along with council colleagues, have taken the concerns of the business community very seriously. Personally, I began working on this tirelessly since 7:00am Thursday morning and have not stopped. The (former)Village Manager was involved in, and is responsible for, any decisions made in May or June and up until the date of her resignation. l was not included or apprised of those discussions or decisions. It’s unfortunate any time working on resolving this has been interrupted by this antagonistic and angry email.
Your assertion that I am “micro-managing” anything is shameful and regrettable. Five council members selected the members of the CBDAC. Furthermore, your suggestion that you could have been a “great asset” to the Central Business District Advisory Committee is undermined by the tone and content of your email. I have great confidence in Councilman Hache and this wonderful group of CBDAC committee members.
Council members Hache, Voigt and Walsh along with Deputy Mayor Sedon, myself and Village Staff have worked diligently to support for our business community. Your email is gratuitous and offensive.
I will continue my efforts to resolve the PSEG matter and am in the process of scheduling a meeting with them. I hope we can move on from this and will keep you informed of any progress.
-Susan
Mayor Susan Knudsen
Councilwoman
Rurik Halaby added on Facebook , “I could not believe the insulting, sarcastic, and disdainful tone and nature of this letter. Tony deserves better. He is a passionate man who is totally dedicated to making Ridgewood a better place for all of us, particularly the CBD.
Ms. Knudsen swore to uphold the U.S. Constitution. The first amendment guarantees Tony’s right to express himself. As importantly, it guarantees his right “to petition the Government for redress of grievances.”
If Mayor Aronshohn had written such a letter the Vocalantis would have hung him in effigy.
Ms. Knudsen, you owe Tony an apology!”
Yes Rurik we all know how much Paul Aronsohn loved PSE&G.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood blog has received the following email from Tony Damiano of the Ridgewood Guild . It’s odd though no one ever made such a big deal over the “traffic easing ” which greatly reduced the inflow of traffic into the Ridgewood’s central business district. No one also ever brought up these objection with the Hudson Parking Garage . Funny how best estimates would put many Ridgewood CBD stores under great duress during the construction period .
Subject: Re: fr: Tony Damiano re: PSEG Update
Ramon,
I understand that. What I was referring to was the the recent dialogue from yesterday.
What you are telling me only makes the situation worse. Now I am shocked that the Council knew about this as far back as May and never communicated with The Ridgewood Guild or the business community. At the “wonderful” meeting that took place on Tuesday of this week at the Chamber office, again, nothing was mentioned. The Chamber of Commerce wasn’t even notified. I spoke with Joan Groom yesterday. I thought Council learned about the project a couple of weeks ago. Now you are telling me this was on the table back in May or June and none of us knew???
While I have your ear. I am very disappointed that I cannot be a part of your new Downtown Committee. I know I would have been a great asset, a historian so to speak, on what works and what may not. As I stated at the July meeting and at Wednesday night’s meeting, I need to know who the resident committee members are. It seems Susan is micro-managing the choices. Allegedly, Lorrainne Reynolds and Amy Borque have been selected. I am curious to know who the other 3 are. You need a good mix of people on this committee in order for it to succeed. Committee members who have different points of view, but can work amicably together. These 2 people are huge supporters of Susan’s. Lorraine said she would support the Hudson St. garage if it were taken down a level. Amy formed for Save Ridgewood group and opposed the residential complexes. She is lovely, but I’m afraid to say that this is a conflict of interest. Her family owns a residential complex just on our border. I know Philip Davis is representing the Chamber. He will, no doubt contribute, however he has only been in town for 2 years. Gary Kolsaire is the right choice. His business has been in town a number of years. Also, please do your homework before speaking. At the July meeting you suggested bringing the Christmas tree to the park. You will need to further investigate that one. That created a backlash that business owners and residents are still talking about.
You say you are working to support the business community. Here are 3 examples of how you are not…
1) You have swept the parking deck under the rug, not having it on the past 2 Council Meeting Agendas, even though the past Mayor, past Deputy Mayor, past Councilwoman, Assistant Village Manager, president of The Ridgewood Guild, current president, and 3 past presidents of The Chamber of Commerce, all f which are considered “Community Leaders” were in favor of it. Much time, effort and money was spent listening to professionals and consultants regarding design, financial reports, (which were approved by our Council appointed Financial Committee), and a professional traffic consultant. While I’m on the subject, is it true you have assigned another traffic consultant who is not certified to do, and yet another study?
2) You didn’t inform us of the PSEG work that will greatly effect 4th Quarter.
3) Rumor has it that the Council is looking to raise the parking meters to $.75 an hour.
Best………………..Tony Damiano – President
Community Conversation September 21 – MAKING RIDGEWOOD MORE AGE FRIENDLY
WHAT: An Encore presentation of our 55 and Over Survey Data and Age-Friendly concepts. Then A GROUP THINK, a COMMUNITY BRAINSTORMING session- we need YOUR IDEAS about how to Ridgewood more Age Friendly
WHO: Anyone interested in life in Ridgewood after age 55. If you are 55 or over or you are planning for your future or you have parents in this age group or your customers are older please join us.
WHERE: Ridgewood Library Auditorium
WHEN: Wednesday September 21, 3:30-5:30 pm.
WHY: We have wonderful data about both the strengths and needs of the community from our Ridgewood 55 and Over
Survey. We are ready to take the next step and create an action plan. For that we need community input about specific improvements that we should consider implementing, especially in the following areas:
· housing options,
· flexible transportation
· pedestrian safety
· enhanced communication and marketing, directory of resources
· leveraging the expertise of the older population and
· assisting homeowners with difficult tasks.
We want Ridgewood to be as great a place to grow old as it is to grow up and we are interested in what age-friendly means to you and what your priorities are. What would make you remain in Ridgewood after your kids are grown and gone?
Any questions please email [email protected] or call 201-652-1614.
Beth Abbott and Sheila Brogan, of the Age-Friendly Ridgewood Initiative
“Golden Toilet” by Maurizio Cattelan retrospective at the Guggenheim
September 17,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York NY, Are you sitting down? Maurizio Cattelan: “America” opened yesterday, September 16, in one of the museum’s public restrooms. “America”—the first piece that #Cattelan has exhibited since his 2011 retrospective at the Guggenheim—is a working toilet cast from gold, which museumgoers are allowed to use just as they would any other facility in the building. In a gallery environment where visitors are usually told, “don’t touch,” this is an extraordinary opportunity to spend time completely alone with a work of art.
Its nice to see a Golden Toilet get a appreciation it deserves .
We often get asked great article ,but what does this have to do with Ridgewood ? The Ridgewood blog was inspired by the “Golden Toilet” retrospective. Many of our readers have accused the Village of flushing money down the toilet years . Recent projects like the idiotic “traffic easing”, or the over priced ramp at Graydon pool ring a bell but for many the “Golden Toilet Fiasco: was one of the biggest flushes of money down the drain .The $400,000 toilet rivaled only the “Village Hall Fiasco” . While not quite on the same scope financially as the Village Hall Fiasco ,the “Golden Toilet ” became emblematic for everything wrong with the Village of Ridgewood.
Government has become a self perpetuating beast; enacting regulations (to protect the people!) which require people to enforce, require extra hours and costs to adhere to them and thus driving up costs for everyone else. The private sector has profit as motivation, government has service as its mandate. Government should not be running businesses that private enterprises can provide cheaper https://theridgewoodblog.net/the-golden-toilet-government-has-become-a-self-perpetuating-beast/
So next time you hear that the “Government” , or “Village Hall ” ought to do something remember the “Golden Toilet ” a $400,000 place wher only an 5th grader can go.
“here I sit all Brokenhearted paid a dime and only ….well you know the rest.
