N.J. Senate President Sweeney said an investigation by fellow lawmakers into politically motivated traffic jams should end
TRENTON — The New Jersey Legislature’s top Democrat said an investigation by fellow lawmakers into politically motivated traffic jams should end if a judge quashes the panel’s subpoenas before quickly reversing course Monday and saying the committee has not run its course.
Pressure is mounting for Trenton to reform public employee payouts
APRIL 6, 2014, 10:35 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2014, 11:33 PM
BY LINH TAT
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
Municipalities with the highest |
payout liabilities of unused sick |
and vacation time:
Bergen County
Hackensack $18,875,368
Fort Lee $7,922,232
Ridgewood $6,492,123
Englewood $5,656,052
Teaneck $4,077,603
Passaic County
Clifton $14,788,633
Paterson $12,756,523
Passaic $5,387,942
Wayne $1,564,929
Bloomingdale $748,587
Source: New Jersey Department of Community
Affairs 2011 data
A series of six-figure payouts that have forced towns to borrow millions of dollars have placed a renewed focus on the perk afforded to public workers for decades.
As the cases have mounted, the Legislature has yet to strike a deal for statewide reform. It’s a tug of war between those who want to scrap the benefit entirely and others who want to preserve it for existing longtime workers. Somewhere in the middle are town officials who are left to make up their own rules and negotiate with unions, while struggling to keep property taxes in line.
A 2 percent cap on property tax levy increases has put the pressure on towns to stop the payouts. At the same time, a loophole allows them to borrow the money — a quick fix that will pile on years of debt for taxpayers.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/pressure-is-mounting-for-trenton-to-reform-public-employee-payouts-1.842745#sthash.RqmhR4q9.dpuf
file photo Boyd Loving
Ridgewood supervisors stress staffing needs at budget hearings
APRIL 3, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014, 3:25 PM
BY BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
Ridgewood Council members and department supervisors continue to search for expense reductions as they work toward balancing the 2014 municipal budget. Their overall goal, which was achieved last year, is to introduce a plan that features a zero percent average tax increase.
Last Thursday, council members reviewed spending proposals from several smaller departments, including several overseen by Chris Rutishauser, head of Ridgewood’s Department of Public Works. Village Clerk Heather Mailander discussed the individual budgets of the departments that she directs.
The engineering division will incur one significant staffing expense, according to Rutishauser, who is hoping to promote a senior engineering aide to the position of principal engineering aide. The proposed personnel move has been requested to fill a vacancy created by a retirement in 2010.
Rutishauser, Ridgewood’s engineer, highlighted a spending decrease, noting that he budgeted for reduced spending on public works education and training, which was a $4,700 item.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/ridgewood-supervisors-stress-staffing-needs-at-budget-hearings-1.841241#sthash.jNvEGeUU.dpuf
Ridgewood News Editorial: Coin caper calls for change
MARCH 28, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014, 12:32 AM
A former public works inspector’s admission to the brazen theft of approximately 1.8 million quarters is troubling on many fronts. As The Record detailed last week, the effort to make off with what amounted to more than $460,000 in coins is astounding.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-editorials/coin-caper-calls-for-change-1.753168#sthash.LMUIaBiL.dpuf
Deadline Nears for Residents Seeking to Volunteer to Serve on the PLANNING BOARD AND FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Deadline for submissions is March 28, 2014.
The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Planning Board and the Financial Advisory Committee.
The Planning Board reviews site plans and subdivision applications; prepares, adopts, and amends the Master Plan; makes recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to developmental regulations and the official map.
The Financial Advisory Committee assists in the review and understanding of the financial considerations necessary to the operation of the Village and the Village’s preparation of the Annual and Capital Budgets; provides review, advice and recommendations to the Village Council on Village financial and budgetary matters; and prepares an annual report for the Village Council to assist the Councilmembers in their budget preparation. Members will preferably have strong finance, accounting, government and/or business backgrounds.
All interested residents should fill out a Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website under “Forms”), and send it along with a cover letter indicating on which board/committee the resident wishes to serve, and a biography or resume to:
Heather Mailander
Village Clerk
Village of Ridgewood
131 North Maple Ave.
Ridgewood, NJ 07451
Village of Ridgewood leading Example of Sustainability Planning in New Jersey in Planning for Sustainable Communities Guide
Mar 24, 2014
Ridgewoood NJ, Natural Systems Utilities, LLC (NSU) announces a new publication, “Planning for Sustainable Communities: Master Plan Guidance for New Jersey Officials.” This publication, written and published by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-NJ), guides New Jersey municipalities through the process of planning for sustainability in their towns. This effort, led by NSU Senior Planner, Angela S. Clerico, PP/AICP, LEED AP and Co-chair of the APA-NJ’s Sustainability Committee, originated in response to the State’s legislation amending the Municipal Land Use Law to include the Green Building and Environmental Sustainability Plan as an integral part of the municipal master plan. Charles Latini, PP/AICP and APA-NJ Chapter President, comments that “land use planning saves towns money, creates new jobs, and protects natural resources. By doing this in a more sustainable manner we ensure a better future for generations to come.”
This guide deconstructs the traditional municipal master plan and offers new sustainability language to each of the master plan elements, with sound local and global examples that any NJ municipality can tailor to their needs. These changes are occurring at an opportune time, in light of recent extreme weather events and ongoing planning for future events. NJ communities realize that developing short-term resiliency actions and long-term sustainability goals can occur in concert with one another as part of a comprehensive triple bottom line (TBL) approach. TBL is measured by economic, ecological and societal value, and is being applied to municipal planning, ensuring strong ECONOMIC opportunities, preserving NATURAL resources, and creating healthier COMMUNITIES.
NSU’s newly appointed CEO, Chuck Gordon, commented that sustainability planning in New Jersey is very much “in line with how NSU operates its business and its facilities within communities in New Jersey and across the country. NSU takes a comprehensive approach to our operations management and when advising clients on the best solutions for their triple bottom line. We deploy strategies that are in line with the community’s social and environmental values and their financial capabilities.”
“This guide demonstrates how closely linked our economics are with our environment and the well-being of our communities. It gives NJ community’s sound examples for taking a proactive approach to achieving sustainability and developing action plans; similar to the approach taken by the Village of Ridgewood,” said Dennis Doll, CEO of Middlesex Water Company, a partner to NSU on an innovative renewable energy project in the Village of Ridgewood. The Village of Ridgewood’s Green Team, a volunteer-based committee, created a similar action plan for the community which resulted in the Village updating the wastewater treatment plant to incorporate more sustainable technologies. This program included higher efficiency operations, renewable energy production, and recycling of food wastes such as fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from local restaurants and food-related industries.
“It is our intention that communities will use this guide to review their current policies and programs and, like Ridgewood, enhance their practices to be more sustainable,” Ms. Clerico stated. Since the guide was released on February 28, 2014, it has reached over 7,500 individuals and organizations ranging from community environmental commission members to land use attorneys, elected officials, professional planners and engineers. The APA-NJ Sustainability Committee plans to hold educational programs on the topics covered in the guide and as new research and resources emerge the guide will be continually updated with new examples.
The Planning for Sustainable Communities: Master Plan Guidance for New Jersey Officials guide is available at: https://njplanning.org/news/apa-nj-releases-planning-for-sustainable-communities-master-plan-guidance-for-new-jersey-officials/.
For more information on Natural Systems Utilities, LLC, Sustainability Planning, please contact Ms. Clerico at [email protected].
Readers divided over No-jail plea deal for Ridgewood coin thief
I suspect that during the course of the investigation, it became evident that others were helping themselves to the coins. Whether Rica himself provided this information or not, it might be a case of the prosecutor wanting to keep this additional thievery out of the public domain as it would certainly have surfaced had Rica gone to trial. This was probably the crux of the no-jailtime plea deal. Even if Rica was the only thief, a trial would have brought up a lot of information about supervisors not carrying out written control procedures.
and some think …
If he gets charged with a federal charge…say tax evasion, then if he is convicted, a judge could impose paying back the $480,000 as part of sentencing. If that happens, then filing bankruptcy does not allow him to discharge that debt.
I am not sure if the state statutes allow him to file a bankruptcy if part of his sentence is to pay back the money.
Also, if he had ‘info’ on others as the original post stated, then he wouldn’t be sentenced until AFTER he testifies so I’m thinking he doesn’t have anything on anyone else in the Village. He just got a great once-in-a-lifetime deal due to a very good lawyer.
Ex-Ridgewood inspector gets probation after stealing nearly half-million in quarters
MARCH 21, 2014, 7:35 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014, 7:35 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
Veteran defense attorneys could only describe it as a sweetheart-like deal — a former town official being convicted of stealing nearly half a million dollars and walking away with a slap on the wrist instead of going to prison.
“It’s startling to see that type of plea bargain,” said Frank Lucianna, of the deal given to Thomas Rica. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Related: Ex-Ridgewood inspector admits to stealing $460,000 in quarters from village
The deal, which was orchestrated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Rica’s attorney, Robert Galantucci, calls for the former Ridgewood public works inspector to receive five years’ probation when he’s is sentenced June 6. Rica also will have to repay the $460,000 in parking meter quarters he stole over a two-year period.
The sentence also caught village officials off-guard.
In a statement, Mayor Paul Aronsohn said that “the Prosecutor’s Office was clear with us that this was their investigation and their decision, and that we had no say in the matter.”
Aronsohn added: “We were surprised and disappointed that he wasn’t going to get jail time, but I appreciate the prosecutor’s determination to recoup all of the money stolen from Ridgewood taxpayers.”
Rica has to pay at least $2,000 a month over the next five years to Ridgewood, with a lump sum of $69,000 due at sentencing. Rica’s pension with Ridgewood will also count towards his overall debt, as will his unpaid personal time from the village.
Still, it’s the kind of plea deal any defense attorney would be thrilled to get for their client, Luciana said, especially since mandatory sentencing guidelines instituted by the state’s Supreme Court in 1979 imposed five- to 10-year prison terms for theft of anything worth over $75,000.
$460,000 in quarters thats a lot of quarters
Readers find it hard to believe Ridgewood meter thief acted alone and went unnoticed for so long
Shocking! And as expected, no comment from our illustrious mayor on the one thing he should be commenting about. What a joke Ridgewood is becoming. But, Roberta will fix everything, Paul promises.
No way he was the only one. The only way he even gets to the point where he is comfortable stealing a half million dollars in quarters is if there is a pre existing culture of entitlement that facilitates this kind of behavior. Same thing happened in Hoboken about 10 years ago (only it was $1M). And we all know how squeaky clean that city is.
$460,000 is 1% of our Village annual budget and no one noticed ? Makes you wonder what else goes missing every year ?
He took the money over a 2 year period. Someone in finance didn’t notice a quarter of a million dollar shortfall 2 years in a row?
How can this be, he must of paid some one off, what a scam. and don’t tell me that no others new about this. bull shit. right ,right, come on .he is lucky that he did not meet big bubba . he would of never lasted in the joint.
But Village officials steadfastly refuse to offer any other payment option for meters and parking kiosks other than cash, thus making it easier for employees to continue helping themselves. There are so many security breaches in the collection process, none of which officials will admit to in public.
Ridgewood inspector admits to stealing $460,000 in quarters from village
As predicted by this blog
MARCH 19, 2014, 10:20 AM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014, 12:00 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
HACKENSACK — A Hawthorne man long employed as Ridgewood’s public works inspector was in court this morning to admit he actually stole nearly half a million dollars in quarters from the village.
Thomas Rica, 43, of Hawthorne, lost his job with the village in January of 2013 following his arrest for taking $500 in coins from Ridgewood’s meter collection room.
But a year-long investigation into his crime by Bergen County authorities revealed Rica, in fact, stole a much larger chunk of change from the village than initially thought.
Instead of hundreds, he took hundreds of thousands of dollars from Ridgewood, in quarter form.
Authorities claim Rica stole $460,000 in quarters from the village.
Rica, authorities said, took the 1.8 million quarters over the course of 25 months, by entering a room in Village Hall where collected parking meter quarters are stored and walking out with full pockets. –
Public Budget Hearings for 2014 Budget – March 19
The Village Council has scheduled the first of several Budget Hearings for 5PM on Wednesday, March 19th. The Hearing will take place in the Village Hall Court Room, 4th Level, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. Additional dates to follow.
Seeking Village Resident Volunteers to Serve :
PLANNING BOARD AND FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Planning Board and the Financial Advisory Committee.
The Planning Board reviews site plans and subdivision applications; prepares, adopts, and amends the Master Plan; makes recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to developmental regulations and the official map.
The Financial Advisory Committee assists in the review and understanding of the financial considerations necessary to the operation of the Village and the Village’s preparation of the Annual and Capital Budgets; provides review, advice and recommendations to the Village Council on Village financial and budgetary matters; and prepares an annual report for the Village Council to assist the Councilmembers in their budget preparation. Members will preferably have strong finance, accounting, government and/or business backgrounds.
All interested residents should fill out a Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website under “Forms”), and send it along with a cover letter indicating on which board/committee the resident wishes to serve, and a biography or resume to:
Heather Mailander
Village Clerk
Village of Ridgewood
131 North Maple Ave.
Ridgewood, NJ 07451
Deadline for submissions is March 28, 2014.
Readers say ” Valley Hospital’s Current Expansion is of no benefit to anyone in this town except for Valley Hospital”
Let’s all hope it’s not judge , jury, and town executioner? If the council denies Valley, which they should. I don’t think Valley will sue and have it go to a judge? They will compromise and resubmit until they get closer to what they want.
A lot of articles state that the group of individuals who oppose Valley only live around Valley and are more impacted by this expansion. I so disagree with this view. All of Ridgewood should be against this current expansion. Why? Well here’s just a few good reasons: Valley, pays no taxes, not even PILOT. All Ridgewood Taxpayers will be paying for the additional strains on our services (Police and Fire). 7 to 14 years of construction will cause major traffic problems from beginning to end ( no way around this and will affect all of us). You won’t be able to get to those homes on the Westside!
Valley demonstrated that it had no interest in compromise when they submitted a “revised” plan that was a near twin of the original rejected one. It was so close that the PB should have refused to consider it, like a teacher with a “revised” essay that’s almost identical to the first one.
PB keeps hiding behind “laws” and “rules” but where is the responsibility to represent the people?
Have 7 figures already been spent in fees to attorneys and “experts” to keep discussing the same thing?
How many PB members do not know how they will vote? How many have known for 7 years?
Think about this statement: ” Valley Hospital’s Current Expansion is of no benefit to anyone in this town except for Valley Hospital”
These are fast times at Ridgewood High
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY MARCH 10, 2014, 12:22 PM
By ALFRED P. DOBLIN
RECORD EDITORIAL COLUMNIST
JEFF SPICOLI would have been right at home in Ridgewood. The fictional Spicoli went to high school in Southern California in the early 1980s. In “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” Spicoli was a stoned teen played by Sean Penn with a serious case of the munchies.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/249232111_Doblin__These_are_fast_times_at_Ridgewood_High.html#sthash.BF8mLSmN.dpuf
Welcome to the Ridgewood Service Request System (RSR)
This website will allow the registered user to report specific categorized items to the correct departments. Once the item is reported, the submitted information will be copied to the user that has created request. Throughout the entire process, the user will receive status update emails pertaining to the request until it is resolved.
Currently the request that can be submitted will be pertaining to the following categories (additional categories will be added in the future):
-Potholes
The request:
Each request must have a:
Title (example: “Big Pothole”, “Multiple Potholes”, “Deep Pothole”, ect…).
Category – Currently Pothole is the only choice.
Address – (Location of pothole) Address can be entered with just street number and name of street (example: 131 N Maple Ave). The user can also enter the entire address (example: 131 N Maple Ave, Ridgewood, NJ, 07450). After the address is entered, use the “Find Address on Map” button below to pinpoint the area on the map. The map is interactive, and the user can define the exact location of the request by zooming in and dragging the red marker to the exact location.
Upload an Image – While this is not mandatory, it will help in providing information that can be useful in determining needed materials or extent of damages that require attention. Do not put yourself in harm’s way in order to take a photo.
Description – The more information the better. An estimate on the size of the pothole (examples: “12 inches irregular, about 6″ deep”; “Multiple large potholes in a cluster covering a 10 foot section of the road on the northbound lane”) and any other pertinent information would be helpful.
The website can be accessed on most devices and has been tested on: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Android (internet app), iPhone (safari app), and iPad (safari app). If you experience any issues with RSR, please email: [email protected]. Please provide as much information pertaining to the issue, time and date of when the issue occurred in order to assist us in troubleshooting the problem.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT RSR
RSR IS NOT AN EMERGENCY REPORTING SYSTEM. If your issue or concern involves an immediate risk to life or personal safety, CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY. RSR requests are reviewed during the Village’s regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All requests will be reviewed and addressed in accordance with Village polices and within the limits of available resources.
