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”
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.
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: dhansen@ridgewoodnj.net. 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.
The Ridgewood Council unanimously appointed new members to village committees.
The Open Space Committee helps identify types of open space and makes recommendations to the Village Council on the development of existing open space properties.
Appointed to the Open Space Committee were residents Ralph Currey, William Gilsenan, Eleanor Gruber and James Bostler. Also named to the committee were Planning Board member Kevin Reilly, fields committee member Robert Lasky and Director of Parks and Recreation Tim Cronin. Each committee term will expire Dec. 31, 2014.
The recent snowstorms have delayed the pickup of Christmas trees. However, the Village of Ridgewood is continuing to pick them up. If you would like to drop off your tree, you may do so at the Graydon Pool Parking Lot. Your Christmas tree should be placed in the Graydon Pool Parking Lot, at the corner of Linwood Avenue and Northern Parkway.
Reader says Tough times indeed. To make things worse, the leadership in Ridgewood has failed us miserably
Tough times indeed. To make things worse, the leadership in Ridgewood has failed us miserably. We have a trio of individuals that banded together to seek office to advance their personal agendas. Our Mayor seeks higher political office, our Deputy Mayor wants to build up the central business district and their third wheel ran to cast her vote for the Valley expansion. As a majority, they have publicly stumbled their way to ousting political adversaries. The Richie matter was embarrassing at best and their handling of the Village Manager firing was even worse. They’ve been caught having secret meetings with developers in violation of the Sunshine laws and accepting $1,000 fundraiser tickets in violation of their own gift ordinances. All they while they have failed to provide even the most basic services. They are likely learning a difficult lesson at our expense right now. We have garbage piled on top of old Christmas trees in unplowed snow banks. We have municipal workers that have never been forced to do more with less like anyone who’s worked in the private sector since 2008. We have mounting expenses being funded by tax payers that are at their breaking point. Hopefully the residents will see these 3 for what they are – individuals pursuing their personal agendas – individuals that are not at all equipped to deal with the difficult task in front of them.
North Jersey mayors supportive, skeptical of shared services
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2014, 8:24 PM
BY JIM NORMAN
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
Mayors across North Jersey had reactions ranging from support to skepticism for Governor Christie’s budget proposal calling for an $8.5 million fund to encourage municipalities to save money by consolidating and sharing such services as police and fire protection.
“It sounds great, but how far does $8.5 million go across the state of New Jersey?” Fairview Mayor Vincent Bellucci asked. “It makes good press, but it doesn’t make good reality.”
“It’s a gutsy move on his part,” Clifton Mayor James Anzaldi said of Christie. “Every little bit helps. I think that’s smart government.”
East Rutherford Mayor James Cassella said: “I don’t need anybody to push me to do it. Just show me the savings and we’ll do it. … A town is foolish if they’re not looking into it already.”
Mayor Mark Sokolich of Fort Lee said that although he hadn’t seen the governor’s proposal, he supports shared services. “We need to be as creative as we possibly can, and I think we need to be supportive of any creative measures,” he said.
“We mayors recognize that old ways of doing government are unsustainable and that it is incumbent on us to constantly explore new and better ways of delivering municipal services,” said Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn.
In 2010, Ridgewood ranked 3rd highest in Bergen County in employees making more than $100,000 with 70 employees or 24.4%
In 2010, Ridgewood ranked 3rd highest in Bergen County in employees making more than $100,000 with 70 employees or 24.4% of the Village workforce compared to our neighboring communities of Glen Rock at 12.6%, Midland Park at 2%, Ho-Ho-Kus at 1.6% and Westwood at 2.6%. Ridgewood is only one of four municipalities in Bergen County with a full-time Fire Department and 67% of Firefighters (28/42) had base salaries over $100,000 in 2011. The median for Ridgewood FD was $118,290. 80% of Ridgewood Police (33/41) had base salaries over $100,000 in 2011. The median for Ridgewood PD was $128,239. Annual vacation benefit for Ridgewood employees can grow up to a maximum of 31 days, excluding compensatory time off, sick days, and other forms of paid leave – this compares with 13 days for the median full-time worker in the U.S. in 2011. Qualified retirees (25 years of service for police & fire) are eligible for pension (65% of compensation prior to retirement) and medical benefits (at no cost) for life. Upon death, the pension and benefits accrue to the retirees spouse for his or her life. The number of public retirees in NJ receiving over $100,000 in pension payments increased 28% in 2011, including 6 retirees from Ridgewood Village departments receiving over $634,000 per year (an average of over $105,000 each), excluding health benefits, according to New Jersey
Reader says the Ridgewood municipal is budget is well managed and the BOE budget is where the runaway spending is
Do you want to base your conclusions on the faulty FAC report and ignore the fact that the Village provides more services at a lower municipal mil rate than all of the other towns I referred to in my post as #20 that is fine. None of the towns listed there provide garbage pickup, fully staffed fire services, recreation services for kids and seniors or a sewage treatment facility for their residents, that is a fact, and. How that is a union talking point is beyond me.
You claimed that I am only providing half of the story and I am leaving out the property taxpayer’s perspective,” I am a taxpayer, and have been a taxpayer in Ridgewood for many years. If anything is only providing half the story it’s your FAC report. It only tells half the story since it does not even consider the cost to the residents for the Board of Education (BOE). If your report included the BOE then I would have to agree that the largest portion of the Village Tax bill (BOE) has been increased at an alarming rate and is not sustainable.
How do I arrive at that conclusion? Here is the 2011 Bergen County property tax data showing the town – County – total tax levy – % County Taxes – % School Taxes % – Municipal taxes. This is the latest year available on the NJ.com by the numbers web site. There are 70 Municipalities in Bergen County. Below are 18 municipalities that have an equal or greater percentage of their municipal taxes dedicated to the school budget like Ridgewood. The other 51 municipalities have a lower percentage than Ridgewood dedicated to their school budget and a higher percentage number dedicated to their municipal services. Ridgewood’s municipal tax levy is lower than the other 51 Municipalities in Bergen county and is even below the state calculated average of 29%. You can draw your own conclusions from this data however this data clearly shows that the Village municipal budget is very well managed as contrasted with other Bergen County Communities and the overall state average. It also indicates that BOE budget is out of control and unsustainable.
Town – County – tax levy – % County – % BOE – % Municipal
Ridgewood Village Bergen $130,248,198.77 10% 65% 25%
Woodcliff Lake Borough Bergen $38,129,520.22 12% 66% 22%
Statewide total $25,643,843,500.01 18% 52% 29% of 567 municipalities
https://www.nj.com/news/bythenumbers/
This information confirms that the Ridgewood municipal is budget is well managed and the BOE budget is where the runaway spending is since the Ridgewood BOE takes a higher percentage of the total tax bill than 51 other Bergen county municipalities. The FAC report ignores this fact, and therefor is even more faulty than I originally thought.
Reader says Responsibility of Village Governance lies with the Village Council
If we were a Faulkner Act (N.J.S.A. § 40:69A-1, et seq.) municipality then proposed ordinances could be introduced directly with the signatures of 10% of the registered voters who turned out in the last election in an odd numbered year. However, in Ridgewood it looks like all ordinances and resolutions need to be prepared for the consideration of the Council by the Village Attorney upon written request of any member of the Council or of the Manager. They then need to be introduced and sponsored by a member of the Council, then called up for action on motion of a member of the Council. Finally, no ordinance may be adopted without the affirmative vote of a majority of all the members of the Council or such greater number of affirmative votes as the Charter may require.
Reader Questions Status of Village Financial Reserves
So, Mr. Mayor——- how are those financial reserves doing with all the extra $$$$ that is being spent on snow removal? Using up all our financial reserves seemed like such a grand idea when you wanted to get that politically motivated ZERO PERCENT tax hike. People warned you that you should hold some money back for unexpected expenses, but NOOOOOOOOO, you wanted to be Mr. Santa Claus. Well, you will have to answer when our poorly planned budget runs out of cash flow.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Numerous fender benders during late afternoon/evening snowstorm
February 15,2014
Boyd A. Loving
7:00 PM (11 hours ago)
Ridgewood NJ, A two-vehicle crash at the intersection of South Maple Avenue and Dayton Street in Ridgewood that sent both vehicles careening into snowbanks was just one of the numerous fender benders area police responded to during Saturday’s late afternoon/evening snowstorm. No injuries were reported in the 6:10 PM Ridgewood crash, but both vehicles had to be towed from the scene. No word from police on the scene if any summonses were issued.
Senior Citizen Valentine Dance at Ridgewood High School – Rescheduled Due to Weather
SENIOR CITIZEN VALENTINE DANCE
POSTPONED
Due to the inclement weather and dangerous conditions on the roads and parking lots, we feel it necessary and safe to postpone the Valentine Dance which was scheduled for Tuesday, February 11th
We will notify you with a new date and time as soon as conditions allow.
We ask you to help us to get the word out to as many people as possible.
Thank you and have a happy and safe Valentine’s Day!!
Open Houses for Sun 2/9
$6,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1400774
465 HEIGHTS RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, HO– USE
Michael Randy, Sales Associate
Daniel Kahn, Sales Associate
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty-Saddle River
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/9
18
$829,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1402952
457 UPPER BLVD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Eileen P. Mullen, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/9
17
$879,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1403696
437 UPPER BLVD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Linda Aktar, Broker Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 2/9
25
$889,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1403687
626 KENWOOD RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Janis Fuhrman, Sales Associate
Terrie O’Connor Realtors/Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/9
25
$1,049,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1400784
465 HEIGHTS RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, COL
Michael Randy, Sales Associate
Daniel Kahn, Sales Associate
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty-Saddle River
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/9
– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.oZE46suH.wycZDU7f.dpuf
$1,088,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1403713
447 SHELBOURNE TER, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Beth Freed, Broker Associate
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty-Ridgewoo
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/9
12
$1,175,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1400092
197 LINCOLN AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Mary E. Soriano, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Saddle River
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/9
19
$1,195,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1402970
60 SHERWOOD RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Frances Ekblom, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 2/9
25
$1,400,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1403356
546 HIGHLAND AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, COL
Marilyn Nuber, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/9
15
Open Houses for Sun 3/2
$515,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1403679
426 VAN BUREN ST, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, COL
Pam Christian, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 3/2
– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.oZE46suH.wycZDU7f.dpuf
