New coffee stand will brew at Ridgewood train station
Tuesday February 4, 2014, 10:03 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The Village of Ridgewood is now accepting bids from vendors who are interested in leasing and operating a new coffee stand at the Ridgewood train station, which has been without that particular service since 2009.
The deadline to submit proposals is 11 a.m. Feb. 20, when all public bids will be opened.
Reader says this Council instead on focusing on running this town engage in petty bickering, retaliation and furthering their own personal agendas
Yes the departments are all understaffed and our taxes are still obscenely high. You are correct about our current Council – they are all pushing their own pet projects without at all acknowledging that at some point taxes alone will crush the value of our homes. Who will ever buy your house if the taxes are $40,000 a year?
Mrs. Hauck wants to double the size of Valley but clearly has not considered the impact of a facility that size on the town’s neighborhoods and infrastructure. Valley pays no taxes yet their drain on Village resources will also double with this project. You think departments are understaffed now?
And how about Mr. Pucciarelli and building up the CBD? Has anyone done any math on the impact on our tax base? I’ll tell you right now they would be shouting it at every meeting if ONE PERSON thought that building apartments in town would make our taxes go down. Instead they choose to tell us that traffic will improve and only 4 new kids will enter the school system.
I’m shocked at how out to lunch this Council is in the face of such a crisis. Look at this weekend alone – Super Bowl parties at the bank and a big skating party at Graydon. Then on to having lunch with the elderly, and banning smoking outside. Maybe they should Google Stockton, CA for a glimpse into our future when they have a minute.
Oh yea, and don’t forget to put your garbage out on the curb tonight….
Reader says Aronsohn has failed to deliver on basic Village services
This is what happens when you put political hacks like Aronsohn in place. He has no real world management experience, says what’s expedient or that will make a good sound bite, and has yet to come up with (or back) a plan for anything that’s original, effective or efficient.
Start with the Christmas trees and the leaf pick up. Move to the potholes. Then look at our snow plowing it’s horrendous!
It’s supposed to be curb-to-curb, not 3′ from the curb on both sides. Drive along any street in Ridgewood that connects with a bordering town. The other towns are often down to black, while we still have snow on our streets – the boundaries are clearly visible. Look at Linwood Ave or Grove St as they enter Paramus, or Monroe St as it enters Waldwick, or Glen Ave as it enters Midland Park, or Lincoln Ave as it enters Glen Rock. Are these towns 15 degree warmer than we are?
Are we better off since these clowns got put into office – I don’t think so!!
$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 R
Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 2/2
1
$529,900 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1402645
211 S PLEASANT AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, S/L
Maria L. Baratta, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/2
24
$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. 2/2
17
$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 R
Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 2/2
1
$1,199,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1338978
301 WESTGATE RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Jennifer M. Parsekian, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/2
– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.oZE46suH.dpuf
Vote on smoking ban set in Ridgewood
Wednesday January 29, 2014, 9:39 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The Ridgewood Council will vote next month to officially ban smoking on sidewalks adjacent to Board of Education properties, a move that officials believe strengthens the village’s commitment to promoting a healthy community. The council last year passed an ordinance that prohibits smoking in all public parks.
A public hearing on the sidewalk smoking ordinance is scheduled for Feb. 19.
“I’m excited to see the municipality consider the smoke-free areas because it’s protecting children from second-hand smoke and encouraging them to never start smoking. It’s one of the best things you can do for kids,” said Alan Kantz, program manager at the Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy (GASP).
According to Kantz, 90 percent of adult smokers polled by GASP said they began smoking before the age of 18.
Photo credit: Village of Ridgewood Tax Assessor’s Office Alleged improprieties at Village Garage – Still under investigation?
January
Boyd A. Loving
11:38 PM
There’s been a lot of talk about the Village Garage as of late, but no talk about allegations made public during a meeting of the Village Council held back in October.
Check this out:
$$$$$$$$$$
A REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGEOF RIDGEWOOD HELD IN THE SYDNEY V. STOLDT, JR., COURTROOM OF THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE HALL, 131 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013 AT 7:30 P.M.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mayor Aronsohn asked if anyone from the public wished to speak regarding any of the agenda items.
Frank Thissen, 205 Chestnut Street, said he is the owner of Village Auto Body. Mr. Thissen stated that he was the successful bidder for the body work three years ago, and the towing bid was awarded to Bergen-Brookside. Mr. Thissen said it has come to his attention that Bergen-Brookside has been allowed to overcharge on its bids, for which he has documentation which he has submitted to the Police Department. The allegation is currently being investigated. None of the vehicles in question came to Mr. Thissen’s facility to be repaired, but were sent to a repair facility in Hackensack, instead of sending them to the business that won the contract. This has cost the Village a lot of money, according to Mr. Thissen. He pointed out that his stated labor rate in his bid was $33 per hour, and the Village has been paying anywhere from $42-$50, with repair estimates as high as $7,000-$8,000. As far as the towing is concerned, Mr. Thissen said that Bergen-Brookside bid $95 to tow a garbage truck, with a zero in the “Comment” area for mileage charges. However, there are bills for towing that include such figures as $300 for mileage, because the provider has been allowed to charge for mileage. It seems to Mr. Thissen that Mr. Loprieno of the Village Garage is subjecting Mr. Thissen’s invoices to much greater scrutiny than those of either the Hackensack facility or Bergen-Brookside. This year, Mr. Thissen noted that he was awarded all of the bids, but he has not been called to tow vehicles that should have been towed, such as when he saw a dump truck being pushed by a front end loader through the Village to the Village Garage. Mr. Thissen said that is a safety hazard, and it destroys equipment, as well.
Mr. Thissen mentioned that he is working with Lieutenant Amoruso on this investigation, and it has come to Mr. Thissen’s attention that many invoices include charges for parts that were not put on any vehicles. Furthermore, in many cases, charges for genuine parts were included, although aftermarket parts were actually installed. Mr. Thissen said he is trying to look at all the vehicles in question to see what kind of parts they have. Although the Police Department, including Chief Ward and Lieutenant Amoruso, are aware of the situation, Mr. Thissen said he wanted to bring it to the attention of the Councilmembers in the hope that something can be done to prevent such misbehavior in the future.
Mayor Aronsohn asked Ms. Mailander if she was aware of any of this, and she said that she was not, but she will look into it, and she will speak to Chief Ward and Lieutenant Amoruso. Councilman Pucciarelli asked Mr. Thissen to make all of his documentation available to the Councilmembers, which Mr. Thissen said he would do.
$$$$$$$$$$
The staff of the Ridgewood Blog wonders if the investigation into this matter has concluded, and if so, whether there is any truth to Mr. Thissen’s allegations.
CELL TOWER UPDATE: A review of Village Council meeting minutes dating back to 2008 may provide the answer as to why the mobile AT&T tower was brought in.
What the meeting minutes reveal is that for years, several cell phone carriers have attempted to construct a new monopole style tower on property owned by the State of NJ on Franklin Turnpike. However, indications are that Village officials objected to this location because of the State’s unwillingness to share site rental revenue with the Village. Instead, several Village owned properties in the Route 17 corridor were offered as alternatives to the State of NJ owned property. Unfortunately for the Village, there were insurmountable technical issues with each of the alternative sites.
The State’s policy has been to reject construction of cell towers on their properties when objections are made by local government officials, So, due to the objection voiced by Ridgewood officials, a new cell tower can’t be built at the NJDOT facility on Franklin Turnpike (which seems to be the only location that offers the requisite ground space, and meets all technical parameters). Thus, the current holding pattern – and unusual risk taken by AT&T to keep their system functioning (the existing AT&T shared use tower in the construction company’s yard is unable to support equipment required for 4G service).
It is believed that construction of a new tower on State owned property would result in removal of the existing tower at the construction company yard. The Village would get property tax revenue despite the tower being built on State owned property (most likely more tax revenue – the new structure would be larger).
However, the Village would not get any of the site rental revenue, and that’s what this seems to all boil down to; we want our cake, and we want to eat it to. Why do Village officials feel the State of NJ should share site rental revenue with them? Would they expect the same of any property owner? Then why the State?
Illegal 100-foot cell tower in Ridgewood goes unnoticed for months
Monday January 27, 2014, 5:38 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
The Record
RIDGEWOOD — An illicit cell tower that has popped up behind a fill station in the village managed to go unnoticed by officials for months.
But now that the tower is on the village council’s radar, a pair of summonses has been issued to the owners of both the tower and the property upon which it sits.
“It was just rolled in and it stayed, and nobody has any information about this cell tower,” resident Diane Haderthauer explained to the village council at its most recent meeting.
Haderthauer said she brought the 100-foot-tall cell tower to the village’s attention via email a month after it went up.
Village officials have determined the temporary “test” tower belongs to AT&T and that the company’s testing the viability of installing a second tower at that location.
Potholes are sinking in for Ridgewood residents
Monday January 27, 2014, 12:04 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
Evelyn Silva never saw it coming, and in one terrified and panicked instant, she rode into the abyss.
“Sometimes, you just don’t see it until the last second. And when you finally see it, there’s nothing you can do but hope and pray that no damage is done,” said Silva, a 24-year-old village resident whose 2012 Honda Civic was fortunately unscathed after it drove into one of the potholes that was haunting Oak Street Monday afternoon.
“I guess I was lucky driving in the middle of town. If I was on the highway going fast and hit a pothole like that, who knows what could have happened,” she added.
Running over a pothole, depending on its size, can result in various types of vehicle damage. Minor woes include lost hubcaps and warped wheel alignment, but impact might also puncture or completely blow out a tire. Then there’s more severe harm – premature wear on shocks and struts, bent axles and rims, and suspension and exhaust damage, for example.
Regarding “Bag the lunches” (Editorials, Jan. 22):
I cannot help questioning the motives of the Ridgewood schools superintendent and also ask the editors if any of them really cares or knows anything about the security of our schools.
$818,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1401099
178 N PLEASANT AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Angele Ekert, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/26
25
$881,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1332695
463 VAN EMBURGH AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Attilio Adamo, Broker Associate
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Rand Realty, Harrington Park
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/26
15
$894,900 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1402204
390 BEDFORD RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, COL
Mary Onie Holland, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 1/26
22
$1,090,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1401049
572 W SADDLE RIVER RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Avi Zvulun, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Property Center
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/26
18
$1,195,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1402008
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. 1/26
25
$1,199,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1319642
776 WOODFIELD CT, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, COL
Marisa Traverso, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/26
15
$1,200,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1402028
111 CREST RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Marilyn Nuber, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/26
– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.KWiwIjxl.PDEpTPsR.dpuf
$1,249,900 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1342906
366 HEIGHTS RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, COL
Irene Palatucci, Sales Associate
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty-Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/26
22
$1,250,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1335952
537 SPRING AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, COL
Julie Z. Corbo, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty – NJ Metro Group
Open House: 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/26
15
$1,250,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1402281
706 HILLCREST RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Jennifer Brito, Sales Associate
William F. Gilsenan Jr, Broker
Gilsenan & Co.
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/26
– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.KWiwIjxl.PDEpTPsR.dpuf
Village of Ridgewood Cans to the Curb Alert – January 22 and 23
Due to anticipated severe icy weather tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22 and Thursday, January 23 all residents are requested to bring garbage and recycling cans to the end of their driveway and away from the curb line NOT LATER THAN 6AM. We appreciate your assistance in helping to ensure safety for all. Please share this information with your neighbors.
For these ten days, participating restaurants are offering you the chance to experience dining in Ridgewood like never before.Each chef is preparing a tantalizing 3-course, prix-fixe menu for your dining pleasure. Choose from 3 appetizers, 3 entrees and 3 desserts for only $25.14.
For more details, please call us at 201-445-2600 or email [email protected] www.experienceridgewood.com
Brick Lane Curry House
201-670-7311
It’s Greek to Me
201-612-2600 (Dinner for two at $25.14)
LaBottega
201-445-7222
LaPiazza Bistro Italiano
201-447-5111
LaTour, A French-American Grill
201-445-5056 (Lunch Only)
Mediterraneo Restaurant
201-447-0022
Memoire
201-857-8899
Omaha Steaks
201-251-9256
Park West Tavern
201-445-5400
Pearl Restaurant
201-857-5100
Raymond’s
201-445-5125
Ridgewood Fare Dining & Catering
201-857-8400
Sakura-Bana Japanese
201-447-6525
The Office Beer Bar & Grill Restaurant
201-652-1070
Village Green Restaurant
201-445-2914 (lunch Only)
While the Ridgewood Village Council struggles to reach agreement among themselves regarding a tree ordinance, other communities seem to be moving forward.
