Village of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen - Page 45 of 51

Posted on March 21, 2018March 21, 2018 by James — 1 Comment

PSE&G prepares for new round of wintry weather

March 21,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, After two major nor’easters earlier this month, PSE&G is preparing for a new massive storm that will hit already saturated landscapes and has the potential to bring down additional trees and power lines. PSE&G has mobilized nearly 600 mutual aid and contract employees and urges customers to remain safe.

“The landscape is fatigued, the system has been stressed and we’re expecting outages,” said John Latka, PSE&G senior vice president of electric and gas operations. “While we will be prepared to respond as quickly and safely as possible, we’re urging everyone to take precautions, particularly by staying away from and not driving over downed wires. If possible, people should stay off the road tomorrow so that our crews can do their work.”
Latka said the predicted combination of ice, snow and wind gusts could also cause motorists to veer off the road and strike utility poles. The storm, which starts tonight, is expected to last through early Thursday.
PSE&G will have personnel ready to respond to any outages and emergencies beginning Tuesday night. The utility is also ensuring that additional supplies, including poles, transformers and other pole-top equipment, are on hand. Employees work closely with county and municipal emergency management personnel to inform them of outages and expedite restoration efforts. Some 170 mutual aid line personnel are en route to assist and more have been requested. Crews are coming to New Jersey from Canada, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York and Wisconsin. Another 115 contract line personnel and 300 tree trimmers have been secured.
PSE&G urges its customers to be cautious during and after the storm:

Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline powered engine, including generators and snowblowers, in a garage or any other enclosed space.

Customers should report downed wires or power outages by calling PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Also, customers can report outages at www.pseg.com or by texting “OUT” to 4PSEG (47734). The utility’s mobile-friendly website includes an “Outage Map” that is updated every 15 minutes and displays the location and status of power outages in PSE&G’s service area.

Posted on March 21, 2018March 21, 2018 by James — 15 Comments

JOLT Facebook Group Begins Purge of Non Conforming Members

photo Soviet Purge

March 21,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the JOLT Facebook group begins purge of non conforming ideology in order to maintain intellectually purity. Reader explained , “The JOLT kicked Laurie Bender out because she asked a question of former councilman Hauck. That’s all I need to know about the JOLT. Laurie Bender is worth 1,000 of Gwenn Hauck”

Its seems you must be in 100% compliance with the JOLT promoted doctrine .

Laurie Bender on Facebook commented , “As a former member of Ridgewood Jolt, I am all for the causes they represent. However, if they are going to exploit having the ear of a section of our community in order to cast doubt on our current VC by publishing biased remarks and misinformation in contemplation of our local elections, I will call that out.

My views on topics of the current national discourse are beyond liberal, but that has nothing…ZERO…to do with our local nonpartisan government. And trying to interject those topics into that discussion in the context of upcoming elections is about as disingenuous as can be.

When a page administrator allows a former VC member to criticize the current VC on her page, that she describes as “issue based” with its “main focus on issues of national importance,” while censoring any rebuttal, she is indeed complicit with an attempt to tie divisive state and national politics in with our local nonpartisan government as we approach a local election.

I am posting here with the purpose of urging my fellow residents not to allow yourselves to be exploited. Certain members of our community are attempting to connect our current incumbents with a very false narrative that I have seen repeated by at least one of those challenging for a seat on the VC. The other challenger openly admitted to me her alignment with at least one of those people when she prepared to run in the previous VC election.

We have a NONPARTISAN local government. Please do not fall for any attempt make connections with and exploit your feelings on current matters that are indeed very important, but not part of the job our local officials are charged with. Please do not reward partisan style smear campaigns with your votes.”

Posted on March 21, 2018March 21, 2018 by James — Leave a comment

Village of Ridgewood Winter Storm Reminders

All Village offices will be closed on March 21st, 2018 due to incliment weather. Sanitation and Recycling Pickups will continue until weather no longer permits.

March 21, 2018 Village Council ‘s Special Public Budget Meeting is Cancelled

The Village Council’s March 21, 2018 Special Public Budget Meeting CANCELLED – Due to the predicted nor’easter, the Village Council’s Special Public Budget Meeting scheduled for March 21, 2018 has been cancelled and rescheduled for March 26, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. and will be held in the Court Room of Village Hall.

UPDATE ON SPECIAL PICKUP – TREE LIMBS AND BRANCHES

The Parks and Street Departments began the collection of tree limbs and branches on March 19th, in Section A (using the leaf pickup schedule), and the volume was greater than expected. Given the fact that there will be another nor’easter tomorrow, the crews should be able to complete Section A by the end of the week. As soon as they finish Section A, they will proceed to Section B, then Section C, and finally Section D. Please be patient, as our crews work to remove the many tree limbs and branches which fell during the March 7th storm.

As a reminder, the crews will remove the limbs and branches from every street in each section only once and after this pickup has taken place, there will be no additional pickups for these tree limbs and branches.

BULK PICKUP, RECYCLING, AND GARBAGE COLLECTION

The bulk pickup, on the East Side, will take place on March 21st, and our crews will do their best to complete it, weather permitting. Recycling will also be picked up on March 21st, weather permitting. On March 22nd and March 23rd, all garbage cans must be brought to the end of your driveway (not in the street), for the safety of our Village employees. Backyard collection of garbage will resume on March 26th, weather permitting. Please remember that our crews will not resume backyard collection of garbage unless there is a clear path to the garbage cans. Therefore, if the path is not clear, please continue to bring your garbage cans to the end of your driveway in order to have it picked up.

PARKING ON STREETS PROHIBITED ON MARCH 21ST TO ALLOW FOR PLOWING

To allow the Village crews to clear the streets of snow, we ask that as the snow intensifies during daylight hours, that residents refrain from parking their vehicles on the streets. In addition, residents are prohibited from parking on the streets overnight on March 21st into the morning hours of March 22nd. Please be aware that there is a protocol for plowing roads, which is as follows: The primary roads into the Village are plowed first, which include the roads into the Village, particularly those by the hospital and the schools. The secondary roads, located off of the main roads, are plowed second. Finally, the tertiary roads, such as cul de sacs and dead ends are plowed. Due to the large amount of snow which will be falling, over a short period of time, the crews may take some time to get to the secondary and tertiary roads.

SNOW REMOVAL

Snow must be removed from all residential sidewalks within 24 hours of it forming. Please do not put the snow into the street, put it back onto your property.

POWER OUTAGES

High winds from the storm may again cause power outages. Please stay away from downed wires. If you experience a power outage, please do not call the Police Department unless there is an emergency. Please call PSE&G directly at 1-800-436-7734.
Please remember that our tree crew can only remove a tree or limb blocking a street if it is not entangled in wires. Once PSE&G has removed wires from downed trees or limbs, our tree crew will be able to remove the downed tree or limb and open up the street.

FIRE HYDRANTS

If you have a fire hydrant on your property, please clear it of accumulating snow. The house you save could be your own!

OTHER INFORMATION

Please remember to check on the elderly and share this information with your neighbors. Stay safe and warm.
For continuing updates, please see the Village website at www.ridgewoodnj.net.

Posted on March 21, 2018March 20, 2018 by James — 1 Comment

Curbside Garbage Collection in Ridgewood for March 22 and 23

file photo by Boyd Loving
March 21,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, do to the anticipated heavy snow garbage collection will revert to curbside .

March 22 and 23, 2018 – Garbage Collection

GARBAGE COLLECTION – March 22 and 23, 2018 – To ensure the safety of sanitation staff, with the forecast of a heavy snow predicted for Wednesday and the early morning hours of Thursday, all garbage cans must be placed at the end of your driveway on March 22nd and 23rd. Rear yard garbage collection will resume next week, and we remind you that you must have a clear path shoveled to your garbage containers.

March 21, 2018 – East Side Curbside Bulk Pick Up

EAST SIDE CURBSIDE BULK PICK UP – MARCH 21, 2018 – After reviewing weather forecasts, curbside bulk pick up will be collected on Wednesday, March 21st as scheduled. Our crews will begin collection earlier than usual, so please have your bulk placed curbside on Tuesday night, for an early morning pick up. We will make every effort to complete the collection, weather permitting. If you are able to wait until the next scheduled East side bulk pick up, scheduled for April 11th, it would be greatly appreciated.

Posted on March 21, 2018March 21, 2018 by James — 11 Comments

RIDGEWOOD SCHOOLS 2018-2019 PROPOSED PRELIMINARY BUDGET $110,167,997

STORM UPDATE❄️: Due to the storm, the Ridgewood Public Schools will be CLOSED on Wednesday, March 21. All before and after-school activities are also canceled. Please stay safe and warm!

2018-2019 PROPOSED PRELIMINARY BUDGET
Click here to view the budget presentation.

The Board approved the following to Resolution on the 2018-219 proposed preliminary budget, which represents a 3.62% increase in the tax levy:

i. Approval: Resolution for Adoption of the 2018-2019 Proposed Preliminary Budget for Submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools

WHEREAS, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:23-A-10.3(b), a district can request use of banked cap only after it has fully exhausted all eligible statutory spending authority in the budget year;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the 2018-2019 school year budget includes allowable health care adjustments in the amount of $1,066,597 in accordance with N.J.S.A 18A:7F-39(e); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2018-2019 school year budget includes banked cap, in the amount of $415,090 in accordance with N.J.S.A 18A:7F-39(e); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ridgewood Board of Education approves the 2018-2019 school district proposed preliminary budget, as follows, for submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools:

Budget Tax Levy
General Fund
   $105,180,990
   $94,831,243
Special Revenue Fund
   1,301,871
   0
Debt Service Fund
   3,685,136
   3,164,901
Total Budget
$110,167,997
   $97,996,144

The district has proposed programs and services in addition to the Core Curriculum Content Standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

Information on this budget and the programs and services it provides is available from the school district.

There should be raised for the General Fund Tax Levy $94,831,243 for the ensuing School Year: (2018-2019).

The General Fund includes $100,000 which is to be withdrawn from Emergency Reserve and $50,000 which is to be withdrawn from Maintenance Reserve.

CAPITAL RESERVE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Included in budget line 620, Budgeted Withdrawal from Capital Reserve – Excess Cost & Other Capital Projects, is $1,500,000 for the following construction projects:
• Education Center Window Replacement
• Paving and Sidewalk Repair Throughout the District
• Ridgewood High School Heating Pipe Renovation
• School Lock Down Security System

The total cost of these projects represents expenditures for construction elements or projects that are in addition to the facilities efficiency standards determined by the Commissioner as necessary to achieve the core curriculum content standards.

Posted on March 20, 2018January 20, 2019 by James — Leave a comment

NJ TRANSIT IMPLEMENTS SEVERE WEATHER RAIL SCHEDULE FOR WINTER STORM

March 20,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is implementing its Severe Weather Schedule Level 1 on its rail system for Wednesday, March 21, as significant heavy, wet snow accumulation is expected throughout the state. Cross-honoring will be in effect for Wednesday, March 21 on NJ TRANSIT bus, private bus carriers, rail, light rail and PATH at Newark, Hoboken and 33rd St. in New York. Customers should check njtransit.com for updates.

A “Severe Weather Rail Schedule’’ is a limited weekday rail schedule utilized during weather events or other emergency situations. The “Severe Weather Schedules’’ were created last year for customers to clearly identify their travel options. These schedules can be found online and are also available in our printed timetables. Rail delays and cancellations are possible as the storm progresses.

All Access Link service will be suspended statewide for Wednesday, March 21.

Bus and light rail services are anticipated to operate regular weekday schedules as long as weather conditions permit. Light Rail delays and cancellations are possible as the storm progresses.

IMPORTANT: Due to the projected rapid snow accumulation in conjunction with possible local and county travel bans, there is the potential for all bus service — including bus service to/from PABT– to be suspended before the start of the afternoon rush hour. Customers should closely monitor njtransit.com, My Transit alerts, social media and broadcast news reports for the latest status of the system.

For customers of Bus Route Nos. 196/197, on Wednesday, March 21, NJ TRANSIT rail will cross-honor bus passes and tickets on the Port Jervis Line trains to/from Harriman, Tuxedo and Sloatsburg. Bus service to/from Warwick, N.Y., will originate/terminate at West Milford Park and Ride due to expected weather conditions. Bus 196 will operate on a snow detour and will not operate on Skyline Drive. Short Line Bus will not be operating for Wednesday, March 21.

NJ TRANSIT will have personnel and assets in position to address any issues that may arise during or after the storm, which is expected to bring snow totals as high as 18 inches to certain counties in northern New Jersey.

NJ TRANSIT’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will open during the early morning hours tomorrow and remain open throughout the day as key personnel monitor any impacts on the system throughout the storm’s duration.

Customers are strongly advised to monitor the status of the system by checking njtransit.com frequently. Customers are also encouraged to sign up for My Transit Alerts, which provide customized notifications via email or text message based on a customer’s preferred mode of travel. My Transit alerts can be accessed by creating a free account on njtransit.com. In addition, customers are advised to monitor
NJ TRANSIT’s social media feeds on Twitter and Facebook, as well as tune in to broadcast traffic reports for the latest information.

Important Notes:

Cross-honoring will be in effect for Wednesday, March 21 on NJ TRANSIT bus and private bus carriers, rail, light rail and with PATH at Newark, Hoboken and 33rd St. in New York. At this time, it is not anticipated that there will be cross-honoring on NY Waterway ferries.
Regular weekday service for bus and light rail will operate as long as conditions allow.
Stay connected during your commute through Facebook and Twitter. Search for rail, bus or light rail-specific Twitter accounts for the best information. While we make every effort to respond to comments posted on our social media channels, we recommend that you contact our Customer Service team directly with critical or time-sensitive issues.

Twitter: @NJTRANSIT
Facebook: facebook.com/NJTRANSIT

Before starting your trip, visit the Travel Alerts page at njtransit.com for up-to-the-minute service information. This information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.
Customers are encouraged to sign up for the My Transit alert system on njtransit.com, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone.
Allow extra time getting to and from your destination. Use extreme caution when walking on exposed sidewalks or station platforms and when boarding trains and buses.
Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.

Posted on March 20, 2018March 20, 2018 by James — Leave a comment

ShortLine/Coach USA scheduled services are suspended on Wednesday, March 21, 2018

March 20,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, ShortLine/Coach USA riders:Due to Winter Storm Toby, ShortLine/Coach USA scheduled services are suspended on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. Service will resume on Thursday, March 22, 2018.
We will run the 1:30 a.m to Middletown tonight as well as the 3:05 a.m from Binghamton to NYC on Wednesday. Local service from Binghamton to Ithaca, Olean, Albany and Utica will still run on Wednesday but only as far as Binghamton, No connections to NYC.As always, the safety of our customers and employees will be our top priority throughout this storm and we will provide any further schedule changes via Facebook, email and our website.

Posted on March 20, 2018January 20, 2019 by James — 7 Comments

Armed Campus Security Officer Stops Maryland School Shooting

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March 20,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hillsdale NJ, Just five weeks after the high school shooting that left 17 people dead in Parkland, Florida, communities across the country are still wrestling with the idea of how to make students safe in schools. Since then the public has been treated to a litany of gun control is the answer , blame the NRA , and student walk outs.

Today a student who shot and critically wounded two fellow students at a Maryland high school on Tuesday morning, died after exchanging gunfire with an armed campus security officer. Yes an armed school resource officer keep the incident from spiraling out of control .

“Our school resource officer who was stationed inside the school was alerted to the event and the shots being fired,” Cameron said. “He pursued the shooter, engaged the shooter; during that engagement he fired a round at the shooter. Simultaneously, the shooter fired a round as well.”

Interesting WCBS 880’s Sean Adams did a report yesterday on one local school Pascack Valley School District has been employing retired police officers to help secure schools. Chip Stalter a former Chief of Police in Hillsdale and Mike Niego a retired Hillsdale police captain..

Perhaps instead of playing the political blame games and organizing “student led walkouts” Ridgewood Schools should get serious about school safety and looking for real answers.

Posted on March 20, 2018March 20, 2018 by James — 1 Comment

Reader claims Five of the state’s public pension funds will still be insolvent by 2027

Five of the state’s public pension funds will still be insolvent by 2027. Murphy’s tax hike is really an effort to pay off his union vote support, it won’t help anyone in the state except his union bosses and public sector workers who already have excessive pension and healthcare benefits. Won’t last much longer as net immigration and loss of employers will accelerate under this budget. It’s easy to spend other people’s money until all of the private sector workers leave.

Posted on March 20, 2018March 20, 2018 by James — 12 Comments

Readers Say JOLT is Just A Ridgewood Hate Group

JOLT admins say they HATE republican hate.
It’s okay for them to HATE Republicans but it’s not okay for Republicans to hate anti nationals.
You should read posts from JOLT members. They are filled with HATE towards anyone that does not agree with them(even moderate democrats)

JOLT is a wild group of very angry people. All women. Their leader is a nucking futcase.

Jolt is a bunch of people who are filled with hate against anyone that doesn’t agree with their view of the world.

Posted on March 20, 2018March 20, 2018 by James — 5 Comments

Readers Mortified Over School and Parents Using Children to make Political Points

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If the district and all of the adults in it hadn’t been so ravished with the idea of students up and leaving their assigned classes in the high school AND the middle school (BF at least–did GW administrators also buy into this?) the number of students sufficiently emboldened to actually violate the attendance rules would have been small and thus perfectly manageable via normal disciplinary procedures. This was never a powderkeg. Ridgewood’s school population has NEVER had an anarchic quality.

When 14 years olds offer themselves us as willing foot soldiers in adult-directed propaganda, what else do you expect?

Also – didn’t these 14-year olds declare themselves to be as knowledgeable about issues as adults? Why then do they need the ‘child’ shield at the same time?

“School is for educating kids not encouraging them to take political stands.”Off to the re-education camp with you!

Posted on March 20, 2018March 20, 2018 by James — 7 Comments

Reader says Alexandra Harwin has listed 4 issues on her website, without any proposed approach to solve them

She has listed 4 issues on her website, without any proposed approach to solve them.
1. Save us Money – HOW? Everything she wants to do with her 3rd and 4th issue is going to raise the taxes. She just says she is going to save us money without any concrete examples.
2. Promote Progressive Values – Who decides that she is more progressive compared to the other three candidates? If we have to run the election on political affiliation, then lets first do a primary contest.
3. Focus on quality of life – HOW? Which Village roads are bad? All roads in desperate need of repair are county roads. Not Village roads. If she plans to repave all village roads which are not in a bad shape, how will she save us money?
4. Revitalize Downtown – HOW? By following her mentor’s agenda and build a 5 story garage which covers a street and brings out of town commuters to the town? By changing all available lots to multi family housing? By selling the soul to Valley hospital, developers, and rich restaurant owners? – WHAT EXACTLY IS HER PLAN?
Basically EVERYTHING she says – sounds like its coming straight from her mentor’s mind. We all dislike her mentor. He ruined Ridgewood forever.

Posted on March 20, 2018March 19, 2018 by James — Leave a comment

Reader says I think our local problems need a closer look.

file photo by Boyd Loving

I find it ironic that you mention the first amendment yet you protest against the second amendment, hmm. Certain “rights” have more importance. Our founding fathers would beg to differ. I thought your way of thinking is all inclusive, guess not.

Important parts? Important to whom, you? You know what I find important, reducing government intervention and oversight. New Jersey has long abandoned that principal. I think most students are best served formulating their own opinion and not being crowd forced into a protest.

How about a 17 minute walkout about the rampant prescription drug abuse at RHS or a candle light vigil about that student who was beaten on school property or most ignored the sinking rank of the public schools in general. I think our local problems need a closer look.

Posted on March 20, 2018March 20, 2018 by James — Leave a comment

UPDATE: WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM EDT THURSDAY…

UPDATE: Winter Storm Warning URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

March 20,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the National Weather Service has issues a …WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM
EDT THURSDAY…

* WHAT…Heavy mixed winter precipitation transitioning to heavy snow is expected. Total snow accumulations of 12 to 16 inches
and light ice accumulations are expected.

* WHERE…Portions of northeast New Jersey and southeast New York.

* WHEN…From midnight tonight to 8 AM EDT Thursday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Travel will be very difficult to impossible, including during the evening commute on Wednesday.
Expect significant reductions in visibility at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice will make travel very hazardous or impossible. Check
local Department of Transportation information services for the latest road conditions.

Posted on March 20, 2018March 19, 2018 by James — 10 Comments

Ridgewood Board of Education Proposes a $110,167,997 School budget

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March 20,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Board of Education passed a Resolution for Adoption of the Proposed Preliminary Budget for Submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools for, drum roll …. $110,167,997.

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