August 9,2015
Rigewood NJ, Tony Merlino, the Village’s Zoning Officer and Sub-Code Official, announced his retirement on Wednesday, August 5. Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, who made the announcement during a Village Council Work Session, did not indicate what Tony’s last day on the job would be.
Tony began his employment with the Village of Ridgewood in August of 1986. He was “top dog” in the Building Department for many years until Thomas Yotka was hired into the that role late last year. The party line is that Tony got the boot because he moved too slow in computerizing building department processes. The backstory is that he ran afoul of a Village Council member regarding approval of final inspections on a home renovation project.
Although he did not have a very big fan club and received often heavy criticism from this blog. Tony is the one Village employee who many of should thank for playing by the rules. Observe the variations in “curb appeal” by driving around some residential neighborhoods a few other municipalities in Bergen County; then drive around ANY neighborhood in Ridgewood. Strict adherence to zoning laws & building codes does make a difference and makes Ridgewood a much nicer place to own a home and live in.
Thanks for your service Tony and best wishes in your retirement.
