APRIL 14, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015, 9:42 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Ridgewood Council has approved new construction code fees, adopting the implementing ordinance by 3-2 vote during its meeting last Wednesday.
Council members Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon voted against the fee changes.
Knudsen did not offer explanation for her vote; however, Sedon said he reviewed the Building Department’s upcoming budget when reaching his decision. In comparing anticipated revenues and expenditures, the councilman said the department is turning a $134,000 profit.
“My feeling is we’re covering the cost of the department and able to make a little bit of money while still offering residents a bit of a deal on inspections when they have work done,” Sedon said, suggesting the higher fees were unnecessary.
With the new ordinance, the building department is aiming to bring the village’s construction code fees more in line with surrounding towns and the state of New Jersey.
Tom Yotka, the new director of the Building Department and construction official, said the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) requires the construction official in each municipality to review the fees a minimum of every two years. Yotka noted the last effective change to the ordinance was in 2009, but did not know when the department last reviewed its charges.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/new-fee-structure-approved-1.1308346
Thank you once againPaul, Albert, and Gwenn. We so appreciate how you have increased our fees. I guess you have to finance the salary of Roberta’s college friend Tom Yotka.
Who is “Tom Yotka” and what job does he hold in which dept. and why the increase for Building ?
Well News Watcher next time the Mayor has hours you should make an appointment and ask him. Im sure he will be glad to see you and happily answers your questions.
The only explanation for why fees should be increased, given that the building dept. already makes a six-figure profit over expenses, is that some other towns charge higher fees. But some charge lower ones. Isn’t there a parallel argument that we should lower ours?
New fees pay for the new employee Tom Yotka salary, medical benefits and pension. Simple.
Councilman Sedon was quite clear and correct when he stated, while voting against the increases, that the current fees were more than covering expenses and producing quite a healthy profit for the Building Department as well. He had the numbers. He said he saw no reason to squeeze the residents any further. Of course they ignored him, they absolutely never listen to reason. The three of them, along with ROBERTA, are despicable.