To the Editor:
When Thomas Yotka, Ridgewood’s newly appointed building department director and construction code official, proposed numerous (and in some cases significant) increases in permit fees at the March 11 Village Council public meeting, Councilwoman Susan Knudsen requested more data to justify the proposed changes. Although Mr. Yotka had cited only three other municipalities’ fees in his report, Councilwoman Knudsen had compared the proposed fees with those of several others and found some inconsistencies.
Two weeks later, at the March 25 Village Council work session, Mr. Yotka provided additional details to Village Council members. It seems, from the discussion, that the permit fee increases proposed by Mr. Yotka may be in line with those in many surrounding municipalities, although the final discussion and official council vote on fee changes have not yet taken place.
This was a fine example of transparency in government, and we have Councilwoman Knudsen to thank for it. All of us who have obtained permits for home improvements know how expensive these are, and how they can add up rapidly if a large project is undertaken. Thanks to the diligence of Councilwoman Knudsen, if our fees do increase, we can at least feel reassured that the charges will reflect current standards.
Sadly, this positive occurrence was immediately marred by uncivil, condescending remarks from Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck and Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli. They made it clear that Councilwoman Knudsen’s request for this additional data had not, in their opinions, been necessary and had required Mr. Yotka to expend excessive, exhaustive and unnecessary effort. Furthermore, when Councilwoman Knudsen stated, politely, that she did not appreciate a gratuitous swipe by the deputy mayor, he replied nastily and sarcastically. Councilwoman Knudsen, to her great credit, maintained a calm, professional demeanor.
In February 2013, Mayor Paul Aronsohn apologized for similar behavior on the part of the Village Council, saying that the public deserves a working council, not a fighting council. There have been other such outbursts in the last couple of years and now here we are yet again. Mayor Aronsohn speaks of civility often, and insists that public discourse must be polite. As chair of the March 25 meeting, he could have interrupted the nasty comments, and apologized to Councilwoman Knudsen and the public for these counterproductive interruptions to an important discussion. Moreover, why didn’t Councilwoman Hauck and Deputy Mayor Pucciarelli behave respectfully in the first place? The remarks by Councilwoman Hauck and Deputy Mayor Pucciarelli, coupled with the silence of Mayor Aronsohn, exemplify incivility.
My greatest annual expense is my property taxes, as it is in many Ridgewood households. I appreciate when our elected officials are cautious, thoughtful, and informed of the facts before spending tax revenues or increasing our fees. Collegial, productive discussions about village business cannot occur when Village Council members are disrespectful and quarrelsome. Over two years ago, the mayor said that we deserve better, but sadly it seems that we are still not getting what we deserve.
Anne LaGrange Loving
Ridgewood
Its all a shell game. Mayor Paul Aronsohn will propose another %0 property tax increase but then the all the fees will start to change.With everting going up how do you attain %0 tax increse with out taking it from somewhere else. Think about it.
I could not agree more with this letter. The comments by councilwoman Hauck and Deputy Mayor Pucciarelli towards councilwoman Knudsen were rude, and embarrassed the village of ridgewood. Councilwoman Knudsen was simply going the extra mile and doing research before making an informed decision. That is one of the reasons I voted for her. I am so fed up with the shenanigans of Hauck, Pucciarelli & Aronsohn. Does anyone know how to start a recall petition? Also, does anyone know how many signatures would be needed to recall one of them? I don’t really care which of the 3 go (Aronsohn, Pucciarelli or Hauck), but 1 of them has to go in order for the council to become a productive governing body.
They also have to pay for all of Robertas new hires, newly created positions.
it’s all bull shit people. 0 % will not work. down the road the services will go to shit. it started a few years a go. the b o e has over a 100 , mill spending fund for this year. my god. and this mayor would like to do a % 0 .all for him.this is all about him look what I did, and vote for me .this is the worst crew ever, starting from the top.
this is for the mayor council and manager. we would like to see a list of the top staff who is getting a pay bonus and pay stipend for gutting job’s out sourcing work or just found a way to save money . and how much did they get. be cause we do know this is going on for a long time. and it’s ok we just like to know who’s is getting it , and what did they do to for it.
thanks
time for three new council members.
Time for a new manager, too. Roberta, too bad you didn’t think about being more respectful of Mike Sedon and Susan Knudsen. They will be here when your three amigos have been shattered. They will be in the majority. Ya think your job will be here after than?
time for a new vote.