Ridgewood NJ, the state of New Jersey along with the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center (BPRC) is pushing a plan to make your streets safer and more user friendly for ,pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles with a series of planning and design initiates .
According to there website , “Complete Streets are for everyone. They are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users… [so that] pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and ability are able to safely move along and across [the street].”
The Complete streets program is being spearheaded by the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center (BPRC) assists public officials, transportation and health professionals, and the public in creating a safer and more accessible walking and bicycling environment through primary research, education and dissemination of information about best practices in policy and design. The Center is supported by the New Jersey Department of Transportation through funds provided by the Federal Highway Administration.
The Village of Ridgewood signed a Complete Streets Resolution back in 2013 , ( https://njbikeped.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Ridgewood-Complete-Streets-Resolution.pdf ) and while some efforts have been a success like well defined ADA compliant highly visible cross walks and curbs other attempts , like the “suicide bike lane ” and traffic easing under the trestle have been an unmitigated failure .
What are the Components of Complete Streets?
Pedestrian Component: defined as “the clear area located between the curb and the adjacent building frontage” . Key Complete Streets design elements for this component include appropriate sidewalk widths and ADA accessible curb ramps
Building and furnishing: refers to “street furniture, elements of buildings that intrude into the sidewalk, and commercial activities that occur on the sidewalk…” and includes design elements such as bicycle parking, pedestrian-scale lighting, benches/street furniture, and street trees
Bicycle: addresses “bikeways and other facilitates within the public right-of-way…” and includes design elements such as bicycle lanes (regular, buffered, contraflow, etc.), cycle tracks, share-use paths, shared lanes/sharrows, and bike route signs
Curbside Management: relates to “facilities between the cartway and the sidewalk” and includes design elements such as on-street car parking, on-street bicycle parking, loading zones, and transit shelters.
Vehicle/Cartway: describes the “portion of the public right-of-way that is intended primarily or exclusively for motor vehicle use…” [11] and includes design elements such as appropriately sized lane widths, speed humps/tables, raised medians, chicanes, and preferred/exclusive bus lanes
Urban Design: addresses “policies related to those aspects of urban form that affect Complete Streets” such as driveways, utilities, and stormwater management.
Intersection & Crossing: includes treatments that “…facilitate safe movement of all modes at intersections” [13] including high-visibility crosswalks (striped, raised, etc.), curb extensions, pedestrian refuge islands, bike boxes, and a variety of signal treatments (e.g., pedestrian countdown clocks, HAWK/RRFB signals, bicycle signals, etc.).
Public Interest Legal Foundation found numerous enforcement flaws for the National Voter Registration Act (Motor Voter)
September 13,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) today released Garden State Gotcha: How Opponents of Citizenship Verification for Voting Are Putting New Jersey’s Noncitizens at Risk of Deportation.
After a six-month review of New Jersey county voter registration files, the Public Interest Legal Foundation found numerous enforcement flaws for the National Voter Registration Act (Motor Voter) that unnecessarily expose noncitizens to future naturalization challenges and even deportation without clearly-justified reforms.
616 admitted and officially recorded noncitizens in 11 counties engaged on some level with the NJ voter registration system; Nine percent of aliens self-reporting their status also cast ballots prior; 76 percent of noncitizens found in the system admitted their immigration status at the outset; 75 percent of noncitizens were invited to register while receiving driver’s licenses or in other government transactions like community college admissions or public schools; and Six counties, including one “sanctuary county”, claimed to have never seen noncitizens registered or applying to vote.
“New Jersey offers eye-opening lessons,” PILF President and General Counsel J. Christian Adams said. “A limited inquiry found that hundreds of noncitizens are documented throughout voter records, typically because a bureaucrat offered them an application. Some were even asked after presenting a Green Card. That broken system is propped up by an honor code proven repeatedly to fail. Many illegally voted. Some claimed they didn’t know they were registered until an immigration agent called. All will likely face an inquiry if they decide to become Americans.”
“It’s time to have a serious discussion about modernizing our Motor Voter law and determine how we can verify citizenship in the process,” Adams added. “Anyone who disagrees exposes Americans to vote dilution and helps write one-way tickets for deportees.”
In the absence of regular data-sharing arrangements between federal officials and the State, the ability of election officials to identify aliens on the voter rolls in real time is almost nonexistent. Voter registrars are stuck waiting for noncitizens to contact them, usually in a panic, admitting to registering despite their ineligibility. Such reactionary maintenance was typically due to pending naturalization applications.
“New Jersey’s only defense to alien registration is the hope that aliens who get on the voters rolls will self-report,” the new PILF study notes. “Without proactive verification mechanisms built into the voter registration application process, cascading negative consequences are sure to follow for eligible and ineligible voters alike.”
After reviewing thousands of pages of voter records, Motor Voter arises as a contributing factor for why so many alien residents are getting trapped in the voter registration system.
Years of official and third party pressure on state agencies to register more voters has apparently driven some offices to become overly aggressive in offering applications to those that do not qualify.
No uniform protections were apparent for noncitizens to be shielded from voter registration after they presented identification clearly documenting their ineligibility.
The current, two-year voter record retention cap can create difficulties for naturalization applicants required to show proof of previous activity.
Ridgewood NJ, U.S. News provides nearly 50 different types of numerical rankings and lists to help students narrow their college search. From National Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges to A-Plus Schools for B Students.
New Jersey offers a mix of small liberal arts colleges, midsize colleges and large research universities are located throughout New Jersey. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey–New Brunswick is among the largest colleges in the U.S., enrolling more than 31,000 undergraduate students annually. Some of the publicly funded colleges and universities in New Jersey are located in Newark and the capital of Trenton. Several notable private institutions are located in the state as well, including Princeton University.
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
#1 in National Universities
The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a “no loan” policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition. more
$47,140 Tuition and Fees
5,400 Undergraduate Enrollment
College of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ
#4 in Regional Universities North (tie)
The College of New Jersey, also known as TCNJ, is a selective, public school with many campus groups and activities for students to try. Home to theaters and an educational television station, TCNJ also hosts more than 150 student organizations and numerous recreational and competitive sports teams. more
$27,578 (out-of-state), $16,149 (in-state) Tuition and Fees
6,787 Undergraduate Enrollment
Rutgers University–Camden
Camden, NJ
#25 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Founded in 1927, Rutgers University–Camden is a public institution.
$29,381 (out-of-state), $14,238 (in-state) Tuition and Fees
5,021 Undergraduate Enrollment
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ
#28 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Founded in 1933, Monmouth University is a private institution. Monmouth University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective. more
$36,733 Tuition and Fees
4,707 Undergraduate Enrollment
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
#34 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Founded in 1865, Rider University is a private institution. The school has 48.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Rider University is 11:1. more
$41,310 Tuition and Fees
4,060 Undergraduate Enrollment
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Mahwah, NJ
#37 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public liberal arts institution that offers about 40 undergraduate programs in five schools. Students at Ramapo can get involved in more than 100 student organizations, Greek life, and campus media. more
$23,214 (out-of-state), $14,080 (in-state) Tuition and Fees
5,762 Undergraduate Enrollment
Stockton University
Galloway, NJ
#41 in Regional Universities North (tie)
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is located near the Atlantic shoreline in Galloway. About 5 percent of students at Stockton College participate in Greek life. more
$20,356 (out-of-state), $13,402 (in-state) Tuition and Fees
7,854 Undergraduate Enrollment
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, NJ
#64 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Fairleigh Dickinson University has two campuses in New Jersey, the suburban College at Florham and the Metropolitan Campus, which allows students to select the type of college experience they’re looking for. more
$40,704 Tuition and Fees
7,870 Undergraduate Enrollment
Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Piscataway, NJ
#69 in National Universities (tie)
Rutgers University—New Brunswick, the flagship campus of New Jersey’s state university, is split into five minicampuses, each with a unique setting and identity, student center and dining options. Freshmen are not required to live on campus. Students can join more than 400 student clubs and organizations, including more than 80 fraternities and sororities. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. Among its graduate offerings, Rutgers has a highly ranked Graduate School of Education. The university also awards one of the highest numbers of doctorate degrees a year among U.S. schools. As a public research university, Rutgers is home to unique institutions such as the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, where students take hands-on courses in the sciences and work on community projects. more
$30,023 (out-of-state), $14,372 (in-state) Tuition and Fees
36,168 Undergraduate Enrollment
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ
#69 in National Universities (tie)
Innovation and entrepreneurship is stressed at Stevens Institute of Technology, a research-intensive school primarily known for its engineering, science and management programs. The school also has a humanities division with eight majors. Undergraduate students are encouraged to get involved in research projects and develop new technologies through the school’s Technogenesis philosophy. Students can opt for a cooperative education track, which is a five-year program with mostly alternating semesters of class and full-time, paid work. Students complete a full first and fifth year at Stevens, and pay for only four years of school. On campus, in Hoboken, N.J., there are more than 120 clubs and organizations, including about 15 fraternities and sororities. Housing is guaranteed for four years, and more than 60 percent of students choose to live on campus. The campus lies along the Hudson River, and New York City is a boat or subway ride away.
The Stevens Ducks mainly compete in the NCAA Division III Empire 8 Athletic Conference, and, through the school’s Adopt-a-Team program, all student athletes have a faculty mentor to help them juggle sports and school work. Incoming freshmen also do not have the hassle of buying a new laptop; each student is given a notebook computer with software configured to his or her major. The school was exclusively for male students until 1971, and now, females make up close to 30 percent of the student body. more
$50,554 Tuition and Fees
3,021 Undergraduate Enrollment
Saint Peter’s University
Jersey City, NJ
#97 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Founded in 1872, Saint Peter’s University is a private institution. Saint Peter’s University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered less selective. more
$36,402 Tuition and Fees
2,672 Undergraduate Enrollment
Caldwell University
Caldwell, NJ
#102 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Founded in 1939, Caldwell University is a private institution. The school has 62.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Caldwell University is 12:1. more
$33,900 Tuition and Fees
1,637 Undergraduate Enrollment
William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ
#102 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Founded in 1855, William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public institution. William Paterson University of New Jersey offers a Greek system, where 2 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 2 percent is involved in a fraternity. more
$20,842 (out-of-state), $12,804 (in-state) Tuition and Fees
9,103 Undergraduate Enrollment
Drew University
Madison, NJ
#112 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
Drew University is located in Madison, New Jersey, not far from New York City. Students can take advantage of the school’s location through intensive semester-long programs on Wall Street and more. more
$49,168 Tuition and Fees
1,521 Undergraduate Enrollment
SAT, GPA and more
Compare
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
#124 in National Universities (tie)
A private, Catholic school in South Orange, N.J., Seton Hall University is about a 30-minute train ride to New York City. Many students take advantage of the university’s location by interning and job hunting in the nearby city while still enjoying the clubs, Greek life, and Division I sports on campus.
more
$40,588 Tuition and Fees
5,956 Undergraduate Enrollment
Rutgers University–Newark
Newark, NJ
#133 in National Universities (tie)
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey—Newark is located in the largest city in the state. More than 60 percent of students complete majors in the Newark College of Arts and Sciences. more
$29,480 (out-of-state), $13,829 (in-state) Tuition and Fees
8,170 Undergraduate Enrollment
Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ
#135 in Regional Universities North
Founded in 1867, Centenary University is a private institution. Centenary University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered less selective. more
$32,580 Tuition and Fees
1,518 Undergraduate Enrollment
SAT, GPA and more
Compare
College of St. Elizabeth
Morristown, NJ
#137 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Founded in 1899, College of St. Elizabeth is a private institution. The school has 82.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at College of St. Elizabeth is 10:1. more
$32,282 Tuition and Fees
763 Undergraduate Enrollment
Georgian Court University
Lakewood, NJ
#137 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Founded in 1908, Georgian Court University is a private institution.
$32,260 Tuition and Fees
1,591 Undergraduate Enrollment
Kean University
Union, NJ
#137 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Students at Kean University in New Jersey can choose from nearly 50 undergraduate majors and more than 30 master’s programs. Outside the classroom, students can visit the school’s two cougar mascots, named Sage and Scout, in a nearby zoo. more
$19,009 (out-of-state), $12,107 (in-state) Tuition and Fees
11,812 Undergraduate Enrollment
SAT, GPA and more
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New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ
#140 in National Universities (tie)
Founded in 1881, New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public institution. New Jersey Institute of Technology follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective. more
$31,034 (out-of-state), $16,430 (in-state) Tuition and Fees
8,211 Undergraduate Enrollment
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
#171 in National Universities (tie)
Rowan University started out as a teacher preparation college and is now a leading research institution for eco-friendly initiatives. Since 2007, the school has received at least 13 awards for green initiatives. It also offers a range of degree options for undergraduate and graduate students. Students study a host of subjects, such as whether blood tests can reveal Alzheimer’s and how to improve the safety of lithium-ion batteries. The school also promotes diversity in science, technology, engineering and math. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus unless they can commute from a nearby guardian’s home, and many upperclassmen live off campus. Student athletes can represent the Rowan Profs in the NCAA Division III New Jersey Athletic Conference and intramural sports. more
$21,378 (out-of-state), $13,108 (in-state) Tuition and Fees
14,344 Undergraduate Enrollment
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ
#187 in National Universities (tie)
Located about 14 miles west of New York City in New Jersey, Montclair State University offers about 300 academic programs. Students can make the most of their studies by visiting the school’s Center for Career Services and Cooperative Education to get help planning for their future. more
$20,566 (out-of-state), $12,454 (in-state) Tuition and Fees
16,810 Undergraduate Enrollment
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
VILLAGE COUNCIL
REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 8:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
5. Acceptance of Financial Reports
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Proclamations
A. Fire Prevention Week
B. Gold Star Mother’s Day
C. National Breast Cancer Awareness Week
D. Walktoberfest
9. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)
10. Village Manager’s Report
11. Village Council Reports
12. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
13. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
14. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
17- Award Contract – Chlorine Analyzers
15. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3613 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Parking for Municipal Complex
3614 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Maltbie Avenue – 2-hour Parking
3615 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Establish Bus Stop on Goffle Road
3616 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – CBD Employee Parking Spaces – North Walnut Street Parking Lot
3617 – Amend Chapter 145 Fees – Emergency Medical Services Third-party Billing Plan Fees
16. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
NONE
17. RESOLUTIONS
17- Title 59 Approval – Renovation of Somerville Tennis Courts
17- Award Contract – Renovation of Somerville Tennis Courts
17- Title 59 Approval – Furnishing and Delivering of Polymer – Water Pollution Control Facility
17- Award Contract – Furnishing and Delivering of Polymer – Water Pollution Control Facility
17- Title 59 Approval – Sodium Bisulfite and Sodium Hypochlorite Solutions – Water Pollution Control Facility
17- Award Contract – Sodium Bisulfite and Sodium Hypochlorite Solutions – Water Pollution Control Facility
17- Title 59 Approval – Laboratory Analysis Services – Water Pollution Control Facility and Graydon Pool
17- Award Contract – Laboratory Analysis Services – Water Pollution Control Facility and Graydon Pool
17- Title 59 Approval – Phase I Cleanup – Schedler Property
17- Award Contract – Phase I Cleanup – Schedler Property
17- Title 59 Approval – Snowplowing Services
17- Award Contract – Snowplowing Services
17- Title 59 Approval – Pickup, Removal, and Hauling of Leaves
17- Award Contract – Pickup, Removal, and Hauling of Leaves
17- Title 59 Approval – Central Valet Parking Services
17- Award Contract – Central Valet Parking Services
17- Award Contract Under State Contract – Electronic Equipment and Computer Upgrades (NTE $200,000)- Dell
17- Award Contract Under State Contract – Electronic Equipment and Computer Upgrades (NTE $200,000)- SHI
17- Award Contract Under State Contract – 2018 Chevy Tahoe – Fire Department
17- Accept Bergen County Historic Preservation Grant – Schedler House – Phase 1
17- Authorize Partial Release of Escrow Funds – 309 Mastin Place, LLC
17- Establish Annual Service Charge and Payment for Guarantee Bond for Ridgewood Senior Citizen Housing Corporation and Guaranty of Payment of Revenue Bonds
17- Authorize Tax Collector to Charge for Mailing of Tax Sale Notices
17- Authorize Cleaning of Grove Park Area by the Ridgewood Wildscape Association and Partners
17- Establish Village of Ridgewood as Bee City USA
17- Refer Study of Hudson Street as Area of Redevelopment to Planning Board
17- Authorize Ridgewood Wildscape Association to Distribute Door Hangers
17- Dedication by Rider – Cultural Arts Purposes
17- Rescind Resolution #13-88 – Establishing a Financial Advisory Committee
18. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, all I know is that when things go wrong on the sports field parents kill each other and attack the coaches on the field, and their kids if their kids don’t win get hell at home, insane amount of pressure on kids nowadays that lead to taking drugs, not avoiding drugs but taking drugs. It’s a myth that it is so great for character.
What about organized music, bands and orchestras?
Listen, most kids enjoy a natural spontaneous pick-up sports game, in the street or on an empty field, without adults managing them, THAT is how they learn socialization.That is the way it used to be before kids were over scheduled. Sometimes I see it on a school playground during a time when school is closed and fields not in formal use.
What about organized music, bands , orchestras, chorus, what about organized theater, putting on plays, what about living in a family where you have to share and CARE and learn limits and boundaries, even having a pet, dog or cat will do to teach socialization and sensitivity to others. ORGANIZED SPORT DOES NOT TEACH SENSITIVITY TO OTHERS ANY MORE THAN AN ARMY BEING ATTACKED BY THE ENEMY ARMY. Students both girls and boys too, should be required to take ballet or modern dance. That is how one can learn team cooperation, physical emotional , good health and eating habits. Comraderie, bodily expression, understanding body language that can’t be put into words . TRUE interpersonal SENSITIVITY.
Organized sports are over rated. Way over rated. Dare I say; they are bad. Dance dance dance. Ballroom, ballet , modern, not dancing with the stars , but dancing at school, a public school dance program in the gyms.
By Dr. Sean Stein Smith, September 8, 2017 at 8:14 AM
Dr. Sean Stein Smith.
As Labor Day recedes into our collective memory, and the warm glow of summer fades away, the collective New Jersey business community is faced with the following reality.
The current administration in Washington appears to have focused on comprehensive tax reform as a pillar for reform, and with Congress returning from recess, there is a real possibility this plan will become reality. Although many people from the NJ/NY area commute on Amtrak/Acela to Washington on an ongoing basis, the implications for small business may be overlooked in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Regardless of whether or not the current political environment is perceived as favorable, or what other issues are continually ongoing, the reality of the situation is that tax reform is a real possibility.
Washington machinations are more than just fodder for Happy Hour conversation – these are issues and topics that can have a definite impact on your bottom line. As a CPA who lives in, has worked in, and who has advised entrepreneurs in New Jersey, but now works in New York, this is an issue I hear about and think about on a daily basis.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Police Department would like to remind residents to lock your cars, even in your own driveway. Do not leave valuables visible in your vehicle at any time.
A Crest Road resident reported between 8/31/17 and 9/1/17 an unknown actor entered a parked unlocked vehicle and removed loose coins from within. The victim reported approximately $5 was removed.
On 9/1/17 a Cottage Place resident reported a parked unlocked vehicle was entered between 8/31/17 and 9/1/17. The victim reported a purse was removed from the vehicle and personal property was taken.
A Cedar Avenue resident reported on 9/1/17 an unknown actor entered a parked unlocked vehicle and removed items from within. The victim reported approximately $2000 in cash was removed from the vehicle.
On 9/1/17 an Ackerman Avenue resident reported a theft from an unlocked automobile. The theft reportedly occurred between 8/31/17 and 9/1/17. The victim reported two items valued at $1100 were removed from the vehicle.
Ptl. Brandon Donnelly responded to a Crest Road residence on a report of a stolen motor vehicle in the past. Upon arrival the victim reported a Toyota Land Cruiser was stolen between 9/2/17 and 9/3/17. The vehicle was reported to have been parked in the driveway and left unlocked. The victim reported the value of the vehicle was approximately $10,000 and the vehicle contained personal property valued at about $1200.
On 9/4/17, a Spring Avenue resident reported a theft from a parked unlocked vehicle in the driveway. The victim reported a change purse containing loose change was stolen and the vehicle registration was also missing.
A Spring Avenue resident reported discovering a theft from a vehicle on 9/5/17. The victim reported an unknown actor entered an unlocked parked vehicle and removed loose change from within the vehicle.
Paint Out in Downtown Ridgewood
September 10 @ 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Call to Artists, Members and Friends of The Ridgewood Art Institute!
Save this Date: September 10, 2017
Please join us to Paint Out
in Downtown Ridgewood during The Ridgewood Guild’s Music Festival
• Register in the RAI tent located in the park from 12 to 1
• Paint from 1 to 3:30 (please note that the Music Festival
will take place in the park from 1 to 6)
• Join us along Ridgewood Ave. near the park to display and sell
(if desired) your plein air paintings from 4-6.
• Artists should bring their own easels and paint supplies*
• There is no registration fee – but donations will be appreciated!
Painting subjects will range from
musicians – to the crowd -to downtown scenes.
A great opportunity to share the day with family and friends too!
*Watch for more news to come about related RAI plein air
demos and instruction.
Let me begin by thanking all of you for your patience over the last two months. The rail service adjustments made in July and August enabled Amtrak to complete a series of major infrastructure projects that will strengthen and improve operations at Penn Station New York (PSNY). Reducing train traffic in and out of New York during this two-month period helped accelerate the work and minimize long-term disruptions to your commute.
I realize that many of you made considerable adjustments to your travel and personal schedules to make this happen. To help minimize that, we planned and implemented an extensive alternative service program during the schedule change and launched an early communications plan to help you make informed decisions. That included discounted fares for our Morris & Essex Lines riders (M&E), substitute bus service at select stations along the M&E, and cross-honoring of tickets and passes on NJ TRANSIT and private carrier buses, on Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and Newark Light Rail trains, on PATH trains and on NY Waterway ferry services.
Throughout the summer, we monitored travel patterns and made adjustments to service as needed, primarily with additional bus service at M&E stations. We also installed new LED pilot screens at Hoboken Terminal that display every station served by trains at Hoboken in alphabetical order, along with the time of the next scheduled train to each station and the track number assigned to that train when it is available. Once we receive feedback, we will look to procure more permanent, weather-resistant screens.
I want to thank our transportation partners, including PATH and NY Waterway, for providing us with additional support that made the alternate service plan a success. I also want to thank all of our NJ TRANSIT employees who supported this plan, behind the scenes and on the front lines. That includes hundreds of employee ambassadors who were deployed at many stations and terminals to assist you throughout the two-month period. Let me also thank the stakeholders who supported NJ TRANSIT throughout this effort.
As a reminder, all fare discounts, substitute and enhanced bus services, as well as cross-honoring on bus, rail, light rail, PATH and NY Waterway ferry services in effect during the modified schedule between July 10 and September 1 will end at 3:00 a.m. Saturday, September 2. New weekday rail schedules will take effect Tuesday, September 5.
For the Labor Day weekend, NJ TRANSIT rail service will operate on a regular weekend schedule on September 2 and 3.
On Monday, September 4, trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines. It is important to note weekend service has not been affected by the PSNY repair work. All weekend Midtown Direct trains will operate to/from PSNY. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule. Bus schedules vary by route-customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information.
In closing, while the work completed is a great accomplishment, Amtrak has advised us that additional repairs will be made through 2018. We will continue to receive updates from Amtrak on this planned work and provide you information on what, if anything, will impact your commute-even to the slightest degree.
Thank you again for your patience and ongoing support.
24th annunal car show – “the best night time car show in nj” Fri, September 08, 2017 Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Location: E. Ridgewood Ave. and Memorial Park, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce presents their….
24th Annual Car Show
It has been said that this is the best night time car show in NJ.
Over 400 cars from all over the USA.
The parking is on a first come basis starting at 4:00pm.
You can still pre-register your car at the cost of $25 until 9/7/17…via phone 201-445-2600 or [email protected]
then all registration will be done
on 9/8/17 at the show at $25.
Enter to register on Walnut and Franklin Ave. (across from TD Bank).
You will be given a certificate for your windshield.
NO ONE will be allowed in without a car certificate.
For pedestrian safety, the police have told us
NO-ONE is allowed to leave before 9pm…when they will open the streets.
This is a charity event, proceeds go towards scholarships for kids going to college.
to view the cars the night of, look for our newspaper advertising. Open to the public 6-9pm.
any question 201-445-2600 up until 1pm on 9/8/17…we will then see you on the street.
“I believe that real and positive immigration reform is possible, as long as we focus on the following goals: To improve jobs and wages for Americans; to strengthen our nation’s security; and to restore respect for our laws.” – President Donald J. Trump
Washington DC, RESPONSIBLY ENDING UNLAWFUL IMMIGRATION POLICY: Today, the Trump Administration is rescinding the previous Administration’s memorandum creating the unlawful Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and has begun to end the program responsibly.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security explaining that DACA was not statutorily authorized and was therefore an unconstitutional exercise of discretion by the executive branch.
Attorney General Sessions found that DACA, given pending litigation, would likely face the same outcome as the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program, which was enjoined by the courts.
The Trump Administration is taking responsible action to wind down DACA in an orderly and minimally disruptive manner.
If President Trump allowed DACA to go to court, it is likely that the court would abruptly enjoin the program.
If President Trump had refused to act, many States were prepared to pursue litigation to end DACA by court order.
Under the change announced today, current DACA recipients generally will not be impacted until after March 5, 2018, six months from now. That period of time gives Congress the opportunity to consider appropriate legislative solutions.
DHS’s enforcement priorities remain in place. However, absent a law enforcement interest—which is largely the standard that has been in place since the inception of the program—the Department will generally not take actions to remove active DACA recipients.
DACA recipients range from ages 15 to 36, with the overwhelming majority being of adult age.
Initial requests for Employment Authorization Documents under DACA properly filed and accepted through today will be processed.
Additional DACA initial applications filed after today will not be accepted.
Renewal applications for DACA Employment Authorization Documents properly filed and accepted by October 5, 2017, for people whose current Employment Authorization Documents expire between today and March 5, 2018, will be processed.
Any such requests filed after October 5, 2017 will not be accepted.
Currently approved applications for advance parole for DACA recipients will generally be honored, but new applications will not be approved.
All pending applications for advance parole by DACA recipients will be closed and associated fees will be refunded.
RESTORING LAW AND ORDER TO OUR IMMIGRATION SYSTEM: The DACA program was never intended to be permanent—even President Obama admitted it was a temporary, extraordinary measure. And President Obama repeatedly recognized that such unilateral actions were in excess of the Executive’s appropriate role.
President Obama admitted publicly on at least a 22 occasions that creating a DACA-like program was beyond his authority. President Obama said:
In 2011, that “there are enough laws on the books by Congress that are very clear in terms of how we have to enforce our immigration system that for me to simply through Executive order ignore those congressional mandates would not conform with my appropriate role as President.”
In 2010, that providing people in America illegally with legal status and ignoring the laws on the books “would be both unwise and unfair.”
President Obama admitted in 2012 that DACA, implemented in an election year, was “a temporary stopgap measure.”
Partly because of DACA, the United States saw a surge in illegal immigration by minors in 2013-2014, because they hoped to take advantage of the program.
President Obama knew this would be a problem, admitting in 2010 that a DACA-like policy “could lead to a surge in illegal immigration.”
President Trump refuses to allow criminal activity to dominate our immigration system, taking action to restore the law and protect all Americans.
One of President Trump’s first Executive orders informed sanctuary jurisdictions that failure to fully abide by Federal immigration laws would jeopardize access to certain Federal grant money.
As a result, Miami-Dade County reversed its years-long sanctuary policy.
The DOJ issued new charging guidelines in April to bring to an end the previous Administration’s catch-and-release policies by prioritizing criminal immigration enforcement.
Since President Trump’s inauguration, illegal immigration on the southwest border is down by 47 percent compared to the same period last year.
Illegal alien removals resulting from to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests have increased by over 32 percent.
So far in Fiscal Year 2017, ICE has arrested at least 3,641 criminal gang members compared to 2,057 criminal gang members in all of Fiscal Year 2016.
REFORMING IMMIGRATION TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN: DACA made it impossible for President Trump to pursue the reforms needed to restore fairness to our immigration system and protect American workers.
President Trump’s highest obligation is to uphold the laws of the United States. So long as the unlawful policies of the previous Administration remain—especially those that incentivize further illegal immigration—there is no realistic chance of achieving principled pro-worker immigration reform. His priorities include:
Controlling the Border: President Trump intends to secure the southwest border with a border wall and a robust law enforcement presence on the border.
Improving Vetting and Immigration Security: Our immigration system, including our asylum and refugee system, make the United States potentially exposed to terrorist and public safety threats. We need to improve vetting and set limits that allow for proper vetting.
Enforcing Our Laws: President Trump supports the swift removal of those who illegally enter the United States or violate the conditions of their visas.
Protecting Our Workers: President Trump is working to encourage companies to raise wages and recruit American workers. This means stopping the practice of hiring illegal workers who unlawfully deprive American workers of jobs and higher wages.
Establishing a Merit-Based System for Entry: President Trump supports efforts to prioritize immigrants based on skills and thereby prevent the displacement of American workers.
Ridgewood NJ, Village of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen , “Summer is winding down and it’s back to school for our youngest Ridgewood residents; wishing all Village students a safe, successful, adventurous and happy school year! ”
Please use the links provided to access agendas for Planning Board and Village Council meetings scheduled for this week:
**Village Council meetings are broadcast live on Cablevision channel 77 and Verizon channel 34.
Kindly share this important information with friends and neighbors and remember to visit https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/ for important updates, registration for Ridgewood e-notice, SwiftReach911 and Ridgewood Water notifications. To learn more about the new Ridgewood Estate Card (THE ESTATE PREPAID MASTERCARD®)visit https://ridgewoodestatecard.com/
Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act MAYOR: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided
by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall,
by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
Roll Call
Public Hearing – Open Space Trust Fund Grant Application – Maple Park Turf Field
RESOLUTIONS
17-248 Award Professional Services Contract – Rate Analysis Study for Ridgewood Water Lawsuit (NTE $52,000)
17-249 Title 59 Approval – Repair to Storm Sewer – Circle Avenue
17-250 Award Contract – Repair to Storm Sewer – Circle Avenue – (NTE $32,936)
Adjournment
Village Council Work Session
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S
PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 6, 2017
7:30 P.M.
1. 7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
5. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
6. Discussion
a. Budget
1. Award Contract – Repair to Storm Sewer – Circle Avenue
7. Motion to Suspend Work Session and Convene Special Public Meeting
8. Special Public Meeting – See Attached Agenda
9. Motion to Adjourn Special Public Meeting and Reconvene Work Session
10. Discussion (continued)
a. Ridgewood Water
1. Award Contract – Purchase of Chlorine Analyzers and Supplies
2. Award Contract – Professional Surveying Services
b. Parking
1. Award Contract – Valet Parking Concession Pilot Program Rebid
2. Removed from the Agenda
3. Parking Reconfiguration at Train Station Lot
4. CBD Parking – North Walnut Street
c. Budget (continued)
1. Bee City USA
2. Current Fund Revenues
3. Resolution to Accept Bergen County Historic Preservation House Phase I Grant
4. Authorize Partial Release of Escrow Funds – 309 Mastin Place LLC
5. Award Contract – Sommerville Tennis Courts Renovations
6. Award Second Year Contract – Furnishing and Delivering of Zetag 7557 Polymer – Water Pollution Control Facility
7. Award Contract – Furnishing and Delivery of Sodium Bisulfite and Sodium Hypochlorite – Water Pollution Control Facility
8. Award Contract – Laboratory Analysis Services – Water Pollution Control Facility
9. Award Second Year Contract – Snow Plowing Services
10. State Contract Vendors – Threshold Increases – IT Department
11. Award Contract – Pickup, Removal, and Hauling of Leaves
12. Ridgewood Senior Citizen Housing Corporation Pilot Program
13. Resolution for Costs of Mailing Tax Sale Notice
14. Purchase of 2018 Chevy Tahoe – Fire Department
d. Policy
1. Proposed Changes to Ordinance for Resident/Non-Resident EMS Billing
2. Tie A Ribbon Campaign – Breast Cancer Awareness
3. Distribution of Ridgewood Wildscape Information – Preservation of Wildscape Properties
4. Special Projects Taks Force – By-Laws and Rescind Reso for FAC
e. Operations
1. Proposed Changes to Ordinance for Village Hall Parking Lot
2. Proposed Traffic Ordinance – Maltbie Avenue
3. Schedler Park Sound Study
4. Grove Park Area Cleanup Program – Ridgewood Wildscape Assoc. and Partners
5. Proposed Ordinance – New Bus Stop at 401Goffle Road
6. Traffic Signal Upgrade
11. Review of September 13, 2017 Regular Public Meeting Agenda
12. Manager’s Report
13. Council Reports
14. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
15. Adjournment
A. Legal – Ridgewood Water, Valley Hospital, COAH, RCRD, Unlawful Enrollment of Students in Ridgewood Public Schools
B. Personnel/Contract Negotiations – Supervisor Union Contract
C. Contract Negotiations – Potential Purchase of Properties, Graydon Pool Restrooms,
Glen Park Village (RIC Development)
D. Personnel – Appointments to Boards and Committees – RAC, SPTF, CRAB, Planning Board
The only way to stem our tide of outmigration is to bring our economic policies in line with our direct regional competitors — Pennsylvania and New York
September 4,2017
written by OpportunityNJ June 26, 2017
Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey has many positive attributes. We added almost 60,000 jobs in 2016, the state’s largest gain since 2000, according to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. We have among the best K-12 public education systems in the nation and a highly skilled workforce including the highest concentration of scientists and engineers in the world — more than 225,000 statewide.
New Jersey also has a strong transportation network. We are home to the Port of New York and New Jersey, the third largest seaport in North America and the largest and busiest maritime cargo center on the East Coast. And we are among the national leaders in logistics and distribution. New Jersey is also a great recreation state with more than 130 miles of shoreline, beautiful parks, and mountains.
Despite these great assets, New Jersey remains a significant outlier, both nationally and regionally when comparing competitiveness and affordability including our state’s high cost of living and its heavy tax burden. New Jersey’s border states, Pennsylvania and New York, continue to be the No. 1 and No. 2 outmigration states for New Jersey residents and are challenging our competitiveness.
To reverse this trend we must examine our policies on taxation, revenue generation, and spending, and we must do so through the filter of competitiveness and affordability.
Outmigration by the numbers
In February 2016, the NJBIA issued Outmigration by the Numbers: How do we Stop the Exodus? This report found that New Jersey lost $18 billion in net-adjusted gross income over a decade. We have now updated this data to include 2015 data and have learned the loss has since grown to nearly $21 billion over 11 years (2004-2005 through 2014-2015). Further, we found the largest outmigration group continues to be millennials followed second by those nearing retirement and retirees.
Last November, New Jersey took the first step in the long road toward comprehensive tax reform by phasing out the estate tax and sharply increasing the income tax exclusion for pension and retirement income. The estate tax elimination and the pension tax reduction should help stem the outmigration of seniors and small businesses. While this is a good start, there is much more that must be done.
New Jersey ranks in the bottom six of every single tax category — income, property, sales, corporate, and inheritance. And we are in the bottom 10 of all states in combined state and local debt. Further, New Jersey residents pay the fifth-highest percentage of their household income on rent of any state and pay the fourth-highest median monthly rent of any state.
New Jersey’s top income tax rate is 8.97 percent and ranks as the sixth highest in the country. Our neighbors to the north and the west offer a better income tax rate than we do, with New York’s top income tax rate at 8.82 percent and Pennsylvania’s income tax rate flat at 3.07 percent.
Out-of-control property taxes
New Jersey has an average property tax bill of $8,549 and collects $2,924 per capita in property taxes, both of which are the highest in the nation. New York at $2,435 and Pennsylvania at $1,338 per capita are considerably lower than New Jersey, as is the national per capita of $1,300.
New Jersey has the fifth-highest corporate income tax (9 percent) in the nation. New York ranks 24th, offering a lower corporate tax rate of 6.5 percent. While Pennsylvania has a higher corporate income tax rate at 9.9 percent, it has a much more favorable personal income, property, and inheritance tax climate that offsets this tax impact.
While New Jersey is in the process of eliminating the estate tax by 2018, we still have an inheritance tax. Only five other states — Nebraska, Kentucky, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Maryland — even have an inheritance tax. Further, while Pennsylvania has an inheritance tax, the state mitigates the impact of this tax on small businesses.
New Jersey’s debt picture is no different than its tax climate. We are near the bottom of the national rankings in every debt category. Overall, as of June 30, 2015 the state had more than $153 billion in bonded and nonbonded indebtedness according to the fiscal year 2015 state debt report.
The state’s high level of debt and the need to generate revenue to pay off the debt is a major factor that affects the ability to lower the state’s tax burden to improve the level of affordability for individuals, families, and businesses. However, we can no longer increase our tax burden in order to raise revenue to pay down this enormous debt. This would only make New Jersey even less competitive and would surely feed into an exit strategy for New Jersey businesses and residents.
The time is now to revisit and completely review our economic policies on taxation, revenue generation, and spending and we must do so with a sense of urgency. We must look at how we spend our tax dollars and be honest about the fact that our current economic paradigm is just not sustainable. Failing to do so now will compound the problem for the generations to come.
The only way to stem our tide of outmigration is to bring our economic policies in line with our direct regional competitors — Pennsylvania and New York. Becoming more competitive means becoming more affordable so that businesses will want to locate here and taxpayers will want to live here.
Updated on September 3, 2017 at 8:02 AM Posted on September 3, 2017 at 6:30 AM
With an election coming up, we’re hearing a lot about consolidating towns and school districts as a means of solving our property-tax problem.
Before this goes any further, let me warn all involved about the nature of such transactions.
Consolidations are like weddings. There are two types: weddings of attraction, into which both partners enter willingly; and shotgun weddings, in which one party takes part only because of compulsion.
The latter describes one Monmouth County town that I covered in the waning days of the Corzine administration, Loch Arbour.
The elected officials of this charming little town by the sea entered into a mutually beneficial pact with nearby Ocean Township when they set up a shared-services agreement. They would send their kids to Ocean schools in return for a per-pupil payment of about $15,000 per year.
