Home rule has a price, especially when you have 500 plus municipalities. Cops per capita and classroom sizes are not outrageous or out of the ordinary. The administrative overlay is. How many chiefs of police compared to NYC which has a similar population to the garden state. School administration duplication is also over the top because of home rule. Unfortunately merging and regionalizing has been an ugly process here. Look at the games when Wallington and Carlstadt were discussing regionalizing with East Rutherford. It’s still about who is the king dog and who is willing to give up on some levers of power.
I don’t think that the police department touches the lives of residents the same way that our teachers and administrators do. A regional board of ed could lead to our children traveling further to school, no more local control and less parental input.
I do not feel the same about RPD. the officer patrolling does not know me and I do not know him/her. It really does not matter. When I visit other towns and cities their school system does not matter to me. They have police departments protecting and serving. As in Ridgewood, I do not know the oficers and it does not matter when they do their job.
Regionalization would allow a more efficient use of police officers and less administration.would save money. New Jersey has hundreds of towns and police departments.
A regional school system would save money too. Education is personal, teachers touch the lives of every child. Once a successful merger of police departments is achieved we could look to see what practices could be applied to schools.
photo by Michele Talamo of NJTPC
July 4, 2017 5:35 PM
RIDGEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Ridgewood, New Jerseyhonored first responders in its Fourth of July parade Tuesday.
As CBS2’s Scott Rapoport reported, this Independence Day marked the 107th such celebration in Ridgewood. Pride and patriotism were on display, replete with marching bands, military and honor guards flying the flag.
It is a parade that people in Ridgewood look forward to all year long. Some put their chairs out along the parade route days or even weeks in advance to get a good viewing spot.
The passing of the infamous bike path should be a cautionary and oft-repeated tale.
The bike path is a prime example of why Aronson dragged us down into the place where we are now. He wanted to “improve” the Village to suit his own myopic view of what a modern day town should look like. He neither sought nor obtained consensus, merely a chorus of well meaning but unbalanced followers who likened what Aronson was doing to the Seventeen Century rebuilding of France.
Don’t get me wrong, bike paths and accessibility are great ideas, but when you build a bike path, you should base it on the needs of the bike rider, not simply the whimsical fancy of a transient politician. When you do the former and not the latter, you end up exactly as we have ended up with a path to nowhere.
As someone observed, the bike path fiasco will be repaired.. The cost of this boon google is the hundreds of thousands of dollars of tax money spent on the project, the hundreds of hours of school and work commuters’ time spent on the Ridgewood avenue back ups, and the constant risk to public health and safety.
On the other hand, Aronson’s other pet projects inflict injury that might never be repaired.
Now, we face the same ills presented by the mutti-family apartment projects pushed through by Aronson. The addition of hundreds of new families downtown concentrated on two streets running along the train tracks and the train station, will increase our tax burden, strain our administrative resources and risk the health and safety of our school children and elderly pedestrians. All to satisfy the whims of a wanna-be politician and the motives of profit-driven developers. As with the bike path, we have the toxic blend of poor planning and mis-guided intentions. Sadly, the monstrosities about to be built will not be fixed as easily as a bike path.
The garage under consideration by the present council is similarly ill-advised , No one has really articulated why we need it, other than to whine about the need to drive around looking for a weekend space or to spout the fantasy that a parking garage will “save” our downtown. Yet, the current council seems inclined to go build for building sake – – exactly the same approach taken by the prior Council..
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA FOR JULY 5
JULY 5, 2017
7:30 P.M.
7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
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.”
Roll Call – Village Clerk
Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
Discussion
Ridgewood Water
Award of Contract – Lafayette Reservoir Improvements
Award of Professional Services Contract – Cedar Hill Reservoir Improvements
Parking
Train Station Parking
Municipal Complex Parking Lot
Budget
Authorize Release of Cash Bond
Acceptance of Donation – Board of Education – Stigma Free Initiative
Acquisition of Property
Blue & White Collar Salary Ordinances
Amendments to Salary Ordinances
Policy
Report on Ridge School Traffic Solutions
Enrollment of Unlawful Students in Ridgewood Schools
Fee for Use of Parks
Operations
Major Soil Permit – Chestnut Village7. Review of July 12, 2017 Regular Public Meeting Agenda9. Council Reports11. Resolution to go into Closed Session A. Legal – COAH; Valley Hospital
13. Adjournment
B. Personnel –
12. Closed Session
10. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
8. Manager’s Report
Ridgewood NJ, The 2017 theme for the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is “Honoring Those Who Serve.” The parade will be held, rain or shine, on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. The day’s full festivities include:
Flag Raising: 9:00AM
Wilsey Square (Ridgewood train station parking lot)
Short program followed by traditional flag raising: Although the parade and firework portions of the day have on occasion been cancelled, the flag raising has occurred without interruption since the start of the committee in 1910.
Parade: Beings at 10:00AM (rain or shine)
Parade runs along Godwin Ave and onto Ridgewood Ave through downtown, turning right on Maple Ave past the grand stand at Village Hall and ends at Leuning Park Follow the line of chairs set up by residents securing their spot. Don’tmiss the competitive elementary school float competition and the Grand Marshal for this year, Bob Paoli, American Legion Post 53 Commander.
Evening Entertainment and Fireworks: Gates open at 6:00PM
Veterans Field (on the corner of Maple Ave and Linwood)
The field is the ideal place to see the fireworks, which have been named the best in Bergen County by 201 Magazine for 11 years running. Bands and food/beverage vendors keep you entertained until dusk. Tickets are sold in advance at various local stores for $10, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 6-12 at the gate. Children five years and under are admitted for free. NEW this year –tickets available for sale online. Check the website for more details, rules and regulations.
About the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration
The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is organized by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc., an all-volunteer, non-profit community group. All aspects of this annual celebration including fireworks, bands, evening performers, insurance, police and fire personnel are funded by voluntary contributions from local businesses and individuals. The Committee continues to require the generous donations from the community to keep the tradition alive. The Ridgewood tradition began in 1910 when the local papers, the civic section of the Woman’s Club and the Ridgewood Fire Department joined forces to create a “safe and sane” holiday with an emphasis on Patriotism.
Ridgewood NJ, is it just us or does no one really care that the State of New Jersey is closed? Yes there is lot of sreaming from the media and some politicians looking to blame someone else and sure a couple of beaches are closed , Motor vehicle is closed and state courts are closed but on the flip side Municipal parks are still open and the New Jersey transit system is still running. On the bright side no one can raise your taxes or fleece you out of your hard earned money.
So whats the skinny on whats closed and whats not ;
All state-run parks, recreational areas, forests, camping areas, historic sites, and beaches are now closed. That includes the two state beaches Cheesequake and Island Beach and Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
If the shutdown continues into the business week, many state offices will close starting Monday, and thousands of state workers are expected be furloughed. That excludes staff deemed essential, like State Police troopers and state correctional and hospital employees. About 45,000 state workers in all were furloughed during the last shutdown, in 2006. They later received back pay.
I know this is a pain ,all Motor Vehicle Commission agencies and inspection stations will close starting Saturday. That means you won’t be able to get a driver’s license or renew your registration.
Most state courts would close beginning Monday, except for emergency cases. Municipal courts would remain open.
Taxation call centers and walk-in facilities would close starting Monday. Frankly the Jersey ones are terrible and they take hours to answer a phone call.
The state Division of Pensions and Benefits for public workers. Never fear the department would continue payment of health provider claims and life claims, as well as processing changes to family status for health benefits.
You would not be able to obtain copies of birth and marriage certificates from the state Department of Health starting Monday, no problem if you are an illegal .
Travel and tourism welcome centers are closed , ok Ill get over that.
Neither temporary disability claims nor family leave insurance claims will be processed, and people will not be able to see the status of their claims , but Disability designation services through Social Security is open through its hotline.
Ridgewood NJ, During this past Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session (06/28), Ridgewood Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser reviewed options the Village’s Engineering Department has considered with respect to preventing closure of the Glenwood Road railroad crossing by the NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT).
Options under consideration are: 1) The widening of Glenwood Road from Upper Boulevard to the railroad crossing. Likely not a viable option due to estimated construction costs and the need to obtain cooperation and funding from the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus. 2) Construction of a bridge over the railroad crossing. Likely not a viable option due to estimated construction costs and the need to obtain cooperation and funding from the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus. 3) Designating Glenwood Road one way eastbound between Upper Boulevard and the railroad crossing and constructing a “kiss and go” drop off area just east of Upper Boulevard (pedestrians then walking down to the Ho-Ho-Kus railroad station). The proposal most likely to be submitted to NJDOT.
Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen asked Rutishauser what steps might be taken to block bus, truck, and heavy construction equipment from using the Glenwood Road railroad crossing, thus avoiding the need for implementing the one way street proposal. Several ideas were discussed, however it was reported that NJ Transit is also concerned over the number of passenger vehicles that execute U-turns and K-turns at the railroad crossing, so Mr. Rutishauser is not confident that NJDOT will accept anything less than a complete street closure, or a conversion to one way eastbound.
Several residents spoke in opposition to any plans that would bring about full roadway closure, or a one way eastbound roadway.
More public discussion will be held at a later date.
Ridgewood NJ, In the event of a state government shutdown, NJ TRANSIT’s rail, bus and light rail services will not be impacted and will operate on their regular schedules. In addition, Access Link, NJTRANSIT’s paratransit service will maintain normal operations.
All NJ TRANSIT’s offices, terminals and stations will be open on their regular hours of operations to assist customers as they travel through the NJ TRANSIT system.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 944,000 weekday trips on 255 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.
Ridgewood NJ, During this past Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session (06/28), Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen announced Ridgewood Water’s intent to acquire, via outright purchase, the building and property located at 111 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, which is currently owned by the Ridgewood Elks Holding Corporation.
Mayor Knudsen further stated that Ridgewood Water would make improvements to the Elks Lodge building to permit the relocation of water utility operations currently housed in Midland Park, and at Village Hall in Ridgewood.
No information was made available during the aforementioned meeting as to whether the Midland Park property would be sold when vacated, nor what would be done with the water utility’s space at Village Hall once the utility leaves it.
Ridgewood Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh and Councilman Jeffrey Voigt both stated their opposition to the purchase. Councilman Ramon Hache said that he’d initially been opposed to the plan also, but now viewed it as a good idea.
Costs for property acquisition and building improvements are said to be in the neighborhood of $3 million, according to Councilwoman Walsh.
Further public discussions about the proposed plan with take place later in the summer, as per Mayor Knudsen.
Trenton NJ,due to the state shut down government services such as state parks and Motor Vehicle Commission offices will be closed.
Today, Governor Chris Christie signed the following Executive Order:
Executive Order 228 – Declaring a state of emergency and maintaining that essential state government services continue operating for the people of New Jersey, as the failure of the Legislature to act on a Fiscal Year 2018 State Budget by tonight’s constitutional deadline forces the closure of state government.
“This order is necessary to maintain the protection, safety and well-being of the people of New Jersey while I attempt to convince the Legislature to send me a fiscally responsible budget that I can sign and re-open New Jersey’s government, ” said Governor Christie. “This was completely avoidable. But Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto needlessly stalled the budget process, forcing the closure of New Jersey government and inconveniencing everyone living in and visiting our state.”
Included among the essential functions that will remain in operation: State Police, state correctional facilities, key child welfare services, state hospitals and treatment facilities, NJ TRANSIT, and operations linked to the health, safety, and welfare of the public, including certain environmental and health monitoring. The state closure also will NOT impact the State Lottery, casinos and racetracks. For details on non-essential services that will be closed as well as operations that will remain open, check the website of that department or agency.
Links to many major state agencies and a brief description of services impacted are provided below.
Department of Environmental Protection:All state parks, recreation areas, forests, and historic sites, including Island Beach State Park and Liberty State Park, will be closed; all public events within state parks and historic sites will be cancelled. The following will also be closed: permitting offices for Air, Historic Preservation, Land Use, Site Remediation, Solid Waste, and Water Supply; Green Acres and Blue Acres offices; Office of Dispute Resolution; Office of Permit Coordination; most of the Division of Fish & Wildlife (Wildlife Management Areas and on-line services will not be impacted); NJ Geologic Survey; and Rebuild by Design projects.
Department of Transportation: Construction will continue, as will emergency repairs and some roadside safety services. The rest areas on I-295 in Deepwater, Salem County and on I-80 in Knowlton, Warren County, will be closed.
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission: All MVC agencies and inspection stations will be closed. Online services will still be available.
Department of Law & Public Safety: Juvenile Justice Commission operations, State Medical Examiner Offices, and other public safety operations will continue, but some administrative offices will be closed.
Department of Health: The public will not be able to obtain copies of birth and marriage certificates, or copies of adoptees’ original birth certificates. No new certifications or renewals will be issued for EMTs, paramedics or Certified Nursing Assistants.
New Jersey Department of Labor:Unemployment Insurance and disability determination services will remain operational. Temporary Disability Insurance claims, Wage and Hour claims, and Family Leave Insurance claims may be filed, but they will not be processed. One Stop Career Centers (state not county services) will be closed; Workers Compensation Courts will be closed. Division of Vocational and Rehabilitation Services will be closed.
Department of Children and Families:Child abuse hotlines, protection services and response teams will continue to operate. Schools for children with special needs will remain open.
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs: Veteran’s Haven North and South will remain in operation and National Guard will remain on call.
Department of Banking and Insurance: All offices will be closed except the IURO (health insurance internal appeals program).
Department of Community Affairs:Inspections related to construction codes, fire safety, fairs and fireworks displays will continue, however some public services will not be available.
Department of Corrections: Prisons and halfway houses will remain operational, although some inmate services will be impacted.
Department of Education:Katzenbach School will remain open. Phone help desks, customer service, and all other related staff-based assistance functions will be unavailable and all core public functions will be closed.
Economic Development Authority: EDA will not process any payments to businesses from any program (such as the Business Employment Incentive Program) which funding source needs to be authorized by the FY 2018 Appropriations Act.
Department of State: The travel and tourism welcome centers will be closed.
Department of the Treasury: July 1 pension checks have been processed and mailed. Taxation call centers and walk-in facilities will be closed. The Division of Risk Management will be closed, however the scheduling of medical appointments, treatments and services for injured workers will remain ongoing. The Division of Pensions and Benefits will be closed, although it will continue payment of health provider claims and life claims, and continue to process changes to family status for health benefits.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood YMCA Breakers competitive swim team will have two try-outs scheduled for the 2017-2018 short course winter season. The early bird try-out offers the opportunity for the swimmer to be evaluated by our coaching staff and receive notification about their result within 48 hours. The dates for the early bird try-outs are July 31 and August 2 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Registration is prior to the try-outs at 4 p.m. All ages are welcome.
A swimmer who attends the early bird try-out and needs to sharpen their competitive swimming skills will be encouraged to register for the try-out prep class and try-out during the regular try-out held in September. Try-out prep class will meet August 7 through August 23 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please contact Coach Rimbault for more information.
The dates for regular try-outs are September 5 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for ages 9 to 12 years old, September 6 from 5:00-6:45 p.m. for children 8 years old and under and September 7 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. for those children ages 13 and up. This last session date is also a make-up session. A full tryout schedule is available online at www.ridgewoodymca.org/breakers-tryouts.
The Ridgewood YMCA Breakers competitive swim team encompasses swimmers who can properly swim the four competitive strokes; providing youths the opportunity to acquire the skills, self-discipline, confidence, and physical conditioning to become the best swimmers they can be. The program offers instruction, training, and competition to young people from ages 6 through high school. Swimmers will improve their skills while also learning the values of teamwork and sportsmanship and individual responsibility.
For additional information, please contact YMCA Swim Team Coach, Bud Rimbault, at 201.444.5600, ext. 319, or email [email protected]
Lakewood NJ, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and State Comptroller Philip James Degnan announced today the first of multiple ongoing arrests within Lakewood, New Jersey by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for defrauding Medicaid and government assistance programs. The investigations initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Red Bank Office and the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller – Medicaid Fraud Division, were expanded to include the US Social Security Administration, New Jersey Department of the Treasury – Office of Criminal Investigation, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office – Economic Crimes Unit. Today’s initial arrests include charges of collecting $1.3 million in illegal benefits.
Prosecutor Coronato stated, “Financial assistance programs are designed to alleviate family hardships for those truly in need. My office gave clear guidance and notice to the Lakewood community in 2015 of what is considered financial abuse of these programs. Those who choose to ignore those warnings by seeking to illegally profit on the backs of taxpayers will pay the punitive price of their actions.”
OCPO detectives/prosecutors, along with its collaborating agencies, began the first phase of the operation by arresting two married couples. Mordechai, 37, and Jocheved, 35, Breskin of Blue Jay Way in Lakewood, were arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Theft by Deception for wrongfully collecting approximately $585,662 in Medicaid, SNAP, HUD and SSI benefits between January 2009 thru December 2014. Zalmen, 39, and Tzipporah, 35, Sorotzkin of Olive Court collecting approximately $338,642 in Medicaid, SNAP, HUD and SSI benefits between January 2009 and April 2014. A Detention Hearing is scheduled for 1:30 pm today at Ocean County Superior Court.
The nature of the criminal events investigated and basic charges allege that the defendants misrepresented their income, declaring amounts that were low enough to receive the program’s benefits, when in fact their income was too high to qualify. The investigations revealed that the defendants’ received income from numerous sources that they failed to disclose on required program applications. As a result, they received benefits that they were not entitled to under these programs for themselves or family members.
“This operation highlights the success of federal, state and county cooperation in New Jersey’s effort to combat Medicaid and other government benefits fraud,” State Comptroller Degnan said. “My office will continue to ensure that only individuals and families truly in need of benefits receive them, and that those who choose to steal from New Jersey taxpayers are referred for prosecution.”
The Ocean County Prosecutors Office is prosecuting the above arrested individuals at the state level. The Federal Bureau of Investigations arrested four additional individuals as a part of its’ role in the comprehensive review of financial assistance programs. Information regarding the FBI facilitated arrests continues below:
Rachel Sorotzkin, 32, and Mordechai Sorotzkin, 35, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiring to steal government funds. Yocheved Nussbaum, 40, and Shimon Nussbaum, 42, also of Lakewood, are charged in a separate complaint with one count of conspiring to steal government funds. The Sorotzkins and the Nussbaums, all of Lakewood, are expected to make their appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert in Trenton federal court.
According to the complaints:
From 2011 through 2014, Rachel and Mordechai Sorotzkin applied for and received Medicaid health insurance benefits for themselves and their children. After being approved for Medicaid benefits in August of 2011, the Sorotzkins received significant windfalls – including a lump sum payment of $1 million from Rachel Sorotzkin’s business in April of 2013 – which they failed to report to Medicaid officials. Despite earning in excess of $1 million in each of the 2012 and 2013 calendar years, the Sorotzkins continued to use their Medicaid cards, ultimately defrauding the government of approximately $96,000 in taxpayer-funded medical care.
In a separate scheme, Yocheved and Shimon Nussbaum applied for and received public benefits for themselves and their children from 2011 through 2014, despite their significant income. In the years prior to and during the conspiracy, the Nussbaums created a variety of companies that were nominally run by relatives but were actually controlled by the Nussbaums.
They opened various bank accounts in the names of these companies and used funds from these accounts to cover personal expenses.
In applying for Medicaid, Section 8 housing, and SNAP food benefits, the Nussbaums grossly underreporting their true income by failing to include the income from these business accounts. Despite annual income of up to as high as approximately $1.8 million in 2013, the Nussbaums continued to receive taxpayer-funded health, housing and food benefits through August of 2014, ultimately defrauding the government of approximately $178,000.
The conspiracy counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick in his press release credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark; the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato; the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller, under the direction of State Comptroller Philip James Degnan; the New Jersey Department of the Treasury – Office of Criminal Investigation; under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charles Giblin; Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John Grasso; and criminal investigators of the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the investigation leading to today’s arrests.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly S. Lorber of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
The investigation by all the participating agencies is continuing and additional arrests are forthcoming. OCPO and our prosecuting partners may add additional relevant charges (ie. Tax charges) as each case proceeds through the legal process. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sergeant Mark Malinowski of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 929-2027.
The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are only allegations and that each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. See Photos below courtesy the Ocean County Jail:
BRESKIN, MORTECHAI DOVID
BRESKIN, JOCHEVED ALIZA
SOROTZKIN, ZALMEN
SOROTZKIN, TZIPPORAH
Ocean County Prosecutors office announced on June 28th that, along with its collaborating agencies, continued Monday’s operation by arresting the following three married couples. Hearings are scheduled for 1:30 pm today (6/28) at Ocean County Superior Court.
Yitzchock, 33, and Sora, 39, Kanarek of Brisk Lane – charged with 2nd Degree Theft by Deception for wrongfully collecting approximately $339,002.56 in Medicaid, SNAP, HUD, and SSI benefits between January 2009 and July 2014.
Chaim, 40, and Liatt, 39, Ehrman of Twin Oaks Drive – charged with 2nd Degree Theft by Deception for wrongfully collecting approximately $185,692.22 in Medicaid, SNAP, HEAP, and Sandy benefits between January 2011 and December 2015
William, 45, and Faigy, 40, Friedman of Leigh Drive – charged with 2nd Degree Theft by Deception for wrongfully collecting approximately $149,842.28 in Medicaid, SNAP, HEAP, and HUDbenefits between January 2011 and December 2015.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook. The social media links provided are for reference only. The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications. For additional information visit our website at www.oceancountyprosecutor.org. Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and [email protected].
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT will offer “early getaway’’ rail and bus service on Friday, June 30, for the benefit of customers leaving work early and taking a four-day weekend, in anticipation of the Independence Day holiday on Tuesday, July 4th. In addition, there are changes to service throughout the NJ TRANSIT system that will take place on July 4th.
To help speed the getaway, customers are reminded that they can enjoy the convenience of purchasing tickets through the MyTix feature on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app.
Customers planning to use Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) service to and from Liberty State Park for the July 4th Jersey City “Freedom & Fireworks Festival’’ from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. will encounter crowds and possible delays. Customers are strongly advised to purchase roundtrip tickets in advance.
A reminder that liquid containers of any kind, open or closed, will not be permitted on any NJ TRANSIT train or light rail vehicle on July 4. Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses. Extra police patrols will be out on all modes of transit.
On Friday, June 30:
Extra outbound trains will operate on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines starting at approximately 1 p.m. to get customers home early. Please visit www.njtransit.com for details.
Extra buses will operate from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and from the Hudson River Waterfront on several bus routes starting around noon. If you do not see your bus route listed here: https://www.njtransit.com/sa/sa_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=ServiceAdjustmentTo&AdjustmentId=16036, please refer to your bus route timetable, which can be found at www.njtransit.com.
All light rail systems will operate on regular weekday schedules.
On Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2:
All light rail systems will operate on regular Saturday/Sunday or Weekend schedules.
Trains will operate on a regular weekend schedule.
As a reminder, Summer Shore service – with direct service between Bay Head and New York and hourly Bay Head-Long Branch shuttle service from approximately 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays – operates each weekend and holiday until September 9.
Please check your bus route timetable at www.njtransit.com for details.
On Monday, July 3:
All light rail systems will operate on regular weekday schedules.
Trains will operate on regular weekday schedules.
Buses will operate on regular weekday schedules with select routes seeing a reduction in service due to anticipated lower-than-normal ridership. Please check the Alerts & Advisories tab on njtransit.com for details on specific buses.
On Independence Day, Tuesday, July 4:
Trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines, including:
A special rail schedule on the Gladstone Branch (which is available only via the website’s trip planner and station-to-station features or at: https://www.njtransit.com/sa/sa_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=ServiceAdjustmentTo&AdjustmentId=9792).
An extra train departing Port Jervis at 4:09 p.m., which makes all stops to Suffern, then operates express to Secaucus Junction and Hoboken.
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on an enhanced weekend schedule. Customers using the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) service to and from Liberty State Park for the July 4th Jersey City Freedom & Fireworks Festival from 1 to 10 p.m. will encounter crowds and delays. Please build enough time into travel plans.
Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule.
River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.
Bus schedules vary by routes. Customers are advised to check their timetables, consult the Holiday Service Guide or visit www.njtransit.comfor schedule information. Please allow for extra time and consult timetable for details. NOTE: Buses may be subject to detours and service delays in both directions for Independence Day parades through various towns.
Summer Savings
The Independence Day holiday is a great time for customers to take advantage of
NJ TRANSIT’s discounted travel packages to destinations including the Jersey Shore, Six Flags, Monmouth Park and Liberty Science Center:
Beach Packages: Board a train anywhere on NJ TRANSIT’s rail system, excluding Atlantic City Rail Line stations and save up to $5.00 on admission to one of five beaches— Long Branch, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach and Belmar—by purchasing round-trip train fare and a discounted beach pass for one price at NJ TRANSIT ticket vending machines (choose “Beach/Monmouth Park Packages” and select “Beach Package”) or at ticket windows. Beach Packages will be available daily through Labor Day, Monday, September 4.
Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari or Hurricane Harbor: Save up to $32 by purchasing round-trip bus transportation and park admission together. NJ TRANSIT provides express bus service to Six Flags from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York and Newark Penn Station.
Monmouth Park: Save $5.50 when you travel to Monmouth Park Racetrack. Simply purchase a package to Monmouth Park from NJ TRANSIT ticket vending machines (choose “Beach/Monmouth Park Packages” and select “Monmouth Park Racetrack”) or at ticket windows from any NJ TRANSIT station, except Atlantic City Rail Line, and receive round-trip transportation, Grandstand Admission and an official track program for $3.50 plus the regular cost of a round-trip rail ticket.
Liberty Science Center: Save $5 per person for up to four general admission, combo ticket and/or all-access passes when you travel on NJ TRANSIT and show your ticket, pass or fare receipt at Liberty Science Center. General admission passes include live science demonstrations, hands-on labs, and a variety of daily activities. Combo and all-access passes provide options for films and premium exhibits.
Visit njtransit.com for more information on NJ TRANSIT summer travel deals.
On weekends, kids ride free on NJ TRANSIT
Every weekend, families riding NJ TRANSIT can save with the Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult. For the Independence Day holiday weekend, the program will be extended and in effect from 7 p.m. Friday, June 30 until 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 5.
Travel tips
Check Schedules in Advance: Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses.
Allow Extra Travel Time: Traffic congestion during the long holiday weekend may affect bus travel times especially on routes using the Garden State Parkway heading down the shore, so customers should plan accordingly.
Ticketing: Purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip to speed your return. Use the MyTix feature on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app, ticket vending machines or see a ticket agent, if available, to avoid possible surcharges. Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal are reminded that tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus.
Luggage: Travel as light as possible. Passengers with luggage or packages should use the overhead racks or designated luggage spaces. On multilevel trains, those with bags should use the mezzanine levels at the ends of each car.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood residents have a tradition of their own, they start setting out chairs along the Fourth of July Parade route on North Maple Avenue as early as this weekend.
The placing of chairs along the parade route is a village tradition dating back over 50 years. While we do get complainers generally is a lot of fun and often a bit competitive over spots .
The Police leave the chairs alone and some people tie up their , to keep them together and from blowing out into the street.
Normally by July 3, most of the parade route for this year’s the 107th annual Ridgewood Fourth of July Parade will be lined from beginning to end with chairs.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. July 4, and the theme of the 2017 Fourth of July Celebration is “Honoring Those Who Serve.”
