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Daily Presidential Tracking Poll Shows Trump at 50% Approval Rating

Trump

Monday, April 18, 2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, in the most recent Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Trump’s job performance. Fifty percent (50%) disapprove.

This is the first time the president’s overall approval rating has been back in the 50s in nearly a month. Just after his inauguration, Trump’s job approval peaked at 59% and remained in the 50s every day until early March. It’s gone as low as 42% since then.

The latest figures for Trump include 30% who Strongly Approve of the way Trump is performing and 39% who Strongly Disapprove. This gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of -9.

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OPINION: WHY I SUPPORT BETSY DEVOS

Betsy DeVos as Secretary of the Department of Education

DICK ZIMMER | APRIL 17, 2017

The issue is school choice. The opposition is the teachers unions

Shortly after Betsy DeVos was sworn into office as U.S. Secretary of Education, I was invited, as a trustee of Excellent Education for Everyone (E3), to meet with her at the Department of Education. I accepted the invitation with pleasure.

When I posted a picture of myself with DeVos on Facebook, it got some likes from conservative friends and some acerbic comments from others, including my sister, who asked me, “When did you start drinking the Kook-Aid?” I replied to her that I’ve supported school choice for decades and was the only member of the New Jersey Congressional delegation to vote for the first school-choice floor amendment in 1994.

Dick Zimmer and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos

I am a product of New Jersey public schools, K–12, as are my parents and my children, but ever since I read Milton Friedman’s proposal for school vouchers in “Capitalism and Freedom” as a college freshman, I have been convinced that parents should be allowed to have the government pay for the school they choose for their children, whether it be traditional public, public charter, private, or religious.

There is no reason why all parents shouldn’t be given this choice, but the stakes are particularly high for the poorest families in the inner cities, including those in New Jersey where, despite tens of billions of dollars of supplemental state funding, traditional public schools have abjectly failed to prepare several generations of children for college or a career.

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/04/16/opinion-why-i-support-betsy-devos/

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Ridgewood Water to install generators at 11 sites

waterheader2

Marsha A. Stoltz , Staff Writer12:24 p.m. ET April 15, 2017

The EPA has ordered the utility to place backup generators at facilities in Wyckoff, Midland Park and Ridgewood.

CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE

RIDGEWOOD — Ridgewood Water is seeking permission to install backup generators at 11 sites in three of its service towns as a result of directives from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Ridgewood Water has been ordered to install the generators in two phases in Wyckoff, Midland Park and Ridgewood. Phase I installations must be complete and “fully operational” by July 15.  Phase II installation contracts must be awarded by Dec. 1, and completed by July 15, 2018.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/wyckoff/2017/04/15/ridgewood-water-install-generators-11-sites/100370794/

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Facebook knocks down massive spammer network

spam_theridgewoodblog

The social network says it had been “combating” the operation for six months.

Facebook famously boasts it has 1.86 billion users who visit the social network every month. It looks like that number shrank on Friday.

The company, which previously announced it’s cracking down on fake accounts, said it’s disrupted a major spam operation being run out of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and other countries.

“The apparent intent of the campaign was to deceptively gain new friend connections by liking and interacting primarily with popular publisher Pages on our platform, after which point they would send spam,” Shabnam Shaik, a Facebook technical program manager wrote in a blog post.

“We found that most of this activity was generated not through traditional mass account creation methods, but by more sophisticated means that try to mask the fact that the accounts are part of the same coordinated operation,” Shaik wrote. “By disrupting the campaign now, we expect that we will prevent this network of spammers from reaching its end goal of sending inauthentic material to large numbers of people.”

The number of authentic users matters for Facebook because the company charges marketers and advertisers to reach the most eyeballs. Facebook didn’t reveal the number of accounts affected by this crackdown.

https://www.cnet.com/news/facebook-knocks-down-spam-network-fake-accounts/

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ORDINANCE NO. 3588: limit, restrict and regulate the use of water by customers of Ridgewood Water

ridgewood water bill

ORDINANCE NO 3588

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ORDINANCE NO. 3588

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 269 OF THE CODE  OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, WATER

BE IT ORDAINED by the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood: Chapter 269 – Water, of the Code of the Village of Ridgewood is hereby amended as follows:

Section1: Replace Article IV: Water Emergencies, with the following:

Article IV: Water: Irrigation Schedule & Water Emergencies

§ 269-43 Purpose.

The purpose of this article is to limit, restrict and regulate the use of water by customers of the Department of Water Supply of the Village of Ridgewood during periods of use and emergency, as hereinafter defined, in order to ensure public health and safety.

§ 269-44 Definitions.

For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

EMERGENCY

Any period of water shortage or imminent water shortage caused by drought; lack or failure of proper pumping equipment, storage or other facilities; acts of God or public enemies; or excessive demand upon or use of water facilities or capacity.

CONVENTIONAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM OR DEVICE

Hose end irrigation systems and automatic irrigation devices.

DRIP/MICRO IRRIGATION

An irrigation method that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of many different plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters.

HAND HELD HOSE

A hose designed to be operated while being held in the hand and equipped with a nozzle that automatically shuts off when released.

IRRIGATION

The watering or sprinkling (including automatic sprinkling) of lawns, shrubs and gardens.

NJDEP

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

NJPDES

New Jersey Pollution Discharge Elimination System.

SMART CONTROLLER

A weather based irrigation controller or soil moisture based irrigation controller meeting criteria specified and labeled as being compliant under the United States Environmental Protection Agency Water Sense Program and meeting the guidelines prescribed by Ridgewood Water.

WATER

That water obtained, delivered and/or supplied to any persons by the Department of Water Supply of the Village of Ridgewood or pumped from private wells for residential irrigation purposes.

§ 269-45 Declaration of emergency.

The Village Manager is authorized to enforce the provisions of this article and, in his discretion, to determine and declare the existence and extent of an emergency with respect to the water supply of the Village of Ridgewood. The determination of the Village Manager shall apply to all communities served by the Department of Water Supply of the Village of Ridgewood, and notification of the emergency shall be promulgated to all such communities in the most reasonably expeditious manner. Interim emergency regulations may be adopted without notice by the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood and shall apply to all communities serviced by the Department of Water Supply of the Village of Ridgewood and shall be promulgated in the most reasonably expeditious manner to all the communities.

§ 269-46 Public notice.

Public notice of the declaration of an emergency and the determinations made by the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood shall be made in the most expeditious manner by publication in the legal newspaper for the Village of Ridgewood and, for the other communities served by the Department of Water Supply, by posting in each municipal building and at such other public places as shall be designated by the Village Manager and the local administrators or Clerks of the serviced communities. Notice shall also be disseminated through the press and the public in general. The emergency shall remain in effect until declared at an end by the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood.

§ 269-47 Violations and penalties.

It shall be unlawful and a violation hereof for any person to use water during the emergency period in violation of this article. Any property owner(s) found to be in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine up to a maximum of $2000 per violation, per individual block and lot location.

§ 269-48 Regulations.

The following irrigation schedule and water emergency regulations are hereby adopted to become effective as set forth herein:

A. Irrigation schedule, effective year round:

  1. All non- governmental properties: Irrigation by a conventional irrigation system or device, may only be done on Tuesday and Saturday for odd numbered addresses and Wednesday and Sunday for even numbered addresses.
  2. Governmental properties: Irrigation by a conventional irrigation system or device may only be done on Monday and Friday.
  3. Irrigation using a hand held hose or drip/micro irrigation system shall be allowed any day.

The emergency stages shall be as follows:

Stage of Emergency Regulation Drought Emergency Condition User Restrictions
III Pending/Critical Mandatory restriction of irrigation for all properties to the use of a hand-held hose on Tuesdays and Saturdays for properties with odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays and Sundays for properties with even-numbered addresses. No irrigation of any kind shall be allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays.
IV Critical Irrigation is prohibited at any time. Exceptions for irrigation using a hand-held hose may be allowed under conditions prescribed by the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood.

B.  Stage III and Stage IV emergency regulations shall become effective upon declaration of each stage by the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood. The cleaning of cars, houses or property, filling of swimming pools or other outdoor water usage shall be prohibited during Stage III and Stage IV.

C. Exceptions to the user restrictions shall be determined by the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood or a Village of Ridgewood employee designated by the Village Manager.   The request for an exception shall be submitted on forms prepared by Ridgewood Water and shall include any required documentation. Exceptions will automatically be denied for customers with bill balances beyond 120 days. Exceptions are subject to renewal annually and may be voided at any time due to an emergency. The exceptions may include the following:

  1. Outdoor irrigation necessary for the establishment of newly sodded or seeded grass lawns or landscaping within the first 21 consecutive days of planting.
  2. Irrigation of lawns or plantings with Smart controllers.
  3. Outdoor water use from rain harvesting (rain barrels, etc.), gray water, or reclaimed water. Use of gray or reclaimed water must have an approved NJPDES permit issued through the NJDEP.
  4. Outdoor irrigation necessary for one day only where treatment with an application of chemicals require immediate watering to preserve an existing landscape or to establish a new landscape.
  5. Other outdoor water usage.

D. Irrigation shall not be conducted between 10 AM and 6 PM on any day. Irrigation using automatic systems may only be used between 3 AM and 7 AM on the permissible day.

E. All automatic irrigation systems shall be equipped with an operational automatic rain sensor device. Each rain sensor device shall be capable of and programmed to interrupt the automatic irrigation cycle when a ¼ inch of rain has fallen.

§ 269-49 Discontinuance of water supply to premises in violation.

In accordance with NJAC 14:3-3A.1(a), If any person, whether an inhabitant of the Village of Ridgewood or Township of Wyckoff or of the Boroughs of Glen Rock or Midland Park, shall violate any provision of this article in such a manner as to produce disturbing effects on the service of the utility or other customers, the Village Department of Water Supply shall have the right and it is hereby empowered to cut off the supply of water to the premises and meter upon and from which such violation shall have taken place for such period or periods of time as shall be deemed necessary to secure compliance with all applicable terms of this article.

§ 269-50 Enforcement.

The enforcement of the provisions of this article shall be the responsibility of the Director of Water Supply, its Business Manager, Superintendent of Water, Assistant Superintendent of Water, Supervisor of Water Distribution, Senior Engineer, Village Engineer, Property Management Officer, any duly sworn member of the Village of Ridgewood Police Department, and any other officer and/or Village employee duly appointed by the Village Manager.

Section 2: Except as herein amended and supplemented, Chapter 269, of The Code of

the Village of Ridgewood remains in full force and effect.

Section 3: This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage and publication as required by law.

 

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Did you know that Lincoln was shot on Good Friday?

lincoln shot

Good Friday a good day for Republicans to stay away from the theater

April 14th 2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, on this day in 1865, Abraham Lincoln is shot by an assassin , John Wilkes Booth.  Lincoln was shot on Good Friday. April 14 was Good Friday that year, just as it is this year.Unfortunately, as we all know, Lincoln would pass away the next day.

The President had decided to spend his Good Friday evening at a comedy at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. It had been only 5 days since General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively bringing the Civil War to a close. As the President watched the show from his box, an assassin burst through the door and shot Lincoln in the back of the head. The assassin, John Wilkes Booth, then dropped his pistol and began waving a dagger in the air.

Another occupant of the box, Major Henry R. Rathbone, lunged for Booth and forced him toward the railing. Booth slashed Rathbone in the arm and leapt from the box shouting “Sic semper Tyrannis! The South is avenged!” His boot caught on a flag as he jumped, and his leg was broken when he landed. Despite his injury, Booth managed to flee the scene.

In the meantime, a doctor in the audience had made it upstairs to Lincoln’s box. The bullet had lodged behind the President’s right eye. Lincoln was carried, barely breathing, across the street to a boardinghouse. Lincoln passed away at 7:22 a.m. the nest day.

Booth had co-conspirators who were trying to assassinate other members of Lincoln’s administration. One accomplice, Lewis Powell (a.k.a. Lewis Payne), attacked the Secretary of State, William Henry Seward, on the same night that Lincoln was shot. Through luck Seward survived .

Booth and his co-conspirators also intended to kill Vice President Andrew Johnson and General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant however changed his mind about attending Ford’s Theatre with the President that night.

In the end, four of Booth’s co-conspirators were captured, convicted, and hung.. One of them, Mary Surratt, became the first woman to be executed by the U.S. government. A few others were imprisoned for their involvement and Booth was discovered hiding in a barn in Virginia two weeks after he assassinated Lincoln, and mortally wounded during the attempt to capture him. It was the first time in American history, a President had been assassinated.

 

 

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With Taxes ‘On Sale’ It Could Be Time To Convert To A Roth IRA

life insurance seniors

April 14,2017
by Gary Marriage Jr

Ridgewood NJ, Retirement can open up a whole new way of life for Americans ready to bring their working years to an end, but at least one thing doesn’t change.

The IRS still keeps a watchful eye on your income – including whatever amount you’re pulling from the IRA or 401(k) that you spent decades building into a nice, hefty nest egg.

Uncle Sam has been waiting for years – possibly decades – to tax that money because the deposits you made were pre-tax, meaning you weren’t taxed on the income you contributed to the accounts.

That tax-deferral system works well – until retirement time arrives and you need the money.

“When you defer taxes, eventually it catches up with you,” says Gary Marriage Jr., CEO of Nature Coast Financial Advisors (www.naturecoastfinancial.com). “Suddenly, your IRA or 401(k) isn’t worth as much as you thought because every withdrawal you make potentially can be taxed.”

But there’s an answer and, with President Donald Trump and Congress looking at tax cuts, now would be the time to take advantage, Marriage says.

Those traditional IRA and 401(k) accounts can be converted to a Roth IRA, which isn’t taxed when withdrawals are made. That doesn’t mean you’ll avoid the taxes, Marriage says, because you’ll pay them when you make the conversion. But when you reach retirement, you’ll be able to make withdrawals the rest of your life tax free.

“Taxes are about to be on sale,” Marriage says. “Over the next four to five years, your tax bracket is probably going to be as low as it ever will be.”

He says some facts worth knowing about Roth conversions include:

• Space out the conversion. Most people wouldn’t want to take the tax hit all at once, and you don’t have to. You can transfer the money into a Roth in increments over the course of a few years. So if, for example, you space out the conversion over five years, then the tax is spaced out over five years as well. A few factors determine how much you can convert the first year, but Marriage says about 40 percent of the people he has worked with were able to convert half of it in the first year.
• The age to do it. A conversion can be done regardless of the account holder’s age, but Marriage says it’s his experience that people 59 ½ to 74 benefit the most.
• Start with a Roth if possible. Some employers now offer a Roth 401(k) as an option. Employees should take advantage of that, Marriage says. They won’t get to defer their taxes on the portion of their income they contribute to the account, but the interest grows tax free and they’ll avoid taxes come retirement time.

Marriage says he recently did a conversion for a client where he had calculated that if the client lived to be 90, they would have paid nearly $1 million in taxes on IRA withdrawals.

“Switching to a Roth lowered that to $200,000,” he says. “I know that still sounds like a lot, but I’d rather pay $200,000 than nearly $1 million.”

About Gary Marriage Jr.

Gary Marriage Jr. is the founder and CEO of Nature Coast Financial Advisors (www.naturecoastfinancial.com), which educates retirees on how to protect their assets, increase their income and reduce their taxes. Marriage is a national speaker, delivering solutions for pre-retirees, business owners and seniors on the areas affecting their retirement and estates. He is an approved member of the National Ethics Bureau, and has been featured in “America’s Top Hometown Financial Advisors 2011” and was selected to contribute to a book with Steve Forbes titled, “SuccessOnomics: Power Principles.” Marriage is also the founder of Operation Veteran Aid, an advocate for war-time veterans and their families.

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Spring has Sprung in Ridgewood

spring_time_theridgewoodblog

Dear Great Friends at the Ridgewood blog ,

New Yardwaste Collection Regulations, New Water Conservation Regulations, and Earth Day Celebration
The Village’s Yard Waste Program will begin on Monday, April 17th
and the Village hasNEW YARDWASTE COLLECTION REGULATIONS
Grass clippings ONLY
are to be placed in paper biodegradable bags
or a 32-gallon refuse container.  No plastic bags will be accepted.

Branches/Brush will be collected separately from grass clippings on your scheduled day.  Branches must be no longer than 3 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter
They must be bundled and tied or contained in a refuse container.

To locate your area for yardwaste collection,
go to the Village website www.ridgewoodnj.net, click on My Village Services Lookup
and enter your address to find your respective area.


NEW WATER CONSERVATION REGULATIONS

The Village Council has adopted Ordinance #3588, which establishes new Water Conservation Regulations.  The new regulations include:  two days/week for watering year-round, time restrictions for watering, for both sprinklers and a hand-held hose, and use of smart sensors or drip irrigation.  This ordinance can be found on both the home page of the Village’s website, www.ridgewoodnj.net; as well as the home page of Ridgewood Water, water.ridgewoodnj.net.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION – APRIL 23, 2017
MEMORIAL PARK AT VAN NESTE SQUARE
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Ridgewood Water, in partnership with the Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands, and the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee present:

Ridgewood Water’s Journey: “From Rain to Drain”, Daffodil Festival and
Earth Day Fair.  There will be educational displays, water conservation information, food, a petting zoo, crafts, live music by “Blue Plate Special” and the fun “Daffy Dog Parade”.   Free admission and fun for the whole family!

Best Regards,
signature
Heather A. Mailander
Village Manager
201/670-5500 x202

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Schedler Park in Ridgewood Saved from Destruction

Save Our Schedler Members & Friends at the Schedler House3
photo by Boyd Loving
April 14,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Village Council rescinded Resolution #15-257 Wednesday night, saving the Schedler Park from being clear-cut and destroying acres of trees and wildlife habitat.

The council’s unanimous vote to do the right thing was another blow for the disastrous plans of former Village administration.

This is a huge victory for the neighborhood who has been fighting to preserve both the natural environment at Schedler but also preserve the historic significance of the sight .

Neighbors felt the sight was unsuitable for a baseball field for many reasons including the noise from Route 17, parking issues and the lack of road infrastructure ,which they felt would overwhelm the neighborhood.

There was also fears that wildlife habitat would be lost when it was discovered eagles used the area as a food source.

In October 2015 Resident Jacqueline Hone raised several issues pertaining to the Schedler Park Project including the allegation that the applications for Open Space Funds were fraudulent .

Ms Hone basically received the blow off from former Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld .

Hone sent a second email exclaiming ,”A citizen’s complaint should not be viewed as a threat, but rather an opportunity to dismiss wrong doing and restore/gain public trust. As public servants, Village Manager and Council, have a fiduciary obligation to investigate citizen’s complaints and afford the complainant due process. The complainant has a right to receive a panel decision, with detailed explanation, as to whether allegations are sustained, not sustained, deemed unfounded or exonerated.”

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NJ LAWMAKERS WRANGLE OVER WHO DECIDES HOW TTF BILLIONS WILL BE SPENT

road work Ridgewood police

photo courtesy of the Ridgewood Police

JOHN REITMEYER | APRIL 13, 2017

Senate President rejects Republican senator’s claim that new commission could politicize how projects are selected

Senate President Stephen Sweeney speaks during a news conference in Linden yesterday to announce state funding for a long-planned road project.

After last year’s renewal of the Transportation Trust Fund, there’s now $2 billion in state dollars to spend on infrastructure improvements every year in New Jersey. But that has also raised the question of exactly who decides which projects deserve top priority — the governor and his administration’s transportation officials or a special four-person commission that’s been championed by lawmakers?

A measure that’s expected to make it out of the Legislature in the coming weeks will ensure the new capital-project approval commission has the final say, though not until a year from now.

The passage of what’s being called the “TTF cleanup bill” will also make sure that a planned $2 billion in spending on infrastructure improvements during the state fiscal year that begins in early July can go forward even though the new commission has yet to be assembled.

And despite complaints from some lawmakers that the new commission could politicize New Jersey’s transportation-funding process and even be unconstitutional, Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said he remains committed to establishing the new format. He also disputed claims that the new selection method could be unconstitutional.

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/04/12/lawmakers-wrangle-over-who-gets-to-decide-how-ttf-billions-are-spent/

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DROUGHT WARNING LIFTED FOR ALL NEW JERSEY EXCEPT HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES

ridgewood water

April 13,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON NJ, Following months of sufficient precipitation, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin today lifted a drought warning for 12 of 14 counties in the northern, central and northern coastal regions of New Jersey and removed a drought watch for four counties in the southwestern part of the state.

Commissioner Martin signed an Administrative Order removing, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Sussex, Union and Warren counties from drought warning status and removing Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties from drought watch. These advisories had been in place since October.

Round Valley and Spruce Run reservoirs in central New Jersey both remain below normal capacity. Round Valley is at about 72 percent capacity and Spruce Run is at about 69 capacity, due in large part to less precipitation in this area over the winter.

As a result, Hunterdon County and Somerset County, which are primarily served by these reservoirs, will remain under a drought warning. This allows for continued modified passing flows designed to conserve storage.

“The return of soaking and well-timed precipitation over the winter and early spring has resulted in steady improvements in our drought indicators for most of the state,” Commissioner Martin said. “In particular, storage levels in the major reservoir systems that serve the densely populated portions of northern New Jersey are at full capacity entering the time of year when water demand peaks.”

“Water levels are increasing across the state in response to recent rains,” said State Geologist Jeffrey L. Hoffman. “Reservoirs, with the exception of Round Valley and Spruce Run, are more than 90 percent full. Stream flows and groundwater levels are trending upward, which is a good sign. We will continue to closely monitor indicators in all parts of the state.”

The Round Valley and Spruce Run reservoirs, operated by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, is typically at 94 percent this time of year.

“By maintaining the reduced passing flow requirement, the authority would expect to save anywhere between seven to ten billion gallons in the reservoirs over the upcoming summer months, which will allow the reservoirs to continue to improve,” said Beth Gates, executive director for the authority.

While most regions of the state are now under normal water supply conditions, Commissioner Martin reminds the public to always practice water conservation, especially when watering lawns and landscaping, which accounts for a significant portion of water use in the spring and summer.

“I want to thank water suppliers and residents in the affected areas of the state for working with us to conserve water,” Commissioner Martin said. “I urge everyone to always be mindful of not wasting water. We should not forget the images from last fall of the muddy slopes of receding reservoirs as we turn our attention to maintaining our lawns and landscaping this spring.”

Some suggested lawn and garden water conservation tips include:

Do not over-water lawns and landscaping. Two times per week for 30 minutes in the morning or late afternoon during drier periods is typically sufficient.
Use a hose with a hand-nozzle to water flowers and shrubs.
Do not mow your grass too short. Set mowing height to at least three inches. Longer grass blades help retain soil moisture, improve root growth and encourage a healthier lawn.
Avoid watering lawns and plants during the heat of the day, since much of this water will evaporate without helping your lawn.
Reduce the size of your lawn by establishing gardens that use native, drought-tolerant vegetation.
Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation, promote plant growth and reduce weeds.
Use barrels or other containers to capture rainfall for use in watering. Cover the openings with fine screens to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in the collected water.
Use a broom to sweep sidewalks and driveways rather than a hose.

To save water in the home:

Fix leaky faucets and pipes.
Turn off the faucet while shaving and brushing teeth.
Install faucet aerators.
Run washing machines and dishwashers when full, or make sure to select the appropriate wash cycle for the load size.
Take shorter showers.
Install a low-flow toilet.

For more state water supply status information, visit: www.njdrought.org

To view Commissioner Martin’s Administrative Order, visit: https://www.nj.gov/dep/drought/docs/ao2017-05.pdf

For more tips and information on the importance of water conservation, click on the logo above or visit: www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/conserve.htm

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When does Passover 2017 end, how do you say happy Passover in Hebrew and how is the Jewish festival celebrated?

passover

This year the event started on Tuesday April 11 and will last until Monday April 17

By Becky Pemberton
12th April 2017, 8:30 am

Updated: 12th April 2017, 8:34 am

THE JEWISH Passover festival started this week and observing Jews will be taking time to enjoy the celebrations.

But what does the event celebrate and what happens during the festival?

What is Passover?

Passover is a festival in spring that Jews celebrate to remember the Israelites being freed from slavery in Egypt.

It is celebrated with friends and family who eat ceremonial meals such as Seders and cook traditional foods.

There is also a focus on helping the needy, with many communal Seders being held in public halls or synagogues.

Some Jews opt to take holidays during Passover, and some Jewish businesses may close or have reduced service during the period.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/3149569/passover-2017-jewish-festival-dates/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/3149569/passover-2017-jewish-festival-dates/

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Millennials Rate New Jersey 11th Worst State to Live

millenials

April 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, With millennials today making up the largest generation in the U.S. workforce yet earning 20 percent less than Baby Boomers did at the same age, the personal-finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2017’s Best & Worst States for Millennials.

Overall Rank  40

State  New Jersey

Total Score  40.72

‘Affordability’ Rank  45

‘Education & Health’ Rank 23

‘Quality of Life’ Rank  39

‘Economic Health’ Rank 29

In order to determine the most livable places for this generation, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key metrics. The data set ranges from share of millennials to average monthly earnings for millennials to millennial unemployment rate.

Best States for Millennials Worst States for Millennials
1 North Dakota 42 Florida
2 Minnesota 43 Georgia
3 South Dakota 44 Nevada
4 Iowa 45 Louisiana
5 District of Columbia 46 Arkansas
6 Utah 47 Arizona
7 Wyoming 48 New Mexico
8 Wisconsin 49 Alabama
9 Colorado 50 Mississippi
10 Nebraska 51 West Virginia

Best vs. Worst

North Dakota has the lowest share of millennials living with their parents, 15.57 percent, which is 2.9 times lower than in New Jersey, registering the highest at 44.95 percent.

Minnesota has the highest millennial homeownership rate, 49.72 percent, which is 2.1 times higher than in the District of Columbia, registering the lowest at 23.48 percent.

The District of Columbia has the highest share of millennials, 35.17 percent, which is 1.8 times higher than in Maine, registering the lowest at 19.91 percent.

Vermont has the lowest share of millennials in fair or poor health, 5.2 percent, which is 2.7 times lower than in Nevada, registering the highest at 14.2 percent.

The District of Columbia has the highest average monthly earnings for millennials, $5,119, which is 2.1 times higher than in Idaho, registering the lowest at $2,478.

North Dakota has the lowest millennial unemployment rate, 3.94 percent, which is 4.1 times lower than in Mississippi, registering the highest at 16.13 percent.

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Ridgewood’s Ali Stroker Honored at NYU Alumni Association Awards Luncheon on April 21

ali

Martin Lipton, John Patrick Shanley, also to be Honored at Luncheon 

April 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New York NY, New York University President Andrew Hamilton and the NYU Alumni Association (NYUAA) will honor three exceptional members of the NYU community at its annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 21 at Gotham Hall in New York City.
Honorees include attorney Martin Lipton (LAW ‘55), Academy Award winner John Patrick Shanley (STEINHARDT ’77, HON ’09), and actress Ali Stroker (TSOA ’09).

“These honorees are visionaries in their fields, leaders in their communities, and tremendous representatives of the University. We are extremely proud of all they have accomplished,” said Heather Cannady (CAS ’04), president, NYUAA.

“I am so excited and honored to be receiving the Alumni Award from NYU,” said Stroker. “This award represents determination and hard work and I am thrilled to be honored along side John Patrick Shanley, a playwright who I respect and admire so much.”

Each year, the NYUAA invites alumni to celebrate distinguished members of the University who demonstrate extraordinary achievement and service to their professional, vocational, social, and cultural endeavors. This year, the NYUAA is pleased to honor the following alumni for their outstanding contributions to their respective fields and society:

Martin Lipton (LAW ‘55) is a founding partner of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and specializes in advising major corporations on mergers and acquisitions and matters affecting corporate policy and strategy. Throughout his illustrious career, Lipton has been instrumental in the continued growth of NYU and has used his talents to navigate New York City through a financial crisis, act as special counsel to the Department of Energy, help initiate NYU Law School’s faculty research program, and contribute to leading law journals. He served as chairman of the NYU School of Law Board of Trustees from 1988 to1998, and as chairman of the NYU Board of Trustees from 1998–2015. Lipton will receive the Eugene J. Keogh Award for Distinguished Public Service.

John Patrick Shanley (STEINHARDT ’77, HON ’09) graduated as valedictorian with a degree in educational theatre. Shanley is a Pulitzer Prize-, Academy Award-, and Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and theatre and film director. He has 23 plays and nine films to his credit, including his award-winning play Doubt: A Parable and its film adaptation and Academy Award-winning film, Moonstruck. His theatrical work is performed extensively across the United States and around the world. Shanley will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Ali Stroker (TSOA ‘09) was the first actress in a wheelchair to graduate from the NYU Tisch drama department. A groundbreaking performer, she made history as the first actress in a wheelchair to appear on a Broadway stage, as the role of Anna in Deaf West’s 2015 revival of Spring Awakening. She will be appearing in the upcoming ABC drama Ten Days in the Valley, which premieres in a few months. A humanitarian and advocate, Stroker is a co-chair of Women Who Care, which supports United Cerebral Palsy of NYC; and is a founding member of Be More Heroic, an anti-bullying campaign. Stroker will receive the Distinguished Young Alumna Award.

The Awards Luncheon will take place on Friday, April 21, 2017, from 12:00p.m. – 2:00p.m. at Gotham Hall in New York City. For more information or to register for this event, visit nyualumni.com/awards.

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING, Bogart ,Cambridge ,and Pomander Walk

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING

APRIL 12, 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

  1. Proclaim April as Tree Planting Month and   April 28, 2017 as Arbor Day
  2. Proclaim April 29, 2017 LAX Day in Ridgewood
  3. Proclaim May 7-13, 2017 National Drinking    Water Week
  4. Proclaim May as Building Safety Month

    8.   Presentation by Bradford Fritts, Owner of Jersey     Mike’s Subs – Donation for Restoration of Bell      Tower at Ridgewood High School

     

    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

    3588 – Amend Chapter 269 – Water Irrigation Schedule      and Water Emergencies

    14.  RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

    THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-87 THROUGH 17-92 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

    17-87     Title 59 Approval – Approves the plans and              specifications for Tree Maintenance Services,         prepared by the Ridgewood Water Department,              pursuant to Title 59

    17-88      Award Contract – Tree Maintenance Services –              Awards a contract to the sole responsible              bidder, Downes Tree Service, 65 Royal Avenue,           Hawthorne, NJ on a per item basis

    17-89     Award Contract – Water Main Replacements at               Stream Crossings ($998,500) –Awards a                    contract to the lowest responsible bidder,            Fred Devens Construction, 403 Stonetown Road,          Ringwood, NJ

    17-90      Award Contract Under State Contract –                    Materials and Supplies – Water Main Repairs –      Awards a contract under State Contract to             Stone Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 8310,                    Haledon, NJ

    17-91      Authorize Change Order – Rehabilitation of              Glen Avenue Tank ($29,766) –Authorizes a                change order for this project, to the                    original contractor, Brave Industrial Paint,              LLC, 177 Elmwood Avenue, Long Branch, NJ.                This change order was necessary due to the                fact that additional work, beyond the                    original contract scope, is necessary.

    17-92      Authorize Change Order – Furnish and Install            Control Valves at Various Locations ($26,960)           – Authorizes a change order for this project,        to the original contractor, CFM Construction,       Inc., 5 Bay Street, Stirling, NJ. This change        order was necessary due to the fact that           additional work, not anticipated at the time              of award, is necessary.  

    15.  ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION

    3592 – Establish a CAP Bank

    3593 – General Capital Ordinance

    3594 – Water Utility Capital Ordinance

    3595 – Parking Utility Capital Ordinance

    3596 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –             Parking Restrictions – Bogert Avenue and              Cambridge Road – Prohibits parking at all times            on the east side of Bogert Avenue within 25-feet     of the 90 degree inside corner in the road north      of Glen Avenue and on the west side of Cambridge     Road within 25-feet of the 90 degree inside         corner in the road north of East Glen Avenue.         In addition, prohibits parking in other sections  of Bogert Avenue and Cambridge Road from 8:00      a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.      Monday through Friday, September 1st through June      30th.

    3597 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –             Parking Restrictions – Pomander Walk –Prohibits  parking on the South/West side of Pomander Walk         8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on all days and restricts  parking to two hours on the North/East side of          Pomander Walk from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on all     days except Sundays and Holidays

    3598 – Amend Chapter 260 – Trees and Shrubs – The goals  of this ordinance are: preservation of the           Village’s native tree stock on both public and      private lands; advocating for the removal of          invasive and non-indigenous tree and shrub            species; replacement of trees removed on both          public and private properties; maintain the          number of trees in the Village

    16.  ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING

    3589 – Establish Rules and Regulations for Rental of            Rooms in The Stable

    3590 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Establish Rental Fees     – The Stable

    3591 – Repeal Chapter 29, Historic Preservation             Commission, Amend Chapter 190, Land Use and        Development, and Repeal Chapter 251, Swimming        Pools

    17.  2017 BUDGET INTRODUCTION

    A.   Budget Message

     

    B.   RESOLUTION

     

         17-93      Approve 2017 Municipal Budget and Set                May 10, 2017 as the Date for the Public                    Hearing Thereon

    18.  RESOLUTIONS

    THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-94 THROUGH

    17-118 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

    17-94      Approve Temporary Emergency Capital Budget

    17-95      Approve Temporary Emergency Budget                        Appropriations

    17-96     Title 59 Approval – Conduit Installation for              Traffic Signals – Approves the plans and              specifications for Conduit Installation for              Traffic Signals in the Village of Ridgewood                prepared by the Engineering Division,                    pursuant to Title 59

    17-97      Award Contract – Conduit Installation for              Traffic Signals (NTE $25,325) –Awards a              contract to the lowest quote, ConQuest                    Construction Corporation, 20 Carver Avenue,           Westwood, NJ

    17-98      Award Contract – Disposal of Recyclable                 Materials – Authorizes a contract for                  disposal of the Village’s recyclable                    materials for the first year of a two-year               contract to Atlantic Coast Fibers, LLC, 101               Seventh Street, Passaic, NJ

    17-99     Title 59 Approval – Gate House Sloped Entry –           Irene Habernickel Family Park –Approves the            plans and specifications for Gatehouse Sloped           Entry at the Irene Habernickel Family Park             prepared by the Engineering Division,                pursuant to Title 59

    17-100    Award Contract – Gate House Sloped Entry –           Irene Habernickel Family Park (NTE $67,735) –         Awards a contract to the lowest responsible             bidder, Onque Technologies, Inc., 297-146             Kinderkamack Road, Suite 101, Oradell, NJ

    17-101    Title 59 Approval – Furnishing, Delivering,             and Maintenance of Emergency Equipment and            Other Patrol Equipment – Approves the plans                and specifications for Furnishing,                        Delivering, and Maintenance of Emergency           Equipment, Radios, Vehicle Computer Systems,             and Other Listed Patrol Equipment for the             Ridgewood Police Department, July 1, 2017             through June 30, 2018, inclusive prepared by               the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title              59

    17-102    Award Contract – Furnishing, Delivering, and              Maintenance of Emergency Equipment, Vehicle            Computer Systems, and Other Patrol Equipment              – Police Department –Awards the second year           of a two-year contract to the lowest                 responsible bidder, Regional Communications,               Inc., 64 East Midland Avenue, Paramus, NJ at             the unit prices stated in the contract

    17-103    Title 59 Approval – Paving – Approves the           plans and specifications for 2017 Road                  Resurfacing and Repair of Various Village               Streets in the Village of Ridgewood prepared                by the Engineering Division, pursuant to               Title 59

    17-104    Award Contract – Paving ($1,000,000) – Awards          a partial award of a contract to the lowest              responsible bidder, J.A. Alexander, 13-158                John F. Kennedy Drive North, Bloomfield, NJ

    17-105    Award Professional Services Contract –                    Traffic Engineering Services – West Side              Study Area ($14,945) – Awards a Professional               Services contract to the lowest proposal by              Petry Traffic and Transportation Engineering,        155 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, NJ

    17-106    Authorize Shared Services Agreement – Police           Pistol Range (Wood-Ridge $150 per                         officer/retired officer) – Authorizes a                  Shared Services Agreement between the Village      of Ridgewood and the Borough of Wood-Ridge so         that the Ridgewood Police Department may use             the Police Pistol Range in Wood-Ridge to                conduct their annual firearms qualifications

    17-107    Reject Bids – School Bus Transportation –              Summer Day Camp – Rejects the sole bid by           First Student, Inc. of Englewood, NJ due to                the fact that the bid received exceeds the              available funding

    17-108    Declare Police Vehicles Surplus Property –            Declares a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria and a           2009 Ford Crown Victoria Police vehicles                surplus property and authorizes the Village              Manager to dispose of these vehicles

    17-109    Declare Radar Systems Surplus and Authorize               Donation to Englewood Cliffs Police                   Department – Declares three radar systems             surplus and authorizes the Village Manager to       dispose of and transfer them to the Borough              of Englewood Cliffs for use by their Police               Department. No warranties or guarantees of            the condition or usefulness of the equipment           are offered by the Village of Ridgewood.

    17-110    Accept Partial Donations – Portable Fuel Cell      Trailer – Parks and Recreation – Accepts                donations from Maroons Soccer Association            ($1,600), Ridgewood Soccer Association                   ($850), and Ridgewood Jr. Football                         Association ($600), toward the purchase of a            Portable Fuel Cell Trailer which costs $5,478

    17-111    Accept Donation – Restoration of Sally Port –         Ridgewood Police Department – Accepts a                donation valued at $3,800 from the owner of           Five Star Painting, 38 East Ridgewood Avenue,        Ridgewood, NJ to paint the walls and floors              of the Sallyport. The owner of the company,               Christian Cruz, has volunteered to donate the       labor and supplies to the Village of                    Ridgewood. He currently has no applications               before any Village Boards or Committees nor                does he have any pending business with the                Village.

    17-112    Support Responsible Pet Ownership –                   Delineates actions to be taken by the Village      to support responsible pet ownership,                    including: enforcing rabies control statutes;        impounding stray dogs and cats; educating all      residents about responsibilities for pet             ownership; increasing the percentage of                  licensed dogs and cats through ease of                    licensing and licensing enforcement;                  identifying and implementing best practices           for spaying and neutering animals;                        identifying alternatives to euthanasia of            adoptable companion animals; assisting in              identifying resources to      improve the                   condition and increasing the capacity of              animal shelters

    17-113    Authorize Mayor’s Pledge for Age Friendly              Ridgewood Initiatives – Authorizes the Mayor                to sign a Mayor’s Pledge to take steps to            adopt some policies widely recognized as            being advantageous for older adults

    17-114    Authorize Release of Cash Security Bond –               Sludge Hauling Contract – Authorizes the             release of a cash security bond for Ridgewood       Green RME, LLC for sludge hauling from the               Village’s Water Pollution Control Facility,              due to the fact that Ridgewood Green RME, LLC       is no longer the Village’s vendor for this               service

    17-115    Authorize Partial Release of Cash Bond – J.P.      Development – 143 & 147 West Glen Avenue –                The project is substantially complete,                  according to the Village Engineer, so the              majority of the cash bond will be refunded,             with the balance being refunded at the                 completion of the project

    17-116    Authorize Cleaning of Kings Pond Park by             Ridgewood      Wildscape and Partners –Authorizes          a cleanup of the Kings Pond area by Ridgewood        Wildscape and their partners on April 30,           2017. The Village will provide assistance by               providing chest waders, gloves and other           protective equipment to handle the debris,               rakes and hand tools, and pickup and disposal      of the debris. This cleanup has been reviewed       by the Village Engineer, pursuant to Title              59.

    17-117    Authorize Installation of Bus Shelter – North      Monroe Street and West Glen Avenue –                 Authorizes the installation of an IKEA                    Paramus, NJ model bus shelter on North Monroe        Street, just north of West Glen Avenue and            authorizes the Village Manager to execute the      necessary agreements

    17-118    Rescind Resolution #15-257 on Schedler Park –      Determination of Uses for Schedler Park                 Property – Rescinds Resolution #15-257 which            laid out the uses of the Schedler Park                     property, to include active and passive                   recreational areas, as well as a 90-foot             baseball diamond

    19.  Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes    per person)

    20.  Resolution to go into Closed Session

    21.  Closed Session

  1. Personnel/Contract Negotiations – Blue    Collar, White Collar and Supervisory Union   Negotiations
  2. Contract Negotiations – Consideration of Purchase of Properties

    22.  Adjournment