August 9,2015
Rigewood NJ, Tony Merlino, the Village’s Zoning Officer and Sub-Code Official, announced his retirement on Wednesday, August 5. Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, who made the announcement during a Village Council Work Session, did not indicate what Tony’s last day on the job would be.
Tony began his employment with the Village of Ridgewood in August of 1986. He was “top dog” in the Building Department for many years until Thomas Yotka was hired into the that role late last year. The party line is that Tony got the boot because he moved too slow in computerizing building department processes. The backstory is that he ran afoul of a Village Council member regarding approval of final inspections on a home renovation project.
Although he did not have a very big fan club and received often heavy criticism from this blog. Tony is the one Village employee who many of should thank for playing by the rules. Observe the variations in “curb appeal” by driving around some residential neighborhoods a few other municipalities in Bergen County; then drive around ANY neighborhood in Ridgewood. Strict adherence to zoning laws & building codes does make a difference and makes Ridgewood a much nicer place to own a home and live in.
Thanks for your service Tony and best wishes in your retirement.
Maybe i must be living somewhere else because i do not see strict adherence to the building code.
This is one of the most vindictive Village Councils in a very long time. No wonder no one who works at the Compost Center wants to say what really happened up there.
Tony is an arrogant man who couldn’t effectively manage his few responsibilities.
Good riddance!
100% agree. Tony did not play the games that some connected residents expected him to play. I did extensive work on my home, and he was fair and honest. My contractor said the same: Not easy to get work done in Ridgewood, and sometimes there is a good reason for that.
Good luck, Tony! Wish you well.
Thats right. Merino suggest building permits be closed before that council members 2012 swear in. Manyviolations but council member wants to be passed anywho. Hissy fit begins and you know the rest folks. Best not cross this vicious trio.
We should have a email box or phone # to text in violations
It’s only Sunday, with a scheduled bulk pick up Wednesday and it already looks like Paterson with the shit on the curb.
Same for yard waste that won’t be picked up till tuesday
Your are absolutely right 5:49.
5:49, would you be willing to spell that out more clearly?
Watch out 5:49 , 1:04 is just trying to bait you into telling the story.
Why did we celebrate his retirement and issues… He’s back and going to be worse than ever!