the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, During a discussion at Wednesday evening’s Village Council public work session, some Council members expressed concern about costs associated with NJDEP-mandated FAQs related to remediation of contaminated soil at the Schedler property.
Specifically, Councilpersons Mortimer and Weitz cited that “only 8–10 residents have submitted questions” and seemingly positioned the mandatory undertaking as a likely +$50K expense.
For many Ridgewood residents who actively participated in the FAQ process, the remarks by Messers. Mortimer and Weitz were somewhat discouraging, and left the impression that community input was unwelcome, and/or inconvenient. It came across as if continued community questions were being viewed as a burden, which could have a chilling effect on future public engagement. Other residents felt it was an attempt to intimidate the public from writing in and participating moving forward.
Keep in mind, Village officials have thus far refused to provide an “open Q&A” session, at which residents could ask questions directly to representatives of Matrix New World Engineering Inc., with follow-up on the spot. This scenario has been requested by several residents for months.
The Ridgewood Blog wonders if it is typical for municipal officials in other communities to respond this way to engaged residents raising thoughtful concerns, or is it just typical for Ridgewood?
It left many residents wondering whether their input is being taken seriously in this process.
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Chilling and concerning
Bee Man and Bond King should remember that Mrs. Due Diligence said “welcome to expensive”
They are suddenly worried about cost?
Exactly. I don’t speak but I have been paying attention to the meetings:
Shady historic consultant #1 = $30,000.00
Shady historic consultant #2 Ruffles = $10,000.00 so far
Suburban Engineering firm = upwards of $50,000.00 and counting
Matrix New World Engineering firm = $150,000.00 and counting
Law firm representing project = billable hours
Soil remediation where residents pay for a village screw up = priceless because it will come from tax payers who had nothing to do with this debacle.
Expensive Healthbarn/Habernickel pavilion
Those pesky taxpayers with all their questions
Unfortunately necessary because of the mess they created and the loss of public trust.
While the council mentions they are open and transparent and have engaged the public – the lack of a “2 way” dialogue has resulted in residents following the legal process which is mandated to be in writing to State officials. As with any Government agency – it is slow and takes time and yes is costly.
Same could be said about the new SHPO application and renderings of the future plans. It is a major event, having major impacts to not only the local neighbors but the sports teams as well. an open Q&A should be scheduled.
Suggest the town elect a neutral board/committee to help bring everyone together to resolve.
And what about budgeting for the health and well-being of anyone that has been contaminated. Have a determined on what physician they are going to use for testing. And have a list of residence and employees that may have been contaminated. Has Aletter gone out to these individuals. What steps I’ve been taken or none at all. It seems there been keeping us real quiet probably under Attorney review. Because you know, baby speaking of this enclosed door sessions. That that’s been buzzing around.
They willl never admit guilt outright, they skirt around it. If they admit that it is dangerous or can affect people’s health, whether it be a worker from village hall or a resident living close to the property, then they set themselves up for a lawsuit. People should start getting in line and form a class action suit.
Un. Effing. Believable
Any news on the Performing Arts Center Dirty Paulie promised?
That vacant theater is an embarrassment in year #2.