1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,420 Good evening. 2 00:00:04,450 --> 00:00:05,590 Thank you so much. 3 00:00:07,090 --> 00:00:14,690 This is the Village Council regular public meeting. The date is April 9th, 2025. The time is 7.32. 4 00:00:15,530 --> 00:00:20,210 Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, 5 00:00:20,590 --> 00:00:27,470 by mail to the Ridgwood News, the record, and by submission to all persons entitled the same as provided by law of a schedule, 6 00:00:27,790 --> 00:00:31,230 including the date and time of this meeting roll call. 7 00:00:31,910 --> 00:00:33,110 Council Member Mortimer. 8 00:00:33,330 --> 00:00:33,550 Here. 9 00:00:34,030 --> 00:00:35,150 Deputy Mayor Perron. 10 00:00:35,370 --> 00:00:35,510 Here. 11 00:00:35,870 --> 00:00:36,650 Council Member Weitz. 12 00:00:36,930 --> 00:00:37,070 Here. 13 00:00:37,370 --> 00:00:38,310 Council Member Winnegrad. 14 00:00:38,610 --> 00:00:38,790 Here. 15 00:00:39,190 --> 00:00:40,050 Mayor Vagianos. 16 00:00:40,230 --> 00:00:40,450 Here. 17 00:00:40,910 --> 00:00:42,970 Will you all please join us in a salute to our flag? 18 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:08,060 I move the bills, claims and vouchers and statement of funds on hand as of March 31, 19 00:01:08,780 --> 00:01:11,400 2025 be accepted as submitted. 20 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:12,080 I second. 21 00:01:14,620 --> 00:01:15,180 Mortimer. 22 00:01:15,540 --> 00:01:15,680 Here. 23 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:16,460 Perron. 24 00:01:16,740 --> 00:01:16,980 Yes. 25 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:17,880 Weitz. 26 00:01:18,140 --> 00:01:18,360 Yes. 27 00:01:18,580 --> 00:01:18,960 Winnegrad. 28 00:01:18,960 --> 00:01:20,280 Yes, Vagianos. 29 00:01:20,960 --> 00:01:21,440 Yes. 30 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:27,010 I move that the Village Council minutes of February 3rd, February 10th, February 19th, 31 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:33,900 February 26th, February 27th, March 5th, and March 12th, 2025, having been reviewed 32 00:01:33,900 --> 00:01:37,940 by the Village Council and now available in the Village Clerk's Office, be approved 33 00:01:37,940 --> 00:01:39,000 as submitted. 34 00:01:39,380 --> 00:01:39,620 Second. 35 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:40,860 Mortimer. 36 00:01:41,420 --> 00:01:41,680 Yes. 37 00:01:41,980 --> 00:01:42,320 Perrin. 38 00:01:42,540 --> 00:01:42,680 Yes. 39 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:43,200 Weitz. 40 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:43,540 Yes. 41 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:44,080 Winnegrad. 42 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:45,780 Yes, with the Vagianos. 43 00:01:45,780 --> 00:01:49,980 March 12th, March 12th, and Vagianos. 44 00:01:50,300 --> 00:01:53,400 Yes, also with the exception of March 12th, I'll abstain on that. 45 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:54,080 I was not present. 46 00:01:57,180 --> 00:01:59,300 And now we have a lot of fun stuff going on tonight. 47 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:06,440 So let's begin, Siobhan, will you begin with the tree planting proclamation? 48 00:02:07,380 --> 00:02:07,680 Sure. 49 00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:13,040 Whereas the village of Virguit is proud of its many trees which have contributed 50 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:16,540 so much to the beauty and comfortable ambiance of the village. 51 00:02:16,540 --> 00:02:22,240 and whereas trees wherever they are planted are a source of joy and spiritual renewal, 52 00:02:22,720 --> 00:02:28,120 whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, 53 00:02:28,460 --> 00:02:31,520 cutting heat and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, 54 00:02:32,220 --> 00:02:35,820 clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife, 55 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:40,120 and whereas trees in our village increase property values, 56 00:02:40,380 --> 00:02:45,440 enhance the economic vitality of the business areas and beautify our community. 57 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:52,100 And whereas Arbor Day is observed through the nation and the world in recognition of the importance of trees, 58 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:59,300 and whereas the Village of Ridgewood has been recognized as a tree city USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation 59 00:02:59,300 --> 00:03:04,140 for its extensive plantings and its program for the maintenance of trees. 60 00:03:04,640 --> 00:03:08,540 Now therefore be resolved that the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood 61 00:03:08,540 --> 00:03:14,220 does hereby proclaim April 2025 as tree planting month in the Village of Ridgewood 62 00:03:14,220 --> 00:03:18,280 and April 25th, 2025 as Arbor Day. 63 00:03:18,660 --> 00:03:24,480 And we urge all residents to plant trees and support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands 64 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,160 and to support our Village Urban Forestry Program. 65 00:03:27,820 --> 00:03:28,740 Thanks, Siobhan. 66 00:03:29,500 --> 00:03:33,160 Frank, will you take the National Drinking Water Week proclamation? 67 00:03:33,700 --> 00:03:34,140 I'd love to. 68 00:03:34,860 --> 00:03:37,480 Whereas water is our most valuable natural resource, 69 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:41,140 and whereas drinking water serves a vital role in daily life, 70 00:03:41,140 --> 00:03:48,880 serving an essential purpose to health, hydration and hygiene needs for quality of life our citizens enjoy. 71 00:03:49,300 --> 00:03:55,920 And whereas only tap water delivers public health protection, fire protection, support for our economy 72 00:03:55,920 --> 00:04:01,840 and the quality of life we enjoy. And whereas the hard work performed by the entire water sector, 73 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:07,500 designing capital projects, operators, ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water, 74 00:04:07,500 --> 00:04:13,140 or a member of a pipe crew maintaining the infrastructure communities rely on to transport 75 00:04:13,140 --> 00:04:18,640 high-quality drinking water from its source to consumers' taps, and whereas any measure 76 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:23,520 of successful society, low mortality rate, economic growth and diversity, productivity 77 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:29,180 and public safety are some way related to the access to safe water, and whereas 78 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:34,260 each citizen of our village is called upon to help protect our source waters from 79 00:04:34,260 --> 00:04:39,520 pollution, to practice water conservation, and to get involved in local water issues 80 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:44,900 by getting to know their water. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Village Council 81 00:04:44,900 --> 00:04:50,680 of the Village of Ridgewood does hereby proclaim May 4th through May 10th, 2025, 82 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:54,260 as National Drinking Water Week. Thank you. 83 00:04:54,940 --> 00:04:59,580 Thanks, Frank. Evan, will you take the Building Safety Award? 84 00:04:59,820 --> 00:05:03,540 Absolutely, Paul. All right. So whereas our village's continuing efforts to address 85 00:05:03,540 --> 00:05:08,740 the critical issues of safety, energy efficiency, water conservation and resilience in the built 86 00:05:08,740 --> 00:05:13,340 environment that affect our citizens both in everyday life and in times of natural disaster, 87 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:16,820 give us confidence that our home buildings and infrastructures are safe and sound. 88 00:05:18,540 --> 00:05:22,020 Whereas our confidence is achieved through the devotion of vigilant guardians, building 89 00:05:22,020 --> 00:05:28,840 safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, laborers 90 00:05:28,840 --> 00:05:32,460 and others in the construction industry who work year round to ensure the safe 91 00:05:32,460 --> 00:05:33,300 construction of buildings. 92 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:36,540 And whereas these guardians, data-hanging members of the 93 00:05:36,540 --> 00:05:39,380 International Code Council, use a governmental consensus 94 00:05:39,380 --> 00:05:42,340 process that brings together local, state, and federal 95 00:05:42,340 --> 00:05:45,320 officials with expertise in the built environments to create 96 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:47,840 and implement the highest quality codes to protect 97 00:05:47,840 --> 00:05:50,180 Americans in the buildings where we live, learn, work, 98 00:05:50,540 --> 00:05:51,020 worship, and play. 99 00:05:51,580 --> 00:05:54,420 And whereas the international codes, the most widely adopted 100 00:05:54,420 --> 00:05:56,680 building safety, energy, and fire prevention codes in the 101 00:05:56,680 --> 00:06:00,340 nation are used by most U.S. cities, counties, and 102 00:06:00,340 --> 00:06:00,600 states. 103 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:09,380 These modern building codes also include safeguards to protect the public from natural disasters such as hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, wild land, fires, floods, and earthquakes. 104 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:21,720 And whereas the Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council to remind the public about the critical road our communities largely unknown guardians of public safety are local code officials who assure us of safe, efficient, and livable buildings. 105 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:30,480 And whereas Game On, the theme for Building Safety Month 2025, motivates people to get in the game and take part of learning more about and practicing building safety. 106 00:06:31,100 --> 00:06:37,880 And whereas Building Safety Month 2025 strives to ensure that the place where we live, learn, work, worship and play are safe and sustainable. 107 00:06:38,280 --> 00:06:43,380 And recognizes that countless lives have been saved through the implementation of safety codes by local and state agencies. 108 00:06:44,020 --> 00:06:51,240 And whereas each year in observance of Building Safety Month, Americans are asked to consider projects to improve building safety and sustainability at home and in the community, 109 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:55,580 and to acknowledge the essential services provided to us all by local and state building departments, 110 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:59,240 fire prevention bureaus, and federal agencies in protecting lives and property. 111 00:06:59,880 --> 00:07:02,780 Now therefore be resolved that the Village Council, the Village of Ridgewood, 112 00:07:02,900 --> 00:07:06,700 does hereby proclaim May 2025 as Building Safety Month 113 00:07:06,700 --> 00:07:10,820 and encourages all residents to join in participation in Building Safety Month activities. 114 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:12,180 Thanks, Evan. 115 00:07:12,820 --> 00:07:14,920 Pam, will you take Older Americans Month? 116 00:07:15,500 --> 00:07:16,120 Yes, I will. 117 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:21,720 Well, whereas the Village of Ridgewood includes a growing number of older Americans who contribute 118 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:27,600 their time, wisdom and experience to our community, and whereas the Village of Ridgewood benefits 119 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:34,780 when people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds have the opportunity to participate and live 120 00:07:34,780 --> 00:07:40,260 independently, and whereas the Village of Ridgewood recognizes our need to create 121 00:07:40,260 --> 00:07:48,240 a community that offers the services and supports older adults may need to make choices about 122 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:57,020 how they age. And whereas the 2025 theme is flip the script on aging, focuses on transforming 123 00:07:57,020 --> 00:08:03,620 how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging, it encourages individuals 124 00:08:03,620 --> 00:08:08,120 and communities to change stereotypes and dispel misconceptions. 125 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:12,840 This year, join us in honoring older adults' contributions, 126 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:19,080 exploring the many opportunities for staying active and engaged as we age, 127 00:08:19,460 --> 00:08:25,860 and highlighting the opportunities for purpose, exploration, and connection that come with aging. 128 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:32,280 And, whereas the Village of Ridgewood can promote the benefits of connecting with older Americans 129 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:35,780 by transforming how society perceives, 130 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:37,540 talks about, and approaches aging, 131 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:40,800 encouraging individuals and communities 132 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:44,080 to change stereotypes and dispel misconceptions, 133 00:08:45,280 --> 00:08:49,040 honoring older adults' contributions to our society, 134 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:51,940 exploring the many opportunities 135 00:08:51,940 --> 00:08:55,860 for staying active and engaged as they age, 136 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:58,980 highlighting the opportunities for purpose, 137 00:08:58,980 --> 00:09:02,040 this exploration and connection that come with aging. 138 00:09:02,680 --> 00:09:08,680 Now, therefore, be it resolved that the village council of the village of Ridgewood does hereby 139 00:09:08,680 --> 00:09:17,520 proclaim May 2025 as Older Americans Month and calls upon residents to join in recognizing 140 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:23,780 the contributions of our older citizens and promoting programs and activities that 141 00:09:23,780 --> 00:09:28,220 foster connection, inclusion, and support for older adults. 142 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:29,540 Thanks Pam. 143 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:32,080 Siobhan, mental health? 144 00:09:32,500 --> 00:09:32,640 Sure. 145 00:09:33,560 --> 00:09:36,060 Whereas mental health is essential to everyone's 146 00:09:36,060 --> 00:09:37,500 overall health and well-being, 147 00:09:38,020 --> 00:09:41,400 and whereas all Americans experience times of difficulty 148 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:42,800 and stress in their lives, 149 00:09:43,300 --> 00:09:46,900 and whereas prevention is an effective way 150 00:09:46,900 --> 00:09:49,360 to reduce the burden of mental health conditions, 151 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:52,780 and whereas there's a strong body of research 152 00:09:52,780 --> 00:09:58,500 that supports specific tools that all Americans can use to better handle challenges and protect 153 00:09:58,500 --> 00:10:04,400 their health and well-being and whereas mental health conditions are real and very prevalent 154 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:10,460 in our nation and whereas with effective treatment those individuals with mental health conditions 155 00:10:10,460 --> 00:10:17,180 can recover and lead full productive lives and whereas each business, school, government 156 00:10:17,820 --> 00:10:23,520 health care provider, organization, and citizen shares the burden of mental health problems 157 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:28,780 and has a responsibility to promote mental wellness and support prevention efforts. 158 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:35,520 And whereas the Village of Ridgid is a stigma-free community standing beside Ridgid residents 159 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:39,680 to break down barriers and encourage them to be mindful of their mental health 160 00:10:39,680 --> 00:10:41,400 and to ask for help when needed. 161 00:10:41,980 --> 00:10:45,900 Now, therefore, it be resolved that the Village Council of the Village of Ridgid 162 00:10:45,900 --> 00:10:51,360 does hereby proclaim May 2025 as National Mental Health Awareness Month 163 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:54,060 and calls upon the citizens of the village of Ridgwick 164 00:10:54,060 --> 00:10:56,880 to recommit our community to increasing awareness 165 00:10:56,880 --> 00:11:01,500 and understanding of mental health. Educator citizens on the steps they can 166 00:11:01,500 --> 00:11:05,280 take to protect their mental health and recognize the need for appropriate 167 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:08,700 and accessible services for all people with mental health conditions. 168 00:11:09,300 --> 00:11:14,220 Thanks, Yvonne. And now we've got a bunch of really fun things to do 169 00:11:14,220 --> 00:11:21,320 And we're going to begin by reading a proclamation to Health Barn, their staff, their leader. 170 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:27,300 So the entire council is going to go down into the well, and I ask that the entire entourage 171 00:11:27,740 --> 00:11:29,520 from Health Barn join us there. 172 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:35,120 Yeah, all you guys. 173 00:11:58,010 --> 00:11:58,590 Is this working? 174 00:11:58,850 --> 00:11:59,250 Here we go. 175 00:12:00,570 --> 00:12:01,650 Do we have everybody? 176 00:12:03,350 --> 00:12:03,950 Okay, good. 177 00:12:03,950 --> 00:12:12,370 So, for those of you who don't know, Stacy Yantine, she has dedicated her life to feeding 178 00:12:12,370 --> 00:12:19,230 people, showing people how to eat healthy, and for the last 10 years, she has been in 179 00:12:19,230 --> 00:12:23,710 Ridgewood doing this for our residents and for the surrounding communities. 180 00:12:24,250 --> 00:12:29,610 She is also, in her spare time, if there is such a thing for her, engaged in lots 181 00:12:29,610 --> 00:12:35,610 lots of wonderful community activities that benefit all the members of our community. 182 00:12:36,330 --> 00:12:42,550 And I have the distinct honor of reading the proclamation in honor of Health Barn, Stacey, 183 00:12:42,990 --> 00:12:44,870 and her wonderful, wonderful staff. 184 00:12:45,630 --> 00:12:52,490 So whereas Stacey Antin, while earning her master's in food, nutrition, and dietetics 185 00:12:52,930 --> 00:12:59,250 from NYU, became deeply concerned by the alarming statistics that suggested this would 186 00:12:59,250 --> 00:13:05,330 be the first generation of children who might not outlive their parents due to unhealthy 187 00:13:05,330 --> 00:13:10,430 lifestyles. In response, she founded Health Barn USA in 188 00:13:10,430 --> 00:13:18,570 April 2005 on a local family farm creating scientifically-based healthy lifestyle curricula 189 00:13:18,570 --> 00:13:24,970 for children and families. And whereas Health Barn's mission to empower families to lead 190 00:13:24,970 --> 00:13:32,790 strong energetic lives through hands-on nutrition programming has reached over 50,000 families 191 00:13:33,030 --> 00:13:40,470 and has been featured on major media platforms such as CNN, The Rachel Ray Show, PBS TV, 192 00:13:41,070 --> 00:13:45,330 and over 500 news outlets, both locally and nationally. 193 00:13:45,990 --> 00:13:52,430 Additionally, Stacey authored her first cookbook, Appetite for Life, Thumbs Up, 194 00:13:52,430 --> 00:13:56,410 No Yuck's Guide to Getting Your Kid to be a Great Eater, 195 00:13:56,770 --> 00:14:00,010 which includes over 100 family-friendly recipes. 196 00:14:01,350 --> 00:14:08,610 And whereas in February 2015, Health Barn in collaboration with the Village of Ridgewood Parks and Recreation, 197 00:14:08,930 --> 00:14:13,650 and with approval from New Jersey Green Acres and the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood, 198 00:14:13,990 --> 00:14:18,350 relocated to the gatehouse at the Irene Habernickle Family Park, 199 00:14:18,350 --> 00:14:24,710 initially investing more than $60,000 to renovate the space and create a safe and 200 00:14:24,710 --> 00:14:29,790 enjoyable environment for children and their families. Health Barn continues to 201 00:14:29,790 --> 00:14:35,290 invest in the facility by gifting a patio awning, rear garden, and now a community 202 00:14:35,290 --> 00:14:42,490 fruit and nut tree orchard open to the public. And whereas in 2015 Health Barn 203 00:14:42,490 --> 00:14:47,530 established an organic vegetable garden to teach children and families how 204 00:14:47,530 --> 00:14:52,650 grow their own food, cook with the produce they harvest, and learn why this way of living 205 00:14:52,650 --> 00:14:55,070 is best for their bodies and minds. 206 00:14:56,010 --> 00:14:59,970 The garden continues to thrive and has been recognized as a certified school 207 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,940 Local yard habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. 208 00:15:04,060 --> 00:15:10,900 And whereas in February 2016, Health Barn began the Healing Meals Program funded by the Health 209 00:15:10,900 --> 00:15:19,660 Barn Foundation, this nutrition-based food-gifting program has provided over 25,000 meals, soups 210 00:15:19,660 --> 00:15:26,360 and snacks to families with children battling cancer, senior residents in Ridgecrest, social 211 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:33,000 services of Ridgewood, the Franciscan Community Development Center and more. To date, healing 212 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:39,920 meals has logged over 5,500 volunteer hours. This is long because she's done so much work. 213 00:15:40,340 --> 00:15:46,600 It's amazing. Whereas during the pandemic, the Health Barn Foundation supported Ridgewood's 214 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:51,620 feed the front lines and helping those in need, purchasing meals from local restaurants 215 00:15:51,620 --> 00:15:54,460 to feed frontline workers at Valley Hospital, 216 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:56,720 Ridgewood Fire and Police Departments, 217 00:15:56,940 --> 00:15:58,420 and other essential staff. 218 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:01,260 This initiative was so successful 219 00:16:01,260 --> 00:16:05,660 that Health Bar and Secured a $4.7 million grant 220 00:16:05,660 --> 00:16:08,820 from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority 221 00:16:08,820 --> 00:16:10,940 to further support the community 222 00:16:10,940 --> 00:16:13,480 through the purchase of Ridgewood restaurant meals 223 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:15,900 for individuals in need in Bergen County, 224 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:18,700 which helped to keep Ridgewood Central Business District 225 00:16:18,700 --> 00:16:21,360 open for business during this difficult time. 226 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:29,260 Between 2021 and 2023, more than 500 volunteers helped deliver these meals. 227 00:16:30,020 --> 00:16:34,980 The Feed the Frontlines team was honored with the Jefferson Award on September 20, 2020, 228 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:41,280 and was invited to ring the closing bell at NASDAQ on January 6, 2023. 229 00:16:42,380 --> 00:16:49,160 And whereas Health Barn continues to support the Ridgwood community through partnerships with Ridgwood Parks and Recreation, 230 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:54,180 including award-winning seasonal programs such as the Ridgewood Elder Thanksgiving 231 00:16:54,180 --> 00:17:00,980 Dinner, the Daffodil Festival, Earth Day Activities, Scout Groups, Somerville 232 00:17:00,980 --> 00:17:07,540 Dad's Night, Jamboree, and the Ridgewood Education Foundation among others. Now 233 00:17:07,540 --> 00:17:11,680 therefore be it resolved by the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood 234 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:15,720 does hereby proclaim May 9th, 2025, 235 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:19,740 as Stacey Antien and Health Barn USA Day 236 00:17:20,370 --> 00:17:21,900 in the village of Ridgewood 237 00:17:21,900 --> 00:17:26,500 in recognition of Health Barn USA's 10th anniversary 238 00:17:26,500 --> 00:17:27,940 in the village of Ridgewood 239 00:17:27,940 --> 00:17:29,900 and the significant contributions 240 00:17:29,900 --> 00:17:31,840 that Stacey Antien and Health Barn 241 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:34,880 have made to the health and wellbeing of our community. 242 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:38,740 Honoring their commitment to nutrition, education, 243 00:17:38,740 --> 00:17:44,160 community service and local sustainability let's give Stacey and her 244 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:47,860 crew a giant round of applause I 245 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:57,040 say it all the time many hands make light work 246 00:17:57,040 --> 00:18:01,940 and these hands right next to us are absolutely incredible Stacey will you 247 00:18:01,940 --> 00:18:11,620 please say a few words I I'm usually never speechless I just think that I'm 248 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:16,040 so grateful to Ridgewood and the Ridgewood Village Council to all to 249 00:18:16,040 --> 00:18:23,300 I look out to the sea of familiar faces and the relationships we've developed and we love 250 00:18:23,300 --> 00:18:23,600 health. 251 00:18:23,820 --> 00:18:29,780 We love the village, we love the gate house, we consider the gate house at Habernickle 252 00:18:29,780 --> 00:18:36,000 our home and we hope it's another 10 years and we're just so grateful to support that 253 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:37,400 we get the endless support. 254 00:18:37,860 --> 00:18:38,840 So thank you so much. 255 00:18:42,050 --> 00:18:44,610 We are so fortunate to have you in our community. 256 00:18:44,990 --> 00:18:47,350 On behalf of the village council, I give you this proclamation. 257 00:18:47,350 --> 00:18:49,910 Did we get pictures yet? Are we good? 258 00:18:50,530 --> 00:18:51,290 Okay, let's move in tight. 259 00:19:35,300 --> 00:19:36,600 Don't go anyplace. 260 00:19:37,820 --> 00:19:40,180 And so, I would now like to call up 261 00:19:40,180 --> 00:19:42,680 Police Officer Doug Boucher 262 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:43,920 and 263 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:49,220 Chief Forrest Lyons 264 00:19:57,660 --> 00:20:00,160 and Doug's family, please. 265 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:07,740 Doug's growing family. 266 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:13,060 Who is this? 267 00:20:13,060 --> 00:20:15,220 Can you say hi? 268 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:30,980 Officer Boucher is being sworn in as a sergeant. 269 00:20:32,180 --> 00:20:33,680 If you'll repeat after me. 270 00:20:34,580 --> 00:20:36,100 I, Douglas Boucher. 271 00:20:36,540 --> 00:20:37,740 I, Douglas Boucher. 272 00:20:38,200 --> 00:20:39,340 Do solemnly swear. 273 00:20:39,740 --> 00:20:40,700 Do solemnly swear. 274 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:43,840 That I will support the Constitution of the United States. 275 00:20:44,380 --> 00:20:46,860 That I will support the Constitution of the United States. 276 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,480 And the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. 277 00:20:49,820 --> 00:20:51,980 And the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. 278 00:20:52,500 --> 00:20:53,700 And that I will faithfully. 279 00:20:53,700 --> 00:21:03,560 And that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly perform all of the duties of the office 280 00:21:03,560 --> 00:21:13,300 of police sergeant, according to the best of my ability, so help me God. 281 00:21:13,300 --> 00:21:14,080 Congratulations. 282 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:21,160 Nobody ever waves at us. Did you notice that, Pam? 283 00:22:28,490 --> 00:22:31,410 And now I'd like to call up Officer Joseph Di Benedetto, 284 00:22:32,030 --> 00:22:34,570 who is also being sworn in as a sergeant tonight. 285 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:52,160 It's the chief's first time he hasn't done this. 286 00:22:54,220 --> 00:22:57,760 Repeat after me. I, Joseph Di Benedetto. 287 00:22:58,260 --> 00:22:59,640 I, Joseph Di Benedetto. 288 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:01,400 Do solemnly swear 289 00:23:03,090 --> 00:23:06,060 That I will support the Constitution of the United States 290 00:23:06,060 --> 00:23:08,860 That I will support the Constitution of the United States 291 00:23:08,860 --> 00:23:11,360 And the Constitution of the State of New Jersey 292 00:23:11,360 --> 00:23:13,760 And the Constitution of the State of New Jersey 293 00:23:14,190 --> 00:23:16,940 And that I will faithfully 294 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:19,420 Impartially 295 00:23:19,910 --> 00:23:22,140 And justly perform all of the duties 296 00:23:24,220 --> 00:23:28,540 Of the office of police sergeant 297 00:23:28,540 --> 00:23:34,920 according to the best of my ability so help me God so help me God 298 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:37,020 congratulations by 299 00:24:36,900 --> 00:24:40,480 the way you can see from the appearance of many people 300 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:45,740 dressed in blue that this is the safest room in New Jersey right now and it is 301 00:24:45,740 --> 00:24:52,620 because because many of our police officers are being honored tonight for 302 00:24:52,620 --> 00:24:59,500 their service in protecting this community, this community that has been rated by various 303 00:24:59,500 --> 00:25:04,640 agencies as the fifth safest community in the country. 304 00:25:06,100 --> 00:25:08,920 It's because of these guys, 305 00:25:11,310 --> 00:25:13,470 and we're going to call them up first. 306 00:25:13,790 --> 00:25:19,230 There are two who participated in a traffic stop that prevented a very serious crime 307 00:25:19,230 --> 00:25:25,850 and then a whole bunch of guys who worked together to break up something that was very dangerous for our community. 308 00:25:26,090 --> 00:25:30,870 So I'm going to call up patrolman William Malone and patrolman Isaiah Walters. 309 00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:35,680 And I'm going to turn this over to Chief Lyons. 310 00:25:45,280 --> 00:25:51,980 So I'm honored to issue these awards for Honorable Service in recognition of outstanding police work 311 00:25:51,980 --> 00:25:56,380 during a routine traffic stop which led to discovery and removal of two illegal handguns, 312 00:25:56,380 --> 00:25:58,540 high capacity magazines and hollow point ammunition. 313 00:25:59,220 --> 00:26:01,360 This officers, these officers, quick thinking, 314 00:26:01,580 --> 00:26:03,760 sound tactics, and commitment to public safety 315 00:26:03,760 --> 00:26:05,740 resulted in the identification of a known 316 00:26:05,740 --> 00:26:07,560 one percenter pagan gang member 317 00:26:07,560 --> 00:26:10,900 and the prevention of potential violence. 318 00:26:11,460 --> 00:26:13,460 I am extremely honored to award this 319 00:26:13,460 --> 00:26:15,520 to police officer Isiah Walters 320 00:26:16,360 --> 00:26:17,540 and police officer Malone. 321 00:26:42,930 --> 00:26:44,210 And we have more. 322 00:26:45,370 --> 00:26:49,490 I am now calling up Detective Captain William Amaruso, 323 00:26:49,490 --> 00:26:57,650 Lieutenant John Chuck, Sergeant John Ward, Sergeant Douglas Bichet, Petroman Peter Youngberg, 324 00:26:58,170 --> 00:27:03,970 Detective Christopher Mormino, Detective Keith Killian, and Detective Kyle Montan. 325 00:27:04,230 --> 00:27:05,730 Will you all please join us up here? 326 00:27:19,640 --> 00:27:20,420 I got pushed all the way up. 327 00:27:23,400 --> 00:27:29,500 So this was a particularly fantastic piece of investigative excellence displayed by all of these officers. 328 00:27:29,500 --> 00:27:35,100 This was a long-going case that resulted in search warrants and just fantastic work 329 00:27:35,100 --> 00:27:40,660 that prevented something that could have been less than good for our community. 330 00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:41,880 So let me read aloud here. 331 00:27:47,070 --> 00:27:52,270 So all of these officers are being presented with a certification of merit, a unit citation, 332 00:27:52,910 --> 00:27:57,630 awarded to the Combined Patrol Investigative Task Force for outstanding performance during 333 00:27:57,630 --> 00:27:59,190 a targeted enforcement operation. 334 00:27:59,730 --> 00:28:03,050 The operation led to the arrest of a suspect involved in Syria's first and 335 00:28:03,050 --> 00:28:07,390 second-degree crimes, a weapon was recovered, and additional evidence was uncovered indicating 336 00:28:07,390 --> 00:28:09,670 possible involvements in crimes against children. 337 00:28:10,170 --> 00:28:15,090 This exemplary collaboration reflects the highest standards of law enforcement and a strong commitment 338 00:28:15,090 --> 00:28:15,910 to public safety. 339 00:28:16,430 --> 00:28:20,030 I could not be more proud to represent this agency and these fine officers. 340 00:28:22,450 --> 00:28:24,030 Let's give them a big round of applause. 341 00:29:06,760 --> 00:29:11,840 Gentlemen, we cannot thank you enough for protecting our community 24 hours a day, 342 00:29:11,840 --> 00:29:17,440 seven days a week, 365 days a year. Thank you again so much. Let's give them a big round of applause. 343 00:30:18,260 --> 00:30:20,360 Well, that's about as nice as it can get. 344 00:30:26,230 --> 00:30:29,070 And so, we'll wait a minute. 345 00:31:26,030 --> 00:31:28,530 And so, let's get on with our meeting. 346 00:31:28,930 --> 00:31:30,350 We'll go to public comments. 347 00:31:39,640 --> 00:31:40,260 Can you hear me? 348 00:31:40,940 --> 00:31:42,640 We can. You need to speak right into the mic. 349 00:31:42,640 --> 00:31:47,640 My name is Jim Bossler. I live at 821 Newcomb Road. 350 00:31:47,880 --> 00:31:50,820 And just so you know, and for all anyone coming up, 351 00:31:50,980 --> 00:31:53,300 we just need to know if you're a Ridgewood resident or not. 352 00:31:53,700 --> 00:31:56,360 Yeah, I moved to Ridgewood in 1983 353 00:31:56,360 --> 00:31:59,440 and have been at the same place ever since. 354 00:32:00,260 --> 00:32:04,020 I also currently am the chairman of the open space committee. 355 00:32:04,940 --> 00:32:06,360 Jim, hold on just a second. 356 00:32:07,140 --> 00:32:13,710 No, no, we're not going to close it. It's just going to mention it to them. 357 00:32:16,780 --> 00:32:17,700 Okay. It's on. 358 00:32:18,720 --> 00:32:21,180 I'm currently the open space chairman. 359 00:32:21,920 --> 00:32:25,700 I came here to speak in favor of the bond 360 00:32:25,700 --> 00:32:31,240 or the budget ordinance and in particular the bond ordinance for the 361 00:32:31,240 --> 00:32:34,220 Jim, could you speak a little closer into the mic? We just want to hear you. I came 362 00:32:34,220 --> 00:32:40,180 here to in support of the bond ordinance for the parks and open space. 363 00:32:43,720 --> 00:32:44,680 Why I came 364 00:32:44,680 --> 00:32:48,940 here is basically if you think about it how much the parks and the rec 365 00:32:50,980 --> 00:32:56,320 really relate to the Ridgewood community. We do a series of park 366 00:32:56,320 --> 00:33:02,780 Walks, and it's been a very successful program for the last year where we took a group of 367 00:33:02,780 --> 00:33:07,560 individuals and anybody on the committee took them through the different parks that we have 368 00:33:08,860 --> 00:33:14,820 and it took them and showed them the history, the services that they provide from the parks 369 00:33:14,820 --> 00:33:17,680 and what types of parks we have both active and passive. 370 00:33:18,620 --> 00:33:24,280 The program was so successful that we are again going to repeat it this year and 371 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:30,560 And we intend to announce the schedule for those park walks within the next week or two. 372 00:33:31,420 --> 00:33:37,360 But anyways, again, I support this budget wholeheartedly and I think the Open Space Committee does 373 00:33:37,360 --> 00:33:37,960 as well. 374 00:33:38,260 --> 00:33:39,040 So thank you. 375 00:33:39,280 --> 00:33:39,880 Thank you, Jim. 376 00:33:46,670 --> 00:33:47,770 Good evening, Council Members. 377 00:33:48,390 --> 00:33:49,890 My name is John Prieto. 378 00:33:50,790 --> 00:33:55,670 I am the Ridgewood resident for 29 years. 379 00:33:55,670 --> 00:34:02,550 and I am currently the Chair of the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee. 380 00:34:03,470 --> 00:34:07,550 I am here tonight. I am on behalf of the committee. 381 00:34:08,230 --> 00:34:13,410 I wanted to express our appreciation to the Village Council on the Bond Ordinance 382 00:34:13,410 --> 00:34:17,930 for additional pedestrian-activated crosswalk lights. 383 00:34:19,030 --> 00:34:24,890 Also, we wanted to express our appreciation for the support 384 00:34:24,890 --> 00:34:30,650 of village officials for all their efforts to enhance safety of the public. 385 00:34:31,170 --> 00:34:31,590 Thank you. 386 00:34:32,090 --> 00:34:32,970 Thank you, John. 387 00:34:39,600 --> 00:34:43,740 Hi, I'm Janice Furman, a Ridgwood resident for a very long time. 388 00:34:44,540 --> 00:34:48,640 I'd like to thank this council for being so supportive of the library. 389 00:34:49,260 --> 00:34:54,940 The line item for the library will enable us to renovate the bathrooms to be ADA compliant 390 00:34:54,940 --> 00:34:57,220 and other much needed upgrades. 391 00:34:57,220 --> 00:35:06,480 Our library does so much with so little. We have the most amazing staff that go above and beyond every single day. 392 00:35:07,180 --> 00:35:11,320 The library is more than books. It is a true community center. 393 00:35:12,740 --> 00:35:16,960 There are programs every single day from toddlers to seniors. 394 00:35:17,800 --> 00:35:28,660 We're living in some very uncertain times and I feel very confident that this council will be able to guide us through any annual challenges that we may face. 395 00:35:30,750 --> 00:35:48,570 Thank you, Janice. And I want to take a moment to thank all three of you for serving on our committees because we need all the volunteers in our village who so steadfastly and for so many years work toward the betterment of our town for the 26,000 residents. 396 00:36:00,090 --> 00:36:02,410 I'll be very, very brief. 397 00:36:03,250 --> 00:36:08,810 I felt so good to see what has happened at the meeting today, 398 00:36:09,410 --> 00:36:12,030 the awards that went to the police officers. 399 00:36:13,170 --> 00:36:15,930 And the three words I have for you are, 400 00:36:16,970 --> 00:36:18,630 yes, regid works. 401 00:36:19,430 --> 00:36:22,150 Thanks to the five of you and to Keith. 402 00:36:22,690 --> 00:36:23,490 Let me repeat myself. 403 00:36:24,070 --> 00:36:25,310 Yes, regid works. 404 00:36:25,310 --> 00:36:33,390 You should be very proud of you and you have the appreciation of this somewhat senior citizen, 405 00:36:33,610 --> 00:36:33,910 if you will. 406 00:36:34,430 --> 00:36:35,290 Thank you very much. 407 00:36:35,990 --> 00:36:36,990 Thank you, Rourke. 408 00:36:48,530 --> 00:36:53,110 I am Brendan Corkin, Captain Ridgewood Fire Department, and father of fifth-generation 409 00:36:53,110 --> 00:36:53,870 Ridgewood residents. 410 00:36:55,170 --> 00:36:59,710 I'm here in support of the Fire Department budget, as Chief Judge introduced. 411 00:37:00,630 --> 00:37:07,510 I came just to highlight a few select line items as somebody was in charge of safety and operations. 412 00:37:08,190 --> 00:37:09,810 I found it particularly important. 413 00:37:11,210 --> 00:37:17,210 In this budget, we're requesting $350,000 to add to the sinking fund for a new fire engine. 414 00:37:18,370 --> 00:37:21,710 Our backup engine, Engine 3.3, is a 2003 pumper. 415 00:37:22,570 --> 00:37:24,110 It's already passed its 20-year mark. 416 00:37:24,110 --> 00:37:30,870 Engines are generally considered first line for 15 years and a backup for five years and they should be replaced. 417 00:37:31,630 --> 00:37:35,590 We've already had some operational difficulties with that engine and it needs to be replaced. 418 00:37:36,430 --> 00:37:42,370 We're looking at a two to three year delivery if we ordered the engine today. 419 00:37:42,970 --> 00:37:46,870 And what used to cost $4,000 for an engine is now $1.1 to $1.3 million. 420 00:37:47,710 --> 00:37:50,650 Excuse me. $1.1 to $1.3 million. 421 00:37:50,650 --> 00:37:53,970 dollars and that goes up every year, so I think we need to stay on top of that. 422 00:37:56,510 --> 00:38:01,970 Secondly, $110,000 to replace the frontline command vehicle for the officer in charge. 423 00:38:03,270 --> 00:38:05,410 The lifespan on these are typically five to six years. 424 00:38:05,530 --> 00:38:06,450 We're already at seven years. 425 00:38:07,770 --> 00:38:10,830 Even if we order that today, we will not receive it to the end of 2026. 426 00:38:11,050 --> 00:38:12,890 And as we know, prices are also going up on that. 427 00:38:15,310 --> 00:38:17,070 $20,000 for firefighter gear. 428 00:38:17,070 --> 00:38:22,570 year. The NFPA, the National Fire Protection Association, requires that Firefighter Giga 429 00:38:22,570 --> 00:38:26,710 be replaced every 10 years. We have several people elapsing that. We've been replacing 430 00:38:26,710 --> 00:38:33,150 that as we go. They are now a full set of helmet, glove coats, pants, hood, and boots 431 00:38:33,150 --> 00:38:38,370 is now over $4,000. The vast majority of the purchases we've made over the years on 432 00:38:38,370 --> 00:38:43,510 this has been subsidized by grants, so there's just a small portion of it. And 433 00:38:43,510 --> 00:38:47,850 That extra money is to take us over the top to get everybody up to code for safety. 434 00:38:50,210 --> 00:38:57,570 Lastly, the signal department requested $200,000 to replace the two of the HVA systems at Fire Headquarters. 435 00:38:59,490 --> 00:39:02,210 Two of these systems are original to the building in 1987. 436 00:39:02,930 --> 00:39:05,050 One is already broken. It is not currently working. 437 00:39:05,590 --> 00:39:07,090 They have to see if it's even repairable. 438 00:39:07,610 --> 00:39:10,450 And the second one is probably on its last legs being the same age. 439 00:39:12,490 --> 00:39:16,030 I had a meeting last week with the chief and the single department. 440 00:39:16,430 --> 00:39:22,090 We are coordinating with PEC and G. There are some grant programs where they install systems 441 00:39:22,090 --> 00:39:24,470 and be able to subsidize some of the costs. 442 00:39:24,610 --> 00:39:29,230 We are looking at that so hopefully we can come it down, but the systems are dysfunctional 443 00:39:29,230 --> 00:39:29,830 and need to be replaced. 444 00:39:32,230 --> 00:39:33,550 Thank you, Captain Corcoran. 445 00:39:34,390 --> 00:39:39,070 On behalf of the council, I want to thank you and the generations of Corcorans who 446 00:39:39,070 --> 00:39:42,110 have served and protected the residents of this village. 447 00:39:42,470 --> 00:39:43,210 Thank you so much. 448 00:39:45,890 --> 00:39:47,990 Cynthia O'Keefe, Ridgewood resident. 449 00:39:49,250 --> 00:39:51,850 I think there are so many things in our community 450 00:39:51,850 --> 00:39:53,710 that we can really be proud of. 451 00:39:53,810 --> 00:39:57,310 Tonight was a shining example that our police 452 00:39:57,310 --> 00:40:03,130 and in my opinion fire and people who serve and give 453 00:40:03,130 --> 00:40:07,610 of themselves, it's an amazing contribution 454 00:40:07,610 --> 00:40:08,790 to our community. 455 00:40:09,770 --> 00:40:18,990 But while we, you know, give all these proclamations like you did tonight, I wonder what's really 456 00:40:18,990 --> 00:40:21,810 going on because it seems very hypocritical to me. 457 00:40:22,530 --> 00:40:28,630 They sound great on paper, just like a resume might sound, you know, the person might look 458 00:40:28,630 --> 00:40:34,530 like a superstar, but maybe when you dig a little deeper you realize that there's 459 00:40:34,530 --> 00:40:35,870 something underneath those layers. 460 00:40:36,430 --> 00:40:42,770 What I mean by that is, so you had the Arbor Day tree planting for the month of April, 461 00:40:43,290 --> 00:40:50,090 and that we're a tree city, USA, but yet with the Shedler plan, you're planning to cut down those trees. 462 00:40:50,970 --> 00:40:52,950 You will pull them all out of the ground. 463 00:40:53,490 --> 00:40:59,610 Our neighborhood, we depend on that green barrier, the green canopy that separates us from Route 17. 464 00:41:00,070 --> 00:41:00,690 You know that. 465 00:41:00,890 --> 00:41:02,030 We've said that many times. 466 00:41:02,030 --> 00:41:06,910 Many neighbors have shown up here, and yet you march forward, and this is still your proposed plan. 467 00:41:07,950 --> 00:41:13,310 Clean water is also a theme for Earth Day, which is April 27th. 468 00:41:14,870 --> 00:41:19,290 You know, you read a proclamation tonight about National Drinking Water Week. 469 00:41:20,330 --> 00:41:26,730 This is the height of hypocrisy. You know there are private wells that are on that property line at Shedler, 470 00:41:26,730 --> 00:41:32,270 and yet you're talking about putting artificial turf on that property that has PFAS in it. 471 00:41:32,730 --> 00:41:38,070 And Ridgewood Water is currently engaged in a multi-million dollar lawsuit about PFAS. 472 00:41:38,530 --> 00:41:39,810 You can't have it both ways. 473 00:41:40,910 --> 00:41:45,790 So, you know, I'd like for some smart thinking, we talk about safety and security. 474 00:41:46,350 --> 00:41:47,370 What about our safety? 475 00:41:48,110 --> 00:41:49,270 What about the neighbors? 476 00:41:49,750 --> 00:41:52,790 You look at all of us in our faces and you call us your friends. 477 00:41:53,530 --> 00:41:54,130 But are we? 478 00:41:55,090 --> 00:41:58,450 It's very hypocritical to me. I don't understand it. 479 00:41:59,150 --> 00:42:07,810 You went on and on about frustrated as an understatement, said village manager Keith Kazmark about the federal funds being taken away from Ridgewood, 480 00:42:08,130 --> 00:42:14,370 because I believe it was, you won an award, Mayor's Wellness Campaign, Healthy Town 2024. 481 00:42:15,290 --> 00:42:21,950 This is the giant fuchsia elephant in the room if you are planning on doing terrible things to the Shedler property. 482 00:42:21,950 --> 00:42:30,850 We have asked you time and time again to take neighborhood considerations and really dig deep. 483 00:42:31,650 --> 00:42:36,370 Use your moral compass. I haven't seen one change and you will march forward 484 00:42:36,370 --> 00:42:41,730 and you will remove the contaminated soil as quickly as you can, I am sure, right? 485 00:42:42,750 --> 00:42:48,270 And then, post steam ahead without any consideration to what that neighborhood has asked you for. 486 00:42:49,390 --> 00:42:52,690 It's shocking to me that you can sit here and read these proclamations. 487 00:42:53,170 --> 00:42:56,190 It's very hypocritical that you're talking about clean water, 488 00:42:56,510 --> 00:42:58,010 and you know what you're doing to that neighborhood. 489 00:42:58,330 --> 00:43:03,910 I'm sorry, I don't agree with any of your, you know, your plans to march forward with that property. 490 00:43:04,810 --> 00:43:07,930 And Chabon, you know, so disappointed, the Fields Committee, 491 00:43:08,210 --> 00:43:12,250 you've got two cases full of artificial turf, it's just a slap in the face. 492 00:43:12,710 --> 00:43:16,990 I really think the community needs to get smart about being Green Ridgewood. 493 00:43:16,990 --> 00:43:19,930 Are we walking the talk? I don't think so. Thank you. 494 00:43:20,530 --> 00:43:21,410 Thank you, Cynthia. 495 00:43:29,860 --> 00:43:36,000 Good evening. Bob Furman, a Ridgewood resident, 35 years plus. 496 00:43:36,640 --> 00:43:39,680 I will not commit to those extra years. 497 00:43:40,020 --> 00:43:45,620 As a former longtime member of the Citizen Safety Advisory Committee, 498 00:43:46,340 --> 00:43:49,600 I'm here to support the bond ordinance, 499 00:43:50,620 --> 00:44:00,640 which includes a continued commitment to the safety in the village, the street paving, the bump-outs, the sidewalk additions. 500 00:44:00,880 --> 00:44:02,900 All of these things are just wonderful things. 501 00:44:03,600 --> 00:44:11,540 And these programs with village safety involved, this council has done an excellent job in 2024, 502 00:44:12,140 --> 00:44:17,420 and I just encourage you to continue going forward in that direction in 2025. 503 00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:18,700 Thank you. 504 00:44:19,200 --> 00:44:19,900 Thank you, Bob. 505 00:44:22,420 --> 00:44:23,300 Anyone else from the audience? 506 00:44:25,680 --> 00:44:27,020 Seeing none, we'll go to our 507 00:44:27,020 --> 00:44:30,860 residents on hybrid access. Jen Williams, you're up. 508 00:44:40,300 --> 00:44:40,760 You there, Jen? 509 00:44:44,750 --> 00:44:45,130 We're 510 00:44:45,130 --> 00:44:45,670 working on it. 511 00:44:57,240 --> 00:44:58,780 We should be good. Are you there, Jen? 512 00:45:02,190 --> 00:45:03,710 And yet somehow we are not. 513 00:45:07,400 --> 00:45:08,960 Hang on, we're working this out. 514 00:45:15,450 --> 00:45:17,250 We need to play the Jeopardy music or something. 515 00:45:40,030 --> 00:45:41,470 Jen, let's give that another try. 516 00:46:15,970 --> 00:46:16,530 Try again? 517 00:46:20,200 --> 00:46:20,340 Jen? 518 00:46:20,560 --> 00:46:21,380 Jen, you there? 519 00:46:23,200 --> 00:46:28,940 Okay, we have a workaround that we did last week and we're going to try it again. 520 00:46:29,560 --> 00:46:30,560 Hang on one second. 521 00:46:32,900 --> 00:46:35,140 Jen, grab your cell phone. 522 00:46:37,020 --> 00:46:38,980 Paul, do you have everybody's phone number in there? 523 00:46:38,980 --> 00:46:39,740 No, I didn't. 524 00:46:39,980 --> 00:46:40,480 How does that work? 525 00:46:41,000 --> 00:46:42,420 It's like a Ridgid Director. 526 00:46:42,540 --> 00:46:43,740 It's an NSA thing. 527 00:46:44,000 --> 00:46:44,660 I got you. 528 00:46:50,900 --> 00:46:51,440 Hi, Jen. 529 00:46:54,190 --> 00:46:54,610 Okay. 530 00:46:54,890 --> 00:46:55,630 We are all set. 531 00:46:57,230 --> 00:46:57,650 Okay. 532 00:46:59,580 --> 00:47:01,600 I'm getting a little echo, so I'm sorry if I'm distracted. 533 00:47:02,340 --> 00:47:03,350 I wanted to... 534 00:47:04,060 --> 00:47:04,680 So I'm Jen Williams. 535 00:47:05,000 --> 00:47:09,040 I am a resident of Ridgewood for eight years now, or seven, I guess. 536 00:47:09,540 --> 00:47:11,920 And I just wanted to thank the council for their good work, 537 00:47:11,920 --> 00:47:14,460 and specifically building on what you heard from Parks and Rec 538 00:47:14,460 --> 00:47:16,180 in the library, especially today. 539 00:47:16,180 --> 00:47:18,160 on when it comes to this idea of community 540 00:47:18,160 --> 00:47:21,480 and being compliant and making space for everyone 541 00:47:21,480 --> 00:47:22,360 to be able to enjoy. 542 00:47:23,260 --> 00:47:24,920 You know, we're part of a group at Ridge 543 00:47:24,920 --> 00:47:27,300 that is very interested in making our playground 544 00:47:27,300 --> 00:47:30,500 more accessible as a result of having 545 00:47:31,120 --> 00:47:32,740 an indoor accessible space there 546 00:47:32,740 --> 00:47:35,160 that students can use and celebrate 547 00:47:35,160 --> 00:47:36,880 and then we'd like that to be replicated outdoors. 548 00:47:37,100 --> 00:47:39,820 And I'm so, so encouraged by what you're doing 549 00:47:39,820 --> 00:47:42,240 is having an echo and being thoughtful 550 00:47:42,240 --> 00:47:47,980 about having an accessible space there as the play space for the kids. I just think that 551 00:47:47,980 --> 00:47:51,580 that's wonderful. And my hope for the town is that we continue to do that, that all parks, 552 00:47:51,780 --> 00:47:55,640 all schools include something like that, but just really gratitude for the consideration 553 00:47:55,640 --> 00:47:56,260 that you guys are giving. 554 00:47:59,540 --> 00:48:01,040 Great. Thank you so much, Jen. 555 00:48:13,180 --> 00:48:13,700 Go to the next guy. 556 00:48:13,980 --> 00:48:14,080 Yep. 557 00:48:14,600 --> 00:48:15,340 All right. 558 00:48:15,760 --> 00:48:16,140 Got him. 559 00:48:22,030 --> 00:48:23,410 I said I want to protest it. 560 00:48:23,650 --> 00:48:23,970 You did. 561 00:48:24,070 --> 00:48:24,410 You did. 562 00:48:25,830 --> 00:48:29,890 But you were the prototype on this last week, so you know how this drill goes. 563 00:48:29,890 --> 00:48:31,430 So go ahead. 564 00:48:32,290 --> 00:48:32,910 Thank you. 565 00:48:33,170 --> 00:48:33,750 Thank you. 566 00:48:33,830 --> 00:48:34,090 Denise Lima. 567 00:48:34,430 --> 00:48:34,810 Denise Lima. 568 00:48:35,630 --> 00:48:36,490 Do you hear or not go? 569 00:48:36,630 --> 00:48:37,010 Are you okay? 570 00:48:37,130 --> 00:48:37,630 Are you okay? 571 00:48:37,950 --> 00:48:38,910 We hear a little bit. 572 00:48:39,050 --> 00:48:40,590 I think we'll be fine. 573 00:48:41,750 --> 00:48:42,010 Okay. 574 00:48:42,830 --> 00:48:43,870 Denise Lima. 575 00:48:44,090 --> 00:48:45,730 Ridgewood resident for 15 years. 576 00:48:46,470 --> 00:48:48,370 Thank you for all the awards to the police. 577 00:48:48,930 --> 00:48:50,210 Unbelievable gratitude. 578 00:48:50,970 --> 00:48:53,790 And then protecting the residents fire department. 579 00:48:54,290 --> 00:48:56,570 That was a great moment earlier today. 580 00:48:56,570 --> 00:49:04,610 A few items, I heard several of the minutes being approved, but there's about 20 that 581 00:49:04,610 --> 00:49:10,030 are still missing, so maybe there's about 15 missing still from the website. 582 00:49:10,530 --> 00:49:16,050 So I think there's, if someone can just let me know when those are going to get up there. 583 00:49:17,190 --> 00:49:23,530 I also don't see on the Village website the budget, the intro to the budget for 2025. 584 00:49:23,530 --> 00:49:30,990 25 usually there's a resident friendly version for people to see from a transparency perspective 585 00:49:31,530 --> 00:49:37,890 and I looked under finance, news, projects, a Bruni site and I don't see anything there. 586 00:49:38,790 --> 00:49:43,930 So how best to get a hold of that so the residents can see what's kind of going on. 587 00:49:45,350 --> 00:49:52,210 I would echo a little bit of what was mentioned earlier about the proclamation about national 588 00:49:52,210 --> 00:49:59,590 drinking water, when in fact the quarterly report that came out from Ridgewood Water clearly 589 00:49:59,590 --> 00:50:06,750 states and I'm just reading from the notification that in the first quarter of 2025, we exceed 590 00:50:06,750 --> 00:50:15,610 it, Ridgewood exceed it, both the PFOA and the PFAS from the state. And that's going 591 00:50:15,610 --> 00:50:20,470 on almost 10 years now consecutively. It's not just a one-time thing. So I don't 592 00:50:20,470 --> 00:50:26,290 understand how in our good conscience we can have a proclamation about national drinking water. 593 00:50:27,070 --> 00:50:32,770 So I don't know if that's hypocritical. I don't, I don't, effectively I just don't know how we 594 00:50:32,770 --> 00:50:34,230 we can stand up and say that. 595 00:50:36,990 --> 00:50:40,910 And I see in tonight's agenda there's a grant from a 527 596 00:50:41,450 --> 00:50:47,370 on the train trestle. That's great. But I think there's some residents' costs 597 00:50:48,410 --> 00:50:56,130 We're matching an explanation that when you get to that section would be great so we understand how much we're going to be paying out of that. 598 00:50:56,870 --> 00:51:11,830 I also saw on the agenda, I believe at 535 each region would have an opportunity for us to actually buy the easement or I'm not sure exactly what we're doing with that easement. 599 00:51:12,670 --> 00:51:15,690 But that's the right of way that's near the flooding. 600 00:51:15,690 --> 00:51:23,650 So, if we acquire that land, what are the impacts to the cost that the New Jersey Army 601 00:51:23,650 --> 00:51:28,710 Corp. and Engineering would be paying on future maintenance and grants related to flooding 602 00:51:29,210 --> 00:51:31,550 if we now take on that section of the easement? 603 00:51:32,250 --> 00:51:34,750 And so, I don't know if anybody's kind of thought about that. 604 00:51:35,310 --> 00:51:37,830 And I don't know if there's a follow-up on fleet. 605 00:51:38,830 --> 00:51:43,550 Keith, I think we said there would be maybe a presentation on our fleet management, 606 00:51:43,550 --> 00:51:51,030 But in today's agenda, we're spending another $60,000 for trucks for the parks, another 607 00:51:51,030 --> 00:51:59,170 $523,000 for two trucks for sanitation, I saw a $2 million number for more trucks. 608 00:51:59,790 --> 00:52:04,450 So I just, I think we need to, I like a follow-up on when that presentation might 609 00:52:04,450 --> 00:52:04,570 be. 610 00:52:05,370 --> 00:52:06,170 Thank you. 611 00:52:07,190 --> 00:52:08,030 Thank you, Denise. 612 00:52:09,430 --> 00:52:13,870 And I am being told that we should be all set with our technologies. 613 00:52:14,950 --> 00:52:17,150 So Jeannie Johnson, you are up. 614 00:52:20,370 --> 00:52:20,910 You're on mute. 615 00:52:21,370 --> 00:52:21,730 There we go. 616 00:52:22,670 --> 00:52:23,070 Hi. 617 00:52:23,630 --> 00:52:24,110 Good evening, everybody. 618 00:52:24,370 --> 00:52:26,830 I'm Jeannie Johnson, 325, Massed in Place. 619 00:52:27,730 --> 00:52:29,890 I've lived there for almost 22 years. 620 00:52:30,170 --> 00:52:34,210 And first of all, I'd like to express my sincere, like everybody else, my sincere 621 00:52:34,210 --> 00:52:41,070 appreciation for the proposed pedestrian safety upgrades included in the bond ordinance. 622 00:52:41,850 --> 00:52:46,090 It was about 20 years ago, I was the grant writer for the first round of that equipment 623 00:52:46,090 --> 00:52:48,890 like flashers and speed radar signs. 624 00:52:49,550 --> 00:52:56,310 And I've witnessed firsthand how effective those measures were in promoting driver awareness 625 00:52:56,310 --> 00:53:02,050 and enhancing pedestrian safety throughout the village, particularly in front of BF 626 00:53:02,050 --> 00:53:05,050 and Trevelle and in front of Ridge School. 627 00:53:05,450 --> 00:53:08,950 So it's encouraging to see that Ridgewood 628 00:53:08,950 --> 00:53:13,110 is continuing to prioritize all of those critical 629 00:53:13,110 --> 00:53:16,350 improvements, and I am especially impressed 630 00:53:16,350 --> 00:53:19,710 with the proposed renovation of the pedestrian tunnel. 631 00:53:21,210 --> 00:53:24,150 Excuse me, the plans to repair the facade 632 00:53:24,150 --> 00:53:26,350 and upgrade the ventilation and lighting, 633 00:53:26,650 --> 00:53:29,790 install security cameras, and hopefully add 634 00:53:29,790 --> 00:53:36,830 welcoming artwork are all really thoughtful and strategic steps that will make the tunnel 635 00:53:36,830 --> 00:53:43,130 a lot safer and much more inviting. And it'll be a great connection between the East and 636 00:53:43,130 --> 00:53:49,230 West Village. Excuse me, this tunnel has the potential really to become more than just 637 00:53:49,230 --> 00:53:55,430 a passageway. It's going to be a bright, artful and secure, mostly secure part 638 00:53:55,430 --> 00:53:57,890 part of our community and infrastructure. 639 00:53:58,790 --> 00:54:04,390 So by encouraging more schoolchildren families and shoppers to use the tunnel, we're going 640 00:54:04,390 --> 00:54:09,230 to make it easier for more – excuse me – we're going to make it more appealing 641 00:54:09,230 --> 00:54:11,830 to travel between the east and west sides. 642 00:54:12,170 --> 00:54:17,210 So this is going to increase a lot of foot traffic and it'll support small businesses 643 00:54:17,210 --> 00:54:22,330 in the central business district, ultimately boosting the entire economy – our local 644 00:54:22,330 --> 00:54:22,770 economy. 645 00:54:22,770 --> 00:54:28,690 So it's not just a safety initiative, it's also an economic and community building one. 646 00:54:29,050 --> 00:54:35,270 So investing in these enhancements is truly an investment in our future, which is a future 647 00:54:35,270 --> 00:54:40,830 where Ridgewood remains a walkable, vibrant and welcoming place to live, work and play. 648 00:54:40,930 --> 00:54:46,930 And finally, I want to thank all of you council members and the countless number 649 00:54:46,930 --> 00:54:53,470 of volunteers and the village manager for your vision, your leadership, and your continued 650 00:54:53,470 --> 00:54:56,210 commitment to making Ridgewood the best it can be. 651 00:54:56,730 --> 00:55:02,630 I really do look forward to seeing these proposals in the bond ordinance become a reality and 652 00:55:02,630 --> 00:55:05,490 to, again, watching Ridgewood continue to thrive. 653 00:55:05,590 --> 00:55:10,490 And, of course, I'm pleased as punch that funds are being set aside for more park 654 00:55:10,490 --> 00:55:12,830 walks because they are a treasure. 655 00:55:12,830 --> 00:55:18,390 And I'd also like to acknowledge our police officers and firefighters for their good work as well. 656 00:55:18,550 --> 00:55:23,910 And I finally just want to say we are so lucky to live in such a beautiful community. 657 00:55:24,090 --> 00:55:27,250 So thanks to all for making it so amen. 658 00:55:28,410 --> 00:55:31,930 Thank you, Jeannie, and thank you for all the good work that you do for our community. 659 00:55:32,710 --> 00:55:34,090 Next up, Jamie Davis. 660 00:55:37,690 --> 00:55:40,530 Good evening. How's everybody? Jamie Davis. 661 00:55:40,530 --> 00:55:43,550 Mr. Ridgwood was president for, now I have to do math, 662 00:55:43,790 --> 00:55:48,750 10 plus years I think, just wanted to thank the council 663 00:55:48,750 --> 00:55:51,850 for the financial support for the playground 664 00:55:51,850 --> 00:55:55,990 at Habernickle, I also should mention I'm the chair 665 00:55:55,990 --> 00:55:59,210 of Access Ridgwood, and I just wanted to say 666 00:55:59,770 --> 00:56:03,410 the mission of Access is voices at the village 667 00:56:03,410 --> 00:56:05,730 of Ridgwood is committed to providing its residents 668 00:56:05,730 --> 00:56:08,130 and visitors with a community that is always welcoming, 669 00:56:08,130 --> 00:56:10,030 becoming always inclusive and always accessible. 670 00:56:10,690 --> 00:56:14,370 To that end, we take great care to help those with special needs get the attention, services 671 00:56:14,370 --> 00:56:16,570 and programs that they need, want and deserve. 672 00:56:17,170 --> 00:56:22,350 And I think it's just important to thank you for putting in your money where your mouth 673 00:56:22,350 --> 00:56:27,290 is because I think the initiative of the accessible playground at Habernickle is 674 00:56:27,290 --> 00:56:28,050 doing just that. 675 00:56:28,890 --> 00:56:33,550 You know, at a recent access meeting, we had Katie Frye and the contractor working 676 00:56:33,550 --> 00:56:39,310 on the playground come, and it was incredible to hear all the thought that's going into 677 00:56:39,310 --> 00:56:45,290 that playground, and we really enjoyed that because it really is so important to have these 678 00:56:45,290 --> 00:56:49,450 accessible and inclusive play spaces for not just the children who will use them, but 679 00:56:49,450 --> 00:56:54,030 for their families who would otherwise miss out, and also important for all the other 680 00:56:54,030 --> 00:56:59,710 children who may not need those accommodations to play with their neighbors and friends 681 00:56:59,710 --> 00:57:05,710 with disabilities and special needs. So I really praise the village for doing that and look 682 00:57:05,710 --> 00:57:12,090 forward to seeing that playground through and of course having access be involved in partnering 683 00:57:12,090 --> 00:57:17,910 with the village on additional playgrounds that might come to fruition. So thank you 684 00:57:17,910 --> 00:57:23,590 and voicing my support for all that happened in the village but with this call in particular 685 00:57:23,590 --> 00:57:28,370 the playground which is so important and it's going to benefit so many people. So thank you. 686 00:57:28,370 --> 00:57:43,510 Thank you, Jamie, and as I said before, for other members of our community serving on our committees, we thank you so much for shining a light on our special needs, members of our community, and working on the Access Committee. 687 00:57:44,970 --> 00:57:45,850 Anyone else? 688 00:57:48,400 --> 00:57:52,560 Seeing no one, I'm going to close public comment, and we will go to our manager's report. 689 00:57:52,560 --> 00:57:54,300 Mayor, before I move to the next... 690 00:57:54,300 --> 00:57:55,400 Excuse me, yes, we... 691 00:57:55,400 --> 00:57:55,660 Sorry. 692 00:57:55,820 --> 00:57:57,500 Forgive me, getting ahead of myself. 693 00:57:57,940 --> 00:58:04,100 Does anybody want to comment on any of the questions or issues raised at public comment tonight? 694 00:58:04,380 --> 00:58:06,440 I just have a few points of clarification if I may. 695 00:58:06,540 --> 00:58:06,840 Thank you. 696 00:58:07,180 --> 00:58:12,180 First, I want to echo the Mayor's statements to all of the volunteers who came out tonight 697 00:58:12,180 --> 00:58:18,060 who spoke on hybrid about this budget and about our capital bond ordinance that's set to be adopted tonight. 698 00:58:18,680 --> 00:58:19,760 I too want to thank you. 699 00:58:19,760 --> 00:58:24,740 As I say often, the engagement in the village of Ridgewood when it comes to volunteers and 700 00:58:24,740 --> 00:58:29,460 people who step up to lead in this community, I've been a few other places and it is second 701 00:58:29,460 --> 00:58:30,580 to none here in the village. 702 00:58:30,840 --> 00:58:32,280 So I just want to commend you for that. 703 00:58:32,800 --> 00:58:38,800 I do want to just make a few remarks regarding Ms. O'Keefe's comments. 704 00:58:39,640 --> 00:58:44,500 First of all, Cynthia, I just want to clarify, you know, the Shade Tree Commission has 705 00:58:44,500 --> 00:58:51,580 has invested and advocated or asked this council to invest through their advocacy to plant hundreds 706 00:58:51,580 --> 00:58:56,800 and hundreds of trees in this village. I don't think there's another community in North Jersey 707 00:58:57,260 --> 00:59:04,440 that makes the type of investment in the planting and irrigation of trees anywhere around here. 708 00:59:05,200 --> 00:59:10,980 So to use the word hypocritical, I think it's a little strong. While I can respect 709 00:59:10,980 --> 00:59:16,260 respect your position and I always have on the development of the Shedler site. I also 710 00:59:16,260 --> 00:59:22,000 think it's a little strong to say that it's a terrible thing to develop a park for children 711 00:59:22,000 --> 00:59:28,900 and families to play in here in the village. So with respect and well again I don't appreciate 712 00:59:28,900 --> 00:59:35,080 being scoffed at but especially when I led the comment with all due respect. As Councilman 713 00:59:35,080 --> 00:59:38,960 Councilman Whites has said from this day as many, many times, you know, we, excuse me. 714 00:59:40,880 --> 00:59:45,480 As Councilman Whites has said from this day as many times, you know, just because there's 715 00:59:45,480 --> 00:59:50,940 a disagreement amongst what should happen with this property, it should never become personal, 716 00:59:51,660 --> 00:59:56,160 it should never become combative, and it should never become mean. 717 00:59:56,580 --> 00:59:59,720 But at the end of the day, you know, the, the... 718 01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:04,480 Investment that I've been directed to guide here, and you'll see it in the budget presentation 719 01:00:04,480 --> 01:00:10,720 tonight, is to develop a park on that property. A park. Not a strip mall, not a gas station, 720 01:00:10,860 --> 01:00:17,140 not a billboard, but a park. So again, I just think it's strong language to say that that's 721 01:00:17,140 --> 01:00:22,360 a terrible thing. In addition to that, you talked about PFAS. I just want to remind 722 01:00:22,360 --> 01:00:25,840 the public, and I think it's worth repeating, you know, Rich Calby and I have reached 723 01:00:25,840 --> 01:00:30,240 out to you and reached out to your neighbors on at least two occasions. I know we had a 724 01:00:30,240 --> 01:00:35,800 meeting on this as well. And there always is that invitation, which I like to reiterate, 725 01:00:36,440 --> 01:00:41,120 for you and your neighbors to talk to us about hooking up to Ridgewood Water. I think 726 01:00:41,120 --> 01:00:46,360 there are ways that we can work together to accomplish that goal. And if you and 727 01:00:46,360 --> 01:00:50,420 your neighbors, you know, abandoned your wells and signed up to Ridgewood Water, 728 01:00:50,420 --> 01:01:07,180 At the end of 2026, we are going to be providing PFOS free water, undetectable levels due to the $150 million investment that this community is making to deliver PFOS free water throughout the Bridgewood Water Service Area. 729 01:01:07,320 --> 01:01:13,360 And I just think it's important to say to Denise, one, the budget will not be posted until tomorrow. 730 01:01:13,360 --> 01:01:20,640 We can't post the budget until the council has introduced it, so that action will most likely happen tonight. 731 01:01:21,000 --> 01:01:25,760 And then Bob Bruni and his team in the finance department will post the budget for all to review. 732 01:01:26,440 --> 01:01:34,720 I too want to say to Denise with regard to the PFAS investment, I don't think the word hypocritical is appropriate. 733 01:01:35,440 --> 01:01:41,820 Prior council allocated $150 million to invest in these PFAS treatment facilities. 734 01:01:42,440 --> 01:01:49,540 That is the reason that this village and Ridgewood Water was presented with an award from the 735 01:01:49,540 --> 01:01:51,740 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. 736 01:01:52,260 --> 01:01:56,740 It's one of the reasons that we celebrate by the proclamation tonight this investment. 737 01:01:57,120 --> 01:02:01,660 And you're right, you are going to get six or seven additional quarterly notices that 738 01:02:01,660 --> 01:02:02,760 the DEP requires. 739 01:02:03,180 --> 01:02:09,280 But keep in mind that it is a consent order with the DEP that requires us to build 740 01:02:09,280 --> 01:02:10,540 out these treatment facilities. 741 01:02:10,540 --> 01:02:17,800 And that process will be done in 2026, and you will no longer receive those quarterly notices 742 01:02:17,800 --> 01:02:22,180 because the water we deliver to the customers of Ridgewood Water will be PFOS-free. 743 01:02:22,760 --> 01:02:28,860 In addition to the easement that you discussed, that too is to build out one of our PFOS facilities. 744 01:02:29,600 --> 01:02:33,200 Certainly, if you have questions about that, feel free to email Rich Calvi. 745 01:02:33,320 --> 01:02:36,780 I'm sure he'll be happy to fill you in on the necessity for that easement. 746 01:02:37,500 --> 01:02:46,940 New Jersey Transit. We talked last week, we met out there, we were in the process of working with them to try to get them to clean up underneath the train trestle at Franklin Avenue. 747 01:02:47,360 --> 01:02:56,720 The mayor is actually going to author a letter to New Jersey Transit making that request with a scope of work that's being prepared by the Village Engineering Department as we speak. 748 01:02:57,180 --> 01:03:04,980 And lastly, we are going to do a fleet management presentation to the council. I asked Rich after the last council meeting to start to prepare for that. 749 01:03:04,980 --> 01:03:09,260 But I will tell you that the vehicles, if you listen to the work session, 750 01:03:09,620 --> 01:03:12,820 the vehicles that are being proposed to be purchased by the various divisions 751 01:03:12,820 --> 01:03:16,360 throughout the village, those are replacement vehicles, 752 01:03:16,800 --> 01:03:18,440 and large part replacement vehicles. 753 01:03:18,720 --> 01:03:21,320 Just like your car, eventually you have to replace it, 754 01:03:21,620 --> 01:03:23,040 we have to replace the fleet, 755 01:03:23,300 --> 01:03:26,840 and we've gotten to a very successful, in my opinion, 756 01:03:27,380 --> 01:03:29,920 turnover schedule when it comes to police vehicles. 757 01:03:30,220 --> 01:03:31,920 And one thing you'll see in the budget tonight, 758 01:03:31,920 --> 01:03:38,200 There's no capital request for police cars. That's something that I asked the chief to work with me on when I first arrived here 759 01:03:38,200 --> 01:03:44,780 We're now budgeting for all of our police vehicles through lease agreements rather than spending capital 760 01:03:46,060 --> 01:03:50,740 To fulfill the police fleet and we'll continue to do that moving forward. That's all I have there 761 01:03:53,480 --> 01:03:59,380 Sure, I'll be somewhat quick and I'm sorry to be somewhat repetitive, but you beat me to an actually wrote some stuff down before you spoke 762 01:03:59,380 --> 01:04:04,600 So I, too, want to thank all the wonderful volunteers and police and fire that were here tonight. 763 01:04:04,720 --> 01:04:09,180 You can't thank them enough, so I'm not going to stop thanking them, but I appreciate everyone coming tonight. 764 01:04:09,680 --> 01:04:13,600 But I do think, respectfully, Cynthia, you know, terrible things was a bit of an overt statement. 765 01:04:14,060 --> 01:04:18,080 To be clear, especially for folks that may not be familiar with the issue that we're doing tonight, 766 01:04:18,720 --> 01:04:22,540 over 15 years ago, the Village of Ridgewood stopped that property from being developed 767 01:04:22,540 --> 01:04:24,520 and it was likely to be a strip ball on Route 17. 768 01:04:25,180 --> 01:04:27,700 We heard the neighbors, or our predecessors heard the neighbors, 769 01:04:27,700 --> 01:04:32,640 did the right thing and stopped that property from being developed into commercial property along Route 17 770 01:04:32,640 --> 01:04:37,200 so that our neighbors on that side of town would not have to look at the back of a dumpster or the back of a 7-11. 771 01:04:37,880 --> 01:04:42,100 When the property was purchased, it was for the express use of the entire village 772 01:04:42,100 --> 01:04:44,320 and to build a full-size baseball diamond there. 773 01:04:45,000 --> 01:04:49,640 And to be clear, there was a plan that was read upon by some of the neighbors in 2017 774 01:04:49,640 --> 01:04:52,560 that called for a medium-sized turf field. 775 01:04:53,080 --> 01:04:56,500 And what we're advocating for is a regulation-sized turf field. 776 01:04:57,020 --> 01:05:02,080 These are not terrible things. These are disagreements between good faith neighbors. 777 01:05:02,800 --> 01:05:06,440 So I do think it's a little bit of an overstatement, Cynthia, to say that these are terrible things. 778 01:05:06,820 --> 01:05:15,640 I just don't think that's fair. And especially for folks who are watching for the first time, it's just, you know, it's just, again, it's just not fair and not actually correct. 779 01:05:16,060 --> 01:05:25,360 I'd also point out, in regards to some of the other statements, we are voting, I think, it's several hundred thousand dollars worth of funding tonight for trees 780 01:05:25,360 --> 01:05:26,820 to be planted throughout the village. 781 01:05:27,240 --> 01:05:30,820 We are allocating $1.5 million to soil remediation 782 01:05:30,820 --> 01:05:32,960 to fix a problem that all of us inherited. 783 01:05:33,640 --> 01:05:35,280 None of us were here when that problem occurred, 784 01:05:35,340 --> 01:05:36,820 but we will be here when it is fixed. 785 01:05:37,520 --> 01:05:39,220 And that will be fixed very soon 786 01:05:39,740 --> 01:05:41,520 because of the support by Keith, 787 01:05:41,720 --> 01:05:43,980 the support by all the village council members 788 01:05:43,980 --> 01:05:45,940 to make sure that that property is remediated 789 01:05:45,940 --> 01:05:47,240 regardless of your opinion 790 01:05:47,240 --> 01:05:49,340 of whether there should be a full-size field 791 01:05:49,340 --> 01:05:51,560 or a medium-size field on that property. 792 01:05:52,160 --> 01:05:57,420 So again, I always appreciate everybody's involvement, but I do think that we should be a little 793 01:05:57,420 --> 01:05:59,640 more careful with how we describe our opponents' positions. 794 01:06:00,260 --> 01:06:03,800 And again, just want to thank everyone who did show up tonight, either in support or not, 795 01:06:03,920 --> 01:06:06,220 in support of the council, because all of you matter. 796 01:06:08,710 --> 01:06:10,070 So I'm going to start with Denise. 797 01:06:10,570 --> 01:06:15,030 The easement to answer your question will have no impact on flooding because it's underground. 798 01:06:15,510 --> 01:06:19,290 So it's not like an infrastructure, and we did ask those questions, 799 01:06:19,290 --> 01:06:23,010 and we're not concerned on any effect for future flooding. 800 01:06:23,750 --> 01:06:24,390 That's one. 801 01:06:26,210 --> 01:06:28,730 I, too, want to thank all the volunteers who showed up 802 01:06:28,730 --> 01:06:30,550 and advocated for their line-endives in the budget. 803 01:06:30,750 --> 01:06:32,570 Police and fire, thank you for being here 804 01:06:32,570 --> 01:06:33,550 and away from your families. 805 01:06:34,190 --> 01:06:36,530 I personally don't take things very personal 806 01:06:36,530 --> 01:06:38,750 about a project that's gone on for 15 years. 807 01:06:39,270 --> 01:06:41,350 What I do take personally and I want to remind the community 808 01:06:41,350 --> 01:06:43,430 is I am the shade tree liaison. 809 01:06:43,890 --> 01:06:47,370 Liaison to seven neighbors and one high school junior 810 01:06:47,370 --> 01:06:53,530 who, since I've taken my seat, have advocated for trees, advocated for alternate sources of 811 01:06:53,530 --> 01:06:53,850 funding. 812 01:06:54,390 --> 01:06:55,150 Let's talk about that. 813 01:06:55,330 --> 01:06:59,610 Deputy Mayor Perron and I have donated considerable amounts from our stipend to trees. 814 01:07:00,070 --> 01:07:01,990 We're looking for alternate sources of revenue. 815 01:07:02,350 --> 01:07:05,850 We're looking for you to plant trees on your own property with your own money. 816 01:07:07,010 --> 01:07:11,330 I am not shade tree, but sadly, seven neighbors are and one high school junior. 817 01:07:11,830 --> 01:07:15,170 I just want to remind them that this year in the budget, there's 200 street trees. 818 01:07:15,170 --> 01:07:19,070 We are inspiring the Willard area to adopt 100 saplings. 819 01:07:19,670 --> 01:07:23,310 If you wish to come and say hi to us in a non-hippical way, 820 01:07:23,450 --> 01:07:28,110 we will be giving out 300 beautiful whips of red buds and dogwoods. 821 01:07:28,750 --> 01:07:31,350 So I want to thank Shaitree for all their advocacy. 822 01:07:31,750 --> 01:07:33,610 I know that, you know, because of their mind, 823 01:07:33,710 --> 01:07:35,550 they have been very intimate with this council 824 01:07:35,550 --> 01:07:37,310 and advocated very hard for that. 825 01:07:37,670 --> 01:07:39,230 Additionally, with respect to trees, 826 01:07:39,230 --> 01:07:43,130 is the Norway Maple is in Chedler. 827 01:07:43,230 --> 01:07:45,330 Over 100 of those trees are Norway Maple. 828 01:07:45,530 --> 01:07:49,230 We just highlighted them in our protective tree ordinance. 829 01:07:49,830 --> 01:07:51,650 The trees were always going to come down. 830 01:07:52,350 --> 01:07:53,610 The property was purchased. 831 01:07:53,850 --> 01:07:55,270 The tree removal was highlighted. 832 01:07:55,710 --> 01:07:56,570 This is not new. 833 01:07:56,830 --> 01:07:57,830 This is 2009. 834 01:07:58,770 --> 01:08:01,930 And when we talk about not listening to the neighbors, 835 01:08:02,230 --> 01:08:02,830 I want to be clear. 836 01:08:03,310 --> 01:08:04,610 The neighbors have asked for a house. 837 01:08:05,030 --> 01:08:07,270 It's $2.6 million house is there. 838 01:08:07,750 --> 01:08:08,770 Nobody wants the house now. 839 01:08:08,770 --> 01:08:12,890 the house has no shepherd so all the neighbors asked for the house we can't 840 01:08:12,890 --> 01:08:17,190 get anybody to partner with us on the house as for parking the plan has parking 841 01:08:17,190 --> 01:08:21,910 as for a playground it has has a playground as to have the gardens 842 01:08:21,910 --> 01:08:26,310 removed we remove the gardens the only thing with Shedler that is really 843 01:08:26,310 --> 01:08:31,070 debated over and over again is turf and the size and we voted on it and 844 01:08:31,070 --> 01:08:34,850 with respect to the statement of a suitcase of turf as many of you know 845 01:08:34,850 --> 01:08:40,290 Pam and I have met with multiple vendors to explore eco-friendly turf, which is a good thing. 846 01:08:40,470 --> 01:08:44,090 If we're going to do turf, which this council is wedded to through a vote, 847 01:08:44,450 --> 01:08:47,150 we're trying to find the most eco-responsible turf. 848 01:08:47,630 --> 01:08:51,330 We've also offered to share that information at the Fields Committee. 849 01:08:51,670 --> 01:08:56,610 So the Board of Ed is having discussions about potentially turfing other areas, 850 01:08:56,810 --> 01:09:03,970 and I said I happen to have a suitcase full of the turf samples that Deputy Mayor and I provided. 851 01:09:03,970 --> 01:09:07,670 So when those things are said, I don't want people thinking I literally am carrying a suitcase 852 01:09:07,670 --> 01:09:12,430 around, but I literally have a suitcase that I offered to the Board of Ed because they 853 01:09:12,430 --> 01:09:14,390 are our friends and they are our partners. 854 01:09:15,790 --> 01:09:19,990 Again, I don't take things personally, but I think at this point, I think the whole 855 01:09:19,990 --> 01:09:26,250 entire community could say the 99.9% of the argument in Shedler is turf versus grass 856 01:09:26,250 --> 01:09:28,250 and small-sided versus varsity. 857 01:09:28,530 --> 01:09:30,250 If we could focus on that, that'd be great. 858 01:09:30,250 --> 01:09:35,790 And if we could focus on the other areas that anybody else wants, we're developing this park now. 859 01:09:36,150 --> 01:09:36,950 So that's it. 860 01:09:40,050 --> 01:09:47,990 I do think it's ironic that we are spending $150 million to clean PFAS out of our water system. 861 01:09:48,450 --> 01:09:54,090 And then we are putting a plastic carpet over an area that should be parkland. 862 01:09:54,610 --> 01:09:59,370 And that plastic degrades, ends up in our water system. 863 01:09:59,370 --> 01:10:10,050 By the way, the New Jersey League of Municipalities had an article in its magazine this week about plastic in our bodies. 864 01:10:11,030 --> 01:10:20,270 And we have about a plastic spoon's worth in our brains. This is what the League of Municipalities is telling us. 865 01:10:21,870 --> 01:10:33,950 So, and as I read that 2017 report, it didn't mandate artificial turf. 866 01:10:34,310 --> 01:10:38,330 It talked to the potential of artificial turf. 867 01:10:38,850 --> 01:10:44,990 Potential means maybe to me, but I realized that other people disagree with me. 868 01:10:44,990 --> 01:10:56,170 As to the easement on that property, it is necessary for the PFAS project to be completed. 869 01:10:56,990 --> 01:11:02,150 Keith mentioned the consent agreement with the DEP. 870 01:11:02,850 --> 01:11:09,030 We do need that property and it's not for the purpose of acquisition. 871 01:11:09,810 --> 01:11:11,730 It's for the purpose of use. 872 01:11:11,730 --> 01:11:14,610 We wouldn't be buying the property. 873 01:11:15,110 --> 01:11:20,710 We would be establishing an easement, which is use, 874 01:11:21,110 --> 01:11:22,850 and this is an underground use. 875 01:11:24,270 --> 01:11:29,550 So once the pipes would be installed, 876 01:11:29,990 --> 01:11:34,090 we would cover it back over and send it back to the surface use 877 01:11:34,090 --> 01:11:38,750 that the owner now is counting on for parking space. 878 01:11:39,590 --> 01:11:40,470 That's all I have. 879 01:11:41,490 --> 01:11:47,010 I just want to thank all the people that spoke in public comment, as Keith said, it's just 880 01:11:47,010 --> 01:11:54,070 so invigorating to see so much volunteerism in our village and that people who run the 881 01:11:54,070 --> 01:11:58,470 different committees that showed up to passion because they're fighting for what they believe 882 01:11:58,470 --> 01:12:02,110 in, for their committees, it's just great and I'm just really proud to serve such 883 01:12:02,110 --> 01:12:03,010 a wonderful community. 884 01:12:03,230 --> 01:12:04,530 So thanks to all that showed up today. 885 01:12:06,050 --> 01:12:07,390 Thanks everybody, all good? 886 01:12:08,950 --> 01:12:10,290 Let's get to it, Keith. 887 01:12:10,290 --> 01:12:15,430 Thank you, Mayor. First, I want to extend my congratulations to Sergeant Boucher and 888 01:12:15,430 --> 01:12:20,750 Sergeant DiBettadetto. I had the privilege to interview both of them on their promotions. 889 01:12:21,330 --> 01:12:26,190 Both were incredibly impressive, very dedicated and committed to the police work that is done 890 01:12:26,190 --> 01:12:31,190 here in the village of Ridgewood, and I just want to again congratulate them and 891 01:12:31,190 --> 01:12:35,970 thank the Chief for a strong recommendation on both candidates. This week, I had the 892 01:12:35,970 --> 01:12:40,410 opportunity to attend the Ridgewood Japanese Association luncheon and then 893 01:12:40,410 --> 01:12:44,450 today the Friends of the Library luncheon. I just want to thank both groups for the 894 01:12:44,450 --> 01:12:48,450 invitation. They were both tremendous experiences bringing the community 895 01:12:48,450 --> 01:12:52,750 together and I will tell you one thing the library can fill a room in Ridgewood 896 01:12:52,750 --> 01:12:57,750 New Jersey so congratulations to all of them. I want to congratulate Director 897 01:12:57,750 --> 01:13:02,530 Begos from our Parks and Recreation Division. We learned earlier this week 898 01:13:02,530 --> 01:13:17,030 that the Parks, the recreation department has been granted a $70,000 local recreation improvement grant from the Department of Community Affairs with the state of New Jersey for upgrades to the Graden skate park. 899 01:13:17,430 --> 01:13:28,890 So Nancy, I want to thank you and your team over at REC and Carol Balkowski who handles the grant management in my office for their work in this space and we look forward to improvements to the skate park very soon. 900 01:13:28,890 --> 01:13:34,290 I also want to address that over the weekend, there were a number of rumors out there about 901 01:13:34,290 --> 01:13:36,450 a potential school shooting at Ridgewood High School. 902 01:13:37,410 --> 01:13:41,350 As it turns out, thankfully, those rumors were unsubstantiated. 903 01:13:41,730 --> 01:13:47,070 But I do want to thank Chief Lyons and the men and women of the Ridgewood Police Department, 904 01:13:47,130 --> 01:13:52,110 especially our detective bureau, who worked through the weekend to investigate those 905 01:13:52,110 --> 01:13:52,770 accusations. 906 01:13:53,330 --> 01:13:58,190 And I equally want to thank the leadership at the Ridgewood Public School, Dr. Schwartz 907 01:13:58,190 --> 01:14:02,870 and his team who worked very closely with the Ridgewood Police Department to get good 908 01:14:03,470 --> 01:14:08,830 information out to the community, especially to the families at Ridgewood High School. 909 01:14:09,090 --> 01:14:11,430 So Chief, thank you for your work on that. 910 01:14:11,930 --> 01:14:17,230 And finally, I just want to mention that we are still working through the proposed 911 01:14:17,230 --> 01:14:20,350 cuts from the federal government relative to the health department. 912 01:14:20,890 --> 01:14:26,230 Since I spoke on this issue last week, there has been an injunction filed and 913 01:14:26,230 --> 01:14:29,990 And there is a pause on those cuts from a federal judge. 914 01:14:30,510 --> 01:14:36,390 So Dawn in our health department and I are working on this daily and we are going to 915 01:14:36,390 --> 01:14:41,190 do everything we can to advocate to keep our two full-time employees who do our public 916 01:14:41,190 --> 01:14:45,650 health outreach here and to continue to provide those programs that we discussed last week. 917 01:14:46,250 --> 01:14:47,190 Just a few announcements. 918 01:14:47,670 --> 01:14:52,050 Online registration for grade and pool and the tennis pickleball badges begin 919 01:14:52,050 --> 01:14:53,170 on April 1st. 920 01:14:53,170 --> 01:14:54,950 You can register through community pass. 921 01:14:54,950 --> 01:14:59,970 If you'd like to do so in person, you can do so Monday through Friday at the stable from 8.30 to 4.30. 922 01:15:07,720 --> 01:15:12,380 A reminder, the two-day per week irrigation rules are in effect. 923 01:15:12,900 --> 01:15:15,920 Odd numbered addresses for irrigation are Tuesday and Saturday, 924 01:15:16,200 --> 01:15:19,220 and even numbered addresses for irrigation are Wednesday and Sunday. 925 01:15:19,660 --> 01:15:22,720 No irrigation is permitted on Monday, Thursday, or Friday. 926 01:15:23,380 --> 01:15:26,740 Yardway season started on Monday, April 7th. 927 01:15:26,740 --> 01:15:29,920 Please check the village calendar for your area for pickup. 928 01:15:30,440 --> 01:15:34,560 Village Hall will be closed on Friday, April 18th in observance of Good Friday. 929 01:15:34,960 --> 01:15:39,280 There will be no garbage or recycling pickup on that day, and the recycling center will be closed as well. 930 01:15:40,000 --> 01:15:47,200 The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce presents Easter in the park at Venice Square on Saturday, April 19th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 931 01:15:47,400 --> 01:15:49,520 For more information, you can contact the chamber. 932 01:15:50,360 --> 01:15:54,040 The RBSA Opening Day Parade will take place on Saturday, April 26th. 933 01:15:54,700 --> 01:15:58,080 The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the Ridgewood train station. 934 01:15:58,780 --> 01:16:03,680 Continue down East Ridgewood Avenue to Maple Avenue and we'll end out back at Veterans Field. 935 01:16:04,040 --> 01:16:14,260 The 2024 Daffodil Festival and Earth Day Fair will take place on Sunday, April 27th at Venice Square from 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. 936 01:16:14,740 --> 01:16:20,080 And finally, Village Council upcoming meetings, April 23rd is a work session, May 7th is a work session, 937 01:16:20,540 --> 01:16:26,400 May 14th is our next public meeting, and May 28th will be a work session all begin at 7.30 p.m. 938 01:16:26,400 --> 01:16:27,860 And that concludes my report there. 939 01:16:28,420 --> 01:16:30,500 Thanks Keith, let's go to council reports. 940 01:16:30,840 --> 01:16:31,020 Frank? 941 01:16:31,740 --> 01:16:33,280 No council reports here, sir. 942 01:16:33,680 --> 01:16:34,960 Okay, Siobhan. 943 01:16:35,700 --> 01:16:38,320 Sure, I just wanted to say thank you to everybody 944 01:16:38,320 --> 01:16:43,240 who had the luxury of attending Saturday at Health Barn 945 01:16:43,240 --> 01:16:44,840 where the 10 trees were dedicated. 946 01:16:45,160 --> 01:16:45,940 I know we were all there. 947 01:16:46,500 --> 01:16:49,180 So happy anniversary to Stacy and all the 10 years 948 01:16:49,180 --> 01:16:49,740 in Ridgewood. 949 01:16:50,020 --> 01:16:51,140 It's a 20 year anniversary. 950 01:16:51,840 --> 01:16:53,480 I too want to, because Lori is here, 951 01:16:53,480 --> 01:17:00,420 say what a lovely event, the Bridget Public Library, lovely and successful. It was wonderful 952 01:17:00,420 --> 01:17:04,280 to see the author luncheon and see so many people who love books and love our library 953 01:17:04,280 --> 01:17:09,180 supporting it. If you've never been, I strongly suggest you follow it next year and attend. 954 01:17:09,720 --> 01:17:14,080 It's awesome and it's a fun, fantastic way to connect with your community and support 955 01:17:14,080 --> 01:17:19,220 our library. I also want to remind the general community that we are running an 956 01:17:19,940 --> 01:17:22,720 an effort with the high school to sell street signs. 957 01:17:23,460 --> 01:17:27,380 So, well, clearly stealing a street sign is unlawful 958 01:17:27,380 --> 01:17:28,360 and we don't like it. 959 01:17:28,460 --> 01:17:31,620 My first year on the council, hundreds of them went missing. 960 01:17:32,300 --> 01:17:34,720 So this year we have partnered with Project Graduation. 961 01:17:34,940 --> 01:17:36,340 We've created a unique identifier 962 01:17:36,340 --> 01:17:39,420 and we are proactively selling the street signs. 963 01:17:39,800 --> 01:17:42,340 It's a great gift for graduate and our alum. 964 01:17:42,920 --> 01:17:45,740 If you want to do it, it also looks great in your home. 965 01:17:46,040 --> 01:17:47,480 And I want to thank Amy Beardstor 966 01:17:47,480 --> 01:17:49,520 from the project graduation team for running that. 967 01:17:49,680 --> 01:17:51,960 I want to thank the signal division and the police 968 01:17:51,960 --> 01:17:53,400 for partnering on this idea. 969 01:17:54,060 --> 01:17:54,780 It's a great way. 970 01:17:55,400 --> 01:17:56,520 It's a wonderful gift. 971 01:17:56,740 --> 01:17:58,520 So I strongly encourage everybody to do that. 972 01:17:58,880 --> 01:18:00,680 And because we won't meet next week, 973 01:18:01,000 --> 01:18:03,980 I want to wish everybody who is celebrating a happy Passover. 974 01:18:04,480 --> 01:18:06,380 And then the following weekend, a happy Easter. 975 01:18:06,800 --> 01:18:08,780 I hope you're all able to enjoy whatever holiday 976 01:18:08,780 --> 01:18:10,300 you're celebrating with your families. 977 01:18:10,580 --> 01:18:11,300 And happy spring. 978 01:18:12,240 --> 01:18:12,900 Thanks, Your Honor. 979 01:18:13,020 --> 01:18:13,760 I just want to be clear. 980 01:18:13,840 --> 01:18:15,500 When you say we're selling street signs, 981 01:18:15,640 --> 01:18:17,460 we're not taking them off the road, right? 982 01:18:17,460 --> 01:18:18,760 You know, you can look in line. 983 01:18:19,000 --> 01:18:19,640 No, no, no, no. 984 01:18:19,820 --> 01:18:20,880 They're uniquely identified, 985 01:18:20,980 --> 01:18:22,900 so we know you didn't take them off the pole. 986 01:18:23,240 --> 01:18:24,680 And it's through project graduation. 987 01:18:25,840 --> 01:18:28,580 But if you want to, if you have a hometown street, 988 01:18:28,960 --> 01:18:30,500 if you want to decorate a basement, 989 01:18:30,900 --> 01:18:33,720 they're great and they're beautiful and it's wonderful. 990 01:18:33,980 --> 01:18:35,200 And as Evan will remember this, 991 01:18:35,320 --> 01:18:36,140 our first chair in the council, 992 01:18:36,320 --> 01:18:38,280 literally a hundred street signs were missing 993 01:18:38,740 --> 01:18:39,760 from up by the view. 994 01:18:40,080 --> 01:18:41,580 And my mother was driving around 995 01:18:41,580 --> 01:18:43,340 and she's like, oh, it's up with the street signs. 996 01:18:43,440 --> 01:18:45,220 So hopefully no one would steal it 997 01:18:45,220 --> 01:18:46,060 because that is a crime. 998 01:18:46,320 --> 01:18:47,220 I'm going to take it seriously. 999 01:18:47,760 --> 01:18:48,940 But if you want to have a fun gift 1000 01:18:48,940 --> 01:18:51,020 and a memory of a street you grew up on 1001 01:18:51,020 --> 01:18:52,040 or you currently live on, 1002 01:18:52,180 --> 01:18:54,280 it's a wonderful way to do that. 1003 01:18:54,940 --> 01:18:55,640 Thanks, Siobhan. 1004 01:18:56,120 --> 01:18:56,260 Evan. 1005 01:18:57,280 --> 01:18:59,900 No, I don't, I don't just have time to have anything, 1006 01:19:00,100 --> 01:19:01,600 but it was a good idea, Siobhan. 1007 01:19:02,040 --> 01:19:03,260 Good Pesach and happy Easter. 1008 01:19:05,520 --> 01:19:05,760 Pam. 1009 01:19:06,500 --> 01:19:07,700 Speaking of street signs, 1010 01:19:08,160 --> 01:19:10,720 one of the things that I've always loved about Ridgewood 1011 01:19:10,720 --> 01:19:13,160 is that we have signs for the street you're on 1012 01:19:13,160 --> 01:19:15,220 and the cross street that you're passing. 1013 01:19:15,220 --> 01:19:20,560 other towns don't do that. So I never know what street am I on. Okay, that's the 1014 01:19:20,560 --> 01:19:26,020 cross street, but what street am I on? And I really appreciate that about Ridgewood. 1015 01:19:28,680 --> 01:19:33,840 The 20th anniversary for Health Barn was just a charming event. There were so 1016 01:19:33,840 --> 01:19:39,340 many people who I never met before who also love Stacy and Health Barn, and they 1017 01:19:39,340 --> 01:19:44,320 taught us how to plant a tree. And I realize I have made some mistakes in 1018 01:19:44,320 --> 01:19:50,700 that regard and I have a whip that I that I got at Earth Day from the shade 1019 01:19:50,700 --> 01:19:56,600 tree commission maybe five years ago and I planted it. It's now eight feet tall 1020 01:19:56,600 --> 01:20:02,620 and in the wrong place and it's a dogwood so if anybody wants an eight-foot dog 1021 01:20:02,620 --> 01:20:08,660 would give me a call if you dig it up you can have it. Let's see while I 1022 01:20:08,660 --> 01:20:14,160 was up there at the Habernickle Park I saw the shelter is halfway up at 1023 01:20:14,160 --> 01:20:19,500 least and it is going to be a wonderful addition it's beautifully cited in the 1024 01:20:19,500 --> 01:20:25,080 park and I think it's going to really work out well for for all parties who 1025 01:20:25,080 --> 01:20:32,240 use it. I also noticed that there are two picnic tables up there by the pond so 1026 01:20:32,240 --> 01:20:37,720 if you wanted to have a picnic that's a good place to do it. My committees have 1027 01:20:37,720 --> 01:20:42,240 not met this week since our last village council meeting but tomorrow 1028 01:20:42,240 --> 01:20:48,540 morning the central business district advisory committee is meeting via Zoom we 1029 01:20:48,540 --> 01:20:55,100 have a speaker from the business action community center that's a state agency 1030 01:20:55,100 --> 01:21:02,080 talking to us about what it offers to small businesses and also about the 1031 01:21:02,080 --> 01:21:10,820 transit village status that we could apply for and also Main Street what that 1032 01:21:10,820 --> 01:21:17,840 offers to municipalities around the country and then tomorrow night we have 1033 01:21:17,840 --> 01:21:23,240 Green Ridgewood and the Green Team meeting downstairs in the senior lounge and 1034 01:21:23,240 --> 01:21:28,260 we have a lot to talk about getting ready for the Daffodil Festival and 1035 01:21:28,260 --> 01:21:33,200 Earth Day Fair on the 27th as Keith mentioned. Don't forget there is a 1036 01:21:33,200 --> 01:21:38,560 daffy dog parade so if you have a dog who likes to dress up the parade is a 1037 01:21:38,560 --> 01:21:48,700 lot of fun. And you go to, let's see, it's the table where the veterinarian is, 1038 01:21:48,960 --> 01:21:54,220 that's where you sign up and get your number for your well-dressed dog. Thank 1039 01:21:54,220 --> 01:22:00,480 you. Thanks Pam. My committees did not meet, but I was at the library luncheon 1040 01:22:00,480 --> 01:22:04,440 today. Lori, those people pack the house. I gotta tell you, that is one 1041 01:22:04,440 --> 01:22:10,000 happy crew of people, the people we are so fortunate to have this active wonderful library 1042 01:22:10,000 --> 01:22:17,340 in our community. There's a crazy number of people who visit that library every month, 1043 01:22:17,500 --> 01:22:24,860 not crazy people, a crazy number of people. And it is, and so many of them were at the 1044 01:22:24,860 --> 01:22:30,680 terrace today for a wonderful author's luncheon. I really enjoyed it. Tomorrow I will 1045 01:22:30,680 --> 01:22:37,280 be with Water Director Rich Calbee testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee 1046 01:22:37,280 --> 01:22:43,340 in the hopes of getting some funds allocated to build one of our water treatment facilities. 1047 01:22:43,780 --> 01:22:45,100 So keep your fingers crossed. 1048 01:22:45,600 --> 01:22:47,160 And that's all I have. 1049 01:22:47,360 --> 01:22:51,120 So let's go right to our budget message, Keith. 1050 01:22:51,700 --> 01:22:52,300 Thank you, Mayor. 1051 01:22:52,900 --> 01:22:58,300 First, before we begin, I want to thank all of the leadership here in the village, 1052 01:22:58,300 --> 01:23:04,000 all our directors, especially Bob Rooney and his team in the finance department for all 1053 01:23:04,000 --> 01:23:07,700 their work in putting together the 2025 Village Budget. 1054 01:23:08,280 --> 01:23:13,920 This process starts in August and runs through to introduction tonight. 1055 01:23:14,520 --> 01:23:22,040 We propose May 14th for public hearing and final adoption, but this is something that 1056 01:23:22,040 --> 01:23:23,700 takes months to put together. 1057 01:23:24,580 --> 01:23:33,240 And for those of you who either participated in or were able to watch the Village Council budget hearings that we held, you know, it's a back and forth. 1058 01:23:33,680 --> 01:23:38,860 And at the end of the day, what we develop is a list of priorities. 1059 01:23:39,140 --> 01:23:40,600 And that's really what a budget is, right? 1060 01:23:40,740 --> 01:23:46,540 It's a list of priorities that we want to take on and that we can afford as a municipality. 1061 01:23:46,540 --> 01:23:51,660 So we're going to start tonight by looking back at 2024, 1062 01:23:52,400 --> 01:23:53,480 seeing what we've accomplished, 1063 01:23:53,960 --> 01:23:58,440 and then we lay out a roadmap for where we will head in 2025 1064 01:23:58,440 --> 01:24:00,120 with this particular budget. 1065 01:24:00,980 --> 01:24:04,760 First, in 2024, very proud to say that we reaffirmed, 1066 01:24:04,820 --> 01:24:08,500 once again, our AAA bond rating with standard of pores. 1067 01:24:09,240 --> 01:24:11,820 We increased new rateables this year 1068 01:24:11,820 --> 01:24:14,360 by a staggering $208 million. 1069 01:24:14,360 --> 01:24:22,260 That has much to do with now including the Valley Hospital property main campus on our tax rolls. 1070 01:24:22,980 --> 01:24:28,280 We've increased our budget surplus by almost a million dollars over what it was four years ago. 1071 01:24:28,660 --> 01:24:33,500 And we successfully negotiated collective bargaining agreements with our white collar unit, 1072 01:24:33,940 --> 01:24:38,780 our blue collar unit, and our supervisors, averaging just under 2%. 1073 01:24:40,160 --> 01:24:47,120 We implemented a new time and attendance system to record employee time and attendance. 1074 01:24:47,680 --> 01:24:54,200 We modified our drug and alcohol policies to require immediate notification of a DWI arrest or related violations. 1075 01:24:54,920 --> 01:25:01,720 We hosted civil service training for Ridgewood leadership and at the request of the White Collar Union for our rank and file staff. 1076 01:25:02,240 --> 01:25:07,620 And we launched a new updated vehicle tracking system to keep our employees safe. 1077 01:25:09,020 --> 01:25:14,220 We launched the MyRidgeWood app on the communications end. 1078 01:25:14,740 --> 01:25:22,520 We added approximately 3,400 contacts, new contacts, to the reverse 911 emergency notification system. 1079 01:25:22,620 --> 01:25:29,620 And I want to thank Jeremy and his team with OEM and Rich Calbee over at Ridgewood Water for their work in that space. 1080 01:25:29,820 --> 01:25:36,740 We called a lot of information from departments throughout the village to be able to enter in those 3,400 new contacts. 1081 01:25:36,740 --> 01:25:45,520 We mailed a stay-in-form notice out to every village household so that folks could sign up for immediate communication from the village. 1082 01:25:46,000 --> 01:25:52,480 And we launched an intern program throughout the village departments at the behest of Councilmember Winnigrad. 1083 01:25:53,420 --> 01:26:00,200 We settled the town garage condemnation proceedings resulting in the removal of the building and the start of the environmental cleanup. 1084 01:26:00,200 --> 01:26:04,620 We worked with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to remove the 1085 01:26:04,620 --> 01:26:08,960 dilapidated trailer at the Route 17 Park and Ride and we removed the downtown 1086 01:26:08,960 --> 01:26:10,400 bus station just recently. 1087 01:26:12,860 --> 01:26:15,660 On the public work side we resurfaced Oak Street, 1088 01:26:15,940 --> 01:26:21,080 Cottage Place, Chestnut Street, South Walnut Street, North Walnut Street and part 1089 01:26:21,080 --> 01:26:26,040 of Dayton in the Central Business District in the spring of 2024 and you 1090 01:26:26,040 --> 01:26:30,900 can just look at the pictures and see the comparison between the quality of 1091 01:26:30,900 --> 01:26:34,580 our streets downtown prior to this paving initiative. 1092 01:26:36,220 --> 01:26:42,340 We invested an additional $2 million in road resurfacing, curbing and sidewalk projects 1093 01:26:42,340 --> 01:26:47,800 including paving at West Saddle River Road, Down Street, Union Street, Grant Street, Ferris 1094 01:26:47,800 --> 01:26:52,740 Place, Stemmer Street, Albin Court, Lynn Street and through a New Jersey Department 1095 01:26:52,740 --> 01:26:55,320 of Transportation grant North Monroe Street. 1096 01:26:55,760 --> 01:26:58,100 We also added ADA curb cuts throughout the village. 1097 01:26:59,040 --> 01:27:07,720 We worked with Bergen County this year to resurface Ackerman Avenue and just, again, good news for 2025. 1098 01:27:08,220 --> 01:27:13,380 Maple Avenue from the Glen Rock border to the Ho-Hocus border is scheduled to be paved this year. 1099 01:27:14,660 --> 01:27:27,280 We awarded over $498,000 in repairs to the Kingsbridge Lane pedestrian bridge, which is expected to return sometime around Memorial Day. 1100 01:27:27,280 --> 01:27:33,600 We received $157,000 in safe routes to school funding from the New Jersey Department of 1101 01:27:33,600 --> 01:27:39,480 Transportation with a lot of help from our legislative team, Senator Corrado, Assemblyman 1102 01:27:39,480 --> 01:27:43,560 Barless and Assemblyman De Phillips were instrumental in helping us secure those funds, 1103 01:27:44,020 --> 01:27:49,500 and an additional $178,000 in federal funds for sidewalks through Congress and Godheimer's 1104 01:27:49,500 --> 01:27:49,700 office. 1105 01:27:51,280 --> 01:27:56,420 We made upgrades to the aged equipment at the Water Pollution Control Facility as 1106 01:27:56,420 --> 01:28:00,580 As our engineer, Chris Rootishauser, likes to remind me, the last major investment in 1107 01:28:00,580 --> 01:28:07,580 that facility was 2005, and it runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 1108 01:28:08,060 --> 01:28:12,620 So as you've seen, and even on tonight's agenda, we are making considerable investments 1109 01:28:12,620 --> 01:28:16,660 in our wastewater treatment plant to keep it healthy and operational. 1110 01:28:17,400 --> 01:28:21,460 We secured a lease to buy agreement for the sanitation division trucks. 1111 01:28:21,940 --> 01:28:24,280 That ordinance will be on for final adoption tonight. 1112 01:28:24,280 --> 01:28:30,880 and we completed the removal of all of the dead headbeaters in the CBD, including the ones near Malcarmel Church. 1113 01:28:32,100 --> 01:28:38,180 We installed sidewalks on East Glen Avenue, Clinton Avenue, and partially on West Glen Ave. 1114 01:28:38,820 --> 01:28:44,220 We installed pedestrian activated crosswalks at Linwood Avenue and Fairfield Avenue and East Ridgewood Ave 1115 01:28:44,220 --> 01:28:47,760 and North South Irving Streets to heighten pedestrian safety. 1116 01:28:47,760 --> 01:28:56,100 And there are additional allocations in tonight's capital budget proposal to add even more pedestrian crossings throughout the village. 1117 01:28:57,080 --> 01:29:06,840 We planted 200 plus new trees in residential neighborhoods and 12 in the CBD, which completes our CBD tree planting effort. 1118 01:29:07,200 --> 01:29:13,420 And we've also included new plantings at the view at the request of the residents, both on the top of the view and down below. 1119 01:29:13,420 --> 01:29:23,120 We continued the volunteer adopt a sapling program planted in the Somerville district this year and we launched mulch Mondays to beautify the tree wells downtown. 1120 01:29:25,260 --> 01:29:40,160 We announced the big tree nomination program in collaboration with the New Jersey DEP. We contracted for the removal of ash trees and performed a second treatment on ash trees at 171 locations throughout the village. 1121 01:29:40,160 --> 01:29:52,120 We also layer GIS mapping with shade tree locations, which identify specific tree species and scientific details about individual trees throughout the village. 1122 01:29:53,360 --> 01:29:57,980 We invested in new sod at Hawes Field to improve player safety. 1123 01:29:57,980 --> 01:29:59,920 reestablish the 1124 01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:05,940 The fifth and eighth grade end of year celebrations at Graydon Pool. We implemented the master library 1125 01:30:05,940 --> 01:30:11,980 program for scheduling at Parks and Recreation, and we made significant enhancements to the 1126 01:30:11,980 --> 01:30:14,340 park's information on the village website. 1127 01:30:16,930 --> 01:30:19,190 On the police department end, we hired three 1128 01:30:19,190 --> 01:30:26,450 new police officers in 2024 and three new police officers so far in 2025. I want to 1129 01:30:26,450 --> 01:30:33,330 stress that we ended up in a bad habit. When folks retired, we weren't immediately replacing 1130 01:30:33,330 --> 01:30:39,130 them. We're trying to change that direction. It is a challenge because recruiting new police 1131 01:30:39,130 --> 01:30:42,650 officers is a challenge not only statewide in New Jersey but throughout the country 1132 01:30:42,650 --> 01:30:49,010 right now. But we are working towards the goal of completely replacing all vacant positions 1133 01:30:49,010 --> 01:30:54,850 that we've had with the Ridgewood Police Department. We added three class three special 1134 01:30:54,850 --> 01:30:59,450 also police officers through a shared services agreement with the Ridgewood Board of Education 1135 01:30:59,450 --> 01:31:03,630 and those officers are stationed at Ridgewood High School and at both middle schools. 1136 01:31:04,410 --> 01:31:08,910 We're pursuing accreditation of the Ridgewood Police Department by the New Jersey State 1137 01:31:08,910 --> 01:31:10,210 Police Chiefs Association. 1138 01:31:10,990 --> 01:31:16,110 This is a complete review and update of all police rules and regulations. 1139 01:31:16,690 --> 01:31:21,470 It also incorporates all of the Attorney General guidelines into the policies and 1140 01:31:21,470 --> 01:31:23,410 procedures of the Ridgewood Police Department. 1141 01:31:23,410 --> 01:31:27,150 And not only is that efficient from a law enforcement perspective, 1142 01:31:27,670 --> 01:31:32,570 it's also a benefit when it comes to our insurance premiums. 1143 01:31:33,070 --> 01:31:39,250 The Bergen GIF, which we are a part of, looks favorably upon police departments 1144 01:31:39,250 --> 01:31:43,250 which are accredited because they are updated on all of their policies and procedures. 1145 01:31:43,690 --> 01:31:46,950 And if we do have a legal situation when we go to court, 1146 01:31:47,190 --> 01:31:50,870 we have the ability to substantiate that everything is up to date and current. 1147 01:31:51,470 --> 01:31:55,070 We filled out the Ridgewood Police Department table of organization. 1148 01:31:55,410 --> 01:32:00,470 We actually did it about a month ago, but you saw the public swearing in of the two sergeants tonight. 1149 01:32:00,950 --> 01:32:05,790 So that brings our table of organization to be completely full. 1150 01:32:06,490 --> 01:32:12,330 And we responded, the police department responded to more than 22,000 calls in 2024. 1151 01:32:13,990 --> 01:32:17,970 On the fire department side, we hired two new firefighters in 2024 1152 01:32:17,970 --> 01:32:20,370 and two new firefighters in 2025. 1153 01:32:21,130 --> 01:32:25,730 Fire Department launched the Operation Blue Angels program 1154 01:32:25,730 --> 01:32:28,090 in collaboration with Age Friendly Ridgewood, 1155 01:32:28,390 --> 01:32:32,370 which provides for a box on the homes of the elderly 1156 01:32:32,890 --> 01:32:35,250 to allow the fire department or the police department 1157 01:32:35,250 --> 01:32:37,790 immediate access if they're called to that address. 1158 01:32:38,930 --> 01:32:42,350 They fully implemented the new EMS billing company, 1159 01:32:42,450 --> 01:32:43,650 which has improved our revenues. 1160 01:32:44,310 --> 01:32:47,690 And we also filled out the Ridgewood Fire Department 1161 01:32:47,690 --> 01:32:48,730 table of organization. 1162 01:32:50,990 --> 01:32:54,910 Also on the fire end, Fire Department has been very aggressive about 1163 01:32:54,910 --> 01:33:01,450 pursuing grant funds. They received over $400,000 last year in grants. The breakdown of that is 1164 01:33:01,450 --> 01:33:08,650 $32,000 from the American Rescue Plan, another $75,000 from the American Rescue Plan, almost $30,000 1165 01:33:08,650 --> 01:33:15,690 from the Firehouse Subs Grant Program, and the big one, $263,000 for the Assistance to 1166 01:33:15,690 --> 01:33:21,630 firefighters grant. The fire department also responded to almost 2,700 fire calls 1167 01:33:21,630 --> 01:33:24,810 last year and almost 1,300 EMS calls. 1168 01:33:27,300 --> 01:33:30,520 On the OEM side, we revised and updated our 1169 01:33:30,520 --> 01:33:34,560 emergency operations plan which allows the village to remain eligible to 1170 01:33:34,560 --> 01:33:38,880 receive FEMA reimbursement and other grants. We also successfully managed 1171 01:33:38,880 --> 01:33:43,780 the Valley Hospital Move to Paramus and we posted and electronically shared the 1172 01:33:43,780 --> 01:33:46,100 updated emergency planning guide for residents. 1173 01:33:48,850 --> 01:33:53,010 On the health department side, we entered into a shared services agreement with MAWA 1174 01:33:53,010 --> 01:33:58,290 for health officer services, and I'm pleased to report that there may be some opportunity 1175 01:33:58,290 --> 01:34:05,410 to expand that shared services agreement with MAWA, and we will be sitting with the 1176 01:34:05,410 --> 01:34:08,950 administrator up there later this month to discuss that. 1177 01:34:09,530 --> 01:34:14,830 We continue to secure funding for public outreach and social services through three 1178 01:34:14,830 --> 01:34:18,790 grants, strengthening local public health capacity, sustaining local public 1179 01:34:18,790 --> 01:34:22,290 health infrastructure, and enhancing local public health infrastructure. And 1180 01:34:22,290 --> 01:34:27,770 again the latter two are the two that are somewhat questionable right now as to 1181 01:34:27,770 --> 01:34:32,490 whether we will continue to receive funding from them. We were awarded the 1182 01:34:32,490 --> 01:34:37,030 Healthy Town designation in 2024 by the New Jersey Health Care Quality 1183 01:34:37,030 --> 01:34:40,110 Institute. This is something that the Health Department has been striving 1184 01:34:40,110 --> 01:34:46,030 for quite a few years and we were finally designated last year. We revised the wildlife 1185 01:34:46,030 --> 01:34:50,370 feeding ordinance in the village which was introduced this year to be adopted 1186 01:34:50,370 --> 01:34:56,110 tonight and we implemented employee wellness day program. We also updated 1187 01:34:56,110 --> 01:35:01,890 the cat licensing ordinance and continued the Cards of Joy program. The 1188 01:35:01,890 --> 01:35:06,550 library, the Village Council supported the launch of the new passport service 1189 01:35:06,550 --> 01:35:09,690 program at the library which has been incredibly successful. You can now 1190 01:35:09,690 --> 01:35:15,510 renew your passport right across the street and we made significant renovations in infrastructure 1191 01:35:15,510 --> 01:35:20,330 improvements at the library including quiet rooms, the teen room, art studio, the patio area, 1192 01:35:20,510 --> 01:35:24,010 a new roof, exterior painting, landscaping and gutter repair. 1193 01:35:26,690 --> 01:35:29,170 Downtown we conducted a special 1194 01:35:29,170 --> 01:35:35,630 improvement district phase two study, continued the dining corral program for our downtown 1195 01:35:35,630 --> 01:35:40,810 restaurants, leased village-owned assets including the train station, which box 1196 01:35:40,810 --> 01:35:45,130 car is now operating the concession down there, and we launched the opening a 1197 01:35:45,130 --> 01:35:50,030 business in Ridgewood checklist to assist new business owners looking to open up 1198 01:35:50,030 --> 01:35:55,670 their business here in the village. On the recycling and sanitation side we 1199 01:35:55,670 --> 01:36:00,410 expanded the number of shred days in response to resident demand, we expanded 1200 01:36:00,410 --> 01:36:04,390 the vegetable oil collection program at the recycling center, we expanded 1201 01:36:04,390 --> 01:36:10,070 the use of the Styrofoam densifier through additional shared services agreements, and 1202 01:36:10,070 --> 01:36:12,410 we added the first electric vehicle to the fleet. 1203 01:36:15,840 --> 01:36:20,200 In the area of flooding, we hosted a town hall meeting back in June of last year with 1204 01:36:20,200 --> 01:36:25,600 the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which had more than 150 participants either 1205 01:36:25,600 --> 01:36:30,640 in person here in the council chambers or who participated on hybrid access to 1206 01:36:30,640 --> 01:36:33,700 discuss federal programming to assist with flood mitigation. 1207 01:36:33,700 --> 01:36:43,720 And our big win last year was that we secured congressional approval by the United States Army Corps of Engineer to conduct a comprehensive study of the Saddle River and the Ho-Hocus Brook. 1208 01:36:45,080 --> 01:36:53,900 We also created the Ridgewood Residential Flood Advisory Committee, which actually last week met with the Army Corps of Engineers for the first time. 1209 01:36:54,340 --> 01:37:00,500 We responded to downed trees in the Ho-Hocus Brook and the Saddle River and also the tributaries off those. 1210 01:37:00,500 --> 01:37:04,280 and we perform the clean-out of the drainage channel and culvert between the 1211 01:37:04,280 --> 01:37:10,280 PSE and G right-of-way in the homes on North Irving Street. As we move to 2025, 1212 01:37:10,840 --> 01:37:15,640 our goals and objectives. First we will be installing a new bus station at 1213 01:37:15,640 --> 01:37:20,480 Venice Square to replace the one that was removed. That will be funded in part 1214 01:37:20,480 --> 01:37:24,720 by a New Jersey Department of Transportation grant. We're going to 1215 01:37:24,720 --> 01:37:28,120 complete the West Glen sidewalk project, which right now we are 1216 01:37:28,120 --> 01:37:34,640 negotiating easements with the residents and we're also waiting for DEP feedback 1217 01:37:34,640 --> 01:37:40,940 on the side of the road between alpine and heights. We're going to reinstall the 1218 01:37:40,940 --> 01:37:45,320 Kingbridge Lane pedestrian bridge later this spring. We're going to connect the 1219 01:37:45,320 --> 01:37:50,160 library to the shared generator at Ridgewood Water headquarters and we are 1220 01:37:50,160 --> 01:37:54,520 looking to settle the Green Acres diversion with the NJ DEP now that 1221 01:37:54,520 --> 01:37:59,640 that we have our appraisal submitted to DEP. 1222 01:38:01,040 --> 01:38:02,680 We're gonna complete the build out 1223 01:38:02,680 --> 01:38:04,540 of the field lighting at Veterans Field, 1224 01:38:04,640 --> 01:38:07,240 and that should be completed in a few weeks. 1225 01:38:07,880 --> 01:38:09,380 As the deputy mayor indicated, 1226 01:38:09,580 --> 01:38:10,740 we're gonna finish the construction 1227 01:38:10,740 --> 01:38:12,560 of the new pavilion at Habernickle Park. 1228 01:38:13,340 --> 01:38:14,700 We're gonna finalize testing 1229 01:38:14,700 --> 01:38:17,580 and begin the soil remediation project 1230 01:38:17,580 --> 01:38:18,800 at the Shedler property, 1231 01:38:19,040 --> 01:38:20,560 and those funds are proposed 1232 01:38:20,560 --> 01:38:21,940 in the bond ordinance tonight. 1233 01:38:21,940 --> 01:38:31,140 We're going to install cell antennas at Village Hall to improve reception from the old Valley Hospital campus all the way to the train station. 1234 01:38:31,560 --> 01:38:39,620 And we're going to secure a new bus shelter at Ridgewood High School from New Jersey Transit. We should have that up sometime this summer. 1235 01:38:41,040 --> 01:38:49,000 We're looking to secure a tenant for the Shedler House, reinstate the Shedler Park Development SHPO application this year, 1236 01:38:49,000 --> 01:38:52,040 a team grant funding for the train station, 1237 01:38:52,560 --> 01:38:53,820 for the pedestrian tunnel, 1238 01:38:54,420 --> 01:38:55,860 and we're looking to finalize 1239 01:38:55,860 --> 01:38:58,580 the Franklin Avenue environmental cleanup projects 1240 01:38:59,160 --> 01:39:01,540 and begin the required DEP testing, 1241 01:39:01,840 --> 01:39:04,680 both at 132 Franklin and at 120 Franklin. 1242 01:39:06,590 --> 01:39:07,610 We're looking to break ground 1243 01:39:07,610 --> 01:39:11,250 on the final four PFAS treatment facilities in 2025, 1244 01:39:11,890 --> 01:39:15,410 looking to conduct a comprehensive downtown parking study, 1245 01:39:15,570 --> 01:39:18,090 which Bob Rooney is working through 1246 01:39:18,090 --> 01:39:21,070 with a potential consulting firm at this point. 1247 01:39:21,770 --> 01:39:26,070 Looking to work with New Jersey Transit to make improvements to the train trestle over 1248 01:39:26,070 --> 01:39:26,830 Franklin Avenue. 1249 01:39:27,190 --> 01:39:33,490 And we're looking to expand shared service agreements for leaf composting, food scraps 1250 01:39:33,490 --> 01:39:36,690 and radio communications with some of our neighboring towns. 1251 01:39:39,180 --> 01:39:43,880 We will continue to actively engage stakeholders after the closing of the Warner Movie Theater 1252 01:39:43,880 --> 01:39:47,160 to advocate for a performing arts center in that space. 1253 01:39:47,160 --> 01:39:50,620 and we're looking to build out the OEM Operations Center 1254 01:39:50,620 --> 01:39:53,200 at the Douglas Place Emergency Services Facility 1255 01:39:53,200 --> 01:39:55,820 that is also included in the bond ordinance this evening. 1256 01:39:57,320 --> 01:40:01,380 So at this time, I'd like to invite Bob Bruni and Rich Calby up. 1257 01:40:24,280 --> 01:40:26,940 So Bob's going to walk us through the current fund budget first. 1258 01:40:34,650 --> 01:40:35,390 Good evening. 1259 01:40:36,810 --> 01:40:37,730 33, Bob. 1260 01:40:38,670 --> 01:40:40,590 Good evening, gentlemen. Thanks for coming tonight. 1261 01:40:41,410 --> 01:40:41,910 Pleasure. 1262 01:40:44,300 --> 01:40:44,900 33. 1263 01:40:47,800 --> 01:40:54,280 So the budget that we're presenting to council for consideration this evening reflects union 1264 01:40:54,280 --> 01:40:58,980 contract increases for salaries and wages in the following departments. 1265 01:40:59,420 --> 01:41:09,600 Police for $111,000 with 2.5% increase for this year, fire 151,000 at 2.75%, blue collar 1266 01:41:09,600 --> 01:41:17,680 $1,203,600 with a 2% increase, supervisors $22,000 for a 2% increase, and actually a reduction 1267 01:41:17,680 --> 01:41:22,980 in white collar of approximately $100,000 with a range of $1.75 to $2.25. 1268 01:41:24,140 --> 01:41:31,200 The budget reflects a debt service decrease of approximately $1,400,000, health benefit 1269 01:41:31,980 --> 01:41:37,740 increase approximately $849,000, and pension costs increase of $403,000. 1270 01:41:37,740 --> 01:41:43,220 And if I could just comment on that, first, I think we should be proud of the negotiations 1271 01:41:43,220 --> 01:41:48,120 and the agreements that we've come to with all of our respective unions. 1272 01:41:49,420 --> 01:41:55,100 We average, we're under 3% on all contracts and average out about mid-range there. 1273 01:41:55,640 --> 01:41:59,360 The one thing I will tell you is that with regard to our debt service increase, because 1274 01:41:59,360 --> 01:42:05,160 I know there was a lot of back-and-forth inquiries last year about the debt service, 1275 01:42:05,160 --> 01:42:10,280 our bond sale in January paid off notes from 2024. 1276 01:42:10,840 --> 01:42:14,520 So we saw a reduction in bans and interest on bans. 1277 01:42:14,660 --> 01:42:16,260 So, you know, to Bob's credit, 1278 01:42:16,480 --> 01:42:18,980 he is very methodical about the timing 1279 01:42:18,980 --> 01:42:21,220 and how we work through our debt service 1280 01:42:21,220 --> 01:42:22,700 with the help of our municipal auditor. 1281 01:42:23,100 --> 01:42:25,440 And that's why you see a decrease in that line item 1282 01:42:25,440 --> 01:42:27,960 of a million four. 1283 01:42:28,740 --> 01:42:29,960 The other thing I wanna point out 1284 01:42:29,960 --> 01:42:31,280 is on the health benefits side 1285 01:42:31,280 --> 01:42:32,400 and on the pension costs, 1286 01:42:32,400 --> 01:42:38,520 understand that that $1.2 million is essentially out of our control. 1287 01:42:39,000 --> 01:42:45,420 We get a bill on both from the health benefits side and from the pension side from the state of New Jersey. 1288 01:42:45,740 --> 01:42:47,280 There's no ability to negotiate that. 1289 01:42:47,640 --> 01:42:50,360 That's a fixed cost that has to be entered into the budget. 1290 01:42:53,470 --> 01:42:55,370 So the summary for the current fund budget. 1291 01:42:55,670 --> 01:42:59,930 Total current appropriations are $64,770,957. 1292 01:42:59,930 --> 01:43:04,310 Reserved for uncollected taxes, $1,230,000. 1293 01:43:05,500 --> 01:43:08,370 Debt service, $6,393,237. 1294 01:43:09,350 --> 01:43:12,370 Salaries of $26,154,906. 1295 01:43:13,370 --> 01:43:17,190 Our anticipated revenue was $19,581,342, 1296 01:43:17,960 --> 01:43:19,870 resulting in the amount to be raised by taxation 1297 01:43:19,870 --> 01:43:22,350 of $42,256,311. 1298 01:43:25,130 --> 01:43:27,090 Next schedule shows our budget history 1299 01:43:27,090 --> 01:43:28,110 over the last 10 years. 1300 01:43:28,850 --> 01:43:31,970 This year we're anticipating $3.9 million, 1301 01:43:32,470 --> 01:43:34,650 which is the lowest that we've used in the last five years. 1302 01:43:36,330 --> 01:43:37,610 And Rich, I'll give it to you. 1303 01:43:38,030 --> 01:43:40,190 If I may on that, Rich, before you go. 1304 01:43:40,550 --> 01:43:41,950 I think that's worth highlighting. 1305 01:43:43,250 --> 01:43:46,330 If you look at that top number, 3.9, 1306 01:43:47,390 --> 01:43:50,790 we have a history of using north of $4 million. 1307 01:43:51,830 --> 01:43:54,490 Last year, if you look at the $5.5 million, 1308 01:43:54,490 --> 01:44:02,390 remember we were coming off the 22% increase in state health benefits and 2.6 million dollars 1309 01:44:02,390 --> 01:44:09,990 from the American Rescue Plan that we did not have in 2024. So that money fell off. So keep in 1310 01:44:09,990 --> 01:44:14,610 mind, you know, there was some justification for using that much surplus. We're trying to be more 1311 01:44:14,610 --> 01:44:19,250 conservative and take a conservative approach so that we have a healthy surplus moving forward. 1312 01:44:20,390 --> 01:44:22,410 All right, we're going to move to Ridgewood Water, Rich. 1313 01:44:22,990 --> 01:44:23,750 All right, thank you. 1314 01:44:24,610 --> 01:44:33,850 So in addition to the many great accomplishments on the village side of things, the water utility, I want to also highlight accomplishments in that department. 1315 01:44:34,550 --> 01:44:44,770 In 2024, we installed and rehabilitated 1.4 miles of new water main to replace aging infrastructure throughout the four municipalities that make up Ridgewood Water. 1316 01:44:44,770 --> 01:44:53,090 We will launch new communication tools and initiatives, including a service advisory map to identify outages in our area, 1317 01:44:53,550 --> 01:44:59,850 or we find our construction activities page to summarize all the activities that are going on for the utility. 1318 01:45:00,180 --> 01:45:06,460 We started Ridgewood Water Weekly that we share on our social media outlets on our website and with all our stakeholders. 1319 01:45:07,240 --> 01:45:14,940 It's a great source on how to learn about what we do and how we do our jobs and identify what projects are coming up next. 1320 01:45:15,880 --> 01:45:24,580 We started our work conservation campaign and achieved the ability to enforce ordinances throughout all the municipalities at Ridgewood Water Service. 1321 01:45:24,580 --> 01:45:29,340 and the Let's Service Line Replacement Program pages also launched as part of the website. 1322 01:45:30,400 --> 01:45:33,760 Additionally, Richard Water was identified as the inaugural recipient 1323 01:45:33,760 --> 01:45:37,280 and received the New Jersey DEP, Our Water's Work to Award. 1324 01:45:38,820 --> 01:45:41,640 We launched the Let's Service Line Replacement Program, 1325 01:45:42,360 --> 01:45:46,320 which created uniform adoption across four-town service area 1326 01:45:46,320 --> 01:45:49,360 with all formal municipalities approving the ordinance 1327 01:45:49,360 --> 01:45:51,720 and shared service agreements that are required for that. 1328 01:45:51,720 --> 01:46:00,440 That 500 plus residents have responded so far and signed up for the program, and 200 plus homeowners have done replacements on their own. 1329 01:46:01,100 --> 01:46:06,340 So this is having a great effect already, even though we haven't even gone out to bid and started our own contract. 1330 01:46:07,100 --> 01:46:11,720 We secure construction contracts for another six PFAS treatment facilities. 1331 01:46:12,380 --> 01:46:14,320 And they'll be active by the end of 2025. 1332 01:46:14,320 --> 01:46:18,500 and secured as part of that additional $4 million of principal 1333 01:46:18,500 --> 01:46:25,100 forgiveness through the iBank and increased up to 75% of our loans to be 1334 01:46:25,100 --> 01:46:26,700 interest three from 50%. 1335 01:46:26,700 --> 01:46:28,380 So that's a great plus. 1336 01:46:29,680 --> 01:46:34,160 We, goals for this coming year in 2025, we are going to restructure the 1337 01:46:34,160 --> 01:46:38,320 treatment division in Ridgewater to implement a facility maintenance division 1338 01:46:39,140 --> 01:46:43,100 to organize a strategic approach to general maintenance of all remote 1339 01:46:43,100 --> 01:46:51,240 well sites, prioritizing aesthetics and mechanical repairs of those facilities, now that we're reaching the end of our PFOS improvements. 1340 01:46:52,060 --> 01:46:59,880 We're going to complete an update on system hydraulic modeling and review recommendations for improved transfer of water between our system zones 1341 01:46:59,880 --> 01:47:05,180 so that we could avoid situations like a curve this past fall with the boil water advisory. 1342 01:47:05,180 --> 01:47:17,960 In addition to solving that problem, we're going to install a booster station on Glen Avenue to increase flow and transfer from the low pressure affected by the boil water advisory this past September. 1343 01:47:19,060 --> 01:47:19,620 We've launched. 1344 01:47:19,900 --> 01:47:30,700 Richard, if I may on that, I just want to let the council know I don't think I mentioned this, but Rich and I actually met with Midland Park, which was the epicenter of the boil water advisory notice last year. 1345 01:47:30,700 --> 01:47:35,000 we updated them on the progress on the last two bullet points that Rich just 1346 01:47:35,000 --> 01:47:40,400 mentioned and they are exceptionally pleased with the speed that Ridgewood 1347 01:47:40,400 --> 01:47:45,460 water is is working to address this issue. We anticipate by late spring early 1348 01:47:45,460 --> 01:47:51,060 summer we should be operational and that should prevent a similar situation 1349 01:47:51,060 --> 01:47:55,740 that because of significant lawn watering and other water water 1350 01:47:55,740 --> 01:48:01,700 their usages during the warmer months that we fall back into the potential of a boil water 1351 01:48:01,700 --> 01:48:05,420 advisory. These solutions are going to avoid that moving forward. 1352 01:48:06,340 --> 01:48:13,800 Thank you. We have launched the Ready Collections Program to recover uncollected revenue in 1353 01:48:13,800 --> 01:48:19,360 excess of $1 million. The unpaid bill recovery program is through a third-party billing 1354 01:48:19,360 --> 01:48:25,020 vendor and they're already contacting customers that have those accounts that earn a rears. 1355 01:48:25,880 --> 01:48:30,240 We've improved the strategic communication and imaging within our customer base. 1356 01:48:30,420 --> 01:48:31,640 That's a goal for this year as well. 1357 01:48:33,740 --> 01:48:36,420 We're going to complete construction and activate the ravine. 1358 01:48:36,860 --> 01:48:41,040 Eastridge would west end and prospect PFAS facilities. 1359 01:48:41,900 --> 01:48:45,900 We're going to continue to seek out grant opportunities and our recover funds through 1360 01:48:45,900 --> 01:48:50,440 as many avenues as possible, including the one that the Mayor mentioned for tomorrow's hearing. 1361 01:48:50,980 --> 01:49:06,180 And we're going to break ground on the final four or fourth or a water main contract that will complete all the connections of the satellite wells to the treatment plants that make up the Grand Master Plan for PFAS removal. 1362 01:49:06,840 --> 01:49:10,080 We'll also break ground on the remaining four PFAS treatment facilities. 1363 01:49:10,080 --> 01:49:13,940 and you continue to follow our PFAS operational strategy 1364 01:49:13,940 --> 01:49:17,160 and aim to deliver as much PFAS free water as possible, 1365 01:49:17,460 --> 01:49:21,980 including recent addition of taking and purchasing water 1366 01:49:21,980 --> 01:49:23,800 from Hawthorne interconnection year round. 1367 01:49:24,540 --> 01:49:26,500 We were able to winterize that interconnection 1368 01:49:26,500 --> 01:49:28,320 and are taking 700 gallons per minute 1369 01:49:28,320 --> 01:49:31,460 from that interconnection daily now. 1370 01:49:31,760 --> 01:49:32,920 And I just want to know, 1371 01:49:33,220 --> 01:49:37,100 Hawthorne water is completely treated now for PFAS. 1372 01:49:37,100 --> 01:49:45,960 So the more water we purchase from them and bring into our system, there's a reduction in our numbers as we purchase from the borough. 1373 01:49:47,040 --> 01:49:58,460 And finally on lead service lines, goals for this year is to complete the engineering design and put out to bid our first contract and award it for the replacements that the homeowner has signed up for. 1374 01:49:58,460 --> 01:50:05,340 We're going to continue to identify the remaining unknowns through hydro-excavation in-home inspections or customer surveys, 1375 01:50:05,800 --> 01:50:12,320 and continue our outreach and communications to customers to hopefully increase customer participation in the program 1376 01:50:12,320 --> 01:50:18,540 to get the highest amount of replacements and program response and avoid opt-outs and mostly opt-ins. 1377 01:50:18,540 --> 01:50:19,560 so 1378 01:50:23,240 --> 01:50:29,720 the operating budget for proposed for 2025 current appropriations of 24 1379 01:50:29,720 --> 01:50:38,980 million 474 622 debt service of 5 million 409 474 salaries of 5 million 147 1380 01:50:38,980 --> 01:50:46,100 974 we're anticipating revenue of 20 million 126 821 and utilizing surplus 1381 01:50:46,100 --> 01:50:52,190 plus the $4,347,801 parking utility budget. 1382 01:50:53,410 --> 01:50:58,050 Current appropriations proposed $2,788,878, 1383 01:50:58,490 --> 01:51:01,450 debt service of $775,000, 1384 01:51:01,450 --> 01:51:03,930 salaries of $650,602, 1385 01:51:04,510 --> 01:51:07,010 budget revenue $2,328,450, 1386 01:51:07,810 --> 01:51:11,510 and utilizing surplus of $460,428. 1387 01:51:14,340 --> 01:51:17,500 The 2025 proposed budget is $1.2 million 1388 01:51:17,500 --> 01:51:22,560 under the tax levy cap and under by $5,000 in the appropriation cap. 1389 01:51:23,340 --> 01:51:30,880 Our 2025 assessed valuations were $6.1 billion and our 2024 was $5.9 billion. 1390 01:51:31,820 --> 01:51:36,540 Municipal tax is projected for 2025 or at the rate of .6890. 1391 01:51:37,400 --> 01:51:41,560 2024 actual municipal tax rate was .6680. 1392 01:51:45,770 --> 01:51:49,470 The budget presented this year has no cuts in service to the residents of Ridgewood. 1393 01:51:50,370 --> 01:51:58,230 The assessment of that 0.021 increase per 100 of assessed value is over the 2024 tax rate. 1394 01:51:58,770 --> 01:52:07,130 The 25 average home in the village is valued at $712,700, up from the $710,168 in 2024. 1395 01:52:08,210 --> 01:52:20,070 Municipal taxes for 24 were $4,761, proposed for 2025 was $4,910, an increase of $149.63 1396 01:52:20,070 --> 01:52:25,990 on the average home resulting in an increase of $12.47 per month. 1397 01:52:26,670 --> 01:52:31,310 Our municipal increase will be 3.14%, which is consistent with the rate of inflation. 1398 01:52:36,240 --> 01:52:39,320 So I'll call your attention to the tax bill on the screen. 1399 01:52:39,320 --> 01:52:51,080 There are six portions of your tax bill, the county tax, the county open space, the school tax, the library tax, the local municipal tax, and the municipal open space. 1400 01:52:52,440 --> 01:53:04,500 Click to the next slide. The municipal is just over 24% of the total tax is collected. The municipal open space is less than 1%. 1401 01:53:05,300 --> 01:53:22,360 The library is 1.6 percent, the county is 10.8 percent, county open space again is less than 1 percent and the school taxes make up 62.8 percent of the total taxes collected from a Ridgewood taxpayer. 1402 01:53:28,300 --> 01:53:29,660 We'll move to the capital budget. 1403 01:53:30,840 --> 01:53:35,940 All of these expenditures are on second reading tonight. 1404 01:53:36,580 --> 01:53:40,780 Road paving in the amount of 2.25 million. 1405 01:53:41,340 --> 01:53:47,160 And the sanitation trucks for 435,000 are in a separate bond ordinance. 1406 01:53:47,360 --> 01:53:48,420 They were introduced prior. 1407 01:53:49,760 --> 01:53:54,800 The train station pedestrian tunnel, we have allocated 400,000 for that project this year. 1408 01:53:54,800 --> 01:53:59,820 That will not be enough to complete the entire project, 1409 01:53:59,960 --> 01:54:04,380 but what it will do is it will enable us to successfully apply for grants 1410 01:54:04,380 --> 01:54:08,880 because we'll be able to illustrate that there's a partnership and that we have skin in the game. 1411 01:54:10,220 --> 01:54:12,520 Drainage and Brook River projects. 1412 01:54:13,000 --> 01:54:16,600 We have $105,000 allocated for that. 1413 01:54:17,020 --> 01:54:21,860 That will be on top of $431,000 that we have in open capital. 1414 01:54:21,860 --> 01:54:25,000 So that will bring our number above $500,000. 1415 01:54:25,620 --> 01:54:28,880 That's an important point because in talking to the Army Corps of Engineers, 1416 01:54:29,520 --> 01:54:36,600 some of these mid-range projects will require a 50-50 match between the Army Corps and the municipality or the DDP. 1417 01:54:37,160 --> 01:54:43,320 So that will give us some money to work with in trying to undertake some of these mid-range projects with the Army Corps of Engineers. 1418 01:54:44,780 --> 01:54:49,440 The Soil Remediation Project at Shedler is $1.5 million. 1419 01:54:49,440 --> 01:55:00,900 Again, this is a number that is somewhat of a work in progress, but based on the fact that it is conclusive that the entire berm will need to be removed. 1420 01:55:01,540 --> 01:55:08,020 And some soil through the grid sampling on the level piece of the property will also need to be removed. 1421 01:55:08,440 --> 01:55:13,220 This is a very good estimate which comes directly from Matrix Engineering. 1422 01:55:14,180 --> 01:55:32,860 The firefighter gear, as the captain mentioned earlier, this is a $20,000 allocation that we're working to maintain annually so that we can continue to rotate and upgrade the firefighter gear that they need to protect themselves in the event of a fire. 1423 01:55:32,860 --> 01:55:38,420 The fire engine replacement, again, we're putting $350,000 aside for the sinking fund. 1424 01:55:38,700 --> 01:55:43,300 That's on top of the 250 that we allocated last year and the replacement of the command 1425 01:55:43,300 --> 01:55:45,920 car, car 38 of $110,000. 1426 01:55:46,060 --> 01:55:50,360 And that will get us the car, the vehicle, and will also allow us to outfit it properly 1427 01:55:50,360 --> 01:55:52,520 to be the command vehicle on site. 1428 01:55:53,800 --> 01:56:01,040 We have $55,000 advocated for library carpet replacement and $130,000 for library 1429 01:56:01,040 --> 01:56:04,320 for a restroom upgrades, which will include ADA compliance. 1430 01:56:05,020 --> 01:56:07,980 The Emergency Operations Center that I mentioned earlier, 1431 01:56:08,220 --> 01:56:10,580 we're looking to establish that at the Douglas Place 1432 01:56:10,580 --> 01:56:12,040 Facility, that's $100,000. 1433 01:56:12,780 --> 01:56:17,000 Looking to upgrade the response vehicle for OEM, $10,000. 1434 01:56:17,760 --> 01:56:21,220 Looking to replace desktops throughout the village, 1435 01:56:21,560 --> 01:56:23,580 that's an allocation of $65,000. 1436 01:56:24,260 --> 01:56:28,000 The Grade and Pool Fencing is a $56,000 expenditure 1437 01:56:28,000 --> 01:56:31,800 And our goal there is to completely fence in grade and pool. 1438 01:56:32,260 --> 01:56:35,820 You know families are there, small kids, summer camp operates out of there. 1439 01:56:36,140 --> 01:56:39,020 And we want to keep it as safe as possible for our young people. 1440 01:56:39,940 --> 01:56:46,520 The grade and pool sunshades, this became a priority this year in light of the fact that we lost a significant tree there last year. 1441 01:56:47,120 --> 01:56:51,940 So we are looking to provide some additional cover during the summer months at the pool. 1442 01:56:52,560 --> 01:56:57,520 And the Maple Field Sinking Fund, which has been an annual contribution for as long as we can remember, 1443 01:56:57,520 --> 01:57:02,180 of $50,000 for the time that that turf is no longer of use. 1444 01:57:03,680 --> 01:57:10,380 The groundsmaster of 5900 is grass cutting equipment for the parks department, $147,000. 1445 01:57:10,480 --> 01:57:15,660 A residential tree planting this year which will reap us 200 additional trees to be planted 1446 01:57:15,660 --> 01:57:17,700 throughout the village is $160,000. 1447 01:57:18,420 --> 01:57:23,580 The Habernickle ADA playground, the balance of that project is $139,000. 1448 01:57:23,580 --> 01:57:26,400 and that's on top of the $68,000 grant that we have 1449 01:57:26,980 --> 01:57:30,060 from the Department of Community Affairs, 1450 01:57:30,800 --> 01:57:35,240 Recreation Improvement Allocation, police vehicle alfiting. 1451 01:57:35,700 --> 01:57:37,140 This is to outfit the police cars. 1452 01:57:37,300 --> 01:57:40,780 This is not to lease the actual police car, 145,000. 1453 01:57:41,680 --> 01:57:46,100 We have 350 replacement vehicle for recycling. 1454 01:57:46,560 --> 01:57:48,640 Again, to Denise's point earlier, 1455 01:57:48,780 --> 01:57:50,400 this is replacing an existing vehicle 1456 01:57:50,400 --> 01:57:52,340 that is no longer in service. 1457 01:57:52,340 --> 01:58:00,220 $63,000, the upgraded hot box trailer for our streets division, $44,000, fire 1458 01:58:00,220 --> 01:58:06,640 headquarters, HVAC replacement, $200,000, pedestrian activated crosswalks, 1459 01:58:06,720 --> 01:58:11,040 $35,000, and that's on top of the $16,000 that we have in previous open 1460 01:58:11,040 --> 01:58:16,380 capital. Building improvements at the recreation and parks facility by the 1461 01:58:16,380 --> 01:58:17,860 cycling center, $30,000. 1462 01:58:19,800 --> 01:58:24,760 And then last year, we did introduce two items under 1463 01:58:24,760 --> 01:58:30,040 capital ordinance that were put against the $7.5 million that 1464 01:58:30,040 --> 01:58:33,220 we allocate annually, and that was the soil testing and the 1465 01:58:33,220 --> 01:58:37,640 archaeological study for $350,000 at Shedler and the 1466 01:58:37,640 --> 01:58:40,360 improvements to the water pollution control facility for 1467 01:58:40,360 --> 01:58:42,240 $478,000. 1468 01:58:42,240 --> 01:58:49,280 That brings our total allocation for 2025 to $7,486,000. 1469 01:58:52,120 --> 01:58:54,580 Go back to gross debt and I'll turn that to Bob. 1470 01:58:56,560 --> 01:58:59,500 So the gross debt for all the capital funds as follows. 1471 01:59:00,280 --> 01:59:05,080 General fund is for bonds and notes of $61,900,000. 1472 01:59:05,080 --> 01:59:08,240 Order is $80,276,000. 1473 01:59:08,240 --> 01:59:13,860 Parking is $11,950,000 for a total of $154,132,000. 1474 01:59:13,860 --> 01:59:19,280 Bonson notes authorizing on issue in total or 117,661. 1475 01:59:19,940 --> 01:59:25,220 The majority of that is in the ward department for the debt authorized for the PFAS treatment plants. 1476 01:59:25,780 --> 01:59:33,300 The grand total for all funds of capital outstanding is 271,793,967. 1477 01:59:33,680 --> 01:59:33,880 Million. 1478 01:59:36,180 --> 01:59:37,600 Oh, million. 1479 01:59:38,820 --> 01:59:39,040 Good. 1480 01:59:41,860 --> 01:59:46,520 And I just want to say that when we did the standard and poorest call earlier this year, 1481 01:59:47,240 --> 01:59:51,660 This slide that you're looking at now was the real focus of the discussion. 1482 01:59:52,840 --> 01:59:55,860 And I have to tell you, you know, we have the ability, 1483 01:59:56,640 --> 01:59:58,720 Sands Water, because we have a consent order to... 1484 02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:05,940 Billion dollars worth of PFAS treatment facilities. But on the general capital side, you know, sticking 1485 02:00:05,940 --> 02:00:13,460 with a static number of 7.5 million a year and actually sticking to that number, even if you 1486 02:00:13,460 --> 02:00:19,300 have to do things a little early to credit to the ensuing year's capital budget was something 1487 02:00:19,300 --> 02:00:23,940 that we discussed at length with Standard and Poor's. And they were very satisfied with 1488 02:00:23,940 --> 02:00:28,060 where we are with our debt service and how we keep consistent on an annual basis. 1489 02:00:30,720 --> 02:00:37,500 So with that our public hearing and final adoption is scheduled for May 14th at 7 30 p.m 1490 02:00:38,140 --> 02:00:45,620 We will at that point have an open public hearing specifically on the budget before the council considers adoption 1491 02:00:46,200 --> 02:00:47,140 any questions 1492 02:00:48,840 --> 02:00:49,980 Can you go over that again? 1493 02:00:54,390 --> 02:01:00,270 So again, I just want to I just want to thank all the directors and the employees for their work on this again 1494 02:01:00,270 --> 02:01:15,270 And this is a long, arduous process, but I do think that we have been able to present a budget this year that is affordable, that is consistent with the rate of inflation these days, although that's a moving target last week or so. 1495 02:01:15,670 --> 02:01:19,890 But we are working every day to try to control costs here. 1496 02:01:20,070 --> 02:01:26,990 And I have to tell you, I think we've had a significant cultural shift with how we approach this budget process. 1497 02:01:27,450 --> 02:01:28,850 I'm proud of this budget. 1498 02:01:29,030 --> 02:01:31,230 I'm proud of what the staff has been able to present to Council. 1499 02:01:31,710 --> 02:01:39,110 And I do appreciate the feedback that Council provided during the budget hearings that brought us to this document you're looking at tonight. 1500 02:01:39,950 --> 02:01:43,830 Yeah, Keith, I know I missed the last budget hearing, so I didn't have a chance to speak at it. 1501 02:01:44,690 --> 02:01:48,030 Listen, it was up to me to be zero, but 3.1% is outstanding. 1502 02:01:48,610 --> 02:01:55,650 to do that with no cuts to Village Services, to keep our triple A bond rating, to do all the projects that you just went over. 1503 02:01:56,010 --> 02:02:03,390 All while costing our citizens an extra $12 and I think 50 cents on average a month more than what we were paying last year. 1504 02:02:03,530 --> 02:02:09,650 Given the rate of inflation, that is a very fair number for the amount of services and projects that we're providing to the citizens. 1505 02:02:10,190 --> 02:02:14,790 So I want to thank you, I want to thank the entire team for I think under the circumstances, 1506 02:02:14,790 --> 02:02:18,330 really under any circumstances was a really well done job. 1507 02:02:18,790 --> 02:02:23,050 I also thought the presentation for those of you that could not watch or be here for the meetings we had 1508 02:02:23,050 --> 02:02:27,270 during the first half of the year were outstanding. They were well presented. 1509 02:02:28,230 --> 02:02:30,510 You know, materials laid out well is easy for us to understand. 1510 02:02:31,010 --> 02:02:34,410 It's easy for us to provide challenge and get answers. Really well done. 1511 02:02:34,590 --> 02:02:38,710 I think the citizens of the village would be very proud of their municipal services 1512 02:02:38,710 --> 02:02:41,130 and their municipal workforce. Thank you. 1513 02:02:41,870 --> 02:02:50,210 I just want to take on that too that when I really like to you had everything that you accomplished in 2024, not being on the council and just see that as quite amazing. 1514 02:02:50,670 --> 02:03:00,050 So I just want to say great job to you and to everyone who works for the village. It's just amazing the amount you're able to do. So thank you. 1515 02:03:00,610 --> 02:03:00,850 Thank you. 1516 02:03:01,770 --> 02:03:06,890 I really appreciate what the administration accomplishes and helps us understand. 1517 02:03:07,550 --> 02:03:11,510 I feel like we're in really good hands, so I appreciate that. 1518 02:03:11,950 --> 02:03:15,890 And also, this presentation, the font, the colors. 1519 02:03:17,070 --> 02:03:22,590 Well, that's why it was so many slides, because we took a little heat on this font size last year. 1520 02:03:23,130 --> 02:03:25,690 Can you and the audience see what's on these slides? 1521 02:03:26,210 --> 02:03:27,110 Okay, that's the first. 1522 02:03:27,810 --> 02:03:36,150 And to our communications director, if you just write this up as a format that we can have for anybody else 1523 02:03:36,150 --> 02:03:38,610 who wants to make a presentation here, 1524 02:03:39,050 --> 02:03:44,870 I think this is a good format, so let's use it again. 1525 02:03:46,330 --> 02:03:48,170 I think she was talking about the font size, 1526 02:03:48,370 --> 02:03:50,130 but yes, it's not in PowerPoint. 1527 02:03:51,410 --> 02:03:54,070 I just want to say, clearly it's getting late, 1528 02:03:54,230 --> 02:03:57,110 but I am so grateful, one, to be able to work here, 1529 02:03:57,230 --> 02:03:58,310 and two, to live here. 1530 02:03:58,630 --> 02:03:59,830 I mean, seeing our first responders, 1531 02:04:00,890 --> 02:04:02,490 it's just an amazing place to live, 1532 02:04:02,870 --> 02:04:04,110 and every budget cycle, 1533 02:04:04,850 --> 02:04:11,450 I'm grateful for the debate amongst council that makes us better and thank you for Keith, Matt, the clerk's office. 1534 02:04:11,710 --> 02:04:15,550 I mean, I can't even imagine how much paper you guys have pumped out in your office as well. 1535 02:04:15,730 --> 02:04:17,370 So thank you, thank you for everything. 1536 02:04:17,830 --> 02:04:22,210 And Richard is really a wonderful place to live and this just proves it a little bit more. 1537 02:04:22,470 --> 02:04:26,650 And to Denise's point earlier tonight, the budget will be posted tomorrow. 1538 02:04:27,170 --> 02:04:32,470 So it will be available for public review, especially as we head towards the public hearing and final adoption. 1539 02:04:32,470 --> 02:04:38,930 And I think we will also post this PowerPoint presentation on the website as well so people 1540 02:04:38,930 --> 02:04:41,450 can thumb through and see what we discussed here tonight. 1541 02:04:41,910 --> 02:04:49,730 And I have to take a moment and say how impressed I am with the administration, the senior 1542 02:04:49,730 --> 02:04:54,770 staff, with the department heads, all of whom are here tonight to make sure that 1543 02:04:54,770 --> 02:04:57,010 this goes clearly and smoothly. 1544 02:04:57,710 --> 02:05:03,170 This is absolutely a goal-oriented administration. 1545 02:05:05,130 --> 02:05:07,890 You people do such a great job. 1546 02:05:08,630 --> 02:05:11,050 Our job is to make sure you're doing your job. 1547 02:05:12,090 --> 02:05:15,710 And of course, the residents are here to make sure we're doing our job. 1548 02:05:16,810 --> 02:05:19,450 You're the ones who make it work for everybody. 1549 02:05:19,990 --> 02:05:21,470 We are very, very impressed. 1550 02:05:21,710 --> 02:05:22,830 We are very happy with this. 1551 02:05:22,830 --> 02:05:28,150 I mean, the list of accomplishments seems to go on forever. 1552 02:05:28,950 --> 02:05:31,450 It was absolutely amazing. 1553 02:05:32,250 --> 02:05:38,530 The 3.14 percent budget increase, we don't have final numbers, 1554 02:05:38,710 --> 02:05:42,550 but the Northwest Bergen Association of Municipalities, 1555 02:05:43,010 --> 02:05:47,890 there were 13 municipalities, it would appear that we have the 1556 02:05:47,890 --> 02:05:53,930 Second lowest budget increase of those 13 municipalities, we're going to confirm that. 1557 02:05:54,630 --> 02:06:01,650 One municipality was in the 7% range and others in the 5% and 6% range. 1558 02:06:02,090 --> 02:06:06,730 So I want to put it into perspective how good this is. 1559 02:06:06,910 --> 02:06:08,150 It's very impressive. 1560 02:06:08,870 --> 02:06:15,230 And by the way, and I have to echo, this presentation, magnificent, really, really good, 1561 02:06:15,230 --> 02:06:17,510 very understandable, very clear, very readable. 1562 02:06:17,990 --> 02:06:20,470 Thank you all for everything you do every day. 1563 02:06:20,790 --> 02:06:21,630 Oh, one more thing. 1564 02:06:22,310 --> 02:06:25,110 I would add to the accomplishments that we passed 1565 02:06:25,110 --> 02:06:27,750 the ordinance on stormwater management 1566 02:06:27,750 --> 02:06:31,210 that is more forward thinking than any other town 1567 02:06:31,210 --> 02:06:33,190 has passed in the state, I'm pretty sure. 1568 02:06:34,030 --> 02:06:36,050 And Mayor, just on the comparison 1569 02:06:36,050 --> 02:06:37,470 to the neighboring municipalities, 1570 02:06:38,370 --> 02:06:39,670 again, not everyone has introduced 1571 02:06:39,670 --> 02:06:41,090 and some are under state review, 1572 02:06:41,150 --> 02:06:42,990 so they're waiting for approval from the state, 1573 02:06:42,990 --> 02:06:46,610 but it would seem that we're the second-lowest out of the 13, 1574 02:06:46,970 --> 02:06:49,970 and the only one that has a lesser percentage increase 1575 02:06:49,970 --> 02:06:51,950 than us is Hohokas. 1576 02:06:52,650 --> 02:06:55,010 And there were some anomalies with that budget, 1577 02:06:55,090 --> 02:06:57,230 which were to the benefit of their borrow. 1578 02:06:57,730 --> 02:07:02,370 But it seems as if the only one lower is Hohokas this year. 1579 02:07:03,270 --> 02:07:05,730 Gentlemen, directors, thank you all. 1580 02:07:05,910 --> 02:07:08,770 On behalf of a grateful council and town, 1581 02:07:09,190 --> 02:07:10,150 thank you all so much. 1582 02:07:20,610 --> 02:07:25,250 I move the first reading of ordinance 6, excuse me, 4046. 1583 02:07:26,810 --> 02:07:27,810 I second it. 1584 02:07:28,930 --> 02:07:29,550 Mortimer. 1585 02:07:29,970 --> 02:07:30,270 Yes. 1586 02:07:30,710 --> 02:07:31,150 Perrin. 1587 02:07:31,470 --> 02:07:31,710 Yes. 1588 02:07:32,210 --> 02:07:32,530 Whites. 1589 02:07:32,750 --> 02:07:32,950 Yes. 1590 02:07:33,330 --> 02:07:33,770 Winnegrette. 1591 02:07:33,950 --> 02:07:34,110 Yes. 1592 02:07:34,350 --> 02:07:34,810 Vagianos. 1593 02:07:35,130 --> 02:07:35,410 Yes. 1594 02:07:36,070 --> 02:07:36,630 So ordered. 1595 02:07:37,090 --> 02:07:40,990 Will the clerk please read ordinance 4046 by title. 1596 02:07:41,790 --> 02:07:47,850 Calendar year 2025, ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank. 1597 02:07:54,670 --> 02:08:00,950 I move that ordinance 4046 be adopted on the first reading and that May 14th 2025 be fixed 1598 02:08:00,950 --> 02:08:02,470 as the date for the hearing thereon. 1599 02:08:02,570 --> 02:08:03,590 I second the motion. 1600 02:08:04,730 --> 02:08:05,290 Mortimer. 1601 02:08:05,710 --> 02:08:05,990 Yes. 1602 02:08:06,290 --> 02:08:06,570 Perrin. 1603 02:08:06,870 --> 02:08:06,970 Yes. 1604 02:08:07,250 --> 02:08:07,370 White. 1605 02:08:07,710 --> 02:08:07,970 Yes. 1606 02:08:08,150 --> 02:08:08,470 Winnegrad. 1607 02:08:08,730 --> 02:08:08,930 Yes. 1608 02:08:09,150 --> 02:08:09,710 Vagianos. 1609 02:08:09,890 --> 02:08:10,130 Yes. 1610 02:08:11,110 --> 02:08:16,170 The following resolution number 25185 will be adopted by a consent agenda with one 1611 02:08:16,170 --> 02:08:22,690 vote by the village council. The resolution will be read by title only in 25185 increased 1612 02:08:22,690 --> 02:08:30,630 deferred school taxes. So moved. Second. Mortimer. Yes. Perrin. Yes. Whites. Yes. Winnegrad. Yes. 1613 02:08:30,870 --> 02:08:31,750 Vagianos. Yes. 1614 02:08:33,910 --> 02:08:38,530 The following resolution number 25186 will be considered separately in red 1615 02:08:38,530 --> 02:08:38,930 and full. 1616 02:08:41,660 --> 02:08:45,560 Whereas the division of local government services requires that the governing body 1617 02:08:45,560 --> 02:08:50,400 of any municipality which has deferred school taxes must authorize any increase in the deferral 1618 02:08:50,400 --> 02:08:54,920 of any additional amounts and whereas the village desires to increase deferred school taxes to 1619 02:08:54,920 --> 02:08:59,360 an amount permitted under state statutes. Now therefore be it resolved by the village council 1620 02:08:59,360 --> 02:09:03,180 of the village of Fridgewood that deferred school taxes be here by increase for the year 1621 02:09:03,180 --> 02:09:08,280 and to December 31st 2024 as follows. Amount deferred 12 31 23. 1622 02:09:10,020 --> 02:09:13,720 I apologize because I did not read the, yeah, thank you. 1623 02:09:15,240 --> 02:09:22,420 This is resolution 25186, municipal budget notice of the village of Ridgewood County of Bergen for calendar year 2025. 1624 02:09:23,080 --> 02:09:28,100 Whereas the following statements of revenues and appropriations shall constitute the minutes of budget for year 2025. 1625 02:09:28,580 --> 02:09:36,800 And whereas that said budget shall be published in the Ridgewood News in the issue of April 18, 2025 with a public hearing to be held on May 14, 2025. 1626 02:09:36,800 --> 02:10:02,940 Now therefore, be it resolved that the village council of the village of Ridgewood does hereby approve the following as the budget for the year 2025, general appropriations, appropriations within the caps, 51,714,393, appropriations excluded from caps, 11,826,564, reserve for uncollected taxes, 1,230,000. 1627 02:10:02,940 --> 02:10:08,200 total general appropriations 64 million seven hundred and seventy thousand nine hundred and fifty seven 1628 02:10:08,200 --> 02:10:11,760 less anticipated revenues other than current property tax 1629 02:10:11,760 --> 02:10:18,120 nineteen million five hundred eighty one thousand three hundred and twenty four amounts to be raised by taxes for support of budget 1630 02:10:18,120 --> 02:10:21,940 forty five million one hundred eighty nine thousand six hundred and thirty three 1631 02:10:24,100 --> 02:10:31,320 Public notice village of Ridgewood notice is hereby given that the budget and tax resolution was approved by the village council of the village of Ridgewood County of 1632 02:10:31,320 --> 02:10:32,900 on April 9th, 2025. 1633 02:10:33,540 --> 02:10:35,440 A hearing on the budget and tax resolution 1634 02:10:35,440 --> 02:10:37,320 will be held at Ridgewood Hall 131 1635 02:10:37,900 --> 02:10:39,660 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 1636 02:10:39,660 --> 02:10:41,520 at a regular public meeting to be held 1637 02:10:41,520 --> 02:10:43,160 on May 14th, 2025 1638 02:10:43,160 --> 02:10:44,500 at 7.30 p.m. 1639 02:10:49,490 --> 02:10:51,270 Can I get a motion? So moved. 1640 02:10:51,790 --> 02:10:52,010 Second. 1641 02:10:53,010 --> 02:10:53,530 Mortimer? 1642 02:10:53,910 --> 02:10:54,170 Yes. 1643 02:10:54,490 --> 02:10:54,790 Perrin? 1644 02:10:55,110 --> 02:10:55,290 Yes. 1645 02:10:55,650 --> 02:10:55,910 Weitz? 1646 02:10:56,090 --> 02:10:56,290 Yes. 1647 02:10:56,550 --> 02:10:56,930 Winnigrad? 1648 02:10:57,190 --> 02:10:57,390 Yes. 1649 02:10:57,810 --> 02:10:58,330 Vagianos? 1650 02:10:58,570 --> 02:10:58,910 Yes. 1651 02:10:59,270 --> 02:11:01,670 Mayor, through you, I'd like to thank Bob 1652 02:11:01,670 --> 02:11:07,390 for his service and I'd just like to ask Rich to stay for the three public hearings for 1653 02:11:07,390 --> 02:11:08,810 original award ordinances this evening. 1654 02:11:09,970 --> 02:11:10,690 Hi Bob. 1655 02:11:11,130 --> 02:11:11,770 Thanks Bob. 1656 02:11:11,790 --> 02:11:12,190 Thanks Bob. 1657 02:11:12,610 --> 02:11:12,610 I 1658 02:11:15,240 --> 02:11:21,900 move the clerk read ordinance 4037 by title on second reading and that the public hearing 1659 02:11:21,900 --> 02:11:23,060 thereon be opened. 1660 02:11:23,280 --> 02:11:23,840 I second it. 1661 02:11:24,440 --> 02:11:24,820 Mortimer. 1662 02:11:25,160 --> 02:11:25,280 Yes. 1663 02:11:25,540 --> 02:11:25,840 Perrin. 1664 02:11:26,160 --> 02:11:26,260 Yes. 1665 02:11:26,560 --> 02:11:26,760 Whites. 1666 02:11:27,040 --> 02:11:27,200 Yes. 1667 02:11:27,460 --> 02:11:27,780 Winnegrad. 1668 02:11:28,060 --> 02:11:28,200 Yes. 1669 02:11:28,560 --> 02:11:29,120 Fagianos. 1670 02:11:29,400 --> 02:11:29,720 Yes. 1671 02:11:29,720 --> 02:11:33,620 Yes, will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4037. 1672 02:11:34,020 --> 02:11:42,300 An ordinance to amend chapter 145 of the code of the village of Ridgewood fees at section 145-6 enumeration of fees relating to code chapters. 1673 02:11:43,060 --> 02:11:44,740 The public hearing is now open. 1674 02:11:51,240 --> 02:11:53,940 Seeing no one, I move that the public hearing be closed. 1675 02:11:54,180 --> 02:11:54,580 I second. 1676 02:11:55,260 --> 02:11:55,680 Mortimer. 1677 02:11:56,100 --> 02:11:56,340 Yes. 1678 02:11:56,600 --> 02:11:56,920 Perrin. 1679 02:11:57,160 --> 02:11:57,400 Yes. 1680 02:11:57,660 --> 02:11:57,760 White. 1681 02:11:58,040 --> 02:11:58,260 Yes. 1682 02:11:58,740 --> 02:11:59,180 Winnegrad. 1683 02:11:59,540 --> 02:11:59,740 Yes. 1684 02:11:59,980 --> 02:12:00,480 Vagianos. 1685 02:12:00,720 --> 02:12:01,020 Yes. 1686 02:12:01,020 --> 02:12:07,980 I move that ordinance 4037 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. 1687 02:12:08,220 --> 02:12:09,060 I second the motion. 1688 02:12:09,780 --> 02:12:10,180 Mortimer. 1689 02:12:10,540 --> 02:12:10,640 Yes. 1690 02:12:10,920 --> 02:12:11,220 Perrin. 1691 02:12:11,520 --> 02:12:11,660 Yes. 1692 02:12:11,940 --> 02:12:12,140 Whites. 1693 02:12:12,420 --> 02:12:12,580 Yes. 1694 02:12:12,860 --> 02:12:13,160 Winograd. 1695 02:12:13,540 --> 02:12:13,740 Yes. 1696 02:12:14,080 --> 02:12:14,580 Vagianos. 1697 02:12:14,820 --> 02:12:15,040 Yes. 1698 02:12:15,940 --> 02:12:16,660 I move the clerk. 1699 02:12:16,880 --> 02:12:17,440 Excuse me. 1700 02:12:17,640 --> 02:12:24,620 I move the clerk read ordinance 4038 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be opened. 1701 02:12:25,920 --> 02:12:26,520 Second. 1702 02:12:27,100 --> 02:12:27,620 Mortimer. 1703 02:12:28,000 --> 02:12:28,140 Yes. 1704 02:12:28,420 --> 02:12:28,740 Perrin. 1705 02:12:28,740 --> 02:12:29,160 Yes. 1706 02:12:29,380 --> 02:12:29,500 White? 1707 02:12:29,820 --> 02:12:30,060 Yes. 1708 02:12:30,240 --> 02:12:30,560 Winnigrad? 1709 02:12:30,900 --> 02:12:31,180 Yes. 1710 02:12:31,520 --> 02:12:31,900 Bajanos? 1711 02:12:32,260 --> 02:12:32,560 Yes. 1712 02:12:33,140 --> 02:12:36,800 Will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4038. 1713 02:12:37,480 --> 02:12:41,760 An ordinance to amend chapter 269 of the code of the village of Ridgewood entitled Water 1714 02:12:41,760 --> 02:12:46,680 at section 269-8 entitled Piping System Compliance Right of Access. 1715 02:12:47,600 --> 02:12:49,380 The public hearing is now open. 1716 02:12:52,860 --> 02:12:55,300 Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed. 1717 02:12:55,960 --> 02:12:56,240 Second. 1718 02:12:56,900 --> 02:12:57,320 Mortimer? 1719 02:12:57,620 --> 02:12:57,860 Yes. 1720 02:12:58,180 --> 02:12:58,480 Perrin? 1721 02:12:58,800 --> 02:12:58,880 Yes. 1722 02:13:02,160 --> 02:13:06,660 I move that ordinance 4038 be adopted on second reading and final publication as 1723 02:13:06,660 --> 02:13:07,380 required by law. 1724 02:13:07,660 --> 02:13:08,420 I second the motion. 1725 02:13:09,380 --> 02:13:09,720 Mortimer. 1726 02:13:10,140 --> 02:13:10,300 Yes. 1727 02:13:10,500 --> 02:13:10,800 Perrin. 1728 02:13:11,100 --> 02:13:11,260 Yes. 1729 02:13:11,480 --> 02:13:11,720 Whites. 1730 02:13:12,020 --> 02:13:12,160 Yes. 1731 02:13:12,360 --> 02:13:12,680 Winnegrad. 1732 02:13:13,020 --> 02:13:13,180 Yes. 1733 02:13:13,480 --> 02:13:14,040 Vegianos. 1734 02:13:14,180 --> 02:13:14,360 Yes. 1735 02:13:15,120 --> 02:13:20,640 I move the clerk read ordinance 4039 by title on second reading and that the public 1736 02:13:20,640 --> 02:13:22,680 hearing thereon be opened. 1737 02:13:23,000 --> 02:13:23,400 I second. 1738 02:13:25,100 --> 02:13:25,660 Mortimer. 1739 02:13:26,040 --> 02:13:26,180 Yes. 1740 02:13:26,640 --> 02:13:27,000 Perrin. 1741 02:13:27,440 --> 02:13:27,520 Yes. 1742 02:13:27,520 --> 02:13:27,600 Yes. 1743 02:13:27,720 --> 02:13:27,820 White? 1744 02:13:28,120 --> 02:13:28,360 Yes. 1745 02:13:28,540 --> 02:13:28,900 Winnigrad? 1746 02:13:29,140 --> 02:13:29,320 Yes. 1747 02:13:29,600 --> 02:13:30,160 Vagianos? 1748 02:13:30,380 --> 02:13:30,660 Yes. 1749 02:13:31,120 --> 02:13:34,540 Will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4039. 1750 02:13:35,420 --> 02:13:39,520 Bond ordinance providing for various water utility improvements in and by the village 1751 02:13:39,520 --> 02:13:44,840 of Ridgewood in the county of Bergen, New Jersey, appropriating $4,992,000 therefore 1752 02:13:44,840 --> 02:13:50,920 and authorizing the issuance of $4,742,000 bonds or notes of the village to finance 1753 02:13:50,920 --> 02:13:52,180 part of the cost thereof. 1754 02:13:52,660 --> 02:13:54,640 The public hearing is now open. 1755 02:13:54,640 --> 02:13:55,660 Seeing 1756 02:13:58,250 --> 02:14:00,350 no one, I move the public hearing be closed. 1757 02:14:00,650 --> 02:14:01,310 I second that. 1758 02:14:01,890 --> 02:14:02,250 Mortimer? 1759 02:14:02,630 --> 02:14:02,810 Yes. 1760 02:14:03,010 --> 02:14:03,270 Perrin? 1761 02:14:03,490 --> 02:14:03,710 Yes. 1762 02:14:03,970 --> 02:14:04,190 Weitz? 1763 02:14:04,390 --> 02:14:04,570 Yes. 1764 02:14:04,850 --> 02:14:05,110 Winnegrad? 1765 02:14:05,490 --> 02:14:05,690 Yes. 1766 02:14:05,990 --> 02:14:06,510 Vagianos? 1767 02:14:06,690 --> 02:14:06,890 Yes. 1768 02:14:07,430 --> 02:14:12,770 I move that ordinance 4039 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. 1769 02:14:13,070 --> 02:14:13,810 I second the motion. 1770 02:14:14,370 --> 02:14:14,710 Mortimer? 1771 02:14:15,090 --> 02:14:15,270 Yes. 1772 02:14:15,530 --> 02:14:15,850 Perrin? 1773 02:14:16,430 --> 02:14:16,770 Yes. 1774 02:14:17,110 --> 02:14:17,410 Weitz? 1775 02:14:17,550 --> 02:14:17,770 Yes. 1776 02:14:18,130 --> 02:14:18,490 Winnegrad? 1777 02:14:18,810 --> 02:14:19,030 Yes. 1778 02:14:19,290 --> 02:14:19,810 Vagianos? 1779 02:14:19,950 --> 02:14:20,270 Yes. 1780 02:14:20,270 --> 02:14:20,330 Yes. 1781 02:14:22,380 --> 02:14:28,520 The following resolutions, number 25187 through 25188, are to be adopted by a consent agenda 1782 02:14:28,520 --> 02:14:30,160 with one vote by the Village Council. 1783 02:14:30,580 --> 02:14:32,520 Each resolution will be read by title only. 1784 02:14:33,140 --> 02:14:37,660 Award emergency contract, repacking and restoration of air stripping tower, wartondike water 1785 02:14:37,660 --> 02:14:41,720 treatment facility, authorized change order, asphalt trench patching. 1786 02:14:42,440 --> 02:14:43,120 Some of it. 1787 02:14:43,280 --> 02:14:43,580 Second. 1788 02:14:44,240 --> 02:14:44,800 Mortimer. 1789 02:14:45,160 --> 02:14:45,340 Yes. 1790 02:14:45,620 --> 02:14:45,940 Herron. 1791 02:14:46,380 --> 02:14:46,660 Yes. 1792 02:14:46,960 --> 02:14:47,200 Whites. 1793 02:14:47,360 --> 02:14:47,560 Yes. 1794 02:14:47,560 --> 02:14:48,840 Winnigrad? Yes. 1795 02:14:49,280 --> 02:14:51,160 Vagianos? Yes. Thank you, Rich. 1796 02:14:52,940 --> 02:14:54,120 Thanks, Rich. Thanks, Rich. 1797 02:14:55,260 --> 02:14:56,960 Rich, before you go... 1798 02:15:00,180 --> 02:15:03,580 I move the first reading of ordinance 4047. 1799 02:15:04,760 --> 02:15:05,320 Second. 1800 02:15:08,640 --> 02:15:08,980 Mortimer. 1801 02:15:09,380 --> 02:15:09,580 Yes. 1802 02:15:09,840 --> 02:15:10,120 Perrin. 1803 02:15:10,400 --> 02:15:10,620 Yes. 1804 02:15:10,860 --> 02:15:11,100 Weitz. 1805 02:15:11,300 --> 02:15:11,460 Yes. 1806 02:15:11,740 --> 02:15:12,040 Winnigrad. 1807 02:15:12,460 --> 02:15:12,680 Yes. 1808 02:15:13,020 --> 02:15:13,540 Vagianos. 1809 02:15:13,760 --> 02:15:14,020 Yes. 1810 02:15:14,460 --> 02:15:14,860 So ordered. 1811 02:15:15,420 --> 02:15:19,100 Will the clerk please read ordinance 4047 by title. 1812 02:15:19,720 --> 02:15:23,780 In ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain real property easement interest within 1813 02:15:23,780 --> 02:15:24,620 the village of Ridgewood. 1814 02:15:26,280 --> 02:15:31,920 I move that ordinance 4047 be adopted on the first reading and that May 14, 2025 be fixed 1815 02:15:33,140 --> 02:15:34,420 I second the motion. 1816 02:15:36,220 --> 02:15:36,780 Mortimer. 1817 02:15:37,160 --> 02:15:37,320 Yes. 1818 02:15:37,620 --> 02:15:37,920 Perrin. 1819 02:15:38,240 --> 02:15:38,400 Yes. 1820 02:15:38,640 --> 02:15:38,760 White. 1821 02:15:39,100 --> 02:15:39,300 Yes. 1822 02:15:39,540 --> 02:15:39,900 Winnegrat. 1823 02:15:40,160 --> 02:15:40,320 Yes. 1824 02:15:40,600 --> 02:15:41,160 Vagianos. 1825 02:15:41,420 --> 02:15:41,660 Yes. 1826 02:15:42,220 --> 02:15:47,920 I move the clerk read ordinance 4040 by title on second reading and that the public hearing 1827 02:15:47,920 --> 02:15:48,980 thereon be opened. 1828 02:15:49,520 --> 02:15:50,080 I second it. 1829 02:15:52,340 --> 02:15:52,800 Mortimer. 1830 02:15:53,200 --> 02:15:53,260 Yes. 1831 02:15:53,520 --> 02:15:53,760 Perrin. 1832 02:15:54,060 --> 02:15:54,180 Yes. 1833 02:15:54,420 --> 02:15:54,540 White. 1834 02:15:54,840 --> 02:15:55,060 Yes. 1835 02:15:55,260 --> 02:15:55,620 Winnegrat. 1836 02:15:55,960 --> 02:15:56,140 Yes. 1837 02:15:56,520 --> 02:15:57,080 Vagianos. 1838 02:15:57,460 --> 02:16:00,660 Will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4040. 1839 02:16:01,840 --> 02:16:07,460 to amend Chapter 156 of the Code of the Village of Ridgewood, Food and Food Handling Establishments, 1840 02:16:07,600 --> 02:16:11,680 Article 1, General Provisions at Section 156-2, Definition. 1841 02:16:12,020 --> 02:16:13,920 The public hearing is now open. 1842 02:16:17,360 --> 02:16:21,860 Good evening, Boyd-loving Ridgewood resident. Just a procedural question. All of these ordinances 1843 02:16:21,860 --> 02:16:26,380 have been advertised that they are available for people to call in as well. Is that correct? 1844 02:16:29,960 --> 02:16:33,340 Are we checking to see if somebody is calling in? 1845 02:16:33,340 --> 02:16:42,640 Oh, yes. Absolutely. Okay. Excuse me. I haven't heard. I didn't understand your question. Forgive me. Yes, I have it right in front of me. Okay. No one has no one has raised their hand. Thank you so much. Yep. 1846 02:16:49,600 --> 02:16:50,300 Anyone else? 1847 02:16:51,660 --> 02:17:08,440 Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed. I second. Mortimer. Yes. Perrin. Yes. White. Yes. Winograd. Yes. Veggianos. Yes. I move that ordinance 4040 be adopted on second reading and final publications required by law. I second the motion. Mortimer. 1848 02:17:08,440 --> 02:17:14,660 Yeah, I would like to say before I say yes that I think this is great. It'll make things easier the health department and 1849 02:17:14,660 --> 02:17:17,080 So yeah, very much in favor of this. So yes 1850 02:17:18,160 --> 02:17:23,040 Perrin. Yes whites. Yes winnigrad. Yes vagianos. Yes, I 1851 02:17:23,880 --> 02:17:31,200 Move the clerk read ordinance 4041 by title on second reading and that the public hearing they're on be open second 1852 02:17:31,960 --> 02:17:37,340 Mortimer. Yes Perrin. Yes whites. Yes winnigrad. Yep. Vagianos. Yes 1853 02:17:37,340 --> 02:17:37,440 Yes. 1854 02:17:37,880 --> 02:17:41,660 Will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4041. 1855 02:17:42,080 --> 02:17:47,240 An ordinance to amend chapter 145 of the code of the village of Ridgewood fees at section 1856 02:17:47,240 --> 02:17:49,320 145-5 general fees. 1857 02:17:49,940 --> 02:17:51,460 The public hearing is now open. 1858 02:17:54,630 --> 02:17:57,330 Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed. 1859 02:17:58,450 --> 02:17:58,810 Second. 1860 02:17:59,470 --> 02:17:59,910 Mortimer. 1861 02:18:00,210 --> 02:18:00,390 Yes. 1862 02:18:00,730 --> 02:18:01,110 Perrin. 1863 02:18:01,370 --> 02:18:01,610 Yes. 1864 02:18:01,910 --> 02:18:01,990 White. 1865 02:18:02,270 --> 02:18:02,470 Yes. 1866 02:18:02,710 --> 02:18:03,050 Winnegrad. 1867 02:18:03,430 --> 02:18:03,590 Yep. 1868 02:18:03,910 --> 02:18:04,470 Vagianos. 1869 02:18:04,470 --> 02:18:11,190 Yes, I move that ordinance 4041 be adopted on second reading and final publication is required by law. I second the motion 1870 02:18:11,810 --> 02:18:17,410 Mortimer. Yes. Perrin. Yes. White. Yes. Winnegrat. Yes. Veggianos. Yes 1871 02:18:17,410 --> 02:18:25,850 I move the clerk read ordinance 4042 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be opened. I 1872 02:18:25,850 --> 02:18:26,110 Second 1873 02:18:26,670 --> 02:18:32,450 Mortimer. Yes. Perrin. Yes. White. Yes. Winnegrat. Yes. Veggianos. Yes 1874 02:18:32,450 --> 02:18:36,730 Yes, will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4042. 1875 02:18:37,390 --> 02:18:42,530 An ordinance to amend chapter 105 of the Code of the Village of Ridgewood, animals at section 1876 02:18:42,530 --> 02:18:45,130 105, article 8, wildlife feeding. 1877 02:18:45,950 --> 02:18:47,730 The public hearing is now open. 1878 02:18:51,500 --> 02:18:53,960 Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed. 1879 02:18:54,480 --> 02:18:54,840 I second. 1880 02:18:55,480 --> 02:18:55,880 Mortimer. 1881 02:18:56,380 --> 02:18:56,520 Yes. 1882 02:18:56,920 --> 02:18:57,300 Perrin. 1883 02:18:57,640 --> 02:18:57,820 Yes. 1884 02:18:58,060 --> 02:18:58,240 Whites. 1885 02:18:58,500 --> 02:18:58,760 Yes. 1886 02:18:59,020 --> 02:18:59,380 Winograd. 1887 02:18:59,900 --> 02:19:00,100 Yes. 1888 02:19:00,380 --> 02:19:00,900 Vegianos. 1889 02:19:00,900 --> 02:19:01,260 Yes. 1890 02:19:02,420 --> 02:19:11,100 I am excited to move this ordinance 4042 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. 1891 02:19:11,720 --> 02:19:15,660 I would like to second the motion as well as the deputy mayor's excitement for it. 1892 02:19:17,480 --> 02:19:26,640 Yeah, this is I think going to really help out a lot of people where feeding of wildlife has gotten out of control and is going to help quality of life for a lot of neighbors. 1893 02:19:27,000 --> 02:19:27,340 So yes. 1894 02:19:27,340 --> 02:19:28,440 Yes. 1895 02:19:28,440 --> 02:19:28,940 Perrin? 1896 02:19:29,200 --> 02:19:29,420 Yes. 1897 02:19:29,820 --> 02:19:30,080 Whites? 1898 02:19:30,260 --> 02:19:30,500 Yes. 1899 02:19:30,820 --> 02:19:31,120 Winograd? 1900 02:19:31,460 --> 02:19:31,620 Yes. 1901 02:19:31,860 --> 02:19:32,400 Pagianos? 1902 02:19:32,800 --> 02:19:33,100 Yes. 1903 02:19:33,320 --> 02:19:38,420 And while I am happy to pass this ordinance, I have to say I'm concerned about the excitement 1904 02:19:38,420 --> 02:19:41,700 of some of my colleagues, but yes. 1905 02:19:42,460 --> 02:19:43,760 And let's move on. 1906 02:19:44,000 --> 02:19:49,480 I move the clerk read ordinance 4043 by title on second reading and that the public hearing 1907 02:19:49,480 --> 02:19:50,760 thereon be opened. 1908 02:19:51,200 --> 02:19:51,520 Second. 1909 02:19:52,360 --> 02:19:52,900 Mortimer? 1910 02:19:53,280 --> 02:19:53,480 Yes. 1911 02:19:53,860 --> 02:19:54,160 Perrin? 1912 02:19:54,440 --> 02:19:54,560 Yes. 1913 02:19:54,560 --> 02:19:54,680 Yes. 1914 02:19:54,860 --> 02:19:55,180 White. 1915 02:19:55,580 --> 02:19:55,880 Yes. 1916 02:19:56,160 --> 02:19:56,560 Winograd. 1917 02:19:56,940 --> 02:19:57,140 Yes. 1918 02:19:57,460 --> 02:19:58,020 Vagianos. 1919 02:19:58,200 --> 02:19:58,420 Yes. 1920 02:19:58,780 --> 02:20:02,340 Will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4043. 1921 02:20:03,300 --> 02:20:07,660 An ordinance to rescind and replace in its entirety chapter 260 of the Code of the Village 1922 02:20:07,660 --> 02:20:13,260 of Ridgewood, Trees and Shrubs, and previously adopted ordinance number 3682, which amended 1923 02:20:13,260 --> 02:20:18,660 chapter 260 and to establish a new title for chapter 260, Tree Protection, Removal, 1924 02:20:18,860 --> 02:20:19,420 and Replacement. 1925 02:20:20,660 --> 02:20:22,380 The public hearing is now open. 1926 02:20:22,380 --> 02:20:23,400 Seeing 1927 02:20:26,280 --> 02:20:28,600 no one, I move the public hearing be closed. 1928 02:20:29,140 --> 02:20:29,480 Second. 1929 02:20:30,460 --> 02:20:30,840 Mortimer? 1930 02:20:31,120 --> 02:20:31,420 Yes. 1931 02:20:31,780 --> 02:20:32,120 Perrin? 1932 02:20:32,340 --> 02:20:32,520 Yes. 1933 02:20:32,840 --> 02:20:33,060 Whites? 1934 02:20:33,320 --> 02:20:33,460 Yes. 1935 02:20:33,800 --> 02:20:34,160 Winnegrad? 1936 02:20:34,460 --> 02:20:34,660 Yes. 1937 02:20:34,980 --> 02:20:35,500 Vagianos? 1938 02:20:35,720 --> 02:20:36,020 Yes. 1939 02:20:37,040 --> 02:20:44,320 Second time's a charm, so I move that the ordinance 4043 be adopted on the second reading and final publication as required by law. 1940 02:20:45,020 --> 02:20:54,020 Actually, this ordinance has been in many different iterations, and I second the motion. 1941 02:20:54,020 --> 02:20:56,360 It only gets better and better. 1942 02:20:58,160 --> 02:20:58,640 Mortimer? 1943 02:20:59,100 --> 02:21:09,440 I'd like to thank the Shadetree Commission Council Member Winograd for all the work that they put in to make this a really solid and beneficial amendment. 1944 02:21:09,720 --> 02:21:11,160 So I'd like to say thank you and yes. 1945 02:21:12,120 --> 02:21:12,560 Perrin? 1946 02:21:12,880 --> 02:21:13,120 Yes. 1947 02:21:13,460 --> 02:21:13,760 Whites? 1948 02:21:13,980 --> 02:21:14,200 Yes. 1949 02:21:14,460 --> 02:21:14,840 Winograd? 1950 02:21:15,320 --> 02:21:19,760 I'd like to thank the Ordnance Committee, which I'm gratefully not a part of, but thank you very much. 1951 02:21:21,840 --> 02:21:22,180 Yes. 1952 02:21:22,180 --> 02:21:22,320 Yes. 1953 02:21:22,680 --> 02:21:23,580 And Vagianos. 1954 02:21:23,780 --> 02:21:24,120 Yes. 1955 02:21:25,180 --> 02:21:31,560 I move the clerk read Ordinance 4044 by title on second reading and that the public hearing 1956 02:21:31,560 --> 02:21:32,720 thereon be opened. 1957 02:21:33,100 --> 02:21:33,460 Second. 1958 02:21:34,180 --> 02:21:34,820 Mortimer. 1959 02:21:35,180 --> 02:21:35,280 Yes. 1960 02:21:35,600 --> 02:21:35,980 Perrin. 1961 02:21:36,460 --> 02:21:36,560 Yes. 1962 02:21:36,920 --> 02:21:37,140 Whites. 1963 02:21:37,360 --> 02:21:37,560 Yes. 1964 02:21:37,940 --> 02:21:38,320 Winnigrad. 1965 02:21:38,580 --> 02:21:38,760 Yes. 1966 02:21:39,100 --> 02:21:39,740 Vagianos. 1967 02:21:39,880 --> 02:21:40,120 Yes. 1968 02:21:40,680 --> 02:21:44,580 Will the clerk please read the title of Ordinance 4044. 1969 02:21:45,400 --> 02:21:49,820 An Ordinance to amend Chapter 241 of the Code of the Village of Ridgewood entitled 1970 02:21:49,820 --> 02:21:54,240 skateboards by renaming the chapter skateboards scooters and micro mobility 1971 02:21:54,240 --> 02:21:58,120 vehicles or devices in the central business district and adding definitions 1972 02:21:58,120 --> 02:22:02,460 and restricted vehicles and devices. The public hearing is now open. 1973 02:22:05,280 --> 02:22:06,180 Seeing no 1974 02:22:06,180 --> 02:22:12,880 one I move the public hearing be closed. I second. Mortimer. Yes. Perrin. Yes. 1975 02:22:13,220 --> 02:22:19,460 Whites. Yes. Winograd. Yes. Fragianos. Yes and I just want to comment that for 1976 02:22:19,460 --> 02:22:27,020 For those of you who are unfamiliar with what this ordinance says, this will make our streets 1977 02:22:27,020 --> 02:22:31,120 and central business district, actually our sidewalks in our central business district 1978 02:22:31,120 --> 02:22:32,600 much safer. 1979 02:22:32,800 --> 02:22:41,600 There has been an outpouring of electric skateboards and other electric vehicles that people 1980 02:22:41,600 --> 02:22:45,800 have been using on the sidewalks of our central business district that have made 1981 02:22:45,800 --> 02:22:48,760 it very, very tricky to navigate there. 1982 02:22:48,760 --> 02:22:55,920 So I am grateful to the police, the manager, the clerk and everyone who worked on this 1983 02:22:55,920 --> 02:22:58,560 because I think it's going to be a very good thing. 1984 02:22:58,740 --> 02:23:06,500 The next step is, of course, getting the word out to everyone that this will no longer be allowed in our central business district. 1985 02:23:07,340 --> 02:23:09,600 And my vote is yes. 1986 02:23:13,330 --> 02:23:18,870 I move that ordinance 40-44 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. 1987 02:23:19,770 --> 02:23:20,890 I second the motion. 1988 02:23:21,730 --> 02:23:22,190 Mortimer. 1989 02:23:22,730 --> 02:23:24,190 On behalf of the citizen safety 1990 02:23:24,190 --> 02:23:25,890 committee, I know that they're 1991 02:23:25,890 --> 02:23:27,390 very happy about this. 1992 02:23:27,510 --> 02:23:28,570 I want to say a big yes. 1993 02:23:29,770 --> 02:23:30,290 Perrin. 1994 02:23:30,890 --> 02:23:32,910 This also covers regular 1995 02:23:33,950 --> 02:23:36,090 bicycles that are not motorized. 1996 02:23:36,430 --> 02:23:38,190 Can't ride those on the sidewalks 1997 02:23:38,190 --> 02:23:39,430 of the central business district 1998 02:23:39,430 --> 02:23:39,890 either. 1999 02:23:40,990 --> 02:23:43,190 They can be dangerous as well. 2000 02:23:44,130 --> 02:23:46,550 And I'm eager to see how this 2001 02:23:46,550 --> 02:23:52,670 goes in terms of enforcement and our chief of police is here and therefore at 2002 02:23:52,670 --> 02:23:57,330 the end of the summer like September or so if you could let CB DAC know the 2003 02:23:57,330 --> 02:24:01,750 Central Business District Advisory Committee how enforcement is going and 2004 02:24:01,750 --> 02:24:08,230 I vote yes. White? Yes. Winnigrad? I too vote yes I want to wish the police the 2005 02:24:08,230 --> 02:24:11,090 best of luck in the enforcement I'm sure it's not going to be easy and I 2006 02:24:11,090 --> 02:24:14,430 want to remind every family this is a good opportunity to talk about this 2007 02:24:14,430 --> 02:24:21,250 with users in your house because it's a big issue for our downtown for pedestrian safety and the more that people talk about it 2008 02:24:21,250 --> 02:24:24,650 individually with their own children and members of the community, the better it'll be. 2009 02:24:25,770 --> 02:24:26,130 Yes. 2010 02:24:26,650 --> 02:24:27,450 And Vagianos. 2011 02:24:27,750 --> 02:24:35,250 I echo Siobhan's comments, parents, please sit down with your kids, have this conversation. 2012 02:24:35,890 --> 02:24:41,990 So many of the people who ride these vehicles in our central business district are teenagers. 2013 02:24:41,990 --> 02:24:54,730 I implore you before someone is seriously injured, please work with them to ensure that that kind of tragedy does not occur and with that I vote yes. 2014 02:24:55,670 --> 02:25:05,390 And that includes, this covers the Hudson Street garage as well. You can't ride a skateboard down that ramp. 2015 02:25:08,950 --> 02:25:18,150 I move the clerk read ordinance four oh four five by title on second reading and that the public hearing there on the open second. 2016 02:25:18,730 --> 02:25:29,290 Mortimer yes parent yes whites yes one ago yes yes yes yes. Will the clerk please read title of ordinance four oh four five. 2017 02:25:29,950 --> 02:25:34,250 Bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the village of Ridgewood 2018 02:25:34,250 --> 02:25:41,170 and the county of Bergen, New Jersey appropriating 4,092,190 therefore and authorizing the issuance 2019 02:25:41,170 --> 02:25:48,090 of 3,887,000 bonds or notes of the village to finance part of the cost thereof. 2020 02:25:48,510 --> 02:25:50,390 The public hearing is now open. 2021 02:25:54,890 --> 02:25:57,430 Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed. 2022 02:25:57,830 --> 02:25:58,050 Second. 2023 02:25:58,930 --> 02:25:59,330 Mortimer. 2024 02:25:59,670 --> 02:25:59,870 Yes. 2025 02:26:00,150 --> 02:26:00,490 Perrin. 2026 02:26:00,850 --> 02:26:01,050 Yes. 2027 02:26:03,990 --> 02:26:10,030 I move that ordinance 4045 be adopted on second reading and final publication is required by law. 2028 02:26:13,340 --> 02:26:13,940 Second. 2029 02:26:15,000 --> 02:26:15,400 Mortimer. 2030 02:26:15,700 --> 02:26:15,880 Yes. 2031 02:26:16,220 --> 02:26:16,580 Perrin. 2032 02:26:16,880 --> 02:26:17,020 Yes. 2033 02:26:17,340 --> 02:26:17,660 Whites. 2034 02:26:17,980 --> 02:26:18,140 Yes. 2035 02:26:18,460 --> 02:26:18,740 Winigrad. 2036 02:26:19,080 --> 02:26:19,280 Yes. 2037 02:26:19,600 --> 02:26:20,200 Vegianos. 2038 02:26:20,400 --> 02:26:20,540 Yes. 2039 02:26:21,460 --> 02:26:28,200 I move the clerk read ordinance 4034 by title on third reading and that the public hearing thereon be opened. 2040 02:26:28,460 --> 02:26:29,040 I second that. 2041 02:26:29,860 --> 02:26:30,340 Mortimer. 2042 02:26:30,680 --> 02:26:30,820 Yes. 2043 02:26:31,120 --> 02:26:31,480 Perrin. 2044 02:26:31,800 --> 02:26:31,960 Yes. 2045 02:26:32,240 --> 02:26:32,520 Whites. 2046 02:26:32,840 --> 02:26:33,040 Yes. 2047 02:26:33,340 --> 02:26:33,720 Winigrad. 2048 02:26:33,780 --> 02:26:34,280 Yes. 2049 02:26:34,520 --> 02:26:35,180 Vagianos. 2050 02:26:35,480 --> 02:26:35,780 Yes. 2051 02:26:36,160 --> 02:26:40,200 Will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4034. 2052 02:26:40,940 --> 02:26:45,220 Bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the village of Ridgwood 2053 02:26:45,220 --> 02:26:53,620 in the county of Bergen, New Jersey appropriating 2,765,550 therefore and authorizing the issuance 2054 02:26:57,440 --> 02:27:03,980 of 2,627,050 bonds or notes of the village to finance part of the cost thereof. 2055 02:27:04,980 --> 02:27:10,480 The public hearing on ordinance 4034 was continued from the March 12th meeting due to the fact 2056 02:27:10,480 --> 02:27:13,960 that there were not enough village council members present at that meeting to adopt 2057 02:27:13,960 --> 02:27:18,960 a bond ordinance which requires at least four votes in favor of the ordinance in order 2058 02:27:18,960 --> 02:27:19,640 to be adopted. 2059 02:27:20,040 --> 02:27:22,460 The public hearing is now continued. 2060 02:27:22,460 --> 02:27:23,500 Seeing 2061 02:27:26,700 --> 02:27:29,200 no one, I move the public hearing be closed. 2062 02:27:29,560 --> 02:27:30,120 I second it. 2063 02:27:30,780 --> 02:27:31,120 Mortimer? 2064 02:27:31,440 --> 02:27:31,680 Yes. 2065 02:27:32,040 --> 02:27:32,340 Herron? 2066 02:27:32,700 --> 02:27:32,860 Yes. 2067 02:27:33,180 --> 02:27:33,440 Weitz? 2068 02:27:33,600 --> 02:27:33,920 Yes. 2069 02:27:34,160 --> 02:27:34,520 Winograd? 2070 02:27:35,240 --> 02:27:35,620 Yes. 2071 02:27:35,760 --> 02:27:39,960 I just want to say that my first budget cycle, we deferred this garbage truck. 2072 02:27:40,580 --> 02:27:45,300 I'm so excited for Sean and the department that two years later we're finally doing that. 2073 02:27:45,460 --> 02:27:46,600 That goes to long-term planning. 2074 02:27:46,900 --> 02:27:48,800 While he's not here, I want to thank him. 2075 02:27:49,460 --> 02:27:53,620 I want to thank this council because we consciously waited and this is very exciting. 2076 02:27:53,620 --> 02:27:54,880 So, yes. 2077 02:27:55,920 --> 02:27:56,940 And Vagianos. 2078 02:27:57,520 --> 02:28:00,640 And the excitement of my colleagues still concerns me. 2079 02:28:00,840 --> 02:28:01,060 Yes. 2080 02:28:01,680 --> 02:28:02,420 Very exciting. 2081 02:28:04,380 --> 02:28:10,100 I move that Ordinance 4034 be adopted on third reading and final publication as required by law. 2082 02:28:10,640 --> 02:28:11,540 I second the motion. 2083 02:28:12,360 --> 02:28:12,720 Mortimer. 2084 02:28:13,120 --> 02:28:13,280 Yes. 2085 02:28:13,620 --> 02:28:13,960 Perrin. 2086 02:28:14,180 --> 02:28:14,360 Yes. 2087 02:28:14,640 --> 02:28:14,780 White. 2088 02:28:15,040 --> 02:28:15,260 Yes. 2089 02:28:15,580 --> 02:28:15,900 Winigrad. 2090 02:28:16,300 --> 02:28:16,580 Yes. 2091 02:28:16,840 --> 02:28:17,460 Vagianos. 2092 02:28:17,600 --> 02:28:17,900 Yes. 2093 02:28:18,900 --> 02:28:27,620 The following resolutions numbered 25189 through 25216 are to be adopted by a consent agenda with one vote by the village council. 2094 02:28:28,100 --> 02:28:30,300 Each resolution will be read by title only. 2095 02:28:31,200 --> 02:28:34,780 Title 59 approval and award contract for tree irrigation. 2096 02:28:35,420 --> 02:28:39,440 Award contract insecticide injection for emerald ash borer. 2097 02:28:40,040 --> 02:28:43,480 Award contract disposal of ground yard waste and grass clippings. 2098 02:28:43,920 --> 02:28:47,020 Award contract billing of basic life support services. 2099 02:28:47,020 --> 02:28:53,440 Award sole source contract, programming updates to SCADA system, water pollution control facility. 2100 02:28:54,020 --> 02:28:59,300 Award sole source contract, software support for SCADA system, water pollution control facility. 2101 02:28:59,940 --> 02:29:04,720 Award contract under state contract, camera system for police detective bureau interview room. 2102 02:29:05,180 --> 02:29:08,700 Award contract under state contract, spatial data logic software. 2103 02:29:09,240 --> 02:29:12,500 Award contract under county contract, untreated rock salt. 2104 02:29:12,500 --> 02:29:19,400 Aboard contract under county contract 2024 Ford F-350 Supercab Parks Department. 2105 02:29:19,760 --> 02:29:26,360 Award contract under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing System, vehicle tracking subscription, various village departments. 2106 02:29:27,080 --> 02:29:33,760 Award contract under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing System, lift gate for Ford F-350 SD Supercab Parks Department. 2107 02:29:34,300 --> 02:29:41,020 Award contract under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing System to Freightliner Rear Loader Packer Truck Sanitation Department. 2108 02:29:41,020 --> 02:29:54,260 A word contract under Educational Services Commission of NJ Cooperative Pricing System Purchase of Equipment, Service and Licenses for Access Control and CCTV, Office of Emergency Management, Headquarters 33 Douglas Place. 2109 02:29:54,880 --> 02:29:56,860 a word contract under North Jersey. 2110 02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:04,860 Commission contract, four-inch submersible trash pump, water pollution control facility. 2111 02:30:05,520 --> 02:30:09,420 Award contract under North Jersey Waste Water Cooperative Pricing System through Pisaic Valley 2112 02:30:09,420 --> 02:30:14,280 Sewerage Commission contract. Purchase and installation of digester gas safety equipment, 2113 02:30:14,520 --> 02:30:19,620 supply and installation of two gas sediment traps. Water pollution control facility. Award 2114 02:30:19,620 --> 02:30:24,120 contract under North Jersey Waste Water Cooperative Pricing System through Pisaic Valley Sewerage 2115 02:30:24,120 --> 02:30:28,660 Commission contract. Purchase and installation of two digester roof gas swivel connections. 2116 02:30:28,660 --> 02:30:30,540 Water Pollution Control Facility. 2117 02:30:31,000 --> 02:30:34,760 Award contract under North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System 2118 02:30:34,760 --> 02:30:36,880 through Pacific Valley Sewage Commission contract, 2119 02:30:37,120 --> 02:30:38,360 Free Penn Valley Sledge pumps, 2120 02:30:38,820 --> 02:30:40,060 Water Pollution Control Facility. 2121 02:30:40,780 --> 02:30:42,460 Award professional services contract, 2122 02:30:42,660 --> 02:30:44,740 third party engineering inspection services, 2123 02:30:45,160 --> 02:30:48,100 structural repair of Kingsbridge Lane Pedestrian Bridge. 2124 02:30:48,940 --> 02:30:50,540 Award professional service contract, 2125 02:30:50,680 --> 02:30:52,160 historic architectural services, 2126 02:30:52,400 --> 02:30:54,800 grant writing assistance and restoration of brickwork 2127 02:30:54,800 --> 02:30:57,180 at entrance to pedestrian tunnel at train station. 2128 02:30:57,180 --> 02:31:04,160 Authorize cancellation of real estate property taxes on tax exempt property block 1411 lot 13 2129 02:31:05,160 --> 02:31:11,560 Authorize refund of real estate property taxes paid on tax exempt property block 1411 lot 13 2130 02:31:12,300 --> 02:31:17,580 Authorize community energy planning grant through sustainable Jersey PSE and G energy efficiency 2131 02:31:17,580 --> 02:31:22,240 partnership program technical assistance for energy consumption and village facilities 2132 02:31:22,240 --> 02:31:25,320 Indorse submission of recycling tonnage grant. 2133 02:31:26,040 --> 02:31:31,800 Authorize application to New Jersey Historic Trust for a grant for restoration of pedestrian tunnel at train station. 2134 02:31:32,420 --> 02:31:37,940 Indorse revolution NJ's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. 2135 02:31:38,680 --> 02:31:41,920 And appoint member to community center advisory board. 2136 02:31:42,920 --> 02:31:43,520 Can I have a motion? 2137 02:31:44,620 --> 02:31:45,320 Second. 2138 02:31:46,140 --> 02:31:46,620 Mortimer? 2139 02:31:46,960 --> 02:31:47,300 Yes. 2140 02:31:47,880 --> 02:31:48,320 Perron? 2141 02:31:48,660 --> 02:31:48,980 Yes. 2142 02:31:49,360 --> 02:31:49,600 Whites? 2143 02:31:49,960 --> 02:31:50,340 Yes. 2144 02:31:50,680 --> 02:31:51,020 Winnigrad? 2145 02:31:51,460 --> 02:31:51,660 Yes. 2146 02:31:53,920 --> 02:31:55,640 Let's go to public comment. 2147 02:32:05,780 --> 02:32:08,880 Good evening, Mayor and Council Boyd, a loving Ridgewood resident. 2148 02:32:10,000 --> 02:32:12,800 At the work session earlier this month, 2149 02:32:13,480 --> 02:32:17,280 Councilperson Winograd announced formally that 2150 02:32:17,280 --> 02:32:20,800 the next meeting of the Fields Committee would be held 2151 02:32:20,800 --> 02:32:24,120 quote, in person at the Shedler House. 2152 02:32:26,360 --> 02:32:30,940 I questioned why the meeting was only going to be held in person since traditionally 2153 02:32:30,940 --> 02:32:37,260 that meeting is zoomed, it is recorded so that people who are unable to attend in person 2154 02:32:37,260 --> 02:32:42,800 can attend by Zoom, and it is recorded so that people who missed the meeting completely can 2155 02:32:42,800 --> 02:32:47,720 watch it at a later date. I wrote to the manager about my concerns and I received the 2156 02:32:47,720 --> 02:32:53,220 response from him indicating that there is no Wi-Fi at the facility. When I suggested 2157 02:32:53,220 --> 02:33:00,000 maybe a hotspot could be used, the answer I got back is that additional IT infrastructure 2158 02:33:00,000 --> 02:33:01,840 would be needed to be going to hotspot. 2159 02:33:02,160 --> 02:33:04,460 Mr. Loving, I don't normally interrupt speakers, 2160 02:33:04,620 --> 02:33:06,580 but we've rectified that and there will be 2161 02:33:06,580 --> 02:33:07,580 a Zoom option at that meeting. 2162 02:33:08,320 --> 02:33:09,220 Thank you so much. 2163 02:33:09,400 --> 02:33:09,700 There you go. 2164 02:33:11,280 --> 02:33:12,220 And there you go. 2165 02:33:13,260 --> 02:33:14,340 Good point though, boy. 2166 02:33:23,630 --> 02:33:25,570 Good evening and loving Richwood resident. 2167 02:33:26,870 --> 02:33:29,330 I need to say that I am tired of hearing 2168 02:33:29,330 --> 02:33:31,130 that we can agree to disagree. 2169 02:33:31,970 --> 02:33:34,170 You can disagree on opinions, 2170 02:33:34,490 --> 02:33:37,150 but you cannot disagree on facts. 2171 02:33:37,150 --> 02:33:43,750 It is a fact that forever chemicals are known to cause a list of diseases as long as my 2172 02:33:43,750 --> 02:33:44,130 arm. 2173 02:33:44,750 --> 02:33:51,350 It is a crime, in my opinion, that four of you are steadfastly ignoring this dangerous 2174 02:33:51,350 --> 02:33:51,890 fact. 2175 02:33:52,850 --> 02:33:56,810 She's not in the room at the moment, but I would like to thank Councilwoman Perron. 2176 02:33:57,730 --> 02:34:04,250 Another fact about facts is that as we learn more from science and from experience, 2177 02:34:04,710 --> 02:34:05,850 we change our behavior. 2178 02:34:05,850 --> 02:34:09,770 I've said this before at the mic just pretty recently. 2179 02:34:10,730 --> 02:34:14,450 We never used to use seatbelts, we never used to use car seats. 2180 02:34:15,210 --> 02:34:18,250 At one time, cigarettes were considered safe and sexy. 2181 02:34:19,030 --> 02:34:23,010 At one time, artificial turf was hailed as a wonderful invention. 2182 02:34:24,030 --> 02:34:25,490 Now, we know better. 2183 02:34:27,840 --> 02:34:31,140 We know better about these and a myriad other things. 2184 02:34:31,820 --> 02:34:34,320 And yet, for reasons that defy common sense, 2185 02:34:34,320 --> 02:34:38,560 Four of you deny the science on plastic grass. 2186 02:34:39,280 --> 02:34:55,280 Some of you say that your feelings are hurt when a resident expresses sincere frustration and dismay at your decision to ignore the science to the detriment of residents of the Shedler area and children who might play on your toxic field. 2187 02:34:55,980 --> 02:34:59,540 I'm sorry, this is not about your hurt feelings. 2188 02:34:59,540 --> 02:35:06,680 I mean, seriously, you should change course, plan for grass at Shedler, and actually apologize 2189 02:35:06,680 --> 02:35:09,320 for taking so long to face reality. 2190 02:35:10,320 --> 02:35:16,580 If I may read a quote that is not mine, quote, a sign of intellect is the ability to change 2191 02:35:16,580 --> 02:35:18,860 your mind in the face of new facts. 2192 02:35:20,420 --> 02:35:25,540 A mark of wisdom is refusing to let the fear of admitting that you were wrong stop 2193 02:35:25,540 --> 02:35:26,660 you from getting it right. 2194 02:35:26,660 --> 02:35:33,220 The joy of learning something new eventually exceeds the pain of unlearning something old. 2195 02:35:33,960 --> 02:35:38,280 Please, I implore you, change your mind on the artificial turf. 2196 02:35:38,880 --> 02:35:42,980 It is not a sin to change your mind and it can often work out very well. 2197 02:35:44,060 --> 02:35:52,540 There's a very intelligent man in this room who was very sure almost 50 years ago that he would not marry. 2198 02:35:53,260 --> 02:35:59,240 Then he looked at some facts and changed his mind, and it actually worked out unbelievably 2199 02:35:59,240 --> 02:35:59,800 well. 2200 02:36:00,540 --> 02:36:01,800 Please, I beg you. 2201 02:36:02,260 --> 02:36:02,600 Thank you. 2202 02:36:03,440 --> 02:36:04,200 Thank you, Ann. 2203 02:36:05,900 --> 02:36:06,940 Anyone else in the room? 2204 02:36:09,140 --> 02:36:11,040 Seeing none, we'll go to Hybrid Access. 2205 02:36:12,180 --> 02:36:13,220 Sarab, you're up. 2206 02:36:16,470 --> 02:36:17,030 Can you hear me? 2207 02:36:17,470 --> 02:36:18,050 Yes, we can. 2208 02:36:19,170 --> 02:36:20,390 Good evening, Mayor and Council. 2209 02:36:20,950 --> 02:36:24,510 Thank you for your service, and thank you for giving this opportunity to speak remotely. 2210 02:36:24,510 --> 02:36:37,090 A few things, one is I heard the $208 million increase in rateable when Mr. Kasma mentioned 2211 02:36:37,090 --> 02:36:41,290 that and primarily our majority of that came from Valley Hospital. 2212 02:36:42,050 --> 02:36:48,490 I remember Ms. Sonnenfeld mentioning Valley Hospital tax that they will be going after, 2213 02:36:48,910 --> 02:36:51,030 the village will go after tax for Valley Hospital. 2214 02:36:51,030 --> 02:36:54,130 Excuse me, Sara, could you speak just a little more slowly? 2215 02:36:54,390 --> 02:36:55,890 The connection is not so good. 2216 02:36:56,090 --> 02:36:59,510 So I don't think we can, I can't understand every word. 2217 02:36:59,850 --> 02:37:02,190 So if you wouldn't mind, thank you. 2218 02:37:02,930 --> 02:37:03,130 Okay. 2219 02:37:03,550 --> 02:37:07,270 So I was talking about the Valley Hospital tax increase 2220 02:37:07,270 --> 02:37:09,510 or tax taxing the Valley Hospital property. 2221 02:37:10,630 --> 02:37:14,090 And I was happy to hear that it is now 2222 02:37:14,830 --> 02:37:16,030 part of our rateables. 2223 02:37:16,270 --> 02:37:16,890 Can you hear me? 2224 02:37:17,510 --> 02:37:19,010 Can you understand this portion now? 2225 02:37:21,340 --> 02:37:31,960 yes okay so my question on that is if our municipal portion of the taxes was 2226 02:37:31,960 --> 02:37:37,020 around 42 million I don't know the exact number from last year but this year it 2227 02:37:37,020 --> 02:37:42,640 was presented as 42 million the municipal portion if that portion is 42 2228 02:37:42,640 --> 02:37:51,060 million and if our municipal portion is increasing by a 3.14 percent 3 percent of 2229 02:37:51,060 --> 02:37:54,080 42 million would be about 1.2, 1.3 million dollars. 2230 02:37:55,240 --> 02:37:58,240 The board of head increase is about 2.7 million dollars. 2231 02:37:59,000 --> 02:38:01,440 So the total tax increase for property taxes, 2232 02:38:01,680 --> 02:38:04,180 for board of head and municipal tax increase 2233 02:38:04,180 --> 02:38:06,680 should be 3 million or change. 2234 02:38:08,080 --> 02:38:11,240 If our tax rateables have increased by 208 million 2235 02:38:11,920 --> 02:38:16,500 and that is increasing our tax by 6 million or so, 2236 02:38:16,500 --> 02:38:25,150 So why is per household tax increasing between 2024 and 2025? 2237 02:38:26,390 --> 02:38:33,010 Per household tax will actually be decreasing because our articles have increased and our 2238 02:38:33,010 --> 02:38:36,610 tax base has increased, so total tax will increase, right? 2239 02:38:37,030 --> 02:38:45,350 So the tax on each household should go down this year because what I'm seeing online is 2240 02:38:45,350 --> 02:38:52,830 Just Valley Hospital is giving us $5.2 million for 2025, and we also have Q4 of 2024. 2241 02:38:56,050 --> 02:39:01,970 So if we are getting money from them in Q4 of 2024, if you are getting $5.2 million from 2242 02:39:01,970 --> 02:39:08,850 them in 2025, all of that should decrease per household tax for existing households. 2243 02:39:09,070 --> 02:39:12,450 It should not increase per household tax 3.14 percent. 2244 02:39:12,450 --> 02:39:17,090 If per household tax is increasing by 3.14%, 2245 02:39:17,090 --> 02:39:21,450 then your municipal tax rate is not increasing by 3.14%. 2246 02:39:21,450 --> 02:39:25,150 It's increasing much, much higher because rateables are increasing. 2247 02:39:25,410 --> 02:39:30,310 When Bordeaux says that we are increasing 2% on a tax basis 2248 02:39:30,310 --> 02:39:35,390 for local taxes, property taxes, per household tax is increased by 1.9 2249 02:39:35,390 --> 02:39:39,090 or 1.89 because the rateables also increase. 2250 02:39:39,090 --> 02:39:45,450 So that's my question that what was the total municipal tax in 2024, what is the total municipal 2251 02:39:45,450 --> 02:39:53,470 tax for 2025, and does municipal government not have a cap in municipal government keep 2252 02:39:53,470 --> 02:39:59,550 increasing more than 2% every year, or are you using some sort of waivers every year? 2253 02:39:59,930 --> 02:40:00,850 So those are my questions. 2254 02:40:01,190 --> 02:40:01,550 Thank you. 2255 02:40:02,250 --> 02:40:03,030 Thank you, Sarb. 2256 02:40:03,710 --> 02:40:04,710 Cynthia, you're up. 2257 02:40:09,700 --> 02:40:10,100 Okay. 2258 02:40:10,180 --> 02:40:10,780 Thank you. 2259 02:40:11,020 --> 02:40:11,580 Can you hear me? 2260 02:40:11,580 --> 02:40:12,740 Yes, we can. 2261 02:40:13,740 --> 02:40:14,800 Yes, okay. 2262 02:40:15,280 --> 02:40:19,940 I just wanted to clarify a few points based on, you know, 2263 02:40:20,660 --> 02:40:23,840 your, I guess, feedback on what I said. 2264 02:40:24,260 --> 02:40:27,260 And, you know, a lot of times, you know, we're going to agree to disagree. 2265 02:40:29,060 --> 02:40:30,100 You know, I said... 2266 02:40:30,100 --> 02:40:30,560 Forgive me, Cynthia. 2267 02:40:31,140 --> 02:40:34,100 You did not state your name and whether you're a Ridgewood resident. 2268 02:40:34,320 --> 02:40:34,920 Yeah, okay. 2269 02:40:35,120 --> 02:40:36,880 For Ridgewood resident, same as it was. 2270 02:40:37,100 --> 02:40:37,440 Thank you. 2271 02:40:37,760 --> 02:40:38,400 Yep, we know. 2272 02:40:40,780 --> 02:40:47,680 So, you know, what I take issue with with the Shedler plan, and again, we're not disagreeing 2273 02:40:47,680 --> 02:40:54,540 on pizza toppings, you know, Shabani say it's the size of the field and the artificial turf. 2274 02:40:54,760 --> 02:41:01,200 Yes, artificial turf, as many people have called in over the past year, some who are 2275 02:41:01,200 --> 02:41:06,200 not Ridgewood residents, but it doesn't really matter where they live, microplastics 2276 02:41:06,200 --> 02:41:11,780 plastics, and the danger of PFAS and microplastics, and the shedding, and hundreds of pounds of 2277 02:41:11,780 --> 02:41:17,600 shedding, where does that all go? It goes somewhere. There are heat islands. There are all kinds 2278 02:41:17,600 --> 02:41:23,040 of things that happen when you put artificial turf in. It is bad for the environment. 2279 02:41:23,580 --> 02:41:30,620 I don't think anyone's disputing that except like you guys want to make a case, except 2280 02:41:30,620 --> 02:41:36,580 for Pam, who I think is a very intelligent person and she has done her research. Maybe 2281 02:41:36,580 --> 02:41:42,380 your suitcase doesn't include that, Siobhan, but maybe it should. You said your son's a 2282 02:41:42,380 --> 02:41:47,660 soccer player. There's a soccer coach, Amy. She has Amy's list, hundreds of people who've 2283 02:41:47,660 --> 02:41:55,000 gotten cancer. It's got to be happening somewhere or somehow. You said that the size 2284 02:41:55,000 --> 02:41:59,420 of the field was the only other little thing that we disagree on. The size of the field 2285 02:41:59,420 --> 02:42:03,440 was not the size of the field that it was when you ran on your platform. 2286 02:42:03,920 --> 02:42:05,420 It doubled, I believe. 2287 02:42:05,560 --> 02:42:06,840 I don't have the exact dimensions. 2288 02:42:07,120 --> 02:42:09,740 I believe Ellie Gruber has brought it up many times. 2289 02:42:10,280 --> 02:42:13,080 When you talk about invasive trees and cutting them all down, 2290 02:42:13,820 --> 02:42:17,580 does that mean that invasive trees all over Ridgewood will be cut down? 2291 02:42:18,460 --> 02:42:22,960 The public clamoring and use of the house has nothing to do with the Shedler neighbors. 2292 02:42:23,560 --> 02:42:27,900 If we weren't spending our time disagreeing with you over the use of the property, 2293 02:42:27,900 --> 02:42:33,420 which is really not fit for purpose to have a giant ball field on a historic property on 2294 02:42:33,420 --> 02:42:40,760 Route 17 on a busy road. We could have been helping you with finding residents for the 2295 02:42:40,760 --> 02:42:46,140 house, but instead we're using our time in a very unproductive manner, which is again 2296 02:42:46,140 --> 02:42:51,640 very frustrating respectfully. And it doesn't have anything to do with the neighborhood 2297 02:42:51,640 --> 02:42:56,800 when you talk about the use of the house. It's not our fault that you can't find 2298 02:42:56,800 --> 02:42:57,840 to tenant for the house. 2299 02:42:58,000 --> 02:43:01,300 I know you have invited the sports groups to the house 2300 02:43:01,300 --> 02:43:05,220 on May 6th, which is a Tuesday morning, I believe, 2301 02:43:05,420 --> 02:43:10,180 at 8 a.m. when there was school bus pickup of children 2302 02:43:10,180 --> 02:43:11,760 on West Saddle River Road. 2303 02:43:12,020 --> 02:43:14,380 So, and you're telling people to park on the street. 2304 02:43:14,700 --> 02:43:16,020 How is that gonna work? 2305 02:43:16,340 --> 02:43:18,880 I just find it a little confusing 2306 02:43:18,880 --> 02:43:20,680 because nobody can park on the property. 2307 02:43:22,060 --> 02:43:24,100 There are just so many variables 2308 02:43:24,100 --> 02:43:26,120 to this plan that I do think are terrible. 2309 02:43:26,120 --> 02:43:38,940 And that is my opinion. Whether you share it or you don't share it, it really is, I guess there's no value in it if you don't see us, our neighborhood as a community. 2310 02:43:39,560 --> 02:43:42,980 Cynthia, you're over your time, so if you could finish up please. 2311 02:43:43,620 --> 02:43:49,660 Yes, hundreds of people signed a petition against that over development of that field. That's what I'm talking about. 2312 02:43:51,320 --> 02:43:52,360 Thank you. 2313 02:43:52,360 --> 02:43:57,540 for allowing me to clarify. And again, you know, I don't agree. I hope Shippo does not agree. 2314 02:43:58,040 --> 02:44:01,380 And I hope they see Channel 12 news tonight. Thank you. 2315 02:44:01,680 --> 02:44:03,540 Thank you, Cynthia. Anyone else? 2316 02:44:41,000 --> 02:44:43,480 Rorick Hallaby, Richard resident. 2317 02:44:46,060 --> 02:44:51,340 Talking about facts, let me relate a story. 2318 02:44:52,480 --> 02:44:56,780 And I hope I'm not defending my wife, but I would say... 2319 02:45:00,270 --> 02:45:07,790 She is a green thumb, and I would say it's a fact that she's probably the greenest thumb in Ridgewood. 2320 02:45:09,210 --> 02:45:18,690 Now, when she had knee replacement surgery, she was told she couldn't garden for three months. 2321 02:45:19,130 --> 02:45:29,770 It's like taking a fish out of water. The reason she couldn't garden for three months is because it's a fact that she risked 2322 02:45:29,770 --> 02:45:36,070 cutting herself and then getting a soil bacteria to get into her system. 2323 02:45:37,390 --> 02:45:48,010 Now, this idea of being so many cairn of red light, green light, you know, life is a blinking orange light. 2324 02:45:49,630 --> 02:45:58,870 Now, this idea that I was reoffended, frankly, when you refer to the field as being one plastic 2325 02:45:58,870 --> 02:46:08,450 carpet. Now, there are risks, many, many risks, to having a grass field. A, the seed has to 2326 02:46:08,450 --> 02:46:17,150 be imported from Oregon. Believe me, it isn't native. It has to be very seed grass that 2327 02:46:17,150 --> 02:46:19,470 can allow a lot of playing. 2328 02:46:21,110 --> 02:46:23,230 The field has to be seeded twice, 2329 02:46:23,970 --> 02:46:25,690 which means it's taken out of action. 2330 02:46:26,630 --> 02:46:28,110 It has to be fertilized. 2331 02:46:28,750 --> 02:46:30,590 Organic fertilizer, you know where that comes from? 2332 02:46:31,330 --> 02:46:36,110 These huge industrial farms, these huge pig farms, 2333 02:46:36,810 --> 02:46:38,970 this is what you're feeding the grass. 2334 02:46:39,910 --> 02:46:43,710 The grass has to be mowed once a week. 2335 02:46:44,970 --> 02:46:50,490 it has to be, chemicals have to be applied. And you know what happens sometimes when you 2336 02:46:50,490 --> 02:46:54,510 apply chemicals? Hey Harry, what do I do with the extra stuff? Oh dump it in the back. Dump 2337 02:46:54,510 --> 02:47:06,150 it in the back, it ends up in someone's well. Now to me, you just have to be correct. 2338 02:47:06,150 --> 02:47:15,170 and I see it with a four of you. Stay the course. It's imperative that we get people out, that 2339 02:47:15,170 --> 02:47:21,150 we get people to play, that we get people to play sports. Okay, get them off their tablets, 2340 02:47:21,830 --> 02:47:32,250 if you will. And if it means having a turf field, so be it. Does it mean a turf field 2341 02:47:32,250 --> 02:47:40,530 is risky? No, it isn't. But a grass field also is very, very risky, if you will. And to lecture 2342 02:47:40,530 --> 02:47:49,930 you about the fact you're basically so ignorant of science is ludicrous. Frankly, the mark 2343 02:47:49,930 --> 02:47:54,790 of arrogance is for someone to have a monopoly on knowledge. Thank you. 2344 02:47:56,030 --> 02:47:57,050 Thank you, Rorick. 2345 02:47:58,370 --> 02:47:59,230 Anyone else? 2346 02:48:02,360 --> 02:48:08,720 Seeing no one, we're going to close public comment, and we will entertain a motion to adjourn. 2347 02:48:08,920 --> 02:48:12,120 Excuse me, I keep getting ahead of myself. Forgive me. 2348 02:48:13,820 --> 02:48:16,780 So responses to the comments. 2349 02:48:17,040 --> 02:48:23,280 When there are questions about the committee, I know there was a general discussion at the Board of Ed regarding the field committee. 2350 02:48:23,280 --> 02:48:28,420 people can just write me. We had a sidebar conversation going, so I was surprised. No 2351 02:48:28,420 --> 02:48:33,620 one wrote me, but we do want to get IT supporting it, and that was a conversation, so just 2352 02:48:33,620 --> 02:48:36,300 write me, and I will answer for the statements I made. 2353 02:48:36,840 --> 02:48:43,400 Number two, okay, I'm going to try. No one's blaming anybody for the situation 2354 02:48:43,400 --> 02:48:49,760 at Shedler because it is a community problem. It is a problem for the general taxpayer 2355 02:48:50,400 --> 02:48:57,600 who has paid over $7 million of capital dollars into a park that has failed to come to fruition. 2356 02:48:58,100 --> 02:49:02,960 It's not the neighbor's fault, it's not this council's fault, but it is a problem for Richard. 2357 02:49:03,600 --> 02:49:12,100 It is a problem because a generation of children, of which mine were part of, were not able to use that park. 2358 02:49:12,600 --> 02:49:15,180 So it is a community problem. 2359 02:49:15,940 --> 02:49:18,960 I ran on a campaign of artificial turf. 2360 02:49:19,200 --> 02:49:23,300 The 2017 plan had neighborhood buy-off. 2361 02:49:23,560 --> 02:49:27,200 It had members of the community from the Shedler neighborhood 2362 02:49:27,200 --> 02:49:30,780 who recommended Cool Play Turp. 2363 02:49:30,900 --> 02:49:33,140 I ran on a campaign of turf. 2364 02:49:33,280 --> 02:49:38,600 Yes, I ran on small-sided, and until we had persistent, persistent flooding, 2365 02:49:38,940 --> 02:49:43,100 which is a fact that we lost multiple assets, I changed my mind. 2366 02:49:43,100 --> 02:49:43,980 So let's be clear. 2367 02:49:44,540 --> 02:49:48,940 The neighbors and the friends of the officially Shedler, 2368 02:49:49,440 --> 02:49:52,320 all the people who sat on that committee recommended TERF. 2369 02:49:52,540 --> 02:49:54,520 Evan ran on a campaign of TERF. 2370 02:49:54,820 --> 02:49:56,300 It was always been TERF. 2371 02:49:58,280 --> 02:49:59,540 With respect to the house. 2372 02:50:00,300 --> 02:50:03,280 I don't understand how it's become adversarial, 2373 02:50:03,280 --> 02:50:05,700 but it is an asset, it is empty. 2374 02:50:06,220 --> 02:50:07,680 If you leave your house empty 2375 02:50:07,680 --> 02:50:10,300 and you don't check on it, your insurance will lapse. 2376 02:50:10,660 --> 02:50:12,640 If we leave property empty, 2377 02:50:12,640 --> 02:50:16,120 we have the chief of police here, it will become an attractive nuisance. 2378 02:50:16,580 --> 02:50:22,140 We are now paying on top of the capital investment additional taxpayer dollars to heat it, to 2379 02:50:22,140 --> 02:50:22,520 furnish it. 2380 02:50:22,620 --> 02:50:26,360 Again, not the neighbor's fault, but this is a community problem. 2381 02:50:26,740 --> 02:50:34,280 And why I'm disappointed in the outreach is I joke, but I am the only one literally 2382 02:50:34,280 --> 02:50:35,300 shopping this house around. 2383 02:50:35,500 --> 02:50:36,620 I brought access over. 2384 02:50:36,820 --> 02:50:40,000 I've brought lots of the Bergen County Historical Society over. 2385 02:50:40,000 --> 02:50:43,240 We are going to, as a council, and we should probably talk about this. 2386 02:50:43,700 --> 02:50:46,700 I want to bring the fields community over there because they have a lens. 2387 02:50:46,940 --> 02:50:53,320 I've brought, we've brought open space, we've brought HPC, and I fully intend, in the condition 2388 02:50:53,320 --> 02:50:57,820 that's in now, to bring every and all committee over there because they all have different 2389 02:50:57,820 --> 02:50:58,280 lenses. 2390 02:50:58,840 --> 02:51:03,300 If anybody has a determinant of use or an idea, I'll bring you over. 2391 02:51:03,700 --> 02:51:07,080 And I'm going to open the house, and I'm going to bring people over because 2392 02:51:07,080 --> 02:51:10,180 because we have a financial situation with the house there. 2393 02:51:10,720 --> 02:51:12,600 At no point have I blamed the neighbors. 2394 02:51:12,940 --> 02:51:14,320 No one's really hurt my feelings. 2395 02:51:14,660 --> 02:51:16,980 I don't really have feelings about this project that way. 2396 02:51:17,380 --> 02:51:18,700 It's not personal for me. 2397 02:51:18,880 --> 02:51:21,400 It's making a series of decisions based upon facts. 2398 02:51:21,840 --> 02:51:24,400 But the field committee is going there 2399 02:51:24,400 --> 02:51:26,100 because that's an important lens. 2400 02:51:26,560 --> 02:51:28,640 And I'm going to just take any committee 2401 02:51:28,640 --> 02:51:30,280 and if any of you want to bring any committees, 2402 02:51:30,400 --> 02:51:31,380 please bring them to the house. 2403 02:51:32,060 --> 02:51:33,860 The more we go over there, the less likely 2404 02:51:33,860 --> 02:51:35,900 there is to be damage to the house. 2405 02:51:37,380 --> 02:51:40,800 I'm not going to fall into the grass versus turf, 2406 02:51:40,920 --> 02:51:43,060 but I would like to say that it's a shared suitcase. 2407 02:51:43,680 --> 02:51:44,880 Pam and I packed it together. 2408 02:51:45,460 --> 02:51:47,980 And it's not just mine, and the suitcase thing 2409 02:51:47,980 --> 02:51:49,280 has gotten so out of control. 2410 02:51:49,680 --> 02:51:53,440 But inside that are samples where we, and it's good faith, 2411 02:51:53,640 --> 02:51:55,840 as Yin and Yang went and met with people. 2412 02:51:56,260 --> 02:51:58,380 And I can't understand how that's a bad thing. 2413 02:51:59,060 --> 02:52:00,740 And if anybody would like to see the suitcase, 2414 02:52:01,040 --> 02:52:02,380 I can bring that to the house as well. 2415 02:52:03,860 --> 02:52:05,420 Mayor, just two things. 2416 02:52:05,760 --> 02:52:08,400 One, there was a terrible echo with Mr. Donnie, 2417 02:52:08,720 --> 02:52:11,180 and I don't want to answer a question that wasn't asked. 2418 02:52:11,660 --> 02:52:13,200 So, Sir Rob, if you're still watching, 2419 02:52:13,540 --> 02:52:17,180 feel free to drop me a text or email tomorrow morning, 2420 02:52:17,500 --> 02:52:20,300 and I will get on a call with yourself and Bob Bruni, 2421 02:52:20,480 --> 02:52:22,420 and we can answer any of the questions you have 2422 02:52:22,920 --> 02:52:25,800 about the additional rateables or the tax increase, 2423 02:52:26,620 --> 02:52:27,960 and we'll do it over the telephone 2424 02:52:27,960 --> 02:52:29,380 or we'll even entertain a meeting, 2425 02:52:29,380 --> 02:52:34,040 but I couldn't, the echo was a challenge tonight. 2426 02:52:34,920 --> 02:52:39,560 Secondly, I just wanna go back to a remark, 2427 02:52:39,780 --> 02:52:42,620 some research and a remark that I made 2428 02:52:42,620 --> 02:52:44,460 at a prior council meeting. 2429 02:52:45,260 --> 02:52:48,060 And that is that if my memory serves me correct, 2430 02:52:48,660 --> 02:52:51,300 the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection 2431 02:52:52,100 --> 02:52:55,580 last year allocated $5 million 2432 02:52:55,580 --> 02:53:00,720 million dollars to fund artificial turf throughout the state of New Jersey. 2433 02:53:01,940 --> 02:53:10,560 This is the same DEP that is held in high regard and referred to as an authority when 2434 02:53:10,560 --> 02:53:15,100 it comes to environmental concerns that residents in Ridgewood and throughout the state of New 2435 02:53:15,100 --> 02:53:15,720 Jersey have. 2436 02:53:16,640 --> 02:53:22,140 So the word hypocrisy was thrown out here tonight and I just want to highlight the 2437 02:53:22,140 --> 02:53:30,080 fact that you can't rely on the DEP in one regard, regardless of the matter, soil contamination, 2438 02:53:31,020 --> 02:53:40,800 environmental concerns, what have you, and hold them as the standard, yet then not question 2439 02:53:40,800 --> 02:53:47,140 why they would give out $5 million worth of Green Acres money to communities throughout 2440 02:53:47,140 --> 02:53:50,240 out the state of New Jersey to fund artificial turf 2441 02:53:50,820 --> 02:53:53,120 if the DEP doesn't deem it as safe. 2442 02:53:54,160 --> 02:53:57,300 So again, I'm not here to make a policy decision 2443 02:53:57,300 --> 02:53:58,620 on turf versus grass. 2444 02:53:59,020 --> 02:54:00,760 That's not my role and function as the manager. 2445 02:54:01,100 --> 02:54:02,860 That's the role and function of the governing body 2446 02:54:02,860 --> 02:54:03,960 at the time that they're seated. 2447 02:54:04,660 --> 02:54:06,700 I am here with the professional staff 2448 02:54:06,700 --> 02:54:09,160 in the departments to carry out the direction 2449 02:54:09,160 --> 02:54:10,520 we are given by the council. 2450 02:54:11,380 --> 02:54:12,900 But it's hard to sit up here 2451 02:54:13,460 --> 02:54:15,920 and not look to as many times 2452 02:54:15,920 --> 02:54:22,420 as the DEP has been pointed to by members of this community as an authority on environmental 2453 02:54:22,420 --> 02:54:28,440 issues, yet we ignore the fact that they gave out $5 million to build turf fields throughout 2454 02:54:28,440 --> 02:54:29,200 the state of New Jersey. 2455 02:54:30,280 --> 02:54:34,200 The other point I want to make is I've done some research on the house. 2456 02:54:34,460 --> 02:54:35,100 Now I wasn't here. 2457 02:54:35,240 --> 02:54:42,000 I didn't sit in the seat when this community invested $2.6 million to restore a house 2458 02:54:42,000 --> 02:54:43,840 based on Dutch colonial architecture. 2459 02:54:44,760 --> 02:54:47,700 But I've read minutes, I've watched council meetings, 2460 02:54:48,460 --> 02:54:51,240 talking about weddings that were going to be performed there, 2461 02:54:51,520 --> 02:54:52,920 meetings that were going to be held, 2462 02:54:53,240 --> 02:54:55,360 potential tenants that could take over the house. 2463 02:54:56,140 --> 02:54:58,660 Yet tonight, we're proposing to have a meeting 2464 02:54:58,660 --> 02:55:01,140 of maybe circa 25 to 30 people 2465 02:55:01,740 --> 02:55:03,840 on a random Tuesday morning in May. 2466 02:55:05,340 --> 02:55:07,740 And we're getting pushback about having a meeting 2467 02:55:07,740 --> 02:55:09,880 because we might interfere with children 2468 02:55:09,880 --> 02:55:11,000 getting picked up for school. 2469 02:55:13,340 --> 02:55:16,480 So again, the word hypocrisy was thrown around tonight. 2470 02:55:17,680 --> 02:55:22,580 You can't advocate to invest $2.6 million of taxpayer money, 2471 02:55:22,660 --> 02:55:26,860 whether it was through a grant or through a bond or came out of the operating budget, 2472 02:55:28,280 --> 02:55:29,660 and then turn around and say, 2473 02:55:29,880 --> 02:55:31,140 well, we don't want anybody in the house, 2474 02:55:31,220 --> 02:55:33,460 even the 30 people that are going to meet for an hour and a half 2475 02:55:33,460 --> 02:55:35,460 on a random Tuesday morning and talk about fields. 2476 02:55:37,540 --> 02:55:37,920 In the house. 2477 02:55:38,340 --> 02:55:40,900 In the house, yes, in the house. 2478 02:55:40,900 --> 02:55:47,900 So again, we talk about hypocrisy, and I'm just still learning some of this stuff. 2479 02:55:48,680 --> 02:55:53,520 But I think we really need to think about the positions we're taking, and let's try to be consistent, 2480 02:55:53,600 --> 02:55:58,000 because as the village manager in this town, that's what I try to do every day. 2481 02:55:58,240 --> 02:56:01,180 And I think you're absolutely right, Keith. I know the comment I heard tonight was 2482 02:56:01,180 --> 02:56:05,180 that it's not our fault that you can't find tenants to be in the house. 2483 02:56:05,660 --> 02:56:09,640 And I find that a little frustrating because to me, a lot of the folks that have said that 2484 02:56:09,640 --> 02:56:15,760 that are the same people that's generally advocated to pump $2.6 million of tax dollars into restoring 2485 02:56:15,760 --> 02:56:20,700 the house, but now seemingly don't feel that they have any commitment as part of the member 2486 02:56:20,700 --> 02:56:22,560 of this community to try to make the house useful. 2487 02:56:23,160 --> 02:56:25,120 That house will cost us money going forward. 2488 02:56:25,560 --> 02:56:31,440 It has cost us a ridiculous amount of money now to have it sit fallow is absolutely horrendous. 2489 02:56:31,620 --> 02:56:35,640 And so I would challenge the Friends of Shedler, I would challenge those folks that 2490 02:56:35,640 --> 02:56:38,840 felt strongly about preserving the house to step up and help us find some weight 2491 02:56:38,840 --> 02:56:42,600 right now make that house useful. So I do think it's our problem. I don't think it's 2492 02:56:42,600 --> 02:56:45,420 this council's problem. I think it's this community's problem that we should solve. 2493 02:56:46,100 --> 02:56:49,540 On the turf piece, and I don't want to keep going back and forth on it, but I know those 2494 02:56:49,540 --> 02:56:54,860 that oppose it present the argument as if this is scientific fact. Yet the position 2495 02:56:54,860 --> 02:56:58,120 that you advocate has not been adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency, 2496 02:56:58,260 --> 02:57:02,640 the EPA, has not been adopted by the state of New Jersey. It's not been adopted 2497 02:57:02,640 --> 02:57:07,140 by any state. Of the tens of thousands of municipalities in the United States 2498 02:57:07,140 --> 02:57:11,700 only handful have adopted the position that you advocate for. There's no real medical 2499 02:57:11,700 --> 02:57:15,120 consensus on this. There's one or two doctors that I know have been pointed out to us, but 2500 02:57:15,120 --> 02:57:19,500 there are lots of studies that oppose those. And so to present that this is scientific 2501 02:57:19,500 --> 02:57:24,360 fact I think is a gross overstatement. And again, I come back to the fact that reasonable 2502 02:57:24,360 --> 02:57:28,600 people can disagree on this. And we talked about hypocrisy. Some of the strongest 2503 02:57:28,600 --> 02:57:33,060 advocates in this town to be able to get more use out of that property by having 2504 02:57:33,060 --> 02:57:38,280 turf field in there are the same folks whose kids will be on that turf. As we said before 2505 02:57:38,280 --> 02:57:42,860 when we talked about hypocrisy and I said this before, when there's a turf field next 2506 02:57:42,860 --> 02:57:47,140 year there will be at least one soccer jersey with my last name on playing on that field. 2507 02:57:47,860 --> 02:57:51,440 There will be lots of people who are advocated for turf because it is in the best interest 2508 02:57:51,440 --> 02:57:56,860 of our kids who will have their last names on some of those jerseys next year. So call 2509 02:57:56,860 --> 02:58:00,660 them hypocrites. Again, it's a gross overstatement and it's really not a fair 2510 02:58:00,660 --> 02:58:05,600 certainly either. And Mayor I'll just say that at the end of the day I think one 2511 02:58:05,600 --> 02:58:09,420 of our strongest arguments with the State Historic Preservation Office is the 2512 02:58:09,420 --> 02:58:14,420 fact that we have a dormant piece of property right now. You have an empty 2513 02:58:14,420 --> 02:58:19,240 2.6 million dollar investment. Well what is going to attract people there? 2514 02:58:20,060 --> 02:58:23,220 Usage. What's the proposed usage that the 2515 02:58:23,220 --> 02:58:26,760 direction that the Village Council has given direction on to have people come 2516 02:58:26,760 --> 02:58:30,900 there to participate in a park, passive recreation, walk paths, active 2517 02:58:30,900 --> 02:58:36,420 recreation on a ball field, that's going to bring people to that facility and thereby 2518 02:58:36,420 --> 02:58:42,880 attract attention to the $2.6 million investment that the Friends of Zabriskie and all of the 2519 02:58:42,880 --> 02:58:48,880 residents during that time period advocated for to be deemed historic and to be reinvested 2520 02:58:48,880 --> 02:58:48,960 in. 2521 02:58:49,420 --> 02:58:50,420 And that's where we are. 2522 02:58:50,660 --> 02:58:54,320 And quite frankly, in talking to the State Historic Preservation Office, it's one of 2523 02:58:54,320 --> 02:58:57,560 our strongest arguments as we reactivate this application. 2524 02:58:57,560 --> 02:59:04,720 So I just also want to say a more positive note when the house was one of the goals was to integrate after the closure of 2525 02:59:04,720 --> 02:59:10,120 Glen School that community with the rest so the more that the rest of Madrid goes to that property and 2526 02:59:10,120 --> 02:59:12,660 Sees the house the better it is. I'm very 2527 02:59:13,300 --> 02:59:18,920 Interested in what the community wants to see in that house and I just want to say Frank and I had a sidebar discussion 2528 02:59:18,920 --> 02:59:21,800 But for all of our committees because it's a municipal asset 2529 02:59:22,660 --> 02:59:23,100 clearly 2530 02:59:24,020 --> 02:59:29,040 I'm not the earliest and the quickest to take the first step, but we should bring all 2531 02:59:29,040 --> 02:59:29,740 our committees there. 2532 02:59:30,380 --> 02:59:33,860 And I think all of you who haven't, you should take it at the time. 2533 02:59:34,520 --> 02:59:38,980 You should check the water's not leaking, check the windows and all of that, but we 2534 02:59:38,980 --> 02:59:43,420 should start to have a standing meeting there once a month so we bring more people in. 2535 02:59:43,560 --> 02:59:44,940 So I'm going with fields in May. 2536 02:59:44,960 --> 02:59:45,220 A suggestion. 2537 02:59:45,880 --> 02:59:45,900 Yeah. 2538 02:59:46,380 --> 02:59:48,000 Two points I wanted to make. 2539 02:59:49,020 --> 02:59:52,760 Keith, I think it was so great of how you outlined what you had accomplished in 2540 02:59:53,480 --> 02:59:59,200 what goals there are for 20 25 and sense one of the goals is to find a tenant for that house. 2541 03:00:00,000 --> 03:00:04,720 I would challenge the council and as well, I mean, we had so many great residents that 2542 03:00:04,720 --> 03:00:11,060 spoke today to say that, so I would challenge us that have one of our committees, all of 2543 03:00:11,060 --> 03:00:14,460 our committees meet there at least once this year, because I think the more people that 2544 03:00:14,460 --> 03:00:19,580 are exposed to the inside of that house, that that might trigger some kind of use that 2545 03:00:19,580 --> 03:00:22,940 we could get out of it. And I see that that being beneficial. 2546 03:00:23,940 --> 03:00:28,240 And did those staff meetings? I mean, why not, right? Why not have a police meeting 2547 03:00:28,240 --> 03:00:33,040 there. Go check it out, you know, get some ideas. I mean, it's just sitting empty right 2548 03:00:33,040 --> 03:00:37,260 now, so the more that we do that, the better it is, and that will get more engagement, 2549 03:00:37,640 --> 03:00:41,440 more presence, and more interaction with the community, which was always a rally cry. So 2550 03:00:41,440 --> 03:00:45,840 I think the council should think about it. I think we have several directors left, Ridgewood 2551 03:00:45,840 --> 03:00:50,160 Water at the Shedler House. Go for it, Rich. Come on. And so that's all I want, because 2552 03:00:50,160 --> 03:00:53,360 I think we need to be more positive in our next step, and that's what I think we 2553 03:00:53,360 --> 03:00:53,620 should do. 2554 03:00:53,620 --> 03:00:55,540 I wanted to make one quick pass. 2555 03:00:57,350 --> 03:00:59,200 I'm really disappointed in the DEP. 2556 03:01:00,640 --> 03:01:03,720 Normally I do look to them for guidance, 2557 03:01:04,140 --> 03:01:06,220 and I don't think they've thought this through. 2558 03:01:07,000 --> 03:01:08,140 Have they come out with a statement, 2559 03:01:08,340 --> 03:01:15,200 what happens to artificial turf when it's exhausted its life, 2560 03:01:15,960 --> 03:01:20,060 and have they tracked whether it's really being recycled, 2561 03:01:20,060 --> 03:01:25,080 Or are they just caving to the pressure of the manufacturers? 2562 03:01:27,020 --> 03:01:28,980 I do like your idea. 2563 03:01:29,320 --> 03:01:32,060 I will suggest to my committee's meeting at the house. 2564 03:01:32,820 --> 03:01:33,900 I'll pack your suitcase. 2565 03:01:35,760 --> 03:01:38,360 You can borrow it. 2566 03:01:40,020 --> 03:01:47,820 But I still think that there is not enough evidence of the safety 2567 03:01:47,820 --> 03:01:56,020 of the artificial turf to increase the burden of PFAS on our children, which is cumulative 2568 03:01:56,780 --> 03:02:04,960 and the particulate matter, the VOCs that are given off, and the undisputed heat island 2569 03:02:04,960 --> 03:02:13,900 effect that they create and the increase in impervious surface. 2570 03:02:13,900 --> 03:02:29,960 I know the manufacturers claim that it is permeable, but I don't see that that is really possible once they steamroll and flatten the area to get it level with their heavy equipment. 2571 03:02:29,960 --> 03:02:32,840 I don't think it'll be actually permeable. 2572 03:02:35,940 --> 03:02:55,460 And so I hope that conclusive randomized studies actually come out that give us confidence in the safety of artificial turf one way or the other. 2573 03:02:56,120 --> 03:03:03,720 I wanted to end on a we started this whole meeting with a lot of positive stuff and we invested in our parks 2574 03:03:03,720 --> 03:03:13,500 I want to end with a nice story that this this past week my daughter is playing lacrosse and there was a girls lacrosse game at Maplefield 2575 03:03:13,500 --> 03:03:21,340 and it was raining you know and then but there was all these parents everybody happy to watch their kids play and the lights came on and 2576 03:03:21,340 --> 03:03:26,080 realized how those LED lights stay there. It was just such a glorious time and 2577 03:03:26,080 --> 03:03:29,800 made you feel good to be part of Ridgewood and that's what we're doing in 2578 03:03:29,800 --> 03:03:33,360 this town and again I want to thank you and all the administrators for making 2579 03:03:33,360 --> 03:03:37,300 it possible that we can continue to make Ridgewood one of the best towns in the 2580 03:03:37,300 --> 03:03:43,080 country. Thank you. Thanks and I'm gonna go against my better judgment and I'm 2581 03:03:43,080 --> 03:03:48,760 gonna say something about this because I really try not to prolong this 2582 03:03:48,760 --> 03:03:56,340 issue, but it was suggested that we should keep open minds about these things and do the 2583 03:03:56,340 --> 03:04:03,300 research. When I was a candidate for council, I sat at this dais during the debate and as 2584 03:04:03,300 --> 03:04:13,000 many people know and have pointed out, I advocated for grass fields. And then I sat down with 2585 03:04:13,000 --> 03:04:22,240 a bunch of people and I did my own research and I looked around and not only did the 2586 03:04:22,240 --> 03:04:27,380 as has been pointed out tonight not only does the DEP in New Jersey and the EPA 2587 03:04:27,380 --> 03:04:32,700 but every state Department of Environmental Protection in the 2588 03:04:32,700 --> 03:04:42,080 country has not ruled against artificial turf and so I kept an open 2589 03:04:42,080 --> 03:04:52,900 open mind. And I changed my mind. I changed my mind in support of turf. And so please 2590 03:04:52,900 --> 03:05:01,520 understand that we do keep open minds. At the end of the day, that open mind might not agree 2591 03:05:01,520 --> 03:05:07,240 with someone else's open mind. And that's all this is. And so when we talk about the 2592 03:05:07,240 --> 03:05:13,500 The science and the facts, the DEP, the EPA, and the DEP of every other state in the country 2593 03:05:14,060 --> 03:05:22,760 goes by science, and none of them have said that this playing surface is dangerous for 2594 03:05:22,760 --> 03:05:25,400 children and adults to play on. 2595 03:05:25,980 --> 03:05:31,060 And with that, I'm going to entertain a motion for adjournment. 2596 03:05:31,940 --> 03:05:32,720 So moved. 2597 03:05:33,020 --> 03:05:33,100 So moved. 2598 03:05:33,340 --> 03:05:33,580 Second. 2599 03:05:34,200 --> 03:05:35,040 All in favor? 2600 03:05:35,420 --> 03:05:35,600 Aye. 2601 03:05:35,600 --> 03:05:35,980 Aye. 2602 03:05:36,540 --> 03:05:37,100 Any opposed?