Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A look at the governor's proposal.
Gov. Chris Christie's proposed FY 2011 budget will be discussed and debated in town and school chambers over the next few months. Patch has put together this list of frequently asked questions about the governor's proposed budget as a way to help readers understand the proposals. What is this property tax constitutional amendment? Christie is asking the state legislature to approve an amendment to the state constitution calling for a cap of 2.5-percent in annual property tax increases. In addition he is calling for a constitutional amendment capping state budget increases at 2.5-percent. What is the procedure to amend the state constitution? Both the Assembly and the Senate will need to pass the amendment by a two thirds majority. The …
Monday, March 15, 2010
PSE&G and county say majority of power will return by Wednesday.
PARAMUS—With utility officials looking on, County Executive Dennis McNernery declared a state of emergency in Bergen County. "This is a near hurricane-like atmosphere, and we're treating it like the major storm it is," he said Monday afternoon at the Bergen County Office of Emergency Management with PSE&G President Ralph LaRossa and officials from United Water and Rockland Electric present. The majority of households will regain power Wednesday, with the remaining customers getting it back Thursday, McNerney said. Calling it the "largest event in their service territory," LaRossa credited the 70-mph winds and melting snow for the massive hit to Bergen County power coverage. Currently, 57,000 Bergen County residents remain without …
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-74.05671
327 E Ridgewood Ave, Paramus, NJ
/articles/county-declares-state-of-emergency-offers-shelters
/locations/311008
Around 30 tree incidents to be addressed.
Updated: 5:30 p.m. Ridgewood schools will remain closed Tuesday as village and utility officials work toward restoring power and clearing streets. Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein said Ridgewood High School, Willard Elementary and Glen School remain without power. In addition, several streets are blocked by fallen trees and downed power lines. The district encouraged residents tell friends and neighbors of the closure. Like many residents, the village awaits PSE&G action to fully recover from the storm. With 46 fallen tree incidents reported from the weekend storm, Ridgewood needs the utility company's clearance to address the approximately 26 to 30 sites that remain, a village official said. Director of Operations Frank Moritiz said …
40.979645
-74.114804
Education Center at Beech School
49 Cottage Pl
/articles/storm-causes-schools-to-close
59994
/locations/311648
40.97283
-74.10529
S Van Dien Ave & Spring Ave
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/locations/311649
40.99358
-74.12614
/articles/storm-causes-schools-to-close
/locations/311650
40.982226
-74.112567
Village Hall
131 N Maple Ave
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55017
/locations/311651
40.98246
-74.12721
W Ridgewood Ave & N Monroe St
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/locations/311652
40.97958
-74.11808
Memorial Park at Van Neste Square
Van Neste Sq & E Ridgewood Ave
/articles/storm-causes-schools-to-close
58073
/locations/311653
Friday, March 12, 2010
Council pushes parking passes for high school municipal lot parkers.
Tabling two ordinances establishing parking fees for teenagers on municipal lots, Village Council will review a proposed revenue generator. For years, Ridgewood High School students who couldn't park at the crowded school or pay for space at the First Presbyterian Church's lot have parked at the Graydon Pool Parking Lot and walked to school. Last week, Village Manager Dr. Kenneth Gabbert suggested imposing a competitive parking pass as a revenue generator for the village. However, parents, teachers and students have vocalized opposition, both publicly and privately, to the move. "For $25,000 it will create a lot of ill will," Councilwoman Anne Zusy said March 10. Amending the village's permit parking code, the proposed ordinances would …
40.98367
-74.10909
Linwood Ave & Northern Pkwy
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/locations/306271
40.982226
-74.112567
Village Hall
131 N Maple Ave
/articles/council-notes-graydon-parking-fees-tabled-for-rhs-students
55017
/locations/306272
40.976804
-74.106071
Ridgewood High School
627 E Ridgewood Ave
/articles/council-notes-graydon-parking-fees-tabled-for-rhs-students
12751
/locations/306273
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Proposed bike path draws residents' scorn.
Bike path plans are in the county's hands now. Approving a 100-foot extension onto village property, Village Council endorsed the Bergen County Wild Duck Pond's proposed 0.5-mile addition to the current bike path. Although residents voiced opposition with the endorsement, council previously said dog run relocation and any future bargaining power hinged on approval. With 12 other resolutions in a consent agenda, council unanimously approved the move. Last year, Village Council requested that county officials relocate the dog run following noise complaints. Bergen County Parks officials proposed relocating the dog run closer to East Ridgewood Avenue, but also add on to the existing bike trail—possibly using village land. The proposed trail …
40.982226
-74.112567
Village Hall
131 N Maple Ave
/articles/council-oks-county-park-plan-residents-petition-against-it
55017
/locations/305652
40.973998
-74.095942
Saddle River County Park—Wild Duck Pond
1113 E Ridgewood Ave
/articles/council-oks-county-park-plan-residents-petition-against-it
59970
/locations/305653
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Council candidates Doug Cronk and Brian Dowd talk issues, campaign.
With business backgrounds, children in the school system and "like-minded" plans, Doug Cronk and Brian Down have a "vested interest in town." The two residents, who announced their candidacies for Village Council last week, seek to "align everyone" together and reenergize the town. "There's a lot of lingering issues... and if we're not proactive, we're going to be hit by some big crisis coming down the pike," said Dowd, a resident since 2005. Calling Ridgewood home since 1999, Cronk is active with the Zoning Board, Chamber of Commerce, and A.M. Rotary Club, in addition to being a business owner since 2003. With his business experience in Omega Settlement Services and Dowd's real estate and investment banking background, the pair hopes to …
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-74.1198
Omega Settlement Services
45 N Broad St
/articles/like-minded-cronk-and-dowd-seek-reenergized-town
13020
/locations/304892
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Bergen County announces road improvement projects.
County officials announced Monday that a shared Ridgewood-Glen Rock road will be repaved this year. County Executive Dennis McNerney named Lincoln Avenue resurfacing as one of 18 projects to be tackled by the county this year. The $300,000 project will run from Rock Road in Glen Rock through Godwin Avenue in Ridgewood, county spokesperson Sheri Hensley said. Although some projects will start in April, Hensley said the Lincoln Avenue project first needs municipal approval from the two towns. In total, the New Jersey Department of Transportation will fund the $6 million project affecting 27 town. "I am happy to report to the residents of Bergen County that very soon, a major initiative will begin in which more than 20 miles of county roads …
40.97998
-74.1297
/articles/lincoln-avenue-resurfacing-approved-by-county
/locations/303826
Monday, March 8, 2010
Chief of staff says governor to address fiscal issues from local governments along with state government in budget.
WESTFIELD—Gubernatorial chief of staff Rich Bagger is remaining mum as to the specifics of Gov. Chris Christie's soon-to-be-released budget proposal and the impact on local governments and school districts. Bagger said the budget, which Christie is due to announce March 16, is still being worked on, including sections regarding state aid to municipalities and school districts. He said cuts are being made to the budget across the board in order to address the multi-billion dollar budget deficit facing the state. "Every part of the state budget is under scrutiny," he said. Christie last month cut $475 million in state aid to school districts for the remainder of the current state budget year, which ends June 30. The cuts, which restricted …
40.64356
-74.34817
550 Dorian Rd, Westfield, NJ
Westfield High School
/articles/bagger-mum-about-christie-budget-specifics-4
/locations/303050
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Proposed bike path and dog park relocation tentatively approved by council.
Wanting to hold a stake in county park expansion plans, council conceptually approved an addition to the Wild Duck Pond and preserved the dog park's relocation. After hearing numerous residents—some more vocal than others—voice opposition to the Bergen County Parks Department's plan to construct a half-mile bike trail over Linwood Avenue, Village Council rationalized that passing a conditional resolution would give the town more say. "The county wants to be cooperative, and if we say 'No,' it'll happen anyway..." Mayor David Pfund said. "It's a balancing act, because if we say 'Yes,' we have leverage." Initially, the village requested that county officials relocate the dog park after neighbors complained of noise. Last week, Village …
40.973998
-74.095942
Saddle River County Park—Wild Duck Pond
1113 E Ridgewood Ave
/articles/in-balancing-act-council-consents-to-county-plan
59970
/locations/300722
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Former president Reilly announces candidacy as current President Vallerini bows out—Lenhard will retain seat.
As one school board president declined to seek another term, another stepped up. Board member Michele Lenhard and former president Charles Reilly submitted candidacy petitions yesterday, district spokesperson Debra Anderson said. With only two candidates for the two available seats, Lenhard will retain her position, and Reilly will replace current President Joseph Vallerini. Following a six-year term on the school board, Vallerini discussed his decision to leave in an e-mail to Ridgewood Patch. "Now is the time for other qualified, talented, and thoughtful people to confront [issues] and to continue to sustain the exceptional quality of the Ridgewood Public Schools," Vallerini wrote. "I am proud of what has been achieved during my time on …
40.979645
-74.114804
Education Center at Beech School
49 Cottage Pl
/articles/boe-a-president-for-a-president
59994
/locations/299012
Add Laurie Goodman to the photo contributors lists. Once again, feel free to send me your storm pictures—samfran@patch.com more ›