The Village Council meeting on January 28, 2026, began with the introduction of key new management personnel, including William Beerwas as Deputy Director of Ridgewood Water, James McGrath as Director of Public Works, and Neil Gogne as Director of IT and GIS. These appointments signal a strategic strengthening of village operations. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation on planned improvements for the community center and its senior programs, notably bolstered by a substantial $231,000 donation from the Ridgewood Senior Citizens Corporation. This funding is earmarked for state-of-the-art upgrades to enhance programming and social spaces, reflecting a commitment to the village's growing senior population. The council addressed several operational and contractual matters, approving significant contracts for the police department, including the purchase and leasing of vehicles from Winter Ford and Enterprise Management, respectively. The village also renewed its contract with Open Systems Integration for security systems and access control. Discussions also covered an amendment to the code regarding blade signs, with a decision on second-floor tenant eligibility deferred. Public comments raised concerns about ebike regulations, sidewalk clearing after a recent snowfall, and the jarring nature of the meeting bell, prompting council members to acknowledge the feedback and explore potential solutions. Further agenda items included authorizing a payment for a tax court judgment settlement and a resolution to enter into a closed session to discuss a legal matter involving Valley Health versus the Village of Ridgewood. The meeting also touched upon ongoing budget hearings, with the budget introduction and discussion of affordable housing ordinances scheduled for February 11th. Various council members provided updates on community initiatives, environmental efforts, and upcoming events, underscoring a proactive approach to village management and community engagement.
Community Center Improvements and Senior Programs
A significant presentation was made regarding improvements to the community center, particularly for the senior program. This included a substantial donation of $231,000 from the Ridgewood Senior Citizens Corporation, which will fund state-of-the-art upgrades to programming, social spaces, and exercise facilities. The council and presenters expressed gratitude and excitement for the project's impact on seniors and the community.
Senior Citizen Services and Community Engagement
Beyond the community center improvements, various council members and residents spoke about the importance of supporting seniors and fostering intergenerational connections. Topics included the growing senior population, fighting loneliness, and providing quality of life for older adults. The MLK committee's events and the library's role in community engagement were also mentioned.
Snow Removal and Storm Response
The council and manager extensively discussed the recent significant snowfall (15.3 inches) and the village's response. Gratitude was expressed to all village employees involved in the cleanup efforts. Residents were urged to assist by clearing fire hydrants and sidewalks. The new Director of Public Works, James McGrath, was specifically commended for his handling of the situation shortly after starting his role.
Tree Management and PSE&G Initiatives
PSE&G is planning a tree planting and pruning initiative. Residents will be notified, and a map of work areas will be provided. Concerns were raised about the quality of work by PSE&G's contractors, and the council expressed a desire for a public presentation from PSE&G to address these issues and allow for public input. The importance of proper tree care and the role of the new forester were also highlighted.
Community Events
Several upcoming community events were announced, including the Ridgewood High School Jamberee, the Daffodil Festival, World Cup watch parties, and the Cashelle season kickoff. The Arts Council also highlighted upcoming events in March.
New Management Personnel
The council introduced and welcomed three new key management personnel: Deputy Director of Ridgewood Water, Director of Public Works and Village Engineer, and Director of IT and GIS. Each new appointee introduced themselves and shared their vision for their respective departments.
Ebike Safety and Regulations
A new ebike law requiring licensing was discussed, with communications being sent out to inform residents. The Citizen Safety committee also discussed ebike safety issues, referencing a New York Times article and commending the Ridgewood Police Department's educational campaign. It was clarified that the law includes electric scooters.
Environmental Initiatives
Discussions included Roric Halib's call to action for a 1,000-acre initiative and tree planting. The Green Ridgewood and Green Team are planning for Earth Day, and a new forester has been engaged for community forest management. Shade Tree is also working on tree giveaways and engagement strategies.
Public Safety
Citizen Safety committee updates included progress on site triangle compliance and discussions on ebike safety. The Ridgewood Police Department is adding a third officer to the traffic division to enhance safety.
Parks and Recreation
Updates on parks and recreation projects included plans for new sun shades at Graden, a playground and pavilion at King's Pond, and renovations to the skate park. The recreation job fair and the upcoming daffodil festival were also mentioned.
Meeting bell
Two residents expressed dissatisfaction with the meeting bell, finding it jarring and unnecessary, and requested an explanation for its use.
Parking in Downtown
A community forum on parking in the downtown area is scheduled for February 3rd. Discussions also touched upon parking for residents in older buildings, with the upcoming Walker report expected to be beneficial.
Police Department Equipment and Fleet
The council approved contracts for police department vehicles, including equipment and service from Winter Ford, and fleet leasing with Enterprise. These acquisitions are critical for maintaining adequate police coverage.
Blade signs
The council discussed an amendment to allow for more blade signs, with a debate arising about extending this to second-floor businesses.
Police vehicle and security system procurement
The council approved contracts for police vehicle equipment and services, as well as for the village's security system vendor.
Tax court judgment settlement
The council authorized a payment related to a tax court judgment settlement.
Security Systems
The contract with Open Systems Integration for the village's security systems and access control was renewed. This system includes over 350 cameras and monitored access points across multiple buildings.
Affordable Housing Ruling
A federal court judge ruled against 27 municipalities in an affordable housing litigation. The village is reviewing the ruling with its planner and attorney, with further discussion expected before the vote on zoning ordinances on February 11th.
Ebike regulations
A resident raised concerns about ebike usage by minors and suggested better communication strategies, including involving the Board of Education.
Sidewalk clearing
A resident pointed out uncleared sidewalks after a snowfall and requested clearer communication of village codes and enforcement procedures.
Budget Hearings and Meetings
The council is halfway through its budget hearings, with two more meetings scheduled. The budget is expected to be introduced at the February 11th council meeting. The February 11th public meeting will start an hour earlier to accommodate the budget discussion before other agenda items, including affordable housing ordinances.
Award of contract for purchase of equipment and service for vehicles for the police department
The council approved a contract with Winter Ford of Cherry Hill for the purchase, installation, and repair of police vehicles, including emergency lights and safety equipment. The PO will not exceed $140,000 and is covered by the capital budget and operating expenses. Council Member Camarck confirmed that Winter Ford is under a state contract and has been a reliable vendor for the police department.
Award of contract under the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program for the fleet leasing maintenance program with Enterprise
The council approved the extension of the fleet leasing agreement with Enterprise Management and the addition of several police vehicles for 2026. This includes four patrol vehicles, three Ford police pursuit vehicles, and one Ford Expedition to replace units taken out of service. The total cost will not exceed $200,000. Council Member Camarck confirmed that the fleet leasing agreement with Enterprise is under a Sourcewell cooperative contract.
Award of contract under the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing for the Security Systems Vendor and Access Control of CCTV
The council approved continuing with Open Systems Integration as the village's security vendor for 2026. This contract, not to exceed $220,000, covers maintenance, updates, and licensing for the village's security infrastructure, which includes over 350 cameras and monitored access points. Council Member Camarck stated that Open Systems Integration has been a capable and reliable partner for the village's security systems since 2015.
Authorize payment for a partial refund of a tax court judgment settlement on Franklin Turnpike
The council authorized a payment of $50,000 for a partial refund of a tax court judgment settlement on Franklin Turnpike, to be applied to credits in future quarters.
Amendment to Chapter 190 of the code book regarding blade signs
The council discussed an amendment to Chapter 190 of the code book concerning blade signs. The proposed change would allow for no more than two blade signs per business, each located at least 20 feet apart. A discussion ensued regarding whether second-floor tenants should be permitted to have blade signs, with the consensus being to move forward with the current amendment and revisit the second-floor issue separately.
Resolution to go into closed session
The council passed a resolution to enter into closed session to discuss legal matters, specifically Valley Health versus Village at Ridgewood, in accordance with NJSA 10:4-12.
Introduction of new management personnel
8:25The council introduced three new management personnel: William Beerwas as Deputy Director of Ridgewood Water, James McGrath as Director of Public Works and Village Engineer, and Neil Gogne as Director of IT and GIS. Each individual introduced themselves and outlined their experience and goals in their new roles. Mayor Vagianos welcomed James McGrath, noting that he was thrown into the deep end with the recent snowstorm and gave him an A+ for his efforts. Mayor Vagianos welcomed Neil Gogne to his new role, emphasizing the urgent need for a strong IT department and expressing confidence in his leadership. Council Member Keith Camarck expressed excitement about William Beerwas's appointment as Deputy Director of Ridgewood Water, stating that the village and its service towns are fortunate to have him.
Presentation on improvements to the senior program and community center
22:25Nancy Bigos, Director of Parks and Recreation, Gwen Hal, President of the Community Center of Ridgewood Foundation, and Liz Cloak presented on a grant agreement to make improvements to the community center's downstairs space, focusing on enhancing the senior program. The presentation highlighted a significant donation of $231,000 from the Ridgewood Senior Citizens Corporation. Council Member Keith Camarck welcomed Nancy Bigos and Gwen Hal, along with other team members, to present on the community center improvements. Council Member Pamela Perron expressed her admiration for the $231,000 donation, humorously questioning if the amount was correct. Mayor Vagianos complimented Sheila Broen's statement about the growing senior population and the importance of vibrancy and intergenerational communities. Mayor Vagianos asked Rich Calby to explain his perspective on the community center project, noting that he kept increasing the requested grant amount. Council Member Pamela Perron expressed pride in Sheila Broen and the entire team, highlighting the positive impact of the project on seniors, families, and caregivers. Mayor Vagianos commented on the new senior program and its impact, though he did not elaborate further.
A.L. expressed dissatisfaction with the new bells used to signal the end of speaking time at meetings, finding them obnoxious and interruptive. She requested an explanation for the system, noting that the previous countdown clock was sufficient.
R.H., an environmentalist, asked Deputy Mayor Pam Perin to consider reviving the 1,000-acre initiative at the next Green Ridgewood meeting. He emphasized the environmental benefits of trees, including reduced water and chemical use, and suggested an arboretum of native trees at Schedler Field for educational purposes.
B.L. expressed support for following state regulations on ebikes and suggested cooperation with the Board of Education to disseminate information to parents. He also noted uncleared sidewalks after the recent snowfall and requested clearer communication regarding village codes for sidewalk clearance, suggesting that providing direct contact information for code enforcement might be beneficial.
C.O. echoed concerns about the meeting bell, finding it jarring and unnecessary given the countdown clock. She expressed frustration that the question of its necessity remains unanswered, calling it insulting and requesting an explanation.
The Mayor did not respond to Ann Loving's initial email about the bells but acknowledged her comment during public comment.
Council Member Camarck expressed excitement about William Beerwas's appointment as Deputy Director of Ridgewood Water, stating that the village and its service towns are fortunate to have him.
Mayor Vagianos welcomed James McGrath, noting that he was thrown into the deep end with the recent snowstorm and gave him an A+ for his efforts.
Mayor Vagianos welcomed Neil Gogne to his new role, emphasizing the urgent need for a strong IT department and expressing confidence in his leadership.
Council Member Camarck welcomed Nancy Bigos and Gwen Hal, along with other team members, to present on the community center improvements.
Council Member Perron expressed her admiration for the $231,000 donation, humorously questioning if the amount was correct.
Mayor Vagianos complimented Sheila Broen's statement about the growing senior population and the importance of vibrancy and intergenerational communities.
Mayor Vagianos asked Rich Calby to explain his perspective on the community center project, noting that he kept increasing the requested grant amount.
Council Member Perron expressed pride in Sheila Broen and the entire team, highlighting the positive impact of the project on seniors, families, and caregivers.
Mayor Vagianos commented on the new senior program and its impact, though he did not elaborate further.
Siobhan thanked the streets division and parks department for their work in clearing snow after the storm, noting the effective use of newly purchased equipment.
Siobhan reported on a joint meeting between Access and Stigmafree, focusing on caregivers as a central theme and planning a guest speaker at the library.
Siobhan mentioned hosting Boy Scout Troop Pack 35 and their partnership with Shade Tree on tree-growing initiatives.
Siobhan thanked the MLK committee for their vibrant lineup of events and donations to Ridgequest.
Siobhan reported on Shade Tree's novel ideas, including door knockers for better interaction regarding tree removal and planning for the daffodil festival.
Siobhan announced that several council members would attend an award ceremony for Isabelle Elano, who was nominated by the council for her work on the Schedler House.
Siobhan announced the engagement of a new female forester for the community forest management plan, emphasizing her resources and ideas for engaging utilities.
Siobhan reported on a World Cup watch party meeting, highlighting plans for events at Van Neste Square and Vets Field to promote soccer and community.
Siobhan reminded everyone that the January fields meeting was canceled and the next one is scheduled for February 3rd.
Evan reported on the library board meeting, including budget reviews and the welcome of a new member.
Evan provided an update on Cashelle, noting the start of booking bands and sound personnel for the upcoming season.
Evan congratulated Matthew Mumji and Patrick Glenn on receiving their Eagle Scout awards and presented them with certificates on behalf of the village and fire department.
Council Member Perron returned from a trip to find the village clean, comparing the snow removal efforts to Dr. Seuss's 'The Cat in the Hat Came Back'.
Council Member Perron thanked the interfaith council and MLK committee for their thought-provoking and well-planned events.
Council Member Perron announced that the Planning Board would meet to discuss vacating property at Grand View Circle, pursuant to an agreement with neighboring property owners.
Council Member Perron mentioned that Green Ridgewood and the Green Team would be meeting to plan for the Earth Day project.
Council Member Camarck stated there were no items under Ridgewood Water or Parking for the agenda.
Council Member Camarck noted that items one and five of the budget were removed as they did not require council approval.
Council Member Camarck confirmed that Winter Ford is under a state contract and has been a reliable vendor for the police department.
Council Member Camarck confirmed that the fleet leasing agreement with Enterprise is under a Sourcewell cooperative contract.
Council Member Camarck stated that Open Systems Integration has been a capable and reliable partner for the village's security systems since 2015.
Mayor Vagianos informed B.L. that multiple meetings have occurred with the Board of Education, and the police department is partnering with the school district's public information officer to disseminate information about the new ebike law. Regarding storm messaging, he mentioned social media posts and a potential eblast about sidewalk clearing, and offered to share addresses with code enforcement. He also explained that contact information is requested for follow-up purposes.
Council Member Perron stated that the bell was not her idea but acknowledged it can be jarring. She suggested exploring less jarring alternatives and asked Heather to look into them. She also noted that some colleagues feel she is too lax in administering the final speaking time and that the clock helps her enforce rules evenly, but she is open to adjusting the bell if a suitable alternative is found.
Heather highlighted the challenge of implementing any warning system for remote viewers and noted that infrastructure changes might be expensive. She emphasized the importance of even enforcement for both in-person and remote participants.
Join the conversation
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