The Ridgewood Village Council held a Public Workshop on January 7th, 2026. The meeting began with a moment of silence to honor Tony Damiano, a respected community member. Public comment included a request to display Councilwoman Lorraine Reynolds' photo and concerns about limitations on public speaking at previous meetings. A resident also questioned the building department's policy on requiring personal information for complaints. Key agenda items focused on numerous contracts and services for the Ridgewood Water utility, including repairs, maintenance, chemical purchases, and system upgrades. The council also approved a grant writer contract, recognizing its significant return on investment. Other discussions involved amendments to recreation fees, the purchase of rock salt, and the rescission of an ordinance related to the park and ride facility, which is now managed by the state. The planning board's review of fair share housing ordinances was also presented, with a recommendation to consider public and board concerns. The meeting concluded with the council moving into a closed session to discuss legal matters concerning the Shedler property.
Public Comment Procedures
Concerns were raised about the limitations on public comment at previous meetings and the requirement for personal information when making complaints to the building department.
Village Infrastructure and Services
Numerous agenda items addressed contracts and services for water wells, HVAC, corrosion inhibitor, treatment facilities, customer portals, notification systems, water main replacement, asset management, water sample testing, facility upgrades, rock salt purchase, elevator inspections, child health clinics, health officer services, recreation fees, and recycling center safety.
Financial Matters
Agenda items included budget transfers, tax refunds, grant writer contracts, and various annual financial resolutions.
Community Development and Initiatives
Discussions covered the display of a former councilwoman's photo, the Shedler property, the council's performance, maintaining perspective, downtown revitalization, special needs inclusion in parades, the 'Cards of Joy' initiative, and the Operation Blue Envelope video project.
Environmental Concerns
The Green Ridgewood and Green Team committees discussed flooding issues and a failed grant application for remediation on the Saddle River Parkway Trail, and the recycling of styrofoam was also mentioned.
Fair Share Housing
The planning board's review of fair share housing ordinances was discussed, with the board finding them consistent with the master plan but urging the council to consider public and board member concerns.
Park and Ride Management
An ordinance was prepared to rescind the park and ride ordinance as the state now governs the facility.
Recreation Facilities
Discussions included the installation of new shade systems at Graden Pool and amendments to recreation fees.
Servicing and repair of water wells and pumping facilities contract
Award of a contract for the servicing and repair of water wells and pumping facilities, with a not-to-exceed amount of $500,000 for 2026.
HVAC maintenance and repair for water facilities contract
Award of a contract for HVAC maintenance and repair for water facilities, with a not-to-exceed amount of $48,000 for 2026.
Furnishing of corrosion inhibitor
Purchase of a corrosion inhibitor used to prevent corrosion of lead and copper in the distribution system, with a not-to-exceed amount of $300,918.20.
Annual allowance for change out of media in POS treatment facilities
Award for the annual change out of granulated activated carbon media in four POS treatment facilities, costing $363,600.
Annual award of water smart customer portal and invoice cloud
Renewal of a contract for the water smart customer portal and invoice cloud, allowing customers to monitor usage and pay bills online, for $48,016.70.
Award of new three-year contract to Everbridge
Award of a new three-year contract to Everbridge for the mass reverse 911 notification system, shared between the water department and the village, with a not-to-exceed amount of $49,769.67.
Professional services award to Suburban Consulting Engineers
Award of a professional services contract to Suburban Consulting Engineers to design a water distribution main replacement project on Glenn Avenue, costing $177,200.
Professional engineering services recommendation for asset management plan development
Recommendation for professional engineering services to develop an asset management plan and standard operating procedures for eight POS treatment facilities, costing $350,000.
Shared service agreement with the borough of Hawthorne
Agreement for the testing of water samples for coliform and E. coli bacteria with Hawthorne, at an annual charge of $20.30 per sample.
Change order number three for the Ravine Post treatment facility
Approval of change order number three for the Ravine Post treatment facility, requesting an additional $39,000 due to contractor delays.
Refund of overpayment to property at 500 Route 17
Recommendation to refund an overpayment of $7,425.41 to the property owner at 500 Route 17.
Ordinance to rescind the park and ride ordinance
Ordinance to rescind the park and ride ordinance, as the state now governs the park and ride on Route 17.
Award of contract for grant writer
Award of contract to Millennium Strategies to serve as the village's grant writer for calendar year 2026, at a rate of $39,600.
Award of contract for shade systems at Graden Pool
Award of contract for the purchase and installation of shade systems and replacement cable systems for Graden Pool, not to exceed $53,737.
Award of contract for untreated rock salt
Award of contract for untreated rock salt through the Bergen County Cooperative Contracting System, with an initial purchase not to exceed $120,000.
Award of professional services contract for elevator subcode inspector
Recommendation for the continued partnership with Top Floor Elevated Solutions for elevator subcode inspections, which has generated significant additional revenue.
Shared services agreement for child health clinic
Authorization of a shared services agreement with Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, and MAWA for child health clinics, allowing residents of all four towns to attend.
Continuation of shared services with MAWA for health officer
Continuation of the shared services agreement with MAWA for the health officer, running through December 31st, 2027.
Amend Chapter 145: Recreation Fees
Amendment to Chapter 145 to establish rental fees for the mobile concession unit and the Habernickle Family Park Pavilion, while keeping rates for Graden Pool, tennis, pickleball, and summer camp the same as 2025.
Annual resolutions for the finance department
Annual resolutions for the finance department, including interest rates on taxes and municipal liens, water administration fees, sewer discharge interest rates, water utility interest rates, Edmonds contracts, mailing costs, online tax sale, and cancellation of balances under $10.
Authorize 2025 budget transfers
Authorization of budget transfers: $48,000 within the current fund and $425,000 within the water department utility budget.
Authorize partial 2025 tax refund for a tax-exempt veteran
Authorization of a partial 2025 tax refund for a tax-exempt veteran, resulting in a refund of $7,615.35.
Amend the management and non-union salary ordinances
Amendment to management and non-union salary ordinances to slightly increase ranges for certain positions for 2026, following merit adjustments.
Amend Chapter 265: Vehicles and Traffic
Amendment to Chapter 265 to establish a stop sign at the entrance of the driveway to the recycling center for safety.
Acceptance of a donation for the recreation department
Acceptance of a donation for the recreation department for the purchase and installation of a plaque for the Irene Habernickle Family Park Pavilion.
Resolution to go into closed session
Resolution to enter closed session to discuss legal matters concerning the Shedler property.
Resident Ann Loving requested that Councilwoman Lorraine Reynolds' photo be displayed on the wall, noting it's been a year since she left office.
Resident Ann Loving expressed dissatisfaction with the limitation of public comments at the December meeting regarding rezoning ordinances, stating it prevented many from speaking.
Resident Boyd questioned the building department's policy of requiring a name and phone number to take a complaint, expressing concern about the legality and necessity of this practice.
Resident Roric Holiday suggested obtaining an updated report on expenses for the Shedler property and the estimated cost to complete the project.
Resident Roric Holiday commended the Village Council for their work in the past two years, stating they have done what is necessary for the community's good despite pressure.
Resident Roric Holiday shared advice about keeping the big picture in mind while dealing with daily problems.
Village Manager Keith Calb stated he would look into the situation with the building department, explaining that departments are trying to collect information to better respond to residents.
Council member Frank announced that the Citizen Safety Committee will now meet at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m. and will meet in the senior lounge instead of the garden room due to public interest.
Councilwoman Siobhan reported that the diversion issue has been cleared, which will make Ridgewood eligible for more grant opportunities and funding for various initiatives.
Councilwoman Siobhan announced a supplemental meeting in February between Access and the Fourth of July committee to discuss incorporating the special needs community into the parade.
Councilwoman Siobhan mentioned the success of the 'Cards of Joy' initiative, where 758 cards were collected and distributed to senior residential living facilities and vets homes.
Councilwoman Siobhan informed that Stigmafree and Access will hold a joint meeting on January 23rd to discuss shared resources.
Councilwoman Siobhan noted a meeting between the Ridgification Team and CBDAC to discuss making the downtown more vibrant.
Councilwoman Siobhan announced that an intern, Katie Kauf, will create a video highlighting Operation Blue Envelope, which informs neurodivergent individuals on steps to take when pulled over.
Councilwoman Pam stated that the Central Business District Advisory Committee will meet the next morning via Zoom with the Ridgewood Beautification Team to discuss downtown revitalization.
Councilwoman Pam mentioned there is one vacant resident slot on the Central Business District Advisory Committee and encouraged interested individuals to apply online.
Councilwoman Pam announced that the Green Ridgewood and Green Team committees will meet the next evening to discuss environmental issues, including a failed grant application for flooding remediation on the Saddle River Parkway Trail.
Councilwoman Pam reminded residents that large blocks of white styrofoam (extruded polystyrene) can be recycled at the recycling center and should not be placed in garbage or yard waste.
Councilwoman Pam reported that the planning board found the five fair share housing ordinances consistent with the master plan but asked the council to consider the comments and concerns raised by the board and the public regarding bulk items, density, traffic, flooding, pedestrian safety, and the village's small-town feel.
Mayor Vajanos asked Director Calby to present the items requested for council consideration for Ridgewood Water.
Council member Whites asked for background on the ordinance to rescind the park and ride ordinance.
Mayor Vajanos expressed satisfaction with the grant writer contract renewal, highlighting the significant return on investment and the potential for increased grant funding now that the diversion issue is resolved.
Council member Whites inquired if the new shade systems at Graden Pool would match the existing ones and expressed approval, noting it was money well spent.
Council member Whites asked if the authorized amount for rock salt was sufficient for the winter season, and was informed it was an initial authorization and further requests would be made if needed.
Council member Whites inquired about the frequency of fee increases and was informed that fees are reviewed annually and modified on average every other year.
Council member Whites asked for the council's opinion on schools opening before Labor Day, to which it was clarified that this decision is made by the Board of Education.
Mayor Vajanos reopened public comment for any questions or addresses to the council.
Join the conversation
Have a question or perspective about this meeting? Residents and community members are welcome.