Village of Ridgewood

The council approved the bills, claims, and vouchers, along with the statement of funds on hand as of November 30, 2025.

The village council minutes from October 22nd, November 5th, and November 12th, 2025, were reviewed and approved.

A proclamation was read declaring January 2026 as Radon Action Month in Ridgewood, encouraging residents to test their homes for radon.

Connor Maguire was sworn in as a new career firefighter for the Ridgewood Fire Department.

Ryan Romero was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Ridgewood Fire Department after nearly 20 years of service.

Discussion and presentation of renderings for the installation of safety barriers on the fourth floor of the Hudson Street garage to prevent falls and unauthorized access.

The memorandum of agreement for a new 4-year contract with the PBA was signed, with salary increases detailed for the period 2026-2029.

First reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 265 of the village code regarding vehicles and traffic, specifically concerning reserve parking spaces and midblock crosswalks.

First reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 265 of the village code regarding vehicles and traffic, specifically concerning parking meter zone designations.

Second reading and adoption of an ordinance to fix salaries, wages, and other compensation for police officers and superior officers in the village.

A series of resolutions related to Ridgewood Water services, contracts for laboratory analysis, repairs, landscaping, pipe, sodium hypochlorite, water meters, asphalt repair, concrete restoration, and billing services were approved by consent agenda.

Numerous resolutions were approved by consent agenda, including the 2026 cash management plan, designation of official newspapers, appointment of village officials (attorney, auditor, prosecutor, etc.), emergency appropriations, contracts for various services, shared services agreements, change orders, budget amendments, and appointments to various boards and committees.

A resolution to institute a holiday parking program offering free parking in the central business district on December 13th and December 20th, 2025, in honor of Tony Damiano, was debated and ultimately voted on.

P.W. announced a meeting on Monday, December 15th, at 7:30 PM at the Ridgewood Library Auditorium to present Kensington's renderings for assisted senior living, including traffic information.

M.N. complimented the leaf cleanup efforts and expressed concerns about the Kensington project, noting a similar project in Hawthorne on a much larger land area and suggesting the zoning change is a mistake.

A.L. questioned the purpose of the bells interrupting public comments, finding it distracting and condescending, and requested an explanation from the council.

A.L. asked for an explanation regarding Resolution 25-521, specifically why special counsel is being hired for the Shedler property.

B.L. inquired about the fencing on the other levels of the Hudson Street garage, asking if it already exists or is planned for the future, as the slides were difficult to see.

The Mayor indicated that no council members wished to respond to the public comments made.

K.C. explained that Bill Sullivan, with experience in historic preservation law, is serving as counsel for the historic preservation commission and has been a resource for the park development project, and his services will continue in 2026.

K.C. clarified that the proposed barriers are for the fourth floor, where young people congregate and pose a public safety threat. He noted decorative barriers on lower levels but stated there are no current plans for the second or third floors as they are more monitored.

P.P. added that Bill Sullivan represented the village at the Shipo hearing and was part of that hearing, and that the vacant fourth floor of the parking garage is an attractive nuisance for teenagers.