Village of Ridgewood

The council approved the purchase and installation of new playground equipment at Kings Pond Park, a requirement stemming from an agreement with the New Jersey Green Acres program. The cost will not exceed $133,671.20 and will be funded by capital funds from prior years and the 2025 capital budget.

A contract with Topology was approved to update the Recreation Open Space Inventory (ROSSI), which is necessary to satisfy diversion requirements with the Green Acres program. This update is crucial for the village to remain eligible for Green Acres grants and other funding. The cost is not to exceed $10,000.

The council voted to formally establish the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) as a village department and to create a fee schedule for services requested by private organizations for non-emergency events. This aims to align OEM practices with those of the police and fire departments in recovering costs for personnel and equipment used at such events.

The council adopted the multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan for Bergen County, which includes a specific chapter for Ridgewood. This fulfills the village's requirement to have such a plan every five years without needing to create a separate one.

The council approved the Ridgewood Fire Department's enrollment in the Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) Certified Fire Department Program. This initiative aims to standardize policies, enhance firefighter safety, and update regulations, offering the department initial grant funding for training and equipment.

A.L. expressed concern about the hazards of artificial turf and urged the council to consider a natural grass field at Schedler Field, citing ongoing research about the risks associated with turf and PFAS.

D.L. thanked the snow removal team for their outstanding job during the recent snowstorm, acknowledging the hard work involved.

D.L. inquired about updates on fixing up Twiny Park and the installation of picnic benches, expressing concern about budget implications for these projects.

D.L. noted that while weekly newsletters are well-received, there was a lapse in communication regarding the crescent lighting for Ramadan, suggesting improved coordination for event promotion.

D.L. asked when the budget-friendly version of the municipal budget would be available for public review ahead of its introduction.

D.L. thanked the team for implementing a requested change to the recycling coach to add a calendar and link, making it easier for residents.

D.L. requested an update on Schedler Field, specifically regarding the bid for a portion of the project and the balance needed from the Bergen County Joint Insurance Fund.

D.L. inquired about an update from NJT regarding resolutions and nine additional conditions, specifically asking if these conditions need to be included in the budget and if there are updates to them.

D.L. referenced a previous discussion about downtown parking and asked about the possibility of booking hybrid meetings online for future reference.

C.O. referenced the book 'Never Split the Difference' and advocated for more open discussions and negotiation with residents on large projects like Schedler and affordable housing, citing past contested results.

C.O. expressed that the Schedler neighborhood's concerns were not adequately heard or addressed, stating that conversations felt like directives rather than negotiations.

C.O. humorously commented on the Mayor's ability to get projects approved, despite the perception of limited power.

C.O. urged the council to lead with compassion, referencing a past incident of assault and a verbal assault at a fields committee meeting, and stating that the council's oath requires fairness, justice, and impartiality, which she felt was lacking due to instances of bullying.

B.L. expressed pleasure that a sensory-friendly portion of the July 4th parade is still under discussion. He also raised concerns about snow being pushed into the street by property owners, making the street department's job harder, and questioned why summonses cannot be issued without direct witness, suggesting GPS tracking as a potential solution.

D.R. followed up on picnic tables, requesting them at Looneying and Van Ness Squares, not Habernickel. She also reiterated the need for better handicap parking at the July 4th parade and highlighted safety concerns at the East Glennon and Northern Parkway intersection. D.R. expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing issue of PAS in the village's water, despite infrastructure upgrades.

M.R. provided an update on Ridgewood Water, stating that over half of customers already have PAS-free water and that the 2027 completion date is on track. He also explained that issuing summonses for snow being pushed into the street requires more concrete proof than circumstantial evidence, though warnings could be considered.

The Mayor thanked D.L. for her kind words regarding the snow plowing and cleanup efforts. He also indicated that Pam Perron would discuss Twin Pond Park and that he would discuss Nancy Beos in his report.

The Mayor addressed D.L.'s comments about picnic benches, noting that benches are available at Habernickel and Graden parks, and that Nancy Beos is working on adding more benches as part of the Citizens Park improvements funded by a county grant.

The Mayor explained the quick turnaround for the crescent lighting, stating it was put together within 48 hours and that he had spoken with Mr. Hamza about coordinating with Carol for future events to ensure they are included in eblasts and social media.

The Mayor informed D.L. that the budget is scheduled for introduction on March 11th, and that all budget documents will be available online for a month-long public review period, followed by a public hearing in April.

The Mayor confirmed that Carol made the adjustment to the recycling coach as requested by D.L.

The Mayor provided an update on Schedler, stating that the Bergen Joint Insurance Fund approved the claim package and that the village is awaiting paperwork for review before execution in the coming weeks.

The Mayor clarified that he was not sure about the reference to the planning board regarding parking, but confirmed a productive community parking forum was held, separate from a planning board meeting, and that a comprehensive study with Walker Consultants is ongoing, including public outreach via a community survey.

The Mayor addressed C.O.'s comments on engagement, stating that the council is very interested in public engagement, citing hybrid access, council chats, and an annual resident meeting. He also mentioned that council members personally meet with neighbors on key projects like Schedler and that citizen engagement is taken seriously.

The Mayor assured the public that the council is listening and open-minded, encouraging more feedback and stating his own mind is open.

The Mayor presented a comprehensive overview of the council's accomplishments in 2025, highlighting financial achievements, grant funding secured for various projects, and improvements in employee health insurance costs. He also praised the dedication of the staff and the collaborative efforts of the council members.

Pam indicated she would speak to Twin Pond Park during her update, noting prior dialogue with Nancy Beos on the matter.

Pam was credited for establishing a Special Improvement District (SID) in the central business district, which creates a fund at no taxpayer expense to support the district's growth.

Pam discussed Twiny Park, explaining that it's a kettle pond with no natural water source other than rain. She outlined the need to determine if stormwater pipes are functioning and what they are bringing into the pond, which requires testing. She also mentioned that a third-party contractor will assess the pond for invasives.

Pam reported that the Ridgewood Business Alliance received 13 applications for the Executive Director position and is in the process of interviewing candidates, aiming to hire someone in the beginning of the month.

Pam echoed the positive sentiments about the ifar dinner and crescent lighting events, describing them as warm and welcoming. She also shared her experience attending Nancy Beos's award ceremony in Atlantic City and noted the inspiring ideas presented by other towns.

Siobhan was specifically thanked for shepherding the Schedler project, with the Mayor stating it wouldn't have been possible without her.

Siobhan was credited with pushing to build a new bus stop at Van Nest using money clawed back from New Jersey Transit.

Siobhan reported on the Stigmafree meeting, mentioning the presence of Mayor Paul Vagianos and Megan Murphy. She highlighted discussions on caregiver stress and the amplification of the Board of Health's work. She also noted that the stigmafree schedule will adjust due to maternity leave.

Siobhan mentioned that Puzzos was canceled due to the storm and will be rescheduled. She also discussed Access's strong desire to be incorporated into the Fourth of July events and parade, with Evan Weitz following up on ideas and Carol serving as committee chair.

Siobhan thanked the merchants uptown for offering coffee to the staff during the storm and congratulated Nancy Beos on her award.

Siobhan congratulated Carol on the fast grant application for the hearing loop technology and suggested adding a footnote to the printed agenda to amplify awareness of the new system.

Siobhan suggested incorporating the hearing loop technology into Access Week and a presentation at the Hilt meetings to further amplify its reach and educate the community.

Council Member Winograd praised the hearing loop initiative, noting the speed of the grant application process. She suggested adding a footnote to the printed agenda to amplify awareness of the new technology and emphasized the importance of addressing hearing loss as an invisible disability.

Council Member Winograd supported the fee schedule, suggesting it should have been implemented earlier. She agreed with Council Member Mortimer's point about classifying events to ensure consistency and avoid arbitrary decisions.

Council Member Winograd asked if the village's chapter of the hazard mitigation plan was publicly accessible and if it could be shared with community groups like Green Ridgewood and Residential Flood.

Council Member Winograd emphasized that the Access committee advocates for all disabilities and does not wish for a separate neurodivergent section of the parade, but rather accommodations integrated into the event. She stressed that 'access' encompasses various disabilities and that their approach is about inclusion, not separation.

Council Member Winograd stated that Ridgewood Water will be PAS-free next year and that their progress should be celebrated. She also expressed concern about placing picnic tables in Van Ness Square due to its memorial nature and potential for misuse, and clarified that the Habernickel pavilion is open to the public without a badge.

Frank thanked the staff for their snow removal efforts, commending their positive attitude and the quality of the work. He also thanked Carol for her announcements and Nancy Beos for her leadership in parks and recreation.

Frank reported that SEECAC is up to 134 in compliance for site triangle obstructions and that incident accident reports show a decrease in January compared to the previous year, despite more snow.

Frank mentioned that the council approved a full traffic light at East Glenn and Maple, and that bids for traffic engineers have been received, with a new traffic light expected in the summer.

Council Member Mortimer asked for clarification on the meaning of 'ROSSI' (Recreation Open Space Inventory) and thanked Heather for her diligent work on the Green Acres diversion issues.

Council Member Mortimer emphasized the need for consistency in applying the fee schedule for OEM services, suggesting a tiered system similar to field usage policies to avoid arbitrary waivers and ensure fairness.

Evan joined the chorus of thanks to Keith and the storm response teams, acknowledging their hard work. He also congratulated Nancy Beos on her award.

Evan discussed logistics for the Fourth of July parade, including efforts to accommodate neurodivergent individuals and provide alternative ways for them to participate. He expressed confidence that a solution would be found to serve all citizens.

Evan shared exciting news about new bathrooms being installed at the library, with work starting that day.

Evan spoke passionately about the ifar dinner and crescent lighting events, expressing his pride in living in a community where such events foster harmony and inclusion. He highlighted his gratitude for being part of the Jewish community and for the warm welcome received from the Muslim community.

Evan's contributions to the village's financial gains, including the AAA bond rating and budget surplus, were highlighted by Mayor Paul Vagianos, who expressed gratitude for his leadership in these areas.

Council Member Weitz questioned the proposed rates for OEM services, asking if they were too low and if the fees might deter events. He also inquired about the process for determining these rates.

Council Member Weitz inquired if there were specific areas within the hazard mitigation plan that could be improved for Ridgewood and if any aspects were overlooked.

Council Member Weitz clarified that the committee's efforts for the July 4th parade focused on increasing handicap parking overall and that the approach to accessibility is inclusive, not separate, aiming to integrate accommodations into the main parade.

Council Member Weitz thanked Council Member Winograd for highlighting the handicap parking issue and stated that the committee's efforts last year resulted in more handicap parking across the entire event, respectfully disagreeing with the assertion that the request was not actioned.

Mayor Vagianos thanked Carol for her work on the hearing loop project, highlighting its significance for accessibility and inclusivity in Ridgewood.

Mayor Vagianos commended the fee schedule as striking a good balance and thanked Jeremy for his work. He noted that the proposed fees are reasonable, especially considering the costs associated with police and other services for events.

Mayor Vagianos stated he would review the hazard mitigation plan chapter before sharing it, expressing a need to ensure its public presentation is appropriate.

Mayor Vagianos asked for clarification on what the JIF (Joint Insurance Fund) is.

Mayor Vagianos addressed concerns about PAS in the water, stating that Ridgewood is ahead of many other municipalities in addressing this nationwide issue and has been transparent about it. He also defended the efforts of Ridgewood Water staff. Regarding snow, he stated that more handicap parking was provided last year and efforts would be redoubled, but also defended the actioning of the request.

Mayor Vagianos clarified that the Habernickel pavilion is open to the public when not scheduled for an organized event. He expressed reluctance about placing picnic tables in Van Ness Square due to its memorial nature. He also stated that all residents were invited to the parking meeting and their needs are consistent with business owners'.

Council Member Perron clarified that the JIF is a consortium of municipalities that collectively procure insurance, not a self-insurance fund.