The Village Council meeting on March 12, 2026, saw the adoption of several ordinances and resolutions. Ordinance 4085, concerning village fees, and Ordinance 4086, a bond ordinance for capital improvements including Maple Field turf replacement, were passed after second readings and public hearings. Ordinance 4087, amending zoning regulations for signs, was also adopted following a public hearing where a typo was noted and a request for second-floor blade signs was mentioned. Further ordinances introduced for first reading included Ordinance 4091 (supervisory employee compensation), Ordinance 4092 (emergency management reorganization), and Ordinance 4093 (emergency management cost recovery fees). Multiple resolutions were approved via consent agenda, covering contract awards for park amenities, various services, and administrative matters such as hazard mitigation plans and affordable housing initiatives. During public comment, a resident, Boyd Loving, raised concerns about a geese problem at a proposed park location, requesting mitigation strategies. Mayor Vagianos responded that the council is working with the health department on village-wide solutions. Council members also shared past experiences and humorous suggestions for addressing the issue. Another resident inquired about the cost breakdown for Maple Field turf replacement, and a third resident noted a typo in a zoning ordinance and mentioned a referral to the historic preservation council regarding blade signs.
Ordinance Amendments and Adoptions
Several ordinances were introduced, read, and adopted during the meeting, covering various aspects of village code, including fees, employee compensation, emergency management, zoning, and bond ordinances for capital improvements.
Consent Agenda Resolutions
Multiple sets of resolutions were passed via consent agenda, dealing with contract awards for services and materials, change orders, shared services agreements, and various administrative and planning matters.
Geese Problem
A resident raised concerns about a geese problem in an area designated for a new park, urging mitigation strategies to address potential health hazards from droppings. The council acknowledged the issue and stated they are working with the health department on village-wide solutions.
Maple Field Turf Replacement
A resident inquired about the specific cost breakdown for Maple Field turf replacement within a bond ordinance, noting it comes from a sinking fund.
Zoning and Signage (Blade Signs)
During the discussion of a zoning ordinance amendment related to signs, a resident pointed out a typo and mentioned a request to allow blade signs for second-floor occupants, which had been referred to the historic preservation council.
Ordinance 4085: Amend chapter 145 of the code of the village of Ridgewood fees at section 145-6 enumeration of fees relating to code chapters.
This ordinance was read by title on second reading, a public hearing was opened and closed with no public comment, and the ordinance was adopted. It pertains to fees within the village code.
Resolutions 26-74 through 26-80 (Consent Agenda)
A series of resolutions were presented for adoption by consent agenda. These included awarding contracts for software, soil testing, materials and equipment, and concrete/road repair, as well as authorizing changes for Ridgewood Water projects and services.
Ordinance 4091: Amend ordinance 4020 to fix the salary, wage or compensation of and for the supervisory employees of the village of Rididgewood County of Bergen and state of New Jersey for the years 2026 and 2027.
This ordinance was introduced for its first reading, and a date of April 8th, 2026 was set for the public hearing.
Ordinance 4092: Amend and supplement chapter three of the code of the village of Ridgewood administration of government to reorganize emergency management provisions by amending section 3-47 entitled emergency management council relocating certain provisions of section 3-47 and creating a new section 3-43.5 entitled emergency management.
This ordinance was introduced for its first reading, and a date of April 8th, 2026 was set for the public hearing. It concerns the reorganization of emergency management provisions.
Ordinance 4093: Amend chapter 145 of the code of the village of Ridgewood fees at section 145-4 departmental fees as it relates to fees for authorizing cost recovery by the office of emergency management for non-emergency requests for assistance.
This ordinance was introduced for its first reading, and a date of April 8th, 2026 was set for the public hearing. It addresses fees for cost recovery by the office of emergency management.
Ordinance 4086: A bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the village of Rididgewood in the county of Bergen, New Jersey, appropriating $6,799,545 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $6,459,428 bonds or notes of the village to finance part of the costs thereof.
This bond ordinance was read by title on second reading, a public hearing was opened. A resident pointed out a specific appropriation for Maple Field turf replacement. The public hearing was closed, and the ordinance was adopted.
Ordinance 4087: Amend chapter 190 of the code of the village of Ridgewood entitled zoning at section 190-122 entitled signs and section 190-122H10 entitled blade slides.
This ordinance was read by title on second reading, and a public hearing was opened. A resident noted a typo and mentioned a request to allow blade signs for second-floor occupants, which was referred to the historic preservation council. The public hearing was closed, and the ordinance was adopted.
Resolutions 26-81 through 26-94 (Consent Agenda)
A series of resolutions were presented for adoption by consent agenda. These included contracts for playground and pavilion installation, professional services for Green Acres compliance, change orders for the Shedler property, a shared services agreement, declaring IT property surplus, adopting an affirmative marketing plan and a hazard mitigation plan, authorizing applications for the Joint Insurance Fund, appointing a municipal housing liaison, accepting a donation for a scoreboard, canceling parking utility appropriations, and rebids for impacted soils removal at the Shedler property.
An unnamed resident drew attention to paragraph C1 regarding the parks department and shade tree commission, specifically the replacement of Maple Field turf. They noted the appropriation amount and asked for a breakout of costs, mentioning that the sinking fund is typically set aside for turf replacement.
An unnamed resident pointed out a typo in paragraph B of Ordinance 4087 and mentioned a request to allow blade signs for second-floor occupants, which had been referred to the historic preservation council. They stated the council would vote on the ordinance as is.
B.L. reminded the council about previous comments from residents regarding a geese problem in the area where a park is planned. He urged the designers to study this issue and implement mitigation strategies to prevent goose droppings from impacting children's play and posing a health hazard.
Mayor Vagianos stated that he and Nancy Beos are discussing the geese issue with the health department and exploring various options to address it village-wide. He also mentioned increasing staff access to police facilities.
Council Member Perron recalled a past volunteer program where residents oiled goose eggs to control the population, describing the process and its perceived effectiveness.
Council Member Kuilan referenced a discussion during the budget regarding beavers and their potential to 'fight off' geese, humorously noting the presence of a beaver that had caused damage to trees. He also asked if goats could be used to attack the geese.
Council Member Camarck suggested using dogs to herd goats and geese, and then humorously proposed a village dog herder.
Mayor Vagianos reassured that the board of health takes the geese issue seriously, as do the council members, and that Nancy Beos and Dawn are actively working on it.
Council Member Perron thanked Council Member Perron for her hard work on Ordinance 4087, stating that such details maintain the charm of the downtown area.
Join the conversation
Have a question or perspective about this meeting? Residents and community members are welcome.