20230420 - CSAC Minutes

CSAC Members/Liaisons:  Barbara Sacks, John Prieto, Jane Remis, Anastasia Bamberg, RPD Officer Raymond Tarino,  Assistant Village Engineer Jovan Mehandzic, Sheila Brogan, Councilmember Lorraine Reynolds, Shayan Farooqi

 

Others:  Rurik Halaby, Susan Ruane

 

 

 

1)  Franklin Avenue Corridor-- Bergen County Review of Corridor Project update: briefly discussed the upcoming tentative unscheduled installation of traffic lights and bump-outs. (Engineering). Councilmember Reynolds set forth an idea to submit correspondence to the County to disambiguate details and timeline for the project. Various members voiced safety and community issues relating to PSEG involvement, changing lamps, center median painting, etc. 

 

2)  Pedestrian/Bike SRTS Grants-- Construction Schedule and Inspection Services Contract: An update on the final design phase, brief discussion relating to both speed limits and display speed signs (Engineering and RPD)

 

3)  CBDAC--Activity Report. No new safety issues reported;  (Bamberg) Various members discussed the possibility of moving the Farmer's Market to a more desirable and accessible location in the CBD. Members looked to examine and emulate the success of other municipalities Farmer's Markets. 

 

4)  Glen Avenue Sidewalks-- Funding in 2023 Capital Budget: (Engineering, Reynolds) Both original plans and alternative plans with and without retaining walls were briefly discussed while taking both the budget constraints and pertinent homeowner issues/possible landscaping incentives into account. Councilmember Reynolds looks forward to reviewing the various proposals in time for the upcoming Village Council meeting as well as the upcoming budget vote.

 

5)  East Glen Avenue/ Bogert Avenue--  Need for additional lighting. In-Street Pedestrian Signs. ( Police/ Engineering) RPD Officer Tarino reported the village had received two in-street pedestrian signs and 5-6 more were on order. Lighting at various intersections, the need to replace bulbs, and placement of LED directional lighting were further discussed. Members discussed the placement of safety banners in the CBD in the upcoming month.

 

 

 

1) CSAC Meeting Minutes. (Sacks) various members looked for guidance in the bylaws to have CSAC meeting minutes be reviewed by members prior to their publication on the village website. This would allow the public to rely on the minutes accurately. The idea of member approval, the possibility of amended minutes, and that efforts should be made within a reasonable time after a meeting to review, approve, and publish minutes.

 

2)  Other

 

a. Mr. Prieto reported the Dayton Street sidewalk repair was successfully undertaken and completed. Furthermore various sight triangle obstructions at notable intersections were alleviated thanks to trimming of vegetation or removal of obstructions to improve safety

 

c. Assistant Village Engineer Jovan Mehandzic advised members on the various temporary fence options and requirements around the variety of construction and renovation projects taken on by residents and homeowners. The safety of children as well as wildlife in and around construction sites are considerations. 

d. Councilmember Reynolds voiced the concerns of a resident on North Walnut who observed a higher volume of cars parked on her street resulting in accessibility concerns. Various members spoke about the underlying reasoning including overflow parking from a local house of worship as well as USPS workers parking on the street. 

e. RPD Officer Tarino advised members about the pros and cons of flashing red lights vs solid red lights at various intersections when the Village has less traffic during overnight hours. There is a concern that residents need reminders on how to navigate flashing red lights.

f. Assistant Village Engineer Jovan Mehandzic updated members on Union Street, as well as the painting of safety markers and arrows on the street. RPD Officer Tarino set forth the foreseeable installation of one way signs.

g. Members spoke about Orchard and other Ridgewood public school grounds as walkways for residents, the public, and dog walkers both during school hours as well as other times. Members have a genuine safety concern about strangers being around our children. Various ideas were voiced relating to better fences, gates, time locks, and the use of better worded signage allowing and restricting the use of public school grounds when children are or are not present. Sheila Brogan raised points and gave examples of well worded and poorly worded signage. A caveat was raised as to the rights the public has on certain public lands and spaces.

h. Ms. Ruane voiced her concerns about the East Saddle River Road Bridge- which has been closed for approximately three years. Various members chimed in about this issue as well with councilmember Reynolds presenting a more detailed status update relating to the upcoming specs to be provided by an outside engineer, bidding, as well as the budget constraints the Village has in completing the bridge.

i. Schedler and the local residential concerns about drivers leaving route 17 and speeding into the neighborhood. Police and engineering advised the members about what restrictions the village has in placing signage and rumble strips on and within a specified distance on roads belonging to the New Jersey DOT. RPD Officer Tarino set forth that patrol and review of the data in the area generally shows restraint on the part of drivers from excessively speeding in the area.

j. Mr. Halaby voiced his concerns for Franklin Ave. and voiced further concerns about the relationship between the Village and County when it comes to efficiently addressing safety concerns.