Village Council Public Work Session Minutes 20140604
A REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGEOF RIDGEWOOD HELD IN THE SYDNEY V. STOLDT, JR., COURTROOM OF THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE HALL, 131 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014 AT 7:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER – OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT – ROLL CALL – FLAG SALUTE – MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Aronsohn called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., and read the Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. At roll call, the following were present: Councilmembers Hauck, Pucciarelli, Riche, Walsh, and Mayor Aronsohn. Also present were Roberta Sonenfeld, Village Manager; Heather Mailander, Village Clerk; and Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney.
Mayor Aronsohn led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and asked for a moment of silence in honor of the American men and women serving in our Armed Forces, as well as those serving as first responders.
2. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mayor Aronsohn asked if anyone from the public wished to speak regarding any of the agenda items.
Patty Infantino, 6 Betty Court, said she was at the meeting as the President of the League of Women Voters. The League members concern themselves about governance and decision-making in government, and they have not yet taken a position about the road work being done at the train station. Instead, they are concerned about the provision of the Open Public Meetings Act which provides that all citizens should have advance notice of all public meetings, as well as the right to attend meetings at which any business affecting the public is discussed or acted upon. The League members do not have an opinion on the roadway, but they do have an opinion on the fact that they would like to see another meeting conducted with notification given before the meeting in the newspapers, as well as on the Village website, to let people know that Councilmembers will be discussing this particular venture, to allow people to respond. Ms. Infantino believes the way to respond to all of the various discussions about the road work would be to have another meeting that is advertised and similar to the one attended by Mayor Aronsohn and Councilwoman Walsh several weeks ago, where people are allowed to state their opinions. Ms. Sonenfeld agreed with Ms. Infantino’s remarks, and noted that this issue is part of the agenda tonight, so there will be a public discussion on this matter tonight.
Mayor Aronsohn explained that the meeting was held in response to requests from several residents who asked to meet with some of the Councilmembers because they were concerned about the proposed work. The Councilmembers made themselves available, and the meeting attendance seemed to grow exponentially. It was merely an effort to be responsive to some residents who wanted to share their concerns with the Councilmembers as soon as possible.
Anne Loving, 342 South Irving Street, stated that she also wanted to discuss the meeting held on Tuesday, May 27th about the Garber Square renovation. She heard what Mayor Aronsohn said about the meeting, and Ms. Loving appreciates the fact that the issue was on the agenda tonight. However, she pointed out that the meeting in question was not openly advertised, and it seemed to her that selected individuals were advised in advance of the meeting taking place. This meeting was not posted on the Village website, which is typical procedure for a public meeting of this sort. At least two reporters, as well as a newspaper photographer, were apprised of the meeting, and they attended the meeting. In addition, several Department Supervisors, as well as the Village Manager, attended the meeting. At least three, and possibly four, Councilmembers were also at the meeting, although it seemed that they were very careful to only have two Councilmembers in the room at the same time.
When her husband, Mr. Loving, asked why the meeting was not advertised, Mayor Aronsohn responded that Mr. Loving should have called about it, which Ms. Loving felt was an inappropriate response. Residents should not have to hope that they will hear a rumor about a meeting that might take place, and then resort to obtaining information by telephoning elected officials. Residents have a right to see such public meetings announced on the Village website, and although the Councilmembers may not have violated the Open Public Meetings Act in fact, Ms. Loving feels they violated it in spirit, which she believes is just as bad. Moreover, Ms. Loving was shocked to learn that the two newly-elected Councilmembers were not advised of the meeting, which Ms. Loving believes does not bode well for a smooth transition. Ms. Loving appreciated Mayor Aronsohn’s prompt response to her email indicating that one of the elected officials had not been officially advised of the meeting, but she happened to be in the building at the time and found out about it. Mayor Aronsohn’s email also included basically the same remarks he made earlier, that the meeting was held in response to requests from residents, but he also said in the email that this type of thing is done “all the time”. Ms. Loving said she is very curious to know if the Councilmembers have meetings “all the time” in which a number of Department Supervisors are present, as well as the Village Manager, and three or four of the Councilmembers, even if only two of them are in the room at the same time. Ms. Loving said she would be shocked if that were the case.
Mayor Aronsohn responded that when he said that the Councilmembers “do this all the time,” it means that residents come to the Councilmembers with issues, and they try to be responsive. This particular issue required input from Village personnel, such as the Village Engineer, as well as other experts, and Mayor Aronsohn said the Councilmembers meet with residents all the time on different issues, because they see as part of their job to be as responsive and accessible as possible. That is what they were trying to do on Tuesday, May 27th, and Mayor Aronsohn stated that he thought it was to be a small meeting, but when he was asked if the meeting could be opened up to others, he did not refuse. It is all part of the effort to move this issue forward.
Rurik Halaby, 374 Evergreen Place, noted that today marks the 74th anniversary of the Battle of Dunkirk, which was Britain’s worst military defeat since the Battle of Yorktown. It is been referred to as a colossal military disaster. Mr. Halaby stated that the Garber Square renovation project is Ridgewood’s monumental fiasco. He noted that sadly, politicians are responding to it by distracting the public with red herrings and false assurances. Mr. Halaby said he is a big proponent of pedestrian safety in Ridgewood. He walks around the Village whenever possible, and every time he crosses the street, he feels that he is taking his life into his hands. Mr. Halaby suggested a few simple steps that Ridgewood could take to help improve pedestrian safety, which includes having police officers patrol on foot to catch people on cell phones and those who are speeding; prohibiting right turns at red lights; and implementing four-way stop signs at critical intersections, such as that at Ridgewood Avenue and Broad Street. Mr. Halaby commented that he has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in civil engineering from MIT, and after graduation, he worked as a civil engineer at Bechtel, which was at that time the largest engineering firm in the world. While there, he had several interesting assignments, including being the Dam Engineer on the third-highest dam in California, as well as a job taking soil samples for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. However, in his worst nightmare, Mr. Halaby said he could not imagine a situation where an engineering project like the Garber Square renovation is undertaken without detailed studies on its impact. For Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer, to say that no traffic study was done before the planning was implemented is irresponsible, according to Mr. Halaby. Furthermore, Mr. Halaby considers that this goes beyond negligence to gross negligence, and if someone should die in an ambulance that is stuck in traffic in that area, it could be claimed as criminal negligence. Mr. Halaby believes that the Village Engineer and his staff have failed miserably, although he has no doubt about the sincerity of their motives. He considers that Village personnel are victims of tunnel vision, and are only considering one problem without giving any consideration to the unintended consequences of the project. Mr. Halaby commented that he has seen this twice before: once when an ordinance was adopted to limit the height of snow piles; and the other was when it was decided to provide homeowners with bags to bag the debris on their lawns. In the case of the Garber Square renovation, Mr. Halaby said he is sure that the Village Engineer and his staff are hoping to calm the traffic, but he believes it will only create a stranglehold on the most important traffic artery connecting the east and west sides of Ridgewood. Mr. Halaby finished by saying that it is not too late to stop the project.
Dave Slomin, 36 Heights Road, commented that he is one of the residents who requested the meeting on May 27th. He explained that the reason for the meeting was due to the fact that several residents were very concerned about the work to be done around Franklin Avenue, and no one seemed to know what was happening. The immediate concerns were bike safety, and traffic congestion and diversion. Residents felt it was imperative to act quickly because the work was already starting. It was planned as a small meeting, but because there was so much concern, more and more people asked to be included. It grew from one email circulated among a few neighbors and residents to a petition with 557 signatures today. One of the issues is finding a way to make people aware of what is going on in Ridgewood, and it should be up to residents to determine what is important, and how to respond to those things. Mr. Slomin suggested it would be nice if there was a way for residents to be kept apprised of what is happening in Ridgewood, such as a way to sign up through the Village website for notifications, or if there was a page on the website devoted to any occurrences around the Village, and where more information could be obtained. He agreed that the Garber Square renovation project is a debacle. Mr. Slomin was also happy to find that the issue was to be discussed tonight, and that a contingency plan has been formulated to allow for the possibility of the traffic lanes to be put back. However, Mr. Slomin felt that the process could have been easier from the beginning if two steps to been taken: giving clear notice to residents about the project, and seeking public input about the project. It also disturbs Mr. Slomin that there was no traffic study done, and the Village Engineer seemed to lack a lot of necessary information about the traffic patterns and volume in that area, while at the same time residents were being asked to “trust” the Village Management and Engineering staff. Mr. Slomin added that many people feel that the bike lanes are a danger to adults and children, and he is one of them. He also believes there are some good parts to the current plan, but the bike lane is not one of those good parts.
In conclusion, Mr. Slomin said he would email a copy of the petition to each Councilmember. Mayor Aronsohn thanked Mr. Slomin for his leadership and partnership over the last several weeks.
Tony Damiano, owner of Mango Jam and President of the Ridgewood Guild, said he understands there is a huge concern among the residents about the proposed work at Garber Square, but there is an even bigger concern among the business owners in that area, because that is the main artery into the CBD. The CBD is the heartbeat of Ridgewood, and it is the number one reason to move to Ridgewood. Mr. Damiano recalled that he was living in Ridgewood during the two-year, $27 million renovation of the train station that occurred several years ago, when single lane access was all that was available in and out of the Village in that area. During the holiday season, Mr. Damiano said it was a nightmare. Accessing that area is the main artery, and the only alternative is to head south on Ackerman Avenue into Glen Rock, then come up South Broad Street, or to head out of the way on Glen Avenue. That main thoroughfare is so important, and Mr. Damiano believes that the Village must start becoming more customer-sensitive. Little to no employee parking is provided around Ridgewood, so employees are forced to park on the streets, where metered parking has a two hour limit. Now, there will be even more restricted access into the CBD. As a business owner, Mr. Damiano said he does not receive a weekly paycheck, and he depends upon customers to come through his door, as many other Village business owners do. Having only single-lane access will not make the Village more customer-friendly. The area in question is not just for residents on the west side of town to have access to the CBD, but for people coming from all of the towns west of Ridgewood. People from Hawthorne, Midland Park, and Wyckoff love to come to Ridgewood, but must continually fight to have a pleasant experience, and Mr. Damiano feels that this will hurt the businesses in the CBD.
Bonnie Chalek, 110 Sheridan Terrace, commented that she walks into the CBD all the time, and uses the Franklin Avenue underpass for access all the time. Ms. Chalek only wanted the underpass area to be paved, and she thinks it would be a nightmare to have a bike lane going through that area. In addition, Ms. Chalek is concerned about the New Jersey Transit 163 bus, because there is a concern among residents in that area that the 163 bus will stop going to upper Ridgewood. Therefore, Ms. Chalek strongly believes that the two lanes are necessary, particularly heading into the CBD. It is a safety issue, especially for ambulances.
Ed Feldsott, 67 Heights Road, thanked Mayor Aronsohn and the other Councilmembers who attended the impromptu meeting which was supposed to be attended by only a few people. However, Mr. Feldsott believes that the fact that the meeting increased in size so rapidly only demonstrates the overwhelming level of concern for the proposed project in that area. Many people believe this project is a tragic mistake, and a disaster waiting to happen. Although no traffic study was done, residents have been told that they should accept the project based upon the opinions of the Village Engineer and his staff. Mr. Feldsott said he is impressed by an engineer who graduated from MIT, but he is not sure what qualifications the members of the Village Engineering department hold. In conclusion, Mr. Feldsott said that many people are upset about this project, and feel that it will bring nothing but disaster and lawsuits.
Jeffery Carlson, 263 Franklin Avenue, said he was a classmate of Roger Wiegand, from the Ridgewood High School class of 1961. Mr. Carlson stated that he understands there has been some talk about some type of commemoration for Mr. Wiegand, and he wants to get involved. Moreover, Mr. Carlson is in contact with many of their former classmates, and offered his support in any planned activities in Mr. Wiegand’s honor. Mayor Aronsohn asked Mr. Carlson to leave his contact information with Ms. Sonenfeld or Ms. Mailander.
Rick Boesch, 64 Park Slope, thanked Mr. Slomin for holding the meeting about the proposed project around Garber Square. Mr. Boesch also agrees that the data-driven objective process needs to be welcomed by the Councilmembers. Mr. Boesch believes decisions are being made based on results from coarse data, and no one knows how old the data may be. He would like to see the process changed, not just because it would make the process more efficient and gets residents more comfortable and involved, but it also helps to enhance the credibility of the leaders in the Village.
Mr. Boesch related a personal experience he recently had to illustrate his points. His wife noticed that when she goes through that area, people in front of her are now taking the left off of West Ridgewood Avenue to go down to the now-single lane by the light in front of the train station. Therefore, because the people in front of her are going slower, she must also go slower, because the turn is tighter, with more obstructions. That problem does not seem to exist when one is traveling under the trestle, because there seems to be a lot more room to make a left when one is traveling west. Mr. Boesch does not necessarily believe that is what is causing the problem, because there are already backups on Ridgewood Avenue; however, anyone who drives would understand that even a small problem can cause a long wait in traffic.
Next, Mr. Boesch asked the Councilmembers why they decided against stopping the project and reassessing the situation, and instead opted to consider the contingency plans that were presented. Mayor Aronsohn responded that his question would be answered when that issue is addressed as part of the agenda tonight.
Karen Abraham, 415 Red Birch Court, stated that she moved back to Ridgewood last year, and that she had been born in Ridgewood, and her mother spent most of her life in Ridgewood. Ms. Abraham noted that the Underpass area has been a problem for a long time, and she would like to go into the CBD more than she currently does, but parking is also a problem. She explained that she usually goes around through Midland Park in order to visit her parents who live on the other side of Ridgewood. Ms. Abraham said she likes the idea of making it easier to go into the CBD without sitting in traffic, because she is sure that she is not the only person with children who feels that way. She agrees that the process was not handled in the best way, and it seems like the project simply popped up at the last minute. Ms. Abraham believes that this is not the right move for Ridgewood to take, and it will end up choking traffic in that part of Ridgewood, which no one wants.
There were no other comments from the public at this time, and Mayor Aronsohn closed the time for public comment.
3. DISCUSSION
a. Budget:
1.) Garber Square Complete Streets Program
Ms. Sonenfeld stated that she wanted to provide some context and history on the Garber Square Complete Streets project, and how it got to this point. In 2011, the Village adopted the Complete Streets protocol, as did the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee. “Complete Streets” means that the streets are an important part of the livability of a community, and they should be accessible to every mode of transportation. Instituting a Complete Streets policy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind. Ms. Sonenfeld said that the Complete Streets program has been adopted throughout the United States. The first Complete Streets project was Grove Street, where traffic calming was done. The design for Garber Square was worked on by the Engineering Department for almost two years. That department is a dedicated staff of professionals who have worked here for a long time, and who know the streets, the traffic flows, and the neighborhoods. Ms. Sonenfeld noted that based on the discussions she has had, the biggest concern and driving principle behind this project is safety. Therefore, she takes exception to statements made that this would be creating a dangerous situation. Between 2007 and 2013, there were 86 calls to the police from that area, leading to 61 reportable accidents. That is what everyone hoped to avoid now. Many people seem to think that traffic will be calmed “too much,” but no one is trying to cause congestion. The goal is to slow the traffic down, because there are many people who were traveling at 35 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone, which is not safe for children and other pedestrians, or bicyclists. Another goal of this project is to improve the aesthetics of the area.
As a result of the items mentioned by Ms. Sonenfeld, the key results, from a safety/traffic calming point of view, are to provide a refuge island for pedestrians crossing the street; providing a bump out of Franklin Avenue to shorten the crosswalk; and to provide better visibility to motorists. The median is currently eight feet wide, and the new medium would also be eight feet wide, reducing the possibility of cars jumping over the median into oncoming traffic. The traffic would be channelized; however, there would be a dedicated second lane for right turns. The addition of bicycle lanes will significantly improve the safety of bicyclists who currently travel in that area. Moreover, it will also increase pedestrian safety, because bicyclists who do not want to travel in the street currently use the sidewalks, battling for sidewalk space with the pedestrians. The pedestrian walkway that goes through the Underpass is fine for pedestrians and those who walk their bicycles through there, but there are cyclists who ride their bicycles through there, and it becomes a danger for people with baby strollers, or people who are walking their pets. She also noted that information has shown that synchronizing the traffic lights in that area will allow traffic to move more smoothly, with less congestion in that area.
Regarding the aesthetics, the addition of the eight-foot median will allow for low maintenance landscaping, with trees and a woodchip surface covering the median, as well as lighting that fits with the overall look of the Village, resulting in a much improved appearance for the area.
The project was submitted to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) for review, and a grant of $146,500 was received for the project. The Village Council approved the plans via a Title 59 resolution on September 18, 2013, by unanimous vote. Ms. Sonenfeld said she understood that leading up to the Councilmembers’ consideration, there were some discussions with the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee, as well as discussions within the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee, which Councilwoman Walsh will address.
At the May 7, 2014, Village Council meeting, Ms. Sonenfeld asked Frank Moritz, Director of Operations, to mention that the area would be closed for construction, and she addressed the topic again at the May 14, 2014, Village Council meeting. However, Ms. Sonenfeld does agree with the speakers who said that communications on the subject could have been better in the process.
After construction started, concerns continued to grow, particularly from a group of residents on the west side of Ridgewood, especially around the Heights. There were many emails going back and forth addressing these concerns, coordinated by Mr. Slomin, who spoke earlier this evening. A meeting was suggested to address the concerns with him and other residents who were being kept in the loop. It is not unusual for Councilmembers to grant such requests when citizens ask for discussion on a particular matter, and in the meantime, the number of residents who had concerns increased. The meeting was held on May 27, 2014, in the Community Center. As reported in the newspaper, there were more than 30 people at the meeting. The Councilmembers present and Ms. Sonenfeld presented the project and said they wanted to discuss it in three ways: they wanted to talk about the substance of the project itself; they wanted to discuss the process that the Village Council went through; and they wanted to talk about the construction phase of the project. Based on the emails, phone calls, and information gathered from the May 27th meeting, and some internal brainstorming, a plan modification was created. It was also suggested that the Councilmembers consider placing a stop sign on Heights Road to slow traffic down, as well as to perform some additional traffic monitoring around the area using traffic plates.
Last Thursday, traffic plates were installed. The plates count the number of cars; distance; and speed. Results will probably be available within one week, and the plates will continue to be used on the streets surrounding Garber Square. In addition, it has been decided that cameras would be installed on both sides of Garber Square, which are now in place.
As far as the plan modification is concerned, Ms. Sonenfeld pointed out that the modification calls for the narrowing the median to four feet. The benefit to that is that it is a quick and easy fallback if congestion that is not treatable should occur. However, Ms. Sonenfeld and the Councilmembers believe that they will not face that problem. The negative aspect to that approach is that it increases the potential for a vehicle to jump the median into oncoming traffic; loss of some of the aesthetics; and it would eliminate the possibility of landscaping, which would force the Village to do some hardscaping instead. This is because a narrow median results in a hotter environment, and plants are not recommended in such an environment. The ability for groundskeeping crews to work on a four-foot median is different than working on an eight-foot median, and it would require traffic control, including stopping traffic, which is to be avoided. Another negative aspect of the modified plan is the Fourth of July parade. Although the area would be usable for the Fourth of July, it will not be ready for photographs. The last negative is that 800-900 feet of curb has already been laid in the median, and it would cost approximately $45,000 to tear that up.
The proposal has been discussed by several residents, as well as the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee, and several of the Councilmembers. The Citizens Safety Advisory Committee is split on this issue. Some of its members have proposed completing the project as is, because they have faith in the project, and they do not want to spend the $45,000 at this time to rip out the curbing. However, if, after the project is completed, it is determined that it does not work, the curbing could be ripped out at that time. Ms. Sonenfeld is confident that the new traffic flows will work and will be controlled by better timing of the traffic lights.
The project will cost a total of $535,000. Ripping out the curb would cost $45,000, and redesigning the project has resulted in some decreases, because having no trees planted in the modified plan would save approximately $5,000, and another $20,000 in the irrigation system. It is not known at this time the difference between what is available in the capital budget and what will be needed for this project, but if more money is needed, it will be recommended that the Village Council approve a change order to add the necessary amount to the capital budget. It has been suggested to Ms. Sonenfeld that money that has already been appropriated from the 2014 capital budget for paving could be used to cover the potential overage, but that is something that Ms. Sonenfeld refuses to recommend.
Some lessons have been learned during this process. Ms. Sonenfeld said she remains fully in support of this project, as do the Councilmembers, the Engineering Department, the Police and Fire Departments, and the NJDOT. As noted above, the members of the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee are divided on the issue of whether to switch to a narrower median, or to go with the original design. Ms. Sonenfeld said she has also learned that the process with regard to communication could clearly be improved. When Ms. Sonenfeld first learned of this project several weeks ago, she was very impressed with it, and asked if it had been presented to the public, or to the Councilmembers. Mr. Rutishauser responded that it had not been presented in its entirety, but different parts of it had been. Ms. Sonenfeld thought that if she develops a plan, she would want to showcase it, because it is a progressive plan. However, she has committed herself to improving communications going forward as part of the process.
From a construction point of view, there will be times when traffic is very congested as this project continues. That is to be expected, but the Village hopes to continue to mitigate that problem by constant monitoring, using the cameras that have been installed. Public questioning and input are appreciated and welcomed by Ms. Sonenfeld and the Councilmembers. However, Ms. Sonenfeld cautioned that people should not be quick to blame every traffic accident on what is happening at Garber Square.
In conclusion, Ms. Sonenfeld said she would recommend going with the modified plan. She thanked her staff for all their help in researching the plans and putting all the information together.
Mayor Aronsohn thanked Ms. Sonenfeld for her very detailed report, and added that it helps to put everything in proper context. He also thanked her staff, and the staff of the Engineering Department, for their commitment to getting this right.
Councilman Walsh noted that many people have asked her about the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee over the past couple of weeks. She explained that the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee is an advisory board, and its members are appointed by the Village Council. They are all volunteers. One of the members is an engineer; another is a municipal manager; one of them is a member of the Ridgewood Police Department; one member is an attorney; two members are also members of the Board of Education; another member is in the finance industry; one member is from the Village Engineering Department; and another individual is EMS-certified. Some of the members have donated not just hours, but years to the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee. In fact, some of them have been on the Committee since its inception, which was more than 10 years ago. Every month, the agenda is set by the residents. Any resident who has a question or concern can make a request to the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee, and it will be discussed at the meeting. Any issue that is safety-related is likely to be discussed at one of the meetings. Councilwoman Walsh often brings some of the questions and concerns raised at their meetings to the Village Council. The Police Department also addresses some of the questions and concerns. Moreover, Councilwoman Walsh noted that since she has been on the Committee, there have been issues raised that might not have seemed to be safety-related issues. One of those issues was the opening of Habernickel Park, and a decision to place the parking lot at the back of the park, with the soccer field in front of the park. Many parents did not want to park at the back and have to walk all the way up to the front of the park for soccer games. Those parents were trying to park along the road, and residents who live very close to the park came to the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee with their concerns about people parking along the streets, blocking their driveways, and causing safety issues. The Police Department put some traffic plates out to study the issue, and it was found that there were people speeding in that area. A request was made to the Fields Committee to tell all of the parents who were bringing their children there for sports activities that they should respect the properties of the residents in that area, not speed, and they should not be parking in a hazardous or unsafe manner.
Councilwoman Walsh also mentioned the safety concerns that have been raised regarding pedestrians in the CBD, and she learned about the decoy program from Police Chief Ward. The Committee talks about issues in the CBD, and they have discussed issues around Valley Hospital, where congestion reaches its peak during shift changes and school dismissal times. The Complete Streets program was designed to make the Village safer, so that the roads could be shared by pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists. Councilwoman Walsh pointed out that no one should be riding bikes on the sidewalks, but they can walk their bikes along sidewalks.
Mayor Aronsohn noted that in addition to the modified plan, which would make the eight-foot medians four feet wide, it is also proposed that the work be paid for by using a change order, which Ms. Sonenfeld estimates would be approximately $45,000, some of which could be absorbed in some of the costs. Ms. Sonenfeld confirmed that at some point, a change order might be necessary for the modified plan.
Councilwoman Walsh said that she could not speak for the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee, because the members are divided on the issue, with some members saying they like the original plan and want to continue with that, while others are supportive of the modified plan. Councilwoman Walsh said she agreed with Ms. Sonenfeld’s recommendation to go with the modified plan.
Councilman Pucciarelli thanked everyone for their comments on this issue. He added that this has been an interesting and challenging subject because of the many different comments that have been received from Ridgewood residents and Village staff. Councilman Pucciarelli recalled that some of the speakers during the public comment portion of this meeting stated that the spirit of the Open Public Meetings Act was violated, and he could understand that it might have looked as though a large public meeting was being held with only some members of the public being chosen to attend. It was also mentioned that three or four of the Councilmembers attended the meeting, and Councilman Pucciarelli wanted to point out that he came to the meeting to hear what people had to say. Mayor Aronsohn reminded Councilman Pucciarelli that Councilwoman Walsh, as the Chairperson of the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee, was expected to attend the meeting. When she arrived, Councilman Pucciarelli left, because the rule is that there can be no more than two Councilmembers in the room at the same time. However, Councilman Pucciarelli does not believe that wanting to hear what she had to say violates the spirit of democracy, or the spirit of good government. He also noted that Councilwoman Hauck was very conscientious about staying out of the room so that the rule would not be violated.
Next, Councilman Pucciarelli pointed out that these types of projects do not just pop up out of nowhere. He recalled that several months ago, some bicycle enthusiasts were at a Village Council meeting, including the President of the New York City chapter of a cycling group. The bicyclists were urging the Councilmembers to do whatever was necessary to encourage the flow of bicycles through Ridgewood streets. Therefore, this project includes a conduit from east to west for bicycle traffic. Councilman Pucciarelli admitted that the intelligent comments made so far in criticism of the project have suggested that a second look should be taken at it. This compromise allows the Councilmembers to do exactly that. By shrinking the median, some of the aesthetics are given up, and an additional financial burden is incurred. There may also be a safety implication in the modified plan. However, it does provide the flexibility of returning to two lanes in each direction. Councilman Pucciarelli also admitted that he is a bit skeptical of the idea of two lanes, because he has never seen cars driving side-by-side through those curves, and he travels through that area on a daily basis. He urged that a monitoring schedule and the expected goal be established before a decision is made to go back to the idea of having two lanes, so that the decision is not premature or arbitrary. There should be some criteria established that must be met in order for the bicycle lanes to be removed.
Councilman Riche stated that he considered this from a different perspective. He spends a lot of time in the CBD, and he will often call Chief Ward to address issues that he observes. Councilman Riche noticed a disregard and disrespect for speed limits and proper driving by drivers traversing through the CBD. As elected officials, the Councilmembers represent 100% of the community. Councilman Riche understands that each individual voice is important, but decisions should be made for the entire community, not based on the loudest voices. A petition signed by 557 people represents less than 2% of the community. Councilman Riche also took umbrage with the comment made to the effect that an engineer from MIT could do a better job than any of the Village engineering staff. He said he supports the plan as originally designed, because Ridgewood needs all the traffic calming that can be provided. Too many pedestrians are being hit, and too many people are driving in an effort to get to their next stop as fast as they can. This project is ideal for slowing people down. Moreover, Councilman Riche said he is not in a position to approve a $45,000 change order on a 0% tax increase budget that has no room for any additional capital projects.
Councilwoman Hauck said she cannot support the change order, although she does understand that it is costly. However, out of deference to the community and all other points of view, everyone’s opinion is heard whenever possible, although it always slows down the proposed project. Councilwoman Hauck said she also agrees with Mr. Halaby’s suggestion that the timing of the lights should be checked, and allowing a right turn on a red light at the intersection of Broad Street and Franklin Avenue should be allowed. Councilwoman Hauck also agrees that one of the biggest errors made was that the project was not unveiled in the right way. It was not intentional error, but the project was unveiled as a paving project, and approval was given along with many other paving projects at a Village Council meeting, but this particular project should have been discussed as a redesign and paving project.
Ms. Sonenfeld noted that the light system at Broad Street and Franklin Avenue will be examined as part of this project. Part of the long-range plan is to evaluate whether smart lights might be a better choice for intersections like that one, although they are more costly. Discussions are also underway with the County to collaborate on the purchase of smart lights, which will give the Village more flexibility.
Councilman Pucciarelli asked if the re-stuccoing of the overpass and the light system for the Underpass are still part of the plan. Ms. Sonenfeld answered that the re-stuccoing of the overpass will be coming up later on in the project, as part of a grant discussed later. The lighting under the overpass is being considered as part of the project, but it could also be done as part of the other grant.
Mayor Aronsohn commented that he also supports the original plan, because it considers pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle safety, as well as the fact that the area is dangerous, with too many accidents occurring there. He also likes the modifications that have been suggested, and believes they are actually improvements to the plan.
Councilwoman Hauck asked if the project will be finished by the Fourth of July, and Ms. Sonenfeld said it would not. The area will be ready for the Fourth of July, but it will still look like a construction area, not suitable for photographs.
This resolution will be put on the agenda for the June 11, 2014 Public Meeting.
2.) Request Bergen County to Restore Open Space Tax
Ms. Sonenfeld explained that this is a request for Bergen County to restore the Open Space tax. Councilman Riche pointed out that the Open Space Committee wrote a letter to the County Executive and the Freeholders to request their support in the form of a resolution. The letter points out that open space acquisitions in Ridgewood have been predicated upon not only Ridgewood’s own Open Space tax, but also County grants. Between 2000 and 2012, Ridgewood received $4.9 million in Open Space grant monies. However, the county reduced the tax in 2010, which has, in essence, depleted the Open Space fund. Currently, the Ridgewood Open Space fund is in debt for the acquisition of Habernickel Park and the Schedler property, and will be for several years to come. That means that the taxpayers of Ridgewood are carrying the burden of that deficit. Therefore, the Committee asked that the County restore the Open Space tax, which is very minimal. The reduction of the Open Space tax in 2010 also made the county ineligible for the 50% matching New Jersey State Green Acres funds for County Open Space acquisitions.
Councilwoman Walsh said she agreed with Councilman Riche. She said that when residents come to the Councilmembers to ask what will be done about a particular project or issue, as well as how to increase the use and maintenance of the fields, having the Open Space funds available would be a reasonable use of those funds.
Councilman Pucciarelli estimated that the amount of Open Space tax that would be levied on a property with an assessed value of $500,000 would be approximately $50, and the tax would be $100 on a property with an assessed value of $1 million. While Councilman Pucciarelli did not think it was acceptable to ask the County to increase taxes, even by a small amount, while at the same time pushing for a 0% municipal tax increase in Ridgewood, he believes that the preservation of vacant land is a worthy goal, because if it is not preserved, the land will be lost forever. That is why he wants to encourage the County to do this, and history has shown that Ridgewood usually receives its fair share of these funds.
Councilwoman Hauck said she supports the request, because she thinks it is important that, with the current interest rates and the density in Bergen County, as well as with all of the development that occurs around the County, there needs to be a counterbalance to all of that with the preservation of open space.
Mayor Aronsohn asked what these funds could be used for in Ridgewood, if the tax is reinstated. Councilman Riche responded that it would make Ridgewood again eligible to receive New Jersey State Green Acres grants. It may help with maintenance on existing facilities, as well as some projects that might be developed for the Schedler property, or any other Open Space-related project. Janet Fricke, Assistant to the Village Manager, noted that Timothy Cronin, Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, has been very successful in the past in getting grants from the County for park improvements, such as when the turf field at Maple Field was damaged, and he was able to get some money from the County Open Space fund for that repair. In addition, a lot of the money that funded the improvements at Habernickel Park came from Mr. Cronin going year after year to request funds for the various projects at that park. Ms. Fricke confirmed that any of the Open Space funds would be available for improvements to municipal parks, as well as to purchase land.
Councilman Riche noted that grants in the amount of $88,000; $25,000; $1.5 million; $26,000; $100,000; $37,000; $356,000; $46,000; $263,000; $50,000; $1 million; and $126,000 have been received over the years for all sorts of improvements to and purchases of municipal parks over the past several years.
This resolution will be put on the agenda for the June 11, 2014 Public Meeting.
3.) Award Contract – Purchase of 2 SUVs – Police Department
Ms. Sonenfeld noted that this is for the purchase of two SUVs for the Police Department, using funds from the 2013 capital budget. The Police Department is moving toward pursuit-rated Tauruses and Explorers as patrol cars. The Police Department currently has 11 Crown Victorias, which is a decrease from the 13 that they formerly had. Two of them had catastrophic engine failures.
This resolution will be put on the agenda for the June 11, 2014 Public Meeting.
4.) Award Extraordinary Unspecifiable Services Contract – Repair Brookside Field Sanitary Sewer
Ms. Sonenfeld stated that this is a contract for an extraordinary unspecifiable service. On May 6th, several sinkholes were found in Brookside Field. Due to the circumstances of sinkholes, the proximity to the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook and the activity at the field, Mr. Rutishauser contacted Conquest Industries, who had a crew available to start the work immediately. Funds to pay for this contract are found in Ordinance #3111. Councilman Pucciarelli asked what the cost is, and Ms. Sonenfeld responded that it is approximately $20,500.
This resolution will be put on the agenda for the June 11, 2014 Public Meeting.
5.) Appoint Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Ms. Sonenfeld explained that the Village received approval in 2011 to proceed with the non-infrastructure portion of the Safe Routes to School Grant. At that time, no Coordinator was identified to work with NJDOT and the Village. This resolution authorizes payment to be made to Jeannie Johnson from those grant funds. Activities completed under the auspices of this grant for which Ms. Johnson was responsible, include attending quarterly meetings in New Brunswick and Trenton; meeting bi-monthly with the Village Engineering Department, as well as with the NJDOT Manager bi-annually; coordinating the bi-annual “Ridgewood Walk/Bike to School Month;” coordinating advertising for various print media; sustaining the “Keep Kids Alive – Drive 25” initiative; and coordinating bike rodeos and inspections. This is only necessary to identify Ms. Johnson as the Coordinator and the funding to pay her can be provided out of the grant.
Councilwoman Walsh commented that the need for grant writers has been discussed before, and that is basically what Ms. Johnson does. She has dedicated her time and has been instrumental in obtaining necessary funding for many activities associated with Safe Routes to School. Ms. Johnson is being paid from grant monies, not from Village funds.
Councilwoman Hauck noted that she had not been involved in this, and knows very little about it. She does know about the Safe Routes to School project, but she does not know anything about Ms. Johnson or the grant writing. Councilwoman Walsh pointed out that this started in 2011, and Councilwoman Hauck asked if this is the first year that Ms. Johnson is being paid for her efforts. Ms. Sonenfeld explained that the money covers the past three years, since Ms. Johnson started working on this project. At the time, the Village was asked to identify a Coordinator, and that is what is happening now. Councilwoman Hauck asked if the payment was a retroactive one, and Councilwoman Walsh responded that initially, Ms. Johnson had not asked to be paid for her work, but as her working hours increased, it was felt that some type of pay was necessary. Ms. Sonenfeld added that the sponsors of the grant insisted that a Coordinator be named.
This resolution will be put on the agenda for the June 11, 2014 Public Meeting.
6.) Grant Authorization – Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) – Beautification of the Approaches to the Historic Village Train Station
Ms. Sonenfeld commented that this is a grant authorization for a Transportation Alternative Program, which is being called the Beautification of the Approaches to the Historic Village Train Station. TAP provides Federal funds for community-based, non-traditional projects assigned to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the nation’s intermodal system. The primary purpose is beautification, and the goal is to replace some sidewalks with brick walkways; decorative lighting; landscaping; and the application of California stucco on the wall. Part of the grant application process requires a resolution of approval by the governing body of the municipality submitting the application. This resolution will be put on the agenda for the June 11, 2014 Public Meeting.
b. Policy:
1.) Honoring Roger Wiegand
Mayor Aronsohn recalled that the last time this was discussed, some ideas were suggested. One of the ideas was to place a plaque on the inside of the podium where the public makes comments at Village Council meetings; another was to put a sign on the street where he lived marking it as “Wiegand Way,” or some other way of indicating that he lived there; and the third was to plant a tree in his memory. Another suggestion was to hold a reception to honor Mr. Wiegand, which Mayor Aronsohn said would probably be done in any case. After speaking to different people, Mayor Aronsohn commented that many people seem to like the idea of the plaque, and is not sure if anyone wants to move forward with just that idea, or perhaps doing all three of the suggestions, along with a reception. Councilman Riche suggested that the plaque could read something like “In Honor of Roger Wiegand, the Sixth Councilmember”. All of the Councilmembers like the idea of the plaque, coupled with a reception, which could be held when the plaque is dedicated.
Jeffery Carlson, 263 Franklin Avenue, addressed the Councilmembers again. Mr. Carlson wanted to contact former classmates of his and Mr. Wiegand’s. He learned recently that Mr. Wiegand is the 63rd person to die out of a class of 447 students at Ridgewood High School. Mr. Carlson asked if he could ask for input from their classmates about what they would like to do to honor Mr. Wiegand, and Mayor Aronsohn agreed. Mr. Carlson commented that he knew that Mr. Wiegand kept daily records of rainfall and temperatures for quite a few years, and it occurred to Mr. Carlson that some type of digital thermometer placed at Graydon Pool, facing Veterans Field, might be another appropriate way to honor Mr. Wiegand’s memory. Mayor Aronsohn suggested that Mr. Carlson discuss the idea of the plaque with his former classmates, and come back to the Councilmembers with their input and suggestions. Mayor Aronsohn asked that Mr. Carlson do this as soon as possible, because it is hoped that everything could be accomplished during the summer.
4. REVIEW OF JUNE 11, 2014 AGENDA
Ms. Mailander announced that the Public Meeting would include the following Proclamation: Mayor’s Wellness Campaign.
There are no ordinances to be introduced next week.
The Public Hearings on ordinances include: Lease of 1057 Hillcrest Road; Establish Abandoned Property Guidelines; Establishment of a Green Team.
Resolutions include: Waive Fourth of July Vendor Fees; Grant Permission to Fireworks Company for Fireworks Display; Approve Liquor License Renewals; Title 59 Approval – Landscaping Services – Ridgewood Water; Award Contract – Landscaping Services – Ridgewood Water; Award Contract Safe Routes to School Grant Work; Award Contract – Animal Control Services and Waterfowl Management; Award Contract under County Contract – Lightning Detection System; Award Contract under State Contract – Two SUVs for Police Department; Award Extraordinary Unspecifiable Services Contract – Repair Brookside Field Sanitary Sewer; Authorize Snowplowing Agreement with Bergen County; Grant Authorization – Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) – Garber Square Historic Beautification; Authorize Participation in the Community Development Block Grant Program and Home Investment Partnership Act Program – 2015-2017; Appoint Safe Routes to School Coordinator; Memorialize the Garber Square Beautification Project; Request Restoration of the Bergen County Open Space Tax.
5. MANAGER’S REPORT
Ms. Sonenfeld gave an update on the quarter theft situation. The Judge has been assigned for sentencing, but the sentencing has been rescheduled from Friday, June 6th, to Thursday, July 10th, due to Court calendar issues. The Village is still waiting for the engagement letter from the Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) for the forensic accounting review.
At her first “Meet the Manager” event on Saturday, May 31st, Ms. Sonenfeld was pleased that it was well-attended. She met with 11 people. The next “Meet the Manager” date is scheduled for Saturday, June 28th, from 9:00 A.M.-12:00 Noon. During the sessions, Ms. Sonenfeld said there was negative feedback on the new budget newsletter, which was the first time negative feedback had been received. She provided that input to the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC). In addition, some issues were reported at King’s Pond Park, as well as the grounds around the Ridgewood Water Cedarcroft area. Tomorrow, Ms. Sonenfeld is planning to accompany Mr. Rutishauser, Mr. Cronin, and John Spano to take an investigative look at those areas and come back with recommendations. Three people who came to meet with Ms. Sonenfeld discussed ways in which they could volunteer for the Village. One resident expressed concern about the intersection at Paramus Road and Linwood Avenue, where there was a house that was taken down. At this time, there is a plan to build a two-story day care center on the site, as well as a home for autistic children. The property, located in Paramus, requires 14 variances, and the Ridgewood resident asked that an elected official from Ridgewood act as an advocate for Ridgewood residents at the June 12th Paramus Planning Board meeting.
As part of her “Response to Residents” report, Ms. Sonenfeld said there has been progress made on the e-ticket program. The Administrative Office of Courts has assigned someone to finalize approved usage of the new system. Once that approval is obtained, the new system will be implemented.
Mr. Rutishauser had a lengthy conversation with the owner of the Town Garage site, and that will be brought back to the Village Council for a possible discussion on the pros and cons of temporary parking in July.
Signs have been installed at Oak Street and East Ridgewood Avenue to highlight the businesses located on the side streets. This was a joint project with the Chamber of Commerce, and it may require some tweaking, because it may be necessary to install another pole to accommodate the signs. The next streets scheduled to get such signs are Broad Street and East Ridgewood Avenue; and Chestnut Street and East Ridgewood Avenue.
Graydon Pool opened last Saturday, and will be open every day throughout the summer. The temporary pool drain line was rolled up to make the parking lot fully accessible to everyone. Ms. Sonenfeld commended all of the Village staff members who worked to ensure that access to the Graydon Pool parking lot was not impeded. The permanent installation of the parking lot part has been completed, and the rest will be installed over the next several days. In addition, a solution has been found regarding how to skim the pool in a more effective manner, which will be implemented in approximately one week.
There are some free outdoor summer concerts scheduled at the Kasschau Band Shell, which start on Thursday, June 5th, at 8:00 P.M. After that, free concerts are scheduled for every Tuesday and Thursday night, starting at 8:30 P.M. People who wish to attend should bring chairs and/or blankets.
“A Taste of Ridgewood” will be held on Sunday, June 8th, 1:00 P.M.-4:00 P.M. Approximately 20 restaurants are involved in this event, as well as a beer garden.
“Movies in the Park,” a free event sponsored by the Ridgewood Guild, starts on Wednesday, June 11th, at Memorial Park at Van Neste Square. The first movie to be shown will be “The Maltese Falcon”.
The Bergen County Utilities Authority will collect computers and electronics, tires, recycling, and paper to be shredded on Sunday, June 7th, from 9:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M., at Campgaw.
At the intersection of Walnut Street and Franklin Avenue, buckets have been installed with flags in them. They are for pedestrians to use when crossing the streets. This is another project that Jeannie Johnson helped to make possible.
6. COUNCIL REPORTS
Fourth of July Committee – Councilman Riche stated that the Fourth of July Committee is looking for volunteers, and is preparing for another great Fourth of July celebration in Ridgewood. The theme is to honor the 200th anniversary of the United States flag.
Community Center Advisory Board – Councilwoman Hauck reported that Liz Kloak, Nancy Bigos, Janet Fricke, and many others went to the Community Center to host the Teen Step Up Party, which is mostly funded by the Municipal Alliance grant. This was the first time that the fifth-graders from all of the elementary schools come together to meet each other in anticipation of attending middle school the following year. On the east side, approximately 200 children attended; and on the west side, approximately 180 children attended the event. Door prizes were awarded, and the children behaved very well. This is part of the success of the Community Center, where teenagers learn to socialize responsibly and enjoy themselves.
Mayor’s Wellness Campaign – Mayor Aronsohn said that there are so many different types of activities scheduled as part of this campaign, and efforts are being made to coordinate all of the various activities in Ridgewood. Councilwoman Hauck initiated a logo contest for the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, and two winners have been found, although they have not yet been contacted. There is also a dance party at Graydon Pool scheduled for Monday, June 16th, and Councilwoman Hauck said that approximately 150 people are expected to attend. It is the “weigh out” for the Fair Lawn and Ridgewood weight loss challenge. The winners of the logo contest will be invited to attend the next Village Council meeting, when the Proclamation is read. Councilwoman Hauck commented that all of the institutions and entities in the Village that provide health and wellness facilities for residents are collaborating under the umbrella of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. There is a Facebook page devoted to it, and information about it can also be found on the Village website.
Planning Board – Mayor Aronsohn noted that the Planning Board met twice this week. On Monday night, there was a hearing about Valley Hospital, which was also the last night on which public comment was held on the process. Next Monday, June 16th, the Planning Board will again meet about Valley Hospital, at which time closing arguments will be heard, as well as the Planning Board attorney presenting the charge to the members of the Planning Board. On June 17th, members of the Planning Board will express their own views and vote on the Valley Hospital application.
Ridgewood Community Access Network – Mayor Aronsohn stated that the Access Committee will show a film in the Public Library Auditorium called “Murder Ball,” a very compelling film that tells the story of a quadriplegic rugby team at the Paralympics. The movie starts at 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, June 5th.
7. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mayor Aronsohn stated they would again have comments from the public and asked anyone wishing to address the Village Council to come forward.
Leonard Eisen, 762 Upper Boulevard, commented that he favored the plaque suggestion to honor Mr. Wiegand. In addition, Mr. Eisen hopes that any memorial would include a full-length portrait of Mr. Wiegand.
Boyd Loving, 342 South Irving Street, noted that Ms. Sonenfeld mentioned that the Garber Square project was unanimously approved by the Councilmembers in September 2013. Mr. Loving thinks the lesson to be learned from that is that although it was approved unanimously, it was approved as part of a consent agenda, along with a number of other items. It was not a separate item that was discussed, but was incorporated with other items for approval. Mr. Loving pointed out that the lesson learned there is that it is very important to read everything that is included in a consent agenda.
Next, Mr. Loving noted that it was stated that the proposed changes that would be memorialized next week would not be classified as substantive changes with respect to the NJDOT grant, so the Village would not be in jeopardy with respect to that grant. Mr. Loving wanted reassurance that everyone is comfortable that such is the case, and that someone has verified that with the NJDOT. Ms. Sonenfeld responded that everyone is “very sure” about that. Mr. Loving asked if the assurance was obtained in writing, and Ms. Sonenfeld said that she does not have it in writing. Mr. Rutishauser responded that he has not contacted the NJDOT, and the median width is a minor change. The greater intent of the project remains the same, and that is how the change will be presented to the NJDOT. The NJDOT requires Mr. Rutishauser to sign off on the project in order for them to release the funds. In addition, some post-paving testing will be required to show that the asphalt was properly placed and compacted to the correct thickness and density, which will also be submitted to the NJDOT.
Mr. Loving said with respect to the landscaping on the median, it sounded to him as if there would be on-going maintenance costs with respect to the trees, which has been eliminated in the modified proposal. Ms. Sonenfeld said that would depend on what decision is ultimately made, and that she and the other collaborators are trying to come up with ways to enhance the aesthetics of the area. Most of the maintenance for the trees would have been the application of weed killer over the wood chips. Mr. Loving asked Ms. Sonenfeld for clarification that she was recommending that the extra money to pay for the modifications would come out of the capital budget funds for paving, and Ms. Sonenfeld responded that she said the opposite. She recommended the authorization of the change order to cover any differential in costs, and the paving budget would not be touched.
Regarding the discussion held earlier about ambulances, Mr. Loving noted that last night at approximately 5:15 P.M., there was a serious accident at the intersection of Doremus Avenue and Godwin Avenue, and emergency vehicles had difficulty getting to the scene as a result of the traffic congestion. Ms. Sonenfeld had mentioned the idea of installing smart lights in that area, and Mr. Loving thinks it would be a good idea to investigate that possibility. He has read that it is possible to use the smart lights to control traffic congestion, such as turning all the lights green in order to allow the traffic to flow so that emergency vehicles can pass through.
Finally, Mr. Loving asked a question regarding Brookside Field. He said he understood that Brookside Field is owned and maintained by the Board of Education, and he wondered why the Village Council budgeted $20,000 to repair the sanitary sewer there. Mr. Loving said he knows that the sanitary sewer is something for which the Village is responsible, but he wondered if any work done at Brookside Field by the Board of Education when truckloads of dirt were brought in, could have caused the collapse of the sanitary sewer there. Mr. Rutishauser responded that when he investigated the area where the sinkhole opened, there is no evidence that any heavy loads from trucks or any other vehicle had been involved. The pipe that failed is a DCP pipe, which is commonly used in the Village. Approximately 4-5 years ago, there was a similar failure of a DCP pipe in an area south of where the current incident occurred.
Bill McCandless, 71 Ridge Road, asked a question about the traffic lights that will be installed around Garber Square. Mr. McCandless wondered where in the sequence of the project would the installation of the lights be scheduled, and if that would be when the work is completed, or if the lights that are currently in that area would still be there when the work is done. Ms. Sonenfeld responded that the lights that are currently in use in that area will be there when the project is completed. The manual adjustment of those lights will be done over the next several weeks, working with the Engineering Department, as well as a traffic expert on the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee. Using the information provided from the traffic cameras that have been installed, the lights will be adjusted accordingly. Any installation of the new smart lights would be done on County roads, which include Franklin Avenue and Broad Street. Councilwoman Walsh noted that the County has pledged to provide three of the smart lights to Ridgewood. Mr. Rutishauser commented that the Village Council approved this resolution last year in partnership with Bergen County. Initially, three intersections were suggested as locations for the smart lights, including Franklin Avenue, Maple Avenue, and East Ridgewood Avenue; Oak Street and Franklin Avenue; and the Lincoln Avenue/Ackerman Avenue/South Monroe Street intersection. The County apparently has some money allocated to the Village for the lights, and they are currently waiting for the Village to take care of the necessary design and survey work at the various locations. That will be part of the 2015 capital budget requests. Mr. McCandless wondered about the possibility of having a dedicated left turn arrow installed, and he asked if that could be generated from those types of lights, as well as if the lights could be overridden to allow access by emergency service vehicles. Mr. Rutishauser answered that a signal override system can be considered for emergency service vehicles, but there are benefits and drawbacks to such a system. For example, implementing a system of sequential green lights to facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles would also allow the traffic to lead or follow those emergency vehicles. Those types of issues must be taken into consideration. Different timing sequences can be considered for the traffic lights, such as a leading left turn, or a right turn only lane, as well as prohibiting right turns on red at certain corners. Mr. McCandless pointed out that the inability to make left turns is a source of frustration to drivers from west to east. He is also concerned about the elimination of the long left turn, near the Exxon station, and if that is removed to make an area for two left hand turns, with an island, one going to West Ridgewood Avenue and the other going into the train station parking lot, that the traffic will back up even more in that area. Ms. Sonenfeld said that they may remove the island and paint it instead, which would save $5,000 in project costs.
Mr. McCandless finally discussed the lighting in the median strip. He asked why the historic lights, which have broadcast beams, instead of the downcast lights are being used in the median strip. Mr. McCandless believes that the downcast lights would provide better lighting. Mr. Rutishauser stated that the historic lights are being used because it would maintain the continuity of the design of the lights from the east side to the west side of the Village. Mr. Rutishauser assured all present that when all of the lights in the median strip are on, it will be well lit.
Ms. Sonenfeld, referring to an earlier comment made by a resident, added that it really does not matter what school one attends, but what has been learned and the experience it brings. She pointed out that it is quite obvious that Mr. Rutishauser has experience and credentials, and she respects his judgment. Ms. Sonenfeld attended Hunter College in New York, and she is very proud of her education. She indicated that one does not have to attend an Ivy League School to be educated. She said that she hired people in the private sector for positions of great responsibility who had great work ethics and worked hard at their education. She thanked Mr. Rutishauser for his input and his expertise.
There were no other comments from the public at this time, and Mayor Aronsohn closed the time for public comments.
8. RESOLUTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION
The following resolution, numbered 14-137, to go into Closed Session, was read in full by the Village Clerk, as follows:
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Councilman Riche, seconded by Councilwoman Walsh, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
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Paul S. Aronsohn
Mayor
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Heather A. Mailander
Village Clerk
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