20230111 - Village Council Regular Public Meeting Minutes

 

A REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD HELD IN THE SYDNEY V. STOLDT, JR. COURT ROOM OF THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE HALL, 131 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ON JANUARY 11, 2023 AT 8:00 P.M.

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER – OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT – ROLL CALL – FLAG SALUTE

 

Mayor Vagianos called the meeting to order at 8:07 P.M. and read the Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.  At roll call, the following were present:  Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos.  Councilmember Reynolds and Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney, were absent from the meeting.  Also present was Heather Mailander, Village Manager/Village Clerk.

 

Mayor Vagianos led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.  He asked for a moment of silence to recognize some people who passed away last week:  Ridgewood resident, Lesley Linker, 53, who suffered with MS for many years; former Fire Captain Greg Hillerman, age 59, to esophageal cancer; Jim Rogers (father of Matt Rogers, Village Attorney), who would have been 101 on Saturday, January 14; and Scott Strange, brother-in-law of Heather Mailander, Village Manager, who suffered from a rare disease.

 

2.         ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL REPORTS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Ms. Mailander indicated that Acceptance of Financial Reports and Approval of Minutes were removed from this evening’s agenda.

 

3.      PROCLAMATIONS

 

Deputy Mayor Perron read the Proclamation “Recognize Lunar Year Festival Day, January 22, 2023.” 

 

Representatives from all four of the groups (Ridgewood Asian American Pacific Islander Alliance, Ridgewood Chinese American Association, Ridgewood Korean Parent Community, and Ridgewood Indian Community) were present this evening to receive a copy of the Proclamation.  Mayor Vagianos thanked everyone for organizing this event, stating that it is the diversity in the Village that makes Ridgewood so strong.  There was a round of applause.

 

4.      COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

Rurik Halaby, 1 Franklin Avenue, stated that his friend who owns a small, successful consulting firm always stood by the credo, “Creativity, integrity, results.”  Mr. Halaby indicated that this credo could also be used to guide the Village Council.  He said that creativity is not genius or having simple answers to difficult challenges; it is thinking outside the box with imaginative and bold solutions that go beyond “just fiddling at the edges.”  He stated that creativity was needed when dealing with the Central Business District (CBD) and the Schedler property.  He said that creativity arises when one has the self-confidence to make mistakes and to learn from their mistakes, as well as having the courage to admit one’s mistakes.  Mr. Halaby stated that the integrity of the Village Councilmembers means being honest with themselves and their constituents.  He quoted Samuel Johnson, a famous British philosopher, as saying, “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.”  Mr. Halaby said that the Village Councilmembers have one of the “toughest” jobs in America and need to repair the damage created over the past six years by building a foundation to allow Ridgewood to regain its “former glory.”  He concluded by saying that the future of Ridgewood is in the hands of the Village Council.

 

Hyunju Kwak, 291 Highland Avenue, thanked the Village Council for their support and for the Proclamation read this evening by Deputy Mayor Perron.  She said that the rapid sale of tickets for the Lunar New Year Festival Day event to be held on January 22, 2023 means a lot to the four participating groups.

 

There were no further public comments.

 

5.         VILLAGE MANAGER’S REPORT

 

Ms. Mailander stated that Christmas tree pickup will take place on Tuesdays on the east side and on Thursdays on the west side until the end of January.  Undecorated, unbagged trees should be left at the curb.  Wreaths and garlands will be collected with regular garbage.  Christmas trees may also be dropped off in the designated section in the Graydon Pool parking lot through the end of January.

 

Restaurant Week will take place from January 15 to January 19, 2023, and again from January 22 to January 26, 2023.  Ms. Mailander indicated that this is a great way to enjoy delicious meals at a reduced price, while at the same time supporting local businesses.

 

On Monday, January 16, 2023, the Village will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Village departments and offices will be closed, and there will be no garbage or recycling pickup on that day.  The Recycling Center will also be closed.  On Monday, the Martin Luther King Committee will present a program with music and a speaker focused on Dr. King’s legacy.  On Friday, January 13, 2023, there will be an in-person screening and discussion of “March on Washington:  Keepers of the Dream,” at the Ridgewood Library.  Speakers will be Reverend Mack Brandon and Walter Nagel, a Civil Rights activist.  Advance registration is required, since space is limited.  Interested individuals may register by contacting Roberta Panjwani at the Ridgewood Library.  On Saturday, January 14, 2023, a Day of Service will be held at Ridgecrest Senior Housing.  There will be a food drop-off from 10 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.  On Monday, January 16, 2023, there will be an in-person interfaith worship service held at 10:00 A.M. at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton Street.

 

Ms. Mailander announced that the 2023 Village calendars are in production and will be mailed to each Ridgewood resident shortly, hopefully before the end of next week.  She pointed out that the month of January 2023, at the very end of the 2022 Village calendar, can be used until the new 2023 calendar is received.

 

Upcoming Village Council meetings are broadcast live from the Village Hall Courtroom, on the Village website, on FIOS Channel 34 and YouTube.  The next Public Meeting is scheduled for February 8, 2023 at 8:00 P.M.  The next Public Work Sessions will be held on January 25, February 1 and February 22, 2023 at 7:30 P.M.

 

6.         VILLAGE COUNCIL REPORTS

 

Councilmember Winograd said that on Sunday, January 8, 2023, she took part in the Girl Scouts Silver and Bronze Awards ceremony at St. Elizabeth’s Church.  Seventeen girls completed a myriad of projects, in order to earn their awards.  Councilmember Winograd mentioned that, statistically, it is very rare for girls to continue in the Girl Scouts through the Silver and Bronze Awards and that only 4,000 girls across America receive the Gold Award.  She told the girls that the Village Council would support them in any way possible.

 

Councilmember Winograd announced that, with the approval of the Village Council, she has formed an ad hoc Communications Committee.  This informal committee will look into how the Village communicates with its residents and will discuss ways to improve communications.  They will develop a formal presentation to the public sometime in February.

 

In addition, Councilmember Winograd stated that she met with Deputy Mayor Perron, Ms. Mailander, Dylan Hansen, IT Director, and Janet Fricke, Assistant to the Village Manager, to talk about digitizing the Village calendar, in addition to printing it.  The digital version will help new residents in Ridgewood, since they probably will not have received the Village calendar.  She thanked everyone who helped her in this regard and who answered her informal survey as to whether or not people still used and wanted the paper calendar.

 

Councilmember Weitz stated that he had nothing new to report.

 

Deputy Mayor Perron stated that the Village Councilmembers were asked to put their cell phones away, so that they could be 100% present at meetings.  The only time phones will be used would be to calculate something or in an emergency.

 

Deputy Mayor Perron stated that the Green Ridgewood Committee met last week.  Jill Fasano of Ridgewood Water has arranged for the committee to take a field trip through the Ridgewood Water Department Headquarters and the Carr Treatment Facility.  They will witness how water is treated, processed, filtered and distributed.

 

The Steering Committee of Green Ridgewood is working on the flyer for the Daffodil Festival and Earth Day event to be held on April 23, 2023.  Vendors, exhibitors and sponsors will be solicited to participate in this event.  Deputy Mayor Perron asked Ms. Mailander if this event could be advertised on Instagram and TikTok.  Ms. Mailander replied that the Village is on Instagram, but she would have to ask Mr. Hansen about whether the Village is on TikTok.

 

The Chamber of Commerce met on January 11, 2023.  They have hired a consultant to help them develop a strategic plan for the upcoming year, regarding succession planning, procedures, goals, and ways to accomplish those goals.  The consultant held an exercise this morning called “SWOT,” which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.  This was held to help the Chamber of Commerce members understand what the future needs and goals of the Chamber of Commerce should be, going forward, as well as how to accomplish those goals.  Two more meetings will be held with the consultant before the strategic plan is actually developed.  Deputy Mayor Perron said that she found the meeting to be interesting and enlightening.

 

Mayor Vagianos announced that he had breakfast this week with the Northwest Bergen Mayors Association, where the general topic of discussion was “Shared Services.” Mayor Vagianos mentioned during the event that the Ridgewood Recycling Center has a Styrofoam densifier, and he said that everyone was fascinated by this.  He said that the plan for the densifier was not only to recycle Styrofoam from Village residents, but also to set up a program to share the densifier with other municipalities, at a fee, to offset costs to the Village.

 

 

 

 

7.         RESOLUTIONS

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the following resolutions, numbered 23-17A through 23-17B would be adopted by a consent agenda, and read by title only.

 

 

8.         ORDINANCES – RIDGEWOOD WATER

 

A.        INTRODUCTION – #3934 – BOND ORDINANCE – WATER CAPITAL – CONSTRUCTION OF RAW WATER MAINS TO NEW PFAS TREATMENT FACILITIES

 

Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3934 by title on first reading.  Deputy Mayor Perron seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3934 by title only:

 

BOND ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAW WATER MAINS BY RIDGEWOOD WATER TO CENTRALIZE THE TREATMENT AND REMEDIATION OF PFOA AND PFOS, APPROPRIATING $18,500,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $18,500,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE VILLAGE TO FINANCE THE COST THEREOF.

 

Councilmember Weitz moved that Ordinance #3934 be adopted on first reading and that February 8, 2023 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.  Deputy Mayor Perron seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

B.        INTRODUCTION – #3935 – BOND ORDINANCE – WATER CAPITAL – NEW WATER TREATMENT PLANTS

 

Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3935 by title on first reading.  Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3935 by title only:

 

BOND ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TREATMENT PLANTS BY RIDGEWOOD WATER TO CENTRALIZE THE TREATMENT AND REMEDIATION OF PFOA AND PFOS, APPROPRIATING $42,000,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $42,000,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE VILLAGE TO FINANCE THE COST THEREOF.

 

Deputy Mayor Perron moved that Ordinance #3935 be adopted on first reading and that February 8, 2023 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.  Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

Mayor Vagianos announced that there are no Public Hearings for Ridgewood Water this evening.

 

9.         RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the following resolutions, numbered 23-18 through 23-31 would be adopted by a consent agenda and read by title only:

 

 

 

10.       ORDINANCES

 

A.        INTRODUCTION – #3936 – BOND ORDINANCE – GENERAL CAPITAL – PAVING, PURCHASE OF VEHICLES, AND PURCHASE OF LUCAS DEVICES

 

Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3936 by title on first reading.  Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3936 by title only:

 

BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $2,508,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,382,600 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE VILLAGE TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF.

 

Deputy Mayor Perron moved that Ordinance #3936 be adopted on first reading and that February 8, 2023 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.  Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

B.        INTRODUCTION – #3937 – AMEND CHAPTER 149 – FIRE PREVENTION – ESTABLISH FIRE WATCH SERVICES

 

Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3937 by title on first reading.  Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion.

 

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3937 by title only:

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 149 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, FIRE PREVENTION

 

Councilmember Winograd moved that Ordinance #3937 be adopted on first reading and that February 8, 2023 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.  Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

C.        INTRODUCTION – #3938 – AMEND CHAPTER 145 – FEES – FIRE WATCH SERVICES

 

Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3938 by title on first reading.  Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3938 by title only:

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 145 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, FEES, AT SECTION 145-6, “FEES RELATED TO CODE CHAPTERS”

 

Deputy Mayor Perron moved that Ordinance #3938 be adopted on first reading and that February 8, 2023 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.  Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

D.        INTRODUCTION – #3939 – AMEND CHAPTER 249 – STREETS AND SIDEWALKS – PAVING MORATORIUM VIOLATIONS - FEES

 

Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3939 by title on first reading.  Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3939 by title only:

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 249 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, AT SECTION 249-44, “GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS”

 

Councilmember Weitz moved that Ordinance #3939 be adopted on first reading and that February 8, 2023 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.  Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Councilmember Reynolds

ABSTAIN:   None

 

Mayor Vagianos stated that there were no Public Hearings on Ordinances this evening.

 

11.       RESOLUTIONS

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the following resolutions, numbered 23-32 through 23-53 would be adopted by a consent agenda and read by title only:

 

Ms. Mailander indicated that resolution numbered 23-54 would be considered separately, and read in full:

 

12.       COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

Mayor Vagianos asked if there were any additional comments or questions from the public.

 

Boyd A. Loving, 342 South Irving Street, said that at this evening’s meeting, the Village Council indicated that it planned to spend the sum of approximately $68.2 million.  He said that this represented a lot of money, yet the Village Councilmembers still had paper signs in front of them on the dais. He said that he understood why Councilmembers Winograd and Weitz had paper signs, since they were newly elected to the Village Council, but Mayor Vagianos and Deputy Mayor Perron have sat on the Village Council for quite some time.  Mr. Loving said that he had asked about the paper signs some years back, and that he was told that the sign company had gone out of business.  He was puzzled how the Village could spend $68.2 million, yet could not find a company to make appropriate name signs for the Village Councilmembers.

 

Mr. Loving stated that he has noted, over the past nine or ten months, that a Councilmember will recuse themselves from a discussion or vote when the matter pertains to a friend of theirs or a former business associate, who stands to gain financially from the outcome of such discussion or vote, while other Councilmembers will not.  Mr. Loving feels that there should be a policy setting forth guidelines in this regard, whether or not Mr. Rogers gives his approval or not.  He said that any Councilmember who does not recuse himself or herself does not pass “the smell test.”  Mr. Loving said that if there are clearly enough majority votes, there is no need for a Councilmember to participate in a discussion or vote on a particular matter if there could potentially be a conflict of interest.

 

Anne Loving, 342 South Irving Street, thanked the Village Council for passing the resolution enabling hybrid access during meetings, stating that she was very grateful.  She added that she was also delighted to hear that the Village Councilmembers will not be using their cell phones on the dais, except in certain circumstances.  Ms. Loving stated that this was actually prohibited via Resolution #13-87, which was passed by unanimous vote by the Village Council in April 2013.  The resolution was spearheaded by then Councilmember Albert Pucciarelli, following a “major kerfuffle” on the dais, which Ms. Loving said was a huge embarrassment. Item 4 of that resolution states that telephonic and electronic communication between or among Councilmembers or between a Councilmember and a member of the public is prohibited during public meetings.  Ms. Loving stated that this resolution has been disregarded widely by the Councilmembers, and she is happy that it will not be disregarded moving forward.

 

Ms. Loving spoke about the caveats set forth by Deputy Mayor Perron to the effect that cell phones can be used if a Councilmember needs to make a calculation or in the case of an emergency.  She stated that if there is indeed an emergency, the Ridgewood Police Station is two flights down from the courtroom.  Ms. Loving stated that if a Councilmember needs to make a calculation, they could do so on their government-issued iPads or whatever is sitting before them on the dais.  She feels that cell phones should be completely turned off and the Councilmembers should carry calculators with them.

 

Mayor Vagianos remarked that since the Village is expending the sum of $68.2 million, he thinks the Village should be conservative and hold on to the paper signs for a while.  Regarding conflicts, Mayor Vagianos stated that there are varying degrees of “friends” and “business associates.”  He believes that it is within the purview of each Councilmember to determine if their relationship with a friend or former business associate is of such a nature as to require their recusal.  He stated that each Councilmember knows many people in the Village, many of whom are referred to as “friends.” However, the status of that friendship may not rise to the level where a Councilmember would have to recuse himself or herself. 

 

Deputy Mayor Perron added that a Councilmember may engage in a discussion or vote if there is not a conflict and a Councilmember has consulted with Mr. Rogers for advice.

 

Mayor Vagianos also indicated that he and the other Councilmembers are thrilled to have instituted hybrid access.  Regarding the use of phones on the dais, the Councilmembers are all in agreement, and feel the same way as Ms. Loving. Mayor Vagianos did state that some Councilmembers have small children and caregivers may not have the wherewithal to call the police in the event of an emergency, but would rather contact the child’s parents.

 

There were no further comments from the public.

 

13.       CLOSED SESSION

 

Ms. Mailander read the following resolution #23-55, to go into Closed Session:

 

 

 

 

14.       ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Deputy Mayor Perron, seconded by Councilmember Winograd, and carried by unanimous voice vote, the Village Council’s Regular Public Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                ____________________________________

                                                                                                Paul Vagianos

                                                                                                        Mayor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________________

                     Heather A. Mailander

             Village Manager/Village Clerk