20230510 - 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 MAY 10, 2023 AT 7:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER – OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT – ROLL CALL – FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Vagianos 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 Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos. Also present were Heather Mailander, Village Manager/Village Clerk, and Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney.
Mayor Vagianos led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
2. ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL REPORTS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Vagianos moved that the Bills, Claims, and Vouchers, and Statement of Funds on Hand as of April 30, 2023, be accepted as submitted. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Council minutes of February 23, February 24, March 1, March 15, and March 30, 2023, having been reviewed by the Village Council and now available in the Village Clerk’s Office, be approved as submitted. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
4. PROCLAMATIONS
A. PROCLAIM MAY 21-27, 2023 AS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK
Deputy Mayor Perron read the following proclamation:
B. PROCLAIM MAY AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Mayor Vagianos read the following proclamation:
C. PROCLAIM JUNE AS PRIDE MONTH
Councilmember Winograd read the following proclamation:
D. PROCLAIM JUNE 4, 2023 AS NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY
Councilmember Weitz read the following proclamation:
E. PROCLAIM JUNE 2, 2023 AS NATION GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY
Councilmember Reynolds read the following proclamation:
5. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Ellie Gruber, 229 South Irving Street, stated that she attended a walk sponsored by Wildscape at the Schedler property. She said that people who had never visited the property before were totally amazed. The fact that so many trees are going to be cut down for the larger field was very disturbing to them. Besides sugar maples, Ms. Gruber stated that some of the large species of trees that should remain on the property are red maple, red oak, pignut hickory, American elm, black cherry (mature), sage and rushes. A naturalist who attended the walk was “blown away.” Ms. Gruber feels that the proponents of the construction of a large field on the Schedler property have never even set foot on the property. She expressed the hope that the Village Councilmembers would urge residents to visit the Schedler property, so that they can see how beautiful the property is. Ms. Gruber asked who is in charge of the trees, which were planted on the berm, half of which are already dead from lack of water. She feels that the Shade Tree Commission does not want anything to do with these trees.
Ms. Gruber indicated that a group of high school, college and graduate students called “Students for Climate Action” wrote to the Village Council on April 30, 2023, about the benefits of trees. She said that she was shocked that only one Village Councilmember responded and said, “On the advice of counsel, we cannot respond.” She wonders why these students were not simply thanked for their letter and told that the Village Councilmembers were doing the best that they could. Ms. Gruber wondered what kind of lesson this is sending to young people by being ignored by a governing body.
Laurie Weber, 235 South Irving Street, stated that Maryland, New York, Connecticut and one other state have communities, which have banned the installation of artificial turf. There are currently over 200 bills pending in the Legislature of over two dozen states, in order to spare their residents from any further poisoning from PFAS and to reverse the trend of using artificial turf. Ms. Weber said that there is emerging technology aimed at obliterating these dangerous chemicals. However, Village government is forging ahead, with the use of taxpayer money, to focus on a project to squeeze in a “big patch of poison” on the Schedler property, before artificial turf is banned in New Jersey, in the middle of a community where people rely on well water. Ms. Weber urged anyone who cares about this contamination to start lobbying local legislators. She said that elected legislators actually listen to residents, and big changes have happened as a result of community groups banding together.
Ms. Weber said that the notion that “PFAS is everywhere anyway” is no excuse to add more of it to the environment. She said that money, which should go toward safety projects, is being spent to poison the community. She thanked Councilmember Reynolds for her staunch opposition to the turf field.
Patty Infantino, 6 Betty Court, stated that her husband could not attend the meeting this evening, because he is attending a Robert and Seth Memorial Foundation fundraiser for students at Eastside High School in Paterson. However, she wanted to read a letter on his behalf: “I object to the proposed buying of the property at 510 West Saddle River Road and to the whole project. I have implored the Council many times to do their due diligence and obtain advice from a medical expert on the medical dangers for children playing next to a busy highway. It will be irresponsible for you to proceed with this project without this information. Parents should inform themselves as well, to the medical dangers that children will face in these circumstances. It is the same as if you gave your children cigarettes to smoke. Please, Village Council and parents, investigate the evidence so that you make an informed decision for the welfare of our children.”
Ms. Infantino, speaking for herself, stated that she went on the Wildscape tour of the Schedler property, with a naturalist, and she expressed the wish that someone from the Village Council had attended the tour. She said that it would be great for Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts to explore and discover all the different species of trees on the property. She compared the trees on the property as a “lung” for the residents who live near the Schedler property, since the trees absorb CO2 and other pollutants emitted from traffic on Route 17 and sequester them into the ground. Ms. Infantino stated that the naturalist identified many species of indigenous trees. In addition, Ms. Infantino said that the Schedler property is an historical Revolutionary War site, and she is totally against construction of a parking lot and destroying all of the trees on the property, some of which are 50 to 100 years old.
Ms. Infantino stated that someone from the Village has put a lot of debris at the base of some of these trees, which is causing the tree roots to be smothered, and these tall trees will eventually die. She said that the property should be left natural, with no artificial turf field, because many municipalities are putting a moratorium on turf fields. She said that she cannot understand the thinking of the Village Councilmembers to construct a large turf field on the Schedler property, after hearing a multitude of comments from residents and being presented with scientific articles confirming that artificial turf is dangerous.
Jeanette LaRocco, 454 Bogert Avenue, said that her husband Raymond could not attend this evening’s meeting, so she will first speak on his behalf. He wrote: “To the Mayor and Councilmembers of Ridgewood: To begin with, I oppose the plan and funding to purchase 510 West Saddle River Road. My wife and I have lived in the Village for nearly 35 years and raised our three children here. Having grown up in New York City, I felt we were moving in the country when we moved to Ridgewood, with its parks, some wildlife, and quaint town center. What I’ve witnessed over the past several years has turned my head, and I have seen what is behind the curtain. What I now see is a lovely Village turning into a smaller version of New York City. Increasing apartment units, an oversized garage, increasing traffic volume and unsafe drinking water have resulted in a low quality of life, and for all of this, we are rewarded with higher taxes. Why does Ridgewood need another sports field with artificial turf? Does that make our children better athletes and better people? What financial benefits does this bring to our Village and where do those financial benefits accrue to, I wonder? So go ahead and tear down eight acres of wooded area and the habitat of different wildlife and, in the process, continue to hack away at the quality of life. My guess is that you will be rewarded accordingly.”
Ms. LaRocco, speaking for herself, asked who is paying for the field at the Schedler property. She also asked, if the field is going to be used by residents of other towns, who would be paying for the maintenance of the field every year. She stated that everyone knows that artificial turf needs to be replaced or remediated once it is flooded. Ms. LaRocco said that the Village is already having budget issues. Taxes are being raised, and services are being curtailed. She stated that she and her husband would like to continue to live in Ridgewood. Her daughter is pregnant, due at the end of June, and she states that the taxes are too high in Ridgewood for her to move here, although it would be convenient for everyone if her daughter could move to Ridgewood. Ms. LaRocco said that the Village Councilmembers need to start thinking about what is best for Village residents.
Nancy Brennan-Hill, 136 Doremus Avenue, said that she loves living in Ridgewood and looking at the big old sycamore trees that line Doremus Avenue. She enjoys her gardens and speaking to people as they pass by her house, while she is sitting outside. Ms. Brennan-Hill said that she wishes every resident in Ridgewood would have an opportunity to feel the breeze from the trees and smell the beautiful flowers, especially those residents who live in the Schedler neighborhood. She said that this is a very vulnerable neighborhood, with Route 17 so close by, and every tree that is cut down is an affront to this neighborhood. She said that these neighbors do not need another parking lot there, which she described as a “hotspot.” Ms. Brennan-Hill said that the new Master Plan has Village-wide values of preserving and planting shade trees and a small-town feeling, which was committed to, in the Master Plan.
Ms. Brennan Hill stated that the PFAS contained in the artificial turf will not only pollute the well water of the Schedler residents, but will also pollute the entire water system in Ridgewood. She stated that she is not against sports fields, but feels that there are better locations in the Village where these fields can be constructed. She realizes that free open space is at a premium in the Village, but she urged the Village Councilmembers to wait before developing the Schedler property, so that they can think of better solutions. She suggested that a shuttle be utilized from the Hudson Street Garage, which is underutilized, to transport athletes to sports fields.
Jacqueline Hone, 30 Carriage Lane, said that she received a copy of a Letter of Intent, signed by Mayor Vagianos and dated April 14, 2023, for the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road. On April 25, 2023, the Department of Parks and Recreation had a joint meeting with the Open Space Committee. She said that this meeting was attended by several residents who live in the Schedler community, who spoke about their concerns with the development of the Schedler property. One resident announced, to the surprise of everyone, that the Village was planning to acquire the property adjacent to the Schedler property.
Ms. Hone said that Councilmember Winograd and Deputy Mayor Perron were present at this joint meeting, and they both said that this was not true, although there had been discussions regarding same. They both stated on the record that when the Village does acquire the property, the public would be notified. However, Ms. Hone wondered, if the Letter of Intent was signed on April 14, 2023 and the joint meeting took place on April 25, 2023, why the public was not informed about this potential acquisition and were not told by Councilmember Winograd and Deputy Mayor Perron, when questioned at the meeting about the acquisition, that a Letter of Intent had already been submitted by the Village to Bergen County.
Ms. Hone asked for an answer to this question, stating that the public deserves an answer. She said that there is no longer any transparency in Village government. She said that Mayor Vagianos signed the Letter of Intent on April 14, 2023, and she wondered whether anyone else on the dais knew about the Village’s possible acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road. She also wondered whether the two Village Councilmembers present at the joint meeting intentionally withheld that information from the public. Ms. Hone also wanted to know if Councilmember Reynolds knew about this matter, since she has been excluded from such discussions in the past, and whether Councilmember Weitz knew about this matter.
Cynthia O’Keefe, 542 West Saddle River Road, stated that she is in favor of a small grass field and against the construction of a large regulation turf field on the Schedler property. She is one of the families that has a private well and she is afraid that the PFAS in artificial turf will leach into the ground and contaminate her well water. She indicated that the Green Amendment states that it is the inalienable right of people to clean air and clean water. She stated that the Schedler community refuses to be marginalized and made to feel inferior to anyone else in the Village.
Ms. O’Keefe stated that she attended the Fields Committee meeting last week, which took place after some very heavy rainstorms. The heavy rains resulted in some flash flooding around New Jersey, but the sports fields in Ridgewood were spared. She said that Mayor Vagianos stated, during an informal meeting with the Schedler neighbors, that the large turf field needs to be built on the Schedler property because the other turf fields in Ridgewood flood after heavy rains and there is no other alternative location. However, Ms. Hone said that after the recent heavy rains, the Schedler property actually flooded, while the other turf fields did not, although there was minor puddling. Since the other turf fields did not flood, no children or adults were prevented from playing on and using those fields. Therefore, Ms. O’Keefe stated that the statement made by Mayor Vagianos is without merit. She stated that the Village should spend money on safety matters, rather than pouring it into the Schedler property.
Bob Goodman, 375 Woodbine Court, said that he is a science teacher and administered the math and science programs at Bergen County Technical and Vocational School until 2006. In 2006, he was named “State Teacher of the Year.” Since that time, he has been running a nonprofit foundation, creating curriculum and training teachers around the world in science and mathematics. He is currently writing an AP (Advanced Placement) Environmental Science Course.
Mr. Goodman said that the world is currently undergoing the sixth major mass extinction in the history of life on earth. The last mass extinction was 65 million years ago. He said that this mass extinction is directly linked to habitat destruction, although climate change is expected to make it worse. Thinking about how environmentalists are trying to get people not to cut down the rainforest in Brazil to build homes and farms for their families, Mr. Goodman said that he started to learn about what was going on at the Schedler property. He said that he was aghast to learn that the Village was planning on cutting down acres of trees to make way for a field. He believes that it would be worthwhile to look at other locations in the Village where fields could be built or expanded. However, he hoped that the Village Council would commit to the notion that they should not be cutting down any healthy trees, since it would take decades to replace them. Mr. Goodman suggested looking at commercial properties which are no longer valuable and which no longer have trees on them, or perhaps leasing land outside of the Village for use by athletes. He said that future generations will not have a healthy environment to live in, if habitats continue to be destroyed.
Linda Tarzian, 576 Highland Avenue, said that she was speaking on behalf of her husband, Dennis Tarzian. He said that the Village Council needs to serve Village residents and look at ways to remediate problems facing residents, such as drainage systems. Ms. Tarzian said that there are many companies that do drainage systems around parks, and the money set aside, ($500,000.00) this year for the Schedler property, should be utilized to solve drainage issues. Speaking on her own behalf, she said that she loves sports, fields and parks. She said that there is a distinct difference between fields and parks. Ms. Tarzian said that her nephew almost died of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) from playing on a turf soccer field, where bacteria grow and thrive.
Ms. Tarzian stated that every school in the Village has a sports field, and there are also fields at Veterans Park and Citizens Park. She feels that these existing fields should be rehabilitated. She stated that there are 250 families who live near the Schedler property, and their property values are going to plummet if the Village Council pillages the wooded land at the Schedler property, a treasure in Ridgewood. Ms. Tarzian feels that the property should be preserved, rather than be clearcut.
Ms. Tarzian said that people came together, in good faith, in 2017 when trying to come up with an agreeable plan for the Schedler property, and people worked tirelessly for years to secure grants from Bergen County, yet the Village Council decided to do their own thing. She reminded the Village Councilmembers that the historic Zabriskie-Schedler house is a tongue-and-groove construction. She said that high school students could visit the house and create an architectural program there, or students could visit the woodland and create agricultural or food science programs. She once again asked the Village Council not to pillage and destroy this “unique gem” which has been in the Village for centuries.
Mayor Vagianos announced that the following speaker will be the last one before switching over to hybrid access.
Christine Corbett, 405 Heights Road, said that the Schedler property was acquired for the purpose of being an historic open green space, but now it is turning into a giant sports turf field. In addition, since there is not enough parking on the Schedler property, the Village is planning to acquire an adjacent piece of property (510 West Saddle River Road), and this process was not done “fully above board.” She noted the mass opposition of the neighboring residents to the proposed development of the Schedler property. In the meantime, Ms. Corbett stated that the sidewalk construction on West Glen Avenue was cut out of this year’s budget, as were the repairs to the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge. She said that the Village barely avoided furloughing its employees and there was a big tax increase. Ms. Corbett said that all of these actions show that the Village Council is not acting responsibly. She does not feel that the large field is appropriate for the size of the Schedler property, and feels that the wells in the area will be threatened if a turf field is installed. She urged the Village Councilmembers to listen more to the voices of the Village residents.
Leo Ruane, 705 Kingsbridge Lane, stated that he is in favor of a small field on the Schedler property and against the construction of a larger turf field. He also opposes the Village’s acquisition of the adjoining property at 510 West Saddle River Road. He thanked the Village Councilmembers who went to visit the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge. Mr. Ruane asked who would be responsible for the long-term maintenance of the Schedler property and who would clean up after games, as well as how much it would all cost. He asked what types of passive recreation could be done at the Schedler property, because to him, it seems that it is only going to be a plastic field. Mr. Ruane asked how the restrooms on the property will be maintained. He also asked what the garbage collection schedule would be at the Schedler property. Mr. Ruane also asked if there would be lighting installed on the Schedler property.
Chandra Chacon, 640 East Ridgewood Avenue, said that she and her family just moved from the west side of town last year. The very first thing she did while renovating her house was to install a water filter for the entire house, due to the fact that the drinking water contains PFAS, which is dangerous to pregnant women, people who are immunocompromised, the elderly and small children, especially mothers who are breastfeeding. These individuals are at a higher risk of health complications associated with PFAS and should not drink Ridgewood tap water.
Ms. Chacon said that she just had a tumor removed from her neck in January, but she was perfectly healthy before she moved to Ridgewood. She said that her family also owns a building on Maple Avenue, and on Friday, she decided to put an offer on another house. She said she will be moving out of Ridgewood once her children finish high school. She said that the Village Council has made empty promises. She stated that not every child is into sports, but there are moratoriums on the types of businesses that can open in Ridgewood. She said what Ridgewood really needs is a place where children who do not play sports can have something to do. Ms. Chacon stated that kids are getting drunk on the high school field at night.
Ms. Chacon said that, for the most part, Ridgewood is a great place to live, but it can be even better. However, the Village Council is hyperfocused on things that do not really matter, such as a turf field. She said that she has been in development for 17 years, in 16 different states and 6 different countries. She sits at board meetings all the time and tries to convince people that there is nothing wrong with the things that she wants to build, although she admits that there are always things wrong with how she wants to develop a property. Similarly, Ms. Chacon said that the Village Councilmembers are doing the same exact thing, although they know better, while pretending that certain things are not issues. She said that Ridgewood floods “like crazy” and yet the Village Council plans to build a turf field, which is impermeable at the Schedler property, with the water running off of it, during a rainstorm. She asked where that water will drain. She asked if the Village Engineer or Village Council will take responsibility for flooding neighbors’ homes.
Ms. Chacon said that she is fortunate enough to be able to afford to move, but there are some people, including those who live near the Schedler property, who cannot afford to move elsewhere or who cannot afford to install whole house water filters in their homes. She said that it is easy to look away and say it is someone else’s problem, but people live near the Schedler property and their lives matter.
Jane Shinozuka, 825 Norgate Drive, said that the neighbors on the east side of the Village are being given “short shrift” by the Village Council regarding the Schedler property and the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge. She said that the unsightly barricades to prevent access to the bridge just keep growing. Her property taxes are $25,000.00 a year, and when she goes down the block, it looks like some sort of slum. If the Village Council is not going to fix the bridge immediately, she wondered why such a big barricade was needed and why a baby gate could not be used. She said that the closure of the bridge for years and the barricade are an insult to the entire neighborhood and an embarrassing disgrace. She said that she would appreciate the Village Councilmembers visiting this area to see what the neighbors must experience every day.
There were no further public comments.
6. VILLAGE MANAGER’S REPORT
Ms. Mailander stated that “Council Chat” is held the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The next “Council Chat” will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in the Village Hall courtroom. Individuals interested in speaking with Village Councilmembers should call 201-670-5500, extension 2207, to make a reservation. Walk-ins are welcome, but those with reservations will have priority.
Mike Schwarz, the incoming Superintendent for Ridgewood Public Schools, will be hosting a meet and greet at Ridgewood High School on Monday, May 15, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Residents may join him for some casual conversation, introductions, and a brief address. He hopes that, through this event, Ridgewood residents will become comfortable with his leadership, qualifications, and values, while he learns more about Ridgewood residents.
Ms. Mailander announced that the last day to register to vote for the Primary Election is May 16, 2023 at the Ridgewood Library lobby from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The annual “Touch A Truck” event will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square. Children will be able to take a seat behind the wheel of a real police cruiser, climb aboard a shiny firetruck, and closely explore other emergency and public works vehicles. There will also be a Safety Town kiddie car driving track hosted by the Ridgewood Police Department and Little Ivy Learning Center. The Ridgewood Library will host a special truck story time.
Ms. Mailander announced that Project Pride planting day will take place on Sunday, May 21, 2023 beginning at 7:45 a.m. The committee is looking for volunteers. It is approximately a two- to three-hour commitment. Anyone with questions, or individuals who wish to sign up, should email Councilmember Reynolds at lreynolds@ridgewoodnj.net.
The Ridgewood Recreation Department, along with Totes, Goats, LLC, will be hosting goat yoga on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Lester Stable. Ms. Mailander encouraged everyone to participate in this fun experience for “yogis,” beginners and goat lovers. People will practice the art of yoga, while taking pictures and interacting with goats, who will climb on top and cuddle with, participants. Tickets are $50.00 per person for ages 18 and older. Interested individuals can register on Community Pass.
Ridgewood Emergency Services and Joe Trivia are hosting “Trivia Night” to kick off EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Week. This event will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2023 in Village Hall on the ground floor. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and trivia games will begin at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are free, but individuals must register online in order to attend this event. The event is funded by F.O.R.E.S.T. (Friends of Ridgewood Emergency Services Teams).
The Ridgewood Guild will be sponsoring their 14th season of “Music in the Night.” Musical entertainment will be provided at various locations on Friday nights, starting on May 26th and running through Labor Day.
The Fred D’Elia 46th Annual Memorial Day Run will take place on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. The course starts at Veterans Field and is sponsored by the North Jersey Masters. All participants must be registered. Interested individuals should go online at njmasters.com for further information.
On May 29, 2023, there will be a memorial service sponsored by American Legion Post 53 at Memorial Park in Van Neste Square, which will begin at 11:00 a.m. All members of the public are welcome to attend and remember the sacrifices made by those who fought in the wars for our country.
Graydon Pool preseason badge distribution or in-person assistance will be available on May 13th and May 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Graydon Pool. Individuals may also register on Community Pass. For the 2023 Graydon Pool season, families may now purchase a babysitter’s badge for $195.00. This badge can be used by live-in nannies, au pairs, multiple daily babysitters over the age of 18, or grandparents caring for a child that day. More information is available on the Village website, on the Recreation page.
The Ridgewood Health Department, Stigma-Free Committee and community partners will present a Mental Health Comedy Show on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Ridgewood Library Auditorium. Admission is free, and individuals are encouraged to attend this hilarious and unique performance, which will offer a comedic look at mental health. Registration is required. Interested individuals may call 201-670-5500, extension 2312, for further information or to register, or can send an email to dpagani@ridgewoodnj.net. This program is recommended for individuals aged 18 years or older. Refreshments will be provided.
Ms. Mailander reminded everyone that all dogs aged seven months or older must be licensed. Dog license renewals were sent out via email, and the deadline for renewals of dog licenses is before June 30, 2023, in order to avoid a late fee.
The Bergen County Utilities Authority recycling of hazardous waste is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., rain or shine, at the Bergen County Campgaw Reservation in Mahwah, New Jersey. This is free for Bergen County residents. Identification is required, and no commercial vehicles are allowed.
Ms. Mailander reminded everyone that Stage II water restrictions are in effect year round. Odd-numbered addresses may irrigate their lawns, shrubs, flowers and trees on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and even-numbered addresses may irrigate on Wednesdays and Sundays. No irrigation is allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays. Automatic system use is permitted only between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. All other irrigation shall be performed before 10:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. to limit evaporation. Irrigation is allowed any day within the time constrictions noted previously if residents are utilizing a handheld hose or drip irrigation. Anyone wishing to irrigate with a Smart Controller may obtain the necessary exemption permits from the Ridgewood Water office. Compliance with Stage II restrictions will reduce the likelihood that more severe controls will be needed. Water conservation will ensure that the wells with the least PFAS levels will be used.
Ms. Mailander indicated that the 2023 Wellness Series will promote healthy eating, exercising, financial literacy, environmental sustainability, mental health, reducing stigma, and increasing social support. As part of the wellness events, the Parks and Recreation Department is offering “Chill Out – Gentle Yoga” on Mondays in May from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., and “Fishing to Free the Mind” on Saturday, May 29th, with two sessions to choose from: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Interested individuals should register via Community Pass.
The pedestrian plaza, where streets are closed to vehicular traffic from Walnut Street to Broad Street along East Ridgewood Avenue, will be held on Saturdays and Sundays from June 3 to October 9, 2023. Music and entertainment will be provided in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square on Saturday and Sunday nights. There will be a cultural theme each month and special activities for children.
The Kasschau Memorial Shell at Veterans Field is celebrating its 65th anniversary of providing music under the stars this summer, and performances begin on June 1, 2023. Performances are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from June through the beginning of August.
Ms. Mailander announced that all Village offices and departments will be closed on May 29, 2023 in observance of Memorial Day. There will be no sanitation, recycling or yard waste collection on that day. Residents should check the Village Calendar for the adjusted collection schedules.
Upcoming Village Council meetings are broadcast live from the Village Hall Courtroom, on the Village website, on FIOS Channel 34 and YouTube. Meetings can now be attended either in person or via Zoom or phone. The next Public Meeting is scheduled for June 14, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. The next Village Council Work Sessions will be held on May 24, June 7, and June 28, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
7. VILLAGE COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Weitz said that he was privileged to attend the Board of Education meeting on Friday, and Ms. Mailander was there as well. Discussions revolved around the school budget and the incoming Superintendent of Schools. He echoed Ms. Mailander’s comments about the Meet and Greet, which will be held on May 15, 2023, during which time residents can learn more about Mike Schwarz, the new Superintendent of Ridgewood Schools.
On Friday night, Councilmember Weitz said that he was honored to attend one of the last concerts of the season held by the Ridgewood Symphony. The last show will be held on June 22, 2023 at the Kasschau Bandshell, and Councilmember Weitz urged everyone to attend.
On Sunday, May 7, 2023, Councilmember Weitz said that he met with some residents to see the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge. He thanked the residents for their viewpoints.
On May 9, 2023, Councilmember Weitz attended a meeting of the Fourth of July Committee. He mentioned what a tremendous undertaking it is for these members to organize the Fourth of July celebratory events, such as the parade, and there are many volunteers who offer a lot of their time to make the events outstanding.
Councilmember Weitz concluded by stating that he is looking forward to the opening of the pedestrian plaza on June 3, 2023.
Councilmember Winograd said that she took a tour of the Schedler house on May 4, 2023 to check on the progress of the renovations. She stated that there has been a lot of progress made since the last time she visited the house, eight weeks ago. The floor plan of the house has been posted on the Village website. It is contemplated that the renovations will be finished by early summer this year.
On Saturday, May 6, 2023, Councilmember Winograd attended the “Council Chat” with Deputy Mayor Perron. Five members of the community attended this interactive chat.
On Monday, May 8, 2023, Councilmember Winograd and Councilmember Reynolds went to see the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge, and she expressed gratitude to the neighbors who spent time with them. The engineering report from the engineering firm hired by the Village has been received and will be distributed to members of the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee (CSAC) and others. Councilmember Winograd said that the bridge is in rough shape and definitely needs repairs. She said that the barriers were erected to prevent people from using this structurally unstable bridge.
On Monday, May 8, 2023, Councilmember Winograd attended a joint meeting with the Open Space Committee and the Parks, Recreation and Conservation (PRC) Board to discuss how the Village’s existing open spaces and parks can be featured and highlighted. Some of this is already evident on social media, but they are trying to come up with a plan to highlight and promote existing open spaces.
On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Councilmember Winograd attended a meeting with the Pride Day Committee to plan for the Pride Day event on June 10, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square. They are going to have a “Pridemobile” (police car) and some other unique activities during this event. Ridgewood High School students in the group, Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA), will be collecting donations that will go toward the Trevor Project.
On May 9, 2023, Councilmember Winograd stated that she attended a meeting with the Shade Tree Commission. Since there is less funding in the budget this year for shade trees, the members of the Shade Tree Commission are trying to come up with ways to enhance community engagement, promote awareness, and develop alternate sources of revenue. On June 7, 2023, the members of the Shade Tree Commission are going to make a presentation before the Village Council. Two new interns, a high school freshman and college freshman, were welcomed into the Shade Tree Commission.
Councilmember Winograd indicated that, today, she attended the ribbon cutting of the Boxcar franchise at the Ridgewood Train Station. She wished happy birthday to Councilmember Weitz and Mayor Vagianos.
Councilmember Reynolds reminded everyone that Project Pride will be beautifying the CBD on Sunday, May 21, 2023. Anyone interested in volunteering may email Councilmember Reynolds at lreynolds@ridgewoodnj.net. Many local nurseries have given discounts to Project Pride members, including Perry’s Florist in Glen Rock, Goffle Brook Farms in Ridgewood, and Victoria’s Nursery in Paramus.
Councilmember Reynolds stated that she viewed the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge on Monday with Councilmember Winograd. She said that she has visited the bridge before, but had never met with the neighbors at the same time to discuss how important this footbridge is to the neighborhood. The bridge has been closed for two years, and Councilmember Reynolds stated that the Village Council needs to help these residents. She feels that too much money is going towards the Schedler property, with no definitive plans for its development, and a lot of controversy surrounding turf fields. She suggested that the Village Council not do anything further on the Schedler property until they “look at the science” and do what is right for Village residents. She would like to use the $500,000.00 set aside this year for the Schedler property, and apply it towards safety projects, such as the repairs to the footbridge and the West Glen Avenue sidewalk construction.
Councilmember Reynolds said that it was refreshing to see some new people at the meeting this evening, speaking about their concerns regarding the Schedler property. She said that she felt that there are many Ridgewood residents who do not know about the Schedler community. She said that 90% of people visiting the property would be “mind boggled” by the fact that the Village wants to tear down so many trees on the property, with only 10% of the “gung-ho” sports enthusiasts being in favor of constructing a large turf field on the Schedler property. She encouraged all Ridgewood residents to visit the Schedler property and to spread the word, so that a “movement” could begin with residents opposing the proposed development. There was a resounding round of applause.
Councilmember Reynolds asked Ms. Mailander if she had an update regarding the trees that were planted on the berm at the Schedler property, since some of them are dying and she understands that the trees are under warranty. Ms. Mailander said that she did not know, but that she was sure this matter was being followed up with the vendor who sold the trees to the Village. She said that she will have an update shortly. Councilmember Reynolds said that even if these dying trees were replaced, she feels that there needs to be a new design for the berm. She said that there is an irrigation system in place for watering the trees.
Deputy Mayor Perron stated that, currently, there are 280 households in the Village who have signed up for the “No Mow May” initiative, which is aimed to help pollinators thrive and provide foraging areas for them. She reminded everyone that the Green Team has an opening and they are working towards “beefing up” their application to Sustainable Jersey. She thanked Frank Mortimer for rescuing a swarm of bees discovered near the Starbucks in the CBD, last week.
The Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC) will meet on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom. Anyone interested in attending the meeting should contact Deputy Mayor Perron for the meeting link.
Deputy Mayor Perron said that she was walking through Memorial Park at Van Neste Square yesterday and noticed how good the World War 1 memorial is looking. She said that the Signal Division, part of the Village’s Department of Public Works, has power washed the memorial in the past month or so, and she stated that the columns look much cleaner. In addition, the concrete joints have been filled in, and Deputy Mayor Perron thanked the staff for maintaining this important memorial.
Mayor Vagianos invited all Ridgewood residents to attend the Village Council meeting on May 24, 2023, during which time Tess Guiliani and Lynn Brady will present their design for the Gold Star Families Monument to be erected in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square in front of the World War 1 Memorial. He has viewed the proposed design and stated that he is confident that everyone will be pleased with it.
Mayor Vagianos announced that the pedestrian plaza will be opening on June 3, 2023. He said that there are many people working on the pedestrian plaza to ensure that it will be a success, including entertainment.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS – BERGEN COUNTY TRUST FUND GRANTS
A. BERGEN COUNTY TRUST FUND GRANT – MUNICIPAL PARK DEVELOPMENT/IMPROVEMENT
Ms. Mailander stated that the Village applied for a Bergen County Trust Fund grant for municipal park development and improvement, but this was rescinded, due to the fact that they required that the Village have approval from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for the playground, which has not yet been received.
B. BERGEN COUNTY TRUST FUND GRANT – PROPERTY ACQUISITION – 510 WEST SADDLE RIVER ROAD
1. EXPLANATION OF BERGEN COUNTY TRUST FUND GRANT APPLICATION – PROPERTY ACQUISITION – 510 WEST SADDLE RIVER ROAD
Ms. Mailander stated that the other Bergen County Trust Fund grant application pertains to the Village acquiring property at 510 West Saddle River Road. The Village desires to add a contiguous piece of property to the Schedler Park property, so that it can be expanded. The Open Space Committee has looked at this property as a possible future purchase, ever since the Village purchased the Schedler property. She stated that many Village parks have abutting residential properties, which are put on a list for possible future acquisition by the Village, for the purpose of expanding open space.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms. Mailander said that many people took control of their physical and mental health, and this has continued up to the present time. Many Village parks are enjoyed by residents, for both passive and active recreation, while engaging in a healthy lifestyle. She said that Habernickel Park has always been referred to as a park that can be used for many different activities and has been cited as an example of excellent park planning. She said that professionals in the Parks and Recreation Department and Engineering Division created a successful design for Habernickel Park, and they wish to continue their success with designing the Schedler Park property. Ms. Mailander stated that the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road presents an opportunity for the Village to obtain additional land to expand Schedler Park, which will allow for more park amenities.
Ms. Mailander said that the public notice stated that the land at 510 West Saddle River Road may be used for possible parking, restrooms, playground, and expansion of the walking paths. She stated that different configurations for the proposed sports field may also be considered if this land is acquired. Ms. Mailander said that the Village is mandated to hold this Public Hearing as part of the grant process.
2. PUBLIC HEARING ON BERGEN COUNTY TRUST FUND GRANT APPLICATION – PROPERTY ACQUISITION – 510 WEST SADDLE RIVER ROAD
Mayor Vagianos opened up the Public Hearing for the Bergen County Trust Fund Grant application for property acquisition regarding 510 West Saddle River Road.
Boyd A. Loving, 342 South Irving Street, stated that he has been attending Village Council meetings regularly for the past 23 years. He said that the way this property acquisition has been handled has been the most insulting and demeaning process that he has ever experienced as a taxpayer in the Village of Ridgewood. As stated earlier by Ms. Hone during public comments, Mr. Loving said that there is documentation that indicates that Mayor Vagianos knew about this possible land acquisition and signed a Letter of Intent on April 14, 2023. On April 26, 2023, there was a Public Workshop Meeting, attended by the public, during which some “rambling” comments were made by Councilmember Winograd indirectly alluding to the property acquisition, but an announcement was never made to the public. On April 28, 2023, the Ridgewood News published a legal advertisement announcing that the Village Council intended to apply for a grant to purchase the property at 510 West Saddle River Road. Mr. Loving stated that this was the first time there was any official notification to the public that the Village intended to buy this property. Mr. Loving said that there was a public meeting two days prior to the announcement in the Ridgewood News and there was no mention made of this intention by the Village to purchase this property.
Mr. Loving said that legal advertisements in the Ridgewood News require lead time, so he said that someone knew well ahead of time that this was the intention of the Village. He said that this was totally unacceptable, and this evening was the first time that Ms. Mailander announced to the public what the Village plans to do with this property. Since he heard the word “possible” a lot, it occurs to him that the Village has absolutely no idea what it plans to do with this adjacent land. Mr. Loving reminded everyone that, during this year’s budget meetings, there was no money available for certain projects, especially safety projects, yet the Village is now planning to take 510 West Saddle River Road off the tax rolls and spend money to purchase this property.
Mr. Loving noted that this evening’s agenda includes Resolution #23-182, in which the Village Council will approve the grant application for the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road. He wondered how there could be a Public Hearing prior to the Village Council approving the grant application. Mr. Loving said that he was concerned about the documentation, which the Village will be turning over to the County in support of the grant application. He said that he would like to see the paperwork, before it is sent to the County. He said that relevant facts are not being presented to the public in a timely manner and facts are skewed. Mr. Loving added that there was nothing posted on the website indicating that the Village was planning to purchase 510 West Saddle River Road. He said that the public is unaware whether the property is being sold with the consent of the owner or whether it will be acquired as the result of an eminent domain process.
Christina Cabos, 735 Howard Road, said that she is the mother of two very active children who play soccer 24 hours a day. She said that turf fields are horrible for residents, since they always flood. She said that the construction of a field on the Schedler property will prove to be an atrocity for most of the residents, and she feels that the Village Council should reject the turf field and go back to a “plain simple park” with grass. She said that removing the trees from the property will result in the loss of deer, foxes, and squirrels.
Norka DaSilva, 520 West Saddle River Road, said that she has lived in Ridgewood for more than 30 years. Her backyard abuts the Schedler property, and 510 West Saddle River Road is on the side of her street. There is a shared easement in that location. She said that she learned from her garbage man that the Village is planning on purchasing 510 West Saddle River Road. She then called Village Hall to get more information. Ms. DaSilva said that she loves to sit in her yard and look at the trees. She is upset about the proposed development of the Schedler property, since many of the trees that give her so much pleasure will be taken down. She said that she does not approve of the proposed plans for the property, and is extremely upset about what has transpired. She said that she will now have a parking lot and bathrooms next door to her house. She said that she expects the Mayor and Village Council to take the neighbors’ concerns into consideration, because things “will not go well” if the Village continues in the direction in which it is going.
Patricia Infantino, 6 Betty Court, said that she objects to the whole concept of the Village purchasing 510 West Saddle River Road and making it into a parking lot. She also objects to the artificial turf and the removal of old-growth trees. She stated that the Village Councilmembers do not understand science. If they did, they would heed the advice and feedback offered by residents, regarding the dangers of artificial turf. Development is being done on the Schedler property without proper studies regarding the air, traffic, water, and noise. Ms. Infantino stated that the old-growth trees serve to filter and remove carbon dioxide out of the air.
Ms. Infantino understands the need for the construction of another field in Ridgewood, stating that all of her children played soccer, sometimes out of town due to lack of available fields. She said that it was inconvenient traveling out of town, but they managed to do it.
Ms. Infantino said that many life forms are being extinguished in the world, and if the Schedler property is made bare by the removal of most of the trees, all of the animals and birds living there may become extinct as well. She said that turf has been examined by scientists, and an orthopedic surgeon spoke before the Village Council about the dangers of artificial turf and the many injuries incurred by athletes who play on turf. Ms. Infantino said that if any of the Village Councilmembers had gone over to the Schedler property after the heavy rains last week, they would have seen all of the water that had pooled on the property. She said that residents feel as though they have not been listened to, since they never get any answers to their concerns, although she mentioned that Deputy Mayor Perron did respond to her regarding her concerns about artificial turf. She said that she is upset that the Village is now planning to purchase another piece of property and commercialize it.
Ms. Mailander reminded everyone that this Public Hearing is about the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road, and not about the Schedler property. She asked everyone to please keep their comments related to the topic at hand.
Cynthia O’Keefe, 542 West Saddle River Road, said that she learned that the Village was planning on purchasing 510 West Saddle River Road over a group chat. She said that she is not opposed to the Village purchasing property when it makes sense. However, she said that the development of the Schedler property is spiraling far out of control, since it started as a park with a playground and has turned into something, which no one in the Schedler community wants.
Ms. O’Keefe said that Mayor Vagianos put an ad in TAPinto over the weekend, which stated, “As someone who lives across the street from a school and recreational field, you understand the concerns about traffic, but Ridgewood is a family-oriented town.” Ms. O’Keefe wondered whether Mayor Vagianos was really thinking about the families who live in the Schedler community. She said that if Ridgewood is a family-oriented town, its residents should be prioritized and should not be marginalized. She feels that building another sports field seems very self-serving, since the field is catering to only one segment of the Village.
Ms. O’Keefe stated that the Village purchasing 510 West Saddle River Road will further encroach into the neighborhood. There is a small easement road that runs alongside this property, which is shared by the neighbors for ingress and egress into their properties. If a parking lot is built at 510 West Saddle River Road, and all of the trees are removed from that property, as well as from the Schedler property, everything will be taken away from the residents who live there and they will have no enjoyment. Even if the Village replants trees on those properties wherever they can fit them, the surroundings will still never be the same as they were previously.
Ms. O’Keefe reminded the Village Councilmembers that the Schedler community is composed of resourceful, relentless, and passionate people, who will never give up their fight against the proposed development, including herself. She said that the Ad Hoc Committee developed an agreed-upon plan and then the current Village Council decided to “cherry pick” elements of that plan to keep and threw out the rest. She said that if the Schedler property is developed in the way that the Village Councilmembers want it to be developed, the surrounding property values will plummet. Ms. O’Keefe said that if a parking lot is constructed on 510 West Saddle River Road, then there will be lights shining into people’s homes and young people may congregate to drink liquor there and do drugs. She said that she vehemently opposes the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. She welcomed the Village Councilmembers to visit with the neighbors at the property to have a discussion. Ms. O’Keefe concluded by stating that it does not make sense for the Village to purchase this additional property.
Nancy Brennan-Hill, 136 Doremus Avenue, said she lives far away from the Schedler property, but she feels very sad for the people who live near the Schedler property. She said that people have a right to feel comfortable and secure in their neighborhood. When the environment is destroyed by tearing down trees and constructing parking lots, this “hits at the heart” of where people live. She said that she also feels bad for all of the residents in Ridgewood who believed in the new Master Plan, a comprehensive document that lays out a beautiful plan of how people envision Ridgewood, with trees, parks, walking paths, and clean water preservation. Ms. Brennan-Hill said that people who worked on the Master Plan felt great while it was being developed and felt hopeful for the future, which is in stark contrast to how stressed out and hopeless people are feeling this evening. However, she does not feel that it is too late to go back and reconsider the plans for the Schedler property.
Mayor Vagianos interrupted by reminding everyone to limit their comments to the possible property acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road and not about anything else.
Ms. Brennan-Hill said that her comments do pertain to the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road. She sees the acquisition of this property as adding another parking lot to Ridgewood, to which she is opposed. She said that she believes in peace, trees and serenity for herself and for the people who live in the Schedler area. She expressed the hope that the Village Councilmembers can see the relationship between the property acquisition and the development of the Schedler property.
Vince Marticek, Jr., 512 West Saddle River Road, said that his property runs alongside the Schedler property at 460 West Saddle River Road. Along 510 West Saddle River Road, also known as the Mary Greene property, there is a private easement, a single-lane road, which residents use for ingress to and egress from their properties. Building a parking lot along this easement will increase traffic. He said that West Saddle River Road is a very narrow, two-lane road, which requires cars to wait for each other before they can pass through, if there are cars parked on either side of the road. A busy parking lot will build up traffic. Mr. Marticek said that if one travels down the easement he just mentioned, they will arrive at his property, which is close to Route 17. He said that people randomly exit Route 17 and cut through the easement (which is basically his front yard) to get to West Saddle River Road. Conversely, people traveling down West Saddle River Road cut through the easement, thinking that it is a shortcut to Route 17. He said that adding a parking lot to 510 West Saddle River Road will increase the likelihood of traffic.
Mr. Marticek said that his parents fought many times in court for the right to have that easement used solely for ingress and egress for the residents living alongside that easement (512, 516 and 520 West Saddle River Road) and for collection services and emergency services only. He said that if 510 West Saddle River Road is developed as a parking lot, many cars will attempt to travel along the single-lane easement in the hopes of getting onto Route 17. There is normally a chain, which blocks access to Mr. Marticek’s property, but people still use the easement despite the posted signs, cones and chains that indicate it is private property. He said that he has witnessed cars “piled up” behind each other on the easement, thinking that they can get to Route 17, because there is nowhere to turn around after they discover that they can’t go anywhere. This creates a great deal of inconvenience for him and his neighbors, and will create a nuisance with cars pulling in and out, if there is a night game held on the Schedler property.
Mr. Marticek said that the proposed parking lot and resultant traffic could also prove to be detrimental if he and his neighbors cannot get out of the easement in the event of an emergency, or if an emergency vehicle cannot reach one of their homes. He said that he has had to call the police several times, because of people trespassing on his property. There is a bus stop less than 100 feet from his property, and Mr. Marticek said that instead of people using the Park and Ride across Route 17, they proceed to trespass onto his property, park, and wait for the bus. This is exacerbated around the time when students are returning to college, with cars lined up all the way along Route 17. He concluded by stating that he opposed the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village and turning it into a parking lot, since it will cause increased traffic to a quiet residential area.
Jeanette LaRocco, 454 Bogert Avenue, said that she has lived in Ridgewood for 35 years and, during that time, she has seen Ridgewood change a lot, and not always in the best way. She said that she opposes the proposed purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village for a parking lot. She reminded the Village Councilmembers (except for Councilmember Reynolds) that they work for the residents, and that the residents do not work for them. The responsibilities of the Village Councilmembers include enacting plans and approving projects to help Village residents, not making decisions for personal reasons. She said that a parking lot is not necessary, nor is removing trees and destroying the habitat on the Schedler property, for the purpose of installing toxic materials onto the land. Everyone knows that trees absorb carbon dioxide, and she wondered how the installation of a turf field or the paving of a parking lot could be deemed to be environmentally friendly. Ms. LaRocco stated that the Village Council is not thinking about the residents who live in the Schedler community, who will have to deal with the traffic coming from other towns.
Mayor Vagianos asked Ms. LaRocco to limit her comments to the proposed property acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road.
Ms. LaRocco stated that the acquisition of the property at 510 West Saddle River Road and the Schedler property are tied together, since the Village is purchasing the property so that they can construct a parking lot on it, to accommodate visitors to the Schedler property. She asked who will be maintaining the field, parking lot and bathrooms, and who will be using the fields at the Schedler property.
Mayor Vagianos once again reminded Ms. LaRocco to make comments only about the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road and not about the Schedler property.
Ms. LaRocco said that she did not know that the Village planned to purchase 510 West Saddle River Road until last week. She said that this planned acquisition was done secretly and that the Village Council is not transparent, except for Councilmember Reynolds. She said that the public needs to know what is going on, since it affects the quality of life of all Village residents and the taxes they have to pay. Even though Ms. LaRocco does not live near the Schedler property, she said that she was speaking primarily on behalf of the residents who live in the Schedler community. She said that the Schedler property needs to be kept natural and that there is no need for a parking lot or sports fields, except perhaps one small sports field.
Linda Tarzian, 576 Highland Avenue, stated that she does not support the purchase of the property at 510 West Saddle River Road. She asked the Village Councilmembers (except for Councilmember Reynolds) who they are listening to, why they are supporting the proposed development of the Schedler property, and who they are representing. She said that she was waiting for an answer.
Deputy Mayor Perron told Ms. Tarzian that this was a Public Hearing and it was only for the purpose of hearing comments from residents. Ms. Tarzian said she has a right to question the validity of using a Bergen County grant to purchase the property at 510 West Saddle River Road. She said that the Village Councilmembers are ignoring the residents.
Mayor Vagianos asked everyone in the audience to remain quiet, and reminded everyone that this portion of the meeting is not the point at which Village Councilmembers respond to comments made by residents or answer questions posed of them.
Ms. Tarzian stated that she has never received the courtesy of a response from this Village Council, yet received responses from previous Village Councils. She asked the Village Councilmembers where they lived and how the decimation of the Schedler property is going to impact them. She said that it will not affect any of them, because they don’t live in that community. Ms. Tarzian said that the Village Council is attempting to do something that is undermining the very fabric of the Schedler community. She said that the Schedler family deeded this property to the church and it was sold to the Village so that it could remain a park. She said that the Village Council was reneging on its duty to Village residents.
Jane Shinozuka, 825 Norgate Drive, said that she wanted to go on record as a resident who is opposed to the idea of the Village purchasing the property at 510 West Saddle River Road. She said that the Village Council, during this year’s budget process, allocated $500,000.00 for the Schedler property, yet there was no discussion about fixing the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge. She accused the Village Council of “killing the town” and said that the property acquisition was not worth it. She said that if the Village purchases this property, even more trees will be razed from the property. Ms. Shinozuka said that it is embarrassing and undignified for the Village Councilmembers to speak about the Green Amendment and other environmental preservation initiatives, while at the same time they are planning to remove more trees from the Schedler property and probably from 510 West Saddle River Road as well.
Christine Corbett, 405 Heights Road, said that she wanted to go on record as saying that she opposes the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road. All residents have heard that there is no money to complete the sidewalk construction on West Glen Avenue, and that there is no money to repair the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge, yet the Village Council is moving forward with its plans to develop the Schedler property and to purchase 510 West Saddle River Road, despite a lot of opposition from the community. She said that this property acquisition was not clearly communicated to the public until very recently, despite the fact that the Village apparently had plans for quite a while to purchase this property. Ms. Corbett said that she heard Habernickel Park mentioned earlier, yet the Schedler property is not going to be developed into a beautiful park, like the Habernickel property was developed.
Ms. Corbett said that the Schedler project is already controversial, and that it did not make sense to expand the property by purchasing 510 West Saddle River Road. Even more trees will be razed once 510 West Saddle River Road is purchased. This will increase pollution, cause more drainage problems once the property is paved over for a parking lot, and decrease the beauty in the community.
Suzanne Ruane, 705 Kingsbridge Lane, thanked Councilmembers Weitz, Winograd and Reynolds for visiting the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge last week and hearing the concerns of residents. According to the Village Council, the budget this year is very tight and it was hard to find money to fix the footbridge. Therefore, she said that it was disheartening to hear about the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road, when vital safety concerns in the Village are not being addressed, such as fixing the footbridge and completing the sidewalks on West Glen Avenue. She said that she opposes the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village, because she does not feel that the Village Councilmembers are allocating taxpayer money appropriately. She reiterated that there are safety concerns in the Village, which really need to be addressed.
Ms. Ruane said that she has lived near this dilapidated bridge for two years and has watched people do horrible things due to the closure of the bridge, such as attempting to walk down Route 17. She mentioned that a child has already been hit on his bicycle by a car, because he was forced to take a long alternative route to where he had to go. She said that the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road is not necessary. She mentioned that she drives past the athletic field along Route 17 in Ho-Ho-Kus on an almost daily basis, and she never sees anyone on the field. She wonders how much money the Village will waste by building a sports complex next to Route 17, then purchasing a property right next to it, just for it to sit empty, because no one will want to play on that field due to the noise and pollution emanating from Route 17. She pleaded with the Village Council to address safety concerns in the Village first, before purchasing the property at 510 West Saddle River Road.
Anne Loving, 342 South Irving Street, said that residents have a right to speak again at the end of a Public Hearing, and that speaking at a Public Hearing was not the same as speaking during public comments, where a person can only speak once. She was specifically addressing one resident who was cut off from speaking earlier. Since this is a Public Hearing and not public comments, Ms. Loving said that residents have a right to ask questions and to have those questions answered during a Public Hearing.
Deputy Mayor Perron said that this Public Hearing was a “due process right” of the public to be heard, but that there was no requirement that questions be answered by Village Councilmembers.
Addressing Matt Rogers, Village Attorney, Ms. Loving stated that this was not her understanding of how Public Hearings should be held. Regarding Public Hearings on ordinances, she said that members of the public are allowed to ask questions and are entitled to answers from the Village Council. Mr. Rogers replied by stating that this is a Public Hearing on an Ordinance and the Village Council can choose to respond to the questions that are raised by the public at any time they choose. They can choose to answer or respond to questions right away, or wait until everyone is done speaking. In addition, the Village Councilmembers can choose not to answer any questions at all. He said that Ms. Loving was correct in saying that people can speak more than once during a Public Hearing.
Ms. Loving stated that she is completely opposed to the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. There are no set plans for the property, and it is evident that it will probably be used for more parking. She said that the purchase of this property is ridiculous. She asked if the property would be paved for a parking lot. She said that the Village plans on purchasing this property for approximately $500,000.00, while there are pressing safety needs in the Village, which need to be addressed. She asked if the Village Councilmembers can tell the public what potential activities will not be allowed on this property now owned by Mary Greene. She also asked if the public will be able to see the grant application before it is submitted to Bergen County, in order to confirm the accuracy of the paperwork, particularly the statements of all of the people who have spoken in opposition to the purchase of this property. Ms. Loving said that this was necessary because she has seen nothing but grandiose coverups by the Village Council, and particularly Mayor Vagianos, who hides comments on his Facebook page.
Ms. Loving said that Ms. O’Keefe quoted Mayor Vagianos from an article in TAPinto about Ridgewood. She was interrupted by Mr. Rogers, who stated that this Public Hearing is about the possible acquisition of property by the Village. Ms. Loving said that she was talking about the purchase of this property. She stated that the owner of TAPinto is an administrator of Mayor Vagianos’s Facebook page, so Ms. Loving said that the public cannot trust anything unless they can actually see documents being submitted by the Village. She again asked if the public will be able to review the grant application that the Village plans to submit to Bergen County for the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road.
Dana Glazer, 61 Clinton Avenue, said that, for the record, he strongly opposes the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. He said that the Village Councilmembers are victimizing the neighbors who live in the Schedler community, which he stated was wrong. He described this entire process as obfuscation and deception on the part of the Village Council, and he stated that the public trust has been broken as a result.
Andrea Mishler, 5 Betty Court, also stated that she is opposed to the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village for numerous reasons, including the removal of trees and construction of a blacktop parking lot. There are safety concerns for neighbors who live along the aforesaid easement, and traffic concerns for the neighborhood along narrow West Saddle River Road. She said that her son was going to bid on a house in Ridgewood that was listed for $700,000.00, but he was told a couple of days ago that the owners had received a bid for $825,000.00. Ms. Mishler wondered whether the people who were going to sell 510 West Saddle River Road to the Village were getting a fair price for their property and, if so, she wondered where the Village was getting the money to purchase the property. She said that the Village Councilmembers proclaim themselves as being officials who “do right” for the Village residents, but Ms. Mishler said that she has never witnessed such bullying going on, in all of the years she has lived in Ridgewood.
Kristina Milian, 530 West Saddle River Road, stated that she objects to the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village and she also objects to the Bergen County Trust Fund Grant that the Village is seeking. She said that Green Ridgewood assists the Village Council with long-range planning for environmental issues, identifies and anticipates environmental challenges, and researches and recommends sustainable solutions. Through its Green Team subcommittee, Green Ridgewood also manages the Village’s periodic submission to Sustainable Jersey, in order to achieve and maintain municipality sustainability certification. Ms. Milian asked how the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road supports Green Ridgewood by removing trees and constructing a parking lot. She asked if Green Ridgewood has been consulted by the Village Councilmembers regarding the acquisition of this property and, if so, what their recommendations to the Village Council were.
Ms. Milian said that the proposed artificial turf field at the Schedler property will draw supporters from Ridgewood and other towns and cities, across the State of New Jersey. She said that it is important to ensure that the community is protected from any potential criminal activity. The budget approved by the Village this year only has allocations to hire one new police officer, even though Police Chief Luthcke has asked the Village Council to allocate enough funds to hire five new police officers. She asked how the proposed parking lot would be monitored by the Village Police Department staff, who are already stretched thin regarding time and resources. Ms. Milian also asked if the parking lot on the new property will have lights and, if so, when those lights would be turned on and off. She said that her neighbor lives 15 feet from 510 West Saddle River Road, so Ms. Milian wanted to know if those lights would be shining into her neighbor’s house.
Ms. Milian asked how the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road would positively affect property values in the area. She asked what type of logic the Village Councilmembers were using in calculating the ratio of field size (on the Schedler property) to designated parking. Ms. Milian indicated that it was important to consider the lack of sidewalks in the area and what type of access people will have to the field on the Schedler property and to the parking lot to be constructed at 510 West Saddle River Road. There are no sidewalks along West Saddle River Road near the Schedler property or near 510 West Saddle River Road. Ms. Milian asked if the Village Council has any plans to construct sidewalks in this area or if people will need to walk in the middle of West Saddle River Road.
Regarding emergency services, Ms. Milian stated that the extended field on the Schedler property and the parking at 510 West Saddle River Road will result in an inflow of traffic and people to the area, and she wondered how emergency service vehicles will be able to quickly and efficiently serve the needs of the neighborhood during a crisis, including injured athletes playing on the field at the Schedler property. Ms. Milian stated that she is particularly concerned about how ambulances, police cars and firefighters would be able to navigate West Saddle River Road and provide assistance to those in need when the street is packed with cars, buses and people. The residents of the Schedler community have already parked cars on both sides of West Saddle River Road to demonstrate how difficult it would be for a car to pass on the street in that situation, with only 11.6 feet remaining for cars or emergency vehicles to drive through West Saddle River Road. She asked the Village Council what solutions they have planned for these circumstances.
Mayor Vagianos asked Ms. Milian to please limit her comments to the acquisition of the property at 510 West Saddle River Road.
Ms. Milian said that the traffic to 510 West Saddle River Road will be problematic, and it would be beneficial for the public to know what the Village plans to do with this property and who will benefit from the acquisition. She also asked if the Village has performed a flood plain survey regarding the area in question, since the proposed blacktop and artificial turf field will result in the neighborhood being flooded. Ms. Milian asked if the Village is considering the acquisition of any other properties besides 510 West Saddle River Road.
Laurie Weber, 235 South Irving Street, said that through an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request, she obtained a communication from Jim Morgan of the Parks and Recreation Department, in response to a request from Councilmember Winograd, dealing with an assessment of the Schedler property. He described the Schedler property as “boggy.” Ms. Weber said that the existing trees on the property mitigate this moisture problem; however, once those trees are removed and an artificial turf field is installed, this moisture problem will be exacerbated. The problem will become further exacerbated once the Village acquires 510 West Saddle River Road and paves it.
Ms. Weber said that she feels bad for the neighbor who spoke previously, who will have to deal with a parking lot and bathrooms located right next door to her house. She asked what plans have been put in place by the Village Council to mitigate this “soggy, boggy area” and possible flooding of residents’ homes. She said that proceeding without appropriate plans in place is a “disaster in the making.” The failure to keep the trees planted on the berm healthy has led Ms. Weber to wonder if any other newly planted trees will survive on the Schedler property. She recalled the lyrics of a song by Joni Mitchell, “Doesn’t it always seem to go, that they don’t know what they got ‘til it’s gone, we pave paradise and put up a parking lot.” She pleaded with the Village Councilmembers to let the public know what they plan to do to mitigate the potential drainage issues on both properties.
Paul Markosian, 360 Gilbert Street, said that he recently went bicycling down West Saddle River Road, and it seemed like a street that time has forgotten, with beautiful trees and well-maintained homes. When he got to the Schedler property, he noted all of the work that is being done on the property. He does not oppose development, but he stated that it should be done “in scale.” He said that he does not want the charm of the Schedler neighborhood to be compromised, because the Village Council plans to install elements on the property, which will overwhelm the entire area.
Mr. Markosian said that the installation of a regulation-sized field, lights and supporting structures will create a lot of traffic and decimate the character of the neighborhood. He feels that this would be a great loss for the Village and a great mistake for the Village Council to make. He said people desire to live in Ridgewood for its charm and the “last vestiges of Americana in Bergen County” and not for its fancy fields and McMansions. He said that the Village should not be overdeveloped to the point where property values start to decline. He asked the Village Council to revert back to the original plans for the Schedler property, so that it is more of a park and not a large turf field on which games will be played long into the night. He feels that it is worth preserving the area and admitted that he is a “tree hugger.”
Dave Ward, 552 Route 17 North, said that Route 17 abuts his front yard, and there will be a ball field on the left side of his house, and a parking lot on the other side of his house, if the proposed plans for the Schedler property go through, and the property at 510 West Saddle River Road is acquired by the Village. He said that the same will hold true for his neighbors. Mr. Ward said that he was sure none of the Village Councilmembers would want to have a bathroom in their front yard. He said that there will not be enough trees on either property and that the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road is a complete waste of money. He said that Village residents, especially the residents in the Schedler community, are getting tired of the actions of the Village Council.
Elizabeth Jastrzebeska, 215 Walton Street, said that although she does not live near the Schedler property, she feels badly for the neighbors who do live in this area. She stated that she strongly opposes the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village and feels that the Village Councilmembers should prioritize safety, including constructing the sidewalks on West Glen Avenue, repairing the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge, and hiring new staff for the Police and Fire Departments. Purchasing this property will create more traffic in the area, reduce property values, and waste money. Ms. Jastrzebeska asked why the purchase of this property is being contemplated after the approval of the 2023 budget, and why $500,000.00 was set aside in the budget to be used for the Schedler property. She said that the Village Councilmembers knew all along that this money would be used for the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road and that the public was not timely informed of this fact. She said that she came to this country for the freedoms it offers, yet the Village Council lacks transparency and acts unilaterally.
Aditya Singh, 182 Mountain Avenue, stated that he is completely opposed to the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. He asked who would be responsible for the long-term maintenance of the property, and what passive and active recreational activities would or would not be allowed on the property. He also asked what type of pedestrian and vehicular access there would be on the property, as well as parking accommodations. Mr. Singh asked if restrooms would be located on the property and, if so, what the maintenance policy is for the restrooms. He asked for an explanation of the trash management for the property, whether lights would be installed on the property, and who would be providing security for the property.
Matthew Rossi, 516 West Saddle River Road, said that he also lives on the private lane near 510 West Saddle River Road, where ingress to his property is made possible by the single-lane easement that runs through 510 West Saddle River Road. Mr. Rossi said that he strongly opposes the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. He said that the Village Councilmembers have not declared any clear goals for this property and he feels that this purchase would be fiscally irresponsible. He said that grant money from the County or State still comes from taxpayers. He said that the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road is a waste of taxpayer money. To his knowledge, 510 West Saddle River Road has not been listed for sale and there is no imminent danger of this property being sold to private parties.
Mr. Rossi said that there are things that are not being considered by the Village Councilmembers. The property at 510 West Saddle River Road contains an easement that is used for ingress and egress by property owners. He said that this easement is maintained by each property owner. He said that the owners of 510 West Saddle River Road, Mary and Martha, are very old and none of the neighbors bother them about the maintenance of the easement. Instead, the neighbors chip in to do all the plowing that is necessary and fill potholes when needed. He said that maintenance of the easement will become the Village’s responsibility, if the property at 510 West Saddle River Road is purchased by the Village. Mr. Rossi said that he has not heard one person this evening speaking in favor of the Village acquiring 510 West Saddle River Road. However, he said that the Village Councilmembers have already made up their minds and this Public Hearing is merely a formality. Mr. Rossi said that the voices of residents do not matter to the Village Council, but he begged the Village Councilmembers to prove him wrong.
Michele Italia, 3 Betty Court, asked why the Village was contemplating the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road, when the work on the Schedler property has still not been completed. She said that “Schedler Park” should be called “Ridgewood Fields” because that name is more in line with what the Village Council plans to do on the property. She said that multitudes of residents have spoken before the Village Council about their rights as citizens to clean air. She said that the Schedler project has not been completed, yet the Village Council allocated $500,000.00 in this year’s budget to be used for the Schedler property, and now they want to purchase 510 West Saddle River Road this year, when there are budget deficits.
Ms. Italia asked what the Village plans to do with this new land and how it will benefit the neighbors who live in the area. Ms. Italia said that the Village Council has no compassion or heart for the people who live near the Schedler property. She said that the plans developed in 2018 were agreeable to everyone, yet the Village Councilmembers decided to cave in to the pressures of the sports teams. She said that she speaks on behalf of many people who could not personally attend the meeting this evening, and stated that there is a lot of anger and distrust that many residents are feeling at the current time, due to the actions of the Village Council. Ms. Italia said that the Village Councilmembers have ignored the concerns of the residents regarding their health, traffic, and property values.
Allen Dlugasch, 3 Betty Court, said that residents who live on the east side of Ridgewood feel as though they are not treated the same as other residents. He said that he thought the previous Village Council had already approved plans to make the Schedler property a park.
Mayor Vagianos cautioned Mr. Dlugasch to limit his comments to the subject at hand, which is the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village.
Mr. Dlugasch said that he was against the purchase of this property and feels that it is a mistake. He feels that the Schedler property should be developed as originally intended, with a small field and park for the people on the east side of Ridgewood. There is no school, park or open land on the east side for those residents to enjoy.
Mayor Vagianos again cautioned Mr. Dlugasch to limit his comments to the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road.
Mr. Dlugasch argued that the Schedler property and the acquisition of the adjacent property are connected. He said that the Village does not need to purchase this additional land. He thinks that the Schedler property is enough and that it should be developed as a park instead of a sports complex. He said that the Village should not be purchasing more property, because it cannot afford to do so.
Bob Goodman, 375 Woodbine Court, stated that he is strongly opposed to the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. He said that constructing a parking lot on the property will only exacerbate the loss of habitats, trees, soil, microorganisms, flora and fauna. He said that the world is going through a global crisis right now and that the world is in the middle of a mass extinction. Habitat destruction has exacerbated this crisis. Humans will eventually be destroyed if they continue destroying habitats. He said that Ridgewood should have a policy of not cutting down any more trees and not destroying any more land. Mr. Goodman said that if the Village has money to purchase 510 West Saddle River Road, then the Village should instead purchase a commercial property that is no longer viable.
Nancy Friedman, 526 West Saddle River Road, stated that she is against the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. She feels as though residents are saying the same things repeatedly, yet the Village Councilmembers are not listening to them and are not engaging in a two-way conversation. She said that the Village Council is just going through the motions and she is struck by the hypocrisy of the Village Council. They have endorsed the Green Amendment, yet there is no “action” by the Village to support the tenets of the Green Amendment. Ms. Friedman said that there was no point to this Public Hearing, since the Village Councilmembers are going to vote the way they want to vote. She said that there are a million other things, which the Village Councilmembers could do with the money that they are planning to spend to purchase 510 West Saddle River Road, including important safety projects such as the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge and the sidewalks on West Glen Avenue.
Yasmine Elashmawy, 640 Kenwood Road, said that she strongly opposed the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village and stands with the Friends of Schedler.
Dr. Salvatore Infantino, 6 Betty Court, stated that he is against the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village to be used as a parking lot. He said that this property is connected to a “greater problem,” referring to the Schedler property. He said that the Village would not need this land if a large field were not constructed on the Schedler property. Dr. Infantino said that none of the Village Councilmembers have the courage to hire a medical expert to render an opinion regarding artificial turf. He said that parents should just give cigarettes to their children to smoke, since the same dangers will be present if their children play on an artificial turf field. He said that the Village Councilmembers have the responsibility to look at the evidence concerning artificial turf and the dangers it presents to children. Dr. Infantino said that it was the wrong thing for people to smoke, it was the wrong thing to put lead in gasoline, and it is wrong to build a playing field for children next to a highway. He said that a medical expert needs to be hired.
Mayor Vagianos asked Dr. Infantino to confine his comments to the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road.
Dr. Infantino said that the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road is directly connected to the Schedler property. If a large field is not constructed on the Schedler property, then the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road for a parking lot will not be needed. He reiterated that he is against the acquisition of this property and stated that the Village Councilmembers need to examine their consciences, because it will be on their consciences when they find out that children are getting sick from playing on a turf field.
Jacqueline Hone, 30 Carriage Lane, said that she wanted to go on record, and wants her comments to be submitted to Bergen County with the grant application, that residents are trying to make comments that are either directly or indirectly related to the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road and are being censored. The Letter of Intent signed by Mayor Vagianos states that the proposed purchase would be adjacent to two proposed ball fields. Ms. Hone said that the adjacent Schedler property is named in the Letter of Intent and, therefore, residents should be allowed to speak about the Schedler property, as well as 510 West Saddle River Road. The Letter of Intent also states that the proposed purchase would provide additional accessibility to the park as well as on-site parking.
Ms. Hone said that the censorship must stop. She said that it is evident by the way this Public Hearing is being handled that no one really knows how to conduct it. She said that the Village Engineer is not even present at the meeting this evening, so that he may answer any questions posed by residents. There are no plans or details concerning this property which have been made available to the public, and Ms. Hone described this Public Hearing as a “dog and pony show” (except for Councilmember Reynolds).
Ms. Hone stated that the grant application contains a section called “Detrimental Analysis Narrative,” in which the Village is supposed to explain and identify in detail any views, opinions or arguments that reflect opposition to the proposed project. She said that she wanted to go on record as saying that there were more than 200 people who wrote to the Village Council stating that this project poses a detriment to the lives of the people living near the Schedler property. The concerns include noise levels, historical resources, wildlife habitat, threatened and endangered species, and traffic patterns. She said that people have repeatedly told the Village Council that West Saddle River Road does not have sidewalks and that studies need to be conducted to evaluate the impact of proposed development of the Schedler property on traffic and wildlife. She stated that the parcel at 510 West Saddle River Road is also wooded and is adjacent to the Schedler property. The trees run from one property to the next. She said that 510 West Saddle River Road is filled with wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. She said that all of these points need to be added to that section in the grant application.
Ms. Hone stated that there is also a checklist on the grant application, which is labeled “Municipal Supplemental Debt Statement.” She said that when a municipality decides to spend taxpayer money, residents are normally told where the money is coming from and how the money will be spent. If the money will be spent to purchase land, the public is normally told how that property will be maintained. The paperwork should have mentioned the easement that runs along 510 West Saddle River Road. Ms. Hone said that other areas on the grant application are entitled “Municipal Capital Year Programs Forecast,” “Project Description,” “Benefits Narrative,” and “Proposed Management Plan.” She said that none of those sections have been presented at this Public Hearing. She said that Bergen County needs to be made aware that this Public Hearing was merely a public comment hearing, so that the Village could check off that box on the application.
Linda Tarzian, 576 Highland Avenue, asked if anyone else on the dais was listening besides Councilmember Reynolds. She said that she was against the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. She said that no Village Councilmembers will be impacted by the development of the Schedler property or by the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road for the purposes of constructing a parking lot. She said that they would act differently if these things were happening in their own backyards. Ms. Tarzian wondered to whom the Village Councilmembers were listening, because it was apparent that they were not listening to the residents who have spoken against these matters before the Village Council. She wondered why the Village Council would not take the $500,000.00 allocated for the Schedler property and fix the existing turf fields by installing French drains to prevent flooding.
Ms. Tarzian said that neither of these matters will affect her, because she does not live near the Schedler property, other than the continued degradation and desecration of the green spaces in Ridgewood. She said that people do not usually go to cities for vacation, but instead seek out parks and the ocean for their restorative benefits. She said that it takes a bit of brain power to restore existing fields, but it takes no brains at all to clearcut a field. She challenged the Village Councilmembers to listen to their constituents and answer the questions posed to them.
Laurie Weber, 235 South Irving Street, said that she wanted to make it clear, on the record, that she objected to the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. She said that what the Village Council plans to do will ruin the property for any future use. She said that the purchase of this property is inextricably intertwined with the plans of the majority of the Village Councilmembers, to expand the Schedler property. She said that any comment regarding the plans for the Schedler property are very material to the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road. She asked Mayor Vagianos to stop interrupting the residents and to stop trying to control the dialogue.
Patty Infantino, 6 Betty Court, said that she is against the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village, particularly because the Village does not have the money to do so. Taxes are going up by 4.5% this year, and Ms. Infantino said that her property taxes are extremely high. She said that there are far more important projects that need to be completed in Ridgewood, including the repairs to the Kingsbridge Lane Bridge, since it serves as a connection from one part of town to the other. Ms. Infantino said that it is ridiculous to make the footbridge handicapped accessible, since anyone in a wheelchair crossing over the bridge will have nowhere to go, except directly onto East Saddle River Road. She agreed that money should be spent to refurbish the existing sports fields and construct sidewalks on West Glen Avenue. She said that she cannot understand why the Village Council is raising taxes in order to perform projects, which the residents do not want. Ms. Infantino feels that the Village Councilmembers had these plans in place long before they were elected.
Jacqueline Hone, 30 Carriage Lane, asked Mr. Rogers if this was a Public Hearing on an Ordinance, since she thought she heard him say that earlier. Mr. Rogers stated that it is a Public Hearing for the application for the Open Space Grant. Ms. Hone stated that every resident who has spoken this evening completely opposes the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. She said that this will hopefully speak volumes.
Ms. Hone said that she has some questions for the Village Councilmembers that she would like answered, since Mr. Rogers indicated that the residents were entitled to answers. Mr. Rogers stated that he did not say that, but instead stated that this Public Hearing is for the purpose of obtaining public input. The Village Councilmembers can choose to answer questions raised by residents if they so choose, but they are not required to answer any questions.
Ms. Hone asked if residents can request, during the Public Hearing, materials stating what the property acquisition is for, and Mr. Rogers replied that Ms. Hone can ask whatever questions she wants. Ms. Hone asked what the Village’s plan was to acquire 510 West Saddle River Road. Mr. Rogers reiterated that the Village Councilmembers can choose to answer her question now, wait until the end of the hearing, or not answer at all. Ms. Hone asked if there is a design in place, which can be provided to residents, so that they can see how this property will be developed. She said that no experts have been retained concerning the acquisition and no details have been provided to the public at this meeting, regarding how this property will be used. In addition, there are no instructions among the paperwork usually provided on the tables in the courtroom for the public, as to how this Public Hearing should be handled.
Ms. Hone asked who will be responsible for the long-term maintenance of the property and where the money is allocated for it in the budget. She asked who will clean up the property after a game is played on the field at the Schedler property. Ms. Hone said that since the public was not given much information, they are not sure what questions they need to ask of the Village Councilmembers. She asked if the Village Councilmembers could provide her with a budget for the proposed acquisition and its development, since taxpayers have a right to know what the acquisition and development will cost them. She asked if the Village Councilmembers could identify all potential activities that will be allowed on the property. Ms. Hone also asked if a traffic study will be performed, since a parking lot is proposed on the land at 510 West Saddle River Road and the public needs to know how this will affect the traffic in the neighborhood. Ms. Hone asked how many recreational facilities are proposed for 510 West Saddle River Road and how many people would be using these recreational facilities.
Mayor Vagianos interrupted Ms. Hone and asked her to limit her comments to the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road.
Ms. Hone stated that she is reading directly from the application that will need to be completed by the Village in order to apply for the Bergen County Trust Fund Grant. The information requested in the application form is the same information, which residents of Ridgewood have been asking the Village Council to provide to them, for the past five months. Since the Village Council will be voting on this matter this evening, Ms. Hone assumed that the Village Councilmembers have the answers to these and other questions asked by residents. She asked what the needs assessment is for this project and development. The Letter of Intent indicates that the purpose of acquiring 510 West Saddle River Road is to enhance the active and passive park area and provide additional accessibility.
Linda Tarzian, 576 Highland Avenue, asked the Village Councilmembers if they ever went to Veterans Field and used the restroom facilities there. She said that the restrooms are always filthy and some of the toilets do not work. She said that she is afraid the same thing will happen if restrooms are constructed at 510 West Saddle River Road. She reiterated that she does not support the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road. She also stated that she is stressed out thinking about the fact that an emergency services vehicle will not be able to reach a child who has been hurt playing on the proposed turf field, due to cars being parked on both sides of West Saddle River Road. Ms. Tarzian said that the police will have to be called because kids are doing drugs on the property late at night, and mothers putting their babies to bed, will be disturbed by bright lights shining into their homes. She challenged the Village Council to reverse their decision on the Schedler development plans and proceed with the original plans developed and agreed to in 2018.
Leo Ruane, 705 Kingsbridge Lane, stated that he is against the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village and is also against the application for the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant. He said that there should be a proposed management plan in place for this property. Mr. Ruane asked the Village Council to identify the pedestrian access to this property and to inform him whether or not the pedestrian access is ADA (American with Disabilities Act) compliant. He said that, to his knowledge, there are no sidewalks alongside that property and he wondered how people with disabilities would be able to access the property. Mr. Ruane also asked about vehicular access and parking on the property, and how the additional cars will affect the traffic patterns on West Saddle River Road. He also wondered if there have been any traffic studies done to determine the traffic patterns in the area.
Mr. Ruane asked if there would be restrooms constructed on the property at 510 West Saddle River Road, and he wondered what the maintenance policy would be for these restrooms. He wondered whether they would be cleaned on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. He said that this information should be made available to the public. In addition, Mr. Ruane asked what the trash management policy would be for this property, how many garbage and recycling receptacles would be placed on the property, and what the collection schedule would be. He also asked whether people will be drinking alcohol on the property, and what type of security will be provided for, at the property, to make sure that underaged children do not drink there. If the property will be made into a parking lot, Mr. Ruane asked if permanent lighting would also be installed on the property, and he asked how that lighting will affect the homes near the property. He requested answers to his questions from the Village Councilmembers.
Mayor Vagianos called for a brief recess. After returning from the recess, Mayor Vagianos said that he wanted to make sure that the Village Councilmembers hear everything that residents have to say during this Public Hearing.
Ankit Dharia, 471 West Saddle River Road, said that he lives directly across the street from the Schedler property. He said that he opposes the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. About a month ago, Mayor Vagianos told the public that the Village does not have the number of field maintenance staff that the New York Yankees have, and Mr. Dharia asked why the Village was thinking of cutting down more trees and acquiring more property that needs to be maintained. He asked how 510 West Saddle River Road would be developed. He said that if the Village does not have enough staff to maintain the existing parks and fields, he wondered how the additional land and field at the Schedler property would be maintained.
Mr. Dharia mentioned that about a month ago, during the budget hearings, the Village Councilmembers were considering furloughs of Village employees in order to arrive at an acceptable municipal tax rate increase, and the furloughs were fortunately avoided. However, he wondered why, during such a budget crunch this year, the Village was now considering spending $500,000.00+ to buy 510 West Saddle River Road. This will only increase the tax rate further for Village residents. He would like the Village Councilmembers to realize that the Village does not have an “open checkbook” to purchase more property and that Village residents cannot deal with tax increases every year.
Denise Lima, 319 East Glen Avenue, said that when there are applications being processed by the Planning Board, the application is heard first and then it is followed by a Public Hearing, during which time residents can ask questions and receive answers from the Village Engineer, architects involved in the matter, or from a plethora of other experts who are available to supply answers. Ms. Lima said that this was a Best Practice, and she wondered why this is not being followed this evening. Ms. Lima said that she opposes the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. She said that people are going to be displaced by the sports complex that is being constructed at the Schedler property, by the additional traffic that will be generated as a result, and also by the electronic billboard that is being erected on Route 17 near the Schedler property. All of these actions are creating dramatic changes to the lives, health and safety of the residents who live near the Schedler property.
Ms. Lima said that residents are scared, angry and concerned about these changes, yet despite all of the comments made by residents before the Village Council, the Village Councilmembers are arrogantly not addressing these concerns. She said that all of the Village Councilmembers are good people, but they are not listening to the concerns of the residents or responding with respect to their fears. She said that hybrid access has allowed for more transparency, and she thanked Councilmember Winograd for spearheading hybrid access, but Ms. Lima said that the Village Councilmembers are allowing people to speak over and over again, yet the Village Councilmembers don’t seem to be listening.
Ms. Lima said that she also lives along an easement and used to be able to look out her windows and see nothing but park and trees, and that is the reason why she moved to Ridgewood. However, the Village decided to approve the construction of two McMansions along the easement, on a five lot property, and now all she sees out her windows are two square McMansions, with no more trees, and cars whizzing by on Glen Avenue. She said that her property value has decreased by 30% and her quality of life has changed. She is concerned about her safety, because cars still wander down the easement thinking that it is a street. Ms. Lima said that the same thing will happen to the Schedler neighbors, and she does not feel that any of the Village Councilmembers care.
Mayor Vagianos asked Ms. Lima to limit her comments to the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road.
Ms. Lima said that what she was saying was relevant to the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road, since there is also an easement that runs along 510 West Saddle River Road and the development of the property will directly impact the lives of the people who live in the area and the property values. She said that there will be drainage issues at the Schedler property and at 510 West Saddle River Road, if a lot of paving is done and the turf field is installed. Ms. Lima said that the public has not been given any details as to how this property will be used.
Rurik Halaby, 1 Franklin Avenue, said that he fully supports the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village, if it becomes available for sale. He said that this property will make up for the one acre that was lost from the Schedler property when the berm along the highway was constructed on the Schedler property. He said that if anything will lower property values in that area, it would be the berm. He said that the current Village Council has tried to provide as much information as possible regarding the Schedler property to the public, much more than the previous Village Council ever did. He said that if he lived near the Schedler property, he would be angry at the previous Village Council and not the current one. He reminded everyone about the huge piles of dirt that covered much of the Schedler property and the trees that were cut down “willy-nilly.” He said that the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Saurabh Dani, 390 Bedford Road, requested that his comments be recorded in the meeting minutes and be submitted along with the final grant application to Bergen County. He said that he was speaking in his personal capacity. He asked where he could access a copy of the grant application and any other documents related to this Public Hearing. He said that when he has attended a Public Hearing for an ordinance, the ordinance was printed in the newspaper, with the meeting notification and meeting agenda available online. He said that he went on the Village website and did not see a copy of the grant application on which the hearing this evening is being conducted.
For the record, Mr. Dani said he opposes the Village spending any money to purchase the property at 510 West Saddle River Road. He said that the Village’s intention to buy this property was not disclosed during the ordinance hearing for a capital bond. Since Ridgewood is governed by the Faulkner Act, any bond ordinance can be challenged by residents within a few weeks of the ordinance being voted on, and bond ordinances are required to have a Public Hearing. Mr. Dani said that this intended property acquisition was not disclosed when the ordinance was discussed and approved this year. The purchase of this property was not discussed during the budget hearings, which resulted in a 5% tax increase.
Mr. Dani said that when he joined the meeting this evening remotely, he did not see all Village Councilmembers present on the dais to listen to public comments. He expressed the hope that any Village Councilmember, who was not present on the dais for the entire Public Hearing, will recuse themselves from the final vote.
Steve Kim, 291 Highland Avenue, stated that he was against the proposed purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village with tax dollars. He said that this was a terrible and ridiculous idea, since the Village is running out of money and is even borrowing money. Mr. Kim said that although it seems the Village Councilmembers have already made up their minds to purchase this property, he expressed the hope that they would reconsider this purchase. He stated that this will be an idiotic legacy left behind by the Village Councilmembers.
Denise Lima, 319 East Glen Avenue, wondered why Mayor Vagianos did not interrupt Mr. Halaby from speaking when he spoke about prior Village Councils and the berm at the Schedler property, which have nothing to do with this Public Hearing. She said that she is looking for fairness moving forward.
Kristina Milian, 530 West Saddle River Road, asked the Village Councilmembers to find time to meet with residents to discuss the proposed purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road. In that way, they would understand what residents are talking about and the concerns they are expressing, especially the neighbor who spoke previously, who lives only 15 feet away from the property. Ms. Milian said that they need to tell that neighbor where they plan to install bathrooms and a parking lot on that property, while at the same time endorsing the Green Amendment.
Through an OPRA request, Ms. Milian learned that the Letter of Intent was already signed by Mayor Vagianos in April to acquire 510 West Saddle River Road. She said that she attended the joint meeting between the Open Space Committee and Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board, which was also attended by Councilmember Winograd and Deputy Mayor Perron, and these two Village Councilmembers did not confirm that this Letter of Intent had already been signed. She said that she will give them the benefit of the doubt that they did not know it already had been signed, but Ms. Milian would like clarification this evening whether they had actually known that Mayor Vagianos had signed the Letter of Intent.
Ms. Milian stated that residents have to scurry around to get to Village Council meetings and arrange for babysitters, so that they can make comments before the Village Council, get answers to their questions, and obtain information that has not been made available to the public. She said that the Village Council prides itself on transparency, but the lack of disclosure to the public of important information contradicts this statement. A prime example of this hypocrisy is the Village’s intended purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road, which Ms. Milian stated was one of the most disingenuous acts that the Village Council has committed. She said that she agreed with Mr. Loving that the public trust of the Village Council is completely broken. However, Ms. Milian said that she is cautiously optimistic that the public trust can be restored. Moving forward, Ms. Milian asked the Village Councilmembers to respect the Schedler neighborhood and to personally meet with the neighbors who will be directly impacted by this proposed purchase.
Dana Glazer, 61 Clinton Avenue, asked Mr. Rogers if there will be a vote this evening regarding the proposed purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. Mr. Rogers said that there will be a discussion and the Village Council will decide whether or not to vote on it. If there is a vote this evening, then there will be further discussion.
Mr. Glazer said that he assumed that the Village Councilmembers will be answering some of the questions asked by Village residents this evening. Mr. Glazer asked if the public can make more comments or ask follow-up questions after their original questions have been answered by the Village Councilmembers. He called the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road a “mystery box,” because the public has no pertinent information regarding this property. Since the public has no information, they do not know the proper questions to ask.
Mayor Vagianos said that once the Public Hearing is closed, there will be no opportunity for the public to make any more comments or ask any more questions. Councilmember Reynolds asked if there could be a discussion by the Village Councilmembers before the Public Hearing is closed. Mr. Rogers replied that the Village Councilmembers will have a discussion after the Public Hearing is closed. He said that once the Public Hearing is closed, there is no further opportunity for the public to ask questions or comment further. Councilmember Reynolds echoed Mr. Glazer’s sentiment that people cannot ask pertinent questions if they do not have the appropriate information disseminated to them. Councilmember Reynolds stated that she doesn’t even have all of the information, except for the scant information disclosed during a recent Closed Session. There was no purchase price given for the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road.
Mr. Glaser said that he assumed that there would be some lighting installed at 510 West Saddle River Road, if there is a parking lot constructed. He asked what type of lighting would be installed and what sort of impact these lights will have on the quality of life of the adjacent neighbors. Mr. Glazer also asked who will be providing security for this property, considering that there was a budget crunch this year and only one additional police officer will be hired.
Cynthia O’Keefe, 542 West Saddle River Road, thanked Councilmember Reynolds for always speaking her mind. Speaking only on her own behalf, Ms. O’Keefe feels that many residents are angry, frustrated and hurt because none of the Village Councilmembers, except Councilmember Reynolds, have expressed any sympathy or understanding to the residents who will be detrimentally impacted by the decisions being made by the Village Council.
Ms. O’Keefe noted on the Letter of Intent that the deadline for submitting it was April 14, 2023. She asked if there were actual discussions with the property owner of 510 West Saddle River Road regarding the purchase of the property by the Village or whether the Letter of Intent was merely a placeholder for future conversations. She asked what would happen if the property owner, in this sellers’ market, decides to increase the purchase price. She asked how much the Village is willing to pay for this property, despite the fact that the Village has no extra money to do so. Ms. O’Keefe asked how many signatures of residents were needed on a petition before the Village Councilmembers would take heed and notice that the residents were not happy with the decisions being made by the Village Councilmembers and are fighting for their neighborhood. She reiterated that she vehemently opposes the Village applying for this grant and purchasing 510 West Saddle River Road.
Jacqueline Hone, 30 Carriage Lane, said that she wanted to go on record that she opposes the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. The grant application deadline is Friday, May 12, 2023, which will give the Village Council only a day or two to answer every single question on the grant application, including the checklist that she previously reviewed. She said that every single comment made this evening during the Public Hearing will have to be submitted, along with the grant application, to Bergen County. Ms. Hone said that there is one question on the grant application, which asks if the Village is being compliant with the Council on Affordable Housing, with respect to acquisition of more property. The Village will also have to indicate whether there are any encroachments upon neighboring property owners on the subject site. There were many residents who spoke this evening stating that it will be a complete encroachment on their properties, and there will also be encroachment upon the easement road on that site.
In addition, Ms. Hone said that the Village will have to provide an “Initial Project Finance Sheet.” She said that the public has not received any financial information regarding this property acquisition, so she assumes that money has already been set aside for this purchase or the Village Council will “whip it together” in 24 hours. She asked why that information has not been provided to the public.
The Village will also have to provide municipal financial documents with the grant application, including annual and most recent copies, along with a supplemental debt statement and capital year programs forecast. In addition, the Village needs to provide environmental and natural resource characteristics and site features of the property. There are key questions from the Executive Director of the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund that the Village will have to answer. She wondered whether the Village already has the relevant information and it is just not being supplied to the public, or whether it will be “whipped up” in 24 hours. Other questions include why the property is being acquired, the name of the current owner of the property, whether the owner is willing to sell the property, the current owner’s asking price, whether negotiations have begun, whether a purchase contract agreement been signed, and the appraised or market value of the land.
Ms. Hone stated that open space land acquisition applicants are required to submit an appraisal report to determine the fair market value of the land. Ms. Hone asked the Village Councilmembers if they have such an appraisal or if they plan to also “whip that up” in 24 hours. There is a question on the grant application asking how the land will be used, whether for active or passive recreation, conservation, or a nature preserve, for example. Ms. Hone stated that since the deadline is looming, she assumes that the Village Councilmembers already have the answers to all of these questions. Therefore, she asked whether the Village Council is again failing to provide vital information to the public and whether this matter is being discussed behind closed doors.
Ms. Hone said that the tables where the agendas are located are completely bare and the public has not been given any information regarding this matter, despite the fact that the grant application must be submitted by May 12, 2023. She asked the Village Councilmembers to provide answers to all of the questions raised by the public this evening, and allow the public to ask further questions based upon the answers provided, before the Public Hearing is closed.
Chandra Chacon, 640 East Ridgewood Avenue, said that according to the most recent plans approved by the Village Council for the Schedler property, including the full-sized turf field, there is approximately 60% impervious coverage, through which no water can pass. She asked what plans have been developed by the Village to divert water from the Schedler property, when it cannot penetrate the ground. If there is no immediate answer to this question, Ms. Chacon asked the Village Councilmembers if they could visit the Schedler property with the Village Engineer and Village Planner so that this matter can be discussed. She said that the public needs to hear from the Village Engineer and Village Planner regarding 510 West Saddle River Road as well, concerning drainage systems.
Ms. Chacon also wondered how an emergency vehicle will be able to access 510 West Saddle River Road, and the residents who live adjacent to that property, along the single-lane easement. She said that when she intends to build something, she must, by law, assure the municipality that emergency vehicles will be able to access the property in the event of an emergency. She said that a fire truck will not be able to reach the private homes in the event of an emergency, if there is even only one vehicle parked along that easement.
Ms. Chacon said that volunteers are needed for Project Pride to plant flowers in the Central Business District so that it can look beautiful, yet the Village is planning to raze numerous trees on the Schedler and adjacent properties. The Village does not have enough money to pay staff to plant these flowers, yet they are planning to purchase additional property. She said that the Village Council is saying, “let’s build a parking lot,” yet the public has been given no information regarding the development of 510 West Saddle River Road.
Regarding the artificial turf field that will be constructed on the Schedler property, Ms. Chacon said that Ridgewood Water currently has a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the artificial turf company. She said that there are serious issues with PFAS in the drinking water, yet the Village Council has decided to exacerbate those issues by installing an artificial turf field on the Schedler property.
Boyd A. Loving, 342 South Irving Street, once again stated that he is opposed to the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. He said that he has never seen members of the public treated the way they are currently being treated by the Village Council (except for Councilmember Reynolds). Mr. Loving said that the Village Councilmembers look as though they can’t wait for people to leave and that they don’t care about what people are saying. He said that the Village Council is holding this Public Hearing just so that they can check off that box on the grant application. He said that residents will remember the actions of the Village Councilmembers when it comes time for them to vote.
Vince Marticek, Jr., 512 West Saddle River Road, stated once again that he opposes the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village, especially for the purpose of constructing a parking lot. He said that if there is even one vehicle parked on the private easement near this property, there is no way that an emergency services vehicle would be able to access the homes along that easement. In addition, homeowners would not be able to reach their homes if there is a car parked on the easement. There are fences near the homes to safeguard their property, and there is no way a firetruck would be able to get through the easement if there is a car parked on it.
Mr. Marticek asked where the stormwater is going to drain off the property, since the Schedler property floods and the Village plans to construct a parking lot on 510 West Saddle River Road. After the last heavy rainstorm, he noted giant puddles on the land. After artificial turf and asphalt are placed on both properties, Mr. Marticek wondered where the water runoff would go. In addition, if toilets are installed at 510 West Saddle River Road, he asked what would happen to the waste. He asked if sewer lines would be installed to dispose of the waste or if Port-A-Potties would be placed on the lot and cleaned by a cesspool company.
Mr. Marticek asked what plans the Village is proposing for stormwater management. He wondered whether the runoff would cause flooding on Route 17 or to people’s homes. He said that he has seen flooding on Route 17, even after a quick rainstorm. Mr. Marticek said that his front lawn floods, and so does the easement, after a rainstorm. Adding the artificial turf field and parking lot to the mix will further exacerbate the drainage problem. He stated that the water runoff from the artificial turf, which has PFAS as a component, will leach into the ground and contaminate the soil and well water. He said that he depends upon well water for drinking and wonders whether the water will be poisoned by the runoff. Mr. Marticek wondered whether the nearby residents will constantly have to pay to have their water tested for PFAS or be forced to spend tons of money to install whole house water filtration systems in their homes. He wondered whether the Village Councilmembers would pay for these tests or filtration systems if their actions cause the residents’ water to become contaminated.
Mayor Vagianos asked Mr. Marticek to please focus on the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village.
Mr. Marticek said that he was focusing on the property acquisition. He said that the public has been given no information on how the Village plans to develop 510 West Saddle River Road, and Mayor Vagianos has indicated that the public will not be able to make any comments once the Public Hearing is closed and answers to questions, if any, are given by the Village Councilmembers. He said that Councilmember Reynolds has even stated that she knows very little about what the Village plans to do with this property.
Linda Tarzian, 576 Highland Avenue, stated that she is against the proposed purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road with taxpayer money. She asked what happens afterwards, if this proposed purchase goes through against the wishes of a large part of the community, and the pillaging of this beautiful, pristine parcel of land begins. Mr. Rogers said that he is the wrong person to ask and that Ms. Tarzian should seek legal counsel on her own.
Ms. Tarzian asked whether this matter should have first gone before the Planning Board. Mr. Rogers replied that this is a Public Hearing about an application for Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund monies, and it is not a development application. He said that Open Space does not look at engineering aspects, site plans, impervious coverage, or anything that one might find in a regular development application. He added that the artificial turf to be used on the Schedler property for the field is not impervious.
Ms. Tarzian asked the Village Councilmembers, except for Councilmember Reynolds, if this was the legacy that they wanted to leave to future generations, by ignoring residents’ concerns and fears. She pleaded with the Village Councilmembers to work with these residents to come up with a plan that closely mirrors the plans developed many years ago by numerous stakeholders. She asked why the Village Council was so adamant about pursuing the purchase of a property that does not seem to be needed. She said that another sports field is not needed, either.
Laurie Weber, 235 South Irving Street, said that the Village plans to use 510 West Saddle River Road as a parking area and restrooms. She spoke earlier about her concerns about drainage issues on the property. She said that she wanted to read excerpts from a January 26, 2023 email from James Morgan, who is on the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board.
Mayor Vagianos asked Ms. Weber if this pertains to the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road.
Ms. Weber replied that it pertains to drainage issues on the property, if the plans involve the paving over of the property for parking. She asked Mayor Vagianos to please stop interrupting everyone who is speaking, saying that it was rude and disrespectful. Ms. Weber once again stated that she wanted to read portions of a January 26, 2023 email from James Morgan to Councilmember Winograd, regarding his inspection of the Schedler property: “The area had much more groundwater and boggy areas than I had thought, after looking at the topographical maps. I better understand why the plan has that depressed garden on the eastern property line. Any plan will need to address the drainage issues.” She said that the same issues will be seen on the property at 510 West Saddle River Road.
Saurabh Dani, 390 Bedford Road, said that a resident mentioned that Mayor Vagianos signed the Letter of Intent regarding this matter. He asked if there was an appropriate resolution passed that authorized Mayor Vagianos to sign this Letter of Intent. He asked when that resolution was approved and if the minutes to the meeting during which this occurred were available on the Village website. The Letter of Intent lists the purchase price at $450,000.00. In the current Ridgewood housing market, Mr. Dani said that homes are being sold for approximately 1.4 times the tax assessed value. He said that, therefore, 510 West Saddle River Road will probably be sold to the Village at a much higher price than $450,000.00.
Mr. Dani stated that the Letter of Intent indicates that the Village is asking Bergen County to contribute 50% of the purchase price in the form of a Bergen County Trust Fund Grant. He asked if the Village’s contribution is coming from the Operating Budget. Mr. Dani said that this Letter of Intent was signed by Mayor Vagianos before the budget was adopted this year, which resulted in a 5+% municipal tax rate increase. He stated that the Village Councilmembers obviously knew about this expense (the purchase price for the property) and it was not disclosed during the budget hearings. If the money to purchase this property is coming from a Capital Bond, that intent was also not disclosed during a bond ordinance hearing. Mr. Dani said that the intent to purchase this property was known before the bond ordinance was voted on and before the budget was adopted, yet it was not disclosed to the public.
Patty Infantino, 6 Betty Court, said that she objects to the proposed acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village, also known as the Mary Greene property. She said that she inadvertently heard that the Village was planning on purchasing this property through “buzz” circulating around her neighborhood, but that there was never any disclosure to the public. She said that this whole matter has been done surreptitiously, and denials were made by some Village Councilmembers, that they knew anything about this property acquisition. However, this was contradicted by the fact that Mayor Vagianos signed the Letter of Intent on April 14, 2023. She accused the Village Councilmembers of knowing beforehand what would be done with the Schedler development as well, way before the public was even informed. She said that residents this evening are objecting to things that they think the Village will do on 510 West Saddle River Road, but they are not really sure, because they haven’t been given sufficient information.
Jacqueline Hone, 30 Carriage Lane, said she wanted to go on record as saying that she opposed the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. She said that the grant application checklist requires a lot of items that must be done by May 12, 2024, leaving only 24 hours for the Village Council to get it done. The grant application requires a “Municipal Supplemental Debt Statement,” project description, benefits narrative, proposed management plan, completed property owner consent form, and municipal resolution authorizing submission of the application. Ms. Hone again asked the Village Councilmembers if they have a completed property owner consent form, proposed management plan, project description, benefits narrative, detrimental analysis narrative, historic preservation review, and all of the other information that is required to be submitted, along with the grant application. If they do have this information, Ms. Hone asked why it has not been provided to the public. If they do not have it, then they have only 24 hours within which to get it all done. Ms. Hone also asked if the information will be posted on the website once it is completed. She wondered when the public will get the opportunity to review these documents.
Ms. Hone continued by stating that there are other sections of the grant application which need to be filled in, including a description of the land to be acquired, reasons why the Village is seeking to acquire the land, the name of the current property owner, whether the current owner is willing to sell the property, the current owner’s asking price, whether negotiations have begun, whether a purchase contract agreement been signed, the appraised or market value of the land, a description of how the land will be used, whether there are any existing structures and if they meet the requirement for historic preservation, whether any existing structures would be used or removed, and what natural environmental features are present on the property. Ms. Hone asked if the Village Engineer or Parks and Recreation Department representative have developed plans for how 510 West Saddle River Road will be used, and whether or not they were even asked to provide a plan.
Ms. Hone said that the grant application also asks if there are any historic structures, features or elements present on or adjacent to the project site. She added that the adjacent Schedler property is listed on the National and State Registries of Historic Places, which means that an historical assessment will also have to be performed regarding 510 West Saddle River Road. The grant application asks how the land will be paid for, from where the funding will originate, other than from the trust fund grant, and the anticipated date of the real estate closing.
Nancy Friedman, 526 West Saddle River Road, again stated that she is against the application to acquire 510 West Saddle River Road. She likened the Public Hearing this evening to a filibuster, but stated that some very serious concerns have been raised by residents. She said that it would be reasonable for the Village Councilmembers to delay the vote on this matter, until information that is more meaningful is available for review by them and the residents.
Councilmember Reynolds said that Village Council meetings usually end at 11:00 p.m., and she was surprised that no one mentioned that it was past that time. She said that she is usually the one who asks that the time be extended to hear comments from residents.
Since there were no further comments, Mayor Vagianos moved to close the Public Hearing. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Vagianos thanked everyone who spoke this evening, stating that this is a very important issue and it is obviously something about which everyone feels passionate. He said that the criticism was impassioned and respectful and that is how the Village Councilmembers hear what residents are saying, since disrespectful remarks are not heard as clearly. He assured everyone that the Village Councilmembers heard everything that was said during the Public Hearing. He said that it has been the general practice of this Village Council and prior Village Councils to wait until the Public Hearing is closed before addressing questions, although there have been exceptions made in the past.
Mayor Vagianos stated that there has been absolutely no decision made or discussion about acquiring 510 West Saddle River Road. He stated that a Village staff member was responsible for filing a Letter of Intent with the Bergen County Trust Fund regarding the playground at the Schedler property (which was rescinded in 11A of this meeting’s agenda). This grant application was due on the day it was given to him to sign. That particular staff member had been absent from work for several days due to a family matter, and there was a rush to get the Letter of Intent signed by him. In reading that Letter of Intent, it was discovered that there was also grant money available for the acquisition of park property. No one knew at that time if 510 West Saddle River Road was for sale, and no one knows at this time whether it is for sale. Ms. Mailander, as Village Manager, made the decision that the Letter of Intent should be filed that same day.
Mayor Vagianos stated that the grant application to the Bergen County Trust Fund for the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road is due by May 12, 2023. If the Village decides to acquire this property, which is contiguous to the Schedler tract, the grant money would be worthwhile. He said that all property contiguous to property owned by the Village is something that is considered by the Village Council. He cited as an example the property on which the new Ridgewood Water Headquarters is located, since that property is contiguous with the property on which the Village offices are located.
Mayor Vagianos said that the Village has reached out to the owners of 510 West Saddle River Road, and at this time it is unknown if the property is even for sale. However, the Village is moving forward in applying for the grant monies. He apologized that he waited until the Public Hearing was closed before making these comments, but he said that he was just following general practice. Mayor Vagianos reiterated that the Village Councilmembers heard all comments, and he reminded everyone that there were three Village Councilmembers who met with neighbors in their homes for hours, to discuss the development of the Schedler property and answer their questions.
Councilmember Weitz echoed the views expressed by Mayor Vagianos and stated that he feels there was some misunderstanding this evening. He said that the Public Hearing pertained to the Village’s application for grant monies, and that no decisions have been made regarding the development of 510 West Saddle River Road, if and when it is purchased. He said that he did not know where the ideas of bathrooms, parking lot, and stadium lights on the property originated. Councilmember Weitz said he agreed with Mayor Vagianos’s statement that the Village is always interested in exploring land for possible purchase that is contiguous to property owned by the Village. He said that he is a fan of green space, and stated that there is not enough open public space in the Village.
Councilmember Weitz reminded everyone that the Village Councilmembers have been listening to public comments for four hours. The Village Councilmembers have been advised by Mr. Rogers that there are certain legal things that they are not allowed to speak about, but he stated that the Village should explore buying property that is contiguous to public land. He said that the Village would be foolish not to apply for any grant monies that are available. Councilmember Weitz said that this evening was just the beginning of the discussion about the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road. He acknowledged that the issues surrounding the easement near this property are real, and he said that residents this evening made some great points regarding same. He said that if the property becomes available and the Village buys this property, and a plan is developed that makes sense, this conversation has to be had with residents before the Village Councilmembers “pull the trigger.” However, Councilmember Weitz said that the Public Hearing this evening was merely about filing the grant application. He said that if the Village did not file a grant application and used taxpayer money only to purchase the property, then the Village Council would be derelict in their duties.
Councilmember Reynolds said that even if grant monies were received (50% of the purchase price of the property), the Village still has no extra money to pay for this acquisition. She said that the Village should not be spending money to buy property, when there are pressing safety issues that need to be addressed in the Village. If the Village plans to bond for more money than is in the Village’s Capital Budget this year, Councilmember Reynolds said that the Village should use the money for safety projects, such as the West Glen Avenue sidewalks and the Kingsbridge Lane Footbridge, rather than buying a piece of property.
Councilmember Reynolds asked Ms. Mailander if she has started to fill out the grant application to the Bergen County Trust Fund, and Ms. Mailander replied that she has. When asked how much time Ms. Mailander has spent filling out the grant application, Ms. Mailander said that she could not estimate the time. Mayor Vagianos said that the application must be submitted by May 12, 2023. Councilmember Reynolds responded by stating that it seems like a very involved and complex application, and she said that she does not want to waste the time of Village staff to fill out the application for nothing. Councilmember Reynolds asked if the Engineering Department staff need to spend time filling out the application, and Ms. Mailander replied that there are several departmental staff who need to spend time towards filling out the application.
Councilmember Reynolds said that she agreed, in theory, that buying a piece of property contiguous to publicly owned land is good. However, she said that she does not trust the Village Council to do the right thing with the property if it were purchased, and that is the reason why she would be completely against the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road by the Village. If money is going to be bonded, then Councilmember Reynolds said that the money should be spent to enhance safety in the Village. She feels that employees’ time and money are being wasted on this matter. In a year where the budget is tight, Councilmember Reynolds said that the Village cannot be frivolous with money. The Village employees are not allowed to work any overtime this year, and to have them spend time on a grant application fraught with problems is wrong.
Deputy Mayor Perron said that she was sorry that the residents are in a position where they do not seem to know much about this matter. She said that the Village Councilmembers do not know everything, either, but they must abide by the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). The only exceptions to OPMA deal with contract negotiations and other matters. She said that if the Village were to purchase 510 West Saddle River Road, she would ask that the parking lot be made out of permeable material, which does exist, and that the parking lot not be close to the neighbors. She would not vote in favor of lights on the parking lot. She has not heard that the Village is going to condemn other properties through eminent domain or even the property at 510 West Saddle River Road. Deputy Mayor Perron said that the property at 510 West Saddle River Road is unimproved and there is no house on it, so she believes that the lot is not as valuable or expensive as other properties in Ridgewood. She feels that the acquisition of this property is worth exploring.
Deputy Mayor Perron said that she has been on the Open Space Committee for 2-1/2 years, and there are no other places in Ridgewood that are readily available. Residents have said that the sports field could be built somewhere other than on the Schedler property, but there are no other alternative sites. She asked Mr. Rogers if a Letter of Intent binds the Village to anything. Mr. Rogers said that a Letter of Intent does not bind the Village to any contractual obligations, but is merely an intentional statement about the possible acquisition of property.
Regarding a previous comment made about installing French drains around the existing turf fields in the Village, Deputy Mayor Perron said that piping stormwater underground and into lakes, streams and stormwater inlets was popular in the 1970s, but is no longer a Best Practice. When water is transported far away, it does not percolate down into the aquifer, so there is no “recharge” of the aquifer. French drains are no longer an accepted method of flood or stormwater management. She said that she was still thinking about the grant application for the property acquisition and has not yet made up her mind. She added that she has listened to all comments made this evening.
Councilmember Winograd said that she feels bad for the neighbors and has met with the neighbors for discussions on numerous occasions. She said that when the Village Councilmembers are told not to talk about certain matters by Mr. Rogers, they must adhere to his advice. Councilmember Winograd said that the purchase of the Schedler property was achieved partly through a Bergen County Trust Fund grant, during a “very scary” economic time for the Village. She said that exploring the acquisition of 510 West Saddle River Road is a responsibility of the Village Council regarding open space. Land adjacent to publicly owned land is very desirable. She said that Citizens Park was expanded through the acquisition of contiguous land.
Councilmember Winograd said that her only concern with acquiring 510 West Saddle River Road would be funding, and she stated that it is worthwhile for the Village to see if grant monies can be obtained through the Bergen County Trust Fund. She stated that at no time was there a discussion about constructing a parking lot on the property. She said that she has had many discussions with the neighbors concerning the easement that runs along 510 West Saddle River Road. Councilmember Winograd stated that she feels that the additional property would allow the field to be built further away from the Zabriskie-Schedler house, so that there is no encroachment. She said that once the Schedler project is completed, maintenance will be the responsibility of the Parks Department and security will be the responsibility of the Police Department. She said that if one looks at the approved design for the Schedler property, small curb cuts will be made along the sidewalks on West Saddle River Road so that parked cars will not impede the passage of emergency vehicles. This design is posted on the Village website.
Councilmember Winograd added that there are currently no plans to install lights on the field to be constructed at the Schedler property, and there are no conduits installed for future lighting. Referring to a comment made by a resident that the installation of the turf field and the parking lot would make the property 60% impervious, Councilmember Winograd said that this was incorrect. She said that the field will have drainage, when and if it is built. She said that the renovations to the house are very close to being finished, and there will need to be parking available on the property to accommodate visitors to the house. That is the reason why a parking lot is very important.
Councilmember Winograd said that for the first time this evening, she heard that people are “anti-bathroom.” She said that the original plans for the Schedler property called for four bathrooms to be constructed. She said that if the neighbors are against having bathrooms on the property, they should let Councilmember Winograd know and they can talk about this during the planning stages. She said that there were certain items on which the Village Councilmembers could not respond, per advice by Mr. Rogers. She acknowledged how frustrated the residents are and expressed gratitude to the people who spoke this evening.
Mr. Rogers said that one of the exceptions to OPMA is when a matter pertains to the purchase, sale or lease of real property, mainly because a government entity may need to negotiate in confidence with another party and obtain information that may not be able to be obtained if it is leaked to the public. Mr. Rogers said that people have been interrupted while speaking this evening, because they were drifting off topic. He said that on several occasions, members of the Schedler community, together with a lawyer who said that he represented some of these neighbors, indicated that they are going to challenge whatever action the Village Council takes concerning the Schedler property. Mr. Rogers said that he has been told that these people will take legal action against the proposed development of the Schedler property. Considering this, and also taking into account that on some occasions, the Village Councilmembers were being taped without their knowledge, Mr. Rogers advised the Village Councilmembers to refrain from making comments unless absolutely necessary. He said that statements can be taken out of context or misunderstood. Mr. Rogers said that this was standard operating legal practice. If someone knows that they will be sued, that person will not engage in a discourse with the other party.
Councilmember Weitz noted that it was already past 11:00 p.m., and he proposed that the Village Council meeting be extended to 12:30 p.m. Ms. Mailander said that she would prefer to finish the agenda, and Mayor Vagianos agreed.
9. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
Ms. Mailander indicated that the following resolutions, numbered 23-160 through 23-166, were to be adopted by a consent agenda and read by title only:
10. ORDINANCES
A. INTRODUCTION – #3958 – AMEND CHAPTER 145 – FEES – SIGNIFICANT SEWER DISCHARGER FEES
Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3958 by title on first reading. Councilmember Reynolds seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3958 by title only:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 145 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, FEES, AT SECTION 145-6, “ENUMERATION OF FEES RELATING TO CODE CHAPERS”
Councilmember Weitz moved that Ordinance #3958 be adopted on first reading and that June 14, 2023 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Councilmember Reynolds seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
B. PUBLIC HEARING - #3942 – AMEND CHAPTER 3 – ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT
Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3942 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3942 by title only:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, ARTICLE II, OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ENTITLED “VILLAGE COUNCIL,” AT SECTION 5 ENTITLED “ANNUAL ORGANIZATION” AND SECTION 6 ENTITLED “MAYOR; DEPUTY MAYOR; PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE.”
Mayor Vagianos opened the Public Hearing on Ordinance #3942.
Boyd A. Loving, 342 South Irving Street, reminded Deputy Mayor Perron that this is a Public Hearing and not public comments. He said that he believes he is entitled to ask a question, per Mr. Rogers.
Mr. Loving said that he was confused, since he attended a Village Council in November when it was proposed that Ordinance #3942 be revised. He recalled that Mayor Vagianos took great exception to a line in the ordinance, which remains in the ordinance presented this evening, which referred to the fact that in the event the Village Council could not decide by vote who will be the Mayor, it will revert to whomever got the largest number of votes in the last Municipal Election. He asked why this revision has not been made in that regard.
Mayor Vagianos said that he would reply to Mr. Loving’s remarks after the Public Hearing is closed.
There were no further public comments, and Mayor Vagianos moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Vagianos stated that Mr. Loving was correct in saying that he had objected to a portion of Ordinance #3942 when it was first proposed. Mayor Vagianos said that he does object to the way the ordinance is written, because he does not feel that this is the correct way to go about this. Therefore, he said that he will not be supporting Ordinance #3942 until it is modified. He thanked Mr. Loving for pointing this out.
Mr. Rogers indicated that the Ordinance will have to be done all over again, and Councilmember Winograd felt that this would be a waste of time, money and effort. She stated that the role of Mayor is purely ceremonial and feels that Village Councilmembers should work as a team. She would like to move Ordinance #3942 forward and vote to adopt it.
Councilmember Reynolds moved that Ordinance #3942 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Reynolds and Winograd
NAYS: Councilmembers Perron, Weitz, and Mayor Vagianos
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Ms. Mailander indicated that this matter can be discussed by the Village Council at a later date, if the Village Councilmembers wish to amend Ordinance #3942.
C. PUBLIC HEARING - #3954 – AMEND CHAPTER 265 - VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC – NO STOPPING OR STANDING – VARIOUS WELL HOUSES
Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3954 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Deputy Mayor Perron seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3954 by title only:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT SECTION 265-20, “NO STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING,” AND SECTION 265-66, SCHEDULE XVI, “NO STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING”
Mayor Vagianos opened the Public Hearing on Ordinance #3954. There were no public comments, and Mayor Vagianos moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Deputy Mayor Perron seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilmember Winograd moved that Ordinance #3954 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Deputy Mayor Perron seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
D. PUBLIC HEARING - #3955 – AMEND CHAPTER 145 – FEES – FIRE DEPARTMENT FEES
Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3955 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3955 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”
Mayor Vagianos opened the Public Hearing on Ordinance #3955. There were no public comments, and Mayor Vagianos moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilmember Reynolds moved that Ordinance #3955 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
E. PUBLIC HEARING - #3956 – AMEND CHAPTER 133 – REFUSE CONTAINERS
Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3956 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilmember Reynolds seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3956 by title only:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 133 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, REFUSE CONTAINERS, AT SECTION 133-4, “APPLICATION FOR PERMIT; FEES; TERM; REGULATIONS”
Mayor Vagianos opened the Public Hearing on Ordinance #3956. There were no public comments, and Mayor Vagianos moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Councilmember Reynolds seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Deputy Mayor Perron moved that Ordinance #3956 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilmember Reynolds seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
F. PUBLIC HEARING - #3957 – AMEND CHAPTER 18 – GREEN RIDGEWOOD COMPOSITION AND MEMBERSHIP
Mayor Vagianos moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3957 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read Ordinance #3957 by title only:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 18 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, GREEN RIDGEWOOD COMMITTEE, AT SECTION 18-4, “COMPOSITION, TERMS”
Mayor Vagianos opened the Public Hearing on Ordinance #3957. There were no public comments, and Mayor Vagianos moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilmember Weitz moved that Ordinance #3957 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Weitz, Winograd, and Mayor Vagianos
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
11. RESOLUTIONS
Ms. Mailander indicated that the following resolutions, numbered 23-167 through 23-180, were to be adopted by a consent agenda and read by title only:
Ms. Mailander indicated that the following resolutions, numbered 23-181 through 23-183, will be considered separately and would be read in full:
Regarding Resolution #23-181, Deputy Mayor Perron said that the trash receptacles are not just being replaced for aesthetic reasons. They are being replaced to maintain the health of employees and residents. She said that the current trash receptacles are in such bad shape that she is afraid that animals and vermin may get into the trash, and that is why she is voting in favor of the Village purchasing new trash receptacles and recycling cans for the Central Business District.
Regarding Resolution #23-182, Councilmember Reynolds reiterated that she felt the grant application to the Bergen County Trust Fund is a waste of Village employees’ time and a waste of money. She stated that the property is not even for sale, and she does not feel that the property is very valuable, since there is no house on the property. She feels that the Village will pay more for this property than it is worth. That is the reason why she is voting against the adoption of Resolution #23-182.
Regarding Resolution #23-183, Councilmember Winograd thanked Ms. Mailander for placing this matter on the agenda so quickly. She also thanked Timothy Graham for joining the Shade Tree Commission, since they were missing one member.
12. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mayor Vagianos asked if there were any additional comments or questions from the public. He said that he would allow only ten minutes for public comments, due to the late hour. Councilmember Weitz agreed with Mayor Vagianos.
Boyd A. Loving, 342 South Irving Street, said that he is absolutely opposed to the taxpayer funding of $59,000.00 for the purchase of new garbage cans. He said that Councilmember Winograd previously stated that there was an issue with the manufacturer of the plastic garbage cans that are currently in service. There was going to be a request for legal action to be taken so that some money could be reimbursed for the purchase of the new garbage cans from the manufacturer of the current garbage cans. He said that the public has not heard any follow-up comments regarding this matter and he asked what the status was of this matter.
Mr. Loving stated that there have been several social media posts indicating that someone was deliberately going around and damaging the current plastic garbage cans, so that new ones could be purchased. He said that most of these cans are located in the CBD, and he felt that someone must have a surveillance video of someone damaging those cans. He said that he is requesting an investigation by the Police Department regarding who was damaging these cans. He said that juveniles might have done the damage. However, if the perpetrator can be found, perhaps some restitution could be made by that person for the damage to the current garbage cans. This restitution may come from the perpetrator him/herself, the perpetrator’s parents, or their homeowner’s insurance company. He said that no stone should be left unturned in this matter.
Mr. Loving said that although $59,000.00 is not a tremendous amount of money, relative to the 2023 Budget, taxpayers should not be absorbing the burden of paying for these replacement cans if the previous manufacturer owes some sort of reimbursement to the Village or if the person damaging these cans can be arrested and pay restitution.
Mr. Loving said that some Village Councilmembers made comments this evening about the acquisition of property near public parks. He said that there have been several houses for sale on Warren Street and in the Newcomb Road area. Mr. Loving stated that he has never heard any discussion by the Village Council, in the 23 years that he has been attending Village Council meetings, about purchasing homes in areas other than Citizens Park. Therefore, he said that the comments made earlier were a “lot of malarkey.” He said that the Village is not always looking for homes near parks, but rather is looking for property near the Schedler property. He said that the Village Councilmembers should stop putting “fantasy” in the heads of the public.
Jacqueline Hone, 30 Carriage Lane, stated that Resolution #23-182 is listing an amount to purchase 510 West Saddle River Road of $325,000.00, yet the Declaration Intent to Apply lists an amount of $225,000.00, with a total project budget of $450,000.00. She said that the $450,000.00 figure was initialed by “P.V.” and signed by Mayor Vagianos. Ms. Hone asked whether the purchase price is $225,000.00, $450,000.00, or $325,000.00.
Ms. Hone said that she is greatly offended by the comments made by Councilmembers Weitz and Winograd indicating that they were listening to the statements being made by the public this evening, during the Public Hearing for the acquisition of property at 510 Saddle River Road. She said that, on multiple occasions, she read out loud that the proposed purchase would be adjacent to two proposed ball fields and provide additional accessibility to the park, as well as onsite parking. She said that this sounds like a parking lot to her. Ms. Hone said either these Village Councilmembers never received a copy of the Letter of Intent, did not know anything about it, or simply never read the paperwork and came to the meeting unprepared.
Regarding lighting on the proposed parking lot, Ms. Hone said that the Village Engineer stated on multiple occasions at previous Village Council meetings that the parking lot would absolutely require lighting. She said that it was disingenuous and sending misinformation to the public for the Village Councilmembers to say that no lighting will be installed at this property. She accused the Village Councilmembers of not doing their homework before the Public Hearing this evening.
Kristina Milian, 530 West Saddle River Road, thanked the Village Council for allowing public comments at the end of this meeting. She asked the Village Councilmembers to please stop talking about the meetings that took place between Village Councilmembers and the neighbors in the Schedler community. She said that many questions asked by the neighbors were answered with an “I don’t know.” Ms. Milian said it was not as though the Village Councilmembers flooded the neighbors with a lot of information.
As an example, Ms. Milian stated that at a meeting in the home of Jacqueline Hone, on Sunday, February 26, 2023, Councilmember Weitz indicated that if the neighbors submitted questions to him, he would read them out loud to the Village Engineer. At the next meeting, Matthew Rossi gave Councilmember Weitz the questions that the neighbors wanted answered. At that time, Councilmember Weitz said that he did not have time to review them, and therefore he could not ask them. Mr. Rossi actually read the questions out loud during public comments, and those questions were never answered. Ms. Milian said that she followed up with an email to Councilmember Weitz asking those same questions, and Councilmember Weitz has still not furnished answers. Ms. Milian reiterated that she wanted the Village Councilmembers to stop mentioning the meetings that took place in neighbors’ home regarding the Schedler property, since she felt it was disrespectful.
Steve Kim, 291 Highland Avenue, said that he was not sure what Councilmember Weitz was talking about and that it seems that he came to the Village Council meeting unprepared. Mr. Kim said that there was a document entitled “Village of Ridgewood Public Announcement, Public Hearing on the Submission of a 2023 Bergen County Trust Fund Grant Application.” He said that it was obvious that Councilmember Weitz never read this document. Mr. Kim continued by reading excerpts in the document: “Due to the development of the Schedler Park property at 460 West Saddle River Road, the purchase of the property directly north of the park at 510 West Saddle River Road, Block 4704, Lot D, would be an ideal enhancement to the active and passive park area…as well as onsite parking.” Mr. Kim urged Councilmember Weitz to read the pertinent paperwork and not to attend Village Council meetings completely unprepared.
Mr. Kim said that he does not understand Deputy Mayor Perron’s remarks about mice going into garbage cans. He said that he is totally against the purchase of 510 West Saddle River Road. He is also against the purchase of totally unnecessary garbage cans for $60,000.00, when the Village does not have the money to do so. Mr. Kim said that he is also totally against the expenditure of $30,000.00 for a new Village website. He said that he contacted some website developers and they thought it was a joke that the Village would spend $30,000.00 for a new website.
Councilmember Weitz rebutted Mr. Kim’s statements by stating that he always comes prepared to Village Council meetings. As he interpreted the document referred to by Mr. Kim, the parking lot mentioned in the document referred to the parking lot proposed to be constructed on the Schedler property and not at 510 West Saddle River Road. He said that the current design for the Schedler property, as well as the original plans developed in 2017, includes a parking lot. He said that there is not a new parking lot proposed to be constructed on 510 West Saddle River Road.
Mayor Vagianos closed public comments.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Councilmember Reynolds, seconded by Councilmember Winograd, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the Village Council’s Regular Public Meeting was adjourned at 12:28 A.M. on May 11, 2023.
____________________________________
Paul Vagianos
Mayor
______________________________________
Heather A. Mailander
Village Manager/Village Clerk
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