Village Council - Regular Meeting

There we go. Yeah, I just came up. Good evening. This is the village council regular workshop agenda. Date is March 4th, 2026. The time is 7:30. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, the record, and by submission to all persons entitled the same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting. Roll call. Council member Wintergrad is not present. Council member Mortimer here. Deputy Mayor Perin here. Council member Whites here. Mayor Vaganos

here. Will you all please join us in salute to our flagg to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Let's go right to public comment. Please note that each speaker has up to three minutes for comments. A reminder bell will sound at the two-minute mark to indicate one minute remaining. When you hear it, please begin bringing your remarks to a close so we can ensure everyone has time to speak. Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor and Council Boyd, a loving Rididgewood resident. Uh last Saturday night I happened to be walking through the CBD and noticed that there were valet parking, two valet parking stations. First time I've noticed that for quite some time. Uh I had some questions about the operation and I sent an email to Mr. Rooney and I'm pleased to report that within 60 minutes of the email hitting Mr. Rooney's desk, I received a phone call from Police Captain Glenn Ender who answered all the questions I had about the valet parking issue. And there was one concern I had that he followed up with me uh later in the week on the telephone. So I I thank Glenn Ender very much for getting back to me very very promptly about it and I'm pleased to report that at least uh from for right now everything with the valet parking seems to be going according to what the ordinance is written by. Thank you so much.

Thank you Boyd. Anyone else? Seeing no one, we're going to close public comment and we'll go right to our manager's report.

Thank you, mayor. Um, I apologize. I'm a little under the weather tonight, so if my voice is raspy, I'm sorry about that. Um, just a few announcements tonight. Uh, first, rear yard trash collection resumed yesterday, Tuesday, March 3rd. regular bulk refuge collection uh with no five bag limit resume today on the west side and um it will resume on the east side next Wednesday, March 11th. Um reminder, bulk refuge collection is limited to seven items per pickup. The village will not pick up items over 100 pounds, tree stumps, dirt, rocks, concrete, building materials, or electronic devices, including TVs. So, as we prepare for the spring cleanout season, just please be aware of what our sanitation folks will collect. Uh, we appreciate everyone's patience during this recent snowstorms and understanding the temporary suspension of rear yard pickup. It's all being done to ensure the safety of our sanitation crews. The Department of Public Work, uh, Department of Parks and Recreation will be holding their annual seasonal summer job fair on Monday evening, March 16th, from 5:30 to 7:30 in the community center on the lower level of Village Hall. Summer job fair is for young adults 16 years of age and older. Uh, they will have the opportunity to explore the wide variety of full-time and part-time positions that we have during the summer months here with the village. Uh they'll learn to the job requirements and understand the job descriptions for each position that is available. Uh they'll be able to speak with supervisors who can answer any questions and if there's any further information, please call the recreation department at the stable 2011-670-5560. On March 7th, uh the Ridgewood High School will hold Super Science Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:30 p.m. Uh some of our village departments will be participating in that event, including the police department, the fire

department, and our Green Ridgewood committee. The recreation department has a full lineup of programs uh to keep kids active and connected after school. Uh many of those programs began this week and will run through the month of March. We encourage everyone to reg review review those programs and register through community pass as spaces fill quickly. The Rididgewood's Arts Council presents Children in the Arts. Uh that program will be held on Sunday, March 15th at 2 p.m. at the Ridgwood Public Library. All are welcome and all ages are welcome. The Rididgewood Health Department will be hosting a blood drive on Thursday, March 26th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm in the youth lounge on level one of Village Hall. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. The next council chat will take place on Saturday, March 28th from 9 to 11:00 a.m. in the caucus room here on the fourth level of Village Hall. Please call for reservations 2011-670-5000 extension 2207. Residents can attend council chat without an appointment, but reservations will take priority. And finally, the village council upcoming meetings. Uh next week is our public meeting on March 11th. We anticipate we'll be introducing the 2026 municipal budget at that meeting. Next work session is the 25th of March and the final work session is March 30th which is a Monday evening. Uh that meeting has been changed due to the holiday schedule. All meetings are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. And that concludes my report. Mayor,

thank you. Keith, let's go to council reports. Frank.

Yeah, I had the pleasure of covering for Councilwoman Winterrad at Sha Tree Commission. Um we met last night and uh some of the initiatives that we talked about was um the 250 trees for the 250th anniversary um and how that's going to happen and then that's going to roll into something else that I'm not sure if I can say so I'm not going to. We talked about some of the ideas that Shade Tree has for Daffodil Festival which is one of the greatest events in Richwood. Uh the high school green team spoke and they are doing a lot of great stuff. Impressed that the young people are so motivated and continue to push through their different projects. Um they will also be at Super Science Saturday this Saturday. Um and then we just talked about some of the upcoming social media things that they have planned. And that concludes my report. Mayor,

thank you. Frank Evan uh none of my committees have met in the past week so I have open a report. Pam,

the Ridgewood Business Alliance continues to meet to interview applicants for the position of executive director. We hope to finish up those interviews next week. Green Ridge Ridgwood and the Green Team, which is a subcommittee of Green Ridgewood, will be meeting tomorrow night at 7:30 in the senior lounge. Um it is of course open to the public so anybody interested in working on environmental projects uh is welcome to attend. And uh just following up on something that Keith said about bulk waste pickup mattresses cannot just be put out well naked for pickup. They have to be bagged and that is for the protection of our employees. Uh so that's all I have.

Thanks Pam. And very quickly, uh, the community center advisory board met and reviewed, uh, the preliminary architectural plans for the expanded senior center, um, on the first floor of Village Hall. And it was very exciting to watch the work that they put together. So, we're going to see where that all comes out. And now, let's go to our agenda and entertain a motion to suspend the work session and convene a special. Mayor, we have we have one discussion item before something. Oh, I have the old agenda. Oh, sorry. It's okay. Sure. Here we go.

And so, uh, let's go to 7A.

So, mayor, uh, Matt and I have been in conversation with Beth McManis. As you know, uh the filing deadline for all the program paperwork for the affordable housing with the state of New Jersey is due um on March 15th. Uh we have three items on tonight's agenda. Uh one is to amend chapter 190, which is the land use and development um of the affordable housing section of our code book. uh we are required uh under the state program uh to revise this so that it is in concert with all the necessary program requirements um as they stand today. Um so the ordinance that is under consideration tonight uh for introduction at this special public meeting uh will meet that requirement and then there are two other resolutions that we are going to discuss uh later on in the meeting uh which would appear before the council for a vote next week. Just if I can add to that so everybody in the public knows this has got nothing to do with zoning. This is what's required of every town to be in compliance with the amended fair housing act which was adopted in 2024. So this does not set up any new sites, does not create any new zoning. What it really does um is provide for each town to meet the requirements of the Fair Housing Act by identifying all the different terms, different aspects of being able to put in affordable housing. Um it talks about, if you wanted to read it, it talks about the doesn't give numbers as identified uh incomes for very low low and moderate income housing in order to qualify. What it does, it just says that it has to meet a certain percentage of the median income of the region that we're in. And we are in a region with a lot lot of other towns. And that's just basically what it sets up. It sets up what the duties of the administrative agent is. Every town has to have an administrative agent. Every town has to have an affordable housing

trust fund set up. Every town has to have a an affordable housing liaison set up. So, this is the one ordinance that the state gives you that puts you in compliance with the amended fair housing act covering all those issues. Everybody good? Great. Now, let's entertain a motion to suspend the work session and convene a special public meeting. So, moved. Second. Call to order. You guys have the vote. Get the vote. Oh, I'm sorry. It's okay. Uh, Mortimer, yes. Perin, yes. Whites,

yes. Winrad. Vaganos, yes. And here we go. Good evening. This is the Village Council special public meeting. The date is March 4th, 2026. The time is 7:40 p.m. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board at Village Hall, by mail to the Richwood News, the record, and by submission to all persons entitled the same as provided by law of the schedule, including the date and time of this meeting. Roll call. Council member Mordor here. Deputy Mayor Pin here. Council member Whites here. Mayor Vaganos

here. We'll go to comments from the public. Sat Dani, uh, resident of Rididgewood. Good evening, mayor and council. Um, thank you for volunteering. Thank you for your service. And I joined late, so if it's already covered, my apologies. But my question was on tonight's agenda, I noticed a resolution for a loan from um an insurance fund and I was slightly confused on um loan versus bond, resolution versus ordinance. So I did some search and uh what I read and that's where I'm here to clarify. Maybe you can clarify. It said that if an insurance settlement is definitely coming in then that money can be loaned and then that can be a resolution. But if that insurance settlement money is not guaranteed to come in and in future we may have to assign it to a capital uh bond then it should be an ordinance. So if you are doing a resolution for a loan and if you know for sure that that money is just being processed as an insurance claim and eventually it will be paid out as an insurance claim then it's uh in advance or it's a loan then you can accept that as a resolution but if you are going to treat that as a bond later on then it should be an ordinance it should not be a resolution. Thank you.

Thank you sir. Would it any other comments from the public? Seeing none, I'm going to close public comment. Would anyone like to respond to Mr. D?

So through you, mayor. Um there are multiple resolutions um on concerning the u the Shedler claim this evening. Uh the first is to approve and amend the temporary capital budget uh to allow for this. The second is to accept the claim um as it has been presented by the joint insurance fund which is $250,000 in claim funding and 1,350 million uh 350,000 for um for the loan. I'm sorry with if you look further down the agenda uh Mr. Donnie, when you get to the introduction of ordinances, ordinance 4088 um is a capital ordinance that will support what you suggest, which is it will set up the mechanism in the finance department in order to accept that loan. Um and then finally, we have a a resolution on tonight to authorize an emergency appropriation for the Shedler property. Um which is also needed to accept uh the loan that has been proposed by the Bergen Chief.

Sorry, that's all good. I don't know if Matt has anything else he wants to add, mayor, but that's uh that's my response. No, that's my understanding as well. We've met the procedural requirements. I think Mr. done. He's right in his explanation, but we're following we're following the proper procedures with regard to accepting the the loan. The $250,000 is part of the the response on the claim and then the the loan is for the for the reclamation of the or the remediation rather of uh of the site. Good. Jennifer,

the following resolutions number 2667 through 2669 will be adopted by a consent agenda with one vote by the village council. There is a brief description beside each resolution to be considered on the consent agenda. The resolutions will be read by title only. Approve temporary capital budget accept Bergen County GIF insurance fund loan and settlement of claim Shedler property soil remediation. Authorize emergency appropriation shedler property soil remediation 1.6 6 million. I have a motion. I move that 26-67 through 26-69 be approved. Second.

Excuse me. Is 20 6768 are resolutions and I think we have to do 408869 is also a resolution. Mayor, I'm still I'm still on the old agenda. Sorry. Uh never mind. So again the first resolution just for transparency uh is the um amendment to the temporary capital budget. The second is the acceptance of the joint insurance fund loan and settlement of the claim. And the third is to authorize the emergency appropriation uh for the soil remediation. We're ready. We're ready. Uh Mortimer yes. Perin. Yes. Whites. Yes. Veganos.

Yes. I move the first reading of ordinance 4088. Second. Second. Mortimer. Yes. Perin. Yes. Whites. Yes. Veanos. Yes. So ordered. Will the clerk please read ordinance 4088 by title

bond ordinance providing for soil remediation at shedler property in and by the village of Ridgewood in the county of Bergen, New Jersey, appropriating 1,600,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of 1,350,000 bonds or notes of the village to finance part of the cost thereof. I move that ordinance 4088 be adopted on first reading and that March 25th, 2026 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. I second the motion. Mortimer, yes. Perin, yes. Whites, yes. Vagianos, yes. I move the first reading of ordinance 4089. I second that. Mortimer, yes. Perin, yes. Whites, yes.

Vagianos, yes. So ordered. Will the clerk please read ordinance 4089 by title? An ordinance to amend chapter 190 land use and development by repealing existing article 13 affordable housing in its entirety and replacing it with a new article 13 affordable housing. I move that ordinance 4089 be adopted on first reading and that March 25th, 2026 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. I second. Mortimer. Yes. Heron. Yes. Whites. Yes. Vagos. Yes. Motion to adjurnn. So moved. Second. All in favor? I. I.

So, mayor, the first item on tonight's agenda is a presentation of the revised fields policy. I'd like to ask our recreation and parks director, Nancy Beos, to come forward. Um this is an initiative that the village has been working on at the fields committee in conjunction with the administration at the board of education. Um we have completely and thoroughly reviewed all aspects of the field policy over the past two years. When I first arrived here in Ridgewood, one of my first meetings with Nancy, uh we discussed the um the need for a revision to this document. Um, it's been somewhat of a long road, but I think we are almost there, or at least 99% of the way there. Um, this changes the committee structure slightly. Uh, previously, uh, our parks and recreation director and the athletic director at Ridgewood High School uh were the co-chairs of the fields committee. Uh, that is being changed as part of this document. Nancy will remain the village co-chair. uh but the board of education business administrator will assume that responsibility uh from the district side. Uh we move to expand uh the regulated facilities. Uh this has more to do with the school than it does with the village but it now includes auditoriums, cafeterias, learning areas and fitness centers and other facilities within the school buildings. Uh we are mandating that all scheduling be done digitally through master library um which is on our online scheduling platform which I think many in the community have grown to know and understand and become more comfortable with. Uh we also have two very able employees. Um David on in the recreation department uh does a tremendous job working with residents and group community groups who want to use master library scheduling on the village side. um and London who works in the uh district office at the board of

education. Uh she assumed that responsibility uh I guess back in September um and she's doing a tremendous job on behalf of the district shephering people and helping them uh schedule through Master Library. Um earlier deadlines for reservations um all recognized groups must now submit all seasonal reservations 45 days prior to the start of the season. Uh, previously the draft schedule was prepared three months in advance, but the specific 45day submission deadline is new and is slightly a stricter requirement so that we can make sure that we're maximizing the amount of field space that's available. We've revised the insurance requirements. Uh, the 2026 draft that's presented to you tonight uh specifies a minimum of a million dollars per occurrence um and $2 million in the aggreate aggregate. Uh while the aggregate remains the same as it did in 2018, um the preoccurrence minimum is now explicitly defined in the fields policy whereas it was not before. Um stricter attendance and compliance at field meetings by recognized groups. Um we did have a concern about absenteeism. Um so there is now a requirement that if they do not attend the meeting uh they will lose some priority allocation. Um moving forward um we addressed a whole section on the conduct conduct of camps and clinics again both on village property and on board of education property. Uh we've added some technical changes uh that govern the lightning detection system and also the weather. Um we contract with the Perry weather system and it is able to provide links and notifications. Um whereas before in 2018 there had been a hotline established. Uh we have update of prohibited items, vaping, chewing gum, sunflower seeds,

just regulations that govern our fields to make it a more pleasant experience for those who are participating. Uh we clarified the dog policy. We integrated uh pickle ball into the fields policy um especially the courts at Glenn. Um and we worked to align the priority scheduling uh for our sports sports programs with the NJSIA um schedule. Um as we don't football plays in the in the fall, soccer plays in the fall. Uh baseball and softball play in the spring along with a variety of other sports. Um but those priorities are going to be set in line with the high school sports season moving forward. Um, so Nan, I don't know how if you have anything else that you want to add and then we can open it up to questions by the council members.

Um, just a little bit. Good evening, mayor and council. Um, I just wanted to share with you the executive summary that I just shared. Um, this last revision was adopted by both the village council and the board of education um, prior to me becoming the director in 2018. So, it's been eight years. Um, and we have seen significant growth within our park system. Um, we've seen the addition of pickleball courts. We've renovated our tennis facilities. We've upgraded our facilities. We've added a pavilion to habern. All of these changes needed to be incorporated into the new fields policy. So what the previous uh document was 31 pages in length. We have reviewed every single page, every single um bit of housekeeping really is is what this document before you this evening is. Our goal was to be able to utilize our facility to the best use to optimize our maintenance and to be able to assure fair and efficient access to all of our residents for all of our facilities. Within the last couple of years, we've seen an increase in our field and facility use. We're now overlapping our facility use. Um, so you know, concerts at the Shell and games for uh on Betsfield with baseball, whether you're walking a dog on Dunham Trail, um, taking a walk along the the park at Habernickle, family picnics at the pavilion, our facilities are being used. And our intent is to take that

sophistication and be able to schedule these programs, these special events, um these games and practices so that we don't have conflict. So the master library scheduling platform has allowed us to do that. Um we almost are down to the hour when we are scheduling all of these facilities. It's very sophisticated, very complex, and I am so grateful for a program um recreation program specialist David Wild for his specialization in this and working so diligently on this field's policy. Um I think that's I think that's pretty much it. I don't know if you've had an opportunity to review this. Um like um Keith has said, we've made very few changes. It basically was modernizing the document that we had up updating all of the inventory so that both the board of education and the village of Ridgewood have matching documents have um the same exact wording, the same exact policy um so that we we administer this properly for all of our residents. And the other thing I want to point out is this was provided to all of the recognized groups back in February

twice. So they've had over a month uh to review it, share feedback. Um we actually in the grand scheme of things I think received limited feedback. Um maybe two of the organizations had some inquiries and some questions. Um few things that we still have to put uh the final touches on. Um but um generally speaking um I think everybody is in agreement um on the bulk of this and is supportive of the revised policy.

The other thing it also incorporated which we didn't have in the old policy was the permanent lighting. Right? So remember we had those portable light towers on Veterans Field. We had them at Maple Park East which we no longer do. So, we had to be able to update this document in order to to cover that. So, I'm here for any questions you might have. Questions? I'm more of a comment that I just you're being too modest because this was a gigantic task. Um, and I think two years.

Yeah. Well, and and just like to me what the biggest change of the document was is that it seemed like previously it was patchwork of just adding things and not subtracting. And what's so great is that this document is consistent all the way through. So, um there's nothing that conflicts and it all makes sense. And I think the biggest task that you accomplished was getting board of ed all of the fields plus us to all agree on it. And and that alone should get you an award. Oh, wait. You just got one. And and last too, I want to call

and last I want to call out David Wild because like you said, none of this would work without Master Library. And I also remember when we first got that and it wasn't intuitive to how to make it work and then he dug in and is now become the expert of that and helping everyone. So kudos to you and to your staff. Thank you. Anybody else?

Yes. What are you doing with the portable lights now? So the portable light towers belong to the youth sports groups. So the bulk of them um were rented and they have been returned to their vendors. Those that are owned um we still utilize them at Citizens and on occasion at Glenn um and those belong um privately to the Maroon Soccer Club. Thank you

Nan. Thank you so much for really what was a herculean task, but I guess that's why you were voted parks and wreck professional of the year for the state of New Jersey. Thank you so much. We're fortunate to have you. Thank you. So, thank you for that compliment, but I do want to say that there was a committee of us. It was Keith Casmark, Mark Schwarz, um athletic director Keith Cook, David, myself, business administrator Richard Matthews, my friend Richard Brooks, um I'm trying to go London McKay, uh Mary McAi, um Mary Lou Hanley. There there are quite a few of us that met uh met on a on a monthly basis and really tore this document apart and and rewrote it. And I'm I'm really proud though that the village now has a document that both the board of education and the village of Ridgewood can abide by

and that is certainly a blue ribbon panel and we are fortunate to have everyone and they were fortunate to have you there leading them. So thank you very And we should also mention that Siobhan Winterrad was also a member um from the beginning of this. So thanks to her as well. Yes. Agreed. Thank you. Good evening. Have a good evening, Mayor. At this time Oh, sorry. No, it's all good. At this time, I'd like to invite uh Rich Calby, director of Ridgewood Water up. He has eight items on tonight's agenda. Good day, Richard. Good evening. Good evening, Mayor Rich. Mayor, if I may, before we start, can I give a good news announcement?

Um, we always want to hear good news. Yep. So, I was notified last month from the manager's office uh that the village of Rididgewood and Richard Water are the recipient of a congressional direct spending grant from Senator Booker and Kim's office for $1.53 million for lead abatement. Nice. Great. Great news. Very nice. Uh, so the money's not on hand. Um, we don't know the terms of the loan or or the grant, sorry. Um, but it was something we applied for about a year ago. Got word last month and the check should be coming. That's great. Thank you so much.

Interestingly enough, I got Senator Kim's portal opened for the next round of funding. So, we'll be having that conversation tomorrow morning. Perfect. Thank you. Okay. So the the first item tonight is the award of a soul source contract uh for the SCADA software. That's the supervisory control and data acquisition system that's used to control the entire rigid water system. Uh this is year two of a three-year contract uh recommended to Emerson Software uh company and not to exceed amount of 22,54946 and that's funded out of the water utility budget. Questions? No.

Let's go. Next item um is for the award of the second year of a contract for soil testing and disposal. This is for the soil that comes out of the ground as a result of water mane repairs and replacements that are done by in-house rigid water staff. Um the the low item um calculation was company Repco who was also the provider last year. Um we're recommending and not to exceed for this service contract in the amount of $100,000. Um last year we spent 96 um,84 and this is also funded out of the water utility operating budget. Questions? Good. Let's go.

Next item is our annual award under the source well contract um state contract for Granger uh for various maintenance, repair and operating supplies and janitorial supplies for all our facilities. Um this is a not to exceed of $65,000 and this is also funded out of the water utility operating budget.

Questions? Next item is um are also an annual cooperative purchase. This is for brain stone. Uh this is for the back fill material, stone and pavement that we utilize to to complete the final restoration on all the openings that we make for the repairs and replacements and to back fill that that hole. Um, we're recommending a not to exceed amount of $100,000. Um, last year we spent $68,816. Um, this is also funding out of the water utility operating budget. Everybody good?

Let's go. Next item is change order number one to Suburban Consulting. As you may recall, um, earlier this year, an award was made to Suburban to design the water main replacement on West Glenn Avenue, um, to go with the new booster station. on that um proposal that included an option for geotechnical work. Uh we're now moving forward with awarding that option so we could determine the depth of bedrock along the length of that street so that when we go and do the job it's not there's no surprises. Um so it's a change amount of $53,270. Um and this is funded out of the water utility capital budget. Ready? Good. Mhm.

Let's go. And the next item is the change order number three to M McDonald for the PAS raw water main project. This is to extend um the their services for the completion of the construction phase for the last two contracts uh two or four contracts for the raw water manes predominantly in Midland Park and and um Wyoff. Um, so this change order is for $60,000. $60,30. This is funded out of the water capital budget. Pretty good. Uh, isn't it not an amount not to exceed $87,000? You said 60.

You are correct. Yes, I read the prior amount. Yes, 87,987. Getting one by the deputy mayor. I'm just saying.

Thank you. Uh the the next item is a correction to a prior resolution. Back in January, we awarded year three of three-year contract to Water Smart. Uh but since last year, Watermart's been doing business as a company called Veritex One Software LLC. Um so we admitted that back in the January resolution, so we're making a correction to that and that's what this uh memo is for resolution. Let's go. And the final final item tonight is not a not a water item uh but it's a recommendation to correct the village ordinance on the salaries that were adopted as part of the village supervisor's contract. Um this is to correct the salary scale for assistant recycling supervisor. Uh the ranges were improper for both 2026 and 2027. So this is a correction to both of those scales.

This is a typo, right? Correct. Everybody good? Good. I just want to comment that after the good news of $1.5 million, there was bad news of $500,000. So, you're you're still you're still in the black at this moment. So, net gain. I think it's time to go. Yes. Thank you. Good. Thank you, Rich. Have a good evening,

Keith. Mayor, we have nothing under parking tonight. So, we'll move to budget. Under um item one, this is to authorize a change order uh with Matrix New World Engineering Company uh who is dealing with the soil mitigation at the Shedler property. Uh we need an adjustment in their contract for project management and also for community outreach. um Matrix has incurred um some overages on the project needs when it comes to the project management aspect of the um of the work there. Um that amount currently is $5,620. Um they have also incurred about $19,000 in overages performing community outreach activities that are described in the proposal before you. Um of the budgeted uh allocation um and for needs regarding potential outside legal counsel uh there is about $12,000 that remains unused. Um but they anticipate that they are going to need um some additional funding. uh to complete this aspect of the project. Uh the total estimated costs and adjustment that is being recommended for the project management is $14,580. And for the community outreach aspect, it's $20,650. For a total estimated cost on the change order of $35,238.

Questions? Nope. Good. Okay. Um, next item is to authorize a shared services agreement with the Burrow of Hillsdale for the further expansion of our styrofoam densifier program. Um, and you have a memorandum in there um, from Heather on that um, which is supported by Sean Hamlin, our recycling coordinator. Questions? I think it's great that we continue to get more of these shared service agreements.

They're terrific. The next item is a donation of a new scoreboard for Maple Park uh from the Ridgewood Lacrosse Association. This project consists of the removal and disposal of a non-functioning scoreboard and the installation of a new scoreboard. The replacement scoreboard is a gift um from RLA. Um and Nancy Boss, our parks and recreation director, have been in touch with Kenneth Springer, the president of RLA on this initiative. Uh the scoreboard is being purchased and shipped by Dtronics uh a company out of South Dakota. Uh the removal of the old non-functioning scoreboard um and the installation of the new scoreboard will be performed by DHA contracting out of MAWA. The estimated uh cost of this is $23,000 and the village council will need to accept it uh under the contributions gift and other donation form uh by an accepting resolution. questions or comments.

Thank you, RLA, and gladly we'll accept this. I I I echo that. I want to I want to thank all the sports organizations because they are always stepping up to help us maintain our fields. So, it's a very very good thing. It's a good partnership. Mayor, we have nothing under policy tonight. Um, under operations, we have a memorandum from Dylan Hansen in our IT department. Uh, the request to surplus equipment. Uh, this is to dispose of equipment that has been rendered unusable. is past its useful life or is obsolete. Uh there is a list that is attached to the coun for the council's consideration of what Dylan is looking to surplus. Pretty good. Let's go.

Item two and three under operations. As I said earlier, uh the first item is also from Beth McManus concerning our affordable housing um deadline. These are both housekeeping items. Uh the first is the adoption of the affirmative uh marketing plan. Um and again this is required by the program. Questions? Anyone? No. Good. And the last item is to appoint a municipal housing liaison. Uh that person was formerly Chris Rutouser prior to his retirement from the village. And I am recommending that the council appoint James McGrath, our new village engineer, for that position. Again, a housekeeping item that is required uh for the affordable housing program.

Well, good. Can I ask a question? Why does the engineer become the leazison for affordable housing? Um it who that person is varies in from municipality to municipality. Uh Councilman, it is not it should not be confused with the program administrator. Um but we are required to have someone on staff from each municipality in New Jersey who serves in that title. Um the one thing I can say is that obviously the engineer reviews um a lot of the zoning applications. Okay. Um that come before the zoning board and the planning board. Um so there is a relevance there and an awareness that would be an asset with him being appointed to this position.

That makes sense. I just because James is new and I just wondered you know why because that's an added layer of stuff. Yeah. So I I I mean again, you know, in some towns it's the building inspector, some towns it's the zoning officer. I I do support maintaining it in the engineer's office here though. Understood. Thank you. Good. That concludes my section of the agenda. Mayor, thank you. Before we go back to public comment, I just want to take a moment. Evan reminded me and I was remiss. Um our troops are in harm's way. Let us all keep a good thought for all of them that they come home safe and they come home soon. And with that, let's go to public comment.

Sabani, resident of Rididgewood Village. Um, thank you very much for clarifying uh my question and answering that uh in detail. Um so I understand that this resolution is just to accept that and then ordinance will supersede that resolution for actually borrowing the money the bond part. Um and I just hope that the council will follow the 20 days the how to pronounce that rightel period that is after the bond ordinance is adopted. So that's a there's a 20 days uh period for that before um committing to spend that money. So thank you.

Thank you sir. Anybody anybody else? Thank you.

Good evening Ann Loving Ridgewood resident. With it getting just slightly warmer out can start to think about summer and it makes me think about June. Um during June um Pride Month, love of all types is celebrated and um in the middle of Pride Month comes June Junth which is emancipation day and thanks to the strong voices of Boyd Loving Jacqueline Hone and some others. It seems that the village has taken note and June 19th is respected as a holiday and unrelated meetings and events are not taking place. I really thank them for their voices last year. However, the calendar this year does include an access committee meeting on that day 2 o'clock by Zoom. Possibly this was autopop populated and it's an oversight, but hopefully somebody will make Miss Winterrad aware of that. But also in June is another love related holiday and it's lesser known. June 12th is not a federal or state or county holiday, but it's widely known as Loving Day. This is the date when in 1967 the Supreme Court ruled that interracial marriage is legal. Prior to that, in some states, people could be thrown into jail for marrying the person they loved. It's called Loving Day because the name of the couple was Mr. and Mrs. Loving, and they were not related to us. Mildred Loving was African-American. Richard was Caucasian. They loved each other since they were little children. They married. They had children. And then they were thrown into jail. Thankfully, their case was heard by the Supreme Court after quite a struggle on their part because they were very poor from rural Virginia. Now, thanks to their braveness, they are able to anyone can marry anyone that

they want, regardless of the amount of melanin in their skin. Now, I'm not suggesting that this should be a holiday, but I am proposing now, as I did last year, that you plan ahead and in June, you should read a resolution for Loving Day. Um, you read resolutions in favor of all sorts of wonderful, worthy causes. And I think this would be a good one to add to the books during the month when so much love is celebrated. Thank you.

Thank you, Ann. Cynthia O'Keefe, Rididgewood resident. So I wanted to ask a question about the soil remediation budget or you know the money that's associated with it and um I remember I think it was last year's budget uh Bridgewood Water had asked for and I could be wrong so you know don't judge me but if memory serves it was $100,000 for Rich and his team to dispose of contaminated spoil piles. Um, and we do know that those were dumped on the Shedler property. So, I guess my question, and you know, if you want to take time and, you know, answer it um, thoughtfully with background that, you know, uh, but my question is basically, why would Rididgewood residents pay for that? Because that seems to me to be a decision that was made by a for-profit entity. Um, so why wouldn't Ridgwood Water then a portion part of their well these millions that they're getting um to that? And um my other question I don't think I've ever heard in all the time that we've talked about Shedler is the Brownfields grant which I believe was part of the Shedler application. Maybe Keith you could shed some light on that. brownfields. Uh, you know, it was a remediate, soil remediation or property or solid waste remediation. Um, there are monies that I don't know if we applied for and we were denied or we applied for and it's coming forth. Haven't heard anything about that. Um, and also, um, I'm assuming you're

working with Suburban to, um, revise the plan. Will residents be, will this be shared as anformational session? Are we just going to find out about it? Do we have to keep, you know, because sometimes we do come up and ask questions that are not answered? Like last week, I I brought up, you know, the assault and the bullying and nobody ever nobody spoke about it. I was really disappointed. So, I'm hoping, you know, that for the people that do show up for these meetings, you know, we're taking it seriously. So, if we ask a question, it'd be really nice to, you know, receive an answer. Thank you. Thank you, Cynthia. Anybody else?

Kathy, no. Resident, um, I had a couple of things. Um, with the sports the field uh report, is there any changes to lights on fields? Is that part of it? I I don't know if that was stated in the reports. If lights have been moved, I know Nancy said that uh some of the lights released, they're going back, but the maroons have some private lights. And I was just wondering if any assignments are different than have been in the past because I know it's a, you know, a a thorough report. Um, the second thing is with the water We've worked, Rididgewood has worked so hard with PAS and you know making our water clean. I know it hasn't been finalized as yet but we're really on track and I'm concerned because we get water from other towns, other uh water companies and I know in the past years ago we had received water from Hawthorne and back then we were concerned because there were reports of cancer clusters in Hawthorne. Bothorn areas are very industrial. There's been, you know, toxicity going down into the ground and I'm just wondering, are we doing anything to that water that is coming into our cleaner, let's say, system? That's a concern. Um, the other thing is um the village hall parking lot. As you know, I I'm a member of Hilt and we have our meetings. There are classes that are held through the community school. Um, we also have uh lunch and learns and the library has they're they're doing more programs and whatnot. And when these things happen, the parking lot here, you can't find a place to park. And I don't mind walking over from vets, but when school's in session, parking can be a problem because of the students there. But I know you're talking about um making the senior center downstairs, which sounds

wonderful and we're all excited about that, but that's going to mean even more people coming in. Um I look in the parking lot now at tonight and there's many cars, town cars and during the day even I know a lot of them go out on the road during the day, but there are still town trucks and vehicles parked. So, are there any plans with making this senior center better and the usage of the library and whatnot to make more parking for the people coming here because you circle and you circle and there's really and some of the people who come have walkers and that kind of thing. So, I just want to put that I don't know if that's part of the planning but I would like to just mention that and that's all I have to say. Thank you. Thank you for your time.

Anybody else? Seeing no one, we're going to go to our public access. Roric, you're up.

Hi, uh, Roric Holiday Village resident. The only thing I'm going to say is that this meeting probably set a record for being the shortest village council meeting. And it's all thanks to your leadership Paul and to the wonderful team that you have on the disp. You've accomplished so much and so little. There is no nonsense, no grandstanding, nothing other than just doing business. So anyway, thank you very very much Paul and thank you very much team. Take care.

Thank you Ror. Anybody else? Seeing no one, we're going to close public comment and we will entertain a motion to adjourn. Make sure I do that every time. I do that every time. I do that every time. Thank you. I have some responses if I may. My apologies

to Mr. Donnie. Um Sir Rob, just so you're aware, the funding the money is actually coming from the GIF. So the $250,000 that we're receiving um in settlement claim is coming from the environmental GIF in in dollars. And then the 1.35 is coming from the Bergen GIF in dollars. The need to establish a bond ordinance or a capital ordinance is simply to establish the mechanism in the finance department for being able to utilize those funds. So we we had a conference call on this um as we were setting this up as we were talking to the GIF. We've spoke to bond council um and that is the process in which we need to follow in order to accept the money from the GIF and have an accounting mechanism in the finance department to be able to um process those funds. So that's that's how that is uh is arranged. Um with regard to Mrs. Loving um I will check tomorrow. I believe that those calendar posts were autopop populated. I know we had to move one. I think there was one maybe Frank it was SESAC on Lincoln's birthday.

It was central business district

and the central business district. So I know some of that was autopop populated but I do not believe there are any standing meetings on any um holidays that are recognized by the village. Um to Miss O'Keefe um first of all um you know Rididgewood Water is not a for-profit agency. Um, Ridgewood Water is a part of our municipal government. They happen to be one of two utilities that exist within our municipal government, the other being the parking authority. Um, so they are not a for-profit um, organization. So, I just want to put that on the record. Um secondly, um with regard to them paying for any of the u mitigation at Shedler, um I don't even know that legally they would be able to do that because the utility has no claim to shedler and that is why we went through the Bergen joint insurance fund uh to try to reclaim some of the funds to offset the cost. Speaking of offsetting the cost, Matrix has been working on uh and been working with the D on the application for remediation. We don't have a conclusive answer on that yet, but if we do get notified by the D of any additional funds to offset the cost, obviously that would take the pressure off some of the loans, the loan money that we're getting from the GIF. Um and with regard to Suburban, um you know, they are in the preliminary stages of putting the plans together. Obviously, once they have concluded their work um in developing what the park will look like, um that of course will be presented and shared with the public. Um but we're we're just not at that stage yet. Um Mrs. No. Uh with regard to field lighting, the policy does cover uh the curfews and the time frames in which field lighting is permitted. Um I think out I'm pretty sure out here on vets there was no change because that was a commitment we made when we did the upgrade to the field lighting. Um there might have been an hour additional um on Sunday uh to accommodate one of the programs at

Maple. Um but it's not an excessive amount of time. I think it's 8:00 at night or something like that. And then the school district um reviewed their curfews at both Stevens and at um at Stadium Field um to make sure that their curfews were codified in the policy as well. Um with regard to Hawthorne, Hawth Hawthorne is completely um PAS compliant. Um, so I don't know what the history was of purchasing uh water with Hawthorne. We just entered into a new 10-year agreement um within the last few months with Hawthorne. Uh but one of the attractive qualities of of um renewing that agreement and extending it um was one we modified when we would buy the majority of water which would be in the warmer months when people are irrigating their lawns and we're using a higher volume of water rather than having to be required to purchase water that we really didn't need over the winter months. But the other piece of that was the fact that they are fully PAS compliant um and they have put all new technology into their filtration system um in their local water system that's run by the burough of hawarm. And with regard to the village hall parking lot, we're well aware of the the parking struggles here. Um, on days in which we have Hilt meetings the day before, my office sends out an email um to all municipal departments asking them to relocate any village vehicles or anything to free up as much parking as we can because we know there are a lot of seniors who come to the community center. We also have library programs that are running concurrently. Uh we actually just had a conversation yesterday at our staff meeting about the possibility um of parking some of our vehicles offsite. um so that we can free up some additional parking and then I think long term as we renovate the community center on the first floor of this building uh we are going to have to figure out some additional areas to provide parking at this complex. So those conversations are very much on the

front burner. We just don't have any definitive plans at this time. And that's all I have here. Anybody else? There you go.

Uh there's no I have an extra copy of the fields policy so I can give that to you. And um with regard to the water that we purchase, every time Rididgewood Water contracts with another entity to buy water, they test it in their labs. That's a big task of the labs to make sure. And there are there are many, it's not just POS, there are many things that may not be compatible with our water. And um so they have to run through several tests in before purchasing water. Um, and as to parking here, I I think this is a good opportunity to expand the senior bus service, uh, or try a pilot with, um, with a private company to have a jity that picks people up and brings them downtown and takes them back home rather than create more parking because it's not the best use of our real estate. And and to that end, we've discussed this on several occasions. Part of the problem is that we are kind of landlocked on this because the fields and green space surrounding the parking lot um is green acres property. And so we can't uh unless we figure out some exception uh ex expand into that area. And believe me, we have all circled this lot many times. So yeah, we we are incredibly aware of the problem. We are incredibly aware that the expanded senior center will make this problem more difficult. Uh but we are still working on it. So we'll let you know when we come up with something. Anybody else?

No motion. And now and again my apologies. I I guess it's just been a long day, but I do it a couple I've done it many times, so I apologize. Um uh we will now entertain a motion to So moved. Second. All in favor? I I