Village Council - Regular Meeting

No.

Oh god. Sure. I went to the dentist today. I didn't think I was going to be able. Yeah, I think they're here for the civics badge, which is good. I'll be back.

So, I'm just trying to get the same Let's go clean up the dentistry and you know everybody will come home. She's like you should come in before all this falls apart. [laughter] I didn't tell anybody that you now now I'm gonna have to tell

I have to nothing. I can't get around here. Stop. Heat. Heat. Okay.

Sure. Pretty good. Good evening. This is the village council public workshop. The date is April 22nd, 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 Bridgewood 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. A notice of this meeting was also posted on the village of Ridgewood's legal notices page at rididgewoodj.net. Roll call.

Council member Mortimer here. Deputy Mayor Parin here. Council member Whites here. Council member Winterrad here. Mayor Vaganos here. Will you all please join us in a salute to our flag? I aliance 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.

And let's go right to public comment. [clears throat] Good evening Ann loving Ridgewood resident. Uh on Monday night there was a board of ed meeting and a lot of people turned out that were wanted to speak about the budget and to the credit of the board of ed as they always do. Every single person who showed up was allowed to speak. Public comments went on for more than two hours which is a big lift for the elected officials. It's also a big lift for the citizens who came out and stayed and got babysitters and so on. Nobody was interrupted. Nobody's time was cut short. They also have four minutes, not three. Very rarely do we have a big turnout here. Very rarely do they have a big turnout there. But when we do have a big turnout here, this council, in particular, this mayor has decided to curtail public comments and only let a designated number of people speak. And we've been here in that situation where people are waiting outside the locked doors and rushing through in order to get in line to be one of the 10. It's really sad that that's the case. I mean, it shouldn't be that way. I clearly remember Councilwoman Reynolds pleading saying she wanted to hear what every citizen had to say and the mayor saying, "Nope, nope, nope." Well, now that may change because there's legislation going through going forward anyway, Assembly Bill number 2953 that is going to allow enough time at public meetings for all residents who wish to speak the opportunity to speak. This would be your opportunity to get ahead of that. Instead of being forced to do it, you could do the right thing and reverse course. And on the rare occasion where you have a lot of people

here who all want to speak, let them speak. Again, I know it's a big ask because you also have an agenda to get through, so does the board of ed. And to their credit, they never ever ever tell somebody, "We've had enough speakers." So, please think about changing course on that. There's nothing wrong with trying something and finding out that it wasn't such a good idea. You could change your mind. You could say, "You know what? We're going to let everybody speak when there's a lot of people here. Thank you for considering it. Thank you, Ann.

Good evening, Cynthia O'Keefe, Ridgewood Resident. So, with Earth Day coming up, I believe it's um being celebrated on the 26th, um I just wanted to remind all of you that um you know, there are many consider considerations when it comes to artificial turf, the use of it, the installation. Um, I've talked at length um about the potential health hazards. Rididgewood's own lawsuit um regarding PAS and removing PAS from the municipal water should be an clear indication of how serious it is. Those forever chemicals are forever. And um you know your plan to install artificial turf on the shedler property next to private wellwater um you know and you had this mayor's wellness campaign, right? So how did that go? You know, was that a success? I would think that like making responsible decisions for residents, especially those who are dependent on their wells for safe drinking water um would would rely on your you know um I guess good rationale. Um now I've never really gotten a reason and I've been here probably how many times have I spoken publicly? we should take a poll because it's probably been several hundred times uh with the same message about health and safety and well-being for our neighbors. So, you're talking about installing a plastic product with PAS and other chemicals also that creates heat islands next to private homes. So, not only compromising their wellwater, but also creating heat islands. I don't know if anyone's given any consideration to that. and no amount of trees is going to help minimize the heat that will emanate from these fields. There are people who actually

called into you uh to speak to you personally um at the village, you know, previous village council meetings and they've all said that, you know, anybody who's lived next to a turf field is dealing with a nightmare. Not only the smell of hot plastic, it's dangerous. It's not good for players, there's lead dust, there's all kinds of of considerations that I think you need to make. Now, again, I've never gotten an actual reason except for Frank saying that it's safe at the League of Women Voters. Um, when he was running, he said that he read reports which were not, you know, accurate and um and then he made the declarative statement, but each of you have just said that you just disagree. So I would consider that kind of plausible deniability. You can't just tell residents when their health and safety are riding on this that you just disagree. So if you want to make a declarative statement as to why you actually disagree, then maybe we understand your position. But right now, nobody does. So um you know, we talk about Earth Day, we talk about the daffodil festival. We want you to show us because actions speak louder than words. Show us that you care. You talk about Ridgewood Cares. I want to see it. Thank you.

Thank you, Cynthia.

Anybody else? Good evening. Michael, no Rididgewood resident. I've been a resident of Ridgewood for 44 years. I want to talk tonight about the dedicated employees that we have here in Ridgewood. Uh the first one on my list is Mr. Calby and all the employees of the water department. In addition to handling the normal day-to-day water problems, they've done an amazing job upgrading our water system such as the new PAS treatment plants and all of the lead pipe upgrades. There are many hard-working employees in town that most people don't normally come in contact with or see on a daily basis who handle the routine tasks like snow plowing, leaf collection, pothole repairs, street sweeping, tree removals, picking up our garbage, working at the recycling center, library, police department, recreation, parks department, and of course the IT department. I can't say enough great things about our paid fire department and all those who work in emergency services. I grew up in Pamis where we had a volunteer fire department and a volunteer ambulance core. I can't tell you how big a difference it makes in response times having a paid fire department and ambulance compared to volunteers. Once when I lived in Paramis, I had to wait over an hour for an ambulance to show up at my house. I'm also always glad to hear Mr. Rogers share his knowledge, most recently with all of his expertise and all of the affordable housing information. In addition to all of our great employees, we're so lucky to have so many volunteers helping out with the

many activities that make our town so special. My favorite is the July 4th parade and fireworks. I do consider the mayor and council members as volunteers as they do spend countless hours doing their jobs going to all of the non-stop meetings. I know in the past they did receive a minimal stipend which I'm sure amounts to less than minimum wage. Last but not least is our town manager. I've told him before that I'm always impressed how he is aware of almost everything going on within our town. He also isn't one of those managers who sits behind his desk all day long, as he does go out on many site visits to see residents issues and concerns firsthand. While I know we have many big issues going on without our town, I'm impressed with all of our dedicated employees and volunteers. Thank you.

Thank you, Michael. Anybody else? Seeing no one, I'm going to close public comment and we'll go to our manager's report. Nope. Nobody. Thank you for checking.

Thank you, mayor, and uh thank you to Mr. No for those kind comments. It's it's appreciated uh on behalf of all of our employees. Um just a few updates. Uh we had a very productive Shedler meeting this afternoon where James McGrath, our new engineer, and our professional consultants brought us up to speed on the progress with regard to the soil remediation. The split rail fence that ran along the burm has been removed. Uh snow fencing has been added at the perimeter of the property along West Saddle River Road. and the archaeological sensitive area and the wetlands area will be have the fencing has already started and it will be completed by the end of the week. Site preparation is slated to begin by Northstar Environmental this coming Monday. They will not be trucking soil off the property until the following week. So that process will commence on the first uh the first week of May. uh our communications director who's here with us tonight, Carol Balcowski, uh will be sending out information uh to the residents of that neighborhood as to those milestone dates for site preparation and for the actual removal of the soil u which again will start the first week in May. We also had a call this week regarding the town garage property. Uh we are still in the process of working with our LSRP to analyze soil testing results both on the town garage property and on the old North Walnut Street parking lot. Uh we anticipate that Laura Clifford, who's our LSRP on that job, will be able to report back to the village council sometime in July as to the direction that we can head or what options would be available uh for the future of that property. I also want to thank the Ridgewood Public Library and the Friends Foundation. I had the opportunity to attend their author lunch

at Bajagios u a couple of weeks ago. Tremendous event. Uh the support for our public library here in Ridgewood is without question second to none. And I want to thank Lori and her staff and all the volunteers with the Friends Foundation for putting on such a terrific event. We also met with residents from the um Warren and Marshall neighborhood. Uh we even had some residents from Franklin Avenue and from uh North Irving in and we talked about flooding in that area and I want to thank Peter Afuso and James McGrath from our village engineering department. Uh they are working with those residents uh to review the condition of all of the s the storm water sewers in that neighborhood. We are going to go into a contract with uh Northwest Bergen so that they can come in and actually camera all of those uh discharge pipes in that neighborhood to make sure that they are in decent condition. And we're going to do an an evaluation of how we can move the storm water uh during high rain event storms um in the future to try to mitigate some of the flooding that they experience in that neighborhood. So, I want to thank our engineering folks uh for working on that project. Just a few announcements tonight. Yardway season began on Monday, April 6th. Please check the village calendar for your collection area. As a reminder, two-day per week irrigation is in effect. Oddnumbered addresses for irrigation are on Tuesday and Saturday, and evened addresses for irrigation are on Wednesday and Sunday. The RBSA opening day parade will take place this Saturday, April 25th. The parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the train station and continue down Rididgewood Avenue to Maple Avenue and will end out back on Veterans Field for a family day celebration. The Rididgewood Department of Public Works, I'm sorry, the Ridgewood

Department of Parks and Recreation and the Open Space Committee welcome you to attend our 2026 park events throughout the village. Join us on Saturday, April 25th at Dunham Trail for a walk which will begin at 10:00 a.m. The walk will occur rain or shine. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a water bottle. For additional information, you can contact the recreation office at the stable. The 2026 Daffodil Festival and Earth Day Fair will take place this Sunday, April 26th, at Vaness Square from 10:30 to 2:30. Bring the whole family. Uh also bring your dog to this fun educational event as we will have a petting zoo, live music, educational displays and programs, demonstrations and crafts, vendor vendors specializing in sustainability and natural products and more. Leashed dogs and their owners are invited to dress in costume and join the popular Daffy dog parade at 12:30. I know that's the deputy mayor's favorite part of the day. Registration begins at noon at the Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital booth. The last day to get the early bird discount for graded pool membership is April 30th. Please sign up through community pass. If you have questions, please call the recreation office at the stable. Council chat will take place on Saturday, May 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the caucus room right across the hall here from the council chambers. Call for reservations 2011-670-500. Extension 2207, that's the clerk's office. Residents can attend council chat without an appointment, but those with reservations previously made will have priority. The Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation in partnership with the New York, New Jersey Trail Conference will be hosting trail walk days on Sunday, May 3rd, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at

Habbernickel Park. Um the the walk and workday will cover skills necessary to maintain a hiking trail, so easily passable and harmonious with its surroundings. The walk is less than one mile. Pre-registration is required. And again, you can call the recreation office at the stable for more information. The health department will be holding a rabies drive-thru clinic for dogs on Wednesday, May 6th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Graden Pool parking lot. Dog renewals are due before June 30th. All dogs must be licensed and have a valid rabies certificate. And finally, upcoming council meetings. May 6th is a council work session. May 13th is a public meeting. May 27th is a work session. All begin at 7:30 p.m. And that concludes my report. Mayor,

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

thanks, Mayor. Um, this past Monday was the Ridgewood Arts Council and uh, the talk was all about the upcoming art show, Older Americans Art Showcase, and that will be running for the month of May in the Rididgewood Library. Many Rididgewood resident artists submitted their work for the show and there will be a reception on May 12th at 7 p.m. in the library's auditorium. On April 8th, the Open Space Committee met. The primary focus of the meeting was centered around the open space trust fund and how following the passage of the tax referendum, this newly increased budget should be utilized to maintain and acquire property in the village. Other discussions included developments with the field committee regarding events planned for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and we also talked about the daffodil festival. Finally, as Keith mentioned, this uh Saturday kicks off our first park walk and done a trail uh rain or shine 10:00 a.m. Citizen safety meeting uh last week on May um met last Thursday. Uh and discussion was regarding drop off and pickup at orchard. And uh I want to do a special shout out to our engineering department and police department because we heard about this issue in March and by April they had come back and said that they got the county to agree to increase by 10 seconds the light at Acriman South Broad which should help with the backup. So um that's excellent news and also shows how effective our staff is. our site triangle updates. Um, three additional properties have come into compliance and two new warnings have been issued. To date, the total number of compliance is up to 142. Um, and I've said that I that when we hit 175, we're going to have a safety party. So, we'll see who's invited. And, uh, the incident report last month, interestingly enough,

the total number of accidents was up. Um, it was 56 compared to 37 in 2025. The good news is that accidents with injuries were down seven versus 9 and 25. The increase in minor accidents is consistent with the weather that we've had this year. Last, the Daffodil Festival is this Sunday from 10:30 to 2:30. It's one of Richwood's greatest events. If you haven't been there before, be there Sunday. And that concludes it. Mayor, thanks. Frank Siobhan, what do you got?

Sure. So um to begin, I too want to thank Mr. No for a lovely sentiment. I agree. Uh Rididgewood is a lovely place to live and I'm incredibly grateful uh for our staff and everybody who behind the scenes makes these things happen. Some of whom are sitting here tonight. So thank you to them and thank you for your kind words. Um I have a couple updates. Uh we had a [clears throat] World Cup watch party. So um because we have an audience that we are having two features of the World Cup. One will be in Vaness Square on June 12th and then to kick off the Father's Day tournament at Vets for the Maroons, there'll be another watch party. Um, all of the watch parties are going to feature the USA. So, they'll be later because if you're not following this, Team USA plays on the West Coast. So, um, this is being sponsored by Rasa, which is Ridgewood Adult Soccer, RSA, and Maroon. So, they kind of cover from two years old onward to senior citizens. and we're very grateful to them and the efforts and we're looking forward to everybody coming practicing your skills and rooting on our country in the World Cup which is going to be really really excited. We're also hoping that everybody wishes us luck because we did apply for some grants. These are expensive events and we're hoping that we get them. So the whole council better cross their fingers for that. Um I too attended the library author lunchon where Anna Quinnland spoke. It was a soldout event in four days. It raised a ton of money for the library. Um the library is a municipal asset. So any any revenue that they bring in is just enhances the library and softens your tax dollars. Um I want to congratulate friends the library and Robera Pangawani. So rather than just having the author speak, she ran a discussion. She also is running a podcast out of the library. It was awesome and I want to say thank you to everybody who made it happen. If anybody on the council wants to see this, I know many of us were

there, but it was a beautiful successful event. Um, Daffodil Fest, uh, Sha Tree will be there. Um, we will be handing out whips. So, a whip is essentially a very small baby tree. We will be handing out three kinds. Uh, one is a dogwood, the other is a swamp oak, and then we're handing out a red bud, which, um, just a fun fact for the scouts here, red buds when they grow, their leaves turn into the shape of hearts, and they're very favored because they're beautiful, and we're very we're hoping everybody comes to pick them up. We'll have 200 whips. We'll have prizes and some interesting tree facts. Um and lastly on Monday um Access is uh hosting a makeup of the snowstorm dinner that was canceled at Puzzos. So Access holds um a neurode divergent dinner. It we feature a different restaurant each month. So if you have a member of your family who can't handle the stimulation of a regular restaurant on a regular night, it's a nice way to come. We dim the lights. You can meet the access committee and support a local merchant. And I think that's it.

Thanks Siobhan. When was that neurode divergent dinner rescheduled to? Monday. Monday 5 to 8 at Puzzos. Got it. What's the date of that? The actual calendar date. 27. 27. Got it. That's a great trick question, Paul. Without my I know. I was testing you. Evan, what do you got?

So, I too want to join in Siobhan in thanking Michael for your comments. I know for me, one of the real privileges of being on the council is seeing firsthand what our municipal workers do. And candidly, nobody gets rich working for the village of Rididgewood. Um they do it because they love giving back to the public and um to see and hear someone recognizing it. Um as we all see it, um Michael really really appreciate it. Um so I had three meetings uh since we last met. So historical preservation committee met. I know we're going to talk tonight about an ordinance that they um they gave me some feedback on um and as always reviewed several um applications and showed their usual diligence. Uh library met um just last night. Um, we talked about a bunch of improvements as Siobhan mentioned. Uh, none of them will be taxpayer funded, which I was very happy about. Um, but that's obviously coming from all the fundraising that the friends and foundation do on behalf of the library. It's something I'm eminently grateful for. Um, additionally, tons of events going on, way too many for me to list, but suggest all go to the Ridgewood Library website to see what's going on there. There is literally almost every night something something new and interesting. uh cash our shellmet um finalizing the final um uh the final schedule for the summer's concerts. Um again, we're going to have Tuesdays and Thursday nights almost the entire way through the summer. Really appreciative of all the members um of the cash shell committee um who make sure we have the bands, the music, the um make sure that uh it's properly advertised is a lot more than just getting the bands and those guys do a really really wonderful job um of really adding to the community. Um, finally, I know at least um a few of us showed up to the Holocaust remembrance service um at Temple Israel last week. Um if you haven't gone to that um would, you know, something I would suggest um to me, one of the most meaningful events in the village because it's the entire clergy of Rididgewood. You have um representatives from most every house of worship in Ridgewood coming together and really reminding us that whenever anyone is attacked, whenever somebody of faith is attacked, everybody of faith is attacked. um and really meaningful and

really special. Um want to particularly call out Dr. Schwarz gave the keynote speech on Holocaust education was very meaningful um and very much from the heart and appreciated. Um again a really wonderful event that I encourage folks to attend next year for it. Thanks Ev Pam.

Well happy Earth everybody. Today is the actual Earth Day even though we're celebrating it on Sunday. Today is the actual day and Green Rididgewood is getting ready. Uh the theme for this year is sustainable yards. So there's a lot to learn if you can attend. And as to those dogs in costumes, um there are three prizes for the best costume. And uh so do dress up your uh best friend. Um, Green Ridgewood and Green Team each have a vacancy open and you can apply if you would like to volunteer on one of those uh committees. Green team is a subcommittee of Green Ridgewood and the two the two committees do meet together on Thursday nights, the second Thursday of the first Thursday of every month. Um, and the the application form is very simple and it's online on the village website. um a delegation of Green Ridgewood went to a guild meeting to talk to them about um Skip the Stuff, the new law that the state has passed to uh require restaurants and eeries to refrain from automatically giving every takeout uh patron forks, knives, spoons, uh straws, condiments. um but have them ready in case the patron asks for them. Uh so there's a little more to it, but that's what we went to the guild to explain. We're trying to um help the restaurants and eeries get ready when this law goes into effect in on August 1st. Also, our department of health when they go around and inspect each

restaurant is now telling them about the new Skip the Stuffed Law so that they will be aware. Um, there are several Ridgwood High School students who attend our Green Ridge Rididgewood meetings and on sustainability day, which was last Friday at Rididgewood High School, um many of the students had uh set up in the student what's it called? student center. Um their presentations on various topics like fast fashion or uh storm water runoff um and all kinds of things and they were all so prepared. You just walked up and they they gave you a teacher's speech. It was really fun. And uh Sean Hamlin and I Sean Hamlin is our uh recycling director. He and I were invited to participate on a panel with several classes of students in the high school auditori um auditorium and in the little theater. Uh and that was really fun. The students asked great questions and were totally focused and gave us some good ideas too. Um, at the Green Rididgewood meeting about 10 days ago, we voted to financially contribute from our trust fund uh to treating invasive knotweed on the Hocus Brook by by Graden. Um in notweed is a is an a very aggressive uh invasive plant that is already infringing on our rain garden at Graden Pool. I also got to attend the Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at the Good

Sheeperd uh church in in Glenn Rock. And the sermon there was about how our law enforcement officers and first responders consistently show up for people in need. And it really was heartwarming to to see the honor guard that was there and um and congratulate the the officers. It it's a yearly event sponsored by um Linda Scarpa, a former Rididgewood resident, and I want to thank her for that. Um, and sure enough, uh, my car broke down in the middle of Ridgewood in the middle of traffic and Officer Carter showed up, moved my car, and and really calmed me down because I was in a tizzy. Um, and I too want to thank the Interfaith Council and Temple Israel for hosting Yom Hashoa, the uh, Holocaust remembrance ceremony. Um, and when Superintendent Schwarz spoke about how do we educate our children about the Holocaust, it was really interesting to see how thoughtfully it was done to make it age appropriate. Um, so I I recommend that event for next year also. Oh, central business district advisory committee met and James McGrath was with us and we spoke about many things including our street lamp lights and could they be more uniform and um about the intersections and how the intersections in town affect one another. Um, and we also spoke about the Walker Associates parking survey that's

coming up and that's going to launch pretty soon. I took the sample survey. It's very easy to take. It's very fast and it's it's astute in in in pinpointing the villages needs based on what residents, non-residents, um employees downtown and and shop owners need. So, I urge you to take it when you see it come out. Um let's see. the Rididgewood um business alliance got to tour the taxi stand which is actually the baggage storage area for the train station and that was very interesting. I've always looked at that building and thought, "Huh, what's in there?" And uh so it was interesting to see and um uh so glad I got to do that. And I think that's all I have, Mayor.

And that's it. Um uh the community center advisory board met and for those of you who don't know community center is basically the first floor of this building and they are working pretty much every day on turning that into an expanded senior center. One of the architects of that plan is right here in the audience, Nancy Bigos, who has worked diligently to make this a reality. Um I will tell you it is looking like it'll be done sometime this fall. So, we're all really looking forward to that. Um, and I just want to echo something that Evan said about the Holocaust Remembrance Day. Um, there were not a lot of non-Jews at this and we all know the what the Holocaust was and what it meant to the world. And, you know, there's a there's there's kind of an idea that, well, that's for the Jews. Well, that day they came for the Jews. One day someone may come for the rest of us. We should all attend Holocaust Remembrance Day next year. It is moving. It is important. And it is important to show that section of our wonderful community that we stand with them. And we stand with everyone who has known persecution. And if you think about it, who amongst us has not known that? And with that, we will move on to our regular agenda.

Mayor, just real quick, I remiss for not um thanking Michael No for his lovely comments and um he was also at SEESAC and got to see that um participation. I just so I appreciate it and enjoyed talking to you then. So, thank you very much. Did Michael and so with that, Keith want to lead us off on this?

Thank you, mayor. Um, so tonight we have one item for discussion before we [clears throat] break for the special public meeting and that has to do with a proposed change to the ordinance for the central business district relative to sidewalk displays. So, I know that Matt Rogers has worked closely with the deputy mayor on this issue. So, I'm going to turn it over to Matt to talk about some of the proposed changes uh that are being discussed.

Okay. As [clears throat] everybody knows, we have an ordinance review committee which is made up of the clerk's office, building department, um engineering department, uh police, fire, uh manager's office, u I'm involved, um and I think we have just about everybody from the town and the different departments involved in it. This came out uh as a initiative from PAM with regard to trying to help out um the u the CBD shop owners in ways of trying to or providing ways that they can uh peak interest, gain attention to pedestrians and shoppers for their particular stores in the central business district. So um we had some significant discussion about it. Uh the primary issues that were of concern at the time were safety uh for pedestrians if we allowed for displays to go on the sidewalk and also clutter and um and how to do this with a consistency that would be able to be regulated and provide that interest, provide that opportunity for the shop owners to uh you know gain interest in their stores u and get the attention, grab the attention of people walking by might even hopefully increase people walking by. So, we worked on an ordinance together and um uh it was um drafted. We went Pam and I went over several varieties of the draft and worked with John Barry, our village planner on this as well and um and then it was shared with the council. I've had the opportunity to speak with the council. I know those who uh contacted me in any event. Um and um Pam has also had that opportunity and the um there is a draft of this proposal in front of you right

now um that has some items that are redlined which are and and even highlighted that seem to be the the areas of concern and discussion. And I think I should let Pam take it from here to to develop the rest of the rest of what's going to happen tonight.

Okay. Well, um, just a bit of history. We do have two other important ordinances that play into this. One is the sidewalk sale days ordinance and it says that merchants [clears throat] may sell their merchandise on the sidewalk three days a week uh three days a year um and outside of those days they may not sell on the sidewalk. The other um important uh ordinance is the existing sign ordinance. And in 2018, the council unanimously voted to amend that and add um sections that address displays on the sidewalk. A display, and it's here in our draft, is a three-dimensional item meant to attract patrons to a business to be located on the sidewalk in front of the business uh for which the display is designed. And what brought that up was there used to be on the west side of town a mattress store, an organic mattress store, and they put outside a wooden sheep because I guess wool was part of their product. And um and our code enforcer wasn't quite sure how to deal with it. So this this ordinance was passed. And the goal is to bring is not only to catch the eye of passers by, but to bring them into the store. So what this ordinance does is it says you can have a display outside, but those items are not for sale. You have to go into the store to buy an item. Um

and uh this allows one display outside which can be uh a table uh 6 feet in length so long as it's parallel to the building and no more than 3 feet deep. Um it can be a standing object. Um, in section five, one thing we were a little not quite sure about is what to do about uh dis I don't want to call them displays, but decorative things that are affixed to the facade of the building. Um, those obviously have to stay up, cannot be brought inside the way a display can. Um, so I think that I would suggest that two things. One, if we're going to regulate things that are permanently affixed to the building, it should go th this needs input from HPC, from the historic preservation commission.

Not only input, but anybody who Right now, the way the ordinances are written separate from this. If anybody was to affix something to the front of their building, their facade of the building, they would have to go through HPC for this to happen. They would have to go to HPC for review and and and comment. Okay. And just to tag on there, Pam, I agree that at the the last red line sentence of of 5A, it I don't think we need that because it comes later in exemptions, which I think better characterizes it. So, I would propose that that last red light sentence on 5A be what? Deleted. Uh the full sentence or just the underlined section that says the red part,

just the red. So that way it would end after the word located and we would delete unless the display is affixed to the facade of the store and cannot be detached from the same because that per the um size of the display that could get cumbersome. Um and it's also the exemption 9C covers that um I think is the intent. I agree. Do we have consensus on that folks? Yes.

Okay. Um, and on C 5C, uh, I'm I'm grammatically confused. I think it is the word if that is throwing me off. displays shall be placed or located and if internally I I don't know what we're trying to say here Matt is a word myth missing or No I think I think we were talking at one point we were talking about whether or not to mandate that they be waited because we're worried about weather conditions right

and making sure that they were able to stay up stay you know where in their location that they're approved for if there's a heavy wind or um snow ice things such as that. So I think that if may have just been left in if there was a a prior usage of it. So it should just be display shall be placed or located and internally balanced. Okay. Um so we just take out the word give. Fine. Um and these displays just so the audience knows these displays do have to be brought in whenever the shop is closed. Um Unless they're permanent. No,

but then that'd be part of the exemptions. Then it would be part of the exemption, right? Okay. Just want everybody to understand. If we call it an exemption, does that in imply that it is permitted? Would it be better to say that permanently affixed decorations are not covered in this audit in this in this ordinance? Well, or refer them to the the appropriate ordinance.

Well, we can refer them to the other one, but according to just some discussions I had with um the planning board secretary and HPC secretary, they don't accept and I think it's after she reviewed it with Paula Perez that anything that's a fixed to the building that's on the outside is not permitted right now. they have to go for a variance for that such as an awning or a sign out there or something different than what's already permitted. So, um I don't want to we have to take a look at that. I'm worried about the word exemption because it if if it fall if it's in that section under exemption, it falls outside the regulations of this ordinance.

And Matt, as we were discussing, I would change the word decorative to ornamental objects. Yeah. And one of the one of the issues Frank and I tal talked about this um one of the problems with regulations is that when the review by anybody who seeks to enforce it

becomes subjective. Uh not only is it difficult for the person to enforce it, but also it's subject to uh constitutional review for um um for just for because it's it may be too subjective for to be um applied uh properly and not arbitrarily. So this ornamental I think it makes it clearer and just for everyone the the total exemption would read ornamental objects a fixed to the facade of the store that is not for displaying merchandise or other items for sale. So that way um like hypothetically that you had a piece of art that was approved and you could they adhere to it um that would serve the purpose of a display then it allows for that. Is there is there another ordinance that requires a permit in order to put such items on the facade permanently?

Not that I'm not that I saw it. I mean there as we as you said earlier this comes you know we do have a sidewalk sale days ordinance which requires a permit. Uh this would be the first one that I'm aware of that has a permit requirement for putting out these displays. Actually, these displays are quite lovely and I think they've just come into vogue in the last few years and that's probably why we don't have an ordinance yet. So, we we probably should look at creating one. Um Pam, yeah.

What do you mean by a display that is permanently a fixed? I'm trying to envision what that could include. I don't want to call it a display. Even these things that are on the facade, the flowers that are that are on a building. Flowers. Yeah. I don't want to call that a display. They're large. They No, I But now I Okay. It's really part more of the signage, which is I think HPC regulated, which is why I'm fine with that. Yeah, I'm good. I'm good with that for the same reason. I think it's not really that's in HPC's neck of the woods. Yes. So under 9C, do we have consensus that C should say ornamental objects affixed?

Well, if they're flowers and leaves, I'd leave it at ornamental items. Okay. So, can I ask and unless you're more I want to interrupt. Um I did want to talk about A and B there. Uh this has to do with plants, flowers, um whether they are organ uh organic or artificial uh plant boxes. Um so by exemptions you mean that you can have these things out there and it does not require a permit.

Correct. Um, I think so, except that they do have to be removed in winter if the sidewalks are going to be um shoveled. Except that um remember we talked about an example. I think it was might have been built more tuxedos who have plant boxes, but I think they're affixed to the front of the building, but they might be elevated off the ground. No, they're they're actually on the ground. They're on the ground. They're just placed. Okay. Um, and we say artificial. Artificial plantings don't need wind, but if they're in the way of sidewalk clearance, that's something different.

Okay. It It's up to the It's up to the store owner to shovel their sidewalk. So, it would seem to me that if you've got flower boxes out there, you simply shovel around them. Yeah. Okay. Because they have to be in a position that's uh not obstructing the the pathway anyhow, right? Okay, you're right. I think that's fine.

Yep. Pam, could I just because we're on nine. I had a question on AE on on mine. I think that AE would be allowed in display racks holding multiple items for sale such as racks of clothing clothing or shelves of items. Yeah, if I can jump in there too is that um I mean we're we are living in an Amazon economy and any business that's able to stay open needs to have no obstacles placed in the way to make that happen. And I believe firmly that we should not have anything that restricts that. And I can think of countless examples of where it's okay to have a display. And that's how you're going to draw people into the store is by showing um examples of items that are sold in the store. So I strongly think that E needs to be removed

and and and I support what you're saying, Frank, completely except for the racks of clothing. I think racks of clothing um that's for sidewalk sale days. I mean, if you want to have a display, you want to have a table, you want to have multiple shelves and put things out there. I think that looks great. I've seen it many times. The racks of clothing um looks cheesy and and and and and we're not allowed to to uh opine on on what looks cheesy and what looks decorative. We just had Is that a technical term?

It's a legal term. It comes from the Latin and the Greek. Like you can appine on it but you just can't put it in order. Yeah. Right. So so you know the I I I would just like to take the racks of clothing part. So read items for sale. So I'm sorry if I can if I can opine on this point too because this is where I was going as well because I do want to tie that back to B2 where the way that I read B2 it does allow you to sell goods and then if you keep the prohibition it basically means you couldn't sell multiple goods. So you can maybe have an example or one or two of something. But I think what you're saying Paul was but you couldn't have a, you know, a table full of sneakers or a rack full of clothing.

You know, I'm okay with quite honestly. I'm okay with a table full of sneakers. Um I mean I've seen, you know, here Gina Jun is here. She has hot jewelry box for, you know, for, you know, her family's had that since, I think, before she was born. And they put out a lovely display of pocketbooks. And so, you know, you have multiple pocketbooks out there. It looks really nice. I've seen other retailers put out literally just a rolling rack outside. It's different than it I don't consider that a display. That's a that's a rack of clothes and and it just doesn't it it it just doesn't look nice at all. And we want to give him an opportunity to do things. But

one of the reasons I wanted to question this one is because we um just taking a step back um sidewalk sales used to be a really big deal in town. I've been trying to explain this to people, you know, for when people used to set alarms and go to their favorite store and get their discount. And sometime because retail has taken um kind of a hit on our main street, we have less retail and the sidewalk sales because everyday wees are out because of COVID most of the time they're less. I personally don't want to pass anything that restricts people from selling featuring. I love a table display. Um the racks, [clears throat] multiple racks I'm not into. One rack I'm into, you know, because one rack can come out and it can go back in. My big thing while we were reading this is that, you know, clearly things have changed and the sidewalk sale ordinance doesn't apply as much because sidewalk sales aren't, you know, as big as they used to be. I'm going to quote Joan. And I remember when Lucky Jeans, our Lucky Jeans number one selling store was Rididgewood on sidewalk sale days, which is like amazing to think of a whole chain on those days. So I too like the displays. I think it's nice. Um, so I wouldn't want to restrict the tables or any delightful display in any fashion. Um, I also am a little concerned that with clothing stores, if you take away the racks of clothing, it's a it's a huge setup outside. It's a so the racks sometimes go out and come back in. I would be okay with one rack if everybody else doesn't like them. But I just don't want to pass anything that makes doing business uptown harder.

That's what I think. So, and to that I'm sorry to that to that point. I have no problem with clothing stores putting their clothing out on a table. It just looks nicer. Um, as opposed to the rack which is I mean I've seen them, you know, there's empty there's empty hangers. They just put them out there. It's not really a display. It's it's designed for somebody to sift through as opposed to look at it and say I like that. The only problem is because I did work for a retailer uptown

um and I am a female and I'm not afraid to discuss shopping. um that causes rummaging and then refolding and so I worry about that and the vendor you know when people are looking for things you know hot jewelry box does an awesome job because you can see it you can find the price but when you fold everything then people can't find their size not and it creates a labor situation of keeping the the display pretty so again I'm not I'd be interested in hearing what some of the merchants think after this discussion but folding clothes putting it out creating a delightful display can be dismantled with one person looking for one size in about five minutes.

So, if I can add two points. So, I did have the opportunity to run this by HPC, we did not have the benefit of the actual drafted ordinance, but there was a pretty strong um feeling in the room that while we like the sidewalk sales, having merchandise for sale outside looks a little chintzy. And I know there are folks that do it well, like Hot Jewelry Box is a great example. We went through a couple of examples, but there was a very strong concern and candly one that I share personally that it cheapens the downtown if we have lots of merchandise kind of stacked outside. And while I agree with you, Frank, I want to give our businesses every opportunity to succeed. In my view, when you come to Rididgewood for shopping, you're not you're not we're not competing with Amazon. We're we're a different experience. And I do think it we run the risk that by putting things out there, it'll look kind of chintzy and cheap um if done poorly. And I could tell you the HBC was was largely I think in agreement with that. That was their views, not mine. I just happened to share them. Um Paul, I hear your points as well. I think that if we have something where you're selling a couple of pieces of merchandise and it's done tastefully, it could look really good and I don't want to get away get away with that. My problem is enforcement of that will be a nightmare. How do we write this in a way where to your point the cheesy thing it's only half funny because it's very it's one of those things you don't when you see it. And I think if we say, well, a rack of clothing is bad, and we can agree we don't want that because we don't like when people rummage, but a table of sneakers looks okay, and if we have something that's set up and it looks nice, which is not really a legally enforcable term, then it's okay. But then when somebody does something that's really, you know, garish, we don't have the ability to take it down. Um so my views and again I think um you know from what I was hearing from HBC is while I'm supportive of having displays outside and I think this is very well written otherwise I'm not supportive of having merchandise for sale on the sidewalk other than those sidewalk sales

and I would say that we we always talk about our downtown and how many how many businesses continue to close and you have to commend every business that's able to stay open and you know that I think that to have this snoody attitude that it looks cheesy is hurting the merchants. I think that they need to do what they need to do. I mean, let's talk about bookends. I mean, independent bookstores across the country have closed down. You know that you look at Barnes & Noble used to be a threetory building and now it's on the other side of 17 is a much smaller building. And if in you know, bookends puts books outside, surprise, so people can look through it. And I just I I would rather have it, you know, quote unquote low chintzy, which I don't think it will, then merchants stay in business and are able to stay here than to try to say that, oh, well, we're we're Ridgwood. That's we're we're we're above that. I mean, it's how many people are business owners in here, especially downtown. And that's what you have to look at that they're fighting for every sale that they can get. And with Amazon just tripping them up every step of the way, I am not in favor of any way hurting the businesses by saying they can't they can't have a table of things they sell and you grab it and you go inside and sell it. And that's the difference between that and a sidewalk sale. Sidewalk sale buy it outside. So they still have to bring it inside the cell. But it's multiple examples.

And I'm completely on board with you except for I think two points, Frank. Um, one is the the the rack of clothing. Um, I mean, again, I love what what um uh Bookends does. I think it looks great. Um, and the other is I think you just called me study. I'm not sure. I think it was me. Okay. I'm fine with that. Then I'm fine. Then we're then we're in complete agreement. Just bring in the council. If we could if we could excise and we could talk about this for days and if anybody has anything to say by all means but if we could excuse me let me just finish my sentence. If yeah I if we could

I I think if perhaps we could find consensus on limiting the exclusion to racks of clothing if we can I I think that we might be able to move on from this point. But go ahead. I think we we can encourage the merchants to use their creativity. Um, for instance, at Lacasita, she didn't put a rack of clothing out there. She put a dress maker's dummy with one of her best dresses on it, and it was unique, distinctive, and in keeping with Rididgewood's character. Remember that our master plan has a goal of maintaining the charm of Ridgewood and racks of clothing. I can go to a flea market to see those. Um, so I am opposed to uh racks of clothing for sale. Um, and and I think shelving is is okay. Um, so

I mean I'm I'm in agreement with Pam on this. And to be clear to my friend Frank, I don't think we necessarily help the downtown and help business by having racks of clothing and other and other um and other goods out there. I think it takes away from the experience and it means less people will be shopping and less foot traffic is it's not special. So I I share your enthusiasm for the businesses. I just think we have a disagreement on whether this helps them or not, but we both want to help them. Um, I do agree with Pam as well and and Paul, the Brax clothing to me is is kind of a non-starter. I still continue to come back to I'm and again also the single dress I think does look really nice when you do that, but having any merchandise for sale, I think it's going to be tough to police that. It's going to be too subjective and there's no way we can afford something when somebody puts something out that is garish and really beyond. So, I would prefer to write this in a way where you could not have merchandise for sale, but everything else that we've discussed tonight would be permissible.

I I disagree. screwed that. So I think we have three who want sales outside and then we just have to qualify how they're sellable, right? So we move away from the rack. So three, Frank, Paul and I support the sale outside. Evan and Pam support the presentation of to luren. So that's one. too. I I do just want to say something because when you know people have this review of their property, which isn't what I want to do, I I guarantee you a display with sales looks better than a vacancy. Yes.

And I I'm I really feel like being in town a lot, living in town, walking there, um you know, I want to stay away from the, you know, we can if they want to sell things and that's successful for them, they know their business best and we should find a way to support it and balance our charm, not just say selling things outside is unching. Um, so I I'm I'm fine with massaging it. It can you can I feel like it's going to be a burden if we remove the rack of clothing, but we'll we'll see. But I I just think we still have vacancies up town and when we start telling people this is a way for you to attract business, I think we're overstepping. They know how to attract it. They're putting it out there because it's attractive and because they're ringing sales outside. Um so that's it. I mean

so so you're you're willing to take out the racks of clothing, I guess. I mean, could we go with singular rack? I mean, I I just I feel bad for the people.

Let me let me see where I think we we may have we may have consensus and just to get to to see where we are on item 8E. Um, how do you guys all feel, you know, who who is in support of simply having the word the words racks of clothing as a prohibited item? that would that would allow shelving that would allow people to sell item from from from shelving and from you know multiple displays of you know that that for example um bookends has um uh hot jewelry box has so that's what we're that's what we're talking about again

I don't think we should sell on the street bring those people inside so they can see all the wares all the great things and beautiful things that are in that shop all right then let's cut this in half because we'll we'll get consensus on each of these items. Who here feels that we should allow um uh uh merchants to sell let's we'll get to we'll get to racks of clothing later to sell from their table or racks outside. Who who's in favor of that? So there's there's a majority for that. Okay.

So we're going to allow them to sell from from their display outside. Now, let's move on to the second half of that, which is racks of clothing. Who wants to prohibit racks of clothing outside? I do. One, two. I'm I'm against the ordinance. You're against I I don't think we should be selling items at all. We're beyond that, though. Well, that's what I'm saying. That's why I'm saying No, but No, but the point is the display. You're still in favor of some kind of I'm absolutely happy with the display, but I don't want people buying merchant or I don't want merchandise for display outside that you can buy.

And you've said and you've said that my my point is now, okay, we're still going to have a display. Should we allow that display to include racks of clothes? I my my concern is that by calling out racks of clothing, we're implicitly allowing boxes of sneakers, uh stacks of shirts. That to me is going to be just as as poorl looking as racks of clothing. But the but the but the but the majority has just voted or excuse me shown a consensus that yes, we're going to allow this council is going to allow things to be sold outside from this display. Now, now the question is

how if will this display should this display include racks of clothes? They're they're really two separate items, right? There's also restrictions, Evan, on the size. So, I don't want everyone thinking I'm We'll get to that. But apparently, this is this is something that we are still with the concept. I I I got the concept. I just want to clarify. It's not going to be like 4,000 tables because there was a restriction on the sale footprint outside. Absolutely. Okay. I just want to make sure. Absolutely. Now the question is the question is do we want to allow racks of clothing as a display or part of a display? Who is in favor of allowing racks of clothing out there?

No. Singular rack. Well, I I I I hear your point, so I'm not as firm on that. So like I I in like Siobhan said a rack of clothing maybe is how we do it. Any any racks of clothing just I think what Paul's saying is who would allow a display to be a rack whether it be one two three a rack of clothing. So so we could just you're the vote on this. If you want it really just say yes. If you don't want it say no. Here what I'm getting is Siobhan is in favor of allowing a rack of clothing. Frank, are you in favor of allowing a rack of clothing? I can see your point. So that's why I'm

So are you yes or no on that? What do we have any choice other than is it just do we allow or don't?

Well, no. Because it this is this is again are we going to allow we're going to allow a display? We're going to allow a table. We're going to allow shelving. Are we going to allow racks of clothing? Pam and I do not support allowing a rack of clothing. We don't think it's a display. We think it's the flea market. And so that's that. and and we want we want to give we want to give our our retailers the opportunity to display their wares. So again, it's it's it's you and you and Evan have to let us know. Do you want to allow retailers to have a rack of clothing? What were you are you saying?

No, I'm just saying it's a it's really you you may understand the argument, but it's really a yes or no answer. If you're in favor of having racks or a rack of clothing, then you would say yes. If you're not in favor of it, this is just to get a consensus from the council. This is not to, you know, Bon, what what are your thoughts? I'm pro pro racks

pro pro one singular rack. I think that's what one one rack. I look and I think it will be will be interesting is this is a workshop and we are working this. We see the chamber of commerce. I would welcome him some input. Um, clearly I'm I I feel that the merchandisers downtown know how to run their business. They know the intricacies better than us. And if you want to sell outside and keep your business alive that way, I support it. So, I just I feel, you know, given background, I would be okay with one rack. I don't want to see it cluttered and I I think the ordinance needs some other cleaning, but who know? I I don't know. We don't have that many clothing stores, but that would I mean, just can I name a specific business? I mean, sure. You already have some.

Okay. I mean, like Victor, like what if he what if it's beautiful out and town is hopping and he wants to go out? I would I would feel badly that he would have to go out and set a whole table up when he could just participate outside. And I just look, I just think it's really hard. And if people are watching this and going to comment, it's really hard to stay in business uptown. And if we can find a way to do this, I would be much more pro any type of sale that allows them to operate and remain profitable because the worst thing for our main street is a vacancy. And I I I agree with that and that's was my initial. So you're in favor of allowing a rack. A rack. Yeah. Okay. Evan, swing vote. A rack or no racks?

Well, by virtue of the fact that I don't think there should be any merchandise, I would prefer no rack. So on this point so that we can move on from this right no racks or Iraq. So no racks but I am concerned that I may not vote at all in favor of this tonight. So and that's fine but right now right now we are going through it. I like the lesser included no racks. So it's so it's no it is so then then this this um section 8E by a majority of the council should should read racks of clothing are are prohibited. Yes. No, just just delete it, right? No, no, no, no. This is this is prohibited.

Prohibited. So So we can now move on to our whatever other issues we've got and then So also, can we not use the word display there? Yeah. I agree with that. That's what the wording says. No, just just racks of clothing. Yes. Take out the word display. Racks of clothing are prohibited. Yeah. That's all that that that AE will say. those three words of clothing. And Siobhan, you had some question about the size of the No, no, no. I didn't I just was it was I was just clarifying because not everybody can see it that there is a restriction on space. So people think like I'm rolling 900 racks of clothing even though you guys all right. But it is it is 5 foot in height, six foot width,

three and you I mean that's that's you could stack a lot of shoes in that space. Stack a lot of shoes. Yeah. I mean that's that's what my concern is, you So, right, but that's a standard table. Last thing I'll say, that's what I'm saying. I don't want a stack of table a table full of shoes. If your business is selling things like shoes or something that's small merchandise that you need to show multiple examples, that's why you can't you can't have a dress rack if you're if you're selling shampoo, right? So, that's why I'm just there's a lot of nuances to business and that's why you can't make one rule fits all. I I I know. And again, we come back to the fundamental disagreement that I think this hurts businesses more than it helps them.

Well, let's let's let's continue. We've got a working draft so far and um we don't we all don't agree on every um on every facet of this, but we're we're working with this working draft. I know there was a question on on D3, the cost of the permit that currently reads no fee. Is everyone good with no fee? Yes, everyone's good with no fee. We should not take money from Fine. Fine. Are there any other issues before we

before before we see if we have consensus on this current draft? By the way, you don't have to agree with all of it or disagree with all of it. Now, it's just on this draft. Let's get let's figure out if we're going to put this forward. So, here's where I am. So B2 does explicitly allow the sale of merchandise. Yes, I'm opposed to that. With that said, if you're looking for consensus tonight and we're not voting on this tonight, we're voting to introduce this tonight. Am I right? Right.

I would be amendable to voting to introduce this, understanding that I want to hear from HPC and I want to hear from Jane, I'm sorry, from Joan and some of the others folks. Um, right now I'm leaning against it because I do not like the idea of having merchandise out on the sidewalk in any form. Um, but if the vote is simply introduces so that we can actually get more feedback, I'm a yes. But as it stands right now, I'm a no on the overall ordinance based on B2. Here's I'm exactly there also. Well, here well, here's the thing. Um, this is now we have this draft, which is which is the draft that we are now going to decide whether we're going to introduce. And then, by the way, the next item is going into um Oh, we're voting on it tonight. We're voting on it tonight.

Then that's a problem. So first reading first read it's first reading. Yes. And so introduction. So this is the draft that we will and as as we've amended it um to to work with and introduce in our um in our uh special public meeting. I do have one other item just to note. Item 8 D, items of merchandise for sale or purchase other than permitted in B2B above. I'm not sure what that means.

I I interpret that to mean that you can't sell have things on your table that you don't sell in your store other than B2. What What if I two above? Do you mean the B2 district? No, it's B2 is definitions of B2 sidewalk display is what it says.

I see. Now I'm I'm reading this. I have to tell you, I think it's superfluous. I think that it is an unnecessary um line item. Matt, um you tell me um does this does this say anything or is it just sort of there? Well, it's it's taken from it's consistent with the sidewalk sales ordinance, I believe, but uh items for merchandise for sale or purchase other than permitted in B2 above. Um I'll take a quick I have to take a quick look at it. Um, I'm trying to remember. There's been so many iterations of this. I'm trying to remember why that is there. But it may be it may be a um a negated and a null, you know, provision.

Well, but it says in in B2 of which is dis the display is designed for in front of the business of which the display is designed. So I I interpret that to mean like let me let's use a hypothetical. Let's say that the hot jewelry box on their display outside wants to sell I don't know honey that theoretically sell honey in the store. Then this says that they can sell it on their table. Yeah. But B2 B2 doesn't say you can display items for sale that are sold in the store. So that's why it refers back to B2, but it doesn't really have any meaning. Moreover,

not only does it not have meaning, Dolly the sheep would not be allowed to be put outside because she's not for sale to begin with. Exactly. So So Gary Gary at the tobacco shop, who occasionally puts his wooden Indian outside, couldn't put that outside. It is it is it is essentially in conflict with the portion that says an ornamental item, okay, is is u is uh is allowed outside. So, I would recommend that we take D out and I'm okay with that. Everybody good? Yeah. Great. I I do just want to say because the sheep pan was because it was a sleeping store counting sheep. Oh, is that

okay? And I think the other side of this is that with B2s and the way that we were approaching our ordinances right now, if it's not stated, it's permitted. So, I think we ought to take it out, right? So, we're taking that out. This is our working draft and this is the one that now we need a motion to suspend the work session and convene a special public meeting. Wait, wait, wait. Before we do that, yeah, let's get the wording nailed down. I want to make sure. We did. I'm sorry. Yeah, we did. So, hold on. I want to make sure because that after introduction we circulate the ordinance proactively to the chamber and the guild so they can read it and then during and so everybody knows it's it's got to go to planning board right for review and it going to get go to HBC as well

right so I just think that would be a good step and then clearly for anybody who you know has comments on how much we just discussed racks and whether Paul's getting a job up town so in close I've had a job up very interested in hearing in hearing feedback and if any of us got it wrong, myself included, we'd welcome any input. All of our emails are on the website and the clean copy will be a good discussion. I do want to clarify sidewalk sale ordinance will still be there for the annual sidewalks and the annual sidewalks. This does not change any. Okay. Though it certainly undermines it because now you're going to see all this stuff every day of the six days of the week. But sidewalk sales allows you to go on the street as well.

Yeah, that's true. Okay. So, mayor, let me suggest that when you enter into the special public meeting and we get to this agenda item that Matt just reviews the changes so that we have complete transparency for the public and a complete understanding by the council as to what exactly they're voting on as far as any changes to the document that was on the day is tonight. And this way there's no question about that. And then that will be updated by Matt tomorrow, circulated, and that's the document that will be sent to the planning board for review and recommendation. And Keith, when would the second reading of this be when there would be public? I

I believe Heather had it listed for the regular meeting, which would be May 13th. Um, and you have a planning board meeting before that, right, Deputy Mayor? And HBC has got to get to it, too. So, if we can get all that done, it can make it to that May 13th. Right now it's scheduled for May 13th, but you can't adopt until you have a letter from the planning board and in this case a review from HPC. So shall we go to our special public meeting? We need a motion to suspend the work session and convene a special public meeting. So moved. Second. All in favor? I.

And let's go. This is now the village council special public meeting. The date is April 22nd, 2026. The time is 8:47 p.m. 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. A notice of this meeting was also posted on the village of Wristwood's legal notices page on its website. Roll call. Mortimer still here. Parin here. Whites here. Winrad here. Vagos

here. And we will now go to public comment. Does anybody want to comment on anything discussed or to be discussed? If you do, please step up to the mic, identify yourself, and whether or not you are a Ridgewood resident. And I would also say if you are a uh retailer or former retailer, you should mention that. Uh yeah. um property owner, third generation retailer. If you if you could just say your name and address and are you a resident, Tom? On the record, Tom Helman. Yes. Are you a resident? Yes, I property owner retailer. Do you live in town? Yes. Do I live in town? Yes.

I do not live in town. Just needed to know. I did sell my house in town. I know.

Okay. Um, as someone that was educated in marketing, someone that experienced the my whole career in marketing, um, what you have here is a display and you're trying to make it as a retail event. Um, what you were discussing tonight is an excellent retail event for 1990. Okay. Today it's not about touch and feel. Uh it's all about getting them into your place of business through social media, whatnot. Um what we would have used in newspapers years ago. Okay. Um but times have changed. Um I just don't see us marketing on the street. We have an example of what we want at the post office. We have the postal man out front. I'm sure you've seen people taking selfies of them. Um, should we bring the boxes in the envelope rack in the post office out to the curb? Is that what we want? Do we want to jeopardize the chamber in their in their sidewalk sale days by having a sidewalk sale day every day of the the week? Um there's there's so much possibility for abuse in this. I mean, right now for years, you have two places that have floral arrangements on the front of their building.

Beautiful. Looks beautiful. If you look closely, though, one is just a facade. The other one ends up in flower pots that are on the curb or on the sidewalk, chained to the building. Um, two different things, but they've gotten away with it for how many years now? So again, it's it's all about someone being able to abuse the situation. This I see retailers, you know, it's not unique to Ridgewood. What's happening, it's all over the country. It's all over the world. Um, and as someone that's also involved in the RBA, I see this is totally opposite of the way we're planning the RBA to go.

Tom, you're over your time. So, if you could just finish up, we'd appreciate it. Thank you. Okay. All right. Um, I'm just supposed to this display. I mean the display, yes, and I think it's great, but to make it as a sales thing with racks, I don't want to see it. Thank you, Tom. Okay. Hello everyone. Thank you so much for uh for allowing us time to speak and thank you Tom for your comments. Thank you mayor. Thank you deputy mayor for if you would if you would.

Sorry. My name is Gina Jun and I have currently just died from heart failure. That's how I'm going to start my speech. Forgive me. We need to know if you're a resident or

Gina John. I um until a few months ago I lived uh on Marshall Street in Ridgewood and I no longer do. Um I own the most beautiful jewelry store, one of the most beautiful jewelry stores in town, the corner of um East Ridgewood Avenue, right next to Walgreens. If you haven't come in, please come in. It's a wonderful shop filled with sparkles and happiness. Um, the reason I say I just died of heart failure is because that's the reality of retail. That's the reality of businesses everywhere. Uh, if you don't see the red in my eyes, I uh I don't sleep very much. I have three kids. And thank you, Paul, for um saying that I'm I'm younger than 20 because I tell my three kids I'm 21 all the time. Long story short, there are some real underlying issues that are deliberately killing businesses. Um, it's just I know I have three minutes, so I'm going to actually just just prepare read what I have prepared. Um, we are here to discuss the very real challenges that have been affecting downtown Ridgewood. Issues that have not only lingered but have grown more severe over time. Quite frankly, they have reached a critical point. As one of the longest standing retail business owners in this town, I feel compelled um despite being exhausted and overworked to come here tonight and once again urge you to address the ongoing concerns with the seriousness and urgency that they deserve. Um, I know there's a whole story on parking and I know I don't have that much time to get into it, but displays and tables um out on the street are bare minimum for us. Just people

coming by seeing that we're open. Um, I know that I have um emailed the mayor and a number of people regarding parking as well, which I'm sort of si surprised that it's not there's no nothing on the agenda for that because that has been an underlying issue um all over. So, I did want to mention that as well, but um there is um it's a crisis. There's very little foot traffic. um people are not um coming into Richwood to shop like it used to. So I just want to share the importance of allowing businesses to sort of freely exercise um their rights to have the displays out there. I hope um and I know my time is up but I just wanted to share that there's a sense of urgency um and we did bring this to the attention of um Joan's been so helpful and all of you have been so helpful in um helping us but um wow I didn't know 3 minutes was go going to go by so fast I'm barely digesting dinner that I was running and eating here um while I was coming but I did want to just say thank you but I think you could truly benefit from a business owner liaison perhaps a committee of people that can can help and give feedback in a healthy way.

Thank you, Gina. Thank you so much. Anybody else from the audience? No. Then well, we have Stacy Sapitaris on our home access. Stacy, you're up. You're on mute, Stacy. Good. All right. Wonderful.

Thank you, Mayor. Stacy Sapitaris, resident um landlord. I'm also chairwoman of the Historic Preservation Commission as well as on the RBA. Um sorry I couldn't be there. I'm at the office actually working on some deadlines. So, I've been listening on and I appreciate you letting me come in uh remotely. Um I totally hear everything that's been said loud and clear. Um I I don't know that racks and tables are going to change what we're looking to effectuate. Um, when we say sales on the street, I mean, are we talking about somebody out there with a square reader swiping the credit card? Um, we have to understand that when you have items outside, you're going to have to have employees that are monitoring that. And with the sidewalk sale days, the great thing about the sidewalk sale days, and I remember I used to go out for the sidewalk sale days, it was something to look forward to. um those merchants are actually hiring people for those days because you do need coverage. It's back and forth. Um so we have to kind of think of that component. Um for instance, we have this great store nearby um Pizzazz and we've wanted them often to be out on days like the sidewalk sale days and they don't do it because they said we can't afford to have somebody out there monitoring that table. So that that that's going to be um very spotty in terms of who's going to be doing it and who is not. Um let's let's call it what it should be. Um it's more placemaking. I think what we're all trying to achieve here is placemaking. Something that shows, hey, I'm open. Here's an example of something beautiful you'll find inside. And get them inside. That's where that's where they belong. We worry about the A-frames and things

flying in the air, you know, when a quick rainstorm's coming our way. What's going to happen when we have all of these, you know, whether it's racks or tables? Um, you know, is everything weighted down? I mean, how do we know that a box of sneakers isn't just going to start flying in the air? So, but on a sidewalk sale day, you expect that. So, you have somebody outside, you have somebody greeting someone. Um, the other thing I would say is width of the street. I mean, bookends and hot jewelry box have a great opportunity because they have these beautiful wide sidewalks. Well, come up closer towards the train station and now some of these merchants won't even have that competitive advantage because they're width is is much shallower and they might even have a tree well. So, they may not be able to merchandise at all and that that might be another concern. Um, so when we say sale on the streets, I mean, are you what are you selling? What I mean, are those shirts I would much rather like like um Councilwoman Perin said. Lacita, she did an amazing job. I could see Hot Jewelry Box having something similar as well with, you know, a mannequin, you know, the ones that are just velour or whatever they are and they have a whole bunch of like beautiful necklaces hanging off.

Stacy, we want to know that. Stacy, your time is up. If you could just finish up, please. Absolutely. So, perfect example. I was in Scarsdale, New York a couple of days ago. They do a beautiful job with placemaking. All they do is put one item out there to show that they're open. And I will tell you also the sheep that now is in Village Hall um was the Healthy Choice mattress sheep. And I'm glad that that kind of spurred this whole conversation. So, thank you for your time. Thank you, Stacy. Anybody else? Seeing no one, I'm going to close public comment. Would anybody like to respond to any of the comments made? Just

I wanted to add one thing. So, clearly we're not all allowed to meet, but one of the questions that I did ask was scope. And I believe Pam told me right now there's only 10 stores who were interested in that. So, I just, you know, like I'm like, who is it? How's it going to be? 10 stores. And and Pam has the list of who they are. Yeah. Uh Gina Jun gave me a list and I brought it with me. I just You don't need to read it, but I just wanted to give an idea that that's the scope right now. So, when people were talking

and and I'd like to add too that it clearly says in B2, the display cannot be used for monetary exchanges as any purchases shall be conducted inside the business establishment. So, this is not to compete with a sidewalk sale. It's just that if they find that the best way to bring people into their business is to have samples of their products or examples, then that's what they can put on their table.

And um and also uh the issue is raised um about whether these would be weighted. It's uh the the draft um ordinance says in in C 5C displays shall be placed or located um and internally ballasted or weighted in such manner so as not to create or present a hazard to pedestrian safety and property damage. So they they they need to be weighted for the weather. Will there be problems? I'm not wouldn't be the least bit surprised, but that's what the ordinance says.

And I have asked James McGrath to consider is there a uniform kind of waiting that we could use something better than sandbags um which create a tripping hazard in and of themselves and I he'll get back to me at some point, but we don't have to put that in the ordinance just yet. Um we have to be careful. We have to be careful if we amend this between now and the second reading that is a substantive change then we got to start a process all over again. Well, and I would argue that we shouldn't have a set weight because it would depend on the the item the shelf itself. Great. But there should be some some attempt to wait.

Well, it's it's uh the ordinance requires it. So, anybody else have any comments? No. Okay. Uh with Oh, and with that, if I had not already done it, I'm going to close public comment and we will move on with our special public meeting.

Mayor, tonight we have on the agenda an application for the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund grant for park improvements for the renovation to the upper field at Citizens Park. At this time, I'd like to call forward our director of parks and recreation, Nancy Boss, who has been working on this project. As the council knows, we received a grant from Burton County Open Space last year uh for $121,000 uh for the purposes of renovating lower Citizens Park. Um and the village matched that money, a little bit more than a match, um through our 2026 capital project. This would be to address the upper area of the park. And Nancy has a short PowerPoint presentation so that the public's fully aware of what we intend to apply for and the council can ask any questions before we open up to a public hearing on SA.

Good evening, mayor and council. Thank you for the opportunity to present to you this evening. Um what I'd like to share with you tonight is um the Citizens Park Upper Field Restoration. Um, as you are aware, last year you approved within the capital budget process the the citizens field the citizens park restoration and that those funds have been approved by Bergen County Open Space this year. What we'd like to be able to do is to apply for additional funds as in a phase two and complete the park renovation, renovating the upper field um at citizens. So what I what this would include um would be the fact that the next phase of this park renovation would include the complete rehabilitation of the upper field. This restores the condition, functionality, and safety of the playing field itself. This work includes grading and laser levering the infield and base uh paths, adding new soil, infield mix, rebuilding the pitcher mound, and the batter's boxes. Also included in this project is the addition of baseline fencing, portable outfield fencing, spectators benches, and players benches in the scope of this project. So here we have a little bit um the Bergen County has asked us for a demonstration in photos to show the quality of the field or the quality of the product and this shows um our need

of rehabilitation on site. Sorry. Next is a slide that demonstrates for you exactly the changes that we are going to see on this facility. And here is the budget estimate for citizens and the work that we anticipate for 2027. Proposal for the field includes all of the amenities that I spoke to you about. the total renovation of the playing surface, lasering, regrading, infield mix, playmount, um the installation of the baseline fencing, the portable outfield fencing, players boxes, benches, um spectator benches. That's $118,600. We will need to install irrigation in this site. We want to be able to keep that new sod green in that area looking beautiful. Landscaping along the fence between our property and next door. A contingency of $12,40 brings the total of this project to $134,640.

And Nancy, how much of that is grant money versus ours? Is this fully granted grant money? This is a 50/50 match, sir. Okay. So, the village of Rididgewood is asking for $67,320. And I'm sorry, Keith, I think you mentioned this. Did we already put this into the budget? No. So, so this is for a new project. Um, and the cycle with Bergen County works as follows. The applications are due in the spring. So, that's why we're going through the process that we are here tonight to finalize the grant application. Those will be reviewed over the summer months by the open cap open space committee at the county and the awards will be made in the fall.

So I usually November this year I think it was November 7th we were awarded the money for lower citizens and then what happens uh councilman is in as we start to prepare next year's budget we will ask for a match in our 2027 capital. So basically if we get the grant we fund this next year. Yes. we would fund the other half of the project and and sometimes there's add-ons, sometimes the county comes back with recommendations. So, while the grant requirements are a 50/50 match, there are times that we increase the amount requested to the council to just make sure that we have all the amenities uh accounted for. That's great. And my only question here is fiscal. Nancy, this is a great idea. I've been on that field before. It could definitely use the work. So, this is this is great.

The other thing I want to say to the council is this is a very underutilized area. Um and you know we often talk about the fact that you know we need more field space and when we deal with flood events and all the discussion that we have frequently here um doing this project while it is used now we will be able to maximize the use of upper citizens in a way that we have not been able to before. That's great. Correct.

So this will be placed in our 2027 capital budget request. I I would like to add that this year there's going to be so many exciting improvements to citizens. So it's sort of citizens next step and we're going to get the new fence which is amazing and there's I think we had another matching grant last year for one of these. Yeah. For lower for lower citizens and that includes bumpouts along Monroe Street and the new fencing, the new back stop. We're actually even talking about repositioning the field. That's not completely decided yet, but we're working with uh the new engineering team to uh to account for that as well. And when we first took our seats, Evan, there was a big complaint on Upper Citizens of the Poison Ivy.

Evan, remember that was pre-goat idea. And forgive me. Um I have an issue at home that I have to attend to. So I'm going to be leaving early. Pam's got it from here forward. Um forgive me, Nancy. Thank you so much for the work that you do on this. really looking forward to citizens being uh brought up to uh speed and being the great field that it's going to be. Thank you all so much. Have a nice evening. Great introduction. Anybody else on the deis have any further questions for Miss Boss? [laughter] Thank you very much. Thank you, Nancy. So, Deputy Mayor, we'll need to open this up for a public hearing.

Yes. Public hearing on grant application for renovation of Upper Field at Citizens Park. Um, the public hearing on the grant application for renovation of Upper Field at Citizens Park is now open. Boy, a loving Ridgewood resident. Uh, I would just request that this be posted someplace because it the it was difficult to see. We the eye test situation. We always talk about the fact that the fonts on these should be increased. Um I'm not sure if we can get a formal review process for these before they go up, but it was difficult to see. So if this can be posted someplace or sent out to those who request it, it we can review it better. Thank you very much.

Anyone else? Seeing no one on remote, um I move that the public hearing be closed. I second. Mortimer, yes. Perin, yes. Whites, yes. Wiggrad, yes. Vaganos.

Okay. The next to Yeah. Go on.

Okay. The next is the application for the Bergen County Historic Preservation Trust Fund Grant, uh the historic restoration of the pedestrian tunnel at the Ridgewood Train Station. And tonight to present that is our director of communications and special project, which includes monitoring and dealing with many of our grant applications um and managing the grants that we do receive is Carol Balcowski. Um so Carol, if you want to take us through your presentation uh quickly as well, that would be great. Sure. Uh thank you. Um so once again we are going to apply for this grant for the uh rehabilitation of there we go of the the train station pedestrian.

Could you just speak up a bit? We're getting signs.

Oh, sure. Uh we actually were uh the grant was rejected last year and we are this is definitely our strongest application ever that we're going to be submitting. Um, starting with some historic photos. Just a reminder, it was the train station was built in 1916. Uh, these photos are courtesy of our wonderful library, and it's listed on both uh the New Jersey and the National Registers of Historic Places. And the train station is unique in that it does feature a pedestrian tunnel, an underground tunnel that allows people to to cross and easily access the east and west sides of town. Unfortunately, if you've walked through the tunnel, you're you'll notice that it is showing signs of deterioration. And according to our preservation architect that we hired last year, uh Barton Ross and Partners, uh it's an overall poor condition. Um I took some pictures of the worst examples of the walls. The walls are really in a state of decline, mostly due to prolonged exposure to moisture and insufficient drainage. And the floor and the ceiling are also showing signs of deterioration. Again, largely due to moisture related issues. And you'll see on the left that part of the ceiling actually fell down a number of years ago and was was shored up with some wood.

Carol, I don't think anyone's going to disagree. This needs some love. I'm sorry. I said, I don't think anyone disagrees. This tunnel needs some love. So, yeah.

Um, so anyway, the recommendation by Barton Ross and Partners is uh preservation with uh rehabilitation, focusing on better barrierfree accessibility, improved lighting and security, and the repair and maintenance of the existing historical materials. Um, so we are requesting a grant of $541,880 from Bergen County. And I before you guys ask questions, I did want to uh point out something. You'll notice that in my photos there are um there's no artwork on the walls anymore. I shouldn't say artwork, uh advertising posters, and that is because they were removed in October of 2025. Um, Intersection Media, which is the company that took over from the company who we originally contracted with back in 2006, I believe, um, decided not to move forward because of the the lack of revenue. And just to give you an example, in 2023, the posters generated $19,000 in revenue for them. In 2024, it went down to $156, and 2025, it was it was zero. So they decided to part ways with us which is wonderful because when the engineer came out he said wow now these that these advertising posters are gone we can really see the extent of the of the damage on the walls

and is there is this similar is there matching money from us or is this literally

there is there is a matching grant. I will tell you that I want to say two capital budgets ago um we allocated $400 or $500,000 uh because we needed some professional services in order to get us to this point which is when we made the decision to switch our historic architects. Um I know the council was involved in helping to make that decision. Uh Barton Ross has put together a comprehensive plan that will make us, as Carol said at the beginning of the presentation, more competitive than we've ever been, not only with the Bergen County Historic Trust Fund Grant, but with the New Jersey State Historic Trust Fund Grant. And Carol has developed really solid relationships uh both with the historic officials at the county and also the historic officials at the state so that we're getting this grant process right. when we submitted the first one, which I think might have been the second year I was here, um, you know, we we put it together, but it needed work and it took us a little while to have the right professionals on boarded and get these narratives uh to where they needed to be and to do the study that needed to be done in order to get us where we are today. So, we're in the most competitive place that we've been. Um, I can't tell you that we will not need addition even if we get these grants that we might not need a little more funding in the 27 capital budget.

That's my that's my question. But it's not my intention. Right. So, but just even one step back. So, essentially we're applying for a 500 somehat thousand grant. We would have to match that in the capital budget. But we but hold up, we can match it with the state. So, if we were successful with both the county and the state, we'd have matching funds and then the village would be asked to bridge any gaps that were in the final budget. Okay. So, theoretically, if one came through and the other did not, the most run, then we'd be talking about this as part of capital. But keep in mind, we already have some capital appropriated. Go ahead. And again, I'm not finding this. This clearly needs to get done. I just want to understand the the money piece, but I'm supportive. Understood.

And listen, part of this, too, is safety. Um, we've included the Ridgewood Police Department and and Chief Lions has has looked at this pedestrian tunnel. um and he has some recommendations as to how we can inc increase safety for pedestrians who are using this as well. So it's not only a structural is issue and a cosmetic issue, it's also something that we consider a safety issue.

It's also to add to the safety. It's a safe walkway to school. So like kids like mine went through there and kids, you know, in the Ridge School area that's on Oak Street, they all commute through there. And I believe we got letters of support from some of the schools too because there's, you know, there's commuter traffic, but then there's actually pedestrian traffic commuting to schools. I think it's great, Carol. I think um we're incredibly grantw worthy. I wish you good luck and I'm very grateful for all the effort. Thank you. Um is is that Barton Ross report on the village website for us to read if we want? I hear it's quite voluminous.

It it is not. It's uh approximately 450 pages. A lot of that is architectural drawings. Um I I don't know that we have another preservation plan, so I don't know where it would go on the website, but I could I think what we'll do, Carol, is maybe to Mr. Loving's suggestion, we'll we'll put the presentations up for each of the grants that we're applying for, active grant applications, and then we can include the report that the deputy mayor is referring to with that because it's really is the basis for the grant application.

Yes. And I just wanted to let you know um that there are no immediate safety concerns. Um and they've Martin Ross they've categorized the work into high, medium, and low priority items. And there are only three high priority items, but nothing looks like it's going to be falling on people's heads or anything like that.

Good to know. Um, is there a priority? Well, is the ramp uh going to be staying or will it be rebuilt entirely? The ramps uh from what I can gather, the ramps are going to be staying, but a a big priority in this project is um ADA accessibility improvements. Um, so that's going to include, which I didn't know existed, a an illuminated metal handrail system at the ramps and at the stair entrances and all along the pedestrian tunnel on both sides. um upgraded LED lighting and a what they call broom finish concrete flooring to provide better slip resistance for um for people walking and as as well as being allowed to it's like a medium broom medium broom finish concrete flooring. that would allow wheelchairs and people with different motility mobility devices to get on there but also providing slip resistance and that was a big issue. Um we got a letter of support from age friendly ridge ridgewood and they said that a lot of a lot of the seniors they love to walk through the tunnel but there's no handrail there's and it's and it is the floor is very slippery. It's not well lit and they just they don't feel safe physically and they they just don't feel safe in in general going through the tunnel.

And then we did have a request, Keith, to put up another mirror there. Have we been able to do that yet? I referred it to Rich Charlton so I can follow up with him tomorrow. Um, any other questions from the day?

Okay, great. The public hearing on the grant application for the historic restoration of the pedestrian tunnel at Ridgewood Train Station is now open. Hi, Ann Loving Ridgewood resident. I'm so excited that this is going to happen because I am neither a student nor a commuter, but I'm in the tunnel many times a week. And I do I appreciate the deputy mayor mentioning that mirror. I don't think that needs to be part of the grant, right? The the mirror at the bottom of the central staircase. No,

it really matters when I'm walking through there, you know, that I can see if somebody's coming down the ramp and down. And when you're coming down that central staircase, if you get off on that platform, because the walls go all the way to the end, you can't you can't even get like a vision around that somebody might be on the um on the main tunnel. So that that I could probably install it if you get it for me. It needs to go up. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing no one on uh remote access, I move the public hearing be closed. Second. Mortimer. Yes. Perin. Yes. Whites? Yes. Wiggrad? Yes.

Bados is absent. I move the clerk read ordinance 4095 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be opened.

So we just second Frank. Oh second. Yeah. Okay. Do we have the public hearing already just now? No that was on um that was on the pedestrian tunnel. This one has to do with treatment. I'm sorry. Never mind. I we're on 409 supplemental appropriation of $4 million. Yes. So, can we I'm sorry. Did I get a second? You're You're supposed to roll call now. Okay. I didn't know I didn't know if we got a second for it. Okay. Mortimer, yes. Perin, yes. Whites? Yes. Winerad? Yes. And Veganos is absent.

Will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4095? bond ordinance providing a supplemental appropriation of 4 million for the construction of new treatment plants in and by the village of Rididgewood in the county of Bergen, New Jersey, and authorizing the issuance of4 million $4 million bonds or notes of the village to finance the cost thereof. The public hearing is now open. Uh there being no one wishing to comment, I move the public hearing be closed. Second. Mortimer. Yes. Per. Yes. Whites, yes. Winterrad, yes. Baganos is absent.

I move that ordinance 4095 be adopted on the second reading and the final publication as required by law. I second the motion. Mortimer, yes. Perin, yes. Whites, yes. Winterrad, yes. Vaganos is abs. Um, so Matt, can I make this um motion on the display ordinance? Yes. And I think what you should do is make the motion to introduce the display ordinance and then somebody would vote to amend it. Okay. And then we'll read the amendment. Okay. I move the first reading of ordinance 4096. Second. Mortimer. Yes. Perin. Yes. Whites.

Yes. Winter. Yes. Now, do we make the motion? Vaganos is absent. So ordered. Will the clerk please please read it? Please read ordinance 4096 by title. An ordinance to establish a new chapter entitled sidewalk displays. Now, now you want to open it up and just say as I propose certain amendments that can be read into the record. I move that certain amendments encapsulated by Matt Rogers be read into the record and we move forward with that version. Second. Roll call. Mortimer. Yes. Perin. Yes. Whites. Yes. Winterrad.

Yes. Baganos is absent.

Okay. In light of the discussions that took place during the um workshop on this particular ordinance, I'm going to make the following recommendations for amendments to this ordinance. Uh I don't take offense if you want to correct me, but that's all right. So firstly with regard to definitions number two depending on what what version you had before we are changing the definition to a three-dimensional item meant to attract patrons to a business and then in the second sentence removing the wording a sample slash example of the and just may include merchandise sold from the business. So that's the first amendment. The next amendment for consideration, again depending upon what version you had, was that the in terms of number three size, this display shall be no larger than 5T in height, 6 feet in width, which will be parallel to the front uh to the storefront. Okay? So, we're making that change as long as everybody's on board with that. Then in number five, um, we're removing at the end of number 5A, there's a there is a phrase beginning with the word less un unless rather uh unless the display is affixed to the facade of the store and cannot be detached from saying, we're removing that from the ordinance.

Correct. Yes. Okay. Yes. But what? Yeah. Yeah. So, and with regard to the first sentence, okay, displays shall not be permanently affixed to the ground slash sidewalk. And I think everybody was in favor of that. We didn't discuss it, but I think that was not an issue for everybody. And then the wording, but may be affixed to the facade of the store contingent upon the permission of the property owner. We're removing that wording as well. So, but through the period. Yeah. But so the so the first sentence is going to end with the word sidewalk. Yep.

Okay. Then in number eight, we are removing D 8 D. Yes. And we are revising E. It's going to read display displays holding multiple items for sale. And I believe we're just going to leave it as such as or do we want to take out? No, they're supposed to just say um racks of clothing. That's just racks. Just racks of clothing. Okay. Everything else is deleted.

So, we're going to just say such as racks of clothing. Okay. No, you don't need such as. These are already the items which shall be prohibited. So all it needs to say is racks of clothing. Racks of clothing. Okay. So we'll take out all the other wording and just leave racks of clothing. Yes. Okay. And then in number nine, if we go to C, we're changing the first word from decorative to ornamental. Yes. Okay. And then in number three, in item D3, when it comes to permit fees, there shall be no permit fee for the permit application. Correct. That's the word. I think that's about it. Yeah.

And if we can get out of here early, I can do this tonight and get it into the court later on this evening. Definely. If I'm early. Thank you. Now, where were we? So then I think it's back to I move that with No, no, you move it as amended. Right. I move that ordinance 4096 as amended by Matt Rogers be adopted on the first reading and that May 13, 2026 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Second Mor. Yes. Parin. Yes. Whites.

As I said before, I'm voting tonight to have more to to introduce it. Uh but I reserve my opinion on actually voting for it on the uh on the 13th. But the answer is yes for tonight. And just so everybody knows in terms of Evans concerned, this is going to go to the planning board. It is going to go to HBC. I believe Pam intends to share this with the the chamber and CBDAC CBD with a few groups. So you may be getting some feedback. So subject to what the feedback's going to be and the responses, it may get amended again, which means we may have to introduce it again. But that's okay. You want to get this right. And that's the process I want to encourage by my vote tonight. Yeah. That's what Evan wanted to make sure it was done. Me too. Okay. Uh, Winrad.

Yes. And Vaganos is absent. Oh. Um, and now Jennifer, I think the next number nine is up to you.

Yes. The following resolutions number 26116 through 26119 will be adopted by a consent agenda with one vote by the village council. 26116 authorized application for Bergen County Open Space Grant. Park improvements, renovation of upper field at Citizens Park. Authorize application for Bergen County Historic Preservation Trust Fund, historic restoration of the pedestrian tunnel at the Ridgewood Train Station. Appoint member to open space committee. Award contract leasing of taxi stand at the Ridgewood Train Station. So moved. Second. Mortimer. Yes. Perin. Yes. Whites. Yes. Winterrad.

Yes. And Vaganos is absent. I'll take a motion to adjourn the special public meeting and reconver reconvene the work session. We moved. So moved. Second. Roll call. Mortimer. Yes. Haron. Yes. Whites. Uh, he just stepped out. Winigrad. Yes. and Veganos is absent. And now under budget,

yes, we have nothing under Rididgewood Water tonight. We have nothing under parking. So, we're move on to budget. Uh we have three items for the council's consideration this evening. One is the disposal of ground yard waste and grass clippings for the 2026 season. Uh the recommendation from James McGrath is to award this contract to RVH Mulch. Uh the public works department did go out and solicit quotes from three vendors. They received two replies. Um RVH submitted a quote of $23 per cubic yard for disposal. Um there's no increase in the cost per cubic yard in compos in comparison over last year. And this contract that we are recommending for award is in the amount of $80,000 for 2026.

Question. Any comments? Okay. I just want to say it's it's amazing to me how much we pay in disposal costs. And in addition to this contract, our trucks will be taking this yard waste to West Milford, where the contractor's yard is, their office is nearby, but their yard is pretty far away. This is a lot of wear and tear on our trucks. It's a lot of gas. with the price going up, it's it's um a little dispiriting, but we have to do it. So,

and and the only thing I'll say uh relative to that is um you know, we're prohibited from disposing the yard waste materials at the leaf compost facility where we take our own leaves. Could you just imagine if we didn't have the Lake View facility and we had to dispose of leaves at an alternative location too? So, while the issue is is a challenge, um it could be worse if we didn't have the facility that we have here in the village. Absolutely.

Okay. Um the next item is for the purchase of the new signal truck. Um the village council previously approved during the 2026 capital budget process uh the purchase of the new signal division sign truck. Um this will replace existing truck number 62 which is failing. Um total not to exceed is $164,800.

Any comments or questions? just that based on the detail that I got during the budget hearing of how this truck is used and how they call daily and um I'm just really in favor hope to get a good one soon and that I can have a ride on it. Frank became the uh the touch a truck councilman during [laughter] during the capital budget process. Uh well, so sticking with the theme uh the last item is the purchase of the new street sweeper for the streets division. Uh this is to replace the existing street sweeper which was purchased back in 2016. Again, this was funded through the village council capital budget for this year. Total not to exceed $335,77.

And that concludes my portion of the agenda, Deputy Mayor.

Okay. Um we'll go back to public comment. Anybody in the room want to comment? Uh, good evening again, Boyd, a loving Rididgewood resident. Uh, I'd like to comment tonight about your passage of resolution number 26119 this evening, which was the renewal of the lease for the taxi stand. This whole business of the taxi stand has been quite mysterious as far as I've been concerned. It started out with some signs being placed for reserved parking spaces on North Broad Street prior to the council even approving the first lease. Uh that was called to my attention by an employee of the village. Um I posted some photos on it and I'm happy to say signs were taken down. However, how those signs were erected prior to the council even approving a lease uh boggled my mind at the time. Things continued to get mysterious as far as I was concerned and that is that the tenant has never moved into the space. The tenant has been paying on the lease since January 1st, 2024, but has never set foot in the space to the best of my knowledge. Uh there was some discussion about a loading zone on North Broad Street and at the time it was proposed that the loading zone be reserved for that tenant and that tenant alone. And I came up during public comment and I made some comments about why that was being done. And fortunately it was changed and anyone can use that loading zone at the now. But I never understood why that loading zone was proposed for use with that tenant when that tenant had never moved into the space. Now, I find that uh there's been no discussion about the renewal of this

lease at all in public that I'm aware of. I believe that there was a closed session on April 8th and on the agenda, the closed session only said leasing of village property. No name of the property was put on the agenda. All these things add up to me that there is something mysterious going on. Why does somebody rent a space and not move into it? Yes, taxpayers are getting some money for this, but it was touted at the time that the space was originally rented that we were renting space. This would be good for Broad Street. It would employees would come in, they would use the restaurants, come and say hello to the new tenant. The new tenant has never appeared. Perhaps I'm just being overly cautious, but something is a miss as far as I'm concerned. Uh the fact that you did not discuss this in public at all, that it was on an agenda, that the property name wasn't even mentioned adds to the mystery as far as I'm concerned. So, um I don't expect you to say anything tonight. Perhaps this is a private matter, but this all seems very odd to me that we have somebody who is paying rent on a space, has never moved into a space. Signs went up before the council even started to discuss this. A loading zone was proposed for this person's use. Just seems very odd to me. Thank you.

Thank you, Boyd. Anyone else? Seeing no one at uh on remote. I'll close public comment and take any responses from the deis. So, first I just want to say with regard to a few years ago when the signs went up before the lease was approved, that was simply the signal division getting the job done. And the one thing I'll tell you about the signal division is when you ask for something to get done, it gets done.

Mr. Loving asked me tonight to take a look at a an existing taxi stand, a taxi stand sign that is still up on the side of the building facing the train tracks. Rich Charlton within 10 minutes of me sending him the picture that Mr. Loving provided me told me that it would be down tomorrow morning. This is the just the way this is just the way they roll. So yes, you're right. Procedurally, the lease should have been approved before any signs reflecting the conditions of that lease went up. They were trying to get the job done as quickly as possible. So, with that, I can tell you that the negotiations of all leases um of municipally owned property and all the places that I have been um have always been discussed in close session. Um there a lease agreement is uh subject to a negotiation and that is permitted to be discussed um in an executive session or in a closed session. And with regard to the the tenant not moving in, um without getting too into his personal circumstances, I do know that the uh gentleman who's involved with this company has had some issues with u some personal issues that he's been contending with um and but is still interested in maintaining this lease. And based on the fact that before I got here, uh, the former public works director went out and solicited, um, in multiple attempts to try to get a tenant. Um, and this was the only person who was interested. Um, I I will tell you that I think we would have the same result if we opened it up for another bid. So with that, the tenant has agreed um to make improvements um starting by the end of this calendar year. Um and so

much so the mayor and the deputy mayor were concerned about going into this lease agreement without fully understanding the land the tenants intent. Um so they did meet with him and I'll defer to the deputy mayor to talk about that meeting. Um but I think everyone left that meeting satisfied with this should be the direction that we continue to go in.

I stressed to the tenant uh that we want to see some sign of life there. We want we don't we don't want an empty asset. It doesn't look good for our village and we want him in there. So uh we also spoke about a parking spot and he does not need two parking spots. So there will be only one and it will not be on the north side of the the building. It will be on the south side. Um and he was amendable to our demands. So, uh, I can't speak to his personal problems, but, uh, I think this is a good situation. He will be renovating. So, that's important.

And I think it's safe to say that there were legitimate issues that prevented occupancy and and this is the person to do the renovations. He did the re the fixing of the facade downstairs. So when when twice I think the facade was hit by a vehicle and he does um historic renovations. So he's the guy to do the renovations

and and he also has a very he has a lot of familiarity with uh the state historic preservation office which they require approval for any projects done on the train station property. And looking inside on the upper floor, I was surprised by how well it has stood up over the years. It's pretty good up there. So, and it's exciting because we have revenue, Evan. And I want to thank Paul and Pam for negotiating it. And I do think it's a good thing for our town to have less vacancies. I mean, when we took our seats, there were multiples. And now the train station has coffee and tenants and thank you to everybody who made that happen.

Can you do display outside the front of the taxi stand now? To totally motion to adjurnn. So moved. Second. I