No, they are there. >> Yeah, we're good. >> Yep. Pretty good. >> Mhm. >> Good evening. >> This is the Ridgewood Village Council regular public meeting. The date is December 10th, 2025. The time is 7:30
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 to same as provided by law of a schedule, including the date and time of this meeting. Roll call.
>> Council member Mortimer >> here, >> Deputy Mayor Perin here, Council Member Whites >> here, Council Member Winterrad here, and Mayor Vadian >> here. Will you all please join us in a salute to our flag? I pledge algiance 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. >> I move the bills, claims, and vouchers and statement of funds on hand as of November 30th, 2025 be accepted as
submitted. I second it. >> Mortimer, >> yes. >> Parin, >> yes. >> Whites, >> yes. >> Wiggrad, >> yes. >> Vaganos, >> yes. >> I move that the village council minutes of October 22nd, November 5th, and November 9th, 2025, having been reviewed
by the village council and now available in the village clerk's office, be approved as submitted. >> I second. >> Mortimer, >> yes. >> Heron, >> yes. >> Whites, >> yes. >> Wiggrad, >> yes. and vagos.
>> Yes. And we have a proclamation proclaiming January as radon action month. Siobhan, will you do the honors? >> Sure. And before I begin, I do want to remind everybody in the public um that if you're interested in testing your home for radon with the village was the
recipient of an award and we have kits in uh the department of health. So it's a it's an interesting thing to check. It promotes better safety and therefore I'm going to read this now. Whereas radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung
cancer. And whereas prolonged exposure to radon can kill as many as 500 people in New Jersey each year. And whereas families who reside in homes with elevated radon levels are at risk of developing serious health problems. And whereas any home could have high levels
even when neighboring homes do not. And whereas rating radon testing can be done with great ease at a relatively low expense to the homeowner with the cost of deducting sorry cost of reducing radon concentrations being comparable to
home repair. Whereas the United New Jersey Department of Agricultural Protection and United States Environmental Protection agencies are collaborating during the month of January to promote the need for radon testing in an effort to protect the lives of our state residents. Now
therefore it be resolved that the village of Rididgewood of the village village council of the village of Rididgewood does hereby proclaim the month of January 2026 as radon action month in the village of Rididgewood and calls upon all residents who have not yet tested to test their homes for radon
and reduce the radon levels if elevated are found to protect their families from serious health risks of radon. >> Thank you Siobhan. >> Mayor, one moment. I'm sorry. I apologize. There was an error on the vote for the minutes. It was November 12th, 2025. So, if we could just have a
motion in a second to approve November 12th. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> Okay. And uh Mortimer, >> yes. >> Parin, >> yes. >> Whites, >> yes. >> Wiggrad, >> yes. >> And Vajanos, >> yes. >> Thank you very much. >> We good? >> Yes. >> Let's go into the well and do the fun
stuff. Good evening. For those who don't know me, my name is John Judge, chief of the Rididgewood Fire Department. Our first swearing in this evening will be our newest career firefighter, Connor Maguire. A lifelong resident of Rididgewood, Connor graduated from the Ridgwood
School System. Connor has been a volunteer firefighter with our department since 2022, having already completed his mandatory firefighter 1 and firefighter 2 training prior to being hired, who's also required to obtain his EMT certification. happy to share this this he finished the course
this past week and passed the national exam. He'll continue his training in house starting up platoon a actually tomorrow morning under the direction of Captain Zales. Congratulations to firefighter Magcguire. Please come on up. And will Con's family please come up and
join him? You can bring everybody. When I said everybody, that's what I meant. >> Connor, who's going to hold the Bible for you? >> I think it's a good choice. >> Okay.
By the way, we are honored to have you join the ranks of this brotherhood to protect our community, to protect our families. Um, the fire department has been in my house more than once in the last 30 years, and I look here. I hope you don't have to come, but um, we we
greatly appreciate your service to the community. So, and with that, if you will place your left hand on Bible, raise your right hand, and repeat after me, and I will swing the mic to you. Okay. I, Conor Magcguire >> I, Conor McGuire
>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will faithfully
>> and that I will faithfully >> impartially and justly >> impartially and justly >> perform all of the duties >> perform all of the duties >> of the office of firefighter of the office of firefighter >> according to the best of my abilities. >> according to the best of my abilities.
>> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> It's not official until you and I sign. So you sign first. Excellent. Again, we are all so happy that that you are here. Would you like to say a few words?
>> Absolutely. That's fine. Then then now we do the wedding line. We're going to go this way and we're all going to congratulate you. Here we go. >> Photos. Photos. Photo. I always forget the photo. wedding line. >> Congratulations. Congratulations.
Hold on. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you, sir. >> All right. Our second swearing in this evening is for Ryan Romero, who is being promoted to lieutenant. Although we are celebrating this publicly tonight, Lieutenant Romero's promotion became
official at the end of April. Lieutenant Romero has been a dedicated public servant for nearly 20 years. He began as a firefighter and rose to the rank of captain in his volunteer department before continuing his service as a career fire fighter fighter with Rididgewood for almost a decade.
Throughout his career, Lieutenant Romero has earned numerous certifications and awards. Last year, he was one of two members to receive the department's exceptional service award for his work supporting our special needs community. Lieutenant Romero is committed, self-driven, and constantly seeking new
knowledge, qualities that define a strong leader. He cares deeply about this department and the residents we serve, and we look forward to watching him excel in this new role. Congratulations, Lieutenant Romero. Ryan, will you come up and please bring your entire family with you?
>> It's baby night at the swearing in. Okay, you watched the last one, right? So, you know how this goes. All right, good. Yes. I got to get you the question. Thank you. Just remind me about the picture part. Okay. Ready? I, Ryan Romero,
>> Iro do solemnly swearnmly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States Constitution >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will faithfully >> I will faithfully >> impartially and justly
>> andly >> I forgot to give you the microphone. perform all of the duties >> perform all of the duties >> of the office of fire lieutenant of >> the office of fire lieutenant >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God.
>> Congratulations. Would you like to say something? Right. Okay. Gotcha. Photos. Excellent. Let's give both these guys a big round of applause. Wedding line. Congratulations. Congratulations.
Congratulations. All right. So cute those babies. So good too. I think we should require babies every time we do that. >> I love that part. Babies are great, by
the way. I shook hands with them. >> Yeah, it's nice. I'm just gonna give it up minute to go. >> Yes, I know. >> Okay. And with that, let's go to public comment. >> There will be a bell when one minute is
left and then when the buzzer goes off, I will state time is up. Good evening. Pam Welch, resident of Ridgewood. I just have a public announcement. We will be having um meeting on Monday,
December 15th at 7:30 at the Ridgewood Library Auditorium. And what will be presented is Kensington will show us their rendering of the proposed assisted senior living
um plans with uh traffic information and etc. So, I'd like to invite all the residents to come Monday, December 15th at 7:30 to the Ridgewood Library Auditorium. Michael will be doing a presentation for our benefit. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Pam. Good evening. Michael No, Rididgewood resident. Uh, first I wanted to compliment all of the people who work on the uh, leaf cleanup. Uh, they came through my neighborhood today and they they really did a good job and the street sweeper, you know, back and forth. It's very impressive. Uh, the
other thing talking about Kensington is I noticed I don't know, I read it someplace that there's a very similar project to what Kensington is proposing in Hawthorne. It's 114 units, 17 of
which will be affordable housing. But the only main difference is that the one in Ridgewood is something like one and a quarter acres, but this project with a very similar scope is on over six acres of land. So I hope you will take that
into consideration. And I think this change to our zoning is a mistake because it will set a very bad precedent for any developer who wants to basically come into town and do anything that they want. Thank you. >> Thank you, Michael.
Good evening, Ann Loving Rididgewood resident. Um, late last week I wrote a letter to the mayor. The mayor did not respond to me. So, I will ask the same question now of all of you. The decision to have bells going off in the middle of
an individual's public comments seems very contradictory to your previous insistence that members of the public are never interrupted when they are speaking. This is not only an interruption but it's very distracting and frankly it's quite condescending. I
attend all the meetings as you know and you have always managed very smoothly when someone goes over the time allotted. One or two sentences and a quick reminder from you and the person sits down. There's a countdown clock up there on the wall. Full display for
every speaker and Heather always announces at the beginning that you have three minutes to speak. That always seemed to be enough and it permitted a speaker to say his piece without a loud and obnoxious interruption. I really wrote this letter
to you, Mr. Mayor, asking what was the purpose of this because I have not seen any change in what's going on here. I haven't seen people going overtime particularly. So, I really would like an explanation and seemingly you didn't
feel you could give me one. Maybe somebody else on the council can answer for me. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ann. Anybody else from the audience? And no one has their hand raised on public on uh on hybrid access. And so
with that, I'm going to close public comment. Would anybody like to respond to any of the comments made? >> No. Okay, we'll go to our manager report. Thank you, mayor, and good evening, everyone. Uh, first I want to extend my
congratulations once again to Connor and Ryan on their appointment and promotion tonight. I also want to thank the Rididgewood Chamber of Commerce um and all of the different village departments who were involved in organizing the downtown for the holidays event on
Friday evening. Despite the cold, uh it was a sensational night here in Rididgewood downtown. Uh, it was a great celebration to kick off the holiday season. I just want to thank Joan Groom and her team and all of our staff here for the work they took on to once again
celebrate the 40th anniversary of downtown for the holidays. Um, I also want to thank uh PBA here in Rididgewood. Uh, this week we signed the memorandum of agreement on a new 4-year contract. Um the salary increases in
that contract equate to 1.5, 2.5, 1.5, and 2.75 over the 4-year period from 2006 to 2029. Um I want to thank Kyle Montton, the president of the PBA, Jay Chuck, the president of the Superior
Officers Association, along with Kyle Scarpa and Peter Youngberg, who were both on the negotiation committee with Kyle and Jay. Um, we were able to settle this contract uh before the expiration of the current contract. Um, we're making the updates to the document now
and we fully expect to have it signed by the end of the year. Um, that said, the council will consider tonight uh the PBA uh salary ordinance for the next four years on second reading. Um, and we will be in line uh to have that contract go into effect with that approval on
January 1st. Um, with regard to the garage barriers, I know this was a discussion at last week's work session. Council had asked me to bring some additional information forward. Uh, we also were able to put together some renderings. So, Dylan, if you would, um,
start with one of the four pictures that we've been able to put together relative to that. Um but in talking to Bob Rooney um he he was able to articulate to me um some of the back history that went into deciding what the appropriate barrier
would be at the top of the Hudson Street garage. So when this discussion started um after that picture that I showed last week um was sent to the village, Bob began by vetting various options uh with
the architect from the original garage construction. Raw iron chain link and iron panels were originally considered uh but dismissed cons with regard to concerns to the aesthetic qualities of each of those materials and what they
would look like. Um, from there they considered a cable rail system. Um, however, they there were some concerns about the ability to mount them successfully to the walls on the fourth floor of the garage. From there they
considered a key link aluminum railing um which would have been less money but again the mounting of that to the horizontal surface at the top of the fourth floor was a concern of the architect
once it was discovered that we were going to need to mount these to the side wall of the garage. So, we're going to mount these, and Dylan, if you could go two pictures forward, you'll see that we'll need to mount these on the vertical side of the wall rather than on
the top of the wall. Um, we re-engaged Epic, uh, who was the original garage contractor, um, who needed to determine whether or not the material that was being proposed would be able to
withstand any type of wind shear. Um, so they were able to vet that through a windshar test um to make sure that this was not going to adversely affect the pre-cast walls um once mounted um on the side. Um, Bill Costello, who has been
the epic project manager, um, spent a considerable amount of time with Bob and our team at the garage, uh, to make the determination that this is the best barrier system that we can place on the garage to ensure the stability of the
garage itself, to ensure that there is an appropriate and strong enough barrier um, that if a human tried to get over that wall that it would be safe um and also uh to ensure that the mounting system would work properly. So the
recommendation that we have to that we discussed last week and that is on for the consideration of the council tonight um this type of fencing material um would be able to withstand high winds. It would also be able to withstand
anything that um struck up against it. Um the metal mesh was selected um and the layout of the event individual mountings. Um the mesh will be about 31 in. Um and the uh the mountings will be
affixed generally about as far apart as you see on the screen. Um this all needs to be pre-fabricated which goes to the cost uh that we discussed last week. Um, and one of the additional costs is going to be the fact that the installer is
going to utilize an X-ray machine in order to scan the walls to locate um any of the cables that exist and are embedded um behind those behind the wall structure um so that we do not
compromise any of those cables that are part of the structure in the existing garage. So this is a very technical process. Um, again, everything needs to be uh prefab. We There's not something that we can buy off a lot. Uh, the
materials that are going to be used uh need to be able to withstand again that wind shear um and not have an adverse effect on the pre-cast walls and the use of the technology to be able to x-ray the entire fourth floor to make sure that they're mounted properly. Uh,
that's what leads to the cost that we considered last week. So, I'll open up that to any questions. Uh but I hope that gives a summation of the process that we went through to vet the materials to be used uh to provide this safety barrier. >> Um to me that's a significant deterrent
to climbing over the wall. >> It is. >> Anybody? >> It's on. Um can anybody else hear me back there? >> Because I'm pretty close to the mic. >> I think you Oh, okay. Better now.
Okay, Dylan, it's okay. Um, so I think this is an obvious and significant deterrent, but don't want to underestimate the ambition of a teenager and my question is for
Matt here. We've gone to significant we would be going to significant lengths to keep people safe. But what if an unusual person decides they want to try to climb this? Are we liable if there's if there's harm?
>> Generally, the uh New Jersey TOR Claims Act prevents um or imu immunizes the municipality or any governmental entity for an act of that certain type, character, unusual nature. In this instance, we became aware of a safety issue. We've taken
significant steps to try and protect them. And there's only so much a municipality or governmental entity is required to do. So, I would say that putting this up certainly would insulate us further and protect the immunities that we have under the statute. >> Good. Thank you.
>> Dylan, if you could just uh flip through back to the the first slide. I'm going just walk through. So, that's obviously uh looking at the garage from Broad Street. Um, by the way, I did share these uh with the manscior at Mount Carmel. I know there was a lot of discussion about the garage uh with the
church community back when the the garage was first being considered um or those years that the garage was being considered. Um the manscior looked those over and he understood the need. I had also shared with him the picture that I'll show again at the end. Um if you could flip forward, that's taken uh from
the front of the church or the side of the church, I guess I should say. Um the visual impact from the street is not that significant. Um and um it doesn't give that chain link effect. It's it's small squares uh that that make up the mesh. You go to the next one, Dylan. And
then these are three uh images of the mounting and from different vantage points on top of the fourth floor. So just run through those and then the last slide and then again can you zoom in Dylan? Is that possible?
I don't know what the but again I I I showed this last week. I know it was just on one of the screens but I I this to me is the story um that needs to be told as to the safety aspect of of this entire endeavor. I know it was discussed
previously. Um, again, this was sent to me not long after I arrived here and we've we've vetted a lot of options, but you know that that is a teenager standing at the edge of the the garage um cell phone in hand facing inward
um taken by a person from a driver's vantage point uh who was driving past the garage um and was able to snap that picture and send it to the village. Um, this is what we're trying to prevent. Um, you know, we had discussions about
bird spikes and all different types of things. You know, honestly, I think bird spikes would put an ambitious teenager like that in a less safe position than what we have today, which is nothing on the top of the garage. Um, these these barriers um have been vetted by both the
architect and the contractor who built the garage and is the best recommendation that I think we're going to be able to come up with. So Keith, thanks. I know we had a number of questions last week. I think you've at least to my satisfaction, you've answered all of them. Appreciate the answer in terms of the cost, uh, the
X-raying, the amount, I mean, just physically having to install it. I imagine it's going to be costly. Um, appreciated that. And then certainly the mockups are excellent and give us a real clear picture that this looks, to your point, I think it'll be pretty minimal in terms of any uh sight lines from the
street, but allows us to know that we're not doing anything. I think that would really negatively affect the aesthetics of the garage, which was a big deal when it when it went up. Um, and then finally, do appreciate you reaching out to the church across the street because I know that was also a very big deal. So, again, just appreciate you doing all the leg work between last week and this week to get this done before the new
year. I'm certainly a yes vote and uh again, just appreciate the hard work. >> You're welcome. >> And I just want to say like my big thing last week was why does it cost so much? And then now understanding that the walls are prefabed with wires in it and that if we drilled into a wire, it's
going to affect the stability of the wall was significant. And so, you know, at the end of the day is this is that, you know, hindsight's 2020 and if it was built into the um wall, it would have made better sense when it was first built. And also, it just shows and and
it's always hard to retrofit than to build new. So, because of the understanding of the walls structure and the need of keeping the wires intact and the the X-ray and everything that's going to take to build this, I now understand why the cost is what it is. And so, I'm comfortable with that. And I
agree with Evan that the um illustrations are wonderful. >> Yeah. And I and I will tell you, you know, there's a lot of real estate on the top of that fourth floor. You know, you don't really think about the garage being as big as it is until you're standing up there. you're sort of measuring out, you know, how much pre-fabricated barrier needs to be
created in order to be installed up there. It's it's a significant amount. Um, especially on the side that that faces Felina where you don't have the turrets. >> So, I only had one question. Obviously, thank you for the aesthetics. Thank you for the finances. Thank you for answering all of our questions. But, uh,
so we're going to vote on it tonight. Uh, when will it be installed? >> Um, so he actually gave me a time frame here. So, um it's going to take somewhere between 6 and 8 weeks to do all the fabrication um and galvanize the screening system. Um and then the
supports um once all the materials are received here, it'll take two to three weeks, but I'm going to say a month to be conservative um for the installation to happen. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Everybody good?
Okay. And then um just continuing on with the manager's report, we have some announcements. Um Santa Claus will be at Santa's house at Vanessa Square on the Saturday, December 13th and Saturday, December 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We encourage all the families to
stop by and visit with Santa Claus. This Sunday uh will be the 13th annual Manora lighting at Vaness Square uh to kick off the celebration of Hanukkah uh from 5:30 to 7:30. And again, that's Sunday, December 14th. This coming Sunday, the
Rididgewood FMBA Local 47 presents a Santa Claus meet and greet on Tuesday, December 23rd. They will start at Glenn School at 400 p.m. and they will wrap up at Willard School at 7. Uh the schedule is posted um on village social medias
and on the FMA's social media site to see exactly what time they will be at each of the elementary schools. The village of Ridgewood and all village offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 24th and Thursday, December 25th in celebration of the Christmas holiday. There will be garbage and
recycling pickup on Christmas Eve. Tuesday, December 24th, and the recycling center will be open that day from 8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Upcoming Village Council meetings, January 7th is our village council work session. January 14th is our public meeting and
January 28th is our second work session for January. All start at 7:30m and I believe that by the end of the week we will have finalized our budget meetings uh for the start of 2026 and we will be announcing them on our social
media sites and we will also uh announce them at the January 7th council meeting. And with that, mayor, I just want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, and a safe New Year. Um, I wish everybody the best as they celebrate this holiday season with their family and friends. That concludes my
report. >> Thank you, Keith. Let's go to council reports. Frank, >> thanks, Mayor. Um, the only committee of mine that met was the Richwood Art Council. Um, we talked about the window decorations at downtown for the holidays. Um and then on this past
Saturday I had the pleasure of uh going around to the winners and for giving them the um ribbons and it was really cool to see how excited they were to win. Um it just takes real pride in the town and to see that was was wonderful. >> So who won?
>> Um so on the west side was Deeply Rooted as well as Black Magic Cafe and on the east side um I'm blanking on the name of the service. It's >> It was a It's a occupational therapist. Yes. >> Who has come I can't remember their name either, but they've come to access
>> and they're directly across from Stop and Shop. >> Nice. >> Yeah. So, it was good. And thanks for asking me a question I wasn't prepared for. >> It was It was a hard one just, you know. >> Yeah. And then we also talked about all the wonderful things that we have planned um for the first half of 2026.
And so, expect a lot from the Ridgewood Art Council. Uh and I also wanted to talk about and this is directed to the council is that um recently uh state New Jersey bill was uh is was passed in the U Senate budget and appropriations
committee about ebikes. And this was a bill that would require licensing, registration, and insurance for all ebikes. Um, and so I would ask the council if we could send a letter to our district 40 legislators letting them
know that um, we support this and that we would request that they support it at the state level. Um, and if we we this had happened earlier in the year and we didn't have this was in our last um, meeting, I would also request that we do a resolution in support of this. But
because that's not possible, I just think it's important that we show support that we want this to happen. Um, and in 2026, that's going to be something that I'm going to really spearhead or be noisy about is just the regulation of ebikes here in town because it's just more and more that
we're seeing problems with them statewide, if not I should say, nationally wide. The um New York Times did an article two Sundays ago about just the the incredible um problems that they're causing. So, uh, again, I'm going to ask everyone's support that we
can send a letter, um, to our three legislators asking them to support this. >> And I just want to say that earlier this year, um, Senator Curado and Assemblyman uh, Barless and De Phillips uh, hosted a
forum on this issue saying that they were going to support this kind of legislation. And I am not the least bit surprised, but exceptionally happy that they followed through on this and that this legislation is currently pending
because they met with uh a number of uh mayors, council members, and police chiefs um in uh in Northern Bergen County. So, um kudos to them for getting this thing going. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Frank Siobhan.
>> Sure. Um, so I want to thank everybody who attended the dedication of the pedestrian bridge over in the Shedler neighborhood. I want to give a big shout out to Suzanne Ruain. I also want to thank um Lorraine Reynolds because she was a big part of that and we invited her and Suzanne only Suzanne was able to
be there. Everyone from engineering to voting, the departments that made it happen and finding the funding, it was very exciting and I know that our local track team is very excited that it's open. So, thank you to the advocates and the engineers. The bridge has been closed since 2021, so we were all very
happy to be there and see the unveiling. Um, I also want to say thank you to everybody who made Friday night amazing. It's a it's unbelievable to see the town bustling and everybody wrapped up and braving the cold. And it was so
exciting. And I must say I think this year's tree, and I know people say it every year, but this year is the prettiest tree. It's such an awesome tree and thank you to every vendor, the parks department, the police and fire, everybody who made it happen. The only
the only bad takeaway is it was so cold after it was over, it sort of was like everyone escaped to find warmth. Um, but if you have not yet shopped, dined or strolled locally. Um, this is, you know, really an important part of maintaining our downtown is that people participate in it. So, if you missed Friday, make it
today. go out, buy something, stop, get a cup of coffee, and try to say thank you to everyone who participated in the Chamber of Commerce because they really made that happen. Um, I also wanted to say thank you for Monday night. We had the sensory friendly tree lighting which
was um it was sort of a funny night because the tree was on, the tree was off, the tree was on, the tree was off. Um during the access dinner, the couple who donated the tree had come to take photos with it and they came and they were shocked it was off. So, we actually turned it on, turned it off, turned it
on again. And um it was a very wonderfully attended atwood station sensory friendly dinner. I want to one of the babies that was here tonight came. Our fire department has been so progressive with Operation Blue Envelope, which helps um first responders interact with the autism
community. It was a great economic boom. It was a social gathering and everybody um if you haven't been to one of these, you really should. Just as a little side reference, I was able to bring my mother um and it is a curious idea for some of our older population that maybe we do
that idea because it was warm, it was lovely, and she was able to see and participate in the access community as well. Um we also met with um Shade Tree last night. We had a great meeting with a lot of new initiatives. Our student
group from the high school is working on an acorn gathering. And what they're going to be doing is the high school students are going to be working on growing an actual acorn into a seedling into a tree to inspire private planting on private property, which is exciting
because there's limitless amounts of room there. Um, we are going to be asking for help from the public in gathering acorns. They do like the idea of the red oak because that is the state tree of New Jersey being the first, but they'll take any and all acorns um because they're going to show the
children at Super Science Saturday how to see if the actual acorn's viable. There's a float test. I want to thank our students. I want to thank Mr. Lou. Obviously, we have a lot of collaboration with the high school that Pam and I both went to and love and these kids are lights out. So, we feel
very lucky for these students and these ideas. Stay tuned for more on acorns. Um, oh, and if anybody has any acorns, feel free to gather them and we're going to be collecting them at the stable and all the details will be out on social next week. We >> starve a squirrel. >> What? >> Starve a squirrel.
>> They are anti the students are after my own heart because they're like, "Oh, we got to fight the squirrels for this." We know how I feel about them. Um the other interesting thing is that our arborist um attended uh an an urban forestry
example and there's um there's a couple things going on here in the state of New Jersey, but there's a new rule that they were touching base with. We passed it to open space. It's called 330300. So three trees. Effectively what that means is that an individual should have a view at at least three trees from
their dwelling, workplace, or school. 30 with the 30% canopy cover. So that you know, Rididgewood's in on this. Most places have that, our schools, everything, places of work. We have a significant tree canopy. What was interesting is they're expanding it to
300. So it's 300 meters and the goal is that within a community, everyone should live within 300 meters, which is 1,000 ft of a high quality green space such as a park, athletic, or forest. So, um, this rule is really, um, it's it's easy,
it's catchy. It's 330,330, but we did pass it along to open space because, you know, on the only one that Ridgwood's not really achieving the scorecard is the 300 meters. Um, so we thought it was interesting. I want to thank Declan Madden for attending the
training and, uh, stay tuned on that as well. And then today, just as a reminder, we had our World Cup um kickoff planning session and um the the FIFA released the final schedules and we had said it might be the 12th, it might be the um following weekend on the 19th
to tie into the Father's Day tournament. So, it's still a working meeting. If anybody has any interest in being any part of that, we would welcome it. Um I'm thankful to the committee and Paul Coopermith for kicking it off. And uh that's it. Thanks, Siobhan.
>> I'm going to quickly say, Paul, that the third winner was Abilities Therapy Network. They're at 190 Franklin A across from Stop and Shop and their theme was peanuts. Um, instead of Charlie Brown and and Snoopy and all that. So, again, that was Abilities
Therapy Network. That slipped my mind before. >> Thanks, Frank. And and and you know, you thought that it only happened to people my age. And with that, Evan, >> thanks so much, Paul. My my gift to everyone will be the gift of time. I will be quick. Um HBC did not meet this
week. We did not have any um applications. Uh library meets next week. Uh that'll be my last meeting for the year. Um I think as so folks have mentioned before, Friday was a great day to be a member of this village council. Um going and opening up the Bashian Bridge was such a highlight. Um as
Siobhan mentioned, that bridge has been closed for several years. previous councils have been unable to get that project done. I am incredibly proud to be part of this team that got that done and got that bridge built back up for those folks um who depend on it. And again, special thanks to Suzanne Ruain for her advocacy in favor of getting
that bridge done. Then that evening, we all got to go to the tree lighting which uh it looks like a Norman Rockwell print. Um if you ever wonder why houses in this town sell on a weekend because people want to be part of this community that does things like like that tree lighting. um just reminds us how
incredibly fortunate we all are to call this place home and really do want to thank the Chamber of Commerce, all the village employees that worked so hard um to make that such an amazing event. Really, really, really fantastic. With that, merry Christmas to my fellow Jews. Happy Hanukkah and happy whatever it is
you're celebrating this December. Thanks, Ev Pam. Last week, the Green Ridgewood Committee met and we discussed uh skip the stuff, which is uh a movement to have restaurants uh refrain from giving
people all that plastic silverware stuff uh automatically, but just give it if a if a customer asks for it. And I believe that's pending during the lame duck session in the in the legislature in Trenton. Um, we also discussed food
scraps recycling. Uh, the grant uh applications the county made for the Saddle River Park for planning um resiliency and um uh Mr. Lou and his students at Rididgewood High School reported on what
they're doing. Our next meeting will be January 8th. Normally Green Ridgewood meets in the e th first Thursday of the of the month but nobody wants to be here on January 1st. So our first meeting in
2026 will be on January 8th. Um I was so pleased to stand on the refurbished foot bridge at King Brid Kingsbridge Lane. Um, it really is something that I didn't think was possible in the beginning, but
we did it. And, um, downtown for the holidays was particularly touching because it was, uh, in honor of Tony Damiano, and he couldn't make it, but it really was emotional, wonderful,
magical, and also, so I hope he got to see the videos. Um, the tree is so beautiful. One of the reasons I realized is because the lights are not just on the outside, on the edges of the tree. They're all through the tree and it
gives it such a depth and um, you actually can walk underneath the tree and it's like being embraced by Christmas. It's just so lovely. Um, central business district advisory committee meets tomorrow morning at 8:30 in the senior lounge. We do have a
vacancy on that committee. So, if you would like to apply, fill out the form and send it to the clerk's office. We will be discussing our priorities for 2026, marketing the CBD, and of course, parking. And I um
and for those who you are of those of you who are planning to attend, see you Sunday at the Manura lighting. And happy holidays to everybody. >> Thanks, Pam. Well, my fellow colleagues really covered it. The tree lighting, the pedestrian bridge, sensory friendly
dinner. Um, I hope to see everyone out for the minora lighting this Sunday, the 14th at 5:30 at Van Nest. It is not a long program and it is always especially lovely. And with that, let's get to our
regular agenda. Heather, take it away. >> All right. There are no um introduction or public hearings on ordinances for rigid water resolutions for rigid water. The following resolutions number 25-473
through 25-506 will be adopted by a consent agenda with one vote by the village council. They will be read by title only. Title 59 approval annual POS laboratory analysis services award contract annual POS laboratory analysis
services. Title 59 approval servicing and repair of electric source. Award contract servicing and repair of electric source. Title 59 approval landscaping services for rigid water. Award contract landscaping services for rigid water. Title 59 approval pipe and
pertinances. Award contract pipe and pertinances. Title 59 approval furnishing and delivering sodium hypocchlorite. Award contract furnishing and delivering so sodium hypocchlorite. Title 59 approval, annual laboratory analysis services. Award contract,
annual laboratory analysis services. Title 59 approval, cold water meters and accessories. Award contract, cold water meters and accessories. Title 59 approval, infrared asphalt surface repair. Award contract, infrared asphalt service repair. Title 59 approval, water
service line replacements, main to curb. Award contract, water service line main to curb replacements. Title 59 approval tree maintenance services. Award contract tree maintenance services for Ridgewood Water facilities. Title 59 approval asphalt trench repair. Award
contract asphalt trench repair. Title 59 approval concrete pavement and sidewalk restoration. Award contract concrete pavement and sidewalk sidewalk restoration. Title 59 approval water billing and data collection services. Contract water billing and data
collection services. or contract under educational services commission of New Jersey cooperative pricing system security upgrades for various facilities. Approval of final payment and closeout 20-in uh DIP water main authorized execution of inkind agreement
for New Jersey Institute of Technology Center for Translation Research related to POS. Determine form and other details of notes relating to construction financing loan program of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for East Side POS treatment facility. Determine form and
other details of notes relating to construction financing loan program of the New Jersey infrastructure bank for main PAOS treatment facility. Determine form and other details of notes relating to construction financing loan program of the New Jersey infrastructure bank
for mountain POS treatment facility. determine form and other details of notes relating to the construction financing loan program of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for various water utility infrastructure improvements including public and private lead service line replacements. Authorize
execution of property easement agreement 535 East Ridgewood Avenue. They have a motion. So moved. >> Second. >> Mortimer. >> Yes. >> Parin. >> Yes. >> Whites? >> Yes. >> Wiggrad? >> Yes. >> Yes. I move the first reading of ordinance
4069. >> Second. >> Just one second. Sorry. >> Heather needs a break after all that. >> Yep. Yep. >> Just give me one minute. >> You need to take a breath. A little drink of water. >> I do. And I need to find Okay. So, I'm sorry. Who seconded?
>> Frank. >> No. >> No. Me. Siobhan. >> Oh, sorry. It's one of the rare ones. >> I beat him. Okay. Mortimer, >> yes. >> Perin, >> yes. >> Whites, >> yes. >> Yes. >> And Bianos, >> yes. So ordered. Will the clerk please
read ordinance 4069 by title? >> I don't have the ordinance. Does anyone could share with me? I'm sorry. I don't have either one for some reason. >> I'm going to take a short moment in between these things so you get a chance to collect yourself. >> Okay. It's an ordinance to amend chapter
265 of the code of the village of Ridgewood vehicles and traffic at section 265-42 reserve parking spaces and section 265-52 schedule 2 midblock crosswalks. I move that ordinance 4069 be adopted on first
reading and that January 14th, 2026 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. >> I second the motion. >> Mortimer, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Whites, >> yes. >> Wiggrad, >> yes. Yes. I move the first reading of
ordinance 4070. >> I second. >> Okay. Mortimer. >> Yes. >> Karen, >> yes. >> Whites, >> yes. >> Wiggrad, >> yes. >> And Vaganos, >> yes. So ordered. Will the clerk please read ordinance 4070 by title?
>> Again, I have none of them. So, um, anyone who wants to read it is fine with me >> because it's out of order. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, I have the other one. I'm sorry. >> All good. >> In fairness, Heather, I've been on this council for years. This is the first time it's happened.
>> Hold on. >> Ordinance 407. >> Thank you. An ordinance to amend chapter 265, the code of the village of Ridgewood, vehicles and traffic, and section 265-29, parking meter zone designated.
I move that ordinance 4070 be adopted on the first reading and that January 14th, 2026 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. >> I second the motion. >> Mortimer. >> Yes. And what's interesting is that I just saw some um commentary of this online. So I think this is something
that'll really benefit our town. So yes. >> All right. Uh Parn. >> Yes. >> Whites. >> Yes. >> Wiggrad. >> Yes. >> Yes. I move the clerk read ordinance 4068 by title on second reading and that the
public hearing thereon be open. >> Proudly second and thank you Keith. >> Okay. Mortimer. >> Yes. >> Parent. >> Yes. >> Whites? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Majanos. >> Yes. Will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4068? an ordinance to
fix salaries, wages, and other compensation of and for police officers and police superior officers in the village of Ridgewood County of Bergen in the state of New Jersey. >> The public hearing is now open. >> Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed.
>> Second. >> Mortimer, >> yes. >> Parin, yes. Whites, >> yes. >> Wiggrad, yes. >> Vaganos, >> yes. I move that ordinance 406B8 be adopted on the second reading and final publication as required by law. >> I second the motion.
>> Lord, >> yes. >> Parin, >> yes. >> Whites, >> yes. >> Wiggrad, >> yes. >> And Vaganos, >> yes. >> Okay. The following resolutions number 25-507 through 25-558 will be adopted by a consent agenda with one vote by the village council. They
will be read by title only. Approve 2026 village cash management plan. Designate official newspapers for 2026. Approve 2026 annual meeting statement. Appoint village attorney. Appoint village bond attorney. Appoint village labor attorney. Appoint village auditor.
Appoint professional planning consultant for affordable housing and related matters. Appoint village prosecutor. Appoint public defender. Appoint alternate public defender. Approve emergency appropriation. Emergency repair of sanitary sewer line. Courts of terrorists. Authorize emergency award of
contract repair of collapsed sanitary sewer line corset terrace. Award professional services contract special council tax exemption matters for properties owned by Valley Hospital in the village of Bridgewood. Award professional services contract special counsel development of Shedler property
or professional services contract risk management consultant or professional services contract retainer for professional land surveyor services. Title 59 approval landfill disposal of solid waste. Award contract landfill disposal of solid waste. Award contract
supply and installation of hearing loops and retrofitted audio systems. Authorize shared services agreement maintenance and repair vehicles for paramas. Authorized shared services agreement prevention and education services on use and misuse of opioids with the Ridgwood
Board of Education. Authorize change order. Professional environmental services laboratory analysis of collected samples related to the removal of abandoned underground fuel storage tanks. North Walnut Street parking lot. Authorized change order. Professional
services contract. Tax exemption matters related to properties owned by Valley Hospital. Authorized change order. Various hardware and software purchases. Chapter 159 budget amendment. Grant from New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Deaf and Heart of Hearing
Grant 2025 budget appropriation transfers transfer po portions of opioid abatement funds through a memorandum of agreement between the state of New Jersey and local governments on opioid litigation recoveries with the county of Bergen. Endorse community development
block grant village of Ridgewooding of sewer pipes in community development block grant designated streets. Authorize encroachment agreement 102 Stanley Place. Declare property surplus police vehicles. Appoint members to planning board. Appoint members to
zoning board of adjustment. Appoint members to library board of trustees. Appoint members to historic preservation commission. Appoint members to green team advisory committee. Appoint members to citizen safety advisory committee. Appoint members to central business district advisory committee. Appoint
members to the shade tree commission. Appoint members to open space committee. Appoint members to Ridwood Fields Committee. Appoint members to Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board. Appoint members to Rididgewood Access Committee. Appoint members to Stigmafree Task Force. Appoint member to the Castro
Memorial Shell. Appoint members to Pride Day Committee. Appoint Joint Insurance Fund Commissioner. Appoint public agency compliance officer. Appoint disability coordinator. Appoint village council members as liaison to various boards and committees. Authorized change order.
Hudson Street garage installation of fencing on fourth floor deck and doors community development block grant share inc 104 cottage place replacement of floors. May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Mortimer.
>> A lot of stuff here and I say yes to them all. >> Parent. >> Yes. >> Whites. >> Yes. >> Wiggrad. >> Thank you Heather. Yes. >> And Vanos. >> Yes. >> Okay. Final resolution will be read in full number 25-559.
Whereas it has been determined to be in the best interest of the village of Rididgewood to institute a holiday parking program to promote shopping and dining during the final two Saturdays in December prior to Christmas. And whereas the Richard Chamber of Commerce, in honor of Tony Damiano, the president of
the Richard Guild, has designed a holiday parking plan which will designate free parking at all parking spaces in the central business district, both on the east side and west side, including those parking spaces designated for commuter parking at the train station for the final two
Saturdays in December prior to Christmas. Whereas the free parking spaces are to be used solely by store and business owners, employees in the central business district, shoppers, and those coming to dine or do business in the village of Rididgewood central business district. Now therefore be it resolved by the village council of the
village of Rididgewood that the village council hereby authorizes the holiday parking plan whereby all store and business owners employees in the central business district shoppers diners and people doing business in the central business district be granted free parking on the approved and designated
dates at all parking spaces in the central business district including the Rididgewood train station commuter parking spaces and be finally resolved that this holiday parking plan shall only be in effect on December 13, 2025 and December 20th, 2025.
May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Wimer. >> Since it's only two Saturdays and it's in honor of Tony, I vote yes. >> Paran. I don't think I would want this every year, but in honor of Tony, I think this is appropriate.
>> Whites. I'm sorry. Whites. >> I love Tony Aamiano to death. I'm going to vote no respectfully. I am concerned that um business owners and um employees may utilize the spaces, denying them to shoppers. I'm also concerned that folks may just park and stay for the full day.
Understanding that I'm going to lose and that we've got the votes. I do hope I'm wrong um and just want to see the best for our um our our business downtown, but I will respectfully vote no on this. >> Wiggrad, I think our town needs us to try everything. And in my time, it's
been a long time since we've tried this. It's been well over a decade. We do lots, we do different things. We do Saturday, we do Thursday. Um because this is late and there's two Saturdays. I think it's worth a try. Everybody in Rididgewood has circled the parking
discussion of what if. So let let the 13th and be the the 20th be the what if. Let me beat Evan. Hopefully everybody will shop, dine, and stroll local. and um try to be respectful and move your car and most importantly support our
businesses and promote this. Um we won't know unless we try. >> Yes. >> And Vajas, >> uh I'm voting no for the same reasons that um Evan did. Um uh I had spent 30 years in the central business district
and I have little doubt that employees uh and shop owners will get their first lockup spots all day. Um, and this is while this has a wonderful feel-good sense to it, um, I believe it's counterproductive. So, my answer is no.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> And so, with that, we will go back to public comment. Ann loving again, Ridgewood resident. I I have a question about one resolution number 25-521.
I was hoping somebody could explain um why we are hiring a special counsel for the Shedler property. Thank you. A boy loving Ridgewood resident. Um the slides for the garage were difficult to
see from the back and I remember there was a previous discussion about the fencing with respect to the fencing or protective layer or protective material on the other levels. Has that already been taken care of? There was some concern about the open windows whether
people could throw things out or fall out of those. It it looked as though from the photos that there is already some sort of fencing on all those, but I just couldn't see it that well. And I'm just wondering if there's a comment on that. Does that fencing already exist or is that also planned for sometime in the
future? That is the other floors in terms of uh what protection is going to be provided to the other fours if it's not there already. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Boyd. Anybody else? And there's no one on uh our public
access, so I'll close public comment. And does anyone like would anyone like to respond to either of the >> Sure. through you, mayor. Um to Mrs. Loving. Um we have had Bill Sullivan. Um he has experience in historic
preservation um law. He serves uh as council to the historic preservation commission in a number of other municipalities. um and he has been um a tremendous resource for us as we um embarked on the
park development project uh both on the historic preservation side um and we will continue to be utilizing his services in 2026. Um Mr. Loving right now what's being proposed is just for the fourth floor. Um in talking to the police department
um and viewing the cameras that's where we have the young people congregate. Um that's what sparked us to um engage with a security uh firm to be able to monitor the activity on the fourth floor. Um that is where we are most concerned
about a threat to public safety. Um I know on the lower level there's decorative um barriers that are in the um in the openings. Um it has not been brought to my attention that there's a real concern um only because the
interior area is where most people park. So, it's not as um it's more monitored, let's say, than the fourth floor. Um so, right now there is not any plan to to do anything on the second or third floor. What's proposed tonight and what was approved tonight is exclusively for the top of the garage.
>> Anyone else? >> Yeah, I I just want to make a small point that uh Bill Sullivan was the council that was represented in us, the village at the Shipo hearing. So, he was there. He was part of the hearing. So, he's not new to it. And then two, the other thing is that when we looked at
the parking garage, um the lower levels are more traveled. So it's the vacant fourth floor, like where people don't get up there as much, which makes it more of an attractive nuisance to the teenagers. >> Anyone else? >> Let's entertain a resolution to go into
close session. >> Okay. Be it resolved by the village council of the village of Rididgewood that the village council meet in close session on December 10th, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. or soon thereafter as the matter on the agenda can be reached and that close session be held in the caucus room on the fourth floor of the original village
hall 131 North Maple Avenue, Richmond, New Jersey and be further resolved that the matters to be discussed in close session are limited to legal matters to include affordable housing. These matters are allowable under NJSA 104- sect and before the resolve of the minutes of this meeting shall be made
available to the general public when such matters have been deemed completed by resolution of the village council. May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Anyone opposed? Okay. Thank you.