Village Council Meeting

A REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD HELD IN THE SYDNEY V. STOLDT, JR. COURT ROOM OF THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE HALL, 131 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ON NOVEMBER 12, 2025 AT 7:30 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER – OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT – ROLL CALL – FLAG SALUTE Deputy Mayor Perron called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. and read the Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. At roll call, the following were present: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, and Winograd. Councilmember Weitz arrived at 7:32 p.m. Mayor Vagianos was absent from the meeting. Also present were Keith Kazmark, Village Manager; Heather Mailander, Village Clerk; and Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney. Mayor Vagianos led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Deputy Mayor Perron said that in October of 1993, an employee named Ronald Fisher began working for the Village. He then transferred to a permanent position with the Solid Waste Department in March of 1994, and he passed away on November 6, 1995 after he was struck and fatally injured on Godwin Avenue, while performing his duties. A resident of Godwin Avenue planted a tree in his memory soon after his death, but that tree recently had to be removed by the Shade Tree Division. Thirty years have passed since Mr. Fisher’s death, and a memorial honoring Mr. Fisher is being planned for the Spring of 2026 in Habernickel Park, with the participation of Village officials, colleagues, community members, and family members, if possible. A plaque will be installed in the Department of Public Works Garage in his memory. Deputy Mayor Perron asked for a moment of silence in honor of Ronald Fisher. Deputy Mayor Perron thanked Mr. Fisher’s daughter, Melissa, and his wife, Ama, for coming to the meeting tonight. Deputy Mayor Perron said that she appreciates the diligence and dedication with which Mr. Fisher served the Village. She told his family that she would let them know as soon as a date was set for the memorial ceremony. There was a round of applause. Deputy Mayor Perron asked Anthony Farkh to come to the podium. She explained that Mr. Farkh is the owner of Tony’s Laundromat Services at 88 North Maple Avenue in Ridgewood. She asked Mr. Farkh to describe his new business. Mr. Farkh stated that he started his business 12 years ago in Waldwick, after which he opened Tony’s Laundromat in Ramsey, and now a third location in Ridgewood. Deputy Mayor Perron wished him the best of luck in his new location. Deputy Mayor Perron announced that the matter concerning no parking on the bike lane on South Pleasant Avenue has been taken off of the agenda this evening. This is based upon feedback from the community who desire more discussion on this topic. 1 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 2. MANNER OF ADDRESSING COUNCIL AND DECORUM At the last Village Council meeting, Deputy Mayor Perron said that there had been a heated discussion regarding a potential contract with Suburban Consulting Engineers. She reviewed two Village ordinances that govern the manner of addressing the Village Councilmembers and decorum during meetings. Deputy Mayor Perron stated that Chapter 3-19 of the Code of the Village of Ridgewood states that no person shall address any disruptive, accusatory or threatening remarks toward or about any member of the Village Council or any other person or pose a question to any specific Councilmember. It also states that no person shall at any time during any of the comments from the public sessions engage in any personally offensive, abusive or threatening remarks to Councilmembers or any other person, whether present at the meeting or not. Regarding decorum, addressed within Chapter 3-20 of the Code of the Village of Ridgewood, Deputy Mayor Perron said that it reads, in part: “Any person who shall disturb the peace of the Council, make impertinent or slanderous remarks or conduct himself in a boisterous manner while addressing the Council, shall be forthwith barred by the presiding officer from further audience before the Council, except that if the speaker shall submit to proper order under these rules, permission for him to continue may be granted by a majority vote of the Council. The Police Chief shall, upon request of the Chair, designate a member of the department to serve as Sergeant-at-Arms at Council meetings. He shall carry out all orders and instructions given by the presiding officer for purpose of maintaining order and decorum at such a meeting.” Deputy Mayor Perron said that if anyone speaking in the courtroom engages in slanderous comments or attacks about a Councilmember or another person in the room this evening, as presiding officer, Deputy Mayor Perron will ask the person to refrain from doing so. On that person’s second offense, she will ask the person again to stop doing so. On the third offense, she will ask the person to sit down and stop speaking. If the person persists, then she will ask the police officer to escort the person from the courtroom. Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney, added that everyone has First Amendment rights as they pertain to a public forum. However, a Village Council meeting is known as a limited public forum, and although a person has the right to speak, their comments are governed by the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). Mr. Rogers added that even the First Amendment has limitations on what a person can say. Courts have granted councils and public agencies the ability to control or limit certain aspects of speech so that meetings can be conducted in a proper and orderly manner. The rules of decorum are based upon cases that have been decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. 3. ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL REPORTS 2 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Bills, Claims, and Vouchers, and Statement of Funds on Hand as of October 31, 2025, be accepted as submitted. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Village Council minutes of September 9, September 24, September 29, and October 8, 2025, having been reviewed by the Village Council and now available in the Village Clerk’s Office, be approved as submitted. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None 5. PROCLAMATIONS Councilmember Mortimer stated that his youngest daughter has Type One Diabetes and she is a warrior. He said that he was very proud of his daughter, who was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes when she was three years old. Councilmember Mortimer encouraged anyone who has been diagnosed recently with this disease, or knows of someone who has, to reach out to him for assistance. He said that Type One Diabetes has quite a learning curve. He then read the following Proclamation: 3 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 6. WETLANDS AT ZABRISKIE-SCHEDLER PROPERTY Regarding the matter of whether or not there are wetlands on the Schedler property, Deputy Mayor Perron said that the Village has asked Suburban Consulting Engineers about this matter. A letter addressed to Mr. Kazmark was received today from Suburban Consulting Engineers (SCE) today. The letter is dated today and reads as follows: “Dear Mr. Kazmark: The Village of Ridgewood has requested a letter clarifying the isolated wetland identified by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) on the property located at Block 4704, Lots 9, 10, 11 and 12 within the Village of Ridgewood, Bergen County, New Jersey. The initial application submitted by our permitting department to the NJDEP was for a Presence or Absence Letter of Interpretation (LOI) covering the entire Zabriskie-Schedler property. As defined under New Jersey Administrative Code 7:7A-4.3, a Presence or Absence LOI determines whether any freshwater wetlands, state open waters or transition areas exist on a site or within a proposed disturbance area and assigns a resource value classification to any wetlands identified. During NJDEP’s field review, the department identified a single, small isolated wetland feature on the property. This feature was not assessed as a regulated wetland during SCE’s field assessment due to its size, location and disturbed condition within the existing mulch. The location was next to an existing parking area and within an area of a known previous water main break. Specifically, the depression is assessed as less than 0.01 acre in area.” The letter stated that it appears to have formed as a result of prior disturbance or the known water main break and is situated on the portion of the property associated with the existing residence. It is not within the designated park area. Due to that feature’s de minimis and isolated nature, no members of the Ridgewood Village Council or the Town Manager were informed of its presence while Suburban corresponded with the NJDEP to question the findings and determine next steps forward. Given the small overall size and isolated nature of this feature, the NJDEP advised that the project would qualify under General Permit 6 (non-tributary wetlands) which authorizes filling of isolated wetlands that do not provide significant ecological functions or services. Suburban anticipates proceeding in accordance with this guidance. Under NJ Administrative Code 7:7A-7.6, a General Permit 6 for the filling of isolated wetlands may be issued for wetlands that meet the following criteria: 1) The wetland has no hydrologic connection (over land or via pipe) to any state open water or other wetland, confirming that it is isolated and non-tributary. A water service pipe is not considered a hydrologic connection. 2) The wetland is less than one acre in size. 3) The wetland is not classified as an exceptional resource value wetland, a state open water, a USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) priority wetland, or part of a special aquatic site. 4) According to the NJDEP Landscape Project Version 3.4, no State-listed, threatened or endangered species or their habitats are known to exist on the property. 4 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Based on these conditions, the feature meets the criteria for authorization to fill in, under General Permit 6. The NJDEP is currently awaiting Suburban’s formal determination to proceed with this General Permit. This decision rests with the Village, now that Suburban has informed the administration as to the status of wetlands at the Schedler property. Suburban Consulting Engineers remains committed to maintaining transparency and open communication throughout this process and welcomes any questions or concerns. The letter was signed by Robert Gregoria, Engineer and Green Associate for Suburban Consulting Engineers. Deputy Mayor Perron said that a separate engineering company, dealing with the soil remediation on the Schedler property, also found that there were no wetlands on the property. This fact was set forth in a report from SCE in August of 2024 and another report from Matrix New World Engineering in October of 2025. Deputy Mayor Perron said that the information contained in these reports was the information that was reported to the public. She added that the staff of SCE corresponded with the staff at the NJDEP regarding the small wetland area on the Schedler property. When speaking with the permitting experts at SCE this week, the Village learned that identifying wetlands can be very subjective and is not necessarily black and white. Since the NJDEP never issued the LOI, the Village was never made aware of the correspondence between SCE and the NJDEP. In addition, the small area of wetland identified by the NJDEP was manmade, likely due to construction or a broken water main mentioned by SCE. Deputy Mayor Perron asked that the map of the Schedler property be shown on the screen so that the viewing public can see what she is talking about. She described the elements of the map, the house in the shaded area along West Saddle River Road, and the green square representing the small area of wetlands. She pointed out the berm in the background, and the wetlands area in the foreground. Mr. Kazmark pointed out that the smaller, lighter green area is the area where the wetlands were identified by the NJDEP, and that the much larger darker green area is just an explanation of what was found there. 7. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Jim Bostler, a resident of Ridgewood, stated that he is Chair of the Open Space Committee. He thanked all of the Ridgewood voters who voted in favor of increasing the Municipal Open Space Tax at the General Election this month. He also thanked the Village Council for putting the referendum question on the ballot, as well as members of the committees and boards that added him to their agendas. Mr. Bostler said that he has always been impressed with the volunteers in Ridgewood and the intelligent and cooperative way they all work together to achieve their goals. As Chair of the Open Space Committee, Mr. Bostler pledged to Ridgewood residents that they will operate with three things in mind. They will operate within the guidelines of the Open Space Ordinance, will consider the recommendations from the Master Plan, and will be guided by the 5 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 permissible uses of the Open Space Trust funds and grant monies from Green Acres. Mr. Bostler said that the Open Space Committee will continue to make recommendations. He said that the extra funding raised through the increase in the Municipal Open Space Tax will give them additional flexibility and the opportunity to make Ridgewood a better place. Sean Sweeney, a resident of Ridgewood, said that he is Co-President of the Hawes Elementary Home and School Association (HEHSA). He said that they always applaud forward-thinking students, especially the former Ridgewood High School students who first proposed the establishment of the bike lane on South Pleasant Avenue. Mr. Sweeney said that the HEHSA appreciates the advocacy for safety that these students have demonstrated. He said that when adults got involved with the project, they overlooked some critical details. He asked if any consideration had been given to the fact that parking is already very limited in the area of Hawes School. Mr. Sweeney said that he and others were told that parking restrictions would not be necessary after the installation of the bike lane, and he and others were taken aback when they learned that parking would be prohibited along the bike lane. Mr. Sweeney wondered how the project was approved without presenting to the public the fact that parking would be prohibited on the bike lane. He asked how bicycle safety will be enhanced if parking is allowed along the bike lane in the future. A bike lane that is regularly blocked by vehicles or compromised by obstructions runs counter to the stated goal of improving safety. At the August 6, 2025 Village Council meeting, there was a comment made that bikes would have to simply go around a car that was parked in the bike lane. Mr. Sweeney said that New Jersey law generally prohibits driving or parking in a bike lane. He said that parents will have to enter into and cross the bike lane in order to drop off or pick up children from Hawes School. Mr. Sweeney said that piles of leaves will also block the bike lane during the autumn months, and he asked if there would be enforcement to keep the bike lane clear of leaves and other seasonal debris. He said that he drove on South Pleasant Avenue this evening to come to this meeting, and he could not even see the bike lane because of all of the leaves at the curb. Mr. Sweeney said that South Pleasant Avenue is not a high-volume cycling area to warrant a bike lane. He said that most children, if they ride their bicycles to school, ride on the sidewalk and not on the street. Mr. Sweeney said that there are only 59 regular parking spots and two handicapped parking spots by Hawes School, which is supposed to accommodate over 250 families (356 children). He said that removing the parking on South Pleasant Avenue will pose a detriment and additional hardship for these families. Mr. Sweeney said that a comment was made that the police would not enforce the no parking regulation during times when large events were held at Hawes School. He asked if this same exception applies to the numerous smaller events hosted at Hawes by the school and the HEHSA. He asked if the bike lane will extend all the way up to the end of North Pleasant Avenue as originally planned, and if Somerville School will also have to relocate their pickup and drop-off points if the bike lane is extended that far. He said that he supports safety, but he 6 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 and others need predictability, transparency and a realistic understanding of how these parking changes will impact the neighbors and parents in that area. Pam Welch, a resident of Ridgewood, said that she just learned about the floodwater barrier at Village Hall. She asked how high it would be and if it would extend all the way around Village Hall. She asked for the name of the contractor performing this project. Ms. Welch said that she would love to have such barriers installed at her house, but the Engineering Department informed her that this was not permitted. She lives near Marshall Street and South Irving Street, both of which constantly flood. Denise Lima, a resident of Ridgewood, said that the tribute to Tony Damiano at the last Village Council meeting was beautifully done, and she thanked the Village Councilmembers for doing so. Ms. Lima said that the recent Food Drive was very successful. Ms. Lima said that she believes there are approximately 50 sets of Village Council meeting minutes that are not available between 2024 and 2025. She asked for an explanation from Mr. Kazmark as to why these minutes are still missing from the Village website. Ms. Lima said that since the increase in the Open Space Tax was approved by voters at the General Election, she expressed the hope that the funds in the Open Space Trust Fund will be spent according to elements in the Master Plan. She stated that there is specific language in the Master Plan prohibiting artificial turf, and she hoped that the Open Space Committee would abide by this recommendation. Ms. Lima said that she had been promised a few months ago that all major projects in Ridgewood would be listed on the Village website. However, the website has, to date, not been updated with projects that are ongoing (such as the Schedler property, Kings Pond Park and the PFAS Treatment Facilities) and she asked if the information could be updated for the benefit of residents. Ms. Lima said that there was a promise by Ridgewood Water that the drinking water would be PFAS free by the end of 2026, but now it seems that the project will not be completed until 2027. She asked that relevant information concerning the status of the PFAS Treatment Facility Buildout be listed on the Village website. Ms. Lima does not feel it is right for Ridgewood Water to continue accepting awards and to have photo “ops” with shovels breaking ground for a new PFAS Treatment Facility when Ridgewood residents are still struggling with ridding PFAS in their drinking water. Jan Phillips, a resident of Ridgewood, thanked Deputy Mayor Perron for being a constant presence at various events in Ridgewood, including ACCESS Weekend, Pride Day, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, or the Thanksgiving Elder Dinner at the Old Paramus Reformed Church. She said that Deputy Mayor Perron’s actions are what true public service looks like. Ms. Phillips stated that there are people in the world today who are struggling to eat 7 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 and are on the verge of losing healthcare and housing. She said that these people are our neighbors who depend upon compassion and generosity. Ms. Phillips said that she is grateful for every one of the Village Councilmembers, as well as Mr. Kazmark. She said that leadership is not about privilege, but is rather about service. Rurik Halaby, a resident of Ridgewood, described last week’s Village Council meeting as a “Tale of Two Cities,” because it demonstrated both the best of times and the worst of times. He said that the meeting started out with wonderful accolades for Tony Damiano, who has done so much for Ridgewood, and unfortunately ended up with the worst of Ridgewood. Mr. Halaby told Mr. Kazmark that for every insult that is hurled at him, there are a thousand residents who stand in awe of what he has accomplished in the past two years. Mr. Halaby thanked Mr. Kazmark for what he has done for Ridgewood. Janet Riley, a resident of Ridgewood, said that the group chat feature is disabled on Zoom and does not work. She noted that the matter concerning the proposed prohibition of parking on the bike lane on South Pleasant Avenue has been removed from the agenda. While Ms. Riley applauds the activism shown by the high school girls who proposed the bike lane, she stated that there was no mention of parking not being allowed on South Pleasant Avenue after the installation of the bike lane. She asked at what point it was decided that there would be no parking in the bike lane. As far as she knows, there was no outreach to any of the affected residents who live along South Pleasant Avenue. She urged the Village Councilmembers to reconsider their proposal to ban parking along the bike lane on South Pleasant Avenue, since these parking areas are very important to parents dropping off and picking up their children from Hawes School, and are also important to the residents as well. Ms. Riley said that there was a meeting between Village Councilmembers, the Police Department, and residents living near or on Bryden Place, to discuss the proposal to make Bryden Place a one-way street. She said that there seems to be community outreach in other parts of Ridgewood and wondered why there was no outreach done for the residents living near the bike lane. Ms. Riley reviewed the October 22, 2025 Village Council meeting when the bike lane was discussed, and she said that there were some things said during that meeting that were not accurate. She stated that parents are not allowed to park in the back parking lot at Hawes School, since it is used for pickup and drop-off and consists of a continual line of moving cars. That is the reason why parents rely on being able to park on South Pleasant Avenue when either picking up or dropping off their children at school. Ms. Riley stated that prohibiting parking on South Pleasant Avenue will force parents to park on the surrounding streets, which are narrow and curvy, and visibility issues will create dangerous conditions for children walking to school. In addition, at the October 22, 2025 meeting, someone stated that parents can simply park on the other side of South Pleasant Avenue where there is no bike lane. However, Ms. Riley stated that there are long stretches along that side of the road 8 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 where parking is also prohibited. Since it is proposed that the bike lane will extend all the way to the intersection of North Pleasant Avenue and Glen Avenue, Ms. Riley asked if parking on the bike lane by Somerville School will also be prohibited. She mentioned that when children bike to school, they use the sidewalks instead of the street. Ms. Riley said that it was her understanding that a $270,000.00 grant was received from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) for the work done on South Pleasant Avenue, and she wondered if part of that money could be paid back to the NJDOT. There were no further comments from the public. Addressing Mr. Sweeney and Ms. Riley, Mr. Kazmark assured the public that the Village Councilmembers are listening to their concerns about the no parking restriction on South Pleasant Avenue bike lane. He said that the Village applied for the NJDOT grant in 2023. He said that he had no knowledge about what kind of public outreach, if any, was performed when the grant application was prepared and submitted. He had a long conversation yesterday with Deputy Mayor Perron and it was decided that this matter would be removed from the meeting agenda this evening, in response to concerns expressed by residents. Mr. Kazmark said that the Village has to do a thorough assessment with the NJDOT to determine how the grant would be impacted if the bike lane were eliminated. Village officials would also have to speak with the Police Department and Engineering Department about this matter, which is scheduled to take place at the next ordinance working group meeting (on which both Deputy Mayor Perron and Mayor Vagianos serve). Mr. Kazmark assured the public that adoption of the ordinance is not going to move forward until they have further discussion. Addressing Ms. Welch’s questions regarding floodwater barrier construction at Village Hall, Mr. Kazmark indicated that there is no such construction occurring at Village Hall. He said that there are flood dams that protect the first level of Village Hall at each of the entrances around the perimeter of the building. The flood dams are now being replaced, since the previous flood dams were outdated and worn out. They were used even when it did not flood as a precautionary measure. The new flood dams contain state-of-the-art technology and are being installed this week and next week. Regarding the installation of flood dams at Ms. Welch’s home, Mr. Kazmark said that Ms. Welch should re-inquire about the possibility of her being able to do so, even though she was told previously that she would not be allowed to do so. He said that during the three successive flood events that occurred shortly after he became Village Manager, some residents were referred to a flood dam company. He believes that at least one resident who lives along the Saddle River has outfitted their homes and garage entrances with flood dams. He encouraged individuals who are interested in learning more about the flood dams to reach out to him, so that he can provide them with the name of the vendor. 9 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Mr. Kazmark apologized to Ms. Lima for not being able to hear all of her comments this evening. He stated that with regard to projects being posted to the Village website, Mr. Kazmark said that all of the documents related to the Schedler property project have been posted (as long as they are not deliberative). The Village is in the process of posting the soil remediation plan for the Schedler property, as soon as approval is received from the NJDEP. All of the PFAS Treatment Facility status information is on the Ridgewood Water website, with a page labeled “PFAS Treatment Construction Update,” which is dedicated to all of the construction projects relative to the buildout. Regarding the timeframe for completion of the PFAS Treatment Facilities, Mr. Kazmark said that a Consent Order signed with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) requires that the work be completed by the end of 2026. However, the NJDEP also required the Village to perform a cultural resource study at the Cedar Hill PFAS Treatment Facility location, prior to doing the PFAS Treatment construction at that location. Since an archaeological study was required, and since significant cultural awareness issues needed to be undertaken with the NJDEP, the construction of the Cedar Hill PFAS Treatment Facility project has been delayed. Contingent upon successfully obtaining all of the necessary materials and equipment to complete the Cedar Hill PFAS Treatment Facility, and timing of the construction, there is a chance that this may run into the first quarter of 2027. The Village had no control over this delay, which was caused by a mandate of the NJDEP. All of the other PFAS Treatment Facilities are slated to be completed in 2026. Councilmember Weitz thanked Mr. Kazmark for removing the no parking ordinance related to the South Pleasant Avenue bike lane from the agenda this evening. He agreed that more discussions need to occur before any final decision can be made. Mr. Kazmark stated that he spoke with Dr. Mark Schwarz, Superintendent of Schools, and they set up a meeting on Friday to discuss how the proposed no parking regulation will specifically affect Hawes School. 8. BUDGET FOR RIDGEWOOD BUSINESS ALLIANCE A. PUBLIC HEARING ON RIDGEWOOD BUSINESS ALLIANCE BUDGET Deputy Mayor Perron asked that the Village Clerk to read the title of the 2026 Ridgewood Business Alliance Budget and stated that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Ms. Mailander said that the title is the 2026 Ridgewood Business Alliance Budget. Robin Goldfischer said that she is the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the Valley Health System. She acknowledged the Village’s goal of supporting the business community and enhancing the vitality of the downtown area. She said that the hospital has been a proud member of the Ridgewood community for decades and has contributed to its economy, public health, and quality of life of its residents. Ms. Goldfischer said that the Valley Health System values their 10 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 longstanding partnership with the Village and the many small businesses that make Ridgewood unique. Ms. Goldfischer expressed significant concern regarding the application of the Special Improvement District (SID) assessment under the Ridgewood Business Alliance (RBA) ordinance, against Valley Health System. She has compared a list of a few nonprofit entities in Ridgewood to the property assessment roll provided by the Village and did not see any nonprofit entities listed which would be subject to this assessment, except for Valley Hospital. Ms. Goldfischer said that this creates the appearance of selective enforcement and raises both fairness and legal compliance issues under New Jersey law. She said that the State of New Jersey authorized municipalities to create SIDs under the Pedestrian Mall and Special Improvement District Act. Ms. Goldfischer said that this law allows local governments to impose special assessments only on properties that are specifically benefitted by the improvements financed through those assessments. Ms. Goldfischer said that the statute provides that a governing body may exempt properties that, in its opinion, do not benefit from the improvements. She said that this is not only a discretionary option, but is also a recognition of a principle that special assessments must be tied to specific benefits. Given that Valley Hospital’s operations are medical and charitable in nature, and not commercial or retail, Ms. Goldfischer said that it is difficult to see how the hospital will receive any special benefit from downtown marketing or business promotion activities. She said that applying the assessment to Valley appears inconsistent with both the statute’s language and intent. The New Jersey Constitution mandates uniform treatment of properties within the same class, and the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the New Jersey Constitution prohibit arbitrary or selective application of government burdens. She said that by imposing a levy on some nonprofits, while excluding others, the Village risks violating these uniformity principles. Ms. Goldfischer stated that courts have consistently ruled that government assessments must be rationally related to the benefits conferred and applied consistently to all similarly situated properties. She said that selective or inconsistent enforcement or application as to nonprofits, particularly one that will receive no special benefit, is contrary to the statute and case law. Ms. Goldfischer requested that the Village Council clarify the criteria used to determine which entities are included and which are exempted from the assessment; review the ordinance’s application to ensure that all similarly situated nonprofit organizations are treated the same; and suspend or defer the assessment as it relates to Valley, pending that review. She said that Valley’s partnership with the Village depends upon fairness, transparency and adherence to the rule of law. Deputy Mayor Perron asked Ms. Goldfischer to wrap up her comments, since her three-minute time limit was up. Deputy Mayor Perron indicated that several members of the Board of 11 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Directors of the RBA are at the meeting this evening, and she asked if any of them would like to make any comments. Glenn Carlough said that he is the President of the Board of Directors of the RBA. He acknowledged that there is current litigation between Valley Hospital and the Village regarding property taxes. Mr. Carlough said that the RBA supports Valley Hospital’s ability to request a review of the SID assessment to be imposed against it, and the RBA has no objection to their doing so. Stuart Koperweis, President of Economic Development Strategists (EDS), said that he is the consultant who helped to develop the SID in Ridgewood. Two years’ worth of work has gone into this endeavor, and it has been performed by a variety of individuals, including former business owners, current business owners, Deputy Mayor Perron, landlords, Mayor Vagianos, and Kathryn Schmidt. He said that all of these people have worked diligently over the past two years to put together the SID, the corresponding ordinance, and the proposed budget. Mr. Koperweis indicated that there were 49 different tax-exempt status properties identified in Ridgewood and, of those, six properties were included within the SID. Mr. Koperweis thanked everyone who was involved in this endeavor, including Village staff and the Village Councilmembers. He said that any entity can challenge their inclusion in the SID and/or the assessment imposed against it, by asking the Village Council to exempt them. If Valley were found to be exempt, then Schedule A attached to the ordinance would have to be revised and the map of the SID would have to be changed as well. Mr. Koperweis said that he believes Valley Hospital or Valley Health is involved with a variety of for-profit entity organizational structures and that is why they were included in the SID assessment. Deputy Mayor Perron thanked Mr. Koperweis for his guidance in developing the SID and to the Board of Directors for developing a thoughtful budget. Ms. Goldfischer spoke again and stated that the Valley Health System is a not-for-profit entity and there is no for-profit work going on, at the Valley Hospital campus in Ridgewood. Since there were no further comments, Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Councilmember Mortimer seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None 12 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Ms. Mailander read Resolution No. 25-422 in full, as follows, and the following comments were made, prior to the vote to adopt the resolution: Councilmember Mortimer said that he was voting in favor of this resolution because he has seen some positive movement within the RBA to address some of the concerns he previously expressed. Councilmember Weitz said that Mayor Vagianos, who is out of the country, asked him to read a statement on his behalf as follows: “I have worked in the Ridgewood Central Business District for about 30 years. Along with our nationally ranked schools and beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods, it is one of the crown jewels of our Village. Through the years, I have watched and felt firsthand how the peaks and valleys of the changing economy have impacted our downtown shopping and dining community. As we have all seen, however, today’s business climate is changing faster than ever, and while a SID is by no means a panacea, it will provide us with the tools and resources necessary to better compete in this ever-changing landscape. Consequently, I wholeheartedly support the establishment of a Special Improvement District in Ridgewood and want to take this moment to personally thank Deputy Mayor Pam Perron for her efforts and vision in bringing this much-needed resource to our Village.” Councilmember Weitz stated that he personally wanted to thank Deputy Mayor Perron for her efforts in forming the SID and RBA. He said that it will evolve over time and be made better. He said that he was voting in favor of Resolution No. 25-422. Councilmember Winograd also thanked Deputy Mayor Perron and the Steering Committee for the Special Improvement District for their efforts, as well as all business owners in Ridgewood. She said that she looks forward to the Ridgewood Beautification Team partnering with the RBA to add more vibrancy to the Central Business District. She said that she is voting in favor of Resolution No. 25-422. 13 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 9. VILLAGE MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Kazmark thanked Sean Hamlin, Supervisor of the Recycling Department, as well as Richard Calbi, Director of Ridgewood Water, for their efforts in acknowledging Ronald Fisher, who worked for the Village 30 years ago and who was killed while performing his duties for the Village. He said that he looks forward to honoring Mr. Fisher, next spring, through the tree planting in Habernickel Park, in his memory. Mr. Kazmark also thanked American Legion Post 53 and everyone who attended the Veterans Day service held in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square. Many residents attended to honor veterans who have served in the military. Mr. Kazmark said that he himself comes from a Gold Star Family and he found the service very meaningful. Mr. Kazmark said that construction began Monday on the new flood barrier system at Village Hall, which is expected to take three weeks to complete. The main entrance and Community Center entrances will be impacted, but only one entrance will be closed at a time to allow entry into Village Hall. Mr. Kazmark said that there is no concrete wall being installed around Village Hall. Mr. Kazmark announced that the Ridgewood Police Department, Northwest Bergen County Central Dispatch, and his office have been working collectively together to create an online parking request portal, which is scheduled to formally launch on December 1, 2025. There was a trial run last week and a few tweaks have to be made. However, Mr. Kazmark is confident that this will make requests for overnight parking easier than before. On November 6, 2025, the new bus shelter in front of Ridgewood High School arrived. Mr. Kazmark acknowledged the efforts of the Engineering Department, Signal Division, and New Jersey Transit on this project. He said that this new bus shelter will provide shelter from inclement weather and a safe place for those waiting for the bus. The Village’s vendor, Audio Directions, will be installing a hearing loop in the courtroom on November 14th. This technology, which was paid through a State grant, will allow people with hearing loss to hear the sound clearly for a distance, regardless of background noise. In addition, on November 14th at 3:30 p.m., all Ridgewood residents are invited to attend the grand re-opening of the new playground at Habernickel Park, which is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This playground is designed to be accessible for all children and was partially funded through a $68,000.00 grant from the State Department of Community Affairs. 14 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Mr. Kazmark said that the upgrades to the upper baseball field at Hawes School have been completed, thanks to a generous donation by the Ridgewood Baseball and Softball Association. Mr. Kazmark also thanked the Ridgewood Public Schools, the Parks and Recreation Department, and New Jersey Sports Fields for their collaborative efforts in this regard. Mr. Kazmark said that a community meeting will be held tomorrow night beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Lounge of Village Hall, regarding the Schedler property. Matrix New World Engineering will present the details of the soil remediation plan to the public and will answer questions from the public. A soil remediation plan has been submitted to the NJDEP. Residents may participate in person or via Zoom. This past Sunday, Mr. Kazmark attended the Ridgewood Elder Dinner for the first time at the Old Paramus Reformed Church. He described it as an amazing event, and he thanked the Parks and Recreation Department, the Community Center Foundation, HealthBarn USA, Age-Friendly Ridgewood, the Civil Youth Corps, the Scout troops, and all talented students from Ridgewood High School who shared their vocal talents, as well as all volunteers and the Kapoor family, who donate the food for this event. Mr. Kazmark said that the Village has entered into an agreement to offer The Difference Card, along with the State health benefits high-deductible plan, to cover out-of-pocket expenses for Village employees. This change was elective for all eligible employees, and will provide a significant savings to both the Village and its employees, especially considering the pending 36.5% increase in State health insurance premiums, effective as of January 1, 2026. Mr. Kazmark received a report today indicating that 176 employees have moved from the traditional plan to the high-deductible plan. He said that a little less than 100 employees chose to stay on their current plans. The Finance Department is working on the savings calculations relating to the 2026 Municipal Budget. Mr. Kazmark said that on this evening’s agenda, the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and the Superior Officers Association (SOA) salary ordinance for 2026 to 2029 will be considered. There is a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) outlining the agreed-upon items for the new contract. Salary increases will be set at 1.5% in 2026, 2.5% in 2027, 1.75% in 2028, and 2.5% in 2029. Changes were also negotiated regarding compensatory time banks and healthcare benefits, and language in the contract was clarified to bring the contract up to date. Mr. Kazmark thanked the PBA and SOA negotiations committees led by Kyle Monton and Jay Chuck for their efforts in this regard. The new contract was successfully negotiated prior to the expiration of the existing contract. Due to the expiration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on October 31st, the Village partnered with the Social Services Association of Ridgewood, the Ridgewood Library, the YMCA, multiple churches, and Ridgewood Public Schools to collect 15 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 food donations to assist impacted families. Mr. Kazmark said that hundreds of bags of food and toiletries were collected, and he thanked all Ridgewood residents for their generosity and care. Mr. Kazmark said that the Social Services Association of Ridgewood will now transition to their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, which benefits more than 100 local families. Mr. Kazmark stated that the 12-week Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, called the 1 Million Minutes of Wellness Challenge, has now exceeded 500,000 minutes. The challenge is open to anyone who lives, works or participates in programs or services in Ridgewood. He encouraged everyone to log in their minutes on the Village website between now and December 5, 2025, on the Wellness Challenge tab. Leaf collection season began on October 13, 2025 and schedules have been mailed out to all households. The pickup schedules will also be posted on the Village website. The dates listed for each area of the Village are the dates during which residents are asked to put leaves out curbside and not the dates that the leaves will be picked up. The next Household Hazardous Waste collection by the Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) will take place on November 15, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the BCUA facility in Moonachie. Residents must stay in their vehicles at all times, and staff will remove the materials to be recycled from each vehicle. Village offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27, 2025 and Friday, November 28, 2025, in observation of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Recycling Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 28, 2025. East side rear yard garbage pickup and Area A recycling will be picked up on that date as well. Mr. Kazmark said that the 40th Annual Downtown for the Holidays and tree lighting will take place on December 5th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., along East Ridgewood Avenue. The Chamber of Commerce will host Touch-A-Truck, a trackless train, nutcracker dancers in store windows, and Santa in his moving golf cart. S’mores will also be offered. Individuals should contact the Chamber of Commerce for further details. Upcoming meeting are as follows: Village Council Public Meeting on December 10, 2025; and Village Council Work Session on December 3, 2025. All meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Kazmark wished everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday. 10. VILLAGE COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Mortimer said that the Ridgewood Arts Council met on Monday. On November 20, 2025, a free “Jazz Coffeehouse” event will be held at Sugar and Spice at 7:00 p.m. Regarding 16 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Downtown for the Holidays, Councilmember Mortimer stated that members of the Ridgewood Arts Council are helping businesses to plan their holiday window displays for the contest, which will be judged before the tree lighting. There is a meeting of the Open Space Committee scheduled for tomorrow. Councilmember Winograd thanked everyone who helped with the Ridgewood Elder Dinner held on Sunday. She said that she was a member of the original inception team about ten years ago. The dinner provides food and socialization for seniors, while building community in Ridgewood. She thanked HealthBarn, Age-Friendly Ridgewood, the Old Paramus Reformed Church, and especially the Kapoor family who donates the meals. Councilmember Winograd said that there was a joint meeting between the Fields Committee and the Shade Tree Commission, which she said was very productive. The next segment of the Adopt-A-Sapling program will be focused on the area around Ridge School. There is an ongoing campaign to educate the public on the harmful effects of ivy growing on a viable tree. They have identified the Big Trees and are looking for a Liberty Tree that is over 250 years old. These trees will be celebrated for the 250th anniversary of the United States. Councilmember Winograd said that she attended the Veterans Day service held by American Legion Post 53 in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, and she thanked everyone who assisted in organizing this event. She asked everyone to remember the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families. She wished her father, who was in the Marines, and brother, who was in the Navy, a happy Veterans Day. A sensory-friendly dinner was held by the ACCESS Committee at Stella Restaurant this evening, and it was very well attended. Members of the Fire Department were in attendance. Councilmember Winograd thanked Jaimie Davis and Jesse Schwartzman for their efforts in this regard. Councilmember Winograd reminded everyone that the silent Christmas Tree lighting will take place on December 8, 2025 at the Train Station, for the neurodivergent population. Councilmember Winograd said that she and members of the ACCESS Committee will be present at the ribbon-cutting event at the new ADA playground at Habernickel Park on Friday at 3:30 p.m. Councilmember Winograd wished everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. She said that she was thankful to live in Ridgewood and to serve on the Village Council. Councilmember Weitz said that the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) met earlier this week and considered five applications. He said that he appreciates all of the work done by the members of the HPC to preserve the historic integrity of Ridgewood. He echoed the comments made by his Village Council colleagues regarding the incredibly moving Veterans Day event held by American Legion Post 53. He wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving. 17 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Deputy Mayor Perron said that she also attended the Veterans Day ceremony held by the American Legion Post 53 in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, which she described as very inspirational. She was moved by a comment made by one of the speakers which was, “Don’t let fear command your actions, and don’t let fear get in the way of your accomplishing what you dream to accomplish.” Green Ridgewood met last week and its subcommittees all reported in on finances, grant applications, and student events such as pumpkin smashing (being held this coming weekend). Deputy Mayor Perron said that Mr. Hamlin of the Sanitation and Recycling Department asked everyone not to put pumpkins in the road and cover them up with leaves. Pumpkins are dangerous when they start to rot and they cause slippery conditions. Deputy Mayor Perron said that the Ridgewood Elder Dinner was well attended and everyone had a lot of fun. She thanked the Old Paramus Reformed Church for hosting this event, and for bringing people together for 300 years. This year, the Old Paramus Reformed Church will be celebrating their 300th anniversary and this coming Saturday at 7:00 p.m., there will be a benefit concert held at the church. A group called “Englewinds” will provide musical entertainment, mostly classical music. The Ridgewood Arts Foundation continues to meet to draft the grant application with the Economic Development Authority (EDA), in an effort to be granted monies to be used to refurbish the Warner Theater into a performing arts center. The Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC) meets tomorrow morning via Zoom at 8:30 a.m. The link is on their agenda, which is posted on the Village website. Regarding Downtown for the Holidays, Deputy Mayor Perron announced that Santa and Mrs. Claus will be welcoming families earlier than the rest of the program, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., at the end of East Ridgewood Avenue near North Maple Avenue. Deputy Mayor Perron wished everyone a great Thanksgiving. 11. ORDINANCES – RIDGEWOOD WATER Deputy Mayor Perron stated that there are no introductions of ordinances or Public Hearings for Ridgewood Water this evening. 18 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 12. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER Ms. Mailander said that the following resolutions, numbered 25-423 through 25-438 would be adopted by a Consent Agenda, with one vote by the Village Council, and would be read by title only: 19 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 13. ORDINANCES A. INTRODUCTION - #4068 – PBA AND PBA SUPERIORS SALARY ORDINANCE Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #4068 by title on first reading. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None The Village Clerk read Ordinance #4068 by title only: AN ORDINANCE TO FIX SALARIES, WAGES AND OTHER COMPENSATION OF AND FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND POLICE SUPERIOR OFFICERS OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, COUNTY OF BERGEN, AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY Councilmember Winograd moved that Ordinance #4068 be adopted on first reading and that December 10, 2025 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None B. PUBLIC HEARING - #4063 – AMEND CHAPTER 265 – VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC – PARKING PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES – EXTENSION OF FIRE ZONE ON BEVERLY ROAD Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #4063 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilmember Mortimer seconded the motion. 20 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None The Village Clerk read Ordinance #4063 by title only: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT SECTION 265- 65, “PARKING PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES” Since there were no public comments, Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Public Hearing on Ordinance #4063 be closed. Councilmember Mortimer seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None Councilmember Winograd moved that Ordinance #4063 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilmember Mortimer seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None C. PUBLIC HEARING - #4064 – AMEND CHAPTER 145 – FEES – FIRE WATCH SERVICE FEES Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #4064 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion. 21 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None The Village Clerk read Ordinance #4064 by title only: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 145 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, FEES, AT SECTION 145-6, “FEES RELATED TO CODE CHAPTERS” Since there were no public comments, Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Public Hearing on Ordinance #4064 be closed. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None Councilmember Mortimer moved that Ordinance #4064 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilmember Winograd seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None D. PUBLIC HEARING - #4065 – AMEND CHAPTER 145 – FEES – 2026 PARKING PERMIT FEES Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #4065 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. 22 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None The Village Clerk read Ordinance #4065 by title only: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 145 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, FEES, AT SECTION 145-6, “ENUMERATION OF FEES RELATING TO CODE CHAPTERS” Since there were no public comments, Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Public Hearing on Ordinance #4065 be closed. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None Councilmember Winograd moved that Ordinance #4065 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None E. PUBLIC HEARING - #4066 – 2026 MANAGEMENT SALARY ORDINANCE Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #4066 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. 23 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None The Village Clerk read Ordinance #4066 by title only: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE SALARIES, WAGES AND OTHER COMPENSATION AND TO ESTABLISH THE “EMPLOYEE AGREEMENT” OF CERTAIN NON-UNION OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, COUNTY OF BERGEN, AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR THE YEAR 2026 Since there were no public comments, Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Public Hearing on Ordinance #4066 be closed. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None Councilmember Mortimer moved that Ordinance #4066 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None F. PUBLIC HEARING - #4067 – 2026 NON-UNION SALARY ORDINANCE Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #4067 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. 24 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None The Village Clerk read Ordinance #4067 by title only: AN ORDINANCE TO FIX SALARIES, WAGES, AND OTHER COMPENSATION OF NON-UNION EMPLOYEES OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, COUNTY OF BERGEN, AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR THE YEAR 2026 Since there were no public comments, Deputy Mayor Perron moved that the Public Hearing on Ordinance #4067 be closed. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None Deputy Mayor Perron thanked Mr. Kazmark for negotiating all of the union contracts being approved this evening, acknowledging the amount of work this entails. Councilmember Mortimer moved that Ordinance #4067 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilmember Weitz seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote AYES: Councilmembers Mortimer, Perron, Weitz and Winograd NAYS: None ABSENT: Mayor Vagianos ABSTAIN: None 14. RESOLUTIONS Ms. Mailander said that the following resolutions, numbered 25-439 through 25-468, would be adopted by a Consent Agenda, with one vote by the Village Council, and would be read by title only. 25 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 15. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Bob Fuhrman, a resident of Ridgewood, thanked the Village Council and Village Manager for all of the excellent work they do on behalf of Village residents. He spoke about the improvements to the field at Hawes School, the Kingsbridge Lane Pedestrian Bridge, the bus station improvements by Van Neste Square, the new bus shelter at Ridgewood High School, and the Ridgewood Elder Dinner. He said that the silent majority in the Village supports the Village Council and Village Manager. Hans Lehmann, a resident of Ridgewood, said that he had the displeasure of watching the public comments at the last Village Council meeting. He thanked the Village Council and the Village Manager for all of the good work they do for the Village. He said that he hopes to see the Schedler property developed before he passes “from this earth.” Boyd A. Loving, a resident and taxpayer of Ridgewood, said that he was somewhat concerned about the $79,000.00 expenditure for repair of the ladder tower truck for the Fire Department. He said that he believes this truck is either a 2012 or 2013. He said that he does not know exactly what repairs are being undertaken, but he wondered if any of these repairs were covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. He asked for an explanation of what types of repairs are being done to the truck. Mr. Loving said that it was his understanding that there was no time limit for speakers who wish to make comments during a Public Hearing. He asked why there was a three-minute time limit imposed upon people making comments (particularly Ms. Goldfischer for Valley Health) during the Public Hearing regarding the Ridgewood Business Alliance Budget, especially since there was no announcement ahead of time that there would be a three-minute time limit. He asked if the time limit was imposed because there was no ordinance involved or if the rules had changed. There were no further public comments. Deputy Mayor Perron apologized by saying that she made a mistake stating that there was a three- minute time limit during the Public Hearing for the Ridgewood Business Alliance Budget. She said that people can talk as long as they need to, during Public Hearings. Deputy Mayor Perron said that the attorney for Valley Hospital spoke a second time, and she does not feel that Ms. Goldfischer had anything else to convey. Regarding the ladder tower truck repairs, Deputy Mayor Perron said that the heat shields are coming off and need to be replaced; the steering wheel horn button works only intermittently; the fuel tank is severely rusted; and grease fittings are missing in the yoke and split joint. In addition, the cradle scuff pads are bent and the right cradle pad is damaged, and the platform waterway swivel will not take grease. These are just a few of the repairs that are necessary to the ladder tower truck. Fire 26 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 Chief John Judge has indicated that a new ladder tower truck would cost between $2.1 million and $2.3 million to replace the old truck, with a three-year to four-year wait time. Deputy Mayor Perron indicated that the Fire Department cannot wait that long, for purposes of safety. There are no grants available to offset the cost of these repairs. These are the reasons why the Village is opting to make repairs to the ladder tower truck at this time. Councilmember Weitz added that this particular ladder tower truck has at least ten years left of its life expectancy, and he feels that the repairs are a worthy investment. Since the truck is already ten years old, Councilmember Weitz said that he is assuming that the warranty has expired on the truck. The price of new trucks is apparently a nationwide problem, but Chief Judge is pursuing any and all available grants to offset the cost of these repairs. 16. RESOLUTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION Ms. Mailander read Resolution #25-469 to go into Closed Session. 27 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025 17. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Councilmember Mortimer, seconded by Councilmember Winograd, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the Village Council’s Regular Public Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. ____________________________________ Paul Vagianos Mayor ____________________________________ Heather A. Mailander Village Clerk 28 Village Council Regular Public Meeting November 12, 2025