Village Council Meeting

A PUBLIC WORK SESSION 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 FEBRUARY 25, 2026 AT 7:30 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER – OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT – ROLL CALL – FLAG SALUTE Mayor Vagianos called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and read the Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. At roll call, the following were present: Councilmembers Mortimer, Weitz, and Winograd and Mayor Vagianos. Deputy Mayor Perron had not yet arrived but joined the meeting in progress. 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. 2. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Anne Loving, a Ridgewood resident, addressed the Village Council regarding artificial turf. Ms. Loving opened her remarks by reciting a quotation she attributed to former newspaper reporter for Ridgewood Village Council meetings, John Koster: “For there is no more difficult obstacle to overcome than that of the closed mind.” She indicated that she kept this quote posted in her home and found it relevant to the current discussion surrounding the Schedler property. Ms. Loving stated that she believed the Village Council had closed minds with respect to artificial turf and referenced what she characterized as an increasing body of published literature regarding the hazards of artificial turf and PFAS. She expressed her sincere hope that the Village Council would consider a natural grass field at Schedler and emphasized that it was not a sign of weakness to change one’s mind when presented with new information. Denise Lima, a Ridgewood resident, addressed several topics. She thanked the Director of Public Works and the Village’s Blue-Collar workers for their efforts during the recent snowstorm, noting that roads and sidewalks were cleared admirably. She flagged that the intersection of Ridgewood Avenue and Maple Avenue had required additional attention. Ms. Lima also congratulated Nancy Bigos, Parks and Recreation Director, on her recognition as Recreation Professional of the Year by the New Jersey Parks and Recreation Association. Ms. Lima expressed concern about the fate of improvements to Twinney Pond Park and the installation of picnic benches, noting she had raised these matters on multiple occasions and hoped they would not be deferred due to budgetary constraints. She complimented the Village’s weekly newsletters and asked for improved coordination to ensure that events such as the recent Ramadan crescent lighting, be publicized in advance. Ms. Lima inquired about the timeline for the public release of a user-friendly version of the municipal budget prior to its introduction. She acknowledged the improvement made to the Recycle Coach app in response to her earlier suggestion. With respect to the Schedler property, she requested an update on the Bergen Joint Insurance Fund claim for the Village to be reimbursed for some of the costs of soil remediation. She also raised questions regarding the nine additional conditions imposed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in its recent resolution, including requiring a new architectural 1 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 landscape design, and whether any of those conditions had financial implications for the budget. Ms. Lima concluded by asking whether the sessions regarding downtown parking were being recorded for future reference. Cynthia O’Keefe, a Ridgewood resident, spoke about the importance of public engagement. She referenced a book, Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In, that had been discussed at the prior week’s meeting, and encouraged the Village Council to embrace a more collaborative approach to large projects. Ms. O’Keefe expressed the view that community members had not felt genuinely heard on matters such as the Schedler development and affordable housing. She asked that the Village Council engage in more productive dialogue with residents on consequential projects, noting that these decisions affected residents’ most significant investments, their homes. She also asked the Village Council to lead with greater compassion in responding to incidents of interpersonal conflict, specifically referencing an altercation that had occurred in the Court Room, and a verbal confrontation at a Fields Committee meeting. Ms. O’Keefe urged the Village Council to uphold the principles of fairness, justice, and impartiality according to the oath they took, upon taking office. There being no further comments from members of the public, Mayor Vagianos closed public comment. 3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS Village Manager Keith Kazmark responded to several of the matters raised during public comment. He thanked the Village employees who plowed, for their stellar performance during the snowstorm. He confirmed that Deputy Mayor Perron would address the status of Twinney Pond Park improvements later in the meeting, under Village Council reports. With respect to picnic benches, Mr. Kazmark noted that picnic facilities are available at the new pavilion at Irene Habernickel Park and at Graydon Park, near the skate park area, and that Parks Director Nancy Bigos was working toward adding benches in additional parks, as part of improvements tied to a County grant for Citizens Park. Regarding the Ramadan crescent lighting, Mr. Kazmark explained that the event had been organized within forty-eight hours and acknowledged that coordination with the event organizer and the Village’s communications staff could be improved. He confirmed that plans were in place to ensure the event would be included in the Village’s E-Blast and social media calendar in future years. With respect to the municipal budget, Mr. Kazmark confirmed that the budget was scheduled for introduction on March 11, 2026 in accordance with State statute. He stated that following introduction, the budget documents, including a user-friendly version, would be posted online and the public would have a full month to review them, and submit comments, before a Public Hearing and final adoption of the budget in April. Mr. Kazmark confirmed that the Recycle Coach update had been made. 2 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 Regarding Schedler, he reported that the Bergen Joint Insurance Fund approved the Village’s claim package and that paperwork had been received from Fund attorney Bill Bailey. At this time, Village Chief Financial Officer, Robert Rooney and Village Attorney Matthew Rogers were reviewing the documents, and execution was expected within the coming weeks. On the downtown parking study, Mr. Kazmark noted that the Village had engaged Walker and Associates to conduct a comprehensive parking study and held two productive public meetings. One meeting was with business owners and merchants, and the second meeting was with the general public. There was also a subsequent follow-up meeting. A community survey will gather additional input from additional Ridgewood residents, commuters, shoppers/diners, and business owners. Councilmember Winograd also responded to comments. She expressed agreement that the Ramadan crescent lighting could have been publicized more widely and indicated she had reached out directly to event organizer Mahmoud Hamza to offer assistance in future years. She confirmed that $100,000 had been included as a line item in the capital budget to begin work on the historic Zabriskie-Schedler house which will pay for furnishings, fixtures, and programming. Mr. Kazmark added that a productive planning meeting had recently been held with Village communications staff to finalize the operations plan, financing plan, and staffing plan for the Zabriskie-Schedler house within the next thirty days. Councilmember Winograd emphasized the Village’s commitment to public engagement, citing hybrid meeting access, Council Chats, the annual Coffee with the Council, committee meetings open to the public, and direct outreach to neighborhood groups on specific projects. She expressed confidence that the Village Council was listening to its constituents and remained open to their input. 4. MAYOR’S REPORT – STATE OF THE VILLAGE Mayor Vagianos presented a summary of Village achievements in 2025. In the area of recognition, he noted that the Bergen Joint Insurance Fund awarded the Village its Gold Safety Award; Niche Magazine ranked Ridgewood the second-best New Jersey suburb; the Village was ranked the 11th safest town in the country by GoBankingRates.com; it was rated the best downtown by 201 Magazine; and it received the Bronze Award certification from Sustainable New Jersey. Mayor Vagianos continued on the accomplishments of the Village Council and Village staff during 2025, which he described as a great year for the Village of Ridgewood. He offered remarks recognizing each member of the Village Council: Deputy Mayor Perron, whom he described as his first call on every issue; Councilmember Weitz, whom he characterized as the Village’s financial guardian and the Village Councilmember who asked the hard questions on behalf of taxpayers; Councilmember Winograd, whom he described as the hardest working, most creative, and most empathetic member ever to serve on the Ridgewood Village Council; and Councilmember Mortimer, whom he praised for immediately taking ownership of parks and citizen safety matters, without requiring direction. Mayor Vagianos also expressed deep 3 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 appreciation for the Village’s professional staff, describing their work as transforming the Village Council’s vision for the Village into reality. On financial matters, the Mayor reported that the Village had maintained its AAA bond rating; achieved a budget increase of 3.14%, which was below the rate of inflation; increased Village ratables by over $200 million; the budget surplus was increased by over $900,000 over the past four years; and secured nearly $2 million in grant funding in 2025 for projects including new lighting at Veterans Field, PFAS remediation, a new bus station at Van Neste Square, improvements to Citizens Park, renovation of the skate park, and equipment upgrades for the Police and Fire Departments. Mayor Vagianos also highlighted that despite significant increases in healthcare costs nationally, the Village was able to limit health insurance cost increases by nearly $1.5 million, while simultaneously reducing the employee share of premiums and maintaining the same level of coverage. Mayor Vagianos reviewed the following major accomplishments from 2025: The Village entered into an agreement to acquire the Warner Theater and, together with the Ridgewood Arts Foundation, raised nearly $250,000 in private donations to retain a team of architects, engineers, and theater professionals to apply for a $75 million grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to convert the theater into a regional performing arts center. The grant application was anticipated to be filed shortly. After seventeen years of effort, the Village obtained final approval from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to construct a park and athletic field at the Schedler property. The first phase, removal of contaminated soil, was expected to commence in Spring 2026, with park and field construction to begin in phases, during the Summer. The Ridgewood Community Center Foundation secured a grant of nearly $250,000 to renovate the first floor of Village Hall into a premier Senior Center that would triple programming capacity for senior residents. Construction was expected to begin in spring 2026. Under the leadership of Deputy Mayor Perron, the Village established a Special Improvement District (SID) in the Central Business District, creating a fund, at no expense to residential taxpayers, to support the growth and vitality of downtown Ridgewood. In November, voters approved a referendum to increase the open space tax at an average cost of $37 per household annually, enabling the Village to acquire, create, and develop additional parkland. Additional highlights include: replacement of the bridge at Kingsbridge Lane, which had been closed since 2021; construction of a new pavilion and ADA-compliant playground at Habernickel Park; installation of new, more efficient lighting at Veterans Field through a collaborative effort with the Board of Education and several youth sports associations; expansion of the pickleball courts at Glen School from four to six courts; construction of a new roundabout at Ridgewood High School at the end of Beverly Road; approval of a long-overdue bus stop at Ridgewood High School; and the planting of over 200 trees. The Village also expanded its social 4 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 media presence to nearly 6,000 Facebook followers and over 3,000 Instagram followers, and the MyRidgewood app was downloaded by over 3,000 residents. Mayor Vagianos further noted that the Ridgewood Police Department was brought back to full personnel headcount, for the first time in years; the Village expanded its Styrofoam densifier Shared Service Agreements to nine municipalities, and recycled over six tons of Styrofoam; trash and recycling fleets were brought to full operational strength for the first time since 2018; over 100 tons of food scraps were collected and recycled in 2025, reducing disposal costs and environmental impact; a new bus stop was constructed at Van Neste Square, using funds recovered from New Jersey Transit; an E-bike ordinance was enacted for safety in the Central Business District; nearly two miles of aging underground water lines were replaced; and the Village obtained final NJDEP approval for the twelfth and final PFAS treatment facility. Mayor Vagianos acknowledged the service of the Ridgewood Fire Department, which responded to over 2,700 fire calls, conducted nearly 2,500 fire inspections, and responded to 1,300 ambulance calls in 2025. He recognized the Ridgewood Public Library, which recorded over 200,000 in-person visits and nearly 500,000 web visits during the year. He also highlighted the Village’s response to a lapse in Federal SNAP benefits, as the Village organized a community food drive encompassing local schools, houses of worship, the YMCA, and Ridgewood Social Services to bridge the gap for affected families. Mayor Vagianos concluded by thanking Ridgewood residents for placing their trust in the Village Council and for the improved tone of civic discourse in the community. He also thanked his fellow Councilmembers for their hard work and relentless drive to make Ridgewood shine a little brighter every day. 5. VILLAGE MANAGER’S REPORT Village Manager Keith Kazmark delivered his report. He began by acknowledging and thanking the Village’s blue-collar workers for their exceptional work during the weekend snowstorm, which deposited 20.7 inches of snow. Staff worked for twenty consecutive hours and continued working through subsequent nights to clear piles from the Central Business District. Mr. Kazmark reported that the Village had coordinated aggressively with Code Enforcement and the Police Department to ensure that intersections were clear for students and pedestrians. He asked all property owners who had not yet cleared their sidewalks to do so promptly and reminded residents that the clearing of corners and access to crosswalks was the legal responsibility of adjacent property owners. On behalf of the Fire Department, Mr. Kazmark requested that residents clear fire hydrants in the vicinity of their properties, noting the difficulty of clearing more than 700 hydrants with Village staff alone during an emergency recovery period. Mr. Kazmark extended his congratulations to Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Bigos, who was named the New Jersey Recreation Professional of the Year by the New Jersey Parks and Recreation Association, at a ceremony in Atlantic City attended by Mayor Vagianos, Deputy Mayor Perron, and Mr. Kazmark. He praised Ms. Bigos for the breadth of the Village’s recreation programming, which he noted extended well beyond sports to encompass programs 5 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 for students, Senior residents, and the environmental community, all delivered with exceptional quality and care. Mr. Kazmark reported that Senator Booker and Senator Kim notified the Village that Ridgewood Water was in receipt of a Federal appropriation of $1.5 million to supplement the Village’s lead service line replacement program. He noted that Ridgewood Water Director Richard Calbi would present additional details at next week’s Work Session. Mr. Kazmark observed that the total of Federal funding obtained for both PFAS remediation and the lead service line program now exceeds $4 million. Mr. Kazmark thanked Mahmoud Hamza for his invitation to attend the Iftar dinner at the YMCA on Saturday evening, to break the fast in celebration of Ramadan, and reiterated the Village’s commitment to providing earlier and broader outreach for this event in future years. On administrative matters, Mr. Kazmark advised that rear yard garbage collection would remain suspended for the coming week, due to forecasts of another significant storm on Monday and Tuesday. He asked residents to continue placing trash curbside, for the safety of sanitation workers. Mr. Kazmark announced the following upcoming events: the Department of Parks and Recreation will hold its seasonal Summer Job Fair on March 16, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Community Center, open to young adults sixteen and older; Super Science Saturday will be held on March 7, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ridgewood High School with representation from both the Ridgewood Police and Fire Departments; and the Recreation Department had a full schedule of after-school programs commencing in the first week of March, with registration available through Community Pass. Mr. Kazmark concluded by listing upcoming Village Council meetings: March 4, 2026 (Work Session); March 11, 2026 (Public Meeting); March 25, 2026 (Work Session); and March 30, 2026 (Work Session), all beginning at 7:30 p.m. 6. VILLAGE COUNCIL REPORTS A. COUNCILMEMBER MORTIMER Councilmember Mortimer joined in thanking the Village’s blue-collar workers for the snowstorm response, noting their consistently positive attitude in addition to the quality of their work. He also thanked Communications Director Carol Bialkowski for keeping residents informed throughout the snowstorm. He congratulated Director Bigos on her award, recounting that a new member of the Parks and Recreation Board had expressed surprise after a January meeting at how much work goes into planning the department’s activities, which he characterized as a reflection of Ms. Bigos’ leadership. Councilmember Mortimer reported that the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee (CSAC) met last week. He noted that the number of site triangle obstructions in compliance had reached 134, with one new notice issued and two additional properties coming into compliance during the past 6 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 month. He reported that CSAC had commenced an incident and accident tracking report; comparing January of this year to January of last year, accidents had decreased despite significantly more snowfall, suggesting a positive trend. CSAC also discussed the Village Council’s recent approval of a full traffic signal at the intersection of East Glen Avenue and Oak Street; the Ridgewood Engineering Department has already put out a bid for Traffic Engineers and bids have been received, with selection expected shortly. Installation of the new signal was anticipated for summer 2026. Councilmember Mortimer noted that the Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board and the Open Space Committee met contemporaneously with CSAC, and Mayor Vagianos had attended in his stead. B. COUNCILMEMBER WINOGRAD Councilmember Winograd reported that the Stigma Free Committee met last week and welcomed two guests: Mayor Vagianos and Megan Murphy, a local Facebook group moderator of a group called “The Sandwich Generation.” The joint meeting of Stigma Free and the ACCESS Committee explored the shared experience of caregiver stress across the ACCESS and aging communities. Discussion touched on the role of the Board of Health and the challenges caregivers face in navigating complex medical and logistical situations. The Stigma Free committee planned to connect with Village staff to identify practical resources for families managing transitions. Councilmember Winograd noted that future Stigma Free meetings would be rescheduled to accommodate an upcoming maternity leave in the Health Department, and asked residents to check the calendar for updated meeting times. Councilmember Winograd also reported on the most recent meeting of the ACCESS Committee. She noted that the Puzo’s Restaurant’s sensory friendly dinner event had been canceled, due to the snowstorm and would be rescheduled, likely in March. The ACCESS committee had a productive discussion about ACCESS representation at the Fourth of July celebration, and Mayor Vagianos had offered assistance with several ideas. She clarified that the ACCESS Committee was focused on a broad approach to inclusion in the parade and Village events, one that encompassed all disability communities, not a narrowly defined category. Therefore, the ACCESS committee’s preference was for full inclusion within events, rather than a separate accommodations area. Councilmember Winograd thanked a local troop leader for organizing a visit by sixteen Boy Scouts from third, fourth, and fifth grade from Somerville School, who attended the prior week’s Village Council meeting, took seats at the dais, and voted on a range of topics. She thanked the Village staff for the snowstorm response and the uptown merchants who provided coffee and sustenance to workers during the cleanup. She also congratulated Nancy Bigos on her well-deserved award. C. COUNCILMEMBER WEITZ Councilmember Weitz thanked Village staff for the snowstorm response, acknowledging that not all positions allow the flexibility of remote work. He congratulated Nancy Bigos on her award. 7 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 Councilmember Weitz reported that the Fourth of July planning process was underway, with a kick-off meeting held with the Police Department, the Fire Department, and other Village departments. He noted that discussions regarding accessible accommodations for the ACCESS community at the Fourth of July parade were in progress, with the goal of finding meaningful ways for those with disabilities to participate in, and enjoy, the full day’s events. Councilmember Weitz reported that work on new bathrooms at the Ridgewood Public Library had commenced today and would represent a meaningful upgrade for patrons. Councilmember Weitz concluded with personal remarks about the Ramadan Iftar dinner at the YMCA and the crescent lighting event. He spoke of feeling privileged and warmly welcomed by the Muslim community at these events and reflected on his gratitude for living in a country and a community that celebrates diverse religious and cultural traditions. He expressed his thanks to the Muslim community of Ridgewood for their generosity and hospitality. D. DEPUTY MAYOR PERRON Deputy Mayor Perron expressed that she was privileged to attend both the Iftar dinner and the crescent lighting ceremony, and she was also present at the New Jersey Parks and Recreation Association dinner in Atlantic City, with Nancy Bigos and members of her family. She acknowledged the work of Katie Frey, the Village’s Supervisor of Recreation, who organized the event and currently serves as President of the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association. Deputy Mayor Perron then reported on the status of Twinney Pond Park. She stated that she had discussed the matter with Ms. Bigos and outlined the following steps: first, determining whether the stormwater pipes connected to the pond were functional, as one appeared to be damaged; second, testing the water entering the pond to assess what contaminants, if any, were being introduced. She noted that two quotes for remediation had been received some years ago, with differing philosophical approaches. One approach favored dredging and the other approach opposed it, noting that dredging could create space for invasive species. She explained that a kettle pond, by its nature, is always progressing toward becoming a meadow, and returning it to a fishable and skateable body of water may be an unrealistic objective. In the near term, a third- party contractor being retained by the Village to address invasive species would also assess Twinney Pond. The two invasive species were identified as stilt grass in the water and Japanese knotweed on land. A quote for remediation would be sought. Deputy Mayor Perron reported that the Ridgewood Business Alliance (RBA), the Village’s Special Improvement District, had received thirteen applications for the position of Executive Director, and that the fourteen-member board had been actively interviewing candidates. The process was in the callback stage, with a new Executive Director is expected to be named in early March. Deputy Mayor Perron reported that the Planning Board met on February 17, 2026 for a minor site plan application at the corner of Union Street and South Maple Avenue for the addition of an attached greenhouse to the existing building, similar to a sunroom. The Planning Board also 8 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 received a refresher training session on the standards and requirements for evaluating applications. She further noted that the Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC) had met following the Walker Associates parking study sessions, with much to consider from those discussions. The CBDAC also discussed the implementation of the new E-bike ordinance and the Police Department’s and Board of Education’s joint educational program about E-bikes, to be rolled out in Spring. Councilmember Winograd commented in response to Twinney Pond, defined as a kettle pond and the invasive species there. She will be following up with an inquiry previously submitted to Rutgers and looking into the use of goats that deal with invasive species, as seen in NYC. This is a serious eco-friendly consideration that we will be explored further. E. MAYOR VAGIANOS Mayor Vagianos shared that he had attended the Open Space Committee and the Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board annual joint meeting, in place of Councilmember Mortimer. He described it as an impressive gathering of dedicated volunteers. The meeting’s focus was on the Village’s trail network, featuring a presentation by a trail expert who assessed Ridgewood’s trails and the committee’s discussion of engaging residents in maintaining the trails they use. Mayor Vagianos spoke about the crescent lighting ceremony and expressed pride that Ridgewood now celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan with public displays. He shared that of Bergen County’s seventy municipalities, forty-five now light a crescent moon for Ramadan, and that Ridgewood’s participation was something he regarded as a permanent part of the Village calendar. He spoke warmly of the award ceremony for Nancy Bigos award ceremony at the gathering of Parks and Recreation professionals from throughout the State of New Jersey. Mayor Vagianos praised the snowstorm response and noted that several other Mayors of Bergen County municipalities, had reported difficulty mobilizing their crews, whereas Ridgewood’s workers performed exceptionally, continuing work through many nights of the week. He credited the team’s professionalism and dedication. He added a note he had not included in his State of the Village remarks, that the Village’s strong financial performance over the past four years, including the AAA bond rating, sub-inflation budget growth, and growth of the budget surplus, bore Councilmember Weitz’s fingerprints, and he expressed gratitude for Councilmember Weitz’s oversight of Village finances. 7. PRESENTATION - HEARING LOOP TECHNOLOGY – SYDNEY V. STOLDT, JR. COURTROOM Mayor Vagianos introduced Communications Director Carol Bialkowski to present an update on the installation of hearing loop technology in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room, funded in part through a grant obtained from Bergen County. 9 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 Ms. Bialkowski reported that the hearing loop in the Court Room had been installed and commissioned and the Senior Lounge and the Youth Center would be retrofitted with hearing loop technology, as part of the upcoming Community Center renovation. She explained that individuals with compatible hearing aids or cochlear implants can switch their device to the T-coil setting on their phone or hearing device and connect automatically to the system, enabling clear, intelligible sound, regardless of background noise or distance from the speaker. In addition, the Village acquired five assisted listening devices available for use by individuals with older hearing aids that do not include T-coil technology, as well as individuals with hearing loss who do not use a hearing aid. Ms. Bialkowski noted that an estimated one in seven Americans have some degree of hearing loss, while only approximately 20% of adults who could benefit from hearing aids seek treatment, underscoring the significance of the technology for many residents. Ms. Bialkowski explained that the devices would be kept in the IT room, of the Court Room, for security purposes, with a sign-out sheet and a charging station to ensure devices are sanitized between uses. Signage outside the Court Room identifies the availability of the hearing loop and T-coil service. Ms. Bialkowski confirmed that the Village’s IT staff had been trained on the devices. She acknowledged Dylan Hansen, Assistant Director of IT, for his work coordinating with the hearing loop installer on the installation, calibration, and integration with the existing audio system. Ms. Bialkowski noted that the technology reflects a national trend in public accessibility, with theaters, libraries, houses of worship, and other public gathering spaces increasingly adopting hearing loops. She stated that Ridgewood’s long commitment to accessibility and inclusivity made this initiative a natural next step. Councilmember Weitz asked about the procedure to use headsets. Ms. Bialkowski explained there would be signage outside the Court Room and that any staff using the Court Room on a regular basis would receive training, to help assist residents if the need should arise. Councilmember Winograd suggested that a footnote be added to printed meeting agendas notifying attendees of the availability of the technology. She observed that hearing loss is an invisible disability and that the awareness note would help ensure residents knew assistance was available. She also proposed incorporating the hearing loop presentation into ACCESS Committee activities and ACCESS week. She commented on the possibility of engaging a local advocate known to the Village, who communicates about disability and technology, to further amplify the message. Deputy Mayor Perron asked whether the hearing loop technology could be extended to outdoor spaces such as the Central Business District. Ms. Bialkowski indicated she would research the question. Deputy Mayor Perron requested that Ms. Bialkowski follow up with her contacts regarding outdoor applications. 10 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 Ms. Bialkowski confirmed that as a condition of the grant, the Village would be required to hold a public event and issue a press release about the technology. She planned to coordinate with Village staff about a presentation at a HILT meeting. Mayor Vagianos expressed how grateful he was for this technology, which addresses both accessibility and inclusivity, and is a big deal. 8. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS A. RIDGEWOOD WATER Mr. Kazmark advised that there were no items listed for discussion under the Ridgewood Water agenda item at this session. Richard Calbi, Director of Ridgewood Water, would present on water-related matters, including the newly received Federal lead service line grant, at next week’s Work Session. B. PARKING Mr. Kazmark advised that there were no items for discussion under the parking agenda item at this session. C. BUDGET ITEMS 1. KINGS POND PARK – PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT Mr. Kazmark presented a proposal from the Recreation Department for the purchase and installation of a new playground structure at Kings Pond Park. He explained that following the State House Commission’s approval in December 2025 to finalize the diversion and disposal process with the New Jersey Green Acres program, the Village was obligated to install a new children’s playground at Kings Pond Park, as a condition of that resolution. Capital funds for the project were available from two existing capital budget accounts. The playground structure, manufactured by Little Tikes Recreation, would be installed by Great Lakes Recreation of Zeeland, Michigan under a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract. Mr. Kazmark noted that this same vendor had recently and successfully installed the playground at the Irene Habernickel Family Park, and the Recreation Department is pleased with their work. The total amount not to exceed for the purchase, installation, and associated site work is $133,671.02. Award of the contract will be at the March 11, 2026 Public Meeting. There were no objections from the Village Council. 2. RECREATION OPEN SPACE INVENTORY (ROSSI) UPDATE – TOPOLOGY Ms. Mailander presented a proposal from Topology, a firm based in Newark, New Jersey, to update the Village’s Recreation Open Space Inventory (ROSI) at a cost not to exceed $10,000. She explained that as a remaining condition of the Green Acres diversion, the ROSI must be 11 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 formally updated. Topology assisted the Village through the diversion process and was continuing this work. Once updated, the ROSI must be refreshed at a minimum of every ten years. Completion of the ROSI update, along with the Kings Pond Park playground installation and payment of certain funds to the State, will fully clear the Village’s Green Acres diversion and restore its eligibility to receive Green Acres grants. Mr. Kazmark provided additional context, noting that following the State House Commission decision in December, Green Acres had audited the Village’s tax maps to identify all properties that might qualify as open space, but were not currently listed on the ROSI. This had been a comprehensive exercise involving Ridgewood Water Director Richard Calbi and Village Engineer James McGrath, as some of the identified properties contain underground utilities, raising concerns about inadvertently creating future Green Acres diversions, if utility work became necessary. Chris Colley, of Topology, was working to finalize the additions to the ROSI, and was in communication with the Village Tax Assessor regarding properties that may be more appropriately classified as easements, rather than dedicated open space. Completion of the ROSI update was anticipated within thirty to sixty days. Councilmember Winograd expressed full support for the ROSI update, noting that its neglect had impaired the Village's ability to access grant funding for years and that rectifying this was sound housekeeping. She also inquired about the anticipated installation date for the Kings Pond Park playground and requested that, upon completion, the new structure be added to the Village's parks inventory. The contract award will be awarded at the March 11, 2026 Public Meeting. 3. OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT – FEE SCHEDULE The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Coordinator Jeremy Kleiman presented a companion pair of proposed ordinances, beginning with an ordinance amending the departmental fees section of the Village Code to establish a fee schedule for OEM services. Mr. Kleiman explained that OEM has historically not charged for personnel, equipment, and resources deployed at the request of private organizations for non-emergency events. The proposed ordinance would bring OEM into line with the practices of the Police Department and Fire Department, which have authority to charge back costs to event organizers, for exclusive services rendered. Mr. Kleiman offered the example of the annual Memorial Day Run, which requires significant OEM planning, staffing, vehicle deployment, and the development of an Incident Action Plan. Under the proposed fee schedule, OEM would be able to recover costs in situations where its services are requested for pre-planned major events, whether community events such as the Fourth of July fireworks or the Memorial Day Run, or private events on private property, such as school functions or church gatherings where Village resources have been requested and deployed. Mr. Kazmark elaborated on the rationale for the ordinance, noting the significant growth in the number and complexity of community events in recent years. This has resulted in a situation that is unsustainable, without cost recovery. This is due to the level of emergency services and logistical support required at events occurring on multiple weekends throughout the Spring, 12 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 Summer, and Fall seasons. He emphasized that fee waivers and categorization of events which would fully distinguish Village-sponsored events from co-sponsored events and fully private events, would be handled administratively in a manner consistent with the way field use is tiered. Councilmember Weitz asked about the source of the fee rates, suggesting they appeared low, and whether the fee schedule might discourage community events. Mr. Kleiman clarified that the discretion to charge or waive fees would rest with the Village Manager, with rates calibrated to be a reasonable entry point. The schedule would also serve as a checklist and advance planning tool, discouraging last-minute requests for services, and encouraging event organizers to engage the Village early in their planning process. Mr. Kleiman stated the fee schedule rates were developed through a survey of comparable fee schedules and ordinances in other municipalities with similar OEM structures, as well as Fire Department charges for hazmat equipment deployment. Mr. Kleiman indicated the rates were intended to be a reasonable starting point, and could be amended as experience and circumstances warrant. Councilmember Winograd noted her preference for a tiered classification system over purely discretionary waivers, comparable to the categories used for field use, to ensure consistency and transparency. She suggested that well-established community events should be placed in a class that anticipated lower or no fees, and that newer or more private events should bear a greater share of the cost. Councilmember Weitz requested that organizers of recurring events be notified in advance of the ordinance and that grace periods be considered for events already underway in their planning cycles. Mr. Kleiman also described a specific example of mission creep that the fee schedule was designed to address. Recently, a house of worship had initially received OEM lighting for a Village co-sponsored Senior Resident event and subsequently requested the same equipment for unrelated private events over several weeks, ultimately resulting in a refusal. Village Councilmembers expressed support for the ordinance as a necessary and overdue step, and stressed the need for it to be consistent and not arbitrary. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AS A VILLAGE DEPARTMENT Mr. Kleiman presented the second companion ordinance, which would amend Chapter 3 of the Village Code to formally establish the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) as a department of Village government. He explained that the current Village Code addresses OEM only within the section governing boards, commissions, and councils, with a brief reference to the Emergency Management Coordinator. The proposed ordinance would preserve the Emergency Management Council in its current location in the Village Code, but strip the operational authority provisions and create a new department section that codifies the OEM’s existing authority and duties, in accordance with state statute. 13 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 Mr. Kleiman emphasized that the ordinance reflected no substantive changes to the way OEM currently operates, but rather memorialized existing practice in a formal, legally recognized departmental structure which is necessary to support the companion fee schedule ordinance. The Village Council expressed support for the ordinance. 5. ADOPTION OF THE 2026 BERGEN COUNTY MULTI- JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN Mr. Kleiman presented a proposed resolution authorizing the Village’s adoption of the Bergen County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for 2026. He explained that municipalities are required by law to adopt or update a hazard mitigation plan every five years, covering natural hazards such as flooding, identification of critical infrastructure, and strategies for protecting Village facilities and residents. Bergen County recognized several years ago that it was inefficient for each of its seventy municipalities to produce separate plans, and the Board of County Commissioners authorized the adoption of a single countywide multi-jurisdictional plan. The County retains a consultant, at full County expense, to meet with each municipality and prepare that municipality’s chapter of the plan. The most recent five-year revision was completed in 2025, through several rounds of meetings with County consultants and Village representatives. The County adopted the plan by ordinance and required each municipality to adopt it by resolution, by April 1, 2026. Councilmember Winograd inquired whether the Ridgewood chapter of the plan would be made publicly available. Mr. Kleiman confirmed that the plan was posted on the Bergen County website and offered to provide a direct link. He noted that before the link was shared broadly, he wanted to review the chapter one additional time, given that the document identifies critical infrastructure and facilities, and some caution about public distribution might be warranted. He indicated he would forward the link to the Village Council for their review and they could determine appropriateness of wider circulation. Councilmember Winograd suggested that if suitable for distribution, the Ridgewood chapter could be shared with interested community groups including Green Ridgewood and the Residential Flood Committee. Deputy Mayor Perron asked Mr. Kleiman if he was satisfied with Ridgewood’s chapter in the plan or if he saw any need for changes, to which Mr. Kleiman replied he was fully satisfied. 6. FIRE DEPARTMENT – ENROLLMENT IN JIF CERTIFIED FIRE DEPARTMENT PROGRAM Mr. Kazmark presented a memorandum from Fire Chief John Judge seeking Village Council approval to enroll the Ridgewood Fire Department in the Bergen Joint Insurance Fund’s Certified Fire Department Program. He explained that the program standardizes policies and risk management tools necessary to enhance Fire Fighter safety and functions as a Fire Department equivalent of the Police Department’s accreditation program, currently underway for the Ridgewood Police Department. Participation involves bringing all policies, procedures, and regulations current, in compliance with program standards. 14 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 Upon completion of the program, the Village would be awarded an initial grant of $5,000 for additional fire training and equipment, with $2,500 available every three years thereafter. The program takes approximately twelve months to complete, and requires a digital policy distribution system, a requirement the Village already satisfies through its PowerDMS service. The Village Council expressed support for enrollment. In response to a question from Deputy Mayor Perron, Mr. Kazmark explained the nature of the Bergen Joint Insurance Fund (JIF), noting that it is a consortium of approximately thirteen municipalities in the northern Bergen County region, including Ridgewood and its immediate neighbors, that pool their insurance procurement to obtain group rates for casualty, liability, and related insurance coverage. The South Bergen JIF covers the municipalities south of Route 4. The Village’s participation in the JIF allows it to obtain more favorable terms than it could as an individual purchaser. Health insurance is procured separately. 9. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Boyd Loving, a Ridgewood resident, addressed two matters. First, he expressed gratification at hearing Councilmember Weitz’s report that the Fourth of July parade accommodations for the ACCESS community remained under active discussion, noting that his own suggestion from the prior week’s meeting appeared to be dismissed. He proposed that a simple sensory-friendly block at the beginning of the parade, before lights, sirens, and band music commenced, might provide a meaningful accommodation. Mr. Loving also raised a concern about residents who use private snow plows to push snow back into the street, following public road clearing. He challenged the position, attributed to a prior Code Enforcement Officer, that summonses could not be issued unless the violation was directly witnessed. Mr. Loving stated that circumstantial evidence, such as a fresh pile of snow adjacent to a recently plowed driveway, should be sufficient to support at minimum, a warning. He cited Dayton Street between Maple Avenue and Hope Street as a chronic problem area, involving two commercial properties, and asked that the Village Attorney and Village Manager examine whether action could be taken in such circumstances. Denise Lima, a Ridgewood resident, raised several follow-up items. She clarified that her request for picnic tables at Leuning Park and Van Neste Square was distinct from the picnic facilities at Habernickel and Graydon, as the Habernickel tables would be occupied by sports participants and families using that facility, and Graydon’s tables required a badge. She reiterated her concern about the Fourth of July handicap parking, stating that for the second consecutive year, adequate accessible parking had not been available in close proximity to the parade route. Ms. Lima requested that Councilmember Mortimer address the intersection of East Glen Avenue and Northern Parkway, where a recent accident involving a vehicle that struck a residential porch, had underscored the danger of that intersection. She asked that the Village Council take a more prominent role in conveying to the public that the Village’s PFAS levels continue to exceed New Jersey requirements, even as improvements are underway. She noted that the New Jersey Transit resolution regarding Schedler had included nine new conditions, one requiring a 15 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 new architectural landscape design, and asked whether any of those conditions had been factored into the budget. She added that residents who park downtown for personal errands such as dining, shopping, and services, had not been explicitly included in the downtown parking study outreach, and offered to assist in future resident engagement efforts. There being no further public comment, Mayor Vagianos closed the second round of public comment. 10. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS Councilmember Mortimer responded to the question about the East Glenn Avenue and Northern Parkway intersection. He reported that Ridgewood Police had conducted a five-year accident history review at that intersection and that the Engineering Department had made a site visit prior to a prior CSAC meeting. The data revealed that the majority of accidents at that intersection were attributable to vehicles traveling north or south, rather than those on East Glen Avenue. The removal of a sight obstruction, caused by overgrown bushes at one property, had corresponded with an approximately 50% reduction in accidents. The Village will be installing flashing stop signs on Northern Parkway in both directions. Councilmember Winograd clarified several items in response to public comments. She stated that the Village had in fact provided more handicap parking at the Fourth of July celebration last year than in any prior year, a result of deliberate coordination between the Fourth of July Committee and the Police Department. She emphasized that the ACCESS Committee’s approach to the Fourth of July parade was not to create a separate “neurodivergent section” of the parade but rather to integrate accommodations broadly, for all residents with disabilities, including those with mobility challenges, sensory sensitivities, and vision impairments. The goal was full inclusion, not separation. She noted that ACCESS representation at the parade would encompass many kinds of disabilities reflected in the committee’s membership and mission, and that details would be announced once they were fully developed. Councilmember Weitz echoed these clarifications and confirmed the Village Council’s commitment to ensuring all residents could participate in the parade and Fourth of July events. Mr. Kazmark responded to the remaining public comments. On the issue of pushing snow back into the street, he explained that the Police Department has been actively enforcing this prohibition during both snowstorms, given that the window for enforcement is short and there is one Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Kazmark noted that Police Chief Lyons had texted him during Monday’s storm to report that the problem was occurring on many streets and that Police Officers were doing their best to address it. Mr. Rogers clarified that while circumstantial evidence of snow-pushing could support a warning, the evidentiary requirements for a formal summons generally required a witness, photographic evidence, or direct observation. However, Mr. Kazmark confirmed that issuing warnings was distinct from issuing summonses and that this tool was available to personnel. On the Habernickel pavilion, Mr. Kazmark clarified that the facility is open to the public when not scheduled for a permitted event, in accordance with Green Acres requirements. No badge or 16 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 reservation is needed for casual use. A permit is required only for organized events formally booked through the Village’s Master Library scheduling system. On picnic tables, Mr. Kazmark indicated he would speak with Nancy Bigos, Director of Parks and Recreation, about the possibility of moving a table to Leuning Park, but expressed personal reluctance about placing picnic tables at Van Neste Square, noting that it is a memorial park and that it is not customary to install picnic furniture at a war memorial site. Councilmember Perron noted that neighbors of Leuning Park might have concerns about additional amenities generating food waste and associated sanitation issues, and that their input should be considered. On the downtown parking study, Mr. Kazmark confirmed that outreach for the two public meetings had been publicized through multiple Village e-notices and social media postings, and that all residents of Ridgewood had been invited to participate. The goal of the study, conducted by Walker Consultants, was to assess the needs of all parties who use downtown parking, including residents who park for dining, shopping, and other personal uses. On PFAS, Mr. Kazmark stated that residents receive a quarterly notice from Ridgewood Water, reviewed and approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, containing current information about PFAS levels. He acknowledged the notices are written in technical regulatory language, but noted that they fully satisfy the Village’s public disclosure obligations. He added that the previous Village administration should receive credit for making the difficult decision to appropriate the funds necessary to address PFAS, and he praised the work of Ridgewood Water Director Richard Calbi and his team. He noted that Ridgewood Water was purchasing PFAS-free water from Hawthorne, that more than half of the Village’s treatment facilities were already operational, and that the completion date of 2027 would make Ridgewood far ahead of most water utilities nationally, in resolving a PFAS problem. Mr. Rogers added that over half of Ridgewood Water’s customers were already receiving PFAS- free water. He noted that the Village was operating under an administrative consent order with the NJDEP and meeting all required deadlines, and that completion was likely to occur slightly ahead of schedule. Mr. Kazmark went on to say the Ridgewood Water is doing it right, because the PFAS Treatment Centers are housed, and will not need to be replaced as quickly as they would if they were not housed. Deputy Mayor Perron pointed out that in the Winter, most of Ridgewood Water is PFAS-free due to less usage of water being pumped. Mr. Kazmark agreed and stated that once the weather gets warmer and people start watering their lawns, there will be additional PFAS in the water system due to the greater volume of water being pumped. 17 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026 11. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Deputy Mayor Perron, seconded by Councilmember Winograd, and carried unanimously by voice vote the Village Council’s Public Workshop meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m. ________________________________ Paul Vagianos Mayor __________________________________ Heather A. Mailander Village Clerk 18 Village Council Public Work Session February 25, 2026