December 16th, 2024 Council Meeting Blog Ringwood
PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
A. Police, Ceremonial Swearing in of New Officers, Recognitions and Promotion Awards
New Police Officer Ptl. Van Dunk
Captain DePree was recently promoted
Sergeant B. DePree, Sergeant Fabor, Patrol Salle, and Patrol Huber were awarded the life saving recognition award.
Officer Guerra and Officer Tredy were recognized for the Meritorious Service Award
Officer Tredy was off duty and stopped a car burglary and was recognized for the Honorable Service Award
B. Environmental Commission 2024 Year-End Report
Tom Conway gave the presentation and discussed how two new trails were created in 2024. No costs to taxpayers except for in-kind labor.
Worked on Septic Pumping Campaign
Cleaned up 90 bags of litter.
Conway announced that he served for 10 years and will be moving to the Economic Development Commission.
No New or Old Business
Manager’s Report
Engineering Dept.
We have received a total of $1,875,364 total in grants.
A four-way stop intersection was created at the intersection of Cupsaw Avenue and Skylands Road to keep pedestrians safe and to slow down traffic.
Our annual municipal road paving program for 2024 is complete which included the following streets:
Milligan Drive – entire length.
Van Dunk Lane – from Milligan Drive to the southerly cul-de-sac.
Carletondale Road – from Sloatsburg Road to Kendall Drive.
Locust Lane – entire length.
Juniper Terrace – entire length.
Hemlock Place – entire length.
Building dept at Borough Hall was moved to the first floor so that way it is easier for residents to come when submitting permit paperwork.
We completed a rehabilitation project on Valley Road Well which resulted in much-needed additional water being available to our system.
Health Dept
Many of our program offerings are being held at the Community Center. We are utilizing the Community Pass Program for registration purposes.
Through collaborations with Chilton Hospital, Avatar Addiction Center, and United for Prevention, we continue to promote our stigma free initiatives, with a focus specifically this year on substance use/ abuse.
We have continued our partnership with William Paterson University where college students have been providing engaging health presentations to the youth in our community.
We licensed 24 septic pumpers and installers, 65 restaurants and food trucks, and 963 septic permits were purchased.
Some of our work continues to be funded through grants. This past year we have been awarded $96,715.00.
During the rabies clinic in November, we vaccinated 148 dogs and cats.
Dog and Cat licensing will begin on January 1, 2025.
Recreation Dept
The Recreation Department had a great year offering new programs including youth art programs, youth basketball and cheerleading camps, a social group for children on the Autism spectrum, many adult dance classes, cornhole, pickleball, and senior walking.
The annual fireworks event attracted a record high of 385 cars, bringing an estimated 1,200 people together to enjoy the fireworks display.
The recreation department managed several other events, including the Halloween Trunk or Treat, Senior Harvest Dinner/Dance, Santa Meet and Greet, Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony, and the Holiday House Decorating Contest.
A second round of Hometown Hero banners, totaling 53 banners, was installed by the DPW for Memorial Day on Margaret King Ave.
The department contributed to the planning of the new playground at Cannon Mine Road.
DPW
The DPW installed drainage, inspected, and repaired all stormwater inlets and performed miscellaneous work in preparation of paving of streets in 2024.
We have assisted the recreation department and have maintained the fields for all sports programs.
The DPW and Water Department completed and closed out over 1,400 work orders in 2024!
Throughout the year, the DPW has conducted roadside cleanups to address litter and debris. In total we have removed 1.8 tons of garbage and debris from our roads!
DPW installed a new drainage system and a new playground at Cannon Mine Road.
The DPW had removed over 300 yards of debris this year. This not only enhances the appearance of our community but plays a crucial role in preventing potential flooding.
The DPW supports every department, in some way, every day. This includes the library, schools, Green Team, Recreation department, Police Department, as well as every event the Borough offers.
If you have a problem you would like addressed, please visit our website www.ringwoodnj.net/ReportAProblem or call 973-475-7133. We encourage all our residents to use this service as it helps to expedite the reporting of problems.
Police Dept.
The Police Department has responded to over 14,000 calls in 2024!
Issues over 1,373 traffic tickets.
Total disbursements to the Borough were $81,370 while the state received $151,309 for summonses.
Sign up for Smart 911 for alerts regarding various situations including road closure that may affect our borough. Please visit the website at www.ringwoodnj.net to register.
Volunteers:
We would also like to acknowledge the support from our dedicated volunteers in the community.
Our volunteers, including the ambulance teams, fire department, Dive Team, and OEM work tirelessly to ensure our safety and well-being.
Economic Development
At the beginning of the year, we hired Kristen Holton as our Director of Economic Development.
In 2024, we have welcomed the following TEN businesses into our community – Dairy Queen, McGowan Well Water Compliance, Revitalize Physical Therapy, Deliberate Fitness, Ringwood Dental Studio, The Collective Ringwood, The Fresh Grocer, Avatar Recovery Center, Seoul Express, and RQ Floors.
We have created a portable sign ordinance that would assist our business community with marketing.
Over 50 people attended our business seminar for existing businesses and at home businesses. Speakers from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and William Paterson Small Business shared information on grant opportunities and free business assistance.
·We are currently working with NJ Transit to provide a bus stop between the two shopping centers located on Skyline Drive to assist businesses with employee attraction, retention, and increased foot traffic.
US Small Business Administration, Women’s Entrepreneurship Council, New Jersey Economic Development Authority and William Paterson Small Business Development Center joined a walking tour of the Skyline Drive Corridor to bring resources directly to our local business community.
We have assisted non-profit organizations in event development such as the Summer Sizzler and Food Truck Festival to improve foot traffic downtown.
We have also developed a relationship with a leading health system in New Jersey to work on bringing additional medical services to the Borough.
Recycling
Caring for Ringwood Day in April included 73 volunteers that collected 67 bags of garbage.
Caring for Ringwood Day 2025 will be scheduled in April. All funding for this event comes from the Clean Communities grant.
136 locations registered for our annual town-wide garage sale. ·
We received 2 grants this year:
2024 Clean Communities Grant - $41,190.56
2022 Tonnage Grant - $16,319.10
With a total of $57,509.66 in grants
We held a shredding event at Borough Hall which was well received.
Residential weekly metal pick-up lists an average of 12 stops per week for larger items that residents cannot get to the recycling center.
The recycling center is continuing to see a high volume of cardboard and yard waste. We ask that the residents bring their recycling to the curb every other week since those pick-ups are included in our contract with Interstate Waste.
Building Dept.
The department issued over 600 permits and saw an upward trend for roof-mounted solar power, electric vehicle chargers, and emergency standby generators.
Avatar Addiction Center received approval for the outpatient center located on Greenwood Lake Turnpike, which is now open. Additionally, they began construction on the steel, flooring, and roof at the facility located on Sloatsburg Road.
Two commercial buildings were granted approval to convert to a multi-family residential residence and are in the permit process now.
Three new homes are in the process of being constructed.
We are expecting the construction of five new homes next year.
Incredible efforts from all Borough departments were put forth for the successful grand opening of the Fresh Grocer.
We are transitioning over to new permitting software that will allow residents and contractors to submit permits and schedule inspections electronically.
We are entering our 7th year of a shared services contract with Wanaque for Construction Official Services. All contract costs are charged to Wanaque. This brings revenue into the Borough to offset our costs.
Fire Prevention
As of 12/10/2024, we have conducted 123 residential fire inspections and 188 commercial fire inspections.
Fire service personnel conducted educational programs during Fire Prevention Week at all the elementary and nursery schools in town. Fire officials also visited 2 elementary schools to teach fire safety to approximately 120 students.
Clerk’s Office
During this year’s election, voter turnout was high, and the Board Workers did a great job assisting residents at the polling sites. Early voting hit a record high this year which utilized both in person voting and mail in ballot options.
The department continues to manage a large volume of OPRA requests, ensuring compliance with the new rules and regulations imposed this year.
If you would like to be added to the Do Not Solicit List, please contact the Clerk’s office at 973-475-7102.
Park n Ride permits continue to be available through the Clerk’s Office and run July 1st through June 30th.
We have been informed by the State of New Jersey that Raffle License Applications will be available online sometime in 2025.
Finance Office
We processed approximately 2,200 purchase orders this year.
Our property tax collection rate is 98.76%.
We have received $370,571.55 in interest as of 12/1/24 which is an additional $80,571.55 more than anticipated from 2023.
Additional premium revenue from this year’s tax sale was $131,000.00.
This year we received $1,192,124.14 in grants from the following:
NJDOT for Skyline Lakes Drive – Phase 2
Enhancing Local Public Health
Clean Communities and Tonnage
DCA Firefighter Grant.
RESOLUTIONS
2024-227 Approval of Bill List
2024-228 Approval of Council Reorganization Meeting 2025
2024-229 Approval of Appropriation Transfers
2024-230 Approval to Cancel Old Receivables
2024-231 Approval of Bill List ELPOA Upper Lake Dam #30
2024-232 Professional Services Recommendation, Skyline Lakes Drive Roadway 12/13/2024 9:51 AM BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA 12/13/2024 9:51 AM Improvement Project, Phase 3- Contract No. 2024-106, $41,000.00
2024-233 Professional Services Payment Request Contract No. 2024-102, Rain Garden at Ryerson School, $6,119.38
2024-234 Leap Implementation Grant Application
2024-235 Approval of Professional Services Contract with Professional Insurance Associates, a division of World Insurance Associates, LLC. as Risk Management Consultant for 2025
2024-236 Approval of Professional Services Contract with P.I.A. Security Programs, a division of World Insurance Associates, LLC as Consultant/Benefits Coordinator for 2025
2024-237 Approval to apply for the 2025 Local Recreation Improvement Grant for Resurfacing the Roller Hockey Rink
$177,000 is what we are asking for in grant based upon estimates from the engineer.
2024-238 Award Fair and Open Contract for Municipal Auditor 2025 2024-239 Award Fair and Open Contract for Special Counsel 2025 2024-240 Award Fair and Open Contract for Labor and Employment Attorney 2025
2024-241 Award Fair and Open Contract for Municipal Attorney 2025
Pulled for reorganization meeting
2024-242 Award of Contract for Electrical Work at Borough Facilities, Contract No. 2025-101
2024-243 Demand of Transparency and Immediate Action on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Read by Councilwoman Baumgartner
Amended to include “at least weekly updates” from Governor Murphy
2024-244 Goosetown Communication to install the site simulcast system for a total cost of $424,081.39. First payment of $121,539.80.
Warm Regards,
Deputy Mayor Jaime Matteo-Landis
Councilwoman Michelle Kerr
