September 17th, 2024 Council Meeting Blog Ringwood
Deputy Mayor Jaime Matteo-Landis
Councilwoman Michelle Kerr
PRESENTATIONS:
JCP&L
Mike Flynn from JCP&L came in to give a very detailed analysis of recent outages. He stated that the majority of the outages happened because of downed trees/ limbs, equipment failure, and animal disturbances.
He said JCP&L are working on putting animal guards on their equipment in order to deter squirrels and birds from nesting.
He also recommended looking at your property to identify and remove any dead limbs/ trees.
MANAGER’S REPORT
Redevelopment
On September 25, 2024, the Planning Board will conduct a special meeting to determine whether or not the Fieldstone Shopping Center may be designated as an area in need of redevelopment without condemnation pursuant to the criteria set forth in the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law. There are 8 different criteria included in this law.
Based upon the testimony presented at the hearing, the Board may recommend to Borough Council that all or a portion of the Study Area be designated as an area in need of redevelopment.
The Council will then hire a planner to provide recommendations on what the redevelopment plan should contain and can direct the planner that housing requirements should not be included.
Channel 77 System
We are in the process of upgrading the computers, recording devices, and streaming service to create a faster and higher quality video streaming of the Council meetings.
Once all of these components are completed, there will be significant improvements with streamlining, and we will no longer have any delays or lags in the picture.
We hope that you will see a difference in our videos by our October meeting.
Paving
Milling and paving is set to take place this fall on the following streets:
Locust Lane – entire length
Juniper Terrace – entire length
Hemlock Place – entire length
Milligan Drive – the entire length
Carletondale Road - from Sloatsburg Rd to Kendall Dr
Van Dunk Lane – from Milligan Drive to the southerly cul-de-sac
Pima Court will undergo construction to address some drainage issues that have been identified in the area.
Timeline: Late Fall/ Early Spring (Weather permitting)
Raingarden
We were awarded a grant totaling $194,700.00 for the 2020-22 Stormwater Management Grant to construct a rain garden on the grounds of Ryerson Middle School.
This project is currently in the survey and design phase with an anticipated construction date in Spring 2025.
We hope that this is also an educational opportunity for the students of Ryerson Middle School.
Skyline Lakes Drive
Phase I of the Skyline Lakes Drive project is complete.
Phase II of this project will include reducing the size of the intersection at Skyline Lakes Drive and Canterbury Road and installing an all-way stop.
We have contracted with a landscape architect to design the 2 islands along Skyline Lakes Drive. The island nearest the lake will have the memorial restored.
This phase of the project is currently out for bid with a bid opening on September 26th and we anticipate awarding a contract at the October Council meeting.
Construction will begin at the intersection of Edgewood Dr. and continue to 412 Skyline Lakes Drive.
Town Wide Garage Sale:
Our town wide yard sale will take place Saturday, September 28th and Sunday, September 29th. This event is rain or shine.
Maps will be available at Borough Hall and the Library on Friday, September 27th.
Maps will also be distributed on Saturday, September 28th at 7:30am by the Park & Ride, while supplies last. Street lists will be posted to the Borough website on Friday.
OLD BUSINESS:
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-#14 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 4 - GENERAL LICENSING AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS – OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF RINGWOOD, PASSAIC COUNTY, STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO PROVIDE FOR PORTABLE ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS.
This ordinance allows our businesses to have portable ads near the roadways.
Non-profit ads will no longer be placed on the grass near CVS, but instead on the grassy sides of Skyline Drive between the library and Lukoil. This then gives Skyline Drive businesses more space in front of their businesses.
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
RESOLUTIONS:
2024-173 Approval of Bill List
2024-174 Contractors Payment, Construction for Skyline Lakes Drive Roadway Improvement Project, Phase 1, Contract No. 2023-02-CON, $259,607.98
This invoice brings the total amount invoiced to $506,328.36 which is $59,212.60 more than the original contract amount (or +13.24%). While constructing this project, it was decided to have the contractor stripe/sign the 4-way stop intersection at Skyline Lakes Drive/Edgewood Road, install granite block curbing at the old triangle intersection, and modify the drainage installation to avoid an underground utility conflict as well as improve the drainage installation.
2024-175 Contractors Payment, Valley Road Well Rehabilitation, Contract No. 2024-09, $45,232.00
These two invoices bring the total amount invoiced to $45,232.00, which is $5,863.00 more than the original contract amount (or +14.89%). While rehabilitating the well, it was discovered that the well needed a new pump, piping, cable, and check valve. The additional cost is for this additional work.
2024-176 Special Meeting
BE IT RESOLVED that the Municipal Council of the Borough of Ringwood hereby approves a Special Council Meeting to be held on Monday, September 30, 2024, at 7:30 pm at Borough Hall for the purpose of discussing the Planning Board’s area in need of redevelopment study without condemnation and its recommendation to declare block 801, lot 4.03, commonly known as the Fieldstone Park Shopping Center, with a street address of 110-130 Skyline Drive (the “Study Area”), as an Area in Need of Non-condemnation Redevelopment and to consider taking action with respect to the same, which may include declaring the area in need of non-condemnation redevelopment. Official action shall be taken.
2024-177 Authorize Release of Letter of Credit BHR Ringwood Real Estate, LLC
Avatar, a detox center, has posted the cash sum of $15,600.00 to guarantee performance.
CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS:
2024-178 Approval of Consent Agenda
2024-179 Approval of Payroll & Payroll Transfers – August 2024
2024-180 Approval of Access to Government Records Forms
2024-181 Professional Services Payment, 792 Water Tank Soil Remediation-Skyline Drive, $2,156.25
No executive session.
End of Meeting Notes:
Our annual fireworks this year was a much bigger event with food from three local restaurants and two local dessert trucks. Music and games were also sponsored by the Ringwood Holiday Observers. It was a great family event!
The Ringwood Holiday Observers Food Truck Festival this past Sunday was very well attended with about 2,000 people. A portion of each food truck’s profits will be donated to our local CFA to support their upcoming Hunger Walk.
Dates to note:
Skyline Lakes Volunteer Fire Dept. Pet Adoption & Vendor Fair: Saturday, Sept. 21st 10-3pm
Ringwood Rec. Dept. Trunk or Treat: Saturday, Oct. 19th 1:30-3:30pm
CFA’s Hunger Walk: Sunday, November 3rd at 1pm.
