MAYOR'S NEWSLETTER 

Paul Vagianos

My personal wish for everyone this holiday season is the gift of family and peace. That's all I ever really want under my tree.

Meantime, with Christmas and Chanukah right around the corner, the Village elves have been very busy getting us lots of other stuff!

‍FLOOD MITIGATION PLAN

‍Have you heard the fantastic news? The U.S. House of Representatives authorized a study by the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a flood mitigation plan for the Village! As you may know, the Village hosted representatives from the Army Corps for a community forum on flood mitigation this past June (pictured). Just six months later – results!  

And while this is a long process overall, this is a giant first step. Stay tuned, I’ll keep you in the loop as this moves forward. 

‍TOWN GARAGE

DEMOLITION

‍Speaking of results, the Town Garage (a.k.a. our Franklin Avenue eyesore) is expected to be demolished by the end of the year barring any unforeseen circumstances. The Village Council resolved the decades-long eminent domain litigation related to the property this past September, and we are looking forward to discussing the potential uses for this prime piece of real estate in the New Year. 

‍UP, UP AND AWAY!

‍Yes, we picked up a bridge! The 5.5-ton Kingsbridge Lane Pedestrian Bridge, which had been closed for years, was literally picked up and taken away to be repaired. It is expected to be reinstalled in Spring 2025. Removing the bridge, rather than repairing it in place, saved the Village lots of money. 

‍PAVING PROJECTS

COMPLETED

‍We worked closely with PSE&G to complete the long overdue paving of nearly 20 roads this fall following the installation of gas mains.

Here’s the list – Andover Terrace, Avondale Road, Beveridge Road, Brookmere Court, Circle Avenue, Franklin Turnpike, Glenview Road, Glenwood Road, Hamilton Road, Heights Road, Hillcrest Road, Morningside Road, Norman Drive, Parsons Road, Richards Road, Shelbourne Terrace, Spring Avenue, Waverly Road and Wellington Road. 

My thanks to the residents of those streets for their patience.

‍HAWES FIELD
RESTORATION: DONE

‍The lower Hawes field project has been wrapped up. New natural sod was installed to eliminate unevenness and make the field safer for our young athletes. (It was funded through recreation program fees – not tax dollars.) 

Many thanks to our Parks and Recreation Department for getting this important project done! 

‍RIDGEWOOD WATER
PROJECT PROGRESS

‍Work is moving along nicely on the project to install a pumping station on Glen Avenue to increase water flow to the low-pressure area affected by the boil water advisory this past September. The first step has been completed – connecting the existing water main and extending two eight-inch water mains across West Glen Avenue (pictured). This pumping station is expected to be up and running in the Spring. We anticipate that it will address the low water pressure problems we face when residents turn on their sprinkler systems next year. 

‍BACK IN SERVICE

‍The Fleet Services Fuel Station on Chestnut Street reopened, which means our Police, Fire and Public Works vehicles no longer need to fuel up in Ho-Ho-Kus. Many thanks to our friends in Ho-Ho-Kus, who allowed us to use their facilities while our decades-old gas and diesel fuel storage tanks were being replaced. 

‍NEW TREES FOR
'THE VIEW'

‍“The View,” which looks out over the New York City skyline, is truly a Ridgewood gem. In recent years, however, it has become a problem for the residents at both the top and bottom of the area. With much input from all the residents, we have made it safer for everyone and recently planted new trees (Oriental Spruces and Eastern Redbuds, specifically) to help establish a buffer zone between the lookout on Crest Road and the residential properties below on Hillcrest Road. Check out that crane! 

‍OH, CHRISTMAS TREE!

‍How lovely are the branches of the 71-year-old Norway spruce on display at the train station! The tree, which is only two feet shorter than the one at Rockefeller Center, was generously donated by Ridgewood resident and American Legion Post 53 Commander Lou Francis and his wife, Yvonne, in honor of Blue Star families. On behalf of Lou and Yvonne, we thank all military personnel - former and current - for their service to our country. And what a great night it was! 

‍MENORAH LIGHTING

‍The strength of our Village shines when we all hold hands together to support one another. Please join me on December 29 at 5:30 pm as we light the Menorah in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square for Chanukah as one community. The Festival of Lights is a celebration for all, regardless of faith.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Paul Vagianos

Village Mayor‍

‍www.ridgewoodnj.net

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