MAYOR'S NEWSLETTER 

Paul Vagianos

‍BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

‍At the April 9, 2025 Village Council Public Meeting, we introduced a $64.8 million budget. The bottom line for Ridgewood property owners is that the municipal portion of your property tax bill would increase by 3.14 percent, which is consistent with the current rate of inflation in the northeast. For the average Ridgewood home assessed at $712,700, this translates to a municipal tax increase of $149.63. A Public Hearing to solicit public opinion on the budget will be held at Village Hall on May 14, 2025 at 7:30 pm. We invite you to attend. 

‍RIDGEWOOD IS
A HEALTHY TOWN!

‍Health and wellness is at the center of everything that I do - from eating right to exercising every day to getting regular checkups with all of my various doctors. So I was thrilled that Ridgewood was named a Mayors Wellness Campaign "Healthy Town" for 2024 by the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute. (Previously, we've been a "Healthy Town to Watch.") Now that we have achieved this status, we've got to keep it up! Stay tuned for details about an exciting new wellness program for residents of ALL AGES AND ABILITIES launching in September. You're gonna love it! 

UNDERPASS REPAIRS

Earlier this month, Deputy Mayor Pam Perron, Village Manager Keith Kazmark and I met with representatives from New Jersey Transit to discuss ongoing issues with rust and potentially hazardous conditions in the Franklin Avenue underpass. We have since taken the next step - assembling a scope of work and recommendations to present to the decision-makers at NJ Transit in Newark. We will keep you informed. 

‍SENIOR SURVEY

One of the many things I love about Ridgewood is the fact that it is a fantastic town to "age in place." We've got a lot of programs and resources for seniors, and we are counting on members of the 55+ community to help shape our plans for the future. Nearly 160 seniors have submitted the Age Friendly Ridgewood Survey so far. I encourage you to participate if you fall into this age group. We want your opinion!

‍REMINDER FROM THE RPD

‍There have been several burglaries recently where car thieves targeting Ridgewood and surrounding towns have broken into homes to obtain the keys for expensive vehicles parked in driveways. The Ridgewood Police Department urges residents:

• Be sure to lock and secure your vehicle(s) and home, including house windows and sliding glass doors.
• If you have a burglar alarm, remember to set it.
• Do not keep car keys near a door, especially at night but also during the day.
• Be sure keys are not visible from windows. 
• Consider installing motion sensor security lights around your property. 
  
• Immediately report any suspicious activity to the police department.

‍PFAS UPDATE

‍Ridgewood Water is on schedule with the buildout of its PFAS Treatment Facilities. Two facilities in Ridgewood, Carr and Twinney, are currently up and running. Ravine, on the border of Ridgewood and Wyckoff; Prospect in Glen Rock; and East Ridgewood and West End in Ridgewood are all scheduled to come on line this year. The remaining six facilities are either under construction or in the final design and permitting phase.

By the end of 2026, when all 12 PFAS Treatment Facilities are online, all regulated PFAS compounds will be nondetectable in our treated water, exceeding the EPA standard of 4 parts per trillion. Our system-wide project also will be completed three years ahead of the EPA’s 2029 deadline. This is something we should all be proud of. Remember, Ridgewood Water didn't put PFAS into our water, but is a leader in the state and the nation for removing these contaminants from our water.

‍INTERFAITH FRIENDSHIP

‍I was grateful to take part in the Muslim Society of Ridgewood's Iftar at the Ridgewood YMCA. (Iftar is the fast-breaking meal eaten by Muslims at sunset during the holy month of Ramadan.) It was an evening of prayer, reflection, friendship and, of course, delicious food! 

Paul Vagianos

Village Mayor‍

‍www.ridgewoodnj.net

Unsubscribe ‍ ‍ ‍‍