In a recent government meeting, Ridgewood officials addressed the community's concerns following a boil water advisory that raised significant alarm among residents. Village Manager Keith discussed the lessons learned from the incident, emphasizing the need for improved communication and accountability within the local government. He acknowledged the critical role of Councilwoman Nancy Pete, who has been proactive in addressing water pressure issues and providing real-time updates to Ridgewood Water.

However, the meeting took a serious turn when Keith condemned the spread of misinformation regarding the cause of the boil water advisory. He refuted claims that human error at the Whortandyke Treatment Facility triggered the advisory, clarifying that no Ridgewood personnel were present at the facility during the incident. Keith expressed frustration over the impact of false information on residents, particularly highlighting the distress it caused to Councilwoman Pete, who faced backlash from constituents misled by inaccurate reports.

The discussion also touched on the inadequacies of the local 911 system, which Keith is working to rectify swiftly. He noted the urgency of improving emergency response capabilities, especially given the potential severity of situations that could arise.

Overall, the meeting underscored a commitment to transparency and improvement in local governance, with officials recognizing the importance of accurate information dissemination during emergencies.