[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6181648,"mediaKeyId","5112468-7e20a9864570d22d4ba4617d7e4b9aea","parentId",5112468,"title","Kingsbridge Lane pedestrian bridge work continues; handrail design change order added","audioSeconds",3387,"startMs",1494000,"endMs",4881000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112468-7e20a9864570d22d4ba4617d7e4b9aea&start=1494&end=4881","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112468-7e20a9864570d22d4ba4617d7e4b9aea/thumbnail_1494000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6181648/Ridgewood/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Kingsbridge-Lane-pedestrian-bridge-work-continues-handrail-design-change-order-added","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181648-a6e552ec69f690a7efb44218afe33655/orig.mp4?Expires=1775271888&Signature=Xx3jIvz0WyokKHacL6mWAtSo7VTncXK0nACL~nS84~Ldjffgx7XCpJylANb~cRRptf-RxW570C8KEwbGlWPLzH8HNV2M6oHE7s99K4~GmuTcJtHdBmNfWtWLcFHTGoBkcyjUjr8blQR8ZFQ~U7PadlQM5H3N7bXFBn9iASgaxU7j0J8IFBuGt8TkNAX7PIIww8szdowOiiLQPVXIoPJQbOkgKInFEwUtSZ6ab4bfDstQm3UZvP7p7Dz0BolVhOTs3ILgpai494e51TjBr3N7yyZcjSu3GJzdrEQULsxsHldYgBqoSODes1vp-0Z7L8cmX6U604zrgGH2sGGfPp0L~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Ridgewood, NJ","date","2025-06-26T14:30:54Z","article","Council members and engineering staff updated the public on the Kingsbridge Lane pedestrian bridge restoration. Work crews removed the existing bridge deck to allow detailed inspection; that inspection revealed the handrail height does not meet current standards.

Engineering recommended a second change order to the construction contract to fund design work and structural repairs to increase the handrail height and complete the deck replacement. The engineering memorandum identified the change‑order amount at $7,196.01 and said funds are available through the bond ordinance dedicated to the bridge project.

Earlier in the meeting the mayor had noted that a prior change order addressed required infrastructure improvements at the bridge site, and that the administration had asked the engineering department to ask the contractor about expediting remaining work. The mayor and staff said safety and correct installation are priorities; at the same time they estimated a likely September return to service and pledged to request accelerated scheduling where possible.

No formal vote to close the project record was recorded on the workshop transcript; engineering presented the change order for council consideration and noted the contract and contingency are being managed through the capital bond appropriation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village of Ridgewood Council Meeting | 06-25-25","oneSentenceSummary","The contractor removed the Kingsbridge bridge deck for structural repair; the engineer recommended a second change order to raise handrail height to current standards and proceed with repairs, with officials expecting a September return to service.","taxTitle","Ridgewood, Bergen County, New Jersey","taxId",56894,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6181653,"Council advances ADA playground at Habernacle Park; inclusive playground funding discussed",259,6674000,6933000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112468-7e20a9864570d22d4ba4617d7e4b9aea&start=6674&end=6933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112468-7e20a9864570d22d4ba4617d7e4b9aea/thumbnail_6674000.jpg","/articles/6181653/Ridgewood/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Council-advances-ADA-playground-at-Habernacle-Park-inclusive-playground-funding-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181653-1bcc1e323ee5d56ea03df5dece0c39b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775271888&Signature=Dx0~O5GC5H2wM6nFEf1D0hoK~1DyalPd7MZB-HZzNAr2h9KIulu67iILKkqiM7hqWcGCyeFOSiosRgCzSi7zzITASW7oPmSucAWzXinmXCvX28eTHCaYuERLdpXLcB~U2nrWg-V2w~V0amYaMoO3pldfQ5ypiTse3l5OrTK0ElN9FMiNTkKk8Yg6f4raxj-RGdOGFC5SIeOTbbmmAg9FaIzSNkJb59484s4iHmIvylVQ6H-N97wdFx7OqYeZD3uoGzhocvoUHQogRUgh~8yscYNr-NCfEcK9dYHBMvcm1XX8~UCBGIiyj-OmfMWfvZPlB-1GSRrim1MymHrPkLtAxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and Recreation staff presented a contract recommendation to install a new ADA‑accessible playground at Habernacle Park using a $68,000 Local Recreation Improvement Grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, plus $139,000 appropriated in the village 2025 capital budget.

The recommended contract award is to Great Lakes Recreation (Zeeland, Mich.) through a Sourcewell cooperative pricing contract, not to exceed $191,031.57. Parks staff said the design and vendor selection followed discussions with the Access Committee and other public input.

Access Committee members and several council members clarified that the Habernacle playground is ADA‑accessible but not an “inclusive” playground in the broader sense. Council member Siobhan (Access liaison) explained that inclusive playgrounds typically require a poured‑rubber surface to allow wheelchair access and to improve fall protection for children with mobility needs; Access advocated for a sensory “feelings board” and other interactive elements that are included in the Habernacle design while swings were not added because moving a retaining wall would have increased the project scope.

Deputy village staff and councilors discussed additional funding sources for more comprehensive inclusionary facilities. They noted that Jake’s Law and Green Acres diversion funding can support larger inclusionary projects; Jake’s Law awards cited during the meeting were described generally as larger (average award ranges cited by staff during discussion ran into the hundreds of thousands). Council members said clearing Green Acres diversion requirements will improve eligibility for larger grants for truly inclusionary playgrounds at other sites, such as the Schedler property.

The council also discussed project site work and asked staff to confirm which site‑preparation tasks would be completed in‑house (grading, drainage and retaining‑wall work); staff said they would provide that scope back to council. The meeting record shows the council approved insertion of the DCA grant into the municipal budget and moved forward with the Sourcewell contract recommendation for Park and Recreation.","Parks and Recreation recommended contracting for an ADA‑accessible playground at Habernacle Park using a DCA grant plus village funds; council and Access Committee members discussed inclusive‑playground elements and larger Jake’s Law grant opportunities for future inclusionary play surfaces.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6181658,"Council reviews Special Improvement District feasibility report, schedules ordinance process",2384,3902000,6286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112468-7e20a9864570d22d4ba4617d7e4b9aea&start=3902&end=6286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112468-7e20a9864570d22d4ba4617d7e4b9aea/thumbnail_3902000.jpg","/articles/6181658/Ridgewood/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Council-reviews-Special-Improvement-District-feasibility-report-schedules-ordinance-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181658-7afc2d5c112a992421a253483e884f36/orig.mp4?Expires=1775271888&Signature=IIMmlW1w94hgepnv9NSa1iPWxKqgX6-tk-9fRkPqtC4XavR5o9NmUXodbR7TpMUwL5Tx~0zWvGs7-gmRkIxi72oySe7uhVdFW8SLWybptiZer8BKyZ-i2eHTq~q3kZL7YM29KFd7TiP571BvxH1gqlc2bxjYnxEbrHv22Sbty8hjFOhVRR8zxt4qavSvtR4~ALnRXsN-gur5GO7RP4VXlK1gwDDgAT2d~JWEiOg7VK1qoEV-ghdLQ3GsfLinPWBah50gGjx9gdgtIst70DpLsaY4LXEC9Y-9Lf8sslP6h3qGup-Pl~ISMo~k2shzomBzfHv7w3kL8lKmbPO~tZeh7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultant Stuart Copperweiss told the Village Council the steering committee recommends creating a Special Improvement District, to be operated by a district management corporation (proposed name: Ridgewood Village Alliance), funded by an assessment on commercial and select residential properties in the district.

The report recommends a district that would include about 355 properties, with a two‑tier boundary (a central business district tier and outlying properties). The district management corporation would set its work plan and budget; assessments would be finalized after the DMC adopts a budget and the governing body attaches a Schedule A listing properties in the ordinance.

Stuart Capwise (consultant) summarized the recommended mission: “to energize, enhance the business environment of the village through marketing, branding, economic development, advocacy, and select capital improvements.” He advised the council that the DMC would be a nonprofit that hires an executive director to implement priorities set by a volunteer board of trustees.

Several steering‑committee members explained why they support a SID. Bill Gilsenin, a local realtor, said a centralized marketing and tenant‑recruitment effort could reduce vacancies and help the downtown respond to changing retail patterns. Nina Milanos, a property owner, said she “hopes it goes through” and expects it to stimulate downtown activity. Stacy Tsapitsaris, a landlord and committee member, said the steering process brought landlords together and would professionalize the volunteer work currently done by the chamber and other groups. Gary Colasier, a long‑time business owner, emphasized that the legislative structure allows donations and planned giving to support downtown work.

Council members asked detailed process questions; Stuart and the steering committee clarified the steps: 1) council acceptance of the feasibility report, 2) introduction of an ordinance to establish the improvement district and name the DMC, and 3) the DMC’s creation of an annual budget to be introduced and approved by the governing body. The timeline discussed at the meeting was: July 2 work session discussion, July 9 ordinance introduction, and a hearing on Aug. 13. Pam Perrin (steering‑committee lead) said she aims to bring a draft ordinance forward for council review in August and that bylaws and the DMC board composition will be developed by the organization after incorporation.

Council reached a consensus to add the resolution accepting the report to the July 9 meeting for formal action and to proceed with the ordinance schedule. No ordinance vote occurred at the workshop. The committee’s recommended assessment model and draft budget remain advisory until the DMC forms, adopts a budget and a final assessment schedule (Schedule A) is attached to the ordinance.","A 15‑month steering committee presented a feasibility study recommending a villagewide Special Improvement District (SID) run by a not‑for‑profit Ridgewood Village Alliance; council agreed to add a resolution and pursue an ordinance schedule leading to possible adoption this summer.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6181663,"Residents, council debate artificial turf, heat and chemical risks for Ridgewood playing fields",6432,1114000,7546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112468-7e20a9864570d22d4ba4617d7e4b9aea&start=1114&end=7546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112468-7e20a9864570d22d4ba4617d7e4b9aea/thumbnail_1114000.jpg","/articles/6181663/Ridgewood/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Residents-council-debate-artificial-turf-heat-and-chemical-risks-for-Ridgewood-playing-fields","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181663-87823bf4b27001fcea7986ecef584828/orig.mp4?Expires=1775271888&Signature=iOAxM2TX7XQZ~azBI0QSKzC-IjzR2aRPcx4R8vGg~sFMq34QURBLtNA0AB5izk8-FHMAwhaRJDwodzezIT0lC7faqq2TSfAb72dqA~jKqDl4GGlc~6kbspiK7BJUotYc8BBkGnDg0ufMaB46hqLFa66VG9EAmuTsoR8v~zSh9IrE3XyJJYmFciDwZWULmR7sLRGoS0DV~TYmOIXi4llHrt9FObEVftTbBmZsjSD99OFNlZvkpTGpx5N9XOhZfyJ0cYvnd5xzVqaVMbKy4UMviIt86BN05I9TKmFf92nZGSrMYRx~r6DGP0qYhwSeopUClJi4cYU1LaPKXDDihvPNBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cynthia O'Keefe, a Ridgewood resident, told the council she was “fighting against” a plan she said would “cut down hundreds of trees and put artificial turf next to private wells,” and urged officials to reconsider turf installations near the Schedler property.

The discussion matters because residents raised safety concerns about turf during the recent heat wave and questioned whether state agencies and village policy give adequate protection. Council members and staff described the village’s reliance on state guidance and existing protocols for canceling activities during extreme heat.

At the public-workshop meeting, several residents expanded on those concerns. Catherine Schmidt, a member of the SID feasibility study team, said she endorses public engagement on the subject and “look[ed] forward to tonight’s and any further discussions,” and she also voiced support for Cynthia O’Keefe’s statements about turf. Susan Moran, another Ridgewood resident, said neighborhood constituents were “in limbo” about the timing of the Kingsbridge bridge work and repeated concerns that she and others had about turf-related heat illnesses.

Speakers noted two different kinds of concerns: acute heat stress during high temperatures, and potential long‑term chemical exposures. Multiple commenters pointed to media coverage and national debate on artificial turf and chemical additives; one public speaker said “all turf has PFAS” and urged stricter scrutiny of installations and their long‑term environmental impacts.

Village officials said they use state heat‑participation guidance to make operational decisions about field use. Village staff referenced the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) wet‑bulb globe temperature approach and said the village follows the NJSIAA policy when deciding whether to cancel or modify activities. Council members also described how the village and affiliated sports groups have canceled or postponed events during the recent heat wave and how mandatory water breaks and timing rules are used for youth programs.

Council member Winograd defended her prior vote in favor of turf at a council meeting, saying, “the turf is I believe it to be safe,” and noting she had considered staged precautions and alternative infill options during the approvals. Other council members and residents said they were not convinced the existing research settled questions about human exposures and asked for additional local review.

The meeting did not produce a new formal policy change or a vote about future turf installations. Council discussion assigned follow‑up steps: staff said they will continue to apply the NJSIAA guidance in scheduling and will coordinate with parks and recreation when heat thresholds are reached; residents asked for a public panel of independent scientists and additional outreach. One resident said she would present a public panel of scientists on Sept. 4.

The debate over artificial turf in Ridgewood is likely to continue at future public meetings as the village weighs grant opportunities, historic‑site reviews and local public‑safety protocols against community health and environmental concerns.","Public commenters and several council members debated planned artificial-turf work near the Schedler property and the village-owned Maple Field, focusing on heat-related safety, chemical exposures and how state guidance and grants factor into local choices.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kingsbridge Lane pedestrian bridge work continues; handrail design change order added

Council advances ADA playground at Habernacle Park; inclusive playground funding discussed

Council reviews Special Improvement District feasibility report, schedules ordinance process

Residents, council debate artificial turf, heat and chemical risks for Ridgewood playing fields