October 15, 2024 Council Update

The full meeting is available here.

Below you will find a summary of the main points from the October 15, 2024 Council Meeting. 

FAIR SHARE HOUSING SETTLEMENT

After many years of litigation and misguided and expensive plans, the Council voted unanimously to approve a Settlement Agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center that, as predicted, does not require Ringwood to build a single unit.

Three sites have been approved for affordable housing:

1. Peters Mine Road next to the Superfund Site: The 10-acre lot is between the Superfund capping site and the electrical transfer station for the high tension wires. Yikes! When asked by Wenke Taule "there's no sludge there?" Mr. Heck replied that there isn't. Ms. Taule followed up with, "Are you 100% sure?" Mr. Heck replied that it was hard to be 100% sure of anything.
2. The Greenwood Lake Tpke Area: Located on Greenwood Lake Tpke between Skyline Lakes Road and Westbrook Road.
3. St Francis Convent: This site will only be developed if they have capacity. Avatar is building a high-end rehab facility there and has stated they are uninterested in developing the land for affordable housing. The Planning Board approved Avatar using 100% of the developable surface last winter.

They will pursue this development by adding overlay zones. The settlement includes a durational agreement of 250 units and if any development is done it will be done by private developers. They can do it ONLY if they have sewer and water.  This has been true since the resumption of affordable housing litigation in 2015. Nothing has changed since then except the taxpayers are out nearly two million dollars. Ringwood is not required to build a single unit. The next step, if this is approved by the court, is it will be presented and there will be a public hearing.

HUNGER WALK PROCLAMATION & PRESENTATION

Jason Okin made a proclamation for the Annual Center for Food Action Hunger Walk which will take place on November 3rd at 1pm on the Lakeland Regional HS track. Mr. Okin spoke to raise awareness and support for the local food pantry and this annual fundraiser. For every dollar received, the CFA can get $9 of food supplies for the State food bank. The Council awarded Mr. Okin with its own proclamation commending Mr. Okin for his thirty years of dedication to the Hunger Walk. Please support this great cause if you can!

PUBLIC COMMENT

Jennifer Hsu from the Green Team announced that the Borough of Ringwood has been awarded Bronze Certification by Sustainable Jersey. She also urged the Council to support striving for Silver certification. There are two vacancies on the Green Team if anyone wants to join!

Dan Daily asked about the number of fines Mr. Semeraro stated were given to Azarian, and asked for clarification. It was explained that the 47 citings were violations, not fines. The Borough did not pursue fining Azarian, having recently chosen instead to try and negotiate with them.

Robin Canetti asked if the presentation from last night on the Redevelopment on Skyline Drive would be posted. According to the Boro Manager, a link to a video, but not the powerpoint, will be posted next week when his secretary returns from vacation.  The powerpoint was largely a review of the redevelopment process presented at the previous special meeting. It was stressed that tax exemptions for Azarian (PILOTs) were optional. But when asked if Azarian would pay for redevelopment without tax exemptions, a long word salad answer added up to "no."

Manager's Report

Fresh Grocer has finalized lease agreements and received the necessary construction permits and the construction will commence 10/16. The renovation will be completed over the next 9 months. Here is an article with more info.

The Council wants your input on the redevelopment plans for Fieldstone! Please share your ideas now, as they are moving fast! 

The Council has approved temporary business signage. Applications are available at the Boro Hall.

The Veterans Salute will be held Wednesday, November 6th at 6pm at the Ringwood Community Center.  All are invited.

SKYLINE LAKES ROADWAY
The contract for Phase 2 of the Skyline Lakes Drive Roadway has been signed. This $497K project will utilize DOT grants.

CBT REVENUE FOR WATERSHED
The Council passed a resolution supporting the enactment of Senate Bill S3466 and Assembly Bill A4627 2024-201 which, if signed into law, allocate $7.5 million annually of constitutionally dedicated CBT revenue for preservation of land in Highlands Region; extends expiration date of special appraisal process for Green Acres and farmland preservation program; provides aid for watershed lands.

SCHOOL FUNDING RESOLUTION
The Council passed a Resolution for School Funding Reform Act. North Jersey School Boards are also calling for a change. SPECIAL MEETINGS & NEW MEETING DATES
There will be another special Council meeting regarding the Redevelopment Plans scheduled sometime in the first two weeks of November to be quickly followed by a special meeting of the Planning Board. 48 hours notice must be given to the public. Watch the borough website and the electronic bulletin boards! They are clearly in a big hurry to get this done. 

The Council will be rescheduling the November 12, 2024 Council Meeting to be held on Monday, November 25, 2024.

IN CONCLUSION

Congrats to Jennifer Hsu and the Green Team for earning a Bronze Certification for Ringwood from Sustainable Jersey!

The Ringwood Recreation's Trunk or Treat will be held on Saturday October 19th from 1:30-3:30pm at the Park & Ride.

The Ringwood Educational Fund will host the Harlem Wizards at Lakeland on Thursday, October 24th, 2024. Tickets are available here. It's going to be so much fun!

The Annual Center for Food Action Hunger Walk will take place on November 3rd at 1pm on the Lakeland Regional HS track. Please come out and support this great cause!

The Veterans Salute will be held Wednesday, November 6th at 6pm at the Ringwood Community Center.  Come out and thank our Veterans for their service and acknowledge their contributions and sacrifices.

Quote of the Night: Wenke Taule. After the Council passed the Affordable Housing resolution without any information, approached the mic, and in a true deadpan manner, uttered, "Well, what is it?"

Thanks for staying informed! 

Breeze Sando

President, Ringwood Democratic Organization