Lori Weber, a longtime resident, sharply criticized Mayor Vagianos for his comments regarding the Ridgewood Public Schools, accusing him of cherry-picking data to criticize a Board of Education member. Weber stressed that the data used for comparison lacked historical context and accused the mayor of recklessly manipulating information, leading to social media attacks against the board member. She defended the current superintendent as engaged and innovative, urging the mayor to avoid scapegoating individuals and causing community strife with misleading claims. Weber’s pointed remarks underscored a need for transparency and accuracy in public discourse, highlighting tensions between the council and residents over the portrayal of educational challenges.

The Shedler property debate also took center stage, with discussions around the environmental concerns and the future development of the site. Council members and residents expressed differing views on the potential health risks associated with soil contamination. One council member asserted that there was no evidence of health threats, emphasizing ongoing remediation efforts and the importance of respectful disagreement in democratic processes. The council has been working with the Department of Environmental Protection and the State Historic Preservation Office to address environmental concerns. However, disagreements persisted regarding the type of field to be constructed on the property, with opinions divided over a full-sized varsity play field or alternatives like grass or turf.

Ann Loving, another resident, questioned the policy for displaying flyers and brochures in Village Hall, emphasizing the need for a formal approval process to ensure consistency. She expressed concern about the removal of a news article featuring the mayor, which she deemed unjustified given the presence of other diverse materials. The council acknowledged the potential benefits of formalizing a policy to regulate materials displayed in government spaces.

Concerns about local business practices and community aesthetics were also voiced. Denise Pierce raised ethical questions about tracking technology used by businesses, urging the council to discuss this issue in public forums. She also criticized the current leaf collection strategy, noting that leaves pushed into piles rather than vacuumed could lead to drainage issues and detract from the town’s charm. The mayor responded by explaining the existing leaf collection method and promised further discussions with staff to ensure its effectiveness.

The council also discussed community initiatives, compliance matters, and upcoming events. A focus was the development of ADA-compliant sidewalks along West Glenn Avenue, with sample easements being drafted for affected residents. A mailer is set to be distributed to all Ridgewood households, directing them to a webpage for notifications on various community updates. Leaf collection schedules were shared, and upcoming events like the Ridgewood Elder dinner and Veterans Day service were announced.

Discussions on financial and environmental management were also prominent. The council addressed the removal of abandoned underground fuel storage tanks, the renewal of a shared services agreement for TV inspection of sanitary sewer lines, and a resolution to cancel outdated water capital ordinances. These measures aimed to free up funds for future municipal expenses and ensure transparency in budgeting.

Additionally, the council considered the implications of declaring a property on E Saddle River Road as abandoned due to neglect, with plans to hire a contractor for cleanup and place a lien on the property. Efforts to trace the owners, an LLC, had been unsuccessful, prompting the council to proceed with necessary maintenance to address health and rodent concerns raised by neighbors.