A significant portion of the Ridgewood Council meeting was devoted to discussing a potential shift to a high-deductible health insurance plan for municipal employees. This initiative is in response to a forecasted 36% increase in costs associated with the current Direct 10 health plan, deemed unsustainable for both the village and its employees. The proposed plan is designed to maintain the same network of doctors and services while offering a 50% reduction in premium costs for employees. The village would cover the higher deductibles, estimated to cost around $118,000. This measure is seen as a necessary step to avoid the financial burden that would otherwise be imposed by the insurance cost hike.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by the fact that employees must decide on their healthcare options by the end of October. The plan aims to reduce costs for both the village and its employees, with contributions potentially lowered by 50%. The council stressed the importance of providing employees with options that would allow them to manage healthcare costs effectively. Despite the potential savings, concerns were raised about the impact of this transition on the upcoming year’s budget. The council acknowledged that while the new plan might not result in overall cost reductions, it would mitigate the extent of the increase.

Following the health insurance discussion, traffic safety and management were topics. The council deliberated over proposals to implement one-way streets and bumpouts in Ridgewood to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce congestion. The introduction of one-way systems is expected to alleviate traffic on residential streets and improve safety at intersections like Glenn and Oak. Members discussed the need for community outreach to ensure residents are informed and have the opportunity to express their views. A consensus emerged that the one-way proposal was prudent, and plans were made to notify affected households about upcoming public hearings.

The council also reviewed the installation of LED illuminated warning signs, seen as effective in enhancing pedestrian safety. Another proposal was the installation of bumpouts in the central business district (CBD) to slow vehicular traffic and shorten pedestrian crossing distances. However, concerns were raised about the potential loss of parking spaces, with council members noting the importance of balancing pedestrian safety with parking availability. The council expressed support for the conceptual approval of bumpouts while emphasizing the need for further examination before implementation.

In the realm of community initiatives, the meeting highlighted various projects and events. Discussions included the installation of the Kingsbridge Lane pedestrian bridge, the construction of an ADA playground at Habern, and the preparations for a new bus stop in front of Ridgewood High School. The council also noted the success of community events such as the Halloween haunted harvest and the trick-or-treating event at Village Hall.

The meeting further addressed the potential expansion of Van Ness Square and its implications for community events and parking. While some council members supported the idea of expanding green space, others expressed concerns about losing parking spaces in a prime location.

Another topic of interest was the management of the open space tax and its implications for the community. A council member clarified that the tax is a fixed amount based on assessed property value and does not fund general park maintenance. Concerns about misinformation circulating on social media were addressed, with an emphasis on the importance of residents understanding the context of Ridgewood’s tax rate compared to neighboring areas.

Residents raised issues such as the impact of parking restrictions on school drop-off procedures and the need for better communication from the council regarding local improvements and projects.