The proposed committee will consist of seven residents, specifically including two representatives each from the Saddle River and Hocus Brook areas, and one focusing on general stormwater issues. This structure is intended to provide a comprehensive view of the diverse flooding challenges across Ridgewood. The council emphasized the importance of involving residents who have firsthand experience with flooding, as their insights are invaluable in advocating for effective solutions and engaging with higher levels of government.

Discussions on the committee’s structure included suggestions for staggered terms to maintain continuity, with two-year terms being preferred to avoid overwhelming residents with long commitments. The council also debated the best timing for the application period for committee membership, considering a post-Labor Day start to ensure maximum participation from residents who may be away during the summer months.

In addition to the flood committee, the council addressed the rejection of bids for the Kingsbridge Lane pedestrian bridge repairs. The lowest bid was disqualified due to submission errors, specifically the inadequacy of the maintenance bond wording. The village engineer plans to revisit the bid package and expects to rebid in August, with a new contract likely being awarded in September.

Another topic was the lack of responses to a bid for infrared asphalt repair and trench patching. The council decided to present a resolution to rebid this project at the next public meeting, as five registered plan holders had initially shown interest but did not submit bids.

Community engagement featured prominently throughout the meeting. A resident, Russell Fenza, raised multiple concerns, including the condition of the recycling lot, which he described as having persistent potholes. He advocated for paving the lot on Wednesdays when it is not open to the public. Fenza also proposed the introduction of a shredder at the recycling center.

The council acknowledged Fenza’s suggestions, with the mayor indicating that discussions about the installation of a shredder had occurred, though no definitive decisions were made. On the topic of street signs, the mayor expressed support for installing cross street indicators, as Fenza had suggested, noting that he would check current policies.

Pedestrian safety was another priority, with discussions on enhancing crosswalks. A plan involving pedestrian-activated crosswalks was highlighted, and further information was sought on improving crosswalk safety, particularly given that “the longer the crosswalk, the more dangerous it is.”

Public comments also drew attention to a hazardous condition at the intersection of Hope Street and Spring Avenue. A resident pointed out the absence of crosswalks across Spring Avenue, which creates a dangerous situation during busy school hours. The mayor agreed to forward this concern to the Traffic Division for further evaluation.

The meeting also included updates on various community initiatives. One member reported on a collaboration involving interns conducting an inventory assessment of local parks, which is tied to a master plan developed by the Parks Department. This initiative aims to improve the online presence of park amenities. Another update came from discussions with county engineers about the West Glen sidewalk project.

The manager’s report highlighted the success of the recent Fourth of July celebrations and ongoing projects, including progress in grant applications. The village has over $4.7 million in pending applications, with plans for additional submissions that could push the total beyond $5 million.

The council concluded by approving the authorization for the 2025 Municipal Aid Grant application, aimed at resurfacing a section of South Pleasant Avenue.