December 19th, 2023 Ringwood Council Meeting

Hi Ringwood! December’s council meeting finished any old business for the calendar year.  Councilman Rubacky was also sworn in for his two year term.

Save the date:

• Our reorganization meeting is scheduled for January 2nd, 2024 at 6pm at Borough Hall.

Old Business:

Ordinance No. 2023-#11 passed

• Amend chapter 28 stormwater management regulations of the revised ordinances of the Borough of Ringwood to include a section 14

• This only pertains to PRIVATELY owned salt storage only and does not affect any Borough owned salt storage facilities.

Manager’s Report:

Here are just some of the 2023 highlighted items from each department mentioned at our December meeting.

Engineering Department

• In January, we received a $508,590.00 NJDOT 2023 Municipal Aid Grant for the Skyline Lakes Drive, Phase 1 Roadway Improvement Project.  The project limits for this project are the Route 511 intersection and the Edgewood Road intersection near the beach parking lot.  This project is designed, and the installation of the drainage improvements has begun.  

• We also received a $693,686.00 NJDOT 2024 Municipal Aid Grant for the Skyline Lakes, Phase 2 Roadway Improvement Project.  This project will continue with roadway improvements from Phase 1 to 412 Skyline Lakes Drive.  The survey and design will start this winter with construction expected next year.  

• NJDOT provided approval for a 5-ton CMV Weight Restriction on the entire length of Skyline Lakes Drive and several surrounding streets to limit commercial trucking around the lake.

Fire Prevention  

• We conducted 142 residential inspections and 188 commercial inspections.    

• Fire service personnel conducted educational programs during Fire Prevention Week at all the elementary and nursery schools in town.  Fire officials also visited 2 elementary schools to teach fire safety..   

• The department started a Smoke Detector Evaluation program to provide residents with guidance for units that need replacement or where additional units are needed.  

Health Department

• Through an update with our software, we were able to generate letters to target residents who had no pumping records for 5 years.  These letters have served as a reminder to residents of the importance of pumping a septic system every 3 years. As a result, pumping permits that have been purchased to date is 1,195 – which is an increase of 443 from 2022. 

• Much of our work this year has been funded through grants.  We have been awarded approximately $205,210.00, allowing our department to expand our health education programs, distribute radon and Covid-19 test kits, and offset clinic rental space costs.  

• Dog and cat licensing will begin on January 1, 2023.  

DPW

• All catch basins and stormwater piping and facility Recreation Department

• The department handled the Hometown Hero banner program where the DPW installed 75 banners on Skyline Drive in May.  A second round of applications has been completed in which 55 additional banner applications were received.  All the banners will be installed for Memorial Day 2024.

• The department also oversaw maintenance and upgrade of field projects and managed the field lining for soccer and lacrosse, upgraded and maintained the lightning detection system, and coordinated field maintenance with assistance from the DPW. s were checked and cleaned as needed.  We removed 100 yards of debris from our stormwater system.

• The DPW has completed and closed out over 900 work orders in 2023.  

• The DPW installed a new water main at the Martin J Ryerson school, along with the capability to provide fire suppression.  This project saved the taxpayers approximately $200,000 dollars by not having to hire outside contractors to install the water service for the school.   

• • If you have a DPW problem, please visit our website http://www.ringwoodnj.net/content/2347/2373/2486.aspx

Clerk’s Office

• The Clerk’s Office is now selling hunting and fishing licenses.

• Voter turnout in Ringwood was highest in Passaic County.

Recycling

• Caring for Ringwood Day in April included the help of 81 volunteers and 121 bags of garbage collected.  Caring for Ringwood Day 2024 will be scheduled in April.  

• We received 2 grants this year – 

o 2022 Clean Communities Grant - $36, 265.46

o 2021 Tonnage Grant - $19,600.86.  .  

• Weekly metal pick-up lists average 15 stops per week. 

• The recycling center is continuing to see a high volume of cardboard and yard waste.  We ask that the residents put their recycling to the curb every other week since those pick-ups are included in our contract with Interstate Waste. 

 Police Department 

• The Police Department responded to over 13,600 calls for service and, rather than describe the various calls and responses, I am just going to summarize by saying our Police Department is the first to respond to all emergencies.

• In 2023, our police officers have  issued over 1700 traffic tickets and approximately 125 private citizen complaints. 

• Total disbursements to the Borough are $86,000 while the state received $169,000 for summonses.  

Authorize Execution of the School Bussing Agreement with the Ringwood Board of Education to Supply Courtesy Bussing to Lakeland Regional High School at a cost of $26,749.93 for the school year 2023/2024

• Authorize the Police Department to participate in the Defense Logistics Agency, Law Enforcement Support Office 1033 Program. 

• We don’t often need to use any of the law enforcement equipment, but we do apply to participate in this program every year just in case we do need something.

• Professional Services Recommendation, Skyline Lakes Drive Road Improvement Project, Phase 2

• Contractor Payment Request, Choctaw Trail/ Delaware Trail Pavement Repair Project

• Award Fair and Open Contract for Municipal Auditor, Special Counsel, & Labor and Employment Attorney for 2024 Approval of Updated Environmental Resource Inventory

We hope everyone had a great holiday! 

Regards,

Deputy Mayor Jamie Matteo-Landis

Councilwoman Michelle Kerr