Ringwood Council Meeting Blog May 19th, 2026
Hi Ringwood! This meeting focused on the municipal budget. If you would like to view the recorded meeting, click here.
Presentations
Ringwood Downtown 501(c)3
Ringwood Downtown is largely funded by in-kind contributions, private sector donations, and sponsorships.
Yiftee gift card program rewards participant engagement and keeps money local with Provident Bank being the sponsor.
Plant Bingo was very popular on Earth Day.
Music in the Woods and Farmers Market is coming in Summer into Fall.
Business directory on Ringwood Downtown’s website.
Looking for volunteers to share their time and talents (i.e. face painter or musician)
Manager’s Report
The Borough Attorney performs work outside of legal retainers such as court.
The Rec trust account is managed via purchase orders. There is a $5 fee attached to all Rec Dept events and used for recreational improvements. Each sport/event has a separate sub-fund. No impact to resident taxes.
Questions were raised about a Borough vehicle, which Mr. Heck has been observed operating. In Mr. Heck’s 2011 contract, there was note of a vehicle allotted to him, however, he does not have a vehicle assigned for his sole use now. He does operate a town pick up truck in the winter mostly to plow. The truck is also permitted to whoever needs it (i.e Chief of Police, or DPW). The Borough Manager also uses the town vehicle to travel to court, insurance meetings, and other town business.
Noted Azarian Improvements: Roof is finally getting replaced due to the constant pressure and violations applied to Azarian by the Borough.
Skyline Lakes Drive improvement project phase 3 is complete. Phase 4 is expected to begin in the Fall. The Borough is seeking a grant to help finish this project.
Electrical Issues: Upgrades to the circuit on Kendall Drive, Carletondale Road, and Sloatsburg Road. We will put pressure on Orange and Rockland to pave the areas that were recently paved and dug up.
Shared Health Department Services: We have maintained some of our health staff such as Zack and Doreen, but these employees are part of a shared service to save money while maintaining resources.
Ryerson Rain Garden: Mostly funded with grant money. The DPW will be assisting in maintenance, which helps save taxpayer money instead of contracting out.
OLD BUSINESS:
2026- #05- Established Bank Cap
Have not needed to use a bank cap in over 18 years.
A budgeting tactic used by most likely every town in the state.
Creates flexibility for future budgets.
Resolution 2026-103
Authorizing increase in deferred school taxes for local school and high school
Resolution 2026-104
The self-exam runs on a 3 year cycle where the budget is completely looked into by the state. Private auditors and CFO are involved and check to make sure the budget is balanced and accurate.
There are multiple layers of the review. After the CFO and auditors have reviewed the budget, then it goes to the state for review.
Public Hearing of the Municipal Budget
Full Budget Presentation Can Be Found Here
Police Chief Presentation
There have been a growing number of State and County mandates that impose a strain on our Police Dept. We have 22 police officers in Ringwood.
All unfunded mandates/ directives cost the police dept: $84,301 comprised of 1,916 hours of personnel time. Assignment specific training accounts for over 3,000 hours. (See link above for details on all unfunded mandates.)
DPW Presentation
George Stout gave a presentation about DPW responsibilities. In 2025, DPW fulfilled 1,025 work orders. Town maintains all fleet and equipment including police, fire, and ambulance. DPQ also maintains and repairs water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure, ensures roads are passable in all weather conditions including downed trees.
DPW unfunded mandates include: Increased electrical and operational costs, increased chemical costs. We have 16 dedicated DPW workers.
Water Dept Unfunded Mandates
Water rates have raised 22.3% over the past four years.
This has mostly been absorbed by the municipal budget.
Increased water testing and flushing.
$250,000 on state-mandated water testing.
Stormwater Management
By 2027, approx 1,370 stormwater basins must be retrofitted. The cost of materials alone is approx. $794,600.
This doesn’t include labor.
Disposal of stormwater debris is about $50,000 annually.
Borough Manager on Budget:
2026 Operating Budget Introduced: $2,054,105
2026 Operating Budget Increase from 2025: $222,635
Proposed budget for 2026: $19,232,740.25
State aid: 8.69%
Fund Balance (surplus) 8.45%
Revenue (fees collected): 9.27%
Taxes raised: 73.59%
2025 total tax rateable: $1,452,563,500
2026 total tax rateable: $1,453,393,600
Rateable net change in 2026: $830,100
Total added tax rateables for 2026: $1,921,940
Total loss of tax rateables for 2026: -$1,091,840
Additional revenues for grants applied for, but not yet received: $3,090,223
2026 healthcare increase of 16.6% with a total cost of $2,047,461 with an employee contribution of $417,141.
Average home assessment 2026: $303,297 (not retail)
Increase to budget 5.6%
Increase to average assessed home: $156.48
Breakdown of taxes:
Passaic County: 18.314%
Ringwood Schools: 39.915%
Lakeland High School: 19.864%
Municipal: 21.907%
Complete budget document can be found here.
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
Attorney’s Report
We are currently compiling information from the redeveloper through our financial advisor about PILOT questions. We are still securing information. There is also an easement involved. We have discussions on a weekly basis. We did also get a better scope of work for the project of improvements by Azarian including sewer upgrades and current roof replacement.
End of Meeting Comments:
Mayor Landis spoke about Highlands Impact Aid now and how you can sign up to get a lawn sign. Link to request a free sign here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchxpLZnR3fCA37ocWmPqShc9Isd3jshfMfsKRqaGTo95PCvQ/viewform
We love community events and we were so proud to see Ringwood packed with car enthusiasts this weekend at the 3rd annual car show. Thank you to the Ringwood Holiday Observers and to everyone that made this community event possible.
Congratulations to Struck Fitness on their Grand Opening of their new larger space. It is a beautiful space, check it out!
Our Memorial Ceremony was on May 20th at 6pm at our Community Center on Erskine Road. There were speakers, more music compared to last year, and light refreshments were served. It was great to see a packed gymnasium!
On Monday, May 25th our local veterans are hosting a parade on Ringwood Ave in Wanaque at 10am.
Warm Regards,
