Ridgewood meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Ridgewood Council Takes Up $4.7M Water Main Contract and Water Bond in Busy Meeting Week

Ridgewood's village boards covered water infrastructure contracts, land-use ordinances, historic district signage, and open space policy over the past two weeks. Because meeting minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, the items below reflect what agendas list for discussion or action — not confirmed outcomes.

Village Council — Water Infrastructure Dominates July 15 Agenda

The Ridgewood Village Council's July 15 meeting agenda includes the largest dollar items of the week. The council was scheduled to consider awarding a $4,723,000 contract to Montana Construction Corporation, Inc. for 2026 distribution main improvements.

Also on the agenda: introduction of a Water Capital Bond Ordinance appropriating up to $728,000 for storage tank renovations, corrosion control, and well improvements. A separate item would authorize leasing tank and ground space at the Glen Avenue Water Tank to World Class Wireless, LLC for $500,000 per year.

Additional July 15 agenda items include:

• A $464,193.59 contract to Smith-Sondy Asphalt for South Pleasant Avenue resurfacing — Phase 2, funded through an NJDOT grant.
• A $456,165 contract for crossing guard services for the 2026–2027 school year.
• A sole source contract of up to $21,544.22 to Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions for SCADA system programming, wiring, and startup services.
• A shared services agreement with the Borough of Midland Park for road resurfacing after raw water main installation.
• A $1.5 million emergency appropriation for reassessment costs.
• Public hearings on ordinances covering land use, taxicabs, elevator fire keys, and fee changes.

Village Council — July 8 Special Meeting

A July 8 special public meeting agenda called for a vote on a resolution to enter closed session. The closed session was set to cover personnel matters for boards and committees and legal issues concerning the Special Improvement District and the Ridgewood Business Alliance. A second July 8 meeting, held via Zoom and telephone, listed water-related contracts, parking ordinance amendments, grant-funded road resurfacing, and a fire-prevention agreement with Midland Park among its items.

Planning Board — Ordinance #4099 Review

The Planning Board's July 7 agenda included review of proposed Ordinance #4099, which would amend Section 190-123(B) of Chapter 190 (Land Use and Development) to modify conditional use standards for institutional uses. The agenda also listed adoption of May 5, 2026 minutes and a possible executive session.

Historic Preservation Commission — Three Business Applications

On July 13, the commission was scheduled to review signage and exterior modifications for three businesses:

• Grill & Greens, 36 Prospect Street — sign and awning fabric change.
• The Madison Rose, 2-4 Garber Square — window sign and paint color change.
• Ridgewood Eye Care & Wear, 160 E. Ridgewood Avenue — new sign.

Zoning Board — July 14 Meeting Canceled

The Zoning Board of Adjustment canceled its July 14 public meeting. Two applications were postponed: Chestnut VD Holdings LLC at 304 South Van Dien Avenue (Block 4107, Lot 17.01) was carried to August 11, 2026, and Ming-Wai Seuffert at 136 Pershing Avenue (Block 3404, Lot 14) was carried to July 28, 2026.

Open Space Committee — Guiding Principles and Funding

The July 9 agenda called for finalizing guiding principles for open space acquisition and a funding allocation approach. Discussion items included potential acquisition properties, park stewardship, and July events.

Citizens Safety Advisory Committee

The July 16 agenda listed updates on e-bikes, sight triangle obstructions, and incident reporting from the Ridgewood Police Department and Engineering. Speeding concerns on Bellair Road and the West End Avenue area, plus a digital display map proposal, were also listed.

Coming Up

• **Planning Board** — The July 21, 2026 meeting has been canceled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Courtroom.
• **Zoning Board of Adjustment** — Next scheduled meeting July 28, 2026, with the Ming-Wai Seuffert application carried to that date.

All items above are drawn from published agendas. Minutes for the recent meetings listed have not yet been published, so final actions and vote tallies are not yet available in the record.

Ridgewood council takes up water system contracts and bond ordinance; Zoning Board cancels July 14 meeting

Ridgewood's Village Council convened a special meeting on July 8, 2026, with a packed agenda covering water infrastructure contracts, a capital bond ordinance for storage-tank renovations, road resurfacing, and parking changes. Because minutes have not yet been published, the outcomes of these votes are not yet confirmed in the public record.

Village Council — July 8

The council met via Zoom and telephone on July 8. The agenda included several significant items:

• **Water Capital Bond Ordinance** for storage tank renovations/replacements and corrosion control treatments.
• **Award of a Sole Source Contract** for SCADA System programming, wiring, and startup services.
• **Award of a contract** under a NJDOT grant for South Pleasant Avenue Resurfacing — Phase 2.
• **Amendment to Chapter 265 (Vehicles and Traffic)** regarding parking at Pease Library.
• **Authorization to execute an agreement with Midland Park** for fire prevention enforcement involving Kuiken Enterprises, Inc.

The agenda also listed grant applications, a housing-affordable agent appointment, and policy changes related to parking, power-tool use, and snow removal. Minutes were not available as of this report, so vote tallies and final actions could not be confirmed.

A separate special council meeting also held July 8 included a resolution to enter closed session to discuss personnel matters for boards and committees and legal issues concerning the Special Improvement District and the Ridgewood Business Alliance. Public comments were limited to three minutes per person. The outcome of that resolution is not yet documented in published minutes.

Planning Board — July 7

The Planning Board's July 7 agenda included a review of Ordinance #4099, which would amend Section 190-123(B) of Chapter 190 (Land Use and Development) to modify conditional use standards for institutional uses. The agenda also listed public comments on topics not pending before the board, adoption of minutes from May 5, 2026, and a possible executive session. Minutes have not yet been published.

Open Space Committee — July 9

The Open Space Committee was scheduled to finalize guiding principles for open space acquisition and a funding allocation approach. Discussion items included potential acquisition properties, criteria implementation, park stewardship, and July events. The committee also planned to review an RMX document and discuss a vision for the future. No minutes are available yet.

Coming Up

• **Zoning Board of Adjustment — July 14:** This meeting has been canceled. Two applications are postponed: Chestnut VD Holdings LLC (304 South Van Dien Avenue, Block 4107, Lot 17.01) is carried to August 11, 2026, and Ming-Wai Seuffert (136 Pershing Avenue, Block 3404, Lot 14) is carried to July 28, 2026.
• **Citizens Safety Advisory Committee — July 16:** The committee will review updates on e-bikes, sight triangle obstructions, and incident reporting from the Ridgewood Police Department and Engineering. Discussion items include speeding concerns in the West End Avenue/Bellair Road area and a proposed digital display map.

All recent meeting outcomes listed above remain unconfirmed until official minutes are published. Residents can consult the Village of Ridgewood's official meeting portal for finalized records.