Council Introduces $3.3M in Capital Improvements

The Village of Ridgewood may be approving over $3 million in capital improvements encompassing everything from body armor for police to major street resurfacing on September 14, after introducing the bond ordinance at its last council meeting.

If approved, the village will be paying $266,500 out of pocket as a down payment and taking out $3,354,000 in notes to pay for upgrades in almost all departments. The major items include street resurfacing, ADA ramps at The Stable, new traffic signals at Franklin Ave intersections, various vehicle replacements and...a new carpet at the Streets Department office.

Here's what will be new, if approved:

Police

The police department requested the replacement of body armor and weapons, worth just over $14,000. They'll be useful for 5 years, according to village documents.

EMS

The Ridgewood Emergency Services department has requested the replacement of Ambulance 12, along with various equipment. The cost is a total of $35,589 and the ambulance is projected to last 10 years.

Fire

The Ridgewood Fire Department has requested narrow band radios, a new pumper, a fire prevention SUV and the repair or replacement of a water/oil separator container at the fire department headquarters. The total cost comes to about $91,000. The radios and pumper are expected to last a decade with the new fire prevention SUV only lasting 5 years. The water/oil separator container should give 15 years of service to the village.

Emergency Management

Various equipment upgrades will total $4,269 and is expected to last 5 years.

Parks and Recreation

The Parks and Recreation department is looking to extend the playground at Vets Field, purchase an inflatable pool slide and aquatrack system (Wibit-speak), make renovations to the Somerville tennis courts. A late addition is the ADA ramps at the Stable, which is covered under a $104,000 grant from the county. The total capital bonding comes to $213K, with a lifespan of 15 years. 

Information Technology

Dylan Hanson and the Information Systems Department is looking for computer and server upgrades, firehouse system upgrades (Gamewell), acquisition of laptops for the council members, police car IT upgrades and an e-ticket system. The total cost amounts to $90,225 and has a "period of usefulness" of 5 years.

Engineering

The Engineering division rules the roost when it comes to capital projects. Streat resurfacing and reconstruction at Northern Parkway and the Graydon Pool parking lot is among the numerous upgrades planned. There's a request for a vehicle replacement – a new stormwater collection system jet and vac truck; stormwater drainage system upgrades, and a Kingsbridge Lane bridge replacement coupled with "repetitive loss mitigation for the village's flood hazard areas."

The total comes to $1,962,233. Street resurfacing around Graydon will be good for 10 years, the vehicle for 5 years, stormwater changes for 40 years, and the bridge replacement (which connects Saddle River Road) to last an estimated 15 years.

Streets

Requests for the Streets department include a Hot Box for paving, at $23,377 (expected to last 15 years); the replacement of a salt truck with plow; another truck with a plow; and finally, the replacement of carpet at the Streets Department office. The total of those requests amounts to $304,915 with a period usefulness of 5 years.

Traffic and Signals

The village may be replacing mobile radios, and will be making upgrades to the traffic signal and Franklin and Oak and the traffic signal at Franklin and Maple. Additionally, a request has been made for lighting at Memorial Park (related to the new Fields Policy), and a van. Final bill is just over $39,000.

Property Maintenance

Various Village Hall repairs must be made, totaling $5,082. They should be good for 10 years.

Public Works

The collection system repair fund and sludge acceptance pit with bar screen is requested. Additionally, a pickup and sludge truck are requested. The total requests are $325,243. The collection system has an expected lifespan of 15 years and the vehicle, 5 years.

Sanitation

A request has been made to replace a pickup truck with a plow, estimated to cost $45,737. It should be good for 5 years.