Council Meets: Budget, Parking to be Introduced; Ridgewood Taxi's 'Farewell'?

The village council will not be voting on the , April 13 as originally expected. Instead, the council will be voting at its next public meeting on May 11.

The process has been delayed due to a personal matter from the representative of the contractor performing the spec testing on the lights at Stevens and Stadium Field. [Update: The council also wanted members Paul Aronsohn and Bernadette Walsh to vote on the proceedings.]

The council has asked the Fields Committee, which stumped for 10 p.m. light times, to explore other alternatives as the council had 'serious problems' with that shutoff time at Stevens Field.

But that doesn't mean the council agenda is light by any stretch. The meeting begins at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday in the in Village Hall.

Budget

The village council plans to introduce its first stab at the 2011 municipal budget–which would over 2010 but include the return of numerous village workers. The tax hike would represent a $255 increase over 2010 levels. The village could also decide to cut more, dropping to either 5.5 percent or 5.2 percent, Village Manager Ken Gabbert said at the wrap-up budget meeting.

Parking

It was an agreement that had been lauded by the officials, businesses and in local media. The village council will introduce two separate on Wednesday night but there has been , notably between council liaison Paul Aronsohn and Village Manager Ken Gabbert. At the last council work session, the two officials went back and forth over when lot meter rates should kick in – 10 a.m. or 6:00 a.m.

Ridgewood Taxi

Several months ago the village put out a after it for not reapplying for a license, which was due to what many considered exorbitant required insurance coverage. The coverage requirements were reduced but the village put out for a bid, threatening the taxi company, which was . On consent agenda is a one-year contract award to rival E & K Car Service of Hawthorne, for a monthly rental fee of $2,700 and an option for a multi-year renewal at 28 North Broad Street.

COAH

The public discussion of the will have its public hearing on Wednesday night. Deputy Mayor Tom Riche voted to not introduce the measure last go around and Mayor Keith Killion voted for the public hearing but certainly did not endorse COAH. Killion has been a harsh critic of the state's affordable housing mandates, which seem to change with the wind.

Other

The council will also hold a public hearing on the , which neighbors of Stevens Field say is going to be by all sorts of parking problems as field use intensifies. Tim Cronin, the longtime village Parks & Recreation Director will accept an award he was given for recognition of excellence; amending towing fees; increasing 'false alarm' fire department fees; and the council will also be declaring April Autism Awareness Month.