Village Intern Welcomes You to Ridgewood

If you're new to Ridgewood, Josh Blecher-Cohen may have a large effect on you, and you may never even meet him. The reason: Ridgewood's summer intern helped create welcomed packets designed for new residents.

A resident himself, Blecher-Cohen, 16, will enter his junior year at the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack this fall. Over the course of this summer, he has volunteered his time working in the Village Clerk's Office.

"It's been a very productive summer experience," the former Benjamin Franklin Middle School student said. "I really wanted to see what goes on behind the scenes in a government structure, and I've been lucky to have the chance to produce something."

The welcome packet isn't exactly a small project for a summer intern. Sure, Blecher-Cohen respectfully put in his dues filing, but he said he was lucky to have the opportunity to work on the important task.

The idea's genesis originated from Blecher-Cohen's boss—Village Clerk Heather Mailander.

"I've always wanted to do this project, but never had the time to do it. Josh has been really helpful, and we'll be working on finishing it soon," she said. 

To put the kit together, Blecher-Cohen met with several village staff members and leaders of other Ridgewood entities like Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joan Groome.

"Everyone was so nice and helpful, and I think this project allowed me to meet many people and see different departments," he said.

Working three days a week for two hors at a time, Blecher-Cohen reviewed welcome packets throughout the county and "synthesized the ideas into one, whole, accessible packet."

After viewing ideas from Fair Lawn, Westwood, Ramsey and other towns, Blecher-Cohen started compiling the information for new and prospective residents.

"I wanted to capture the feel of events and opportunities that exist in Ridgewood. I stressed options available [people have] to become part of the community," he said.

The packet will include a letter from Mayor Keith Killion, Village Hall directory, local information on schools, businesses and the library, in addition to utility information, Blecher-Cohen said.

Though only through two years of high school, Blecher-Cohen has begun visiting college campuses to see what's the right fit. He said he "has an eye to go into law" and wouldn't rule out public service. His village internship has helped him get a behind-the-scenes look at government.

"I 've learned that a lot goes into everything, and from this side I can see a lot more that happens than what the general public sees," he said.

As for his summer project, Blecher-Cohen plans on working through until the school starts Sept. 7 and expects to finish the packet.

Then it's back to Hackensack where Blecher-Cohen is involved in the school's Amnesty International and Gay-Straight Alliance groups. He recommends others to reach out to local groups in the hopes of helping out.

"I've received a great feeling of accomplishment, and it's nice to get something out of it," he said, referring to the new packet.