Week in Review: Busy Start to September

After a sleepy summer, September has gotten off to a quick start, with much movement in all corners of the community.

For instance, after months of discussion, investigation and speculation, we brought the news that the township has filed a class action lawsuit against Ridgewood Water that seeks the total repeal of its water rate hike, instituted on Jan. 1. Ridgewood claims the suit, which also seeks the repayment of revenue collected, is without merit, while both sides insist they will see the legal action through, if need be. We'll be sure to keep watch in the months and weeks ahead.

Municipal news this week also included the award of a Community Development Block Grant, which will fund improvements at Memorial Town Hall, as well as the announcement of a program at the police department where residents are encouraged to .

The township's Shade Tree Commission also met, deciding to request more information and the assistance of the folks behind the Christian Health Care Center Vista project before vetting that application in earnest.

The week ahead will be extremely busy for township and school board officials. Today, the Wyckoff Board of Education, Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education and Planning Board all meet; on Tuesday, the Township Committee will convene for a hearing on potential solutions to the Rambaut Lake dilemma; on Wednesday, the library Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting; and on Thursday, the zoning Board of Adjustment will hold its session.

Other items of note over the past week: 

• An expected hearing tonight on Inserra Supermarkets' ShopRite proposal was canceled this past week. Although the Planning Board will meet, testimony on the ShopRite application will continue in October, after representatives file amended site plans.
• We brought you the bad news that Goffle Road will be closing at times, starting this week until November, for PSE&G work. Also, utility work will impact travel from Midland Park this week.
• Reviewer Gloria Johnson visited Cafe Amici for the first time since it reopened, and reported that the restaurant is as good or better than ever.
• We took a look at A Cheerful Heart, a township antiques and collectible store that has been pleasing discerning customers for years.
• Patch stopped by Bookends, where actress Jamie Lee Curtis put in an appearance, signing copies of her latest childrens' book and talking about motherhood.
• Gloria Johnson took a look at a web service that purports to rank manufacturers by health, social responsibility and environment in her weekly shopping column.
• We brought you up to date with the activities of the Police Department, who recorded several arrests recently on drunken driving, theft and other charges.
• Sports, sports, sports: We continued our looks at teams at Ramapo and Indian Hills, with stories on the Braves' cross country squad, girls volleyball team and Ramapo boys soccer team.

Coverage began with stories on the Braves and Raiders football openers, as well as with a scoreboard of some action over the weekend.

• And we joined many of you at a memorial service at Company 1 Saturday night, where the community gathered to pay tribute to those lost on 9/11.

As always, if you have a story idea or just want to chat, call me at 201-208-3349 or write nick@patch.com.