Ridgewood Talks

Jeanne Johnson welcomes Village Manager Keith Kazmark back to Ridgewood Talks to discuss major village updates, including a number of new hires for the village in public works, IT, cybersecurity, building and permits to improve backlogs and improve service for residents and businesses. Kazmark explains the county-ordered property tax reassessment, how values are set, what residents will receive in November, and how to ask questions or later file formal appeals, plus notes on impacts of unpermitted improvements. He outlines senior tax relief programs (PAS application for Senior Tax Freeze, ANCHOR, and Stay NJ), expanded senior bus service, community center renovations, and a senior parking pass. Other topics include affordable housing compliance and special-needs housing discussions, environmental testing at the Walnut/Franklin town garage property, Ridgewood Water PFAS treatment progress and funding efforts, rising utility and healthcare costs, parking management recommendations from Walker, new bus shelter plans, and grants to restore the train-station pedestrian tunnel with potential community art.   (00:00) Show Intro (01:12) Back with Keith (01:28) New Public Works Lead (02:56) IT and Cell Coverage (04:30) Building Dept Overhaul (06:28) Why Reassessment Happened (08:17) Appeals and Notifications (11:18) Who Goes Up Most (12:45) Senior Tax Relief (15:10) Senior Services Upgrades (20:22) Affordable Housing Update (22:31) Protecting Green Space ROSI (23:20) Walnut Franklin Site Testing (25:02) Ridgewood Water PFAS Update (28:27) Budget Pressures Utilities Healthcare (29:44) Public Health Plan Cost Surge (31:39) Parking Perception and Signage (36:07) Bus Shelter and Tunnel Grants (37:39) Community Art Tunnel Mosaic (39:49) Village Wrap Up and Thanks Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to stay informed about all things Ridgewood, New Jersey! Ridgewood Walks and Talks: https://www.ridgewoodwalks.com Ridgewood Talks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridgewood_talks Ridgewood Talks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1291013971028083   This episode is produced by Ignite Creator Studios, Bergen County’s premier video podcasting & content strategy service!  Ignite Creator Studios: https://www.ignitecreatorstudios.com/   Theme music by Dave Gross from the album Mandology. Find the song: Cool it!  - on Apple Music Here: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/david-gross/288722944 And you can find Dave Gross – Mandology on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/DaveGrossMandology   Hashtags: #RidgewoodNJ #RidgewoodTalks #BergenCountyNJ #RidgewoodNJPodcast #NorthJersey #BergenCountyNews #NJLocalNews #RidgewoodCommunity #BergenCountyEvents #NewJerseyPodcast #BergenCountyUpdates #NJPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jeanne Johnson interviews Steve Grillo (Executive Director) and Corinne Mahoney (Director of Marketing) of the new Ridgewood Business Alliance about how Ridgewood’s Special Improvement District works and what it will do for our local businesses and residents. They explain that the district is funded by property assessments on commercial properties town-wide, enabling long-term planning, business support services, and potential physical improvements, without a municipal financial role. Drawing on their experience building “Explore Millburn Short Hills”, they discuss priorities including data-driven vacancy and business mix analysis, marketing and branding, streetscape and wayfinding, public art, sidewalks, parking management planning, and partnerships with groups like the Chamber and Guild. They also cover grant opportunities (including Main Street), NJEDA resources, potential future staffing, support for a performing arts center effort, and much more.   (00:00) Meet the RBA Team (02:29) What a SID Does (05:57) Funding and Assessments (09:03) Municipal Role and Nonprofit (10:32) Main Street Program Explained (12:18) Board and Volunteer Committees (13:58) Why Ridgewood Needed This (15:42) How Residents Benefit (17:17) Working with Chamber and Guild (19:55) Vacancies and Parking Strategy (25:41) Streetscaping and Wayfinding (28:31) Branding and Visitor Appeal (29:46) Tackling Business Redundancy (32:37) Retail Site Standards (33:14) Health Uses Downtown (34:17) Streetscape and Branding (35:43) Anchor Stores Strategy (37:14) Millburn Events Wins (39:50) Parking Shuttle Idea (40:40) Performing Arts Catalyst (42:54) Volunteers and Staff (46:19) Business Support Services (48:24) Funding and NJEDA Help (51:15) Future Goals and Impact (55:23) Logo Contest and Social (57:56) Closing and Where To Follow   Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to stay informed about all things Ridgewood, New Jersey! You can follow the Ridgewood Business Alliance here: Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/visitridgewood Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18DCNZ3zSA/?mibextid=wwXIfr   This episode is produced by Ignite Creator Studios, Bergen County’s premier video podcasting & content strategy service!   Ignite Creator Studios: https://www.ignitecreatorstudios.com/   Ridgewood Walks and Talks: https://www.ridgewoodwalks.com Ridgewood Talks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridgewood_talks Ridgewood Talks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1291013971028083   Theme music by Dave Gross from the album Mandology. Find the song: Cool it!  - on Apple Music Here: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/david-gross/288722944 And you can find Dave Gross – Mandology on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/DaveGrossMandology   Hashtags: #RidgewoodNJ #BergenCountyNJ #NorthJersey #NJLocalNews #RidgewoodCommunity #BergenCountyEvents #NJPodcast     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeanne Johnson welcomes back Ridgewood Village Manager Keith Kazmark to discuss current village updates, including summer sidewalk and curb-cut work before school, new bump-in parking by Citizens Park/GW School on South Monroe Street, and the NJDOT-funded South Pleasant Avenue resurfacing and bike lane changes. Keith reports the police department will be fully staffed at 49 sworn officers plus SLEOs in schools, and highlights pedestrian and bicycle safety efforts. They cover Citizens Park baseball field upgrades funded by county open space and capital dollars, Ridgewood’s grant success totaling $4.5 million over three years, the upcoming Glen Avenue sidewalk bid, and a new fully signalized Oak and Glen intersection this fall. Keith also reviews county road work on Maple Avenue, increased film production activity and permits, and major Zabriskie-Schedler house and park plans, including remediation completion, a history and culture center, an inclusive playground grant application, and a multi-sport field target of 2028. Chapters  (00:00) Welcome Back (01:48) School Safety Upgrades (05:02) Police Staffing Update (07:00) Citizens Park Improvements (09:40) Grant Funding Wins (10:18) Glen Avenue Sidewalks (11:48) New Glen and Oak Signal (14:23) Maple Avenue Resurfacing (17:13) Netflix Comes to Town (20:12) Schedler Park Explained (25:40) House and Programming Plans (27:17) Inclusive Playground Vision (29:00) Turf Field and Remediation (32:14) Wrap Up and Next Episode Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to stay informed about all things Ridgewood, New Jersey!   This episode is produced by Ignite Creator Studios, Bergen County’s premier video podcasting & content strategy service!   Ignite Creator Studios: https://www.ignitecreatorstudios.com   Ridgewood Walks and Talks: https://ridgewoodwalks.com Ridgewood Talks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridgewood_talks Ridgewood Talks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1291013971028083   Theme music by Dave Gross from the album Mandology. Find the song: Cool it!  - on Apple Music Here: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/david-gross/288722944 And you can find Dave Gross – Mandology on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/DaveGrossMandology   Hashtags: #RidgewoodNJ #RidgewoodTalks #BergenCountyNJ #RidgewoodNJPodcast #NorthJersey #BergenCountyNews #NJLocalNews #RidgewoodCommunity #BergenCountyEvents #NewJerseyPodcast #BergenCountyUpdates #NJPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet the Artist: Eric Santoli’s Journey from Ridgewood to Monet's Garden   Welcome to Ridgewood Talks! In this episode, Jeanne Johnson sits down with the talented artist Eric Santoli, a Ridgewood High School graduate who found his passion for painting and has taken it to incredible heights. Eric shares his journey from studying fine art at the University of Pennsylvania to completing his MFA at the Florence Academy of Art. He recounts the unforgettable experience of living and working as an artist-in-residence at Claude Monet's House and Gardens in France and talks about his exciting new travel and painting show, 'Eric En Plein Air,' for American Public Television. Eric also opens up about how art serves as a therapeutic outlet and discusses the importance of experiencing artwork in person. Whether he's painting, skateboarding, or riding his Triumph Bonneville, Eric's adventurous spirit shines through in everything he does. Tune in to hear more about his inspiring journey and how you can support local artists in Ridgewood (00:00) Introduction to Ridgewood Talks (01:07) Meet Eric Santoli: Ridgewood's Artistic Gem (02:19) Eric Santoli's Artistic Journey (07:08) The Therapeutic Power of Art (17:38) Supporting Local Artists (21:26) Exploring Grounds for Sculpture (22:59) Creative Sculptures for Kids (23:25) Fundraising for Nonprofits (23:43) Collaborations and Donations (24:34) James Rose Center and Historical Society (26:07) Television Show and Local Support (26:15) Painting and Travel Show (27:27) Celery Farm and Nature Preservation (30:20) Colorblind Artist's Journey (36:30) Motorcycles and Skateboarding (39:12) Family and Returning Home (40:29) Conclusion and Future Plans You can also learn more about Eric on his web-site: https://www.ericsantoli.com/ Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to stay informed about all things Ridgewood, New Jersey!   This episode is produced by Ignite Creator Studios, Bergen County’s premier video podcasting & content strategy service!   Ignite Creator Studios: www.ignitecreatorstudios.com   Ridgewood Walks and Talks: www.ridgewoodwalks.com Ridgewood Talks Instagram: www.instagram.com/ridgewood_talks Ridgewood Talks Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/1291013971028083   Theme music by Dave Gross from the album Mandology. Find the song: Cool it! - on Apple Music Here: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/david-gross/288722944 And you can find Dave Gross – Mandology on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/DaveGrossMandology   Hashtags: #RidgewoodNJ #RidgewoodTalks #BergenCountyNJ #RidgewoodNJPodcast #NorthJersey #BergenCountyNews #NJLocalNews #RidgewoodCommunity #BergenCountyEvents #NewJerseyPodcast #BergenCountyUpdates #NJPodcast #Art #NJArt #Painting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join host Jordan Kaufman as he welcomes special guest Robert Wolcott to Ridgewood Talks. Rob, the co-founder and chair of the World Innovation Network, known as TWIN Global… and a professor at Kellogg and Booth Schools of Business, discusses his family's move to Ridgewood, NJ, during the pandemic and their experiences in the community. He also delves into the themes of his latest book, 'Proximity,' exploring how digital technologies are reshaping business, society, and everyday life. The conversation covers topics such as the future of artificial intelligence, the importance of making retail essential in people's lives, and how Ridgewood can embrace its unique charm in an evolving landscape.   00:00 Introduction to Ridgewood Talks 00:24 Meet the Hosts: Jeanne and Jordan 01:11 Special Guest: Robert Wolcott 02:08 Rob's Journey to Ridgewood 03:06 Settling into Ridgewood Life 06:06 The Ridgewood Coffee Shop Experience 10:18 Ridgewood: A High School Town 15:18 Parenting and Education Insights 22:33 Balancing Technology and Nature 27:43 The Impact of Screen Time on Children's Development 28:16 Envisioning the Future of Ridgewood 32:30 The Role of Technology in Modern Life 32:49 Debunking Myths About Artificial Intelligence 37:21 The Cognitive Effects of Technology 43:57 Proximity Theory and the Future of Digital Technology 49:37 Making Retail Essential in People's Lives 54:11 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to stay informed about all things Ridgewood, New Jersey! This episode is produced by Ignite Creator Studios, Bergen County’s premier video podcasting & content strategy service! Ignite Creator Studios: www.ignitecreatorstudios.com Ridgewood Walks and Talks: www.ridgewoodwalks.com Ridgewood Talks Instagram: www.instagram.com/ridgewood_talks Ridgewood Talks Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/1291013971028083 Theme music by Dave Gross from the album Mandology. Find the song: Cool it!  - on Apple Music Here: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/david-gross/288722944 And you can find Dave Gross – Mandology on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/DaveGrossMandology   Hashtags: #RidgewoodNJ #RidgewoodTalks #BergenCountyNJ #RidgewoodNJPodcast #NorthJersey #BergenCountyNews #NJLocalNews #RidgewoodCommunity #BergenCountyEvents #NewJerseyPodcast #BergenCountyUpdates #NJPodcast #AI #Innovation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices