School board questions fundraising for Pizzuto Way memorial
Board members said a memorial project near Ridgewood High School now includes a roadway co-name, a mural, and a possible brick or stamped pathway feature.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — discussion, budget amendments and adoption of the, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The board said the plan has shifted over time and still needs clearer answers on fundraising, accounting, materials, and who would maintain any roadway feature.
A memorial plan raised basic questions before any bricks go down. The Ridgewood Board of Education spent part of its meeting sorting through a fundraising flyer tied to a project near Ridgewood High School. One board member said a text message and screenshot showed a QR code collecting money and questioned whether the flyer looked too much like a school or district solicitation rather than a private effort.
As described at the meeting, the project has several parts. One piece would co-name a roadway area near the high school, described in discussion as “Herman’s Place” and “Pizzuto Way,” in coordination with the Village and with no expected cost to the district. Another piece is a mural, which board members said would be funded mainly through donations, including support from the Ridgewood Education Foundation and other private donors. A third piece would add a roadway or pathway feature, possibly a brick section spelling out “Pizzuto Way,” when the road is paved.
That is where the board slowed down. Members questioned whether brick belongs in a road used by trucks and snowplows and what the long-term maintenance burden would be. They floated alternatives, including sidewalk sections or plaques, while noting earlier ideas had raised concerns about distracting drivers. The board did not settle those questions at this meeting. Members said they still need more detail on the surface design, the fundraising and accounting setup, and how the final plan would be carried out on a Village road in front of the school and field area.
Budget amendments and adoption of the 2026 municipal budget
Ridgewood adopted its 2026 municipal budget with a tax increase most homeowners can measure. Village officials said the spending plan is up 3.98% from 2025, with an annual impact of $195 on a home assessed at $715,000.
The Village Manager called it a difficult budget year and pointed to higher health benefit costs, fuel prices, and snow removal expenses from two major storms earlier this year. CFO Bob Rooney walked through a set of amendments before adoption, including a revenue reclassification tied to unavailable state aid, a water capital revision required by the state, and a $400 adjustment to the open space trust fund tax calculation.
Council members said nearby towns and school districts were seeing larger increases, some in the 10–12% range. They said Ridgewood kept police and fire staffing intact while still funding capital work, including $2.75 million for paving and purchases such as a fire truck, street sweeper, sign truck, and hydro sewer truck. The council approved resolutions 26-122 through 26-125 unanimously on the consent agenda.
Board approves HR changes and corrections
The Board approved a human resources package covering retirements, resignations, renewals for 2026–2027, and corrections to the record. The superintendent corrected Dr. Lillian Labowski’s service to 20 years, and one board member abstained only on a lunchroom appointments sub-item.
leadership change
Ridgewood Water pushes PFAS projects ahead
Village officials advanced several steps in Ridgewood Water’s PFAS treatment buildout, including funding, construction, and oversight actions. The council moved a state grant item for the Glenn Rick Main facility, awarded the East Side Reservoir treatment contract, and approved added inspection and administration work at four major sites.
PFAS treatment affects drinking water quality, water rates, and the timeline for major construction across the service area.
Open space vote draws spending questions
An upcoming open space referendum prompted council discussion and pointed public questions about what the money could fund. Residents asked whether proceeds would be limited to land acquisition or could be used for other purposes, including turf fields.
Voters need to know what a new tax levy could fund before deciding on the referendum.
Resident spotlights Ridgewood wartime history
A resident used public comment to press for Memorial Day remembrance and to highlight Ridgewood figures including Varian Frey and a WWII-era pilot. Council members thanked the speaker and pointed to books and a Netflix series about Frey’s rescue work.
The exchange connects local history to public remembrance and how the village honors residents' contributions.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Ridgewood had 153 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEConsent agenda resolutions (block): contracts, grants, change orders, refunds, referendum question, housing plan endorsement, and appointments. Council adopted Resolutions 25-298 through 25-321 as a single consent agenda block. Items included SCADA upgrades, train station kiosk restoration, South Pleasant Avenue resurfacing with ADA improvements, emergency lights, Village Hall roof replacement, parks mower, vehicle lease, multiple Chapter 159 budget amendments and grants, remediation services and change orders, bridge handrailings, pickleball courts renovation, tax refunds/cancellations, an open space tax levy referendum question, endorsement of the 4th round housing plan, a site access agreement renewal, acceptance of a Special Improvement District feasibility study, and appointment of a student intern liaison for Green Ridgewood.
- GOVERNANCEConsent agenda resolutions block (contracts, professional services, grants, surplus property, senior parking program, appointments). The Council adopted a large block of resolutions (26-128 through 26-154) including multiple contract awards, professional services, shared services, bid rejection, financing, grant applications, liquor license transfer authorization, surplus property declarations, establishment of a senior parking program, and appointments to boards/committees.
- GOVERNANCERidgewood Water change order and final retainage payment. The Council approved Ridgewood Water resolutions authorizing a change order for lead service line replacements (contract one, not to exceed $433,333) and authorizing final retainage payment for raw water mains phase one (contract two).
- GOVERNANCESecond reading and public hearing: Establish new chapter for sidewalk displays. The Council held the public hearing and adopted Ordinance 4096 on second reading to establish a new chapter entitled “Sidewalk Displays.” A resident asked whether the HPC recommended opposition. Councilmember Whites voted no, citing concerns about overly broad displays and uneven sidewalk widths; other members voted yes.
- GOVERNANCEFirst reading: create Special Improvement District and designate district management corporation. Council introduced Ordinance 4053 on first reading to create a new chapter establishing a Special Improvement District and designating a district management corporation. Council noted the schedule of properties would be reordered by block and lot for easier research. A public hearing/second reading was scheduled for August 13, 2025.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Long-Range Facilities Plan Amendment (Water Line Replacement at Willard and GW). The Board approved an amendment to the long-range facilities plan to include replacement of water lines at Willard and GW, described as required by the state and necessary to qualify for a grant intended to cover 100% of the cost.
- GOVERNANCEEndorsement resolution planned: Fourth round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan submission (discussion). Beth McManus reported that the Ridgewood Planning Board adopted the fourth round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan on June 23 and submitted it by the end of June. Council discussed a follow-up endorsement resolution to authorize court submission for program review and compliance certification, and reviewed Ridgewood’s adjusted obligation figures.
- GOVERNANCEFirst reading: amend Chapter 190 land use and development to create S-1 Senior Overlay Zone District. Council introduced Ordinance 4052 on first reading to amend Chapter 190 (Land Use and Development) to create an S-1 Senior Overlay Zone District. A public hearing/second reading was scheduled for August 13, 2025. The introduction passed unanimously.
- GOVERNANCESecurity systems: CCTV and access control upgrades for Village Hall, fire headquarters, Station 31, OEM, and off-site offices. The Council reviewed a memorandum from Lieutenant Chuck regarding awarding a contract through an Educational Services Commission of New Jersey cooperative for CCTV and access control upgrades, including Village Hall doors, call box replacements, and panic alarms at multiple facilities, with costs not to exceed $190,000.
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