May 19, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Ridgewood Budget hearing tugs village council both ways by John Koster The hearing on Ridgewood’s municipal budget ended with the council’s decision to postpone the vote until June 9 as negotiations continue with employees who may face job losses. Those residents and employees who spoke from the audience at the hearing tried to tug the council members both ways. The budget as published includes a municipal-purpose tax increase of $182 for the owner of a home assessed at the village’s average value. “This is a very difficult year,” said Mayor David Pfund. “We are not eliminating garbage pickup, we are not eliminating recycling, (and) we are still going to sweep the roads.” Pfund said, however, that because Ridgewood is subject to civil service regulations, some employees with seniority could claim so-called “bumping privileges” to push junior employees out and stay employed if they were qualified to do the same job, and that this pattern could lead to reduced services in some sectors. “Because we’re civil service, we wouldn’t be able to specify who would lose their bumping privileges,” he added. Ridgewood sent out 32 Rice letters asked employees whether they wanted public or private hearings to try to justify their jobs, but voluntary retirements reportedly cut the number of workers laid off to 13 so far, with future cuts possible. “Many people (cut from employment or facing cuts) are single moms. In one case, a husband and wife have both been let go,” said Sharon De Marco, a long-term employee of the Ridgewood Water Company – but not a Ridgewood resident. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that morale is at an all-time low. Please don’t reward our hard work and loyalty by laying us off.” Another speaker, a Ridgewood resident not employed (continued on page 6) Spring into Summer • ICQ Southern Yellow Pine • Cedar • Composite • Optional PVC or Metal Railings with a New Deck! $ NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADER IN CONTEMPORARY VARICOSE VEIN TREATMENT ������������������������� of any Deck!!! 250 Off CHUBACKVEINCENTER A NEW STANDARD OF VEIN CARE Free Design Service! Free Estimates! H H Remodeling Co. • 973-949-4431 See photos of our work at www.hawthornehandyman.com ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 265 Ackerman Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 201-693-4330 ������������������������� ���������������������� ���������� WE’RE MOVING TO OUR NEW LOCATION! ����� ��������� 266 Harristown Rd, Suite 102, Glen Rock GLEN ROCK PLAZA 201.345.5621 LASER & COSMETIC DENTISTRY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY FULL SERVICE DENTAL CARE • Orthodontics • Invisalign (Invisible Braces) • Porcelain Veneers • Implants • Teeth Whitening • Oral Cancer Screening • Periodontal Treatment Mayra Modesto-Garrido D.D.S We Offer Line Of Credits And Financing Plans Free Consultation • We Accept Most Dental Insurance We Offer Oral Sedation