Ridgewood July 18, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Reorganized council listens to residents, changes plans by John Koster Last week, the newly reorganized Ridgewood Village Council moved to fulfill campaign promises to listen to residents and practice governmental transparency as several suggestions from the audience led to council commitments. Earlier this month, Paul Aronsohn was selected as the village’s new mayor, and Albert Pucciarelli and Gwenn Hauck joined the council. Pucciarelli will serve as deputy mayor. The governing body also includes Council Members Thomas Riche and Bernadette Walsh. Responding to one group of residents, including both young mothers and mature swimming enthusiasts, the council agreed to extend the early opening of Graydon Pool to 10 a.m., rather than noon, through the entire month of August so young children and older residents will be able to arrive and swim before the full impact of heat and sunlight, and without disrupting their afternoon activities. The previous council had left this decision to the newly constituted council. Former Deputy Mayor Riche said he had no objections to the extension. “Three thousand dollars is something we can afford,” Riche said of the cost associated with the change. Parks and Recreation Director Tim Cronin said a head count showed 59 people using the field between 10 a.m. and noon during the first week of pool season, 36 during the second week, and 49 during the third week. He said that the last two weeks of August were traditionally lower in attendance than the first few weeks of pool season. The new council also pledged to try to save money without cutting services. The second initiative from the floor led the council to set aside consideration of mandatory bagging of fallen (continued on page 15) Senator Robert Menendez administers the oath of office to new Ridgewood Mayor Paul S. Aronsohn.