Ridgewood September 12, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Village to have property tax reassessment by John Koster The Ridgewood Village Council took the first steps toward a comprehensive property tax reassessment at last week’s special meeting because the figures in the village’s tax books no longer withstand tax appeal challenges. “The majority of the cases are not defensible,” Ridgewood Tax Assessor Michael Barker told the council last week. The slump in actual sale prices of real estate have taken Ridgewood’s actual property values far below what the homeowners are billed for in their municipal property taxes. Officials note that the majority of appeals to the Bergen County Tax Board result in findings for the tax appellants and against the village. Barker told the council that Ridgewood lost $34 million in property values in 2010, which led to tax losses of $680,000. In 2011, Ridgewood losses sank further, to $40 million, for tax losses of $800,000. The figures are not complete for 2012, but when Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh asked if the losses had reached $1 million, Barker told her the actual loss was probably closer to $1.3 million. The Ridgewood Village Council -minus Walsh, who had opposed the last budget vote in anticipation of some similar problem -- voted to approve a comprehensive inspection and reassessment of all of Ridgewood’s residential and commercial properties. The resolution the council approved 41 approved an emergency appropriation of $240,000, with $48,000 in each budget over the next five years. The resolution also covered notification of all county and (continued on page 18) Registration for Ridgewood Parks and Recreation’s Defense, Karate, and Safety Awareness program will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Hawes School on Stevens Avenue. The fall session will begin on Sept. 25 and run for 11 weeks. The Kidsafe program is designed for boys and girls, ages five through 15. The course promotes selfesteem, self-discipline, defense, and safety Safety awareness program set awareness rather than aggression. New students who are ages five through eight will meet from 4:30 to 5:10 p.m. Returning and new students will meet from 5:20 to 6 p.m., and all students with colored belts will meet from 6:10 to 6:50 p.m. The cost is $98. Uniforms are recommended. For further information, contact Kidsafe at (973) 284-5650.