January 16, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 5 Ridgewood Village attorney: Sunshine Law was not violated by John Koster Ridgewood Village Attorney Matthew Rogers, at the behest of Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli, formally stated that the council members who attended a November information session with experts on Americans with Disabilities Act laws had not violated the Sunshine Law. “There was no violation of the act itself, nor was there any violation of the spirit of the act,” Rogers said at last week’s work session. Resident Sally Brandes said she understood that the Sunshine Law had not been officially violated. However, Brandes asked if Pucciarelli had gone somewhat out-ofbounds by asking a Ridgewood professional employee, Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser, to attend a night meeting outside work hours to hear the experts on the Graydon Pool ramp proposal. Council Members Thomas Riche and Bernadette Walsh -- who voted against the ADA-compliant Graydon Pool ramp -- had reportedly not been asked to attend the meeting at which the experts spoke before Pucciarelli and Councilwoman Gwen Hauck. “It just furnished an opportunity for a council member to become more informed,” Rogers said of the November meeting. “The law wasn’t violated, the spirit wasn’t violated.” Mayor Paul Aronsohn had stated at a previous public council meeting that, if the entire council had been invited to the November meeting with the ADA experts convoked by Save Graydon leader Marcia Ringel, that meeting would have had to have been advertised, and that might not have left time for the meeting to be held before the vote. Last week, Brandes urged that the ramp, approved by Pucciarelli, Hauck, and Mayor Aronsohn, be reconsidered because, she said, it was not the best possible way to provide access to Graydon Pool for all handicapped swimmers. There were no takers on either side of that initiative. Brandes had said at a previous meeting that the 40foot ramp was not compliant with ADA regulations, but Mayor Aronsohn, a long-time expert and a strong advocate of the needs of special and handicapped individuals, said the ramp as approved is compliant. The council previously voted to spend $95,000 on the ramp, including $55,000 from Bergen County grant funds and $40,000 from taxpayers’ money. The vote that followed this agreement concerned the form the ramp would take, as the funding was already approved. Councilman Riche had rejected the ramp on aesthetic grounds. Councilwoman Walsh had said she preferred a different option. Ridgewood Recreation Director Tim Cronin said he was satisfied with the ramp as approved by the council. Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, conductor and music director of the Ridgewood Concert Band, is the recipient of the 2012 Association of Concert Bands Outstanding Conductor Award. This award was created to acknowledge an ACB member conductor for conducting skills, musicality, community contributions, and educational foresight. Dr. Wilhjelm has been the conductor and music director of the RCB since its founding in 1983. Under his direction, the RCB has become widely recognized as one of the leading wind orchestras in the nation. The ensemble was selected for the honor of performing at the ACB Conference in Poughkeepsie, New York in 2012. Dr. Wilhjelm and the RCB will continue their 30th Wilhjelm earns national award from ACB Anniversary Season with the “Freedom Rings” concert on Feb. 1. The RCB will welcome guest conductor Colonel Arnald Gabriel (conductor emeritus, The United States Air Force Band) and guest soloist bass clarinetist SFC Sam Kaestner (U.S. Military Academy Band, West Point). The concert will be held at West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood. The Westwood High School Band will open with a prelude performance at 7:30 p.m. and the RCB program will begin at 8:00 p.m. Additional information about Dr. Wilhjelm and the RCB are available at www.ridgewoodband.org. Tickets for the concert may be purchased on the band’s website or at the door. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $7 for students. The Woman’s Club of Ridgewood will host its Gigantic Garage Sale on Feb. 8, 9, and 10 at the clubhouse located at 215 West Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include jewelry, furniture, clothing, books, collectibles, household items, and many items for children and babies. Club seeks donations for Gigantic Garage Sale Donations for the sale will be accepted at the clubhouse Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stewards are there to assist on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Proceeds will benefit the Woman’s Club of Ridgewood. For further information, contact Theresa at (201) 4442206 or e-mail toteaser@gmail.com.