June 26, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Ridgewood Budget with flat increase approved by 4-1vote by John Koster The flat increase budget adopted 4-1 by the Ridgewood Village Council provoked concern from a few residents, but, in general, has been popular with the majority of taxpayers who see any attempt to control costs as a step in the right direction. The municipal budget of $45,343,651 had been discussed in detail at a previous meeting and most residents expressed satisfaction with the fact that Mayor Paul Aronsohn and the council had kept their word to deliver a zero-increase budget. Depending on the new assessments in Ridgewood, some homeowners may experience a small increase and others a small decease, but most can expect to pay the same amount of their taxes for municipal expenses -- about 25 percent of the total tax impact -- as they paid in 2012. The total tax bill also includes funds other entities, such as the local schools and Bergen County. Councilman Thomas Riche, who warned that the council was not leaving itself a large enough cash reserve to cover a serious emergency, voted “no” on the budget. His sometime ally, Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh, voted to approve it. Chief Financial Officer Steve Sanzari reported that Ridgewood had saved money by keeping positions for a public works inspector and a parking meter repair technician vacant for the past year. Police Chief John Ward said after the budget acceptance that the Ridgewood Police Department was down to 39 sworn officers and needed an increase in manpower. The idea was unpopular with most residents, many of whom complained that Ridgewood officers are seriously overpaid for work in a low-crime community. Some other residents approved of increasing the force. The actual taxes on a Ridgewood household send about 25 percent to the municipal government and 65 percent to the schools. Bergen County and Open Space programs consume the rest. Members of the Tiger Team, a group of residents with business and financial experience, have cautioned that unless both municipal and especially school spending are reined in, taxes in future decades could be overwhelming for most residents. The council organized an advisory committee to study the concerns the Tiger Team advanced. That committee will report to the mayor and council. Summer show planned The Ridgewood Art Institute’s 2013 Members Summer Show, which will be held from July 1 through Aug. 30, will feature selected works by Ridgewood Art Institute member artists. The show will include representational paintings in oil, watercolor and pastel, and drawings. Subjects include landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, florals, and figurative drawings. All works will be offered for sale and are framed, wired, and ready to hang. Pictured are ‘Laundry Day Arles’ by Julie Fornaci and ‘Summer Shimmer’ by Diana Gibson. The galleries are open to the public from 12 to 4 p.m. daily and are located at 12 East Glen Avenue at the corner of Oak Street, Ridgewood. Visit at www.ridgewoodartinstitute.org or call (201) 652-9516.