May 1, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 17 Ridgewood Disclosure protocol (continued from page 3) vote.” Council votes in Ridgewood are often unanimous. However, on some issues, Council Member Riche and Council Member Bernadette Walsh have voted in opposition to Mayor Paul Aronsohn, Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli, and Council Member Gwen Hauck, the trio who ran as an informal slate last year. “If it’s a 4-1 vote, it seems to me that that’s enough of a plurality,” said Puciarelli. He said, however, that, as an attorney, he understood the clear need to protect attorney-client confidentiality. “I guess I’d rather stick with the 5-0 requirement.” Rogers reinforced the need to keep attorney-client confidentiality sacrosanct. Riche remained uncomfortable with the majority vote requirement, which he said was unprecedented in local government. “Nothing else we do in government requires a majority vote -- not ever,” Riche said. The council then decided to drop that clause and to approve the rest of the protocol. The protocol as adopted states: “Prior notice of all meetings with members of the public that include more than one council member and a member of village staff or a paid consultant shall be provided to all council members. “Discussions between any council member and members of the public involving issues related to another council member’s committee or board assignments should be shared with or referred to such other council member... “Council members should not engage in public discourse that is conducted on an anonymous basis. “Telephonic or electronic communications between or among council members or between a council member and members of the public during public meetings is prohibited. “Council members must exercise discretion when dealing with communications with residents or business owners, with due regard for the privacy of such persons. “All ‘notices’ and other communication required or otherwise given pursuant to this protocol shall be deemed given to a council member when sent via e-mail addressed to the recipient at her/his village e-mail address. “Council members shall not disclose any information discussed at closed sessions of the village council to anyone who was not present at the closed session. “Nothing in this protocol shall prohibit any council member from communicating or meeting with the village attorney or other legal counseling appointed on behalf of the village or any of its subdivisions without having to provide notice of such communication or meeting where the communications between the council member and such legal counsel concerns matters that are privileged attorney-client communication.” The protocol follows residents’ objections to meetings between individual council members and some prospective developers of multiple-unit housing. Prior rumors that Village Manager Ken Gabbert was about to be fired, which were printed elsewhere and assumed to be based on leaks from a closed session, also never materialized. Gabbert is still village manager. ‘Capers Exposed’ slated It’s showtime! The College Club of Ridgewood will present this year’s show, ‘Capers Exposed,’ at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10. The show will be held at the Woman’s Club of Ridgewood at 215 West Ridgewood Avenue. Tickets for the May 9 performance are $15 each and include the show only. Tickets for the May 10 performance are $45 each and include dinner, dancing, and the show. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Contact Ruth Kelly at CollegeCapers2013@gmail.com or call (201) 394-7004. The College Club of Ridgewood, founded in 1913, is a non-profit organization. Proceeds from College Capers will benefit the club’s education fund.