Mayor Knudsen Disagrees With Former Administrator's View Of Working Environment

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Mayor Susan Knudsen disagreed with former village manager Roberta Sonenfeld's assessment of the village hall working environment, which Sonenfeld said was one of the reasons she abruptly resigned from her position Tuesday.

Sonenfeld said in her resignation letter that an "increasingly contentious" environment prevented her from performing her duties "efficiently and effectively" and that she "did not share" the council's vision for the village.

"Differences of opinions and ideas do not constitute a contentious environment," part of a statement Knudsen read at a village council meeting Wednesday.

A group of residents accused Sonenfeld, a village resident, of official misconduct earlier this year. They claim she interfered with them speaking to people about the Hudson Street parking deck. The group was collecting signatures for a petition allowing a referendum on the parking deck to go out to voters.

Resident Dana Glazer said Sonenfeld was "argumentative" and she "stuck her nose in conversations" and would "derail" what the group was trying to do.

Village Clerk Heather Mailander is the acting village manager. It is the second time she has served the village in this capacity. Knudsen said the village, "is in good hands," with Mailander as manager.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Related: Ridgewood Village Manager Abruptly Resigns Tuesday

Related: Residents Accuse Ridgewood Manager Of Official Misconduct

Patch file photo