Special Election On Ridgewood Parking Deck Is June 21

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — A special election will be held June 21 asking residents if they want to repeal an ordinance to bond $11.5 million to construct the Hudson Street parking deck, the latest development in an ongoing process to ease the downtown parking problem.

The Village Council approved a resolution certifying a petition a committee of five dedicated residents created and circulated. The petition calls for a repeal of an ordinance the council approved in March bonding $11.5 million for the project. Officials had introduced an ordinance that would have, if approved, allowed the village to enter into a 25-year lease agreement with the county to construct the parking deck, but later rescinded the ordinance.

Village residents overwhelming voted in favor of bonding up to $15 million for the project last November.

Deputy Clerk Donna Jackson certified the petition had the required number of verified signatures, 814, required to hold the special election.

June 21 was chosen because it falls within a date range officials were required to hold a special election, said Matt Jessup, the village’s bond counsel. The referendum could not be held during the June 7 primary or during the municipal election next month.

Officials have said a special election would cost taxpayers $40,000 to $45,000.

The Village received a letter from Brach Eichler LLC, a Roseland law firm, Monday notifying officials of an intent to "instigate litigation" against the individual members of the committee. The firm represents a group of "concerned residents."

Councilwoman Susan Kudsen said she was “shocked” to learn about the letter Wednesday and that “we have another piece to this puzzle.”

Under the Faulkner Act, the state law that establishes the incorporation of the village’s council-manager form of government, the committee has 10 days to withdraw the petition.

Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said that the three staff members in the clerk’s office worked for days to certify the names on the petition, time which could have been spent on other matters.

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