Ridgewood ending 60-year school drop-off and pickup practice this September

RIDGEWOOD — Clinton Avenue, across from Ridge School, will no longer be closed to traffic during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal, village officials said.

Manager Keith Kazmark said the village had received a ruling from the state Transportation Department that the 60-year ordinance that has closed the street to facilitate student foot traffic before and after school "does not have any legal force or effect unless approved by the commissioner."

"In light of this decision, Clinton Avenue will be open starting Tuesday, Sept. 3, the first day of school," Kazmark said.

He said the sidewalk being installed along the west side of Clinton Avenue this summer is "substantially complete" and will provide an alternative path for students who previously used the whole street when walking to and from school.

Police Chief Forest Lyons said the department "will assign ample police officers in the area during the first few days of school to ensure the safety of students and families" while everyone adjusts to the new traffic pattern.

Schools Superintendent Mark Schwarz and Ridge School interim Principal Michelle Melucci did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Nothing was posted on the school's website as of Thursday advising parents of the change.

Clinton Avenue resident Elaine Divelbliss had filed a civil rights suit against the village challenging the end of the street closure. She alleged that it would deprive her 21-year-old autistic son of a "pedestrian right of access" and is seeking a pedestrian lane to be marked on the east side of the street, where they live, because the sidewalk was installed on the west side. It was unclear what impact the ruling would have on her suit, and she did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

However, Kazmark said discussion of the closure will continue at the Village Council's Sept. 4 meeting. Ordinances will be considered to formally repeal the closure and place restrictions on parking. If the council decides it wants to continue the closure, Kazmark said, it would have to submit the ordinance to the Transportation Department's Division of Traffic Engineering for approval.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ridgewood ending 60-year school drop-off and pickup practice this September