October 2020
Hello!

Here's the latest information about things going on in the Borough of Oakland this month, assembled and produced by the volunteers on the Oakland Communications Commission's Newsletter Committee.
Top Stories
Oakland and Franklin Lakes Kids Create Time Capsule About Life This Year
This has been a year like no other.
Seemingly overnight, life as we knew it changed.

Some lost jobs. Many fortunate enough to still have their jobs are doing them differently. Celebrations that would have brought families and friends together instead have been held via computers.
But Oaklanders have persevered, coming together as a community to uplift those who fell ill or who lost a loved one to the vicious virus. They showed support in various ways to our local first responders and to struggling businesses. They stepped up to volunteer to shop for those—often strangers whose predicament was made known to the rest of us somehow, sometimes on social media--who were unable to go to stores to get what they needed.

And the children, our youth, displayed remarkable resiliency and spirit--adapting to the demands of a more restrictive life, and moving forward with the hope and optimism and faith that often live in the hearts and spirit of the young.

Thanks to a project launched by the Oakland-Franklin Lakes Rotary Club, local children's feelings and observations about this unique time in our town, indeed our world, are being captured for posterity in time capsules they have created for future generations (and even their own future selves) to read and look at and know what it has been like to live through and cope with the pandemic.

Their contributions will be bound and housed at the public libraries in Oakland and Franklin Lakes.
Borough of Oakland Fire Department Awarded Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) Grant
The Oakland Fire Department has been awarded a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) Grant in the amount of $210,476.19 for 34 self-contained breathing apparatus' (SCBA). 
This grant is from the United States Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which pays for firefighting safety equipment. 

"It was great news to hear Oakland Fire Department will be receiving a grant from the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program", said Public Safety Chairman and Oakland Councilman Robert Knapp. "This money will allow for the Fire Department to purchase roughly 34 air packs, replacing packs as old as 30 years. These new packs will have a system called 'pak tracker' incorporated in them. This is essentially a GPS on the air pack that will allow firefighters to be tracked within a structure at all times. This will assist tremendously in locating and rescuing a trapped or downed firefighter. In a year that has not brought a lot of good news to anyone, this is certainly welcomed news for the Oakland Fire Department and the Borough of Oakland."
Borough of Oakland Remembers Those Who Lost Their Lives on September 11, 2001
The Borough of Oakland held a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial in Veterans Park. The meeting was recorded and may be re-watched here.
(L to R) - Councilman Knapp, Councilman Pignatelli, Mayor Linda H. Schwager, Councilman Van Eck, Councilman Biale
September 11th Memorial
Crowds Gather Socially Distanced for Ceremony
Photo Credits: Dirk Schwertfeger
Mayor Schwager's Message
For my message this month I thought I would summarize "Vote by Mail" in New Jersey in the year 2020 as directed by Trenton. All voters throughout the State of New Jersey must comply with the rules to have your vote count. If you are a registered voter, you will receive a Vote by Mail Ballot. If you are not registered and want to vote this year you have until October 13, 2020, to register to vote. Our municipal building will remain open that night for your convenience.

  1. Return your Vote by Mail Ballot via US Mail Service in the enclosed pre-paid envelope before Nov. 3, 2020; or
  2. Drop off your completed Ballot into any official Drop-Off Box in Bergen County. Oakland has been selected to have a Drop-Off Box in front of our Municipal Building in a lighted area with cameras focused for security. The Drop-Off Box will be emptied regularly by a Bergen County Sheriff's Officer in front of 2 witnesses: a Republican and a Democrat and you must drop off your Ballot by November 3, 2020; or
  3. You bring your Ballot to the Oakland Polling location (TBD) and drop off your Ballot personally on Election Day; or 
  4. On Election Day you can fill out a paper Ballot at Oakland's polling location but your vote will only be counted provisionally until it is confirmed you are a registered voter and have not previously voted by mail; or
  5. On Election Day you can vote in a machine if you bring proof of disability or you are blind.

In addition:
 
You can go online to track receipt of your Mail-In Ballot by the Bergen County Clerk--go to the Bergen County Clerk's website. 
 
If you have any questions, call our Borough Clerk, Lisa, in our Borough Hall at (201) 337-8111, ext. 2001, or call the Bergen County Clerk, election division, or

Mayor Linda H. Schwager
Your Monthly Garbage & Recycling Cheat Sheet
Yard Waste: This service begins Monday, April 6, 2020 or Tuesday, April 7, 2020 and ends Monday, December 7, 2020 or Tuesday, December 8, 2020. There is no yard waste collection during the winter months. Yard waste is never permitted in the household garbage collection. Do not put any yard waste in plastic bags. Should your yard waste not be collected, it is most likely due to COVID-19 staffing issues with the hauler, and we advise that you please leave out the yard waste on the curb and the hauler will return during the week to collect. Check the Borough Website for updates. If your yard waste was not collected, please leave out at the curb and the hauler will be back during the week.

Electronics: October 7 & 21

Paper: October 7 & 21

Commingled: October 14 & 28

Household Appliances/Metal: October 8

Metal Collection has been changed to the 2nd Thursday of the month for the remainder of 2020. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Trash: Mon & Thurs garbage collection on the South side of town. Tues & Fri garbage collection on the North side of town.
First Responders Flash Briefing
Oakland Police Department Announce Operation Reassurance
The purpose of Operation Reassurance is to provide Oakland residents with an opportunity to share unique or critical information with the police department regarding themselves, a household member or a loved one.
This information sharing process will allow officers and other first responders to more efficiently respond to residences and interact with individuals because they will have this important information on hand ahead of time. Information or conditions that may prove helpful to provide the police department with is if you, a household member, or a loved one has a medical condition (ex. Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism spectrum disorder), a psychological disorder, physical or mental handicap, is elderly or is a senior with a mobility issue, uses oxygen in the home or other special medical necessity is in the home or used by the resident, or other issue you would like the Oakland Police Department to know about. You can also provide your contact information to the police department in case we respond to your family member’s home in Oakland and need to contact you.

In order to make the Oakland Police Department aware of this important information, please fill out an Operation Reassurance form with as much information and details as possible and email it to Captain Timothy Keenan at tkeenan@oaklandpolice.us. This information will be entered under your address in the police department’s records management system. It will provide dispatch with an “address alert” when they send an officer to your address. The information, if applicable, will be relayed to the officer as they are responding to your house so that they can best serve you upon arrival. The details provided will be kept strictly confidential and only viewed by members of the Oakland Police Department. However, for information pertaining to senior citizens, your information may be shared with the Oakland Senior Center Director so that the Borough can contact you during a weather emergency or power outage.

Contact information for person filing submission:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone number(s)
  • Email Address
  • Oakland Resident with Operation Reassurance condition or information (if different from above)
  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • Email Address
  • Briefly list the medical condition, concern or other situation that you would like responding officers to be aware of. This information will help officers better serve you or your loved one in order to provide the best level of service possible. If applicable, photos of residents may be provided. (Senior citizens: also provide the name of someone you would like the police department to contact in case of an emergency)

Please submit this form to Captain Timothy Keenan at tkeenan@oaklandpolice.us
Oakland Police Department Reminds Residents to Lock Your Cars During the Night
The Oakland Police Department recommends that residents take the following precautions to secure their automobiles and, ultimately, their homes:
  • Vehicles should be parked in a locked garage whenever possible.
  • Any automobiles parked in the driveway should be locked, with the keys always removed and taken into the home.
  • Valuables should not be left in any vehicle.
  • Motion-detector lighting, if available, should be utilized around the perimeter of a residence.
  • Residents should immediately alert the Oakland Police Department of any suspicious activity that may be observed.
Project Medicine Drop
Project Medicine Drop is still active at this time.

Project Medicine Drop is an initiative involving the installation of "prescription drug drop boxes" at participating New Jersey police departments.

The Oakland Police Department keeps the locked metal box inside our lobby with the “Project Medicine Drop” logo clearly visible and recognizable.
Project Medicine Drop allows the public to dispose of unused and expired prescription medications safely, securely, and anonymously. The opportunity is available seven days a week, 365 days a year.

If you are disposing of medication we ask that you follow this procedure:

  • We do not accept loose medication and request it be placed in a Ziploc bag.
  • Deposit the sealed Ziploc bag into our drop box

We CANNOT and DO NOT accept:

  • medical waste
  • syringes

Oakland Public Library
Oakland Public Library Announces College Essay Seminar
The Oakland Public Library has announced a college essay seminar for rising juniors and seniors presented by Deborah Breslow.
It is time to learn the ins and outs of writing a compelling college essay, your personal statement, that will elevate one student over another.  
  • What is the Common Application?  
  • What is an Essay Prompt?  
  • How Do I Start? 
  • Who is Going to Read My Essay? 
  • What is a Writing Supplement? 
  • Do I Really Have to Write About ME?
Oakland Senior Center
Update from the Oakland Senior Center:

We are continuing to add classes back into our schedule in a mix of in person, zoom only, and hybrid options, Please see the calendar for more details. If anyone would like to attend an in person class, they are asked to call or email the senior center to register in advance. If they would like to be added to our email list to receive the Zoom links for online classes they can reach out to us as well at (201) 405-7731 or seniors@oakland-nj.org.

Games and puzzles are available to check out and bring home. They can come by the center by appointment to pick things up. All items borrowed will be quarantined for 7 days and/or sanitized upon return.

Through the county’s Division of Senior Services, we will be offering private appointments for anyone who needs assistance with navigating Medicare through SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) with a state certified counselor. These appointments will be offered the second Monday of every month beginning in August and set up in a private space in the senior center socially distanced. Appointments will begin at 9:30am and run up to 45 minutes. They are on a first come first serve basis and will roll into the next month if they fill. If anyone is interested in learning more or setting up an appointment, they can contact myself at the Senior Center at (201) 405-7731.
As a reminder: We are in the office Monday-Friday and available to help connect anyone who needs resources for seniors including but not limited to food, transportation, Medicare and health care. They can reach us at (201) 405-7731 or seniors@oakland-nj.org.
Recent News
What You Need to Know About the Upcoming General Election
On August 14, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 177, which requires the Office of the Bergen County Clerk to mail a vote by mail ballot for the November 3, 2020 General Election to every active registered voter within the County. Governor Murphy's Executive Order aims to ensure that voters preserve their constitutional right to vote while upholding the priority of public health during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Here is what you need to know about this unprecedented election: 

Ballots will be mailed to voters by Monday October 5, 2020. 

There are three ways you can cast your vote-by-mail ballot: 
  • Option 1: 
  • Complete and return your ballot by mail in the postage paid envelope provided. Ballots postmarked by November 3, 2020 may be received by the Board of Elections by November 10, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. and still will be counted. All ballot packages contain peel-and-seal, first-class postage-paid envelopes. 
  • Option 2: 
  • Drop your completed ballot at one of the secure Ballot Drop Boxes, located throughout Bergen County by 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020. There will be a drop box at the Oakland Borough Hall, 1 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, NJ 07436. 
  • Option 3: 
  • Bring your completed ballot to your polling location on November 3, 2020 by 8:00 p.m. 
  • Voters whose ballots are rejected for "a missing or disrepant signature" will be notified and given the opportunity to cure the signature defect "in accordance with the procedures established by the Secretary of State." 
  • There will be a limited number of polling sites open on election day with voting machines exclusively for blind and disabled voters who need the ADA compliant features. 
  • Voters who choose not to complete their vote-by-mail ballot and wish to vote in-person will be provided with a provisional (paper) ballot. (Per the Governor's order, ADA accessible voting machines will be available for disabled voters only). 
  • Sample ballots will not be mailed out for this election. Instead, every registered voter will receive a postcard with their polling location. Sample ballots will be posted for viewing here, and available at the Clerk's office for any voter who requests one. 
  • The deadline to register to vote for the November 3, 2020 General Election is October 13, 2020. For voter registration information, visit njelections.org. There is an option where you can "track your ballot". This permits voters to see if their ballot has been received by the Board of Elections. 

For questions about your vote-by-mail ballot, please contact the Bergen County Clerk's Elections Division at electionsclerk@co.bergen.nj.us or (201) 336-7020. 

For questions about your polling place, or locations of secure drop boxes, please contact the Bergen County Board of Elections at elections@co.bergen.nj.us or (201) 336-6230.
 
For questions about voter registration, or to report a potential election violation, please contact the Office of the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections at soe@co.bergen.nj.us or (201) 336-6100. 

To track your vote-by-mail ballot, locate your polling location or secure drop box locations, or check the status of your voter registration, please contact njelections.org. 
Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders Release a Video to Assist Residents with Vote by Mail for the November General Election
The Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders have put together a video, which provides helpful voting information to Bergen County residents.
This year - with few exceptions - Bergen County residents will be voting exclusively by mail. Working in conjunction with local election officials, the Freeholders compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions surrounding voting by mail. It is the goal of the Freeholders to increase turnout for the November election. It is their belief that regardless of which candidates residents choose, our Democracy is best served when we have an active and engaged electorate.

The video is available for cross-posting and embedding from the URL below.
Governor Murphy Extends COVID-19 Emergency Order Another 30 Days
Governor Phil Murphy today extended the public health emergency and related restrictions on activities in New Jersey, which were first put into place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic under an executive order he issued on March 8, 2020.
Executive Order No. 186, signed today, extends all executive orders previously issued by he Governor under the Emergency Health Powers Act. The new order also extends all actions taken by any state executive branch departments and state agencies in response to the public health emergency declared due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Under the state’s Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

For the full text of Executive Order No. 186, click here.
Borough of Oakland Announces 2020 Road Program Schedule
There will be some inconveniences regarding access to and from the residences. Every effort will be made to assure that the inconveniences are minimal. All work will be completed as quickly as possible.

We apologize for any inconvenience you may experience due to the construction activities and appreciate your cooperation.
COVID-19: Human Services Opens Applications for Coronavirus Child Care Tuition Assistance Program
New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson announced that applications are now open for the new COVID-19 child care tuition assistance program the Murphy Administration has created to help families with child care costs as schools open remotely.
The $150 million program will provide child care tuition assistance to New Jersey families with incomes up to $75,000 that are in need of either full or part-time child care due to their child’s remote learning schedule.

Families can apply for this assistance by completing the online application at www.ChildCareNJ.gov. Those applying will need proof of income and a notice or announcement from their child’s school of a remote learning schedule.
Sustainable Oakland Green Team Announces Library Seed Bank
The Sustainable Oakland Green Team has launched the new Library Seed Bank, featuring native and heirloom seeds. This program is available at the Oakland Public Library, 2 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, N.J. 07436, and is open to all Oakland Library card holders. 
Any questions, contact the Sustainable Oakland Green Team at greenteam@oakland-nj.org. 
Sustainable Oakland Green Team
Backyard Composter Bins are available for purchase at the Oakland Department of Public Works, 63 Oak Street, Oakland, NJ 07436 during normal business hours Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The composter is available at a discounted price to Oakland Residents at $60.00.

Questions, email recycle@oakland-nj.or (201) 337-8104.

Sustainable Oakland Green Team
The Oakland Sustainable Jersey Green Team is always seeking new volunteers. To those that may be interested, or would like to learn more, please email "greenteam@oakland-nj.org" for more information.
Sustainable Oakland Green Team
The Sustainable Oakland Green Team would like to remind residents to please not idle their car! It saves gas, it saves the planet, and it makes us healthier.
Environmental Commission
The Oakland Environmental Commission presents "Battery Recycling" at the Borough Hall, 1 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, NJ 07436.

Place in Plastic Box:
  • Single Use Batteries
  • AA, AAA, C, D, Watch, and Hearing Aid Batteries.

Place in Cardboard Box:
  • Rechargeable Batteries
  • AA, AAA, C, D, 9 Volt, Tool Batteries, Cell Phones.

Collection is for Oakland NJ Residents ONLY. No commercial businesses.
Mayor's Wellness Campaign
The Oakland and Franklin Lakes Mayors Wellness Campaigns are hosting a 'Coping with Coronavirus' Seminar on Monday October 5, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on ZOOM.

This webinar will provide information on how to better manage the stress so many have experienced as a result of the coronavirus. Learn ways to overcome the challenges of 2020.
Mayor's Wellness Campaign
The Oakland and Franklin Lakes Mayors Wellness Campaigns are pleased to offer a 'Women's Breast Health Seminar' on Tuesday October 27, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. noon to 1:00 p.m. on ZOOM.

Topics include breast cancer screening, early stages, and how to perform a thorough self breast exam.

This seminar is presented by Dr. Amanda Podolski, MD, of Valley Health System, Mt. Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center.
COVID-19: Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program Reopened & Expanded
The New Jersey Housing Mortgage and Finance Agency (NJHMFA) announced today the expansion and reopening of its Small Landlord Emergency Grant (SLEG) Program, which is designed to assist families struggling to meet rental payments due to COVID-19.
The state program reimburses qualified landlords for rent payments missed by families from April through July 2020 due to hardships created by the pandemic. The program reopened on Monday and will run through Tuesday, October 13th at 4:00 p.m., according to the NJHMFA, a state agency that helps to increase the availability of and accessibility in New Jersey to safe, decent, and affordable housing.
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