August 2019
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.
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT - JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMY

The Junior Police Academy Graduation took place on July 26th. This program is in its 4th year, and has been nothing but successful and beneficial to the students. Thank you to Det. Mark Piercy, Officer Christopher Tinio, and Sgt. Keith Docwra along with Captain Keith Sanzari. The children enjoyed a fun filled week experiencing the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement. The Borough of Oakland is lucky to have a great Police Department who work so well with our students and residents. A special thanks to the event sponsors as well.
Program Cover
Captain Keith Sanzari with the graduates!
Mayor Schwager with Councilman Pat Pignatelli
The Junior Police Academy visited MetLife Stadium on Day 4 of the Academy!
The Junior Police Academy also visited Treescape at Mountain Creek in Vernon for a day of fun!
Top Stories
Oakland Resident Sees His Decade-long Dream -- And Promise To His Late Mother -- For A Borough Dog Park Get Closer To Being A Reality
Ryan Schwertfeger, arguably one of Bergen County’s most community-minded young adults, has been working on a dream since he was in the eighth grade.
The 24-year-old never has wavered from the mission of seeing Oakland have a dog park and naming it after his mother, Jill, who died of cancer in 2012 and who gave him the idea to work towards giving the borough’s four-footed residents a place to enjoy.

Schwertfeger has been working tirelessly for the last 10 years to raise funds, community support, gain approval from the town and other government agencies to see the completion of the first place in town where dogs – which number roughly 1,000 in Oakland -- are allowed to run free without a leash. It would be located in the 40-acre Great Oak Park.

“I don't know how many people can say they spent one-eighth of their life doing something,” Schwertfeger said.

Sandy Khabbazeh
Syrian Woman Finds Freedom In America And Friendship In Oakland
By Terri Casaleggio

Sandy Khabbazeh’s mother had a decision to make. She could keep her daughter with her in the war-ravaged country of Syria, or let her flee to the United States for freedom that was nowhere on the horizon in their homeland.

Life in the city of Aleppo had become intolerable. Constant bombings and death, shortages of food and electricity had made life a nightmare for the Khabbazeh Family.  
Bombs exploded nearby daily and Syrian troops were on the next street. There was no meat available for their table, so the family of four became vegetarian. Their lives were filled with fear and uncertainty.  

Sandy Khabbazeh was studying to get her civil engineering degree at the university in Aleppo, but with only one hour of electricity from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. each day and no internet, it was difficult to study. Nevertheless, Sandy and her brother George, also a student, did the best they could.

Mayor's Message
Congratulations to the Oakland Junior Police Academy Graduates 

I attended the graduation at Valley Middle School on July 26, 2019. It was a wonderful evening. Thank you to our Police Officers who coordinated the program, trained and taught our children. 

They gave our children an understanding of law enforcement while having a fun experience. Photos and more details are found on my Mayor's Facebook page: Mayor Linda H Schwager

A special thank you to our Oakland Police Department. We are so lucky to have an outstanding department protecting our town.

  • By the time you read this message you will have received your 2019/2020 tax bill. Please take notice how your property taxes are calculated by clicking on the link here. 

Until next time, Linda

Linda H. Schwager, Mayor of Oakland

Upcoming Public Meetings
Mayor and Council: August 14, 2019 and August 28, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Planning Board: August 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Board of Adjustment: August 13, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Board of Health: No July or August Meeting
Public Events: No July Meeting
Shade Tree: August 5, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. (Borough Hall Conference Room)
Green Team: August 27, 2019 at 7:15 p.m. (Borough Hall Conference Room)
Recreation Commission: No August Meeting
Environmental Commission: August 6, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Borough Hall Conference Room)
Flood Commission: No July Meeting
Communications Commission: September 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Council Chambers)

Your Monthly Garbage & Recycling Cheat Sheet
Yard Waste: This service ends on Monday December 9, 2019 or Tuesday December 10, 2019. Yard waste collection is every Monday or Tuesday depending on your side of town. If Monday is your garbage pickup, Tuesday is your yard waste collection. If Friday is your garbage collection, Monday is your yard waste collection.

Electronics: August 7 & 21

Paper: August 14 & 28

Comingled: August 7 & 21

Household Appliances/Metal: August 1

Trash: Mon & Thurs garbage collection on the South side of town. Tues & Fri garbage collection on the North side of town.
Recycling Information

Oakland residents have year round garbage collection twice per week based on your side of town. In the case of a holiday, pickup is skipped until the next regularly scheduled garbage collection day. Monday and Thursday garbage collection on the South side (see Streets) Tuesday and Friday garbage collection on the North side 

Both sides of town have a Recyclables collection every Wednesday. Paper/ Cardboard or Commingled (bottles, cans, containers) are collected on alternate weeks. Please check the enclosed dates for which material goes out on a particular day.  Residents must properly separate recyclables into two separate containers for collection or they cannot be picked up and will be left at the curb. 

Food and drink cartons can be recycled with commingled. Our hauler accepts clean food and beverage cartons. For best recycling results, do not flatten the cartons. 

Upcoming Deadlines
Recreation Commission
Oakland Recreation presents TGA Cheerleading Camp on August 12-16 for competitive cheer grades 5-8. The camp runs from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Meeting Place: Oakland Rec Fields
Camp is Monday - Friday (Rain or shine)
$150/Camper/Week

For more information, please contact Kevin Rooney at (201) 375-7406 or krooney@playtga.com.

Communications Commission
The Oakland Communications Commission is looking for volunteers to join the Oakland Television Committee and any interested residents wanting to serve as members on the Communications Commission. There is currently 1 Commissioner spot open! Those interested, are encouraged to attend the August 14th or 28th Council Meeting at 7:30 p.m. to receive a tour of the Control Room, and learn all about the OCC!

Dog Park Fundraising Subcommittee
The Dog Park Fundraising Subcommittee is looking for volunteers to join who are passionate and eager to jump in and help with the efforts to bring a dog park to town. Please email committee chairman Ryan Schwertfeger at dogrun4oakland@yahoo.com or visit our website here .
First Responders Flash Briefing

Summertime and the end-of-year holidays are when most Americans gather to enjoy their free time with friends and family. They are also some of the most deadly times on American roads due to impaired driving. That's why during the summer and the end of the year, a nationwide campaign comprised of thousands of traffic safety partners, join together to protect citizens from this deadly issue.

Despite their being a variety of ways to prevent yourself or someone you know from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while being impaired, people continue to do it. Ride sharing services, taxis and designating a sober driver has helped, but it is not enough. Also on the rise is driving while being impaired by illicit drugs or prescription medications. Depending on the substance, drugs and prescription medications can have the same or worse effects on the human body and its’ ability to operate a vehicle. Please be careful and think twice before getting behind the wheel while under the influence of any substances.

The Oakland Police Department will be paying special attention to this issue for the remainder of the summer by joining the Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Please make wise decisions when traveling on the roadways in Oakland and throughout the State.

Project Medicine Drop
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 Fire Department
Become a Member!
The Oakland Fire Department is always looking for additional volunteer firefighters to protect the lives and property of our neighbors in Oakland.  Our department has been serving the residents of Oakland for over 100 years (1909). The Oakland Fire Department is all volunteer. We operate from two firehouses, Company 1 at the Yawpo Ave firehouse and Company.

To become a member of the Oakland Fire Department you must be at least 16 years old, be a US Citizen, be in good physical condition, be a legal resident of Oakland for a minimum of six months and have not been convicted of a felony. Once accepted, you will need to complete an 18 week Basic Firefighters course, Firefighter I, at the Bergen County Fire Academy in Mahwah. 
For more information and a membership application, come to the Yawpo Ave firehouse any Monday night at 7:00 PM and ask to speak to one of the our Chiefs.
at the Hiawatha Blvd firehouse. 
Oakland Fire Department hosts the Junior Police Academy

On Friday, July 19th, the Oakland Junior Police Academy visited the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department to get some on hands training in firefighting skills. This visit was the kickoff of this year’s junior police academy which runs the week of July 19 – July 26, 2019 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Day 1 at the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department included a lunch followed by instructions in five different areas designed to help the participant understand and master the team building skills that are essential to becoming a fire fighter. The five team building areas were:
1st Station: Technical machinery skills using the Jaws of Life to stack soda cans. With this drill the participants learns how to help each other master the hydraulic skills needed to operate the Jaws of Life including understanding how to adjust the pressure of the tool by not popping the cans of soda.
2nd Station: Fire Extinguishing using the Bullex Training system. With the OVFD’s Bullex training system we were able to simulate the conditions of a small fire in a truck, including smoke conditions, that the junior academy members were then able to try and extinguish using our digital training fire hose and nozzle. The Bullex fire training system has a digital screen that displays fire and when the digital hose and nozzle are correctly applied to the digital fire it gets extinguished, if not applied correctly then the fire flares up and starts all over again.
3rd Station: Hose and Water Flow – here the participants learned how to unroll fire hose, how to make connections with an extra line and how to correctly attach the nozzle. And finally, they learned how to flow water from the fire truck and how to safely operate and control a fully charged line by knocking down safety cones.
4th Station: Putting on Turn0ut gear – at this station the academy teams learned how to properly put on full turnout gear and how to take it off leaving it in a ready position to be used for the next fire call. Full turnout gear, including an oxygen mask and tank weights up to 75 pounds.
5th Station: Raise a Level – Level: this station is designed to teach the participants how to work together to raise a level attached to a flat board to waist height keeping the bubble level at all times. This exercise if all about working and communicating as a team.

Station 1
Station 2
Station 3
Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery!

Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" has been recognized as America's most effective fire safety campaign, helping families keep safe should fire strike.
Working smoke alarms double a family's chances of surviving a home fire. As we change our clocks to spring ahead for Daylight Savings Time (DST), it is important that we also change the batteries in our smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
"The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 71% of smoke alarms which failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries." In the event of a fire, the safety of you and your family is dependent on a properly functioning smoke detector. Smoke spreads quickly during a fire and smoke alarms provide you enough time to evacuate the home before the situation becomes too dangerous. Properly installed and maintained smoke detectors are key for effective fire prevention.
NFPA provides the following guidelines regarding smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

  • Smoke alarms safety tips.
  • Test and vacuum your smoke alarms once a month. Dust and cobwebs can impair sensitivity. Press the test button to ensure the alarm is working.
  • Make sure that everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows the correct way to respond.
  • Smoke alarms in the home should be interconnected, when one sounds, they should all sound.
  • Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
  • If the smoke alarm uses a non-replaceable, life-long battery, it is effective for up to 10 years. When the unit begins to chirp, replace the entire alarm right away.
  • Replace the smoke alarm immediately if it does not respond properly when tested.

Oakland First Aid Squad
The First Aid Squad is comprised of several dedicated volunteers who respond 24/7 to help their fellow neighbor when called upon. As with most volunteer organizations in the current climate, our manpower is limited as people’s lives are hectic and finding the time to volunteer is becoming increasingly difficult. If you are interested in giving back to your community please consider joining the Oakland First Aid Squad. Training is free and the skills you learn could save someone you love. Applications are available at our building located at 285 Ramapo Valley Road, or you can obtain one anytime at Oaklandfas.org.
Oakland First Aid Squad
Congratulations to Gabriela Juniewicz on becoming a full senior member! Thank you for your hard work and dedication
Junior Police Academy OFAS
Congratulations to the 2019 Jr. Police Academy on their graduation last night! OFAS was lucky enough to meet all the recruits and teach them a few first aid tips and tricks.
Community Announcements
Oakland Public Library
ADULT SUMMER READING PROGRAM
June 17 - August 10, 2019
Registration begins Monday, June 17
The first 50 to register will receive gifts.
8 Weeks of Prizes (Grand Prize last week)

The Summer Reading Programs for Adults, Teens & Tweens, and Children are in full swing! Congratulations to the following winners in the Adult Department: Clara Fox, Dawn De Mott, Lan Lu-Hsieh and Lorie Provenzale, and Julie Norflus-Good. The Grand Prize is yet to be given out, so you have time to read and submit by August 10.     
SUMMER READING, ARE YOU!?

The demands of modern life can sometimes leave little time for favorite pastimes such as reading. Medical experts even suggest that picking up a good book can offer numerous benefits to your health and wellness. If you’re ever considering ways to improve the quality of your life, perhaps exploring the advantages that come with reading will be well worth it!"  www.readwritework.com   So, pull up a lawn chair and grab a book as  summer is a great time to give yourself a break from the hustle and bustle and settle in with a good read. The Oakland Library Reading program this summer has something for every age.

The Tweens and Teens (entering Grade 5 - 12 this fall) have programs galore including a Game Truck on July 25 and Laser Tag After Hours on July 19. The Children’s Department offers prizes each week for reading, and has booked the ever popular Carnival, Stomp Rockets, and a NASA program with Solar System Ambassador Mike Green, who brings along their mascot "Snoopy”. 

The Adult Department brings in  Anita Laugh  Comedy Show,  The Birth of Rock and Roll  with Joey G,  Baseball Odds and Ends , a Woodstock Anniversary Celebration, and great weekly prizes!

Please go to  www.oaklandnjlibrary.org  for information on all that the OPL is offering this summer.
Oakland Public Library
Lynda is a leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Oakland Public Library cardholders  
now have access to the lynda.com video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts. With tutorials in five languages, lynda.com is a global platform for success.  Sign in with your  OAKLAND library card and 4-digit pin at:  https://www.lynda.com/portal/sip?org=oakland.bccls.org
The link is also available on the Library's website:                                         http://oaklandnjlibrary.org/    
Oakland Public Library
CHESS on the Mezzanine at the Oakland Library 

Expand Your Gaming Universe
Every Tuesday from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 

Players of all ages and skill levels are
welcome. Beginner lessons are offered to anyone who is interested in learning how to play chess. Five  sets and one clock will be available. Players are encouraged to bring their own equipment.
Feel free to bring other board games you enjoy to play. There will also be both XiangQi (Chinese chess) & WeiQi (Go) sets for those partial to chess variants or those curious. 

This weekly program is free, registration is not required. 
Oakland Public Library
The Oakland Public Library invites you to Woodstock 50th Anniversary Celebration with Craig Harris on Tuesday August 13, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required. To register, click here.
Oakland Public Library
Need the Internet at home or on vacation? The Oakland Public Library is now loaning out Internet Hotspots. Oakland residents can now check-out the Internet with your books! Up to 10 personal devices can be connected to 1 hotspot. Call the library today for more information at 201-337-3742 or come to the library and check one out.
Oakland Senior Center
Did you know that the Senior Center is open to Oakland Residents 55+ years? That means all of these programs are available to you:

Zumba
Tai Chi
Yoga
Art Classes
Trips
Clubs
Billiards
Card Games
Presentations
Parties/Events & More!
 
And for those of you who need a ride, we offer a weekly shopping bus to Oakland Shoprite every Tuesday!

For questions or comments call Arielle Preciado, Director for Senior Services at (201) 405-7731.
Senior Center
The Senior Center will be holding an event on the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s on Thursday, August 15th at 1pm We will also be offering a fun day of games with a “Name that Tune” Gameshow with prizes for the winners on Thursday, August 29 th at 1pm.
 
Registration is requested for both programs by contacting the seniors center at 201-405-7731 or seniors@oakland-nj.org .
Bergen County Utilities Authority Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Please see below the upcoming dates for the Bergen County Utilities Authority Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.

The next event will take place on September 14, 2019 at the Bergen County Campgaw Mountain Reservation, Campgaw Road, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Free of charge for Bergen County residents only - ID is required.

Bergen County Utilities Authority Tire & Electronics Recycling
Please see below the upcoming dates for the Bergen County Utilities Authority Tire & Electronics Recycling Collection Event.

The next event will take place on Sunday October 6, 2019 at Bergen County Campgaw Reservation, 200 Campgaw Road. The event is from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Rain or Shine. Proof of residency in Bergen County is required. No business/commercial waste is accepted.
Sustainable Oakland Green Team "Recycle Beyond the Bag"
The Borough of Oakland is collecting the following items at the Oakland Public Library, 2 Lawlor Drive, Oakland, NJ 07436. Look for the white "Plastic Bags" box just inside the Library entrance and help us recycle your clean, empty bags and earn a FREE community bench!

  • Produce and Bread Bags
  • Grocery Bags
  • Cereal Box Liners
  • Ice Bags
  • Ziploc & other reclosable bags
  • Case overlap
  • Newspaper sleeves
  • Dry cleaning bags
  • Plastic shopping bags
  • Bubble wrap

Oakland in cooperation with Fair Lawn: Plastic Toy Collection
The Borough of Oakland in cooperation with Fair Lawn is excited to announce a "Plastic Toy Collection".

In cooperation with Second Chance Toys, Fair Lawn Recycling Division is now accepting plastic toys at the Recycling Center for donation. Chance Toys will donate the toys to children in need.

The drop-off is open Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Saturday's from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., and Sunday's from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Please see attendant or leave by the metal office at the center.

Requirements:
Toys must be clean!
Plastic ONLY.
Must be in working condition.
Include fully working batteries if required.

Sustainable Oakland Green Team Crayon and Marker Recycling
The Sustainable Oakland Green Team is collecting used and broken crayons and markers for our recycling program.
We will be sending the Markers to Crayola Color Cycle program. Through this initiative, students across the continental United States and parts of Canada can collect and re-purpose used markers and reduce waste in our community. 
We will be sending the crayons to The Crayon Initiative. This program collects unwanted crayons, melts them down and reproduces new crayons from the donations. These newly minted crayons
are then distributed to art programs at Children's Hospitals across the United States; bringing art and smiles to the young patients in need.
Please bring any of your old and used crayons and markers to the locations listed on the attached flyer.

Backyard Compost Bins
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.

Bergen County Splash Zone
Bergen County's Hottest Summer Attraction is here! The Splash Zone at Darlington County Park, 600 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah, NJ.

Bergen County
Bergen County offers a Free Lead Screening. Call for a free screening at (201) 634-2648.

Garfield Health Department
90 Elizabeth Street
Mondays from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Hackensack Civic Center
215 State Street
7/16, 8/13, 9/17
Bergen County
Bergen County is offering "Get Hip!" which assists homeowners who cannot afford much needed home improvements.

Email: gethip@bergen.co.nj.us

Bergen County
Bergen County would like to inform Oakland residents on how to prevent mosquito breeding sites by doing the following at least once a week:

  • Empty, clean, turn over and/or dispose of containers that can hold water, such as tires, buckets and flower pots, both inside and outside of your home.
  • Clean drains and gutters.
  • Keep swimming pools/ponds treated with recommended products to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. 

Did You Know?

  • Water + 7 days = Mosquitos!
  • There are over 60 species of mosquitos in New Jersey. 
Mosquito Protection
  • Use screens on open windows and keep doors closed
  • Wear long sleeved-bright colored clothing. 
  • Use an EPA registered insect repellent

Bergen County
Bergen County Department of Parks presents Movies and Music in the Park for 2019!

Movies at Dark take place at Van Saun County Park.

Terrific Thursdays take place at Overpeck County Park and feature free concert series.

Music at the Barn takes place at Wortendyke Barn Museum in Park Ridge and these are free concerts with food vendors.

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