November 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 First Aid Squad Plays Vital Role During Pandemic
If there’s a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic for the Oakland First Aid Squad, it’s that calls for assistance are down dramatically so far this year. And fortunately, all squad members continue to test negative for the virus.

“During a normal year, we respond to between 900 to 1,000 calls,” says Matt Goodrich, chief of the John Robert Walker Memorial Oakland First Aid Squad. Through the first nine months of 2020, though, “we’re below 500,” he adds.
“Call volume tanked with the coronavirus. Nobody wanted to go to the hospital. People only called for ambulances when it was a real emergency.”


Indeed, in April, the squad received just eight calls for assistance.

“We normally get 80,” Goodrich remarks.

By June, calls started to tick back up and by mid-October, call frequency had returned to its norm.
Oakland’s Bountiful Nature Captured in Photos by Borough Resident
The seven acres of woods behind Denise Stewart Liss’ childhood home became her playground. 

She spent her days in harmony with the critters that lived there. Remaining close to home was essential with her mother off at work and her disabled father home needing care.
Upon learning these same wooded acres might be developed by builders, her mother, Dorothy Stewart, assisted by her sister, Oakland resident Linda Stewart Arns, lobbied municipal, county and land preservation entities until they were successful in having the land declared preserved.
 
Known as “Stewart Woods,” the seven-acre park fronts on Ramapo Valley Road across from the Ambulance Building and backs up to the former Stewart residence. It is there for Oaklanders to enjoy, a gift for posterity.
Be a Good Neighbor - Be Bear Aware
New Jersey is home to all kinds of beautiful wildlife - including black bears. 

Black bears are getting a lot of attention these days, for the wrong reasons. They're venturing too close to homes and into backyards, looking for food. Bears that look for food near your home or in your yard likely have learned bad habits from people who feed them intentionally, or unintentionally by carelessly leaving out food or garbage. 
Black Bear on Raeben Ave. in September
People who feed bears think they're helping them. But it only invites trouble. It can make them a nuisance or even aggressive. When this happens, the bears must be destroyed to protect your family and your neighbors. What's more, it's illegal to feed bears in New Jersey. Anyone who feeds bears could face a penalty of up to $1,000 for each offense.

Taking steps to avoid attracting bears with food or garbage is the best way to prevent them from becoming as nuisance near your home. 
Mayor Schwager's Message
A few months ago a friend stopped in my office crying. She told me her nephew was arrested in Florida and needed money for bail. She was going to the bank to get a bank check because she was told the bail could only be paid by a bank check sent overnight or wire transfer. She was convinced this was real because the caller had personal information about her family. When asked to speak with her nephew she was told she could not speak with him because he was in jail. Luckily my friend contacted me before going to the bank. I called the police department in Florida to confirm the situation. We found out that this was a scam!
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: November 4 & 18

Paper: November 4 & 18

Commingled: November 11 & 25

Household Appliances/Metal: Nov. 12

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 Provide Update on Car Burglaries
Through a thorough investigation, an individual from East Orange was identified and charged with the car burglaries that occurred in Oakland during the early morning hours on September 25, 2020.
The subject was charged with twenty counts of burglary and fourteen counts of theft. He is currently lodged in jail based on the charges filed by the Oakland Police Department and other jurisdictions.
 
The Oakland Police Department would like to thank all of the residents who shared their surveillance and doorbell camera footage. This evidence was an important factor in locating and identifying the suspect. Remember, locks your cars, bring your keys/fobs into your house and hide your valuables. Thank you Oakland!
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 'Tech Tuesday's' with Jessika
Oakland Library patrons can ask questions related to their computer, tablet, Chromebook or smartphone. Our Reference Librarian Jessika will be able to answer your questions about video calling, apps, Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Email, YouTube or any of the services OPL offers: RB Digital, Hoopla, Libby Over Drive, Rosetta Stone or Lynda.
Please email jessika.santulli@oakland.bccls.orgor call the Library 201-337-3742 ext. 7004 and leave your name and number and what you would like to review. Jessika will call you back and set up an appointment with you. Appointments will be no longer than 30 minutes. You may select either telephone or Zoom call appointments. 
Oakland Senior Center
Update from the Oakland Senior Center:

The Oakland Senior Center has a mix of in person, zoom only, and hybrid programs available. This is indicated on the calendar. 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.

Through the county’s Division of Senior Services, the Senior Center will be offering private appointments for anyone who needs assistance with navigating Medicare through SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) with a state certified counselor. Open enrollment for Medicare are 10/15- 12/7. The next date for SHIP appointments will be Monday, November 9. Appointments will begin at 9:30am and run up to 45 minutes. They are on a first come first serve basis. If anyone is interested in learning more or setting up an appointment, they can contact myself at the Senior Center at (201) 405-7731. A flyer with additional information is available on the Oakland Website and to pick up at the Senior Center.

With the Oakland Library, the Oakland Senior Center will be offering a new service to homebound Oakland Seniors and members of the community with disabilities. Books 2 Go is a book and media delivery program where we will drop off your rentals right to your house weekly and pick up your returns. The service will begin the week of October 5th. Book delivery and returns will be held weekly on Tuesdays by the Senior Center Bus. Those interested are asked to call the library at (201) 337-3742 to reserve your books. If you don’t have a specific book in mind, no problem! The fantastic staff at the library will put together book bundles based on your preferences. A flyer is available on the Oakland website.

The Senior Center’s weekly shopping bus has resumed service and is open to Oakland residents 55+. We offer door to door transportation to Shoprite weekly and alternate locations within Oakland by appointment. A flyer with more information is available on the Oakland Website and at the Senior Center to pick up.
Oakland Senior Center Announces Winter Hours
The Borough of Oakland Senior Center has announced winter hours from November 2, 2020 to February 26, 2021. The hours will be Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Oakland Recreation Department, also located at 20 Lawlor Drive, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please leave any mail in the white drop box outside the front door. 
Oakland Senior Center Transportation Program Schedule
The Borough of Oakland Senior Center Transportation Program is back up and running. For reservations, please call the Senior Center no later than 4:00 p.m. on the Monday before your requested trip at (201) 405-7731.
Oakland Senior Center 'Books to Go' Program
The Borough of Oakland Senior Center and the Oakland Public Library are offering 'Books to Go' Program, which began earlier this Fall. Contact the Library and see availability of books. Delivery and pick-ups will take place every Tuesday by the Senior Center Van. To reserve books, (201) 337-3742.
Recent News
Updated Quarantine Advisory Issued for Individuals Traveling to New Jersey, Bringing New Total to 41 States and Territories
Governor Phil Murphy advised individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes the addition of California and Massachusetts, bringing the total to 41 states and territories.
The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, October 27, there are currently 41 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; New Mexico; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; West Virginia; and Wyoming.  
Beware of Coronavirus Scams and Fraud
The Borough of Oakland urges residents, particularly those receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other public assistance programs, to be wary of phone solicitations in which fraudsters may attempt to elicit confidential information, including bank account numbers.
The alert is based on an incident reported in Hudson County in which an individual receiving SNAP benefits received a solicitation by phone from a person claiming to represent a consulting company and, during the call, requested bank account information. Hudson County authorities issued an alert earlier this week warning residents, especially SNAP clients or applicants, to beware of any solicitations for benefits made by any person, company or agency other than its Division of Family Services.
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.
Creative Bergen Wants to Hear From Local Artists in Oakland & Bergen County
Calling all of Bergen County. The Bergen County Sustainable Jersey HUB and the Sustainable Oakland Green Team are seeking local artists (visual, performing, musical, etc.) to be one of our creative assets and take the survey here.
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. 
Borough of Oakland Selling Backyard Composters
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 Reminds You To Eliminate Idling
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 Battery Recycling Program
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 hosted a 'Coping with Coronavirus' Seminar in early October. The seminar is available for viewing on the Borough's YouTube Channel by clicking the link to the left.

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 hosted a Breast Health and Breast Cancer Awareness Seminar last week. The full seminar is available on the Borough's YouTube Page by clicking the link to the right.

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.
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