January 2019
Hello!

Here's the latest information about things going on the Borough of Oakland this month, assembled and produced by the volunteers on the Oakland Communications Commission's Newsletter Committee.
Top Stories
Thomas "Chopper" Russo, Our Hometown Hero!
Congressman Josh Gottheimer named Oakland resident Thomas “Chopper” Russo as a recipient of the 5th District Hometown Heroes Awards Program. Russo, a ubiquitous presence in Oakland, was honored along with other community leaders from various Bergen County municipalities on December 14 at the Trustees Pavilion at Ramapo College, in Mahwah.

Officer Edward McDermott: Serving Oakland Through His Job And Community Involvement
Serving his community is embedded in Officer Edward McDermott's DNA. 
Growing up in Edgewater, he and his family were all active in emergency services, firefighting and law enforcement.

Officer McDermott came to live in Oakland in 1998. A year later he completed his training at the State Police Academy and began his career in Oakland. Today, he is vice president of the Oakland P.B.A. and a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader.

President Donald J. Trump Signs Legislation Naming The Oakland Post Office The “Frank Leone Post Office”
A move 4 years in the making, President Donald J. Trump has signed legislation naming the Oakland post office for World War II Veteran and Former Post Master of 48 years, Frank Leone.
The Oakland post office, at 332 Ramapo Valley Road, will now be known as the Frank Leone Post Office. The White House says Trump signed House Resolution 6428 on December 21, 2018. The Borough of Oakland would like to thank Congressman Josh Gottheimer for sponsoring the bill, and for advocating on its passage.  

Oakland Mayor And Council Honor Communications Commissioner Fred Birks For Launching And Successfully Operating Borough Public Access TV
He is an original member of the Oakland Communications Commission and, most significantly, played a pivotal role in designing and launching Oakland’s public access television station.

After about 20 years of dedicated service and applying the highest standards to the borough’s television station, Birks announced his retirement in late 2018.

Winners Of The Annual Oakland Holiday Lights Competition
Amazing displays are all around Oakland. The judges finished their assessment and have awarded the following:

1st runner up in Dogwood section is 8 Hatfield and 2nd runner up is 165 Page. In the Heights section 1st runner up is 35 Princeton and 2nd runner up is 78 Hiawatha. In the Manito section 1st runner up is 93 Algonquin and 2nd runner up is 46 Pawnee.

The best of town, best of show and best of the best for 2018 is 54 Saratoga !

Congratulations to the entire town because were all big winners with neighbors like all those that took part in this…..Thank you for helping us put this together and if any of you want to help us next year with this, please reach out and contact me……….

Thank you again!
-Mike Rose
Mayor's Message
This has been a very exciting month celebrating the winners of Congressman Josh Gottheimer's 5th District Hometown Heroes. Congratulations to two residents who received the awards this year: Chopper Russo and Keith Gross. I never had the opportunity to publicly congratulate last year's winner, Mike Guadagnino. Mike, chairman of Great Oak Park, and your committee deserve so much gratitude for all that you are doing for our residents.

By the time you read this newsletter, Oakland's First Annual Holiday Decorating Contest will be concluded. The winners will have been announced. So, remember, to participate next year! Thank you to Chopper Russo and Mike Rose for organizing this event. I'm told that residents have already contacted Chopper and Mike about helping with next year's program.

Your Monthly Garbage & Recycling Cheat Sheet
Yard Waste: No yard waste. Christmas trees will be picked up on a sporadic basis in January.

Electronics: January 2 & 16

Paper: January 2, 16 & 30

Plastic: January 9 & 23

Trash: Mon & Thurs garbage collection on the South side of town. Tues & Fri garbage collection on the North side of town.
Borough Boards & Committees News
Emerald Ash Borer Warning
The Borough of Oakland urges Residents to Be On the Lookout for the Tree-Killing Emerald Ash Borer
Oakland —in 2018, the emerald ash borer was found in Oakland. As this invasive pest can easily spread to neighboring trees, all residents should check their ash trees for symptoms of infestation.
“The emerald ash borer will kill 99 percent of all ash trees within the next few years,” said the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. “Residents should identify ash trees on their property and monitor for signs of damage or decline such as unusual woodpecker activity or missing bark.”

Dog And Cat Licenses
Oakland Residents: Dog and Cat Licensing renewals are now due .

Residents who previously registered their dog or cat will receive a letter in the mail from the Borough with a return envelope for renewal. Residents have until February 15, 2019 to renew before a late fee of $15 is assessed.

The application can be found here , and residents are encouraged to mail back their application to: “One Municipal Plaza, Oakland, NJ 07436, Attn: Borough Clerk”.
Recreation Commission
The 2019 Girls Volleyball Clinic Registration Information For Girls In 3rd - 8th Grade is available now. Click on the schedule above.

Any questions, please contact Sandra Coira, Volleyball Commissioner, at oaklandreccom@gmail.com.
The Registration Form on the following Borough website link:

Property Taxes Are Due February 1st, 2019
Reminder: Property Taxes are due by February 1st. You can find account information here: Borough of Oakland NJ Tax Account Information
Oakland Green Team Wins Sustainable Jersey Bronze Certification
The Borough of Oakland has received the 2017 Sustainable Jersey bronze certification as a sustainable community in recognition of the Oakland Green Team's work. Sustainable Jersey certification is a prestigious designation for municipal governments in New Jersey.
Municipalities that achieve the certification are considered by their peers, by state government and by the experts and civic organizations in New Jersey, to be among the leading municipalities. The certification is a rigorous and meaningful designation. All actions taken by municipalities to score points toward certification must be accompanied by documentary evidence and is reviewed.

Click the following link to read more about the Green Team 2018 Update .
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.

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
Vehicle Break-ins In Oakland
Recently, some of your neighbors have experienced vehicle break-ins. If you experience a break-in or see any suspicious activity, even if no harm or damage is done, please report the incident to the police as soon as possible.
 All information that residents provide helps the police investigation and may lead to the apprehension of the perpetrator(s).Remember…If there is something valuable that you must keep in your vehicle, conceal it. If you don’t have to keep a valuable item in your vehicle, take it out and secure it in your residence. These items include wallets, purses, cell phones, sunglasses, computer bags, tools, etc. Car burglars are looking for any item(s) they can make quick money off of.

The easiest way to prevent a car burglary is to remove your key fob or keys from the vehicle when it is unoccupied and to keep your vehicle locked at all times.This helps to keep Oakland safer for you and your neighbors.

Emergency: 9-1-1. Oakland Police Dispatch: 201-337-6171 ext. 0
Congratulations!
Pictured (L-R) are Detective Piercy, Officer Martin, Officer Fitzgerald and Captain Sanzari

Congratulations to Officer Jacob Martin and Officer Patrick Fitzgerald on graduating from the Bergen County Police Academy. 
On December 19, 2018, the Borough of Oakland and the Oakland Police Department announced the hiring of Police Officer Brandon VanDerVeen.

Congratulations and best of luck in your new career with the Oakland Police Department.
Santa Run
The Oakland Volunteer Fire Department's Santa Run was successful and enjoyed by many Oakland children who came out to see Santa and the fire truck.

Meet Conor DeNicola , he's been a member on OFAS since 2015 and has been an integral member of our organization. Conor first began his career as a first responder by becoming a firefighter and serving on the Franklin Lakes Fire Department for a few years. Shortly after, he joined the Oakland First Aid Squad as a driver and has continued to help our squad become what it is today.

Ever since he has joined OFAS, Conor has participated on many of the squad’s committees including the driver training committee and even serves as chairman of the maintenance committee. Conor first joined OFAS to be able to volunteer and help those in town and enjoys giving back to the community. Since Conor’s time on OFAS he has expanded his first responder experience and has become a Class 1 police officer on Haledon Police Department.
Community Announcements
Oakland Public Library
Oakland Library Favorite Foreign Films

Greenfingers

Monday, January 7 at
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Oakland Public Library
2 Municipal Plaza

The beauty and delicacy of a flower seems a sharp contrast to the rough exterior of a prison inmate with a green thumb who goes on to complete in a national gardening competition. Yet these two images are exactly what writer/director Joel Hershman brings together in "Greenfingers," a story of redemption that not only tickles the funny bone, but touches the soul.
Stay afterwards for coffee, cookies and conversation about the film in the Maker Space. Food is not allowed in the Film Room. 

Featuring Helen Mirren, David Kelly, Clive Owen.

Please call the library at (201) 337-3742 to register, or register online.

Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders Annual Reorganization
The Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders cordially invite you to the 2019 Annual Reorganization Meeting on Monday January 7, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bergen County Administration Building, 5th Floor Meeting Room, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ. — at County of Bergen Administration Building .

Stigma-Free Symposium
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual County-Wide STIGMA-FREE Symposium on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at The Terrace at Biagio's in Paramus, NJ. Please arrive at 8:30 a.m. for registration, breakfast and networking. 
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