NEW - Online Tax and Utility Payments
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Check your account balances through the
WIPP
1st if you have delinquent payments or interest due. The TAX Payment link will show the principal payment due for the current quarter only. The UTILITY payment link will show outstanding current balance plus any balance due within the next 30 days.
(On your first visit you will need to establish an account using an
email address as a Login ID
and your tax account I.D. If you use the same login ID Tax and Utility accounts can be linked)
(On your first visit you will need to establish an account using an
email address as a Login ID
and your utility account I.D. If you use the same login ID Tax and Utility accounts can be linked)
There is a $1.00 charge for checking on-line and a 2.5% fee for credit cards.
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Oakland's New Roller Rink in Only 2 Years, and Using No Oakland Tax Payer Dollars
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Yes! Oakland has a brand new roller rink which includes a freshly milled and finished surface floor, new boards, new fencing and a new flag pole with flag which will grace the west side of the recreation complex. Two years ago this did not seem like a reality while the youth roller hockey and adult street hockey programs were in danger of being cancelled. The Oakland rink and hockey programs were facing the same dilemma Franklin Lakes encountered 10-years ago but unlike Oakland, they chose to end their in-town hockey program and permanently dismantle their rink.
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Recreation Commission Chairman Mike Guadagnino and Roller Hockey Commissioner Vivian King.
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Five years prior to it’s closing, the old rink was seriously breaking down. Cracks were developing in the floor and after time these fissures became too large to be “filled in”. A patchwork project was implemented that would resurface the entire floor and finish it in an ice blue color. By the end of that patchwork season at least 60% of the ice blue paint had chipped away and the cracks were worsening. Given the opportunity to fix the rink or not get paid the contractor walked away from this job leaving the rink in a very sorry state.
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With the holiday season upon us we have so many exciting activities planned in our town.
Our annual Christmas tree and Chanukah Menorah lighting event shall take place on Sunday evening, December 8th at 5:00 pm in Veteran's Park.
This is always a special ceremony culminating with a visit from Santa arriving on the Oakland fire truck. Afterward, we are all invited to go into Valley Middle School for entertainment, food and a visit with Santa. Looking forward to seeing you there.
I wish everyone a very happy and a very healthy Happy Holiday and New Year.
Until next time,
Mayor Linda Schwager
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Most Read Stories of the Year
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Chopper Russo: A Man for All Seasons
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No grass grows under Chopper Russo's feet. It's been this way since childhood. At seven years old he held a car wash, and a sign he made for it read: “Try us, you will like us.” Ever since then, it’s been one marketing-advertising-volunteer (ad)venture after another. Chopper Russo was born in Saddle Brook in 1961. He adopted the nickname “Chopper” after a cartoon character, that he had given to his brother.
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Oakland Recreation Commission Chair Mike Guadagnino Credits Dedicated Volunteers for Success of Past Projects, and Shares Vision for Future Ones
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Mike Guadagnino, who moved to Oakland in 1998, first became involved in sports recreation through his role as a dad.
He started out coaching when his kids began playing sports, then joined the baseball leadership, eventually becoming the baseball commissioner.
“I wanted to make a difference,” he said about why he took on coaching and volunteering on the commission.
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With both his children, Michael and Nicole, playing travel sports, Guadagnino had an opportunity to visit fields around the state, and those visits sparked ideas for creating and improving recreational fields and facilities back home in Oakland.
During his tenure, six baseball fields were revamped.
“The ones we had were tired,” he said, adding that it's important to "always work to make something better."
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Oakland Resident Sees His Decade-long Dream -- And Promise To His Late Mother -- For A Borough Dog Park Get Closer To Being A Reality
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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.
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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.
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Oakland Resident Eddie Kimmel, 80, Still Fighting Fires and Doing Rescues After 53 Years
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It was Monday night, 7 p.m., and volunteers with the Oakland Fire Department started streaming in for the weekly 2.5-hour drill.
Eddie Kimmel was among them, just as he has been for the last 53 years.
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At 80 years old, Kimmel is the longest-serving volunteer at the firehouse. His pager is always right by him. When a call comes in, he rushes to his car and heads to the firehouse on Yawpo Avenue.
His helmet says No. 139 and “Ex-Chief” – he still beams with a sense of pride and duty when he puts it on.
There isn’t a job at the department Kimmel hasn’t done. He rose up the ranks to eventually serve as chief in the mid-1980s, then went back to being a “black hat,” as he put it, using the industry parlance for “firefighter.”
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Meet Oakland Police Dispatcher Kate Foster
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When Kate Foster, who was an emergency medical technician, set out in search of a steady paycheck in 1998, her father alerted her to a police dispatcher job opening in Oakland.
Foster’s true dream was to pursue a career in athletic training.
“I wanted to be outside, I didn’t want to be at a desk and wear a uniform,” she said.
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Fast-forward 21 years, and you’ll see Foster still diligently doing her dispatcher job at the Oakland Police Department.
The borough police officers are not just her co-workers, Foster said, “they’re my family.”
“I worry about these guys,” Foster said. “My job, at the end of the day, is to make sure everyone gets home safe.”
Foster, who is 42, is one of two women in the department, but she said the police officers treat her as an equal.
“I like the fact that they treat me like one of the guys,” she said. “I don’t want to be treated differently. We’ve got each other’s backs.”
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Mayor and Council:
December 4, 2019 and December 18, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Planning Board:
December 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Board of Adjustment:
December 10, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Board of Health:
December 17, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Borough Hall Conference Room)
Public Events:
December 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Oakland Senior Center)
Shade Tree:
December 2, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. (Borough Hall Conference Room)
Green Team:
No meeting in December
Recreation Commission:
December 16, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. (Danny D Building, 24 Lawlor Drive)
Environmental Commission:
December 3, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Borough Hall Conference Room)
Flood Commission:
December 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.(Senior Center, 20 Lawlor Drive)
Communications Commission:
No Meeting in December
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Your Monthly Garbage & Recycling Cheat Sheet
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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:
December 4 & 18
Paper:
December 4 & 18
Commingled:
December 11 & 26*
Household Appliances/Metal:
Dec. 5
Trash:
Mon & Thurs garbage collection on the South side of town. Tues & Fri garbage collection on the North side of town.
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Recycling Information
Garbage and Recycling barrels must be placed at the curb prior to 5:00am on the day of your scheduled collection. Please note that it is unlawful to place garbage, recyclables, or yard waste at curbside earlier than 4:00pm prior to the day of collection. All empty barrels need to be removed from the curb before 9:00pm on collection day. Please retrieve your empty cans from curbside as soon as possible.
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.
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Oakland Holiday Lights Committee
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The Borough of Oakland is excited to announce Oakland’s 2nd Annual Holiday Lighting Showcase! Register by visiting Oakland Holiday Lights on Facebook or email Jen at jen@chopperrussogroup.com
☃️❄️✨🎄
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The Borough of Oakland announces the sale of 2019 and prior year delinquent taxes and other municipal charges through an online auction on 12/20/2019. For the listing of parcels, please
click here
. Information can be viewed free of charge as of 11/20/2019.
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Mayor Linda H. Schwager and the Borough Council invite you to Oakland's Annual 'Christmas Tree & Menorah Lighting Ceremony' on Sunday December 8, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. at Veterans Park.
Santa, Orchestra, Holiday Food, and Beverages immediately following at Valley Middle School.
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Oakland Braves U13-U14 Travel Baseball Tryout sign ups have begun, please sign up online at:
Please bring $20 cash or a check made out to Sports Association of Oakland to the tryout. Tryout Dates and Times will be announced shortly.
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Communications Commission
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The Oakland TV Committee is seeking volunteers to help with the filming of Council Meetings and other events in town. To those interested, please contact occ@oakland-nj.org for more information and to receive a tour of the TV Studio/Control Room.
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The Oakland Shade Tree Commission is looking to fill two vacancies. To those who may be interested, please submit a
citizen leadership form
to the Borough Clerk's Office, or contact the Shade Tree Commission at ShadeTree@Oakland-nj.org.
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First Responders Flash
Briefing
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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:
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AAA Safety Award -- Congrats!
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Congratulations to Oakland Police Chief Keith Sanzari and the entire Oakland Police Department for receiving the 2019 Silver Award for Traffic Safety from NJ AAA. We are proud —thank you Oakland Police Officers.
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Oakland Fire Department
Become a Member!
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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.
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Oakland First Aid Squad celebrates 65 years!
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The Oakland First Aid Squad is in its 65th year of service providing emergency medical care to the residents of Oakland! We have been able to provide this crucial service with the men and women who chose to volunteer their time and skills to help someone in need. We are beginning our fall membership drive and urge YOU to consider becoming a member of this critical organization. Training is free and will last a lifetime. Below is a list of some topics you will learn:
- situational awareness
- airway management
- bleeding control
- CPR
- emergency wound care/splinting
- shock treatment
- stroke signs and treatments
- pediatric emergencies
- bio-terrorism awareness
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Oakland Public Library
Bookmanship Degree returns to Oakland Library!
Semester runs until March 1st, and you can signup any-time.
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Read 10 OPL books from separate categories: Audio Book, Auto or Biography, Book that Became a Movie, Classic Children's Book, Comedy, Fantasy Novel, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Historical Non-Fiction, Graphic Novel, Mystery/Crime, One Day Read, One Word Title, Published 5 Years After You Were Born, READER'S CHOICE, Reviewed by Book Page, Science Fiction, Suspense/Thriller, Story Takes Place Outside of USA, Story Takes Place in NJ, Young Adult Novel, Western.
10 books read during the winter months... YOU CAN DO IT! Select a DOUBLE MAJOR READ 20!
All "graduates" will be placed in a drawing for an Uncle Giuseppe's Gift Card.
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Waging Peace in Vietnam U.S. Soldiers and Veterans who Opposed the War
Exhibit and Book Launch
Thursday, December 5 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Featuring : Ron Carver and Barbara Doherty, Co-editors, Waging Peace in
Vietnam, Jan Barry, Vietnam Veteran, Poet, Author, Journalist, Professor
JJ Johnson, Fort Hood, Three, sentenced to prison for refusing to deploy to Vietnam, Journalist
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
12/5 1:00pm: Bergen County Presentation “Protecting Yourself in the Retail World”
12/17 Bus Leaves Senior Center 9:30am: Trip to Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, PA (Space is still available. Register in the Senior Center Office $12)
12/19 at 1:00pm: History of Christmas Traditions Presentation
12/26 1:00pm: Bingo
12/31 Doors Open at 11:00am: “Noon Year’s Eve Party” (Sign up in the Senior Center Beginning 12/3 $5pp)
Please see the Senior Center Calendar (available online & at the Senior Center) for more information.
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The Oakland Senior Center presents "Wind Creek Casino Trip" on Tuesday December 17, 2019. The trip departs the Senior Center at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $10 + $2 tip for the driver. Sign-up in the Senior Center Office!
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The Oakland Shade Tree Commission has announced a logo contest for all residents of Oakland, NJ. The winning Shade Tree Commission logo will be used on all correspondence, signage and printed materials, as well as the borough website.
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Oakland in cooperation with Fair Lawn: Plastic Toy Collection
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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.
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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.
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team
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The Sustainable Oakland Green Team is collecting your used, old, and broken crayons and markers! Please drop off at the Oakland Public Library, 2 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, NJ 07436.
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team
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The Sustainable Oakland Green Team would like to remind residents to be "Idle Free" and stop car idling!
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team
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The Borough of Oakland is collecting the following items at the Oakland Public Library. Look for the white "Plastic Bags" Box just inside the Library Entrance and help us recycle your clean, empty bags and help us earn a FREE community bench.
- Produce and Bread Bags
- Grocery Bags
- Cereal Box Liners
- Ice Bags
- Ziploc and other reclosable bags
- Case overlap
- Newspaper sleeves
- Dry cleaning bags
- Plastic shopping bags
- Bubble wrap
- Amazon Poly Mailers
- USPS Flat Rate Bubble Mailers
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team
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Thank you to everyone who has been recycling razors at Shop Rite for Sustainable Oakland Green Team’s collection. The bin is currently full and the Green Team is awaiting a new bin. We will post when the bin is available to the public. Thank you for making our program a success!
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team is currently looking for new members. We have exciting projects underway including a Community Garden, Arts Council, Forest Restoration, Innovative Recycling & Waste Reduction and Community Events. A small commitment can have a huge impact.
If interested, please contact Carol Peterson at GreenTeam@oakland-nj.org.
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Bergen County Winter Wonderland is almost here! Get your tickets now at a special pre-sale price. Tickets at this price are limited, so don't miss out!
www.bergencountywinterwonderland.com
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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
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Bergen County Executive James Tedesco and the Board of Chosen Freeholders invite you to "Holidays with the Animals" at the Bergen County Zoo on Sunday December 15, 2019.
Enjoy costumed characters and FREE refreshments. Visit and take holiday pictures from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Animals receive their presents at 2:15 p.m.
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Bergen County
The Bergen County Zoo has released the Family Fall & Spring Programs 2019-2020. Please fill out the form and send to the attention of the education department at the zoo if you wish to enroll your child(ren) in any of the programs.
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Follow the Borough of Oakland on Twitter and Facebook!
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Are you interested in submitting content to the newsletter?
Want to join the Newsletter Committee?
Learn more about the Oakland Communications Commission? Provide feedback?
Click below and learn more about what we do and how you can be involved.
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Mayor Linda H. Schwager
Council Members
Council President - Robert Knapp
John Biale, Eric Kulmala, Lewis Levy, Pat Pignatelli, Russell Talamini
Chairman Ryan Schwertfeger
Vice Chairwoman Elizabeth Llorente
Jim Barry, Alex McVeigh, Andrea Levy
Patricia Carrera (Alt.), Salma Shamy (Alt. 2)
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(c) 2019 Oakland Communications Commission
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Borough of Oakland, New Jersey
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