Hello!
Here's the latest information about things going on in the Borough of Oakland this month, assembled and produced in a collaboration between the volunteers on the Oakland Communications Commission's Newsletter Committee and the Assistant to the Borough Administrator.
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Remembering Thomas McGinnis, Oakland Resident Who Perished in Sept. 11 Attack |
When terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, Oakland resident Thomas McGinnis was on the 92nd floor of the North Tower. He was in a conference room with coworkers from Carr Futures, where he was a commodities broker, who had been having a meeting there.
An American Airlines Boeing 767 was deliberately crashed into the North Tower at 8:45 a.m.
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The 41-year-old called his wife, Iliana, that morning to tell her he was trapped, according to published reports. "This looks really, really bad," he told her.
She told him not to despair, and to have faith that he would get out to safety.
“You don’t understand,” he told her, recounted a NorthJersey.com article. “There are people jumping from the floors above us. If we get out of here, it will be a miracle.”
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Oakland Police Officer Shares Recollections of Sept. 11, 2001 |
When Officer Ed McDermott was a little boy, he would often accompany his grandfather around North Bergen and listen with intrigue as he and his friends reflected on historic events such as the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. |
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“They’d tell stories about where they were, what they were doing that day, what they thought when they heard about it, and what they did afterward,” Officer McDermott recalled. “Afterward, some people enlisted in the military, some people became doctors, or nurses.”
With the approaching 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Officer McDermott thought about how—similar to him with regard to Pearl Harbor--many Oakland residents, including his own two teenage children and even many of his colleagues on the borough police force, were either not born or were too young to have recollections about that fateful day.
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Meet Sean Bowe, Dogwood Hill School Principal |
Sean Bowe comes from a family of educators.
His grandfather was the superintendent of schools in Little Falls and his father was a teacher who then transitioned to the restaurant industry.
“I was married young,” said Bowe, who grew up in Cedar Grove. “I have a son who just graduated college and is completing the paperwork to enter veterinary school. My younger son is a junior in high school.”
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After graduating college, Bowe worked in the corporate world for 10 years, deciding eventually to turn to education as his calling. His first job was in 2007 teaching third grade students in Oakland’s Dogwood Hill School. During that time he obtained his Master’s degree and Principal’s Certification and, after three years in Dogwood and a stint in Ramsey’s schools, he received tenure. He was appointed assistant principal in North Haledon and two years later became principal of a Riverdale public school. |
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Borough of Oakland Expands COVID-19 Testing Hours at Oakland Senior Center |
The Borough of Oakland has announced expanded hours for COVID-19 testing at the Borough's testing site beginning August 30, 2021. The site, located at the Oakland Senior Center, 20 Lawlor Drive, Oakland, N.J. 07436, will be open on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 12:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The site is closed on Labor Day. |
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The site is open to all Northwest Bergen municipalities, including Allendale, Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Ho-Ho-Kus, Mahwah, Midland Park, Oakland, Pompton Lakes, Ramsey, Ridgewood, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Waldwick, Wanaque, Wayne, and Wyckoff residents.
The testing will be overseen by the Borough in collaboration with the Board of Health with testing provided by Bio Vision Group. Residents must remain in their cars until a representative comes to you. Residents must bring form of identification/driver’s license, and an insurance card if applicable. There is no additional out of pocket cost.
Residents who wish to be tested can schedule an appointment online here.
Updates, as necessary, will be posted on Borough social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram), and the Borough website, www.oakland-nj.org.
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In the September issue of New Jersey Monthly Magazine, Oakland was featured in the article, "the next hot markets--with housing demand zooming, here are 12 markets to watch......"
The article about Oakland can be found on page 49. Oakland was named as one of twelve towns in New Jersey featured. AND.....we also have a picture with one of our newest residents.
Summer is over and that means Back to School. Hoping for a happy and healthy school year.
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Your Monthly Garbage & Recycling Cheat Sheet |
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Yard Waste: Yard waste is collected every Monday or Tuesday depending on your side of town. If Monday is your garbage collection, Tuesday is your yard waste pickup. If Friday is your garbage collection, Monday is your yard waste pickup. If your yard waste pickup falls on Memorial Day or Labor Day holiday, there is a makeup collection the next day (Tuesday).
Electronics: September 1 & 15
Paper: September 8 & 22
Commingled: September 1, 15, 29
Household Appliances/Metal: September 9
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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First Responders Flash Briefing
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Oakland Police Department Joins "Neighbors by Ring"
The Oakland Police Department is excited to be joining 'Neighbors by Ring' in their efforts to connect with residents and improve the safety of our community. Neighbors allows you, the user, to share photos, videos, and information related to local crime and safety incidents so fellow residents can stay informed.
Neighbors by Ring app can be downloaded for free on the App Store or Google Play. Remember, you do not have to have a Ring doorbell/device to be able to use and/or contribute to this app. For more information visit www.ring.com/neighbors.
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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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Update from the Oakland Senior Center:
We have 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.
In cooperation with the Oakland Library, we now offer Books 2 Go 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 home weekly and pick up your returns. Book delivery and returns will be conducted weekly on Tuesdays using 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 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.
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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. |
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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. |
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Bergen County Vaccination Center Now Offering Third Doses for Immunocompromised |
The County of Bergen in partnership with Bergen New Bridge Medical Center announces that starting today Tuesday, August 17, the Bergen County Vaccination Center will begin offering third dose “boosters” of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to those who are immunocompromised in accordance with CDC guidelines. |
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The Bergen County Vaccination Center also continues to offer all three COVID-19 vaccines to those who have yet to receive a first dose. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available to anyone age 12 or older and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines are available to anyone age 18 or older. Bergen County health officials strongly urge all who are eligible to receive their vaccines as the beginning of school is quickly approaching.
The Bergen County Vaccination Center is located on the campus of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, 230 E Ridgewood Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652. Vaccinations will be offered Tuesday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For a full list of qualifying immunocompromising conditions, please visit the CDC website.
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NJ Board of Public Utilities Announces Public Hearing for Orange and Rockland Utilities Proposed Rate Increases |
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has announced a public hearing over proposed rate increases on September 24, 2021 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Customers may participate by:
Dial-in: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 811 6938 5033
Passcode: 601732
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Representatives from Orange and Rockland, Board Staff, and Rate Counsel will participate in the hearing. In order to encourage full participation in this opportunity for public comment, please submit any requests for needed accommodations, such as interpreters or listening assistance, 48 hours prior to the above hearings to the Board Secretary at board.secretary@bpu.nj.gov.
Details instructions for filing e-comments can be found at https://www.nj.gov/bpu/agenda/efiling.
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Update from the Tax Collector |
Homestead Benefits Program:
The NJ Division of Taxation has announced that they will begin mailing out the 2018 Homestead Benefit applications in mid-September. They advise anyone who requested the application be sent electronically, to be mindful of this date and to check their junk folders.
Senior Freeze:
The Division is also reminding those eligible for the Senior Freeze that the deadline to file an application is November 1, 2021. The division began mailing approved 2020 payments on July 15, 2021. Applications and more information can be found on the Divisions website, state.nj.us/treasury/taxation.
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Bergen County Utilities Authority Announces 2021 Dates for Household Hazardous Waste Collections |
The Bergen County Utilities Authority has announced the 2021 collection dates for both household hazardous waste and electronics/tire/shredding recycling events. The dates and times are as follows:
Bergen County Utilities Authority
(back gate only)
Foot of Empire Blvd., Moonachie
Saturday, November 13, 2021
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Bergen County Campgaw Reservation
200 Campgaw Rd., Mahwah
- Saturday, September 11, 2021
Bergen Community College
400 Paramus Rd., Paramus
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Communications Commission |
The Oakland Television Committee is always seeking volunteers to assist with TV production and event filming. If interested, contact the Communications Commission at occ@oakland-nj.org. |
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Communications Commission |
The Oakland Communications Commission and Oakland Newsletter Committee is seeking volunteers to help write stories and articles for the Borough Newsletter. Experience in journalism and writing is a plus. Community service hours for high school and college are accepted. To those interested, contact assistadmin@oakland-nj.org. |
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Register for the Oakland Dog Park |
Registration is open for the new Oakland Dog Park, located within Great Oak Park off Ramapo Valley Road. Register online here.
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Sustainable Oakland Green Team Seed Bank Open for Residents |
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.
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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.
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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. |
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Buy Fresh, Buy Local Directory |
The Sustainable Oakland Green Team has put together a local directory of farmers markets, CSA's, and fresh produce stands. Get your produce on and visit our list! |
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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
Eric Kulmala - Council President
John Biale, Pat Pignatelli, Kevin Slasinski, Russell Talamini, Grant Van Eck
Chairman Ryan Schwertfeger
Vice Chairwoman Elizabeth Llorente
Jim Barry, Andrea Levy, Alex McVeigh
Junior Member: Benjamin Good
Borough Administrator Designee Michael Carelli
Patricia Carrera (Alt.), Salma Shamy (Alt. 2)
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(c) 2021 Oakland Communications Commission |
Borough of Oakland, New Jersey
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