January 2022
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.
Top Stories
Oakland First Aid Squad Chief Jeff Marcheso
Meet Oakland First Aid Squad Chief Jeff Marcheso
When there is an accident in Oakland where injuries are sustained or there is a medical event in a home or a calamity in a public place, a group of dedicated ambulance squad volunteers go out to give aid with an every-second-counts urgency. 
Long-time First Aid Squad Chief Jeff Marcheso explains, “When an emergency call is made to either 911 or police dispatch, the first responders on duty are immediately alerted by page. Our response time to the emergency is five minutes in most cases.” 

And while quick communication, first-responder training and ambulances are critical, the most important component in saving lives is the dedicated team of men and women who provide the first care to the injured.
Borough of Oakland Awarded NJ Community Forestry Grant for Tree Inventory
The Borough of Oakland has been awarded a $21,000 New Jersey Urban Community Forestry Environmental Stewardship Grant. The Borough received notification of this award following a successful grant application with the New Jersey Urban and Community Forestry Program (NJUCF).
The Borough plans to use this award to fund a Borough-wide Street Tree Inventory as part of the Borough’s ongoing efforts in implementing the Borough’s State-approved Community Forestry Management Plan. The Borough aims to assess the community tree resources, including species composition, stocking levels, and tree conditions, all of which will assist in making informed management decisions.
Mayor Schwager's Message
Congratulations to Oakland Resident and Borough Newsletter Editor Liz Llorente, on being named our Hometown Hero by U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Ms. Llorente spends countless hours dedicated to writing the Borough Newsletter and editing the top stories within. Congratulations again!

As Mayor, I look forward to an exciting year ahead with many programs and projects being initiated.

I wish everyone a happy and most importantly, a healthy, New Year.
Your Monthly Garbage & Recycling Cheat Sheet
Yard Waste: Yard Waste Collection ends on December 13, 2021 and December 14, 2021, depending on your garbage collection schedule. To view your last collection date, click here.

Electronics: January 5 & 19

Paper: January 12 & 26

Commingled: January 5 & 19

Household Appliances/Metal: Jan. 13

Trash: Mon & Thurs garbage collection on the South side of town. Tues & Fri garbage collection on the North side of town.
Extra Copies of the 2022 Borough Calendar in the Borough Hall/DPW Lobby
First Responders Flash Briefing
Oakland Police Department

The Oakland Police Department, Fire Department and First Aid Squad would like to remind residents to properly display their house numbers. It is important to clearly display your house numbers so that first responders can quickly identify your home in case of an emergency. There have been instances in the past where emergency first responders have been delayed because of missing or obscured numbers. Here are 10 simple steps to follow:
Oakland Police Department
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 Senior Center
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
Borough of Oakland Announces Upcoming Styrofoam Drive
The Borough of Oakland is hosting a Styrofoam Drive on Saturday January 8, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Oakland Borough Hall, 1 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, N.J. 07436. The first hour is open to Oakland residents only, and the remainder is open to all Bergen County residents. 

This collection is for expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) only, no packing peanuts or food containers. 
This collection is a contactless drop off. Residents are asked to remain in car while attendees remove collection from vehicle. 

This program is a recycling and waste reduction program of the Sustainable Bergen County HUB Styrofoam Free Committee. If you have any questions about the event, please contact the Sustainable Oakland Green Team at greenteam@oakland-nj.org. 

This event is sponsored by Andrea Levy, Realtor. 
Borough of Franklin Lakes Hosting COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
The Borough of Franklin Lakes is hosting COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics on Wednesday January 5, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Franklin Lakes Ambulance Corps, 480 Bender Court, Franklin Lakes, N.J. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Booster Doses are available. This event is open to Oakland Residents. Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and Pfizer Vaccines are available for ages 5+. No registration is required.
Bergen County Utilities Authority Announces 2022 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Dates
The Bergen County Utilities Authority has announced the 2022 dates for Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Collections:

Bergen County Utilities Authority
(back gate only)
Foot of Empire Blvd., Moonachie
  • Saturday, March 12th, 2022
  • Saturday, November 19, 2022 
Bergen County Campgaw Reservation
200 Campgaw Rd., Mahwah

  • Saturday, May 14, 2022
  • Saturday, July 16, 2022
  • Saturday, September 10, 2022
Due to the COVID-19 safety restrictions that will be implemented to ensure the safety of employees and residents attending the collection event, please be advised that wait times may be extensive. Please plan accordingly. We ask for your patience.

Bergen Community College
400 Paramus Rd., Paramus

  • Sunday, April 3, 2022
  • Sunday, June 12, 2022
  • Sunday, October 16, 2022
Bergen County Vaccination Center Now Offering COVID-19 Booster Shots
The County of Bergen in partnership with Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is offering booster shots of the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to the following:
  • Those over 65
  • Long term care facility residents at least six months after they were fully vaccinated
  • Healthcare workers, teachers, and other workers at risk
  • Those age 50-64 with underlying medical conditions according to the eligibility guidance provided by the ACIP and CDC.

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 more contagious Delta variant is responsible for 99% of COVID cases.
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.
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.
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.
Environmental Commission
The Oakland Environmental Commission is looking to fill 1 vacancy on the Commission. This is a great opportunity for residents interested in the environment and outdoor activities. If interested, please email assistadmin@oakland-nj.org.
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. 

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.
Skip the Straw Law Now in Effect in New Jersey
The Sustainable Oakland Green Team encourages residents to "Skip the Straw" as NJ law mandates that plastic straws can only be provided upon request starting November 4, 2021.
Skip the Straw Billboard in the Borough of Oakland!
Sustainable Oakland Green Team Encourages Residents to Bag Up!
Starting next May 2022, NJ Law will ban grocery stores from providing plastic and paper bags to help reduce litter. Start using reusable bags in anticipation of this new law. For more information, visit www.bagupnj.com.
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