Hello Wendi Seelin,

Here's the latest information about what's going on in the Borough of Oakland this month, assembled and produced by the volunteers on the Oakland Communications Commission's Newsletter Committee and the staff of the Borough of Oakland.

Please note that you may not be seeing the entire newsletter if there is a button at the end of the email saying "Message Clipped".

In order to see the rest, you will need to click that button in order for the rest of the email to load. 

To know you've reached the end of the newsletter, look for the Borough seal and below it, the names of everyone serving on the Borough Council.

Fire Prevention Welcomes

Community to Open House

Oakland, NJ – The Oakland Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Fire Prevention Week Open House on Oct. 7 at the Yawpo Avenue Firehouse, welcoming Oakland families to learn about fire safety in the home. This year’s theme, specified by the National Fire Protection Association, was Smoke Detectors: Make Them Work for You.

“It’s all about the kids. We teach the kids young about fire prevention, and maybe it’ll keep them from playing with fire. Public relations prevents fires: the more we can get out and interact with kids and families, [the safer they’ll be],” said OVFD Association President Daniel D’Elia. “Also, maybe [we can] inspire them to join [the Fire Department] when they come of age.”

Dear Oakland Residents,



I’m thrilled to share the progress and improvements taking place across our town! This month, Bush Plaza Park has seen major upgrades with the installation of streetlights, benches, trash receptacles, electrical work, and our iconic Pin Clock. We anticipate final electrical inspections next week, after which Orange and Rockland will connect the electrical service. As a reminder, the temporary pole and streetlight near the clock will be removed once the park is energized, completing this beautiful public space.

View from the bottom.

• Electronics
• November 6 & 20
• Paper/Cardboard
• November 13 & 27
• Commingled
• November 6 & 20
• Household Appliances/Metal
• November 14
• Yard Waste Pick Up
• North Side: Pick Up Every Monday - Ends December 9, 2024
• South Side: Pick Up Every Tuesday - Ends December 10, 2024

Trash: Mon & Thurs garbage collection on the South side of town. Tues & Fri garbage collection on the North side of town.

Did you know that there's an app for your recycling?



The Recycle Coach app lets you know when your recycling day is, tells you what types of materials are accepted at the curb, and has tips for responsible recycling!

BOROUGH HALL HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURES

All Borough Offices (except for emergency services) will be closed on the

following days in November in observance of:

Veterans Day: Monday, November 11, 2024

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 28, 2024

Day After Thanksgiving: Friday, November 29, 2024

The Borough of Oakland is pleased to announce the Hometown Hero Banner Program, which will honor your Oakland Veteran with a 30” X 60” banner displayed along Ramapo Valley Road from Armed Forces Day through Veterans Day for a minimum of 3 years. If the banner needs replacement in the first 3 years, the Borough will replace it at no cost to the applicant.

What a fantastic day at the Annual Halloween Parade and Trick or Trunk, hosted by Oakland Public Events on October 26, 2024! Families and friends enjoyed the beautiful weather, indulging in yummy treats like candy, donuts, cider, and coffee. Plus, there were pumpkins to take home!

The creativity was off the charts as participating cars were decked out in spooky decorations. A big congratulations to Walt Brennan for winning 1st place with his spooktacular trunk!

A heartfelt thank you to Access for All for the quieter pre-parade celebration that allowed everyone to join in on the fun. We’re also incredibly grateful to our dedicated police officers, DPW, OFD, EMS, and all the wonderful volunteers who made this day unforgettable. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Every vehicle should have an emergency supply kit in the trunk. Kits should be checked every six months, and expired items should be replaced regularly. 

Oakland Volunteer Fire Department Fire Prevention Week Winners:

Heights Elementary

Kindergarten: Matthew Palkewic

First grade: Lily DeRisi

Second grade: Donnie Harvey

Third grade: Alexa Potter

Fourth grade: Evan Warner

Manito Elementary

Kindergarten: Kai Golander

First grade: Luke Perlaza

Second grade: Charlotte Wilson

Third grade: Britt Reid

Fourth grade: Ava D

Fifth grade: Megan Binder

Dogwood Elementary

Kindergarten: Madelyn Racich

First grade: Elliott Debiak

Second grade: Anthony Lesnowski

Third grade: Kallie Tengo

Fourth grade: Drew Soyka

Fifth grade: Malia Chojnacki

🚑 If you are interested in volunteering and becoming an EMT, please stop by one evening on the 1st Monday of every month to learn more.

ARTS IN OAKLAND

MONTHLY MEETING

BE PART OF SOMETHING AMAZING IN OAKLAND!

The Arts in Oakland committee has exploded in Oakland with vibrant creativity, awesome musical events and an amazing new Outdoor Market! The townwide contest winning mural installation, is currently in progress! (We can't wait to see it!!) We are looking for enthusiastic new volunteers! If you love the arts (note: You don't have to be artistic!) and want to dive into awesome events and projects like music gigs at the new Arts Pavilion, the Digital Arts Zine, Outdoor Markets, Open Mic Nights, Holiday Tree Decorating, Art Exhibition & Sale, and so much more, come join the fun!

If you are an organizer in town, and have an event to collaborate with the Arts in Oakland team- reach out! 

Volunteers are needed for our events and Community service credit is offered to students and it's fun!! 

Our next meeting is Monday, November 18, 2024 at 7 PM at the Senior Center. Don't miss out—join us and be a part of the magic in Oakland's arts scene! 



For more information email: 

Andrea Levy

Arts in Oakland - chair 

arts@oakland-nj.org

JURIED ART EXHIBITION & SALE -

OCTOBER 17 TO NOVEMBER 16, 2024

🎨 Don’t Miss Arts in Oakland’s First Juried Art Exhibition and Sale! 🎨

Join us for a wonderfully curated collection of Paintings, Pastels, Watercolors, Drawings, Art-Prints, and Photography at our inaugural Art Exhibition and Sale at the Oakland Public Library!

📅 WHEN: October 17th - November 16th, 2024

📍 WHERE: Oakland Public Library



Come and enjoy a beautiful display of local talent, and perhaps find your next favorite piece to take home! Don’t miss this special event celebrating the arts in our community!

Join us the Friday, November 8th for a fun evening filled with music by YOU!

Join us for a fantastic evening of Open Mic at Real Brave! Sing, jam, or enjoy some karaoke fun. The event takes place at 7:30 PM. Come down and be a part of the excitement or just stick around and enjoy the vibe!



350 Ramapo Valley Road in the Coppertree Mall 

🎄 “Family Paint an Ornament” Drop-In Event at the Oakland Public Library & Oakland Outdoor Market 🎄

Inside the Library Makers Space Saturday, November 9th 1pm-5pm! 

Register by calling the Library 201-337-3742 or on the library website. https://oaklandnjlibrary.org

And

Drop in at the Oakland Outdoor Market, Saturday, November 2, 9 & 16, 10am-3pm and decorate your ornaments outdoors! No Registration required. 

The Oakland Public Library and Arts in Oakland, invite residents to join us in creating ornaments for the town’s very own Christmas tree at Van Saun Park! Drop by the library to paint the wooden ornaments a festive purple-and-gold, which will be used in a very creative way to help Oakland win the Bergen County Tree Decorating Contest!

If we win, the whole town will get to enjoy a special skate session! So, let’s come together together, get creative, show our town pride, and make Oakland’s tree a standout this holiday season!

For more information contact:

Andrea Levy | arts@oakland-nj.org

FREE to Oakland residents 16 and over!

Discover your creativity and unleash your inner performer with our introductory improvisation course and our new Next Level Improv to take you even further along! You'll be amazed at how easily you can dive into the world of improv and experience its transformative power. Join us to unlock your full potential!

🗓️ WHEN: Tuesdays, November 12 - December 17

• Intro to Improv: 7:00 - 7:45 PM
• NEW: Next Level Improv: 7:45 - 8:30 PM
• WHERE: The Senior Center, 20 Lawlor Ave, Oakland, NJ
• 
  

Stop by and check out this fun, interactive experience. We're accepting new participants!



For more information, email Arts@Oakland-NJ.org.

Oakland Outdoor Market -

🎉 **The Oakland Outdoor Market: A Community Favorite!** 🎉

It's Holiday Shopping Time!

The Oakland Outdoor Market is in full swing and has quickly become a beloved community event! 🛍️ Join us every Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM until November 16th, right next to the Oakland Public Library, for a day filled with shopping, fun, and local treasures. Don’t miss out on supporting amazing local vendors and getting a head start on your holiday shopping! 🎁

🌟 **What to Expect:**

- A lively mix of handmade, one-of-a-kind items—from arts and crafts to delicious baked goods, cold drinks, and farm-fresh produce.

- Past highlights include a cheerful clown dazzling the crowd with face painting and balloon creations, plus talented artisans displaying felt stitching, crochet, watercolor art, superhero decoupage, pet bandanas, laser-cut wood designs, sparkly suncatchers, and much more!

🎶 **New Every Week:** 

Every Saturday brings something fresh, so there’s always a new treasure waiting to be found! The best part? Your shopping supports Arts in Oakland, making this event both fun and impactful for the community.

🎸 **Calling All Musicians:** 

We’re looking for local musicians to bring even more energy to this vibrant gathering!🎶

🛍 **Vendors Welcome:** 

Calling all crafters, artisans, bakers, and makers—there’s still time to join the fun! Showcase your unique creations and be part of this extraordinary event.

**Register now!** 

Click here to register: https://bit.ly/4cmY6CD

💼 Volunteer opportunities and community service credit are available for Oakland residents and students. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44A8AA2DA7F9C52-50327350-outdoor

For more info, contact Andrea Levy | Arts@Oakland-nj.org 

Don’t miss out—come for the creativity, stay for the fun! 🎨🥳

ARTS IN OAKLAND ZINE

We are thrilled to announce the Winter Edition of the Artist and Writers Showcase, presented in a Digital Zine format. Let your creativity shine this season by submitting your work for our next edition!

What is a “Zine,” you ask?

Zines are self-published collections of original content that cover various topics and formats. Ours focuses on the Arts, and this time, we’re embracing the beauty and inspiration of winter. Oakland residents are invited to submit their original Poetry, Short Fiction, Artwork, and Photography with a winter theme—and we can’t wait to see your contributions!

This project is open to all ages and levels of experience, and selected works will be shared across Oakland’s media outlets.

Submissions for the Winter Zine are due by January 31, 2025.

Please review the flyer for details and submission guidelines.

The Communications Commission is seeking new volunteers for its various subcommittees. Are you interested in television production? Do you have writing skills? Are you computer savvy? Are you interested in social media? Then any one of the Subcommittees would be a great fit for you.

Volunteer for a position today and have an impact on your community. For more information, email occ@oakland-nj.org.

Channel 77 on Altice's Optimum & Channel 2145 on Verizon's Fios

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Do you have a great idea for a news article?

Do you love to write or edit?

Do you want to learn more about Oakland and the people of Oakland?

If you have answered YES to any of these questions, the Newsletter Committee could use you!

The Oakland Environmental Commission is seeking a volunteer to fill a vacancy on the Commission. Join us in our duty to advise on all environmental matters including pollution control, solid waste, open space, developmental impact, and habitat creation for endangered species and those of special concern and protection of flora and fauna in Oakland.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact boroclerk@oakland-nj.org.

• Tree and Menorah Lighting/Holiday Lights Parade → Dec 8, 2024 at 5pm
• Holiday Lights Contest → December 16-17

Proof of dog being licensed in your home municipality is required to complete your registration and receive a code for the gate. Please email a copy of your current dog license to the Recreation Department at recsec@oakland-nj.org, or you can mail a copy to the Borough of Oakland, 1 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, NJ 07436, Attn: Oakland Dog Park.

The Oakland Shade Tree Commission is seeking 2 volunteers to fill a vacancies on the Commission.

If you have a passion for trees and are looking to give back to the community this committee could be for you!

The meetings are the first Monday of the month 7:30 PM at the Oakland Senior Center 20 Lawlor Drive Oakland NJ 07436.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact shadetree@oakland-nj.org.

Join us for the First Sunday of the Month Hike, a walk through Oakland's beautiful trails.

Get ready to walk the Ramapo Lake Castle trail, considered a moderate 4-5 mile well marked trail, featuring flowing streams, small waterfalls, some manageable rocky terrain and the beautiful Ramapo Lake along with the budding flora and fauna and changing colors of the season!

We recommend wearing appropriate hiking shoes (waterproof always a plus!), layers, hat, sunglasses, bug spray, water and snack.

**Please note that finding parking can be an issue and it is suggested that you get there early to find a spot. In advance, arrangements can be made to carpool in town.

Please text Andrea 201-739-8278 no later than Friday prior to the hike to coordinate carpool. This event is weather permitting. 

*Please register on Eventbrite to be notified of any changes or cancellations.



Happy Trails!!

BACKYARD COMPOST BINS & RAIN BARRELS

Backyard composter bins are available for purchase at the Oakland Department of Public Workers, 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.

Rain barrels are also available for purchase to town residents at a discounted price of $75.00.

If you have any questions, email recycle@oakland-nj.org or call (201) 337-8104.

The Borough of Oakland is accepting applications along with a copy of current Driver’s License for seasonal Snow Plow Operators. Rate of Pay is $31 per hour. Applications can be obtained at Borough Hall or by going to www.oakland-nj.org and clicking the “employment & bids box” then scrolling to the Employment Application Form. Direct questions to: Superintendent Anthony Marcucilli at 201-337-8104 or dpwsec@oakland-nj.org. Apply to Kathy Gurney, 1 Municipal Plaza, Oakland NJ 07436 or adminsec@oakland-nj.org.  

This P/T position provides basic administrative support to the Environmental Commission.

Job responsibilities include advertising meetings according to law, preparing agendas and meeting materials, attending monthly meetings, carrying out the direction of the Commission as required, preparing meeting minutes for approval by the Commission membership, and receiving and distributing correspondence, including plan review documents, in a timely manner.

The successful applicant will be organized and knowledgeable in MS Office. A positive attitude, ability to work cooperatively and meet deadlines are essential. Attendance at monthly night meetings of the Commission is required.

Compensation is $1,200 annually. Please submit an application or resume to Kathy Gurney at adminsec@oakland-nj.org. EOE

Fliers/information are listed in order of when the event is occurring from soonest to latest from the first of month. Events or announcements with no set date are at the bottom of this section.

If you would like to submit your organization's announcement or event for inclusion in the newsletter, click here and follow the instructions listed.

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Click below, learn more, and learn how you can get involved!

Oakland Governing Body

Mayor Eric Kulmala

Council Members

Council President Steven Saliani

Jodi Goffredo, John McCann, Pat Pignatelli, Kevin Slasinski, Russell Talamini

Oakland Communications Commission

Chairman Ryan Schwertfeger

Vice Chairman Jim Barry

Mark Albala, Amy Eilert, Andrea Levy, Kerri Sirinides, William Sisti

Patricia Carrera (Alt. 1), Steve Panosian (Alt. 2)

Junior Member: Benjamin Good

Commission Secretary: Gina S. Kim

(c) 2024 Oakland Communications Commission

1 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, NJ 07436 | (201) 337-8111