September 2019
Hello!

Here's the latest information about things going on in the Borough of Oakland this month, assembled and produced by the volunteers on the Oakland Communications Commission's Newsletter Committee.
Borough Offices will be closed on Monday September 2, 2019 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday. Offices will re-open on Tuesday September 3, 2019.
Top Stories
Oakland's Own Jessy Giordano, Winner of Three State Soccer Champions
“Looking back, I had a low point, a tough time. Out of that came growth and happiness.”
It was with these words that Jessy Giordano, a lively and athletic young woman, summed up her story. Today the challenges of the past have been overcome; she is proud of herself and is enjoying her accomplishments.
Jessica Giordano
Photo courtesy of Ramapo Athletics
“I was born in Oakland, went to Manito,” she says. “I’m the youngest of five children. Mom and Dad had two sets of twins, and I am a half of one of them. All of us were born in October.” 

From early childhood Jessy exhibited athletic ability. Her dad worked with her to develop her skills playing soccer, basketball and softball. Dad was her coach throughout her life. “His attitude was always positive. He talked to me in a way that encouraged me.”

Jessy’s dad formed a soccer team of local 6-year-old girls that won 90 straight games in the top flight, winning the U12 State Cup for which Jessy got the MVP award. These girls ultimately formed the nucleus of the Indian Hills High School soccer team.   

Once the team reached high school, they were guided by Indian Hills coaches. Jessy made Varsity as a Freshman. Her team was the groundbreaker for girls’ soccer teams in the Ramapo-Indian Hills School District. They won two League and State Championships.  

Mayor's Message
School is opening and that means more people walking and more vehicles on the roads. Please drive with caution and don't forget it is the law to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. If you are walking, please cross the road at designated crosswalks and "cross at the green."

With the extremes in weather conditions and seasons, potholes are created. We have an excellent DPW who can fill potholes when notified. The problem is that we do not always know where the potholes form. Therefore, if you find a pothole in the street, please notify me so I can forward the information.

By the time you read this newsletter, the State will have finished paving Route 287. However, some of the exit ramps arrows and lanes painting were not finished. I was assured by NJDOT that it will be done. The scheduled painting was cancelled because of heavy rain. Not cancelled, but delayed! We now have to wait to be put back on the schedule.  

Until next time, 

Linda H. Schwager
Mayor of Oakland

Upcoming Public Meetings
Mayor and Council: September 11, 2019 and September 25, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Planning Board: September 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Board of Adjustment: September 10, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Board of Health: September 17, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Borough Hall Conference Room)
Public Events: September 17, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Lower Level Conference Room)
Shade Tree: September 9, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. (Borough Hall Conference Room)
Green Team: September 24, 2019 at 7:15 p.m. (Borough Hall Conference Room)
Recreation Commission: September 23, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. (Danny D Building, 24 Lawlor Drive)
Environmental Commission: September 3, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Borough Hall Conference Room)
Flood Commission: September 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.(Senior Center, 20 Lawlor Drive)
Communications Commission: September 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Council Chambers)

Your Monthly Garbage & Recycling Cheat Sheet
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: September 4 & 18

Paper: September 11 & 25

Comingled: September 4 &18

Household Appliances/Metal: Sept. 5

Trash: Mon & Thurs garbage collection on the South side of town. Tues & Fri garbage collection on the North side of town.
**Sept. 2nd Garbage Collection skipped to next Thursday pickup**
Recycling Information

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. 

Upcoming Deadlines
Board of Health
2019 Oakland Annual Rabies Clinic - Saturday, November 2nd, 1 PM to 3 PM, 24 Lawlor Drive (Recreation Storage Shed)
  • Dogs must be on leashes.
  • Cats must be in carriers.
  • Written proof of prior vaccination must be presented for your pet to receive a vaccination good for three years.
  • All other pets will receive a vaccination good for one year.
Borough of Oakland
The Borough of Oakland is excited to announce the new “2020 Oakland Town Calendar and Information Guide”. Oakland based businesses can purchase a business card to be displayed in the Borough Calendar. Your business can
purchase a maximum of 6 months and can select which months you would like to advertise in. The Calendar will be mailed to every business and residence in Oakland in December of 2019. The Calendar will feature recycling and garbage information, meeting dates and times, information on different departments/committees in the Borough, and other important information. If interested, please fill out and return the enclosed application. Artwork must be emailed in PDF high resolution format to [email protected] by October 1, 2019. Artwork must be exact business card size, 2”x3.5”. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] .  

Recreation Commission
Oakland Recreation is hosting a "Play Golf TGA Camp" at the Oakland Recreation Complex from September 19th to October 24th every Thursday from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The cost is $125 for 6 classes.

Grades K-5 all skill levels

For more information, contact Kevin Rooney at [email protected].
Recreation Commission
Come support your Oakland Braves classmates as they kick off Opening Day. Order your shirt now here!
Recreation Commission
The Oakland Roller Hockey program is gearing up for a new season. Sign-ups begin September 1st and will end on November 1st.
Sign-ups are Online

Please note the program includes the following:
  • Learn to skate is a non-competitive program where the athletes learn the basics of skating, stick handling, and ball control. We accept all ages for this program but the typical participants are in grades K-2.
  • Clinic is an instructional program for the athlete who has the basic skating skills and is now ready to learn the ins and outs of hockey.
  • Midget Level- Grades 4-6, Junior Level - Grades 7-9, and Senior Level grades - 10-12 all compete in competitive leagues and travel to other towns for games.

Questions please contact Vivian King at [email protected].
Communications Commission
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 [email protected] for more information and to receive a tour of the TV Studio/Control Room.
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 [email protected] or visit our website here .
First Responders Flash Briefing

Summertime and the end-of-year holidays are when most Americans gather to enjoy their free time with friends and family. They are also some of the most deadly times on American roads due to impaired driving. That's why during the summer and the end of the year, a nationwide campaign comprised of thousands of traffic safety partners, join together to protect citizens from this deadly issue.

Despite their being a variety of ways to prevent yourself or someone you know from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while being impaired, people continue to do it. Ride sharing services, taxis and designating a sober driver has helped, but it is not enough. Also on the rise is driving while being impaired by illicit drugs or prescription medications. Depending on the substance, drugs and prescription medications can have the same or worse effects on the human body and its’ ability to operate a vehicle. Please be careful and think twice before getting behind the wheel while under the influence of any substances.

The Oakland Police Department will be paying special attention to this issue for the remainder of the summer by joining the Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Please make wise decisions when traveling on the roadways in Oakland and throughout the State.

Project Medicine Drop
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 Fire Department
Become a Member!
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. 
Is your House Number Visible and Displayed Correctly????

Think of this scenario, there's an emergency at your house. You dial 911 and speak to the dispatcher. However, it seems like it's taking a long time for help to arrive.
Meanwhile, Fire and police have arrived on your street but they're having problems finding your house. The house doesn't have any easily identifiable numbers on it and the mailbox is blocked by trees
Seconds Count in an Emergency:

  • Protect your family and your property by having large visible house numbers.
  • Firefighters, police officers, and EMT's find you faster when your home is properly marked.
  • A visitor, child or injured person may be unable to give clear directions.
  • Emergency personnel from a neighboring community may
  • be unfamiliar with your area. Use Large Visible Numbers
  • Numbers need to be at least 4-inches in height and facing the street.
  • Put the numbers under lighting, and use numbers with a contrasting background, so they will be visible at night.
  • If your driveway is long, post your house number on both sides of a mailbox or sign pole at the end of the driveway near the road.
  • Be sure to keep numbers visible by trimming trees and bushes.
Thank you!
Oakland First Aid Squad
The Oakland First Aid Squad is celebrating our 65th year of volunteer service to the residents of Oakland. The squad has responded to over 600 calls for assistance in 2019. We are in the process of replacing our oldest rig and are hoping to take delivery of the new ambulance in early 2020. The squad will be participating with neighboring squads in teaching our High School staff’s bleeding control and are hoping to extend this program out to our lower schools soon after. As always we are accepting applications for new members. Stop by either the 1st or 3rd Monday of every month for more information or visit our website oaklandfas.org. 
Community Announcements
Oakland Public Library
ADULT SUMMER READING PROGRAM
WINNERS!

Congratulations to the Adult Summer Reading Winners: Clara Fox, Dawn DeMott, LanLu-Hsieh, Lorie Provenzale, Julie Norflus-Good, Dorothy Weide, and Grand Prize winner Megan Rotundo. During the month of July and August, the Oakland Library Circulation was over 16,000 items! Congratulations Oakland!
Oakland Public Library
The Adult Department at the Oakland Library kicks off this September with   Scholarship Strategies with Jean O’Toole,  Monday, September 9 at 6:30 PM. Scholarship expert O’Toole will show families how to take a strategic approach to applying for scholarships. Author of “ Scholarship Strategies – Finding and Winning the Money You Need” , O'Toole will discuss the myths and misconceptions about the scholarship process and help attendees identify which scholarships they have the best chance of winning. Register by phone: 201-337-3742 or online at  here
Oakland Public Library   
Opium and Opioids: Their History and Roll in Drug Addiction will be presented two sessions. Monday, Sept 23 and Monday, Ocotber 7 at 6:30 - 7:30 PM  

The first session will cover the history of opium, and the opiate receptors and opioid molecules in our brains. The second session will cover addiction, the global trade, and the history of synthetic opioids. Come with questions and concerns. This is a discussion not a lectureled by Dr. Barry Gold. Dr. Gold has a Ph.D. in pharmacology from Boston University, did his postdoctoral fellowship in pharma and psychiatric research at
Yale. He was an Assistant Professor at the Defense Department Medical School in Bethesda, Maryland and then moved into the pharmaceutical industry, as head of a biochemistry lab, and then as the international manager of new drug development. He has also taught addiction counselor trainees. Registration required by phone: 201-337-3742 or online at  www.oaklandnjlibrary.org
Oakland Public Library
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  
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.                                        
Oakland Public Library
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
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. 
Oakland Public Library
Need the Internet at home or on vacation? The Oakland Public Library is now loaning out Internet Hotspots. Oakland residents can now check-out the Internet with your books! Up to 10 personal devices can be connected to 1 hotspot. Call the library today for more information at 201-337-3742 or come to the library and check one out.
Oakland Senior Center
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.
Senior Center
The Borough of Oakland is pleased to offer a "Hearing Screening and Presentation" on Thursday September 5, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. by Dr. Ann Marie Olson, Audiologist.

  • Registration to obtain the free hearing screening.
  • Hearing screenings done by Dr. Ann Marie Olson
  • How do you know you are hearing correctly?
  • Learn tips on how to better care for yourself if you have difficulty hearing, or have other related health conditions.
  • (201) 345-3398.
Senior Center
The Oakland Senior Center is attending "Chasing Rainbows" at the Papermill Playhouse on October 3, 2019.

The cost is $43 per person and a $1 tip for the driver. The bus is leaving the Senior Center at 12:30 p.m.

Register at the Oakland Senior Center Office starting 9/3.
Bergen County Utilities Authority Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Please see below the upcoming dates for the Bergen County Utilities Authority Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.

The next event will take place on September 14, 2019 at the Bergen County Campgaw Mountain Reservation, Campgaw Road, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Free of charge for Bergen County residents only - ID is required.

Bergen County Utilities Authority Tire & Electronics Recycling
Please see below the upcoming dates for the Bergen County Utilities Authority Tire & Electronics Recycling Collection Event.

The next event will take place on Sunday October 6, 2019 at Bergen County Campgaw Reservation, 200 Campgaw Road. The event is from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Rain or Shine. Proof of residency in Bergen County is required. No business/commercial waste is accepted.
Oakland in cooperation with Fair Lawn: Plastic Toy Collection
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.

Backyard Compost Bins
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 [email protected] (201) 337-8104.

Bergen County
Bergen County
Bergen County invites you to the Annual Senior Citizens Picnic on Thursday September 5, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Van Saun County Park in Paramus.

Bergen County
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
Bergen County
Bergen County would like to inform Oakland residents on how to prevent mosquito breeding sites by doing the following at least once a week:

  • Empty, clean, turn over and/or dispose of containers that can hold water, such as tires, buckets and flower pots, both inside and outside of your home.
  • Clean drains and gutters.
  • Keep swimming pools/ponds treated with recommended products to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. 

Did You Know?

  • Water + 7 days = Mosquitos!
  • There are over 60 species of mosquitos in New Jersey. 
Mosquito Protection
  • Use screens on open windows and keep doors closed
  • Wear long sleeved-bright colored clothing. 
  • Use an EPA registered insect repellent
Bergen County
Bergen County invites you to Hispanic Heritage Month on Thursday September 19, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bergen County Administration Building, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ 07801.
Bergen County
Bergen County invites you to "Light the Night for Recovery" on Wednesday September 25, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bergen County Admin Building, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ 07801.
Orange and Rockland
The Borough has been notified by Orange and Rockland Utilities that a third party vendor will be conducting utility pole inspections, which checks the integrity of the pole along with preserving the life of the utility pole. These inspections will be ongoing until the end of September. Thank you.

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