The proposed budget calls for a slight increase of one tax point or $34.43 on .... in an Earth Day clean up and planting
MAYOR’S MONTHLY UPDATE March 2017
BUDGET Budget Introduction The 2017 budget was introduced at a special township council meeting on March 20th. The proposed budget calls for a slight increase of one tax point or $34.43 on a home with a new assessment of $328,547. It includes hiring of three Department of Public Works (DPW) employees and two police officers to replace those who retired, hiring two part-time police dispatchers and purchasing three new police vehicles. There will also be replacement of outdated HVAC systems and equipment on township buildings without the necessity of bonding for the funds. Finally, we intend on paying off two vehicle leases ahead of schedule to save interest payments. The budget was forwarded to the N.J. Department of Treasury for review and a public hearing is scheduled during our May 4th township council meeting. Road Re-Surfacing Program The governing body received recommendations and estimates for paving local streets from the township engineer with assistance of our DPW Superintendent Michael Calderone. Ten roads were identified as most in need at a cost of about $2,210,000. The township council and I prefer the option of doing the program over a two-year period, which will be funded by using low interest bond anticipatory notes. The township was notified by the Bergen County DPW that county officials have approved milling and paving the entire length of Market Street from the Elmwood Park border to the Rochelle Park border. Work is scheduled to commence within the next thirty to sixty days and will take approximately two weeks to complete. Other milling and paving roadway projects include Caldwell Ave and Fifth Street. The township has received grant funding for both these roads under the N.J. Department of Transportation Municipal Aid Project, which requires “match” funding by the township to complete the work.
GRANTS Grant Opportunities Baseball Tomorrow Our grant writer, Bruno and Associates, is reviewing the application criteria and is seeking input from Saddle Brook Little League to develop a suitable project. The average grant amount is $40,000 and there is a 50% match of equipment, money, or in-kind donations needed from the township. In 2015 Baseball Tomorrow awarded grants to 10% of their 400 applicants. The next application deadline is July 1, 2017. 2017 Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund This program has three classifications. The first is Open Space Land Acquisition for conservation & recreation purposes. An eligible open space acquisition project is an acquisition of land that is greater than or equal to 2.0 acres in size. However, acquisitions less than 2.0 acres may be considered if contiguous to an existing park/greenway or if of great environmental or ecological significance. The second is the Historic Preservation Trust Fund Program, which provides grants for the acquisition, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, and preservation of historic sites as well as the preparation of plans and reports associated with the implementation of historic preservation capital projects by the municipalities, and qualified non-profit organizations. The property must be on the NJ Register of Historic Places. The third is Floodplain Protection Grants to acquire properties that have been damaged by, or may be prone to incurring damage caused by, storms or storm-related flooding, or that may buffer or protect other lands from such damage. The objective of the program is to acquire flood damaged properties, remove structures and permanently preserve the lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Grants Awarded Distracted Driving Enforcement Program Our grant writer prepared a Distracted Driving Application with the N.J. Division of Highway Traffic Safety. Grants such as this are offered on an annual basis to agencies that wish to undertake programs designed to reduce motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the roads of N.J. Saddle Brook was approved for $5,500 to address specific, local traffic safety issues. The program period runs from April 1st through April 21st Bergen County Trust Fund Municipal Program for Park Improvements (Tri-centennial Park) Our application for Tri-centennial Park was submitted to Bergen County on October 12, 2016. The Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Committee is considering allocating $49,100, which the township must match to be eligible for the funding. A public hearing on the proposed allocations of the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund will take place on Monday, May 8, 2017, at 6:00PM, at the Bergen County Administration Building, at which time public comment will be taken. Business Administrator Peter Lo Dico and I will attend on behalf of the township. Pending Grants Little League Funding - Two grants. The first is for $20,000 to improve the conditions at Nedellec Field. The second is for $10,000 to start a softball program. Announcement of awards are pending. Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) – Fire Chief Dickman is working with the grant writer to complete this application for turnout gear and recruitment of 15 new volunteer firefighters. Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) – This application for a streetscape on Market Street was submitted requesting funding in the amount of $378,980.35. Announcement of award is pending. Safe Routes to School – The application was submitted in June 2016 for a bus pull off construction project at the Helen I. Smith Elementary School on Cambridge Avenue. Grant request is $265,551. Announcement of award is pending.
COMMITTEE UPDATES Community Partnership – Meeting Monday, March 20th The Community Partnership Committee met to plan a town-wide food drive to replenish the Saddle Brook Community Food Pantry housed at the First Reformed Church. The food drive will run from April 3rd – June 5th with several drop off sites throughout the township. Food will also be collected at all major township events during this time period. For a list of needed items, please go to the township website at https://saddlebrooknj.us/saddle-brook-township-community-partnership. Mayor’s Youth Group – Meeting Saturday, March 18th The Mayor's Youth Group met to discuss an Easter Celebration preparation gathering on Saturday, April 1st and member assignments for the actual Easter Celebration on Saturday, April 8th. The preparation gathering was videotaped in hope of recruiting more youth group members and was posted on Our Town Television (Ch. 38 Verizon FiOS, Ch. 77 Cablevision) and the township website and Facebook page. For their spring community project, the group decided to take part in an Earth Day clean up and planting at Avon Park on Saturday, April 22nd. Access for All – Meeting Wednesday, April 5th The committee budget was discussed along with the upcoming Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Gold Card Emergency ID Program, taking place at the senior center on April 26th. The committee is also considering making a recommendation for the township to become a “Stigma-Free Zone”. Members are excited about the committee’s progress and looking forward to ensuring that special needs residents in our community have access to information, services, resources, and township buildings. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7th.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES Annual Easter Celebration – Saturday, April 8th The Township Council and I were pleased to once again host the Annual Easter Celebration on Saturday, April 8th at the Saddle Brook High School gym. It was another opportunity to bring the community together for a fun-filled afternoon. There were games for the children to play, a face painter and a special visit from the Easter Bunny. There was pizza, drinks and cookies served in the cafeteria. This year we also collected food for the Saddle Brook Community Partnership Food Drive to benefit the Saddle Brook Community Food Pantry housed at the First Reformed Church. Thank you to all who donated. Thank you Council President Karen D’Arminio, Councilman Todd Accomando, Shannon Accomando and Christine Genuario of our Projects and Activities Committee for organizing the event. Thanks also to the members of the Mayor’s Youth Group for helping set up and work the games. Also, the fantastic ladies from the Saddle Brook Women’s Club for serving lunch in the cafeteria. The event would not have been a success without their assistance. Special thanks to Thomas Van Winkle for taking photos and Rafael and Brian Gonzalez of Enlacosa for videotaping the celebration. UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES Community Partnership Food Drive The Saddle Brook Township Community Partnership is conducting a food drive from April 3rd – June 5th to benefit the Saddle Brook Community Food Pantry housed at the First Reformed Church. There are several drop off sites including all township public schools, firehouses, senior center, town hall, library and the recreation department trailer on Sampson Street. Mayor’s Youth Group Earth Day Clean-Up & Planting – Saturday April 22nd The Mayor’s Youth Group is having a clean-up at the Avon Park on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22nd starting at 10:00AM. Flowers and a tree will also be planted near the new Avon Park “Home of the Saddle Brook Angels” sign, erected near the park entrance from Avon Lane. There will be a sign dedication ceremony at 2:30PM before the Saddle Brook Angels start their season.
Saddle Brook Little League Opening Day Parade – Saturday April 22nd The parade starts at 12:00PM from the corner of Fair Lawn Parkway and Schepis Ave and proceeds south to the end of Fair Lawn Parkway, left on Cambridge Ave to Nedellec Field at 639 Saddle River Road. The opening day ceremony and festivities begin as soon as everyone participating in the parade arrives at the field. Gold Star Emergency ID Program Free photo ID cards for residents with autism or developmental disabilities will be provided on Thursday, April 26th at 4:30PM at the senior center. This service is being offered as part of the Bergen County Sheriff's Gold Star Program. This is a lifesaving initiative for residents over the age of 65 with dementia and individuals with autism or developmental disabilities. The Gold Star ID card provides first responders with vital medical information in the event of an emergency or when an individual is not able to provide the information on their own. A representative from the Sheriff's Department will take identification photos and collect information for each individual. All individuals must provide a valid Social Security card to be registered for the Gold Star Program. Free Paper Shredding Event The township’s is hosting a mobile paper shredding event free for residents only on Saturday, May 6th from 9:00AM – 1:00PM in the rear of Coolidge School, 540 Saddle River Road. This event provides resident the opportunity to recycle unwanted confidential documents. There is a limit of four bags / boxes weighing no more than ten pounds each. Residents can observe materials being shredded on site. If you have any questions, please call my office at 201-587-2903. UPDATE ON SPECIAL PROJECTS CDBG Drainage Improvements / Liberty Street Awaiting execution of contracts. Work should start shortly thereafter.
North Fifth Street Water Main This project is essentially complete. Restoration of curbs and sidewalks that were impacted by the construction will take place now that winter weather is behind us. Veteran’s Field Concession Building The township engineer has met with the representative of the bonding company (surety) looking to coordinate the restart of construction. The township attorney has notified the bonding company that they are responsible to hire a contractor to complete the construction, which was left unfinished by the original contractor who walked away from the job. The township is continuing to make every effort to work with the bonding company to move this project forward. Jefferson Street & Fourth Street Water & Roadway Improvements No change since last report. Municipal Building Generator The township engineer negotiated with the contractor regarding an adjustment to the original design, which resulted in an “extra” to replace the control cabinet. The estimate for the “extra” was presented to and approved by the township council at the April 6th township council meeting. Work should begin soon on this project. 2015 Water and Roadway Project - Part B The water service construction portion of the Wilson Street and the Third Street projects are scheduled to resume now that milder, spring weather is upon us.
OTHER Autism Awareness Month – April 2017 About 25 years ago, the Autism Society launched a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness and educate the public about the autism spectrum. The goal of autism awareness is to support individuals and families living with autism and to ensure their acceptance and inclusion in our communities. In support and recognition of Autism Awareness Month the front of town hall has been lit up in blue light. The council and I also wore blue garments at the April 6th regular council meeting. In addition, as the Mayor, I gave a proclamation declaring April 2nd World Autism Awareness Day and April Autism Awareness Month. AARP Meeting Choral Performance – Monday April 3rd The Choraleers, a select choir at Saddle Brook High School (SBHS), performed at our local American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) meeting at the senior center. They did a fantastic job entertaining our seniors with a variety of songs led by SBHS Band Director, Frank Ortega, filling in for Choral Director, Malcolm Couden. The seniors really enjoyed the show and we’re hoping to have the SBHS Jazz Band perform at the senior center sometime in the near future. The performance by the Choraleers is an example of how our Community Partnership Program is working to bring different segments of the community together. This interaction improves communication, strengthens community ties and provides an opportunity for groups to support one another. Along with the students and individuals listed above, I’d like to thank SBHS Principal John Lawlor, SBHS Teacher and Community Partnership Coordinator Howard Weinberg, Senior Center Director Joe Lecce and AARP President / Council President Karen D’Arminio for their cooperation and assistance organizing the event.
Ordinances Water Rates (Second Reading) This ordinance to amend and supplement the prior ordinance was approved and enacted upon second reading by the township council. This new ordinance will fix and revise rates and prices to be charged for the use of water and establish rules and regulations for the distribution, supply, use and protection of said water and penalties for the violation of certain said rules and regulations. Amending of Filing Fees, Escrow Deposits and Completion Checklist Pertaining to Development Applications (First Reading) This ordinance was introduced as a result of complaints received from township building department personnel, members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Board and professionals working for both boards. The township council and I received input from concerned parties and reviewed all available information. After careful assessment, along with the township attorney, we propose by introduction of this ordinance to delete in entirely Section 118-22 (Filing Fees for Planning Board and Zoning Board) of Local Ordinance # 1626-17. There are also revisions to Sections 2016-74.1, 163-12, 163-13, 177-4, 177-8, 177-9, 177-10 and 118-8 of Local Ordinance # 1626-17. The ordinance passed unanimously on first reading at the April 6th township council meeting.
