From the Mayor's Desk
At the January 19th 2009 meeting of the Mayor and Council, approximately 75 residents attended to voice their concerns about the water issues in Burning Hollow. The Borough provided a thorough presentation by Borough Attorney Russ Huntington, who spoke with the attorney representing a handful of Burning Hollow residents and discussed the technical corrections needed in the Borough Code in order to mirror the original court settlement. Then, Borough Administrator Charles Cuccia discussed the costs of operating the Borough's water utility, and Borough Health Officer John Christ presented on water quality and the use of irrigation wells. There was a meaningful exchange of ideas and the resultant outcome is a great example of neighbors working together with local government to resolve an issue. I would like to thank everyone who participated in this process for this productive discussion and professional manner in which these issues were aired. We must always remember that while we may disagree on an issue or a position, we must always work toward a solution without being disagreeable.
In this situation the Borough and the affected residents must try to balance the rights of the residents with the standards of the health community and the demands of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The Borough was offered just over $1,000,000.00 to defray the cost for affected residents for well sealing and water connection into the public system, but the NJDEP has placed additional requirements on the residents in the affected area. They want everyone, in the Burning Hollow contaminated area, to connect to the public water now or promise to connect to the public water when the home is sold.
A few residents felt that this position tied their hands by requiring a commitment now for a home that might be sold many years from now. At this time, we as a Borough will not meet the requirements the NJDEP has set forth to obtain the $1,000,000.00 to reimburse the affected homeowners.
The homeowners in Burning Hollow have a difficult decision to make. Whether to utilize well water, which does not meet all existing NJDEP water quality standards, treated with a POET system or utilize water from the public water system. This is an individual decision. The Borough installed water mains to provide fire protection and give residents the option of public water for those who wish to connect. I am certainly disappointed that, at this time, we are unable to secure the funds from the NJDEP to offset the costs of connection and well sealing. The estimated cost of these connections per homeowner is between $8,000.00 and $12,000.00. However, please keep in mind, this situation is specific to the contaminated area of Burning Hollow. In every other part of town where the water lines have been installed, each resident deciding to connect to public water is responsible for the cost of the connection and well sealing if applicable.
As your Mayor, and I am sure I speak for the entire Council when I say, we were elected to serve all of the residents of the Borough of Saddle River. We will always endeavor to respect and listen to every resident's concerns and be available to every homeowner.
Residents in Burning Hollow desiring to connect to the public water system will receive a communication from me shortly. When we see the response, we will contact the NJDEP once again in an attempt to provide assistance in obtaining funds for those residents who wish to connect.
Thank You
Mayor Samuel S. Raia
Borough of Saddle River
Two Chairmen Retire
At the February 9th, 2009 Council meeting, Mayor Raia have presented award plaques to Zoning Board Chairman Jim FitzPatrick and Planning Board Chairman Joe Perra. Both men retired from their respective Boards on December 31, 2008. Chairman Perra served from 1998 to 2008 and Chairman FitzPatrick served from 1985-2008.
Mayor Raia thanked each of them and stressed just how important their work has been in making the Borough of Saddle River the community it is today.
EMS Week May 17-23, 2009
Tips For Parents and Guardians
Knowing what to do in case of an emergency can mean the difference between life and death. About one of every 19 Americans suffers an accidental injury at home or in the community every year. Help reduce the risk for those you love by involving everyone in your home as much as you can in preparing for and preventing emergencies.
Be Prepared for an Emergency
Teach your children that emergencies do happen and that the best way to deal with them is to be calm, stay safe, and listen to the directions of trusted grown-ups.
If a parent or adult performs work around the house, tell your child what to do in case of a household emergency (for example, someone falling off the roof).
Teach your child how to call 9-1-1 from your own home as well as from those over relatives, caregivers, and others your child may visit.
Help your Child learn how to make the phone call from several different kinds of phones, including cell, pushbutton, and rotary phones.
Post emergency numbers next to every phone in your home. Be sure to list the number of the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222 in the U.S. This number connects callers to their local poison control center)
Assemble a family "file of life" with emergency family contacts in it and post it on the refrigerator. Teach your child to give this to first responders coming to your home to help.
This file should include how to find someone to watch your child, how to get in touch with other family members and other information specific to your family's needs.
All parents and guardians should know CPR and basic first aid. Ask your local Red Cross or American Heart Association office about classes. What you learn in class can be passed on to your child. Children can easily be taught choking rescue.
Ambulance Volunteer Needed...
Contact Allendale Ambulance Corp At 201-825-1900 or E-mail Captain@Allendaleambulance.Org
Saddle River Green Committee
The Saddle River Green Committee held Its first meeting on January 26th, 2009 to discuss various green initiatives in Saddle River. The committee is comprised of residents, professionals and borough employees who will advise the Mayor and Council on actions that can be implemented for Saddle River to Be a SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY. Several enthusiastic ideas were presented regarding how the Borough and control costs, save money, and take steps to sustain the same quality of life over the long term. Many thoughts were discussed from educating our young children to alternate energy solutions for the municipality, school, and residential segments of our community. The initial action of the advisory committee will be to determine the parameters of an energy audit to be conducted by the Borough. We will begin the process of finding out where we are, where we need to be, in deciding how we are going to get there. There will be many opportunities to share ideas and serve on subcommittees in the future. Stay tuned for more information.
Chief Tim McWilliams IPI
(Important Police Information)
Crime Prevention Tips
Crime Prevention consists of two elements. It requires the anticipation, recognition and appraisal of a crime risk. It also requires the initiation of some action to remove or reduce that risk. The use of instinct, knowledge, common sense, and awareness can make your home and unappealing target for a burglar. Here are some suggestions on how to protect your home and your family.
1. Active in alarm systems including interior motion sensors. Your alarm should be on even if you're leaving the home for only a short period.
2. Block wall of your doors and windows. Start with the basement and work your way up.
3. Insert a "bar" in sliding door track.
4. Secure valuables in rooms other than master bedrooms or closets.
5. Close and lock safes - place in discrete locations.
6. Place lights on timers and use different times for different rooms.
7. Control access to your property.
8. Lock gates, garage doors, pool houses and shed doors after every use.
9. Walk your property or ask law enforcement for a free home security survey.
10. Illuminate or eliminate places an intruder might hide: the spaces between trees or shrubbery, stairwells, alleys, always, and entryways.
11. Use motion sensor lighting and landscaping as a deterrent.
12. Use signage to your benefit. Consider posting alarm company signs, no trespassing or beware of dog signs.
13. Stop newspaper and mail deliveries while you are away.
14. Update keyholder and emergency contact information with police.
15. Be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious persons, vehicles or incidents IMMEDIATELY!
Mayor and Council
Re-Organization Meeting
The Mayor and Council held their yearly Re-Organization meeting on January 2, 2009 and Council Members Michael Mutter and Michael Toomey
were sworn in and will begin their three-year term.
Mayor Raia stated it was a busy year in saddle River in 2008. In 2009 we are continuing in a positive direction and hope to complete the Burning Hollow Water project, The Saddle RIVER Crossing, and Our third round COAH obligation. The Green Committee will be a new addition to our efforts in 2009 and we look forward to working closely with them.
He also thanked residents and volunteers and stressed the importance of getting involved to keep the Borough of Saddle River a beautiful and thriving community.
Important Document Links
Click here for printable 2009 information about Household Hazardous Waste Collections.
Click here for a printable listing of acceptable and unacceptable materials for Household Hazardous Waste Collections and driving directions to collection facilities.
Click here for a printable Spring, 2009 Saddle River Board of Health Information update.
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