1999 - Teaneck Public Library

Teaneck
Municipal
Services
The Township Manager's
1998 Report
The 1999 Budget
1999 Directory of Teaneck's
Municipal Services
This booklet contains a listing of all services provided by Teaneck Township,
including phone numbers and hours of operation of the Departments.
TEANECK TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
Paul S. Ostrow, Mayor
Jacqueline B. Kates, Deputy Mayor
Michael A. Gallucci
Edward M. Henderson Sr.
Elie Katz
Eleanor Manning Kieliszek
Emil "Yitz" Stern
Martin R. Cramer, Attorney
Rochelle Reid-Fowler, Acting Township Clerk
TEANECK TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATION
Clare M. Cabibbo, Municipal Court Administrator
Glenna D. Crockett, Superintendent of Recreation
Frank Danis, Chief Financial Officer
Wayne A. Fisher, Health Officer
Donald C. Giannone, Police Chief
Howarth C. Gilmore, Municipal Engineer
Steven M. Gluck, Construction Official
Kevin Lynch, Purchasing Agent
Michael McCue, Library Director
William Norton, Fire Chief
Gary A. Saage, Municipal Manager
Helene V. Fall, Deputy Municipal Manager
James R. Tighe, Assessor
the historic 1964 struggle that resulted in the
peaceful integration of Teaneck's public school; The
decades-long Glenpointe story; Portraits of some 30
Teaneck's religious institutions; Teaneck's
outstanding women, past and present; Teaneck's
grass-roots sports program, and on and on!
100 years of Teaneck
history. The Teaneck 100
Year Book has·a color
cover and a sixteen page
color section. 160 hard•
cover pages In
new
words and old pictures.
Order now!
ere's your chance to buy copies of this
history of Teaneck for yourself as well as
for gifts. Learn about Teaneck's roots in a
book that you will be proud to own, not only for its
contents, but for its appearance as it sits on your
coffee table.
If you want another book that contains this
t's more than a history, it takes you behind
much information about your hometown, you'll
simply have to wait for
scenes during some
.--------""",.-;r-,..---,,.....,..-y-.--."r""f-~-v-:-~---.
of the momentous
the Bicentennial!
events in the last 100
Pick up your copy
years. It has a 16- page
at the Library (seven days
color section with many
a week) or at the Clerk's
photos of the 1995
Office in the Municipal
Centennial celebration.
Building (Monday to
Township Historian bob
Friday 9:00 am to 4:45
Griffin describes what
pm).
Teaneck was like before
If you'd prefer to have
1895. Schuyler Warmit shipped somewhere, fill
flash takes you on a tour
out the coupon below,
of Teaneck's historic homes. It's all here:
enclose a check for $45 made out to the town-ship of
Editor-in-chief Frank Hall's inside perspective of
Teaneck and send it, or take it to the Clerk's Office.
H
I
To: Clerk's Office, Township of Teaneck, Municipal Building, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Please send me
copies, at $45. a copy, of "The Teaneck 100 Year Book"
I am enclosing check for $
made out to The Township of Teaneck.
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Phone no: (
Zip:
)
Note: If books are gifts, please attach the names and addresses of the recipients on a separate sheet.
1
TE ANE CK 100 YEAR HISTORY BOOK .........................1
1998 DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Assessor ..................................................................................... 3
Building ...................................................................................... 3
Court .......................................................................................... 4
Finance ....................................................................................... 4
· Fire ......................................................................................5,6, 7
Health and Human Services ............. ...............................?, 8, 9
Legal ..................................................................................... 9, 10
Library ............................................................................... 10, 11
Police .......................................... ..............................................12
Public Works and Engineering ............................................ .13
Purchasing ............................................................................... 14
Recreation ................................................................... 14, 15, 16
1999 DIRECTORY OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES ..........22
Assessor ................................................................................... 23
Building .................................................................................... 23
Court ........................................................................................ 23
Fin'ance ..................................................................................... 23
Purchasing ...............................................................................23
Fire ... .........................................................................................24
Health and Human Services ...................................... 24, 25,"""26
Legal ......................................................................................... 26
Library ..................................................................................... 27
Police ........................................................................ ................ 28
Public Works and Engineering ............................28, 29, 30, 31
Recreation .............................................................. 32, 33, 34, 35
Volunteer Ambulance Corps ............................................... .36
Statutory and Advisory Boards ...................................... 37, 38
1999 BUDGET
Manager's Remarks on Budget ............................................17
Budget and Tax Analysis ............... ., ...................................... 18
Municipal Budget Breakdown ..............................................19
Schedule A - Salaries and Wages ..........................................20
Schedule B - Other Expenses ..... ..........................................20
Schedule C - Deferred and Statutory .................................. 20
ScheduleD - Capital Improvements ....................................21
Schedule E - Miscellaneous Revenues ................................ 21
SPECIAL FEATURES .......................................................:.39
Teaneck Tips ........................................................................... .40
Service Directory ....................................... Inside Back Cover
2
a designated time of war as follows and have received
an honorable discharge.
ASSESSOR: For 1999, Teaneck has a total of
11,708 taxable real properties with an aggregate
assessable value of $2,565,134,500. This represents a net
increase of $1,571,700 over the "aggregate assessable
value of real property for 1998. With the addition of
taxable business property, the net valuation taxable was
$2,571,210,314 for 1999. This represents a decrease of
$255,991 relative to the 1998 net valuation taxable.
The following breakdown by property class was
observed for real property in 1999:
#of
%of
%of
Ass'd Value
Property Type
Parcels
T#
84.11
1 -4 Family Res. 11,118
94.96
10.94
382
3.26
Commercial
0.98
17
.15
Industrial
3.51
.47
55
Apartments
0.46
1.16
Vacant Land
136
100.00%
100.00%
Totals
11.708
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Panama Peacekeeping Mission
Lebanon Peacekeeping Mission
Grenada Peacekeeping Mission
Vietnam Conflict
Korean Conflict
World War II
World War I
-August 2,1990- Ongoing
-Dec. 20,1989- Jan. 31,1990
-Sept. 26, 1982- Dec. 1, 1987
-Oct. 23, 1983- Nov. 21, 1983
-Dec. 31, 1960- May 7,1975
-June 23, 1950- Jan. 31, 1955
-Sept. 16, 1940- Dec. 31, 1946
-April6, 1917 - Nov. 11, 1918
Note: Peacekeeping Missions require actual service in a
combat zone for a total of 14 days, unless a service injury
was received in a combat zone.
These Constitutional authorizations are
administered by the assessor. For those individuals who
feel they may qualify, the assessor should be contacted
for the necessary forms.
During 1998 legislation was
passed to authorize a freeze in
property taxes for qualified
senior citizens. This program is
administered by the State
Division of Taxation who
should be contacted at 1-800882-6597 for an application or
additional information.
In addition to taxable real
properties, Teaneck has a total
of 329 exempt properties
which includes schools,
municipal properties, church,
synagogue and charitable
properties, and hospitals.
During 1998 there was a
total of 216 appeals filed with
the Bergen County Board of
Taxation. Reductions totaling
$3,390,000 in assessed value
were granted through hearings
and stipulations. Petitions for
appeal must be received by the
Bergen County Board of
Taxation on or before Aprill.
Tax appeal hearings are scheduled by the County·
Board of Taxation during the summer months following
receipt of petition.
The state constitution authorizes an annual
property tax deduction from the property taxes levied
on a dwelling house owned and occupied by a qualified
senior citizen, a person less than 65 who is permanently
and totally disabled, or a person who is the surviving
spouse of a qualified senior or disabled person. In order
to qualify, persons must be residents of the State of
New Jersey, reside in the property for which the
deduction is claimed, and have an income not
exceeding $ 10,000 annually, excluding social security or
a comparable governmental retirement or disability
program not to exceed the equivalency under social
security. The State constitution also provides for ·a tax
deduction for qualified veterans and/or their surviving
spouse. To qualify, the veteran must have served during
Municipal
Report
BUILDING: The
Building Department issued
1874 permits in 1998 with a
construction value of$
17,495,112, compared to 1911
permits in 1997 with a
construction value of
$29,518,921.
The Township received a total of $337,754 in
revenue from various permits and fees, and the
department personnel performed inspections from the
following Building Department activities:
Building
Plumbing
Electric
Fire
Elevator
Certificates
TOTALS
Revenue
$178,662
56,000
44,733
29,328
2,470
26.561
Inspections
1468
571
937
936
162
$337.754
4074
The Building Department's computer network has
undergone additional upgrading and expansion. This
work has allowed the Department to keep abreast of
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changing New Jersey State Uniform Construction
Codes and procedures. All members of the Department
have received training on the latest software and
hardware upgrades. ·
·
Through the use of student summer employment
programs, the enormous task of cataloging historic
Building Department records continued through 1998.
Although many more records must be handled, the
benefits of the municipal records management program
are already being realized. Construction permits dating
back to the early 1980's have already been catalogued
and are accessible.
During 1998 several major projects were in various
stages of construction. Edward's Super Food Stores
completed their new facility on American Legion Drive
and opened their doors to the public. Hope
Presbyterian Church on River Road, Temple Emeth on
Windsor Road, Community High School of Bergen
County at the former St.
Anastasia's School, Northern
Teaneck Synagogue
Association on Roemer
Avenue and Holy Name
Hospital's Oncology Building
all completed construction and
began their operations. In
addition, the Township's
expansion of the Richard
Rodda Community Center
was completed and a Spring
dedication ceremony was held.
The planned expansion
projects of the Township's
elementary schools and
alterations to the Teaneck
High School continued
through 1998. State financed
construction projects continue at the Teaneck
Community Resource Center ( former Teaneck
Armory). Several feature films and private events have
been held at the facility. The State plans to hold public
functions at this facility in the near future.
During 1998 the Board of Adjustment processed
42 applications and collected fees totaling $14,440. The
Planning Board processed 44applications and collected
fees totaling $5,869. Significant applications heard by
the Boards we.re the Fairleigh Dickinson Chapel on
River Road, addition to the American Legion facility
on American Legion Drive, and the Yeshiva Gedolah of
Englewood to. be located on Palisade Avenue.
computer system and can access the system 23 and 1/2
hours a day for general inquiries and to verify warrants.
The police can access valuable information by utilizing
this computer to view the records of the Teaneck Court
as well as all other Municipal Courts throughout the
State of New Jersey. The ATS/ACS system is connected
with the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicle for
prompt reporting of court dispositions, and suspension
of drivers licenses of defendants who fail to pay their
court fines orsatisfy a traffic ticket. New Jersey
Division of Motor Vehicle also reports to the court
through the ATS system, supplying information on the
owners of vehicles who have committed parking
violations.
The court processed 20,126 traffic tickets and 1,229
criminal violations through the ATS/ACS computer
system in 1998 that were issued by local and state law
enforcement agencies. Municipal Court revenues of
$872,652.50 were collected in
1998 compared to $718,919.76
in 1997. $495,854.64 (figure
includes POAA collections in
the amount of $4, 408.00) of
the 1998 revenues were
remitted to the Township and
the remaining balance of
$376,797.86 was transferred to
other agencies, primarily the
State Director of Motor
Vehicles and the County of
Bergen.
Traffic and Criminal court
sessions are currently held
twice a week, utilizing the
Council Chambers. There is
limited seating in the Council
Chambers, far too little to
accommodate the seating needed for each court .
session. Discussions are still ongoing to develop plans
for the conversion of the old police building to a new
justice complex which would house new court offices
and a courtroom. We anticipate the hiring of an
architect in 1999 to develop plans for this project.
FINANCE:.
in 1998, the" Finance Department
disbursed more than $36,000,000 in Budget
Appropriations through the processing of more than
5,000 vouchers. In addition, the Department prepares a
biweekly payroll for over 375 full time employees as
well as part time and seasonal employees, and prepares
all State and Federal returns.
COURT: The Municipal Court is completely
automated, utilizing the Statewide Automated Traffic
(ATS), and the Automated Criminal System (ACS). The
police departml(nt is online with the ATS I ACS
In 1998, the Finance Department refinanced
$4,000,000.00 of one year bond anticipation notes at a
rate of 3.75% first issued in 1997 for one year at 3.92%
4
to finance the construction of the addition to the Rodda
Community Center.
The Finance Department has maintained an inhouse computer for its budget and accounting system
since 1995. The Finance Department also maintains and
manages a local area network which connects all
departments located in the Municipal Building.
The Tax Office is the central receiving agency for
all fees collected for licenses, fees, permits, fines, etc. In
addition, this office handles the billing, tax collection
and tax searches for more than 12,000 properties in the
Township. Inquiries for related information from
residents, attorneys, Realtors, banks, mortgage
companies and others are responded by this office,
which is managed by the Tax Collector.
The Registrar of Vital Statistics is also temporarily
located in the finance department. When the old Police
Building is renovated for the Municipal Court, the
Registrar will return to the Health and Human Services
Department.
house on Franklin Road where a resident died after
receiving 100% burns over his body in an accidental
fire. A similar tragedy was narrowly averted in an
apartment on Teaneck Road, where a woman fell asleep
in her bed while smoking a cigarette. Teaneck
firefighters made an aggressive search and saved the
woman from the burning room even before a hose line
was in place. Coordinated efforts of all fire units and
the Teaneck Vol. Ambulance Corps resulted in the
woman being revived, and the apartment being saved
with moderate damage.
Last year was surprising in that the majority of the
serious fires were in commercial buildings and multiple
dwellings, rather than in single family homes. Beside the
man killed, four residents were injured, and about
twenty driven out of their homes by fire. Worn or
improperly-installed electric outlets and the misuse of
extension cords as permanent wiring led to a third of
the serious fires, and many more of the 67 less serious
fires in buildings. Careless
. smoking led to three of the
four civilian injuries
All Fire Department
members were certified as
medical First Responders in
1998. We also received six
semi-automatic defibrillators
from Hackensack University
Medical Center. All training
for the above was conducted
in-house by TFD staff. The
defibrillators are located on all
first line fire equipment in
Teaneck for a quick response
when the Fire Department is
requested.
The Fire Department
participation in the Mid
Bergen Mutual Aid Association with Bergenfield,
Bogota, Englewood, Hackensack, Ridgefield Park and
South Hackensack remains unchanged. The Association
also sponsors the Hazardous Materials Response Team,
which includes-18 communities for primary haz-mat
response.
The haz-mat team responded to a variety of calls
in 1998. Most of these re~ponses in the member
communities were handled by their fire department
haz-mat members. The entire team had to respond to
several major calls during-the year. The most severe
occurred in Leonia, where a fully loaded tar truck
fueled by Propane exploded and burned several cars, a
school bus and homes and required the assistance of
the Teaneck FD's Haz-Mat members as well as the
County Health Department and the State Department
of Environmental Protection.
The Department has in place extensive fire
FIRE: Your Fire Department
responded to 3,438 alarms in
1998. The alarms were received
as:
Activity
1998 1997
Fires
238 228
Other Emergencies 1234 1300
Alarms, No Fire
879 930
Mutual Aid
24
33
Other Services
1063 992
TOTALS
3.438
Besides fires, we also respond
to vehicle extrication's, structural
collapses, flooding, assistance to
the ambulance corps, utility
failures, alarm system failures, and weather related
problems. To report a FIRE residents are urged to use
the township fire alarm boxes, 911 and/or the fire
emergency number \837-~783) for the quic~est , most
reliable fire response servtce. On average, ftr.e personnel
respond two minutes quicker to signals from fire alarm
boxes and this is a significant difference during the
ea~ly stages of a fire. With the year 2000 approaching,
the fire department has taken ~teps to insure Y2K
compliance. We encourage you to program our seven
digit number (837-7783) into your telephone speed
dialer should there be a problem with the 911 system. If
the entire phone system should fail, the township fire
alarm boxes will be available for you to report any
emergency. You should make a note of the location of
the one closest to your home today.
There were many serious fires in 1998. The most
serious occurred in a large detached garage behind a
5
protection and fire prevention programs which helped
to reduce total calls in 1998. The fire prevention bureau
conducted approximately 6,000 fire prevention
activities which includes fire and building inspections
and re-inspections, building plan reviews and meetings
with contractors, business owners and developers. These
inspections and meetings occur before and during
construction to insure compliance with the New Jersey
Uniform Building Code and Fire Safety Act. The
principal goal of the fire prevention program involves
inspection of existing buildings to maintain a high level
of life safety for building occupants. Neighborhood fire
companies conducted approximately 1,800 inspections
of commercial buildings and oc'Cupancies to insure
proper storage conditions and adequate maintenance of
existing facilities to comply with the NJ State Uniform
Fire Code. In addition, over 1200 inspections and reinspections of residential smoke detectors were made in
1998 pursuant to State requirements in the resale of
private homes and re-renta!' of ·
rental units. The Bureau is also
responsible for the investigation
of all fires which occur in the
township. The investigations are
conducted with cooperation from
local, County, State and Federal
agencies. These include locaf
police, County Prosecutors Arson
Task Force, State Policeand the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms.
The Fire Alarm Bureau
continued their aggressive
preventive maintenance
program. About 90% of the
wires that connect fire alarm
boxes to the overhead lines have
been changed in the last five
years, and mechanical splices, which can loosen, have
largely been replaced by higher-quality splicing
materials. Additional lighting protection and test points
have been added along the ov~rhead lines. Aggressive
preventive maintenance is less costly than corrective
repairs, but more important, causes the fire alarm
system to be as reliable and trouble-free as possible.
Teaneck's municipal fire alarm system continued to
be the best way to report fires, smoke and other
emergencies to the fire department. The fire alarm
boxes are completely separate from the telephone
company, and have days of back-up power. They will
work even when the phones or power is out. This will
prove crucial in early 2000 as other reporting systems
may not work due to unforeseen problems. A third of
the serious fires in 1998 were reported via the fire
alarm boxes, some of which interface with building
alarm systems making notification automatic. Boxes
were also pulled for a serious collision where three
teenagers were injured, including one unconscious, and
for a man who tripped and fell, knocking himself
unconscious on a secluded sidewalk late at night.
Several smaller fires, dozens of smoke emergencies, and
a dozen serious water leaks were also reported via the
system. The p~oblem of calling 911 from a Cell Phone
were again highlighted by a resident of a house on
South Prospect Terrace, who reported serious delays in
being connected to the Teaneck Fire Dept due to the
inherent lack of automatic location identification of
wireless phones. When the resident tried to report the
fire, it was still small, but by the time the call eventually
reached Fire Headquarters, flames were blowing from
the windows. Residents should know the location of the
fire alarm box closest to their home.
Uniformed members of the Department attend
continuing education courses covering a wide variety of
subjects including firefighting, health and safety, arson
detection, Firefighter 2,
Firefighter 3, Heavy Rescue,
CPR, and fi,re incident
command. Department
members continued to expand
their knowledge by also taking
additional optional fire
schooling . In addition,
members participate in in-·
service company training to
increase their level of expertise;
Haz-mat team members comply
with OSHA mandated training
requirements.1fiis Haz-mat
training is conducted at State
academies and in~house by
team member certified State
instructors.
Box 54 Fire Service Support
Unit, a pioneer in Fireground Rehabilitation, is the only
service of its kind in Bergen County. Established in
1952 and working out of Teaneck Fire Headquarters,
this all volunteer unit responds to fires and emergencies
throughout the county around the clock. This unit
provides fluids and nourishment to firefighters and
other emergency personnel and also provides
emergency communication whenever necessary as the
trucks are equipped with tri-state communication
capability.
The safety-rated fire gear worn by firefighters,
hazardous materials crews, etc. creates greater demand
on the body for rehydration as per the research and
recommendations by the U.S. Fire Administration on
nutritional needs of firefighters/emergency workers.
Members of Box 54 are trained to recognize and attend
to those needs and many are further trained in CPR,
Haz-Mat Awareness, Incident Command, and other fire
6
related fields. Box 54 members continued to refresh
their training and provide training in Fireground
rehabilitation to firefighters, EMT's and auxiliary
personnel throughout Bergen County and have also
provided the training to other rehabilitation units in
Jersey City and Newark.
received flu shots at the Senior Service Center and
Classic Residence.
In July of 1998 the Health Department began a
"house number survey" for all the residential properties
in the Township. A new ordinance adopted by the
Township Council required legible house numbers on
all properties. Residences that did not conform were
provided with a copy of the ordinance requirements by
)he Township Manager. In 1999 Fire Department
personnel will follow-up on the residential properties in
each of the four fire districts to ensure compliance. A
properly placed house number will allow all of the
Townships emergency services, including the Volunteer
Ambulance Corp to respond more quickly to what
could be life threatening situations.
Property maintenance surveys were continued in
the commercial areas of the Township. A total of 18
property owners in the Queen Anne Road/DeGraw
Avenue area were cited for 33 violations. A follow-up
survey was also conducted on
Cedar Lane and 9 additional
properties were cited for
violations. The Code
Enforcement Officer routinely
patrols all the commercial areas
in the Township making sure
that litter is removed from
sidewalks and that garbage
storage areas are maintained. In
the summer months overgrown
and unmaintained properties
become a priority. The Code
Enforcement Officer also
supervises the "Teen Clean"
program participants. Teaneck
High School students from the
FORUM program cleaned
municipal parking lots on
Saturday mornings April through June and September
through November. During July and August, the
students worked with the Public Works Department
and painted over graffiti on public buildings, bridges
and other Township property. The program will
continue in 1999.
The Health Department continued the
coordination of the Teaneck Municipal Alliance Against
Substance Abuse. The Alliance is funded through grant
moneys received from the Governor's Council on
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. The Alliance committee
received $17,500.00 in 1998. The Township matched the
amount with 25% cash and 75% in-kind services. The
Alliance committee worked closely with the school
system, the D.A.R.E. program and END D.W.I. Key
programs were Project Find and the administration of
the American Drug & Alcohol Survey at the high
school and two middle schools. The Alliance Committee
In 1998 Box 54 responded to 89 calls, of which 19 were
for Teaneck fires and emergencies. 1998 saw the
introduction of two new vehicles obtained by Box 54. A
1994 Recreational Vehicle(valued at $50,000) was
donated by the Bergen County 200 Club. This vehicle
was modified to accommodate the needs of emergency
personnel at major incidents, thus it is known as a
Major Incident Rehabilitation Vehicle(MIRV). A 1985
Dodge Ram was also acquired that has proven a
tremendous help in ferrying additional personnel,
supplies, etc., to fire scenes. As it is not unusual for Box
··54 to be called to more than one fire or emergency at
the same time, these units allow
the Box 54 Unit multi-response
capability. Funding of supplies
for Box 54 is from donations
made by Teaneck and other fire
departments. Call837-2085 for
further information about joining
or contributing funds or supplies.
HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Health
And
Human
Services
'The Health Department's
20th annual Health Fair was held
in October at the newly opened
Richard Rodda Community
Center. The fair entitled, Project
Find and Senior Health
Symposium was funded by the
Teaneck Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse
and was cosponsored by Holy Name Hospital. Over 400
seniors participated in the day long event which was
highlighted with a lecture by Dr. William Van Ost which
focused on the hidden problems of seniors and
substance abuse. The Holy Name staff provided
programs on complementary medicine, nutrition and
osteoporosis. Various screenings including a Lipid
profile, blood pressure and heart risk assessment were
offered. A Tai Chi demonstration was given and the
Police Department's Community Police division
provided information on burglary prevention and
avoiding scam artists who prey on the elderly. A major
draw at the symposium were influenza and pneumonia
immunizations. Seniors received 251 influenza shots and
27 pneumonia shots. The next health fair is being
planned for October of 1999. Watch the newspapers for
the exact date and time. An additional 118 seniors
7
also provided funding for Project Graduation and for
high school students to attend the Teen Institute of the
Garden State (TIGS) summer program. Teaneck First
Night, a drug and alcohol free New Year's eve event
was generously funded in part by the Alliance.
Residents or organizations who would like to become
·involved in the Alliance should call the coordinator at
837-4822.
The Township is entering its eighth year of
contracting with Holy Name Hospital for Public Health
Nursing Services. The program continues to be a major
success. The Teaneck Child Hea}th 'Conference is the
only one in the county to provide evening hours to
participants in an effort to accommodate working
parents. The evening hours are the third Thursday of
the month, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Day hours for
the Conference are from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on
Wednesdays. Visits to the Child Health Conference
totaled 228. The clinic, which provides all aspects of
well-child care, administered
321 childhood immunizations.
Venous blood tests are
performed on children
participating in the clinic at one
and two years of age. A total of
31 children were tested for lt<ad
poisoning. The clinic which is
located at 725 Teaneck Road is
available to Township children
between the ages of six weeks
and five years. Appointments,
required for all services of the
Child Health Conference, can
be made by calling 833-0275.
The Community Health
Services clinic which provides
hypertension screening and risk
assessment is also located at 725
Teaneck Road. The clinic which includes an educational
component, has recorded 666 visits in 1998, in which 54
referrals were made to private physiGians. The clinic is
offered twice a week and is the perfect solution for
residents who must have their blood pressure checked
on a regular basis. Evening hours are availa,.ble one
Monday a month, from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. Public
Health Nurses from the clinic also moqitored blood
pressures weekly at the Teaneck Senior Service Center
in 1998. A total of 224 seniors received services in 1998.
In 1999 the service will be expanded tb twice a week
and is now housed at the new Richard Rodda
Community Center. To receive further information of
clinic dates and times, contact the Health Department ·
office at 837-4824 or Holy Name Hospital's Community
Health Services at 837- 1850.
The Senior Citizens Medical Outreach program is
now in its sixth year. The facility which had been
formerly located within the Townhouse, now operates
under the direction of The Bergen Regional Medical
Center and is housed at the new Richard Rodda
Community Center. The program offers primary
medical care in addition to podiatric care. Hours of
operation are each Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For
further information or appointments, call 967-4060.
The secretarial staff processed over 2,200 licenses
for dog owners, retail food establishment operations,
vending machines, dry cleaners and owners of rented
homes and lodging houses. Revenues generated from
these licenses and other miscellaneous fees totaled
$72,285.57. Pet owners licensed 1,560 dogs, and 361 cats
by the end of 1998. The licensing period for cats runs
from April1 to March 31 of the following year.
Licenses can be renewed during April and May. As with
dog licenses which are renewable in January and
February, there is a $10 late fee after the renewal period
is over. Free rabies immunization vouchers for
participating veterinarians are
available from the Health
Department. Residents took
advantage of this program in
1998, by having 207 dogs and
·
145 cats vaccinated.
Animal Control services
are provided through a
contract with the Bergen
County Animal Shelter. The
Shelter responded to 441
requests for service in 1998.
The service provides rabies
control, rescues sick and
injured animals and captures
stray dogs and cats. To request
the services of the shelter,
residents should call the
•
Health Department weekdays
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m. Before and after these hours
and on weekends or holidays, calls should be made to
the Teaneck Police.
Environmental Health and Property Maintenance
Code enforcement are priorities with the Health
Department. The restaurants and other food
establishments come under the close scrutiny of the
departm~nt inspectors on a regular basis. Food
establishments received 282 satisfactory, 46 conditional
and 2 uns:;~tisfactory inspections in 1998. The inspectton
placards ate w{lite for satisfactory and yellow for
conditionaliJ1spections, and are required to be posted
at or near tbe public entrance to the establishment.
Inspectors investigated 51 complaints. involving food
establishments. Establishments in serious violation were
Issued 22 snmmonses which.resulted in $1,795.00 in
fine~. Monthly samples· of potenti.ally hazardous foods .
were collecte~ and analyzecj for high bacterial levels.
Health
And
Human
Services
8
Consistent property maintenance code
enforcement keeps the Township environmentally
sound and helps keep property values high. As the
primary enforcers of the code, department inspectors
conducted 2,336 inspections in 1998. Violation notices
were written, follow-up inspections conducted and
summonses issued where necessary. A three year
comparison of code enforcement activities follows:
1996
1997
1998
Total Inspections
2,729
2,906
2,336
Total Notices
1,058
1,356
1,125
Cases Abated
924
955
732
Repeat Notices
41
294
272
Notices Pending
93
107
121
Court Summonses
204
78
61
Fines Collected
$8,380
$2,820
$4,430
Guilty
128
51
36
Not Guilty
1
0
0
Dismissed
10
2
13
Pending
65
25
12
WorkFirst NJ, assists in the "fair hearing" process, and
has responsibility for the Shelter and Social Services
annexes of the Township's Emergency Operations Plan.
Since the transfer of the General Assistance program to
the Bergen County Board of Social Services, we
continue to act as ombudsman for the clients we
formally serviced. The transfer of active General
Assistance cases began in the first quarter of 1998, and
the last General Assistance case files were completed
and finalized in July of 1998. Residents who need to
apply for Public Assistance (Aid to Families with
Dependent Children -AFDC, Food Stamps, Medicaid,
General Assistance) should contact the Bergen County
Board of Social Services located at 216 Route 17 North,
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662, Telephone (201) 368-4200. The
Social Services Coordinator receives private sector
assistance from a number of sources in 1998; most
notably the help of the African-American Student
Organization at Teaneck High School, Woman's Club of
Teaneck, American Legion Post #128, New Milford Teaneck Elks Lodge #2290,
The Hope Presbyterian
Church, the Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, and local
merchants, residents and
supermarkets.
Tenants in multiple family
dwellings, rented houses and
lodging houses are served by
the department through
Certificate of Health
inspections. These inspections
are required for vacant
apartments, single family
rented houses and rented
rooms. Certificates of Health
were issued for 161 apartment
units in 1998.
Radon test kits were sold
to 12 residents in 1998. Test
kits are still available at the
Health Department office for
$14.00. Over 500 residents
have taken advantage of the program since its inception
in 1989.
The Social Services Coordinator is a component of
the Heath & Human Services Department and as such
provides social services and referrals to residents
including teen mothers, families having catastrophic
illnesses, the frail elderly, senior citizens (wh'O make up
over 20% of the township's population), the homeless,
case management of certain A.I.D.S. or TB cases, and
crisis intervention for the incompetent or mentally ill.
The Coordinator works closely with other agencies such
as the Center for Food Action, the Agency to Prevent
Homelessness, the THS FORUM and the Community
Mental Health Centers staff, providing case
management and referrals for residents having
substance abuse problems or mental illnesses.
Additionally the Coordinator acts as an advocate for
Township residents who are or may be eligible for
The following is
a brief summary of major
pending litigation:
1. Abrasive Distributors v.
Teaneck - In this zoning case,
the former owner of property
on the corner of Cedar Lane
and Palisade Avenue
(including the site of a very
large and old oak tree) sued Teaneck claiming that .
Teaneck had made it difficult for it to sell its property
at a reasonable price, by, among other things,
attempting to deClare the oak tree an historic site, and
dissuading purchasers from buying the property.
Teaneck denied these.claims and moved for summary
judgment in order to win the case without a trial. As of
the end of 1998, no decision had been made on our
motion for summary judgment
2. Meridian Con'struction v. Teaneck - Tbe _general
contractor for the recently completed Police
Department building tummenced an arbitration
proceedings to collect $28,121.52, the b~lance claimed
due it under its contract. Teaneck obJected tb paying
the general contractor because the building has ha<3
many leaks, causing substantial water damage. As a
result, Teaneck countercla~med fot' its pwn damages of
nu,soo.oo. The case was tfie_d in a s.eries of arbit~ation
9
7. Various Construction Cases. From time to time,
when residents seriously violate Building Department
regulations, it is necessary to take them to Teaneck
Municipal Court to try and obtain compliance with the
law. Teaneck is mainly concerned with having the
violations removed and the unsafe conditions cleared
up, but the law provides penalties ·~nd the fines for
noncompliance can be quite high. In the event that
compliance and payment of fines is not made Teaneck
has the option of enforcement in t~e Municipal or the
Superior Court. These cases concern the failure on the
part of homeowners to obtain certificates of occupancy,
building permits for extensions, required inspections, etc.
hearings by an arbitrator appointed by the American
Arbitration Association. As of the end of 1998 the
hearings had concluded, briefs· were submitted, and a
decision by the Arbitrator was expected in the Spring of
1999.
3. Glenpointe v. Teaneck-Gienpointe sued to invalidate
an amendment to our zoning ordinance providing for
communications equipment on the roof of the hotel but
prohibiting such equipment on the roof of the two
office buildings at Glenpointe. Glenpointe claims that
when the project was first set up in 1977 the Town
contracted to let it have the buildings and "appurtenant
improvements", which they say now includes
communications antennae, and that the Town agreed
never to "abrogate. any of the terms of the ordinance
that set up Glenpointe. Glenpointe also alleges that
regulations of the Federal Communications
Commission preempt the field and that neither Teaneck
nor any other municipality has
any right to enact an
ordinance affecting antennas
and satellite dishes. As of the
end of 1998, pretrial
proceedings had been
completed and the case was
awaiting trial.
LIBRARY: In 1998, the Library continued to be
an important and valuable destination for Township
residents. The Library loaned some 439,000 items, both
print and non-print, to borrowers last year. That ranks
first among the seventy public libraries that make up
the Bergen County
Cooperative Library System
(BCCLS) with Fair Lawn
second at 395,000 and
Paramus third at 352,000.
Teaneck also has the most
used collection in BCCLS.Its
collection circulates the most
among the libraries at three
times per item. While Teaneck
is not the largest library by
building size nor collection
size in BCCLS - it is the most
used with the liveliest
collection of materials.
BCCLS, which gets its
funds from fees paid by the
local libraries, a grant from the
County Freeholders, and·State
Library Technology Bond funds, maintains the Library's
computer operations. This makes it possible for you to
use your library card in seventy public libraries, and acts
as the conduit for library cooperative programs. BCCLS
helped all the libraries through the Federal discounted
telecommunication rate process which permits Teaneck
to have a T-1 phone line at greatly discounted prices. T1 is a special phone line which permits fast access to the
Internet, helps make the Library more efficient and
permits exploration of more sites on the Internet.
The library has provided Internet access to the
public since 1995 at ever increasing speed and on a
growing number of computers. Whether it is to check
one's e-mail, search for materials for a school report,
search for job listings, or just check a fact, the Internet
is an integral part of reference service. Staff are trained
in the use of its resources. A growing number of print
sources are being abandoned in favor of the Internet or
4. Mulder v. Teaneck · This is a
zoning case in which a
challenge was made to the
validity of Teaneck's
Ordinance governing
affordable housing. The
Plaintiff constructed a building
without the required set aside
of affordable units. Trial was
held in October of 1998.
Teaneck's position was sustained, and the Plaintiff will
pay to Teaneck the sum of $50,000.00 for violations of
the affordable housing ordinance.
5. Various Self-Insurance Fund cases. Since Teaneck is
self-insured for most accident cases (other than
automobile) we defend claims involving damage~
alleged to have been caused on our streets, parks, and
other public property. At the end of the year there were
17 such cases being defended by the Township
Attorney.
6. Various State Tax Court Appeals. There are
numerous State Tax Court Appeals being defended by
the Township Attorney. Most of these cases involve
commercial or industrial properties. Several of the cases
are by institutions requesting exemption from all real
estate taxes. These cases will be tried throughout 1999.
10
other electronic media. In the era of the Internet as a
source for information, the future of the public-library
may seem to be in doubt. The large number of people
who pour through the library doors indicates that
reports of its death are premature. People use the
library for education, entertainment, and as a place to
see their neighbors. The social aspect of the institution,
the browsing aspect of looking for a good read or
research materials - these are hard to duplicate on the
Internet.
In 1998, the Library was the beneficiary of several
generous gifts. The largest gift in the Library's history
came from the estate of Thayer Brown. Mr. Brown, who
died at the age of 91 in August, 1995, included the
Library among a list of universities and non-profit
groups. His gift of nearly $56,000 will be used to start a
renovation of the Children's room in 1999.
The Library received four landscape paintings from
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Minier. The artist, William Fisher,
lived for a number of years in
Teaneck. The works now grace
the Library's mezzanine level.
Sue Brody, made another
gift in memory of her late
husband, Arthur. The Library
added new COs of chamber
and folk music with this gift,
augmenting what is arguably
one of the best collections in
New Jersey.
As a first step in a major
renovation program, the flat
roof was replaced in 1998 and
the library switched from fuel
oil to natural gas for heat and
made the necessary conversion
of its boiler. An architect was
retained to formulate plans for
this renovation program as a new structure was deemed
impracticable.
The Friends of the Library continued to be a lively
organization in 1998. Their foreign film screenings, often
just as the work was released on video, were very
popular. The one book sale held in the Fall proved to be
the most successful ever in terms of number of
volunteers and organization level. Their annual gala,
held in May, featured the Teaneck High School
Madrigal Singers and was a big hit. The Friend's
activities led to a number of donations to the library.
They supported the addition of unabridged books on
tape in numbers far greater than the budget would
permit. They supported the children 's summer reading
club. The Friends helped acquire a number of sets for
the reference room including the multi-volume
Dictionary of Art and the American National
New programs offered in 1998 proved popular. A
book discussion group was formed and proved to be so
popular that a second one was under consideration late
in the year. Teaneck began a program that started in
other Bergen libraries when it organized a corps of
volunteers to "Adopt a Shelf". This group of your
neighbors, over 100 people at year-end, agree to
maintain a section of the Library's collection - a big
help given the circulation figures mentioned above.
Finally, but not least, the Children's Department
enjoyed another banner year. Despite the glamour of
the Internet the one thing the Library wants to make
sure it does well is serve the children of Teaneck.
Reading should be a central part of every child's life.
Success as a reader leads to success as a student, as an
employee, as a citizen. In its programming, its
collection, and its reader's advisory services, the library
works diligently to instill in children a love of reading.
We hope everyone shares in this goal.
Biogr~phy.
11
POLICE:
dialogue with citizens. Through demonstration and
situation analysis, citizens experienced the essence of
the detectives' function.
The Juvenile Bureau is responsible for investigating
crimes at the township schools, thefts of bicycles, graffiti
cases and all bias incidents. Juvenile detectives handle
investigation of child abuse/sexual assault,
abandonment and endangering, custody violations and
missing and/or abducted juveniles cases. These cases are
investigated in cooperation with many county agencies,
such as Crisis Intervention, the Division of Youth and
Family Services, and the Juvenile Conference
Committee. The Bureau is committed to working
closely with school officials and the Teaneck Municipal
Alliance Against Drug Abuse to educate the youth of
our community concerning the dangers of tobacco,
alcohol and substance abuse. Through lectures and
community events such as the National Night Out, the
Junior Police Academy and
the Health Fair, the Youth
Bureau works to raise the
awareness of parents and
juveniles about the Jaws
pertaining to the possession
and use of alcohol and illegal
drugs, and the effects on the
body these substances have.
The mission of the Traffic
Bureau is to ensure that
pedestrians and motorists are
able to conveniently maneuver
throughout the Township, with
the safety of these individuals
being of primary concern. This
is accomplished by a variety of
traffic functions, such as the
school crossing guard
program, radar enforcement, and intersection
evaluations. Additional areas of focus for the Traffic.
Bureau included OWl sobriety check points, DWI
roving patrols, bicycle helmet awareness programs,
accident investigations, inspection sticker road checks,
and details to follow up complaints of vehicles passing
stopped school buses and frozen dessert trucks. The
Bureau has purchased hand held radar units from grant
funds in 1998, which are used in conjunction with the
previously purchased radar trailer, to address
complaints of vehicles exceeding the speed limit. The
motorcycles purchased in 1997 from grant funds
continue to be an asset in traffic concerns, and
patrolling Township parks.
In December of 1998, the Community
Policing Bureau aided graduates of past Citizen Police
Academy classes in forming an Alumni Association.
This association is made up of residents from Teaneck
as well as other Bergen County towns. The mission of
the association is to foster and 'strengthen a two-way
partnership with the Police Department through
continual learning, serving as ambassadors and
resources for and within the community and to increase
public awareness and support. This is just one example
of a partnership formed between residents and police.
During 1998 the Patrol Division, working 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year, drove a total of 548,838miles.
During this time period, 5991 summonses for moving
violations, and 6,135 summonses for parking violations
were issued. A total of 1,742 accident investigations
were conducted, of which 304 resulted in the issuance
of summonses. For 1998, 55 OWl arrests were made.
The Police Department
responded to 34 calls of animal
bites, 115 fire calls, 2,358 calls
for first aid and made 100
arrests for otlter jurisdictions.
A total of 116 street light and
130 traffic light malfunctions
were reported during the year,
and officers located 200
unsecured premises.
Additionally, the department
impounded 493 vehicles and.
recovered $704,506.00 worth
of stolen property. There were
13,238 reports filed for the
year and 1,652 adult arrests.
The Juvenile Bureau
investigated a total of 719
cases with a total of 513
juvenile arrests filed. Not all of these juveniles were
referred to the court system. Many were given
alternative penalties designed to show them the error in
what they did and the consequences for their actions. In
the Youth Bureau our intention-is to help the juvenile
onto the right path.
The Service Bureau collected $11,020:94 iri alarm
registration fees,.$4,145 in false alann fines and $5,369
in miscellaneous identification fees.
In 1998, the Detective Bureau conducted over
1,650 investigations. Theft, bmglary, and narcotics
distribution were among thld many categories in which
the bureau enjoyed a high level of success. In
cooperation with the Community Policing Bureau,
members of the Detective BureS}U participated in the
Citizens Police Academy. The program, developed by
the Community Policing Bureau. afforded members of
the Detective Bureau an opportunity to establish a
12
resurfacing of the westerly end of Robinson St. with
1997 Community Development funds.
12. Initiated the design for the 1998 Community
Development funded project for the reconstruction
of Fairview Ave.
I 4. 'f!le exterior improvements and re-roofing of the
Ftre Headquarters Building was completed.
15. The asphatt and curbs from the abandoned east end
of Genesee Ave. in Argonne Park was removed with
a curb and sidewalk installed at the opening.
16. A contract was awarded to close the heating fuel oil
underground storage tanks at the library and the fire
headquarters building. Work to be completed early
1999.
17. Consulting services were procured for the
renovation of the tennis courts at Argonne Park and
a construction contract was awarded. Prior to winter
the courts had been rebuilt except for the final color
coating which will be completed in the Spring of I 999.
The Garage workforce
performed preventive
maintenance and repairs
on 38 Police vehicles, 19
vehicles, and 7 pieces of
auxiliary equipment for
the Fire Department, and
61 Public Works vehicles.
In addition, they
maintained 94 pieces of
auxiliary equipment, 3
standby generators, 1
recreation department
van, and I van for disabled
senior citizens.
Department forces
continue park maintenance,
dead tree removals,
.
garden debris pickup, le~f
ptckup, recycling pickup, pothole patching, public
buildings maintenance, and the myriad of other tasks
required to keep the physical features of the
Community looking healthy and prosper.
The Department of Public Works always thanks the
public for the help in reporting potholes and dead trees.
PUBLIC WORKS/ENGINEERING
The Uepartment of Public Works started 199~ with
63 employees and had 68 employees by the end of the
year. We also had, approximately 25 summer
temporaries employed to help with lawn work, garden
debris pick ups and other department functions. The
department also makes use of labor from the Sheriffs
Department, known as, "Labor Assistance Program",
~orkfare persons, people working on community
service hours, high school seniors doing Senior Service
projects in the spring before graduation, Earth Day
volunteers, and County "PIC" workers.
Major equipment purchased with 1998 funds
include: 2 Pick-up trucks with snow plows, and 1large
salt spreader for our Roll-off Truck. The following
major projects were undertaken by outside contractors,
consultants, and our own DPW forces:
I. Road Resurfacing of thirty two streets throughout
the township.
2. Road Resurfacing
of the Southern
Section of Windsor
Rd. with state aid
funds.
3. Safety pruning of
street trees in the
southeast section of
the township.
4. A contract was
awarded for
architectural services
to renovate the old
Rodda Building gym,
and a construction
contract was awarded.
The major elements
included new lighting,
interior painting, new bleachers and renovation of
the restrooms.
5. A contract was awarded for 800 lineal feet of curb
replacement on various streets.
6. 220 tons of patching material was placed in potholes
throughout the township.
7. Approximately 500 Shade Trees were planted in the
Spring of 1998.
8. Construction of the 1998 Sidewalk Replacement
Program was completed in the North East section of
the Township. Residents whose sidewalk was
improved will receive their assessment bill in the
first half of 1999.
9. The Hawthorne Park Tennis Courts were completed
during the Summer of 1998.
10. Major renovations to the Fire Headquarters air
conditioning system was accomplished.
11. Completed the sewer reconstruction and the
Public Works/
Engineering
The following are totals of recycled materials for 1998:
Tons
Newspapers .............................. 973.75
Mixed Paper ............................ 1376.08
Corrugated Boxes .........................381.40
Commingled Glass, Aluminum Cans, Tin Cans,
Plastic containers .......................... 824.45
Total ..................................3,555.68
13
PURCHASING:
old police cars, 2 pickup trucks and a dump truck .
The Purchasing Agent is
directly responsible for the procurement of goods and
services rendered the Township. The Purchasing Aqent
also maintains a centralized purchasing system for all
offices and departments, and oversees the solicitation of
competitive bids required by the Local Public Contracts
Law. In 1998 the Purchasing Department processed
1450 requisitions and issued 1,050 Purchase Orders.
Major purchase~ made in 1998 by the Township
Purchasing Agent were 30 additional computer
workstations, a hand held traffic radar gun, six Ford
Crown Victorias, a Chevy Lumina, and 26 gross of road
flares for our Police Department; 35 turnout coats, 94
sets of workstation uniforms, 1750 feet of 5 inch fire
hose, and a new heating boiler for our Fire Department;
two 1999 GMC pickup trucks with snow Plows and lift
gates, a laser jet printer, and a leaf debris blower for a
Toro tractor for our D.P.W.; a laser jet printer, 450 Dare
lions and 72.000 End
DWI ribbons for our
Health Department:
18,000 traffic tickets for
our Court: a computer
workstation for our new
Deputy Manager: a large
playground play structure
with safety surfacing, a
ceramic kiln, 9,000 podl
I.D. wrist tags, and
furniture including ta'lles
and chairs for our Rodda
Recreation Building: ~nd
lastly, 1,500 Teaneck
History Centennial
Books for Teaneck's
history buffs.
The Township is a
firm believer in the concepts of cooperative purchasing
and is a contributing partner and participant in both
New Jersey's State Cooperative Purchasing Program
and Bergen County's Cooperative Pricing System.
Ordering equipment, supplies and services through
New Jersey's State Cooperative Purchasing Program
and Bergen County's Cooperative Pricing System
enabled the Township to secure better pricing since our
needs were combined with the needs of other
participant members.
In 1998 the Township Purchasing Agent conducted
two auctions in behalf of the Township. The first
auction, of unusable supplies and equipment from all
Township Departments, and bicycles confiscated by our
Police, was held in June and netted the Township
$2,211.00. The second auction of old motor vehicles
held in October, netted the Township $28,425.00.
During this event the Purchasing Aqent auctioned six
··~
RECREATION
The Department of Recreation had a very exciting
year in 1998. Aside from its many program offerings
and monitoring its 21 parks, playgrounds, pools and ball
fields, the department eagerly awaited the move to their
new location in Votee Park.
On May 3. 1998 with a crowd of hundreds, the
Richard Rodda Community Center opened its doors
for a dedication ceremony. Among those speaking at
the event was Richard Rodda himself, a pioneer in the
field of recreation on the local, state and national level,
and Teaneck's first Superintendent of Recreation 55
years ago. A very proud Teaneck unveiled the multi-use
community center. capable of providing for the very
young and very old alike. Described as a jewel of the
community, the center in 1998 has already proved to be
a model for recreation
and the envy of many
communities.
The new facility
officially in operation in
June became the new site
of the Recreation
Administrative offices.
Nursery School, an After
School program, the
Senior Citizen Services
Center and a second
gymnasium. The first
programs to move in
included the Summer
Day Camp program, for
Toddlers from 9-1 p.m.
and children ages 5-8
from 9-4 p.m. Camp at
the Rodda Center was a huge success. Due to the ·close
proximity of Yo tee Park. campers daily had an
opportunity to utilize the many amenities available to
them in Teaneck's largest developed park. Close to 500
children participated in the camp program. The new
dance studio fully equipped with mirrors, dance bars
and hard wood flooring, was the site for dance
instruction, Toddlekins classes, kindergym and adult
exercise classes. Tai Chi classes, for seniors, also utilized
the dance studio.
The Rodda Center's Art Studio was dedicated to
the memory of Richard Allen Kunath, Teaneck
resident. artist and friend. During the daytime, many
classes including water color, sculpting and drawing
take place for senior citizens. Evening hours were
reserved for special instruction and meeting groups.
During the day, Senior Citizen programming occupied
the upper level of the facility. Over 1100 senior citizens
14
took part in center activities in 1998. Popular classes in
exercise, art, bridge, clay, dance, and woodcarving filled
the extensive monthly calendar of events available to
residents over 55 years of age. By night, the upper level
rooms become multi-purpose rooms and
accommodated an array of meeting groups, clubs and
organizations.. The Blue Chip Chorus, Camera Club.
Garden Club, Stamp Club, and Garden State Bridge
Club were all regular users of evening space. The
multipurpose rooms and gymnasiums are available for
community organizations groups to rent. In 1998, 40
new users took advantage of the new facility by renting
space.
The main level of the facility has two gymnasiums,
the new gymnasium was the site for the summer
basketball league and a Wednesday night drop-in
program designed and supervised by the community
policing bureau. The original gymnasium at the Rodda
Center underwent
minor renovations and
cosmetic improvements
and was renamed the
Richard 'Dick" Norman
gymnasium, honoring
Dick Norman, the
founder of Biddy
Basketball and
longtime supporter of
Youth basketball in the
Township. Both
.
.
gymnasiUms were m
constant use with the
beginning of
International Youth
Basketball's season and
the onset of Soccer's
indoor season.
In 1998. the nursery school and after school
programs accommodated over 200 children. The
nursery had its outdoor play structure erected and
Township Toddlers enjoyed their colorful and bright
new school. Stations where toddlers played blocks,
housekeeping, play doctor/nurse, participate in sand
table activities, paint and do art projects helped to keep
the little minds busy. The after school child car.e
program said good-bye to the old Recreation Center in
June and made an easy transition into the new facility
with over 100 children in attendance in September.
Children from grades Kindergarten to seventh were
bused to the center from Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin
Franklin. Lowell, Bryant, Whittier and the Charter
school where they engaged in a variety of after school
activities like basketball, board games, cooking,
homework time and crafts until 6:00 p.m.
Immediately upon moving the administrative
offices into the new center, the Recreation Department
began the task of accepting summer registration for
over 50 programs and the sale of pool and tennis
badges, ball field permits and the issuing of picnic
permits in 1998, programs such as toddlekins,
kindergym creative dance, swim and exercise classes,
golf, wrestling, open basketball and volleyball,
gymnastics, aerobics, arts and crafts. tennis. track .
weightlifting, the playground program, sports and arts
and summer day camp generated the interest of over
7500 children and adults. Sports organizations
sponsored by the Recreation Department included:
international Youth Basketball, Teaneck's Junior Soccer
League, Teaneck Basketball, Teaneck Baseball
Organization, Southern Little League, Junior
Highwaymen Football, Teaneck Girls Basketball, Babe
Ruth, Lancers, Mickey Mantle, and Western Little
League. Some 3500 youth participated in the various
organized sport activities.
International Youth
Basketball inaugurated
the new gymnasium
with a series of
weekend clinics in
October. These clinics
were held for all age
groups. Over 400
children and their
coaches attended the
clinics that helped
players learn basic
skills. Having two gyms
available to them in
addition to space in the
schools, team practice
time was able to
· double. The most
popular league
(Instructional 5-6 ) used both gymnasiums on Sunday
afternoons that allowed all of our community access to
play. The Friday "senior" night provided a safe activity
for many community teens who came to cheer their
favorite teams on. On Friday nights the stands were
filled with families who came to enjoy a meal at the
canteen and see some good basketball played from 7:00
p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The Township pools, located in Votee Park
(inground) Hawthorne Park (above ground), and
Phelps Park (above ground) were kept busy during the
summer months by 4,200 residents who obtained
badges to use the facilities. The thirteen wading pools
located in ya~:ious parks were all staffed with attendants
and well attenqed by children of all ages just looking to
cool off. The tennis courts found in various parks were
heavily used. The department sold over 400 badges for
residents to play on the 19 courts in town.
15
The fourth of July celebration in Votee Park
marked the department's 7th year of hosting the post
parade party near and around the bandshell. Families
were treated to magic, comedy and puppet show, face
painters, tattoo artists, train rides, pony rides, a petting
zoo, balloon makers, moon walk, sea of balls and a huge
crawl tunnel maze. An Uncle Sam stilt walker and other
~alk around characters delighted the crowd of
hundreds. Also on display were the police and fire
vehicles for people to tour. The cultural Art Coalition
joined the celebration with an art show and
performance. Local artists had an opportunity to show
off their work while a live band kept those passing by
entertained.
The Adopt-A-Park program was designed to allow
community groups, businesses or individuals an
opportunity to make claim to a particular park. In
addition to sponsoring neighborhood events the
adoptive groups goals
"are to have a positive
influence on the
preservation and
continued
beautification of the
park of their choice. In
1998 the Temple Emeth
adopted Windsor Park;
the Girls Scouts and the
Teaneck Volunteer
Ambulance Corp.
adopted Bookstaver
Park. the Friends of
Lubovich adopted
Terhune Park, and the
Chopstix restaurant
adopted Votee Park. A
sign was erected in each
park stating the name
of its adoptive group. Each group adopted their
respective park for a one year period.
Through the recreation component of the High
School Forum, the Recreation Department provided
supervisors. transportation and admission fees for its
special events and held open gym throughout the year
and summer. In 1998. trips included: Great Adventure,
Liberty Science Center, Seaside Heights Water Park.
Nets Basketball Games, NJ Red Dog games, Horseback
Riding and NJ Devils Hockey games.
The Township van provided much needed trips for
the Townships senior and disabled population The free
service, in operation five days a week for medical
appointments and food shopping, made about 5000
trips in I 998. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays the
van was scheduled for medical appointments to local
doctors, hospitals and clinics. On Wednesdays and
Thursdays trips were taken to the Pathmark in
Bergenfield for food shopping. At Pathmark each
member of our Teaneck group is given a $2.00 shopping
coupon, courtesy of the store manager. Upon returning
to their homes, door to door service is guaranteed as
each shopper has their bags carried in for them by our
drivers. On months that contain a fifth Wednesday or
Thursday the Pathmark trip is substituted with a trip to
the Bergen Mall.
The Senior Citizen Services Center provided a
wide range of activities for senior adults in 1998. Classes
in exercise. water aerobics, chair exercise. clay sculpting,
water color, bridge instruction. woodcarving dance and
more were well received by the 1000 participants who
came to the center in 1998.
The Bergen Regional Medical Outreach Clinic
continued to offer primary health care at its satellite
office located first at the Town House, then at the
Rodda building. A
doctor and nurse were
available to provide
primary health care to
individuals each Friday.
The Doctor was
scheduled for up to 16
appointments each day
and in 1998 treated
over 250 patients.
To end the year off,
the Rodda Community
Center was the
headquarters for the
Townships First Night
New Years Eve
celebration. While the
new gym had a band
with live performances
and swing dancing the Norman gym had African ·
dancing and a banjo concert. A reading room for
poetry, a puppet show, a mother goose show along with
a Cabaret for local performers kept the crowd of
hundreds entertained as they welcomed in the new year
in style.
16
equipment for the Police, Fire and Public Works I_>~partments
and Myron Court drainage improvements. In addition, funds
have been provided for a lighting upgrade to the Library
reference room.
The four million dollar loan for the Richard Rodda
Community Center addition was refinanced in 1998 at 3.75%,
a reduction from the previous interest rate of 3.93%. This
accounts for most of the reduction in debt service.
Our annual contribution to the State administered police
and fire retirement system increased by $294,558. from
$1,323,508. to $ 1,618,066. Increases in the annual contribution
for the 1994 police and fire early retirement incentive program
and Social Security costs account for most of the balance of
the increase in the Deferred and Statutory portion of the
municipal budget.
The Township will no longer accept a County grant of
$42,032. for our Senior Citizen programs, since we could not
give priority enrollment to Teaneck residents. Starting in 1999.
residents will receive
preference over nonresidents when enrolling for
programs offered and nonresidents will pay a higher
fee. Despite that
elimination, we are
anticipating the same total
amount of revenues for
1999 as in 1998. Our
application for discretionary
Municipal Aid was again
rejected by the Department
of Community Affairs. Very
frankly, this rejection was
expected since decisions
appear to be made in the
interest of bailing out
municipalities with poor
financial track records.
The long awaited .
construction of a new public
works building should begin in 1999. Funding has already been
provided for this four million dollar project which has been
awaiting approval from the New Jersey department of
Environmental Protection since the summer of 1998. This is
the final step in an upgrade plan which included the new
Police Headquarters and the award winning addition to the
Richard Rodda Community center. Additional upgrading or
replacement of our remaining public buildings will be needed
in the new millennium. Teaneck has the bonding capability to
meet the challenge for funding these improvements.
Please do not hesitate to call me or stop to see me at the
Municipal Building if you need further explanation regarding
the 1999 Municipal Budget.
MANAGER'S REMARKS ON THE
BUDGET The six point increase in the municipal tax
rate is almost entirely due to two factors, the 1.2 million dollar
increase in salaries and wages and a $374,300 increase in the
Township contribution to the State administered police and
fire pension fund. A home assessed at $200,000. will pay $120.
more in 1999 for municipal services.
Police and fire salary increases account for 78% of the
total increase in salaries and wages. The only new full time
position authorized is a custodian for overnight custodial care
at the very active and newly expanded Richard Rodda
Community Center. This expansion has enabled us to doub_le
the enrollment potential in the popular after school and chlld
care programs, requiring additional part time employees, which
accounts for $27,300. of the wage increase in 1999. Once
enrollment reaches the new capacity of 200 for the after school
program and 60 for the day nursery program, we estimate the
additional annual cost for part time employees to be $54,600.
Other expenses ate up
$102,352. or just over 1%.
Two significant items
account for that increase,
group health insurance
premiums and legal fees.
The anticipated increase in
the Bergen County Utility
Authority fee was
eliminated when the final
bill was received. We will
·cancel that portion of the
appropriation, which will
not be needed, to fund
balance, by resolution ,
before the end of 1999. This
will hopefully provide that
budget operations will
return at least $1,865,000.
back to fund balance by the
end of 1999 for use in the
year 2000 budget.
Capital Improvements planned for 1999 are shown in ·
Schedule D. Another half million dollar resurfacing program
has been included in our continuing effort to recover from the
devastating winters of 1994 and 1996. The Argonne Park
baseball field upgrade continues our plan to upgrade all
baseball fields over the next few years. The Votee Park
appropriation supplements an existing ordinance to renovate
the 90 foot field. Our Architect will design this field for dual
use by the Junior Football and baseball program_s.
.
Construction is planned for the year 2000 and wlll result m
temporary inconvenience to organizations using that field.
Funds have been provided for the Township share of the
redesigning of Cedar Lane if current grant and no interest
loan applications are awarded. Should they not be awarded,
these funds will be used to redesign the old Police
Headquarters Building to a Justice Center and for renovation
of Fire Headquarters. Other projects include purchase of
Manager's
Remarks
On The
Budget
Gary A. Saage
Municipal Manager
17
BUDGET AND TAX ANALYSIS
1999 BUDGET & TAXES
SCHEDULE
APPROPRIATIONS
Budget Expenditures
Salaries and Wages
A
B
Other Expenses
Capital Improvements
D
Debt Service
Deferred and Statutory
c
Total Budget Expenditures
Non-Budget Expenditures
Reserve for Uncollected Taxes
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS
1999
1998
INCREASE OR
(DECREASE)
$ 21,149,230
9,802,352
449,000
232,688
4,093,100
$ 19,941,004
9,700,000
449,000
240,900
3,718,800
$ 1,208,226
102,352
0
(8,212)
374 300
$ 35,726,370
$ 34,049,704
$ 1,676,666
2,430,630
2,316,296
114 334
$ 38,157,000
$ 36,366,000
$1,791,000
1999
Budget
and Taxes
REVENUES
Fund Balance
Local Revenues
E
State Aid
E
Grants
E
Delinquent Taxes
TOTAL REVENUES
$ 1,865,000
1,971,418
4,075,895
260,843
1.340.000
$ 9,513,156
$ 1,865,000
1,909,000
4,043,140
356,016
1.340.000
$ 9,513,156
PROPERTY TAXES
Municipal - Net
School
County
County - Open Space
$ 28,643,844
51,806,402
6,563,834
128,560
$ 26,852,844
TOTAL PROPERTY TAXES
$ 87,142,640
$ 83,140,535
$ 2,571,210,314
$ 2,571,466,305
($ 255,991)
TAX RATE
Municipal
School
County
County - Open Space
$ 1.115
2.015
0.255
0.005
$ 1.051
1.924
0.265
0.000
$0.064
0.091
(0.010)
0.005
TOTAL TAX RATE
$ 3.390
$ 3.240
$0.150
ASSESSED VALUATION
18
49,465,569
6,822,122
0
$0
64,418
32,755
(95,173)
0
($ 0)
$
1,791,000
2,340,833
(258,288)
128,560
$ 4,002,105
MUNICIPAL BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Where It Comes From
Where It Goes
PUBLIC
SAFETY
40.58o/o
19
SCHEDULE A
SALARIES & WAGES
FUNCTION
SCHEDULER
OTHER EXPENSES
1999
1998
Township Council/Clerk
Township Manager
Financial Administration
Assessment of Taxes
Purchasing
Legal Services
Municipal Court
$ 156,270
$ 158,445
233,945
195,000
307,028
302,061
97,387
94,919
98,139
93,739
118,237
114,238
269,333
270,856
Fire
Police
School Guards
Construction Code Official
Shop & Garage Maintenance
Public Works
6,393,768
5,815,824
7,546,096
7,182,613
115,000
105,000
Health and Human Services
Recreation
Library
TOTALS
316,066
302,286
504,637
486,318
2,668,441
2,608,592
351,810
339,195
867,931
775,736
1,105,142
1,096,182
$21,149,230
1999
1998
Township Council/Clerk
$91,000
$91,000
Township Manager
Financial Administration
Assessment of Taxes
10,000
10,000
50,800
50,800
FUNCTION
Purchasing
Legal Services
Municipal Court
Group Health Insurance
Insurance Fund
Insurance Premiums
Fire
Police
School Guards
22,500
22,500
31,900
200,000
30,900
120,000
19,500
19,500
2,184,000
2,087,000
325,000
325,000
130,000
127,000
102,000
102,000
341,000
356,000
1,000
1,000
Construction Official
24,400
Berg County Utilities Authority 2,654,552
326,000
Shop & Garage
Public Works
1,189,700
194,500
Health and Human Services
35,000
Volunteer Ambulance
$19,941,004
Recreation
Library
Utilities
Contingent
TOTALS
SCHEDULE C
DEFERRED & STATUTORY
ITEM
Public Employees Retirement System
Social Security System
Consolidated Police & Fire Pension Fund
Police & Fire Retirement System
Deferred Charge Future Taxation
Prior Year Bills
TOTALS
20
1999
$ 122,600
1998
$ 103,000
661,000
618,977
141,400
202,070
2,218,100
1,843,800
950,000
950,000
0
953
$4,093,100
$ 3,718,800
24,400
2,396,200
326,000
1,589,700
194,500
35,000
152,500
142,500
333,000
323,000
1,374,000
1,315,000
10,000
10,000
$9,802,352
$9,700,000
SCHEDULED
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT
Fire Hose & Fittings
Police Computer Upgrade
Resurfacing
Curb Repair/Replacement
Public Library Architect
Public Library Lighting Improvement
Public Works Equipment
Outside Engineering
Myron Court Drainage
Votee Field Renovation
Argonne Baseball Field Upgrade
Cedar Lane Improvements
CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT
$ 15,000
25,000
500,000
21,000
7,500
35,000
188,00
58,000
25,000
90,000
20,000
500,000
$1,484,500
TOTALS
CAPITAL
IMPVTFUND
$ 15,000
25,000
25,000
21,000
7,500
35,000
188,000
58,000
25,000
4,500
20,000
25,000
BONDS&
NOTES
$475,000
$85,500
$475,000
$449,000
$1,035,500
SCHEDULE E
MISCELLANEOUS ANTICIPATED REVENUES
Revenue
Local Revenues
Licenses - Alcoholic Beverages
Licenses - Other
Fees & Permits- Buildings
Fees & Permits- Other
Fines & Costs- Municipal Court
Fines & Costs - Other
Interest & Costs on Taxes
Interest & Costs on Assessments
Interest on Investments
Rental of Township Property
Public Library Copier Fees
Trust Surplus
State Revenues
Energy Receipts Tax
Supplemental Energy Receipts Tax
Leg. Init. Municipal Block Grant
Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid
1998 State Revenues Reserved
Supplemental Franchise & Gross Receipts
Total State Revenues
Grants
Public Health Priority Funding
BCUA Municipal Recycling Grant
Clean Communities Program
Safe & Secure Communities
Municipal Alliance Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse
COPS in Shop
Law Enforcement Equipment Grant
Senior Citizen Grant
Total Miscellaneous Revenues
1999
Budget
1998
Budget
Received
$50,000.00
61,000.00
300,000.00
413,000.00
442,000.00
25,000.00
345,000.00
9,000.00
300,000.00
14,000.00
5,000.00
7.417.63
1.971.417.63
$45,000.00
55,000.00
300,000.00
365,000.00
405,000.00
23,000.00
345,000.00
10,000.00
330,000.00
12,000.00
6,000.00
13 000.00
1.909.000.00
$50,410.00
61,765.00
324,355.00
413,377.47
477,267.40
25,678.00
419,703.03
9,848.95
379,434.45
14,422.00
5,082.49
13,000.00
2,204,343. 79
2,166,186.00
127,247.00
161,473.00
1,620,989.51
4,075,895.51
2,151,036.00
127,247.00
161,473.00
1,597,034.00
4,036, 790.00
2,151,036.00
127,247.00
161,473.00
1,597,034.0'0
4,036, 790.00
0.00
0.00
4,075,895.51
6 350.00
6 350.00
4,043,140.00
6 350.00
6 350.00
4,043,140.00
18,062.00
82,123.15
50,158.00
60,000.00
17,500.00
3,000.00
30,000.00
0.00
260.843.15
$6,308,156.29
15,530.00
153,051.2g
43,174.00
60,000.00
17,500.00
0.00
24,729.00
42,032.00
356,016.29
'$6,308,156.29
15,530.00
153,051.29
43,174.00
60,000.00
17,500.00
0.00
24,729.00
42,529.00.
356,513.29
$6!603!997.08
21
Assistive
Listening
system is
available with
24 hours
notice for
Township
activities.
ASSESSOR
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
James R. Tighe
Phone: 837-4846
Hours:
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM July and August
FINANCE:
837-4816
Frank Danis, CPA, RMA, Chief Financial Officer
Anthony Bianchi, CPA, Assistant Municipal Treasurer
837-4820
Registrar of Vital Statistics:
The Office of Assessment Administration is
responsible for taxation in conformity with existing
statutes and regulations. The office prepares all
assessment rolls as required by law. Exemptions and
partial exemptions such as qualified veterans or their
widowed spouses, qualifying senior citizens, synagogues
and certain schools are administered by this office.
TAX COLLECTION:
837-4819
Milene Quijano, CTC, Collector
Tax Office Hours: 9:00AM to 5:00PM M-F
(8:30AM to 4:30 PM July and August)
On the first Monday of February, May, August, and
November and the last Monday of January, April, July,
and October, the Tax Office will also be open from 7:00
PM to 8:30 PM.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Steven M. Gluck, A.I.A. • Construction Official
Phone: 837-4830
Board of Adjustment: 837-4835
Planning Board: 837-4834
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM July and August
Building permits issued until 1:00 PM daily
The Finance Department is responsible for the
receipt, safeguarding, investment, and disbursement of
municipal funds which includes tax collection, accounts
payable, and payroll. This department also includes the
Registrar of Vital Statistics, who issues all birth,
marriage and death certificates, marriage licenses, and
burial permits.
The Building Department issues building permits and
certificates of occupancy in accordance with the State
Uniform Construction Code Act and all local
ordinances and state regulations.
It administers the Township zoning ordinances and
supervises all inspections as may be required to
administer and enforce the applicable provisions of the
Township Code.
If you have any questions such as if permits are
required or what is involved in getting a permit, please
feel free to call the Building Department.
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
Kevin Lynch, Purchasing Agent
Phone: 837-4818
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
(8:30 AM to 4:30 PM July and August)
The Purchasing Department is responsible for the
procurement of all Township equipment, supplies and
services; helps monitor departmental budgets and
spending; and serves as the Township's Accounts
Payable liaison with vendors.
The Purchasing Agent monitors Township compliance
with the Local Public Contracts Law, helps develop bid
specifications, and oversees all Public Bid Openings:
The department also conducts Public Auctions for
surplus Township equipment and supplies. The
Purchasing Agent also is the Township's liaison with the
New Jersey State Cooperative Purchasing Program and
the Bergen County Cooperative Purchasing System.
Currently the Purchasing Agent serves as the
Secretary of the Teaneck Self-Insurance Fund
Commission.
COURT
Municipal Court Judge: James E. l'oung
Municipal Court Administrator: Clare M. Cabibbo
Phone: 837-4850
Hours of Violations Bureau/Court Offices:
9:00AM to 5:00 PM (Monday • Friday)
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (July and August)
Court Sessions: Court is in session every Monday at
4:00 PM for Traffic Violations and every
Wednesday at 9:00 AM for all other violations.
Court sessions are held in the municipal
Building Council Chambers.
The Court handles all traffic violations that occur in
Teaneck. It also hears all violations of Teaneck Ordinances,
Disorderly and Petty Disorderly persons offenses. More
serious offenses are initially processed through the
Teaneck Court and then turned over to the Bergen County
Prosecutor in Hackensack for further action.
23
inspections, issuance of licenses and permits,
enforcement of the Township code, fire protection
inspections and investigations of all fires for cause. In
case of arson, the bureau coordinates with the Police
Department, the county Prosecutor, the county arson
squad and other state and federal agencies.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chief: William Norton
Phone: 837-4858
To report a fire, call 911 or 837-7783
All other business, ca11837-2085
In addition to responding to all fire alarms, the
Department is often called out to auto accidents, rescue
missions and other emergencies.
FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION: The Prevention
Bureau presents educational programs at all school
levels, from elementary through college. It also has
speakers to present fire prevention to local civic
organizations.
FIRE CODE ENFORCEMENT: The Department is
the enforcement Agency for the Township's Fire Code,
which is aimed at controlling the potential of hazards in
all structures in the community except owner-occupied
one and two family homes.
FIRE SERVICE SUPPORT UNIT: Box 54 Fire
Service S\Jt:p:)rt Unit is a
canteen/communications Fireground support
service consisting of four vehicles staffed
entirely by volunteers and founded in 1952.
These GMC Step-Vans (2), 1994 Recreational
Vehicle (RV) and 1985 Dodge Ram are
rraintained, licensed
and insured by the
tCMilShip and housed at
Fire Headquarters and
Fire Station 2 . 'Ihe
two GMC trucks are
equipped with two 2 5
gallon (hot & cold)
water tanks, propane
fired stove, OV6l.
coffee urns, b:rrl::a:ue,
serving equipment,
etc. The 1994 RV is
used for relroilitation
at major incidents and
the Ibdge Ram is used
to ferry sur:plies and
personnel. Two
freezers and
refrigeration units at headquarters contain
enough food provisions to feed 200 people and
include Kosher food itans. Funding of sur:plies is
fran donations made by Teaneck and other fire
departments. Call 837 - 2085 for further
information atout joining or contrihlting funds
or sur:plies.
FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTIONS: The Fire Code
mandates periodic inspections of all commercial
business, industrial and office buildings in the
community. All new
construction, including
renovations and
additions, is inspected by
a fire specialist before a
certificate of occupancy is
issued. Residents may
request an inspection of
their premises to
determine whether fire
hazards exist. A fireprevention specialist will
make a comprehensive
examination of the
resident's home or
apartment and prepare a
list of recommendations
for changes that will
greatly reduce the
possibility of fire. All residences upon resale and all
rental units upon rental, in accordance with state
mandate, are inspected for required smoke detectors.
GOOD MORNING CHECK-UP PROGRAM:
Designed for shut-ins and senior citizens who live alone
and have no one to look after them on a regular basis,
this program provides a telephone call seven days a
week between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM. If there is no
answer to the first call, a second call is made in about
five minutes. If there is no answer to the second call, a
firefighter is dispatched to the house to make sure all is
well. Before starting the service, a department
representative interviews the applicant to obtain
pertinent medical data which may be invaluable in an
emergency.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Wayne A. Fisher - Health Officer
Phone: 837-4824
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM July and August
Phone numbers:
Environmental Health8 3 7-4 8 2 4 Social Services 8 3 74828
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU: The bureau
provides a wide range of functions, including
24
The Health & Human Services Department is the
agency of municipal government that offers health
education programs, conducts cpuntless sanitary
inspections and provides preventive services to protect
the health and welfare· of all the men, women and
children who live in Teaneck.
control services. Residents may obtain these services by
contacting the Teaneck Health Department, Monday
through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and through the
Teaneck Police Department at all other times. Dog
licenses must be obtained in January of each year. A
$10 late charge is added to the licensing fee if the
license has not been obtained by the end of February.
Property Maintenance and Housing Code
Enforcement: The prevention of blight and
neighborhood deterioration is a top-priority
responsibility of the Teaneck Health Department, the
chief enforcement agent of property maintenance and
housing codes. The enforcement program includes
investigation of residential overcrowding, inadequate
heat and hot water, insect and rodent infestations, and
overgrown and littered properties. Property
maintenance is not limited to the appearance of
buildings and properties, it also includes the correction
of a variety of health and safety hazards.
Cat licenses must be obtained during April of each
year. A $10 late charge is added to the licensing fee if
the license has not been obtained by the end of May.
The department offers free rabies shots for dogs and
cats owned by residents, when indicated. The Health
Department Inspectors investigate all complaints about
animals.
General Inspections: To insure that sanitary conditions
are maintained and conditions comply with applicable
codes, periodic inspections are made of public
institutions, including hospitals, nursing homes,
childcare centers and public and private schools
including Fairleigh Dickinson University. Throughout
the year, public bathing places are monitored weekly to
ensure compliance with the state recreational bathing
code. Water samples are analyzed for microorganisms
and proper water chemistry.
The code enforcement program includes licensing and
inspection of one-family rented dwellings and lodging
houses, which are ,inspected on an annual basis. All
vacant apartments, including those in two-family
houses, must be inspected before they are reoccupied.
The department 111akes thousands of inspections a year.
Enforcement proceedings included warnings, violation
notices, and, if all other me.ans fail , Municipal Court
action.
Insect and Rodent Control: The department
administers a pest control contract that includes
inspection and outdoor extermination on public lands
only. Advice and information will be provided to
private homeowner~ having problems with insects or
rodents. The Bergen County Mosquito Commission
provides control of areas where mosquitoes breed by
monitoring and spraying. They can be contacted at 5996142.
Environmental Health: In an effort to prevent
pollution, the department maintains surveillance of the
waterways within the Township by taking periodical
samples and testingior levels of organic and inorganic
contamination. 'Potential sources of air pollution are
monitored to pi'otec.t the .quality of the air we breathe.
Inspectors also .respond to noise complaints and survey
loud machinery and other stationary noise sources.
Radon test kits are available for a fee. Service stations
are also monitored for compliance with the Township
used oil recycling ordinahce.
Public Health Nursing: The Township contracts with
Holy Name Hospital for the provision of Public Health
Nursing services. Public Health Nurses conduct
hypertension/risk assessment clinics on Monday
evenings and Friday afternoons. Appointments are not
required. Blood pressure and Health counseling and
assessment are done twice a week at the Senior Service
Center. The Public Health Nurse also investigates
outbreaks of communicable disease.
Food Safety: Licensed Environmental Health
Specialists perform·periodic inspections of all
establishments which sell or serve food products to the
public. More than 165establishments including
supermarkets, restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals,
nursing homes, caterers, itinerant vendors and school
cafeterias -are inspected. Over 100 food vending
machines are also inspected on a yearly basis. Food
handler training courses are given by staff personnel to
food service managers and their employees. A sampling
program for potentially hazardous foods (prepared
salads) is conducted monthly for harmful levels of
bacteria and mold.
Adult Immunization: Flu and pneumonia shots are also
administered free of charge to Seniors during October
at several locations. Watch the newspapers for the time
and date.
Maternal and Child Care: The Township administers a
Child Health Conference and Immunization Center in
conjunction with Holy Name Hospital which is open to
Teaneck residents by appointment. A Pediatrician and
the Public Health Nursing staff see infants at
appropriate intervals throughout the first year of life
and periodically during the other preschool years. In-
Animal Control: The Township contracts with the
Bergen County Animal Shelter to provide animal
25
addition to routine physical examinations, mothers are
provided with nutrition advice and routine child rearing
questions are answered. Protective immunizations are
administered under State guidelines to prevent
Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping cough), Tetanus, Polio
and Mumps, Measles and Rubella (German measles),
Haemophilus Influenza and Hepatitis B. These
inoculations are a prerequisite for children entering the
Teaneck School system and day care centers. Blood,
lead, hearing and vision tests are also performed at the
appropriate ages. This service is provided to prevent
disease and to maintain good health; sick children must
be taken elsewhere for medical help. All Teaneck
school-age children are also eligible for free
immunizations as required for school attendance.
Appointments can be made by calling 833-0275. The
Public Health Nurse also audits all schools and child
care centers in the Township for immunization
compliance.
SERVICES
• Periodic physical examinations and immunizations
for preschool children, birth to five years old.
• Advice on childhood nutrition and child rearing by a
Pediatrician and the Public Health nursing staff.
• Immunizations for all school age children, as
required by the State of New Jersey.
• Blood pressure checks I cardiac, cancer, diabetes risk
assessment.
• Health education programs.
• Literature and information.
• Consumer complaint follow-up on food, property
maintenance and environmental concerns.
• Health Fairs.
• Free rabies shots for dogs and cats.
• Radon test kits.
• Free Flu and Pneumonia shots for seniors.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
Health Education: Public Health education goes handin-hand with preventive medicine. Its purpose is to
influence people's attitudes to encourage them to make
decisions which will prevent development of selfdestructive health habits. The Public Health Educator
works with community and school groups to organize
and develop programs and services tailored to their
requests and needs. Health related literature and
reference materials are available at the Health
Department office.
Martin R. Cramer, Esq., Township Attorney
Phone: 837-4811
The Township's Legal Department comprises
attorneys serving the Township, the Planning Board, the
Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Rent Board, the
Civilian Complaint Review Board, the Environmental
Commission, and the Historic Preservation
Commission, as well as a Labor Attorney, a Municipal
Prosecutor, and a Public Defender. Each of these
attorneys is in private practice and serves the Township
on a part-time basis. The Township Code of Ethics bars
each of the appointed attorneys, and other members of
their firms, from appearing before any Township
agency, board or department on behalf of private
clients.
Apart from litigation, the members of the department
serve the municipal government in a number of ways.
They attend all meetings of the boards to which they
are assigned, they render advisory opinions to
municipal appointed and elected officials, and they
facilitate the business of government, including drafting
public contracts and local laws. The Municipal
Prosecutor and the Public Defender attend all sessions
of the Municipal Court, where the Prosecutor presents
all criminal charges on behalf of the Towuship and the
Police Department, and the Public Defender assists
those defendants that cannot afford legal counsel. The
Public Defender also acts as legal counsel to the
Civilian Complaint Review Board.
The Municipal Attorney may also serve as attorney
for the Self-Insurance Commission which administers
the self-insurance program. That program, in existence
since 1976, covers all risks in Teaneck except for fire
damage to major buildings and liability for automotive
equipment.
Project Find/Senior Health Symposium: This variation
of the health fair focuses on Senior Health and
wellness. Flu and Pneumonia shots, Lipid profile,
cardiac risk assessment and much more are available.
Health education seminars are offered on a multitude
of topics relevant to Seniors including substance abuse.
This event is offered in the fall. Watch the newspapers
for the date and time.
Teaneck Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse
(TMAASA): The Health Department provides fulltime coordination for the volunteer municipal alliance
committee. Fbr information about the Alliance or
substance abuse issues please call the coordinator at
837-4822.
Social Services/Mental Health: The Social Services
component of the department directs the Township
programs which are designed to assist and provide
referrals to the unemployed, the homeless, and those
who are emotionally and/or physically disabled.
Residents who need professional help for
problems related to marriage, divorce, adolescence,
alcoholism, drug abuse, mental illness and suicide are
encouraged to contact the Township supported hotline
567-0500,24 hours a day. Referrals may be made. Fees
are determined by ability to pay.
26
-
--~
- - -- -
-
-
LIBRARY
COMPUTERS -The fee is now .50 per hour Software
available includes Microsoft Office and Corel
Wordperfect Suite.
Michael McCue, Director
Phone: 837-4171
837-0410 (Fax)
Internet: www.teaneck.org
E-mail: MCCue@BCCLS.ORG
Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturdays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sundays 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM Mid-September
through Mid-June
Children's Department as above
INTERNET ACCESS -The library offers Internet
access via a T-lline. Full details at the reference desk.
Programs: Friends film series - Foreign films shown
every other Wednesday evening, and classics on Fridays.
Concerts -from September-May - Once a month on
Sunday afternoons, free, generally classical music.
Friday morning group - every Friday from SeptemberJune, primary audience is seniors although all are
welcome - lectures, slide shows, group discussions.
Reference Service: The library fields queries from
people of all ages, education levels, etc. We find
addresses of companies, evaluations of cars and
consumer goods, criticism of authors, a doctor's
credentials, material for preparing a resume, and facts
and figures for the range of human knowledge. The
library stocks current editions of many standard
reference works and uses the services of the Internet,
the New Jersey Regional Network, to find materials
that answers a patron's questions. Reference service is
available in person or over the phone except on Sunday
when the level of in-house use does not permit phone
service.
Phone Service: Reserve or renew up to three items by
reading the bar code number on your library card or in
the particular book, have short answer reference
questions answered, get information about programs
.and services, locate needed books, media, and other
titles if owned by BCCLS library.
Online Service: If you have access to the Internet, you
can search the BCCLS library catalog at www.bccls.org.
With a PIN number, which you can obtain at the
library, you can also check the status of your account
and search the online magazine index.
The Bergen library catalog is still available 24
hours a day via modem. The local number for access is
996-0092. Details and a brochure are available at the
reference desk.
English as a Second Language: The library attempts to
link people needing instruction in the use of the English
language with volunteer tutors for one on one training.
Contact Carol Anderson or Toby Weiss.
Reciprocal Borrowing Privileges: Your Teaneck library
card is valid at 70 other public libraries in Bergen
County and North Jersey. The libraries are linked by a
daily delivery service that permits you to have materials
sent to Teaneck and to return materials from other
libraries to Teaneck. Your Teaneck library card gives
you access to nearly 6 million items across-Bergen
County and at eight other community libraries.
Service to Shut-Ins: The library provides the delivery
and return of reading materials for those who are
unable to visit the library in person. Contact Carol
Anderson.
Children's Department: A variety of book-related
programs and activities are planned throughout the .
year for children from preschool through eighth grade.
Visits by school classes, day care centers, and other
groups are welcomed. Arrangements should be made in
advance by phone or in person, so that a program may
be designed to meet the special needs of the group. All
programs are free.
Inter-Library Loans: The library has the ability to bring
needed books and periodical articles to Teaneck for you
from libraries around the country. Details at the
reference desk-allow 5 to 20 days for materials to
arrive.
Library Card: You are entitled to a library card if you
live in Teaneck. Present either a NJ driver's license with
your Teaneck address or a Bergen County ID card at
the library's front desk. Children can get a card by
having their parent with them or by showing a Teaneck
school report card. Your library card must be presented
each time you wish to borrow materials.
Miscellaneous Services:
COPIERS -The library has three photocopy
machines-$.10 per page.
27
information which leads to a criminal arrest. The caller
may remain anonymous.
Emergency: The Teaneck Police Department is a Public
Safety Answering and Dispatch Point for the 9-1-1system. A call in the event of an emergency will get you
a quick response from public safety providers, whether
the need is for police, fire, or ambulance.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
DIRECTORY
Police Department
Chief Donald C. Giannone
Community Policing
Detective Bureau
Emergency Management Coordinator
Service Bureau
Police Information
Police Recordsffraffic
Juvenile Bureau
911(Emergency)
837-2600
837-8759
837-2565
837-8759
837-2573
837-2608
837-2551
837-0495
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
WORKS/ENGINEERING
Howarth C. Gilmore
Director of Public Works/Municipal Engineer
Phone:
Recycling Info:
837-4841
General DPW Info: 837-4842
Engineering:
83.7-4837
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Hours:
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM July and August
Community Policing Bureau: Each neighborhood in
Teaneck has a specific community policing officer
assigned to it. Residents may call the Community
Policing Bureau to speak with their respective officer.
Bureau members are available to facilitate the
organization of block
watches, conduct home
security surveys and
address neighborhood
problems. A "Citizens
Police Academy" is offered
to adult residents twice a
year for ten weeks. This
program offers the
residents an inside view of
police work. A "Junior
Police Academy" is offered
to children ages 11 to 16
during the summer. This
five day program is similar
to the adult program, but is
tailored to the age group
of the audience.
Detective Bureau: Individuals or groups are
encouraged to contact a member of the Narcotics
Bureau to discuss the dangers of alcohol, inhalants,
narcotics, depressants, cocaine and marijuana use.
Juvenile Bureau: During the summer months, in
cooperation with the Traffic Bureau, township residents
are offered bicycle safety and bicycle registration
programs.
Traffic Bureau: Citizens can request that the radar
trailer be placed on their street which will show the
speed limit at that location and alert oncoming vehicles
of the speed at which they are traveling. Officers
certified in the operation of radar remove the trailer
after a few days and follow up with enforcement.
Service Bureau: Residents may call the Service Bureau
for bicycle registration. Officers will engrave a distinct
number on the resident's bicycle.
Crime Stoppers: Rewards are paid to individuals for
A DEPARTMENT FOR
ALL SEASONS
Throughout the year, the
Department of Public
Works provides services
for all residents. It is a
program especially
designed to maintain the
condition of municipal
facilities and to retain the
community's cleanliness,
safety and good
appearance. The DPW's
municipal services are in
the following five areas:
The Street and Sanitation
Division: maintains
(including snow plowing
and snow removal) 124 miles of improved roads and
about 2 miles of unimproved roads. It cleans and ·
sweeps improved roads and is responsible for the
collection of leaves, garden debris and recyclables from
the curbside of residents and trash from public
buildings. It is responsible for installation of traffic signs
(street names, Stop and No Parking signs, etc.). The
Division is also responsible for road markings,
including crosswalks and parking stalls.
The Sewer Division: handles the routine maintenance
and repair of nearly 170 miles of sanitary
and storm sewers and more than 5,700 manholes, catch
basins, culverts, and head walls. To report a sewer
backup, call the DPW (837-4842) weekdays from 9:00
am to 5:00PM or call police headquarters (837-2600) at
other times including holidays and weekends.
The Garage Division: is in charge of preventive
maintenance and repair of municipally-owned vehicles
28
and other mechanical equipment used by the DPW,
police, fire and recreation departments.
The Park and Tree Division: maintains the upkeep of 23
parks totaling 225 acres, as well as· nearly 200 Townshipowned lots, one in-ground swimming pool and two
above-ground swimming pools. It is responsible for the
planning, removal and care of more than 20,000 trees
along public streets, as well as trees, shrubs and flowers
in municipal parks and on public grounds.
In order to protect our abundant natural resource of
trees, which are such an asset to the Township, a new
ordinance has been adopted, more clearly defining the
permits that may be issued and responsibilities of the
Township officials with regard to shade tree removal,
trimming and care. If you contemplate any tree work or
removal on a Township owned tree in front of your
house, please consult the new ordinance for the
procedures that must be followed.
effectiveness of the street sweeping program depends
solely upon the cooperation of the residents; the
sweeping machines cannot get to curbside if cars are
parked in the street on sweeping day. To do your part,
make certain your cars are off the street on street
sweeping day, which is determined by where you live as
noted in the following schedule:
·
Monday: South of Route 4 and west of the railroad,
south of Cedar Lane and west of Queen Anne Road.
Thesday: East of Queen Anne Road and south of
Cedar Lane.
Wednesday: East of the railroad, north of Cedar Lane
to Genesse Avenue/Bogert Street/West Englewood
Avenue.
Thursday: North of Genesse Avenue/Bogert
Street/West Englewood Avenue to the Bergenfield line,
and east of Sussex Road to the Englewood line.
The Maintenance Division: is
responsible for maintaining
public facilities. These include
the lighting in all municipal
parking lots and all athletic
fields (basketball, tennis and
baseball); all bus stop shelters;
the fire alarm systems in all
municipal buildings; the water
lines at the municipal
greenhouse and ballfields, as
well as all water fountains in
parks; all fire extinguishers: the
fencing for -Little League
diamonds, playground games;
parking lot meters; all park
benches; the heating, airconditioning and plumbing
systems, and meters in all
municipal buildings. The division is also responsible for
shoveling snow from the walks of all public buildings;
setting up the bandshell for the Recreation Department
sponsored summer concert series and setting up the
Council Chambers for Council meetings, various boards
and Municipal Court sessions. The division installs and
removes holiday decorations and lights in the business
districts for the Chamber of Commerce, picks up
surplus goods for distribution to the needy by the
Health Department and operates a daily mail shuttle
among the municipal buildings.
Street Sweeping: In the business district, streets are
swept daily. Street sweeping is a once-a week schedule
in the residential district, interrupted only by the
mammoth task of kaf collection (roughly from October
1st' thru mid-December). During the leaf pickup period
residential streets are swept on a schedule that is
dictated by the accumulation of leaves. 'The
Friday: North of Route 4 and
west of the railroad, south of
West Englewood Avenue and
west of Sussex Road to the
Bergenfield and New Milford
boundaries and to the
Hackensack River.
NOTE: If you live on the
street which is a boundary line
between districts, imagine that
the line is down the center of
the street to determine the
district you live in.
Recycling: In 1987, the State of
New Jersey made recycling
mandatory in every
municipality of the State. We
are currently striving to
recycle 60% of our waste. To comply with this
requirement, Teaneck has undertaken an ambitious
recycling program. During the month of December the
Township prepares a calendar of when pickups are
made ofmaterial that can be recycled and mails it to
the residents. It includes the rules and regulations for
the various types of recyclables, plus any changes that
have occurred since the last calendar was published.
Whenyou receive your calendar, place it on your .
refrigerator or whatever serves as a bulletin board to
remind you when pickups are made. If you need a copy
of the calendar, it is available at the Municipal
Building.There is a recycling depot at the DPW yard on
River Road. It is open Thursday through Monday
from 7:00am to 2:45PM (closed on Tuesday,
Wednesday and holidays). See your recycling calendar
for exact dates). Residents are encouraged to bring
recycling material to the depot including:
29
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
stones, or large plant material in the street during the
leaf collection period, as they are not suitable for
composting and could damage the street cleaning
equipment.
·
Newspapers
Mixed paper
Cardboard
Commingled recycling
Auto and household batteries
Garden debris
CAUTIONARY ADVICE: Children love to play in
leaf piles, and wet leaves may cause a car to skid. Cars
with catalytic converters should not be parked over the
piles under any circumstances. After the ignition is shut
off, the converter is still hot enough to ignite leaves or
grass. Even older model cars without converters have
caught fire wheri parked over leaves.
There are also depositories for used clothing set by
various groups.
GARDEN DEBRIS
Garden Debris consists of vegetative waste, grass
clippings, leaves, branches, plant material, etc. Garden
debris is collected curbside weekly, between the months
of April and October. During the other months of the
year, there is limited pick up. All of the scheduled days
are listed in the recycling calendar or you can call the
recycling hotline (837-4841) for information regarding
pick up. All items must be at the curb no later than 7 AM
on the day of collection, and no earlier than 6 PM of
the preceding evening. Grass, leaves, small plant
material must be in either non-disposable containers
which will be emptied and left at the curb, or
biodegradable ~ bags, (NO PLASTIC BAGS
PLEASE), since the company who recycles the material
will not accept it in plastic bags, each container
weighing no more than 50 pounds each. Branches and
shrubs must be cut into lengths not greater than 4 feet,
and tied into bundles weighing less than 50 pounds
each. You must have your landscaper and/or lawn
service comply with these requirements. Material not
properly contained or mixed with garbage or recycling
materials will not be picked up. Garden debris can also
be brought to the Depot and need not be containerized
or tied, but must not be left in plastic bags at the Depot.
See the depot workers for instruction on which
container the recyclable material must be disposed in.
Snow Plowing: Fortunately, we have not experienced
any major snowfall accumulation within the past few
winters. However, even a light snow storm or freezing
rain requires putting men and equipment on our roads
for the spreading of salt to keep the roads safe and
passable for our residents.
The Township Council has passed a new law which
makes it illegal to park on any street when the street is
snow covered. Some parts of 18 streets are exempt from
this law because there is not enough off-street parking
at some multi-family dwellings, and elsewhere. These
areas are clearly marked with signs, so confusion does
not occur as to which streets can be used for parking
during snow emergencies. This means that whenever
enough snow has fallen to require plowing of the public
streets in Teaneck, parking is not permitted on any
public streets except in the 18 posted areas. This
parking prohibition remains in effect until the snow has
stopped and the streets have been plowed enough that
parking on them will not block either the normal flow
of traffic or snow removal work. The term "snow"
includes snow, sleet, hail and/or ice.
When a snow emergency is in effect, you must
move your vehicles off of all Township streets unless
they are in one of the posted areas. If you can not move
your vehicle or comply with the the law, call the Police
Department at 837-2600 to tell them about your ·
problem.
For additional off street parking, residents are
encouraged to use any of the municipal parking lots.
Beginning (6) hours before the snow fall is predicted to
start, and until (24) hours after the snow fall has
stopped, all hourly limits and meter fees in township
lots are waived. The locations of the Municipal parking
lots are as follows :
1. East side of Teaneck road off Beveridge Street
2. West side of Teaneck Road at Orch~rd Street
3. West side of Teaneck Road between Church and
Bogert Streets
4. North side of State Street opposite Lozier Place
5. North side of State Street west of Terrace Circle
6. Behind stores on west side of Queen Anne Road north of
West Englewood Ave.
Leaves, which are treated as garden debris during most
of the year, become a real problem during October
through December. There are more than 100,000 trees
on public and private property within the Township's
borders. Leaf removal in the autumn is a monumental
project that strains the resources of the DPW. During
the period of leaf drop from about October 1st to midDecember (see your recycling calendar) residents are
permitted to rake leaves, loose grass, and small plants
jnto the roadway at curbside.
The DPW collects leaves daily during this period,
but the volume is so great and the weather so
unpredictable, that the leaf pickup can not be
scheduled. Please be patient if we do not get to your
street as quickly as you would like. Be careful to only
place leaves, grass cuttings, and small plant material in
the leaf piles in the street. Do not place logs, branches,
30
7.
8.
9.
10.
West of Queen Anne Road north of Court Street
North end ofVotee Park, south of Court Street
North of Cedar Lane at Garrison Ave. and Beverly Road
South of Cedar Lane between American Legion Drive and
Chestnut Street
11. Northwest corner of Cedar Lane and Elm Ave.
12. Southeast corner of Beverly Road and River Road
13. South side of Beverly Road opposite Williams Ave.
14. East side of River Road in Phelps Park
15. Southeast corner of DeGraw Ave. and Queen Anne Road
16. Municipal Building at the northwest corner of Cedar
Lane and Teaneck Road
17. South end of Votee Park at Colonial Court
18. East side of Glenwood Ave. south of Lindbergh Blvd.
19. Municipal Compost Site: Foot of Lindbergh Boulevard
east of Glenwood Ave.
During the winter months, snow and ice must be
removed from public sidewalks after the cessation of a
storm. Commercial property owners or tenants have 12
hours; residential owners have 24 hours. Also, people
who own corner properties (and at mid-block
crosswalks) must shovel a pathway from their shoveled
sidewalk to the plowed portion of the street so that
pedestrians, especially school children, can cross safely.
Household Refuse: The Township does not collect
household refuse. It has no control over
private, independent contractors who make the pickups
along routes within the Township. Although the rates
the collectors can charge were deregulated by the
Department of Environmental Protection and Energy
(DEPE) , residents with service complaints can call
Solid Waste Regulation at (609)984-2080.
Composting/Firewood: The DPW stores wood chips at
the Greenhouse located at the foot of Lindbergh
Boulevard, east of Glenwood Ave. Firewood is stored at
the recycling depot in the DPW yard on the west side
of River Road, just north of West Englewood Ave.
Whenever available, firewood and wood chips are free
for the taking. In all cases, the rule is first come, first
served.
Litter: The problem of litter is probably as old as
civilization. Society rejects litter for a number of
reasons. It is unsanitary - litter frequently contains
decaying food. It is unsafe - litter can be an obstacle to
pedestrians (ex: a banana peel) or vehicles (a broken
beer bottle in the roadway).It reduces the value of your
property; a littered community is unappealing to
prospective buyers or lessors of property.
• It is illegal to drop or throw any type of refuse from
a vehicle.
• If you walk your dog on a public street, you are
required to have on your person "a proper scoop or
container or similar efficient sanitary means to
immediately remove feces deposited by the dog".
• It is against the law to dump refuse of any type on
any public property including parks, parking lots
and vacant municipally owned land.
If you violate any of these litter control ordinances,
you run the risk of receiving a summons. If convicted,
you may be fined up to $500, jailed for up to 90 days or
both. So, don't foul Teaneck; dunk your junk.
Join Teaneck's
Environmental Team
Various Township ordinances define and control litter.
Examples are:
• It is against the law to deposit household o r
commercial refuse in the DPW's litter containers
on the street and in the parks.
31
obtain a tennis badge each year. Student and adult
badges are sold by the Recreation Department
beginning the 2nd week in April.
To reserve a baseball or softball diamond, call the
Recreation Department. Permits are issued on an as
available basis for a fee. Selected Township ball fields
are available for use by a permit only.
Picnic tables and charcoal burners are available in
Phelps and Votee Parks. Reservations are not required,
but priority is given to Township residents who obtain
them. It is recommended that a reservation be made
one week in advance of anticipated use. Picnic kitsduffle bags containing sports equipment of your
choice(such as football, baseball bat and bases,
volleyball and net, soccer ball, Frisbee) are available for
loan to Township residents and community
organizations. These picnic kits are issued for specific
days orily.
Each year, a summer band concert series is presented
by the Township. This year special concerts will be
given on five consecutive Wednesday evenings at 8:30
PM in Votee Park bandshell. In case of rain, the
concerts are moved into
the Teaneck High School
auditorium.
To use the swimming
pools in Township parks,
residents must obtain an
ID tag; one tag is good
for admission to all
above-ground pools; a
separate tag is required
for use of the in-ground
pool in Votee Park. The
tags are sold by the
Recreation Department
beginning in June.
The Senior Citizen
Services Center, located at the Richard Rodda
Community Center, is in operation Monday through
Friday from 9:00AM - 3:00 PM. A hot lunch is
available daily for a small suggested donation. A
complete calendar of activities, classes and special
events is available each month. A county van is
available to assist in transporting participants to and
from the Center daily. Call837-0171 for information.
The Bergen Regional Outreach Clinic is located at
the Richard Rodda Community Center. Each Friday
the Clinic offers primary health care to senior patients.
The Medical Outreach Clinic accepts Medicare
assignments. To make an appointment, call 837-0171.
A Township van is available to provide transportation
to disabled and senior residents for medical
appointments and grocery shopping five days per week.
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays are reserved for local
medical appointments only. Wednesdays and Thursdays
the van makes trips to Pathmark for grocery shopping.
Disabled and senior residents can call 837-7130 at least
one week in advance to make appointments for trips.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Glenna Crockett, Superintendent
Recreation Department Richard Rodda Community Center
250 Colonial Court (South end of Votee Park)
Phone: 837-7130
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM July and August
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Monday & Wednesday
during June & July
10:00 AM to Noon Saturday during June &
July (except July 4th Weekend)
The Teaneck Recreation Department provides a wide
range of programs for every age group responding to a
wide range of interests.
The programs in this booklet were scheduled for
1998-99. Programs are added or discontinued from
time to time, as residents' taste and leisure activity
preferences change.
Throughout the year special events are scheduled for
days when public schools
are closed (teachers'
holidays, conference days,
legal holidays, but not
religious). These include
puppet and magic shows,
arts and crafts, open gyms
and other recreational
activities.
For the latest available
information on programs,
call the Department (8377130) weekdays from 9:00
AM to 4:30 PM.
The Department
prepares a catalog of
available programs for each season, which includes fees
for those programs that carry a fee. Copies are free on
request at the Recreation Department.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Registration for all programs takes place in the
Recreation Department offices at the Richard Rodda
Community Center. Except for special occasions, the
first day of registration takes place on a weekday
evening from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Registration continues
weekdays form 9:00AM - 4:30 PM until classes and
activities are filled . Call the office for seasonal
registration procedures (837-7130).
The Youth Division provides a school year Toddler
Nursery Program for ages 3 & 4 and an After School
Child Care program for children in grades
Kindergarten through grade seven. Both programs
follow the Teaneck Public School and Muncipal
Holiday Calendar. Registration is ongoing based on
availability. Call837-7130 for more information.
To use Township tennis courts, either for departmentsponsored lessons or play, a Township resident must
32
·-
RECREATION
DEPARTMENT
This is the registration schedule for the four seasons (dates are approximate) :
Season
Duration
Start
End
Registration
Winter
10 weeks
1 st or 2nd week Jan.
March
1 st week Dec.
Spring
8 weeks
3rd week April
June
1 st week March
Summer
6 weeks
After Fourth of July
Mid. Aug.
1 st week June
Fall
10 weeks
3rd or 4th week Sept.
December
1 st week Sept.
Pre-School
Season
Program
Creative Dance
Gymnastics
Kindergym
Summer Day Camp
Swim Lessons
Toddler Program
Toddlekins
F
w
Sp
Su
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Age
3-5
3-4
3-5
3-4
2-4
3-5
18-36 months
Location
Rodda Center
Franklin MS
Rodda Center
Rodda Center
Votee Park
Rodda Center
Rodda Center
Age or Grade
A 6 to 13
G 1 & 2 (A)
Location
Rodda Center
Rodda Center
G 3 to 10
G 6 to 12
Rodda Center
Rodda Center
G 5 to 12
G 5 to 8
A 6 to teens
G K to 12
G 6 to 8
G 9 to 12
A 6 to 13
G 1 to 8
G 2 to 8
A 9" to 14
A 5" to 8
A5 to teens
A 11 plus
G 3 to 12
G 3 to 12
G 10 to A 20
A10to Adult
G 4 to 8
Rodda Center
Franklin MS, Votee
Rodda Center
Franklin MS
Jefferson MS
Teaneck HS
Various parks
Ice House
Votee
Teaneck HS
Rodda Center
Votee Park
Votee Park
Various parks
Teaneck HS
Teaneck HS
Teaneck HS
Teaneck HS
Birth Certificate required for all pre-school programs.
Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade
Season
Program
After School
Arts and Crafts
Basketball Clinic
(Boys)
League (Boys)
Clinic & League
(Girls)
Cheerleading
Classical Ballet
Gymnastics
Open Gym
Open Gym
Playground Program
Roller Skating
Soccer
Sports & Arts Program
Summer Day Camp
Swim Lessons
Basic Rescue
Tennis Lessons
Track
Volleyball League (Girls)
Weight Training
Wrestling
F
w
Sp
Su
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
(A) To age 13, Su only
**Must be minimum age by 10/1 of previous year
Adults
Season
-"7
Program
Basketball
Golf Lessons
Soft Aerobics- Evening
Softball League
Softball League
Swim Lessons
Tennis Lesson .
Volleyball (Open Gym)
League (Women)
League (Women)
Weight Training
33
F W SpSu
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Age Range
Adult Coed
Adult Coed
Adult Coed
Adult Women
Adult Men
Adult Coed
Adult Coed
Adult Coed
G 10 to A 20
Adult Women
10 to Adult
Location
Jefferson MS
Votee Park
Rodda Center
Franklin & Jefferson MS, Phelps
Sagamore, Terhune
Votee
Various parks
Franklin MS
Teaneck HS
Teaneck HS
Teaneck HS
RECREATION
DEPARTMENT
Senior Citizen Services Center
Program
Ballroom Dancing
Basic Drawing
Bridge Instruction
Concert Choir
Chair Exercise
Clay Sculpting
Crafls
Dominos
Doll Design
Drama Workshop
Drawing & Painting
Exercise
Health Consultations
Hot Lunch
Life Drawing
Line Dancing
Heart Smart/Diabetes
Day(s)
Monday
Wednesday
Monday
Thursday
Wednesday
Monday
Monday
Monday Thru Friday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Tues, Wed , Thurs
Thursday
Monday/Friday
Thursday
Thursday
Nutrition Program
Thursday
Program
Day(s)
Low Impact Exercise Tuesday!Thursday
Medical Outreach
Friday
Needle Point
Monday
Osteoporosis Exercise & Workshop
Monday
Poke no
Friday
Portrait Drawing
Thursday
Thursday
Social Bridge
Social Cards
Tuesday
Tai-Chi
Friday
Video Matinee
Friday
Water Exercise
Wednesday
Water ColorPainting Wednesday
Wood Carving
Wednesday
Yiddish
Tuesday
Classes and times subject to change. For a current calendar, call the Center Oflice at 837-0171.
Organizations and Group
Program
Barbershop Quartet
Bridge Club
Camera Club
Chess Club
Garden Club
Stamp Club
Group
Adult Male
Adults
All Ages
All Ages
Adults
Adults
§ Except July and Auqust
Day
Wed
Tu
Tu
Mon
Th*
Th**
Time
8-11 PM
7-10 PM
7:30-11 PM
7:30-1 0:30 PM
8:00-1 0:00 PM
7:30-10 PM
*Second Thursday of each month.
Location
Town House
Town House
Town House
Town House
Town House
Town House
Registration
Ongoing§
Ongoing§
Ongoing§
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
**First and third Thursdays of each month.
Locations - Richard Rodda Community Center: 250 Colonial Court (South end of Votee Park)
Teaneck Township Parks 8c Recreation Department
Type of Area
Facilities, &
Equipment
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Wod!ng Pool
X X X
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Above GIOU:"'d Swim Pool
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E~erdfe Statlons
X
s
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lf'lllneHock;eyRir*
5.3 23
A.lea(acres)
· Key
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2.8 1.2
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4.52..3 1011
1.2U 4141
X = Existing Facility or Equipment
• = Facility Seasonally Lighted For Evening Use
S = Available Seasonally
P = Permit Required for use of these fields
For more information or if special accommodations are needed call the Recreation Offices at 837-7130
34
The Following Sports Organizations run independently of the
Recreation Department. their
registration, schedules, fees and organizational
structure is their own.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH BASKETBALL (ages 5·14)
September Registration
837-9718
BABE RUTH BASEBALL (ages 13-15)
June Registration
836-6684
SOUTHERN LITTLE LEACUE (gr. k-age 12)
October Registration
833-2332
TEANECK BASEBALL ORGANIZATION (ages 5-14)
September Registration
837-9613
TEANECK JUNIOR FOOTBALL (ages 7·15)
May Registration
837-8737
TEANECK JUNIOR SOCCER LEACUE (ages 5·14)
March Registration
801-0692
TEANECK LANCERS BASEBALL (ages 13 & up)
836-8377
35
Most responses that take longer than six minutes are the result
of simultaneous calls. Two out of every seven, and three out of every
30 , calls arrive at the same time. Residents can help solve this
problem. DO NOT WAIT TO CALL THE AMBULANCE. Many
simultaneous calls arrive at or near 8AM because people
experiencing pains, breathing problems, or falls during the night wait
until morning to call the ambulance thinking that they are doing
everyone a big favor, but by bunching the calls, they are delaying
ambulance service, doing both themselves, and the rest of the
community a serious dis-service. DON'T WAIT TILL EIGHT!
To call the ambulance, dial 911 or call837-2600. There has been an
increasing problem with calling 911 from cell phones, as they do not
always reach a cell in Bergen County; even when they do, the call
goes through one or more other agencies before it reaches our
dispatch center. You may wish to program 837-2600 into your phone,
particularly your cell phone.
Residents can help continue excellent Emergency Medical
Service in four important ways:
TEANECK VOLUNTEER
AMBULANCE CORPS
1998 ANNUAL REPORT
Since 1939, The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps has been
Teaneck's Emergency Medical Service. 1998 was another busy year.
There were 3418 calls last year, an increase of 7% over 1997, and an
average of 9.4 calls a day. The calls involved a wide variety of
medical and trauma emergencies, including an accident on Rt. 4 on a
beautiful spring afternoon that killed a 32 year old woman, and left
us to deal with her sister, with a broken neck, her fiancee, and 6month-old and 13-month-old infants to care for. Or, a cardiac arrest
in the bathroom of a single-family home that left two EMT's with
the duties of CPR and other resuscitative efforts while tunneling
through a pile of clothes and shoes that clogged the house. Or a call
that was reported as an auto accident on State St. and Lozier Place,
where the crew found that the collision had been caused because a
motorist's heart had stopped. He was resuscitated by TVAC
personnel.
Perhaps, the most challenging call was in late autumn, after
midnight, on Route 95, at milepost 119 North, where the driver of a
• tractor trailer had lost control of his truck, left the roadway, and
overturned, impaling the top of the cab on a guardrail post, severely
entangling the driver, and causing major bleeding from his wrist. The
TVAC crew worked closely with
the Fire Department, and tried
valiantly to save the patient even
while another emergency medical
entity at the scene only stood back,
apparently in fear of the danger of
the truck toppling or going on fire.
Unfortunately, the degree of
entanglement, and the patient's
desperate injuries overcame the
rescue effort, but the valor and
dedication of the Fire Department
1
and Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance
Corps members were never lacking.
A happier outcome occurred
in October, when a woman fell
asleep with a cigarette burning in
an apartment on Teaneck Road, touching off a working fire. There,
fast and courageous fire department rescuers, working in thick
smoke quickly plucked the woman, burned and not breathing, from
her blazing bed, and carried her outside. Quickly, TVAV members
performed a seamless transfer of patient care from TFD
resuscitative efforts, and immediately transported the patient to
Hackensack Medical Center, where she recovered. In a community
with slower response, or less capability, of either the Fire
Department, or the Ambulance Corps, this woman would have
probably died. The close cooperation, joint training, and mutual .
respect between the Teaneck Fire Department and TVAC, results m
life-saving benefits to Teaneck's residents.
Good Emergency Medical Service is no accident. Unlike most
ambulance corps in Bergen County, TVAC maintains on-duty
personnel in Ambulance Headquarters around the clock. The
ambulance building at 855 Windsor Road includes sleeping and
eating facilities, with the goal that an ambulance responds to each
call within 45 seconds and arrives within six minutes( nationallyrecognized good practice calls for an ambulance to arrive within 8
minutes). We met that goa185.7 % of the time in 1998, an
improvement of 232 calls from 1997.
• ... JOIN US. None of the members was born in ambulance
headquarters. We are all just like you, except that at one point we
decided to join. Stop by our quarters at 855 Windsor Rd, or write us
at P 0 Box 32 for an application. We will do our best to train you
and make you ready to be a confident and competent Emergency
Medical Technician.
• GIVE MONEY. The Teaneck Vol.
Am b. Corps is not a municipal
agency; it is a private, non-profit
corporation. The Township
government is as generous with us
as a very regressive state law allows,
for which we are continually
grateful; however, since the state
law limits the contribution to only
$35,000, they can only cover about
18% of our annual budget. While no
member receives any salary, stipend,
pension, nor any cash allowances of
any kind, except for limited
reimbursement of training expenses,
we still have all the other expenses
of any business with a building, a fleet of vehicles, and 108
employees. We need insurance, reimbursement of training,
equipment, supplies, utilities etc. The other 82% of our budget has to
come from voluntary contributions. Unfortunately, only 20% of
Teaneck residents, and an even lesser percentage of local businesses,
think that they have to help! Thank goodness that the 20% are very,
very generous. The other 80% can pick up their phones at any hour
of the day or night, any day of the year, and have us there in just a
few minutes, ready to take any risk and deal with any difficulty, and
yet not lift a hand to help. Shame on them.
Teaneck
Volunteer
Ambulance
Corps
• HELP US RESPOND QUICKLY. Call when the emergency
occurs. Do Not wait till morning. Make sure your address is clearly
posted as per Teaneck's address ordinance. If possible, send someone
to the curb to meet us if you call. Give the dispatcher all the
information you can about exact location and problems that the
patient is experiencing. If you are driving, pull to the side of the road
and stop!, both for our ambulances when lights and sirens are
activated, and for the private autos of members which display blue
warning lights.
36
•.
STATUTORY AND ADVISORY BOARDS
The many residents who give countless hours of volunteer time are a major factor in making Teaneck a special place. The Township Council
takes this opportunity to thank all who participate actively in municipal government as unpaid members of the Statutory and Advisory Boards.
It is impossible to place a monetary value on their service.
AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT ADA
COMMITTEE ON SELF
EVALUATION &
GRIEVANCE
Joan C. Birmingham
Anne Factor
John Mulligan
James Warnke
BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENT
Eugene Stamper, Chairperson
Helene Emanuel
Karen Futter
Mr. Jan Meyer
Louise Jones
Roselyn Locke
Debra Pine
Anne Senter, Vice-Chair
Louis J. Tiboldo
ADVISORY BOARD ON
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Genevieve Maiberger,
Chairperson
James A. Johnson
Joanna Barber
Danielle Hewson
Jennifer Irish
Judith Katz
Arlene J. Lewis
l110mas E. Lewis
Moneque Laing
Jay McCullough
Patricia Orr-Walker
Ms. Raji Natarajan
William Richardson
MacDonaldVaughan
Walter Washington
Edward M. Henderson Sr.,
Council Liaison
ADVISORY BOARD ON
AFFORTABLE HOUSING
Carla Lerman, Chairperson
Milton Kraus
Laura Mausner
Joseph Richardson
Louis Schwartz
Elliot N. Small
Vivian Thompson
JamesWurm
Jacqueline Kates, Council
Liaison
Elie Katz
Ray Kelly
Emanual Landau
Beverly Lefkowitz
Aaron Maitlin
Vera Mueller
Cosmo Palmisano
Howard Preschel
Arlice Prince
Leelavati Ramanarayanan
Dr. Saul Lejtman
A. Spencer Denham
Loretta Weinberg
Rabbi Weiss
Margaret White
Jacqueline B. Kates, Council
Liaison
AIRPLANE NOISE AND
SAFETY TASK FORCE
Barbara Blumenfeld
Walter Callender
Theodore R. Greenblatt
Rebecca Kramer
Richard McDermott
Dr. Marvin Mausner
Jack Mittleman
Judy Prigal
Robert Steele
Eleanor M. Kieliszek,
Council Liaison
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
TEAM
Rabbi Eric Gurvis
Arthur Gardner
Reverend Biliary Milton
Reverend Lucinda Laird
Paul Ostrow, Mayor
CABLE TV ADVISORY
BOARD
Terry Layman, Chai"rperson
Ben Blank
Bill Graizel
Ray Kelly
Art Vatsky
Robert G. Wright
Jim Veach
CIVILIAN COMPLAINT
REVIEW BOARD
John J. Moore, Chairperson
Ceasar Clay
J. Dennis Kohler
Dorothy H. Marcus
Howard Mackey, Vice-Chair
Samuel M. Wing
EARTH DAY
COMMITTEE
David Boesch
Julia Condit
Mrs. Gagliano
Stephanie Murphy
David Steingesser
Chris Thorn
Betty Wiker
Eleanor M. Kieliszek,
Council Liaison
ADVISORY BOARD ON
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
Dr. Henry Pruitt, Chairperson
Frank Allen
Claudia Barry
Darryl Butler
Naomi Cramer
Ellen Eber
Martin Greenwald
Dorothy Harper
Jeri Kadison
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION
Kathryn M. Longo,
Chairperson
Thomas Duncan, Vice-Chair
Myrna Gillespie
Howard Preschel
Neil Schulman
Richard Riccio
Kevin Roche
Bill Rupp
37
ENVIRONMENTAL
COMMISSION
Dr. Harry Kissileff,
Chairperson
Julia Condit
Donald Daume
Norma Goetz
Ned Goldman
S. Frederick Guggenheim,
Vice-Chair
Robert Steele
David Steingesser
Emil "Yitz" Stern,
Council Liaison
STATUTORY AND ADVISORY BOARDS
The many residents who give countless hours of volunteer time are a major factor in making Teaneck a special place. The Township Council
takes this opportunity to thank all who participate actively in municipal government as unpaid members of the Statutory and Advisory Boards.
It is impossible to place a monetary value on their service.
ADVISORY BOARD OF
ETHICS
Louise Williams, Chairperson
Heidi Fuchs, Vice-Chair
Rita Hall
Theodora S. Lacey
LOCAL ASSISTANCE
BOARD
Evelyn Parker, Chairperson
Blenda R. Crayton
Sandra H. Glick
THE F.O.R.U.M.
Ronald Costello
Wallace Cowan
Dr. John Cowen
A. Spencer Denham
Francine Einiger
Joyce Fortson
Jean Friedman
Fran Hyman
Judy McKay
Dr. Milford Parker
Debbie Morgan
Dr. Harold Morris
Joseph White
Edward M. Henderson Sr.,
Council Liaison
& RECREATION
GREENBELT
COMMITTEE, PRESERVE
THE
Carl C. Gryte, Chairman
Lloyd Houston, Member,
Board of Education
Schuyler Warmflash
Eleanor M. Kieliszek,
Council Liaison
HISTORIC
PRESERVATION
COMMISSION
Herbert Otten, Chairperson
Eugene Coleman
Robert Griffin, Historian
Theodora S. Lacey
Beatrice Lewis
Cosmo Palmisano
LIBRARY BOARD
Evalyn Brownstein,
President
Anne Geffert
Felix Kalin, Treasurer
Mark McCluski
Dr. Harold Morris, Supt. of
Schools
Jane Muhlstock, Supt's Alt.
Prof. Dorothy B. Pollack
Joseph 0. White
Guy Stewart
Stephanie Stokes
RENT BOARD
James Reilly, Non-Voting
Chairperson
Mary McDonnell,
Homeowner Rep.
Gerald Mohamed,
Homeowner Rep.
Geraldine Ryan, Tenant Rep.
Anne Sailer, Homeowner
Rep.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS,
ADVISORY BOARD
Wallace Cowan, Chairperson
Jose D. Cooper
Jeffrey Forrest
Sallie Levi
Richard Mills
Helen M. Snyder
Donald Ware
Jordan Wouk
SENIOR CITIZENS/
TRANSPORTATION
ADVISORY BOARD
Rita Hall, Chairperson
Willis Broady, Jr.
Mary Day
Camille Getler
Milton Kraus
Beatrice Lewis, AARP
Florence Lutthans
Betty Rook
Lou Schwartz
David Steingesser
Lucille Steingesser
Loretta Weinberg
Betty Wiker
PATRIOTIC
OBSERVANCE
ADVISORY BOARD
Louis Tiboldo, Chairperson
Edith Dodd
Albert Ford
Lenny Hennig, Board of
Education Liaison
Paul Mersereau
William Oriol
Paul S. Ostrow, Mayor
Genette Purvis
Marion Rochford
Betty Rook
Carl Steinfeld
Sanford Steinfeld
SHADE TREE ADVISORY
BOARD
Nancy Cochrane, Chairperson
Janice Bakker
Julia Condit
William Isecke
Dr. Harry Kissileff
Ira Shein
PLANNING BOARD
Reginald Walton, Chairperson
Issac Fromm
Alfred Gelberg, Vice-Chair
Ned Goldman
LaRease Limerrick
Nylema Nabbie
Paul S. Ostrow, Mayor
Lewis Reicher
Arnold Trenn
Michael Gallucci, Council
Liaison
SITE PLAN REVIEW
ADVISORY BOARD
Gerald Rosen, Chairperson
Herbert Argintar, P.E.
Clifton B. Cox
Alfred Gel berg, P.E.
William Isecke
Varghese M. John, P.E.
Seymour Rappaport
Alan Rosenberg
REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
Jeffrey Forrest, Chairperson
Edwin Brunjes
Ned Goldman
Warren Krey, Ex-Officio
Joseph Murphy, Vice-Chair
38
TEANECK MUNICIPAL
ALLIANCE AGAINST
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Marie Warnke, Chairperson
Lorraine Barney
Michael DeMoncada
Francine Einiger
Harveyette Greene
J. Dennis Kohler
Linda Lohsen, HNH Rep.
Florence Nass
Beverly O'Shea
Cynthia Radnitz
Elie Katz, Council Liaison
Edward M. Henderson Sr.,
Council Liaison
·-
1999 .
KEEPING KIDS SAFE
A CLEANER TOWN
1. Store garbage in covered containers.
2. Place bulk items, recyclables and garden debris at the curb on
the night before your scheduled pickup.
3. Remove empty containers as soon as possible after pickup.
4. Follow the rules set forth in annual recycling calendar mailed to
residents by the first of the year.
5. Remove litter and debris from sidewalks and curb area on a
. regular basis.
6. Keep lawns cut and hedges and bushes trimmed.
7. Keep cars off the roadway on a day scheduled for street
sweeping.
8. Keep dogs on a leash when walked and obey the pooperscopper law.
1. Walk the neighborhood with your children showing them safe
places in an emergency like a neighbor's house or an open store,
and make sure they are taking the safest route to school.
2. Rehearse with children their full name, address, and phone
number including area code and how to make emergency phone
calls from hom~ and public phone booths.
3. Thoroughly check the background of baby-sitters and day care
center personnel.
4. Encourage children that no one, even someone they know, has
the right to touch them in a way that makes them feel
uncomfortable and they can and should share any such
experiences with you.
6. Listen carefully to your children and let them know they can
talk to you about everything.
FIRE PREVENTION
1. Provide an address number on your house.
2. Do not block exit doors and fire escapes.
3. Install smoke and carbon
monoxide detectors.
4. Do not use extension cords in
place of permanent wiring.
5. Keep all matches and lighters
from children.
6. Know the location of the nearest
fire alarm box.
7. Do not park in fire zones or in
front of fire hydrants.
8. Keep fire hydrants on your
property clean of bushes, hedges,
debris, and snow.
CRIME
PREVENTION
SERVICES OUTSIDE OF
TEANECK
Teaneck
Tips
For...
1. Have all doors and windows
protected with appropriate locks,
and use auxiliary dead bolt locks on exterior doors.
2. Lock your doors when leaving home, and leave a spare key
with a trusted friend or neighbor instead of hiding under door
mat or other prop.
3. Secure all sliding glass doors with a wooden or steel bar placed
in the track.
4. Disconnect your automatic garage door opener when leaving
your house for long periods.
5. Do not advertise a vacant .home-have a neighbor pickup mail,
newspapers, etc. when absent for more than a day or discontinue
the service.
6. Use indoor and outdoor lights generously when leaving the
home unattended during evening hours.
7. Teach your children the proper way to take messages when
adults are not at home.
8. Never give out credit card, banking or other financial
information over the telephone without positive identification of
the individual requesting such information.
1. For non-operating street lights,
first get the pole number from the
Pole (this is on a metal band
fastened to the pole), then call
PSE&G at 1-800-722-0256.
2. To report a water leak, call United
Water Company at 487-0011.
3. To report telephone wires down,
call Bell Atlantic at 1-800-275-2355.
4. For reporting an emergency gas
utility problem , call PSE&G at 2614422, and if appropriate the Teaneck
Fire Department at 911.
FREE BULK
GOODS PICKUP
1. Sign up with your trash collector
for the per bag option at approximately $15.00 per month, plus
the cost of stickers for household trash.
2. This option includes free curbside pickup of one bulk item on
the second pickup of each week and one white good pickup each
month.
3. Call your private trash contractor or the Township at 837-4811
for further details on the per bag system. The more you recycle,
the more you save.
40
SERVICE DIRECTORY
Township departments are open from 9:00AM to 5:00PM Monday through Friday, unless other hours are listed in this directory. All
departments are staffed during the noon to 1:00PM lunch hour.
All departments are closed Saturday, Sunday and other legal holidays, except as noted.
During 1999, all departments, (except Police, Fire and Public Works) are closed in observance of the following holidays: New Year's Day, Jan. 1;
Martin Luther King Jr.'s B'Day, Jan. 18; Lincoln's B'Day, Feb. 12; President's Day, Feb. 15; Good Friday, April 2; Memorial Day, May 31 ;
Independence Day, July 5; Labor Day, Sept. 6; Columbus Day, Oct. 11 ; Veteran's Day, Nov. 11; Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Nov. 25 and
26; Christmas, Dec. 24.
TOWNSHIP COUNCIL ..... ..... . . .. . . ...... 837-4811
Rochelle Reid-Fowler, Acting Township Clerk
The Township Council meets in the Municipal Building at 8:00
PM Tuesday at least twice a month. Call the Township Clerk
for specific dates.
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT .... . ..... . . . ..837-4815
Kevin Lynch, Purchasing Agent
FIRE DEPARTMENT . .. .. . ...... .. .... . ..... 837-2085
William Norton, Chief
AMBULANCE CORPS .................... . .837-2600
TO REPORT A FIRE ........................... .911
ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICE ..... ..... .. . . .837-4824
Health Department . . .... . .. . .. ...... . .. . ... . .837-4824
Police Department . . .... .. . . .. .. . . . .. .. ......837-2600
(Weekends and evenings)
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES . ... . . . ..
Wayne Fisher, Health Officer
Social Service Coordinator . .. . .. .. . ..... ...
Medical Outreach Clinic . ... .. .. ....... . ...
Fridays, 8:30AM to 4:30PM
All Other Times ... . . . ............ . .......
BUILDING AND ZONING . . ..... . .. .. ... . . .. 837-4830
Steven Gluck, Construction Official
Board of Adjustment ...... .. .. .. . . .... . .. . . ..837-4835
Planning Board ..... ... . ...... . ........ . ..... .8374834
FINANCE .. . . . ...... . . .. .... .. . . .. .... . .. . .837-4816
Frank Danis, Chief Financial Officer
Registrar of Vital Statistics . . . .... . .. . . . . . .. . ...837-4820
LIBRARY ... . .. ... ... ........ . .. . ... .. . . . ..837-4171
Michael D. McCue, Director
Hours:
M-Th 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fridays 9:00AM to 6:00 PM
Saturdays 9:00AM to 5:00 PM
Sundays 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM
(Mid-Sept through Mid-June)
TOWNSHIP MANAGER ...... . .. .. . ...... ...837-4807
G ary A. Saage
DEPUTY TOWNSHIP MANAGER . .. . .. .. .. . ,837-4810
Helene V. Fall
MUNICIPAL COURT . .. . . ..... .. .. ... . .. . .. .837-4850
James E. Young, Jr., Judge
Clare Cabibbo, Municipal Court Administrator
Court is in session every Monday at 4:00 PM on Traffic
Violations and every Wednesday at 9:30AM on other
violations, in the Municipal Bldg. Council Chambers.
POLICE DEPARTMENT . ... .. . .. .... .. ... .. .837-2600
Donald Giannone, Chief
Detective Bureau . .... . . .....................837-8759
Emergency Management Coordinator . . . . .. . .. . .837-8759
POLICE EMERGENCY ......................... .911
Police Information ....... . ... .. . . .. . .... . . . ... 837-2608
Police Recordsffraffic .... .. .... . ... . . .... . . ... 837-2511
Youth Bureau ... .. ............. . . .. .. ... . ...833-0495
.. . .837-4824
.... 837-4828
. ...833-0171
... .967-4060
LEGAL DEPARTMENT . . . ... . . .. . .... .. . . .. 837-4811
Martin R. Cramer, Township Attorney
Harold Ritvo, Board of Adjustment
Howard Solomon , Prosecutor
Stanley Turitz, Planning Board
Dennis Kohler, Public Defender ..... . ..... . .. . .487-2800
PUBLIC WORKS .... . . ... .... . .. . . ... .......837-4842
Howarth Gilmore, Director of Public Works/
Municipal Engineer .. . ..... . .. . . . ... . ......837-4837
Recycling Hotline ....... . .. .. ........ . ... .... 837-4841
RECREATION .... . .. . ... . .. .. . . .. .. . . . . ... 837-7130
Glenna Crockett, Superintendent
250 Colonial Court (South end ofVotee Park)
Youth Services .... .. . . ... . ...... . ..... . .. . .. .833-2433
Senior Services . . ..... .. .. ...... . . . .. . ... . . ..837-7130
Senior/Physically Challenged Van .. . ........ .. .. 837-7130
TAX ASSESSMENT . .. ...... . .. .. . ....... ...837-4846
James Tighe, Assessor
TAX COLLECTION . ... . . . .. .... .. ... .. .... .837-4819
Tax Office Hours:
9:00AM to 5:00PM M-F
(8:30AM to 4:30PM July and August)
On the first Monday of February, May, August and November
and the last Monday of January, April, July and October, the
Tax Office will also be open from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
HOTLINE For Unusually Noisy Aircraft Teterboro Airport ... 288-8828
TEANECK E-MAIL ADDRESS·
Admin@teanecknjgov.org
The Township wishes to thank
WARREN KREY
for his continuing assistance
in the production of this booklet
Printed on Recycled Paper