Mayor’s Message October 30th

By The Franklin Lakes Journal

Published: November 1, 2009

Message from the Mayor
October 30, 2009
Our streets and neighborhoods are enveloped in the last wave of falling leaves. It was a wet and rainy Fall but still a beautiful time of year here in Franklin Lakes.

Sadly, the beauty of our surroundings is in stark contrast to the realities of government in the New Jersey around us. Whatever the outcome of the gubernatorial race on Tuesday, towns like Franklin Lakes will remain challenged to meet their 2010 budget needs. Perpetually increasing taxes and fleeing businesses do not bode well for our State. One of the solutions the State has implemented to address it’s budget woes has been to place more and more responsibility onto local governments while providing less and less financial support. At the same time, the mantra to small towns like ours has been to regionalize. To a point, regionalization has its benefits. There are an incredible 566 municipalities in the State of New Jersey which means a lot of redundancies. We have been actively working on Shared Services with Northwest Bergen towns and have organized with our surrounding communities through the WOLF Pack to explore every efficiency and cost savings possible. Formal regionalization on a larger scale, however, without a clear and accountable plan is not yet an answer. Frankly, I believe strongly that in New Jersey today, the closer your tax dollar stays to home, the better it is spent. We will continue the fiscal fight both home and beyond.

Enjoy the beauty around us. Franklin Lakes is a wonderful small town and the safe and responsible feeling that offers should never change.

Have a safe and happy Halloween.

Maura

Halloween Safety Tips from the Franklin Lakes Police Department
Halloween is a fun time for kids, but it is also an important time to remember safety concerns. In an effort to keep our community safe during this Halloween season, the Franklin Lakes Police Department will be increasing patrols throughout the borough on both Mischief Night and Halloween Night. Officers will be visible in neighborhoods as a resource to both parents and children. Parents and children are encouraged to approach the police officers with any concerns they might have. While in the neighborhoods, the police officers will be conducting proactive patrols in an effort to stop dangerous and criminal activity before it occurs.

The Franklin Lakes Police Department wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween. If you have any questions regarding Halloween safety issues, please review the following AAA link or contact Franklin Lakes Police Traffic Officer Robert Lyon at (201) 891-3131.

Franklin Avenue Railroad Crossing
Franklin Avenue will be closed at the railroad crossing by Urban Auto Spa for a New Jersey Department of Transportation project to improve the railroad crossing. This project will take place from Wednesday, November 4, to Sunday, November 8. Local schools, including the high schools, will be closed for the NJEA Convention, on November 5 and 6. The existing railroad crossing will be removed and a new concrete crossing will be installed with new asphalt approaches.

All traffic will be detoured. Traffic traveling east on Franklin Avenue will be directed to Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202 Southbound) to West Oakland Avenue to Route 287 Northbound to Route 208 Southbound to the Franklin Lakes — High Mountain Road/Colonial Road exit to Colonial Road, and returning to Franklin Avenue. Traffic traveling west on Franklin Avenue will follow the same detour in reverse.
The Franklin Avenue railroad crossing will be closed for all vehicular and pedestrian traffic during construction. Local businesses in the area will remain open.

General Elections 2009 - Tuesday, November 3
Polls are open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Volunteer Clean Up Day — November 7, 2009
The Franklin Lakes Environmental Commission is sponsoring a Volunteer Clean Up Day on Saturday, October 7, 2009 from 8:45 AM to 12:00 noon at the McBride Field across from the Market Basket. Click here for more information.

Fourth Quarter 2009 Taxes
All Fourth Quarter 2009 taxes are due November 1, 2009. The last day of the grace period will be Tuesday, November 10. Please note Borough offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th for the Veteran’s Day Holiday. Payments received after November 10 will have interest charged back to November 1, as mandated by the State of New Jersey. The Tax Collection Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The office will be open late on the nights of November 2nd and November 9th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

H1N1 Health Alert
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services have opened a toll-free telephone line for the general public to call in regard to H1N1 Influenza and Vaccine. The telephone line will be operational seven days a week, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The number is 1-866-321-9571. Click here to view the Mayors Fax Advisory from the New Jersey State League of Municipalities dated October 28, 2009.

Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) sponsors Tire & Computer/Electronics Recycling Day
The Bergen County Utilities Authority is holding a Tire & Computer/Electronics Recycling Day on Saturday, November 7, 2009 @ Bergen County Campgaw Mountain Reservation, 200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah, NJ from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Upcoming Meetings @ Borough Hall:
* Monday, November 2 - Board of Health Meeting @ 7:30 PM, Conference Room
* Wednesday, November 4 - Planning Board Meeting @ 7:30 PM, Council Chamber
* Thursday, November 5 - Council Meeting (Work Session) @ 7:00 PM, Conference Room
* Thursday, November 5 - Zoning Board Meeting @ 8:00 PM, Council Chamber

For more information visit the Borough website @ www.franklinlakes.org

Tagged with: municipal, News