Never Miss an Upper Saddle River Event Again!  The Borough of Upper Saddle River is excited to announce a free digital service to help everyone stay informed about events in our great community.  We are excited to introduce Burbio.com — a free website and app that puts Upper Saddle River school & school sports, government, library, and community events in one place. With Burbio, you can select calendars to follow, create a personalized event feed, sync events to your Google or iPhone calendars instantly and get notified when things change!   Burbio is not utilized for emergency information; rather it features all our community events in one convenient place.  It should prove to be a convenient resource for many of our residents. 

Simply sign up at www.Burbio.com or download the app for  iPhone or Android to get started.

If you are involved in a non-profit group or organization and want to get your events on Burbio, please contact: groupsupport@burbio.com.  We think many residents will find Burbio to be convenient and simple.  As made evident in this bulletin, our community offers so many wonderful events and this should be a great new way to stay up to date with everything going on in Upper Saddle River!

 

 Burbio will be available in addition to the printed Borough bulletin, e-mailed bulletin sent monthly via SwiftReach 911, Borough of Upper Saddle River on Facebook and Upper Saddle River on Twitter, as well as the Borough website, www.usrtoday.org.  If you haven’t registered for SwiftReach 911, please register on our website as it is utilized for emergency information, traffic updates as well as community news. 

 

Please Do Not Feed Wild Deer:  Deer become more active in the fall and can be seen throughout the Borough.  It is important not to feed wild deer or other wildlife because this causes increased reproduction, enhances the spread of disease and parasites, can change their behavioral patterns and even sicken or kill them. Please do not feed them or leave food out for them. The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife has explained that this is one of the most important things we can do to keep our deer population under control.  Some other tips:

  1. GROW DEER-RESISTANT PLANTS: No plant is totally deer proof when food supply is short. However, there are many desirable shrubs, trees, perennials and annuals that deer will avoid. Rutgers has issued an excellent list that is proving highly applicable here in USR. Go to:www.njaes.rutgers.edu/deerresistance and print out Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance. Another good list is on www.deer-departed.com. If planning new landscaping and using a contractor, ask that deer-resistance be emphasized in plant selection and pass on the Rutgers list. Labels on nursery plants are increasingly noting deer resistance. Check before buying and ask your favorite nursery to carry a full range of and feature deer resistant plants.
  2. REPELLENTS DO PROVIDE SOME PROTECTION: Controlled studies show that damage is reduced by a number of different spray formulations. The most widely available and effective are sold at local nurseries or garden supply centers. The commercial products usually require multiple applications during the growing season. While the repellent may still be adhering to older growth, the new shoots are unprotected. There are many home-made formulations based on combinations of egg, casein, hot sauce, garlic, scented soaps, natural oils, etc. While they may be effective repellents, they usually require more frequent application than commercial products. If using repellents, the most important thing to do is vary the product, purchased or home-made, in successive applications. Deer are quite adaptive and become familiar with products repeatedly applied and this lessens effectiveness. This adaptability also usually leads to rather quick failure of physical or mechanical deterrents based on shooting water, sounds, fluttering devices, etc. Purchased spray formulations are almost exclusively natural based and thus present no hazards to humans or the deer. Detailed information on most available products is onwww.outoutdeer.com. Homemade recipes are on www.deer-departed.com.
  3. DRIVE DEFENSIVELY: Deer are unusually active during the late fall rutting/mating season. When driving on our local roads, go slowly to be able to stop in a short distance, use high-beam lights as much as possible. If a deer is seen close to the road, pass very slowly; not infrequently, it will run into the road rather than turn back. Where one is seen, often there are more nearby.
  4. LET THE DOGS OUT: The presence of dogs and their scent in a yard does provide protection. The degree depends upon the type and behavior of the dog and how much it is present outside. Also, deer again show adaptability and can learn that your dog is not a threat, just as they learn to ignore the “scare” devices. For more information please visitwww.state.nj.us./dep/fgw/deerfeed.htm.

 

USRA Coalition Presents Mind Matters – Promoting Mental Health by Educating Youth and their Parents On the Signs of Depression:   Tuesday, October 2nd at 7:00 p.m. Mahwah High School, 50 Ridge Rd , Mahwah. The Upper Saddle River/Allendale Coalition (USRA) and Mahwah Municipal Alliance are co-sponsoring Mind Matters, a mental health awareness presentation. Become educated about anxiety, depression and suicide. Let’s work together to remove the stigma that often prevents proper intervention and treatment. Resource tables will be available. The USRA Coalition was formed in recognition of the rise of prescription and non prescription drug and substance abuse in Bergen County, NJ. Its mission – “To educate and create awareness in our communities to prevent and reduce substance abuse and other related health issues.” Learn more at www.usracoalition.org.

Large Appliance Pickup: Thursday, October 4th by appointment only.  Please call (201) 327-2196 X 221 to schedule a collection at least two days prior to pick-up date.

Oktoberfest:  Hope to see the entire community at our 2nd annual community block party!  Oktoberfest will take place on Saturday, Oct 6th from 1 to 6 p.m. at Lions Park. Fun for all ages with live music, health and wellness activities,  biergarten provided by Defiant Brewing Company, food trucks, vendor tables, a bounce house, giant corn sandbox, tractor rides, PBA Obstacle Course, USREF Scarecrow Contest, raffle.  Our community and service organizations will offer activities and showcase their clubs. Admission is free for USR residents. Rain date is Sunday, October 7th. If you are interested in volunteering, taking a vendor booth or being a sponsor, please contact usrcares@gmail.com.  All proceeds go to USR Cares, a 501c organization to assist USR residents in crisis.

Health and Wellness Day at USR Oktoberfest:  Ava Lyons, a Girl Scout in Troop 882, will be running a Senior Health and Wellness Day for seniors, ages 65+, at Oktoberfest on October 6th.  There will be hands on demonstrations, professional speakers from local organizations and businesses, free raffle drawings and prizes, free giveaways and a free luncheon.  1 – 6 p.m. at Lions Park. 

Amanda’s Wellness Way Workshops at Oktoberfest:  Amanda Pittman, a Girl Scout in Upper Saddle River Troop 5528, is focusing on kids and their ability to manage stress at Oktoberfest.  Kids and their parents will learn fun, healthy ways to manage stress. Try some proven techniques for reducing stress including yoga, simple breathing techniques, “shake it off” with Zumba, kick it in a boot camp, make your own trail-mix, color mandalas – a relaxing art therapy, learn to plant so you can grow your own food at home and even play with some therapy dogs!

 Kids in the Kitchen Oct. 12, 6:30pm:  Craft Time, Ham/Turkey/Veggie Pinwheels, Fruit Pizzas, Smoothies at Bergen Highlands UMC.  Please call 201-327-3960 to register before Oct 10, $10 per child for supplies plus one non-perishable food item for the Mission food basket.

Annual Harvest Festival:  Take time to celebrate the bounty of the harvest on Saturday, October 13th from 1-4 pm at the Annual Harvest Festival at the Hopper-Goetschius House Museum. The event is free for members. There is a nominal fee for non-members. Young people 12 and under are free. Rain date is Sunday, October 14th.  Our popular petting zoo and pony rides will be there as well as the blue grass band, Growing Old Disgracefully. There will be cider pressing in the Dutch barn, spooky stories in the schoolroom, the gypsy fortune teller in her tent, open hearth cooking in the out kitchen, and the blacksmith at his forge. Enjoy demonstrations of colonial crafts and tour the house and barn. Parking will be in Lions Park. Handicapped parking will be at the museum lot. The event is free to Historical Society members and children 16 and under.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection:  Sunday, October 14th at Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus.  The collection hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., rain or shine.  This is free to Bergen County residents.  I.D. required. 

Anti-Bullying Program:  Melissa Reifman, student representative of the USRA Coalition, will be presenting a program on bullying featuring interviews with Jane Clementi, founder of the Clementi Foundation, and Jenna Rose, Youtube sensation and former bullying victim.  7 p.m. at Northern Highlands High School. Questions to Melissa Reifman at info@pastbullying.org.  Please mark your calendars for this important discussion. 

Fire Prevention and Emergency Services Night:  The Upper Saddle River Volunteer Fire Department invites residents to our annual Fire Prevention and Emergency Services Night to be held on October 17th from 5 p.m. -8 p.m.  USR Police and Ambulance Corps will be present to show off their equipment and answer any questions.  Spray a fire hose and take a ride on our fire trucks! Learn fire safety and enjoy cider and donuts!   Don’t miss this great event!  For more info, email us at info@usrfd.org.

Voter Registration:  October 16, 2018 is the last day to register to vote in the November 6, 2018 General Election.  Registration forms are currently available at the Borough Hall weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On October 16, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., registration forms are available at the Upper Saddle River Police Department which should be completed and left with the Dispatcher. Call Borough Clerk Rose Vido (201) 934-3963 if you have any questions.

 

Note the following polling places.

District 1 & 2 – Cavallini School gymnasium.

District 3 – Borough Hall

District 4 & 5-Upper Saddle River Public Library (Powers Room)

 

Korean Cooking Class Oct. 18, 6:30pm:  Learn how to make Korean dumplings at Bergen Highlands UMC.  Please call 201-327-3960 to register before Oct 14, $20 per person for supplies. Dinner will be served.

 

DPW Brush Pickup:  The DPW will continue every other week brush collection through October.  The last pick-up will be the week of October 22nd.  Branches must be placed in manageable piles at the curb no longer than 5 foot in length and no wider than 4 inches in diameter.  If you have any questions or concerns, contact Joe Raymond at DPWF@usrtoday.org.

Adult Walk-In Health Clinic: Thursday, Oct. 25th (12:00 pm—1:00 pm) at Borough Hall.   Services include a Health History Evaluation, Blood Pressure Measurement, Height and Weight, Individualized Counseling and Education, Referral and Follow-up and a Confidential Consultation with a Public Health Nurse. This is free of charge to adult USR residents on the 4th Thursday of each month through the Borough’s contract with the County of Bergen Health Department. For more information please call 201-327-2196.

Halloween Safety:    Halloween is much anticipated, however, statistics have shown that children, especially those walking or crossing a street, are twice as likely to be injured on Halloween compared to the same time period on other days during the year.  Proper supervision during the annual Trick-or-Treat season is extremely important. 

Tips for Parents

  • Always escort your children.
  • Carry a flashlight if trick-or-treating at night.
  • Be familiar with the neighborhood where your children will be trick-or-treating.
  • Set a specific time for your child/children to be out.
  • Always know who is trick-or-treating with your children.
  • Walk on the sidewalks and not in the middle of the street.
  • Instruct your children NEVER to enter any homes.
  • Stay in well-lighted areas.
  • Inspect all treats before allowing children to eat them.
  • Choose fireproof, light colored costumes so they can be easily seen in the dark.
  • Consider placing reflective or glow-in-the-dark tape on your children’s costumes.
  • Have children avoid wearing eye makeup or masks, which will restrict their vision.
  • Avoid having children carry replica firearms, swords, or toys that can be mistaken for the real thing.
  • Give out only commercially-wrapped candy.
  • Teach children their home and/or parent’s cellular phone number, in case they get lost.
  • Consider a Halloween party at your residence instead of going out to trick-or-treat.

Tips for Homeowners

  • Turn on your porch light so children know it is all right to visit your home.
  • Never invite children into your home.
  • Keep pets away from children.
  • Maintain clear walkways that are free from obstruction.

Tips for Motorists

  • Drive slowly and cautiously.
  • Look for children walking on the street, running, and darting in between parked vehicles.
  • Be extra careful when entering and exiting driveways.
  • Do not text or use your cell phone while driving because it will cause a distraction.
  • Never drink and drive.

Residents can expect to see an increased presence of officers and traffic control personnel posted at locations where historically, there has been a large number of children trick or treating.  Please, immediately report any suspicious activity to the Police so it may be investigated.  This is especially true on the evening before Halloween. The Police Department has a zero tolerance policy for mischief associated with the Halloween season.  Those found in possession of items used to commit acts of vandalism, will have these items confiscated and may be charged criminally.

USR 5K Run Thanksgiving Morning:   Registration is now open for the 20th Anniversary  Upper Saddle River 5K Run, continuing its tradition on Thanksgiving Day.  Doors open at 7:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, November 22nd,with the run starting at 9:00 a.m. at Cavallini Middle School. Pre-registration is recommended. Mail-in and on-line options are explained at www.usr5k.org. The fee is $30.00 and $35.00 on day of the run. Pre-registered runners can pick up their shirt and number the evening before, November 21st 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Cavallini Middle School. All donations should be made out to the Borough of USR and sent to Upper Saddle River 5k Run, PO Box 569, Saddle River, NJ 07458. We are in need of volunteers for both Wednesday night and Thursday morning. If you are interested in volunteering or making a corporate or individual donation, contact Barry Ervin at 201-327-7367 or barryervin@optonline.net.

 Sincerely,

Joanne L. Minichetti, Mayor – jminichetti@usrtoday.org

Roger DeBerardine, Council President – rdeberardine@usrtoday.org

Steven DiMartino – sdimartino@usrtoday.org

Jon Ditkoff – jditkoff@usrtoday.org

Vincent Durante – vdurante@usrtoday.org

Joanne Florio – jflorio@usrtoday.org

Thomas Hafner – thafner@usrtoday.org