County Health Department Contract and School Closings: As always, the Governing Body is happy to work with and support the school administration and Board of Education. As Mayor and Chairperson of the USRA Coalition, I am in full support of returning the students to full day in-person school for their academic and social/mental wellbeing. This will also enable parents to focus on their own occupations. The past year has been beyond difficult for everyone but none more so than for parents.
I have drafted a letter urging the Governor and County to make every effort to encourage uniform and safe in-person learning. I have placed the issue on the work session agenda of the April 1st council meeting to discuss the matter with the council. If the council agrees, I will have the letter sent to County Executive Jim Tedesco as well as the County Department of Health. I will also send the letter to the Governor’s office. In addition, as President of the Bergen County League of Municipalities (BCLOM), I also intend to bring the matter to the attention of the County’s 70 mayors and see what their perspective is. It is possible the League will agree to send a letter as well.
However, I want to make it clear that the Governing Body’s contract with the County for health services in no way dictates compliance with school closings. According to our Borough attorney, who, at my request, has reviewed the shared services agreement we hold with the County, it is simply a contract for services. We utilize the department for well and septic inspections, food inspections, animal control and rabies clinics etc. There is no clause or legal requirement that demands the school administration follow the County guidelines for school closings. Rather, they are offering recommendations, and it is up to the superintendent to make the final decision on closings.
Only the Governor, by Executive Order, can order something opened or closed, place limitations on the number of attendees or reopen something that’s been closed by Executive Order. This was well demonstrated when Governor Murphy ordered County Executive Tedesco to reopen the county’s businesses when Tedesco shut everything down last March. Later, Murphy ordered businesses shut by Executive Order but only he had the authority to do so. I encourage the school administration and Board of Education members to take a course of action that will provide the absolute best quality of education for our children and teens, taking as guidance the Governor’s Executive Orders. We all want the very best for our children. They are our future and are depending on us.
The Municipal Budget: The municipal budget will be introduced at the Regular Mayor and Council Meeting on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. It will be considered for adoption on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. The Governing Body’s goal is to provide our residents with exemplary services while remaining within the state mandated 2% cap. Our municipal taxes remain low for Bergen County while we remain one of the very few towns to provide backdoor garbage and recycling service.
The average increase in the budget over the past five years has been just 1.0%.
Each tax payment made to the Borough includes payment to the USR schools K – 8, Northern Highlands, the County of Bergen and the USR Library. The Borough has control over only 16% of your taxes. Approximately 70% goes to the schools, K-8 and Northern Highlands, 12% to the County and 2% to the Library. The Borough had another record year of tax collection in 2021. Our tax base continues to increase. Financial stability remains a major focus as we move forward.
The Easter Bunnies are Coming to Town: Please look out on Sunday, April 4th for the Easter bunnies! Once again, the bunnies will drive around town escorted by the USR Volunteer Fire Department to help lift everyone’s spirits. The bunnies will start off at Borough Hall around 9:30 a.m. Drive by and wave at the bunnies or watch them come by the main roads after. Listen for the sirens to follow their whereabouts. Would you like to show your appreciation for their efforts by making a donation? Last year’s donations were requested to be made to the USR Volunteer Ambulance Corps. This year, the organizers are requesting donations be made to the USR Youth Guidance Council. Mail a check to USR D.A.R.E. Trust Account, 376 West Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River. Questions, email Despina at Despi.619@gmail.com.
USR Weekly Food Collection: Thank you to our community organizations, students and families who helped organize our weekly food drives. Thank you to everyone who donated as well. The drive by collections took place every Saturday in January, February and March during recycling hours at Borough Hall. The non-perishable items and monetary donations made to The Center for Food Action helped many families and individuals who are struggling during this difficult time. We will be having one final drive on Saturday, April 24th which will be run by the SRV Rotary Club. Please keep it in mind and help those in need if you can.
Joanne Minichetti,
Mayor
Blood Drive: Help serve our community by donating blood for hospital patients in need. The Presentation Knights of Columbus of Church of the Presentation and the Upper Saddle River Volunteer Fire Department are hosting a blood drive on June 8, 2021 from 2pm to 7pm at the Upper Saddle River Volunteer Fire Dept Firehouse at 375 W. Saddle River Rd. Your donation can help save more than one life! To make an appointment: call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit our event website. at: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Presentation%20KOFC
Upper Saddle River Police Department: This spring 2021, DEA National Operation Take-Back drug collection event has been scheduled for Saturday April 24, 2021, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Residents that have unwanted, expired, and unused medications can drop off their medications at the Upper Saddle River Police Department during the aforementioned date and time.
Collection protocol: This program is completely anonymous. Residents may dispose of medications in their original container or by removing medications from the original container and disposing directly into the drug disposal box. If disposing in the original container please remove the prescription label. Liquid medication can be deposited but must be sealed tightly in the original container. Syringes and other sharp instruments will not be accepted.
By participating in Operation Take-Back initiatives, all of us do our part in helping to reduce the potential misuse and abuse of prescription medications among all age groups within the Borough. Furthermore, these prescription take-back initiatives also bring awareness about prescription drug abuse and remind us of the devastating consequences that medications can have when diverted from their intended use.
By properly disposing of medications, instead of flushing them down a toilet or throwing them in the trash we help to protect the environment.
Please visit the DEA Office of Diversion Control for more information regarding this subject: https://takebackday.dea.gov/
Library News: We now offer USR card-holders online access to The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times newspapers. For access codes, email our Adult Services Librarian: molly.mckenney@uppersaddleriver.bccls.org. Discover ebooks, databases, best-selling magazines, movies, music and more from home with your library card, go to the Online Services tab at: www.uppersaddleriverlibrary.org. Plus, we continue to offer contactless pickup of library materials and in-person browsing hours. Check social media for all of our virtual programming for Adults, Children and Teens.
USR Historical Society: Join the Upper Saddle River Historical Society for our April Hearthside History Chat: April 27, 2021. Register via email to receive the Zoom link at events@usrhistoricalsociety.org. Future monthly Hearthside Chats will entice you to spend a few moments to delve into USR’s rich and fascinating history – Historic Fashion Show, Horse Ranches & Bronco Busting, Farm life in USR and more…. Mark your calendars: Tuesday May 25 @7:00 pm.
Where did the name Ranch Road come from?
Join the USR Historical Society for a Zoom presentation and learn about the Harry Himsel Ranch and the rodeos held there in the 1950s. Presented by Barry Huber on April 20 at 7:30 pm. Go to usrhistoricalsociety.org/events to sign up. The link will be sent to you the day of the event.
The Woman’s Club: The Woman’s Club thanks all town residents and our members who contributed much needed non-perishable food to our March 20th Food Drive at Borough Hall. Together we made a difference for those The Center for Food Action serves!
COVID has certainly presented a challenge, but we have managed to stay on track and share experiences that inspire our members. Our club continues to meet on the first Tuesday evening of each month via Zoom, and we enjoy monthly programs online in addition to our business meetings. We also have formed a Book Group that meets once a month. April’s title is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
Hopefully the coming warm weather will allow us to meet in person outdoors again as we wait to be able to resume meeting in the library when COVID restrictions allow.
We welcome new members! Please contact President, Nona Maher, (nona.maher@gmail.com) if you’d like to join or have any questions about our club. Happy Spring!
Brush Pickup: Bundled brush pickup will resume on April 1, 2021 and run throughUSR Tennis Permits Available for 2021: Tennis permits for the use of the USR tennis courts, located on West Saddle River Road in front of Reynolds School, are available at the Borough Hall or at the Tennis Courts from Tennis Pro Sharron Mattiace. A family membership is $40.00 and an individual membership is priced at $25.00. All residents must have a permit and display permit on the sign-up board located at the entrance of the courts. For more information, please call the USR Recreation Department at 201-327-3634 or USRRecreation@aol.com. Visit the Borough website at www.USRtoday.org for information about all Recreation programs.
October 29, 2021. Bundles must be tied and able to be lifted overhead into a truck. No larger than four inches in diameter or greater than five in length
Garbage & Recycling:
If your regular pickup is missed, call Borough Hall at 201-327-2196. You can leave a voice message with your address, or email info@usrtoday.org. Service may take longer than usual but it is ongoing as it’s a public health matter.
The Recycling Depot is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon.
DUE TO COVID, CLOTHING AND TEXTILES ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME.
USR GARBAGE AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS – April 2021
Garbage: Every Monday & Thursday
Recycling:
West Side: Tuesday April 13 & 27
East Side: Tuesday April 6 & 20
NOTE: Must call by 10am the NEXT DAY to report missed Trash/Recycles.
Curbside White Goods: Thursday, April 1, 2021. Call 201-327-2196 x221 to schedule appointment for the appliance at LEAST three days prior.
Next Curbside Bulky Trash: Friday, June 18, 2021.
Mayor and Council Regular Meeting – Thursday, April 1, 2021
The next Mayor and Council Meeting will be held on April 1, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. The meeting will be held via teleconference (Zoom) and the necessary credentials to join the meeting are as follows:
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Computer: Link: https://zoom.us/j/842319706
Meeting ID: 842-319-706
Phone: 1-669-900-6833 or 1-877-853-5247
Then dial meeting ID (842-319-706) followed by #, then #, #9 to raise hand.
Joanne L. Minichetti – Mayor jminichetti@usrtoday.org
DeAnne DeFuccio – ddefuccio@usrtoday.org
Steven DiMartino – sdimartino@usrtoday.org
Jon Ditkoff – jditkoff@usrtoday.org
Vincent Durante, – vdurante@usrtoday.org
Joanne Florio, Council President – jflorio@usrtoday.org
Douglas Rotella – drotella@usrtoday.org