Full Notification

This month’s update covers several important developments across the Borough, including preparation of the 2026 municipal budget and an upcoming Town Hall, our response to the January snowstorm, Leonia Police Department staffing and accreditation, affordable housing compliance, transportation advocacy, the Promise Church application before the Planning Board, and a number of quality-of-life issues ranging from bulk trash pickup to local business activity. As always, my goal is to keep residents informed, explain the thinking behind key decisions, and invite your engagement in the work ahead.
 
Budget Town Hall, Wednesday March 4th:
Our next Town Hall will be held on Wednesday, March 4th at 7:30 p.m. in the new Municipal Center Building, second floor. Please mark your calendars.

At this session, we will share where we are in the development of the 2026 municipal budget and, most importantly, invite your input on both the operating and capital budgets. All are welcome to participate, either in person or virtually.

We have been working on this budget for quite some time—dating back to last summer. Why start so early? Because we had no choice if we wanted to produce the best possible outcome in the face of significant cost increases that are entirely outside the Borough’s control.

Those increases include a 37% rise in employee healthcare costs, a 40% increase in electricity costs (which amounts to a 115% increase over the past four years), as well as higher pension obligations, waste management costs, and other mandated expenses. These are costs Leonia does not control, yet must pay.

Delivering an annual budget increase below the inflation rate—as we achieved in 2024—is only possible when the expenses we do not control cooperate. When those costs rise sharply, and after years of already trimming services to the bone, it becomes increasingly difficult to produce a responsible budget without also affecting quality of life and public safety.

The budget we will present on March 4th was crafted with balance in mind and continues to emphasize value for each tax dollar.

I believe it is essential for taxpayers to understand where their money is going, just as I expect each member of the governing body to scrutinize costs, understand tax impacts, weigh them against the services provided, and balance those considerations against the community’s needs. This is where members of the governing body—among their many responsibilities—earn their volunteer stripes.

The fundamental question that guides this budget, and the one I ask of every municipal department, is simple:  Are we getting the best value for the tax dollar?

On March 4th, you will see how that question shapes our approach and why we are where we are today. With your input, we will move forward with a budget that represents the best possible balance between cost and service.

I hope to see you on March 4th. And for those unable to attend in person or virtually, a recording of the Town Hall will be posted within 24 hours of the event.

Snow Storm:
I’m very pleased with how our entire Borough services team pulled together to help us safely get through Leonia’s serious January 25–26 snowstorm. While snow removal operations continue due to extremely cold temperatures and the lack of natural melt, Leonia rose to the challenge.

The Borough’s response to this significant storm is another clear illustration of the value residents receive for their tax dollars. I want you to feel confident that your hard-earned tax dollars are being spent wisely—and that there is frequent, tangible evidence to support that confidence.

So let me offer a brief “behind-the-scenes” look at what took place before and during the storm. At 3:46 a.m. on Sunday, January 25, DPW personnel and trucks were deployed HERE. Crews hit the road early, many working long hours before being relieved. I applaud our DPW for their dedication and the results they delivered under challenging conditions.

Because Leonia residents heeded the advice of the Leonia Police Department to stay off the roads, there were zero motor vehicle accidents reported during the storm. Compliance with the snow ordinance was high, and relatively few citations were issued. HERE are photos taken by the Police Department during the storm, showing how wisely residents stayed off the roads. This is all good news—and everyone benefits when this happens.  Kudos to our Special Law Enforcement Officers Chris LaBianco and Jary Martinez-Morris who came in during the height of the storm as volunteers. 

Out of an abundance of caution, the Volunteer Fire Department staffed Fire Headquarters during the storm to significantly reduce response times. Given the difficulty volunteers can face getting to the station during active snow conditions, this approach made eminent sense. In fact, only one fire alarm occurred during the storm, and it was quickly handled and cleared.

We were also prepared in the event of a widespread power outage—though fortunately none occurred in Leonia. The Recreation Center was ready to serve as a warming center, with the new Municipal Center designated as a backup. The thinking was that families with children would be best accommodated at the Rec Center.

The sheer volume of snow made this storm more challenging than most. As with every major weather event, there are lessons learned that help us prepare even better for the next one. I received several emails from older residents who were either physically unable, financially unable, or both, to clear their sidewalks and driveways. I’ve shared these concerns with our Age Friendly Committee, which is focused on helping seniors age in place, and I will also be raising this with the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee in hopes that Leonia High School students may be able to organize volunteer assistance in these situations.

Short Term Rental Process and Q/A: 
We have, not surprisingly, received many inquiries about the new short term rental ordinance which has recently gone into effect.  See link HERE for previous information.  More than a few Leonians are interested in taking advantage of the opportunity to rent their homes on a short term basis especially to take advantage of the upcoming Soccer World Cup Finals occurring at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands.  You may have seen some newspaper and other media coverage indicating the likelihood of high prices being paid by people visiting this area for the games.  Whether this is true or not, I know time will tell.
 
For the answers to Frequently Asked Questions and other process details, please click HERE.
 
There are admittedly a lot of rules– but these rules reflect community concerns raised by Leonians that are legitimate.  With these rules in place, we will give short term rentals a try.  If it works, great.  The World Cup guarantees substantial demand for short term housing so now seems as good a time to give this a try as any. 
 
Police Hiring:
Over the past six months, we have hired five new Leonia police officers and, I’m pleased to say, it is an exceptionally strong and well-qualified group. Four were hired as full-time officers, and one as a Special Law Enforcement Officer I. Two have already completed the Police Academy’s 24 weeks of full-time training (approximately six months), and two more are scheduled to enter an academy class in February.

My sincere thanks to the Police Commission and the Leonia Police Department for the considerable work that went into recruiting, hiring, and promoting these officers.

These hires are particularly significant given several recent retirements and once again brings our department to a full complement of 20 sworn officers, in addition to our SLEOs and administrative staff.
I have also had the honor of swearing in Detective Sergeant Mike Jennings, who grew up in Leonia, to the role of Captain, along with newly promoted Sergeants Erik Goodell and John Longo, two new officers, and a Special Law Enforcement Officer. You can watch all the swearing-in ceremonies HERE.

When you see these officers around town, please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself. They are committed to protecting and serving our community and keeping Leonia safe. I think you will be impressed by how they present themselves and by their depth of character. We are proud of our officers and grateful for the 24/7 work of the LPD on our behalf.

Our Leonia Police Department officers are highly trained and professional at all times. You can count on the fact that they have our backs. As a community we must have their back by supporting them with the resources and equipment they need to do their jobs, the training necessary to stay current, and a new state-of-the-art police facility from which to work.

And when you see Captain Jennings, Sergeant Goodell, and Sergeant Longo or any of our new officers, please feel free to congratulate them as well on their well-deserved promotions.

Leonia Police Department Accreditation:
Leonia’s Police Department has also earned re-accreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, which is a significant achievement and another point of real pride for our community.

Accreditation means that the LPD has been independently reviewed and verified to meet hundreds of nationally recognized best-practice standards covering everything from officer training and use-of-force policies to evidence handling, internal accountability, and community relations.

Put simply:
Accreditation confirms that Leonia’s Police Department does its job the right way—professionally, ethically, and consistently.

Why this should evoke pride:

• Not automatic, not easy: Accreditation is earned, not granted. Departments must document policies, prove compliance, and undergo rigorous outside review.
• Professional excellence: It places Leonia among a select group of departments that meet the highest standards in modern policing and have embraced best practices.
• Commitment to accountability: Accreditation reflects a willingness to be measured, audited, and held to best practices, not just to minimum requirements.
• Continuous improvement: It’s not a one-time award. Maintaining accreditation requires ongoing training, policy review, and performance evaluation.
• Confidence for residents: It reassures the public that their police department operates with discipline, transparency, and professionalism.

HERE is a photo of the official accreditation presentation by Harry Delgado, Accreditation Program Director for the New Jersey State Association of Police Chiefs, to our Chief Scott Tamagny followed by a photo of our Leonia law enforcement family with the members of the governing body.  If you want, you can watch the accreditation ceremony and hear the comments HERE.  Special thanks also to Karlie Sonne for all her efforts to help us achieve this milestone.  
 
 
Affordable Housing Update:
We are now in the final stages of our most recent push to get the affordable housing deadlines behind us.   By March 15, 2026 Leonia must adopt all the remaining ordinances and resolutions supporting the changes required by NJ during the review process.  The good news is we will get there.  The bad news is it still requires a substantial amount of work.  Relative to many other municipalities, Leonia is in an enviable position as we’ve done the heavy lifting over the past year and are now putting the finishing touches on what is required by the State.  By doing our work this way and paying attention to and abiding by all the rules, we have made sure Leonia is not open to any substantial violations or lapses in our zoning protections. 

Zoning protections are at the heart of what makes Leonia.  Without them, we are prey to developers who have an ‘everything goes’ mentality.  We have worked hard this past year to make sure we don’t lose the immunity we currently have from builder’s remedy lawsuits, and I firmly believe this extra work and due diligence was worth the effort.  It also positions our borough to fulfill our affordable housing plans in a meaningful and responsible way which does justice to the intent of the legislation and still protects our town from the legislation’s shortcomings. 

As we continue to move forward, we will carefully track our progress against the affordable housing plan HERE for your reading pleasure.

Fontana Tritone:
I recently reached out to the owner of the building on Fort Lee Road at Broad Avenue, where Fontana Tritone previously operated, to ask about the status of renting the still vacant restaurant space. Fontana was one of my family’s—and many Leonians’—favorite restaurants. Unfortunately, a series of events unrelated to the quality of the food or the success of the business itself ultimately led to its closure.

Given Fontana’s prior success in that location, I was curious why it has taken so long to secure a new tenant. The owner was gracious in answering my questions and explained that they have come close on several occasions but are still searching. Importantly, the rent being asked today is exactly the same as what Fontana had been paying.

I know many residents would like to see more restaurants in town. One reality that prospective restaurant owners and operators look at very closely, however, is how well a community supports the restaurants it already has.

I’ve mentioned before that Shumi—a very successful restaurant on Broad Avenue in its own right—relies heavily on out-of-town customers. In fact, the owner shared with me that fewer than 10% of their patrons come from Leonia. Even a long-established and well-loved eatery like Dante’s does not derive a majority of its business from Leonia residents. Their local patronage is certainly higher than Shumi’s, but still well below 50%.

Obviously, no one should be told where they must dine. That choice is entirely personal. But if we hope to attract additional restaurants to Leonia, it’s worth recognizing that a lack of consistent local support can understandably dampen enthusiasm among prospective operators considering a Leonia location.

I very much hope the owner of the building at 248 Fort Lee Road is able to secure a quality restaurant tenant soon, adding to the two successful food businesses already in that building—Snackstop and the newly opened Café de Lyon. As with many things, time will tell…

Bulk Trash Update: 
Our trial period to reduce bulk trash pickups to one day per month townwide is off to a pretty good start.  It seems as though the overwhelming majority of people got the message about this and did not put out their bulk trash on the wrong days.  However, there were about 4% by our count who, despite every reasonable effort, somehow managed to miss the news.  A hard lesson to be sure since the weather is so awful you would really rather not put your bulk trash on the curb only to have to bring it back in again for the next monthly pickup on February 12th.

HERE are the bulk trash once a month pick up dates you should note and follow.  This is different from what was published earlier in your community calendar. 
 
One objective of this trial is to see how the redeployment of manpower can help with DPW operations. In our first test case just after the snowstorm, we were able to use the same resources which would have been otherwise dedicated to bulk trash pick up to accelerate our snow removal efforts and more quickly open up street access for larger emergency vehicles.
 
Promise Church:
This past week, the Planning Board continued hearing testimony from the experts retained by Promise Church in support of its application to expand the facility at 150 Grand Avenue. HERE are links to my prior updates on this matter, should you wish to catch up.

At last week’s meeting, the Board heard testimony from both the landscape architect and the building architect. At the next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday evening, March 25, the Board will begin with follow-up questions to the architect, after which members of the public will have an opportunity to ask questions related to the testimony presented.

As part of his testimony, the landscape architect stated that 99 trees would need to be removed to accommodate the proposed expanded parking area. Of those, 78 trees are 8 inches or greater in DBH (diameter at breast height), including a 40-inch DBH Pin Oak, the largest tree identified. The proposed landscape plan calls for the planting of 110 new trees, which at the time of planting would be approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, measured 6 inches above grade.

The Planning Board raised questions regarding stormwater absorption by mature trees versus newly planted trees, as well as the impact on existing wildlife in the wooded area proposed for parking. The use of permeable paves, as opposed to permeable asphalt, was also discussed.

Both the applicant and the Planning Board continue to be thorough and deliberate in their review of the proposal. I will keep residents informed as this process moves forward, and I want to reiterate that public participation—at this stage, in the form of questions based on testimony presented—is welcome and encouraged.

A Call for more NJ Transit Buses through Leonia:
The governing body will likely be adopting a resolution calling for additional 166 and 182 bus service through Leonia. This resolution, once adopted,  will be formally transmitted to NJ Transit and other appropriate state officials in support of our commuting residents.

After I called the Mayor of Palisades Park, he indicated that he will likely bring a similar resolution to his governing body in support of additional 166 Turnpike bus service. These buses are often near capacity when leaving Leonia, even before beginning to pick up passengers in Palisades Park.

Eversolar Energy Discount Program:
For those of you—like me—who signed up for the Eversolar energy discount program guaranteed by the State of New Jersey and are wondering when the discounts will begin appearing on your bills, I have a brief update.

I’ve been advised that the solar farm on which these discounts depend has not yet gone live due to delays with testing the installed panels and their connection to the power grid.  Eversolar now estimates that participants should begin seeing the discounts applied to their PSE&G bills sometime this spring.  Regular updates are posted on: www.leonianj.gov. 

Like many of you, I’m disappointed it isn’t happening sooner especially since my own personal electric utility bills at home have never been higher.   That said, this remains a no-cost, NJ state guaranteed program, so while the delay is frustrating, it is still a very good opportunity for those who were able to sign up before the program reached its participation limit.

HERE is a link to an earlier update that explains the program in more detail and outlines how to position yourself to sign up for similar programs in the future, should they become available.
 
Your official Leonia communication channels:
While the community listserv is one way to share information and perspectives between neighbors, please be reminded that it is not an official Borough communication channel. Our #1 way of getting official information out to all Leonians is via Nixle and my monthly status reports.  Tell your neighbors to sign up for both if they are not already receiving.   Nixle includes much more than emergency alerts.   Feel free to call Borough Hall (either the Administrator’s or the Clerk’s office) if you need any assistance in signing up for either.  

I’m confident if you sign up for Nixle AND read my monthly status reports you will be well informed about what is happening in your hometown.  There will be far less guessing, speculation and much more informed participation–which is a very good thing. 

It has come to my attention that some residents are using the listserv to request actions or services from the Borough. When requests are made this way, they are unlikely to be seen—or acted upon—by the appropriate Borough officials.

To ensure your request receives the attention it deserves, please send it to [email protected], which is an official Borough communication channel and one that I regularly review. If you need to report a specific problem or concern, you may also do so HERE.

That’s all for now.  I hope everyone is somehow managing to stay warm.  And that, once again, my lengthy monthly status update has helped you get over any insomnia.  I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our March 4th Town Hall meeting on the budget. 

Kind regards,

Bill Ziegler
Leonia Mayor