Full Notification

Over the past few years, I’ve made it a priority to build strong relationships with fellow mayors across Bergen County,  our County Executive, State legislators and Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Those relationships matter—not just collegially, but because they create real opportunities for shared services, partnerships, and other cooperative arrangements that can benefit multiple communities, including Leonia.

As you know, we are currently pursuing agreements with Teaneck related to land north of our DPW facility, as well as with Bogota for shared court services. I’ve also taken on a leadership role within the Bergen County Mayors group—representing 70 municipalities—to help position Leonia for greater visibility and access to best practices across the region.

There are many approaches being used in neighboring communities that are proving highly effective, and we would be wise to learn from them rather than reinvent the wheel. For example, we are closely examining measures implemented in Hackensack and Fort Lee to better protect multi-family residential buildings from e-scooter and e-bike-related fire risks like the one we recently experienced on Woodland Place.

Another benefit of these relationships is gaining a deeper understanding of the unique expertise each mayor brings. Through my conversations with Michael Wildes, Mayor of Englewood, I became more familiar with his extensive experience as a New York City-based immigration attorney.

Given the ongoing national conversation around U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, I invited Mayor Wildes to speak in Leonia on this topic. You can watch his presentation HERE, and I thank him for taking the time to share his perspective and expertise with our community.

TV and Movie Location Scouts in Leonia:
 
This past month, the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on TV and Movie Productions hosted location managers from several large studios in Leonia.  We hosted these location managers to familiarize them with the many opportunities Leonia offers for filming.  From our beautiful parks, old and new style municipal buildings, unique houses of worship, classic homes and low scale commercial district, it is fair to say that the location managers were duly impressed. 
 
The advisory committee is developing a database that you as homeowners will be able to also use if you are interested in having location scouts consider your home and/or property for one of their future projects.  More information on the database will be forthcoming as it comes together. 
 
My thanks to the members of the TV and Movie Production Committee including Chair Graham Alston who rented and drove the van around Leonia for our tour and to Leonians Julian Pecht, Raquel Bruno and Pat Capone who each as members of the committee have TV and movie production experience and very effectively ‘spoke the language’ of our visitors. 
 
Leonia’s proximity to New York City gives us a natural advantage in attracting more television and film productions over time—bringing new revenue into our community through homeowner rental fees, municipal permit fees, and additional spending at local businesses.
 
32 Gallon Garbage Cans:
 
In case you missed it, Leonia has adopted a rule that requires homeowners to use no garbage can larger than 32 gallons.  Why?  Primarily because larger cans (up to 96 gallon capacity) were more frequently being used and the sheer weight of trash put in the receptacle made it incredibly difficult and dangerous for our DPW employees to hoist that into the rear of the truck.  Back injuries among DPW men were becoming more common because of these larger cans.  You can read my earlier updates HERE. 
 
I’ve gone on record personally as not being opposed to the use of the larger cans if the total weight of the garbage placed inside by homeowners was 50 lbs or less.  That seemed a very reasonable approach and allowed homeowners who invested in the large cans to continue to use them. 
 
What I didn’t know—and this obviously makes a significant difference—is that, on average, roughly one DPW employee per month has injured a hand while reaching into larger bins to remove plastic garbage bags. In some cases, homeowners have unfortunately discarded sharp objects directly into those bags, including broken glass. When our team members reach in to pull the bags out, they’ve sustained cuts—some of them quite serious.
 
I would have pointed this out earlier had I been aware.  Understanding that this is the case makes a difference to me and further justifies why this new rule is in place.  Please start using 32 gallon containers if you are not already.  Our DPW employees will be very grateful.
 
Promise Church Update:

There was a substantial turnout on April 22nd for the Planning Board meeting, and many residents took the opportunity to share their views—both in support of and in opposition to—the proposed Promise Church expansion. Their comments are now part of the official record. I believe the public plays an important role in Planning Board proceedings, and I’m always gratified when residents make the effort to be heard. That’s the good news.

That said, I continue to find the quasi judicial process, as dictated by New Jersey’s Municipal Land Use Law for all Planning Boards, frustrating.  Frankly, I find it counterintuitive and, at times, illogical.

I tend to be a “top-down” thinker—I prefer to start with the big picture and then work into the details. The Planning Board process operates in the opposite way. It is very much “bottom-up,” requiring a full record of detailed testimony before the broader context can even be considered. In the case of Promise Church, we’ve heard expert testimony across multiple disciplines—stormwater management, landscape architecture, traffic, and the Church’s overall plans and intentions.

To date, that has meant eight meetings and approximately 15–20 hours of testimony, with another special session scheduled for May 13th.

First, I want to thank our Planning Board members for their commitment. They volunteer their time, often sitting through hours of technical testimony, and they do so with professionalism and expertise. I’m proud of the board we’ve assembled—they represent Leonia well, and their depth of knowledge should give all of us confidence in the process.

Looking ahead to May 13th, I expect we will conclude the application. The applicant’s attorney will present a final summation, followed by the Board’s public deliberations.

It is important to understand, however, that the Board’s decision is limited to the specific variances being requested.

Many of the issues that have generated the most discussion—stormwater management and traffic, in particular—are not within the Planning Board’s authority in this case. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which has jurisdiction over stormwater matters, has already approved the project’s stormwater management plan.

Similarly, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved the use of the existing driveway for ingress and egress onto Grand Avenue. At one point, the DOT had indicated that vehicles might need to exit via the signalized intersection at Moore and Grand, but they have since reversed that position. As a result, there is no longer any need for the Planning Board to consider an easement related to access.

There has also been understandable concern about the proposed removal of trees—99 by my count. While Leonia strongly values and protects its tree canopy, current law allows property owners to remove trees on their own property. What we do require is compliance with our tree removal ordinance, which includes a graduated replacement fee structure based on tree size to support future plantings. Promise Church will be required to meet these obligations. They have also indicated plans to plant more trees than they remove, which is welcome, although it does not fully offset the benefits of mature trees.

The proposed building expansion already conforms given the size of the property to Leonia zoning requirements as it relates to setbacks, height and impervious coverage and no variances were necessary. 

So where does that leave us?

At this stage, the variances being requested are relatively minor. One involves raising the entrance sign along Grand Avenue to improve sightlines for drivers exiting the property. The others relate to parking stall dimensions and configuration, which already conform to state standards.

The Planning Board must base its decision strictly on these specific items. Acting outside that scope—or attempting to tie those decisions to broader concerns already addressed by state agencies—could expose the Borough to legal risk. That is not in Leonia’s best interest.

In practical terms, this means the Board’s decision is limited, and it is likely that the requested variances related to signage and parking will be approved, as the larger issues have already been resolved at the state level.

If, at some point in the future, Promise Church seeks an easement or access involving the pool driveway, that matter would come before the Mayor and Council and be governed by a different process.
 
In Memoriam:
 
This past month, Leonia lost one of its ‘silent heroes’.   Frank Cirillo was a long time Leonia volunteer, especially with the Recreation Commission and was also very active in St. John’s Church.  I first met Frank nearly 30 years ago when he was coaching my oldest son’s skeeter league baseball team.  His passion for the game and the way he worked with the kids inspired me to become a Recreation baseball coach too.  It was one of the very best volunteer jobs I ever had, and I thank Frank for that too.  Most recently, Frank was instrumental in resurrecting the Recreation Commission basketball program. I’ve attended the basketball finals at the Recreation Commission and can personally attest to the fun and excitement surrounding the games. Frank played a big role in making that happen. 
 
In Frank’s honor we had a moment of silence preceding the last Mayor and Council meeting and there was a nice tribute placed on the digital sign in front of the library.  He will be missed.
 
I’m sorry to say that as this status report was going to “press” I learned of two other deaths in town in the past few days.  Leonia’s first female Mayor Liz Dwarica and volunteer Bunny Giordano have also passed away. 
 
I will write more about both of these Leonia icons in my next report.  In the meantime, like many Leonians, I extend my deepest condolences to their families.   
 
321 Fort Lee Road:
 
This is the building across the street from Anna C. Scott School on Fort Lee Road.  Leonia old timers will remember it as the Molasses Building, because (and I’ve confirmed this with our Leonia Historian David Braun) it was the Industrial Molasses Corporation’s national headquarters.  That’s before it became an insurance office building which was its use prior to being vacated recently by fire. 
 
Now the site is to be cleared for a new office building which will be a dramatic aesthetic  improvement to the area.  The two story building will have one floor as the headquarters for a development company and the other for leased office space.  HERE is an architect’s rendering. 
 
You can expect the existing decrepit building to be demolished in the late Spring and for construction to start on the new building sometime this summer/fall. 
 
T-Rex News:
 
Our friendly Leonia T-Rex, recently featured in Weird NJ, has settled into his new home at the base of Maple Street by Station Parkway.  Best of all, the injury to his leg which was sustained during the move to the new location has now been repaired by the Dinosaur Park team (thank you in particular to Guy Gsell, Executive Director) who donated the T-Rex to Leonia.  HERE is a photo of our friend with his leg recently repaired.  He looks as good as new!
 
Commercial District Update:

The former Fontana space on Fort Lee Road will soon be home to a new Italian restaurant. This is very recent news, and I will share additional details as they become available.

Two new hair salons will be opening on Broad Avenue in the near future. As many of you know, Salon 324 closed not too long ago. Johnny’s Haircuts will be relocating from its current location across the street on Broad Avenue to occupy the former Salon 324 space. Johnny’s has been growing its business and was looking for additional space, which 324 Broad can provide. At this time, it is not yet known what will move into Johnny’s current location.

In addition, Jackie Gobbo’s Kindred Yoga and Wellness studio has closed their Broad Avenue location but are actively pursuing and focussed on other Leonia locations.  They are committed to reopening elsewhere by the end of the month so they can continue to provide Leonians with a space to practice yoga.  

The space vacated by the yoga studio will be filled by a new hair salon, and another salon is expected to open at 330 Broad Avenue, where the pharmacy was previously located. Taken together, this represents a net increase of two hair salons on Broad Avenue. One thing is certain—there will be no shortage of options in town for your next haircut.

While I personally would have welcomed more restaurants, the reality is that the marketplace ultimately determines which businesses open and succeed. It is the entrepreneurs—those investing their capital and taking on the associated risks—who make these decisions based on where they believe demand exists within the community.
 
Parking Meters:
 
Don’t worry… this is not imminent but it was a topic of conversation at the April work session of the Mayor and Council.  You can watch the discussion HERE.  This is just a heads up we are going to ask the Leonia Chamber of Commerce to poll the business community to get their input on whether they believe parking meters make sense in Leonia.
 
Most municipalities have parking meters today.  Leonia is an exception.  And when I say parking meters that’s not to suggest a physical meter being added at the curbline but a traffic app that collects fees for designated street parking spots. 
 
I believe we should not take any action until we’ve solicited the input of the business owners and the Council agreed.  If the business owners are supportive, I am confident the governing body will move forward in a sensible and measured way after soliciting public input.  If we get that far, my inclination is to start with the Elm Parking lot as there have been complaints about all-day parking there for quite some time and we need those spaces to facilitate more in town shopping excursions.  We will see…
 
Veolia Water Lead Pipe Replacement work:
 
I took this photo HERE of work recently completed by Veolia Water while walking my dog on Gladwin Avenue.  I don’t know how many more of these situations exist, but this mess is not acceptable to me or any member of the Borough Council or our teams.  In this particular case, you can also notice the curb was also destroyed.  We know from the work we recently did on Fort Lee Road that replacing curbs is expensive.  We’re not going to have the taxpayers of Leonia pick up this cost.  It squarely belongs to Veolia Water.  In an earlier update, I let people know that Veolia was beginning this work on Lakeview Avenue and moving south throughout town.  
 
Our Borough Administrator is following up now with Veolia to remedy this and any other similar situations.  You can help by completing an issue report form HERE to report if a similar mess in front of your house or a neighbor’s exists as a result of the recent utility work - and attach a picture.  We will compile a complete list and then go after the water company to restore everything to the way it was before they started the work. 

Leonia Day broke its attendance record once again this past Saturday!

Based on the crowds—and the amount of ice cream consumed—we confidently estimate that more than 1,000 Leonians turned out for this special day celebrating our strength of community and volunteerism. Nearly every civic organization hosted a table in the library parking lot, and many more residents stepped forward to offer their time as volunteers. We also celebrated our 37th consecutive year as a Tree City USA designee by the Arbor Day Foundation.

The weather was fantastic, the music and performances were great.  Our Recreation Commission, under the able leadership of Recreation Superintendent Sean Krakower, coordinated a beautiful event overall.  The Department of Public Works did a crazy good job in beautifying our Wood Park.  Thank you to everyone who played a role in making Leonia Day the huge success that it was.

We were also joined by a few special guests. Congressman Josh Gottheimer and County Executive Jim Tedesco both attended, and as I walked them around and introduced them to many of our volunteers, each independently remarked that Leonia is truly a special place. That was, of course, music to my ears.

What stood out to them—and to me—is that at a time when volunteerism is declining in many places, Leonia is experiencing the opposite. In fact, we have nearly doubled the number of volunteers participating in town activities over the past several years.   Volunteers have always been the backbone of our community, and it is gratifying to see that spirit not only intact, but thriving.

If you missed Leonia Day—or just need a little more time to think about how you might like to get involved—HERE is a list of volunteer opportunities. It’s a great way to give back while making new friends along the way.

Finally, a special thank you to our friends at Kulite, whose generous support helped make Leonia Day such a success, including providing Stone Cold Creamery ice cream to all who wanted it. We also extend our thanks to our other sponsors: NVE Bank, Cavalier Realty Group, Wolf It, Provident Bank, Q Nail Boutique, School Aged Child Care, Johnny’s Haircuts and Shaves.

Thank you all for helping make this such a memorable day.

Nixle Updates:
 
This is a bit like preaching to the choir since most of the people reading this are already signed up on Nixle and that is how you are regularly receiving this information.  We want to make it as easy as possible to sign up for the emergency alerts, the community news and my monthly Mayor’s status updates.  Since a few people have let me know the website sign up feature is a bit cumbersome (and I agree but we are limited by the process defined by the host), if you know someone who hasn’t signed up they can do so by simply providing their full name, email address, cell phone number (for text messages) and do so here NIXLE SIGN UP or email the information to [email protected].   A Borough of Leonia employee will take this information and sign you up.  It can be that simple. 
 
Leonia Police Department News:

Last Wednesday morning, residents may have noticed a significant police presence at the intersection of Broad Avenue and Park Avenue. This activity was the result of a warrant being served on a local resident by federal authorities, with assistance from the Bergen County SWAT team and coordination with the Leonia Police Department.

This matter was unrelated to immigration or any U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity.

The 52 year old taken into custody in Leonia was one of 17 arrested across the metro NY area charged with drug-related offenses after a nine-month undercover investigation led by Orange County authorities.   The warrant was executed safely and professionally.  No injuries were reported, and the scene in Leonia was cleared quickly.

That activity served as a reminder of the professionalism and capability of our Leonia Police Department. The following two recent cases are representative of the kind of work our officers and detectives perform every day.

On the morning of April 14th, an individual from Queens, New York entered CVS on Broad Avenue and attempted to purchase gift cards using counterfeit currency. What may have been intended as a routine transaction elsewhere was anything but routine in Leonia. After reviewing store security footage in coordination with CVS, Leonia Detective Ray Forsdahl identified the vehicle involved. Using our license plate reader technology along Broad Avenue, the department was able to determine ownership and registration details. An arrest warrant was issued on April 24th, and the suspect was subsequently apprehended in Monroe Township, New Jersey. He was transferred to Leonia and lodged in the Bergen County Jail pending court proceedings.

In another case, on December 31st at approximately 5:30 a.m., a residential burglary occurred on Summit Avenue. Approximately 40 minutes earlier, the same suspects had committed a similar burglary in Washington Township. The suspects used a stolen BMW—reported out of Bloomfield—as part of the Summit Avenue burglary, which ultimately became a critical clue in Leonia’s investigation.

Over the course of several months, Leonia detectives worked collaboratively with multiple law enforcement agencies to identify and arrest four suspects. Our camera system captured the stolen BMW’s license plate on Broad Avenue, providing valuable data that allowed detectives to begin tracking its movements in Newark and surrounding areas. A communications warrant was obtained, and a detailed analysis of cellphone data revealed five devices that consistently matched the vehicle’s movements. That work ultimately led to the identification and arrest of all four individuals involved—an excellent example of modern, data-driven police work combined with persistence and coordination.

Additionally, the Leonia Police Department was awarded a $7,000 grant from the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety. During the month of April, that grant funded 100 additional patrol hours, resulting in 227 vehicle stops, 197 summonses, 109 warnings, and one arrest.

As Mayor, I have come to expect a high level of professionalism and results from our Police Department—but I never take it for granted. Our officers work every day to keep Leonia safe, and these examples reflect just a portion of the important work they do on behalf of our community.

The Importance of Term Limits:

As we prepare for our nation’s 250th anniversary and reflect on the Revolutionary War activity that took place in and around Leonia, I find myself thinking about the example set by George Washington and many of his contemporaries. They viewed public service as exactly that—service. They stepped away from their farms, their legal and medical practices, and their professions to serve their country, and when that service was complete, they returned to their private lives.

President Washington, of course, set the most enduring example by voluntarily stepping down after two terms, not because he had to, but because he believed it was the right thing to do. He understood that leadership is strengthened—not diminished—by renewal.

While the Founders did not formalize term limits across all levels of government, there was a clear expectation that public office was not meant to be a permanent endeavor. Today, that expectation has, in many cases, faded. When any elected official begins to view their role as something to hold onto indefinitely, it can unintentionally shift the focus away from service and toward self-preservation. That is a dynamic I think many Americans have grown wary of.

Here in Leonia, we have long operated under a different understanding. For as long as I can remember, members of our governing body have generally limited their volunteer service to three consecutive three-year terms for Council and two consecutive four-year terms for Mayor. It is a tradition I’m proud of because it encourages fresh perspectives, new energy, and continued community engagement. Importantly, those who have served don’t step away from the community—they remain involved, offering their experience and perspective in other meaningful ways.

At one point, I explored whether this long-standing practice could be formally codified. I learned that New Jersey law ultimately governs this area, which limits what municipalities can mandate. Even so, I believe there is real value in maintaining this tradition in Leonia as a matter of principle.

As we reflect on our history and look ahead, I think there is something to be said for returning to that original spirit of service—one where individuals step forward, contribute meaningfully, and then make room for others to do the same. In my view, that remains a healthy and enduring model for good government.

Some quick reminders:
–The only bulk trash pick up day in Leonia this month is on Thursday, May 14.  Don’t miss it!

–The ban on gas powered leaf blowers resumes on May 15th after which you are not allowed to use a gas powered leaf blower in Leonia until October 14th.  Importantly, this includes your landscapers.  Electric-powered leaf blowers may instead be used.

–Remember to have your landscaper register with Borough Hall.  It facilitates the sharing of important information with landscapers.

Finally, you may have already noticed that the veterans banners are back up along Broad Avenue and in Wood Park in anticipation of Memorial Day.

Please consider joining us in Leonia on Memorial Day as we honor our currently deployed military members and our veterans for their selfless service to our country.

The parade—sponsored by our very own American Legion Post #1—will take place on Monday, May 25th, beginning at 11:30 a.m. down Broad Avenue, followed by our traditional Memorial Day service in Wood Park.

We pause on this day to remember the 42 Leonians who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms and constitutional rights across multiple wars. Their lives—and their legacy—are woven into the fabric of our community and the nation they helped defend.

Memorial Day is more than a moment on the calendar. It is a reminder of what has been given on our behalf, and of the responsibility we share to live up to that sacrifice.

I hope you’ll join us—not just to remember, but to stand together as a community in gratitude, in reflection, and in enduring respect.

Thank you for your attention and continued engagement in our community.

Kind regards,

Bill Ziegler, Leonia Mayor