Full Notification

Real progress is rarely loud. It is often the result of long meetings, difficult conversations, and not always getting what you want in the moment. This month's report provides an update on some of the important work underway to position Leonia for continued success. This work isn't "loud," but it matters.

Update on Leonia and Teaneck Land Lease:

This is a perfect example of the kind of slow, steady progress that can ultimately make a very real and positive difference for our borough. It is time to provide an update on where discussions between Leonia and Teaneck currently stand.

For your convenience, you can also refer to the YouTube video HERE, which I recorded earlier this week, and HERE for background from a previous status report.  I’d also suggest you subscribe to the Borough of Leonia YouTube channel so you can more easily be notified of future releases.  

The headline is that Leonia and Teaneck have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (a term that has been much in the news recently) expressing our mutual support for the broad framework of a potential long-term agreement between our two municipalities. We are now working through the all-important details.

Under the proposed framework, Teaneck would lease approximately five acres of Borough-owned land immediately north of our existing DPW facility to construct their own DPW building. This parcel is currently leased to Downes Tree Service for $125,000 annually. Under the proposed arrangement, Teaneck would pay Leonia $286,000 per year, subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment of no less than 3%, for a lease term of 50 years. Both parties would retain an option to terminate the agreement after 45 years.

Equally important, the proposal includes provisions for the sharing of equipment between the two DPW departments, creating opportunities for practical operating efficiencies and additional taxpayer savings for both Teaneck and Leonia. In fact, this equipment-sharing component has received the lion's share of attention during our ongoing discussions.

It is important to note that the parcel in question can only be used for park, recreation, or municipal purposes pursuant to a court decree. It cannot be sold for private development. Given the location and characteristics of the property, there is no practical park or recreational use that has been identified for the site.

Let me also be very clear about what this proposal is not.

This is not a merger of the Leonia and Teaneck Departments of Public Works. Leonia's DPW personnel will remain Leonia employees, and Teaneck's DPW personnel will remain Teaneck employees. Our team is our team, and their team is their team. We are extraordinarily proud of the professionalism, dedication, and performance of our DPW staff and have no interest in changing that dynamic. What we are interested in is finding ways to share equipment and resources where it makes sense, creating savings and efficiencies for taxpayers in both communities.

As a significant gesture of goodwill, Teaneck has already provided Leonia with the use of their JetVac truck, which is currently housed in our DPW garage and available for our use whenever needed. Our own JetVac has reached the end of its useful life after years of service and increasingly costly repairs. Replacing this essential piece of equipment would likely cost in excess of $600,000. The willingness of Teaneck to place this equipment under Leonia's control and allow it to be housed in our facility is emblematic of the type of cooperative relationship we hope to formalize and expand for the benefit of both communities.

From Teaneck's perspective, their existing DPW facility is aging and approaching the end of its useful life. At the same time, it occupies a valuable piece of real estate that the Township would like to redevelop. Proceeds from that redevelopment would help fund both the lease payments to Leonia and the construction of a modern replacement facility on the leased property.

We are also taking the time to ensure that the leadership and personnel of both DPW departments have opportunities to interact, build relationships, and establish a culture of mutual respect and cooperation.

One final point. The current tenant on the property has historically accepted Leonia's yard waste and leaves as part of its lease arrangement. Early in my discussions with Teaneck's Mayor, I made it clear that this opportunity cost would need to be separately addressed as part of any future agreement. I am pleased to report that Teaneck has honored that commitment as well and it is reflected in the $286,000 initial annual cost.

While there is still work to be done before a final agreement can be presented for consideration, I am encouraged by the progress that has been made thus far. As discussions continue, I will keep residents informed every step of the way.

Leonia and the American Revolution, 250 Years Ago:

Leonia, like most of the immediate surrounding area, was a hotbed of Revolutionary War activity.  The number of historical luminaries who spent time in Leonia is really impressive and included General George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, Thomas Paine and General Nathaniel Green.  I mention all of these important historical figures and give more context to their presence in Leonia and what was going on HERE in Leonia 250 years ago in the attached video.  

Please take a moment to subscribe to our official Borough of Leonia You Tube channel.  That way you can be alerted when an informational video about Leonia is posted.  You can sign up HERE. 

I've also received a few inquiries about our Veterans Banners.

While the American flags will once again be displayed individually on the poles along Broad Avenue in celebration of Independence Day, we will not be installing the Veterans Banners during the summer months. The primary reason is to protect them from sun damage. These banners represent an investment made by the families of our veterans, and we want to preserve them for as many years as possible.

Accordingly, we will continue our tradition of displaying the banners for Memorial Day and Veterans Day, when they can be enjoyed while minimizing exposure to the harsh summer sun.

This November, we also anticipate extending their display through the celebration of the 250th anniversary of General George Washington's historic retreat through Leonia during the Revolutionary War, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy them during this significant commemorative event as well.

Speed Humps Apparently Work (and work well):

The data is in and, with one exception, we can now definitively say that well-placed speed humps slow traffic and thus improve overall pedestrian and motorist safety.  

Well prior to the installation of any of our speed humps in town, our Leonia Police Department deployed data collectors across each roadway to accurately and objectively capture volume and speed data.  This allowed us to compare the “before” data to the “after” data.  Please remember a speed hump at the height and width we have in Leonia is the maximum allowed per NJ State law.  Speed bumps were outlawed in NJ years ago because of the damage they could cause to vehicular traffic.  

The before and after contrast in data is substantial - and entirely consistent - with very positive resident feedback on the affected blocks.  We saw an approximate 5-6 MPH drop in speed after our deployment of speed humps on Grandview Terrace, Park Avenue between Grand and Broad, Christie St/Orchard Place, Willow Tree Road and Glenwood Avenue (between Sylvan and Oakdene).    The one exception is Wood Terrace.  While the MPH declined by about 1 MPH on Wood Terrace it isn’t enough of a decline to say that the speed hump there has made any kind of a real difference.  

Based on this data we will, in conjunction with the traffic flows/usage analyses being undertaken by a subcommittee of Pedestrian and Transportation Safety, continue to deploy additional speed humps in town where the objective data indicates the most utility. 

As for Wood Terrace, the committee is going to look at other options coming out of the data study.  This could include consideration of Wood Terrace as a one way street.  Stay tuned…

Age-Friendly Leonia: 

Since 2010, Leonia's population age 55+ has doubled. One of the truest indicators of a strong and caring community is how it treats its aging population.  In Leonia, we are committed to doing everything we can to help our seniors age in place with dignity and independence—to remain in the community they love, maintain their friendships and social connections, and continue to play a vibrant role in borough life.

A key part of that effort has been our ability to secure outside funding rather than rely solely on local tax dollars. Through the outstanding work of Age-Friendly Leonia and our Recreation Department's Senior Center, Leonia secured a $70,000 grant from the New Jersey Division of Aging Services. This funding allowed us to launch many of our Age-Friendly initiatives, hire our Age-Friendly Coordinator and conduct a comprehensive community needs assessment—all without placing an additional burden on local taxpayers. Recovering state and federal tax dollars and putting them to work here in Leonia remains an important part of our strategy to deliver value while enhancing services.

Over the past 15 months, we have made significant progress toward creating a more age-friendly community. Working through the lens of Age-Friendly principles, we have focused on improving outdoor spaces and public buildings, expanding transportation options, exploring housing solutions, encouraging social participation, promoting respect and inclusion, increasing civic engagement opportunities, enhancing communication, and strengthening access to health-related services.

Building on that success, Age-Friendly Leonia is now pursuing an exciting grant opportunity through the Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation. If awarded, the grant would provide $75,000 annually for three consecutive years, helping us institutionalize and expand Age-Friendly initiatives throughout the Borough. This funding would allow us to build on the strong foundation already established and ensure that Age-Friendly principles remain an integral part of how we plan for Leonia's future.

For those interested in learning more, HERE is a link to the Mayor and Council discussion of the grant application, including the program's objectives, proposed initiatives, and the potential benefits to our community.

I want to commend our friends and neighbors at Age-Friendly Leonia, along with the staff of the Senior Center, for their leadership and dedication. Their efforts also helped produce a comprehensive community needs assessment survey. More than 500 residents participated—more than double the number required for statistical significance.

HERE is a link to the survey, which I reviewed in a previous status report.

What I particularly appreciate about the Age-Friendly approach is that its benefits extend far beyond seniors. An age-friendly community works better for everyone—for example, navigable sidewalks also help a young family pushing a stroller, a teenager riding a bicycle, people with special needs as well as older residents who want to remain active and independent. When we make our community easier, safer, and more accessible for our oldest residents, we improve the quality of life for residents of all ages.

Many of the initiatives already underway in Leonia reflect these principles in action, including expanded senior transportation services, the addition of benches and resting areas in public spaces, improvements to walkability and pedestrian safety, increased volunteer opportunities, intergenerational engagement through the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee, enhanced communication through these monthly status reports, and ongoing discussions about housing options that support aging in place.

This is important work, and I am proud of the progress our community has made together.  The theme of this year’s pending Leonia Community Calendar will, not surprisingly, be focused on Age-Friendly initiatives. 

No Data Centers in Leonia:

I believe it is smart to act proactively as much as possible.  For this reason, Leonia is in the process of changing our zoning laws to outlaw data centers. Data centers contribute to substantial environmental degradation through high noise levels, and huge demand for electricity and water.   Other NJ municipalities which have data centers are suffering the consequences of a much less reliable electric infrastructure and lower water pressures.  Data centers do not add to community spirit or character and they are not a highly regarded ratable.  

To stay ahead of the curve since no data centers have yet to indicate an interest here, we are changing our zoning to prohibit them in Leonia.  This measure was introduced at the June 6th Council meeting and was reviewed by the Planning Board on June 24th and found consistent with our Master Plan’s intent.   It will next be considered for adoption by the governing body at our meeting on July 20th.  Sometimes an ounce worth of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  I believe this is one good example of that.

2027 NJ Health Insurance Cost Increases:

It is difficult for me to even write this… at the last Bergen County Mayor’s meeting (which was actually our annual BBQ), I learned from my mayoral colleagues that NJ State Health Insurance costs would likely be increasing by a whopping 50% this coming year.  This, in my opinion, is unconscionable, unsustainable and indicative of an overall health care failure.  We can debate all the reasons this is happening but it won’t change the short term reality of an estimated 50% looming increase.  

It is also something Leonia can’t afford– especially on top of the 17% and 36% increase during the last two consecutive years.  We simply need to find an alternative health care insurance program for our municipal employees and we are busy doing that now.  

As employee health care costs represent a major part of our municipal budget, we are committed to exploring all reasonable alternatives and to still do right by our employees at the same time.  This is not going to be an easy task but I have confidence in our municipal team to see what’s out there and secure a better deal for our taxpayers and our employees.  

H2Loans Application:

In response to the urgent needs of our neighbors on Wood Terrace, whose homes experienced significant flooding beginning with Tropical Storm Ida in September 2021 and during several subsequent storms, we have successfully implemented a series of short-term measures that have substantially reduced the risk of future flooding.

The Borough spent more than $80,000 scarce taxpayer funds on a commercial-grade pump and installation of a new piping system designed to discharge floodwaters accumulating behind the Methodist Church to the Hillside Avenue curb line. While municipal finances remain challenging, protecting residents and their homes during emergencies is one of our most important responsibilities, and we rose to that challenge on behalf of our Wood Terrace neighbors as necessary.

I would like to commend the Flood Committee, chaired by Council President Jordan Zeigler and Borough Administrator Marisa Mesropian, for their diligence, persistence, and attention to detail in bringing these improvements to fruition. As a member of the Committee myself, I have seen firsthand the considerable effort required to move a project like this from concept to reality.

I would also like to recognize the leadership of the Methodist Church for allowing the Borough to install portions of our temporary flood mitigation system on church property. Their willingness to assist neighbors in need is a wonderful example of community spirit in action. Nothing says "community" better than people helping people.

While these short-term improvements have proven effective, we all recognize they are not the permanent solution.

To identify a long-term strategy, the Borough requested a comprehensive flooding analysis from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. We requested and are grateful that NJIT performed this study for Leonia at no cost.   Engineering firms had quoted the same analysis at north of $80,000.  The NJIT study concluded that the most effective long-term solution would be the construction of a large underground stormwater retention basin beneath the Methodist Church parking lot.  A copy of the NJIT report is HERE.

Unfortunately, the projected cost of this project is well into seven figures—an expense that is simply beyond Leonia's ability to fund on its own.

As a result, we have spent considerable time exploring every available grant and financing opportunity. I am pleased to report that we have recently submitted an application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for an H2Loan, a program that provides approximately 50 percent principal forgiveness for qualifying projects. For those interested, a copy of the application is available HERE.

The remaining project costs will hopefully be supported through an additional grant application to the United States Environmental Protection Agency under a municipal stormwater infrastructure program designed to improve flood resilience and strengthen local stormwater systems.

While grant funding is never guaranteed, I am encouraged by the progress we have made and optimistic that these applications will ultimately help us secure the resources needed to implement a permanent solution for our Wood Terrace neighbors.

Next Town Hall: Redevelopment Update:

We are going to host the next Town Hall after the summer and provide an update on the all important work being done around redevelopment.  It is time to bring you up to speed on what’s happening, checkpoint our progress and solicit more input from Leonians on this unfolding process.  

I’m very pleased with the input we’ve received from the three previous Town Halls on this topic and look forward to hearing what people have to say after we provide the updates.

The Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Revitalization and Redevelopment co-chaired by Pat Botten and Frank Livelli are hard at work on behalf of Leonia’s collective future.

We will communicate a date as soon as we have one.

Excellence in Food Safety Awards:

At the June 15th Mayor and Council meeting, I had the pleasure of recognizing our local food establishments with exemplary food safety records.  I thank our Board of Health and, in particular, Joanne Green and Kim Queren, for their spearheading this recognition effort.  You can watch the awards ceremony HERE.

It was a lovely event with our Leonia High School Academy for Hospitality and Culinary Arts students and faculty serving some home made treats during the reception before the meeting.  My thanks to all the students and faculty who participated.

The following businesses in Leonia qualified and received an Excellence in Food Safety Award from our Board of Health for attaining the highest food safety rating over the past three consecutive years.  My congratulations and thanks to each of these food service establishments for a job well done.  

Cafe 4210
Snack Stop
Wolf It
Happy Market
H Mart
Dunkin Donuts
Domino’s Pizza
Nakahara

Kudos to the Leonia Library:

Our Library Board of Trustees and Library Director Michelle Malone have come up with a novel way to make sure that any books being weeded out of our library’s collection wind up in a good home and are put to good use.  After Leonia residents have an opportunity to claim any books that are formally designated for discard, we give our books a new life through a partnership with the Lib-Bridge Foundation.  

Books weeded from our collection have now found a remarkable second life in Nigeria.  LPL is also sending some of its donated books (after people have had a chance to claim) to Nigeria.  Please note that the volume of donated books has been so tremendous that the library will have to suspend through the end of the Summer accepting any more donated books.  

The first shipment arrived safely in Nigeria last month and was presented to the University College Hospital Secondary School (UCHSS) in Ibadan, Oyo State, where the PTA received the books and added them directly to the school's library. 

The school's library had been very modestly stocked, so these books; novels, history texts, and more are making an immediate difference for eager young readers there. The PTA has already asked how they can receive more.

I'm also proud to share that Leonia Public Library has served as the flagship for this partnership. Because of our success, BCCLS (the Bergen County consortium we belong to) is hoping that other Bergen libraries will soon follow our lead, meaning what began here in Leonia can grow into something much larger.

Instead of being discarded, our weeded books are now building a library thousands of miles away.  It’s a win/win! HERE is a thank you letter and a few photos once the books arrived in Nigeria.  

Business Updates:

I’m happy to report and, I’m sure you will be equally pleased to learn that Moore’s Hardware is re-stocking their inventory and appreciate your patience as this effort is being undertaken.  The important point is that they are re-stocking and looking to build on their previous 70 years of service to Leonia.  The business is still in the family and they are trying to make a go of it.  Your continued patronage will no doubt make a big difference.  

Reflecting their success in town, Cafe de Lyon has expanded their hours until 9:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and is open on Sundays until 6:00 pm. 

Kindred Yoga and Wellness is now settled in their new studio on the second floor of the Nelson Building which is the northwest corner of Broad at Fort Lee Road.  HERE is a photo of owner Jackie Gobbo in the window so you know exactly where they are.  (I’m guessing Mike Gobbo took the picture).  

Please frequent Leonia businesses as much as you possibly can.  

A New (and Young) Volunteer Group in town:

I’m constantly amazed at how many volunteers step up to help our town and reinforce the sense of shared community we enjoy.  

I want to spotlight one new group of young volunteers from the Leonia Middle School who have organized themselves and stepped forward to help clean litter off our streets.  Litter Free Leonia was founded by 7th grader Benjamin Kim and now has 16 active Leonia Middle School student volunteers who are committed to keeping our streets clean.  They meet weekly and have successfully collected quite a bit of trash.  These volunteers have been at it weekly since Leonia Day in May.  During June, they donated 50 hours of their time as a group to pick up litter. 

I’m going to add their website as a link on the Borough’s official website to give it additional visibility.  HERE is their new website which details programs and collection and scheduling.  When I see something like Litter Free Leonia, I’m not just happy about the volunteer spirit this represents but I am also energized by the fact this is being done by 7th graders and other Middle School students on their own initiative.  Thank you all!  

My meeting with the ACS Student Council and First Graders:

Two weeks ago, I spent 45 minutes with some of our first graders and the Student Council members at ACS.  What a great group of kids!  Their natural curiosity and energy were refreshing.  As Mayor, I was presented with letters from the children.  And I can tell you there were two prevailing themes that are clearly on the minds of our youngest students.  They expressed a desire for more trees and less litter (see story above about what some LMS students are doing about litter).  

Their questions were from the heart and unvarnished.  I loved the time I spent with these young students and answering their questions about what a Mayor does, what it is like to be Mayor and, no, I have not met with the President about Leonia.  

I brought a model of our T-Rex at Station Parkway, opposite the bottom of Maple Street, to share with the kids.  It was apparent they really like our dinosaur and most had already seen it more than once.  

Speaking of which, the first hat designed and made by Leonia volunteers is now on our T-Rex.  A three cornered revolutionary war hat was placed on the T-Rex’s head by our DPW.  Every day, I will receive text(s) and/or email(s) in appreciation of our T-Rex– and the new hat is a big hit!  Take a look HERE.  

Thank you School Crossing Guards!

A very important but largely unsung job is keeping our children safe on their way to and from school.  Our Crossing Guards, selected and trained by the Leonia Police Department, do a great job.  As these fine people begin their summers too, I wanted to share a word of thanks on behalf of a grateful community to: Leo Volpi, Marie Walker, Giulio DeRobertis, Elife Serginci, Mercedes Pernetti, Janet Spitaletto, Katherine Madrid, Gulizar Cimsir, Anthony Cocco, Debbie Wright and Arthur Scrivani.  

Did You Know that July is Skin Cancer Awareness Month?

The Leonia Board of Health has compiled helpful resources, wellness information, and local community events to support health and well-being for all. Click here to learn more!  Questions? Email [email protected]

I hope everyone is enjoying a great start to your Summer and, in light of the above message from our Board of Health, don’t forget your sunscreen!

Finally, a shout out to the Friends of the Leonia Library for pulling together a very successful Leonia wide Yard Sale event in which 23 different families across the borough participated.  Based on its success, I expect we may have a new annual event in the making.  

Kind regards,
 

Bill Ziegler 

Mayor of Leonia