Full Notification

Traffic in Leonia: A Balancing Act

On Thursday, October 22nd, I was awakened before 6:00 a.m. with news of a fatal accident on the GWB that would ultimately keep all upper-level lanes closed until approximately noon.  The result was predictable: complete gridlock in our fair town.  Fort Lee Road, Broad Avenue, Grand Avenue and many of the side streets were virtually paralyzed.

Of course, living in Leonia, we are no strangers to traffic. To appreciate the magnitude of the problem, consider this: Routes 1, 4, 9, 46, 80 and 95, along with the Palisades Interstate Parkway, all converge as traffic approaches the George Washington Bridge. That's approximately 17 lanes of traffic normally merging into nine bridge lanes. Suddenly, those nine lanes were reduced to just four. And with one of those lanes reserved for emergency vehicles, we effectively had 17 lanes of traffic trying to squeeze into just three! 

You don't have to be a traffic engineer to figure out what happens next. Nobody was going anywhere fast.

In Leonia, we acted immediately.  Before 6:00 a.m., the decision was made to hold over our entire Police Department night shift to supplement the day shift officers scheduled to report at 7:00 a.m. We also reached out to Bergen County for additional assistance. Thanks to our strong working relationship with the County, four additional officers were dispatched to Leonia to help us manage the situation.

At the height of the morning's gridlock, we had ten police officers directing traffic, while two County officers were assigned to traffic enforcement, issuing summonses to motorists blocking intersections (commonly referred to as "blocking the box").

With these additional resources, we managed to get through one of the worst traffic days in recent memory. Unfortunately, we also recognize that this won't be the last time we're confronted with a situation like this.

Which brings me to a question I've been asked more than once: Why can't our Police Department simply issue tickets to all those inconsiderate motorists who block intersections and make an already bad traffic situation even worse?

It's a fair question, and one that deserves a thoughtful answer. I've invited our Police Chief, Scott Tamagny, to share his perspective with all of us.  But first, let me offer a few observations of my own.

One of the things I've learned as Mayor is that virtually everything we do involves balancing competing priorities, often with limited resources. Traffic management is a perfect example.

When a police officer is issuing a summons, that officer cannot simultaneously be standing in an intersection directing traffic. And when an officer is directing traffic, he or she cannot be stopping motorists to issue tickets. Generally speaking, it's one or the other.
It gets even more complicated. Suppose an officer conducting traffic enforcement discovers that a motorist has an outstanding arrest warrant or observes another criminal violation. What began as a routine traffic stop now becomes an arrest, requiring at least two officers to leave their traffic assignments to transport and process the individual at Police Headquarters. That's two fewer officers available to manage an already difficult traffic situation.

And while I'd certainly welcome having more police officers available to address these challenges, the reality is that significantly expanding our Police Department simply isn't financially feasible. We have an obligation to balance public safety needs with what our taxpayers can reasonably afford.  It is also not advisable to use volunteers to issue moving violations because of the safety risks involved. 

So, the challenge isn't simply whether we should be issuing more tickets. It's determining how to deploy the officers we have in a way that does the most good for the greatest number of people.

Sometimes that means enforcement. Other times, particularly when traffic is at a standstill, it means keeping vehicles moving and preventing an already bad situation from becoming even worse.

None of this excuses the inconsiderate behavior of motorists who block intersections. They are part of the problem, and they deserve to be held accountable. But I also believe residents should understand the practical realities our officers face when making these decisions.

I've asked Chief Tamagny to explain these challenges in greater detail, including how our department approaches traffic enforcement and what we can realistically do to improve conditions when the next major disruption occurs. 

I believe you'll find his perspective both informative and helpful.  It will be posted on the borough website on the police department page as soon as it is available.  

Please also consult the information compiled by your friends and neighbors on the Transportation and Pedestrian Safety Committee (TAPS).  The Mayor and Council relies on this group of volunteers for recommendations on how to best manage our shared traffic concerns.  Anyone with ideas and perspectives is encouraged to share them with an email to [email protected]. 

The Borough-Wide Survey on Traffic and Community Issues will end on November 15th.  Take 10 minutes to complete the survey which is available online in English, Korean and Spanish.  https://leoniasurvey.org/
 

DPW Encroachment Update

First, a big thank you to the hundreds of Leonians who took the time to write, email or call the Governor’s office about our DPW encroachment issue. Your voices were heard! HERE is the background from my last status update if you need a refresher.

The good news is that Leonians succeeded in getting the Governor’s office to respond. The bad news is that I never had the opportunity to speak directly with the Governor herself and, after three conversations with her Deputy Chief of Staff, the Sherrill Administration has effectively doubled down on its support of NJDEP’s intractable position.

Let me explain just how absurd this situation has become.

The State continues to insist that Leonia either eliminate the encroachment, potentially by demolishing portions of two perfectly functioning DPW buildings at enormous taxpayer expense, or provide five times the amount of land involved in the encroachment as replacement parkland.

Of course, finding replacement land is particularly difficult when you consider that Leonia generously donated approximately 150 acres to Bergen County decades ago for the regional public good. Ironically, that donation included the very land on which our DPW buildings now supposedly "encroach."

And here's where the situation goes from frustrating to downright ridiculous.

NJDEP readily acknowledges that it has absolutely no plans to use the land it wants us to clear. I specifically asked an NJDEP official whether, if Leonia spent a small fortune demolishing the portions of our buildings sitting on this so-called "road to nowhere," the State intended to use the newly cleared land for anything.

The answer? No.

Think about that. NJDEP is insisting that Leonia taxpayers potentially spend an enormous amount of money demolishing portions of functioning municipal buildings to clear land that the State readily admits it has no intention of using.

Where is the common sense? Where is the public benefit?
Unfortunately, this bureaucratic nightmare has consequences that extend well beyond our DPW facilities.

NJDEP has also instructed Bergen County that it cannot grant access from Overpeck Drive to accommodate Kulite's plans for a much-needed employee parking lot until this encroachment issue is satisfactorily resolved. In other words, an issue involving buildings that have stood for more than 50 years is now being allowed to interfere with the expansion plans of one of New Jersey's important high-tech manufacturers, employing more than 900 people.

And for what? To protect a strip of land that NJDEP admits it has no plans to use?

Governor Sherrill campaigned on making New Jersey more business-friendly and cutting through unnecessary bureaucracy. Those are objectives I wholeheartedly support. But I have to say, I have seen precious little evidence of either in Leonia's experience with this issue. I am incredibly disappointed.

I had hoped that bringing this matter to the Governor's attention, particularly with the tremendous support of so many Leonians, would lead to some much-needed common sense and a practical resolution. Instead, we seem to have encountered yet another layer of bureaucracy defending the status quo.

I am not prepared to accept that as the final answer.
With NJDEP continuing to dig in its heels, I am now considering several other creative options to get us out of this mess as quickly as possible, protect Leonia taxpayers and allow Kulite to move forward with its expansion plans.

But I can't help thinking that if I were sitting in the Governor's chair, I would pick up the phone, bring the right people together and insist on a practical solution that serves the public interest.

Apparently, that is not happening. At least not yet.

Journey to Victory

On November 20, 1776, 250 years ago, General George Washington's Continental Army retreated down Fort Lee Road in Leonia, escaping the advancing British forces. Their successful retreat allowed Washington's army to regroup, fight another day and ultimately prevail in our nation's struggle for independence.

What many Leonians may not realize is just how much Revolutionary War history took place right here in our town. General Washington frequently traveled along what is now Fort Lee Road between his headquarters to the west and the military encampment at Fort Lee. Our town was a hotbed of Revolutionary War activity! HERE is a link with additional background on Leonia's fascinating role in the American Revolution.

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of this historic event, we are bringing a little history to life in a rather unique way!

We will be projecting moving images depicting the Continental Army's retreat onto the north wall of H-Mart, facing Fort Lee Road at Broad Avenue. Imagine watching silhouettes of Washington's soldiers marching along the very road where they actually retreated 250 years ago!  HERE is a photo of the projection equipment ready to go by H-Mart.. 

And I hope you will join us for the official unveiling!

On Friday, November 20th, at 7:00 pm, we will gather on Fort Lee Road by the H-Mart wall for a premiere event (without the red carpet).  Following a few brief remarks, we will activate the projection and watch as the Continental Army once again makes its way along Fort Lee Road.

The moving images will continue to be displayed between dusk and 11:00 pm through mid-January, giving residents and visitors plenty of opportunities to enjoy this special tribute to our nation's history.
When I came up with this idea of bringing this historic retreat to “life”, I must admit I did not fully appreciate just how many moving parts would be involved in making it a reality. From the creative design and animation to the technical challenges of projecting images onto a building, securing permissions, arranging equipment and raising the necessary funds, this has been quite an undertaking!

What began as an idea has become a wonderful example of what can happen when talented, generous and community-minded people come together to make something special happen in Leonia.  I also want to take a moment to recognize the many people and organizations who have helped make this project possible—all at no expense to Leonia taxpayers. 

I am incredibly grateful to the following individuals, businesses and organizations for their generosity, enthusiasm and their financial and/or time contributions:

Kulite Industries, Wayne and Sheila Oliver, Frank Patti, H-Mart Corporation, Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, the Borough of Fort Lee, and Project Team members including myself, Councilman Christoph Hesterbrink, Stephen Silvestri, Sam Ghali, Scott Carroll, and our animation team.

This project is about more than commemorating a historic military retreat. It's about celebrating Leonia's place in American history, bringing that history to life for a new generation and creating something our entire community can enjoy and take pride in.

I hope to see as many of you as possible on Friday, November 20th, at 7:00 pm, at Fort Lee Road and Broad Avenue. Bring your family, invite your neighbors and join us as we turn back the clock 250 years!

Area IV Overpeck Design Committee

County Executive Jim Tedesco is convening the first meeting of the Overpeck Park Area IV Design Committee in November.  

The committee's mission will be to recommend the best design and future use of this section of Overpeck Park. Area IV begins in Leonia, just west of the railroad tracks, and extends south from the Overpeck Stables into Palisades Park and Ridgefield.  HERE is a map outlining Area IV.

Leonia will be represented on the committee by myself and Gil Hawkins, a Leonia volunteer firefighter and former Councilmember who has also devoted considerable time and energy to advocating for the restoration of the nature center that once existed in this area and that he worked very hard to establish and maintain.

Let me share my thinking about what I believe Area IV should become as the committee rolls up its sleeves and gets to work.

Rather than simply extending the recreational amenities we already enjoy in other sections of Overpeck Park—the amphitheater, Great Lawn, sports fields, pickleball and tennis courts, etc.—I envision something quite different for Area IV.

I believe we have a unique opportunity to preserve and enhance this area as a natural sanctuary for both people and wildlife. A place where residents can enjoy nature through walking and hiking trails, wooded areas and opportunities to experience the outdoors in a setting that remains as natural and undisturbed as possible.

I would also like to see us create an environment that encourages the return of birds and other wildlife that once called this area home.
We already have plenty of places to play ball, attend concerts and enjoy organized recreation. What we have far fewer of are places where we can simply escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the peace and beauty of nature.

That's the vision I intend to bring to the committee. Of course, there will be other perspectives and ideas to consider, and I look forward to working collaboratively with my fellow committee members to develop the best possible plan for Area IV.

As always, I'll keep you advised of our progress and where the committee's thinking takes us.

Community Solar: Impressive Savings for Leonians!

On the good news front, remember when we offered Leonians the opportunity to sign up for New Jersey's Community Solar program on a first-come, first-served basis? Well, for the 355 Leonians who took advantage of this opportunity, the savings are adding up quite nicely!
Through September 2026, participating Leonians have collectively shaved more than $96,500 off their PSE&G electric bills! That works out to an average savings of $272 per subscriber. Not bad at all, especially considering there was no cost to sign up!

If you're participating and want to see exactly how much you've saved each month, just turn to Page 5 of your PSE&G bill, where you'll find the details.

For those who missed out the first time around, there's more good news. I'm told there will be another opportunity to enroll in the coming year. We'll be sure to share the details when they become available, so please keep your eyes open.

And for the 355 Leonians already participating, you don't need to do a thing. You'll continue enjoying the benefits of Community Solar unless you choose to discontinue your participation.

This is another example of how we can help Leonians save money by taking advantage of NJ programs that are available to us. More than $96,500 back in the pockets of our residents. That's what I call a win!

Lights, Camera, Action!

Leonia successfully hosted its first major television production on Thursday, October 8th, when CBS/Paramount filmed scenes for its new show, Cupertino, on the first floor of our Municipal Center Building.
Most importantly, CBS/Paramount told us how much they enjoyed working with Leonia. That's very good news! I believe this successful experience gives us some real momentum and significantly improves our chances of attracting additional productions to town. In fact, we already have another major television show expressing interest in filming in our new Municipal Center Building.

Why is this a good thing? HERE you can read what I've shared in previous status reports about the benefits of attracting television and movie productions to Leonia.

I firmly believe Leonia needs to be aggressive about getting its fair share of the more than $780 million being spent annually by the television and movie production industry in New Jersey. Every dollar the Borough earns from filming helps us hold the line on what we need to raise through property taxes. Living in this part of New Jersey isn't cheap, and we need to take full advantage of every opportunity to generate additional revenue without placing a greater burden on our taxpayers.

We also have a distinct geographic advantage. Our proximity to New York City places us within the mileage limits established under union rules for many productions. That's an advantage we should be exploiting.

We've already made the necessary investment of time and effort to become fully certified by New Jersey as a Film Ready Community. We've also invested considerable effort in cultivating relationships with key location scouts who can help bring productions to Leonia. Now we're beginning to reap the rewards of those efforts.

And we're not stopping there.

With this early success under our belts, the Mayor's Advisory Committee on TV and Movie Productions is putting together a workshop for Leonians interested in potentially having their own homes or other properties considered as filming locations.

There are a number of steps involved in making a property eligible for consideration, and the committee wants to share that information with anyone who might be interested. We're targeting January or February of next year for this workshop.

Think about the possibilities. In addition to generating revenue for the Borough and potentially for individual property owners, filming brings economic opportunities for our local merchants when production crews spend money in town. And there's something special about seeing your own hometown on television or in a movie. That's the kind of community pride I'd like to encourage.

When you put all these benefits together, I believe we have a compelling case for making Leonia an attractive and welcoming destination for the television and movie production industry.

As plans for the workshop take shape, I'll share the date, time and other details. And, of course, we'll record the session so those unable to attend in person can benefit from the information as well.

Litter Free Leonia

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… volunteers are the backbone of our little town. Your friends and neighbors who freely give their time, talents and energy to make Leonia a better place to live have an enormous, positive impact on our community.

We are fortunate to have numerous Boards, Commissions, Committees and other organizations where volunteers provide the fuel to get things done. And, as I like to say, there is something for everyone! You can check out some of the volunteer opportunities HERE. The timing couldn't be better as we are quickly approaching our annual reorganization meeting when, as Mayor, I appoint residents who are interested in and qualified to serve in these various roles. Please don't hesitate to raise your hand, get involved and help our town thrive.

One particularly inspiring volunteer success story is the Litter Free Leonia campaign launched by students at Leonia Middle School. I've written about this effort in previous status reports, which you can read HERE.

October was a month of tremendous growth for Litter Free Leonia, which now boasts 58 LMS student volunteers! I've personally witnessed these young Leonians in Wood Park after school, picking up litter and doing their part to keep our town clean. What a pleasure it was to see these students not just talking about making a difference, but actually rolling up their sleeves and doing something about it.
In October alone, these students contributed over 90 volunteer hours scouring Leonia for litter and picked up 95 bags of trash. That's an impressive commitment, particularly when you consider the many other demands on these students’ time. 

I want to give special recognition to 8th grader Benjamin Kim, who founded Litter Free Leonia, recruited his fellow middle school students and continues to track and report the program's results every month. Ben has demonstrated the kind of initiative, leadership and follow-through that we should all admire.

Thank you, Ben, and thank you to all 58 (and growing) student volunteers! You are setting a wonderful example for your fellow students and, frankly, for the rest of us as well. You're proving that you're never too young to make a meaningful difference in your community.

Restaurant Update

A Thai restaurant will be opening at 346 Broad Avenue, formerly Bon Chon Chicken and Laon Catering. 

Finally…

Any and all questions relating to borough business can be sent to [email protected].

Our 32 Gallon receptacle ordinance which is being enacted to protect the safety and welfare of our DPW workers will go into effect on December 1st.  This means that all garbage must be in 32 gallon containers placed at the curb.  Loose plastic bags will no longer be picked up curbside.  This includes commingled recyclables because of the unwieldiness of the larger than 32 gallon containers (not the weight) but excludes paper/cardboard recycling.   Check HERE on the borough website for all the details. We ordered 1,001 containers, funded in part by a grant, and as of last week we are SOLD OUT.   For those who have ordered the discounted borough container, you will be contacted in the next week about pick up.  This information will also be posted on the borough website under DPW.   

Please understand that the Borough of Leonia made no money on the sale of these containers. We passed along 100% of the volume discounts to the residents who ordered them.

Leonia Loves Trees and our trees are particularly beautiful in the fall. We plan on featuring Leonia's Autumn Foliage in an upcoming Instagram post.  Share your best shots with us at  [email protected] for inclusion in the post.

All our new Veteran’s Banners are now up for Veteran’s Day.  They look great!  Thank you to Justin Choi for all his hard work to make this a reality and thank you to all the sponsors. 

Did You Know that November is Lung Health 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]

Kind regards,

Bill Ziegler
Leonia Mayor
Follow us on Instagram @LeoniaBorough.