BOROUGH OF NORTH ARLINGTON
201-991-6060 214 Ridge Road 07031
973-403-7836

BOROUGH ASKS RESIDENTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR PROPERTY
New Effort on Property Upkeep Initiated

North Arlington, NJ June 1, 2011 – The borough is asking residents to redouble their efforts to maintain their homes and commercial properties and has launched a new initiative to remind those who don’t that they have an obligation to keep their properties up to par, said Councilman Joseph Bianchi.

The initiative, said Bianchi, is meant to maintain pride in neighborhoods and to support home values.

“We are not trying to be punitive to any individual, but we want to remind those who own homes or businesses that they have an obligation to keep their property well maintained,” said the councilman.

“I know times are tough for a lot of people, but we must maintain pride in our homes, our neighborhoods and our community. By doing so, we will support property values and we will send a message to people in the region that North Arlington residents care about their town,” said Bianchi.

The property maintenance initiative started a few weeks ago, according to the Robert Kairys, the borough’s construction official. Members of the parking violations bureau are now directed to report unkempt properties as they travel around town. They have been charged to look for houses that need painting or siding repair, or those that have overgrown lawns or hedges, crumbling stairs, or garbage strewn yards. Homes with abandoned or unregistered vehicles parked in the driveway or messy pools are also being addressed, said Kairys.

When an under-maintained property is reported, Kairys inspects the site and, if warranted, issues a notice for the property owner to address the maintenance problem. If the owner fails to address the property maintenance issues, a $200 fine can be assessed. To date about 50 notices have been issued.

Kairys said if the property owner fails to make the necessary repairs or address maintenance problems, the borough will hire someone to do the necessary work and send the property owner a bill and put a lien on their property until the bill is paid.

In cases where the property owner is unable to afford to make the necessary upgrades because of financial reasons they are referred to a county program for help, said Kairys.

Kairys said abandoned properties or those under foreclosure present the biggest problem. In those cases the borough will make necessary repairs, or cut the lawn and bill the bank that holds the mortgage on the property.

“We want to be proactive in enforcing property maintenance laws and by doing so, we can cut down on the volume of complaints we get from people whose neighbors may be lax in taking care of the homes,” said Kairys.

“The vast majority of people go to great effort to maintain their homes and I would like to see everyone demonstrate pride in their neighborhood,” said Bianchi

The councilman added that those with elderly neighbors are encouraged to help them cut their laws or trim their hedges. “We should never forget that we are a community and we should do our best to look out for our neighbors who need help,” said Bianchi.

“In the long run it’s in everyone’s interest to have a well kept town,” added the councilman.

COUNTY AGREES TO $5 MILLION
IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR RIVERSIDE PARK
New playing fields; Lights, Turf Possible

North Arlington NJ May 5, 2011 – Councilman Joseph Bianchi announced that an agreement with the County of Bergen has been reached to make improvements to Riverside Park that will create better field conditions and more playing opportunities for the town’s young athletes

The agreement reached with the administration of County Executive Kathe Donovan and fostered by Freeholder John Felice, who chairs the county parks committee calls for $5 million in improvements to the park. The projects are expected to start in the fall and be completed by next spring.

“I pleased beyond words that the county is going to address the conditions at Riverside Park, which have deteriorated to the point of embarrassment,” said Bianchi. “I am happy that our youngsters will have quality fields to play on and more fields to play on.

“We can look forward to spring next year without worrying about where our kids are going to play ball,” added Bianchi., who worked with local newspapers to bring attention to he deplorable conditions at the field.

The Record reported on the county commitment to improve the park on May 6

Freeholder Felice said the $5 million investment in the park will come at no additional cost to the taxpayers. The improvements, he said will be paid primarily from money already in the county open space trust fund.

“I am extremely happy that the county could come to the aid of North Arlington and make the necessary improvements that will benefit many people in the South Bergen area,” said Felice.

“There is no doubt that Riverside County Park had been neglected for years and, as chairman of the parks committee, I don’t want to any of our county parks to succumb to the deterioration that has befallen Riverside Park,” added the freeholder.

The improvements detailed by county DPW director Joseph Crifasi include a reconfiguration of the park to create two softball fields in the southern portion of the park, near the Passaic River . The fields will face each other
Along the western edge of the park the county will construct a baseball diamond suitable for either Babe Ruth League or high school play.

In the southern area of the park, two soccer fields will be constructed. A new drainage system will be installed in the park as well.

The county is exploring the feasibility of putting lights on the softball fields. Another variable is whether the fields will be natural grass or artificial turf fields. Crifasi said a cost analysis on the artificial turf fields is being done.

The improvements also call for a new comfort station to be built in the park and an upgrade of the pedestrian pathways in the park.

SPRING IS SCAM SEASON
HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS

As spring rolls in so do the SCAM ARTISTS. Please review the following tips to avoid being a victim.

• SHOP AROUND

*Get several written estimates before having any work done.
*Get references and check them.

• WHEN YOU DECIDE ON A CONTRACTOR

*DO NOT pay for the entire job in advance.
*1/3 payment in advance, 1/3 payment halfway through and 1/3 payment upon completion is
customary.
*If it is not a large job, a small down payment and final payment on completion is all a
professional contractor should ask for.

• WARNING SIGNS
Look for red flags. Be wary if the contractor does any of the following:
*Tells you he needs a large payment before work begins.
*Demands cash payments.
*Tells you a written contract is not necessary.
*Does not appear to have the proper tools, equipment and a marked contractor truck or van.
*MOST IMPORTANTLY* It is often the sign of a scam when the contractor
approaches you claiming they were “just in the neighborhood” and noticed that you needed
some work.

The NJ ROIC is providing our Private Sector, Law Enforcement, and other public partners with the DHS Secretary National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) press release for your situational awareness and edification.

Further dissemination has been authorized.

Additionally, website information and the NTAS Public Guide is available at http://www.dhs.gov/alerts.
ntas-public-guide_1[1]
Secretary Napolitano Announces Implementation of NTAS[1]

BOROUGH OF NORTH ARLINGTON
Peter Massa, Mayor
201-991-6060 214 Ridge Road 07031
April 4, 2011
WORK RESUMES ON RIDGE ROAD STREETSCAPE PROJECT

North Arlington, NJ — After a long, cold, snowy winter, work has resumed on the Ridge Road Streetscape project, announced the mayor and council.

Phase III of the project will stretch from Harding Avenue north to Hendel Avenue.

The streetscape improvements include the replacement of all existing concrete curb with Belgian block curb, and existing concrete sidewalk with a combination of brick pavers and scored concrete. Improvements will also be made to all existing driveway aprons and curb ramps within the project limits. Streetscape amenities such as benches, trash receptacles, decorative street lighting, and new trees are proposed along Ridge Road

The project is being funded by the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Transportation Enhancement and was awarded $449,246 by the New Jersey Department of Transportation last year. The contract was awarded to Reggio Construction of Fort Lee. Construction is scheduled to be complete by early summer. Neglia Engineering Associates is serving as the design engineer and construction manager for this project.

“The continuation of the Ridge Road Streetscape project is an investment in out community that will support property values,” said Mayor Peter Massa.