Board Merger Postponed, Aging REPD Seeks Proactive Hires Top This Week's News

Oradell Postpones Land Use Board Merger Indefinitely

With former and current Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Board members having previously spoken against merging the two boards, the Oradell Mayor and Council indefinitely tabled an ordinance on Tuesday night that would have done just that. But the ordinance may be reconsidered for further discussion in 2013.

With the addition of patrol officers Renata Sanches and Anthony Roman to the roster since February, the River Edge Police Department boasts a 20-member compliment and will soon add another as a new rookie is expected to join the force prior to the end of the year.

Now the department's recruitment efforts are expected to carry into the new year as River Edge faces the prospects of seven officers reaching retirement age in 2013. According to Police Chief Thomas Cariddi, at least two officers have indicated they will retire at that point.

Official election results from the Bergen County Clerk's Office show no change in the outcome of the Nov. 6 local election where voters ousted Council President Paul Cordts for council and voted in a newcomer to the Regional Board of Education. River Edge also approved the Open Space Referendum by a small margin.

With numerous sidewalk slabs uprooted by borough trees, River Edge officials and administrators are now split between how to proceed with funding the replacement costs.

The borough currently has an ordinance in effect that places the burden on homeowners to pay for the replacement but much of the damage was caused by borough shade trees resulting in council members questioning to fund the repairs through the capital budget.

With an ever growing senior population in Bergen County, a New Jersey based non-profit organization will soon be concluding the redevelopment of a former River Edge convent into a senior residence.

Build with Purpose's latest project has been to transform the St. Peter the Apostle Parishconvent on 445 5th Avenue into a home for 25 local seniors by April 2013.

Hackensack Riverkeeper, Bill Sheehan, told Patch that while it would have been "wonderful" if New Milford had been able to acquire the United Water property for open space preservation, the land itself is "post-industrial" and, as a whole, offers no environmental protection against flooding, as SOD (Stop Over Development) contends. 

The Executive Board of Stop Overdevelopmenthas been aware of the Riverkeeper's (Bill Sheehan) support for the proposed development of the United Water property in New Milford. We were very disappointed that before getting the full story of SOD's opposition to the project, he went public by publishing an editorial in his seasonal newsletter supporting converting what is now open space into a highly developed mixed use complex. 

Marc Ferraro, owner of Comics N Toys, shares his true passion with River Edge and how entertainment has changed over the years.

A New Jersey State Police helicopter helped Mahwah and Bergen County police officers locate two hikers lost in the Ramapo Reservation Saturday night, Mahwah Police Chief Jim Batelli confirmed. 

According to police, two sisters, ages 19 and 22, from Oradell, were hiking in the Reservation Saturday afternoon, but became disoriented after nightfall.

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