Mayor Message December 2023
MAYOR’S MESSAGE –December 2023 Newsletter
For the past 12 years I have had the honor to serve as your Mayor. During these years I played a major role in the many positive changes in our town. I have tried to do what is best for all our residents. Now it is time for me to step down and take care of my family. However, I leave with many projects that have begun and sincerely hope that the new administration will continue the progress and complete the work I started:
Water purification treatment (PFOA and PFAS) for our town. Permits are set and equipment has been received and is scheduled to be operational in February, 2024.
Patriots Way Bridge is fully funded with the money I obtained through NJDOT and Grants received through NJ Community Affairs. Continue the progress to replace the bridge.
Allerman Brook stabilization.
After years of negotiations, sewer service is a reality in our downtown. Shortly our 3 sewer treatment plants will be hooked up to NWBUA and will ultimately be extended to our downtown. This will encourage commercial business that will help stabilize our taxes.
Bush Plaza Park—gateway to our revitalized downtown. Continue moving forward with the plan for this park in the center of town.
For many years the Planning Board with our town planner has worked on the revitalization of our downtown business area. With the anticipation of sewers, we must continue to be proactive.
Continue to make our highly reputable recreation program bigger and better through our resident volunteers. Our volunteers have done a fantastic job maintaining the program we can be proud of. Plans for a splash pad in our recreation complex for our children should move forward.
Plans for the children’s museum will hopefully continue. The Stream House was demolished with the condition it would be replaced by an educational facility for our children to learn about the history of Oakland and Bergen County (since Oakland was the County Seat for a short time).
Arts Pavilion/Band Shell concerts in Great Oak Park. The initial grand opening had to be postponed until Spring due to the many rain date cancellations. Hopefully our residents will continue working with the Arts Council in Oakland.
Continue our town’s increased and improved communication with residents.
Continue our opposition to the proposed Class B Recycling Facility on West Oakland Avenue. I have a few remaining “Don’t Dump on Oakland” signs. You can pick up a sign in my law office anytime.
I thank all the employees of the Borough who work hard for the residents of Oakland.
I thank our police officers for their professionalism and dedication to our residents.
To the volunteers of Oakland Volunteer Fire Department and First Aid Squad, a simple thank you is not enough. You are so appreciated.
I live in Oakland. I work fulltime in Oakland in my law office inside the Coppertree Mall. My door will always be open.
Mayor Linda H. Schwager