Mayor's Message January 2024

Dear Oakland Citizen:

We live in one of the most beautiful areas in America.  Our neighborhoods, streams, lakes, mountains, and parks are second to none.  And, I am very proud to say we are the home of the Pee Wee Football Super Bowl champions the Oakland Braves!

We are very fortunate to live in a community filled with strong families and good people.  I am extremely excited to be your new Mayor and look forward to a season of meaningful change that will improve our quality of life.

First, I can report that the necessary upgrades on our water system will continue on schedule and that we will provide Oakland residents with high quality, safe drinking water.  I am very excited to monitor the progress and complete this important work for all of Oakland’s citizens.

Second, we are about to engage in the replacement of the Patriots Way Bridge.  This project has come to fruition because of the hard work of many people. I look forward to being actively involved in the execution and completion of this vital project.  Safe, sound infrastructure is important to our citizens and progress is on the horizon.

Finally, we will begin to accomplish our goal of revitalizing our business district by taking the necessary steps to make our downtown area more accessible and improving the esthetics of the downtown area to make it a showplace.  We will all be proud of a revitalized downtown Oakland. 

The Van Allen House is a treasured piece of history located in downtown.  President George Washington used the Van Allen house as his headquarters during the Revolutionary war.  We are restoring this historic site and will soon undertake the landscaping process necessary to make it inviting and beautiful once again.  This historic facility serves as a museum and attracts visitors from across our country every year.

Public safety is of vital importance to Oakland residents and through the dedicated efforts of our police and first responders Oakland is a very safe community. The brave men and women who provide our safety are indeed heroes. And, I am proud to say, that in Oakland we strongly support these heroes and honor their work.

Oakland is a wonderful place to live and raise a family.  The strength of our community is our people and I look forward to working with all of you to make our hometown special right here in the Ramapo mountains.  Our community is fueled by volunteers and if you would like to be of service on a board or committee please contact me…we have a position for you!

Please let me know how I can be of service.  It is my honor to serve as your Mayor.

Sincerely,

Eric Kulmala, Mayor

Oakland, NJ