[Audio] Teaneck Community Interfaith Prayer Call

Several hundred residents joined the Teaneck Community Interfaith Prayer Call today

Hosted by: Teaneck Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin, Deputy Mayor Mark Schwartz & Deputy Mayor Elie Y. Katz

“During These Challenging Times, We Can All Use Some Strengthening of Our Spiritual Health”

Opening Remarks by: Mayor Mohammed Hemeduddin & Deputy Mayor Mark Schwartz

  • Rabbi Joel Pitkowsky, Congregation Beth Sholom
  • Rev Greg Jackson, Pastor Mt. Olive Baptist Church
  • Pastor Jusung Kim, Good News Church
  • Reverend Dr. Keith Attles, Covenant Life Ministries Church
  • Imam Sayeed Quereshi, Darul-Islah Mosque
  • Father Joseph D’Amico, Church of Anastasia

Closing Remarks by:

  • Congressman Josh Gottheimer

There will be another call next Sunday at 3pm.

Tedesco: County to Open COVID-19 Drive-Thru Test Site for Bergen County First Responders and Health Care Professionals on Sunday

For Immediate Release:
March 28, 2020
Contact:
Michael Pagan
201.336.6972

Tedesco: County to Open COVID-19 Drive-Thru Test Site for Bergen County First Responders and Health Care Professionals on Sunday

Hackensack, N.J. — Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco has announced that on Sunday, March 29th, at 12:30 p.m., the County will open a mobile, drive-thru COVID-19 test site for symptomatic first responders and health care professionals who live or work in Bergen County only.  The drive-thru test site will be located at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center at 230 East Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus, N.J.

Only symptomatic first responders and health care professionals who live or work in Bergen County will be tested at this drive-thru test site and must provide accredited identification

To be tested for COVID-19 at the drive-thru site, first responders and health care professionals must be screened by first completing a brief survey located at https://www.newbridgehealth.org and seeing a Telehealth doctor. Patients will then be given a confirmation code number that they will present at the drive-thru testing site.

“Bergen County first responders and health care professionals who are symptomatic should please take advantage of our mobile, drive-thru test site at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center,” said County Executive Tedesco. “These are the men and women on the front lines who are working to keep our 1 million residents safe from COVID-19.  The sooner we help our first responders and health care professionals recover, the more people they will be able to treat.”

More information is available at: https://www.newbridgehealth.org and at https://co.bergen.nj.us/

Tedesco: Bergen County To Begin Accepting PPE Donations at County Annex Building Located in Paramus

For Immediate Release:
March 25, 2020

Contact:
Michael Pagan
201.336.6972

Tedesco: Bergen County To Begin Accepting PPE Donations at County Annex Building Located in Paramus

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco has announced that the County will begin accepting donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as respirator/surgical masks, medical face shields/goggles, protective medical gowns and latex gloves at the Annex Building located at 220 East Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus, N.J. (located behind Bergen New Bridge Medical Center off Pascack Road and Ridgewood Avenue) beginning tomorrow, Thursday, March 26th.  The site will remain open every weekday, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Sadly, Bergen County has the most COVID-19 cases in New Jersey and our supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are dangerously low,” said County Executive Tedesco.  “We are asking for donations of PPE from hardware stores, hair salons, nail salons, tattoo shops and any other business that is able to help our health care professionals get the equipment they need to treat residents suffering from this dangerous virus.  We are a family in Bergen County and we are strong.  If we work together, we will flatten the COVID-19 curve.”

The County of Bergen will be accepting small and large donations alike and has the necessary equipment to unload palletized donations if necessary.  Residents are asked to please come Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to drop off donations.  This is a drive-thru donation site and residents are asked to have donations readily accessible in the trunk or back area of their vehicles so County staff can unload the items.

Residents can email PPEdonations@co.bergen.nj.us with any questions they might have about larger donations being dropped off, acceptance of homemade opened boxes, and other inquiries.

What does a “Zero-Budget” mean?

A Sixth Straight ZERO

At last night’s Teaneck Council meeting, the Council voted to introduce a SIXTH straight budget with a 0% tax levy increase on the Municipal side of the tax bill. At a time when many Teaneck residents are struggling with financial uncertainty, Teaneck’s Council remains mindful of its residents’ needs.  Without a reduction of ANY municipal services, we will even will be paving more roads (including Windsor Rd).

The 0% tax levy was the result of proper management, and was made possible, in large part by Council’s use of smart development, which maintains the quality of life Teaneck expects.


But, my taxes went up!

I get it – mine went up too.  But the tax bill you receive has a few different parts and not all of them have been going up.
So, let’s break down what is happening.


Breaking down your bill

The tax bill each home receives has a few parts.  Here is an example for the average Teaneck home:

The average residential assessment for 2019 was $384,308.15.

  • Municipal portion: $4,039.08
  • Board of Education Portion: $6,979.04

 

*** Click here to see how the bill breaks down in each category ***:

The tax bill for the average assessment breaks down as follows (approx):

Board of Education 56.8% $6,979.04
Municipal 32.87% $4,039.08
Municipal Open Space .31% $38.43
County 8.48% $1,041.48
County Open Space .31% $38.43
Library 1.22% $149.88

Municipal and BOE Portions

  • The municipal portion of the tax bill is controlled by the Township Council and the Board of Education portion is controlled by the School Board.

Here is what the Township (municipal) and BOE budgets have looked like over the last have decade+:



What could it have been without a Zero-Budget?

Municipalities are constrained to operate within a possible increase of 3.5% over the previous year’s tax levy. (see NJSA 40A:4-45.14 Permissible increase in appropriations)

What would tax rates look like if Teaneck increased them on the municipal side instead of fighting for a zero?

The chart below shows what the budget levy has been for each year in the graph above.  The “Cap Bank” represents what we could have increased the levy by, had we gone to the full 3.5%.
Each of the links goes to the Ordinance that shows the amount in the “cap bank”.

By remaining at a ZERO budget levy increase, the Township Council has kept the municipal portion of your tax bill flatNote: Others portions of your bill may have increased, however.

Year Budget Cap Bank Link
2020 $54,012,908 $2,067,879 11-2020
2019 $53,591,618 $2,022,909 15-2019
2018 $53,004,585 $2,025,023 7-2018
2017 $53,032,800 $1,946,929 9-2017
2016 $53,056,956 $1,972,735 8-2016
2015 $53,302,262 $1,949,474 18-2015
2014 $53,286,843 $1,916,714 24-2014
Totals $13,901,664

The Average Homeowner:

For the Average assessed home in Teaneck, this would have meant an additional $1,047 in municipal taxes per year.

Instead, the Township Council introduced a 6th straight year of ZERO-PERCENT tax levy increases for 2020.


Related: Bonding

In addition to the yearly tax bill, the Township also issues debt for road, building or other capital expenditures.  To see how we have been doing with regards to controlling our debt levels, you can click below and see where we stand, as well as a comparison to other towns around us.

Bonding: How does Teaneck compare?

Mar. 22 Update re: Drive-Up Testing Centers

For Immediate Release:
March 22, 2020

Contact:
Michael Pagan

201.336.6972

 

Tedesco: BCC FEMA Test Site At Capacity for Today and Will Reopen Monday

Paramus, N.J. – Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco has announced that the Bergen Community College FEMA test site for COVID-19 has reached capacity and will reopen tomorrow, Monday, March 23rd, at 8 a.m. to administer more tests to residents with symptoms.

“The FEMA test site at Bergen Community College has reached capacity and will reopen tomorrow, Monday, at 8 a.m. to continue testing residents for COVID-19,” said County Executive Tedesco.  “Bergen County has the most COVID-19 related cases in the state, with five deaths. It is important that we test as many symptomatic residents as possible. We encourage those coming to the FEMA test site to please remain patient as we continue the process of administering tests.”

To be tested for COVID-19, individuals must present proof of New Jersey residency. Technicians will be screening individuals for symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, shortness of breath, coughing) and those who do not exhibit symptoms will be turned away. Physician notes are not required. However, if an individual has a physician’s note they are encouraged to bring it with them.

Bergen County Drive-Up testing site now open

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Governor Murphy Announces Opening of COVID-19 Testing Site for New Jerseyans at Bergen County Community College
03/19/2020

Testing Site Will Open Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Beginning on March 20 Open to New

Jersey Residents Experiencing Symptoms of Respiratory Illness
 
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today announced the opening of a COVID-19 Community-Based Testing Site at Bergen Community College in Paramus. The testing site, established in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be staffed by the New Jersey Department of Health, the New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey National Guard. Beginning on Friday, March 20th, the drive-thru testing center will be open seven days per week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In order to be eligible for testing, individuals must be current New Jersey residents and experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Priority will be given to symptomatic individuals experiencing cough, fever (99.6F or above) and shortness of breath.
“Expanding access to testing is critical in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve in New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “I am grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their swift response in fulfilling our request for specimen collection kits and personal protective equipment so that we can successfully offer expansive drive-thru testing in New Jersey.”
“It is extremely important that only New Jerseys residents with fever or signs or symptoms of respiratory illness visit the testing location,” said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. We must reserve our testing capacity for those who are sick and may exposure others.”
“We are working tirelessly to contain the spread of the coronavirus in New Jersey,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “This testing site will be a tremendous asset to our mission and an invaluable health care resource for New Jersey citizens.
“The testing of residents is a mission the New Jersey National Guard is ready to assist with in the battle against COVID-19,” said Brig. Gen. Jemal J. Beale, the Adjutant General and Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Our Citizen Soldiers and Airmen stand ready to serve where ever the Governor needs us.”

Community-Based Testing Sites are for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Individuals who are not symptomatic will not be tested, as it diverts critical resources such as testing kits and laboratory materials from those who are ill. Each site will be provided with an allocation of 2,500 specimen collection kits and Personal Protective Equipment for all staff. The specimen collections will be transmitted to the contracted laboratory twice per day and results will be reported within 2-5 business days. Testing is free and will be covered by the federal government or personal insurance company. Individuals are encouraged to bring insurance cards if they have one.

Community Based Testing Site Location
Bergen Community College

Paramus Campus – Lots B & C
400 Paramus Road
Paramus, NJ 07652

For more information about Community-Based Testing Sites, visit: nj.gov/health

 

COVID-19 Update Call Tonight — March, 18, 2020 8PM

COVID-19 Update Call (typo correction)

COVID-19 Update Call

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 8 PM

This evening at 8PM, the Township of Teaneck will be hosting a Community Update on the Coronavirus.

Please join Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin, Deputy Mayors Katz and Schwartz, Councilmembers Dunleavy, Romney-Rice, Kaplan, and Pruitt; Township Manager Dean Kazinci; Congressman Josh Gottheimer; Michael Maron, the President and CEO of Holy Name Medical Center; Dr. Suraj Saggar, Chief of Infectious Disease at Holy Name Medical Center; Deborah Cornavaca, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Murphy; Teaneck Health Officer Ken Katter; Teaneck School Superintendent Dr. Christopher Irving; Police Chief Glenn O’Reilly; and, Fire Chief Jordan Zaretsky to discuss the latest status of the virus, preventative measures, and important contact information that will help to answer all of your questions and concerns.

To participate by telephone, please call 1-425-535-9303 at 8:00 PM. You will automatically be connected to the conference call. A recording of the conference call will be made available on the Township’s website (www.teanecknj.gov) Thursday morning.

Thank you.