Author: Keith Kaplan
A Tale of Two Charts
First caveat: I created the first chart (based on numbers I received from the manager), so errors are possible despite my efforts to be accurate.
Second caveat: we do not have good data sets because testing is not yet available for widespread use. The charts below are based on those tested after showing symptoms.
The data below are the same in each chart.
The first chart shows the number of cases reported as presumptive positive in Teaneck. Despite all of our efforts, cases will continue to rise.
But — the second chart shows the rate at which those presumptive positives are doubling. The second chart is on a “log vertical scale”, which provides equal intervals for doubling effects (i.e. the space between 5 to 10 is equal to the space between 50 to 100). The second chart also contains two exponential fits for the data sets.
What the graph shows
They started to double within a predicted time-frame of 2.09 days. That appears to have slowed to 5.7 days (thus far) through self-isolation measures.
Teaneck’s Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin called for self isolating ourselves on March 14th. Look at what started to happen on the chart between 3/14 and 3/21.
Bottom line: Self isolation and washing our hands WORKS.
This will provide our healthcare system time to #FlattenTheCurve…. but only if we keep it up.
[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/
Mar 24, 2020 Township Council Meeting Update
Please click below to hear the audio portion of last night’s Township Council Meeting from:
- Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin
- Manager Dean Kazinci
- Heath Officer Ken Katter
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
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 flat. Note: 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.
Mayor Hameeduddin on MSNBC regarding COVID-19 in Teaneck
Mayor: U.S. is going through ‘three pearl harbor attacks at the same time.’
Mayor of Teaneck, New Jersey, Mohammed Hameeduddin on the surge of coronavirus cases in the state.
Tax Appeal Deadlines Extended
The deadline for filing of Tax Appeals has been extended at least 30 days to May 1st (or 30 days after the State of Emergency has ended, whichever is later).
You can click below to read the order:
Mar. 22 Update re: Drive-Up Testing Centers
For Immediate Release:
March 22, 2020
Contact:
Michael Pagan
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.