Author: Keith Kaplan

We need OPRA reform

Keith Kaplan / / Meetings, Teaneck

Tomorrow, I’m requesting the Council put forward Resolution 204-2018 to: Call for the Legislature to Amend the Open Public Records Act to Permit Municipalities to Rely on the Government Records Council as a Defense to Attorneys’ Fees or to Abolish the Government Records Council Altogether.

The Open Public Records Act is an extremely important step towards transparency in NJ.  It permits residents to seek information from their elected representatives and to know, relatively quickly, what is happening at the municipal and county levels1.

But like any legislation, there are some exemptions and calls to be made.  The exemptions are few, with an emphasis on disclosure.  If you have an issue regarding an OPRA request, there’s also a place you can turn: The Government Records Council. Continue reading “We need OPRA reform”

Grace Terrace (between Sagamore & Woods) Traffic Study and Police Reports

Keith Kaplan / / Roads, Safety, Teaneck

The Teaneck Police Department was asked to conduct a report as to traffic and safety on Grace Terrace (which runs between Sagamore Avenue and Woods Road).

Here are the findings:

On Monday, September 17, 2018, Deputy Chief John Faggello forwarded an anonymous “Report It” notification complaining of speeding on Grace Terrace. The complainant reported that vehicles are proceeding at speeds of at least 50 MPH at all hours of the day. In response to the complaint, the Traffic Bureau performed a speed and volume study and a site survey. Continue reading “Grace Terrace (between Sagamore & Woods) Traffic Study and Police Reports”

Teaneck’s 2017 Audit Report

Keith Kaplan / / Teaneck

The Township has released the independent auditor’s report for 2017.

Part I contains the Independent Auditor’s Report and Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and on Compliance and Other Matters Based on an Audit of Financial Statements Performed in Accordance with Government Auditing Standards.

Part II contains a Schedule of Findings and Recommendations.

The entire report can be found after the jump. Continue reading “Teaneck’s 2017 Audit Report”

Save the Date: Teaneck Council Reorganization on July 2, 2018

Keith Kaplan / / Elections, Meetings, Ordinances, Teaneck

On Monday, July 2, 2018 at 6:30 pm, the Teaneck Council will hold the semi-annual reorganization meeting at the Teaneck Town Hall.
We will be swearing in Gervonn Romney Rice, Elie Y. Katz, Keith Kaplan & Jim Dunleavy.

In addition, Council will elect the Mayor & Deputy Mayors, among others.

For those that may not be familiar with the way the Teaneck Council operates, I’d like to offer some additional information:

How does our system work?
Teaneck utilizes the Council-Manager form of Government under the Faulkner Act.  What that means in practice is that residents choose their council-members “at-large” (i.e. you vote for everyone, as opposed to a ward system like neighboring Englewood) and the Council as a body, once elected and seated, chooses a mayor from among the council-members (as opposed to municipalities where the Mayor runs separately). Continue reading “Save the Date: Teaneck Council Reorganization on July 2, 2018”

Township Council Meeting on June 19th [with video]

Keith Kaplan / / Ordinances, Teaneck

This is the beginning of a series of posts that will help to explain what is going on during Township meetings for the benefit of the public. Please also feel free to join our Facebook group for discussion on these and other issues.

Tonight, the Town Council will meet for the last time before the July reorganization meeting.  One of the items on the agenda are five ordinances to be heard during the “Public Hearing And Adoption Of Ordinances” part of the meeting.

There’s been some discussion online about these ordinances, recently.  For the benefit of the public, here is some information regarding the ordinances and what they change.

Continue reading “Township Council Meeting on June 19th [with video]”

Teaneck Today

Keith Kaplan / / Uncategorized

Teaneck is a town with a unique and proud history. I’ve created this blog to provide a place to exchange ideas and share visions for how to solve the challenges facing the town in a manner that brings diverse groups of people together.  Contributors are welcome.

Please join us and help Teaneck live up to its promise.

I also created a Facebook Group where residents can bring up and discuss topics about the Township: Teaneck Today

Feel free to click the link, join and share with your neighbors.