Executive Order 142: Non-Essential Services and Construction

Keith Kaplan / / Health, Ordinances, Safety, Teaneck

Governor Murphy has issued Executive Order 142, which rolls back some of the previous measures that were put in place to halt the spread of COVID-19.

I’ve reviewed the order and compiled the list below.  This is not legal advice and I would strongly suggest anyone operating a business to review the rule in its entirety and seek legal guidance before changing any operations.

As the rate of infection decreases, the following changes take effect:

  1. Constructions projects not designated as essential may resume (subject to restrictions)
  2. Some vehicular based gatherings are permitted (subject to social distancing restrictions).
    1. Leaving your home to participate in such a gathering is no longer a violation of Executive Order.
  3. Certain Recreational and Entertainment events are now permitted (subject to social distancing restrictions).
  4. Non-essential retail businesses are permitted to reopen to the public, but only where they adopt specific policies as outlined in section 9.
    1. Curbside pickup only
    2. Limited employees required to effect curbside pickup
    3. Emphasis on contactless payments
    4. Arrangements for scheduling are encouraged
    5. Employees will place goods in vehicles
    6. Mall businesses can operate with curbside pickup (subject to social distancing restrictions)

The order tasks the State Director of Emergency Management with discretion to make additions, amendments, clarifications, exceptions, and exclusions to the terms in the order.

Municipalities are prohibited from any contrary rules.

Executive Order 142 Nonessential Contrcution Curbside Pickup Gatherings in Cars

A New Council

Keith Kaplan / / Elections, Teaneck

Unofficial Results, pending certification for the May, 12, 2020 municipal election:

Congratulations  to everyone that ran and I look forward to working with the new council on July 1st.

Pagan 5,115
Schwartz 5,089
Orgen 5,076
Belcher 4,750
Gerzsberg 4,657
Walser 4,618

Who will be on Council?

Teaneck’s municipal government operated under the Council-Manager form of the Faulkner Act.

We (residents) elect seven members to a council and they choose a manager who is tasked with the day-to-day operation of the Municipality.

Since 1988, Teaneck residents go to the polls in staggered council elections in even numbered years to choose members who serve 4-year terms.

This week, 3 of the 7 council seats were up, and in two years, the remaining 4 will be voted on by residents.

After each election, the newly constituted group will meet on July 1st at a “Re-Organization Meeting” to determine a Mayor and other positions.

Each of the 7 members of council represent everyone in the municipality.

[As one of your representatives, I will do my best to respond with information to any inquiries received]

Click here for contact Info for current council-members

Who will be Mayor/Deputy Mayor?  Does it go to the person with the highest vote tally?

Not necessarily. Continue reading “A New Council”

More Pedestrian Flashing Beacons

Keith Kaplan / / Roads, Safety, Teaneck

As mentioned a couple week ago, the Township has been working on several safety projects.  In addition to the installation of Pedestrian Flashing beacons on West Englewood Avenue in the area of Jefferson Street and traffic calming measures, such as the striping of Sussex and Garrison Avenues, we have now installed Pedestrian Flashing Beacons on West Englewood Avenue in the area of Pennington Road.

You can see the new systems below.

The council and manager are committed to ensuring that appropriate safety precautions are made in various areas of the Municipality.

If you have any recommendations, please feel free to reach out and we can ask the Teaneck Police Department Traffic Bureau to investigate the possibility

Continue reading “More Pedestrian Flashing Beacons”

Law is hard

Keith Kaplan / / Elections, Ordinances, Teaneck

When one starts to review laws, either on a local or state basis, the complexity factor is readily apparent.  There are many layers, tweaked over the decades (and sometimes centuries) which make legal counsel a requirement, even to understand what otherwise look like simple words.

Take this example:

“The commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than seven members, appointed by the mayor of the municipality…”

Source: NJSA 40:56A-1

Who does the appointing?

  1. The Mayor, Mohammed Hameeduddin
  2. The Council
  3. The Manager, Dean Kazinci

If you answered, the Mayor, you probably aren’t alone.  But you’d be wrong. Continue reading “Law is hard”

COVID-19 Testing – May 11th

Keith Kaplan / / Uncategorized
All testing will be performed by Sunrise Diagnostic Laboratory between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. To enter the testing site, take North Umberland Road and follow the service road which parallels the river. Signs will be posted.
All testing performed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be for Township employees, TVAC, and staff from FDU. You must have a physicians referral (prescription) to be tested. To schedule your screening, call 862-257-0718 or send email to covid19testing@sunrisegoc.com. You can also visit the portal at https://sunrisediagnosticlab.com/covid-19-testing/.
Please bring your physician’s order (prescription), your ID, and insurance card at the time of testing. All major insurances are accpeted, including Medicaid, Medicare and cash. See attachments for additional information including “Frequently Asked Questions.”
Starting Monday, May 11th, testing will be open to all Teaneck residents.

Additional Rapid Flashing Beacons Added

Keith Kaplan / / Roads, Safety, Teaneck

The Township has been working to analyze potential areas for safety improvements.  As mentioned, a new striping plan (including crosswalks at Billington for Belle Ave bus users) is currently being finalized.

In addition, as per the results from several Police Studies and in conjunction with input from residents and organizations, we have been deploying Automatic Rapid Flashing Beacons at busy intersections.

The latest appear on Queen Anne Road by Edgemont in the vicinity of Congregation Beth Aaron.

Continue reading “Additional Rapid Flashing Beacons Added”

Mail-In Ballot FAQs

Keith Kaplan / / Elections, Teaneck
Have another question?  Send me an email
Here are answers to some of the questions I’ve received so far based on my calls with election officials at the County Board of Elections

  1. What happens if I tore the certificate off of my envelope?
    As you can see in my instructional video, the mail-in ballot contains two envelopes. The ballot goes in the first (with a voter certification and then that goes in a larger envelope to mail back. If the certification rips off, simply put it with the smaller envelope inside the larger envelope. Do NOT attempt to tape it back.

  2. What happens if my family is away and cannot sign their ballot?
     In America: If the registered Teaneck voter is America (e.g. sheltering in place in NY or FL), they must obtain and sign the physical ballot.
    Outside America: If the registered Teaneck Voter is sheltering in place overseas (e.g. gap year program or in Europe), there is a Federal Program called the Federal Post Card Application (FCPA) available at     https://www.fvap.gov/ where you may apply for and vote electronically.
  3. What happens if my application doesn’t arrive at the County by May 14th?
    The date for acceptance of ballots is set by the State and the County Board of Elections does not have discretion to move the deadline.  Ballots may be brought to the county, but the building is not open to the general public and an appointment must be made in advance.
  4. What happens if I damage or throw away my ballot?
    You may call the County Board of Elections at (201) 336-7020.  They are capable of generating and sending a new ballot, but you must call with enough time for it to arrive.  The clerk suggests at least 6 days in advance.
  5. Got another question?  Let me know and I’ll try to find you an answer…..
Additional information available at: MovingTeaneckForward.com/vote/

Sussex Road Re-Striping Plan

Keith Kaplan / / Roads, Safety, Teaneck

As readers of the blog will recall, traffic calming measures to slow speeding cars require a lot of study and preparation.

After meeting with Police and reviewing data from Garrison Avenue striping, Deputy Mayor Schwartz and Councilman Kaplan are please to announce new striping plans along Sussex Road.  These plans will change the feel of the roadway, in order to slow down traffic and maintain parking for those living nearby.

2020-04-28_SUSSEX RD-TP-3-6-20