Drone Survey Finds Wyckoff Deer Density Above Sustainable Levels
Wyckoff has an estimated 65 deer per square mile, above the 59-per-square-mile average across participating Northwest Bergen municipalities, according to a regional deer population study Administrator Matt Cavallo summarized for the committee.[5] The study used thermal-imaging drone surveys conducted from late 2025 through April 2026 by researchers at Raritan Valley Community College, and was funded through a state shared-services grant at no cost to Wyckoff taxpayers. The report concludes that deer populations across the region remain well above levels generally considered sustainable from both an ecological and public-safety standpoint. Cavallo said the findings would be discussed further at upcoming administrators' and Northwest Bergen mayors' meetings.
Centennial Drone Show Canceled
The drone show that had been planned for Saturday's centennial celebration has been canceled due to scheduling issues on the township's end, Cavallo said, and the related resolution was removed from the meeting agenda.[6] He confirmed that only the drone show was affected and that the rest of the celebration would proceed as planned.
Township to Buy 80 Email Licenses After State Supreme Court OPRA Ruling
Citing a recent New Jersey Supreme Court decision involving the regional high school district that serves Wyckoff, Cavallo said the court held that government-related emails kept in personal accounts may be subject to disclosure under the Open Public Records Act.[7] In response, the township will purchase an additional 80 Microsoft email and archiving licenses so that all members of its boards and commissions use official township email addresses when conducting public business.
Trenton Bill Could Strain Volunteer Ambulance Corps
Committeemen James Schappert and Rudolf Boonstra reported on a bill under discussion in Trenton that could change staffing requirements for volunteer ambulance corps in a way that would burden Wyckoff's.[8] Cavallo said the New Jersey State League of Municipalities has formed a committee of four mayors and himself, meeting by Zoom on Friday, to develop the league's position on the measure, which is not yet law.
Police, OEM Hold Active-Shooter Exercise at Christian Health
Members of the Wyckoff Police Department, the township Office of Emergency Management and the Township Committee took part in an active-shooter tabletop exercise hosted last week at Christian Health, the 78-acre senior-care campus on Sicomac Avenue.[9] Cavallo credited Sgt. Kyle Ferreira with organizing the event, which he said drew local first responders and healthcare professionals. "It was informative and inspiring to see what they do," Boonstra said of the exercise.
New Ladder Truck Due in November; Paving Pushed to Fall
The township's new fire ladder truck is scheduled for completion on or about Nov. 4, Cavallo said, adding that the township waited to borrow against the purchase until close to delivery to avoid paying interest early.[10] The 2026 road improvement program, meanwhile, has been delayed to the fall — work is required between Aug. 31 and Oct. 2 — because concrete and ADA ramp work in the Monroe area and along Van Houten Avenue must be completed first, between July 1 and Aug. 28.
Windham North Joins Paving Program; Park Avenue Work Underway
The Windham North Condominium Association has deposited $75,000 with the township, held in trust, to include its roadway in this year's paving contract, Cavallo said.[11] The program will also restore, curb to curb, roads disturbed by Ridgewood Water main projects, under a longstanding cost-sharing agreement. Separately, Park Avenue is undergoing roadway rehabilitation as part of a joint project with the Borough of Midland Park, with notices distributed to affected residents in both municipalities.
Ridgewood Water Starts Up Ames PFAS Treatment Plant
Ridgewood Water has completed a partial startup of its new Ames PFAS treatment facility, Cavallo reported, citing Director Rich Calbi.[12] The plant is currently receiving flow from two of its seven wells, with the remaining wells expected to come online over the coming weeks, and the contractor remains on schedule to substantially complete the work, including site improvements, by the end of July.
Township Hires for Two Retirements
The township has extended and filled an offer to replace Thomas Gensheimer, who is retiring, with the new employee expected to start July 1, Cavallo said.[13] Applications are also being accepted online for a Department of Public Works labor position to replace Bob Hagedorn, who is retiring at the end of July; interviews are expected to begin next week.
Consent Agenda Approves Liquor Renewals, Centennial Events
The committee approved its consent agenda, including the annual liquor license renewals and a fireworks display permit for the Saturday centennial celebration.[14] Special events approved included a Wyckoff Tavern music festival fundraiser for the KAM Foundation, moved to July 26, and outdoor live music at the tavern on Centennial Day, June 27; a Zabriskie House and Wyckoff Historical Society centennial event on Oct. 3; and the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church annual festival Sept. 18-20. The committee also introduced Ordinance 2095, amending the township's lease with the Wyckoff Family YMCA for use of Pulis Field, including a new lacrosse practice area.
Government
Wyckoff Committee Sends Open Space Question to Voters, Delays Revaluation
The Township Committee adopted an ordinance placing an expanded open space tax on the November ballot and announced the state had granted a one-year extension of the township's property revaluation, now due for the 2028 tax year.
The Wyckoff Township Committee on Tuesday adopted an ordinance that will ask voters in November whether to continue and expand the municipal open space trust fund, and learned the same evening that the state had granted the township a one-year extension of its long-delayed property revaluation, pushing the reassessment into the 2028 tax year.
Ordinance 2093, which amends the township's municipal open space tax, was adopted on second reading after a public hearing that drew no comment.[1] The measure places a public question on the Nov. 3 general election ballot asking residents whether to continue and expand the open space trust fund, and would take effect Jan. 1, 2027 only if voters approve it.[2] The committee directed Township Clerk Nancy Brown to transmit the referendum question and interpretive statement to the Bergen County Clerk for placement on the ballot.
Separately, Township Administrator Matt Cavallo told the committee that the township had received last-minute confirmation that its property revaluation would be delayed a year. "Just this evening we received official confirmation from the director of the Division of Taxation approving the county's request to extend our revaluation implementation schedule by one year," Cavallo said.[3] The revaluation will now be completed by Oct. 1, 2027 for implementation in the 2028 tax year.
Cavallo attributed the extension request to the delayed start of the project, which he said stemmed from a transition in the tax assessor's office and the township's need to revise its tax maps. He said the township expects to begin the procurement process later this year and to award a contract in early 2027 so the revaluation work can begin shortly thereafter.
The committee also adopted Ordinance 2094, which revises the township's land use application fees and escrow deposits.[4] Cavallo said the fees in many cases had not been reviewed in years, and that the escrow changes were intended to better reflect the actual cost of professional review and administration of land use applications. That public hearing, like the open space hearing, drew no public comment, and no member of the public spoke during the meeting's public comment period.
Every claim in this article is drawn from public Wyckoff records. To dispute a fact, request a fact-check, or ask that personal information be removed, contact the ombudsman.