Centennial Gala draws crowd at Brick House ¶
The Centennial Gala at the Brick House on March 21st was described by committee members as a lively and well-attended event, a strong kickoff to Wyckoff's 100th anniversary celebration year.
County paving underway on Godwin and Wyckoff Avenues ¶
Bergen County's contractor is scheduled to begin concrete ramp work on Godwin Avenue and Wyckoff Avenue on March 30th. Milling and paving are expected to follow, pending completion of storm drain repairs. Daytime work was confirmed.
New state law ends cost-saving co-op contracts for public works ¶
A law effective March 23rd requires municipalities to competitively bid all public works projects involving construction, demolition, and maintenance — ending the use of state cooperative contracts that had saved local governments significant money. The change was driven by union pressure and will increase future project costs.
Joe Landy celebrates his 100th birthday ¶
Former Wyckoff Fire Company 1 member Joe Landy marked his 100th birthday at a party attended by approximately 200 people, including township officials who presented a proclamation. A state police helicopter performed a flyover during the celebration.
Fire Company 3 wins annual inspection ¶
Sycamore Fire Company Number Three won Wyckoff's annual fire company inspection, judged by inspectors from Massachusetts, Passaic County, Morris County, and Bergen County. The inspection required weeks of preparation by all three companies.
Government
Housing Compliance Filed; Fairness Hearing Expected in April
With 22 documents submitted to the Bergen County court, officials confirmed Wyckoff has met the state deadline — and that the final approval hearing should come within weeks.
The township's affordable housing compliance marathon is nearly over. Township attorney David Becker confirmed at Tuesday's regular meeting that 22 documents — 11 ordinances, four resolutions, and supporting records — were filed with Bergen County's affordable housing judge on March 13th[1], two days ahead of the March 15th statutory deadline.
Bergen County Judge Corriston had already signed an order endorsing the terms of Wyckoff's mediation agreement with Fair Share Housing Center, effectively dismissing that organization's challenge to the township's plan. What remains is a scheduled fairness and compliance hearing at which the judge is expected to issue a formal certification of compliance[2] — giving Wyckoff protection from builder's remedy litigation through 2035.
Attorney David Becker, who logged untold hours on the filing push, commended the committee for doing what was constitutionally necessary while putting up a fight against rules officials believed were wrong to protect the town. He said the fairness hearing is expected in April, which would bring the matter to at least a conclusion.
Officials used the occasion to praise the township's affordable housing planner Beth McManus, township administrator Matt Cavallo, and committee member Rudy Boonstra, who has been deeply involved in the process for years.
On other matters, the committee adopted three ordinances that had been introduced at earlier meetings: Ordinance 2075 creating a business insurance registry, Ordinance 2076 removing an outdated provision tying the township administrator role to the chief financial officer position, and Ordinance 2077 removing obsolete salary provisions for the municipal prosecutor and public defender.
The county's repaving project on Godwin Avenue and Wyckoff Avenue sections is underway. Concrete ramp work is scheduled to begin March 30th, and milling and paving are expected to follow once storm drain work is completed.
In a separate update that drew the committee's concern, administrator Matt reported that a new state law effective March 23rd effectively invalidates the use of cooperative purchasing contracts for public works[3] — a mechanism municipalities have used to save money by piggybacking on contracts negotiated at the state level. The change, driven by union lobbying, means future public works projects must go through individual bidding processes with engineer-prepared specifications.
'This is going to have a ripple effect,' the administrator said.[4] The township got its lacrosse wall contract in under the wire prior to March 23rd — the last state contract Wyckoff will be able to use for public works.
The Centennial Gala held March 21st was reported as a success, drawing a large turnout and generating strong community energy. Former Saddle River mayor Sam Ray, a regional civic figure, was remembered by committee members following his recent death.
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.