The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) has some important information regarding this hurricane season.

Hurricane season runs from approximately June 1 through November 20, but as demonstrated by the 2005 season (including Hurricane Katrina) this time frame can vary.　For New Jersey, the peak time for hurricanes and tropical storms runs from mid-August through the end of October.

NJOEM recommends the following readiness steps:

· "Get a Kit" of emergency supplies – the items that will help you stay self-sufficient for up to three days (72 hours), if needed.

· "Make a Plan" for what you and your family will do during an emergency – this includes knowing how to evacuate and how to Shelter-in-Place.

· "Stay Informed" of possible threats – especially during Hurricane Season.　Tune in to your local media outlets for the latest breaking weather news.　In the event of an emergency, a battery powered radio is a great tool.

Additional information on the hurricane season is available at http://www.ready.nj.gov/plan/hurricane-before.html.

The third quarter taxes are going to be mailed in about two weeks. We do not have the tax rate yet. The due date will be 25 days after the mailing date. Thank you.
Bergenfield Tax Collector

by Dave Volpe, Bergenfield Health Officer
There is only one type of rat that you will find in Bergen County, and that is the Norway rat (which isn't from Norway either!). The size of this rodent is often exaggerated due to many people's fear of rats. Norway rats do not grow "as large as a cat." If you see an animal that size, you are probably looking at an opossum or a muskrat.