The Bergenfield Public Library will reopen next week for residents to browse and borrow materials with strict social distancing measures put in place. Beginning July 13, the BPL will operate at a 25% capacity Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the first hour of each day designated for vulnerable and at risk residents. No more than 50 patrons will be permitted in the building at a time and the Children’s Room capacity may not exceed 15 individuals. 

At this time, patrons will be asked to limit their visit to the Library to one hour. In person services that will be offered include: borrowing material that is already available at the BPL, library card registration, summer reading club registration, book sale, wireless printing from your own device, photocopy use and reference assistance. While computers and other direct contact services will not be available at this time, library staff will be on hand to assist residents with any research needs. Additionally, curbside pickup services will remain in place Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

“The Bergenfield Public Library prides itself on serving the community and providing residents with countless resources and educational opportunities,” said Allison Moonitz, Director of the Bergenfield Public Library. “The past several months have been challenging for all of us, but we’ve remained committed to these very principles by offering online and distant services. We’re excited to once again open our doors to patrons in the coming days where we will continue to provide them with a safe and clean environment to research and unwind from daily stressors.”  

Crews will be sanitizing the building throughout the day and the facility will undergo an aggressive cleaning each day after closing. Books returned to the library will also be thoroughly sanitized and will not be placed back into circulation for at least 72 hours. The BPL will continue to monitor information from the state to determine when additional services can be offered. More information can be found online by visiting bergenfieldlibrary.org/reopening-plans/

“The Bergenfield Public Library serves as a lifeline to connect residents with essential resources and educational opportunities,” said Councilman Thomas Lodato, Council Liaison and BPL Trustee. “As we begin to expand our services, we ask residents to continue practicing good social distancing habits when visiting the Library.”

Mayor Arvin Amatorio was joined by members of the Borough Council and other local officials this week to officially open the new “Bella at Bergenfield” luxury apartment complex with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Located in the heart of the community just off Washington Avenue, the project meets the Mayor and Council’s vision of utilizing space for smart and sensible development that contributes back to the community. 

“With our access to public transportation, good schools and strong neighborhoods Bergenfield has tremendous potential as a destination for new residents who can add to our diverse community and contribute to what makes our borough special,” said Mayor Amatorio. “This project has created significant new tax revenue and supported hundreds of construction jobs, and now we are excited to soon see new tenants moving in and becoming a part of Bergenfield.” 

The 62 unit complex includes both one and two bedroom units as well as luxury amenities like a roof deck, gym, lounge and more. Prior to development the property had been vacant for nearly ten years, contributing little to the community in property taxes and creating an eyesore near its commercial center. The new development is designed to attract millennial commuters and empty nesters to Bergenfield and is part of Mayor Amatorio’s revitalization and redevelopment plans for the borough. The project was developed jointly by Alexander Anderson Real Estate Group and Hornrock Properties. 

St. Thomas Evangelical Church has donated $7,750 to Bergenfield’s community food bank as the Borough continues to serve an increased number of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rev. Prakash John, Varghese P. John, Vinod Thomas and Shaji K. John, all representatives from the church, presented the check to Mayor Arvin Amatorio and Councilmembers on Monday. 

“From day one, Bergenfield has strived to connect residents to the essential resources to help meet their everyday needs while we work to combat the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Arvin Amatorio. “We have been successful in doing this because of the community support and partnerships built over the past several months. The generous donation we received from the St. Thomas Evangelical Church will help put food on the tables of countless families and we are incredibly grateful for their help.” 

In light of the virus, Bergenfield has increased the number of residents it serves weekly through the Borough’s food bank. The food bank is currently operating out Cooper’s Pond and is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents who are in need of assistance should contact the Borough Administrator’s Office at 201-387-4055 option 6 for more information about how to register. Renovations are currently underway to create a permanent food bank in the basement of Borough Hall. 

“The outpouring of support from local organizations, businesses and residents has made all the difference in our push to serve our neighbors in need during this difficult time,” said Councilman Marc Pascual. “We are so appreciative of the St. Thomas Evangelical Church and its members for their contribution to our food bank because this donation will help our mission to ensure that no Bergenfield resident goes hungry or without a meal to eat.” 

The Bergenfield Public Library will reopen next week for residents to browse and borrow materials with strict social distancing measures put in place. Beginning July 13, the BPL will operate at a 25% capacity Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the first hour of each day designated for vulnerable and at risk residents. No more than 50 patrons will be permitted in the building at a time and the Children’s Room capacity may not exceed 15 individuals. 

At this time, patrons will be asked to limit their visit to the Library to one hour. In person services that will be offered include: borrowing material that is already available at the BPL, library card registration, summer reading club registration, book sale, wireless printing from your own device, photocopy use and reference assistance. While computers and other direct contact services will not be available at this time, library staff will be on hand to assist residents with any research needs. Additionally, curbside pickup services will remain in place Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

“The Bergenfield Public Library prides itself on serving the community and providing residents with countless resources and educational opportunities,” said Allison Moonitz, Director of the Bergenfield Public Library. “The past several months have been challenging for all of us, but we’ve remained committed to these very principles by offering online and distant services. We’re excited to once again open our doors to patrons in the coming days where we will continue to provide them with a safe and clean environment to research and unwind from daily stressors.”  

Crews will be sanitizing the building throughout the day and the facility will undergo an aggressive cleaning each day after closing. Books returned to the library will also be thoroughly sanitized and will not be placed back into circulation for at least 72 hours. The BPL will continue to monitor information from the state to determine when additional services can be offered. More information can be found online by visiting bergenfieldlibrary.org/reopening-plans/

“The Bergenfield Public Library serves as a lifeline to connect residents with essential resources and educational opportunities,” said Councilman Thomas Lodato, Council Liaison and BPL Trustee. “As we begin to expand our services, we ask residents to continue practicing good social distancing habits when visiting the Library.” 

Please be advised, due to the current state of emergency and public health emergency declared by Governor Murphy pursuant to Executive Order No. 103, and in an effort to prevent further spread of COVID-19, a Board of Health meeting will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.  Members of the public can join this meeting from their computer, tablet or smartphone.  Members of the public who join this meeting will be able to give public comment during the open hearing portions of the meeting. Below, please find the link to the meeting: 

https://zoom.us/j/97019055592?pwd=OGlOaGMvM21KREFiakgvc05ORFZPdz09

Tuesday, July 7th is Primary Election Day in New Jersey.  In light of the coronavirus pandemic and Executive Order No. 144, all democratic and republican registered voters should have automatically received a Vote by Mail ballot.  Unaffiliated and inactive voters should have received a Vote by Mail application, in the event they want to participate in this election. If you have any questions pertaining to the Vote By Mail ballot, please call 201-336-7020.

RETURN OF BALLOTS - Deadline - 8:00 p.m. on July 7, 2020

In order to cast your vote in the Primary Election, please use the Vote by Mail Ballot that was issued to you in the mail.  Ballots can be mailed, delivered in person, or placed in a secured mail in ballot drop box. 

1. Mail-in ballot envelopes include a postage stamp and must be postmarked no later than 8:00 p.m. on July 7, 2020. Ballots received up to seven days after the election will be counted, but must be postmarked by the deadline. 

2. Ballots can be delivered in-person to the Bergen County Board of Elections office located at One Bergen County Plaza in Hackensack by 8:00 p.m. on July 7, 2020.  Ballots cannot be delivered to the Borough Clerk's office or a polling location.  

3. Ballots can be placed in a secured box for mail-in ballots by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.  

Ballot Drop Boxes Locations

Ballot Drop Boxes are available 24-hours.  Ballots must be in the Drop Box by 8:00 p.m. on election night.  Ballot Drop Boxes can be found outside in the following locations: 

• Demarest - 118 Serpentine Road (Borough Hall) 
• Fort Lee - 1355 Inwood Terrace/Anderson Avenue Circular Driveway (Fort Lee Community Center) 
• Hackensack - One Bergen County Plaza (County Administration Building) 
• Ramsey - 30 Wyckoff Avenue (Library - in rear of building) 
• Ridgewood - 131 North Maple Avenue (Village Hall) 
• Rutherford - 176 Park Avenue (Borough Hall) 

Polling Locations

Three polling locations will be open in Bergenfield on Primary Election day.  Each polling location will have one (1) voting machine. Please note, the voting machine is only for voters with disabilities who need the accessible voting device.  Should you choose not to vote on the Mail-in Ballot and visit a polling place on Primary Election day, you will only be able to cast your vote using a Provisional Paper Ballot.  The following polling locations will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on July 7th for the designated districts: 

• Borough Hall - Council Chamber (Districts 1,2,3,4,16 & 17) 
• Roy W. Brown Middle School - Room 45 (Districts 5,6,7,8,9) 
• Lincoln School - Room 117 (Districts 10,11,12,13,14,15)

For more information, please visit the Borough Clerk’s “Voting Information” page on the Borough website at www.bergenfield.com. If you have questions pertaining to the Vote by Mail ballot, please contact the County Clerk’s office directly at 201-336-7020. For questions pertaining to the Primary Election, please contact the Borough Clerk’s office at 201-387-4055 ext. 6.  

PLEASE BE ADVISED, BOROUGH HALL WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, JULY 3RD IN OBSERVANCE OF THE JULY 4TH HOLIDAY.  HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AND PLEASE BE SAFE!