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BOROUGH OF WOODLAND PARK
NEWS
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5 Brophy Lane | Woodland Park, NJ 07424 | 973.345.8100
January 21, 2026
The following is the transcript of Mayor Kallert's "State of The Borough" address given at the January 21, 2026 Borough Council meeting:
Good evening, members of the Borough Council, borough professionals, department heads, dedicated employees, volunteers, and most importantly, the residents of Woodland Park.
It is both an honor and a privilege to stand before you tonight to deliver the 2026 State of the Borough Address. Woodland Park is more than a place on a map—it is a community defined by its people, its resilience, and its shared commitment to moving forward together. Over the past year, we have faced challenges, celebrated progress, and continued the important work of protecting the character of our borough while preparing responsibly for the future.
This evening, I am proud to share not only what we have accomplished in 2025, but also where we are headed in 2026. These achievements reflect careful planning, dedicated public service, and a strong partnership between borough leadership, our employees, volunteers, and our residents.
Building & Zoning Highlights
Throughout 2025, building permits in Woodland Park remained steady, reflecting a healthy level of reinvestment in our community. Homes and commercial properties continue to be repaired, upgraded, and improved—helping to maintain and enhance the overall appearance and long-term value of our borough.
The strength of our community is reflected in business occupancy rates, which are currently near 100%.
On the enforcement side, the borough has taken decisive action to protect quality of life. Illegal gambling operations and one massage parlor were shut down in 2025, and enforcement efforts will continue to ensure compliance with all zoning and licensing regulations
Our code enforcement officers will continue to be vigilant in addressing resident concerns that impact quality of life in our community.
Department of Public Works
The Department of Public Works had an exceptionally productive year in 2025. I would like to congratulate Matt Mulroony, who officially assumed the role of Superintendent after successfully passing his state CPWM exam. I would also like to recognize additional well-earned promotions within the department: Anthony Laguerra, promoted to Assistant Superintendent; Jim Pacelli, promoted to Senior Repairer; and John DeCesare and Dave Spinelli, promoted to Repairmen. Additional promotions within the department reflect the depth of experience and leadership within our DPW team.
Significant infrastructure upgrades were completed across our sewer and water systems. Sewer pump stations were modernized with new, more efficient pumps at the McBride and Lackawanna stations—critical investments that strengthen our sewer collection system.
In the water department, two aging variable frequency drives at the Four Seasons pump station were replaced, pump systems were rebuilt, and the 800,000-gallon water tank was inspected, cleaned, and disinfected. Additional upgrades at the Browertown station and enhancements to meter-reading technology and the borough’s SCADA system ensure continued compliance with state mandates and improved efficiency.
Our DPW also expanded its operational capabilities with the installation of a new metal storage garage at Zaccaria Park, completed the purchase of additional snow-removal equipment, and assisted with meaningful environmental stewardship efforts. In partnership with the Hackensack Riverkeepers and NJ Clean Rivers, over 300 car tires were removed from the Passaic River, improving environmental health and safety.
Police Department
The Woodland Park Police Department continues to serve as a cornerstone of public safety, professionalism, and community trust. Every day and night, our officers work diligently to protect those who live, work, and visit Woodland Park.
The Patrol Division conducts regular daytime and evening patrols throughout the Borough and responds to a wide range of calls for service. These include medical and ambulance assists alongside the First Aid Squad; welfare checks; missing person investigations; burglary calls and alarms; fire and fire alarm responses in coordination with the Fire Department; domestic violence incidents; juvenile-related calls; disputes, harassment, and assault complaints; narcotics-related activity; suspicious persons or activity; illegal dumping; parking complaints; and roadway hazards. Many of these incidents require not only immediate response, but also careful follow-up to ensure accountability and resolution.
Safety checks throughout the Borough are a routine and essential responsibility of the department. In addition, the Police Department operates a Vacant Home Check Program for residents and businesses that are away for extended periods or closed during holidays, providing added peace of mind and crime prevention.
Traffic safety remains a major focus. The department’s Traffic Unit includes a full-time officer dedicated solely to traffic enforcement, crash response, traffic control during peak periods, and school traffic safety. In response to increased complaints of speeding and careless driving, enforcement efforts were significantly increased by both traffic and patrol officers. As a result, summonses for moving and parking violations increased, leading to a measurable reduction in observed violations and citizen complaints.
The Woodland Park Police Department actively participates in statewide and national traffic safety initiatives, including Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Click It or Ticket, and aggressive driving task forces—programs proven to reduce injuries and save lives.
The department has proudly maintained accredited status since 2018 and successfully completed the rigorous re-accreditation process for the third time on June 24, 2024. Accreditation ensures that departmental policies, procedures, training, and operations meet recognized best practices in law enforcement.
The Detective Bureau plays a critical role in maintaining public safety by investigating all crimes occurring within the Borough. Detectives handle cases involving theft, fraud, shoplifting, scams, break-ins, and other offenses, often resulting in arrests and successful prosecutions. The bureau has also worked collaboratively with regional agencies on investigations related to suspected human trafficking, prostitution, and organized theft rings.
Beyond enforcement, detectives and officers engage in proactive crime prevention efforts—particularly educating senior residents on how to avoid becoming victims of scams and fraud.
Community policing remains a core value of the department. Officers are actively involved in local schools through the L.E.A.D. program, educating youth on the dangers of drug use, and through the annual Junior Police Academy, which gives young residents insight into modern policing while fostering positive relationships.
Members of the Police Benevolent Association and Detective Bureau devote countless hours to community service initiatives, including the PBA Toy Drive benefiting children at St. Joseph’s Hospital; the Tri-Town Fishing Event at Zaccaria Park; participation in the New Jersey Special Olympics Torch Run; fundraising and riding in the Police Unity Tour to honor fallen officers; and outreach programs such as Coffee with a Cop and Read Across America.
The department also proudly participates in major community events, including Woodland Park Day, National Night Out, National Faith and Blue events with local religious organizations, the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine at St. Ann’s Church, and the New Jersey Battle of the Badges—each strengthening the bond between our police officers and the community they serve.
Office of Emergency Management
Emergency preparedness is essential, and in 2025, Woodland Park’s Office of Emergency Management made major strides. The borough’s Emergency Operations Plan was fully modernized and transitioned to a secure digital platform in partnership with state and county agencies—improving accessibility, compliance, and response readiness.
The borough successfully completed all requirements under the EMAA-FY24 grant program and received a $10,000 grant award, which will support preparedness initiatives and emergency operations.
OEM officials also participated in a large-scale emergency exercise tied to FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations, strengthening regional coordination and large-incident response capabilities.
Flood mitigation efforts advanced through a partnership with NJIT and State OEM, resulting in the installation of flood monitoring cameras along the Peckman River. These tools will provide real-time data to support early warnings and informed decision-making.
Clerk’s Office
The Clerk’s Office continues to manage its extensive responsibilities with professionalism and precision. In preparation for the upcoming 2026 11th Congressional District Special Election, the Clerk’s Office is overseeing all aspects of election administration, including early voting, mail-in ballots, and voter registration deadlines.
Their work ensures that every eligible voter has access to a fair, transparent, and well-run electoral process—one of the most important functions of municipal government.
Tax & Water Billing
The Tax and Water Billing Department maintained exceptional performance in 2025, achieving a 99.36% tax collection rate—a testament to diligent management, proactive communication, and a strong partnership with our residents.
The department continued to educate homeowners about tax obligations and the implications of tax liens, successfully preventing the need for a tax sale in 2025. Ongoing support for state relief programs such as ANCHOR, Stay NJ, and Property Tax Reimbursement ensures residents have access to important benefits and resources.
Water utility operations remained focused on transparency and service, including timely notification to homeowners when potential leaks are detected, allowing issues to be addressed before leading to unexpectedly high water bills.
Finance Department
Sound financial management is the foundation of every service we provide, and in 2025 the Finance Department undertook an important period of review and strengthening.
Fiscal responsibility is a cornerstone of this administration. In 2025, the Finance Department conducted a comprehensive review of the Borough’s operations, internal controls, and processes, identifying opportunities to modernize systems, improve oversight, and increase transparency—all while ensuring payroll, vendor payments, debt service, and reporting continued without disruption.
Beginning in December 2025, the Chief Financial Officer initiated a comprehensive review of the Borough’s financial operations, internal controls, and existing processes. The goal of this review was to identify opportunities for improvement, modernize and automate where possible, and ensure our financial practices continue to meet the highest standards of accountability.
These efforts directly support tax stabilization. By carefully managing revenues, expenditures, and cash balances—and optimizing banking and investment practices—the Borough has generated additional revenue without raising taxes or taking on additional risk.
Throughout this transition, all core financial operations continued without disruption. Payroll, vendor payments, debt service, and required financial reporting were completed on time, and the Borough remained fully compliant with Division of Local Government Services requirements.
An early area of focus was improving how revenues and expenditures are reviewed and monitored. These adjustments have strengthened oversight across departments and improved visibility into spending. The Finance Department also identified opportunities within the Borough’s existing banking relationships to improve interest earnings on available balances—generating additional revenue for the Borough without increasing risk.
These early efforts helped establish a stronger foundation for financial accountability and more informed decision-making moving forward.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Finance Department will continue streamlining processes, strengthening budget oversight, and supporting long-term financial planning to ensure Woodland Park remains financially stable, sustainable, and able to provide essential services while keeping the tax burden low and predictable for our residents
Together, these efforts ensure the Mayor, Governing Body, and all departments are supported with timely, accurate financial information and that Woodland Park’s finances remain well-managed and resilient.
I want to thank our CFO and Finance team for their dedication to protecting taxpayer dollars and supporting our community’s financial health.
Recreation & Community Services
Recreation remains one of the most visible and impactful ways residents of all ages connect with our community. Our mission is to continue to deliver high quality, accessible, and sustainable recreation programs that enrich community life, strengthen youth and family engagement, responsibly steward municipal resources, and continually evolve through informed decision-making.
In 2025, the Before and After Care Program underwent a comprehensive and highly successful transformation, resulting in a revitalized, sustainable, and high-quality program serving nearly 200 students daily. This overhaul was intentionally designed to elevate the standard of care, improve operational efficiency, and enrich the daily experience for students and families alike.
Over the past year, recreation programs served hundreds of children, families, and seniors through youth sports, camps, enrichment programs, and community events. These programs not only promote health and wellness, but also foster teamwork, inclusion, and community pride. Behind the scenes, significant effort was made to improve consistency, communication, and operational standards across all offerings.
Looking ahead to 2026, Woodland Park Recreation has developed a clear strategic vision focused on program excellence, financial sustainability, and enhanced community engagement.
The mission moving forward is to deliver high-quality, accessible, and sustainable recreation programs that enrich community life, strengthen youth and family engagement, responsibly steward municipal resources, and continually evolve through informed decision-making.
Key focus areas for 2026 include improving program quality and operational maturity; strengthening financial sustainability through modernized sponsorships and fundraising; enhancing the customer experience across all programs and facilities; investing in the professional growth of the Recreation Director and recreation staff; and building strong partnerships with schools, community organizations, and residents.
One of the most important strategic goals for 2026 is financial sustainability and revenue growth. Recreation will work to establish diversified and reliable revenue streams that reduce program risk while expanding partnerships with local businesses and community sponsors.
To support this effort, the borough will modernize its sponsorship and fundraising approach by implementing a dedicated sponsorship and fundraising software platform. This system will centralize sponsor records, track donations and sponsorship tiers, automate renewals and acknowledgements, and significantly reduce administrative workload. Tiered sponsorship packages will be aligned with youth sports, camps, enrichment programs, and community events, while increasing sponsor visibility through digital promotion, on-site signage, and annual impact reporting.
Program excellence and innovation will remain a priority. Recreation will continue refining sports, enrichment, camp, and aftercare programs using structured feedback, clear operating standards, and consistent evaluation to ensure programs meet the evolving needs of the community.
Operational maturity and responsible stewardship of municipal resources will also be emphasized. This includes improving management of recreation facilities, rentals, and partner programs through clear processes, accountability, and performance tracking.
Equally important is community engagement and access. Recreation programs will remain inclusive, well-communicated, and designed to serve residents of all ages, ensuring opportunities for participation across the entire community.
Finally, the borough will continue to invest in the ongoing professional development of the Recreation Director and recreation staff. Supporting leadership growth and training is essential to building long-term organizational strength and ensuring Woodland Park Recreation continues to thrive well into the future.
Library
This past year marked an exciting period of growth and momentum for the Woodland Park Library, highlighted by the continued progress of the library construction project—one of the Borough’s most important investments in the future of our community.
Even as construction moves forward, the Library expanded its vibrant and inclusive programming. New offerings included Shining Stars, an inclusive program designed for children of all abilities, as well as popular Mahjong and Chess programs that foster social connection, strategic thinking, and lifelong learning. Demand for these programs was exceptionally strong, with many reaching capacity and maintaining waiting lists.
Youth engagement also continued to grow through the Library Advisory Board, comprised of middle school and high school students. This group played an active role in shaping library programming and outreach, including the launch of a student-led podcast and newsletter—giving young residents a meaningful voice in the life of the Library.
The Library also proudly secured a State of New Jersey grant for REV 250 – A Historical Trolley Ride Through Time in Woodland Park, an innovative program that brings local history to life in recognition of the nation’s 250th Anniversary.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Library will reach a major milestone with the completion of the construction project and a grand opening celebration, welcoming residents into a modernized space with a full day of special activities marking this exciting chapter for Woodland Park.
Information Technology
Technology continues to play an increasingly critical role in how municipal government operates, communicates, and serves residents. In 2025, the Information Technology Department completed several high-impact projects that strengthened infrastructure, improved security, and enhanced service delivery across the Borough.
Significant infrastructure upgrades were completed with the installation of modern presentation and conferencing systems in both the Community Room and Council Chambers, improving communication, accessibility, and public engagement.
The Borough successfully migrated municipal email services from Passaic County’s Exchange system to a locally managed Microsoft 365 environment, improving reliability, flexibility, and security. In addition, all user accounts and legacy data were migrated from end-of-life servers to high-performance, state-of-the-art hardware—modernizing the Borough’s data environment and reducing operational risk.
Public safety support was further strengthened through upgraded security camera systems at Zaccaria Park and Dowling Gardens, pre-wiring of the Police Department for new camera installations, and the formal assumption of responsibility for Police Department technical support and hardware refreshes.
Looking ahead to 2026, the IT Department has outlined several important initiatives. These include project-managing the installation of a new emergency radio system at the Borough water tower and Berkeley College, completing a comprehensive upgrade of Police Department workstations and wireless data networks, and expanding surveillance systems within the Municipal Building and at Diane Grimes and Rose Place Parks.
Another major initiative will extend the Borough’s fiber-optic network to the Boys & Girls Club. This project will provide free Wi-Fi access for community members who use the facility while allowing the Borough to integrate existing security camera feeds into its archival system—enhancing both connectivity and safety.
The Borough is also proud to announce the launch of WP-Alert, our new municipal emergency notification system powered by Rave Mobile Safety. WP-Alert officially replaces the Borough’s previous notification service and serves as Woodland Park’s official reverse 911 system.
Beginning January 30, residents can receive time-sensitive alerts by phone, text, and email regarding severe weather, missing persons, road closures, utility issues, and other emergencies. Residents may also opt in to receive recreation-related alerts, including weather-related cancellations.
This system represents a major step forward in keeping residents informed and safe. Registration information will be available on the Borough’s website and social media platforms, and I encourage all residents to take a moment to ensure their contact information is up to date.
Major Project Update
By late summer to early fall, the Diane Grimes Park project will be fully completed, marking the culmination of a $1.4 million investment — funded entirely through grants — in one of Woodland Park’s most iconic recreational spaces. When finished, Diane Grimes Park will stand as one of the most spectacular parks in the region
Thomas E. May Memorial Park, will begin Phase 2 improvements and we hope to have that Park open as soon as June 1st.
Plans are also underway to fully rehabilitate the Rose Place Park tennis courts, with dedicated pickleball areas —This will be a welcome addition for our residents who have long advocated for the inclusion of pickleball courts.
These investments reflect our belief that strong communities are built not only with roads and buildings, but with places that bring people together.
Beneath the surface, we’re making equally important progress.
In 2025, we undertook a series of sewer pump station improvements across the Borough, strengthening system reliability and reducing the risk of emergency failures. Along Rifle Camp Road — from Casson Lane to Hazel Street, including the Taylor Lane area — a major sewer improvement project is nearing completion, modernizing aging infrastructure and improving stormwater flow.
On Jackson Avenue and Taft Avenue , from Woodrow Avenue to Squirrelwood Road, NJDOT-supported roadway resurfacing will improve safety, enhance mobility, and strengthen one of our key corridors leading to Route 80.
By September, we anticipate completing the new retaining wall on Bophy Lane, along with the renovation and expansion of our municipal parking lot.
Affordable Housing
Over the past year, municipalities across New Jersey were confronted with one of the most aggressive and sweeping affordable housing mandates the State has ever imposed. Under the new Fourth Round framework, many of our neighboring towns were assigned obligations far greater than their neighboring towns including woodland park these numbers that, in some cases, would fundamentally alter the character of their communities.
From day one, Woodland Park refused to be passive.
We believe in fair housing, and we respect the law—but we also believe that no municipality should be forced to accept unrealistic, one-size-fits-all mandates that ignore local conditions, environmental limitations, and infrastructure capacity. Woodland Park is a built-out community, and we made that clear.
Rather than simply accepting the State’s initial numbers, we fought—strategically, responsibly, and effectively. We engaged the process early, we protected our legal standing, and we negotiated directly and successfully with Fair Share Housing Center. As a result of that work, Woodland Park secured a defined Fourth Round obligation of 240 units—a number that is significantly lower than many surrounding municipalities and one that reflects reality, not politics.
That outcome did not happen by chance. It happened because this Borough stood its ground, did the work, and refused to let decisions about Woodland Park be made without Woodland Park at the table.
Let me be equally clear about what comes next.
Meeting our obligation does not mean opening the door to unchecked or inappropriate large-scale development. It does not mean sacrificing neighborhood character, overwhelming our schools, or shifting an unfair burden onto taxpayers. And it does not mean we stop advocating.
As part of these broader housing discussions, I also want to address the former Bank of New York property. That site was sold to Prism, which has since announced a partnership with Pulte Homes. At this time, it is important for residents to understand that no development has been approved and no project has moved forward. The property has not yet come before the Planning Board with a complete application. When and if a formal application is submitted, it will be reviewed through the full public Planning Board process, including professional review, public notice, and opportunity for resident input. No decisions will be made outside of that process, and the Borough will continue to ensure that any proposal is evaluated carefully, transparently, and in the best interests of Woodland Park.
We will continue to fight for smart, responsible planning. We will continue to push back against overdevelopment. And we will continue to do what we have done all along—stand up for Woodland Park, protect our community, and make decisions that are right for our residents, today and for the next generation.
Closing Remarks
As we reflect on the past year, one message is clear: Woodland Park continues to move forward with purpose, responsibility, and heart.
The progress outlined tonight is not the result of any one individual—it is the collective effort of dedicated employees, volunteers, elected officials, and residents who care deeply about this community. I am grateful for the professionalism of our department heads, the hard work of our staff, and the trust our residents place in local government.
As we look toward 2026, we do so with confidence—not because challenges won’t arise, but because Woodland Park has proven time and again that we face them together. With transparency, thoughtful planning, and respect for our shared values, we will continue to protect what makes this borough special while building a strong and sustainable future for generations to come.
Woodland Park will remain a Borough that invests wisely.
A Borough that understands infrastructure, safety, and quality of life go hand in hand.
In 2026, we will continue building a Woodland Park that is safer, stronger, more inclusive — and more prepared than ever.
To our Borough Council, our dedicated employees, our emergency responders, and most importantly — our residents — thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your commitment to our shared future.
The state of our Borough is strong — and our future is even stronger.
It is truly an honor to serve as your Mayor.
May God Bless Woodland Park and may God Bless the United States of America.