Paramus DPW

DPW crews are currently out inspecting storm drain inlets and catch basins. They will be removing debris from the tops as well as the interior of the structures. Crews are also inspecting and clearing all brooks and waterways of any debris or obstructions in anticipation of the significant rainfall forecast for this afternoon.

Current weather forecasts are calling for the potential of up to five inches of rain. Some localized flooding is to be expected during a rainfall of this magnitude. While our crews are taking every reasonable preventative measure, there is never a way to completely prevent flooding under these conditions. In most cases, once the heavy rain subsides, the storm drainage system should clear within approximately 30 to 40 minutes, assuming there are no unforeseen blockages.

DPW crews will remain on their toes and are prepared to respond immediately to any flooding or storm-related issues that require our assistance.
Office staff is available until 4:30pm should you have any questions or concerns.

For after hour emergencies please reach out to the non-emergency line at the Police department

As a side note: the concert at the library is rescheduled so there is no bus this evening!

💡Trivia Tuesday💡

What is a watershed? Why does it matter to us? How can we keep them "safe"?

"A watershed is an area of land where all the water from rain 🌧️ and snowmelt 🌨️drains downhill into a single common body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean." - official definition. New Jersey has 5 watersheds located throughout the state.

The Northeast watershed affects the northern part of the state which plays a role on waterways such as the Passaic River, Hackensack-Hudson Estuary, and Pompton-Pequannock-Wanaque-Ramapo systems. These areas include rivers, streams, reservoirs, and wetlands. All of these can affect the quality of drinking water. ::cough cough:: our water systems connect here!

Residents can help keep these areas safe in varying ways from installing rain gardens (can also help with flooding/ponding/pooling) or reducing the use of lawn chemicals and cleaning up litter. These are just some ways!

There are various Watershed organizations within NJ if you are looking to get your hands dirty try looking into groups such as ANJEC, Paramus Environmental Commission (clean-up info coming in August), AmeriCorps or even NJDEP for more ways you can help!

ways.th

Due to an incident last week involving one of our trash trucks, we felt it was appropriate to toss this into the mix sooner! For reference, last week one of our trash trucks caught fire (source OFFICIALLY undetermined, however, due to experience we can surmise it was POSSIBLE to have been lithium batteries). Please keep in mind that not only are lithium batteries a fire hazard in our trucks...they are a fire hazard if not properly stored, and also if they just feel like it! We strongly advise, do your research before purchasing any products with lithium batteries. While we could only fit a few items on the flyer there are many more! We just chose some of the most common. If you are unsure if an item has a lithium battery, check the box/seek advice from google/download recycle coach/call us OR check out BCUA.org and look for the household hazardous waste accepted/non accepted materials list. You can also try using the link listed below to locate local battery disposal facilities. (make sure to click the correct style battery)

https://locator.batterynetwork.org/

"New Jersey’s Rechargeable Battery Management Law
It is illegal to knowingly dispose of Ni-Cd and small sealed lead batteries as solid waste. Manufacturers are required to develop and submit for approval comprehensive management programs for the environmentally sound collection, transportation, recycling or proper disposal of used Ni-Cd and small sealed lead batteries. Institutional and small quantity generators are required to collect and segregate rechargeable Ni-Cd and small sealed lead batteries. The Battery Network’s program has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to comply with this requirement. Additionally, there is a recycling law for rechargeable batteries with Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb) and Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)."

We think it might be raining! ⛈️ Crews were out earlier during the first round of downpours giving a check over and the Director himself has been out and about so we are aware of the ongoings and should the need arise we will have crews ready to go out. For now...stay safe and it is a fabulous day for a movie night! Or if you enjoy rain and T-storms its perfect for porch sitting!

If you see a storm drain is clogged, please give it about an hour to drain through. If it still appears clogged and you feel comfortable and safe scrapping it off please feel free! Otherwise our office is open until 4:30pm. While office staff is available, the road crews may not be IMMEDIATELY available so please allow us some time. If it is an emergency please contact the police department.

Remember... life or death = 911...if it can wait or isn't causing harm, use the non-emergency line!

We thank you for your patience and cooperation as always!

Send a message to learn more

We are thankful that our driver walked away from this without injury! Trucks can be replaced but people cannot. Attempts to extinguish this fire inside the vehicle were unsuccessful therefore the decision was made to dump the load onto the roadway. Crews also attempted to extinguish this using fire extinguishers but became unmanageable and a call was made to let the professionals handle it! Please, if it is electronic, flammable, toxic or you are just unsure what it is...don't throw it out before speaking to us. Stay tuned for a follow up "where does it go Wednesday" next week! And thank you Paramus FD!

Storm damage collection will continue through this week. Please place your storm debris at the curb and someone will be by to pick it up through Friday (Thursday night last time to put out). Anything placed out to the curb after Friday's pick up MUST follow the town guidelines for branches and brush. Reminder that next week is brush pick up week so please be sure to bundle and tie/contain your brush starting Saturday 7/18 and put it out for your regular brush pick up day the week of July 20th!

We understand that some areas of town sustained more significant damages than others, if you require extended time please be sure to call our office and we can discuss.

Once again, we want to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation with us as we navigated through this, hopefully one time ordeal! And thinking positive...at least there will be less leaves to rake in the fall 😁

Paper bags are considered recyclable♻️. You can put these out with your paper/cardboard recycling day! or here are a few other options:

-save them for book covers (Millennials and parents of, should remember how to do this!) 📚
-save them as gift bags 🎁
-use smaller ones to make puppets or other crafts
-use them to absorb oil from foods while cooking *toss in the trash when done!
-put unripe fruit inside to help it ripen up 🍐🍌🥭🍅🥑
-cut them open and let your kids use them to express their inner Edvard Munch or Van Gogh! please keep sharp objects far out of reach! 🖌️🖍️

Please be mindful of fraudulent contractors. All home improvement contractors must have their name and town as well as a New Jersey Home Improvement registration number that starts with “13VH” please contact the Bergen & Passaic Consumer Protection unit with any questions or concerns.