The Week in Review: Troop 36 Turns 100

Considered to be the second oldest continually operating troop in the United States and one of the largest and most decorated troops in New Jersey, Oradell Boy Scout Troop 36 recently celebrated its this past week.

"It's certainly an honor to have been around for 100 years," Scoutmaster Michael Sharples said. "I don't think when the troop was started that anyone anticipated we'd be around as long as we have."

The Oradell Troop was first known as Troop One of Oradell in 1911 when it was founded by Charles Livingston Bull. Troop One later became Troop 36 when the local American Legion became its sponsor. As of January 2011, Troop 36 has a total of 154 Eagle Scouts and counting. For a look at the birthday celebration, check out our photo gallery.

 This week also saw REPD Chief Thomas Cariddi explain the need for four new patrol cars, OFD ex-chief Stan Kufel outlined a proposed firefighter memorial, Oradell Little League has proposed selling advertising boards to be located at Muehleck Field, and the distribution of Open Space Funds in River Edge has been delayed.

• On Monday night, Cariddi appeared during the to discuss the need of replacing four squad cars this year.

"I had been planning on purchasing the 2009 Chevy Impalas to replace the vehicles with the most mileage," Cariddi said. "But because timing is everything, I've since been told that those vehicles have mostly sold and are no longer available. There are only three left, with higher mileage and two of which are red and would need an entire paint job."

Instead, REPD will seek leasing two 2010 Impalas with a deferred purchase date of May and purchase two Impalas outright.

"This allows us to have four cars coming in next year," Cariddi said. "And looking forward to 2012 and 2013, we would only have the full year lease for the two vehicles. It would leave the vehicle fleet completely refurbished and allow us to go forward."

• Also on Monday night, the River Edge Council's agenda item to discuss and decide the division of the available $163,000  funds was tabled as  questioned the legality of using funding that is set aside for the preservation and maintenance of borough open space to cover the salary costs associated with DPW employees.

"I would like the borough attorney [Sam Cereste] to come back and give us his opinion on the proprietary of using dedicated Open Space Trust fund money for a portion of salary and wages of the DPW," Moscaritolo said.

The borough received a request that approximately $150,000 from Open Space be used toward the DPW's salaries and wages and other expenses which relates to the work employees do maintain the borough's parks. Last year, River Edge set aside part of the Open Space funding to cover a portion of the DPW salaries and wages. Cereste is currently reviewing the legal issue of using Open Space funds for employee salaries.

• For the past five years, the has been working to put together a plan for a in front of the station house. Kufel presented plans to the Oradell Council on Tuesday night.

The proposed plans for a new monument would feature three separate planter areas with a gong in the center and two black marble tablets on each side. One tablet would quote FDNY Fire Chief Edward Croker (1899-1911) and the other with the Fireman's Prayer.

"There would be a complete running fountain in the monument area with a reflection pool with a memorial lamp that will be lit when a former member passes away." Kufel said. "We are also planning on two gas lamps on each side of the gong. The project would be completed in three phases."

The project would be done completely by members of OFD and are currently seeking contractors to donate concrete for the project. The proposed plans will be reviewed by the Building Department prior to any work could begin.

• George Mullen and Oradell Little League president Michael O'Neill presented a rendition of what the on the fence at Muehlick Field could look like on Tuesday night. 

The front, which faces toward the infield could feature either the individual business or sponsor's logo with text or all signs could be uniform with the same text and no logo. The back of the advertisement, which faces either Oradell Avenue or Prospect Avenue have been proposed to be a dark green so as to blend in with the outfield's grass.

"This really could make up one-third or more of the Little League budget," O'Neill said.

Oradell Little League representatives will next meet with Construction Official Stephen Depken to outline the signs complying with the borough ordinances. The Council will review the topic at the regular meeting on Feb. 22.