The Board of Health is responsible for ensuring that proper health standards are maintained within the Borough. The Board of Health is the only municipal organization besides the Mayor and Council with the power to enact ordinances. The Board of Health also oversees that Borough Ordinances, intended to guarantee healthy living circumstances in Old Tappan, are respected.

The Board regulates the maintenance of food and beverage vending machines and retail food establishments, controls the keeping of animals, authorizes the inspection of premises by the health officer, and oversees and regulates other establishments in order to guarantee healthy living circumstances. The Board of Health also annually contracts with the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission, an organization that provides a variety of health-related services. For information on these services, see Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission.

Food Handler Training Course

The Board has enacted an ordinance establishing a Food Handler Training Course.  This course provides training for any person having the responsibility of overseeing employees engaged in the preparing or processing of food or drink intended for human consumption.  Successful completion of the course will result in issuance of a food handler’s certificate renewable every two years.  All retail food establishments will be required to have in their employment a supervisor who has a valid food handler’s certificate on the premises at all such times that the establishment is in operation or open for business.  Please see the specific ordinance for more detailed information.

Smoke-Free Air Act

Effective April 15, 2006, indoor public places and workplaces in the State of New Jersey will be smoke free.  The Smoke-Free Air Act (P.L. 2005, c.383) prohibits smoking in indoor public places to protect employees and the public from secondhand smoke.  “No Smoking” signs stating that violators may be fined must be prominently posted at every public entrance and properly maintained when smoking is prohibited.  Compliance to the act is the responsibility of the person having control of an indoor public place or place of employment.  Employees and the public may report violations of the law to their local health department.  For more information about the act visit www.smokefree.nj.gov.

West Nile Virus Season

As warmer weather approaches the potential for seeing West Nile Virus increases. West Nile Virus is one of a family of viruses that can be transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.   Mosquitoes can become infected with WNV by feeding on birds that have the virus in their bloodstream.  Birds, especially crows and blue jays, appear to be highly sensitive to the virus and provide a barometer to detect WNV in our community.  For this reason we ask you to be alert to any dead birds found on your property.  Birds that appear to have recently died can be submitted to the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission for testing.  Birds showing signs of decay, decomposition, or infestation with maggots should not be submitted for testing.  Birds can be submitted by placing each bird into a separate one-gallon clear plastic bag with an “Easy Close Slider/Zipper”. There is no evidence to date suggesting that humans can get WNV by touching a dead bird.  However, it is strongly suggested for general sanitary reasons that you use protective gloves when handling any sick or injured bird.  For more information visit www.state.nj.us/health/cd/westnile/brochure.pdf.

Child Health Conference Services

The Old Tappan Board of Health has contracted with the Hillsdale Board of Health to provide Child Health Conference Services to Old Tappan residents.  These services provide for child health conferences for comprehensive preventive health care of infants and preschool children, with particular emphasis on the medically indigent, based upon the current Department of Health and Senior Services publication, "Guidelines For the Child Health Conference".  They also provide for information and guidance on physical, emotional, nutritional, and cognitive development of infants and preschool children through child health conferences and home nursing visits. 

For more information on the duties and responsibilities of the Board of Health, see the Borough Code.

Board of Health meetings are generally held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Borough Hall. Residents are welcome to attend.

Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission

Contact Information:

Monday - Friday 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Location:

Please note that we are located in Waldwick, on West Prospect Street, between Franklin Turnpike and the railroad tracks.

The Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission provides for the Public Health needs of 8 northern Bergen County communities. There is an annual contractual agreement between the Old Tappan Board of Health and our organization. The Commission is responsible for a variety of health related services geared toward improving the health of the people in Old Tappan.

Our organization serves eight towns in northern Bergen County.  The goal of the Commission is to offer better and more complete health services to its towns than each town could provide for its residents independently.  Full time personnel including a New Jersey State Licensed Health Officer, Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitary Inspector, Office Manager/Registrar, and a Principal Clerk/Deputy Registrar currently staff the Commission office. 

The most visible job of the Health Department is to inspect restaurants and food establishments for cleanliness and proper food handling and storage.  The Health Officer gives a course to food industry personnel on safe food handling procedures.  If you have questions about food safety and sanitation in your own kitchen check out the following website: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Current recalls are also listed on the Food and Safety Inspection Services website. 

Anything related to septic systems comes through this office.  Currently, no septic repairs are being made if you have the sewer line on your street.  A malfunctioning system cannot be replaced if the sewer line is available.  If you are hooking up to the sewers and need to abandon your septic system, plans are kept here at our office in Waldwick.  Septic abandonment applications are available at Borough Hall and there is a $25.00 review fee, payable when the application is submitted to this office.  Some homeowners know how to do it themselves, but most residents have contracted with local businesses to hook up.  Any complainants of septic overflow or odor are investigated and handled in the best interest of public health.   If you still have a septic system, it is wise to have it pumped every 2-3 years for a family of 4.  Also, water conservation goes a long way to extend the life of your septic.  There is great information on septic systems at the state website: Onsite Wastewater Management Program. 

Many residents still have private wells.  Since September 2002, the Private Well Testing Act has been in effect (Private Well Testing Act.) For real estate transactions of properties with wells, a comprehensive test must be done by a certified laboratory.  We have a list of labs that perform this test in northern Bergen County.  The above website also lists labs, but we contacted many labs from the state list and very few serve our area.  

Several times during the year, the Commission offers a 4-part well water test for the following:  Bacteria, Nitrates, Lead, and Volatile Organics (carcinogens).  The cost is $185.00, which is well below the cost for the Private Well Testing Act test, BUT it does not test for everything required by the state for real estate transactions.  Our first source for well water information is Interpreting Drinking Water Quality Analysis, which has a lot of information but it is technical and rather dry. 

Property maintenance as it pertains to health and sanitation is also our responsibility.  For the past few years West Nile virus has been a major concern in Bergen County.  Stagnant water often found in unclean swimming pools and ponds offers a breeding ground for mosquitoes, the carriers of the virus.  The state has an informative website for the disease and easy steps for residents to take to protect themselves from this disease.  The New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services website is Department of Health and Senior Services.   Go to the West Nile Virus link for facts and information.  From May to November residents call here to notify us of dead crows in town.  We try to pick up any crow that can be submitted to the state labs for testing.  Unfortunately most crows have already deteriorated beyond the testable stage.  We are part of the state reporting system that records and pinpoints bird sightings for future tracking and research.  Manpower to actually pick up birds is limited, but we are able to report all dead crows to the state. 

Overgrowth and weeds are not only unsightly but provide harborage for rodents and other animals.  They are a contributing factor to West Nile Virus too.   Debris and garbage also contribute to these problems.  The Commission office in Waldwick has a Hav-a-Heart trap for humanely trapping animals.  We loan it out to residents for free, with a $50.00 refundable deposit while it is in your possession.  We also have a fact sheet on rodent abatement. 

Lyme disease is on the rise and we have information in our office on ticks and Lyme disease.  Many informative websites exist for Lyme disease.  The American Lyme Disease Foundation and Lymenet, The Lyme Disease Network, a New Jersey organization, offer information, resources and support.   

Rabies exists in New Jersey and the health department works to keep it out of the area.  The borough requires licenses for its dogs and cats.  Old Tappan hosts an annual rabies clinic at the firehouse the 2^nd Saturday in January.  A borough representative is on site to renew the annual license. A current rabies inoculation is necessary for licensure. And your pet needs a rabies inoculation every two years. 

The Board of Health also has an annual flu immunization program in October of each year at the firehouse. 

Residents should keep in mind, that there is a Health Educator from Bergen Community Health Care available to speak to local groups on a variety of health topics.  Programming is available for all ages.  To speak with the Health Educator, Ronnie Morris, call (201) 358-2666.

For Health information there are many good websites that have information on health and wellness, diseases, smoking, bio-terrorism and more. 

The University of Medicine and Dentistry - Information for Healthy Living 

Centers for Disease Control  website has a wealth of information covering many topics.  We highly recommend its travel information because it is current and up to date.  For your travel questions go to National Center for Infectious Diseases Travelers' Health 

The following is a list of activities which the Commission performs for Old Tappan residents:

Food inspections of restaurants and food stores. Also investigations of food complaints by residents. Food testing as related to salads-tuna, chicken, cole slaw etc. 

Food Handlers Course education - 1 time per year.

Septic installation and plan review most recently monitoring septic closures in areas where sewers have been installed.  Investigation of complaints regarding septic overflow and odors. 

Property maintenance investigations for overgrowth, garbage and debris, and stagnant water contributing to West Nile Virus.

Vermin complaints-rats, mice, and wild animals. The Commission gives residents technical assistance and can loan "Hav-A-Heart" traps for squirrels, raccoons, and groundhogs etc.              

West Nile surveillance.  Elimination of stagnant water, investigation of dead crows, delivery of testable crows to lab for confirmation of West Nile Virus. 

Rabies Control. Investigation of bites.  Quarantine and release of dog and cats involved in bites. Annual Anti-Rabies Clinic 2^nd Saturday in January, 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. at the Fire House. 

Information on Lyme disease and avoidance of deer ticks. 

Well Water Testing for Bacteria Chemicals, Lead, and Nitrates for $185.00 organized four times a year. 

For further information about available Health Services, call Northwest Regional Health Commission at (201) 445-7217.     

Press Release Private Well Testing Act

 New Jersey's Private Well Testing Act (PWTA) became effective September 14, 2002 for all real estate transfers serviced by private wells. A second phase of testing requirements for all leased properties will be effective on March 14, 2004. All lessors of properties with private wells must test the water by a state certified PWTA lab by March 14^th and provide a written copy of the results to all tenants. The water must then be retested every five years. Any new tenant must be given a copy of the most recent results. Further information can be obtained at the PWTA website: www.state.nj.us/dep/pwta or call Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission at (201) 445-7217.

 Well Water Testing

Our program includes tests for volatile organics (chemicals related to cancer), lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates (an indicator of fertilizer and sewage contamination) and arsenic in home well water.  Results will be mailed to the homeowner and are confidential. Test kits include water containers for all five tests with easy to follow instructions. 

The cost of the five tests is $200.00, payable in advance to N.W.B.R.H.C.  Residents can pick up the kits at our office, located at 22 W. Prospect St., Waldwick, anytime.  We are on W. Prospect St. between Franklin Turnpike and the railroad tracks.  The office is open Monday - Friday, 8:30-4:00.

Testing samples will be accepted monthly on the first Monday of each month.  Residents return kits to our office in Waldwick, from 8:30-10:00 A.M.  This program is NOT intended for use during home sales.  It does NOT comply with the Private Well Testing Act.  For further information, call (201) 445-7217. 

Abandoning Your Septic System

A young father on Long Island playing ball with his kids was swallowed up by a cesspool in his yard and died.  In Wanaque, 3 children jumping in their kiddy pool fell into a septic tank and drowned when the tank lid broke.  Freak accidents?  Yes.  Preventable? ABSOLUTELY!  Proper maintenance of your active septic system and proper abandonment of your system when connecting to the sewer will prevent problems in the future. 

The state sanitary code requires that when connecting to a sewer line, all septic tanks, seepage pits, dosing tanks, dry wells and cesspools must be emptied of waste and filled completely with gravel, stones, sand or soil.  Old Tappan also requires that a septic abandonment application be filed by the contractor with the health department.  This application is reviewed carefully to assure that all components have properly been abandoned compared to the site plans on file in the department. 

Proper maintenance of your active system would include pumping every three years and checking the baffles (pipes inside the tank that insure proper solids retention) and lids of the tank for problems. 

Also, acquaint yourself with the site plan showing where all components are located.  Any unexpected sinkage or soggy soil over a tank or pit should be checked out immediately.  Avoid hydraulically overloading your system with plumbing leaks, misplaced downspouts, sump discharges and excessive laundry.  Proper maintenance will prolong the life of your septic system and delay the necessity of hooking up to the sewer line until you are ready to do it.  For further information, call Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission at (201) 445-7217.