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Rockleigh council pushes for records and protests county plan for 35 Piermont Road
Summary
After a county meeting, council members said Bergen County plans a health facility and veteran housing — not a park — at 35 Piermont Road; the borough will file an OPRA request and coordinate with neighboring mayors as it seeks more information.
Council members in Rockleigh said they were caught off guard after Bergen County officials signaled they would pursue a health care facility and veteran housing — not a public park — on County‑owned land at 35 Piermont Road.
Mayor James Pontone told the council that County Executive Jim Tedesco indicated the County is "not interested in a park" at the site and would likely site a health care facility and veteran housing there. Councilwoman Bresnak said she is "completely against" the county's options and has drafted a letter to County Clerk John Hogan outlining the borough's vision for the property.
Bresnak asked the borough to submit an OPRA (Open Public Records Act) request to Bergen County seeking records that reference Rockleigh, including emails, drawings, bids and contracts, to clarify what proposals the County is considering. The Borough Clerk, Marcella Giampiccolo, said she will prepare and file the OPRA request as soon as possible.
Pontone said the County plans to create a task force this summer and that no confirmed development on the parcel is expected for over a year. He also said he will share a handout from Councilwoman Bresnak with neighboring mayors at the Northern Valley mayors' meeting to press for a county park option.
The council discussed funding responsibility and were told that, according to the County’s presentation, the County would pay for any park — though council members expressed skepticism and asked for documentation. The chief financial officer, Kunjesh Trivedi, suggested the borough request each municipality's County Open Space Levy and general tax rate to clarify contributions to Bergen County programs.
The council also noted the Borough owns buffer property in front of the Jewish Home that the County appeared unaware of. Council members agreed to pursue records and regional outreach before any formal position is finalized.
Next steps: the Borough Clerk will file the OPRA request; Pontone will distribute the Bresnak handout at the Northern Valley mayors' meeting; council members said they will monitor the County task force when it forms this summer.
