FAIR LAWN — The proposed municipal budget for 2022 includes a substantial increase for planting trees and also calls for a new water treatment plant. 

“We are really focused on greening up Fair Lawn, and it’s part of our overall plan with making sure Fair Lawn’s more environmentally friendly,” Mayor Kurt Peluso said. 

In the borough’s $60 million proposed budget, about $40,000 is going toward a tree planting initiative, an increase of $22,000 since 2020. The goal is to plant 150 trees.

“Over the years a lot of the tree canopy in Fair Lawn has been lost, either to extreme weather or to people coming in and taking down trees,” said Councilmember Gail Rottenstrich, who is at the forefront of the initiative. “We started a campaign to educate the community about the importance of trees.”

Many residents already value trees, Peluso said. “The one thing with the pandemic is you had a lot more people going out for walks and visiting our local parks,” he said. 

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Fair Lawn residents may call Borough Hall and request that a tree be planted on their property. On average, the borough’s cost to plant a tree is $150 to $300, but there is no charge for homeowners. 

Even so, at times getting residents to request trees “is a struggle,” said Jane Spindel, co-chair of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee. “Some find them a nuisance because the roots may lift sidewalks, or sometimes the falling acorns, but we really need to get trees in the ground. They are beneficial for cooling the environment,” she said.

The advantages go beyond that. “Oak trees are the most beneficial, because they are home to birds and a number of insects, moths, that are beneficial to the overall environment,” Spindel said. 

Tree-lined streets add curb appeal, Peluso said, and encourage walking in natural areas. 

Planting trees is key to keeping the climate crisis from worsening, scientists say, as trees remove and store carbon dioxide emissions that drive global warming.

Water improvements 

Fair Lawn has a separate water infrastructure budget, and $6 million is being allocated for a new water treatment facility as part of ongoing significant improvements.

Over the past several years, improvements have been funded by companies that polluted Fair Lawn’s groundwater, under a settlement with the federal government.

Fair Lawn received $20 million to improve drinking water.

“We are working very closely with Congressman [Josh] Gottheimer’s office, because there is a lot of available funding within the infrastructure bill,” Peluso said. 

“We know that if we make these investments, the value of Fair Lawn will continue to increase as well,” he said. 

Fair Lawn budget 

The borough’s $60 million overall municipal budget includes a $36.8 million tax levy. In 2021 the budget was an estimated $56 million and carried a tax levy of $36.5 million. 

The municipal budget had a first reading in February. It needs final approval from the council before going into effect. 

The tax levy does not include school taxes or Bergen County taxes, the other two portions of residential tax bills. 

Shaylah Brown is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: [email protected] 

Twitter: @shaylah_brown

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