Bogota Mayors Past and Present Home / Mayors Past and Present / Frederick W. Cain 1895-1909 William N. Smith 1910-1915 Herman A. Braumuller 1916-1919 Robert F. Purdy 1920-1921 J. F. Gerber 1922-1923 Clarence F. Walker 1924-1925 Arthur McCaign 1926-1935 John D. Lynn 1936-1947 Harry P. Janssen July 1947 - December 1947 George E. Quinn 1948-1955 Oscar E. Olsen January 1956 - April 1956 Frank E. Harding May 1956 - December 1956 Frank Feller 1957-1963 Abraham L. Rosenberg 1964-1966 Eugene J. Brophy 1966-1980 William "Pat" Schuber 1980-1984 Alex F. Kelemen 1984-1988 Leonard J. Nicholosi 1988-1995 Steven M. Lonegan 1996-2007 Patrick H. McHale 2008-2013 Antero "Tito" Jackson December 2013 - November 2014 Chistopher M. Kelemen November 2014-2023 Daniele Fede 2024-present Some features may have been slightly altered in colorization of the photographs of mayors who served from 1896-1980

Bergen County Key Contacts Bergen County Superintendent of Elections / Commissioner of Registration Debra M. Francica Jamie H. Sheehan-Willis One Bergen County Plaza Room 310 Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 201-336-6225 Bergen County Clerk John S. Hogan One Bergen County Plaza Room 130 Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 201-336-7020 Bergen County Board of Elections John S. Hogan One Bergen County Plaza Room 310 Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 201-336-6234 Office Hours: 9:00am - 4:30pm Voter Information Home / Voter Information / Vote-by-Mail Information Voters may choose to apply for vote-by-mail by completing the Application linked below and returning the application to the Bergen County Clerk. Instructions for completing the application are available on the application. Vote-by-Mail Application (English) Vote-by-Mail Application (Espanol) Vote-by-Mail Application (Korean) Voter Forms and Links Online Voter Registration Form Am I Registered To check the status of your voter registration, use the following link. Visit the New Jersey Vote Information Portal Election Results Would you like to check the results of an election? Use this link to the Bergen County Clerk's Office, public database of election results from 1959 to present. Bergen County Election Results Voter Registration Requirements To register in New Jersey, you must be: a United States citizen At least 17 years old, though you may not vote until you have reached the age of 18 A resident of your current address for at least 30 days before the election You are not eligible to register to vote if you are serving a sentence of incarceration as a result of a conviction of an indictable offence under the laws of New Jersey or any other state in the United States. The deadline to register to vote in the next election, is 21 days prior to that election day. Online Registration Requirements: To register online, you will need your date of birth and one of the following forms of identification: A current and valid Driver’s License or a non-driver Identification Card (ID card) issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Your information will be provided to the MVC to validate identification, and to retrieve a copy of your digitized signature. -or- A Social Security number. To use your social security number, you must have the ability to sign on-screen or upload your signature to complete the registration process. If you are unable to provide a digital signature, you cannot register online. Click here to download the voter registration application for your county. Reference Source: New Jersey Voter Information Portal Polling Locations by Voting District

Mayor and Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes Mayor and Council Home / Mayor and Council / Our Borough Government The Borough of Bogota is governed by a Mayor and Council who are elected by the voters. The mayoral term is a four-year term, while each council member is elected to serve for a three-year term. The Mayor and Council approve an annual budget, determine policies and adopt resolutions and ordinances which guide all functions of the borough government. The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Bogota will hold public meetings the first and third Thursday of each month at 7:30 P.M in the Council Chambers of the Borough Hall located at 375 Larch Avenue, Bogota, NJ 07603 – 2nd floor. All meetings of the Mayor and Council shall take place in-person and remotely via Zoom. The Governing Body generally meets the first Thursday of each month for Work Sessions and the third Thursday for Regular Meetings, unless otherwise advertised. (Please see calendar) Contact Information Mayor of Bogota Daniele Fede Council President Lisa Kohles Phone: 201-342-1736 Address: Bogota Municipal Building 375 Larch Avenue Bogota, New Jersey 07603 Mayor and Council Meetings Bogota Council Chambers 375 Larch Avenue Bogota, New Jersey 07603 7:30 PM Mayor and Council Meeting Schedule Mayor Daniele Fede Term Expires: December 31, 2027 Contact Mayor Fede Councilwoman Consuelo Carpenter Term Expires: December 31, 2027 Contact Councilwoman Carpenter Council President Lisa Kohles Term Expires: December 31, 2026 Contact Council President Kohles Councilman William Hordern Term Expires: December 31, 2027 Contact Councilman Hordern Councilman Patrick H. McHale Term Expires: December 31, 2028 Contact Councilman McHale Councilman John Mitchell Term Expires: December 31, 2028 Contact Councilman Mitchell Councilwoman Diana Vergara Term Expires: December 31, 2026 Contact Councilwoman Vergara Swipe Left or Right to View Council Members 2026 Borough Council Committee Assignments Committee members are assigned at the January reorganization meeting. Committee / Organization Liaison Backup Liaison Administrative / Personel Councilman McHale Councilwoman Vergara BACSA Councilwoman Carpenter Councilman Hordern Board of Education Councilwoman Kohles Councilman Mitchell Buildings and Grounds Councilman McHale Councilman Mitchell Construction / Planning / Zoning Councilwoman Kohles Councilman Mitchell County and State Councilwoman Carpenter Councilwoman Kohles Department of Public Works Councilwoman Carpenter Councilman Hordern Environmental Commission Councilwoman Vegara Councilman McHale Finance / Tax / Grants Councilwoman Vergara Councilwoman Carpenter Fire Department Councilwoman Kohles Councilwoman Vergara Health / Insurance Councilwoman Carpenter Councilwoman Kohles Library Councilman Hordern Councilman McHale Police / Aux Police / Court / OEM Councilman McHale Councilwoman Vergara Councilman Hordern Property Maintenance Councilman McHale Councilman Hordern Recreation Councilman Hordern Councilman Mitchell Senior Citizens Councilman Mitchell Councilman Hordern Transportation Councilman Mitchell Councilwoman Kohles Veteran's Affairs Councilman Mitchell Councilman Hordern

Building Department Applications and Forms Building Permit Application Download ▼ Certificate of Continued Occupancy (CCO) Permit Application Download ▼ Contractor Information Sheet Download ▼ Driveway, Curbs, Sidewalks, Steps, Fences and/or Sheds Permit Application Download ▼ Dumpster Permit Application Download ▼ Electrical Permit Application Download ▼ Fire Protection Subcode Application Download ▼ Plumbing Permit Application Download ▼ Variance Applicaiton Download ▼ Department Links Animal Control Borough Administrator Borough Clerk Building Department Finance Department Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Municipal Court Office of Emergency Management Police Department Property Maintenance / Code Enforcement Public Works (DPW) Recycling Center Recreation Department Tax Assessor Tax Collector Animal Control Borough Administrator Borough Clerk Building Department Finance Department Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Municipal Court Office of Emergency Management Police Department Property Maintenance / Code Enforcement Public Works (DPW) Recycling Center Recreation Department Tax Assessor Tax Collector Menu Close Building Department Home / Building Department / Building Department Functions The Building Department of Bogota is a regulatory agency which licenses trades, permits construction and demolition, and inspects buildings for structural safety, occupancy, and zoning issues. Building complaints about maintenance (e.g., paint, leaks, rodents, etc.) should be directed to Property Maintenance Department and/or the building owner, the Department of Housing, Preservation, and Development. For your convenience we have posted all the necessary forms, code books and information to help you prepare to do any type of construction work in our town. Building permits provide the means for Code Officials to protect residents by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction thereby ensuring the public health, safety and welfare. Contact Information Construction Code and Zoning Official Arthur Sopelsa Building Department Crissy Tedesco Phone: 201-342-1736 x224 Address: Bogota Municipal Building 375 Larch Avenue Bogota, New Jersey 07603 Office Hours: 9:00am - 5:15pm (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) 11:00am - 7:00pm (Tuesday) 9:00am - 12:00pm (Friday) Contact the Building Department Construction Permit Requirement Guide Use this guide as a reference for permits required. If you are considering work not listed in this chart, please call the Building Department. Project Permits Required Other Items Required Additions Jacket - Building - Electrical - Plumbing - Fire Plans and Survey must be submitted prior to permit applications. Alarm Systems Jacket - Fire N/A Asbestos Removal Jacket - Building Copy of State License Bathroom Renovation Jacket - Building - Plumbing - Electrical N/A Boilders and Furnaces - Hot Water or Steam Jacket - Plumbing Fill out Chimney Certificate Boilers and Furnaces - Air Furnace Jacket - Electrical Fill out Chimney Certificate Central AIr Conditioning Jacket - Building - Electrical Condenser location will be confirmed on site plan by Borough Construction Official Chinmey Liners Jacket - Building N/A Converting Garage Jacket - Building - Survey Survey, Construction Official to check Zoning. Decks Jacket - Building Survey, Construction Official to check Zoning. Demolitions Jacket - Building Copy of State License for tank demolition Driveways, Aprons, Curbs Municipal Form Survey, Construction Official to check Zoning. Duct Work Jacket - Building Normally submitted in conjuction with Central Air Conditioning package. Dumpster (if parked on street) Dumpster Form Provide copy of form to the Police Department Enclosing Porch Jacket - Building - Electrical If converting a bathroom, Plumbing Permit application is required as well. Fences, Sheds, Walks and Retaining Walls Municipal Form Survey, Construction Offical to check Zoning. Finished Basements Jacket - Building - Electrical If converting a bathroom, Plumbing Permit application is required as well. Fire Alarms Jacket - Fire N/A Installing a Fireplace Jacket - Building - Fire N/A Interior Alterations Jacket - Building - Electrical - Plumbing N/A Kitchen Renovations Jacket - Building - Electrical - Plumbing N/A Lawn Sprinklers Jacket - Plumbing Survey for Construction Official approval. Oil Tanks (New or Demolition) Jacket - Building N/A Patios Jacket - Building Survey for Construction Official approval. Re-roof (Principal or Assessory Building) Jacket - Building N/A Sewer Connections or Repairs Jacket - Plumbing N/A Sheds N/A Survey for Construction Official to review and advise of permits required. Sidewalks and Walkways Municipal Form Survey for Construction Official approval. Steps Jacket - Building Survey for Construction Official approval. Suppression Systems Jacket - Fire N/A Swimming Pools Jacket - Building - Electrical - Plumbing Survey showing proposed location of pool to be submitted for Zoning first. Water Heaters Jacket - Plumbing N/A Windows and Doors (if making a new opening or changing the size of the opening) Jacket - Building NOTE: If same size windows or doors are being installed, no permit is required,.

History of Bogota Home / History of Bogota / The Borough of Bogota was formed on November 14, 1894, from portions of Ridgefield Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. It was a result of the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone. Prior to the founding of the Borough of Bogota, the area was inhabited by members of the Lenape Tribe until the early 1600s when Dutch settlers arrived. The Dutch were replaced by the British in 1664, Following the Civil War, Bogota evolved from a farming area to a suburban and industrial one. Following his move to Bogota in 1893, Frederick W. Cane led the successful effort for a special election regarding the incorporation of the Borough. The population was about 250 at the time, although only 57 votes were cast. Cane was elected the first mayor in 1895. It can be considered the year when farming began to decline and Bogota started to become a small suburban town with an important industrial element. South End of Larch Avenue The Borough of Bogota was formed on November 14, 1894, from portions of Ridgefield Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. It was a result of the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone. Prior to the founding of the Borough of Bogota, the area was inhabited by members of the Lenape Tribe until the early 1600s when Dutch settlers arrived. The Dutch were replaced by the British in 1664, Following the Civil War, Bogota evolved from a farming area to a suburban and industrial one. Following his move to Bogota in 1893, Frederick W. Cane led the successful effort for a special election regarding the incorporation of the Borough. The population was about 250 at the time, although only 57 votes were cast. Cane was elected the first mayor in 1895. It can be considered the year when farming began to decline, and Bogota started to become a small suburban town with an important industrial element. In 1898, the electric trolley shattered the then semi-rural nature of Bogota. Most of the new residents were members of the business and professional classes as opposed to the farmers who were there first. There was also a small, local retail and service population that provided such things as coal and lumber, and trades such as carpentry. Economically the Borough was also developing. William N. Smith was busy with his paper mills, but still had time to form the Bogota National Bank on East Fort Lee Road close to the railroad tracks and potential customers coming off the trains. Another institution, the Bogota Savings Bank, was started as the Bogota Savings and Loan in 1893. Judge Peter Bogert, part of the Bogert farming family, was the first president. William N. Smith became president a few years later; he was part of the “commuter” faction that helped form Bogota in opposition to Peter Bogert. On January 22,1901, the Bogota Fire Department, Engine Company was formed with 23 members at a historic meeting held at the Bogota Boat Club. Their first piece of equipment was a hand drawn hose carriage with 450 feet of hose and 2 nozzles. This equipment was kept in Munns Barn, and later in Kriegers Stable on River Road for an annual rental fee of $15.00 until 1906 when the Main Street Firehouse was built. The Hook and Ladder Company was formed in 1905, creating the Bogota Fire Department. Hose Comany 2 was added in 1910 and Engine Company 3 was formed in 1923. By 1939, Bogota was expanding rapidly and had at least ten times the population of 1912. Main Street was a busy commercial street in addition to the shops, banks, bowling alleys, etc. on West and East Fort Lee Road. Big changes in the business district in 1939 effectively ended Fort Lee Road’s role as the most important business street in town. Major construction projects, connected with each other, forever changed the town. The construction of the Main Street overpass, the construction of the Grade Level Crossing over the West Shore railroad tracks, and the extension of Main Street into Hackensack were the last major changes in Bogota’s infrastructure until the opening of Interstate 80 in the 1960s. The 1960s also saw another change in the character of Bogota: most of the paper mills closed. A great many had been involved in producing materials needed to win World War II. New Jersey was a great manufacturing area then, and Bogota had some impressive capability in its paper mills and the Brewster Construction Company. The last paper mill, the Continental mill, closed in 1970. Almost all of our major industries left town for one reason or another. As a result, families turned to service-oriented occupations. Erie Train Station June 1992 saw the closing of the Dewey School due to declining enrollments. Plans to replace the Steen and Bixby Schools were made but they were defeated by the voters in 1993. The Borough celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2019 with the issuance of a fourth anniversary journal. These volumes can be consulted for more information about the Borough’s past. More information about the Borough of Bogota's history is available at the Bogota Public Library

Department Links Animal Control Borough Administrator Borough Clerk Building Department Finance Department Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Municipal Court Office of Emergency Management Police Department Property Maintenance / Code Enforcement Public Works (DPW) Recycling Center Recreation Department Tax Assessor Tax Collector Animal Control Borough Administrator Borough Clerk Building Department Finance Department Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Municipal Court Office of Emergency Management Police Department Property Maintenance / Code Enforcement Public Works (DPW) Recycling Center Recreation Department Tax Assessor Tax Collector Menu Close Recycling Center Home / Recycling Center / Items Collected at the Recycling Center The following items are collected at the Recycling Center: Motor Oil Fluorescent Light Bulbs Computers, Televisions Tires Vegetable oil should be taken to the DPW headquarters at 282 Leonia Avenue PLEASE NOTE: Styrofoam and Pizza Boxes are not accepted at the recycling center. Important Reminders Do not recycle plastic bags or put recyclable bottles and cans in plastic bags. Plastic bags from stores should be thrown out with regular garbage or brought to Borough Hall. No household waste or trash is to be placed out for pickup on a weekend or prior to 4:00pm on the evening before scheduled pick-up. Please call with questions about special circumstances. Contact Information DPW Superintendent Gordon Kohles Phone: 201-487-1041 Recycling Center Address: 157 West Fort Lee Road Bogota, New Jersey 07603 Recycling Center Hours: 8:00am - 2:00pm (Monday - Friday) 9:00am - 1:00pm (Saturday) (Closed Sunday) Contact the DPW 2025 Trash Pickup and Recycling Calendar

Community Calendar Home / Community Calendar / The Bogota Community Calendar is maintained to provide residents with a quick resource for date, time and location of public meetings and events. Community organizations holding public events are encouraged to provide information about their event for publication on this calendar once approved by the administration. You are seconds away from getting this done. 🤩 
 ⚙️Google Calendar Connector and add your Google Calendar URL to connect. Open the Calendar of Events

Board of Health Environmental Commission Green Team Advisory Committee Library Board Planning and Zoning Board Menu Close Bogota Public Library Board Home / Library Board / Library Board Meeting Information The Bogota Library Board of Trustees meeting is held monthly at 7:00PM in compliance with the State of New Jersey Open Meetings Act; Chapter 231 P.L. 1975. Public participation is welcome at the meetings. Bogota Public Library Website Library Board Members President Rebecca Foster Vice-President Joanne Cursinella Secretary (OPEN) Treasurer Nate Kittner Borough Council Liaison Councilman William Horder Trustees Carmen Diaz James Insalaco Jennifer Van Vugt Mayor's Representative (Alternate) Robert Robbins

Department Links Animal Control Borough Administrator Borough Clerk Building Department Finance Department Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Municipal Court Office of Emergency Management Police Department Property Maintenance / Code Enforcement Public Works (DPW) Recycling Center Recreation Department Tax Assessor Tax Collector Animal Control Borough Administrator Borough Clerk Building Department Finance Department Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Municipal Court Office of Emergency Management Police Department Property Maintenance / Code Enforcement Public Works (DPW) Recycling Center Recreation Department Tax Assessor Tax Collector Menu Close Finance Department Home / Finance Department / Finance Department Functions The Finance Department is responsible for all financial transactions relating to the revenues and disbursements of the Borough. This department keeps a full account of all cash receipts and disbursements of the Borough, has custody of all investments and invested funds of the Borough in a fiduciary capacity, keeps all moneys not required for current operations safely invested or deposited in interest bearing accounts, handles the payroll for municipal employees, processes requisitions and purchase orders for payment. The Chief Financial Officer oversees the financial operations of the Borough. Mission Statement The mission of the Borough of Bogota Finance Department is to provide the highest degree of service to all the residents of the Borough of Bogota. The finance department accurately collects & appropriates all monies that are due to and for the Borough of Bogota. Contact Information Chief Financial Officer Greg Bock Phone: 201-342-1736 x221 Address: Bogota Municipal Building 375 Larch Avenue Bogota, New Jersey 07603 Office Hours: Accounts Payable 8:00am - 5:00pm (Monday and Wednesday) Chief Financial Officer 8:00am - 5:00pm (Tuesday and Thursday) Tax Collector 1:00pm - 4:00pm (Tuesday and Wednesday Tax Collectors Office 8:00am - 5:00pm (Monday - Thursday) 8:00am - 12:00pm (Friday) Contact the Borough Finance Department

Department Links Animal Control Borough Administrator Borough Clerk Building Department Finance Department Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Municipal Court Office of Emergency Management Police Department Property Maintenance / Code Enforcement Public Works (DPW) Recycling Center Recreation Department Tax Assessor Tax Collector Animal Control Borough Administrator Borough Clerk Building Department Finance Department Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Municipal Court Office of Emergency Management Police Department Property Maintenance / Code Enforcement Public Works (DPW) Recycling Center Recreation Department Tax Assessor Tax Collector Menu Close Tax Collector Home / Tax Collector / Helpful Information Here is some helpful information about your Real Estate Tax Payments: Your tax bill is divided into four payments. The bottom stubs are for the 3rd and 4th quarter payments of the current year and the top stubs are for the 1st and 2nd quarter payments (estimated) of the following year. The color of the tax bill will also change yearly. Taxes are due February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 of each year. There is a 10 day grace period before interest is added. Interest is calculated at 8% for the 1st $1,500.00 that is delinquent and 18% for any amount above that. Any property tax delinquency exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) at is subject to a six percent (6 %) year end penalty. As a statutory officer of the State of New Jersey, the tax collector is obligated to follow all state statutes regarding property tax collection, including billing, due dates, interest on delinquent tax payments, and tax sale procedures. The tax collector is required by state law to hold a tax sale each year for the prior year's unpaid municipal charges. If you do not pay your property taxes, a lien will be sold against the property for any unpaid taxes owed from the previous year.. Your property is not sold at the tax sale; a lien is placed on it. As needed, the Tax Office will mail delinquent notices to you as a reminder. However, interest charges have already been added and must be paid. Interest amounts change daily so it is important that you call the Tax Office for the current up-to-date amount that is owed, otherwise, your account will be left with an open principal balance. By November 11th of the current year, if you have any unpaid delinquent taxes, your property will be subject to a tax sale and a lien may be placed on your home or property. Remember, it is your responsibility to pay your Real Estate Taxes on time. By law, the Tax Office must collect interest on delinquencies. If you need assistance in understanding the breakdown of your tax bill, please do not hesitate to visit the Tax Office at Borough Hall or call (201-342-1736 ext. 229) and I will be more than happy to assist you. A tax payment box is conveniently located next to the main entrance at Borough Hall for after hours tax payment drop-offs. Please place your property tax check in the secure drop box on nights, weekends or whenever the Tax Office is closed. Contact Information Borough Tax Collector Andrea Tarantula Phone: 201-342-1736 x228 Address: Bogota Municipal Building 375 Larch Avenue Bogota, New Jersey 07603 Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:00pm (Monday - Thursday) 8:00am - 12:00pm (Friday) Contact the Borough Tax Collector

Bogota Parks Home / Bogota Parks / Oscar E. Olsen Park Location: West Main Street Extension Located on West Main Street Extension along the Hackensack River, Olsen Park was originally known as Riverside Park. This park was established in the early 1950s under the guidance of Councilman Oscar E. Olsen, who also served as Mayor of Bogota from January 1956 through April 1956. The park was dedicated to his memory soon after. Sergeant Frank Pagano Park Location: Queen Anne Road at Beechwood and Elmwood Avenues Sergeant Frank Pagano grew up in Bogota and was veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was seriously wounded while fighting the enemy house to house in Seoul, South Korea and died of those wounds on September 26, 1950. More information about Sergeant Pagano's service to our country can be found here... Veterans Memorial Park / Bogota Community Garden Location: River Road and West Fort Lee Road Once known as Fireman's Park, Veterans Memorial Park was rededicated in 2024. Vincent F. Petrik Park Location: Leonia Avenue at East Broad Street Originally known as Frank Mills Park, named in honor of Bogota's oldest resident in 1969, this park was re-dedicated as Vincent F. Petrik Park in 2006. Mr. Petrik was a devoted volunteer, businessman and friend of many in Bogota for over 30 years in the 1970s - 2000s.

Map of Bogota Home / Map of Bogota /