Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Oakland, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Oakland, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Oakland, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933
Tugboats, a New York City icon, were steam-driven in the 17th Century.As the industrial revolution evolved, as many as 700 engine-driven tugs could be seen in the New York Harbor’s waters, moving millions of tons of freight, immigrants coming to America and GI servicemen serving in wars.With the advent of railroads, trucking, and airplanes, fewer tugboats are in use today. Nevertheless, tugboats are still a vital part of the movement of barges and ships filled with oil, grains and other important goods.Peter Festa,...
Tugboats, a New York City icon, were steam-driven in the 17th Century.
As the industrial revolution evolved, as many as 700 engine-driven tugs could be seen in the New York Harbor’s waters, moving millions of tons of freight, immigrants coming to America and GI servicemen serving in wars.
With the advent of railroads, trucking, and airplanes, fewer tugboats are in use today. Nevertheless, tugboats are still a vital part of the movement of barges and ships filled with oil, grains and other important goods.
Peter Festa, 27, dreamed of having a career as a sea mariner. How did he, a lifelong resident of Oakland, find his way to employment in one of the world’s largest and busiest harbors, the New York Harbor?
“I was not seeking adventure, but I was open to it,” he says. “The path I took after high school and my time as apprentice in the maritime industry has definitely given me the best experiences of my life.”
From early on, Festa stayed focused on his goal.
“I went to Oakland schools, then to Don Bosco, where I was on the Crew Team. I graduated in 2013 and had dreams of going to the Naval Academy or the Coast Guard Academy, but I didn’t want to have to wade through the academic part of it.”
Festa studied at Suni Maritime College for 2 ½ years and attended Montclair State University for three semesters.
“Then I heard about the Seafarers’ Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Maryland, a trade school where I could actually study maritime skills and become an apprentice on deep-sea ships,” he explains. “From there, I could join the Seafarers’ International Union.”
Festa enrolled in the apprentice program at Lundeberg.
“Thanks to people in the industry, I was able to find and target a career path that fit me perfectly.”
Festa was assigned by the Lundeberg School to Crowley Ships’ cargo carriers as an on-deck apprentice. The ships carried tons of grain, fuel and military vehicles to ports around the world.
“The first part of my apprenticeship began in Oregon, where I boarded the ship Ocean Glory,” he says. “We sailed from Oregon, across the Pacific to Oman through the Suez Canal. We unloaded our cargo of grain and sailed back to Houston. It was smooth seas mostly and I was thinking about all I was experiencing.”
Before the Ocean Glory returned to Houston, Texas, Festa was informed that the 86-day journey to Oman was short of the required 90 days at sea. He was told he had to ship out again on another trip to meet his requirement.
“After a layover in Houston, we set sail across the Atlantic Ocean, crossing the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal heading for Djibouti, Africa, on the ship USNS Sgt. William R. Button,” he says.
“As we passed through the Suez Canal, I stood security watches as a look-out eight hours a day alongside an armed security team we had on board. I remember seeing the sandy shores of Egypt and thinking that was very cool.”
The ship completed its delivery of grain in the Port of Djibouti and set sail for Japan crossing the Indian Ocean, which was in turmoil.
”Our ship had a rough time crossing the ocean to Japan,” he says. “The ship was rolling and pitching side-to-side and port-to-starboard almost the whole way. Finally, we reached Kobe, Japan and delivered our cargo of grain and military vehicles.”
From Tokyo, Festa flew home to resume his course work at Lundeberg for five weeks until it was time to ship out on his final sea journey heading to the isolated Mariana Islands way out in the Pacific, stopping in Guam and Saipan, islands which both saw furious battles between American and Japanese soldiers during WWII.
“On the long trip home, I realized how much I had learned about myself in the eleven months sailing around the world,” he says. “I saw the differences in cultures and I was amazed at the places I had been to. It was a tremendous experience and it affected me. I realized the value of traveling to other places.”
Coming home to Oakland, having completed his maritime courses and sailing requirements, Festa now actively sought a place to begin his career as a member of the Seafarers’ International Union using all that his apprenticeship and course work had taught him.
“I had sailed on the deep sea, saw a large part of the world, but I felt I had been away on the sea too long and far away from everything I know.”
Festa decided that, for now, working from home is what he wanted to do.
“Since September of 2021, I’ve been working for Centerline Logistics in Bayonne, New Jersey, as a member of the Seafarers’ International Union on Tugboat Andria that services barges and ships that arrive in the New York Harbor. It’s an area from the Kill van Kull and the New York Harbor to the Newark Bay Channel. Ninety percent of the time we move fuel barges from dockside to ship (bunkering) or we move barges to the Statue of Liberty where they are anchored until needed.”
Festa’s work schedule is two weeks aboard the tugboat and two weeks off.
“I’m on watch from midnight to 6 a.m., then I sleep until 12 noon. At noon, I have another watch until 6 p.m., then sleep until midnight,” Festa explains. “A ‘watch’ consists of maneuvering the tugboat and making the connection with the barge. I’m also responsible for cleaning and organizing equipment and other steward duty.”
Festa has just the schedule that suits him.
“I’m on duty and live on the tug for two weeks, then I’m off two weeks and come home to Oakland. I like to tell my friends I work only half a year. The pay is very good and so is my schedule.”
His parents are happy and proud Festa has achieved his goals and is enjoying his work as a mariner.
“My parents have supported me all the way,” he notes. “In the future, I will have more options. I might try another type of vessel, like a small, private cruise ship that’s for charter. This job is the best kept secret in the U.S. It pays good, solid money and the lifestyle is great, as long as you have no problem with sailing.
“I have a message for the young people coming out of school: Don’t forget to consider the maritime industry. It’s a great option. Consider a maritime academy or trade school for your education and for your future.”
Terri Casaleggio is a contributing writer for the newsletter.
Hackensack, N.J. - September 7, 2022 - Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco announces that the County of Bergen will open a new small business grant program utilizing federal American Rescue Plan monies. The application portal to apply will go live tomorrow, Wednesday, September 7th at 8 a.m. on www.BergenCountyARP.org.This new program will provide up to $2,500 to small businesses who incurred costs or expenses resulting from business closure,...
Hackensack, N.J. - September 7, 2022 - Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco announces that the County of Bergen will open a new small business grant program utilizing federal American Rescue Plan monies. The application portal to apply will go live tomorrow, Wednesday, September 7th at 8 a.m. on www.BergenCountyARP.org.
This new program will provide up to $2,500 to small businesses who incurred costs or expenses resulting from business closure, partial closure, or business interruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Priority will be given to Bergen County businesses that are registered with the State of New Jersey as a Women Business Enterprise, Minority Business Enterprise, Veteran-Owned Small Business, or a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business on a first-come, first-served basis.
“In Bergen County, small business is the heart of both our economy and community,” said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco. “That’s why my administration remains committed to supporting small business and this new round of funding further builds upon the significant action already taken by the County’s economic development team to brunt the financial impact of the pandemic and further enhance opportunities for overall economic growth in Bergen County.”
“Bergen County is wholly committed to ensuring that our small businesses continue to thrive,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Tracy Silna Zur. “Investing in their success and helping our small business community heal is the best investment Bergen County can make.”
To qualify for the Bergen County ARP Small Business Grant Program businesses must fall under the following criteria:
Priority for the first three weeks of the program will also be given to applicants who did not receive funds from the 2020 Bergen County CARES Small Business Grant Program. If funds remain after the initial three week period, applicants who previously received funds from the program will become eligible.
This new round of small business funding builds upon several efforts already taken by the County of Bergen to brunt the financial impact of the pandemic and spur new economic growth. In 2020, the County rolled out several phases of the Bergen County CARES Small Business Grant Program, ultimately administering $55.6 million dollars to nearly 4,000 Bergen County businesses with 30 employees or less. Then in early 2022, the County launched the Bergen Business Resource Network (BBRN) by forging a unique partnership with Bergen Community College and several local workforce resource agencies. The network offers free consulting to small businesses and provides metrics on how a business compares against their competition within a specific industry, thanks to the acquisition of the data tool “SizeUp.” Finally, early this summer the County launched the Bergen County Economic Resiliency Advisory Committee, a task force that brings together local industry leaders to identify options, alternatives, and recommendations to maintain our County’s position of economic strength and build upon it for sustainable growth.
The Bergen County ARP Small Business Grant Program is funded through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Federal relief fund. For more information, please visit www.BergenCountyARP.org. Administrative questions regarding the grant program can also be sent to [email protected].
OAKLAND, N.J. -- Questions are still being asked about the source of a loud noise that was heard across northern New Jersey.Residents reported hearing ...
OAKLAND, N.J. -- Questions are still being asked about the source of a loud noise that was heard across northern New Jersey.
Residents reported hearing an earth-shaking boom. But what was it?
Michael Mikulich was getting into his car Wednesday afternoon at a strip mall in Oakland when something didn't seem right.
"That's when I heard the boom," he said.
His service dog was by his side.
"She kind of put her ears back and looked at me, like 'Whoa, what was that?'" he said.
Barbara Beucler, from Franklin Lakes, said her frightened daughter called her.
"She was sitting in a room and she said she heard the lamp shake and she felt the house kind of move a little bit, and she didn't know what was going on," said Beucler.
The loud boom and vibration was heard across northern New Jersey at around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Hundreds of residents posted comments on a Volcano Discovery forum.
One said, " ... heard a loud noise that made us literally search the horizon for a mushroom cloud. We thought we were being bombed."
Some residents questioned if the sound came from a quarry in Riverdale just off Route 287 or the one in Mount Hope.
"There's explosions going on all the time," said Brian Mason.
CBS2 has learned there was no activity at the Riverdale quarry.
Other people wondered if the rumbling came from the Picatinny Arsenal, the U.S. Army research base in Rockaway Township.
A spokesperson told us the only activity there was at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday when they disposed of munitions.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it wasn't an earthquake, either.
"Temperature inversion, sonic booms, weather conditions. There's always the possibility that it could be something from an old Skunk Works thing, where the military has Black Ops. It could be something they're working on, experimental," said Peter Trabucco, an aviation expert.
Back in 2016, a loud rumbling heard in southern New Jersey turned out to be from a fighter jet on a naval exercise that caused a sonic boom.
Similar loud booms and vibrations were reported in 2021 in southern and central New Jersey. The sources of those sounds are still a mystery.
Christine Sloan is an Emmy Award-winning reporter, who covers New Jersey for CBS 2 New York. Sloan re-joined the station in January 2023. She also worked at CBS 2 New York from 2004 to 2016.
OAKLAND — The future of the Crystal Lake Beach Club is in question following Tuesday's vote by members of the Ramapo Mountain Lakes former summer home community to dissolve their corporation.The vote directs the board to end the decades-long obligation of its 1,645-member homeowners to pay dues underwriting the care and insurance for the 26-acre Crystal Lake and 3.6-acre Mirror Lake created when the homes were built.The club was formed in 1948 when the community was founded and was initially restricted to i...
OAKLAND — The future of the Crystal Lake Beach Club is in question following Tuesday's vote by members of the Ramapo Mountain Lakes former summer home community to dissolve their corporation.
The vote directs the board to end the decades-long obligation of its 1,645-member homeowners to pay dues underwriting the care and insurance for the 26-acre Crystal Lake and 3.6-acre Mirror Lake created when the homes were built.
The club was formed in 1948 when the community was founded and was initially restricted to its member homes. The club was eventually opened to the public, which now constitutes about half its membership.
Board President Joseph Bove said Wednesday that residents were given 30 days to come forward with proposals to preserve the club, as well as its two lakes.
"It's one of the highest voter turnouts we've ever had, roughly 56% of the shareholders in good standing," Bove said.
The summer home community was built in the post-war 1940s on 700 acres of property operated in the 1900s as a dairy farm by Oakland's second mayor, Edward Page. Owners were given shares in the new community, and their obligations to underwrite the common facilities were filed with the county when it was created. But those obligations were never attached to individual deeds and were forgotten over time as the cottages were converted to year-round use.
Residents of the community were shocked when they began to receive dues statements from the Ramapo Mountain Lakes board in 2011 when memberships and volunteer donations no longer covered its annual costs. Many were not aware they were members and threw their notices away.
The board resorted to a lawsuit in 2016, winning a State Superior Court ruling in 2018 that the residents were indeed members and obligated to pay dues. They could have liens placed on their properties if they did not comply.
COURT OKS DUESRamapo Mountain Lakes can charge dues, place liens on homes, judge rules
While dues were graduated depending on proximity to one of the lakes, members who did not use or see the lakes from their homes took exception to the ruling. Estimates of $250,000 to repair the dam regulating Crystal Lake's depth and drainage into the Ramapo River have raised additional questions about future financial obligations.
Mayor Linda Schwager has declined comment.
OWNERS TO VOTEOakland households to vote on future of lake association after long dispute
"RML is a private corporation," Schwager said. "I am not a shareholder so I am not privy to their discussions."
Offers of interest should be emailed to Bove at [email protected]
OAKLAND — A 10-year dispute among 1,645 homeowners about their obligations to a 74-year-old lake association agreement under which their homes were built may finally be decided by vote next month.Ramapo Mountain Lakes board President Joseph Bove confirmed Wednesday that residents were being notified by email that paper ballots will be mailed shortly, and will decide whether the association will continue to collect fees and oversee the maintenance of its common areas.A shareholder meeting tentatively schedul...
OAKLAND — A 10-year dispute among 1,645 homeowners about their obligations to a 74-year-old lake association agreement under which their homes were built may finally be decided by vote next month.
Ramapo Mountain Lakes board President Joseph Bove confirmed Wednesday that residents were being notified by email that paper ballots will be mailed shortly, and will decide whether the association will continue to collect fees and oversee the maintenance of its common areas.
A shareholder meeting tentatively scheduled for Nov. 22 will announce the results.
"Guidelines require mail notification take place 14 days prior to the vote," Bove said. "Depending on the vote, we will have two agendas ready, one to dissolve the association, and one to determine how it will continue."
The bucolic private club spread over 700 acres at the borough's center began as a summer-home retreat in 1948, on land formerly known as Edward Page's dairy farm. Owners were stockholders, but the obligations tied to that membership were only filed with the county. They were not included in individual property deeds and were forgotten over time as homes changed hands and were converted for year-round use.
Members had exclusive access to the club's two lakes — Crystal and Mirror — when the complex opened. Friendships begun on the beach were solidified with year-round socializing at the association's clubhouse restaurant, tennis courts and swimming pool, at the intersection of Hiawatha Boulevard and Mountain Lakes Road in the servant quarters of Page's De Tweelingen estate.
It was only after the clubhouse burned to the ground in the 1980s that residents lost touch with one another and their shared obligations. By 2006, the private club was forced to open Crystal Lake Beach Club membership to the paying public when only 60 of the 1,645 households signed up for season passes.
In 2012, the association found itself in need of further financial support and began sending dues notices to member homes based on their proximity to the lakes. However, it took until 2018 for the courts to rule that the residents were indeed members of the association and required to finance their share of the upkeep.
Those who did not pay their dues were subject to liens on their homes.
Dues have increased over time and now stand at $539.43 per year for the 62 homes surrounding Crystal Lake, $131.89 per year for 21 households around Mirror Lake, and $65.94 per year for the remaining residents.
Todd Horn, who has lived on Manito Avenue, 1.7 miles from Crystal Lake, since 2003, says he wants nothing to do with the association as currently configured.
"Liability is my biggest concern," Horn said. "The dues started at $50 a year, but that's not where it's going to end. There is a 36-inch drain pipe that needs fixing. What if someone drowns in the lake? We have senior residents living here on limited incomes."
An additional cause for concern is the proposed 150-unit townhouse/apartment development a mile uphill from Crystal Lake, north of Indian Hills High School. Runoff from the site will enter Pond Brook, which feeds into Crystal Lake. Developers estimate only a 1% increase in runoff, but residents are skeptical.
"To what degree do the developers want to be good stewards of Oakland?" Adam Elkin of Lakeshore Drive asked at the project's September hearing. "If they are building more, they should help offset the burden."
Cindy Holdefehr of Lakeshore Drive is among those who want the current administration to continue and has organized a Save Our Lakes group that wants to keep the present governing structure.
"It is protection for our lakes financially and ecologically," Holdefehr said. "I think if changes are made to the board structure to reflect our varying interests, we can work this out."
Ramapo Mountain Lakes has posted on its website a multi-step process to dissolve the current board and replace it with an Oakland Waterways and Lakes Conservancy. Instead of one overarching board, separate groups would be formed to manage the beach club, with separate homeowner associations for Crystal and Mirror Lake residents.
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Save Our Lakes attorney Matthew Earle questioned this proposal in a Sept. 12 letter to Ramapo Mountain Lakes attorney Brian Hannon. He suggested that the state Department of Environmental Protection's Safe Dam Act may not allow the current members to dissolve their responsibility for lake upkeep. He also suggested that a transfer of the board's assets would require a two-thirds majority vote.
"Transfer of the lakes to a shell entity with insufficient resources to maintain the dam for the express purpose of avoiding dam liability would in no way excuse Ramapo Mountain Lakes or its constituent owners from responsibility for the dam," Earle stated.
In response, Hannon told Save Our Lakes the board is willing to listen to a proposal to take title of one or both of the lakes, and how it would be funded.
"The board is in the process of vetting at least one other option at this time but if Save Our Lakes wants to submit a proposal the board feels it prudent to consider same to determine the best course of action moving forward," Hannon said.
