The local health boards are a crucial part of every community. These boards are responsible for creating programs to administer flu vaccinations, marriage licenses among other health related matters.

Yet Northvale’s public Health Board is on a temporary hiatus, putting many of its functions on hold.

The borough council is to blame for this problem. Members decided not to re-appoint 20-year member Martha Rooney, the wife of Assemblyman John Rooney. Two long-standing Health Board members Alice English and Kathleen McCormack subsequently decided to resign, leaving the agency without a quorum — meaning there is not enough members to advance any programs, or hold meetings.

Republican council members called the non-appointment an oversight, while Democrats alleged that it is Martha’s husband, the assemblyman, who had something to do with it.

Mayor John Hogan did attempt to add a new member to the board, but that motion was blocked by the Republican bloc.

So, the Health Board remains inactive, even though it is a critical part of the community. Officials said an appointment could be made at the April 9 meeting, but considering the politics that have been played by this governing body, April 9 could come and go with no action.