Saying a security project will piggyback on work already done by the Bayonne Police Department, members of the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority voted to move ahead with installing security cameras and lights throughout the former Military Ocean Terminal.
Using a $1.1 million grant with $300,000 of its own money, the BLRA will install 18 movable cameras with lighting to help boost security in what has become one of the busiest port facilities on the East Coast.
BLRA Executive Director Joseph Nichols said with year-round cruise port operations, roll off container operations, a soon to be operational ferry terminal, and a dry dock facility that repairs military ships, security is necessary throughout the 432-acre site.
Because the city police installed a similar system to watch over other at-risk areas of the city – such as the chemical storage facilities and within public parks – Nichols said the BLRA would not have to go out for public bid, but could tie the new system into the police system.
“This allows us to tie into the exiting system.” – Joseph Nichols
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Last year, the Police Department established the camera system with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice and Homeland Security, and with emergency management grants from the State of New Jersey and the County of Hudson. Twenty cameras were installed in various locations throughout the city, monitored through the communications center at the Police Department.
Nichols said the city will use exactly the same technology as the Police Department so that the MOTBY system can tie into the police system.
“This allows us to tie into the exiting system,” Nichols said.
This is a wireless system, and the units will be powered by solar energy.
New security measures at the MOTBY went into effect late in 2008 with the start of Port America’s car import-export operations and the opening of a new berth for Royal Caribbean cruise ships located close to the public areas near Harbor View Park.
A checkpoint was established to check incoming cars while cruise ships are in port in order to comply with Coast Guard maritime security rules.
Mayor Mark Smith, who is chairman of the Public Safety Committee for the New Jersey Mayors Municipal Issues Meeting, emphasized security as one of the key concerns in a report to President Barack Obama in December.
Bayonne looking good in lawsuit
Nichols said legal arguments in the lawsuit filed against the BLRA by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey went well, and that he is confident the BLRA will prevail.
Attorneys representing the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey argued in the state Appellate Division on Jan. 14 that the BLRA’s move to cancel a signed contract with the Port Authority last year for the purchase of 93 acres on the MOTBY for $50 million was unlawful. The BLRA used a technicality to void the sale and resell the land to Ports America for $50 million.
“The judges said they would rule ‘soon,’ whatever that means,” Nichols said. “But I believe we made a good case.”
The Port Authority filed its suit against the BLRA in November 2007, but lost its case in Superior Court in mid-2008.
Reorganization meeting
In other business, the BLRA held a reorganization meeting that re-elected Howard Fitch as chairman and Henry Sanchez as vice chairman.
The board also approved a $190,000 contract to Clarke Caton Hintz for planning, urban design, and landscape architectural services. This is a reduction from last year’s contract, which was originally $225,000 but had several amendments over the year that increased the fees paid. Nichols said the planning services this year include the rest of the Bayonne Bay development district, plus the review of six proposals for development the BLRA received in December.
The BLRA also reappointed Allied Risk Management Services to oversee insurance needs, the firm fee paid out of a Joint Insurance Fund, to which BLRA is a member.