The Town Council had a genial and productive meeting last week, the governing body’s first session with newly appointed 1st Ward councilwoman Dawn McAdam.
Although McAdam was privately sworn in immediately after she was appointed to her seat by the Secaucus Democratic Committee on March 3, she and other members of the council had requested a public swearing in at the council meeting. With her husband, daughter, and members of the community looking on, McAdam was sworn in again shortly after the meeting began and became only the second woman in the history of the town to serve on the council.
The oath of office was the most residents heard from McAdam last Tuesday. Although she voted on all matters that came up for a vote, she made no other additional comments and appeared to be taking notes and getting acquainted.
McAdam’s votes will be closely watched.
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It remains to be seen whether McAdam will consistently vote with the Mayor Dennis Elwell and the two Democratic Town Councilmen, or whether she will occasionally vote with the Independent faction of the council.
McAdam’s votes will be closely watched. In 2000 she ran for the Town Council as an Independent. But this year, the Democrats tapped her to replace Richard Kane after he stepped down from the 1st Ward council seat. She is also running on Elwell’s Democratic ticket in the June primary for council.
Taxicab ordinance amended
The Town Council unanimously passed an amendment to Secaucus’ taxicab ordinance. It increases the number of Secaucus-based taxi licenses from six to eight, allowing more services to operate in town. The local hotels had complained about the quality of taxis available to service their customers.
A slightly different version of this ordinance was tabled after taxi owners complained that it would hurt their businesses. With business down as much as 30 percent from last year because of the bad economy, two local cab owners – Acess and Allied Junction Taxi owner Mohammed Aboushaca and Frank Gregorio, owner of Good Fellas – told the council last month that authorizing more companies to operate in Secaucus would further cut into their dwindling profits.
Town Administrator David Drumeler worked out the compromise after meeting with Aboushaca and Gregorio.
Comments from the public
During the public comments portion of the meeting, 1st Ward council candidate Joseph Morano stated the town still needs a dedicated taxi stand somewhere in the Plaza area.
In the past, taxis were permitted to sit in the large parking lot outside of CVS. Most times of the day customers could find several cabs waiting in the lot for work. Last summer, however, the owner of the lot told taxi owners they would have to start paying rent if they wanted to continue using the lot. Since then it has become nearly impossible to hail a cab from the street.
“We are looking into setting up a stand or maybe a call box someplace where people can call for a cab and have one come quickly,” Elwell responded.
Grassy dog run needed?
Councilman Gary Jeffas asked if the dog run next to the Secaucus Animal Shelter on Meadowlands Parkway could be seeded with grass, or whether a second, grass-covered dog run could be created somewhere else in town. He said some dog owners don’t the like current dog run because it’s “dilapidated and muddy,” leaving shoes and paws filthy when residents leave the run.
Elwell noted that the “mud” at the run isn’t really mud, but actually a material that was purposely laid down at the site because it’s easier for workers to clean up than a grassy field. He said, however, that he would be willing to discuss the possibility of setting up a grass-covered dog run elsewhere.
Voter registration deadline
Town Clerk Michael Marra reminded residents that this year’s school board elections will be held on April 21. Residents who wish to vote in that election must register by March 31. This date is also the deadline for registered voters to make address or name changes to their registration records.
Marra said his office will have extended hours on March 31 to allow residents to register to vote and make registration changes. His office will close at 9 p.m. that evening. The clerk’s office is on the second floor of the Municipal Center, located at 1203 Paterson Plank Road.
Residents can also register and make registration changes at the Hudson County clerk’s office in Jersey City.
Reach E. Assata Wright at awright@hudsonreporter.com.