The Guttenberg Town Council ended the year-long celebration of the municipality’s 150th Anniversary at their May 24th meeting by honoring several residents who had contributed to the community.
Anna L. Klein School students were asked last year to take part in an essay contest asking them to write about anything related to Guttenberg’s past. All the students who participated received “a little package” of 150th anniversary mementos.
Six students, who wrote on a variety of subjects like the fire and police department’s history, were recognized for their essays with $50 savings bonds. Tevin Torres and Natalie De La Rosa were present to receive theirs.
Guttenberg resident Joanna Torres also received a bond for her essay, and another essay of hers was chosen as the Veterans Essay Contest Hudson County winner. Drasheff will read her essay at their Memorial Day services on Monday, May 31.
When the celebration began last year, the council invited the five longest continuous residents to the first event. Rose Gunther, Ann Keating and Eleanor Mueller attended the festivities last Monday.
“One of the things I did at the opening ceremonies [was I said] if you happen to see these people in the streets, there’s a lot of history in their head of the town… so you should stop and talk to them,” said Drasheff. “We wanted to recognize them again.”
The town also held a house decorating contest, which Carol and Bob Gebhardt won with a banner they displayed in front of their residence. Drasheff said that they will now find a place in town hall for the banner. Gunther was also recognized for her home.
Building to be demolished
The council voted to proceed with the demolition of a building at 300-302 68th Street, which it purchased last year largely through grant funds. The town hopes that a dual school extension and town recreation center will eventually be built on the property.
Last year Guttenberg bought the property at $650,000 with the help of a $540,000 Open Space Trust Fund grant and issued a bond to raise the remaining money.
Drasheff had previously stated that he believed the entire project would cost around $25 million.
“We are less optimistic as we were six months ago when we purchased the property.” He said was still hopeful they would receive more grant funds.
However, the council did not want to leave a vacant building on the site in the meantime, so they approved a $65,770 contract with C. Royce, LLC of Butler, N.J. to tear down the structure. Drasheff said the demolition is being funded through grants.
While the area might not immediately become a recreation center, he said there was a possibility of a “pocket park” or some other function it could serve in the meantime, but that the council wasn’t ready to make that decision yet.
Bars closed for noise
After a disciplinary hearing on May 3, two bars were ordered closed for three days as a penalty for “unreasonable noise.”
Bernar Corporation, the owner of Cosmo 2000, 7001 Jackson St., pleaded guilty and was ordered to remain closed for three days beginning on June 2. If another violation occurs within a two-year period, another seven day penalty will be imposed.
Another bar operated by Sosa & Sosa, Inc., called La Perla Del Sur, 6714 Bergenline Ave., pleaded guilty to the same charge and must also close on the same dates. The bar was also put on probation for two years.
Negotiated health benefits into contract
After completing contract negotiations with unionized town employees who are members of Teamsters Local 11, the council passed a resolution requiring those employees beginning May 21 to pay 1.5 percent of their salaries toward their health insurance, a requirement that recently became state law for union employees negotiating new contracts.
Drasheff said in this new contract they were also able to increase the amount of co-pay employees contribute for prescriptions, as well as restructure their holiday schedule so there are additional work days in the year.
Honors Klein basketball team
The council also honored the Klein School’s boys and girls basketball teams, who both had a successful season. Drasheff said they hope to take them to a minor league baseball or soccer game this summer.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.