Both a local attorney and a North Bergen resident complained at last week’s North Bergen Board of Commissioners meeting that the town is not communicating enough information to the public about meetings, as they are supposed to do by state law.
The two residents said the town was not adequately abiding by the state’s Open Public Meetings Act. Also dubbed the “Sunshine” law, the act requires town boards to give the public advanced notice of their meetings. It specifies where the notice is to be published, and how far in advance.
The act also requires that public bodies make available an agenda – to the extent that it is known – of the meeting at least 48 hours before it takes place. According to the law: “A 48-hour written notice must also be given for any regular, special, adjourned or unscheduled meeting giving the time, date, location and as complete an agenda as known at time of notice.”
“I don’t understand where the compliance with the Sunshine law is.” – Mario Blanch
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“I’m pointing out its secrecy,” said Shaw. “It’s supposed to be an open public [record].”
“We’re working on putting these things on the website,” North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco said in response. “It’s going to take a couple of months.”
Later, West New York-based attorney and North Bergen native Mario Blanch made similar charges. Blanch has represented political opponents of the mayor.
“I don’t believe these meetings have been properly noticed pursuant to the Open Meetings Act,” said Blanch, charging that an adequate agenda was not supplied within 48 hours of the meeting.
“My question to you is,” continued Blanch, “does the mayor or does the board believe that this meets the guidelines of the Sunshine law?”
Blanch represented the “Citizens for Change” mayor/commissioner ticket in their unsuccessful election bid against Sacco’s team last year. He also represents former town employee Lydia Coleman, who filed a state ethics complaint against Sacco in December.
Blanch claimed that notices or agendas of upcoming meetings were not posted on the bulletin board in Town Hall where people could see them. The act requires that the notice be prominently posted in a public place, typically in the municipal building.
“I don’t understand where the compliance with the Sunshine law is,” Blanch said.
“Our procedures are fully in accord with the Sunshine law,” said Herb Klitzner, town attorney. “Regularly scheduled meetings require no specific agenda.”
Town officials also told Blanch that they could discuss the matter in full after the meeting.
“I plan on filing a lawsuit because I don’t believe these meetings have been in compliance,” Blanch said.
Departmental changes
Right after the meeting, 10 new police recruits were sworn in at Town Hall: Alex Barrios, Christine Scarpato-Guzman, Nader Awadallah, Patrick Corless, Hector Botello, Dylan Modarelli, Ronald Pobutkiewicz, Alberto Berovides, Eric Crafton, and Kevin Rodriguez.
According to Captain Robert Dowd, there were 21 recent retirements in the department.
“We hired seven first-class [recruits] six months ago,” said Dowd, “and we just hired another 10 today.”
Attendees at the ceremony included Sacco, Public Safety Director Theresa Ferraro, Police Chief William Galvin, and Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari.
Other matters
Sacco and the Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation declaring Friday, Feb. 3 “National Wear Red Day for Women”.
According to the proclamation, nearly as many women die of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases than the next four leading causes of death combined. The proclamation detailed the town’s hopes to participate in the day in order increase women’s awareness about heart disease and stroke.
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.