Guttenberg town council chambers were decorated with pink ribbons and balloons in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month during the meeting on Monday, Oct. 22. Three new members were appointed to the Planning Board, and three police officers were honored with Officer of the Month for their valiant efforts in the line of duty.
For the month of July, Officer Martin Rysiec was honored for conducting a motor vehicle stop that resulted in an investigation for grand theft of large quantity of marijuana and a hand gun that was found in the vehicle.
“He’s better than having a K9 out there when it comes to narcotics,” said Captain Joel Maggenheimer. He vowed that any criminal who attempts to sell drugs in Guttenberg will be stopped in their tracks. “If you want to sell drugs come to Guttenberg, we’ll see how far you get.”
For September, Officer Shaundell Barker and Sgt. Juan Barrera, who are a part of the investigation unit, were acknowledged for a case that began in August. The case was a six week investigation for narcotics that proved bigger than expected, and the State Police were asked to assist in the investigation. $350,000 was confiscated, plus a large amount of narcotics, three automobiles and two firearms.
“I think we probably have the best police department in Hudson County right now.” – Mayor Gerald Drasheff
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“It’s always a pleasant occasion when we have new promotions or new police officers,” said Drasheff.
Eckenrode has been a special police officer and when a vacancy came up he was accepted into the force.
“He’s a continuation of a long line of special officers that have come in and worked for us for a couple of years and moved on to be full-time police officers,” said Drasheff.
Singletary is new to Guttenberg Police, and comes from the Sherriff’s Department.
Both were placed on a probationary period at the end of 12 months beginning Oct. 23. The mayor expressed confidence they would be more than capable to handle the work ahead of them.
“You have some big shoes to fill, but I’m sure you’ll be able to do it, welcome,” said Drasheff.
“I think we probably have the best police department in Hudson County right now. You see in the papers what type of work they do, I’m proud every day.”
Improvements
A contract was awarded to Design Decorators, Inc. for holiday decorations done to the Municipal Building and the streets of Guttenberg in the amount of $5,490, which was the lowest bid.
A bond ordinance was introduced and adopted for improvements to 68th Street that includes paving. The bond appropriates $250,000, which includes a $100,000 NJDOT grant, a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant and a down payment of $50,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund.
Phase I for The Waterfront Park improvements, which is a shared park between Guttenberg and North Bergen, was introduced and adopted as a bond ordinance in the amount of $167,787 obtained by a Green Acres Grant.
Businesses were presented with certificates for their continued support with the Summer Recreation Program. Drasheff thanked Councilwoman Monica Fundora for soliciting many of the businesses.
The businesses acknowledged were Benny’s Deli & Liquor; Falcon Remodeling General Contractor Corp.; Good Eats Restaurant; Island Container Corp.; Las Palmas Restaurant; Muni Laundromat; Nancy Catello; Noches De Colombia Restaurant; Phoenix Trucking; Pinacle Supermarket; Rabelo’s Meat Market, and Torches Et. Inc.
“Most of these businesses supported a team, had their names on team jerseys and caps,” said Drasheff. “We hope they’ll be supporting us again next year.”
Joseph Schneider was one person acknowledged who showed up to the meeting.
“He’s a long time resident, has a business in Guttenberg, he’s always been there when we need him,” said Drasheff. “He was the single largest contributor we had to the Rec program.”
Jacqueline Diaz was appointed Senior Finance Clerk to the Finance Department for a six month probationary period starting Nov. 7, 2012 and ending April 7, 2013.
Three new members were appointed to The Planning / Zoning Board. They are: William Hokien, David Jurman as Alternate 1 replacing William Hokien and Mayra Amaral as Alternate 2 to replace Greg Allen. Hokien’s term expires Dec. 31, 2013, Jurman’s and Amaral’s expire Dec. 31, 2016.
The Hudson County Prosecutor and the state Attorney General have requested the town have an alternate municipal prosecutor. T.J. Legg, Esq. was appointed as the Alternate Municipal Prosecutor. The position will not have a salary or benefits but will be paid per diem. The position will expire on Dec. 31, 2012.
Vanessa Cruz can be reached at vcruz@hudsonreporter.com