Voters approve school referendum
Voters approved the $27.4 million school construction project in a special election on Tuesday, Dec. 10, by a decisive 66 to 33 percent margin.
“The need for a new middle school was real,” said Mayor Michael Gonnelli. “I’m disappointed in the voter turnout, but happy about the outcome. This new school will continue to move our children and our community in the right direction.”
Only 1,183 residents cast ballots on the referendum.
Now work can begin on a “true” middle school for the town, rather than one connected to the high school. The project will also open up classroom and other space in both the Huber Street and Clarendon elementary schools and Secaucus High School that can be used to accommodate the municipality’s increased school population.
The project includes construction of new academic classrooms, a technology lab, science classrooms, and a new main/guidance office.
The improvements would be financed by issuing bonds, school officials said.
Secaucus taxpayers will actually only be responsible for $20.4 million following the state’s $7 million contribution to the project.
Secaucus PBA Local 84 hosting annual toy drive
Secaucus Police Benevolent Association Local 84 is conducting its annual toy drive to benefit the youngsters of local families and hospitalized children until Dec. 20.
“The residents of Secaucus have long supported this event, which enables the PBA to bring holiday cheer to those who might not otherwise have a happy holiday,” said retired captain Joseph Kickey.
Individuals are asked to deposit unwrapped, new toys in the box located in the lobby of the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center, 1379 Paterson Plank Rd. The box will remain accessible until collection on the 20th.
“I thank in advance all those who I know will contribute, as they have in past years, to bring happiness to the less fortunate in our community and those in the hospital,” Kickey said.
Jersey Cares holds its 18th annual coat drive; dropoff in Secaucus
Here’s an easy way to make a difference this winter. Take that new or gently used winter coat and donate it to Jersey Cares for its 18th annual coat drive.
From now through early next year, Jersey Cares plans to collect and distribute more than 60,000 “gently used” winter coats to men, women, and children in need throughout New Jersey.
The Secaucus drop-off site is the Lenox Outlet, 60 Enterprise Ave. North. Coats will be accepted Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Dec. 31.
This year, The Jersey Cares Coat Drive is partnering with the 2014 NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee, Wal-Mart, and New York Cares.
Over the past 17 years, Jersey Cares has collected, sorted, and distributed more than 400,000 coats to New Jersey residents.
For more information, call (201) 319-1980.
Statewide apartment group throwing holiday party for kids
The New Jersey Apartment Association’s Charitable Fund (NJAA Charitable Fund) will entertain more than 1,000 children from underserved communities across North Jersey at its invitation-only 16th Annual Children’s Holiday Party on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center.
Children will enjoy dancing, face painting, balloon art, hugs from their favorite characters including Elmo, Dora, and SpongeBob SquarePants, and a visit with the man in red, himself, Santa Claus.
Each child will receive a present of his or her choice, according to a spokeswoman.
Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli has been invited to attend.
Space for the party was donated by Secaucus-based leasing company, Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc.
CoreSite’s new data center opens in Secaucus
CoreSite Realty Corporation, a provider of data center products and services, announced that its NY2 facility, located in Secaucus, opened on Dec. 2.
NY2 is a 280,000-square-foot data center, which will connect to CoreSite’s NY1 facility located in Manhattan to create one of the most powerful, network-dense, campuses on the East Coast.
The New York campus hosts a rich community of enterprises, financial services providers, ISPs, Cloud providers, and more than 70 domestic and international carriers.
Resident named top author
Melissa Pettignano of Secaucus was named to the 2013 list of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” by The Authors Show for her book, “Suzanne Lantana: A Collection of Short Stories Fiction and Non-Fiction.”
“It is a book to let every young girl and boy know they can make it through anything and the light is always at the end of the tunnel,” Pettignano said.
You can find her story on the web.
Program on winter solstice offered by environmental center
“Winter Solstice Celebration,” a program for all ages – will be offered by the Meadowlands Environmental Center, Two DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, on Thursday, Dec. 19, from 7 to 9 p.m.
“Welcome the return of the sun,” said spokesman Brian Aberback. “Learn about the history of the solstice, make a solstice craft, and enjoy celebratory food and drink!”
Adults must accompany children. The program cost is $5 per person for the public; $4 per person for MEC members.
Registration is recommended. To do so, call (201) 460-8300 or visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.