Freeholders move ahead with new county school in Secaucus
On Nov. 12, members of the Hudson County Board of Freeholders reviewed early plans for a campus of the county’s public technical high school to be constructed on county property in Secaucus.
Frank Gargiulo, superintendent of Hudson County Schools of Technology, said the project is estimated to cost $160 million, with almost 60 percent being funded by the state. The school would house about 2,000 students, half during the day, half attending evening classes, nearly all of whom would be transported to the site by school bus. The freeholders, who will have to approve bonding for the project, are expected to move ahead with financing shortly. Construction would start in September 2016 and will be completed at some point in 2019.
Fire inspector admits to taking bribes to help prostitution businesses
A Jersey City fire inspector has admitted to accepting bribes to provide alleged prostitution businesses with certificates of occupancy and to give them advance notice of inspections or law enforcement activity, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Phillip Procaccino, 56, of Belleville, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of attempting to obstruct, delay, and affect interstate commerce by extortion under color of official right.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court Procaccino admitted that on Oct. 23, 2013, he accepted $2,500 in exchange for his official assistance in obtaining a certificate of occupancy for a massage parlor, which also operated as a prostitution business. Procaccino also offered to provide notice of impending inspections from Jersey City authorities so the owner and employees could preemptively hide evidence of prostitution.
In addition, Procaccino agreed to take 10 percent of a separate prostitution business’ future profits in exchange for a certificate of occupancy and one day’s advance notice of any police activity targeting the business. Both prostitution businesses were located in Jersey City.
The extortion count to which Procaccino pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of the greater of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss caused by the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2015.
“Procaccino was a long-time City employee hired by the previous administration, who worked in various departments. The current administration had started the process of disciplinary action months ago, documenting via civil service protocol, but we are pleased that based on his guilty plea today, Procaccino’s employment is officially terminated without lengthy procedures,” said city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill.
Nine PA police officers fired, three suspended as result of Hoboken bar incident
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Nov. 7 that its Office of Inspector General (OIG) has concluded a previously-announced investigation of an Aug. 23 graduation party of its 113th police recruit class and an ensuing gathering at a bar in Hoboken that evening. The authority’s OIG interviewed more than 100 police officers, customers and staff of the bar, local police officials and others, as well as reviewing relevant videotapes, social media communications, and other electronic messages.
As a result, nine probationary police officers are being terminated, and three additional probationary police officers are suspended for 30 days without pay and will have their probationary status extended for an additional year, according to the PA’s announcement.
In addition, three members of the Port Authority Police Academy staff who attended the events in question and two additional officers not on the academy staff will be subject to disciplinary proceedings; three of those five officers are supervisors.
Media accounts of the launch of the investigation quoted sources as saying the officers were allegedly drunk and rowdy, and that the bar staff called the Hoboken police who in turn notified the Port Authority police.
“This is a sad day for the Port Authority Police Department,” said Patrick Foye, executive director of the Port Authority.”We are extremely disappointed by the conduct of the probationary officers involved and appalled by the poor judgment of the academy staff members in attendance. The Port Authority is justly proud of the history and dedication of its police department and views the conduct in question as deeply troubling.”
In light of these developments and other concerns, the Port Authority said it is examining the entire candidate selection and training process to ensure that every stage is fair, focused and effective in producing officers with the skills and character necessary to carry out the critical mission of the Port Authority Police Department.
The disciplinary actions announced on Friday were recommended by Superintendent Michael Fedorko and Chief Security Officer Joseph Dunne. Commenting on the action, Port Authority Chairman John Degnan said: “Let the message be clear. Sworn police officers will be held to a high standard of conduct befitting their roles. The individuals who faced discipline today represent a very small percentage of a department that has otherwise distinguished itself for competence and valor.”
Draft study on alternate for harbor freight movement unveiled
The Port Authority and the Federal Highway Administration released this week a comprehensive Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Cross-Harbor Freight Program, which identifies alternatives to improve the movement of freight across the Hudson River and New York Harbor.
The study takes an in-depth look at 11 possible alternatives, including waterborne and rail-based options as well as a “no action” alternative. After receiving and considering public comment, the agencies will seek to focus on a more limited number of alternatives for further study and analysis. An extensive public comment period on the Tier 1 DEIS will now begin and will run until late February 2015. In addition, a series of public hearings in both New York and New Jersey will be held in early 2015. A Record of Decision, identifying an alternative or alternatives selected for further study, is expected in the summer of 2015.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the Cross Harbor Freight Program is available in Jersey City Library Reference Department, 2nd floor, at the Main Library (472 Jersey Ave.) in Jersey City, and two of its nine branches – Five Corners, 678 Newark Ave., and Greenville, 1841 Kennedy Blvd. – for viewing by the public.
Two other places in Jersey City to view the Draft Environmental Impact Statement are: City Clerk, City of Jersey City, 280 Grove St., Jersey City; and Hudson County Economic Development Corporation, 830 Bergen Ave., Jersey City.
All comments are to be made by Feb. 27, 2015, and can be done in four ways: verbally or in writing at the public hearings; via e-mail, crossharborstudy@ingroupinc.com with “Tier 1 DEIS Comment” in the subject line; via website, www.crossharborstudy.com; and via regular mail to Cross Harbor Freight Program, c/o InGroup Inc., P.O. Box 206, Midland Park, N.J. 07432.
Sikh Community offers hot meal drive
Mayor Steven M. Fulop and Ward B Councilman Khemraj “Chico” Ramchal will join the Sikh community for a celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, the founder of the Sikh religion during the “Let’s Share a Meal” event, which serves more than 5,000 people across various shelters in the tri-state area, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15.
In its fourth year, Nanak Naam Jahaj Gurudwara of Jersey City is organizing the “Let’s Share a Meal” event, which brings the Sikh community and local officials together to deliver food to shelters in an effort to establish equality, and to encourage volunteer service (Seva).
This year, the organization is partnering with the mayor’s office on the effort. The food will be prepared in the Jersey City Sikh temple, located at 1080 Westside Ave. in the community kitchen (Langar), an integral part of all Sikh temples, where volunteers will cook, wash utensils and serve food to all who visit throughout the day.
For more information on the program, please contact Nanak Naam Jahaj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) at (201) 432-1122 or Onkar Singh at (201) 726-6362 or Mahendra Singh at (609) 216-5403.
Moody’s upgrades Jersey City’s bond rating to A1
The financial investor’s service firm Moody’s has upgraded Jersey City’s municipal bond rating to A1 in a report issued on Nov. 12.
“This year we worked to expand the tax base, encourage the growth of our business community, and lower property taxes for our residents,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “But our fiscal planning has also focused on the long-term, specifically how we can create structurally sound operations, reduce debt service, and generate revenue. We are making Jersey City more fiscally sound while at the same time hiring police officers and firefighters, renovating parks and increasing recreational programming, and improving city infrastructure.”
According to the report issued by Moody’s, the service has assigned an A1 rating with a stable outlook to Jersey City’s $34.7 million General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014. Concurrently, Moody’s has upgraded Jersey City’s underlying general obligation rating to A1 with a stable outlook from A2 with a positive outlook, affecting $833 million of city and city-guaranteed long-term general obligation bonds.
Moody’s credited Jersey City with having an improved local economy with rising home values, income levels and PILOTS; borrowable liquidity outside of the current fund; a declining debt structure after 2016; and excess levy capacity under the 2 percent property tax levy cap. While Jersey City was upgraded, other large cities in New Jersey, as well as the State of New Jersey, have seen repeated downgrades from Moody’s.
“Jersey City, with its substantial $19.7 billion equalized value in 2014 (up from $17.7 billion in 2012), boasts the largest municipal tax base in the state,” reads the report.
Department of Health helps with enrollment for Obamacare
Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, will mark the opening of enrollment for 2015 coverage under the Affordable Care Act at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15 at City Hall, 280 Grove St. Enrollment specialists will be available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Joining Mayor Fulop at City Hall will be Jackie Cornell-Bechelli, director of Region II of U.S Department of Health & Human Services.
The enrollment period for Affordable Care runs from Nov. 15, 2014 through Feb. 15, 2015. Enrollment assistance will be provided by representatives from Horizon Healthcare, Metropolitan Family Health Network, North Hudson Community Action Corp., and Public Health Systems. Help will be available in English, Spanish and Tagalog.
During the event, the Jersey City Medical Center, Barnabas Health will provide two vans outside City Hall offering free health screenings including HIV testing, blood pressure screenings, diabetic risk assessment and more.