Prieto announces UEZ Sales Tax Revenue Restoration Bill
Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto held a press conference on Monday, Nov. 10 to announce a new bill he is introducing that would restore a portion of sales tax revenue to municipalities with Urban Enterprise Zones (UEZ). The event was held at 2100 88th Street in the parking lot of Walmart Shopping Center – one of the township’s thriving UEZ businesses, along with Staples, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and others. Speaker Prieto was joined in support of the bill by several mayors representing municipalities with UEZs, including North Bergen Mayor and State Sen. Nick Sacco and several other mayors and local leaders.
Estuary building receives LEED silver certification
Hartz Mountain’s Estuary in Weehawken has become the first new construction multi-family residential building on the New Jersey Hudson Waterfront to secure LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification from the Green Building Certification Institute.
Along with Osprey Cove in Secaucus, this is now Hartz’ second new construction multi-family building in Hudson County to earn this green distinction.
“Estuary, along with all of our new construction, was designed and built to minimize our environmental impact while providing our residents with healthier homes,” said Emanuel Stern, President and COO of Hartz Mountain Industries.
Hartz has implemented one of the most aggressive green programs in the country that includes solar paneling on 14 buildings in its Harmon Meadow complex in Secaucus, a ground array in Hamilton, NJ, and a myriad of additional programs to reduce water, electric and paper product use in buildings throughout its portfolio.
Estuary consists of 582 luxury rentals in three buildings – 181 units in Building A which has already earned the LEED Silver certification, and 398 units in the remaining two buildings which are currently being built to LEED Silver certification standards.
Thanksgiving drive for families in need
The North Bergen Emergency Relief Program is hosting a Thanksgiving drive for families in need throughout the township. Items will be collected from now through Thursday, Nov. 20 and distributed on Monday, Nov. 24 at the North Bergen Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave.
Items needed include mashed potatoes, stuffing, canned vegetables, pasta and pasta sauce, rice, beans, dessert mixes, no-bake desserts (Jell-o, pudding, no-bake cheesecake, non-perishables), and any other appropriate holiday staple item.
Drop off locations are as follows:
• North Bergen Health Dept.: 1116-43rd St., 2nd fl.
• North Bergen Police Dept./Town Hall (Chambers): 4233 Kennedy Blvd.
• North Bergen Court/Parking Authority: 4225 Bergen Tpk.
• North Bergen Public Library: 8411 Bergenline Ave. or 2123 Kennedy Blvd.
• All North Bergen schools
If you are a family or senior in need of a meal this holiday season, call (201) 392-2084 or email afocaraccio@northbergen.org to sign up. Proof of residency is required upon pickup.
Be a part of the 2014 Winter Holiday Concert
Do you like to sing? The North Bergen Players have begun rehearsals for the 2014 Winter Holiday Concert.
Rehearsal dates started on Oct. 27 and run through Dec. 4 on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Performance dates for the concert will be Friday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Dec. 14.
For more information contact Maurena Luzzi at (201) 854-7074 or (201) 401-9722.
Child advocate group holding informational session
Are you interested in helping children in the foster care system? If so, Hudson County CASA (court appointed special advocate) is recruiting volunteers to advance the best interests of abused and neglected children.
An informational session, addressing the program and the role of its volunteers, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 901 of the Hudson County Administration Building, 595 Newark Ave., Jersey City.
For more information, call (201) 795-9855, e-mail mgarcia@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit hudsoncountycasa.org.
JC Medical Center to host diabetes fair with healthy holiday eating tips
How do you plan on managing your diabetes during the upcoming holiday season? To help, Jersey City Medical Center – Barnabas Health will offer a free diabetes fair entitled “Healthy Holiday Eating with Diabetes” on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the hospital’s cafeteria, 355 Grand St. in Jersey City.
“Eating healthy during the holidays can pose a challenge to anyone, but particularly to people with diabetes and their families,” said Nancy Rodrigues, a Certified Diabetes Educator at the hospital. “That’s why we’re planning to provide healthy eating information at this event for the diverse people who comprise the communities we serve, whether their diet is one favored by Muslims or Latinos, or whether they eat kosher or vegetarian.”
Palisades Medical Center provides free community health screening
Palisades Medical Center will hold a free health screening on Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 9034 Barr Pl., North Bergen. Free screenings and information will be available on blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of oxygen in the blood, peak flow/respiratory, Body Mass Index – BMI and mammography certificates. For more information, call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793.