Restaurant Night is coming on Sept. 10
The mayor and Town Council present the fourth annual Secaucus Restaurant Night on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Secaucus ice skating rink in Buchmuller Park (across from the CVS). Enjoy an evening of great food from local restaurants and live entertainment.
Come out for your favorite restaurants’ signature appetizers, entrees, and desserts and discover a few new ones. There will be approximately 25 local restaurants to choose from, along with live entertainment and a beer and wine garden, all under one roof, rain or shine.
Tickets are $5 per sampling and can be purchased at the Town Hall administration office, Recreation Center, and on location the evening of the event.
Secaucus 9/11 memorial is on Friday
Secaucus will hold its annual 9/11 memorial service on Sept. 11 at approximately 8:20 a.m. The ceremony will take place at the monument in front of the library at 1379 Paterson Plank Rd.
Color guards from the fire and police departments will be in attendance and the Swamibapa Pipe Band will play. Taps will be played after reading of the names of the people from Secaucus who passed on 9/11. Students from the middle and high school will also provide readings and Mayor Michael Gonnelli and Assemblyman Vincent Prieto will be present, along with clergy offering prayers.
New traffic pattern at high school/middle school
The roadway approaches to the high school and middle school have both been changed. Both driveways will now serve as an entrance and exit. The first driveway, located on Meadow Lane, will allow vehicles to enter and park at designated spaces in the outer parking area or drop students off along the grass area by a new crosswalk which leads to the building. Once the passenger is dropped off, the vehicle will then follow the fence line and be able to exit via right turn only onto Mill Ridge Road.
Both entering and exiting will now be permitted on Mill Ridge Road as well. Vehicles entering this way will follow the fence line along the building (construction zone) and either continue into the inner parking area or drop off passengers along the west side (high school area) of the building. The vehicle will then continue into the inner parking area and exit out Meadow Lane via left turn only.
Concrete barriers have been installed to protect the students from traffic. Painted signs have also been posted for easier travel throughout the property. Police will have extra personnel on the property to assist with this new traffic pattern. It is recommended that parents take a drive through the property to familiarize themselves with the new traffic pattern.
Police Accreditation Assessment Team invites public comment
A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive on Sunday, Sept. 13 to examine all aspects of the Secaucus Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services.
“Verification by the team that the Secaucus Police Department meets the commission’s best practice standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” announced Police Chief Kevin Flaherty.
As part of the onsite assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments to the accreditation assessors by calling (201) 330-2000 ext. 3055 on Monday, Sept. 14 between 9 and 11 a.m.
Telephone comments are limited to five minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Secaucus Police Department, 1203 Paterson Plank Rd. The local contact is Lt. Dennis Miller, who can be reached at (201) 330-2045.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Secaucus Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation can write to the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, NJ 08053.
The accreditation program manager for the NJSACOP is Harry J Delgado. “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies,” said Delgago. “The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.”
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
NJSACOP through its Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey.
ICC Feast coming soon
The Immaculate Conception Church (ICC) Feast in Buchmuller Park runs from Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 10-13. The feast will take place from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 4 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Performing on Friday, Sept. 11 will be Adrianna Napolitano and Jonathan Cordova on vocals and keyboard, and music by Juke Junction. On Saturday, Sept. 12, Group Therapy and Faculty Group will perform. Closing out the event on Sunday, Sept. 13 will be a performance by the DJC Trio.
A raffle will be drawn on the final night. Three winners will walk away with half the money raised through the raffle, divided at 50 percent to the first prize winner and 25 percent each to the two runners-up. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased in advance or at the feast.
Library’s mini-fair on Sept. 19 to include ‘bag of books’ sale, raffles, etc.
The 18th Annual Friends of the Secaucus Public Library Mini-Fair will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the library grounds. Rain date is Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We are so excited to announce some never before offered prizes to augment our usual great offerings already announced, including two children’s bikes and helmets and a gas barbecue grill,” said Gladys Tous, who with her husband Luis has been an annual fixture selling chances at the Super Basket Table Raffle. Among the new prizes being offered are a tour of the QVC Studio in West Chester, Pa. for five people; admission tickets for two to the Longwood Gardens, Pa.; and admission tickets to the Broadway Comedy Club and the Greenwich Comedy Club, both in New York City. “Make Wine with Us” in Wallington donated a two-hour wine and cheese sampling for 12 people and a gift basket with two bottles of wine. Many gift certificates are part of the baskets, including one from Spuntino Wine Bar in Clifton, and Shop-Rite Supermarkets.
The Trash & Treasure Table is back and the Fair Share Raffle is underway at $1 per chance. “The popular ‘$5 for a Bag of Books’ tables will offer a free, reusable Friends of the Library bag, while supplies last,” noted Library Director Jenifer May. “There is also still room for vendors as well.” For more information, email may@secaucus.bccls.org or call (201) 330-2083 ext. 4011, or call Lee Penna at (201) 330-2083 ext. 4009.
Register for charity Wiffle ball tournament on Sept. 27
Register today for the Wiffle ball tournament on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Kane Stadium. Proceeds go to stamp out hunger in Secaucus and Hudson County.
Teams consist of at least five players. Each game is three innings. Winning teams will receive trophies. Corporate and at-large team donations are $150. Student team donations are $25 or two bags of canned goods. To register contact Don Evanson at (201) 902-9742 or secaucusspec@aol.com.
September food pantry donations needed
The food pantry is looking for donations of canned vegetables and soups for the month of September. Items can be dropped at the Senior Center, 101 Centre Ave., Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please call Patt or Eileen with any questions at (201) 330-2014.
The food pantry is always looking for donations of $10 gift cards to Walmart or ShopRite.
September is Library Card Signup Month
Don’t have a library card? Getting a library card is fast, easy and free. Adults must bring two proofs of Secaucus residency, one with a photo identification and one other document (property tax bill, utility bill, or bank statement). Stop by the library and register for your free card in September, during Library Card Signup Month, and be eligible to win one of two prizes that will be chosen randomly in a raffle.
Already have a library card? Sign up to receive a monthly e-newsletter or provide your email address to receive information about upcoming events and you will also be entered in the prize drawing. Winners will be chosen at the end of the month. Prizes include a chance to win adult and teen books or a $25 TD Bank gift card.
Sponsor a local police officer in the 2015 Tour de Force 9/11 Memorial Ride
Seven Secaucus police officers will take part in the 2015 Tour de Force’s 9/11 Memorial Ride that will depart Sept. 10 from New York City. The riders will bicycle through the lower Hudson Valley and through Connecticut into Massachusetts where they will join 150 cyclists from the Boston area as the tour rolls into Boston’s Harbor. The four-day, 270-mile bicycle ride is a dual purpose event. The ride honors those killed during the 9/11 attacks, and raises funds for the families of police officers across the country killed in the line of duty.
Secaucus police cyclists are Lt. Carlos Goyenechea, Sgt. Francis Cotter, and Police Officers Marc Schoch, Chris Rinaldi, Kiril Petrov, Christina Prospero, and William Smith.
“Each rider must raise a minimum of $1,250 in order to even participate in this event. The funds raised are donated to families throughout the country in honor of their fallen loved ones,” said retired Police Captain Joseph Kickey, chairman of the Secaucus PBA Local 84 Civic Association. Donations can be designated for either an individual Secaucus officer or a group of officers by including the officer’s name, along with the PBA or Tour name, in the “pay to” line on checks. Checks written to either the Secaucus PBA Local 84 or the Tour de Force Bike Ride, Inc. should be mailed to Secaucus PBA, PO Box 1038, Secaucus, NJ 07096-1038.
For more information about the 2015 Tour de Force 9/11 Memorial Ride and how it got its start, or to make an on-line donation in the name of a particular officer, visit www.tourdeforceny.com.
Take a pontoon boat ride in September
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority’s guided pontoon boat tours of the Hackensack River give visitors a unique opportunity to experience the amazing natural beauty and wildlife of the Meadowlands up-close while learning about the remarkable history of the river and the region.
For those who have glimpsed the Meadowlands only from the surrounding highways or the window of a commuter train, the leisurely, two-hour boat tours reveal a whole new environment including acres of preserved wetlands and a thriving ecosystem, all framed by a spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline.
Expert staff narrate the tours. While talking about the Hackensack River estuary’s storied history they point out birds, diamondback terrapins, and other wildlife along the way. Wear comfortable footwear and don’t forget your camera: the cruises afford great photo opportunities.
Trips depart at 5 p.m. on Sept. 8,11,16, 22, and 24, and at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 19. All tours launch from River Barge Park, 260 Outwater Lane, Carlstadt. For ages 10 and up. Advance registration and payment required. Cost is $15 per person. For registration form go to njmeadowlands.gov and click on “2015 Fall Events.” For more information contact (201)-460-4640.