Secaucus Police Department receives prestigious accreditation
After undergoing a lengthy and detailed accreditation process for more than a year, the Secaucus Police Department met with the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police on Oct. 9 and was approved for accreditation. Less than 10 percent of the police departments in New Jersey are accredited, according to Police Chief Kevin Flaherty.
The accreditation process entails reviewing and revising all department procedures to conform with standards provided by the state attorney general. “We save money on our insurance premiums but it also puts in place policies and procedures that everyone needs to follow from now on,” said Mayor Michael Gonnelli. “That’s the biggest thing.”
A formal presentation with members of the State Association will be held at a date to be announced. “When they make the presentation,” said Gonnelli at the Town Council meeting on Oct. 13, “some of the things that you’re going to hear that were addressed, and addressed correctly, are going to be astonishing.”
Secaucus takes over local zoning and development in ‘monumental’ agreement
The New Jersey Sports Exposition Authority (NJSEA) was scheduled to meet on Thursday, Oct. 22 to review a request by Secaucus to opt out of NJSEA control and take over its own planning and zoning.
Earlier this year the NJSEA merged with the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission to oversee zoning and development within the Meadowlands region. The 14 towns in the Meadowlands were given the choice of continuing to operate under the NJSEA umbrella or opting out. Secaucus and Kearny both elected to opt out.
At press time the NJSEA was expected to approve the request, listed on the meeting agenda as item number two. This will transfer considerable zoning and development power back to the municipalities. “We will be the first town in the district to be approved. For us this is monumental,” said Mayor Michael Gonnelli. “We will still need to follow their guidelines, but it gives us more local control. And we get to keep the fees involved.” This should result in significantly higher fees to the township in 2016.
Secaucus has already hired a part-time engineer and is looking to hire a part-time planner to handle the new responsibilities.
BOE candidates face off at PAC on Oct. 21
Six candidates are vying for three open positions on the Secaucus Board of Education, with voting to take place on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. All six candidates participated in the JSA’s “Meet the Board Candidates” discussion on Wednesday night, Oct. 21.
Joan Cali, Kelli D’Addetta, Louis Giele, Norma Hanley, Dorothy Nicholson, and Tom Troyer met onstage in the PAC to answer prepared questions on topics such as their individual qualifications and their thoughts on PARCC testing. The session then opened up to a Q&A with the audience, including issues from charter schools to bullying. The candidates each gave cogent responses clearly delineating their views on the various topics. Look for a video of the event to be posted on the town website at secaucusnj.gov.
The Secaucus Police Dept. is seeking qualified candidates
Police Department applications are available at the Town Administrator’s office, 1203 Paterson Plank Road, 2nd Floor, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The deadline to apply has been changed to Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. The examination date is Saturday, Dec. 12. The test fee is $125.
Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and have earned not less than 60 credits from an accredited college or university when appointed or two years of full time active service in the U.S. Military; service in the Reserve Component or National Guard equates to 2.5 college credits for each month of full time service or .25 college credits for each full day of “drill or annual training” status.
Must be 21 years old on the date of written examination and must not reach 35th birthday prior to the date of appointment. Must be a U.S. Citizen and New Jersey resident (Secaucus residents receive preference). Must have a valid driver’s license. Must pass written, physical fitness, and oral examinations.
Online exchange safe zone established in Secaucus
With many municipalities creating areas in which to conduct person-to-person transactions to exchange items purchased or traded online, Secaucus has established an “exchange safe zone,” announced Councilman Gary Jeffas at the council meeting on Oct. 13.
The safe zone consists of the corridor outside the police area and the parking lot outside the town hall building. Everyone engaged in online trade is encouraged to set up meetings with sellers or purchasers within those areas, which have both cameras and a police presence.
“There are statistics about people being robbed or murdered over exchanges, and it’s been happening more and more throughout the country,” said Jeffas. “If anybody says they do not want to meet with you at a safe exchange zone, don’t do the exchange.” The safe zone is open to anyone in the area, not just Secaucus residents.
No exchanges of weapons, guns, drugs, or other paraphernalia are permitted at an exchange zone.
Xchange among honorees at Riverkeeper’s 16th Annual Awards Celebration
More than 300 people joined Captain Bill Sheehan for Hackensack Riverkeeper’s 2015 Awards Celebration and Sustainable SeafoodFest at The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, NJ. Each year the organization, founded by Sheehan in 1997, singles out people and institutions whose work reflects Riverkeeper’s mission to protect, preserve and restore the Hackensack River for the benefit of its people and wildlife. This year, three categories of awards were presented.
Xchange at Secaucus Junction received Riverkeeper’s Corporate Environmental Stewardship Award for its transit-friendly redevelopment project. Xchange fully complies with the 2004 Meadowlands Master Plan and features multiple river access components, including a marina currently under construction.
John Birkner, mayor of Westwood, NJ was honored for Excellence in Public Service. Birkner was recognized for embracing and championing his municipality’s place as a watershed community. Donald Nuckel of Little Ferry, NJ was honored for Excellence in Philanthropy. During Riverkeeper’s 2014 capital campaign, Nuckel’s generosity enabled the organization to purchase two custom-built Premier pontoon boats for its Eco-Cruise program and a Ford Transit van for River Cleanups.
“I am always honored to honor those who stand with us and support our work but those whom we recognized tonight are a rare breed indeed,” said Sheehan. “John, Donald, and the team at Xchange have gone – and continue to go – well beyond what is expected of even the most forward-thinking individuals and institutions.”
All funds raised at the event go directly to support Hackensack Riverkeeper’s fourfold strategy of environmental action, advocacy, education and litigation.
Sheriff fines Secaucus gas station and shuts down sales of ‘premium’ gas
Officers from the Weights and Measures Division of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office fined and shut down the sales of premium gasoline at the Shell Gas station on Route 3 East and Flanagan Way in Secaucus last week. According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, tests allegedly revealed that the “premium” gas had octane levels comparable to regular and midgrade gasoline.
“Fuel station owners that are [allegedly] trying to pass off regular gasoline as higher octane fuel to make larger profit from unknowing drivers will be caught in Hudson County,” said Sheriff Frank Schillari. “Our Weights and Measures Division is here to protect the consumer. Those who try to cheat will get caught and will be fined substantially.”
The owner of the gas station was fined $18,000 along with a mandated court appearance. The gasoline at the gas station was tested by the Division of Weights and Measures and sent to an independent lab for additional tests, which confirmed the allegedly low level of octane in the station’s premium gas.
HCST fundraiser on Nov. 12 will honor Prieto
The Hudson County Schools of Technology Foundation will hold its Annual Gala fundraising event honoring Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto as a “Champion of Vocational Education” on Nov. 12 at Maritime Parc in Jersey City. Now in its fourth year, the Annual Gala is the HCST Foundation’s primary fundraising event and will support many of its activities throughout the year, including student scholarships, enrichment and apprenticeship programs with leading businesses, and much more. The event will be hosted by CBS 2 New York Sports Anchor Otis Livingston and tickets are available on the Foundation’s website, hcstfoundation.org.
“In just six years since its inception the HCST Foundation has grown into a major force for promoting quality public education here in Hudson County,” said HCST Foundation Board President Daniel Gans, chief executive officer of Hoboken Brownstone Company. “Thanks to the generous support of our donors we have been able to supply over $750,000 in scholarships and grants to Hudson County students and we need continued assistance to make sure we can keep giving back and helping our students shine.”
The foundation chose to honor Prieto for his steadfast support for vocational and career-focused education. A package of bills designed to promote and support vocational school districts like HCST was introduced by Prieto and signed into law last year, providing crucial assistance from state government to some of the most innovative and effective public schools in New Jersey.
“Quality public education is a right that every student in New Jersey must receive and vocational school districts like the Hudson County Schools of Technology are making incredible strides in preparing our children for the careers of tomorrow,” said Prieto. “I am honored to receive this recognition and pledge to continue advocating for career-focused education because I firmly believe that it is key to unlocking the potential in our economy and developing the next generation of business and community leaders.”
Individual tickets to the Annual Gala start at $200 with various sponsorship opportunities available. For more information about donating to the HCST Foundation visit hcstfoundation.org or contact Executive Director Linda Quentzel at (201) 662-6794.
Attend the Animal Shelter’s 5th annual Halloween Costume Dinner Dance
Get your tickets for the exciting and entertaining Halloween party at La Reggia on Oct. 30 for $55 per person. The price includes dinner, beer, wine, a DJ, raffles, and a costume contest. All proceeds benefit the Secaucus Animal Shelter. For tickets, call Sue at (201) 563-2161. Make checks payable to Friends of the Secaucus Animal Shelter. All ticket purchases are tax deductible.
The town has many other Halloween events on the calendar. Check out the full list on the website at secaucusnj.org and be sure to save the dates.
Independent Film Discussion Series continues on Oct. 25
This month’s independent film and discussion, sponsored by the Friends of the Secaucus Public Library and led by Vice President Zinnia Miller, is “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem.” Attend the screening at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25 and stay after the film for a lively discussion and an opportunity to talk with other independent film aficionados. Popcorn and other refreshments will be served.
“Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem” is a 2014 Israeli-French drama directed by Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz. The film was selected as the Israeli entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards and was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards.
Registration is not mandatory, but helps with planning for refreshments and seating. To register, visit the calendar of events on the library website and click on the Oct. 25 event listing.
Fed grant awards $75K to prevent youth substance abuse in Kearny
The Hudson County Coalition for a Drug Free Community (HCCDFC) was one of 697 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant recipients, and will receive $75,000 per year to mentor the Kearny Municipal Alliance for up to two years. A total of $86 million in federal grants will provide local community coalitions with funding to prevent youth substance use, including prescription drugs, marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol.
The DFC Mentoring Program provides grant funds to facilitate the growth and development of burgeoning community coalitions to prevent substance abuse among youth. By imparting local anti-drug organizations with a solid foundation needed to tackle long-term, systemic challenges faced by their communities, the HCCDFC will not only help the Kearny Municipal Alliance create local change, but also prepare them to attain DFC Support Grant eligibility. DFC Support Grants provide recipients with $125,000 for five years with the possibility of renewal for an additional five years. If successful, Kearny could receive up to $1.25 million in DFC grant funds to involve and engage the municipality in reducing alcohol- and drug-use rates among youth.
The HCCDFC has previously assisted the Rutherford Coalition and Union City Municipal Alliance in successfully attaining DFC funding for their respective communities. The Hudson County Coalition also assists the Secaucus Municipal Coalition, which attained its DFC in 2015.
“We know that evidence-based prevention efforts are the most effective way to reduce youth substance use and to support the roughly 90 percent of American youth who do not use drugs,” said Michael Botticelli, director of national drug control policy. “By bringing together schools, businesses, law enforcement, parent groups, and other members of the community, DFC-funded community coalitions are helping to protect youth from the devastating consequences of non-medical prescription drug use, heroin, and other substance use.”
For more information about the administration efforts to reduce drug use and its consequences, or to learn more about the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, visit whitehouse.gov/ondcp/Drug-Free-Communities-Support-Program, or for more local information, visit hudsoncountycoalition.org.
Missing former Secaucus resident found dead
Former Secaucus resident Crystal Passante, 26, was found dead in a vacant building in Newark after being reported missing in July. She was last seen leaving her father’s home in Newark on July 16, when she was five months pregnant.
Passante had recently moved back to the area from California. On the day she disappeared she allegedly told her father that she wanted to be left alone.
Her decomposed body was found on Sept. 18 but not identified until Oct. 13 when the results of dental analysis came back, according to reports. An autopsy revealed that she had miscarried the baby. No foul play is suspected. The cause of death has yet to be determined, pending toxicology results.
First-Sunday-of-the-Month Nature Walk is Nov. 1
Join a free guided two-hour nature walk at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus featuring raptors, waterfowl, and fall migrants. You’ll have an opportunity to see the dozens of stumps of Atlantic White Cedars in the Marsh, the last vestiges of a primeval forest that once covered a third of the Meadowlands for hundreds of years. Meet at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1 at entrance to Mill Creek Marsh Trail Park in Mill Creek Mall next to Bob’s Discount Furniture. Information: greatauk4@gmail.com or (201) 230-4983