Schools Superintendent meets with board on encounter with employee
Bayonne Schools Superintendent Patricia McGeehan met with members of the Bayonne Board of Education in a private meeting on Thursday, Feb. 18 regarding an incident that allegedly occurred between her and a reception aide at a school, according to an online story.
Board of Education President Joseph Broderick confirmed that McGeehan met with the board after receiving a “Rice notice,” a legal document that outlined that her employment, job standing, and possible action would be talked about, according to nj.com.
The story quoted Broderick as saying that “nothing happened to anybody.”
Broderick also said in the story that he didn’t know whether he could speak any more specifically about what was discussed because it was a private board meeting.
The aide received a Rice notice as well, but was not present at McGeehan’s meeting, according to nj.com.
Fire Department chief set to retire next month
Fire Chief Gregory Rogers will retire after 35 years on the job and the last eight leading the Bayonne Fire Department.
Rogers is impending departure was announced at the Bayonne City Council meeting on Feb. 17, where a resolution was passed approving his separation agreement with the city.
Council President Sharon Nadrowski thanked Rogers for his years of service to Bayonne.
Rogers said he leaves his post with the city’s firefighters better trained than ever before and with experienced leadership coming up through the ranks.
“It comes with a heavy heart and great memories, tremendous memories,” Rogers said. “I thank all of you and bid you farewell.”
His retirement date is expected to be March 1.
Assemblyman Chiaravalloti announces office opening
Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti has announced he will hold an open house at his new legislative office at 836 Broadway on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The purpose of the legislative office is to work for the residents of Bayonne and Jersey City,” Chiaravalloti said. “Any member of the public who needs assistance from the state of New Jersey is welcome. Our goal is to try to be a helpful resource for the residence.”
The office will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On Thursdays the office will be open from 11 a.m.to 7 p.m.
“We hope that the evening office hours will make it easier for constituents who work during the day,” Chiaravalloti said. “I believe working together we can do more for Hudson County and New Jersey.”
William Paterson names Bayonne Dean’s List students
Anthony Menafro, Jenna O’Connor, and Ignacia Oyanedel Munoz of Bayonne were named to the Dean’s List at William Paterson University in Wayne for the fall 2015 semester.
In order to qualify, a student must earn a grade point average of 3.45 or better and carry a minimum of 12 credits for the semester.
Carbon monoxide poisoning more common in cold weather
Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) cautions that while carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a year-round threat, it is more common in cold weather, when more fuel heating appliances are in use.
PSE&G urges customers to take extra preventive measures this winter to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and to maintain a heightened awareness of the symptoms.
CO is odorless, tasteless, and can be deadly. Small amounts of CO are in the air whenever fuel such as oil, natural gas, coal, or wood is burned. These amounts are usually not harmful. However, if a heating system or chimney is not working properly, too much CO can build up in the air and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Symptoms of poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Symptoms can occur immediately or gradually after long-term exposure.
People who are sleeping can die from CO poisoning before ever experiencing any of these warning signs. It affects people of all ages, but infants and children are more susceptible than adults.
Community Food Pantry fund check-off available to tax filers
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher has announced that New Jersey taxpayers have an opportunity to assist those in need through a fund that pays for food purchases at the state’s food banks.
Contributions to the Community Food Pantry Fund can be made while filling out 2015 New Jersey income tax forms this year.
Since the Community Food Pantry Fund check-off was created in 2010, $117,000 has been distributed to the Community Foodbank of New Jersey, Hillside. The money was used to purchase healthy foods to distribute to the hungry through food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters.
“There is a need for emergency food in New Jersey, and this fund directly helps the people who need it most,” Fisher said.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture distributes United States Department of Agriculture-donated food to the six food banks through the Emergency Food Assistance Program, as well as distributes funds from the State Food Purchase Program.
Hudson County Community College Library receiving award
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) has been notified that it is one of just three academic libraries in the United States to be selected as a recipient of a 2016 Excellence in Academic Libraries Award from the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). The award recognizes the college, university, or community college library staff for programs delivering exemplary services and resources to further the institution’s educational mission.
“These deserving recipients demonstrate commitment to student learning, information literacy, and assessment with a focus on continuous innovation and engagement with the campus community that exemplifies today’s best academic and research libraries,” said ACRL Executive Director Mary Ellen Davis.
The ACRL has informed the school that this is the first time any New Jersey college or university has been selected to receive the award.
The HCCC libraries serve more than 9,000 students and thousands of community members on the college’s Jersey City and Union City campuses. HCCC President Glen Gabert, Ph.D. said that the ACRL will make a formal presentation of the award to the college in early May.
State of the County Address scheduled for March 10
Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise will give the State of the County Address before the Board of Chosen Freeholders during a special meeting on Thursday, March 10.
The meeting will take place at 5 p.m. at the Administration Building Annex, 567 Pavonia Ave., first floor, in Jersey City.
Chairman Tilo Rivas and the board have extended an invitation to the public to attend the event.