Guttenberg will soon have its long-awaited Recreation Center after two resolutions were approved on Monday night between the Town Council and Board of Education. The center will also have classroom space to alleviate overcrowding in the district’s lone elementary school.
“One of the things we’re very proud of here in Guttenberg is our recreation program,” said Mayor Gerald Drasheff.
The two resolutions constitute an Inter-Local Shared Services Agreement between the municipality and the school board. One is for a shared service agreement for the design and construction of the Guttenberg Recreational/Cultural Center and the renovation of Anna L. Klein School. The other resolution is a shared agreement for the operation, use and maintenance of the facility.
The building will serve as a community, recreation, and cultural center on the corner of 68th Street and Hudson Avenue. The final design is expected to have ground floor parking along with a rooftop park.
According to a press release, “As part of this project, the existing gymnasium in the Klein School will be converted to a school library/community media center to be shared in the same manner as the new facility.”
The projected cost of the center is estimated to be $20 million, funded in part by a $3.7 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Education and School Development Authority. The remaining balance will be funded by the town through grants and a bond ordinance that was adopted by the Town Council in 2012.
“We’ve been working on this for many years and it’s something that is sorely needed in this town, it’s been a long time coming.” – Mayor Gerald Drasheff
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The school board voted in favor of the center on Wednesday and plans have begun to proceed with the project.
Acknowledged youth
The Anna L. Klein boys’ basketball team was recognized for placing first in the North Bergen Elementary School Basketball League, and although they did not attend the meeting, they will receive certificates from the mayor and Town Council.
Guttenberg’s Recreation Twirlers were acknowledged with certificates for placing second in the Senior Dance Twirling Competition and third in the Main Street Electrical Parade during a recent competition held at Disneyland in Orlando, Fla.
Doris Ilic was recognized with a plaque for her achievement in North Bergen’s All County Girls’ Basketball and All County Girls’ Volleyball.
“Doris is a product of the Guttenberg school system and she has gone off to do wonderful things at the county level,” said Drasheff. “You’ve gone off to make us very proud of you.”
Ordinances
An ordinance was introduced and adopted to amend building sub-code fees for new construction.
An ordinance was introduced and adopted for a stop sign to be placed on the intersection of 70th Street and Adams Street.
An ordinance was introduced and adopted to exclude vehicles over 26,000 lbs. gross weight from Bellevue Avenue on Boulevard East and 69th Street, except for pickup and delivery of materials.
An ordinance was introduced and adopted to exclude vehicles taller than 12.5 feet from Ferry Road from Boulevard East and River Road.
An ordinance was introduced to prohibit smoking on public property, including parks and recreation facilities owned or leased by the town. Violation of the ordinance would result in a fine of less than $50 for the first offense and $100 for the second offense, to be enforced by the Police Department and Health Department.
Resolutions
A contract was awarded to 4-Clean Up, Inc. of North Bergen, the lowest bidder, in the amount of $20,400 for milling and paving the municipal parking lot.
Hudson County Animal Enforcement, Inc. of North Bergen was awarded a contract not to exceed $5,000 from May 1 to April 30, 2014 for animal control services.
Cali Carting of Kearny was awarded a three year contract from June 1 to May 31, 2016 for solid waste collection service in the amount of $690,000 and another for curbside recycling collection for $285,000.
RSC Architects of Cliffside Park will provide architectural services for Phase II of the construction of the Waterfront Park.
A resolution was passed to authorize participation in the state Health Benefit Program to provide medical coverage for full time employees of the town who work 25 hours per week. Coverage will be effective Aug. 1. A resolution was passed to provide post-retirement medical coverage under the state Health Benefit Program coverage for certain retired municipal employees effective August 1.
The meeting began with a moment of silence for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings and for the lives lost due to an explosion at a West Texas fertilizer plant.
Vanessa Cruz can be reached at vcruz@hudsonreporter.com