The Bayonne Zoning Board adjourned a special meeting on Monday, Jan. 24, at 11 p.m., before a vote was taken on whether to approve the conversion of a warehouse on 109 East 24th Street into a Muslim Community Center, including a mosque, classrooms and a soup kitchen. The board heard testimony from two expert witnesses and still has to hear from one more. The hearing will resume at another special meeting on a date that has yet to be determined. Hundreds came out to the meeting at Nicholas Oresko School, many to show support for the Islamic community in Bayonne. Some had signs that read “Welcome the Bayonne Islamic Community Center,” and “Say no to Anti-Muslim bigotry,” none of which the public were permitted to display during the hearing, likely out of concern that the protests will bring too much attention to the matter. Click here for more.
On January 18, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) decided not to reverse the layoffs of three former Bayonne City employees. Andrew Casais, Chief of Staff for Mayor James Davis, said in an email, “We have been informed that the CSC affirmed the layoffs, and therefore those subject to the layoffs will not be reinstated. The Mayor maintains the opinion that the City administration followed the procedures to effectuate layoffs pursuant to Civil Service rules. At each step the administration sought to see this process out to the end. Today’s final ruling by CSC is that end.” Click here for more.
After the Bayonne Teachers Association (BTA) ratified the two-year collective bargaining agreement offered by the Bayonne Board of Education (BBOED) earlier this month, the BBOED ratified the agreement at its end at a meeting on January 19, marking an end to the 18-month stalemate between the two sides. “Settling contracts in Bayonne has been a problem for many years, and hopefully this will be the last time teachers go this long without a contract,” said BBOED Trustee Chris Munoz before the vote. “Both sides have to get better in working together more, to prevent these kinds of things from happening. So happily, I vote yes.” Click here for more.
