A view heading westbound on Hops Lane in Secaucus. Image via Google Maps.
Secaucus has amended where parking is prohibited on Hops Lane.
Mayor Michael Gonnelli and the Town Council adopted an ordinance at its Tuesday, December 13 meeting after it was introduced in November.
The council previously enacted measures to alleviate dangerous situations on the town’s streets, promote safe passage for motorists and vehicles, to address traffic flow, and specify penalties for violations.
Upon review and recommendation of the Police Department, the mayor and council have determined that changes to the ordinance are warranted on Hops Lane to accommodate the parking and traffic needs of the area.
On the south side of Hops Lane, parking is currently prohibited along the entire length. Now, it is only prohibited from Schmidt’s Place to Paterson Plank Road.
On the north side of Hops Lane, parking is currently not prohibited. Under the ordinance, it would be prohibited on that side of the road from Stonewall Lane to Schmidt’s Place.
After the meeting, Town Administrator Gary Jeffas explained the gist of the changes to the parking rules for Hops Lane to the Hudson Reporter. He said that not only were there problems on the street with buses getting through when cars are parked on both sides of the street, but there was also a fence on one side of Hops Lane that made parking there difficult.
“When the police analyzed it, there’s a fence on one side. When you park by the curb, you really couldn’t open the car door to get out. It was difficult, so they just looked at it because there were a couple of residents asking for it. So they just varied the parking to the other side of the street so that it’s more passable and more usable for the public.”
Recommended after police traffic study
Prior to the ordinance being introduced and adopted, the Police Department Traffic Bureau conducted a traffic study to evaluate the parking in the area of Hops Lane. The one-way road begins at Stonewall Lane and heads west to Paterson Plank Road.
While the current ordinance prohibits parking on the south side of the entire length of Hops Lane, the study found that vehicles regularly park there anyway, specifically between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place. The study was largely in response to an incident caused when a large pickup with an attached trailer was parked on the south side of Hops Lane, directly in front of a home, and another vehicle was parked on the north side of Hops Lane, between Floral Terrace and Poplar Street.
The vehicles being parked on both sides of the street restricted the travel lane rendering it impassable for large vehicles. Specifically impacted were school buses which were forced to re-route during school transit hours.
The investigation by the Police Department found there were no signs delineating that there was no parking on either side of the street, which is why residents likely parked there in violation.
There are five houses on Hops Lane, with three located between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place. All three of those houses are on the south side of Hops Lane, and the remaining two homes are on the north side of Hops Lane between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road, which the study identified as the likely reason that parking shifts to the north side of the street in that area.
The study ultimately found that the violation of the town’s ordinance has gone unenforced for too longer and beginning to enforce it now would create safety concerns and too great of an impact on the public.
According to the study, changing the ordinance to prohibit parking on the north side of the street instead of the south, except for the portion on Hops Lane between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road, would be the best solution. In the wake of that conclusion in the study, the council embraced that exact recommendation from the Police Department.
Following the change, signs will be placed between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place on the north side of the street, and between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road on the south side of the street. Once the parking signs are in place, regular enforcement of the area will be conducted.
Two streets added to residential parking Zone II
Also at its December 13 meeting, the Town Council adopted an ordinance after it was introduced in November adding two streets to its residential parking program, which divides the town into four zones. Farm Road, the entire length and the public lot, and the entire length of Riedel Court were added into Zone II.
“That ordinance added them into the residential parking program because there were some issues with parking in those areas,” Jeffas said. “So that just made sure that it’s noted for residential parking.”
The moves come amid a number of other parking-related changes in town, such as the recent adjustment of certain streets from one zone to another.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
The unidentified woman was struck near the intersection of Tonnelle Avenue and 91st Street. Image via Google Maps.
The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the North Bergen Police Department are investigating a crash on Tonnelle Avenue that left one pedestrian dead on Friday, December 9, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has announced.
At approximately 12:04 p.m., the North Bergen Police Department was notified of a pedestrian struck in the area of Tonnelle Avenue and 91st Street. Responding officers found the lifeless body of a woman and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
At this time, the victim’s name is being withheld pending notification to her next of kin.
During the initial investigation, it was determined the woman was struck by a tractor trailer traveling south on Tonnelle Avenue. The driver of the tractor trailer, a 38-year-old Texas man, continued on Tonnelle Avenue, stopped in the area of 68th Street, and called 911.
The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the North Bergen Police Department are actively investigating this case. No arrests have been made at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip at. hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip. All information will be kept confidential.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
West New York Commissioner of Public Affairs Cosmo Cirillo Ph.D. (left) and State Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez (right) at a clothing drive at the West New York Little League Field on December 4 for victims of a recent fire in town. Photo courtesy of Cirillo.
State Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez, who represents the 32nd Legislative District encompassing much of North Hudson, has announced she will run on a ticket with West New York Commissioner of Public Affairs and mayoral candidate Cosmo Cirillo in the upcoming 2023 municipal election.
Jimenez joins Commissioner of Revenue and Finance Margarita Guzman in running with Cirillo on the “Moving West New York Forward Team.” The announcement of her intention to run on Cirillo’s slate comes after she endorsed him earlier in the week and appeared at several public events alongside him and Guzman.
Redistricting reaps representation shakeup in Hudson County
Jimenez is a prime victim of redistricting of the state legislative map along with the rest of the incumbent members of the 32nd Legislative District which currently includes much of North Hudson. Due to redistricting, she, Assemblyman Pedro Mejia, and State Senator Nicholas Sacco are losing their seats in what will be the new 33rd Legislative District.
The new 32nd Legislative District will shift from North Hudson to largely include Hoboken and Jersey City. Meanwhile, the new 33rd Legislative District will shift from Hoboken and Jersey City to include most of North Hudson.
Sacco was redistricted into the same district as Union City Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack. Instead of rehashing a previous showdown between the two Hudson County leaders, Sacco has decided to retire and has endorsed Stack for the new 33rd Legislative District in the 2024 election.
Stack is expected to run on a ticket with current West New York Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez. Rodriguez is not running for re-election and is instead eyeing a seat in the legislature.
In addition to Rodriguez, the other running mate anticipated on the ticket with Stack and Rodriguez is North Bergen Commissioner of Revenue and Finance Julio Marenco. With that, Mejia and Jimenez are left without a seat, thus leading to Jimenez’s entrance into the West New York race.
“I am very honored to represent not only the Town of West New York, but the entire 32nd Legislative District, in the New Jersey General Assembly,” Jimenez said. “I entered public service because I wanted to help people and give back.”
Jimenez proud of past experience in West New York
Jimenez said she was proud of her past in West New York prior to becoming an assemblywoman, including serving as the Vice Chairwoman of the West new York Housing Authority, Vice Chairwoman of the West New York Board of Education. She was also the Vice President of non-profit organization West New York Women’s Club that helped with many charitable causes throughout the years, she said.
“It is clear to me that at this moment in time, the best way to help my community is to dedicate myself to the town I have called home for over 52 years,” Jimenez said. “I have seen many changes take place during this time and truly believe that we need to move our community forward and not backwards.”
According to Jimenez, the community needs to continue its progress and not regress. This was a jab, similar to one in Cirillo’s announcement, at likely challenger outgoing Rep. Albio Sires, who was previously West New York mayor from 1995 to 2006. The retiring Sires was replaced by Congressman-elect Robert Menendez, Jr. in the November midterm elections.
Sires has also made clear his intention to run for mayor although he has not announced it officially and won’t do so until his congressional term ends in January. It may also come to apply to former Mayor Dr. Felix Roque, who has mulled running again for the spot he held from 2011 until he was ousted by Rodriguez in 2019.
“Cosmo offers our community many innovative ideas and a vision that will help our town thrive,” Jimenez said. “We have worked closely together throughout the years and I know he has the drive and dedication to make WNY the best it can be. I am happy to officially endorse him to become our next Mayor and am proud to join him and Commissioner Margarita Guzman as part of the West New York Forward Team.”
If she is elected, she will resign early from the General Assembly in July of 2023 to be sworn in as a West New York Commissioner on the first of that month. In the wake of that, a special election would be triggered for her old seat, the victor of which would serve for the remaining six months of her term.
Jimenez concluded: “As an American of Cuban descent, longtime homeowner, and the mother of two children who grew up here, one of whom serves our community as a police officer, I have no doubt that the West New York Forward Team will put in the hard work and place the needs of our residents first.”
Cirillo touts Jimenez’s experience in West New York and Trenton
With her announcement Cirillo touted Jimenez as a strong leader in Trenton who will do the same in West New York. He pointed to a number of her accomplishments in the State House over the years.
“Assemblywoman Jimenez has proven herself to be an unwavering leader and champion in the State House for her constituents,” Cirillo said. “I am truly humbled to have her support and to welcome her on the West New York Forward Team. She has demonstrated herself to be an efficient legislator and is respected by her colleagues who have risen her to the rank of Deputy Speaker and Chairwoman of the Human Services Committee.”
Cirillo continued by touting her work in the state legislature.
He said, “She has been a vocal advocate for New Jersey families by helping to pass legislation that provides employees with time off for events regarding the education of their children, as well as fiercely advocating for the nurse-to-patient ratio to change in the state. As a passionate supporter of mental health initiatives, she was awarded the 2020 Legislator of the Year Award by the NJ Psychological Association. Most recently, she is the Prime Sponsor of two out of a five-bill package to combat homelessness within New Jersey.”
Cirillo concluded by touting Jimenez’s impact on the town. “Locally, I am personally thankful to Assemblywoman Jimenez for her assistance in helping to secure a $12.5 million grant from the State for the development of a brand new public library for the Town of West New York. These are only a few of her amazing accomplishments on behalf of the residents of West New York and the State of New Jersey. It is without question that her experience at the state level and her passion for our town will help move West New York in a positive direction forward.”
While 2022 is not even over yet, the 2023 municipal election is already underway in West New York. The Hudson County Democratic Organization has already made it clear they are throwing their weight behind Sires, noted recently at a fundraiser. Regardless, with Cirillo lining up his team, it it sure the West New York election will be one to watch next year.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
On Dec. 2, in front of a standing-room-only crowd at The Boulevard, local businessman Larry Wainstein announced his candidacy for mayor of North Bergen.
According to Wainstein’s campaign, despite capacity limitations, hundreds of more supporters rallied in the parking lot to “show their commitment to bringing change to their North Hudson community.”
“I am committed to bringing change to North Bergen,” Wainstein said in a press release.
Wainstein detailed a platform that he said includes an open and transparent government, fiscal responsibility, fighting for better protection for renters, building new schools, relocating the students out of the outdated trailers and infrastructure and road repairs.
“Too many North Bergen residents feel like local government isn’t working on their
behalf,” Wainstein said. “My administration will work around the clock to ensure that every resident has a voice.”
Wainstein said he believes that a disconnect exists between the current administration and working-class residents. He is pledging to change that and aims to create an inclusive government.
“Our current administration has been in power for nearly four decades,” Wainstein said. “Whatever could have been done by now, should have been done by now. It is time for new energy, new ideas and new leadership. Together we will bring change to North Bergen. I am so grateful for the tremendous support I received on Friday night. Our movement will continue to grow.”
Wainstein will challenge incumbent Mayor Nicholas Sacco for the third time. Sacco was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in 1985. Sacco became mayor in 1991, and beat Wainstein twice so far in past challenges.
In 2015, Wainstein lost to Sacco by a margin of approximately 65 to 35 percent. Most recently, in 2019, Wainstein lost to Sacco by a margin of approximately 69 to 31 percent.
Before, during and after the election, Wainstein was behind a slew of continuing litigation aimed at his administration. He and his supporters filed highly-publicized lawsuits against North Bergen seeking to halt the North Bergen High School expansion, halt the North Bergen Liberty Generating power plant, and to be able to campaign on housing authority properties, among others. The lawsuit over the school expansion was ruled in North Bergen’s favor, the power plant plan was nixed, and the housing authority campaigning lawsuit was ruled in Wainstein’s favor, although he still lost to Sacco again.
While he has not announced his candidacy officially, Sacco is most definitely running for re-election as mayor. This comes after Sacco, also a State Senator for the 32nd Legislative District since 1994, was redistricted into the same district as State Senator and Union City Mayor Brian Stack of the 33rd Legislative District.
Wainstein supporters packed The Boulevard for his candidacy announcement.
Instead of rehashing a previous bout with Stack, Sacco announced his retirement from the State Senate and endorsed him for senator of the new 33rd Legislative District. Now he is focusing inward on North Bergen.
Neither have announced any running mates yet. However, since Commissioner of Revenue and Finance Julio Marenco is expected to run for a state Assembly seat with Stack in the new 33rd Legislative District, Sacco will need to find a new running mate there.
Otherwise, the mayoral candidates are off to the races. The campaign for the North Bergen 2023 municipal election has begun before 2022 has ended.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
The current business at 9001 River Road that is slated to become an eight-story mixed-use residential and commercial redevelopment. Image via Google Maps.
North Bergen has issued a resolution of support to Green House Apothecary, LLC, again, to open a recreational cannabis dispensary in the township to sell to adults over the age of 21.
In July 2021, the township adopted an ordinance creating the Cannabis Committee to receive and review applications by cannabis businesses seeking to operate in the township. Since its formation, the committee has been making recommendations to the Board of Commissioners as to whether the applicants should be approved at the local level.
Previously, in March, Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners approved a resolution of support for Green House to obtain a cannabis license and open a dispensary at 1600 Tonnelle Ave. However, the creation of a new commercial zone along River Road permits one medical or recreational cannabis dispensary as long as it does not exceed the township’s total limit of two.
With that, the board is now supporting Green House’s application for a Class 5 retail cannabis license to open a dispensary at 9001 River Road, which received Zoning Board of Adjustment approval in October 2020 for the construction of an eight-story 66-unit residential building with one lower level commercial retail area with two levels of parking on the site of a vacant warehouse and commercial space formerly a liquor store.
At its Dec. 7 meeting of this year, the Board of Commissioners approved the resolution unanimously to move the proposed location to what will likely be the ground floor retail for the mixed-use residential and commercial redevelopment planned for 9001 River Road. The measure also voids the previous approval for 1600 Tonnelle Ave., a commercial area off of the major local thoroughfare.
The move comes as the township has created a new commercial zoning district along the west side of River Road, from Bulls Ferry Road to the Edgewater border. In this zone, 9001 River Road is included as is the permitted use of cannabis establishments, paving the way for the location change.
After the meeting, Township Administrator Janet Castro told the Hudson Reporter that this was Green House seeking to open in a different location from what the township previously approved. “It’s not an additional license,” Castro said.
Now the business will need state approval before it can open. That means the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission approving the dispensary’s application for a retail license as well.
According to Castro, this was the last of the cannabis businesses seeking to open in North Bergen getting local approval. She said all others already have both local and state approvals.
Preparing for the fledgling cannabis industry in North Bergen
In March, North Bergen approved two resolutions of support for the applications submitted by cannabis businesses seeking to open dispensaries in the township. The township’s ordinances regarding cannabis establishments limit it to two retail dispensaries, one north of 43rd Street and the other south of it.
In June, the township approved a resolution of support for its first cannabis manufacturer. In August, the township approved three resolutions of support for two cultivators and another manufacturer.
This brings the total to six licenses sought for five businesses in the township, with two licenses each for retail, manufacturing and cultivation so far. This includes: Daily Muse for a Class 5 cannabis retail location at 6901 Tonnelle Ave.; Alb Labs, LLC for both a Class 2 cannabis manufacturer location and a Class 1 cannabis cultivator location at 2011 8th St. off of Tonnelle Avenue; Happy Hour Extracts for a Class 2 cannabis manufacturer location at 6901 Tonnelle Ave.; CYOUR NJ, LLC for a Class 1 cannabis cultivator location for both medical and recreational cannabis at 2600 71st St.
“Most of them have been approved by the state,” Castro said. She noted that is in addition to the now-pending second retail license that is for Green House. “I think they pretty much all have been approved,” she said.
According to Castro, Green House was the last to receive approval from the municipality. While that needs state approval now, the others have received all approvals and can move forward with opening.
“Now it’s just going about the route of construction, if that requires any depending on the location,” Castro said. “If they want to do any work and it requires a variance of sort, then they’d have to go back to the Zoning Board or Planning Board.”
However, its not clear when any of the facilities will open in the township. Castro said she had no idea yet.
“I don’t know the timeline yet,” Castro said. Regardless, North Bergen cannabis facilities are working their way toward opening.
Meanwhile, Harmony Dispensary in Secaucus has gotten the state’s approval to expand from medical cannabis sales only to now include recreational cannabis sales. Soon, stoners will be able enjoy the high of cannabis products purchased at dispensaries locally in Hudson County.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
One of the commercial properties on the west side of River Road now included in the redevelopment plan. Image via Google Maps.
North Bergen has created a new zoning district in the township.
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance at a Dec. 7 meeting to implement a Master Plan amendment creating a new zoning district after the measure was introduced at a Nov. 9 meeting. Known as the RRC-2 River Road Commercial 2, the district permits commercial use along a portion of the west side of River Road.
The Planning Board adopted a “Periodic Reexamination and Report of the Master Plan and Land Use Plan Element Amendment” at its Nov. 1 meeting. It recognized the character of certain properties on the west side of River Road between Bulls Ferry Road and the border with Edgewater as predominately nonresidential.
The commercial nature of that portion of the street has occurred despite being residentially zoned.
In addition, a number of lots don’t conform to existing zoning bulk standards. Those factors, coupled with significant residential growth in the vicinity, warrant an amendment to the current zoning for these lots in terms of uses and bulk standards.
The Board of Commissioners is responsible for implementing recommendations of the Master Plan to create the new commercial zone district. The new zone permits retail and commercial uses on that side of River Road.
What’s permitted in the new commercial zone?
Permitted uses in the district includes retail sales, personal services, professional offices, banks and eating and drinking establishments without drive-thru or walk-up service.
Cannabis retailers and medical cannabis dispensaries with the proper permits are allowed. According to the ordinance, this is only as long as there is only one within the district and it does not exceed the township’s limit of two dispensaries.
According to the ordinance, the bulk standards now require a minimum lot area of 2,500 square feet, a minimum lot width of 25 feet, a minimum lot depth of 27 feet, no minimum setback from the street or side yard setback or 5 feet if provided, a minimum rear yard setback of 10 feet, a maximum building coverage of 50 percent, a minimum landscaped area of 10 percent, maximum impervious coverage of 90 percent and a maximum building height of three stories or 40 feet.
Buildings with expansive blank walls facing the public right of way are prohibited. According to the ordinance, large horizontal buildings must be broken into segments having vertical orientation.
Architectural elements and design variation, including building offsets, must be integrated to preclude a continuous uninterrupted facade, according to the ordinance. Side and rear building elevations must receive architectural treatments comparable to front facades when visible from a public right-of-way.
A significant landscape feature must be provided. Total landscaping must not be less than 10 percent of the site area, according to the ordinance. Street trees must be provided around parking areas. Parking rows longer than 20 spaces must have a 6-foot-wide landscaped island. There must be particular focus on landscaping the River Road frontage in a “creative and aesthetically-pleasing manner.”
Board unanimously approves Master Plan amendment
Sacco noted the lack of residents this time around to discuss the ordinance. At the Nov. 22 meeting, Nenad and Kathy Krickovic spoke in favor of the Master Plan amendment ordinance, but against the lack of specification of some bulk standards in the district. They also pointed to issues with telephone poles blocking the sidewalk that would be exacerbated by the lack of certain bulk standards, specifically when it comes to setbacks in the front yard.
The amendment went back to the Planning Board for another approval on Dec. 6 before a public hearing for it returned to the Board of Commissioners. With no changes from the Planning Board, the ordinance authorizing the amendment was back for a public hearing and vote by the Board of Commissioners on Dec. 7.
“The people that were here last meeting, I guess they were satisfied with the ordinance,” Sacco said in December. However, Nenad Krickovic was actually in the audience at that meeting.
While he did not address the board from the podium like last time, Krickovic confirmed to Sacco that he was “very satisfied.” The board then voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.
The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners is on Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. in the municipal chambers at Town Hall at 4233 Kennedy Blvd. For more information, go to northbergen.org.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
Shaya Brodchandel, CEO of the Harmony Foundation. Photo courtesy of Harmony.
Secaucus’ Harmony Dispensary recently made headlines after getting state approval to expand from medical cannabis sales to recreational adult-use sales. However, what went somewhat under the radar was that, at the end of October, the workers of the dispensary unionized.
On Oct. 22, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360 announced the decision of workers at the Harmony Foundation and its Harmony Dispensary to unionize as members of UFCW. Harmony employees added their names to the fast-growing ranks of UFCW Local 360 from New Jersey’s fledgling cannabis economy.
“This is great news for these workers and their families. They carefully considered and then selected the career-enhancing benefits that come with joining Local 360,” said Hugh Giordano, UFCW Local 360 organizing director.
“From ensuring sick and ailing patients get the help they need, to educating them on how to properly experience the benefits of medical marijuana, to supporting the expansion of this industry, they have shown their commitment to the promises of the cannabis economy,” Giordano said.
“Across the cannabis industry, a new breed of workers is discovering that true unions play a critical role in properly balancing the needs of workers, communities and employers,” said Sam Ferraino Jr., president of UFCW Local 360.
”This vote is not only a sign of support for the union’s pledge to make a positive impact on businesses, families and communities, it is also a statement of support for high operating standards and a diverse and skilled workforce with good working conditions,” Ferraino said.
From “seed to sale,” UFCW is a leader in organizing cannabis industry employees and is the official AFL-CIO-designated cannabis labor union. Representing tens of thousands of cannabis workers in dispensaries, labs, delivery, manufacturing, processing, grow facilities and more, UFCW said it works with employees and business owners to achieve “the shared goal of a regulated cannabis industry that delivers family-sustaining jobs and is focused on social equity.”
“We have always said that the UFCW supports cannabis industry workers from seed to sale,” Giordano added. “And with a company like Harmony, that’s clearly the case. They’re already a name in medical marijuana, with their own cultivation and dispensary operations, and they’re actively looking to expand, both geographically through new businesses and by entering the adult-use market. It is the right time to join Local 360 and we are proud that these employees have come to the same conclusion.”
Harmony now joins the ongoing unionization of cannabis workers nationwide. While it has been approved to enter into the adult cannabis market at its Secaucus dispensary, Harmony also plans on opening medical dispensaries in Hoboken and Jersey City, in addition to its new cultivation site in Lafayette.
“Harmony has always believed that the men and women that come to work every day in our dispensaries deserve to have their voices heard on the job,” said Shaya Brodchandel, CEO of Harmony. “We look forward to our future discussions with our team members, and UFCW Local 360, to build on Harmony’s reputation as being a truly great place to work.”
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
Hudson Regional Hospital is facing tens of thousands of dollars in fines from the NJDOH over the incident, but is working to prevent such occurrences in the future. Image courtesy of the hospital.
Hudson Regional Hospital in Secaucus is facing $63,000 in fines from the New Jersey Department of Health after a weapons cache was discovered at the facility in July.
That month, law enforcement uncovered the weapons after investigating a bomb threat at the hospital. While it was ultimately a hoax, over 38 different types of weapons were discovered at Hudson Regional Hospital.
Handguns, shotguns, rifles and ammo found at hospital
On July 18, police swept the building in response to reports of a bomb threat, according to a statement by Police Chief Dennis Miller at the time. He said that during the sweep, bomb detection canines from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and Bayonne Police Department gave a positive indication on an unlocked closet within an office in which police discovered a large cache of rifles, shotguns and handguns, and assorted ammunition.
In total, 11 handguns of various calibers and 27 rifles and shotguns were discovered. Among these was a .45 caliber semi-automatic rifle with a high-capacity magazine. Additionally, a 14-round high-capacity handgun magazine was also seized. The bomb threat was later determined to be a hoax.
In the wake of the incident, Reuven Alonalayoff, a 46-year-old from Elmwood Park, was arrested on Aug. 7 at Newark Liberty International Airport with assistance from the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations. He was charged with possession of an assault firearm and two counts of possession of a high-capacity magazine. These charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
While the police described him as the marketing director, in a statement at the time, Hudson Regional Hospital clarified that he was a “non-employee consultant.” In August, police body camera footage of the incident was released.
The video reported by multiple news outlets showed the sheer amount of weaponry stored at the hospital by Alonalayoff. This was a frightening revelation given mass shootings occurring with increasing frequency across the United States.
“The presence of weapons in a hospital is inexcusable beyond comprehension and contradicts our mission of care and our commitment to the safety of our community of staff, patients and the extended community,” the hospital said in a statement at the time. “While regrettable, this incident has given us occasion to review security protocols and we have taken steps to assure that it will never happen again.”
Reuven Alonalayoff, image via the Secaucus Police Department.
Fined for multiple violations with NJDOH
Now, the hospital has been issued fines from the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), according to the four-page assessment of penalties issued on Nov. 30. The NJDOH conducted a complaint survey at the hospital on Aug. 23.
The reason behind the the fines is for the hospital not notifying the state within three hours of the Secaucus Police Department investigating the bomb threat and uncovering the weapons cache. According to the NJDOH, Hudson Regional Hospital was also in violation because it failed to keep a violence prevention plan and implement policies and procedures to maintain a safe hospital environment.
The NJDOH stated that the facility security failed to inquire about and identify the weapons brought to the hospital by a now-former employee. The state also highlighted how a facility staffer did become aware of the weapons, but did not report the discovery to hospital security.
According to the NJDOH, when Alonalayoff brought the firearms into the facility, they were not visible to onlookers or security personnel as they were contained in cases and were covered with plastic. In addition, when the unnamed staffer discovered Alonalayoff’s weapons cache one day when she entered his office to use the restroom while he wasn’t there, she saw the weapons inside but did not report them because it was not any “of her business.”
As such, the hospital faces a $63,000 fine. $61,000 of that consists of a $1,000 per day fine for the staff member leaving the firearms in the closet without reporting them from July 11 to Sept. 9. September 9 is the day that the facility educated staff on policies and procedures to maintain a safe hospital environment.
Hudson Regional Hospital also faces two more violations for an additional $2,000 in fines for not reporting the bomb threat and weapons cache to the NJDOH within the required time period. This includes two violations of $1,000 each for not reporting the bomb threat or weapons cache within three hours.
Hudson Regional Hospital working with NJDOH
Following the news of the fine, Hudson Regional Hospital released a statement noting they were working with the NJDOH. The hospital said it was working to ensure this would not happen again.
“Hudson Regional Hospital designed a corrective action plan in response to a notice from the Department of Health concerning an incident where firearms were discovered in the hospital,” Hudson Regional Hospital said in a statement to the Hudson Reporter on Dec. 7. “The DOH accepted our plan, which was implemented and is in force, preventing any such incidents from occurring in the future. The DOH noticed us of its penalties for the infraction, which we are remitting in due course.”
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
“No filing, no exemption,” said tenants from Portside Towers who stood in front of Jersey City council members, pleading to follow through with city rent control ordinances as tenants faced rent increases of over 30 percent.
“Who is at fault starts to shift, when there is an awareness, like this very public awareness, of wrongdoing, but it is allowed to continue,” said Kevin Weller, a tenant who has lived in Portside Towers for around two years.
The issue of unenforced rent control ordinances by the city at Portside Towers was not unbeknown to the city’s council members, said Weller, who spoke on the issue at the last Jersey City Municipal Council meeting earlier in November.
“Here we go again after three weeks later, the press is here with us again, only now there is even more interest,” said Weller, referring to the article published by the Wall Street Journal indicating residents in Jersey City are facing over 40 percent rent increases.
As reported by the WSJ, Jersey City has undergone significant rent growth nationwide. “The average asking apartment rent in Jersey City was $2,850 a month in October, up 28% from 2012,” as reported by the WSJ.
The state of New Jersey carries out one of the highest numbers of municipal rent control laws in the country. Current housing laws limit annual rent increase to no more than 4 percent, according to the city’s rent control ordinance.
In Jersey City and Hoboken, rent control ordinances apply to buildings that have been around for more than 30 years, but can also apply to recent buildings where developers never filed for a state exemption when constructed.
Jessica Brann and other tenants saw rent increases of up to 34 percent, eight times higher than the city’s rent control ordinance permitted. In another instance, the Hudson Reporter interviewed tenants who also faced rent increases of up to 30 percent more than their original rent.
“My increase was one of highest increases tenants in Portside Towers East or West received in the past several years. It was, however, amazingly, not the highest increase,” said Brann, who has lived at the property managed by Equity Residential, a real estate company.
The Hudson Reporter attempted to reach out to Equity Residential and the city’s Rent Leveling Board department in relation to the rent level increase at Portside Towers, none have provided comment so far.
“Why is the rent control enforcement authority for Jersey City trying to be the first in the history of New Jersey to allow illegal rents?” said Jessica Rasulo, who has been a tenant at Portside Towers on 100 Warren St. for nine years and a mother of two.
She added, that a claim to a rent control exemption was not filed prior to the 30 days of issuing a Certificate of Occupancy, which according to Jersey City Ordinance, indicates the completion of construction, and is necessary before occupancy.
Under New Jersey State law, all landlords of residential rental dwellings are required to register their rental units through a Landlord Registration statement, filed to the Division of Housing Preservation and the Office of Landlord/Tenant Relations, both departments that are under the city’s Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce.
The Hudson Reporter found out through reviewing documents filed by Equity Residential, owned in 1998, in a question asked if the property fell under rent control, the real estate firm responded “yes.”
Ward E Councilman James Solomon added that in a determination made by the city’s Rent Leveling Board concluded that Portside Towers fell under the city’s rent control ordinance, “however she [Dinah Hendon] exempted them for 30 years under the state law,” he said.
Under state housing laws new construction, “In the event that there is no initial mortgage financing, the period of exemption from a rent control or rent leveling ordinance shall be 30 years from the completion of construction.”
Tenants such as Kevin Weller and Jessica Brann argue that Equity Residential did not comply with the filing requirement that is mandated by the NJ Statute and Jersey City ordinance and did not satisfy the filing requirement.
” … because if paperwork was not filed correctly, I see your point. I do. I just think that as a city, when we fall short, we just gotta own it, so to say,” said City Council President Joyce Watterman. “I don’t know how you live it,” said Watterman, referring to the rent increase fallen on tenants at Portside Towers.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Jordan Coll can be reached at [email protected].
Jeffrey Machno, former programming director at the Secaucus Public Library. Images courtesy of Machno.
Jeffrey Machno is a Secaucus resident and emcee who hosts an array of events in the metropolitan area. He jokingly dubbed himself something of a “roving Bob Barker,” having been involved in the entertainment industry for many years.
“I don’t even know how to explain it,” he told the Hudson Reporter. “It’s like, ‘Hey we’re doing a show. Jeff, do you think you could host it?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, all right. Come on. Give me the mic.’ And I get all these bookings.”
The 42-year-old Machno has done voice-over work in the past and even did a show out in Las Vegas, eventually coming to work for the library part-time three years ago. But when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, his sister-in-law Lisa Machno, who is the Branch Director for the Katherine Steffens Library Annex in Secaucus, recommended he bring some events to the library.
So began the weekly events, first starting with “Trivia Night.” Amid the era of the stay-at-home order, the virtual event was a haven for those seeking community during the isolation.
“I started doing this weekly trivia program for the library, which ended up taking off,” Machno said. “We also used my connections to have people on to do an interview series, like the in-town Barbara Walters.”
Machno is technically not a librarian, humbly admitting he doesn’t have the master’s degree for that, but nevertheless, since getting involved he has played a key role in programming at the Secaucus Public Library throughout recent years. He was also essentially the face of the library, too, manning the front desk and greeting library-goers with radiant positive energy.
“That’s what I started doing for the Secaucus Public Library,” Machno said. “I became their cruise director. I was always emceeing their live events. The library would have a festival, they’d give me the mic, and all day long I’d be out there.”
With a background in the entertainment industry, this came easy to Machno. He also took over the library’s social media pages at a time when no one had anywhere to go and everything was online.
“I was providing online content during the pandemic,” Machno said. “They were looking for programming things that could be done while people were at home.”
From ‘Trivia Night,’ to celebrity interviews and more
The trivia took place every Friday night, with a diversity of themes from Bollywood to American television shows and more. The event was held in a virtual format given the nature of the obvious pandemic circumstances of the time.
“I’ve got a software that I work with where people came on, they were able to interact with each other and me online in the comments section,” Machno said. “It was a way for people during the shutdown to still socialize. It just took off, and people just enjoyed doing it. Every type of trivia, whether it be Disney trivia, Seinfeld trivia, we would have prizes.”
Given the diversity of the population of Secaucus, the idea was to have something for everyone when it came to the weekly offerings. Machno added, “Any time a different group would have a holiday, I would make sure to include them.”
According to Machno, local businesses would donate gift cards for restaurants and other stores. He said it “really became a community thing.”
“It went beyong the library,” Machno said. “It’s something that now other communities are starting to sniff around for. I was chatting with some people in Jersey City … and it’s growing.”
According to Machno, following the trivia series, his programming expanded to include an interview series with everyone from local officials like the mayor and police chief, to authors and some celebrities he knows through his work, as well as community heroes he wanted to honor. Guests have included Jack Black and Kelsey Grammer to even former Gov. James McGreevey.
“I had quite a few people involved there,” Machno said. “It was a way to keep the community involved. It was going on for about three years. And it reached people from other towns or other states.”
In addition to that, Machno had celebrities or those adjacent to them at “Trivia Night.” The guest was usually relevant to the theme of that week.
“Joan Crawford’s grandson is a good friend,” Machno said. “He comes on for programs where we do Joan Crawford nights. He shows her private home movies. We bring a little something for everyone. I’ve had Peter Freestone, that’s Freddie Mercury’s personal assistant who lived with Freddie for the last 12 years of his life and was in the room when he died. So these are people that I know from being in the business.”
Machno is not only a local sensation, but has reached many across Hudson County.
Using industry connections to produce content
From those close to Joan Crawford and Freddie Mercury, to Dolly Parton herself, Machno has an array of celebrities whom he knows from his “9 to 5.” He used his connections in order to orchestrate the interviews and provide that type of entertainment content through the library.
“Dolly Parton, she’s another one I know just from being around. Being in the business, you get to know people,” Machno said. “Sometimes you’re lucky enough to make some really good friends, and everybody is willing to help each other. As small and tight-knit a community as Secaucus is, the entertainment industry is the same way.”
Machno said this type of programming during the stay-at-home order era of the pandemic was “extremely important” to residents. That’s why it was a no-brainer for the library to allow him to expand to include the interview series and other weekly live events.
The events took place both virtually and in-person, as the state of the pandemic allowed it. Machno’s programming continued to grow in popularity, leading to many regulars of the events akin to fans.
“People absolutely needed an outlet,” Machno said. “They needed an outlet to socialize. It just was a way for that to happen. Everyone was having those family Zoom meetings and getting together on there for birthdays. Everyone was finding all these different ways to stay connected and this was just another way to do that. It was a way to be connected, to be entertained. You have to be able to laugh, whether there’s a pandemic out there or not. If you can’t laugh … it’s only going to seem bleaker.”
Event programming in Secaucus and the rest of Hudson County
Now, Machno is actually no longer doing programming with the Secaucus library. He is in talks with some other entities to bring the same type of programs he offered in Secaucus to their municipalities. However, being a resident of the town, he was happy to be of service especially at a time when people needed a happy distraction.
“Secaucus is a wonderful town, being where I grew up,” Machno said. “That’s where I went to grammar school. For high school, I went to Hudson Catholic in Jersey City. But Secaucus … that town could grow as much as it wants to grow and it’s always going to have a small-town feel.”
Machno dreamed of working at the library. He’s always loved books and people, frequenting the library many times as a kid. And his programming aimed to make the library, as well as reading, fun.
According to Machno, for grammar school, he attended Immaculate Conception and then attended Hudson Catholic High School. Following that, his interest in show business and the like was sparked by performing as a standup comedian and serving as an emcee at clubs in New York City.
After that, he performed a show in Las Vegas, and also attended the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. Also making a foray into voice-over work, he eventually found his way back home.
According to Machno, his family having lived in Secaucus impacted him greatly. In addition to his sister-in-law working at the library, his brother is a local officer for the Secaucus Police Department.
“Everybody does know each other,” Machno said. “You feel safe when you’re there. Even just driving through it going from Point A to Point B, there’s a sense of home when you go through it … It’s a strong community. It’s a community that endures. And really, during that pandemic, the town really came together.”
Machno said other towns have contacted him and that the programming is going to be growing to other towns. He wants to continue the trivia nights and interviews with celebrities as well as the other weekly events he used to host.
Machno’s programming has undoubtedly made an impact in Secaucus and beyond. Residents touched by him even reached out to Hudson Reporter to underscore that he deserved recognition for his trivia nights.
“Word got out, and now let’s see if we can make the state of New Jersey, or at least Hudson County, one big community,” Machno said. While he sets his sights on making his trivia events bigger than Secaucus, Machno said he would return in a heartbeat to emcee any such events again in town.
Machno has also hosted events for other Secaucus entries such as the Secaucus Rotary Club.
Making an impact on local communities
“It doesn’t matter what town, what state, you can always find my programming on social media platforms,” Machno said. “A lot of the communities that I go to, it really exposes it. So if it’s the Jersey City Library, the Secaucus Town website, whatever it is, it’s going to let people know we’re there. If you share the links … I’ve had people in Virginia, New York … Other people are coming just because they know I’m calling numbers, or I’m doing a dunk tank. They always show up. It’s flattering.”
Machno takes pride in what he does. He said: “I truly love people and I love being able to make a difference.”
And people love Machno, too, from your average resident to even Mayor Michael Gonnelli. Secaucus resident Evan Comer said, “His shows continue to be watched by the Secaucus community and the surrounding towns, and his presence has even reached people in other states … I believe he is someone that brings such joy to his own community and many others and who people should be watching and talking about. He has brought many communities together with good, wholesome fun and informative entertainment. That sort of thing seems to be rare these days.”
While many of his trivia events and other programming were virtual given the nature of the time, they can still be rewatched and enjoyed. Machno’s content is immortalized on his Instagram at @mrjdm80 and other social media platforms.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
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