West New York officials defend parking space repainting

November 6, 2021

11wnyparking11 — An example of an illegal yellow zone that was removed to allow for more parking, WNY officials said.

West New York officials are pushing back against resident claims that the new parking space line repainting is counterproductive.

At the October meeting of the West New York Board of Commissioners, resident Mark Bloomberg again raised concerns about the repainting of the lines of parking spaces. Bloomberg argued that the town lost spaces through the project, specifically on 63rd Street between Park Avenue and Boulevard East. He also took issue with the way the lines were painted, with the old lines still visible beneath.

In response, Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez and the board again defended the project. Commissioner Yoleisy Yanez said that the repainting has added parking spaces. She quipped that many residents had called asking for the parking space lines to be repainted.

Parking liaison sounds off

Administration Liaison for the West New York Parking Utility Amiris Perez echoed Yanez that residents had asked for this.

“We have received numerous of calls here in this office requesting from residents of this town to paint these lines, because it was causing a lot of problems among residents,” Perez said. “There were individuals, actually parking in in the middle of two parking spaces, holding a spot for a friend or family member and that was causing a lot of problems. That’s part of the reason why these lines were painted.”

Perez said the line painting project was still ongoing.

“This project has not been completed yet,” Perez said. “We’re getting there. I would say that it’s approximately 85 percent completed right now.”

While the project is not complete, Perez said that enforcement of the lines has begun.

“We started enforcing the lines because that’s another thing that we also started receiving complaints about from residents,” Perez said. “As of September 29, we started enforcing the lines and we gave ample time to the community to know when we’re going to start enforcing these lines.”

Correcting illegalities

“I also wanted to mention that during the process of painting the lines, we actually found couple of things,” Perez said. “We worked together with the Department of Public Works and the Traffic Division to correct this illegal parking that we found.”

Perez said the town found illegal driveways, illegal alleyways that were converted into driveways, and other instances of illegal parking that were rectified such as illegal yellow zones and illegal handicap spaces.

“We were able to reestablish two parking spaces,” Perez said after an illegal yellow zone was discovered at a residence on 54th Street. “Someone, I believe it could be the resident, actually painted an illegal yellow zone there that will take up two parking spaces.”

Another area on Palisades Avenue with a similar situation yielded more new spaces.

“We were actually able to open up four new parking spaces between an illegal driveway, an illegal yellow zone, and an expired handicap spot,” Perez said. “We were able to remove all of that and we added four new parking spaces.”

According to Perez, the removal of those as well as some illegal handicap spaces have led to the addition of new parking spaces.

“Individuals probably went to Home Depot somewhere, put their own handicap parking sign, and simply painted the area in front of their homes,” Perez said. “They claim that is their new parking space and that is illegal.”

Smaller spaces?

Perez said one way the town is hoping to relieve the parking issue is by making the parking spaces smaller. She said that the town is making spaces 20 feet instead of 22 feet to allow for more.

According to Perez, there have been complaints that the parking spaces are bigger than what they’re supposed to be. Perez said that the standard length of an on-street parking space is 22 feet but that the new spaces are less than that.

“We decided that we’re just going to paint the lines starting at 20 feet,” Perez said. That goes in accordance with a town ordinance that would not allow vehicles more than 20 feet long to park on the street.

“That also helped to what we’re trying to do here,” Perez said. “So we’re not even using the 22 feet standard dimension of a parking stall or on-street parking. We’re just adjusting it to what the town of West New York considers applicable.”

The move aims to allow for more spaces as a result of the smaller length of space.

“It has been a very extensive project,” Perez said. “We involve a lot of departments. We’re trying to help resolve this parking issue.”

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].

‘Change We Need’ slate sweeps Secaucus school board election

Hudson Reporter

November 5, 2021

11secelection11 — The "Change We Need" slate from left to right: Abby Gonzalez, Ruby Kish, and Leah Fanning-Farinola.

The “Change We Need” ticket, consisting of Leah Fanning-Farinola, Abigail Gonzalez, and Ruby Kish, have been elected to the school board for three-year terms, according to unofficial election results from the Hudson County Clerk.

The slate, which was the only in the race, beat out seven other candidates including: incumbent Trustees Joan Cali and Mary Eccles; former Trustee Kelli D’Addetta; Audry Yule; Bill Miller; David Kraatz; and Alexander De Hombre.

Of the 416,742 registered voters in Hudson County, there were 119,575 ballots cast as of Nov. 5 at 12 p.m. Of those, 9,372 were cast in the Secaucus school board election. The results remain unofficial until certified by the county clerk’s office. Mail-in and provisional ballots continue to be counted.

“Change We Need” wins

The candidate with the most votes was Fanning-Farinola with 1,785. She was followed by Gonzalez with 1,647 votes, and Kish with 1,570. The slate decisively won, with the next closest candidate being D’Addetta with 1,240 votes.

“We want to thank Secaucus residents for voting for change!” Fanning-Farinola, Gonzalez, and Kish told the Hudson Reporter in a joint statement. “We won this election through a sheer grassroots effort that brought together a diverse cross-section of community members who believe in what we believe: that the Board of Education needs to listen to and engage with the community, that parental involvement matters, and transparency and communication are essential characteristics of an effective school board.”

They continued: “We did not win this election because of who we know, or based solely on the support of friends and family, we won this election because we connected with voters on the issues that matter to them and promised to use our backgrounds and experience to fight for change. Thank you Secaucus, we will not disappoint you!”

Red shows districts where Fanning-Farinola had the most votes and brown shows the districts where D’Addetta had the most votes.

Vote totals

Incumbent Joan Cali came in a distant fifth with only 982 votes. Next was De Hombre with 570 votes, followed by Yule with 481, Eccles with 468, Miller with 431, and Kraatz with 181. There were 17 write-in votes.

Looking at a map of the results, Fanning-Farinola received the highest votes in nearly every district, with the rest of the “Change We Need” slate not far behind. That is, except for two districts where D’Addetta had the most votes with Fanning-Farinola, Gonzalez, and Kish slightly trailing.

In the contest, the top three candidates with the most votes won the three seats up for grabs. Cali and Eccles were not re-elected. And the third incumbent, Trustee Barbra Strobert, did not seek re-election.

The two incumbents losses comes after the Board of Education voted to replace Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Montesano with Acting Superintendent Daniela Riser, marking an overall shift on the board.

The campaign was dominated by demands from the candidates, many of them parents as well, for more transparency and communication between the board and the community. Those being main themes of the “Change We Need” slate, it seems parents have voted and gotten what they wanted.

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].

North Bergen officials open to community garden idea

Hudson Reporter

November 2, 2021

11nbgarden11 — The site of the proposed community garden, via Google Maps

Jina Morano has been asking the township of North Bergen to consider constructing a community garden in between the dead ends of 71st Street and Columbia Avenue, and township officials have said they are open to the idea.

“It would not just be a community garden,” Morano said. “It would be for educational purposes.” The idea is for this garden is to specifically allow North Bergen elementary school students to learn about and grow fruits and vegetables.

Morano first outlined her plan at the Oct. 6 meeting. At the Oct. 20 meeting, she added further details, and even presented an aerial layout of the proposed community garden. Another resident, Hailey Benson, who echoed Morano’s calls for a community garden at the previous meeting, reiterated support for the idea at this meeting.

Still interested

In response, Mayor Nicholas Sacco was again open to the idea: “There’s actually nothing happening with that park. We’ve had more headaches than anything with that park.”

Sacco said the neighborhood wanted it closed down to due to safety issues. Morano and Benson said that they surveyed the area with their idea and received positive feedback.

“We had actually talked to the neighbor right nearby it and they said they would love to see it be something for the students, actually something productive,” Benson said.

To further address safety, Morano and Benson proposed extending the fence that currently only exists around one area of the park to encompass the entire perimeter. That way the lockable gates will provide protection to the whole park.

While the idea was to limit it to elementary school students only, Sacco said the park was built with Green Acres funding and all residents must be allowed to access it. Benson said that would be fine and the fence could be used to lock up the community garden at night for safety.

“That is an area where something needs to be done,” Sacco said, adding that the proposed community garden was a “great idea” that the township will continue to look into.

Pre-project repairs needed

Before the project can begin, if the township choses to do so, Morano and Benson said that the ramp from Grand Street to the park was destroyed by Hurricane Ida.

“It’s basically a safety hazard and we think the winter will make it worse,” Benson said. “All of the snow is going to make the hole bigger as well.”

According to Benson, a retaining wall on a property adjacent to the site of the proposed garden was also damaged by Ida and needs to be repaired before the project can commence. Benson wanted to meet with a township-approved surveyor to get an estimate on the repairs to the site so that a budget can be created and grants can potentially be applied for regarding the project.

In response, Township Administrator Janet Castro said that the township is looking to repair the ramp.

“We are in the process of getting specs to fix that,” Castro said. While the park ramp wasn’t in a good condition to begin with, Castro said that will likely be remedied through FEMA funds.

In terms of the retaining wall, the township is assessing it and has request a survey of the property from the owner of the nearby home to determine if that is on township property or their property. If the property belongs to the township, it will pay to fix it. If it’s the property owner’s, it’s on them but there is assistance available, Castro said.

‘Working on it’

“Overall, we are working on it,” Castro said. “We are completely open to this idea. It’s a great idea. We have all explored and discussed it. There’s just a process.”

In terms of funding, Castro said the township does have a grant writing and other resources to utilize if it were to move forward with the project. However, she said anything probably won’t commence until after the winter.

Morano and Benson understood, but asked the township to block off the ramp while it is in its current state due to safety concerns. There was caution tape but it had broken and anyone could walk on the ramp, Benson said. Castro agreed it was a safety issue and that the ramp would be closed again.

Discussion of the project will likely arise at the next North Bergen Board of Commissioners meeting on Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. at Town Hall at 4233 Kennedy Boulevard. For more information, go to the northbergen.org and click on the event on the calendar webpage.

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].

ARP funds to address budget shortfalls in Secaucus

Hudson Reporter

October 28, 2021

11seccouncil04-1 — The Secaucus Council meets in person at Town Hall at 1203 Paterson Plank Road.

The Secaucus Town Council has approved a resolution accepting part of its allocation of COVID-19 recovery funds from the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP).

The council voted unanimously to accept the monies at its Oct. 26 meeting. The resolution authorized the insertion of the $1,145,754.33 in federal funds into the 2021 budget, according to Town Administrator Gary Jeffas.

“Based on the monies that were released from the American Rescue Plan, Secaucus is going to get about $2.2 million,” Jeffas said.

According to Jeffas, the town will receive the same amount next year for the 2022 budget, equaling $2,291,508.66 total received in ARP money.

“The way the government is issuing them is that it’s over two budget years,” Jeffas said. “So this year we get $1.1 million and then next year we get the same.”

And the town needs it. Revenue has decreased due to the pandemic, according to Jeffas.

Addressing budget shortcomings

“We’ve had budget deficits from COVID-19, from the lack of parking tax and hotel tax,” Jeffas said. “Recreation fees are down at the town pool, etcetera. So we’ve had a budget shortage. There’s other fees that amount and possibly more at the end of the day.”

This federal money will help address the budgetary issues, he said.

“Thankfully, that money can come in and be applied to those budget shortfalls,” Jeffas said. “So its good news we’re getting back those funds and then we will get them again in 2022.”

Secaucus’s $2.2 million was part of a larger $424,614,802 of ARP funding allocated to Hudson County.

Of the roughly $424.6 million allocated to Hudson, the county government received $130.4 million. The other $294 million went to municipalities. Jersey City received the most funds at about $145.8 million, followed by Bayonne with $39.2 million, Hoboken with $27.2 million, West New York with $26.8 million, Union City with $26.4 million, North Bergen with $17.8 million, Kearny with $4 million, Secaucus with $2.2 million, Harrison with $2 million, Weehawken with $1.4 million, Guttenberg with $1.1 million, and East Newark with $255,403.

The next meeting of the Secaucus Town Council will be on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at Town Hall at 1203 Paterson Plank Road. For more information, go to secaucusnj.gov.

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].

North Bergen residents petition for community garden

Hudson Reporter

October 14, 2021

10nbgarden21 — The community garden in Braddock Park. Photo via NB Earth Talks

North Bergen residents have asked the township to consider the creation of another community garden, for educational purposes.

Jina Morano brought her son Lucas and other children to raise the idea at the Oct. 6 meeting of the North Bergen Board of Commissioners.

“A community garden is not just a place the kids go and pick up some tomatoes and vegetables,” Morano said. “It goes beyond that. There are many studies that have proved that children who attend community gardens are more likely to adapt healthy habits.”

Morano said she is very enthusiastic about “healthy living” and has her own garden in her backyard.

“Having a garden is a lot of work, so it’s a good exercise for the kids,” Morano said. “It would be doing something not only for the kids of the community, but also for the family. Studies have shown that [community gardens] make families get together.”

Morano asked the board to help make this community garden a reality and that the whole community would appreciate it.

“This will be a place not only will be to grow, but also to educate and to have fun,” Morano said.

Reusing old park space?

Mayor Nicholas Sacco said that the township did try something similar already and added there was a community garden in Braddock Park. Another resident, Hailey Benson, said that the plots in that garden are not for public use.

“This would be specifically for the elementary school,” Benson said. “This would be an educational tool specifically for a science teacher to actually bring the students to learn with hands-on experience.”

Benson said that they have located a potential spot for the garden: “We have found a property that has been abandoned for many years. It used to be a park space.”

Morano said there was ample space for the garden at the spot 71st Street and Columbia Avenue. Benson said the area was safe and already had lockable gates.

Township Administrator Janet Castro said the walkway in the area was under construction after damage incurred by Hurricane Ida, but that the township could explore the idea of a community garden at the location. Sacco told Morano to speak with Castro after the meeting.

“We can put our ideas together and maybe work something out,” Sacco said.

‘More compost bins!’

Residents also asked the board for more compost bins following the success of the bin at the Braddock Park Community Garden.

“The compost bin has diverted over 700 pounds of waste thus far in the two months that its been there,” Benson said. “Since the program is showing great success, I would love to propose an investment in a second bin at that location for an additional $516 dollars for the pilot program which expires in January.”

Benson wants to keep up the conversation to get more compost bins at other locations in the township: “I know residents downtown have been speaking to me, saying that they would really love to see more compost bins downtown. 80th Street is pretty far for them.”

Stephanie Martinez echoed Benson, calling for more compost bins in the township considering the success of the existing one.

“We should have more compost bins available throughout North Bergen,” Martinez said. “Maybe setting another compost bin downtown?”

Martinez suggested putting one at the 10th Street Park that is currently being renovated: “Driving to 80th Street to drop off compost defeats the purpose of being sustainable.”

According to Martinez, adding the compost bins and community garden can also build community. The board did not respond to any of the proposals regarding compost bins.

The next North Bergen Board of Commissioners meeting will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 20 at Town Hall at 423 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].

Masses for people with disabilities return to Union City parish

Hudson Reporter

October 14, 2021

10ucchurch21 — In addition to San Agustín, three other parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark will offer the inclusive Masses. Photo via Archdiocese

Four parishes within the Archdiocese of Newark have resumed celebrating Masses specifically adapted for persons with disabilities, including one parish in Hudson County.

Though parishioners with disabilities are welcome and encouraged to attend their local parish Masses every week, these Inclusive Family Masses are offered to accommodate anyone who feels uncomfortable at the prospect of their loved one with a disability making noise or moving around at inopportune moments. The monthly Masses are facilitated by the archdiocesan Department for Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities.

The Masses are shorter, and some do not have music because some individuals with disabilities find it unpleasant. The Archdiocese hopes that Inclusive Family Masses foster a sense of acceptance and solidarity among families impacted by disability and also facilitate comfort participating in their parish’s regularly scheduled Masses.

One of the four parishes offering the Masses is in Hudson County. San Agustín at 3900 New York Avenue in Union City will offer the Inclusive Family Masses in Spanish at 5 p.m. on Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, March 12, April 9, and May 14. For more information, call 201-863-0233.

“Celebrating the Eucharist is an essential part of our Catholic faith, but many individuals with disabilities and those who love them don’t attend Mass because they may have had a bad experience,” said Anne Masters, Director of the Department for Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, in a statement. “We’re incomplete as the body of Christ if anyone stays away. We offer the Inclusive Family Masses so they don’t have to worry about making extra noises or the need to move around. This ministry exemplifies our Church’s care and concern about all families.”

A spreading success

The Inclusive Family Masses, which are offered annually from September through June, originated in 2006 as an initiative of the Church of the Nativity in Midland Park. After seeing the parish’s success connecting with congregation members with disabilities, the Archdiocese brought the Masses to several of its other parishes in 2008, including San Agustín in Union City.

Inclusive Family Masses have resulted in several success stories, with individuals with a disability becoming so comfortable attending the Inclusive Family Mass that they return to the regular liturgy, according to Masters. They have also encouraged people to complete Sacraments of Initiation, whereas before they felt excluded from this possibility. Additionally, they have nurtured comfort with new roles in the liturgy, such as Altar Server, and leadership possibilities such as training other Altar Servers.

“We’re all created in the image of God, and we’re all called to live out our baptismal promise in terms of reflecting God’s image of love in our lives,” Masters said. “These Inclusive Family Masses do that by breaking down walls of attitudinal and environmental barriers. Once persons with disabilities feel comfortable attending their regular parish Mass after attending the Inclusive Family Mass, the rest of the parish community can get to know them and know that all should be equally valued and welcomed. Some of our parish communities may need help with practicing this.”

For more information about Inclusive Family Masses, go online to www.rcan.org/disabilities.

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].

North Hudson municipalities codify electric bicycle and scooter regulations

Hudson Reporter

October 13, 2021

10acscooter21 — A man rides an e-scooter in Hoboken, where they have been commonplace since legalized in 2019.

The North Bergen Board of Commissioners has introduced an ordinance to regulate low-speed electric bicycles and scooters, following their continued rise in popularity and similar moves by the township’s neighbors in North Hudson. Township Counsel Tom Kobin said the ordinance is identical to those passed by nearby municipalities.

“Guttenberg has adopted it,” Kobin said. “Union City either has or is in the process of doing it. The idea is to have everybody have substantially similar ordinances on these.”

“These can be very helpful, but it can be very dangerous,” Mayor Nicholas Sacco said. “I think this will help define what an electric bicycle is.”

Defining ‘e-bikes and e-scooters’

Kobin said the ordinance defines what they are, where the public can use them, and other things of that nature.

According to the ordinance, a low-speed electric bicycle is defined as a two or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. There are two classifications: “class 1 low-speed electric bicycle” which is equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases at a speed of 20 miles per hour; or “class 2 low-speed electric bicycle” which is equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when reaching 20 miles per hour.

Similarly, the ordinance defines a low-speed electric scooter as a scooter with a floorboard that can be stood upon by the operator, with handlebars and an electric motor capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion at a maximum speed of less than 19 miles per hour.

Any electric bicycle or electric scooter with an electric motor greater than 750 watts is not considered a “low-speed” electric bicycle or scooter and is prohibited.

Codifying new rules

“There’s provisions in here on helmet use,” Kobin said. Those wanting to operate a low-speed electric bicycle or scooter must wear a helmet. Those under 14 must wear wrist guards and elbow pads in addition to a helmet.

The speed limit for low-speed electric bicycles or scooters is 20 miles per hour. Operators can not ride with their feet removed from the pedals or with hands removed from the handlebars. Any tricks or “fancy riding in [the] street” is prohibited.

“You can’t carry passengers on them,” Kobin said. No passengers are permitted on a low-speed electric bicycle or scooter unless the passenger is carried in a proper bike seat, trailer or other accessory that complies with current regulations and the passenger is wearing a properly fitted and fastened helmet.

“You can’t hitch rides with other vehicles,” Kobin said. Low-speed electric bicycle and scooter operators are not permitted to attach the themselves to any streetcar or vehicle on a roadway.

“It dictates where you can park them,” Kobin said. Parking is prohibited on streets, except in racks or specified spots. When parked on sidewalks, low-speed electric bicycles and scooters must not impede movement.

Other provisions

No one over the age of 13 can ride a low-speed electric bicycle or scooter on a sidewalk. Whenever driving on the sidewalk, operators must ride in single file, yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. No one over the age of 13 can ride a low-speed electric bicycle or scooter on a sidewalk in a business district between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Unless on a designated bicycle path or walkway, the use of low-speed electric bicycles or scooters is not permitted in public parks. The vehicles can utilize bike lanes on streets.

According to the ordinance, low-speed electric bicycles and scooters must drive as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable. Low-speed electric bicycle and scooter operators can not carry packages, bundles or articles that prevent them from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

Every low-speed electric bicycle or scooter must have a lamp on the front visible from at least five hundred feet away, and with a red lamp on the rear visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet away. In addition to the red lamp, a red reflector can be mounted on the rear. Low-speed electric bicycle or scooter must have a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for at least one hundred feet. Sirens and whistles are prohibited.

Business regulations

Kobin said there is a whole section on use of the low-speed electric bicycles and scooters in businesses.

Businesses utilizing these vehicles for deliveries must provide the operator with a reflective vest, and have affixed a tag, license, decal or marking affixed to the low-speed electric scooter or bicycle identifying that it is being operated on behalf of the business.

“If they’re going to be used for business purposes, they’re going to have to be registered with the police department,” Kobin said.

If the business does not follow the ordinance, they can be charged with operating violations. The first penalty will cost $50, then $100, with the third time landing the offender in court. If convicted, third violations and beyond can cost anywhere from $200 to $500.

The board voted unanimously to introduce the ordinance. A public hearing will be held at the next North Bergen Board of Commissioners meeting on at 11 a.m. on Oct. 20 at Town Hall at 423 Kennedy Blvd. For more information, go to northbergen.org.

West New York, too

Meanwhile, the West New York Board of Commissioners adopted the same ordinance at a meeting later that same day.

At its October meeting, the West New York Board of Commissioners approved an identical ordinance “promoting the safe use of electric bicycles and scooters.”

Following a public hearing, the board voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance amending town code relating to the low-speed electric bicycles and scooters. Read it online at: https://www.westnewyorknj.org/_Content/pdf/ordinances/Ord1921.pdf.

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].

Man still in critical condition after falling from Journal Square building

Hudson Reporter

October 12, 2021

Jersey,City,,Nj,-,September,7,2013:,Streetscape,Of,Sip — Officials have called the incident at Journal Square a suicide attempt. Image credit: quiggyt4 / Shutterstock.com

A man remains in critical condition after falling off of a building in Journal Square last Wednesday in what city officials described as a suicide attempt.

The man, who is 31 years old, jumped off of a nine-story window at 26 Journal Square and landed on a car, according to city officials. He was taken to a local hospital, where his injuries are considered life threatening.

A police investigation is underway, but according to reports, the man initially refused to identify himself.

Onlookers told the New York Post that the man crashed onto the roof of a car and then fell onto the ground where he was injured but conscious.

For updates on this and other stories, follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Mark Koosau can be reached at [email protected] or his Twitter @snivyTsutarja.

North Bergen recognizes former Township Administrator Chris Pianese

Hudson Reporter

October 11, 2021

10nbhonor21 — Mayor Sacco and the Board of Commissioners presented the proclamation and plaque to Pianese on Oct. 6. Photos by Art Schwartz

The North Bergen Board of Commissioners has honored former Township Administrator Chris Pianese with a proclamation. Mayor Nicholas Sacco read the proclamation into the record at the Oct. 6 meeting, the first in-person meeting since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020.

Pianese retired after 32 years at the beginning of July, handing the reigns over to now-Township Administrator Janet Castro, who previously served as Health Officer for North Bergen and several other North Hudson municipalities.

While Pianese served as Township Administrator starting 2002, he starting working for North Bergen in 1989 as Assistant Comptroller. He became Chief Financial Officer in 1995 before becoming Township Administrator.

“He was responsible for the complete day-to-day oversight of the township,” Sacco said. “The commission form of government does not have a full-time mayor or commissioners. So we used to run the government by crisis. When I first took office, we would come here after work and spend hours trying to fix problems, going all night. Then we decided the best way to handle this simple to get a Township Administrator who would be able to run the day to day operations in Town Hall, coordinate it, and then report back in. The government then ran more smoothly.”

Pianese was the second town administrator in the township’s history.

“He’s done such an outstanding job,” Sacco said. “When he told me he was leaving, it was one of the terrible days of my life.”

A lasting legacy

Some of Pianese’s accomplishments mentioned in the resolution include: the designation of Tonnelle Avenue as a redevelopment zone, leading to a $250 million revitalization of the area; managing the building of the $5 million municipal court complex and $6 million municipal pool complex simultaneously; and improving the township’s bond rating from Moody’s Financial Services from Baa3 to Aa2.

“From Baa3 to Aa2, that means a great deal when you’re borrowing money,” Sacco said.

Pianese was also responsible for negotiating payments-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements leading to a resurgence of residential development; spearheading efforts to construct the new $18 million township library and community center; and initiating and continuing the redevelopment of the Paterson Plank Road downtown area.

“And of course, the new park that went in at the time,” Sacco said referencing the park that opened on Paterson Plank Road in 2020.

Other accomplishments highlighted by the resolution include overseeing the creation of the North Bergen Help Desk program to improve constituent services; helping guide the township through the COVID-19 pandemic; negotiating collective bargaining agreements for all labor unions; initiating shared services agreements with local municipalities; aiding in the regionalization of five North Hudson fire departments which resulted in the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue; and converting the Emergency Management Service from volunteers to paid employees.

As Township Administrator, Pianese was responsible for five departments with over 540 total employees.

“The agencies were out there on their own operating model, and Chris made sure they all fell into line and worked together,” Sacco said.

Pianese served in various roles throughout his tenure.

Deep roots in North Bergen

In addition to Township Administrator, Pianese also served as a Board Commissioner for the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, the Director of Special Projects for the North Bergen Municipal Utilities Authority as well as the North Bergen Free Public Library, the North Bergen Parking Authority, and the North Bergen Board of Education.

Sacco presented Pianese with a framed copy of the proclamation and a plaque.

“I just want to take another opportunity to thank everyone,” Pianese said. “It was the opportunity the mayor gave to me 20 years ago, when he entrusted me to run the town as the manager.”

Pianese briefly reflected on his relationships with Sacco and the board: “It was just a great bond, as well as with other commissioners… It’s been a great time. It’s just been a great opportunity and I feel good about what I’ve done. As a resident, I’m proud to be here.”

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 appoints new Business Administrator

Hudson Reporter

October 8, 2021

10wnyboc14 — The WNY Board of Commissioners made the appointment via Zoom at its Oct. 6 meeting.

The West New York Board of Commissioners has approved a resolution appointing Assistant Business Administrator Luis Baez as Business Administrator.

Baez replaces Business Administrator Jonathan Castaneda, who will now serve as Special Projects Manager.

The board voted unanimously to appoint Baez to the position at the Oct. 6 meeting. Baez will serve for a term of one year, effective Oct. 7, 2021 until Oct. 6, 2022. He will earn a yearly salary of $125,000, up from his previous salary of approximately $94,000.

The resolution appointed Baez to the new role but did not specify Castaneda’s role. Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez confirmed that Castaneda would be Special Projects Manager.

‘Restructuring roles’

“This is a change that we’re doing to move the administration forward,” Rodriguez said. ”We’re restructuring our roles. Jonathan [Castaneda] will now be in charge exclusively of special projects, something that he is absolutely very good at, which is one of the reasons why we decided to do this.”

Castaneda has played a central role in many special projects in the town in the past, which prompted the move, according to Rodriguez.

“I appreciate the attention he gives a project,” Rodriguez said. “Now he has the ability to solely focus on our projects. I think this should be an absolute step in the right direction to address global projects that we have not yet done for many reasons. He is a driving force behind our special projects, which is why he’s been assigned to that.”

Rodriguez praised Baez as well.

“Luis [Baez] is obviously just as important, which is why we’ve assigned him to now be our Business Administrator, dealing with personnel and other issues,” Rodriguez said. “So now it’s basically a separation of duties for both of them. And I welcome Luis to his new role, a role that he’s already been doing. But now he’ll be much more easily able to do it.”

According to Rodriguez, there are no plans at this time to fill the now vacant position of Assistant Business Administrator.

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].