Officials break ground on Portal North Bridge in Kearny, again

August 5, 2022

08acbridge11 — Officials physically break ground on the Portal North Bridge project on August 1. Photo by Edwin J. Torres for the Governor's Office.

Several federal, state, local officials and project partners gathered on August 1 in Kearny to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Portal North Bridge.

Although this is the third groundbreaking for the project thus far, this ceremony marked the official physical groundbreaking. The first ceremony was held back in 2017 for the bridge that will cross the Hackensack River from Kearny to Secaucus, with the other being more recently when President Joe Biden visited the site of the project in October of 2021.

Reducing gridlock and increasing capacity

Construction of the new Portal North Bridge aims to reduce gridlock caused by critical operation and maintenance issues of the existing 110-year-old swing bridge and improve service, reliability, and capacity for rail travel along the Northeast Corridor. The bridge is a major part of the larger Gateway Program infrastructure project, and officials saw it as a testament to the prioritization of infrastructure investments by the Murphy and Biden administrations.

“The esteemed elected officials, transportation executives, and union members gathered here today to celebrate a national milestone are evidence of what we can achieve when we band together as Americans in pursuit of a common purpose,” said Gov. Phil Murphy.

“Safe, reliable, and modern infrastructure is about more than just getting to work on time. It’s also about the thousands of good-paying jobs this project will create and the families they support. By improving connectivity, we will also promote economic opportunity, not just for New Jersey residents and commuters, but for the Northeast Corridor and our nation. The new Portal North Bridge symbolizes our lasting legacy and our commitment to the welfare and prosperity of all New Jerseyans.”

“This project turns the Portal North Bridge from a choke point to an access point. It modernizes the way that people and goods get to and from this region that is responsible for 20 percent of America’s economic product every year,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

“I hope that this bridge will not only bring people to work and loved ones to where they need to be, but brings renewed confidence in our ability to get things done together. We are entering into a true infrastructure decade.”

Modern bridge replacement on the way

The current Portal Bridge will be replaced with a new modern two-track, high-level, fixed-span bridge that will improve service and capacity along this section of the Northeast Corridor. The new Portal North Bridge will rise 50 feet over the Hackensack River and will allow marine traffic to pass underneath without interrupting rail traffic.

The Portal North Bridge project will eliminate the over a century old swing bridge, which has been the enduring source of major service disruptions for NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak customers traveling on the Northeast Corridor. The project is being funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, New Jersey, New York, and Amtrak.

“Today, we turn the page. When the new Portal Bridge opens it will be fixed in place and high enough for marine traffic to pass below unimpeded. It will spare hundreds of thousands of passengers each day from malfunctions and delays,” said Sen. Robert Menendez.

“For travelers, it will mean less time stuck on a train and more time with their families and loved ones, and at their destinations. For our region, it will help us double rail capacity between Newark and Manhattan as part of the broader Gateway program. And for our communities, this project is directly tied towards more jobs, higher wages, and greater productivity.”

In January of 2021, Governor Murphy announced the signing of a Full Funding Grant Agreement which secured $766.5 million in Federal Transit Administration funding to support the project’s construction. Prior to that in October of 2021, Governor Murphy and NJ TRANSIT announced the approval of a $1,559,993,000 construction contract awarded to Skanska/Traylor Bros PNB Joint Venture (STJV) for the construction of the new Portal North Bridge. The contract represents the single largest construction award in NJ TRANSIT’s history.

Officials applaud advancing the project

Hudson County’s congressmen praised the ground breaking event, including: Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., a longtime advocate for this project who represents the 9th Congressional District of New Jersey, which includes Secaucus; and Rep. Albio Sires. who represents the 8th Congressional District of New Jersey encompassing most of Hudson County.

“History is happening today,” said Pascrell. “For years New Jerseyans have waited patiently for relief at the Portal Bridge over the Hackensack. Because of congestion and delays at this choke point, countless dinners, outings, and hours of family time have been sapped by interminable commutes. Our groundbreaking today marks a titanic step to keep the Northeast Corridor moving and relieving one less cause of stress for countless North Jerseyans. Our federal, state, and local leaders have worked assiduously to reach this moment. I cannot wait for the new Portal North Bridge.”

“I applaud Governor Murphy and NJ Transit on the groundbreaking of the Portal North Bridge, which is a huge step towards reducing gridlock and improving safety for rail commuters between New Jersey and New York City,” said Sires.

“As a senior member of the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have long advocated for funding to replace the bridge and to complete the other parts of the Gateway Program. We have made tremendous progress, and I will continue working with my federal and state partners to get this project over the finish line.”

Sen. Corey Booker, and Reps. Donald Payne Jr., Mike Sherrill, Frank Pallone, Tom Malinowski, and Josh Gottheimer, were among the many officials present at the ground breaking who praised the commencement of the project. Officials from NJ Transit, Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Federal Transit Administration, and other related entities also applauded the move, as well as union leaders from the Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council, the Regional Plan Association, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825.

Construction to take half a decade

The Portal North Bridge project spans 2.44 miles of the Northeast Corridor line and includes construction of retaining walls, deep foundations, concrete piers, structural steel bridge spans, rail systems, demolition of the existing bridge, and related incidental works. The Notice to Proceed (NTP) given to STJV in April of this year signified the start of the construction contract, which is anticipated to take approximately five and a half years to complete.

As for the other aspects of the Gateway Project, such as the Hudson River tunnels, a funding agreement was signed between New Jersey and New York in July.

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 in serious condition after car crash

Hudson Reporter

August 3, 2022

08nbcollision11-1 — Image courtesy of the North Bergen Police Department.

Authorities are investigating a crash in North Bergen that left two people in critical condition, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.

On Wednesday, August 3, shortly after 2 a.m., members of the North Bergen Police Department responded to the intersection of River Road and Bulls Ferry Road in North Bergen on a report of a motor vehicle collision with injuries.

Upon arrival, responding North Bergen Police Officers found a collision involving two vehicles with multiple injured individuals.

The initial investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the North Bergen Police Department revealed that one of the vehicles, a 2020 Honda Accord was traveling southbound on River Road when it collided with a northbound 2015 Mercedes Benz CLA as it was turning onto Bulls Ferry Road.

The driver of the Mercedes-Benz, a 31-year-old female resident of North Bergen and the passenger in the Honda, a 21-year-old female from North Bergen, were both injured in the collision and subsequently transported by Emergency Medical Services to Palisades Medical Center.

They have both been transferred to Hackensack University Hospital where they are listed in critical condition.

The driver of the Honda, a 22-year-old male from Jersey City was also injured in the collision.

Due to the seriousness of the injuries, the matter will be investigated by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit with assistance from the North Bergen Police Department.

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].

Amy DeGise reports harassment, death threats to police

Hudson Reporter

August 3, 2022

Jersey City Council member Amy DeGise has filed a police report about harassment and death threats she’s received following her involvement in a hit-and-run last month when she struck a cyclist without stopping.

According to her spokesman, Phil Swibinski, DeGise had received a number of threats via email and social media, including comments attacking her position as a woman and a Democrat, as well as “numerous vulgar telephone calls” to her employer, a public school.

“It is reprehensible for anyone to make these kinds of direct threats of violence and we hope that the perpetrators are prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he said in a press release.

Swibinksi said that DeGise reported the threats on Monday to the Jersey City Police Department, and that an investigation has begun to find the source of the messages and “whether criminal charges are appropriate.”

He also added that depending on the results of the investigation, DeGise may be entitled to police monitoring “or other standard procedures to ensure her safety.”

DeGise has been charged with leaving the scene of the accident and failing to report it to police for six hours.

The majority of the threats shared by Swibinski with the media were obscenely-phrased wishes that DeGise should be injured, or killed, and seem driven by anger that as a public official she is, in the minds of her attackers, somehow evading justice.

“Guess lawmakers can avoid the law after a hit and run,” said Cooper Alterio. According to Eduardo Garcia, “U need a bullet in your head.” At least one appeared to come from a conservative poster called ‘Hitch’ who weighed in with, “You f**king Devilcrats think you can get away with anything,” while ‘Dr. Keith’ warned, “You actually think your (sic) not going to receive retaliation?”

Other posts were too strong for publication, but The Hudson Reporter has also received a few comments from people angry that we published letters to the editor pointing out that the bicyclist ran a red light just before being struck.

“This situation has created strong feelings in many people, but no one should condone these kinds of violent threats and this should be a reminder to everyone to tone down the rhetoric and refrain from inflammatory actions that could have real world consequences,” Swibinski continued.

A Jersey City spokesperson did not respond for comments on additional details about the police investigation at the time of publication.

Since last month, the councilwoman has become embattled after hitting Andrew Black, a cyclist who ran a red light, on the intersection of MLK Drive and Forrest St. on July 19 without stopping, and had not reported it until six hours later.

DeGise has faced calls to resign, with a rally being hosted in downtown Jersey City last Saturday calling for her to step down, although Swibinski said last week that she does not plan to.

Recently, a report by the Jersey Journal revealed that DeGise had at least nine overdue, outstanding tickets, including eight in Jersey City, on Monday morning, but were apparently all paid for later in the afternoon.

Gov. Phil Murphy also said on Monday that DeGise’s incident “is behavior that’s unacceptable,” but stopped short of saying that she should step down, adding that he’ll “leave the actual politics to the local realities.”

DeGise was elected to an at-large seat on the City Council last November on Mayor Steven Fulop’s slate. She was also the former chairwoman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, and is also the daughter of Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise.

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

North Bergen man arrested on charges related to 2019 murder

Hudson Reporter

August 2, 2022

08nbperjury11 — Dylan Rodriguez. Image via the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.

A North Bergen man has been arrested for a 2019 deadly home invasion after perjuring himself during a related trial, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced.

Construction worker Dylan Rodriguez, a 21-year-old from 74th Street in North Bergen, was arrested on charges of felony murder; hindering apprehension; possession of weapon for unlawful purpose; and conspiracy to commit, perjury, and tampering with evidence.

The arrest is the result of an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jason Love, which is a continuing investigation of the murder of David Duque-Soto which occurred in Fairview on June 29, 2019.

Perjury during related trial leads to charges

The perjury charges are based on the March 2, 2022 testimony of Rodriguez at the trial of Lexie Burke in Bergen County Superior Court for the murder of David Duque-Soto.

Rodriguez, who was sworn to testify truthfully under oath, perjured himself, specifically by providing false information during the trial, including about his role in the murder of Duque-Soto.

An investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit revealed that Rodriguez provided a handgun that was utilized during the murder of David Duque-Soto on June 29, 2019, contrary to Rodriguez’s sworn testimony.

On July 24, Rodriguez was arrested and charged with first-degree felony murder; first-degree accomplice liability to commit armed robbery; second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose; second-degree conspiracy to commit armed robbery; third-degree perjury; third-degree hindering apprehension; and fourth-degree tampering with evidence.

First court appearance pending

He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack.

Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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].

Rallygoers call for Amy DeGise’s resignation

Hudson Reporter

July 30, 2022

Andrew Black, the cyclist hit by Amy DeGise's vehicle last week, speaks at a rally in downtown Jersey City. Photo by Mark Koosau.

Rallygoers gathered in downtown Jersey City on Saturday afternoon to call for the resignation of Jersey City Councilwoman Amy DeGise because she had hit a cyclist with her vehicle on July 19 without stopping or reporting the incident for several hours.

Headlined by a number of progressive figures from Hudson County as well as the cyclist himself, a crowd gathered with signs and bikes on the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza calling for DeGise to step down, although a spokesman for her said Friday that she does not plan to.

“Hey hey, ho ho, Amy [DeGise] has got to go!” chanted the crowd.

Speaking throughout the rally was Hector Oseguera, a former congressional candidate who’s one of the leading progressive figures in Hudson County.

“The worst thing you can have in a so-called civilized society is somebody who believes that they can commit crimes against you, and nothing will happen,” he said. “Because they’re part of a system that will shield what they’ve done, and hide what they’ve done.”

Hector Oseguera, standing in front of Andrew Black, is a leading progressive figure in Hudson County, and also took aim at the city’s and county’s establishment at the rally. Photo by Mark Koosau.

Andrew Black, the cyclist who was hit in the incident, appeared before the crowd to big applause, saying that he was humbled to be at the rally and was grateful for being alive. “I’m not here seeking out a vendetta, I’m not out here seeking any of that,” he told the crowd. “All I’m seeking is justice, and how we get justice is right here today, look at us.”

Jimmy Lee of SafeStreetsJC also spoke at the rally, saying that all hit-and-runs “deserve the utmost condemnation.” “It is never acceptable to leave the scene of a crash,” he said. “It is a crime for leaving. It is also inhumane, immoral, and reduces the chance someone injured gets timely, life-saving aid.”

Oseguera and other progressives such as Ron Bautista also took the opportunity to take aim at the city’s and county’s political establishment.

“We here because we have a very broken and corrupt political system that only caters to certain people, said Oseguera. “It’s not the people in this crowd. These people care about two things: they care about money, and they care about power. Those are the only things they care about.”

What happened at the hit-and-run

DeGise’s hit-and-run was captured by CCTV footage provided to the Hudson Reporter by the city, showing what took place at the intersection of MLK Drive and Forrest Street at around 8 a.m. on July 19.

The videos capture Black bicycling south on MLK Drive, crossing a double yellow line to pass a stopped car on the left, running a red light and looking away from oncoming traffic before being hit by a black SUV from his right.

The impact knocked him over onto the road, but the vehicle continued to speed east without stopping.

Black then makes his way to the corner as a number of pedestrians come over to check on him before resting on top of an ice cooler, and his crushed bike is on the other corner.

Black said in an interview after the rally that he saw two vehicles in the front “in the box” and thought that he could reach the yellow light if he went “a little faster.” “When I look up after I’m looking left, I realized ‘oh no, I’m going down a one-way street,” he said. “And I’m hit faster than I can even think”.

“I should have never ran a red light,” he continued. “But that was just a mistake on my part. But the big thing we’re here for today is the hit-and-run. The fact that [DeGise] just drove away, that’s what I’m worried about.”

Before footage of the incident was publicized, DeGise had acknowledged the incident and said that she was “thankful that no one was seriously hurt” and was issued traffic summons, but has not made any other comments on it herself since then.

Her spokesman, Phil Swibinski, said that she “fully intends to speak out more when the legal process is concluded.” He did not respond for additional comments about today’s rally at the time of publication.

Despite increased calls to resign, a spokesman for DeGise said that she does not plan to do so. Photo by Mark Koosau.

Since the initial CCTV footage was publicized, more surveillance footage obtained by multiple media outlets showed that DeGise did not report the incident until six hours afterwards at around 2 p.m. on the same day at the Jersey City Police Department’s West District precinct.

Police body camera footage obtained by Hudson County View also showed her on Nov. 16 of last year attempting to dispute her vehicle being towed in Hoboken due to having parked in an illegal spot and having an expired registration from 2019.

The calls for DeGise’s resignation came in after the initial CCTV footage was released. Councilmen James Solomon and Frank Gilmore, two of the council’s progressive members, have been the only people on the governing body so far to call for her resignation.

Former Councilman Chris Gadsden, who was present at today’s rally, had expressed interest in running for DeGise’s seat, though he said in an interview with the Hudson Reporter today that he’s currently focused on getting her to resign.

Who is Amy DeGise?

Amy DeGise is an at-large councilwoman currently serving her freshman term, but she has been involved in politics before then and has connections to some of the most powerful people in the county.

For one, she is the daughter a political family in Hudson County; her father, Tom DeGise, is the County Executive and considered one of the most powerful politicians in the county, and her aunt, Lois Shaw, also served as a Jersey City councilwoman in the 1970s.

She had also served as a trustee in the Jersey City Board of Education. But her profile was raised when she became the chairwoman of the powerful Hudson County Democratic Organization in 2018 after a contested battle between her and Mayor and state Sen. Brian Stack.

Amy DeGise is the daughter of Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise and was also the chairwoman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization. Photo by Mark Koosau.

Her two-year term as the chair was extended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ultimately ended in June as she was succeeded by Hudson County Board of Commissioners Chair Anthony Vaineiri.

In the beginning of 2021, DeGise was announced as a slate member with Mayor Steven Fulop for an at-large seat in the City Council elections that year. It came after then-Councilman Rolando Lavarro, once an ally with Fulop, had broken ties with him and became one his most vocal critics. DeGise ultimately went on to unseat Lavarro in November.

As DeGise faces scrutiny over leaving the scene of the accident and failing to report it in a timely way, she is not set to appear before the public until the next City Council meeting on Aug. 17.

It’s unknown if she’ll do so. Meanwhile, the calls for her resignation grow louder.

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

Secaucus contemplates removing bus stop on Meadowlands Parkway

Hudson Reporter

July 29, 2022

08seccouncil04 — One bus stop on Meadowlands Parkway in Secaucus will be deleted to cease confusion, officials said. Image via Google Maps.

Secaucus is planning to remove a bus stop on Meadowlands Parkway.

The Town Council voted unanimously to introduce the ordinance at its July 26 meeting. Mayor Michael Gonnelli was absent from the meeting, so Third Ward Councilman Bill McKeever chaired the meeting.

The ordinance would remove a superfluous bus stop on Meadowlands Parkway, near the intersection of the street and Harmon Plaza.

Following the introduction of the ordinance, Town Administrator Gary Jeffas explained the crux of the change in an interview with the Hudson Reporter.

There’s a bus stop by Krauszer’s Food and Liquor at 40 Meadowlands Parkway and another by the Harmon Square shopping center at 38 Meadowlands Parkway. The town is consolidating the stops into one.

“We’re eliminating one of the bus stops,” Jeffas said.

According to Jeffas, the reason is that the bus stops are very close to one another on Meadowlands Parkway.

“It’s confusing,” Jeffas said. “They have two bus stops on a corner and on a corner. So we’re just formally deleting the one, so anybody who wants to take the bus knows they can go to one central bus stop.”

The solution to qualm the confusion would not be a major detriment to any riders, since the stops are in close proximity.

“It’s 40 feet away,” Jeffas said. “You basically just cross the street and it’s right there. So that was a kind of a redundancy and there was some confusion about people waiting in various locations.”

The ordinance is up for a public hearing and vote at an upcoming meeting. Gonnelli and the Town Council will meet next on August 23 at 7 p.m. in the first floor 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].

Union City Police Chief to retire

Hudson Reporter

July 29, 2022

08ucchief04 — Union City Police Chief, the first female to hold the position in Union City and Hudson County, is retiring. Photo courtesy of the Union City Police Department.

Union City Police Chief Nichelle Luster is set to retire, according to the Union City Police Department.

Her last tour of duty was July 28. Luster will officially retire on August 1 after 28 years of service.

Luster was named acting chief of the department following the retirement of Chief Richard Molinari in December of 2018. At the time a Captain, Luster was later confirmed to fill the position permanently.

Nearly three decades of service

Luster served in the U.S. Army, as a military police officer in Germany, the United States, and at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba during the Haitian refugee crisis of 1992. She then volunteered with Union City Emergency Medical Services before becoming a police officer.

Luster worked her way up through the ranks as a member of the Union City Police Department. She first joined the Union City Police Department in 1994, working as a patrol officer in the investigative division. In addition to her time on the force, Luster spent five years on loan to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit.

Luster held several positions before becoming the first female captain on the force in 2013. She served as a supervisor in various capacities, including as Investigative Division Commander, Patrol Division Commander, and Professional Standards Division Commander, and the Department’s first Accreditation Manager.

Following that, Luster is believed to have been the first female to hold the position of Chief of Police in Hudson County. In addition to her long career in Union City, Luster has earned a number of accreditations in New Jersey and outside the state; she is a certified Crisis Negotiator through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, she holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, and is an adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Now, after an impressive tenure in Union City, Luster is set to retire. Captain Anthony Facchini is expected to be appointed as the next Police Chief.

“Congratulations Chief N. Luster,” the Union City Police Department said in a statement. “Thank you for your service! We wish you all the best in retirement!”

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].

Weehawken warns to water trees and shrubs amid heat wave

Hudson Reporter

July 27, 2022

08weetrees04 — Weehawken is asking residents to take care of street trees and other plants in the extreme heat. Image via Google Maps.

Due to the lack of significant rain and high temperatures, many trees in Weehawken are in distress, according to the Weehawken Tree Committee.

As such, the township has issued a warning to residents. Throughout the recent record heat wave prompted by the climate crisis, Weehawken is warning locals to water nearby greenery.

“Please take special care during this dry spell with little rain in the forecast to give sufficient water to your own trees and shrubs,” the notice from the township announced.

The township is asking residents to water street trees, shrubs, and other nearby plants to keep them alive through the extreme heat and lack of rain.

“If you notice a street tree in front of your house is dry with browning leaves, please water it several times a week to help keep our beautiful street trees alive,” the township concluded.

For any questions, call the Weehawken Department of Public Works at 201-319-6050. Residents can also go to weehawken-nj.us or check official township social media pages for more information.

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].

Pascrell announces $950,000 for new Secaucus senior center

Hudson Reporter

July 21, 2022

07secsenior28 — Rep. Bill Pascrell announces federal funding for parks in Paterson on July 8. Photo courtesy of Pascrell.

Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., who represents the 9th Congressional District of New Jersey which encompasses Secaucus, has announced $950,000 in federal funds to support the construction of the new senior center in the town.

On July 20, Pascrell hailed the U.S. House of Representatives passage of government appropriations for Fiscal Year 2023 that includes $16,815,000 for local projects he had championed. In sum, the package contains funding for all 11 community projects Pascrell had pursued for North Jersey in these pieces of legislation, including the Secaucus project.

Since Democrats’ resuscitation of community project funding, Pascrell has been aggressive in bringing funding back to North Jersey. In March 2022, Pascrell succeeded in winning over $11 million for 10 projects in the 9th District signed into law.

“The passage of this funding continues one of the most forward-looking actions Congress has taken in many years,” said Rep. Pascrell. “These federal funds we won today in the House are an investment directly into our beautiful communities. The very purpose of good government is to better the daily lives of our neighbors. Today we did that. It is not hyperbole to say that countless lives will be bettered by these projects in the way of better roads, cleaner water, safer housing, and vibrant space for our kids. The Senate should finish the job we just started and sending this funding to President Biden’s desk.”

Federal monies for new senior center

The move to construct a new senior center came after the town realized that oil tanks underneath the old center had been leaking for a number of years. Environmental remediation work needed to be done at the three buildings that composed the old center, but because some of the contamination leached under the foundation, it was cheaper to start from scratch then to remediate the existing center. The old center was demolished before contaminated soil that was formerly beneath the building was removed.

Now plans are in the works for the new center. While the new building will primarily serve as a senior center during the day time, for the rest of the day and evening the facility will serve as a community center for residents to hold events and meetings. When the new senior center opens, it will be larger and more accessible to the handicapped. Amid the ongoing construction, the community center on Front Street is functioning as a makeshift senior center.

In response to the announcement, Town Administrator Gary Jeffas told the Hudson Reporter that Pascrell’s office had been working on appropriations for the project which totals approximately $7.8 million.

“We put everything through appropriations with requests for money for the senior center, and Pascrell was working on that for us,” Jeffas said.

Project still in planning phases

The funds will apply to any needs by the town related to the construction of the senior center. In addition to these funds, town bonds, reserves, grants, and other money will help cover the cost of the project.

“The project is far in excess of that for the overall cost, so we were looking for any sources,” Jeffas said. “This is part of the overall funding for the construction of the new senior center.”

Jeffas said the senior center was still in the planning phases, with the town having hired an architect for the project in late May. Demolition of the old senior center and environmental remediation of the site is complete. The town is awaiting the completion of the design of the building, estimating the project will go out to bid around next Spring.

While the new senior center at 101 Centre Avenue is in the works, the community center at 145 Front Street serves as an interim senior center. In addition to the funds for the senior center, Pascrell also secured $1.75 million for Hudson County roads in the appropriations.

However, the appropriations, although likely, are not locked in yet. They still must pass the U.S. Senate, and then okayed by President Joe Biden. Regardless, the town is still thrilled at the progress.

“We’re over the first hurdle now,” Jeffas said of the funds.

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].

Arrests made in armed carjacking and robbery in Secaucus

Hudson Reporter

July 21, 2022

07secarrest28-01 — Xavier Cepin, images via the Secaucus Police Department.

Secaucus Police have announced the arrest of two men in connection with an armed carjacking and robbery.

On Wednesday, July 20, at 10:49 a.m., a 66-year-old woman reported to Secaucus Police that she was robbed and carjacked at knifepoint by two males in the Walmart parking lot at 400 Park Plaza Drive.

The victim was uninjured, but the suspects stole cash and her 2016 BMW M23 convertible. Upon the arrival of police, the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit conducted an on-scene investigation.

The on-scene investigation determined that the suspects came to Secaucus in a 2022 Nissan Altima, which was later confirmed to have been carjacked from New York City on Tuesday, July 19. Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit Detectives developed information that the BMW M23 was in the area of Brenner Street in Newark and responded to the area.

Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit Detectives, with the assistance of members of the Newark Police Department, located the stolen 2022 Nissan Altima occupied by Xavier Cenpin and Caliente Gaillard, both 19-year-olds from Newark. Cenpin was found in possession of the knife used in the crimes at the time of his arrest.

Also while in the area of Brenner Street, Newark Police observed the victim’s 2016 BMW M23. The operator of the vehicle fled and remains at large.

The Essex County Sheriff’s Office recovered the unoccupied 2016 BMW M23 a short time later within the confines of Newark. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests may be made.

“When someone is the victim of a crime in Secaucus, I have authorized my Detectives to follow the case into any jurisdiction so that justice can be served,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “I am proud of the diligent efforts and determination of the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit and for making arrests in this case within hours of the crimes. I am thankful for the assistance from the Newark Police Department and Essex County Sheriff’s Office. I am hopeful our criminal justice system prevails and the defendants will be held accountable for victimizing an innocent woman at knifepoint.”

Cenpin and Gaillard are both charged with Armed Carjacking, Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Carjacking and Armed Robbery and Receiving Stolen Property. Cenpin was additionally charged with Unlawful Possession of Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.

Gaillard was also wanted by the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Burglary. Both were lodged in the Hudson County Jail. These charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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].