This holiday season, North Bergen officials have chipped in to support a family that was struck by tragedy over the summer.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco, NB C.A.R.E.S. Coordinator Aimee Focaraccio, and other township officials welcomed Eduardo Argueta to town hall on Dec. 23 to give him presents for his newborn daughter Emma.

Officials also presented Argueta with $500 donations from the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation and from the North Bergen Police Department, and a $1,000 donation from a Secret Santa.

The donations are to help the family get through this difficult time, and bring them some much needed holiday cheer. NB C.A.R.E.S. provided dozens of toys for Emma and her mother’s young brother and sister.

“Estefania Mesa and her family have been facing a tragic situation since she fell into a coma earlier this year after giving birth to a beautiful baby girl,” Sacco said. “Today, we were able to present Estafania’s partner Eduardo Argueta with donations from the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation, the NB C.A.R.E.S. program, our local police unions, and a local business. We hope these donations will help the family get through this difficult time while Estefania recovers and bring them some much deserved holiday cheer.”

A sad summer day

Argueta is the partner of Estefania Mesa, who gave birth to Emma via C-section in July and lapsed into a coma from lack of oxygen.

On July 19, Mesa went to the hospital because she had started feeling contractions. She had an emergency C-section the next day and for reasons unclear went into cardiac arrest.

The lack of oxygen to her brain has now placed her in a coma. Doctors believe she may have brain damage. Mesa does not have health insurance, and the hospital bills will be astronomical.

“Our goal is to raise enough funds to transfer her to a hospital that has the best neurologists and team to help Estefania and give her a fighting chance,” Jennifer Romero and Daniela Solano wrote on the GoFundMe page they organized to support Mesa and her family.

“We do not know exactly what caused this, but right now our main concern is helping Estefania recuperate so she has the possibility to raise her beautiful baby girl Emma next to her partner Eddie and her family,” they said.

Mesa is currently recovering in a rehab facility.

“After almost four months, Estefania was finally transferred to a rehabilitation center late last night and out of Hoboken University Medical Center, where this nightmare began,” Romero and Solano said. “The combined efforts of so many who have helped in countless ways, prayers, and donations have been of paramount importance to achieve this goal.”

They continued: “Thank you to every single person who has shared Estefania’s story thus far, donated, and helped us raise awareness for what happened to her. The road to recovery is long; however, we remain hopeful that she will receive the extensive rehab that she needs in order to some day soon be able to care for her beautiful baby girl, Emma.”

Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-estefania.

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 North Bergen Board of Commissioners met on Nov. 24 via Zoom, where the board voted to adopt an ordinance that would begin a tax revaluation of all properties.

The ordinance authorized a special emergency appropriation of $900,000 for the preparation and execution of the revaluation.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco said that during COVID-19 the tax revaluation is not going to be easy. He pointed to home inspections among other things that would need to occur amid the pandemic.

Sacco hopes to get the current surge under control so that the property tax revaluation can proceed safely. North Bergen has been hit hard by the virus in recent months, with nearly 500 new cases each week.

A contractor to perform the tax revaluation has not yet been selected, though proposals are being evaluated.

What is a revaluation

The property tax revaluation is occurring because the assessed value of properties has fallen too far out of sync with the true value.

All municipalities are required by statute to perform property revaluations when the ratio of true value dips to 80 percent of assessed value. The ratio of true value is calculated by dividing the assessed value of a home by its true value, or what that property would go for on the market.

For instance, if a property on one side of town is assessed at $70,000, and that same property’s current market value is $100,000, the ratio of true value would be 70 percent. The objective is to assess all properties at 100 percent true market value.

A revaluation tries to distribute the tax burden within a tax district by appraising each property according to its true value and assessing it for taxation based on that true value. Revals are theoretically not supposed to increase total property tax revenue for a town, but rather more fairly distribute the tax burden in accordance with market rates.

True property values will be determined using statistical studies composed of local property sales data. Property revaluations are known to take a long time to complete because of the arduous map-making process and the requirement that a tax assessment firm gain access to every property using a tape measure. Inspectors are required to make three attempts for each property.

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].

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many residents have faced financial hardships due to job loss or loss of income. In many Hudson County municipalities, rent increases were frozen to help residents cope.

In North Bergen, Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners have again moved to extend the moratorium on rent increases. The Board of Commissioners met via Zoom on Dec. 9 and introduced an ordinance continuing the moratorium.

The ordinance extends the moratorium until February 28, 2021, when the moratorium will be reassessed.

Keeping renters in mind

The township first adopted an ordinance establishing a moratorium on rent increases on May 13.

The ordinance prevents landlords from increasing rent on rent-controlled properties, including charges for parking, pets, or any other fees associated with dwelling units.

“This pandemic has affected all of us in different ways,” Sacco said in May. “Enacting this rent freeze protects local renters during an incredibly difficult time. We will continue to do everything in our power to ease the burden on our residents, particularly the most vulnerable. Working together is the only way we can overcome this pandemic.”

The rent freeze came after a resolution was signed during the April 22 commissioners meeting, urging all township landlords to refrain from raising rents and other fees.

In July, the commissioners extended the moratorium to Nov. 1; in October, they extended it to Dec. 31.

“We’re being consistent with everyone around us,” Sacco said in October.

Eviction protections

Gov. Phil Murphy issued an executive order in March placing a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures that would prevent tenants from being removed from their homes. The eviction moratorium will last until two months after Murphy declares an end to the COVID-19 health crisis.

If Murphy does not extend the official public health emergency, the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures will cease on Feb. 22.

Eviction court proceedings have been halted by the New Jersey Supreme Court due to COVID-19. Landlords can still file eviction complaints against tenants, though trials will be held only for emergencies.

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 is getting into the holiday spirit, albeit a little differently this year.

Toy giveaway

The township held its annual Christmas Giveaway at the Recreation Center on Dec. 6 with special protocols put in place to keep attendees healthy and safe during the pandemic. Activities were held outdoors, including a musical presentation from Mickey, Minnie, Elsa, My Little Pony, and all their friends.

Gifts were arranged on tables inside the Recreation Center, sorted by age groups. Mayor Nicholas Sacco was there with Commissioners Hugo Cabrera, Julio Marenco, and Allen Pascual, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus, all of whom posed for photos with families.

The Recreation Department decorated the Recreation Center.

“This year was very different then every other year due to the current restrictions and the importance of making sure everyone is kept safe,” Sacco said. “Although the setup and operation changed, the decorations and presents were still top of the line! The Recreation Department did an amazing job making sure all the children had a wonderful time, but most importantly that they were in a safe environment.”

Christmas tree lighting

On Dec. 3, Sacco and County Commissioner Anthony Vainieri presided over the annual lighting of the tree in Braddock Park.

Unlike prior years, this was a low-key affair without the usual crowds, children’s chorus, free refreshments, and visit from Santa Claus, who “couldn’t come because he can’t put his mask around his beard,” according to Vainieri.

Sacco expressed his regrets that it couldn’t be an open public celebration He instead hosted the moment live on Facebook to ensure the safety of residents.

Joining Mayor Sacco and Freeholder Vainieri were a number of township officials, including Commissioners Hugo Cabrera, Julio Marenco, and Allen Pascual; Police Chief Peter Fasilis; Deputy Chief Robert Farley; School Superintendent George Solter, NHRFR Executive Director Michael DeOrio; and numerous police and sheriff’s officers.

At the end of November, free Christmas trees were available at Braddock Park to all first responders, teachers, and front line workers.

DT Allen Contracting, a local real estate development firm, partnered with North Bergen and Freeholder Vainieri to offer free Christmas trees to Hudson County police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders, as well as frontline medical workers and teachers.

The trees were given out on Nov. 28 as a thank you to the essential workers who have kept Hudson County moving throughout 2020.

Donate toys!

Residents can donate to another toy giveaway later in the month.

The township’s Holiday Toy Drive is an annual event for children in need. Sponsored by Mayor Sacco and the Board of Commissioners and coordinated by Aimee Focaraccio and NB C.A.R.E.S., they are currently collecting donations of new and unwrapped toys.

Bring gifts by Dec. 18 to any North Bergen school on Monday and Thursday, from 12 to 2 p.m., or to the North Bergen Police Department at 4233 Kennedy Blvd at any time.

The toys will be given away on Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the North Bergen Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave.

Preregistration is not required, but proof of residency, masks, and social distancing are.

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].

Entering December, “No Shave November” comes to an end. And with that, the facial hair grown during the month is shaved off the participants.

Raising awareness for colorectal cancer

Members of the North Bergen Police Department and PBA Local 18 raised nearly $5,000 during “No Shave November.” The officers participated by growing out their beards and mustaches to support Fight CRC, an organization dedicated to research and awareness about colorectal cancer.

Officers went unshaven for the month to help raise visibility for the cause, and voluntarily contributed to the fund. Det. Constantino Apostolakos handed over the money on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at a “shave-off” event at Eye Contact Vision Center.

A barber from The Jagged Edge Spa & Salon pitched in by shaving Eye Contact Vision Center owner Robert Ceragno on the sidewalk to observe social distancing.

Ceragno survived colorectal cancer and has dedicated himself to raising awareness for the potentially life-threatening disease.

Get screened

Ceragno’s colon-cancer was detected by an early screening, which allowed him to get life-saving treatment several years ago. Since then he has been a vigorous advocate for Fight CRC, and has sponsored No-Shave November and the annual Shave-Off for the past five years.

This year, North Bergen declared March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the North Bergen Board of Commissioners passed a proclamation declaring the awareness month in honor of Ceragno.

According to the American Cancer Society, regular colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 45 is the key to prevention.

“Get screened,” Ceragno told everyone at the Board of Commissioners Meeting.

The NBPD has actively supported the cause from inception, and officers look forward to it each year.

Chief Peter Fasilis, who participated this year and was among the officers at the shave-off, is considering expanding the program to longer than one month in the future.

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].