Seven officers of the North Bergen Police Department received promotions on Sept. 23. Police Chief Peter Fasilis served as master of ceremonies for the Oath of Office Ceremony.

Promoted to sergeant were Constantinos Apostolakos, Kaylan Tarabocchia, and Yusef Yousef. Promoted to lieutenant were Edward Moyano and Anthony Caramucci. Promoted to deputy chief were David Corbisiero and Robert Farley, Jr.

Supporting cops

Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual offered their congratulations to the officers. They spoke about the township’s commitment to funding and supporting the police department, before swearing in the officers.

“I would like to congratulate the North Bergen Police Department on the promotions,” Sacco said. “We are proud to see the continued growth of the NBPD under Chief Fasilis. We are grateful to these brave men and women who keep our town safe day in and day out.”

First time for everything

This was Chief Fasilis’s first time hosting a promotion ceremony after being sworn in on May 2, taking the helm through the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, among other major developments.

Fasilis spoke of the township’s commitment to community policing, and noted that the department would be hiring new officers next month.

Pastor Paul Haviland offered the invocation and benediction, with Lt. Victor Queiro providing the welcome address. Also attending were Commissioners Hugo Cabrera and Julio Marenco, Freeholder Anthony Vainieri, Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari, Township Commissioner Chris Pianese, and many other township and regional officials.

The ceremony took place in the North Bergen Recreation Center. Families, friends, and supporters sat comfortably, maintaining social distancing while expressing their support for the newly promoted officers.

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].

Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Township Commissioners wished all residents, neighbors, family, and friends a happy and healthy Hispanic Heritage Month.

National Hispanic Heritage Week was established in 1968 and expanded to National Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988. The month includes the anniversaries of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Chile, Belize, and Mexico.

North Bergen hosts a robust Hispanic community comprising individuals from many countries who have made contributions to society by sharing their talents, culture, and traditions.

The township supports the celebration of the rich cultural traditions and significant achievements of the Hispanic and Latinx-American communities.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Oct. 15.

Celebrating virtually

Normally the township schedules a wide variety of festivities during this time, including parades, dance performances, Spanish films, art programs, and cooking demonstrations. Due to the pandemic, the usual public festivities have been suspended.

Activities continue online, thanks to the North Bergen Free Public Library, which kicked off the month by hosting virtual classes and concerts.

Several live events will be held outdoors in the main library parking lot at 8411 Bergenline Ave., with social distancing.

The celebration of Hispanic heritage began on Sept. 19. The library held a Zoom concert featuring music of the Hispanic and Latin World, featuring Dr. Podles. Latin Grammy Award Winners 123 Andrés performed via Facebook Live on Sept. 21.

Upcoming events

On Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. there will be a Mariachi Sol Mixteco Concert also in the library parking lot.

The Main Branch of the North Bergen Free Public Library is at 8411 Bergenline Avenue.

Schools Superintendent Dr. George Solter has announced that Supervisor of Social Studies Mr. Brady has distributed many virtual activities to the teachers to use in their classrooms. Supervisor of World Languages Mr. Martinez has directed all world language teachers to complete projects highlighting Hispanic cultures.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Dan Israel can be reached at [email protected].

As the fall weather moves in and temperatures cool off, the Township of North Bergen is working with restaurants, bars, and other eating and drinking establishments to assist them in serving customers safely.

Some local restaurant owners have been stumped while looking for solutions to maintain outdoor dining in winter. While indoor dining has resumed at 25 percent capacity, many small restaurants will still rely on outdoor dining to make end’s meet.

North Bergen restaurants will be allowed to use propane or electric heaters for outdoor dining. 

The heaters must adhere to rules and regulations outlined by the North Bergen Department of Public Safety’s Fire Prevention Bureau.

The Township’s Fire Prevention Department will conduct inspections. 

If a township investigator determines that a heating device does not meet requirements, and owners do not not comply, the township reserves the right to revoke the restaurant’s outdoor seating permit and ability to participate in street closure events.

Rules and regulations

Heaters can not be placed within five feet of any building or combustible material. This includes inside any tent, canopy, or membrane structure.

Heaters can not be located within five feet of exits.

Heaters must be equipped with a tilt or tip-over switch that automatically shuts off the flow of propane if the appliance is tilted more than 15 degrees from vertical. A tip drill must be performed prior to usage.

Restaurant personnel must understand how the heaters function. Patrons must not interact with the heaters.

A secured fire extinguisher shall be placed within 25 feet of heaters.

The maximum individual capacity of the propane containers in the heaters cannot exceed 20 pounds.

The propane container for the heater shall not be stored inside the structure or within five feet of any combustible construction. The container cannot be within five feet of an opening in a wall, vertically or horizontally.

The use of temporary wiring for electric heaters shall be limited to what is absolutely necessary. Extension cords need to be rated for outdoor use and must be powered by a protected outlet.

Permanent wiring installed requires a Uniform Construction Code permit.

Extension cords or wiring must be positioned sothat it doesn’t present a danger to those walking in the immediate area.

Helping local restaurants

Earlier this year, Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Township Commissioners adopted and updated resolutions and ordinances allowing food and drink establishments to use outdoor seating on sidewalks and during designated street closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

North Bergen has been holding “Eat and Shop Local” events during which streets are closed to allow outdoor dining in the street. The program is coming to a close for the season.

Bergenline will be closed to traffic between 70th and 76th Streets from 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 through 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27.

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’s 5th Annual Classic Car and Bike Show took over the north end of Bergenline Avenue on Sept. 19. The crowd ranged from toddlers on tricycles to seniors reminiscing about their vintage rides.

Reinvented for the pandemic era, the event skipped the judges, speeches, and awards of past years and instead offered a simple day of viewing up close the impressive collection of beautiful vehicles.

An afternoon of fun

Freeholder Anthony Vainieri, who organized the event with the participation of the North Bergen Police Department, was on hand from morning ’til night to check out the cars and greet attendees.

On social media, Vainieri said the event was “just a nice afternoon to walk around and admire the cars.”

Mayor Nicholas Sacco, Commissioners Julio Cabrera and Allen Pascual, and many township officials and employees were also onsite.

Originally held as a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, this year’s event skipped the fees and fundraising.

Instead, it was a fun, social day to get out of the house, enjoy the weather, and snap pictures of the 150 or so vehicles, while classic rock and roll tunes played in the background.

The show coincided with the township’s “Eat and Shop Local” event, which closed Bergenline Avenue to traffic from 76th to 85th Street for restaurants to expand into the street.

Some restaurants provided live music to enhance the experience as residents dined outdoors on delicious international cuisine.

‘Eat and Shop Local’ comes to a close

After two months of food, fun, and community support, the Eat and Shop Local event is closing for the season.

Bergenline will be closed to traffic between 70th and 76th Streets from 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 through 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27.

The street will be transformed into a pedestrian mall for the last time this season, with restaurants branching out to offer outside dining with social distancing.

Participating restaurants include America Central Restaurant, Banana King, Brass Rail Pub, Charro Mexicano, El Carretero Restaurante and Panederia, Las Chicas Bakery and Cafe, Estelita Grill and Bar, Gandolfo Pizzeria and Restaurant, El Maizalito Colombiano, Noches Restaurant, The One and Only Bar & Restuarant, Sabor Criollo, Taqueria Mexicana, and Teri Teri Japanese Restaurant.

Mayor Sacco and the township commissioners invite all to come out for the end-of-season festivities and “enjoy a delicious meal, live entertainment, and show your support for our local small businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic.”

Attendees are reminded to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

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 Guttenberg Resource Center has expanded into a larger space in the downstairs level of the Galaxy Towers Mall.

North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Guttenberg Mayor Wayne Zitt jointly cut the ribbon on the expanded library space on Thursday, Sept. 10.

More resources for the community

Originally opened on July 31, 2018 in a corner of the mall facing the front door, the Guttenberg Resource Center quickly outgrew that location.

When the larger space next door opened up, the decision was made to expand the library to accommodate more programs and activities. A section of the wall was opened. The old site became the children’s department, while the new portion was redesigned into a new space for teens and adults.

Included are a pool table, a conference and activities area, study spaces, comfortable seating, and much more.

Executive Director Sai Rao of the North Bergen Free Public Library was instrumental in bringing the Resource Center to Guttenberg, as a branch of the NB library system. She was joined at the ribbon cutting by the mayors, Guttenberg’s council members, various other town officials, representatives from several other libraries, and members of the libraries’ dedicated staff.

The ribbon cutting was broadcast live on Facebook, followed by a virtual tour of the new facilities.

Then it was time for the highly anticipated comeback of local favorite Pee Wee the Magician, with a kids-oriented show complete with live animals.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Dan Israel can be reached at [email protected].

A compliance safety and health officer (CSHO) with the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and his brother face charges that they conspired to extort $6,000 in cash from a general contractor, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Alvaro Idrovo, 44,from Bloomfield, and Paul Idrovo, also known as “Jose Diaz,” 46, from Nutley, are charged by complaint with knowingly and intentionally conspiring to commit an act of extortion through Alvaro Idrovo’s office or employment with OSHA.

The defendants appeared by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre.

Extortion in North Bergen

According to the complaint, Alvaro Idrovo was assigned to investigate an anonymous complaint concerning the misuse of an extension ladder at a North Bergen worksite of Company 1.

According to the complaint, Alvaro Idrovo allegedly told Individual 1, owner of Company 1, that Individual 1 was in violation of OSHA regulations for not having the necessary safety training certificates for Company 1’s workers to be on ladders at the worksite.

Alvaro Idrovo allegedly falsely advised Individual 1 that he needed to obtain training certificates with a specific vendor named “Jose Diaz,” or Individual 1 would be subject to exorbitant fines and possible arrest for the violation, according to the complaint.

Individual 1 contacted the phone number supplied by Alvaro Idrovo. According to the complaint, the number actually belonged to Paul Idrovo, posing as “Jose Diaz,” who allegedly told Individual 1 that the required OSHA training certificates would cost $13,000 in cash.

Paul Idrovo allegedly repeated Alvaro Idrovo’s false assertions that if Individual 1 did not get the training certificates, Individual 1 would be in trouble with OSHA, including owing large fines and doing possible jail time. In followup phone conversations with Paul Idrovo, Individual 1 was able to negotiate the fee down to $6,000 in cash.

Caught in the act

When OSHA officials learned of Idrovo’s attempt to extort Individual 1 while questioning Individual 1 on an unrelated matter, OSHA officials referred the matter to federal law enforcement officials, who arranged for Individual 1 to make consensual recordings with both Alvaro and Paul Idrovo.

During an April meeting surveilled by law enforcement, Individual 1 paid Paul Idrovo $6,000 in cash in exchange for ladder and safety awareness training certificates and a safety and health plan.

Alvaro Idrovo attached copies of the training certificates and the plan to his OSHA reports regarding Company 1’s violation, He did this, despite knowing that the training certificates falsely claimed that training had been provided to the noted individuals in March 2020. They also claimed falsely that Jose Diaz had provided training, and the alleged training was OSHA certified.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka in New York; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Senior Trial Counsel Leslie Faye Schwartz, of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division.

The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and 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].

North Bergen has honored a local U.S. Navy veteran who recently turned 100 years old.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation honoring town resident Joseph Mongelli on his 100th birthday at the Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Sept. 9.

“On behalf of all of North Bergen I would like to congratulate Joseph on his 100th birthday,” Sacco said. “This magnificent milestone is truly a cause for celebration and to reflect on the wonderful life Mr. Mongelli has lived. We are grateful for his selfless service to our nation during WWII and look to him for inspiration on how to live a long, happy, and healthy life.”

Mongelli is a longtime resident of North Bergen, whose love for life inspires his family, friends, and community every day. He wakes up early each morning and, at the age of 100, goes to work driving empty buses for Alliance Bus Group in Carlstadt, NJ.

A life of service

Mongelli was born at home on Sept. 8, 1920 to Ignazio and Maria Mongelli.

He proposed to his future wife Rita Ferris in Hudson County Park in North Bergen and they married while he was on a short leave from the U.S. Navy Submarine Division during WWII on Dec. 9, 1943.

After returning to the war in the Pacific, Mongelli was injured when the USS Lapon encountered enemy fire. He was awarded medals by the U.S. Navy in late 1944. He and his wife went on to have two daughters, Sharyn and Joni, who gave them a grandson, Damon, and a granddaughter, Joey.

In the early 1970s, Mongelli played a key role in bringing the USS Ling submarine to New Jersey to memorialize those lost in submarine service during WWII.

Mongelli is the leading voice in saving the USS Ling, which is docked in the Hackensack River. It memorializes the brave men he served with and who sacrificed their lives on submarines during WWII. He continues to work tirelessly to preserve this piece of history. He has made it his mission to relocate the USS Ling Memorial to Hoboken.

Mongelli lives a remarkable life at age 100, characterized by devotion to his faith, family, and friends; hard work; healthy eating; honesty, humility, and humor. He continues to inspire many with stories of his service to the country and commitment to his fallen comrades.

Sacco said that after the commissioner’s meeting, he gave Mongelli a call to personally wish him a happy birthday. Mongelli’s daughter told Sacco he got a “big kick out of all this.” Sacco said the township was happy to be able to celebrate with him.

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].

NB C.A.R.E.S. in conjunction with the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation and the Township of North Bergen once again held its annual back-to-school drive.

School supplies were distributed to nearly 600 children on September. 1. Social distancing and masks were required to participate.

This year the distribution was more critical than ever, with people out of work due to the pandemic and many experiencing financial problems.

Pens, pencils-and hand sanitizer 

Mayor Nicholas Sacco, Parks Commissioners Hugo Cabrera, and Commissioner of Public Safety Allen Pascual were on hand to oversee the event, greet residents, and ensure that things ran smoothly.

The giveaway is held each year shortly before school starts. Residents are invited to the Recreation Center to pick up whatever they need for the school year.

Sacco said that “although the school year begins virtually, it’s imperative to make sure the students have what they need for a successful school year.”

Kids choose their own backpacks from among hundreds of options, and fill them with pens, pencils, markers, folders, notebooks, glue, erasers, sharpeners, scissors, and more.

This year the options also included hand sanitizer, in colorful cartoon bottles.

“NB C.A.R.E.S. gave out almost 600 backpacks and school supplies to North Bergen residents,” Sacco said. “Every year we expand our giveaways based on the needs of the community, and this year was our largest one yet. Thank you to all of the volunteers who help make this possible!”

The distribution was organized by NB C.A.R.E.S. Coordinator Aimee Focaraccio with the help of the North Bergen Recreation Department and numerous volunteers.

Items and funding were provided by Eye Contact Vision Center, Dollar Tree, the Frank A. Pinto Foundation, and the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation.

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].

Originally scheduled to run through August, the  “Eat & Shop Local” program in North Bergen has been extended into September due to popular demand.

The initiative involves closing parts of streets to allow local restaurants to expand seating into the street, given restrictions on indoor dining.

While indoor dining is set to resume on Sept. 4 per Gov. Murphy’s announcement, only 25 percent capacity is allowed meaning that outdoor dining will continue to play an important part in helping businesses stay afloat.

More than 40 local restaurants and dining establishments have participated in the initiative created by Mayor Nicholas Sacco, the Board of Commissioners, and Freeholder Anthony Vainieri to help local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After a weekend off for Labor Day, the program will continue to close certain blocks to vehicular traffic on weekends to create pedestrian malls, allowing restaurants and businesses to expand into the street to serve customers while maintaining social distancing.

“Eat & Shop Local was created by the township to help our local business that suffered significant losses as a result of the pandemic,” Sacco said. “I’m deeply grateful to everyone who came out to support our neighborhood restaurants and business owners.”

A movable feast

Residents and visitors have eagerly taken advantage of the program every weekend so far, according to the township. Many people return regularly as the program moves from one location to another, highlighting a new selection of international restaurants and fine cuisine each week.

Streets will be closed to traffic from 3 p.m. on Fridays until 10 p.m. on Sundays.

From Sept. 11 to 13, Broadway will be closed for “Eat & Shop Local.”

From Sept. 18 to 21, outdoor dining will shut down Bergenline between 76th and 82nd.

From Sept. 25 to 27, Bergenline between 70th and 76th Streets will be closed.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, Eat & Shop Local will take place in conjunction with the annual Classic Car Show, from 79th to 85th Streets on Bergenline Avenue.

Patrons must wear masks and practice social distancing.

“It’s been wonderful to see everyone enjoying this opportunity to get outside and sample our many delicious dining options while maintaining safe social distancing,” Sacco said. “I hope to see even more friends and neighbors during round two in September.”

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].