Jersey City Council approves division reshuffling and cannabinoid regulations

April 29, 2022

05jccouncil05 — The Jersey City Council at their April 27 meeting. Photo by Mark Koosau.

The Jersey City Council has approved a number of legislative items, including shuffling some city divisions, approving new cannabinoid and smoke shop regulations, and appointing the acting finance director to a permanent capacity.

City division reshuffling

The council voted to reshuffle a number of divisions within the city government. It moved the Division of Human Resources into the Department of Administration, created a new Department of Infrastructure, and established a Division of Traffic and Parking.

Most of the discussion at the last council meeting focused on the reshuffling of the Division of Park Maintenance, which was moved over to the Department of Recreation, and the creation of the Division of Forestry under the Department of Public Works.

The Division of Forestry would be responsible “for the regular maintenance of street trees and trees within city parks as well as ensuring compliance with city forestry standards.”

Santo Della Monica, the president of the Jersey City Public Employees Union Local 245, asked the council to table the ordinance enacting the shuffle, saying that there wasn’t any structure or manpower coming out of Park Maintenance and Forestry.

“You want to create new divisions and spend thousands of dollars on deputy directors when we need manpower,” he said with many union members sitting in the audience. “I have my traffic guards here today and they need a contract; they’ve been out of [one] for seven years.”

Local 245 President Santo Della Monica said that the city departments need more manpower rather than being reorganized. Photo by Mark Koosau.

When asked by Councilwoman Denise Ridley about the impact on Parks and Forestry manpower, Business Administrator John Metro said there wouldn’t be any layoffs or loss of manpower, and that all employees will remain with the permanent civil service titles.

“We’re gonna transfer right now with our current manpower split amongst the respective divisions, we’ll start our respective budget process within the next two or three weeks, and the directors of those departments will be requesting additional employees and resources for tools and equipment,” he said.

Councilman Frank Gilmore, who used to work in the city’s recreational department, was skeptical of the ordinance, and argued that the problem was less because of the division they’re working on, but more from a lack of individual productivity.

“I don’t think restructuring is going to provide better quality service seeing that you’re gonna have the same people there anyway,” he said.

The council voted 7-1 to adopt the ordinance, with Gilmore voting no, and Councilman Rich Boggiano absent from the meeting that night.

Cannabinoid and smoke shop regulations

The council then unanimously approved new cannabinoid and smoke shop regulations in the city intended to protect minors from cannabinoid products.

Under the new regulations, the city will make it illegal to distribute or sell cannabinoids, which are products that contain 0.5 milligrams or more of THC or adult-use cannabinoids, to those 21 or younger. It will also only permit face-to-face sales of cannabinoid products, and will suspend or revoke licenses for those that are caught violating the new rules.

The regulations also stipulate that smoke shops and tobacco stores in the city will have to register with the Department of Public Safety within 60 days from opening their store or qualifying as a shop, and will need to renew their registration every year.

All current smoke and tobacco stores currently operating will also have to register as one before receiving a permit by the city administration.

Natasha Athab, an employee of the Partners in Prevention of Hudson County, spoke on behalf of a statement by Executive Director Doug Bratton supporting the ordinance.

“With changing laws regarding cannabis and related cannabinoid products and legislation, it is more important than ever for us to ensure that young people are safe, healthy and substance free during their developing years,” she said

Other legislation

The council unanimously voted to appoint acting Department of Finance Director Carmen Gandulla into a permanent capacity. She was previously the Director of Community Development.

They also unanimously voted to adopt three ordinances that will allow the city to acquire or condemn, via eminent domain, three properties to create two new police precincts in the Heights at 117 Hutton Street and 18 Sherman Place, and in Greenville at 1 West Side Avenue.

The council also passed two resolutions for police equipment. One resolution approved unanimously green lights a $2.28 million purchase of FocusX1 body worn cameras and software maintenance. Another resolution approves a $515,200 purchase Blauer Flex Uniforms from Tomahawk Strategic Solutions, which was voted on 7-1 with Councilman James Solomon voting no.

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

Compost bin opened in Union City

Hudson Reporter

April 27, 2022

05uccompost05 — The compost bin as seen in Ellsworth Park in Union City.

A new compost bin has opened in Ellsworth Park in Union City. Officials, residents, and members of the general public gathered to mark the grand opening ceremony of the bin with a ribbon cutting on April 22.

The new public drop-off compost bin, located at the center of Ellsworth Park, is for Union City residents to divert household organic waste from landfills. This project was made possible thanks to the contributions of Mayor Brian Stack, Union City’s Public Works, Community Compost Co., and North Bergen Earth Talks.

Residents are encouraged to wear a mask and bring household compost to deposit.

Items accepted in the compost bin include all food, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, dairy, seafood, grains, shells and eggs, coffee grounds and flowers. The compost will also allow for some paper including coffee filters, napkins, paper towels, uncoated paper plates, and tea bags.

Prohibited items include non-food such as plastic, metal, glass, chemicals, styrofoam, liquids, grease, produce stickers, staples in tea bags, compostable “plastics,” coated paper and molded fiber, diapers, tissues, menstrual products, and pet waste.

Pilot program launched

The location is currently under a pilot program with Community Compost Co. until October. During this time, the program could expand further North in Union City with dedicated community support and take full advantage of this opportunity.

A list of what can and cannot be composted in Spanish.

North Bergen Earth Talks worked in collaboration with Mayor Brian Stack and Union City’s Public Works, to generate the funding, assemble the drop-off spot, and organize the opening ceremony. They also worked closely with Andrea Rodriguez from compost collector and distributor, Community Compost Co., to bring the project to fruition. Community Compost Co. is a women-owned business based in the Hudson Valley of NY and Northern New Jersey.

“We are honored to work with Mayor Brian Stack to make this Public Compost Drop-Off Spot a reality. We hope to uplift the community in becoming an active part of restoring our local environment,” said a co-founder of North Bergen Earth Talks. “Most residents in Hudson County do not have the yard space to host a personal compost bin. Our communities deserve to have access to divert their food waste through this Union City-funded project.”

North Bergen Earth Talks has been working with North Hudson towns to launch and improve compost programs, with such initiatives existing in North Bergen and another planned for West New York among others. For more information on on the compost bin in Union City, email unioncitycomunitygarden@gmail.com.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

Planning Board rejects Exchange Place Plaza redesigns

Hudson Reporter

April 25, 2022

05jcexchange05 — A rendering of the proposed redesign of the Exchange Place Plaza. Image via Melillo ▪ Bauer ▪ Carman in planning board application.

The Jersey City Planning Board has voted against recommending the redesign proposals for the Exchange Place Plaza at last night’s meeting, primarily because members of the board and the public took issue with the potential obstruction of the historic Katyn Memorial as part of the plans.

The Exchange Place Alliance wants to redesign the area, which would include a new service road, new greenery around the Katyn Memorial and a playground for the waterfront locale.

“Three years ago, when we began this process, the area surrounding the Katyn Monument was essentially a parking lot,” said Donald Pepe on behalf of the EPA. “Aside from being a parking lot, it was a dangerous place where cars were interacting with pedestrians on a regular basis. It’s a very busy area, it’s an entree to the PATH station.”

The major feature is for a pedestrian plaza near Montgomery Street, where it’s proposed to have a new service road on the south portion for the Hyatt House and the nearby service lot.

The proposed redesigns calls for a service road for the Hyatt House and the nearby service lot. Image via Melillo ▪ Bauer ▪ Carman in planning board application.

Pepe said that while the Port Authority wanted to provide “enhanced” security measures to protect the PATH Station, he said that the measures “looked a little bit like a prison” in some of the earlier designs and that they didn’t take aesthetics and pedestrian maneuverability into account.

The new pedestrian portion of the plaza would be guarded by security bollards, which Thomas Carman, Principal at Melillo Bauer Carman, said was one of the requirements to secure the PATH Station, and would include space to offer concerts, markets or festivals.

A playground would be added between the PATH Station and J. Owen Grundy Park, and the portion of Columbus Drive to the Hyatt Agency would be narrowed, and would include more greenery added.

The historic Katyn Memorial would remain unmoved, but would be surrounded by a semi-circular bench and greenery on the west side of the statue. Carman said that the bench would provide “ample” seating, and that the space would feel “intimate” when there’s a smaller amount of people.

Obstruction of injustice

Many members of the public, including those from the Polish American community, objected to the potential obstruction of the Katyn statue by the benches and greenery, particularly after many had fought four years ago to protect it from relocation.

The memorial, which commemorates the 1940 massacre of more than 22,000 Polish soldiers and prisoners of war by the Soviet Union, had been planned for relocation in 2018 nearly four years ago to make way for renovations in the plaza, but it was called off following backlash to the plan.

Resident Andrzej Burghardt said the redesigns look as if they’re going to obscure the monument “from public sight to the greatest extent possible” and that it would make gatherings and ceremonies difficult by eliminating space.

The board and many residents were opposed to the bench in front of the Katyn Memorial. Image via Melillo ▪ Bauer ▪ Carman in planning board application.

“It’s our duty to let it stand there permanently and with due dignity, to remind us to act in such ways that we and our future generations do not have to suffer from these horrors again,” he said. “The war in Ukraine today signifies that humanity forgets these lessons too quickly and easily.”

Resident Jeanne Daly also objected to the addition of a service roadway and said that they should preserve the public plaza for people and not for corporate interests.

“We need access to all our wonderful spaces,” she said. “We need to have access to the views of a waterfront. We need to have our events right there with the backdrop of the waterfront. Not some kind of berms/plantings that rise seven feet high.”

Planning Board objects

A number of Planning Board commissioners agreed with the public and said that they also disliked the obstruction of the statue.

“I don’t know why we need to put five-foot-tall benches on a berm around a statue,” said Chairman Christopher Langston. “That statue obviously means a lot to a lot of people. It’s a Jersey City landmark. I love that statute, I respect everything it represents.”

Langston added that while he’s okay with benches and flowers around it in general, he doesn’t think the current design is proper for the statue, as well as the safety concerns regarding it.

The review of the Exchange Place Plaza redesigns came almost four years after controversy over moving the statue began.

Commissioner Peter Horton echoed Langston’s comments and said that any additions should accent and highlight the statue instead of impeding it or block the view of the Manhattan skyline. “I think it should be open and enjoyable for everyone and be able to serve everyone for whatever reason they go down there,” he said.

The board unanimously voted on a motion to not recommend the design, with Council President Joyce Watterman recusing herself from the vote as she is the City Council representative on the EPA.

While the board voted against recommending it, the vote was only a courtesy review as part of a Section 31 review, and the EPA can still go forward despite their vote.

“The entire concept for the plaza has been around improving the individual experience to enjoy the waterfront, fix some of the old Port Authority infrastructure, and allow full festivals to return in a safe environment,” said Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione. “The new park was designed around allowing large stages to access the space and better serve the return of community events in 2023 once it is safe and complete.”

The Exchange Place Alliance did not respond for comment on the Planning Board’s vote.

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

10 years after fatal hit-and-run in North Bergen, family of victim still seeks closure

Hudson Reporter

April 23, 2022

04nbaccident28-02 — Omar was 42 years old when he died. Photos courtesy of the family.

More than a decade after a hit-and-run in North Bergen killed beloved bodybuilder Omar Monroig, his family is still searching for closure.

On March 23, 2012, Omar was struck by an early 2000s Toyota Camry as he crossed 51st Street and Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen on his way to grab drinks at a local Cuban restaurant with a friend. While severely injured, at times the 42-year-old seemed like he was going to pull through and his family hoped he would.

In an interview with the Hudson Reporter, Omar’s brother Jorge said he survived longer than most people would have. Following the accident, Omar had broken bones in his neck, two broken legs, a broken shoulder, and internal bleeding.

“Omar was a bull who wanted to live,” Jorge said. “It took him eight days to succumb to the injuries. Most people don’t survive that long.”

However, Omar ultimately died due to his injuries days later on April 1, 2012. His killer, the driver of the car that night, remains on the loose.

Omar Monroig displays his chiseled-from-granite body.

10-year cold case

While there was traffic camera footage of the fatal hit-and-run, it was low quality due to how dark it was in the area; only the vehicle could be identified, not the license plate. The family was able to attain the video through a private investigator who sent it to be enhanced in Alabama. However, the facility returned it free of charge since there was nothing that could be done to stop the pixels from breaking down further. This means it was unable to be enhanced, and that Jorge and the family were back at square one.

In March of 2017, five years after the fatal hit-and-run that took the life of Omar, the statute of limitations for the vehicular manslaughter charges in the case expired, the North Bergen Police Department confirmed to the Hudson Reporter at the time. However, Jorge said he wanted to learn more about the statute of limitations for the case and reached out to an attorney for more information.

Regardless, Jorge and the family has been urging the driver of the vehicle or anyone with any information on who that may be to come forward. He said the case remains unsolved, although the family remains hopeful that can one day get closure.

“We’re hoping that someday, someone comes forward because we want those answers that we never got night,” Jorge said. “When Omar passed away, we didn’t know why this person didn’t stop. It left a lot of unanswered questions. We want someday to find out who this person is. And we also want to shed some light on Omar’s story.”

An old photo of Nick, Omar, and Marybell.

‘A heart bigger than his biceps’

According to Jorge, Omar was very near and dear to those around him.

“Omar was my best friend,” Jorge said. “I didn’t know it at the time because we were brothers, but he really was my best friend. He’s an amazing person. I think of him it more all the time. I miss Omar. He used to love celebrating birthdays.”

It was just days after Omar’s 42nd birthday, on March 21, 2012, that he would lose his life. He was actually on his way to celebrate with a friend on March 23 when he was struck by the hit-and-run driver.

And it wasn’t just his birthday that he enjoyed. Omar was fond of celebrating others’ birthdays, such as Jorge, in similar fashion.

“Omar loved celebrating birthdays, that was a highlight and something we always enjoyed,” Jorge said. “I loved having dinner with him, breaking bread. Birthdays with him wouldn’t be just one day, it would be a week almost.”

Jorge and the rest of Omar’s family have certainly not forgotten about him.

“We think of him often,” Jorge said. “We have many portraits of Omar.”

According to Jorge, many people have sent positive information and messages to the family since everything happened. Omar left behind his wife Marybell and their son, Nick. According to Jorge, Nick stills lives and works in Butler where they lived.

“Nick is a chip off the old block,” Jorge said. “He’s also working as an volunteer firefighter and an EMT.”

Omar could have gone pro if he won the bodybuilding competition just weeks ahead of his untimely death.

Up-and-coming bodybuilder

In addition to his love for his family and general kind nature, Omar was also known as an up-and-coming semi-professional bodybuilder.

Jorge said what had started as a passion and grew exponentially from there. Prior to that, he was a successful contractor for a cell site company building towers.

“It started out as a hobby,” Jorge said. “He was just good at it.”

Omar was addicted to working out, exercising six times a week, twice a day. Jorge said he did cardio in the day and weightlifting at night.

What may have started as hobby, soon put Omar on a path to going pro. The Bloomfield Plaza Fitness gym he frequented sponsored him as a bodybuilder.

Omar, age 42, was just weeks away from the Garden State Classic Championships, which was later held in his honor. The 5’11, 256 pound strongman was a professional body builder with a number of titles and trophies in tow from various national bodybuilding competition, though Omar was not one to brag.

“Omar was one of the favorites,” Jorge said. “Muscle Maker Grill wanted Omar to come by and take pictures. He was one of the favorites for that event.”

According to Jorge, Omar’s soft nature and large stature made him something of “gentle giant.” This made it all the more bitter that the driver who hit him kept going, according to Jorge.

“I want this person to be ashamed of what he did that night, because it left a lot of unanswered questions,” Jorge said. “We want to know who this person was that was driving. We want to know why this person didn’t stop that night. We were stunned that he didn’t stop that night to help Omar. To drive off like that just made the wound deeper. “

A police sketch of the driver believed to have killed Omar Monroig. Image courtesy of the North Bergen Police Department.

Still searching for the driver

There are still no leads in the cold case, more than a decade later. The North Bergen Police Department recently dedicated a social media remembering Omar on the 10 year anniversary of his death, also sharing a sketch of the alleged driver that night.

While the case was an impetus for the township to upgrade its cameras to better suit low lighting, Jorge is still seeking the driver come forward. He also wants knowledge of Omar’s case to be shared to hopefully prevent any similar tragedies in the future.

“I know the township of North Bergen improved their system, but the person should have stopped as well too,” Jorge said.

Jorge and his family are not giving up on finding who was behind this, no matter how much time has passed: “We still want to know who did this regardless of the time frame. We want to shed some light on what happened ten years ago. And if it could help change some things where they have better lighting or cameras, like in the township of North Bergen, or other places that have similar, that would be good.”

He continued: “We are disappointed what happened to Omar was never solved.”

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

North Bergen introduces $106 million budget for 2022

Hudson Reporter

April 19, 2022

04nbbudget28 — The North Bergen Board of Commissioners meet in person at Town Hall.

North Bergen has introduced its 2022 calendar year budget.

The North Bergen Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to do so at its April 6 meeting. The approximately $106,036,919.07 budget is roughly $6 million more than the budget adopted for 2021. It will likely be up for a public hearing and vote at its May 11 meeting.

Anticipated revenue

This year, the Surplus in the budget is up to $5,440,000 from $4,400,000 from in 2021. This is a difference of $1,040,000 or a 23.64 percent increase.

Local Revenue has slightly increased to $9,731,545.82 from $9,597,166.10 in 2021. This is a difference of $134,379.72 or a 1.4 percent increase.

State Aid is the same, at $7,185,597. And Uniform Construction Code Fees are down to $2,000,000 from $2,257,040 in 2021. This is a difference of $257,040 or an 11.39 percent decrease.

Public and Private Revenue is down to $880,634.07, from $1,390,695.34 in 2021. This is a difference of $510,061 or a 36.68 percent decrease.

Special Items of Revenue increased to $7,999,142.18 from $3,593,848.01 in 2021. This is a difference of $4,405,294.17 or a 122.58 percent increase.

Receipts from Delinquent Taxes decreased to $1,600,000 from $1,897,485.75 in 2021. This is a difference of $297,485.75 or a 15.68 decrease.

The Local Tax for Municipal Purposes is $68,659,987.45 up from $68,437,694.52 in 2021. This is a difference of $222,292.93 or a .32 percent increase.

The Minimum Library Tax has increased to $2,540,012.55 from $2,309,748.94 in 2021. This is a difference of $230,263.61 or a 9.97 percent increase.

This culminates in an increase in anticipated revenues to $106,036,919.07 from $101,068,275.66 in realized revenue in 2021. This is a difference of $4,967,643.41 or a 4.92 percent.

Anticipated appropriations

$7,817,435 is appropriated for General Government, with $6,999,570 coming from the General Budget and $817,865 coming from public and private offsets. This is up from $6,945,691.15 in 2021, a difference of $871,743.85 or a 12.55 percent.

$281,410 is appropriated for Land-Use Administration, up from $267,030 in 2021. That’s a difference of $14,380 or a 5.39 percent increase.

$891,410 is appropriated for Uniform Construction Code, up from $828,395 in 2021. That marks a difference of $63,015 or a 7.61 percent increase.

$19,608,500 is appropriated for Insurance, up from $17,445,711.88 in 2021. This is a difference of $2,162,788.12 or a 12.40 percent increase.

$19,594,101 is appropriated for Public Safety, up from $19,055,830.57 in 2021. An additional $84,361.07 in public and private offsets brings it to $19,678,462.07. That’s a difference of $622,631.50 or a 3.27 percent increase.

$6,040,955 is appropriated for Public Works, down from $6,105,159.16 in 2021. That marks a difference of $64,204.16 or a 1.05 percent decrease.

$782,555 is appropriated for Health and Human Services, down from $1,468,828 in 2021. This is a difference of $686,273 or a 46.72 percent decrease.

$4,134,205 is appropriated for Parks and Recreation, up from $4,028,195.15 in 2021. That’s a difference of $106,009.85 or a 2.63 percent increase.

$2,540,013 is appropriated for Education, including Library, up from $2,335,800 in 2021. That marks a difference of $204,213 or a 8.74 percent increase.

Appropriations continued

$2,600,000 is appropriated for Utilities and Bulk Purchases, up from $2,575,000 in 2021. This is a difference of $25,000 or a a .97 percent increase.

$7,637,000 is appropriated for Landfill and Solid Waste Disposal, up from $7,299,076 in 2021. That’s a difference of $337,924 or a 4.63 percent increase.

$25,000 is appropriated for Contingency. That remains stagnant from 2021.

$7,479,046 is appropriated for Statutory Expenditures, up from $6,980,506.02 in 2021. That marks a difference of $498,539.98 or a 7.14 percent.

$15,635,000 is appropriated for Shared Services, up from $15,402,498 in 2021. This is a difference of $232,502 or a 1.51 percent increase.

$993,015 is appropriated for Court and Public Defender, up from $944,662.43 in 2021. That’s a difference of $48,352.57 or a 5.12 percent increase.

$200,000 is appropriated for Capital, down from $500,000 in 2021. That marks a difference of $300,000 or a 60 percent decrease.

$7,256,500 is appropriated for Debt, up from $6,734,169.50 in 2021. This is a difference of $522,330.50 or a 7.76 percent increase.

$740,000 is appropriated for Deferred Charges, up from $180,000 in 2021. That’s a difference of $560,000 or a 311.11 percent increase.

$1,696,413 is appropriated for Reserve for Uncollected Taxes, which is down from $2,246,358.90 in 2021. That marks a difference of $549,945.90 or 24.48 percent.

Upcoming hearing soon

In total, anticipated appropriations equal $106,036,919.07, up from $101,367,911.76 in 2021. This is a difference of $4,669,007.31 or 4.61 percent increase.

At the April meeting when the budget was introduced, Chief Financial Officer Robert Pittfield said: “The local tax amount that has to be raised to support this budget is going up about $1.1 million or in effect 1.59 percent.”

The board will meet on May 11 at 11 a.m. in the municipal chambers in Town Hall at 4233 Kennedy Boulevard. For more information, go to northbergen.org.

Read the introduced budget online at https://www.northbergen.org/_Content/pdf/budgets/CY-2022-Introduced-Budget.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 disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

Jury convicts Union City man for sexually assaulting child at public pool

Hudson Reporter

April 19, 2022

04ucassault28 — The sexual assault occurred at Firefighters’ Memorial Pool on 9th Street in Union City in 2019. Image via Google Maps.

A jury has convicted a Union City man of sexually assaulting a child at a public pool, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.

On Thursday, April 14, Angel Rosario-Sanchez, a 22-year-old of Union City, was convicted of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old boy in 2019.

A jury found Rosario-Sanchez guilty of Sexual Assault by Contact, a crime of the second degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a crime of the third degree.

The verdict was delivered before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Nesle Rodriguez following a five day trial.

An investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Union City Police Department determined Rosario-Sanchez committed a sex crime on an 8-year-old boy he did not know at the Firefighters’ Memorial Pool on 9th Street in Union City on July 30, 2019.

The jury found Rosario-Sanchez not guilty of similar charges involving a 12 year-old boy on the same day.

Rosario-Sanchez is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, July 15, 2022.

The Sexual Assault by Contact charge carries a sentence of 5 to 10 years in State Prison and the Endangering the Welfare of a Child charge carries a sentence of 3 to 5 years in State Prison.

His sentence is also subject to Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life.

The State was represented at trial by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Angela Halverson and SVU Assistant Chief Prosecutor Jane Weiner.

Anyone who believes they are the victim of a sex crime should call the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) at 201-915 1234.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

Jersey City Council approves Water Street Redevelopment Plan changes

Hudson Reporter

April 15, 2022

04jccouncil21 — The Jersey City Council at their April 13 meeting. Photo by Mark Koosau.

The Jersey City Council approved a number of legislative items on Wednesday night, including changes for the Water Street Redevelopment Plan, and sending a request to the state treasury for a study on a local income tax for school funding.

The council also introduced regulations for cannabinoids and smoke shops, and steps to acquire property for two new police precincts.

Water Street Redevelopment Plan

The council unanimously adopted an amendment (with Council President Joyce Watterman absent from the meeting that night), to make changes to the Water Street Redevelopment Plan on the West Side.

The changes are in regards to a 621-unit mixed-use development at 100 Water Street. To facilitate the development of a new Route 440 boulevard, the floor area ratio requirements on Lots 4 and 5, located between Clark and Clairemont Ave., can be transferred over to Lots 1 and 2 that are between Ege and Clark Ave.. Additionally, Lot 2 will be allowed three additional floors for up to 15 stories to accommodate the floor area.

In exchange for the changes, the owners of Lots 4 and 5, WSI Developer, must demolish any existing structures on those lots, create public parking spaces alongside the eastern side of Water Street, install curbing, sidewalks and landscaping, and repave and restripe Water St.

Former Councilman Chris Gadsden, who used to represent the West Side-based Ward B that the development is in, had questioned the people behind the development, noting that Katerra, who had acquired Water Street’s developers, Fields Development, filed for bankruptcy last year.

He also said that there should be more affordable housing in the West Side. “Affordable housing [has] not been built (besides the project at 16 Bennett St.) in over decades,” he said. “We have to do a lot better.”

Jim McCann, who spoke on behalf of 100 Water Street LLC, said that he argued back at the caucus meeting that the inclusionary zoning ordinance wasn’t triggered because of the floor area transfer and they aren’t asking for additional floor area, to which Corporation Counsel Peter Baker backed up by saying it wouldn’t.

Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey, the current Ward B representative, said that affordable housing is being set aside for the Bayfront and University Place projects, and that none being built is “false.”

She also said that the development will add parking, storm flood mitigation, and lighting to make the area safer. “It’s not perfect, but it’s giving the residents something that they need,” she said.

Income tax study for school funding

The council then passed a resolution to ask the state Department of Treasury to conduct a study to see how much revenue from a local income tax would be generated to fund the city’s school district.

The resolution, which was sponsored by Councilman Frank Gilmore, would ask to see how a tax up to one percent could help the school district’s funding crisis after being subject to millions in state aid cuts since 2018.

The school district is expected to lose $68.5 million in state aid this year, and a preliminary $973 million budget that was approved last month had a $184 million shortfall and could cost property owners $1,611 per household over a year.

“Once we receive that information as a council, then we will be armed with directions we should go as it relates to a threshold or how are we gonna implement the tax and things like that,” said Gilmore.

While Gilmore acknowledged that the treasury could ignore their request and they might have to go through the State Legislature instead, he said that they have due diligence to take steps to take care of the city’s children.

Councilman James Solomon also said that the important part was to be proactive and converse on how to fund the school district that doesn’t completely fall on taxpayers. “It’s why we did the payroll tax back in 2018, but we know that [it’s] insufficient, given the extraordinary volume of cuts that are coming,” he said.

While the rest of the sitting council members were on board with the resolution, Councilman Yousef Saleh was the only one opposed, saying that they should look at other solutions such as cost saving measures and lobbying the state and federal Departments of Education to get federal pandemic funds.

The resolution passed 7-1, with Saleh being the only dissenting vote.

Other legislation

The council unanimously adopted a $131 million bond ordinance for a number of capital projects in the city. The bond ordinance needed six votes to be adopted, and would fund projects ranging from the Loew’s Theatre, parks and roadways and other infrastructure projects.

They also unanimously introduced a set of regulations for cannabinoids and smoke shops. The regulations would make it illegal to distribute cannabinoids to those under 21, and require all smoke and tobacco stores to register within 60 days of opening or qualifying as a store to register with the Department of Public Safety.

The council also introduced a combination of three ordinances that will allow the city to buy or condemn, through eminent domain, three properties for two new police precincts. The north precinct would be at 117 Hutton Street and 18 Sherman Place in the Heights, and the south precinct at 1 West Side Avenue.

All three of those ordinances were introduced 7-1, with Councilman Rich Boggiano, a former police veteran, being the only dissenting vote.

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

Secaucus adds time-restricted parking on Paterson Plank Road

Hudson Reporter

April 14, 2022

04seccouncil21 — Time-restricted parking will be added in front of J&V Hot Bagels and Deli. Image via Google Maps.

Secaucus is adding a number of time-restricted parking spaces on Paterson Plank Road.

The Town Council has recently adopted an ordinance adding the multiple time-restricted parking spaces on one of the main thoroughfares through town. The council voted to do so at its April 12 meeting.

Town Administrator Gary Jeffas explained the ordinance at the request of Mayor Michael Gonnelli when it was introduced at the March 22 council meeting.

“We have a new bagel shop at Huber Street and Paterson Plank Road,” Jeffas said. “This is just adding two fifteen-minute spots.”

In addition to the 15-minute timed spaces near the new J&V Hot Bagels and Deli, there will also be another time-restricted space across the street.

“The police reviewed it, and they’re taking a little space off of the fire house, the yellow at the fire house, because it was more than what was needed,” Jeffas said. “They’re adding a spot there. And they’re making another fifteen minute spot in front of the store, and one fifteen minute spot across the street in front of the apartment complexes there.”

According to Jeffas, the Traffic Division of the Police Department reviewed the changes and have given it the okay.

“The police looked at that and they felt it was doable,” Jeffas said. “And it would help the owners of that location out and the other stores in that area.”

The council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance. The council will meet next on April 26 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 disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

Weehawken bonds $2.8 million for more municipal pool upgrades

Hudson Reporter

April 14, 2022

04weecouncil21-01 — The municipal pool will see some finishing renovations under the newly approved bond ordinance. Photos courtesy of the township of Weehawken.

The Weehawken Township Council has adopted an ordinance issuing bonds for various capital improvements, mainly for upgrades to the municipal pool in the waterfront recreation complex.

The council voted unanimously to adopt following a public hearing at its April 13 meeting.

Mayor Richard Turner said the approximately $2.8 million bond was intended to help fund planned improvements to the township’s municipal pool.

“This is all funding for the pool complex and some other improvements,” Turner said. “We will be getting reimbursed from various county and state grants.”

Pool complex improvements

At the March 23 council meeting, Turner had explained the bond ordinance further. He said that half of the bond will be covered by county and state grants, and millions of more are anticipated to help the project in the coming years.

“This is a bond ordinance required by state law,” Turner said. “It is basically for $2,800,000. $1,600,000 is from the state of New Jersey Green Acres funds. We expect over the next two or three years to apply Hudson County Open Space funds to this. It’s really not tax dollars… We will be adding, over the next two years, another $2,000,000.”

According to Turner, the bond will help finance improvements to the pool, ranging from retaining walls to the rip-rap on the shoreline.

“It is for various improvements,” Turner said. “The largest is around the pool complex. We have the retaining walls, the rip-rap that goes around the pool complex. Some of it has deteriorated so that has to be replaced, which is very expensive. Also, we have a clean up around the pool, and some various other improvements. But most of it is the rip-rap… They would bring in large boulders to shore up the shoreline.”

Some funds will also go toward the construction of the “bubble” over the pool. Previously, the township had bonded toward the “bubble” as well as to overhaul Weehawken Stadium among other improvements.

“That work will hopefully go out to bid,” Turner said of the aforementioned pool complex upgrades in the April 13 bond ordinance. “Some of it is also for the ‘bubble,’ the infamous ‘bubble’ that we want over our pool. Various parts come from various countries, and you can’t get them in these countries right now. So hopefully we’ll have it ready for September. And that will basically complete the pool and the water aspect of the park. “

Following that, the township will focus on the next aspect of the recreation complex: “Then we will move on to the ice skating.”

The Weehawken Public Library will see some modernization upgrades following a recent township bond.

Library renovations incoming

Also at the March 23 meeting, the council adopted a $1.4 million bond ordinance for library renovations. Library Board Director Holly Pizzuta explained the intent behind the upgrades which aim to modernize many aspects of the facility.

“The library applied for the New Jersey State Library Construction Bond Act to replace our outdated HVAC system, repair or replace exterior windows, replace old light fixtures with energy efficient lighting, enhance the library electrical delivery system to accommodate more outlets, improve public workstations to meet greater technological needs, such as adding work station outlets and USB ports, and increase our Wi-Fi capacity,” Pizzuta said.

The project totals $1,428,000, according to Pizzuta. However, the township has received a grant from the state totaling $714,000, which the township has to match and will do so through this bond. Pizzuta explained the library was only renovated once in its decades-long history.

“In September of 1942, the library opened its doors and remained virtually unchanged until a renovation in 1997,” Pizzuta said. “This renovation and expansion was completed in 1999. The improvement to the building took place before people carried multiple devices with them. More and more people are coming to our library to use our Wi-Fi and need to plug in their devices. None of our rooms have sufficient outlets, causing people to stretch cords and create tripping habits. This project will help our library meet the demands of the 21st Century library users.”

“More important, you’ll have an HVAC system that works,” Turner quipped. He said though it is largely being reimbursed, the bond is essential in order to expend the grant funds which the township has already received.

Turner continued: “We’re very proud of our library. It’s one of our central operations we have in the township for all ages. “

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

Secaucus man seriously injured after fire

Hudson Reporter

April 11, 2022

04secfire21_ — A photo of the window in the fire apartment, courtesy of the Secaucus Fire Department.

The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force, the Secaucus Fire Department, and the Secaucus Police Department are investigating a fire that left a 56-year-old man with serious injuries.

At approximately 2:34 p.m. on Friday, April 8 the Secaucus Police Department and the Secaucus Fire Department received multiple smoke detector notifications from a fourth floor residence at 777 Fifth Street.

Upon arrival, the Secaucus Fire Department found heavy smoke in apartment 406 and a 56-year-old man inside the unit with life threatening injuries.

The man was transported to Hudson Regional Hospital and then transferred to the West Chester Medical Center Burn Unit where he remains in critical condition.

The fire was contained to the single unit and the Cause and Origin remain under investigation by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force, the Secaucus Fire Department, and the Secaucus Police Department.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

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Jersey City Council approves division reshuffling and cannabinoid regulations

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Planning Board rejects Exchange Place Plaza redesigns

10 years after fatal hit-and-run in North Bergen, family of victim still seeks closure

North Bergen introduces $106 million budget for 2022

Jury convicts Union City man for sexually assaulting child at public pool

Jersey City Council approves Water Street Redevelopment Plan changes

Secaucus adds time-restricted parking on Paterson Plank Road

Weehawken bonds $2.8 million for more municipal pool upgrades

Secaucus man seriously injured after fire

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