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 disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

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 disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

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 disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

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 disrael@hudsonreporter.com.

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 disrael@hudsonreporter.com.