Highlights From The Feb. 27 Secaucus Council Meeting

SECAUCUS, NJ — Many things were discussed at Tuesday night's Secaucus town council meeting:

The first was the town presented a $1,139 check from the second St. Jude's ice skating night held earlier in February. The check was presented by Mayor Mike Gonnelli to Secaucus resident Anne Falco with her daughter, Ava Falco. They are pictured above.

Secaucus was also given $244,500 from the state to preserve wetlands. More specifics on how that money will be spent will come.

Secondly, Secaucus hired an acting construction code official, Carl Leppin III. Leppin was formerly the assistant town construction code official. His promotion replaces outgoing Vincent Prieto, Secaucus' former construction code official who is also an Assemblyman and used to be the speaker of the state Assembly. Prieto is now moving to work for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (the Meadowlands Commission), so by state law, he can't collect two public paychecks at once. So he had to resign from his town job in Secaucus. He was making about $149,000 as the Secaucus construction code official when he resigned.

The Council approved a 15-minute parking spot in front of S&S Auto on Paterson Plank Road. It will not be metered. S&S owner Keith Scaglione expressed concern about the meter at the last Council meeting, saying it is not needed and that he was worried if he parks cars there, they will be ticketed. But the Council approved the 15-minute spot anyway. The 15-minute spot will be effect from 7 a.m to 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.

If you want to help serve and protect our town, the Secaucus police department is hiring. They will be offering the test soon. For more information, email spdrecruitment@secaucus.net. Secaucus will also do a crackdown on distracted driving in the month of April. They will be looking for drivers talking or texting on their cell phones and other forms of distracted driving.

Patch was the first to report that armed police officers have been added to Secaucus schools, but Councilman John Gerbasio said last night that the town is also updating other forms of security in all the schools and public buildings. He did not elaborate on specifics due to safety concerns.

"The obvious ones you'll see and hopefully, the less obvious ones nobody will see," said Gerbasio.

Donations are needed at the food pantry; they need pasta and sauce in March. Drop items at the Senior Center from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. weekdays. Also, from March 19 through June, AAU basketball requested to use the recreation center for practice for two hours each week.

There are so many upcoming events in Secaucus this spring:

Friday, March 2: Read Across America event at 11 a.m. at the Secaucus Tot Center. There will be guests reading to the tots.

Kids Night In/Parents Night Out, Friday, March 2. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Rec Center. Children ages 5-12. Bring your favorite blanket. There will be a movie and pizza at the rec center. It's $5 per child. Sign up through Community Pass.

Friday, March 9: Secaucus Middle School will hold a tricky tray from 6 - 9 p.m.

St. Matthew's annual Irish dinner March 11: The popular annual dinner will be Sunday, March 11 with corn beef and cabbage, soda bread and more served, plus wine and beer. There will be live music.

Tuesday, March 20: Secaucus Senior St. Patrick's Day luncheon at La Reggia's. 11 a.m.

Fire safety seminar March 21: Unfortunately, 2017 saw some major fires in the town, such as the two homes badly damaged by fires on Hagan Place. The mayor and town council invite all Secaucus residents to a fire safety seminar. The first will be March 21 at Clarendon School from 7-9 p.m. If you live in the Clarendon section, go to that meeting. They are planning a second meeting at Huber Street school at a later date. Secaucus firefighters will talk about how you can keep your home safe from fire.

March 23: The Craft Clique will host a paint night fundraiser for suicide awareness. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call for more info.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny March 24: The Secaucus sophomore class is holding a breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 24 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Secaucus High School dining hall. $8 per child; two and under are free. Afterwards there will be an Easter egg hunt!

Holi festival April 28: The Indian Caucus of Secaucus requested to hold a Holi festival in the Millridge area on April 28, with a raindate of April 29.

Seventh annual Secaucus Green Festival Sunday, May 6: It will be held at Xchange on the Hackensack River. There will be a free petting zoo, a magician, a butterfly exhibit with live butterflies, rock climbing, pontoon cruises, pony rides and food trucks. Sponsored by the Hackensack River Keeper, the town of Secaucus and Xchange.

Photos by Carly Baldwin/Secaucus Patch