e-Newspaper for Jan. 11, 2023

Photos By Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

ometimes, the place you least expect to find beauty can turn into an experience whose memories will last a lifetime. Such was the case for me when I visited a garage in Kearny a week ago. Yes, the kind of garage where cars are stored, where oil stains are common and the scent of chemicals may often be found.

But this garage was different. So different.

Its walls were painted a beautiful navy blue, its ceiling a touch of grey. All of the three walls — two long ones that were deep and the one you see upon opening the manual entrance door — beautifully painted as they were were among the most stunning walls imaginable. Perhaps they are more incredible than the walls of any garage in Kearny, Hudson County, or heck, Jersey and far and wide.

It’s because on them are countless works of art Maricio LaBorde has painted over the last seven years. With few exceptions, they are replicas of those painted by Vincent van Gogh in the 1800s. They were as vivid as any of van Gogh’s one might see in a museum in New York, Paris,

anywhere.

Some might even say they were even more vivid than the originals.

LaBorde, who spends weekdays in Jersey and weekend in Poughkeepsie, New York, says he has painted 382 of the 800 or so van Gogh is known to have completed (It wasn’t until after his death van Gogh became famous. And he didn’t start painting until the last 10 years of his life.)

And LaBorde, himself, though he

comes from a family of artists, didn’t begin to pick up painting, which he calls a “hobby,” until seven years ago. Truly, it’s hard to figure what of all of this is most remarkable — for either van Gogh or for LaBorde.

“My father used to paint,” LaBorde says. “Little things. It was his hobby. I do have a brother, a little older than myself and he is an artist. He’s a natural artist, whereas I am a copier, though I do have some of my own

paintings. I’m not natural at it.”

One would hardly realize he’s not a “natural.”

He says when he started painting about seven years ago, he would give some of his painting away to employees, donate some to non-profits for raffles and the like. But then space was becoming limited to display his work.

That was around the time he realized he had a garage and converted it into the town’s greatest, unknown art gallery.

While van Gogh tried to sell his artwork initially (and not-so-successfully, by the way) LaBorde has taken a different approach. He was not made so much as 1¢ on his paintings. When I offered to buy one, it was a swift, “no,” and when I asked him to keep me in mind if he decides to sell, finally, he said, “I will have to contact you and about 2,000 people.”

van Gogh’s ear

In the course of our discussions about van Gogh and LaBorde’s love for him, of course, we turned to the incident when he cut off his ear whilst living in the south of France. We never knew of how it happened

Continued on the next page

Photo by Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

This is one of the walls in Mauricio LaBorde’s Kearny garage. All of the paintings seen here are replicas of Vincent van Gogh.

until LaBorde explained how it all occurred.

“He goes to a bull-fight event in southern France and it’s very close to Spain,” LaBorde says. “And he sees the bull fighter, the matador, after he kills the bull, he would cut off the (bull’s) ear and he would toss it into the public.”

The very next day, van Gogh, known at the time to frequent brothels, did like the matador, sort of.

“He goes and he cuts off his own ear and gives it to a prostitute,” LaBorde says. “He wraps it up in a napkin and gives it as a gift, all bleeding and everything.”

But it was right after this incident van Gogh was put into an asylum for a year.

It was there, in this French asylum, van Gogh painted, “Stary Night,” which most consider his most famous painting all them all. It residents in the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan now.

He would then go on paint friends, family and others.

One of those includes “Potato Eaters,” a family of peasants gathered at table to eat — potatoes. They were so destitute, it was all they could afford to put on the table.

But this is what van Gogh most treasured in his life — being among the poor, the most destitute, despite not coming from a poor family of his own. It may have been his greatest downfall, too, because it allowed him to hide his mental illness for long periods of time. Doctors of modern times have speculated he had what we now call bipolar-mania.

But he would also paint sunflowers, which could be found almost anywhere in the south of France and including when fellow artist Paul Gauguin came to live with him for a while. The two developed a strong bond.

Why van Gogh?

We had to ask LaBorde what it was about the eccentric van Gogh that drew him to him.

“I am struck with how he captures the movement, the

colors, the thickness of the paint,” he says. “He would mix the colors on his palette and in one stroke he would get what he wanted. One stroke. He could see it on his palette and it just comes out.”

Is it only van Gogh?

While the vast number of LaBorde’s pieces are, indeed, van Gogh replicas, he does occasionally paint originals. We got to see two,

both of which have van Gogh elements and both of which have local significance. One, seen on the cover of today’s edition, is of the Brooklyn Bridge which has elements of “Stary Night.” The other is of the brushes of the Kearny meadows.

There are others, too. But these two stuck out because of connected geography.

Each piece, original or replica, was remarkable in its

own way. And LaBorde hopes to show others his work, especially to aspiring artists. Teachers, want your students to see the collection in person? Groups and organizations, how about a visit to a gallery? Give LaBorde a call at (845) 392-0282.

Also be sure to visit www. theobserver.com to see more photos of LaBorde’s work.

first 2023 baby will call Belleville home

Nutley looking to solve excess rodent issue

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

In response to an unprecedented increase in wildlife and rodent activity since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nutley Health and Parks and Recreation departments are employing several strategies for control and prevention, including educating residents on how to prevent further activity by following the township’s recommendations as well as using its resources.

recently, we are seeing other towns having similar situations. It is something that will take time to get under control. And we will get it under control. But having our residents’ cooperation is crucial to speeding up the process of eliminating the problem.”

Clara Maass Medical Center welcomed Kendrick, the hospital’s first baby of 2023, at 11:33 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 1. Proud parents, Sarah and Dushont, of Belleville, were presented with a gift basket that included a 2023 embroidered blanket and onesie from Dr. and Mrs. Philip Fiore, ophthalmologist of Nutley, and gifts from the Clara Maass Auxiliary’s Annual Baby Shower, by Tania Manago, assistant director of patient experience, Cynthia McMahon, nurse manager, maternity services, Doreen Prayt, emergency services and Chinwendu ‘ChiChi’ Emenyeonu, assistant vice president of nursing.

The township has hired an exterminator who has had experience dealing with the problem in neighboring towns such as Montclair and Bloomfield. The company is working near the Kingsland Manor, where the situation has escalated because of the much-delayed completion of work on Clifton’s Kingsland Avenue Bridge.

As much as they can do, participation and cooperation of the community is imperative for continued success.

“Unfortunately, it has been a ‘perfect storm,’” Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci, director of the Department of Parks and Public Property, said. “Due to COVID, Hurricane Ida and the heavy rains and floods we’ve experienced

Prevention begins with eliminating any potential food, water and harborage source for, vermin and insects. This includes properly storing garbage in proper trash receptacles and securing it from wildlife with a lid.

Residents must be cognizant of the negative impact on the community due to laxed property maintenance and trash disposal methods, and are encouraged to place trash into trash cans properly covered with lids.

This alone will directly help prevent a surge of rodents.

“This is an unprecedented surge of activity,” Kelly said. “New York City, for example, experienced 1,000 more rodent complaints by May 2022 than it had in all of 2021. However, as a community, if we remain diligent and follow our recommendations, we can control the influx of wildlife and rodent activity.”

A

Up to now, the township — which deploys both volunteer and salaried firefighters — has made a practice of picking a volunteer firefighter to head the department and a salaried firefighter to serve as the No. 2 fire administrator.

As of Jan. 23 — when the township’s newly amended ordinance takes effect — Paul Cafone, the paid deputy fire chief, will assume the role of department chief. He was appointed to the post by township Public Safety Commissioner Alphonse Petracco. The chief, as provided under the new law, “shall have sole and entire control over the Fire Department and shall report directly to the Director of Public Safety.”

Petracco said no change in salary is currently planned for Cafone, whose annual base pay stands at about $175,000.

The township policy change follows the arrest Dec. 16 of Henry Meola, 33, who had been serving as Nutley’s volunteer fire chief, on charges of luring/enticing and endangering the welfare of a child after police said he allegedly sought a meeting with an underage boy for sex in North Bergen. He was released pending a hearing in mid-January.

Asked whether the criminal

nearly century-old tradition ended Jan. 3 when the Nutley Township Board of Commissioners voted to designate a paid “full-time member” of the Fire Department as its chief.proceeding triggered the change in Fire Department leadership policy by the township, Mayor Joseph Scarpelli deferred to Petracco who declined comment because of the still pending investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.

Petracco said the change in Fire Department leadership protocol isn’t intended as a criticism of the volunteers.

“I’m proud of our volunteers,” he said. But, he added, change was needed because the traditional way of running the department was simply “antiquated.”

“Things are moving fast in the world today,” the commissioner said. “You need a (full-time) chief there every day. Volunteers are constantly moving in and out. I just feel it’s in the best interests of our residents. It’s time (for a change). And volunteerism has declined, not just in Nutley but around the country. We took over the ambulance squad a few years ago and we require new (paid firefighter) hires to be certified EMTs.”

Two Nutley residents — Tom Peters and Charles Kucinski — spoke in support of the policy change during a public hearing on the ordinance.

A former Newark Fire Department captain and treasurer of the Retired Police and Firemen’s Association of Essex County, Peters congratulated Cafone, adding that, “I know he’s qualified (for the chief’s job).” He said he believed the shift to a paid chief was “definitely not a knock against volunteers” but that because “the

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Nutley Public Safety Commissioner Alphonse Petracco with Nutley’s new Fire Chief Paul Cafone.

Commissioners appoint career firefighter to chief’s position

OPINION & VIEWPOINTS

COMMENTARY

What ever happened to the annual year-end recap letter people once exchanged?

To the Editor:

Last week’s police blotter spoke of three juveniles who were arrested for crimes they committed on the streets of Kearny. All three were taken into custody at the Devon Street school.

Unfortunately, many read the story but only saw key words, so we needed to clarify this — to amplify this, really — for several reasons.

First, Kearny High School is a very safe school, and it is well protected, by unarmed security and by School Resource Officer Vanessa Sevillano, of the Kearny Police Department.

Kearny High School is a flourishing secondary school where so many great things are happening, whether inside the classroom, in co-curricular activities, athletics and the like.

There are too many to list.

Jacalyn Richardson, the principal, has assembled a dedicated faculty and countless alums have gone on to higher education at highly respected colleges and universities and high-paying, non-collegiatebased careers because of the knowledge they’ve gained in the four years spent at Kearny High School.

Next, if you can find a high school where students never get in trouble with the law, we’d like to hear about it, because it would clearly be an anomaly and a model each and every school should in America should be following.

Yes, in December, kids got into hot water. They were, indeed, taken into custody at school because during the day, teenagers are — well, obviously — found ... at school.

But let this be clear — these incidents, though serious, should not be an indictment of an institution of learning that is safe, highly functioning and extremely successful.

To think otherwise is grossly unjust and unfair to the folks who dedicate their lives to making Kearny High School the great place it truly is, from the principal to the admins to the teachers, staff, students, the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Flora Encarnaçao and all with responsibility in the board office.

With the advent of social media added to the easy communication of email, we have lost something — the holiday card and year-end letter exchange.

We used to write holiday cards with either a short personal note to each recipient or in many cases, a general letter with an overview of what happened in the year gone by.

I have letters from years ago where people updated us on the arrival of their children, grandchildren, weddings, graduations.

Some letters and cards had newspaper clippings or pictures of the family or a new house.

I think these letters added to the closeness we felt amongst family and friends as our families grew and some moved to other parts of the country.

Some of us have remained where we grew up and have contact with friends who are still here and we now rely on social media posts to keep up.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Not everyone is on social media, however, and not everyone uses the same social media platforms. This, combined with the lack of letter and card writing, has led to an isolation of our lives.

Who remembers being a little kid and our parents had the cards received displayed and looking to see who they were from? I miss this tradition.

Our parents would read the letters and talk about them over dinner, and we learned about our relatives, who we had not met.

When there was a family gathering, we knew something about the people we met at these events.

We knew Great Aunt Susie had a new grandchild, her granddaughter had married or her grandson Fred was now a doctor.

We could have a conversation when we met

these people in a social setting and ask, how is the little one or how is married life treating you?

When there was a family emergency, we knew information one might have needed, such as family medical history.

When we planned a vacation, we knew who had been to that place and could ask for suggestions on places or attractions to visit.

So while social media has been good for reconnecting with relatives, we have lost track of the “nothing beats the closeness we felt through this annual tradition.”

I am sitting here trying to begin an old fashioned letter, and so I figure I can go halfway.

I can type a general letter, even insert pictures in to the body of the letter, print it and add a pen signature.

It is nothing dramatic or long — just something to jump re-start that good old tradition.

Melanie A. Ryan Kearny

In Memoriam Mary A. Tortoreti 1942-2016

Lisa M. Feorenzo

lisa@theobserver.com

Co-owner/Advertising Dir.

Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com Editor/Broadcaster

39 Seeley Avenue n Kearny, N.J. 07032 n (201) 991-1600 Fax: (201) 991-8941 n www.theobserver.com

Tina Feorenzo Co-owner/Advertising Robert P. Pezzolla gm@theobserver.com General Manager

Michelle Rybeck advertising@theobserver.com Graphic Artist/Real Estate

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Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com Sports Writer

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Last week’s blotter must not tarnish all the good things at Kearny HS

Nutley taxpayers may be asked to approve referendum for Walker Middle School upgrades

By Ron Leir ronleir423@gmail.com

Once again, Nutley taxpayers may be asked to dig deeper to help relieve overcrowding in township schools.

Look for the local Board of Education to press for a public referendum later this year to expand the John H. Walker middle school to accommodate grades 5 and 6 and, thereby, eliminate the need for trailers while making space available for a growing pre-K population.

Two board members — president Salvatore Ferraro and Charles Kucinski — discussed the possibility Jan. 3 with township commissioners in hopes of gaining their support.

Twice before, the district has sought to persuade voters to endorse similar capital projects with the same goal in mind.

In December 2017, Nutley voters rejected a proposed $70 million bond issue designed to relocate sixth-graders from Washington and Yantacaw schools to Walker Middle School, replace the roof at the high school and renovate Oval Park.

The following year, voters defeated another referendum pitching two proposals: one would have bonded nearly $57 million to expand the middle school to make room for sixthgraders, provide additional gym space and added STEAM classes at the high school; a second would have bonded about $10 million to complete multipurposes spaces at Washington and Yantacaw schools and a media center at the high school.

Despite the double disappointments, Kucinski said the district is more desperate than ever to try and persuade residents to carve out additional space at the middle school — which now educates grades 7 and 8 — to provide more classrooms for both

sixth- and fifth-graders to phase out trailers now established at Yantacaw, Washington and Spring Garden schools.

It’s even more essential now to free up space, he said, because of a combination of general overcrowding from steadily increasing enrollment and a projected accelerated pace of pre-K admissions. As an example of the former, Kucinski said classroom space for grade 5 at Lincoln School “is maxed out,” so newly-registered students ready to enter fifth-grade cannot expect to attend classes at Lincoln, even if they live within the school’s district lines. Instead, they’ll be sent to another school that has an opening for a fifth-grader.

The average class size, depending on the grade level, is now hovering between 20 and 23, according to Kucinski.

Classroom space at schools throughout the district is at a premium, he said, with administrators struggling to find ways of satisfying state mandates touching on all aspects of the educational program.

One such mandate is expanding pre-K offerings for 3- and 4-year-olds, Kucinski said. Right now, the district has 90 children enrolled in earlychildhood programs but demographic studies have projected that number will climb to 550 “within the next five years,” he said, and space will have to be found to handle the crush.

Although the school board has yet to set out an actual scope of work to be tackled or to hire an architect to draw up design plans, Kucinski said the trustees have been talking about aiming for a budget of “between $40 million and $60 million” to present to voters.

Further conversations with

RWJBarnabas gets Kearny’s ambulance contract for the first 90 days of 2023

By Ron Leir ronleir423@gmail.com

The Town of Kearny has a new emergency ambulance service provider, replacing Kearny EMS, which advised the town it was going out of business, effective New Year’s Day, after two decades of local service.

The town governing body voted 7-0, with Mayor Alberto Santos and Fourth Ward Councilwoman Susan McCurrie absent, to designate Robert Wood Johnson/ Barnabas EMS Health, based in New Brunswick, to “provide (emergency) ambulance services for a minimum of 90 days until a permanent ambulance service agreement can be solicited and awarded.”

RWJBarnabas, which claims to be “the largest unified EMS provider in the state,” will launch its Kearny venture on Jan. 1 at midnight. It will solely provide basic life care services known as BLS. They will not provide advance or paramedic care (ALS).

Town Administrator Stephen Marks said the vendor has agreed to operate the service at no cost to Kearny.

Marks said only two vendors responded to the town’s Request for Proposals; the other, he said, came from NJ/ Mobile HealthCare, of Mahwah, which offered to do the job for $173,375 per month.

Asked by resident Melanie Ryan to explain the wide disparity in price, Marks had no answer.

The Observer previously attempted to reach a spokesperson for the firm but got no

response.

However, a source tells The Observer, when a $0 contract is awarded, it is often an indication they will do as they please without input from the governing body. Bill discrepancies? Inordinate charges for a simple ambulance ride?

Chances will be likely the town won’t be able to intervene.

Fourth Ward Councilman Gerald Ficeto asked if RWJBarnabas would “use their

own ambulances” to respond to emergency calls and Marks said they would. No one else on the council raised questions about the agreement.

The RFP circulated by Kearny says, “The Town seeks no less than two ambulances to cover the community between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days per week and no less than one ambulance to cover the Town between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. seven days per week.” Kearny is making available the town-owned two-sto -

ry EMS facility with four vehicle bays at 352 Maple St. to the new vendor which, according to Marks, currently responds to emergency calls at the county jail in south Kearny from an EMS facility in that vicinity.

RWJBarnabas will provide its own gas to the ambulance, a change from Kearny EMS. Whether RWJBarnabas plans to maintain that facility in lieu of stationing two ambulances out of Maple Street, Marks said it’s possible the vendor may elect to maintain south Kearny to run a “third ambulance” from that location is something he’d have to investigate.

Because the RFP says “the emergency service ambulance shall be stationed in the residential area of town,” it seems unlikely that the vendor could run either of the two required emergency ambulances from the largely

PUBLIC SAFETY

industrial South Kearny area.

RWJBarnabas would, as called for by the RFP, be expected to “work closely with the Kearny Fire and Police departments to report all emergency medical calls within the most recent industry standards for response times” for which the vendor pledges to respond within less than 10 minutes, 90% of the time.

And RWJBarnabas will also “provide mutual aid with Belleville, Harrison, North Arlington and Lyndhurst.”

The RFP provides no guidance on billing by the vendor except that it “shall invoice Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies and shall seek charity care funding for the uninsured if available.”

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Lyndhurst Boys Basketball enjoys strong start to the season

Harrison Boys Basketball hopes big win serves as a turning point

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

Harrison’s record might not show it, but head coach Jose Camano knows his boys basketball team is quite a bit better than its 2-5 record or prior teams that finished well short of .500.

“I think we’re a lot better than last year. A lot of these kids didn’t play last year,” said Camano, now in his fourth season as the head coach. “They see it at practice, they come to practice every day and see that we’re 2-5, but that’s not really who we really are. Our record doesn’t show how good we are.”

just wants to play basketball. He can score, he can slash, he can dish, he creates a lot for his teammates.”

Burgos was forced to play the point guard a season ago, but is now in his more natural two-guard spot, thanks to the return of Stokes.

Stokes, a 5-foot-10 junior, missed all of last year due to an achilles injury, but has picked up from where he left off as a freshman, averaging close to 15 points per game, while creating opportunities for teammates.

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

Lyndhurst head coach Perrin Mosca knew he was inheriting a team short on experience and recent success when he took over as the boys basketball coach in September. But he also saw a group that while young, had the size and athleticism to potentially surprise people in the NJIC.

After nine games, no one should be surprised anymore.

The Golden Bears sport a stellar 7-2 record following Sunday’s 72-60 victory over Becton at the South Bergen Classic. Lyndhurst finds itself in a three-way tie for first place in the NJIC National Division standings with Weehawken and Rutherford at 4-1.

“Coming in, I knew we had some athletes and players,

but we didn’t have much experience,” said Mosca, who previously served as Lyndhurst’s girls coach. “But you know what, they’re playing loose out there, they’re having fun out there and they’re out-working people on the defensive end. It’s just coming together for them right now.”

So far, Lyndhurst has been one of the league’s more dynamic offenses, averaging 65.2 points per game. At the forefront of that offense has been junior Anthony Pizzuti, one of Bergen County’s most improved players.

The 6-foot-3 forward is averaging an eye-popping 17.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

“Offensively he just explodes when he jumps. He gets up really fast on rebounds, he’s very strong

on the offensive glass and he gets a lot of points off put-backs,” Mosca said. “He’s very strong when he has the ball, he rarely loses the ball and they’re all over him. He also does a great job of breaking presses for us because he’s a great ball-handler for us.”

Six-foot-2 senior Ricky Pizzuti is at the other forward spot and is averaging 7.1 points per game in his first year of varsity.

Lyndhurst’s size extends to the wings and backcourt as well. Junior guard Matt Slaby (6-foot-4) does a little bit of everything for the Golden Bears, averaging 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Slaby, who plays down low as part of Lyndhurst’s zone defense has

Three of Harrison’s early losses were decided by seven points or less. Camano is hopeful that this past Friday’s 56-53 victory at North Arlington is proof that things are starting to turn around for the Blue Tide.

“It was a big win for us. We lost a lot of close games to start off the season and they could have been down, but they came out on Friday and they came ready to play, executed a great plan and they pulled it off. They played a great game, four quarters, 32 minutes and we got a big win and it gives us some momentum going into Monday at Secaucus.”

A big reason for that optimism is Harrison’s dynamic duo of Edward Burgos and Reuben Stokes.

Burgos, a 6-foot-0 senior, has averaged nearly 18 points per game this season.

“Edward does it all,” said Camano. “Edward

“Reuben opened the game up for Edward because Reuben has the ability to make two guys play him,” Camano said. “Reuben can get from A to B without a problem because of his ball skills and ball handling. Reuben being able to do that creates so many open shots and opportunities for Edward to score the basketball.”

Another player back for the Blue Tide after missing all of last season, is 5-foot-8 senior Zaire Colson, who is the team’s top 3-point shooter.

Harrison does not have much size and basically runs out a five-guard lineup. Six-foot-1 senior Sammy Abdeljalil has moved from guard to forward after growing three inches this offseason. At center is 6-foot-1 senior Ethan Oeckel. Oeckel, a three-year starter, plays bigger than his size and is also capable of stretching the floor offensively.

“Ethan gives us flexibil-

Photo by Jason Bernstein

Standing Back Row (left to right): Ricky Pizzuti, CJ Baillie, Matthew Slaby, Jake Mayer, Anthony Pizzuti, Charles Derrig, head coach Perrin Mosca. Standing Front Row (left to right): Ryan Batista, Leo Rodriguez, Keith Jones, Jose Baca, Gabe Gomez, Isaiah Alvarado.

been especially critical the last two games, getting nine assists against Rutherford this past Friday, then matching his career-high with 25 points on Sunday at Becton.

“These last two games against Rutherford and Becton, he’s just been amazing,” said Mosca. “He’s very patient with the ball so he doesn’t get flustered when he’s doubled, he can see over people.”

Another junior, 6-foot-1 Jake Mayer is the main point guard, averaging 9.7 points and 4.6 assists per game, while also usually being matched up against the opposing team’s top offensive player.

“He does a great job on the defensive end for us and he’s hit some big threes for us as well,” Mosca said. “He does a little bit of everything for us.”

Another big guard, 6-foot-3 junior CJ Baillie is averaging 9.6 points per game. While Baillie has been effective getting to the

basket, Mosca believes the best is yet to come from the guard, especially from the perimeter.

Among the top players off the bench for Lyndhurst so far have been sophomore forward Shawn Bellenger and a trio of senior guards in Isaiah Alvarado, Gabe Gomez and Jose Baca. Three more seniors - Keith Jones, Ryan Batista and Leo Rodriguez have also seen time in the backcourt early on.

Thanks to their hot start, the Golden Bears are in a position to potentially qualify for a spot in the Bergen County Jamboree for the first time since 2018. But in order to keep those hopes alive, Lyndhurst knows it has to continue to build upon its fast start, beginning with a road tilt at Cresskill on Wednesday followed by a home matchup with Hawthorne on Friday.

“At the beginning our goal was to win the league title and the second goal was to make the County Tournament,” said Mosca. “A .650 winning percentage (at the cutoff) gets you in, so every game counts.”

HARRISON

Continued from Page 9

ity as a stretch five,” said Camano. “He’s a really good defender, a great defender, he gets us going on the defensive side. Ethan has one thing in mind and that’s just winning.”

Nicholas Martin, a 5-foot8 freshman, has been a

source of instant offense off the bench for the Blue Tide.

Sophomore guards Jose Marte and David Renderos are threats from the outside and 6-foot-3 senior Joseph Jones has been a key factor on the glass and a defensive anchor when Camano wants to slow the game down.

Following the game at Secaucus, Harrison has non-division games against

Park Ridge and Eastern Christian as it looks to fight its way closer to .500, a mark it hasn’t reached since 2017.

“We’re one, two plays away from winning basketball games. I think those kids started to realize it,” Camano said. “The kids believe in themselves, they believe in us and we’re going to pull out more victories as the season goes along.”

TREATING TUMORS OF THE EYE

Several types of tumors can form in the eye, but the most common kind is a secondary tumor that spreads from cancer elsewhere in the body.

Two primary types are retinoblastoma (cancer of the retina) and melanoma (cancer in the cells that produce melanin or pigment/color). When melanoma occurs in the eye (ocular melanoma), it’s usually in the area that can’t be seen in a mirror, making it hard to detect. It usually has no early signs or symptoms. Retinoblastoma is the most common form of childhood eye cancer in children under five, affecting both eyes about 30 percent of the time. Eye tumors can be removed through laser treatment, freezing, surgery,

radiation therapy, or photodynamic therapy.

In addition to damaging vision, eye tumors can spread to the optic nerve, the brain and the rest of the body. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important.

Comprehensive eye examinations are very important not only to determine if you need correction to see well but also to maintain the health of your eye. To schedule an appointment, please call 201-8960096. Our office is located at 20 Park Avenue, Lyndhurst.

To reach our optical shop, call 201-896-0007. We accept most insurance.

P.S. Primary eye melanoma most often occurs in people with green or blue eyes.

www.delucavision.com

Photo by Jason Bernstein

Standing Back Row:  Head Coach Jose Camano, Ethan Oeckel, Joseph Jones, Sammy Abdeljalil, Jose Marte, Edward Burgos. Front Row: Brian Castillo, Zaire Colson, Reuben Stokes, Ethan Johnson, David Renderos.

Kearny’s Hyams sets the tone on defense and offense

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

For the last three years, Ava Hyams has been counted upon to be a facilitator on offense, a key rebounder and an outside shooter for Kearny. This season, the 5-foot-11 senior Hyams has added another responsibility to her list - defensive stopper.

A void was created in the Kardinals’ defense following the season-ending knee injury to standout Julia Araujo. It’s a role that not only has Hyams filled, but embraced.

Take last Thursday’s game at Caldwell when standout guard Lauren Sanderson struck for three 3-pointers in the first quarter. It was then when Hyams wanted to take things into her own hands.

“Against Caldwell, this girl (Lauren Sanderson) came out and started lighting it up. I think she hit a quick three 3’s and Ava asked to guard her,” Kearny head coach Jody Hill

said. “She went ‘Coach, I think I can disrupt her shot. I think having the size (advantage) a little bit, I think I can disrupt her and would love to guard

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her if you let me.’ We let her guard her and she didn’t score

any points for the rest of the way.”

“Seeing that girl hit those threes, I knew I had to shut her down, I had to do that for my team,” said Hyams. “Playing the best (scorer) actually makes me play better on offense. Defense creates offense and I truly believe that because that’s how I play.”

Not only did Hyams hold Sanderson scoreless the rest of the way, she matched her season high with 22 points, making four 3-pointers and pulling down 11 rebounds as the Kardinals defeated Caldwell, 52-46.

Hyams has posted double-doubles in four consecutive games, starting with a 22-point, 10-rebound performance in William Masopust Jr. Holiday Classic final against Nutley. She was named the Tournament’s MVP.

Thanks to her all-around

impact, Kearny is off to an impressive 8-2 start and Hyams is The Observer Athlete of the Week.

For the season, Hyams, a Worcester Polytechnic Institute commit, is averaging 15.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.4 assists per game.

“Ava just has a different sense of maturity this year where she’s like ‘what we need to win, I’m willing to provide to the best of my ability,’” Hill said. “I don’t think we really had to rely on her so much (defensively) because of Julia. But now with Julia gone, it made us say ‘why not try Ava?’ and when we did, it was an eye-opening thing for us because we didn’t realize how good her defense could be.”

The extent Hyams’ ability on the defensive end became clear during the AAU season

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Photo by Jason Bernstein Ava Hyams

when she played for New Jersey United. There, she was often asked to defend the opposing team’s best offensive player, regardless of position

“If it was a small guard that was dribbling through everyone they would be like ‘Ava, go out there and shut her down.’

Or it could be the tallest girl, like 6-7, and they’d make me face-guard her,” said Hyams. “I can guard anyone at any level, at any speed or at any height.”

“I think it’s a huge bonus for our team to know that Ava now has the stamina to do it on the offensive end as well as giving us that defensive spark,” said Hill. “She knows the game, she has the experience of defending great players from playing in a top AAU league. She’s coming into the year, that’s all she was used to, guarding great players on elite AAU teams.”

At Kearny, Hyams describes her role as the “stealer” in the

middle of the Kardinals’ fullcourt press defense. A stark contrast from her previous role.

“(Last year) I was actually all the way in the back. Coach was trying to hide me,” Hyams said. “I really have learned to use my length and I know I’m longer than a lot of these girls that we’re playing against.

“I definitely can steal balls from small guards just by putting my hands out. Guarding bigs, I can elongate my body up and deflect a pass coming in to them.”

While it might seem like there’s a lot on Hyams’ plate, she doesn’t feel any pressure about it. Instead, with her college commitment secure and the Kardinals playing well, she is playing relaxed.

“I’ve been playing very loosely and having more fun,” said Hyams. “Now that I’m committed,I don’t have to think about anybody looking at me.

“We’re five strong and we can potentially do big things this year.”

Brothers for Others

Joe D. takes sixth oath of office

The Kearny PBA and FMBA, with CS-11 and The Observer, teamed up this past Thanksgiving to collect food for the town’s pantries. Among the most generous donors were the Dossantos brothers, Jorge, center, and Danny, second from right. The owners of several Kearny laundromats contributed 100+ turkeys. Seen with them are Juan Barroso Jr., left, of the FMBA; Kevin Canessa, editor of The Observer; and Mina Ekladious, president of the PBA.

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., left, recites the oath of office as he is sworn-in to his sixth term as Essex County Executive by state and Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman LeRoy Jones, right, on Tuesday, Jan. 3 in the Essex County Martin Luther King Jr. Justice Building in Newark. Holding the Bible are Gov. Philip D. Murphy and DiVincenzo’s son Joseph.

Photo by Glen Frieson

Robert Allen ‘Bobby’ Hall

Robert Hall, 86, of Wilmington, Vermont, died peacefully in his home Dec. 27. A resident of Wilmington, Vermont, since 1982, Bobby was born in Jersey City April 24, 1936, to Alice (Perrenod) and Samuel Hall. He attended Lodi Regional High School in Lodi and graduated in 1954.

Bobby was a proud Navy Veteran and found great pleasure in sharing stories about his service on submarines. Bobby served 20 years as a firefighter for the North Arlington Fire Department and worked his way up the ranks to Chief in 1978, retiring from his service in 1981.

Bobby also worked for the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company for 27 years before relocating to Vermont. He is fondly remembered for his time running the Crafts Inn. He made lasting friendships and was an integral part of the history of the Crafts Inn and community. Bobby finished out his career doing general contracting work, alongside his family and close friends. He was lovingly referred to as Bob the Builder.

Bobby married Helen Whitney May 23, 1959, and together they had two children, Sandra (Hall) Murdock and David Hall.

He is survived by his son David and wife Bethany and his daughter Sandra, and brother George Hall and wife Deanna. Bobby had five grandchildren — Riley and Mitchell Hall and Ian, Kyle and Whitney Murdock. Bobby is also survived by his best friend and soul mate Jeanette Felton and her children Sarah Crawford and husband Bo, Tim Betit and wife Jessica Betit, Nate Felton and wife Brittany and son Michael Betit, as well as her many grandchildren whom he treated like his own.

No memorial services will take place.

A celebration of life will occur at a later date.

OBITUARIES

Theresé G. NonevitchFedorchak

Theresé G. Nonevitch-Fedorchak of Morganville, formerly of Kearny, died peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022 at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge.

She was 51.

Funeral services were under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. A funeral Mass was offered at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny. Her interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

If you would like to send a condolence message to her family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.

Born in Belleville, , Theresé grew up in Kearny. As a child, she was a parishioner of St. Cecilia Church and received all of her Sacraments there. As a teenager, she won Ms. Polonia in the Legion of Young Polish Women’s Debutante Ball.

Therese earned a B.S. in political science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford. Following her undergraduate degree, she later attended Montclair State University and received a master’s degree in political science.

After getting married, she lived in Union Beach before settling in Morganville in 2004. She worked for Wuxi Apptec, Inc., in Cranbury, as a contract negotiator and prior to that worked in the legal field in various roles in Monmouth County.

Throughout her life, Theresé was a dedicated

volunteer with the F.O.W.A.+ Animal Rescue Wayne. Teri had a love of the beach, which is why she moved to Monmouth County. Nothing made Teri happier than driving her Mustang convertible down to A.C. or Cape May to relax and unwind.

Teri lived life to the fullest. It was hard to stop her. She loved her friends and enjoyed their company. She loved going to concerts. Sometimes she was quiet sometimes crazy, but she always enjoyed life. She loved her great neighbors and appreciated everything they did for her and Jeff. She had friends from grammar school she still kept close and enjoyed meeting new people. She loved her animals most of all and the special trips to Cape May with Jeff and Becky lit up her life. Her cats were a big part of her life and she cherished every minute with them.

Theresé is survived by her beloved husband, Jeffrey Fedorchak of 25 years, loving mother, Carole Annafravage Meyers, dear mother-in-law, Judith Fedorchak and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She is also survived by her special sisters, Donna Krusznis, Jean Marie Cadorette, Jenn McMullen and Jamie Cappilo.

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Mario Teixeria, IV, Manager, NJ Lic. #3757

She was predeceased by her father, Kenneth Meyers (2022), maternal grandparents John and Stella Annafravage and her father-in-law, John Fedorchak.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the F.O.W.A. Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 3701, Wayne, N.J. 07470 or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, P.O. Box 414238. Boston, Mass. 02241-4238 in loving memory of Theresé.

Carol Ann (nee-Halpin) Boyle

Carol Ann (nee-Halpin) Boyle died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2022, at her home.

She was 84.

She was born in Jersey City and grew up in Kearny. Carol had lived in Cedar Knolls since 1977.

Carol Ann was a receptionist for Ethan Allen Furniture in Whippany before retiring.

She was a member of the Widow Circle, Rosary Altar Society and Eucharistic Minister for Notre Dame of Mt.

All obituaries must be submitted by email by 10 a.m., Mondays, to obituaries@ theobserver.com. Payment is due at submission.

Carmel R.C. Church in Cedar Knolls.

Carol Ann was pre-deceased by her late husband James, who died March 24, 2020.

Survivors include her son James R.; her daughters Sue Ellen Appleby and Sharon E. Boyle; her sister Patricia Halpin Tully and her husband Len; her grandchildren Amanda and her husband Brandon Alboum, Emily Appleby, Curtis Appleby and Keven Appleby; and her one great-granddaughter Haley Alboum.

A liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 5 at Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel R.C. Church, Cedar Knolls. Interment was in Holy Rood Cemetery, Morristown. Visitation was at the Par-Troy Funeral Home, Parsippany at www. partroyfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Inter Faith Food Pantry.

See OBITS, Page 15

Mulligan Funeral Home

331 Cleveland Avenue, Harrison

Arrangements may be made in Spanish, Portuguese or Polish Frank X. Mulligan III, Manager, NJ Lic. 4221 Frank X. Mulligan, Jr. Inactive Private Parking at 10 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. North 973-481-4333 visit us at: www.mulliganfh.com

WILFRED ARMITAGE

WIGGINS FUNERAL HOME

Mark

Mario

Wilfred Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home 596 Belgrove Dr. • Kearny, NJ 07032 (201) 991-0657

Belleville Sons donate to cancer charity

Roosevelt honors announced

Antonio Moyano, principal of Roosevelt School in Kearny, announces the following students who have attained principal’s honors or honors for the first marking period of the 20222023 school year.

Principal’s Honors Grade 6 Abigail Buchanan, Kaelyn Carlen, Gianna Covello, Lucas De Almeida, Lexi Duarte, Emma Gomes, Layla Hernandez, Sophia Lima, Luca Martinez, Alanis Pena Dantas, Samantha Ribeiro, Erin Richards, Adrian Rodriguez, Emily Rodriguez, Jayden Santos, Eva Shah, Jordano Torero Hoces, Valentina Ugarte, Matthew Whitehead .

Grade 5

105

Honors

Grade 6

Yasser Abad, Isabella Antunes, Jayden Cabrera, Jayde Chimbo Calle, Scarlett Ferreira, William Franchino, Gabriela Gamez Vela, Angel Garcia Hidalgo, Aralyn Hernandez, Ariana Hernandez Guissa, Mia Jimenez, Samantha Kingalahua, Angelia Lopez, Ryan Milne, Darren Mora, Kaitlin Pateiro, Lucas Serodio.

Grade 5

a fundraiser at its annual picnic in September. The Gail’s

Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing support to families

have a mom with breast cancer, and also care for their autistic or special needs child. Their sole concern is the welfare of these families as the fight continues to be waged on breast cancer. Gail’s Angels was founded in 2007 to honor the memory of Gail E. Babai who died of breast cancer in 2006. SAL member Vinnie Ferriole, a cancer survivor himself, is the chairman of the Cancer Fundraising Committee within the Sons. ‘It was an honor to be able to help somebody with cancer … I’m glad everyone donated,’ he said. For the second year in a row, at the Post’s picnic, the SAL had a fundraiser in the parking lot asking for donations for a cancer charity, which netted $500. Both the Post and the SAL matched the donations, leading to an overall $1,500 donation.

Marwa Alami, Gavin Araujo, Jack Barroqueiro, Sena Bezirkan, Sandra Immerso, Lilly McSweeney, Caroline Olson, Hannah Paris, Izabella PerezBombino.

Grade 4

Francesca Alda, Declan Coleman, Dominic DeRosa, Quinn Pinho, Savannah Rusek, Adham Saad.

Anthony Alcantara, Carmelo Cash, Amayah Febo, Isabella Flores, Zoe Habrahamson, Ava Irizarry, Nebiha Junaid, Brendan Mara, Ava Marinho, Emily Morales, Jason Olechowski, Kole Pais - Sotelo, Nicholas Peldunas, Emma Peso, Ava Piccillo, Jason Pina, Mason Ramdass, Emmanuel Rojas, Lukas Rojas Mason Santos, Sabela Tome, Alice Torres Silva, Merlin Urra Martinez.

Grade 4

Amelia Azurdia, Gael Barahona Beltran, Emmah Barroqueiro, Danny Consuegra Alvarado, Alex Dinuzzo, Sophia Dobie, Olivia Garzon, Carlos Kingalahua, Alexander Kintos, Stephen Levchak.

The Belleville Post 105 American Legion Family — American Legion Post 105 and Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron

— donated $1,500 to The Gail’s Angels Foundation from

Angels

who

Contributed photo

OBITS

Visit them at mcifp.harnessapp.com .

Helen M. Davidson

Helen M. Davidson, (nee Johnston), 88, died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at home in Kearny.

The funeral was from the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, Kearny. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www. thiele-reid.com.

Born in Newark, Helen lived in Sea Bright, then Harrison, before moving to Kearny 25 years ago.

She was employed as an order taker at Pechter’s Bakery in Harrison for 26 years before retiring in 2000.

Mrs. Davidson is survived by her children, John R. Davidson (Diane), Karen Duda and Thomas P. Davidson (Mercedes). She was the grandmother of Daniel, Ryan, Kelsey and Justin Davidson. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and Molly the dog.

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Robert, son, Robert, son-in-law Charles and sister, Barbara Sanfilippo and her husband, James.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Mario E. Paolino ‘King Mario’

Mario E. Paolino, “King Mario,” 99, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, in Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville.

Born in Kearny, Mario was a lifelong resident.

Mr. Paolino served in the United States Army from 1943 until 1946.

He was employed by the Kearny Board of Education as a custodian for over 26 years before retiring in 2010.

In 1989, Mr. Paolino was inducted into the Kearny High School Athletic Hall of Fame for baseball.

He was a member of the Wilson Gugelman Post 1302, V.F.W., the Joseph E.

Frobisher Post 99, American Legion and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, all of Kearny.

He is survived by his daughter, Denise Pavolic and her son, Frank Pavolic. Mario also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Mario was predeceased by his siblings, Irene Scherzo, Arthur, Anthony, Albert and Raymond Paolino.

He is now home in Heaven with his beloved dog “Pal.”

Funeral services private and under the direction of the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, Kearny. Interment took place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www. thiele-reid.com.

Waclawa Chomicz

Waclawa Chomicz of Harrison died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 at Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark.

She was 92.

Funeral services were under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Avenue Harrison. A funeral Mass was offered at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Harrison. Her interment took place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

If you would like to send a condolence message to her family, please visit www. mulliganfh.com.

Born in Prudziszki, Poland, Waclawa came to the US in 1973 and settled in Harrison. She worked as a house keeper in Manhattan for many years, before retiring in 1993. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Harrison.

Waclawa is survived by her loving children, Helen (Adam) Rzegocki, Jadwiga (Wieslaw) Roslonek and Antoni (Teresa) Chomicz, 13 cherished grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Waclawa is survived by a brother who lives in Poland, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Czeslaw Chomicz in 1981 and her son Gregory Chomicz.

Lyndhurst Library bench restored to honor Bowman

Alice (Bowman) Orrick and her husband Herb Orrick, formerly of Lyndhurst, graciously restored a wooden bench that has been in the Children’s Room of the Lyndhurst Public Library for many years. The restoration was done in memory of Alice’s younger brother, Gilbert W. Bowman, Esq., who died in January 2022. One of Gil’s favorite places to go, starting at about the age of 4, was the Lyndhurst Library with his sister Alice. Alice says Gil was always thrilled to pick out books and take them home. The Lyndhurst Library was where he began his appreciation of learning and love of reading. Gil grew up to become a very successful and well respected lawyer practicing commercial and real estate law for over 30 years. A memorial plaque on the bench reads, ‘In Loving Memory of Gilbert W. Bowman, Esq., Whose Love of Books Began Here.’

Contributed photo

Must possess a valid NJ driver’s license CDL class B, passenger endorsement. NJ CSC Job description https://info.csc.state.nj.us/jobspec/05594.htm Salary $31,164-$55,866 based on experience and qualifications For application and instructions see https://www.kearnynj.org/job-opportunities/ The following residential preferences shall apply: 1. Residents of the Town of Kearny and the City of Newark; 2. Residents of Hudson and Essex Counties; 3. Residents of the State of New Jersey. Proof of residency is required: applicants shall provide copies of the first page (only) of the last three (3) 1040 tax returns with the financial data redacted and a Government issued photo identification card (i.e. current NJ Driver’s License.)

deadline is 01/20/2023 33W04

Building Inspector/Building Subcode Official

Full time/Part Time provisional position. Under direction of the Construction Official, is responsible for administering the Building Subcode within the jurisdiction in accordance with the State Uniform Construction Code (UCC).

Responsibilities will include building plan review and inspection of all construction projects to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, and the provisions of the UCC. Additional duties would include general code enforcement, property maintenance, zoning, and resale inspections as needed.

Valid NJ driver’s license and HHS license required.

NJ CSC title code and job description https://info.csc.state.nj.us/jobspec/05048.htm

35 hours per week. Full Time Salary range ($81,352-$91,216) Salary Commensurate with experience with full benefit package for Full Time Status.

Position is provisional and subject to the Civil Service exam process. Application Deadline is February 3, 2023.

The Town reserves the right to hire a qualified candidate before the end of the advertisement period see application here: https://www.kearnynj.org/job-opportunities/ 36W03

Drivers Wanted Will train right candidate. Must be reliable. Please email

NJDRIVINGSCHOOL@ Hotmail.com or call (201)246-8000 36W03

Straight job driver or CDL driver 40 hour week Monday - Friday 7AM - 4PM Start $20.00 hour CITY BARREL 46 CORDIER ST IRVINGTON, N.J. 973-465-7800 FAX 973-465-7803 EMAIL citybarrelinc@aol.com 36W03

BELLEVILLE 2nd FLOOR, 1 BR, small Kitchen. $1300 + 1.5 months security. HT/HW included. no pets/smoking. Available January 1st. Call Mike (201) 428-3151 36W03

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N.ARLINGTON Garden Apartment for rent. Nice area. 1 BR. EIK.

LR $1675 + 1 months security. H/HW included. No Pets/Smoking. Single or Couple preferred. 1 Parking space. Laundry on premises. Call between 10am - 7pm (201)997-2341 36W03

KEARNY Over sized private room. Newly painted & decorated. with your own sink & refrigerator. All utilities included. Manager on premises. Single occupancy only Close to Bus stop. Street parking. Positivley no smoking/ pets. Gentlemen preferred. Good credit rating and security required. $195 weekly. Call Pamela (973)830-7498 36W03

PART TIME/FULLTIME

ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR / ELECTRICAL SUBCODE OFFICIAL FULL TIME- KEARNY TOWN.

Salary range ($81,352-$91,216) depending upon qualifications. Part time salary range ($29.25-$38.14 per hour) depending upon qualifications.

Please submit application by February 3, 2023.

The Town reserves the right to hire a qualified candidate before the end of the advertisement period.

The following residential preferences shall apply:

1. Residents of the Town of Kearny and the City of Newark;

2. Residents of Hudson and Essex Counties;

3. Residents of the State of New Jersey.

Proof of residency is required; applicants shall provide copies of the first page (only) of the last three (3) 1040 tax returns with the financial data redacted and a Government issued photo identification card (i.e. current NJ Driver’s License for applications see link https://www.kearnynj.org/job-opportunities/ 36W03

3 BR’S. 1 BATH. EIK.LR. Back & front entrances. Use of yard. $2500 + 1 month security. Utilities separate. Parking available No Pets/Smoking. 15 minute walk to PATH Available March 1st call and leave message or text (917)294-4024 Se Habla Español 36W03 KEARNY 3 BR apt on 1ST Fl with driveway for rent. $2500 + 1 month sec. Avail Jan 15th. Sep utilities. No pets/No smoking. 914-645-8263. 36W03

N.ARLINGTON 2 family house on 2nd floor, 3 BR, 1 Bathroom Lr/Dr combo and Kitchen. No pets/ No smoking Laundry on premises 1 month security. Utilities Seperate. Call or text or leave a detailed message (973) 454-3281 $2,800/mth Available March 1st Se Habla Español 36W03

LYNDHURST Newly renovated. 2nd Floor 2 Br’s, W/D hook up,, separate entrance. Single or Couple preferred. No Smoking/Pets. $2000 + 1.5 months security. Utilities separate. Credit references required. Call between 10am - 7pm (201)3758754 36W03

BELLEVILLE male prefered. responsible person. no smoking. No kitchen. $650 + 1 month security. Utilities included (973) 332-5613 36W03

EAST NEWARK

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CHIEF

numbers (of volunteers) are down,” it made sense to go with a fulltimer as head of the department.

Kucinski, a Nutley Board of Education trustee and a retired Nutley career firefighter who retired in 1997 as executive officer with the department (but still answerable to a volunteer chief), noted, “the ratio of volunteer to career firefighters” has been declining nationwide.

Kucinski said the number of volunteers in Nutley has declined, from 75-plus in 1990 to fewer than 15 today, while paid personnel have grown, from 30 to 41, over that same period. During 2022, he said, Nutley firefighters responded to more than 5,100 calls — “an inordinate number…for a town the size of Nutley.”

Given what he called the everincreasing need for full-time firefighters, “the position of chief needs to come from the ranks of the career (paid) department,” Kucinski said.

Cafone, 61, who joined the Nutley Fire Department in January 1984 after serving about a year as a police dispatcher and temporary

REFERENDUM

Continued from Page 7

the township commissioners and, ultimately, several public presentations are expected to be scheduled before the board can expect to go before the voters with a referendum which, “at the earliest, might be ready by September or October 2023,” Kucinski said.

Meanwhile, the board is taking care of an unrelated campus infrastructure issue. Last month,

police officer, was promoted to fire captain in May 2001 and to deputy chief in March 2010. He plans to step down in four years when he hits the state mandatory retirement age.

Going with a volunteer chief so long “was kept for traditional purposes,” Cafone said. But since the 1980s, he said, the Fire Department has taken on a lot of new responsibilities requiring a full-time supervisor to oversee.

Firefighter training requirements, including EMT certification, running the emergency rescue squad and acting as the county’s Haz-Mat responder (except for Newark) have all contributed to broadening the spectrum of fire services, he said.

Cafone said he remains committed to “keeping the town the safest as it can be, along with our firefighters.”

A couple of other challenges he’ll likely face down the road — as suggested by Peters — is restoration of a firehouse dedicated to serving the west side of the township and, depending on what, if anything, state Civil Service may advise, is whether the township will have to fill the deputy chief position that will be vacated when Cafone becomes chief.

it voted to award two contracts to rehabilitate the district’s maintenance garage on Rev. Roberts Place. Perrone Corp., of Belleville, will get $106,600 for an “emergency repair of a water issue” and Safeway Contracting, of Maspeth, New York, will collect $43,750 for an “emergency repair of the roof.”

Kucinski said the facility is more than 50 years old and sits in a low-lying area that collects a lot of stormwater runoff. He said the district has considered replacing the facility but is pressed to find a suitable location.

The Observer’s correction policy

The Observer strives to bring our readers the best and the most accurate news.

However, from time to time, there may be mistakes in what we report. As such, we take our obligation to report errors seriously.

If you believe we’ve made an error, please send an e-mail to editorial@theobserver.com, indicating what is to be corrected.

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