Belleville Post - September 2022

Water main break affects drinking water in towns

By Yael Katzwer Editor

Just as utility companies and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection have been encouraging state residents to conserve water as New Jersey faces drought conditions due to extreme heat, a water main break in Belleville spelled trouble for several Essex County towns.

Due to an Aug. 9 water main break on the city of Newark supply line in Belleville, several area towns, including Belleville, Bloomfield and Newark, issued a boil-water advisory. Many residents also experienced severely reduced water pressure and saw brown, brackish water flowing from their faucets. The boil-water advisory was lifted after a few days.

At approximately 8 a.m. on Aug. 9, a 72inch water main broke in Branch Brook Park on the border of Belleville and Newark.

“A large water main break in Belleville this morning impacted water service in the north, west, and part of the south and central wards of Newark. Because of this, some of our residents and businesses have experienced no water or low pressure,” Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said Aug. 9, announcing the city’s boil-water advisory. “The Department of Water and Sewer Utilities has been working diligently all day to get the break under control and restore full service. Because of this hard work, some residents have seen their water service restored, and we are continuing to work until full restoration. We are

going door-to-door to issue bottled water to residents in affected areas. Several businesses donated these bottles to the city, and we are thankful for their support. We are also grateful to our residents for their patience, especially those who have stepped in today to help neighbors with water delivery.”

Multiple agencies worked together to fix the issue, including the Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities, the Essex County Office of Emergency Management, the Newark OEM, the Belleville Department of Public Works and Passaic Valley Water Commission.

“I want to assure residents that we are testing and retesting the water supply sys-

tem as often as possible and we haven’t detected the presence of any contaminants such as E. coli or fecal coliform. Until the situation is resolved, the township will continue to sample and re-sample the water to verify that these contaminants have not been introduced into the potable water system,” Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia said Aug. 9. “As in other water breaks of this nature, where water pressure or service is either low or nonexistent, all water used for consumption, brushing teeth and washing dishes should be boiled for at least one minute before use until further notice, and use of bottled water is encouraged.”

By Aug. 10, Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities Director Kareem Adeem announced that 99 percent of the city’s water service had been restored.

“We have made outstanding progress on controlling this leak from the water main break from the beginning, and I thank our Water and Sewer Utilities team for their round-the-clock efforts to do so,” Baraka said Aug. 10.

Adeem said the break was isolated and that a car had been removed from a sinkhole that had opened up on a street in Branch Brook Park.

“The leak on the water main break has been isolated, the vehicle obstruction removed and excavation has begun to uncover the water main,” Adeem said Aug. 10.

Belleville announced Aug. 11 that, less than two full days after the break, water

pressure had been restored to normal in Belleville as the Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities continued repair work on the ruptured water main break. However, the boil-water advisory remained in effect through midday Aug. 13.

“Through the township engineer’s diligent work to temporarily divert water to Belleville residents, normal water pressure has been restored,” Belleville Mayor Michael Melham said in an Aug. 11 Facebook post. “The township immediately began flushing hydrants as per state Department of Environmental Protection protocols.”

By midday Aug. 13, Belleville water samples had been tested by the NJDEP and found to be safe. The same held true for Bloomfield and Newark.

Unfortunately, this did not end the water woes for Newark, which suffered another water main break on Aug. 11, affecting the Vailsburg section of the city.

“After restoring water to 100 percent yesterday evening, we experienced a pressure surge that led to a 30-inch water main break at about 2 a.m. this morning at 15th Avenue and 15th Street in the West Ward. This break is affecting water pressure in the Vailsburg section of the city,” Baraka announced Aug. 11. “Fortunately, the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities has isolated this break, crews are on site and repairs have begun.”

This water main break has also now been fixed.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Melham

An Aug. 9 water main break in Branch Brook Park on the Belleville/Newark border caused water supply issues for various Essex County towns.

Belleville residents have a groovy time at concert

Photos by David VanDeventer

Belleville residents enjoy a warm summer night of music, dancing and hometown spirit sparked by the Alternate Groove Party band on the lawn outside Belleville High School on Aug. 11. Families had a blast vibing with classic tunes, while nurturing community with their neighbors.

Local enthusiasts show their cars at Cruise Night

By Daniel Jackovino Staff Writer

Sponsored by the Bloomfield Center Alliance, the popular Cruise Night attracted local classic car enthusiasts to Bloomfield Avenue and Broad Street in Bloomfield this summer on Wednesdays in July.

Bumpus excels

Melanie Bumpus, of Nutley, was named to the dean’s list at the University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the spring 2022 semester.

To earn this honor, a student must earn a semester grade-point average of 3.5 or better.

Acclaim at Delaware

Belleville resident Austin Parmenter, and Nutley residents Katherine Contini, Faith Bartell, Ryan O’Connor and Anna Rabbia were all named to the dean’s list at the University of Delaware, located in Newark, Del., for the spring 2022 semester.

To meet eligibility requirements for the dean’s list, a student must be enrolled fulltime and earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale for the semester.

Excellence in RI

Nutley residents Samantha Abernovich and Jillian Stack were named to the dean’s list at the University of Rhode Island, located in Kingston, R.I., for the spring 2022 semester.

To be included on the dean’s list, fulltime students must have completed 12 or more credits for letter grades and achieved a quality-point average of at least 3.3.

DiCamillo shines

Lauren DiCamillo, of Nutley, was named to the dean’s list with high honors at Connecticut College, located in New

Chris Paladino, of Belleville, found his 1970 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, on Facebook two years ago and purchased it from the original owner. There are 51,000 miles on the odometer.

“That’s less than 1,000 miles a year,” he said.

STUDENT

London, Conn., for the spring 2022 semester. DiCamillo is majoring in film studies.

To earn this honor, a student must earn a semester grade-point average of 3.86 or better.

Carnevale impresses

Victoria Carnevale, a recreation and sport management major from Nutley, was named to the dean’s list at Coastal Carolina University, located in Conway, S.C., for the spring 2022 semester.

Students who make the dean’s list have achieved a grade-point average between 3.5 and 3.99 for the semester.

Degrees from Lehigh

Dante Dias, of Nutley, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business and economics from Lehigh University, located in Bethlehem, Pa., in spring 2022. Bridget Hall, also of Nutley, graduated with a degree in marketing and was enrolled in the LehighSiliconValley program.

Honors at Scranton

Nutley residents Ethan Connors, Athina Pramagioulis, Cristina M. Rodier and Lauren M. Holden were all named to the dean’s list at the University of Scranton, located in Scranton, Pa., for the spring 2022 semester. Connors is a rising junior majoring in social media strategies; Pramagioulis is a rising senior majoring in forensic chemistry; Rodier is a rising senior majoring in occupational therapy; and

Paladino also owns a 1993 Buick Electra. The engines of both cars are 225 cubic inches.

Anthony Lopomo, of Nutley, displayed his 1949 two-door Nash Ambassador at the car show.

“I’m really a fin guy,” he said. “I like the Caddies 1959-66. But I was lucky to find this car locally. It was called an ‘orphan’ car. Together with the Hudson, the Packard and a few other companies, they merged in the ’70s to form AMC.”

Holden, who graduated with the Class of 2022, majored in senior marketing.

A student must have a grade-point average of 3.5 or better with a minimum number of credit hours during the semester to make the dean’s list.

Top grades for Merritt

Alexis Merritt, of Nutley, was named to the dean’s list at York College of Pennsylvania, located in York, Pa., for the spring 2022 semester. Merritt is a rising senior majoring in professional writing.

Lopomo said the car has “three on a tree,” meaning it is a column stick shift.

To be eligible for this honor, a student must be registered for at least 12 academic credit hours and earn a semester gradepoint average of 3.5 or better.

Degrees from Quinnipiac

Four area students received degrees from Quinnipiac University, located in Hamden, Conn., in May. Traci Duff, of Belleville, earned a Master of Arts in teaching elementary education; Madison Calbi, of Nutley, earned a Master of

See STUDENT 12

NUTLEYJOURNAL POSITIVE,

All contents ©2021 Worrall Community Newspapers, Inc. of any part of this publication and any republication or broadcast without written permission is prohibited. Worrall 1291 Stuyvesant Avenue Union NJ 07083 908-686-7700 David Worrall Yael Katzwer Joseph Farina

Above left, a 1970 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, belonging to Chris Paladino, of Belleville, is on display at a Cruise Night in July. Above right is a 1949

two-door Nash Ambassador, owned by Anthony Lopomo, of Nutley, who is pictured with his daughter, Kristina, far left, and wife, Anita, center.

Photos by Daniel Jackovino

Report shows noncompliance of sick leave laws in NJ

By Yael Katzwer Editor

Are New Jersey municipalities following state laws regarding sick and vacation leave? According to a recent report from the Office of the State Comptroller, the answer is an overwhelming no.

In the report, “A Review of Sick and Vacation Leave Policies in New Jersey Municipalities,” which was released July 7, the OSC reviewed the sick and vacation leave policies of 60 municipalities in the state and found that the majority were not in compliance with current laws. Belleville was among the municipalities reviewed and was found to be noncompliant.

“OSC’s review found that, to a startling degree, the laws have been ignored, sidestepped and undermined in almost all of the municipalities reviewed,” the report reads. “OSC determined that 57 of the 60 municipalities failed to fully comply with the laws, leading to both actual waste and abuse of public funds, as well as substantial future liabilities for these municipalities.”

According to state laws enacted in 2007 and 2010, public employees may not receive more than $15,000 for accrued sick leave and may receive that payment only at retirement, not annually and not if they switch jobs; as for vacation, employees who do not take vacation “in a given year because of business demands shall be granted that accrued leave only during the next succeeding year,” except during a declared state emergency, meaning that, at most, an employee can accrue only up to two years of vacation time. The 2007 law applied to senior employees, while the 2010 law extended the limitations imposed to any employee hired after May 21, 2010. Employees hired prior to the laws being enacted are grandfathered through and may still receive money exceeding $15,000 for accrued sick leave

collected before the laws went into effect.

“Almost all municipalities have, through their policies and contracts, agreed to make payments in the future that will violate the 2007 and 2010 laws. And, as a result of their noncompliance, many municipalities will have to expend public resources to undo the costly damage they have done,” the report reads. “The findings identified in this report lead OSC to the conclusion that municipal officials are either unaware of the 2007 and 2010 reforms or are consciously disregarding them.”

These laws apply to the state’s 565 municipalities, 600 school districts and 21 counties, as well as other local entities, such as water, sewer and parking authorities. The OSC concluded that, based on the high number of reviewed municipalities not following the laws, it is probable that many other government entities in the state may also be violating these laws.

The report does note, however, that a contributing factor could be a lack of direction from the state. While the state’s Local Finance Board issued guidance interpreting the 2007 law for local governments, no such guidance was issued for the 2010 law.

To conduct this review, the OSC requested that municipalities provide information concerning sick leave policies and contracts that were in effect from 2017 through 2021. The OSC examined hundreds of collective bargaining agreements, individual employment contracts, employment policy handbooks and municipal ordinances. The office also obtained documents available from other public sources, such as the online database of employment contracts maintained by the Public Employment Relations Commission.

According to the report, at least 41 of

60 municipalities permit sick leave payments to senior employees that are unlawful under the 2007 law; 36 municipalities permit payments that exceed the 2010 law’s $15,000 sick leave cap; 48 municipalities allow payments for sick leave at times other than retirement; 14 municipalities have sick leave caps that took effect after the May 21, 2010, deadline; 29 municipalities improperly allow for annual sick leave payments; and 17 municipalities allow for terminal or early leave, providing unlawful supplemental compensation for retiring employees.

“OSC’s report and analysis make clear that municipalities are wasting, and committing to waste, public funds on sick leave payments that either currently violate or will violate the 2007 and 2010 laws,” the report read. “In enacting the 2007 and 2010 laws, the Legislature sought to protect taxpayers from wasteful and abusive sick leave payments that municipalities and taxpayers struggled to pay. That goal has not been achieved in the large majority of municipalities OSC reviewed.”

Based on Belleville’s response to the OSC’s survey, and the town’s ordinance and union contracts, the report concluded that the terms of Belleville’s Ordinance No. 2-19.6 do not comply with the 2007 law, as the ordinance allows covered employees to receive sick leave payments greater than $15,000 and at a time other than retirement, and that the terms of that same ordinance and one of the town’s union contracts do not comply with the 2010 law, as they allow payment of accrued sick leave at a time other than at retirement for employees hired after May 21, 2010.

The next step: The OSC has directed the municipalities found to be in noncompliance to “develop a corrective action plan that details the steps the municipali-

ty has taken and will take to comply with the following recommendations.” The plan must be sent to the OSC for review by Sept. 30 and should be approved through a vote of the town’s governing body.

“Mayor (Michael) Melham and Township Council had instructed me to address and prioritize accrued vacation and sick (leave) three years ago. Largely, the information in the state comptroller’s report mirrors the directives we issued to all unions in 2020,” Belleville Township manager Anthony D. Iacono told the Belleville Post on Aug. 22. “COVID-19 did create a challenge with some first responders, but we do have safeguards in place to be in compliance with the findings in the report. We recently hired labor attorney Eric Bernstein, who we are working with to complete our ‘action plan’ by Sept. 30, 2022.”

Bernstein did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

In going about this process, the OSC recommends that municipalities request a legal review and amend contracts, personnel policies and ordinances, as well as calculate improperly paid or accrued leave balances, and determine whether recoupment of any lost funds is possible. The office also recommends that government entities not studied in the report conduct an initial assessment to determine whether their policies are in compliance with sick and vacation leave laws.

The OSC also recommends changes to be made on the state level, such as the Legislature possibly amending and supplementing the 2007 and 2010 laws to ensure compliance. The office noted that there are currently no accountability measures in place to ensure compliance and recommends that be changed. The report also recommends enhanced transparency.

Commissioners honor local NJAC scholarship winners

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners recently honored Jason Fernandez, of Bloomfield; Egypt Pringle, of Belleville; and Victor Lebron and Ashley Sanchez, both of Newark, for being named the Essex County recipients of scholarships from the New Jersey Association of Counties Foundation.

The scholarship awards recognize distinguished students from technical and vocational schools who plan to pursue higher education in the state of New Jersey. The NJAC Foundation — in conjunction with corporate partners Investors Bank, Amazon and SHI International — award the grants to fund the honorees’ continuing education at a county college, state college or state university.

Fernandez, who received the award from NJAC and SHI International, is a recent graduate of Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology. He excelled academically throughout high school, with a grade-point average of 4.1 and class ranking of 25 out of 314. In his spare time, he tutors students in need of assistance and volunteers at an annual clothing drive for veterans in Newark. He plans to attend New Jersey Institute of Technology in the fall, where he intends to pursue a career in computer science.

Pringle, who received her scholarship from NJAC and

Investors Bank, is also a recent graduate of Payne Tech. In addition to being named to the honor roll for several marking periods throughout her time at Payne Tech, she played on the girls soccer team and served as a manager for the boys basketball team. She plans to attend Montclair State University and major in psychology.

Lebron, a 2022 graduate of Newark Tech, is a hardworking student who has dedicated himself to enriching the lives of students and faculty. He is always searching for ways to contribute to his school, and takes pride in participating in church activities, volunteer work and other community-based programs. He plans to attend Rutgers University–Newark.

Sanchez, a 2022 graduate of West Caldwell Tech, helps others in various ways, including assisting her peers and teachers who face language barriers. She earned honor roll and principal’s honor roll status for every marking period since 10th grade. She is a member of the National Honor Society and participates in the Key Club and Student Council. Animals are her true passion; she plans to dedicate her life to helping them remain healthy. She plans to attend Rutgers University–New Brunswick and major in pre-veterinary studies.

At the Essex County 2022 NJAC Scholarship Presentation are, from left, Essex County Commissioner Robert Mercado; Commissioner President Wayne L. Richardson; scholarship recipients Ashley Sanchez and Egypt Pringle; and Commissioners Brendan W. Gill, Romaine Graham and Patricia Sebold.

Photo Courtesy of Lloyd Holmes

Belleville mayor, council members sworn back into office

Michael Melham promised to continue forward momentum in town as he was sworn in for his second term as Belleville’s mayor. State Sen. Richard Codey, the former governor of New Jersey, administered the oath of office during the township’s reorganization meeting on Friday, July 1.

“I do not see the need to change course, for finally Belleville is no longer the butt of jokes, but rather we are the topic of conversation,” Melham said.

Melham’s running mates in the May election, council members Naomy De Peña and Thomas Graziano, were also each sworn in for another four-year term.

Graziano was sworn in by his uncle, Marine Corps retired Lt. Col. Frank LaMura. He was also selected to serve as the town’s deputy mayor by a unanimous vote of the council.

De Peña, who just wrapped up her term as the first Latina to serve as deputy mayor, took her oath in Spanish as it was administered by her father, the Rev. Luis Fernandez.

“This is meaningful to me because it’s my heritage,” she said. “It’s a beautiful language, but what unites us is that, regardless of the language in which it was expressed, my commitment is to everyone, to serve with the same love. …” The room filled with applause before DePeña could finish her sentence.

Melham said it was an “absolute honor” to have Codey take part in the cer-

Above, Councilwoman Naomy De Peña, in blue, is sworn in by her father, the Rev. Luis Fernandez, far right, in Spanish. At right, top, Mayor Michael Melham, far right, pictured with his mom, sister and nieces, is sworn in by state Sen. Richard Codey, second from right, on July 1. At right, bottom, Councilman Thomas Graziano, far left, is sworn in by his uncle, Marine Corps retired Lt. Col. Frank LaMura, far right.

emony and said he stands ready to work with his council colleagues to build an even better Belleville.

“Now is the time to stop the politics of division and abide by the will of the people, the very constituency that overwhelm-

ingly decided to put the Melham team back in office for a second term,” he said.

Codey, who also administered the oath to Steven J. Martino, who was reappointed as the attorney for the township, discussed the importance of cohesion and

putting aside differences as well.

“We’re all in this together, whether it’s Trenton or Belleville,” he said, adding that party affiliations do not matter. “This is about Belleville, not about some party. We’ll get to the party later because he won.”

Photos Courtesy of Belleville Township

Nutley unveils ‘Area of Hope’ in memory of COVID victims

Nutley Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci unveiled the township’s “Area of Hope” in late June at a ceremony in Memorial Park I near the center of town. The memorial area was dedicated to those who have died during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We all continue to remember those we have lost to COVID-19, to cancer, to natural causes or for any reason,” Tucci said. “I think everyone in town knows or has known someone who has suffered a loss over the past two years. Sometimes it is difficult to understand pain and suffering, and we look for a place to reflect on our feelings.”

The Area of Hope includes several benches with memorial plaques dedicated to loved ones who died during the pandemic, surrounded by beautiful flowers and shrubbery. One prominent bench, dedicated by the Nutley Board of Commissioners, is in the name of Nutley physician Dr. Michael Giuliano.

“Dr. Giuliano served our town for over 40 years,” Tucci said. “We are honored to be

able to pay a lasting tribute to his memory.”

Created by the Nutley Department of Parks and Recreation, the concept and inhouse design for this project assisted in its quick completion without undue cost. Construction began in 2021; the site is now fully completed for the community to enjoy.

“I would like to thank Commissioner Tucci and the Parks Department for designing the Area of Hope,” Mayor Joseph P. Scarpelli said. “This tranquil space will provide our residents a place to reflect, find peace, and reboot their minds and souls.”

“We have determined that the best course for fulfilling a void and bringing added faith to our community was to create a place of healing and hope for our residents,” Tucci said of the memorial, located in Memorial Park I, closest to the Chestnut Street entrance. “It is a peaceful environment for reflection, remembrance and healing. We invite everyone to visit our Area of Hope.”

Photos Courtesy of Nutley

Clara Maass nurses vote overwhelmingly to join union

More than 500 registered nurses at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville voted to unite in 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. In a mail-ballot election, nearly eight in 10 nurses voted in favor of unionization, joining a growing movement of front-line caregivers organizing to improve patient care and working conditions, according to an Aug. 10 press release from 1199SEIU.

According to the union, after being hailed as “health care heroes” during the pandemic, nurses saw management ignore their concerns about unsafe staffing and working conditions.

“I became a nurse because I love taking care of people. I love what I do, and it was getting hard to love what I do, especially when working conditions were so horrible during the COVID pandemic.

Winning our union, we now have a say in how we’re treated and how our patients are treated. United together, we will fight for the staffing, pay and retirement security we deserve in our first contract,” said Tanya Howard, a nurse at Clara Maass Medical Center.

Clara Maass nurse Silvia Guimaraes said in the press release, “We came together to form our union to improve

staffing and nurse and patient safety by having a voice in our working conditions. Now that we’ve won, we can fight for a contract that secures safe nurse-patient ratios, supports us in protecting our licenses, and guarantees fair pay and a secure retirement. It is going to take all of us standing together and supporting each other through negotiations to win the contract we deserve.”

Health system leads NJ in women’s care excellence awards

RWJBarnabas Health received 26 Women’s Care Awards — the highest number of awards in the state — from Healthgrades for excellence in comprehensive women’s care. Healthgrades’ Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence Award, Labor and Delivery Excellence Award, Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award and 5-Star Recipient Awards recognize RWJBarnabas Health facilities as top hospitals in the nation for providing superior care for women during labor and delivery, and gynecologic procedures.

Analyzing patient data from 16 states from 2018 through 2020, the Healthgrades 2022 Women’s Care Awards recognize the top 10 percent of hospitals in the country for clinical excellence in labor and delivery, obstetrics and gynecology, and gynecologic surgery. Healthgrades is a U.S. company that provides information about physicians, hospitals and health care providers.

Six RWJBarnabas Health facilities received Excellence Awards, and Community Medical Center in Toms River ranked as one of only 17 hospitals nationwide to receive all three Women’s Care Excellence Awards, plac-

ing the facility among the top 5 percent of hospitals evaluated for labor, delivery and gynecologic surgery, and among the top 10 percent evaluated for obstetrics and gynecology. Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center each received two distinctions: the Labor and Delivery Excellence Award and the Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence Award. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth both received the Labor and Delivery Excellence Award.

Additionally, eight RWJBarnabas Health hospitals are five-star recipients for vaginal delivery. This distinction — earned by RWJ University Hospital, Clara Maass, RWJ University Hospital Somerset, Newark Beth Israel, Community Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center and Trinitas — means that, on average, a patient at one of these hospitals has a 45.1-percent lower risk of experiencing a complication in the hospital than if the patient were treated at one-star hospital.

Five RWJBarnabas Health hospitals — Clara Maass,

RWJ University Hospital Somerset, Newark Beth Israel, Community Medical Center and Trinitas — were recognized as five-star recipients for cesarean section delivery. Healthgrades’ data shows that in hospitals with five stars, on average, patients have 65.9-percent lower risk of experiencing a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated by a hospital with one star.

RWJ University Hospital and Community Medical Center were recognized as five-star recipients for hysterectomy; on average, patients having a hysterectomy in hospitals with five stars have a 65.1-percent lower risk of experiencing a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated by a hospital with one star.

“The recognitions from Healthgrades are representative of our deep commitment to providing superior care to women of all ages through a comprehensive range of women’s health services,” said Suzanne Spernal, vice president of women’s services at RWJBarnabas Health. “These distinctions would not be possible without the clinical excellence and compassion of our dedicated staff and clinicians that continually prioritize patient outcomes, safety and care for every patient we serve.”

Prism announces sale of flagship office tower in Nutley

On July 11, Prism Capital Partners announced the sale of ON3’s flagship office tower, 200 Metro Boulevard in Nutley, to an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald. Eastdil Secured represented Prism in the $131.7 million transaction to the New York City–based institutional investor, marking New Jersey’s largest suburban office trade year to date.

“In an era where there is less emphasis on investing in suburban office buildings, this 116-acre campus’ exceptional location, tenant roster and advanced technology achieved bar-setting results, with the region’s highest per-square-foot pricing and lowest cap rate for this sector in 2022,” Prism principal partner Eugene

Diaz said. “The significance of this transaction further validates ON3’s emergence as a world-class, mixed-use destination.”

The 300,000-square-foot 200 Metro Boulevard serves as Eisai Inc.’s new corporate headquarters. This spring, the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyobased Eisai Co. Ltd. relocated approximately 1,200 corporate and R&D team members to the LEED Gold building. Eisai’s full-building lease — signed in 2020 — brought ON3’s existing 1.45 million square feet of office and R&D/lab product to 100-percent occupancy.

Prism already provides property management services to the building under an agreement with Eisai, and an affiliate of

Cantor Fitzgerald has retained Prism in a management role for 200 Metro Boulevard.

“We are proud of the fact that the building’s new ownership is entrusting this role to our experienced property services team,” Prism principal partner Edwin Cohen said. “This sale continues a track record of stabilization and strategic divestment of the built product at ON3 — yet in each case we have remained involved as property manager.”

The award-winning ON3 campus formerly served as Hoffmann–La Roche’s North American headquarters. More than 2 million square feet of additional, new space is planned for ON3, New Jersey’s largest contemplated redevelopment.

STUDENT UPDATE

(Continued from Page 4)

Health Science in advanced medical imaging and leadership; Francis Lau, of Nutley, earned a Master of Science in public relations; and Emily McIntyre, of Nutley, earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing.

SPP graduates

Saint Peter’s Preparatory School in Jersey City celebrated its 144th commencement on May 19. Among the graduates was Belleville’s Matthew Serrano, who plans to attend the New Jersey Institute of Technology. From Nutley, Nicholas Chipelo graduated cum laude, won a Scholar Athlete Award and plans to

attend Fordham University; Christopher Cugliari graduated cum laude and plans to attend William Paterson University; Aidan Karpousis plans to attend the Catholic University of America; Frank McAndrew graduated cum laude and plans to attend Lafayette College; Cristian Remache plans to attend Salisbury University; Joseph Vazquez graduated magna cum laude and plans to attend the University of Scranton; and Aleksandar Zonic plans to attend The College of New Jersey.

Top grades in Hamden

Nutley residents Adriana Hotsko, Emily McIntyre and Malena Ugliarolo

were all named to the dean’s list at Quinnipiac University, located in Hamden, Conn., for the spring 2022 semester.

To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn a grade-point average of at least 3.5 with no grade lower than a C.

McCormack succeeds

Brendan J. McCormack, of Nutley, earned dean’s list honors at SUNY Canton for the spring 2022 semester. McCormack is a management major.

The dean’s list recognizes full-time students who earn a grade-point average between 3.25 and 3.74.

Muhlenberg acclaim

Photo Courtesy of Prism 200 Metro Boulevard, located at ON3 in Nutley, has been sold for $131.7 million.

music education; Rebecca Nieves, journalism and professional writing; Nicolette Padilla, communication studies; Mia Scutti, psychology; Leigha Stuiso, journalism and professional writing; Abigail Thurston, special education; and Sophy Vuong, biology.

To achieve this honor, a student must carry 12 or more credits that semester and earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or better.

Pennise, Kubelka excel

Jillian Pennise and Jordan Kubelka, both of Nutley, earned dean’s list honors at the University of Tampa, located in Tampa, Fla., for the spring 2022 semester. Pennise is a rising sophomore majoring in finance, and Kubelka is a rising senior majoring in marketing.

A check list for your home or business

What to look for

1) An initial easy measure is to compare your winter energy bill to what your electric and gas provider considers “average’ or even talk to a neighbor and compare

2) Be sure to install your storm windows if you don’t leave them in year-round

3) Check for any breeze from your windowpanes and storm doors. Be sure the doors to your home or business close tightly

4) If you find a breeze and can’t tell where it’s coming from, light a hefty candle and slowly walk past all windows and doors watching where the flame starts to move

5) Check the windowpanes for cracks and seal them with new chalking

6) Check all window locks and latches to be sure they are sealing the window tightly

Nutley residents Elena Bresnan, Emily DeAngelo, Isabella Fogle and Abigail Scheidel were all named to the dean’s list at Muhlenberg College, located in Allentown, Pa., for the spring 2022 semester.

To be named to the dean’s list, a student must have a grade-point average of at least 3.5.

Thumbs up at Fairfield

Claire E. Brown, of Nutley, was named to the dean’s list at Fairfield University, located in Fairfield, Conn., for the spring 2022 semester.

In order to be placed on the dean’s list, students must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours in a semester, have no outstanding or incomplete grades for that semester, and have attained a semester grade-point average of 3.5 or better.

Honors abound at TCNJ

The following students, listed with their majors, were named to the dean’s list at The College of New Jersey for the spring 2022 semester:

• From Belleville, Andrea Aggarao, nursing; Janeal Corpuz, history; Jazailis Gual, pre-communication; and Sebastian Hernandez, civil engineering.

• From Nutley, Alexa Calero, marketing; Laura Feraco, history for secondary education; Skylar Hutchison, communication studies; Zachary Mackiewicz,

Students must maintain a grade-point average of 3.75 or better to be eligible for the dean’s list.

Bresnan earns degree

On Sunday, May 22, more than 500 members of the Class of 2022 at Muhlenberg College, located in Allentown, Pa., gathered for the college’s 174th commencement. Elena Bresnan, of Nutley, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a minor in sociology.

Diaz makes dean’s list

Dannaca Diaz, of Nutley, was named to the dean’s list at the University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the spring 2022 semester. Diaz is majoring in psychology.

To qualify, students must earn a gradepoint average of 3.5 or better in at least 12 graded credit hours during any one term.

Honors at St. Peter’s

The following Belleville students were named to the dean’s list at Saint Peter’s University, located in Jersey City, for the spring 2022 semester: Jessica Alvarado, Abigail Maldonado, Melisa Campusano and Jeanette Grego. To achieve this academic honor, students must earn a gradepoint average of 3.5 or better. have single pane glass we can advise you on the best choices for double pane glass, heat reflective Low-E argon glass. We also specialize in a full range of home doors and commercial glass steel doors with heavy gauge steel edges, snug fitted Q-Lon weather stripping and adjustable thresholds The doors we install will seal up drafts all by themselves. Bloomfield Window and Door is 5 Star rated on Yelp, Face Book and NJ Business Finder as a high quality experienced service provider Feel free to contact the owner, Tony Sikora at 201-889-5864 0r visit our website at www.bloomfieldwindowanddoor.com INTERIZING YOUR DOORS & WINDOWS

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DCA opens public comment for action plan for Ida recovery

On Aug. 17, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs opened a 30day period for people to provide public comment on the Hurricane Ida Action Plan, which details how the state proposes to utilize $228,346,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds to help households and communities recover from the remnants of Hurricane Ida, which hit New Jersey last September. The public comment period will run through Sept. 16 and will include in-person public hearings in Manville and Newark, which were among the municipalities hardest hit by Ida.

The plan was developed in consultation with residents, county and municipal officials, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders in New Jersey, as well as with input DCA received from thousands of people who completed the Hurricane Ida Recovery Registration Survey.

The public comment period presents another opportunity to provide feedback on the action plan and the proposed use of funds. DCA will review and consider all comments received during the public comment period and incorporate responses to each comment into the action plan prior to submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for review and approval. Comments could lead to changes in the way the state proposes to use the funds.

“The Hurricane Ida Action Plan being

released today for public comment is part of my administration’s Ida recovery strategy, which builds on investments made earlier this year in residential property buyouts and home elevations to better protect families and communities from severe storms,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “Considerable thought went into the action plan, particularly on ways to promote resiliency and ensure equitable access to recovery assistance. We encourage people to review the action plan, and we look forward to hearing what they have to say about the plan.”

“We recognize that, for some areas, recovery from the catastrophic flooding and tornadoes caused by Hurricane Ida will take years. We also understand that $228 million is not nearly enough to address all the storm damage,” said Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who also serves as DCA commissioner. “Our goal in developing the action plan was to address the highest-level needs in vulnerable communities with an eye to mitigation and resiliency. Unfortunately, these severe storms keep happening with more frequency, and we must prepare and protect ourselves in this new reality.”

The state proposes to allocate $152 million to housing programs that help homeowners restore their storm-damaged homes; supplement rental housing costs for low-income rental families affected by Ida; provide zero-interest forgivable loans to owners of rental properties that require rehabilitation as a result

of storm damage; subsidize the development of resilient and affordable housing in lower flood-risk areas; and buy out residential properties located in flood-prone areas. An additional $1 million is proposed to provide supportive services, such as housing counseling and legal aid to renters and homeowners affected by Ida.

The state also proposes to allocate $58 million to infrastructure programs that help affected communities become more resilient to current and future natural hazards, protect publicly funded recovery investments in affected communities, and fund the nonfederal cost share for state and local facilities eligible under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.

The state additionally proposes to allocate $6 million to planning programs that develop a statewide housing mitigation strategy tool to assess the housing stock in disaster-affected and at-risk areas and that build on the existing efforts of Resilient NJ, a climate resilience planning, guidance and technical assistance program set up following Superstorm Sandy to support local and regional climate resilience planning.

Pursuant to HUD guidelines, at least 80 percent of the CDBG-DR funds must be spent in counties most affected and distressed by Ida, including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset and Union. The remaining 20 percent of funds may be used in other Ida-

affected counties, including Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris and Warren.

Under the guidelines, at least 70 percent of the total CDBG-DR funding must go toward projects that directly benefit lowand moderate-income residents or investments in infrastructure that serve a majority of these residents.

The proposed action plan may be obtained in English and Spanish at nj.gov/dca/ddrm/plansreports/index.sht ml on DCA’s website.

The public hearings on the action plan will be held on Thursday, Sept. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Manville High School auditorium, 1100 Brooks Blvd. in Manville, and Monday, Sept. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Campus Center Ballroom, second floor, 150 Bleeker St. in Newark.

Aside from providing comment at the public hearings, people may also submit comments through the DCA website at https://tinyurl.com/ywh286nf, by email to disasterrecoveryandmitigation@dca.nj.gov , or by mail to the attention of Constituent Services, Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation, NJ Department of Community Affairs, 101 S. Broad St., P.O. Box 823, Trenton, NJ 08625-0823. All comments must be received on or before 5 p.m. on Sept. 16 to be considered.

DCA will submit the action plan to HUD no later than Sept. 28 for review and approval.

Photos Courtesy of Michael Melham

THE COMMUNITY THAT GRILLS TOGETHER … — Belleville School District’s Aug. 24 community barbecue was a huge hit. The event was packed with residents enjoying delicious food, music and games.

The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine welcomed its newest class, of 159 students, with a white coat ceremony on July 18 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

The future physicians donned their distinctive coats during the ceremony, starting their journey toward acquisition of a medical degree, which they will complete in three or four years, depending on their selected academic track.

“The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine continues to be a down payment on a better future — for patients, for our health network and beyond,” Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert C. Garrett said in a press release. “This innovative approach to medical education will humanize health care, improve outcomes and create more equitable health care for all.’’

“Medicine is a sacred calling,” said Dr. Jeffrey Boscamp, interim dean of the medical school and a professor of pediatrics. “Even in a sometimes tumultuous world, doctors are the constant provider of wellness and care which is so crucial to humanity. We are proud to be a source of so much good being contributed to society.”

Nearly 6,000 students applied to join this year’s class. The cohort is made up of

Take a walk in Yanticaw Park

The Nutley Singles Walking Group hosts a free 4-mile walk for area residents ages 55 to 65 each Thursday at 6 p.m. The group meets at Yanticaw Park in Nutley, by the Centre Street entrance. For more information, call 201-280-8254.

more than half New Jersey residents at 53 percent, while another 11 percent are New Yorkers. Seventeen other states are represented among its members.

Twenty-eight languages are spoken by the group, in addition to English. Twelve of the students already hold an advanced degree.

This year’s incoming cohort is by some measures the most academically gifted yet. The group achieved the highest-ever average MCAT score yet for the school.

The school admitted its first class in 2018 with 60 students. Subsequent years brought an increased number of students, leading to this fifth year of admissions.

Photo Courtesy of Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine

WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM — The Belleville Historical Society celebrated National Ice Cream Day with free ice cream at the Belleville Public Library on Friday, July 15, and at Kingsland Manor in Nutley on Sunday, July 17 — once again served from a classic Good Humor ice cream bike. At Kingsland Manor, a recently refurbished Coca-Cola bike made

‘Cone With a Cop’

Celebrate the end of summer with the Belleville Police Department at “Cone With a Cop” on Tuesday, Sept. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Belleville police station parking lot, 152 Washington Ave. Join neighbors and Belleville police officers for a free ice cream cone and conversation. The event will include music, raffles, prizes, a police photobooth and games.

Italian heritage dinner

The Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day & Italian Heritage Month Parade Committee will celebrate its 40th annual honoree dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Nanina’s in the Park, 540 Mill St. in Belleville. The cocktail hour will begin at 6:30 p.m.; tickets are charged.

The committee will present the 2022 Grand Marshal Award to Tina Cervasio, Fox 5 lead sports anchor and reporter, as well as host of “Sports Xtra.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be awarded to Dolores Del Deo Kirk; the Italian Heritage Award to Michael V. Calabro; Belleville Woman of the Year to Patricia Ferrara Wells; Belleville Man of the Year to James A. Corino; Nutley Woman of

its debut, with Belleville Historical Society President Michael Perrone and recent Nutley High School graduate Nicholas Russo serving up Coke and root beer floats. Above left, the Belleville Historical Society hands out ice cream at the Belleville Public Library. Above right, visitors to Kingsland Manor in Nutley receive ice cream floats.

EVENTS

the Year to Roseann Biasi Vazquez; Nutley Man of the Year to Jason P. Zinna; 2022 Renaissance Woman to Jerri Custode; 2022 Renaissance Man to Nicholas F. Cozzarelli; 2022 Italian Business Leader to John Monaco from A Personal Touch Florist; and the 2022 Community Excellence Award to Frank Dauksis, proprietor of Michael’s Roscommon House.

A souvenir ad journal will also be published. For ticket or ad information, contact Susan R. LaMorte at 201-618-2903.

Fall Festival in the Park

The Nutley Department of Parks and Recreation will host a Fall Festival in the Park on Sunday, Sept. 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Memorial Park I, aka the Mud Hole, located at the corner of Vreeland and Passaic avenues. This festival will feature retail vendors, food trucks, activities and events for the entire family.

Vendors will be offering a variety of items, including candles, crafts, clothing, jewelry, food, spirit wear, makeup, skin care products, health products, Italian novelties and glass art. For children, there will be activities and face painting. Live music will be provided by DJ MC.

Scholarships to Nutley students

Spencer Savings Bank announced July 22 that it has awarded $30,000 in scholarships to high school and middle school graduating students in Bergen, Passaic, Union, Mercer, Morris and Essex counties. The bank has awarded almost $600,000 in scholarships to local students since 2002.

“We are very proud to continue our annual scholarship program that has helped so many graduating students in New Jersey,” bank Chairperson and CEO Jose B. Guerrero said. “Spencer is committed to enriching the lives of our community members, including supporting our youth and all their educa-

tional goals and career pursuits. We are counting on them to build a bright and prosperous future for our New Jersey communities.”

Students from various New Jersey school districts within the bank’s market area received scholarships. The winners were selected by each school’s guidance department.

In Essex County, scholarships were awarded to Jordan Ruffer of West Essex Regional High School, Kristen Agudelo of Nutley High School, Talia Machin of West Essex Middle School and Biyanka Matias of John H. Walker Middle School in Nutley.

“These family events bring our community together, encourage a sense of community and promote our local businesses,” Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci said, adding that these events also showcase the products and services offered by hometown vendors.

Vendor applications are currently being accepted; to become a vendor, contact Linda Hamilton at lhamilton@nutleynj.org. Applications from nonprofit organizations are not being accepted; this event is open to retail, craft and food vendors only.

The rain date for this event is Oct. 2. For further information, contact the Nutley Department of Parks and Recreation at 973-284-4966 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Rotary car show returns

The fourth annual Nutley Rotary Classic Car & Motorcycle Show will take place on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 1 to 6 p.m. on Franklin Avenue between Chestnut and Centre streets. The proceeds from this event will benefit the Nutley Music Boosters and Nutley Rotary Scholarship Fund.

The Nutley Classic Car Show, an event for all ages, will showcase a large selection of cars, trucks and motorcycles, both classic and modified, from a range of years, makes and models. There will be food vendors offering everything from appetizers to desserts. American Party DJs will provide music.

Rotary will give out more than 100 trophies, and the owners of the first 100 cars or bikes will receive gift bags with commemorative T-shirts and other surprises. A 50/50 raffle will benefit the Nutley Rotary Scholarship Fund, which supports Nutley students.

Mental health matters

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey offers the following groups:

• Women of Color Discussion Group. This monthly online meeting is held on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30

p.m. to discuss issues, coping strategies and resources relevant to women of color. Upcoming meeting dates are Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 22 and Dec. 20.

• “A Gathering of Womyn of Color” online group. This monthly open-discussion group is for all LGBTQ women of color. It meets the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Upcoming dates are Sept. 1, Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec. 1.

To receive a link for either group, email kreynolds@mhanj.org.

ECBCC meetings

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners will meet at 5 p.m. in person in the ECBCC chambers, Room 506 on the fifth floor of the Hall of Records, 465 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Newark, on the following days: Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 2, Dec. 1 and Dec. 14.

The commissioner board room is equipped with an assistive-listening system, and a sign language interpreter will be available upon advance notification to the Essex County Office of the Disabled at 973-395-8429.

JFS book club

Jewish Family Service of MetroWest New Jersey and Rachel Coalition, JFS’ domestic violence division, will host a new book club discussion group on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m. The first book to be featured is “Where the Crawdads Sing,” by Delia Owens. This novel is an ode to the natural world, a coming-of-age story and a surprising tale of possible murder.

Many popular books raise issues connected to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating abuse and stalking. This book club’s goal is to engage community members in the work done at JFS and Rachel Coalition while providing education on domestic violence and other related topics.

To register, visit www.jfsmetrowest.org/bookclub. For questions regarding the book club, contact Kimberly Clerie at kclerie@jfsmetrowest.org.

Photos Courtesy of Michael Perrone

Photos Courtesy of Nutley Farmers Market

TOWERING VEG — Congratulations to the Nutley Farmers Market’s 10th annual Biggest Tomato and Zucchini Contest winners. The Scutti family took the prize for the largest tomato, at 2.22 pounds, and Charles Adornetto took the prize for the largest zucchini, at 9.44 pounds.

Shop smart and spend less this back-to-school season

As summer nights shorten and the school year approaches, you may be looking for ways to reduce the stress and costs of back-to-school preparations, and ease into a new routine.

Thankfully, the experts at Dollar General are offering families suggestions for an easy and affordable return to classes.

School supplies

Start by separating and categorizing students’ supplies lists and compare to items that may be left over from the previous school year. To pick up needs in one easy stop, visit a local Dollar General to purchase school supplies that are colorful and cost-effective, with more than 100 back-to-school items priced at $1 or less. School and classroom essentials may include notebooks, coloring supplies, backpacks, a reusable water bottle and more. Additionally, a variety of hand sanitizers starting at $1 can be easily placed into lunchboxes, desks, pencil cases or given to school staff to help stop the spread of germs.

For teachers who want to save big in 2022, sign up for a DG account and get verified for 30-percent off qualified items

on up to four shopping trips through Sept. 9, 2022. Additionally customers can save $3 on qualifying $15 or more supply purchases in the stationery, cleaning and paper, and houseware categories through Sept. 9, 2022. All offers are available through DG digital coupons online and in the DG app, where customers can load coupons and rewards on an easy-to-use platform and redeem them at checkout.

Healthier eating

Back-to-school also means after school activities such as clubs and athletics. While juggling practices, rehearsals and club meetings, consider packing healthier snacks to support a busy schedule. Meal prep can also be helpful on busy days, and Dollar General’s “DG Easy Meals” provides access to simple recipes with affordable ingredients to make breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner easy and stress-free. Entrees like pecan-crusted salmon or buffalo chicken pizza can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer until ready to eat. Dollar General also offers “Better For You” recipes that provide healthier meal options featuring ingredients available at DG stores.

Organization necessities

As the school year begins and schedules fill up, some find it harder to stay organized. Use a customizable planner or calendar to remind you of pickup times, parent-teacher conferences and other important appointments. These tools are also great for high school or college students managing a new class schedule. Write out chores on a dry-erase board, which can be secured to the side of the

fridge, to keep track of daily duties. Finally, if your surfaces tend to collect clutter, a large canvas storage container can be a great way to keep items together for a quick cleanup.

With these back-to-school tips and tricks, you can send students of all ages to their classes prepared with everything on the list, all while saving time and money in the process.

— StatePoint

Photo Courtesy of Liudmyla Yaremenko/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Belleville Sons meet American Legion commander

Members of the Belleville Sons of the American Legion had the opportunity to meet National Cmdr. Paul E. Dillard of the American Legion at Woodbridge Post No. 87 during Dillard’s official visit to New Jersey in early August.

The national commander, who oversees the national organization of more than 1.8 million veterans and 370,000 members of the SAL, travels around the country each year visiting each region.

Focusing on advocating on behalf of legislation to address issues affecting veterans, the American Legion national commander has a presence in both national politics and in the direction of individual posts and squadrons throughout the country. Throughout its history, the Legion has been instrumental in the passing of bills such as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill, as well as with support for benefits such as pensions and the Veterans Health Administration. Dillard, national commander for 2021-2022, stepped down at the national convention in late August in Milwaukee, Wisc., at the end of his term.

In Woodbridge, in front of a group of 75 American Legion representatives across New Jersey, Dillard spoke about topics that have been at the forefront of the organization’s attention since his election. Two of the topics he discussed were the high rate of veteran suicides and the pending passage of the PACT Act in Congress, which moved to President Joe Biden’s desk a few days later. The act expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other

Above, from left, are Department of New Jersey Cmdr. Daniel Dunn; Essex County Detachment Executive Committee representative Rusty Myers, of Belleville Squadron 105; National Cmdr. Paul Dillard; Department of New Jersey Vice Cmdr. Jack Dunne; and SAL Detachment of New Jersey Vice Cmdr. Steve Sangemino, of Belleville Squadron 105. Below, from left, are Myers, Dillard and Sangemino.

toxic substances, as well as provides generations of veterans — and their survivors — with care and benefits.

Belleville 105’s Steve Sangemino and

Rusty Myers attended the event. Sangemino serves as a detachment vice commander, and Myers serves as a Detachment Executive Committee representative for

Relics, life-sized statue of St. Pio to be displayed in EC

Five relics and a life-sized statue of St. Pio, the first priest in the Catholic Church’s history to bear the stigmata wounds of Jesus’ crucifixion, will be on public display at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart this September as part of the Saint Pio Foundation’s ongoing “I Embrace You” tour of the United States.

All are invited to pray before the relics — crusts of St. Pio’s wounds, gauze stained with his blood, locks of his hair, a piece of his mantle and a handkerchief drenched in his sweat — on Monday, Sept. 12, between noon and 6:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, Sept. 13, between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. In addition to venerating the relics, visitors will get the chance to admire a replica of “I Embrace You,” a sculpture created by world-renowned artist Timothy Schmalz that depicts blood pouring from the crucified Jesus into St. Pio’s stigmata. Photos taken by the saint’s personal photographer also will be available to view inside the cathedral.

Once the display closes on Sept. 13, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, archbishop of Newark, will celebrate a special Mass to honor St. Pio’s memory at 7 p.m.

“We’re very excited to host this display,” said the Rev. Bismarck Chau, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. “Many people do not have the means to travel to Italy, so this is a great opportunity to be in the presence of relics that belonged to someone who was a great example of service and devotion to Jesus. He helped so many people, and he was committed to prayer in a way that’s hard for even priests to manage. So, it’s amazing that people will get the chance to pray before his relics.”

The Saint Pio Foundation’s “I Embrace You” tour commemorates the 20th anniversary of St. Pio’s canonization by Pope St. John Paul

II as well as the 135th anniversary of his birth. Launching in May and concluding in September, the tour has so far attracted thousands to displays in major cities, such as Washington, D.C., and Louisville, Ky. Its stop at the cathedral in Newark marks the first time relics of St. Pio will be made available for veneration in the Archdiocese of Newark.

St. Pio, also known as “Padre Pio,” was born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy. After being ordained a priest in 1910, he developed the stigmata for which he is known on Sept. 20, 1918. But his legacy extends beyond his wounds, as the saint is revered for performing healings, exhibiting supernatural phenomena and counseling countless Catholics on spiritual matters. The Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, or Home for the Relief of Suffering, hospital he established in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, in 1956 still thrives today.

“St. Pio is someone we can all learn from, and I encourage everyone to pray to him,” Chau said. “I once had to make a very important decision that was causing me a lot of stress, so I asked St. Pio for his intercession. As I was saying this prayer, I felt a great sense of peace from the top of my head flowing down to my feet, and I felt like a completely different person. I’ve told a lot of people to pray to him, too, and they’ve said they received blessings after they did. I hope everyone in the archdiocese comes to pray before the relics so St. Pio can intercede in their lives.”

For the cathedral’s full schedule of events related to the relics’ veneration — which includes confessions and prayers — visit www.newarkbasilica.org/st-pio. And to learn more information about the Saint Pio Foundation and its “I Embrace You” tour, visit www.saintpiofoundation.org.

Essex County, as well as state children and youth chairperson. Dillard presented Sangemino and Myers with his pin, a prestigious honor.

Photo Courtesy of St. Pio Foundation Visitors can admire this life-sized statue of St. Pio at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Sept. 12 and 13.

Photos Courtesy of Rusty Myers

Above, Dillard speaks at the American Legion at Woodbridge Post No. 87. Below is Dillard’s pin, which he presented to Sangemino and Myers.

AARP selects township of Belleville for 2022 grant

Belleville has been selected to receive a 2022 AARP Community Challenge grant, making the township one of just eight grantees chosen statewide.

The grant will be used to promote walkability, restore neighborhood connectivity and increase community relationships as the town emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. The project will use an underutilized property to create a new walking trail and adjacent gardens. These will include memorial gardens dedicated to residents lost to COVID-19, along with a community garden, which will grow fresh fruits and vegetables that residents will be invited to pick and take home. The trail will connect a dead-end street to a wide range of public facilities, including parkland, the Belleville Recreation Department Building, Belleville High School and various commercial properties and residential neighborhoods.

“Belleville is extremely grateful to receive this grant from AARP, as it will help us on our continued mission to create a healthier and happier community and a greener and cleaner town,” Mayor Michael Melham said. “The grant will help us transform a small tract on Division Avenue into a memory garden and a healthy food garden with a corresponding walking trail. We envision this as a space with fresh fruit and vegetables ripe for picking, and a space seniors in particular can utilize to stroll, stop and chat or, quite literally, stop and smell the flowers.”

This project is part of the largest group of grantees to date, with $3.4 million awarded among 260 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long term by improving public places; transportation; housing; diversity, equity and inclusion; digital access; and civic engagement, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and over.

“We are incredibly excited to support the township of Belleville as they work to make immediate improvements, encourage promising ideas and jumpstart long-term change,” AARP New Jersey Director Stephanie Hunsinger said. “Our goal at AARP New Jersey is to support the efforts of our communities to be great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities.”

Jewish Women’s Found. awards $75 thousand to Essex County agencies

The Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey, a giving circle of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ, has awarded $75,000 in competitive grants to three local nonprofit organizations that are working to have an impact on women and girls. Since its formation in 2007, JWFNJ has awarded grants to more than 70 organizations in New Jersey and Israel, totaling more than $1.3 million.

“JWF partners with agencies in our community whose mission is to transform the lives of women and girls,” foundation Director Pam Greenwood said. “We are confident that our grantees have the drive and experience to accomplish their goals.”

Grants awarded are:

• In the health category, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey, $25,000, for Teen LINKS and school sexual health education, which will provide intensive training to high school girls in sexual education, peer advocacy and digi-

tal impact. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yd35fuvf.

• In the domestic abuse category, the Safe House, which is affiliated with Clara Maass Medical Center, $25,000, for a kitchen renovation to allow for necessary upgrades at the shelter, which provides temporary housing for women and children. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/65235au6.

• In the empowerment category, SHE Wins Inc., $25,000, for the #SELF Program, which will assist high school girls in the Newark area to develop their socialemotional learning, leadership, and college and career readiness skills. For more information, visit www.shewins.org.

JWFNJ will award $5,000 impact grants to local nonprofit organizations this coming November.

For more information about JWFNJ and the programs it has supported, visit www.jwfnj.org.

‘Belleville is extremely grateful to receive this grant from AARP, as it will help us on our continued mission to create a healthier and happier community and a greener and cleaner town.’

— Michael Melham

Nutley resident named vice president at NBC 4 New York

Gina Oliva-Pinto, who has been a Nutley resident since 2010, has been named vice president of marketing and creative services for NBC 4 New York/WNBC. A seasoned and award-winning marketer, Oliva-Pinto has more than 20 years of experience leading marketing and promotion campaigns for local and national broadcasters to reach English- and Spanish-language consumers and audiences. Her first day is Wednesday, Sept. 7.

“Gina is a talented leader and marketer who has impressive broadcasting experi-

ence at local stations, syndicated programming and at the corporate level. She has also led successful multiplatform campaigns which grew NBC and Telemundo station audiences across the country. We cannot wait for Gina to continue this record of success at WNBC,” said Eric Lerner, WNBC’s president and general manager.

Fluent in English and Spanish, OlivaPinto will continue NBC 4 New York’s close collaboration with sister station Telemundo 47/WNJU.

She joins WNBC after serving in marketing leadership roles at NBCUniversal Local, as senior director and, most recently, as vice president of marketing. There, she was in-house marketing counsel to NBC/Telemundo owned stations’ creative services directors and led the marketing efforts for divisionwide community and corporate social responsibility initiatives. She joined the NBCUniversal Local division in 2017 from WABCTV, where she worked as a marketing producer.

Eligible individuals are encouraged to receive the monkeypox vaccine

Individuals in high-priority groups in New Jersey should consider getting the monkeypox vaccine, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.

The vaccine for monkeypox is called Jynneos. With the current limited supply of Jynneos vaccine in New Jersey, only the following residents may be eligible for vaccination:

• People who have had known contact with someone who tested positive for orthopoxvirus or monkeypox virus within the past days.

• People who attended an event within the past 14 days where known monkeypox exposure occurred.

• According the the NJDOH, “People who identify as gay, bisexual or men who

have sex with men, and/or transgender, gender nonconforming or gender nonbinary, and who have a history of multiple or anonymous sex partners.”

People who have a condition that may increase their risk for severe disease should be considered high priority for vaccination, including people who have a weakened immune system and/or have a

history of atopic dermatitis or eczema.

Eligible individuals may receive the vaccine from the North Jersey Community Research Initiative in Newark, contacted at 973-483-3444, ext. 200. This vaccine is by appointment only.

For more information on the monkeypox virus and for resources, visit https://bit.ly/njmpx.

Jewish Family Service of MetroWest offers money management services for older adults

The Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ’s money management program offers financial guidance to older adults in Essex County. This free program is run by fully trained volunteers and is funded by Essex County’s Division on Aging. Its goal is to help older adults continue to live

independently for as long as possible.

To enroll, one must be 60 or older; reside in Essex County; and struggle to manage finances, read mail or pay bills.

JFS can match interested persons with a trained volunteer money manager to assist with setting up a budget and organ-

Nutley Rotary

izing bills; reviewing and processing monthly expenses; preparing checks for signature; and applying for benefits programs to lower monthly expenses.

“Our dedicated volunteers are committed to helping older adults in our community live full, independent lives. We believe

that the money management program can help them feel more confident and secure in managing their finances,” program coordinator Taylor Ruszczyk said.

To learn more or enroll, contact Ruszczyk at 973-637-1742 or truszczyk@jfsmetrowest.org.

FREE HEARING SCREENINGS

The Montclair State University Center for Audiology offers comprehensive audiological services for adults and children, including free hearing screenings:

• Hearing Evaluations

• Hearing Aid Sales and Services

• Auditory Processing Disorder Testing

• Balance Testing

• Custom Ear Molds and Hearing Protectors

• Auditory Brainstem Response Testing

• Medicare Accepted

Hearing screenings are conducted every month.

Please call 973-655-3934 or email csdclinic@mail.montclair.edu to schedule an appointment.

Maris S. Appelbaum, AUD, CCC-A, Clinical Preceptor and Director of Hearing Aid Services. Supervising Hearing Aid Dispenser License #MG00797, NJ State License #41YA00041700

Gina Oliva-Pinto

LOCAL STAR — From Aug. 18 to 28, The Theater Project presented ‘A Jersey Cantata,’ the story of four childhood friends now grown and moving their lives in different directions, at the Burgdorff Cultural Center in Maplewood. All the actors in the comedy were based in New Jersey or natives of the Garden State, including Nutley’s Philip Casale, above.

To place your free listing, send information to Editor Yael Katzwer, at essexcty@thelocalsource.com or at 1291 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ 07083. Faxes may be sent to 908-686-0401.

COMEDY

COMEDIAN ZAKIR KHAN WILL TAKE HIS NATIONAL TOUR TO NJPAC ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 3, at 8 p.m. The “Live in the US” tour, which will be performed in Hindi, is the latest from the worldwide phenom comic, whose last two specials sold more than 100,000 tickets across the globe. Khan is known for his “uniquely Indian” style of comedy, which speaks to the elements found in homes around the world. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.NJPAC.org, calling 888466-5722 or visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

RYAN HAMILTON WILL BRING THE LAUGHS TO SOPAC ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 9, AT 8 P.M. The New York Times has described the Idaho-bred comic as “an observational comic who often riffs on the absurdity of his own wholesomeness.” SOPAC is located at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange. To purchase tickets, visit sopacnow.org.

COMEDIAN MARIA BAMFORD IS REVERED FOR HER DEEPLY PERSONAL COMEDY ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS, as well as her deadon impressions. Bamford will perform at SOPAC on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Stephen Colbert has called her “one of my favorite comedians in the world” and Judd Apatow once said that she “makes me laugh out loud more than anybody.” SOPAC is located at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange. To purchase tickets, visit sopacnow.org.

NEW SLATE OF FALL SHOWS BEGINS AT NJPAC WITH COMEDIAN JEN FULWILER on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. A mother of six, Fulwiler is bringing her “Minivan Fabulous” tour to the NJPAC stage. Fulwiler’s comedy stylings can be seen in her TikTok and Instagram sketches, which often revolve around her life as a busy mom. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.NJPAC.org, calling 888-466-5722 or visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

COMEDIANS AND FOX NEWS CONTRIBU-

TORS KAT TIMPF AND TYRUS PRESENT LIVE SHOW AT NJPAC on Friday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. Fans of the duo’s appearances on the cable news network can expect the same brand of comedy and political discussion for which the partnership is known. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.NJPAC.org, calling 888-466-5722 or visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

EXHIBITS

THE MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY GALLERIES WILL PRESENT THE EXHIBITION “NOTHING UNDER HEAVEN,” by Joseph Liatela, from Sept. 13 through Dec. 9 at the George Segal Gallery, 1 Normal Ave. in Montclair. The artist’s first solo museum exhibition brings together new commissions and recent works that explore the need for connection, pleasure and agency within oppressive systems. Exhibited alongside photography by Andy Warhol and religious art by Carlo Dolci from the University Galleries’ collection, Liatela invokes a range of stories to assess what it means to move together, remember together and repair together. An opening reception will be held Thursday, Sept. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m., featuring a live performance to “To Move Is

To Remember,” a dance piece. On Monday, Feb. 26, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Liatela will be in conversation with Firestone in conjunction with Montclair State University’s art and design program. On Thursday, Nov. 3, from 1 to 2 p.m., Firestone will lead a curator’s tour of the exhibit. For more information, visit https://www.montclair.edu/galleries/. THE IMMERSIVE VIDEO, SOUND AND PRINT INSTALLATION “FROM MY HOME TO YOURS: CAROLINE MONNET AND LAURA ORTMAN” OPENED May 7 and will run through Jan. 1, 2023, with an accompanying performance series at the Montclair Art Museum. Presented in the United States for the first time, the installation transforms MAM’s Rand Gallery into a vivid, resonant space to pause and reflect on home, long-distance connection and the places in between. “From My Home to Yours” links two accomplished indigenous artists who are longtime friends and collaborators: Montreal-based visual artist Caroline Monnet, who is Anishinaabe and French, and Brooklyn-based musician and composer Laura Ortman, who is White Mountain Apache.

FESTIVALS & FAIRS

THE UNITED ASIAN VOICES OF WEST ORANGE AND THE WEST ORANGE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION WILL HOST A DIWALI FESTIVAL on Sunday, Sept. 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. at West Orange High School, 51 Conforti Ave., on the band fields and in the gym. Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the major holidays celebrated by Indian Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs worldwide. This free event will bring together the West Orange community for a festive celebration featuring student and professional singers, dancers, spoken-word poets and musicians who represent the Indian diaspora. Also planned are a cultural fashion showcase, Bollywood dancing lessons, a DJ, craft activities, henna tattoo artists, and vendors selling Indian foods and goods.

THE ALL-DAY 2022 MORRISTOWN FESTIVAL OF BOOKS, INCLUDING POPULAR KIDFEST EVENTS, TAKES PLACE ON SATURDAY, OCT. 8. More than 60 award-winning and bestselling Continued on Page 25

Photo Courtesy of Lewis Matusow

Photo Courtesy of Whitney Browne Dancers Héctor Cerna and Chris Tabassi perform ‘To Move Is To Remember.’

(Continued from Page 24)

authors will questions at five locales, all within walking distance of each other along South Street in Morristown, including St. Peter’s Church Sanctuary and Parish House, The Presbyterian Church Parish House, the Church of the Redeemer, and the Morristown/Morris Township Library. Book sales and signings will occur at a tent on the grounds of the historic Vail Mansion. For more information, visit www.morristownbooks.org.

MUSIC

THE POPULAR DOWNTOWN AFTER SUNDOWN CONCERT SERIES RETURNS TO SOUTH ORANGE DOWNTOWN THIS SUMMER. From swing to pop, jazz to R&B, just about every musical style will be represented at these free community concerts, which take place every Saturday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Spiotta Park from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The remaining show is a Labor Day celebration on Sept. 3. For more information, visit southorangedowntown.org.

PEABO BRYSON WILL PERFORM SATURDAY, SEPT. 10, AT 7 AND 9:30 P.M. AT SOUTH ORANGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. Dubbed the King of Balladeers, Bryson is a two-time Grammy Award–winning vocalist. This legendary voice of love offers a timeless mix of pop, soul and R&B as only he can. SOPAC is located at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange. To purchase tickets, visit sopacnow.org.

THE PIANO GUYS WILL PERFORM THEIR BLEND OF POP, CLASSICAL AND NEW AGE MUSIC at New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The Utah-based quartet is famous for its prolific talent and witty sense of humor. Fans will get to experience the Piano Guys’ new album, “Limitless.” See internationally acclaimed pianists Jon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson, Paul Anderson and Al van der Beek on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at njpac.org, by calling 888-466-5722 or by visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

GEORGE PORTER JR. & RUNNIN’ PARDNERS WILL TAKE THE SOPAC STAGE Thursday, Sept. 15, at 7:30 p.m. A forefather of funk, Porter is best known as a member of The Meters, the New Orleans–based Grammy Award–winning R&B group he formed alongside Art “Poppa Funk” Neville, Leo Nocentelli and Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste. SOPAC is located at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange. To purchase tickets, visit sopacnow.org.

DAVID BROZA & TRIO HAVANA WILL PERFORM AT SOPAC ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 17, AT 8 P.M. BROZA, AN ISRAELI SUPERSTAR, is recognized for his dynamic guitar performances and humanitarian efforts. His signature sound is influenced by Spanish flamenco, American folk, rock and poetry. SOPAC is located at 1 SOPAC Way in

Peabo Bryson, above, will perform Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7 and 9:30 p.m. at the South Orange Performing Arts Center.

South Orange. To purchase tickets, visit sopacnow.org. KATHLEEN EDWARDS WILL BRING HER MUSICAL STYLINGS TO SOPAC ON THURSDAY, SEPT. 22, at 7:30 p.m. After a musical hiatus and period of profound self-reflection, this singer-songwriter triumphantly returns with her cloud-grazing voice, skilled strumming and folk/country music that confronts life’s challenges yet finds the beauty in it all. SOPAC is located at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange.

To purchase tickets, visit sopacnow.org.

THE JAMES HUNTER SIX WILL BE AT SOPAC ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 23, AT 8 P.M. BRITISH SOUL MAN JAMES HUNTER and his gritty, longstanding backing band bring a sublime evening of nononsense blues. Given their virtuosity, they have shared the stage with acts as diverse as Allen Toussaint, Sharon Jones and Van Morrison. SOPAC is located at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange. To purchase tickets, visit sopacnow.org.

“BILLIE & BLUE EYES: THE SONGS OF FRANK SINATRA AND BILLIE HOLIDAY” WILL BE PRESENTED ON THE SOPAC STAGE BY JOHN PIZZARELLI AND CATHERINE RUSSELL on

Saturday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. Pizzarelli and Russell are a dynamic duo who will transport audiences to the glory days of jazz with masterful ease, capturing Holiday’s effortless grace and Sinatra’s cool swagger. SOPAC is located at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange. To purchase tickets, visit sopacnow.org.

ACCLAIMED TROMBONIST, COMPOSER AND PRODUCER DELFEAYO MARSALIS WILL PERFORM AT SOPAC ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 30, at 8 p.m. Marsalis has also dedicated his career to music theater and education. He is known for his “technical excellence, inventive mind and frequent touches of humor,” according to the Los Angeles Times. A New Orleans native, he is the brother of renowned trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. SOPAC is located at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange. To purchase tickets, visit sopacnow.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY

ON THURSDAY, SEPT. 1, AT 7:30 P.M., ESSEX PHOTO CLUB WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING OF THE 2022-23 SEASON via Zoom for club members and the public. Members will share their summer photos, including images created as a result of the club’s summer workshops and outings relating to NIK software filters, multi-exposure photography and intentional camera movement, all of which focus on learning new and creative aspects of photography. Thursday, Sept. 15, at 7:30 p.m. is the second meeting via Zoom, featuring the first monthly club competition of projected nature and pictorial images on beginner, advanced and salon levels. It will be judged by Nick Palmieri, professional photographer, instructor, lecturer and past president of Camera Naturalist Photo Club. He is also the moderator for the popular Facebook group “Photography Help, Tips, Techniques, and Critiques,” which is open to the public. For more information visit www.essexphotoclub.org. Call Catherine Kuzik-Fernandez at 862-485-7474 for Zoom access to the meetings.

THEATER

THE THEATER PROJECT RETURNS TO BURGDORFF CULTURAL CENTER THIS SUMMER WITH THREE NEW SHOWS. The series marks the Theater Project’s first live performances in two years. The summer series concludes with “5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche,” which runs from Sept. 8 through 18 and tells a comic story about a friend group’s annual quiche-eating contest. All three plays showcase the Theater Project’s ambition to put on offbeat and humorous plays. Masks and proof of vaccination will be required at all performances.

The Burgdorff Cultural Center is located at 10 Durand Road in Maplewood. Tickets are available online at www.TheTheaterProject.org or by calling the box office at 908-809-8865.

LA LA T

LEGEND TITLE

Video streaming with Kanopy at Nutley library

Nutley Public Library offers Kanopy — a video-streaming platform with more than 30,000 films for all ages, including critically acclaimed movies, documentaries, educational videos, and award-winning international and independent films — with its digital media collection. Kanopy can be accessed on mobile phones, tablets and computers. Patrons can view up to six titles per month.

For further information and to get started, visit nutleypubliclibrary.kanopy.com.

IN MEMORIAM

• BORINO – Kenneth F., of Roseland, formerly of Belleville; Aug. 1. Army veteran, business owner. Widower, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, 82.

• CAROLA – Louis M., of Fairfield, formerly of Newark and Belleville; July 27. Truck driver, shop steward. Widower, father, brother, uncle, 77.

• CARTER – Barbara Jean, of Belleville; Aug. 2. Mother, sister, grandmother.

• CICCARELLI – Joanne “Tina,” of Cedar Grove, formerly of Bloomfield, Nutley and Belleville; Aug. 5. Mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, 81.

• COBEN – Maxine J., of Brick, formerly of Bloomfield and Belleville; July 28. Executive assistant, Mutual Benefit Life and Prudential. Aunt, grandaunt, 75.

• DONALD – Diane J., of Belleville; July 1. Sister, aunt, 60.

• DUNN – Carol Ann, of Bloomfield, formerly of Belleville; July 10. Computer analyst for Hillcrest Gardens in Paramus, 61.

• DUNPHY-HOWELL – Jackie, of Nutley, formerly of Kearny; July 12. Teacher at Lincoln School in Kearny. Mother, sister, aunt, grandaunt, 65.

• GRADOFF – Adela M., of Smithville, formerly of Bloomfield, Belleville, Naples Park, Fla., and Ortley Beach; July 3. Retired payroll supervisor, widow, aunt, 98.

• GROGAN – James A. Jr., of Florham Park, formerly of Belleville, Potomac, Md., Toms River; July 11. Father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, 83.

• JONES – Paul J., of Clifton, formerly of Newark, Belleville and Brick; July 13. Vietnam War veteran, South Orange detective. Widower, great-grandfather, 75.

• KAPUSHINSKI – Edmund J., of Clifton, formerly of North Arlington and Nutley; Aug. 4. Army veteran, office manager. Husband, father, brother, grandfather, 80.

• LUCAS – Patricia Elizabeth, of Nutley; July 1. Wife, mother, grandmother, 70.

• MOORE – Regina E., of Brighton Gardens, Florham Park, formerly of Nutley; . Was an associate professor of nursing at Bergen Community College, 86.

• ONOVE – Salvatore, of Nutley, formerly of Bloomfield; Aug. 21. World War II Air Force veteran. Retired manager. Author, widower, father, grandfather, 96.

• SAUNDERS – Irma Lou, of Cedar Grove, formerly of Nutley; July 11. Retired bacteriologist. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 93.

• SHARKEY – Ellen Ann, of Bloomfield, formerly of Nutley and Jersey City; Aug. 5. Loved music, dancing, dogs, movies and the shore. Sister, aunt, cousin, 65.

In Memoriam is a feature compiled by the news staff from various sources. We also provide the opportunity for families and funeral directors to publish a more extensive, special notice about their loved one called an obituary. These notices are published on our website immediately and then in the next edition of this newspaper. To place a paid obituary send an email to obits@thelocalsource.com or fax to 908-688-0401. Family and friends’ submissions must include sender’s name, address, phone and the name of the funeral home. Call 908-686-7850 for assistance.

WORSHIP CALENDAR

BAPTIST

B R O O K D A L E C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H , 1350 Broad Street, Bloomfield, 973-338-8536

We are a church that preaches and teaches the Bible We invite you to join us in worship on Sundays at 10:30 am. Children’s Bible activities for ages 4 through 5th grade (called BCC Kids Church) are provided Worship services can also be seen live online on YouTube and Facebook and via our website at www brookdalec h ris t ian com

In addition, we offer Bible Studies on Sunday mornings at 9:00 and on Thursday evenings at 7:00 You can participate in either one of these classes -or both- through Zoom by calling the church to get placed on the Zoom call list. There are several other opportunities throughout the week involving prayer, study, and community for all age levels Brookdale is a loving and caring congregation under the leadership of Pastor Love Saquing and Pastor Jim Treffinger Our mission is to be a Family Growing Together in God

CHRISTIAN

L I V I N G FA I T H C H R I S T I A N A S S E M B LY 25 New Street, Nutley, 973 661-0105 w w w L FA I T H o rg

P a s t o r S P C i o t o l a Freewelcomegift bagfor first time visitors

Experience the Passion of Church again:

– Passionate Bible Teaching

– Exciting Music&Worship

Sunday 10:45am – Worship and Teaching

– Faith Kids ages 6-12

– Nursery provided Wednesday 6:30pm – Bible Studies – Faith Kids ages 6-12

To add your House of Worship or make copy changes

Email us:

Adservices@thelocalsource com

Belleville Bucs begin new coaching era

By Joe Ragozzino Sports Editor

The Belleville High School football team has a new coach this season.

But the Buccaneers are in good hands. Brian Antab, who has served as an assistant coach for the Bucs for the past few seasons, was promoted to head coach after Jermain Johnson left to become the head coach at Montclair.

The Bucs have a lot of promising youth on the roster, looking to build off last year’s 6-4 record.

“We’re a young team,” said Antab, who was a lineman in high school at Bishop Ahr — now St. Thomas Aquinas — in Woodbridge, Class of 2009, and later played at Montclair State University. “We have a lot of young talent. I’m really excited to see how they come together and put the talent that they have on the field.”

In Johnson’s fourth year at the helm last season, the Bucs bounced back from a 1-2 start. They won three straight games in the middle of the season to improve to 6-3 before losing to Wayne Hills in a state consolation game to end the season.

This year’s senior captains are offensive left tackle and defensive end Tayshaun Holland, offensive right guard and defensive tackle Melrich Amante, and wide receiver and cornerback Samuel Perez.

The linemen, led by Amante, bring much experience. Amante has high hopes for the season.

See

Photo by Joe Ragozzino

Belleville first-year head coach Brian Antab speaks to his players during a practice session at Belleville Municipal Stadium on Aug. 12.

REVIEWFOOTBALL

Bucs boast promising talent at the skill positions

“I think we’re going to have a great season,” said Amante, “despite having the fact that a lot of our key players have graduated from last year. I think the season is going to be great.”

Much of the team’s youth lies in key skill positions. Antab is looking for those players to develop as the season progresses.

“We have some senior leadership on the line,” Antab said. “We have a really strong sophomore class, especially at the skill positions — wide receiver, running back, quarterback. We have a lot of youth in a lot of important positions, and we’ll see how they can develop there.”

Sophomore Anthony Torres is a firstyear starting quarterback. The running game will be powered by sophomore Jer-

emiah Cook, who started last year.

Amante is looking forward to blocking for Cook again this year. “I think he is going to be a great running back for us this year and get some yards for us,” Amante said. “Nobody can tackle this kid. Once he gets into the open field, no one is going to be able to catch him.”

Amante also sang the praises of Antab and the rest of the coaching staff. “It was-

n’t a hard transition,” said Amante. “He’s a great head coach.”

Antab mentioned other key players. They are junior middle linebacker and fullback Adrian Rodriguez, junior wide receiver and outside linebacker Nicolas Franco, junior wide receiver and defensive back Khalil Bey, sophomore wide receiver and defensive back Elijah Pickerfrom Page

See PROGRESS

WASH AT THREE LOCATIONS

From left are Belleville captains Tayshaun Holland, Melrich Amante and Samuel Perez.

Photos by Joe Ragozzino Belleville sophomore quarterback Anthony Torres runs for yardage as Holland gives chase during practice.

Progress and chemistry will be keys to success

(Continued

ing, sophomore tight end and middle linebacker Demetri Moya, and sophomore wide receiver and defensive back Anthony Giunta.

Improvement will be the key goal for the season.

“Our goals are to develop the talent that we have, get them game ready, and see them get varsity action and get them up to speed. We want to be competitive in every game,” Antab said.

In order to achieve another successful season, the team must jell.

“We really just need to come together, be a collective group and play together,” Antab said. “We have a lot of talent, but it’s about that talent coming together and being a team, so we need to form a collective group. As that develops, we should have some success.”

Amante said, “The goal is to win as many games as we can and make it to the playoffs this year, especially with the young offensive line that we have. Being a leader, we have been coaching them up. I think it’s going to go great.”

The Bucs were scheduled to host Passaic in the season opener on Friday, Aug. 26, after press time.

The assistant coaches are Dan Giangrande, Chris Balz, Nick Carfagno, Nick Guardabasco, James Johnson and Richard Muldrow III.

Photo by Joe Ragozzino

Belleville freshman Victor Adams runs with the ball during practice at Belleville Municipal Stadium on Aug. 12.

2022 Belleville HS football schedule

• Aug. 26: vs. Passaic

• Sept. 2: vs. Bayonne, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 9: vs. Wayne Valley, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 16: at Hackensack, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 23: at Millburn, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 30: at Passaic Valley, 7 p.m.

• Oct. 7: vs. Nutley, 7 p.m.

• Oct. 14: vs. West Essex, 7 p.m.

• Oct. 21: at Bloomfield, 7 p.m.

Photos by Joe Ragozzino

Belleville junior Adrian Rodriguez gives two thumbs up.