Category Archives: Bayonne Observer insidebayonne.com

Bayonne News, Bayonne Observer insidebayonne.com

Mayor Nadrowski Discusses Policies for Local Planning and Business Growth in Bayonne

            In a recent speech to the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, Bayonne Mayor Sharon Nadrowski presented her policies for local planning and business growth. She also provided her analysis of recent development in Bayonne. 

“Over the last decade, Bayonne has experienced a level of growth rivaling most other large communities in the state. We’ve seen growth in population, density, housing, and, of course, traffic,” Mayor Nadrowski stated.  She continued, “It is no secret that I believe some of the development initiated by the City over the last several years was irresponsible, lacked community input, and did not account for the challenges that lie ahead.”  However, Mayor Nadrowski maintained “that we can no longer look backward with blame.”  Instead, she said, “We must look forward, rise to the occasion, and meet the needs of the community – and that includes the needs of the business community.”

In her speech, Mayor Nadrowski announced that her administration has “already initiated steps to undertake a Master Plan Re-Examination – the first since 2017.”  A city’s master plan lays out policies and goals for planning, zoning, and economic development for a multi-year period.  A re-examination process determines what may need to be changed or updated in a city’s master plan.

As part of the Master Plan Re-Examination, Mayor Nadrowski pledged “to develop an Economic Plan Element focused specifically on Bayonne’s business community.”  She said to business leaders that formulating the Economic Plan Element of the Master Plan would mean “sitting down with business owners, identifying what’s working, understanding what’s holding you back, and creating a strategy that helps existing businesses grow while attracting new investment.”  She encouraged both business owners and the general public to provide input during the Master Plan Re-Examination process.

Mayor Nadrowski called for improving “how Bayonne’s streetscapes look and feel – whether that’s on Broadway, or Avenue C, or along some of the City’s other main thoroughfares.”  She cited “clean sidewalks, attractive streetscapes, reliable infrastructure, and well-maintained public spaces” as factors that “influence whether someone chooses to shop, dine, or invest in Bayonne.”  Mayor Nadrowski said to the business representatives, “We need to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for your patrons.”

The mayor promised to explore using funds from Bayonne’s Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) and the Broadway Special Improvement District (SID) to improve “the feel of our commercial centers without burdening local property taxpayers.”  She stated, “I’m committed to measurable progress in these areas, because the public demands it, and the business community needs it.”

In conclusion, Mayor Nadrowski said, “Bayonne’s future depends on a strong partnership between City Hall and the business community. My administration is committed to being accessible, collaborative, and responsive, and I look forward to working with all of you to make Bayonne an even better place to live, work, and invest.”

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HRH, Mayor Nadrowski Celebrate Grand Opening of New Sleep Center at Bayonne University Hospital

Hudson Regional Health leadership, Bayonne Mayor Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski, Bayonne City Councilmembers, and members of the Bayonne community celebrating the grand opening of Bayonne University Hospital’s new Sleep Center

Additional photos and brief video of ribbon cutting available here via Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1To2jaxZ9LBwkbg73SluAtu-SC6fynklC?usp=drive_link

Today, Hudson Regional Health was joined by Bayonne Mayor Sharon-Ashe Nadrowski and members of the Bayonne City Council to celebrate the grand opening of Bayonne University Hospital’s new Sleep Center. The brand-new service line will expand access to comprehensive sleep diagnostic and treatment services for residents in Bayonne and throughout Hudson County with state-of-the-art, advanced sleep testing technology, and board-certified sleep medicine physicians and sleep technicians.

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Mayor Ashe-Nadrowski Pledges New Master Plan and Ordinance Against Data Centers

        A New Mayor: Mayor Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski takes the oath of office.  Pictured left to right:  Charlie Nadrowski (the mayor’s son) and Mayor Ashe-Nadrowski.

After being sworn into office on July 1, Mayor Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski said in her inaugural address that her mayoralty would bring “a new beginning, a fresh start, and a chance to make things right.”  Speaking in the swearing-in ceremony at Bayonne High School, Mayor Ashe-Nadrowski said that becoming the first female mayor “was not about me.”  Rather, she said, it is “about the future of Bayonne.” 

        Mayor Ashe-Nadrowski decried what she called “out-of-control development” and changes in the character of Bayonne’s neighborhoods.  In response to those trends, she pledged to begin a new master plan process to develop new zoning for Bayonne “with extensive public participation.”   Mayor Ashe-Nadrowski said that decisions should be made by “the people who live here” and not by “special interests.”  She called for a new master plan that would reflect “the wants, needs, and values of our community.”  In the coming weeks, she pledged to sponsor a new ordinance that would prohibit data centers in Bayonne.

        Mayor Ashe-Nadrowski promised improved litter removal and street maintenance, and asked for the public’s cooperation in achieving cleaner streets.  “All must do their part,” she said.  The new mayor said the City Administration plans to restore the enforcement of property maintenance codes.  Mayor Ashe-Nadrowski advocated having a city that “looks and feels cared for.” 

        The mayor called for “transparency and accountability” and for government that “listens and takes action.”

        The five City Council Members were also sworn into office.  Each one made brief remarks at the ceremony.

        First Ward Council Member Gene Perry thanked his mother for raising him with good values.  He thanked family members for coming to the event from New York and Virginia.

        Second Ward Council Member Melissa Godesky-Rodriguez thanked people for believing in her.  She expressed gratitude to her husband and son.  She called for “building a community where every child has an opportunity to thrive.”

        Third Ward Council Member Tommy Gillen expressed his feeling that, “Everyone present means the world to me.” He said that he was “honored and humbled” by his election to office.  Council Member Gillen added, “I hear you and I’m ready to serve.”

        Council Member At-Large Mariam Salama thanked her family, friends, and pastor.  She said that she was “ready to serve the city the way it deserves to be served.” 

        Council Member At-Large Mark Bottino said that he was “overwhelmed” by his election, and that he was “so glad that my whole team got here.”  In four years, he promised, Bayonne would be “a better town.”

        During the inaugural ceremony, the new City Council held its first meeting.  In that session, the Council Members elected Melissa Godesky-Rodriguez the new City Council President.  They approved Mayor Ashe-Nadrowski’s nominations of Andrew Casais for Business Administrator, James Ashe for Public Safety Director, J.P. Egan for Municipal Services Director, and Alicia Losonczy for Acting Director of Planning, Zoning, and Development.  The Council also voted to approve four nominations for members of the Planning Board: Steve Rhodes, Michael O’Connor, Brian Beebe, and Council Member Mariam Salama. 

        The Council Members voted to move the next City Council caucus from July 8 to July 15 at 6:00 p.m. They also voted to reschedule the next City Council meeting from July 15 to July 22 at 6:00 p.m.

        At the ceremony, City Clerk Madelene Medina administered the oaths of office to Mayor Ashe-Nadrowski and the City Council Members. Clerk Medina also presented each of them with certificates of election.

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Bayonne Police Department Holds Ceremony for Six New Officers

    Ceremony for new police officers: At their swearing-in ceremony, six new police officers posed with the department’s leadership.  Pictured left to right:  Mayor and Public Safety Director Kubert, Officer Justin Walker, Officer Roberto Bernardo, Officer Beshoy Nasrallah, Officer Nicholas Cerbone, Officer Anthony Lucia, Officer Xavier Hogan, Deputy Chief Drew Quinn, and Chief Joseph Scerbo.

The Bayonne Police Department held a swearing-in ceremony for six new police officers in the City Council Chambers.  The new officers are Xavier Hogan, Anthony Lucia, Nicholas Cerbone, Justin Walker, Beshoy Nasrallah, and Roberto Bernardo.  City Clerk Madelene Medina administered the oath of office to the group. 

            Mayor and Public Safety Director Robert Kubert congratulated the new officers on completing their six months of training at the police academy.  He advised them that they would be learning now from practice on the street “day in and day out.”  Mayor Kubert pointed out that they would be making sacrifices by working on holidays and night shifts.  He promised them that each day would bring opportunities “to help people.”  At the same time, he called being a police officer “a challenging position.”  After calling the Bayonne Police Department “a very service-oriented organization,” Mayor Kubert said that people reach out to the Police Department and the Fire Department, “which are called out to solve their problems.”

Police Chief Joseph Scerbo said it was “a great day” for the Police Department and the citizens of Bayonne.  He told the new recruits that “honor, service, and duty” are “the core values” of the Bayonne Police Department.  He stated that community policing is a “key component” of the department.”  He promised the new officers “to lead  from the front, and to always have your back – as long as you are doing the right thing.” Chief Scerbo called on the new officers to embody integrity.  He said his goal is “to return them home safe.”

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Bayonne:  Apraxia Awareness Proclamation

Bayonne Proclamation for Apraxia Awareness: Mayor Robert Kubert issued a proclamation for Apraxia Awareness. The goal of the proclamation is to increase the public’s knowledge about childhood apraxia of speech, an extremely challenging speech disorder that affects one in 1,000 children. This condition causes children to have significant difficulty learning to speak and is among the most severe speech deficits in children. Those with apraxia require early, appropriate, and intensive speech therapy. Public awareness about childhood apraxia of speech is essential for families of children with this neurological disorder and the professionals who support them to achieve the needed service for those learning to use their own voice.  Pictured left to right: Adonis Martinez, Ethan Martinez, Kirsy Ulloa, Alanna Martinez, Superintendent of Recreation Pete Amadeo, and Mayor Robert Kubert. 

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SPECIAL NOTICE: NEW DATE Bayonne Food Truck Festival is Moving to Sunday, May 10th Due to Predictions of Rainy Weather on Saturday, May 9th, 2026

Mayor Robert Kubert announced that Bayonne is moving its seventh food truck festival from Saturday, May 9, to Sunday, May 10, due to forecasts of rainy weather on Saturday. The event will take place on Sunday from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m.  Mayor Kubert said, “On Sunday, May 10, we look forward to welcoming both Bayonne residents and neighbors from other communities as we bring the food trucks to our city in 2026.  The food truck festival will provide the opportunity to enjoy a variety of cuisines in our great community.” Mayor Kubert continued, “The City of Bayonne encourages visitors to arrive by Light Rail at the 22nd Street Station.  It will be a convenient way to visit the festival and enjoy spending time with us in Bayonne.”

The food truck festival is sponsored by the Bayonne Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ).  Bayonne UEZ Coordinator Jackie Farber said, “I would like to encourage our metropolitan area neighbors to come to town, support our local businesses, and enjoy the food truck festival.  We hope you will come back to Bayonne again to shop, dine, and enjoy our growing community.”

The festival will take place on Avenue E between 22nd and 24th Streets.  In order to accommodate the festival, portions of Avenue E will be closed to traffic.   A variety of vendors will be selling food and other items out of food trucks, tents, and tables. The trucks and tents will offer a great assortment of foods and other items from a variety of cultures.

The participating food vendors will includes: Mozzarepas, Little Sicilian, Athens Delite, Chavas, Taste of Poland, House of Cupcakes, Cold Stone Creamery, Angry Archies, Bacon On A Stick, El Gallo de Oro, Shrimp Shack, Crape Suzette, El Chilango, Noodle Wala, The Nugget Spot, Mozzarella God, Stuf’d, Twisted Steak LLC, Waffles and Dinges, Just Delicious Kettlecorn, Carnival Concessions, Brooklyn Pizza , Jersey John’s House of Dogs, Rhythm & Ribs, Torta Truck, Mac Truck, Little Cafee, T-Berks , Ma & Pa’s Tex Mex BBQ , and Going Bananas. Other participating businesses will include UEZ Union Grounds Coffee House.

In addition to the food trucks and tents, the event will include children’s rides, live music, and a beer and wine garden for the adults.  The children’s rides will be in Sister Miriam Teresa Park, which is located on Gregg Lane between 23rd and 24th Streets.  The beer and wine garden will be located on 23rd Street towards Gregg Lane.  There will be an ID card check for anyone purchasing alcoholic drinks.  Those drinks may not be carried outside of the festival area.

Two bands will entertain visitors to the festival. The musical entertainment will feature concerts by Anna Felice Band, 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., and Who Brought the Dog, 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. A stage for performances will be set up at 23rd Street and Avenue E. 

Admission to the festival is free.  Members of the public will purchase their own choices of food, beverages, and children’s rides. 

For safety reasons, several “Road Closed,” “Local Traffic Only,” and “No Parking” signs will be posted in and around the affected portions of the Avenue E corridor.  Variable message signs will also be used to announce information to motorists.  Police and Fire Department vehicles will assist in creating safety perimeters for the event.  Set-up for the event will begin at 7:00 a.m.

Parking lots will be available in several locations:  Lots 6 and 7 – 23rd Street and Church Lane; Lots 8 and 9 – East 26th Street between Broadway and Avenue E; and the Barnabas Medical Center parking deck at 24th Street and DelMonte Drive.  Public metered parking will also be available along the Broadway corridor.  Pay station and parking meter enforcement will be in effect.

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Ground-Breaking Ceremony Takes Place at Russell Golding Park in Bayonne

Ground-Breaking Ceremony at Russell Golding Park in Bayonne: The City of Bayonne held a ground-breaking ceremony for the renovations at Russell Golding Park on Avenue E.  Public officials and representatives of Picerno-Giordano Construction (the building contractor) and Center State Engineering took- part in the ceremony. Pictured from left to right: Public Works Director Tom Cotter, Contractor Rich Giordano (Picerno-Giordano Construction), Engineer Rob Russo (Center State Engineering), Mayor Robert Kubert, First Ward Council Member Neil Carroll, City Council President and Third Ward Council Member Gary LaPelusa, Council Member At-Large Loyad Booker, Congressman Rob Menendez, State Assemblyman Will Sampson, Maureen Hurley Brown (Principal, Climate and Culture, Bayonne Board of Education), Council Member At-Large Juan Perez, Samuel Schroeder (Chief of Land Acquisition and Design and  City Planner Suzanne Mack

On May 4, the City of Bayonne held a ground-breaking ceremony at Russell Golding Park, which is located on Avenue E between 48th and 51st Streets.  According to Public Works Director Tom Cotter, the nearly one-acre-sized park is having “a total renovation.”  A combination of federal and county funds is behind this $5.75 million park reconstruction.  The project received $5 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and $750,000 from the Hudson County Open Space Fund.

            At the ceremony, City Council President and Third Ward Council Member Gary LaPelusa said it was “a great day in the City of Bayonne.”  He noted that the renovated park will feature new playgrounds, basketball courts, pickleball courts, and other features that will enhance the northern gateway to Bayonne.  Council President LaPelusa thanked Congressman Rob Menendez for supporting the federal funds for the park project. 

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Early Voting for Bayonne’s 2026 Municipal Election Set for May 8, 9, and 10

May 12 Bayonne Municipal Election for Mayor

            City Clerk Madelene Medina announced that early voting for Bayonne’s May 12 Municipal Election will take place on the following dates and times in the Council Chambers at City Hall and at the Bayonne Community Museum:

Friday, May 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

City Hall is located at 630 Avenue C, between 27th and 28th Streets. The Bayonne Community Museum is located at 229 Broadway at the corner of 9th Street. Designated, short-term parking spaces for voters will be established in front of City Hall and the Bayonne Community Museum on May 8, 9, and 10. The Council Chambers are located inside City Hall on the ground floor of the building, immediately inside the main glass door entrance to the building.  Voting will take place in the Community Museum on the ground level of the building.  Handicapped parking and a handicapped ramp are available at the rear of the Community Museum.

The offices up for election in the Bayonne 2026 Municipal Election are Mayor (vote for one), Council Members At-Large (vote for two), and Council Member for each ward (vote for one in either the First Ward, the Second Ward, or the Third Ward), depending on your place of residence.  Voters from throughout the city will be allowed to participate in the early voting at City Hall and at the Bayonne Community Museum.  Votes cast in the early voting period will be counted with those cast in the voter’s ward of residence on Election Day. 

            Only those who are registered to vote in the City of Bayonne may participate in the early voting program for the Bayonne Municipal Election.  Anyone who votes early on May 8, 9, or 10 will not be allowed to vote on Election Day, which is Tuesday, May 12, because they will have voted already.

            The early voting process will be administered by City Clerk Medina and her staff.  

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Bayonne Fire Museum to Hold Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Start of Regular Hours

Cheif John T. Brennan Fire Museum

            The Chief John T. Brennan Fire Museum announced that it will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 30, at 4:30 p.m. The event will mark the start of regular hours for the museum, which will be open on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The museum is located at 10 West 47th Street.  Regular Saturday hours will start effective May 2. 

            The museum building was constructed in 1875 as the first firehouse built in the City of Bayonne.  At the time of its completion, the firehouse was known as Bayonne Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, and it housed a volunteer fire company.  It was a hand-drawn truck company was located on what was known then as Northview Avenue.   The address was changed to 47th Street in 1888 when Bayonne standardized a system of numbered side streets. 

            Originally, the firehouse had just one floor.  A second story was added in 1884, so that the building could accommodate new, horse-drawn fire trucks.  In 1906, Bayonne switched from volunteer fire companies to a paid fire department.  The paid firefighters continued using the firehouse until 1928.  After that, for several decades, the Association of Exempt Firemen held their meetings in the building. 

            In 1974, Mrs. Geni Brown, the sister of Fire Captain Edward Kaminski, suggested to Fire Chief John T. Brennan that the City of Bayonne apply to have the firehouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  In 1976, the firehouse received a place on the National Register with the support of Mayor Dennis P. Collins and Community Development Director Joseph Pulaski. 

            On October 15, 1979, the firehouse was dedicated as the Bayonne Firefighters’ Museum.  “Fireman Pete” Gwiazdowski was the museum’s first curator.  On May 19, 1988, the building was rededicated as the Chief John T. Brennan Fire Museum, to honor retired Fire Chief Brennan who led the Fire Department from 1960 until he retired in March 1988. 

            The fire museum includes the state’s oldest hand-drawn hose carriage and a hand-drawn hand pumper.  The museum also includes several original oil paintings of Chief Officers of the New York City Fire Department.  Firefighter artifacts include antique fire trumpets, fire helmets, badges, and numerous other items. 

            The fire museum will offer private tours by appointment only.  Members of the public can contact the museum by email at bfdmuseum@gmail.com or by phone at 201-725-1683.