Tag Archives: City of Bayonne

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Bayonne 5th Annual Chili -Cookoff February 23rd, 2024

The Bayonne Chamber of Commerce is partnering with The City of Bayonne and The Bayonne Urban Enterprise Zone (BUEZ) in hosting the much-anticipated 2024 CHILI-COOK OFF!
This is their 5th Chili-Cook Off and without a doubt, the most fun you’ll have this winter!  It’s a night of music,with the Jalapeno’ Trio, also mingling, dancing, laughter and tons of great food!
The public’s support is vital to the success of this event and will ultimately help enable the Chamber of Commerce to bring programs and resources to the business community of Bayonne.

The Jalapeno’ Trio

CHILI COOK-OFF
CONTESTANT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Set-up must be complete and ready to serve by 5:30 P.M.
Teardown and cleanup must be completed by 9:45 P.M.
 

  • This is a ticketed event, open to the public. It is FREE for contestants in the tasting competition!
  • This is a fun cook-off and there are no rules for the definition of “Chili” and its contents.  Anything goes!
  • You must maintain a core cooking temperature of 155 degrees and serving temperature of 135 degrees.
  • Any known, common allergens used in preparation must be noted (i.e. seafood or nuts)
  •  You must provide your own thermometer which will be checked throughout the evening.
  • Gloves must be worn by your team members and multiple serving utensils used to prevent cross contamination. All equipment, food, and supplies stored must be at least 6 inches off the floor.
  • USDA approved sources of meat required and no more than 4 team members. Each contestant must provide a minimum 5 GALLONS of chili (250 people are expected).
  • Please label the spice factor of your chili, i.e. Mild, Medium, Hot, or Atomic.
  • Your chili must be made prior to the event at a legal, commercial kitchen, establishment, or restaurant that day. No home cooking whatsoever, or you will be disqualified.  
  • Contestants are also responsible for supplying warming dishes, utensils, foods, spices, table decorations, etc. Electricity will not be available for crock-pots. A restaurant size table will be provided for each contestant to represent & serve their chili.
  • Themes, costumes, and decorations are encouraged. An award for Best Dressed Table Display!
  • Judging will take place by Culinary Expert(s). The provider of the best tasting chili, as determined by the judge(s), will be awarded first, second, and third prizes and FREE publicity, along with bragging rights!
  • As a trade-off for your efforts and delicious chili, the organizers will promote the event, along with each participating contestant via social and traditional media outlets.

 
To be a contestant, please send an email to [email protected], or call 551-263-7503. A member of our committee will gladly assist you with your application.
It is FREE to sign up! DEADLINE to submit applications is February 17th.  SPACE IS LIMITED!
 

Date/Time
February 23, 2024
6:00 pm – 10:00pm

Fees/Admission

$40.00 per person
Please register online at www.bayonnechamber.org

Bayonne News, Bayonne Observer insidebayonne.com

Bayonne to Hold Health Fair on Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Rain Date is Thursday, October 5

            Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the City of Bayonne will hold a health fair on Wednesday, October 4, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., in Fitzpatrick Park, which is located on Avenue C, between 26th and 27th Streets. 

            The fair will offer Bayonne residents the opportunity to receive health screenings, health information, and other services.

            Participating organizations include healthcare-related organizations, public agencies, and non-profit services.  Up to thirty groups are expected to participate. Participation is subject to municipal approval.

Mayor Davis said, “The 2023 health fair will provide our residents with a great opportunity to receive health services and information in one convenient location.  This will be the first municipal health fair in Bayonne since 2019.  The event did not take place during the Coronavirus pandemic. The City of Bayonne is very happy to bring back this important health fair for our residents.”  

In the event of rain on Wednesday, October 4, the health fair will take place on Thursday, October 5, at the same hours and location.

Mayor Davis concluded, “I would like to thank the Bayonne Health Division, our Clinic Nurses, and all of the participating organizations, agencies, and services for coming together for this event.  I urge Bayonne residents to drop by the health fair and take advantage of this great opportunity to improve your health.”

For more information, please call the Health Division Clinic Nurses at 201-858-6140 or 201-858-6139.

Bayonne News, Bayonne Observer insidebayonne.com

Renovations Are Progressing at the Bayonne Public Library

Melody Scagnelli-Townley, Interim Director of the Bayonne Public Library, has issued an update concerning the multiple renovations that have been taking place this year in the library building at 31st Street and Avenue C. 

The library’s old boiler system has been dismantled and removed.  Scagnelli-Townley reported that the new boiler “is halfway through installation.”  The mechanicals and the cab have been removed from the library’s public elevator. Scagnelli-Townley reported that “the new elevator cab will be installed soon.”

The library’s main lobby (Circulation) and the dais, where new books were displayed, “were taken down to the studs,” Scagnelli-Townley said.  A new handicap-accessible ramp has been built to the dais. To accommodate the new ramp, the entrance from Circulation to the Popular Fiction Room was relocated.  The Circulation area has been moved to the center of the lobby.   A brand-new Circulation Desk, which incorporates a circulation desk from the 1950’s, is being custom-built.  Scagnelli-Townley stated, “Brand new tile flooring for the whole lobby is coming soon.” 

The Interim Director reported that the library’s Children’s Room “was taken down to the studs.”  She added, “Now, new lighting and a new ceiling have been installed.  A brand-new Story Time area with stadium seating and special lighting is starting to take shape.”

Workers have drilled holes through the floor of the Reference Room in preparation for “new, wired charging study tables and new computer carrels.”  Scagnelli-Townley said that the library staff is still waiting for “the arrival of brand-new, ADA-compliant furniture for the lobby, the Reference Room, and the Children’s Room.”  (ADA refers to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal law that provides for facilities that are compatible with the needs of handicapped people.)

Scagnelli-Townley commented, “So many exciting things are happening! Naturally, such big changes take time.  We are currently anticipating that we will be open to the public at our 31st Street building by the end of November.”  She continued, “To be sure, re-opening the library will depend on making steady progress for the next two months.  We will not announce a specific date for re-opening the library until we are certain that the time is right.”

She continued, “Until such time, we will continue to be available for you at our temporary Story Court branch (16 West 4th Street), where you can access many of the same features you love at our 31st Street building: computers, printing, copying, study space, device charging, and book-borrowing and returns.”

Scagnelli-Townley concluded, “Great things are coming!”

Bayonne News, Bayonne Observer insidebayonne.com

Murphy Administration Awards Bayonne $133,677 State Recycling Grant

City of Bayonne Logo

            The Murphy Administration is awarding nearly $16.2 million in grants to communities across the state to help them enhance waste reduction and recycling programs, the same amount as the previous year’s total, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced. The DEP is awarding Bayonne a recycling grant of $133,677, up from $115,257 in 2022.  Mayor Jimmy Davis said, “I would like to thank the residents and businesses in Bayonne for taking part in our recycling programs.  Their support for recycling helped generate this grant.”  Mayor Davis continued, “I would also like to thank Public Works Director Tom Cotter and Recycling Coordinator Mike Tassone for providing successful leadership of our recycling programs.  Their steady efforts have led to this 2023 state grant that will help maintain Bayonne’s recycling and waste collection efforts.”

            The Bayonne Department of Public Works will use the state grant to support its waste management and recycling programs.   The specific uses of the grant will be announced at a later date.

            The annual awards are based on 2020 recycling performance, the most recent year for which data is available.  Municipalities must use their funds for various recycling initiatives.  These may include sponsoring household hazardous waste collection events, providing recycling receptacles in public places, or maintaining leaf composting operations.

            Commissioner LaTourette said, “New Jersey has long set a national example for recycling, starting with being the first state to enact a recycling law in 1987.”  He continued, “This annual grant program provides incentive for communities to strengthen their municipal recycling initiatives, encourage children and adults to keep our environment clean, and provide assistance in helping to reduce the local tax burden while also improving quality of life.” The grants are awarded through the state’s Recycling Enhancement Act and are funded through a $3 per-ton surcharge on trash disposed statewide at solid waste facilities.  As required under the Recycling Enhancement Act, the DEP returns 60% of that money to municipalities based on how much recycling each community reports accomplishing during the calendar year.  The remaining funds are divided, with 30% going to counties, 5% to colleges and universities, and 5% for administrative costs.

            According to the DEP, “For calendar year 2020, New Jersey generated 20,997,099 tons of solid waste, which represents disposal (9,474,871 tons) and recycling (11,522,228 tons) reported by municipalities and, in limited instances, counties.”  The DEP continued, “The overall tonnage of materials reported as recycled and as disposed both decreased slightly in 2020 from 2019, leading to a slight decrease in the overall recycling rate, to 55% in 2020 from 56% in 2019. Solid waste includes municipal waste plus construction debris and other types of non-municipal waste.”

General

Bayonne, Time to Renew Pet and Various Business Licenses

Bayonne Renew Pet Licenses

          The City of Bayonne reminds pet owners and various business license holders that Tuesday, January 31, 2023, is the legal deadline for license renewal. 

          Business licenses due for renewal cover pet shops; laundromats; dry cleaners; food-dispensing trucks; mobile food dealers; vending machines; bar/grill businesses; restaurants; bakeries; pre-packaged food stores; fast food establishments; delicatessens; grocery stores; confectionary shops; fish/chicken/meat/produce markets; other food establishments; and certain other businesses specified by law.  These licenses are issued by the Health Division of the Department of Municipal Services.  Businesses seeking licenses must file complete applications. Current license holders have received renewal mailings.

Under New Jersey law, dogs and cats that receive municipal licenses are required to be immunized against rabies by licensed veterinarians.  These pet licenses are issued by the City Clerk’s Office.  Pet owners have received license reminder mailings.  If the animal’s rabies vaccine expires before November 1, 2023, the animal needs a new rabies shot, in order to receive a new license.  The animal’s most recent rabies vaccine must be good through at least November 1, 2023.

          After Tuesday, January 31, 2023, the City Clerk’s Office will assess late fees of $5 per pet, and the Health Division will assess late fees of $50 per business.

Anyone with questions about a pet license should call the City Clerk’s Office at 201-858-6029.  For questions about various business licenses, call the Health Division at 201-858-6355.

General

Covid-19 in Bayonne? important information you should know

Being vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from serious illness, hospitalization, or death in the event you contract the Coronavirus.  There are 30 Bayonne residents currently admitted to Bayonne Medical Center with Covid-19.

How Can I be Vaccinated?

Anyone over the age of 5 (Pfizer) or 18 (Moderna, J&J) is now eligible to be vaccinated.  Please go to the Korpi Ice Rink (behind BHS) to receive your vaccine. Moderna will be given on Mondays (9am-4pm) and Wednesdays (11am-7pm) for adults over 18.  Pfizer will be given on Tuesdays (9am – 5pm) and Thursdays (11am -7pm) for anyone over the age of 5. First, Second, Third/Booster shots are available to all on these days. No appointment is needed.

Covid-19 Testing?

The City of Bayonne is offering PCR testing at the Bayonne Museum at 229 Broadway.  This testing will be done on Tuesdays (11am – 7pm), Thursdays (11am – 7pm) and Sundays (9am – 3pm).  You must schedule an appointment by going to: https://www.solvhealth.com/book-online/0rwaOA

We are also performing RAPID Testing at the Mt. Carmel Parish Center 9am to 5pm.   Rapid Testing is here Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm daily.  Beginning Monday 1/24, testing will move to the Masonic Lodge 888 Ave C.  You must schedule an appointment by calling 201-537-4818 or by going to: https://www.bespokehealthco.com/schedule-testing-appointment

RAPID TEST POSITIVITY RATE THIS WEEK – 8.1%

RAPID TEST POSITIVITY RATE LAST WEEK – 10.75%

General

State Awards Bayonne $100,000 for City Pool Improvements

          Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has awarded the City of Bayonne a recreation improvement grant of $100,000.  Mayor Davis said, “The City of Bayonne would like to thank Governor Murphy, Lt. Governor Oliver, and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for this generous grant.  The funding will be used to upgrade the DiDomenico Municipal Pool facility.”

The pool is located on West 16th Street between Avenue A and Newark Bay in DiDomenico-16th Street Park.  The original version of the facility was constructed in 1956 under the leadership of former Mayor G. Thomas DiDomenico, after whom the pool and the surrounding park are named.

          The grant to Bayonne, one of 162 announced by the Department of Community Affairs, is a Local Recreation Improvement Grant.  Counties, municipalities, and school districts were all eligible to apply for these grants, which are competitive.  DCA awarded a total of $10 million of funding in this round of grants.  Parks, recreation centers, and stadiums are among the facilities that will benefit across New Jersey. 

Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner, said, “DCA is proud to assist local governments in repairing and upgrading their parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities into spaces that promote people’s physical and mental well-being.”  Lt. Oliver continued, “A big part of what makes a community healthy and vibrant is giving residents the opportunity to take a walk, play a game, and participate in sports and other activities with friends and neighbors in a safe and accessible place.”

Jacquelyn Suarez, the Director of the New Jersey Division of Local Services, said, “The Division of local Government Services developed this program, in part, to provide quality outdoor recreational space for the residents of underserved communities.”  She continued, “This need has been especially heightened over the last couple of years as people searched for outdoor spaces to help alleviate the significant stress and anxiety brought on by the pandemic.”