Awards and Praise Abundant at Verona Council Meeting

Before the business of the Verona governing body began, it was time to award the winning efforts of the Verona elementary school kids.

The Verona Environmental Commission held its annual poster contest based on the theme, "Idle Free Verona," emphasizing the importance of not idling your car while waiting to drop off or pick up your children from school. This is the third consecutive year for the VEC’s poster contest.

The 2011 contest winners are: Sara Sexton (F. N. Brown School), Jackson Seawright (Brookdale Ave. School), Maya Golebieski (Forest Ave. School) and Geena Klinger (Laning Ave. School).

This year, 130 posters were created at the four elementary schools. All posters were exhibited at the schools and at the Verona Public Library. The four winners received $50 and a framed certificate signed by the mayor.

In the Manager’s Report, Township Manager, Joseph Martin was pleased to report on the quick recovery from the October snowstorm. “Although the storm might prove to be the most damaging and costly storm in the history of the Township, the recovery was quick and efficient thanks to the prior planning by all the departments involved. It may not have been apparent at first, but we received more than the lion’s share of attention from PSE&G, in addition to the Township’s services.”

Jeff Hayes, Director of the Verona Office of Emergency Management commented on the responsibility of the OEM. “It is to ‘improve the outcome of a disaster’ and with the cooperation and dedication of our Township emergency services, recovery began before the arrival of the storm. By the end of Saturday’s storm, many of our employees, after performing their duties to lessen the impact of the storm, had to return to their cold homes that were without power and heat. Thanks to our relationship with PSE&G, Verona recovered much faster than many of our neighboring municipalities.”

Similar praises were echoed by the Mayor and Council Members.

Police Captain Mitchell Stern reported that during the storm and its aftermath, more than 600 calls came in to notify the department of potentially dangerous situations regarding falling tree limbs and wires. More than 500 of the calls resulted in the identification of issues requiring attention.

Of special importance was the Police Captain’s emphasis of the new NIXLE notification system. Similar to a reverse 911 system, the NIXLE provides emergency alerts, important advisories, community updates, and traffic information that residents can receive for up-to-date information impacting areas nearby. Once residents register for this free program, they can receive notifications by cell phone, e-mail and on the web. Go to NIXLE, at http://www.nixle.com/about.html to learn more.

Mayor Frank Sapienza announced the details of Veteran’s Day Ceremony to take place on the steps of the Municipal Building this week. The proceedings will take place on Friday, Veteran’s Day, 11-11-11 at 11 AM. All residents are invited and any Veterans who wish to take part may contact Sue Neale at sneale@veronanj.org or call 973-857-4770.

Two ordinances were introduced, with a second reading and public hearing scheduled for Nov.21. The first was a bond ordinance, appropriating $175,000 for the reconstruction of Church St. The total costs will be reimbursed by a Community Development Block Grant, thereby eliminating any cost to Township residents.

The second ordinance concerned the amending of the Township code, regarding the new access road nearing completion, connecting the Centennial and Veteran’s field’s parking lots with White Rock Road. It involves the traffic direction and flow to White Rock Rd.

The next Verona Township Council Meeting will take place on November 21 at 7 PM in the second floor Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.