Residents Question DPW Investigation

by Stephen Lamarca- Hudson Reporter

At Wednesday’s North Bergen Board of Commissioners meeting, residents asked  about a recent state Attorney General’s Office investigation into the Department  of Public Works.
The state executed a search warrant Thursday, Feb. 23 at  the town’s Department of Public Works offices on Tonnelle Avenue. The  investigation concerns DPW Director Jim Wiley, a town source  said.
Politickernj.com reported that the subpoenas concern an official  allegedly ordering town workers to perform work on his house while on township  time.
During the public portion of the meeting, North Bergen resident and  attorney Mario Blanch – who has represented several clients critical of the town  administration – asked town officials if they would be conducting their own  investigation of Wiley.
“The township is cooperating completely with the  Attorney General’s Office,” said Herb Klitzner, township attorney. “The fact  that it’s an active investigation makes it inappropriate to comment  further.”
Blanch represented the “Citizens for Change” mayor/commissioner  ticket in their unsuccessful election bid against Mayor Nicholas Sacco’s team  last May. He also represents the North Bergen Concerned Citizens Group, which is  often critical of Sacco’s administration, and former town employee Lydia  Coleman, who filed a state ethics complaint against Sacco in  December.
Residents make inquiries
Blanch also asked if the  town has taken any formal action against Wiley.
“There’s a big difference  between [an] investigation and charges,” said Klitzner, adding that the  investigation is still pending and charges have yet to be filed.
Blanch  said, “I’m going to request that Mr. Wiley be suspended until the investigation  is complete by the attorney general.”
Then, resident and frequent meeting  attendee Herb Shaw questioned Klitzner about whether Wiley was still being  paid.
“He is an employee at the DPW,” said Klitzner, adding that he would  not further comment during an active investigation.
Shaw later charged  that the town had stolen two of his garbage barrels. Klitzner said that the town  would look into the matter.
“Notify the attorney general,” said Shaw,  jokingly.
Town Spokesman Phil Swibinski later said that Wiley has not  been suspended.
“Mr Wiley has not been charged with any crime at this  point and is entitled to a presumption of innocence,” said Swibinski.
A  call to Wiley’s office at the DPW was not returned.

Morning  meetings
During the meeting, Blanch also complained about the town’s  11 a.m. commissioner meetings, which he feels unjustly exclude the public. Board  of Commissioner meetings are typically held bi-monthly and alternate between  morning and night meetings.
Swibinski wrote an e-mail to the Reporter explaining the town’s reasoning for the meeting  times.
“The township does this in order to accommodate different work  schedules and give all residents a chance to attend commission meetings if they  want to,” said Swibinski. “Not everyone works a traditional 9-5 job, and holding  some meetings during the day gives people who work nights or odd hours a chance  to attend.”
New bus system additions
Three resolutions were  passed during the meeting announcing plans to expand upon the New Jersey Transit  bus system stops.
A resolution was passed adding a stop at 59th Street  along West Side Avenue. Another resolution was passed regarding the planned  placement of two bus shelters on Tonnelle Avenue and 74th Street and Kennedy  Boulevard and 46th street.
Other meeting matters
-A  resolution was passed authorizing an application for a state Green Acres loan or  grant of $927,742 for a waterfront park in progress, a shared project between  North Bergen and Guttenberg. The park is expected to be completed in  fall.
-A contract was awarded to Greenleaf Landscape System of Eatontown  in the amount of $39,640 for lawn esrvice and chemical fertilization for the  town’s parks.
-A resolution was passed acknowledging an agreement between  North Bergen and the AvalonBay residential complex, which is currently being  constructed on Kennedy Boulevard. The town will install a satellite  communication dish antenna on the roof of the development to improve radio  communications.
-An additional resolution was passed awarding a contract  to Everbridge, Inc. of Glendale, Calif. in the amount of $20,495 for an  emergency notification system for residents.
-An ordinance was adopted  establishing a handicapped parking space on 85th street.
-A promotion  ceremony for the North Bergen Police Department was held after the meeting.  Bronson Jusino and David Dowd, both members of the Detective Bureau, were  promoted from detective to sergeant. John Stahl, Anthony Caramucci, Jorge  Sestan-Raposo, and Otoniel Cruz were promoted from officer to sergeant.
Read more:  Hudson Reporter - Residents question DPW investigation Also at commissioners’ meeting New bus stops police promotions