Freeholders Reach Agreement With WNY on Traffic Signals, Plus Other Contracts

The Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, soon to be officially known as the Hudson County Board of Legislators, has approved a traffic control signal, shared maintenance agreement with the Town of West New York.  The agreement is for $110,000.

The county will ensure that the traffic signals are in accordance with the New Jersey Department of Transportation standards to protect the traveling public and pedestrians.

The county may provide maintenance, repair, and in some instances, replacement services in an efficient and economically beneficial manner.

Freeholder Chairman Anthony Vainieri and Freeholder Caridad Rodriguez took this action because they want to providing the necessary resources needed to improve roads for the traveling public in West New York.

The Freeholders have also approved an Educational Services Contract with “We Are One New Jersey INC” for $278,777.  The New Jersey Department of Family Services had identified the need for an educational program to connect immigrant populations and working families with comprehensive, civic and educational services.  The program will also obtain wage and hour advocacy, job skills training and citizenship information in a culturally sensitive environment. .

The program will run from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Freeholder Board approved an additional $10,800 for the Hudson County Hunger Project- Fork Hill Kitchen to provide home delivered meals to the senior residents of Hudson County.

The Hudson County Hunger Project has provided more than 10,629 meals to 303 senior citizens and individuals with disabilities throughout the county.

The Hudson County Hunger Project has also partnered with the following local restaurants: El Gordo, Made Meals, The Cliff, Freetown Road, Donor Xpress, Hudson Table, Café Peanut and Square One. These restaurants will be prepared to meet the increased demand for food by providing meals to the senior and disabled populations of Hudson County.

Finally, the Freeholders have accepted $184,800 in grant funding from the New Jersey Department of Labor Workforce Development for the Summer Youth Employment Program.The term for this grant, which began May 1, runs through this coming October 30.    

The purpose of the grant fund is to assist the Summer Youth Employment Program with In-School and Out of School youth and young adults, ages 16 through 24, with valuable internships.  This will help them to successfully transition to the world of work.  Freeholders Bill O’Dea and Jerry Walker were instrumental in getting the funding.     

They said, “the Freeholders are committed to providing the necessary resources for work-based learning.  This is an instructional strategy that prepares youth for post-secondary learning and workplace skills.”