UPDATED: Inoperable Bayonne Fire Hydrants: 3rd Ward Council Candidate Franco Says It Appears SUEZ “Is Listening”

“I look forward to Suez’s confirmation that the fire hydrants will be used to help replace the up to 30 fire hydrants that, according to the Bayonne Fire Chief, are broken throughout Bayonne at any given point in time. It’s important for the people of Bayonne not only to understand the timeline for installation of these new fire hydrants, but also to understand the ongoing process to ensure that all future malfunctioning fire hydrants will be quickly replaced.”

                                                                                                                         Franco’s video, which can be seen here https://fb.watch/cz2W5eJACi/, has over 3,200 views on Facebook and has created quite the discussion on social media.

In 2018, a four-alarm fire claimed the life of a young Bayonne resident. A tort claim notice filed by the victim’s mother, read “there was no water in the fire hydrant when the fire department arrived, causing them to waste time to utilize a farther fire hydrant.”

Bayonne Fire Chief Weaver, told the Jersey Journal at the time, “there are up to 30 hydrants in the city not working at any given time, likely because of age.”

SUEZ, now Veolia North America, Communications & Community Relations Manager Chris Halleron, in an email to Hudson TV, stated that “You should know that it has been confirmed by the Bayonne Fire Department and the Bayonne OEM that all hydrants involved with the tragic June 2018 fire were completely functional (see photo attached), which is why there is not now nor has there ever been any substantive legal claim against SUEZ to the contrary.”

Halleron continued, “It’s also important for readers to understand that SUEZ meets regularly with Bayonne’s Bravest to provide updates on all work done to the water system in Bayonne–including the 278 fire hydrants we have repaired and/or replaced since coming on as an operating partner here, with 99.4% of hydrants now active citywide and a long-established plan in place to repair those that still require service. These initiatives and more are part of the $157 million SUEZ that continues to invest directly into Bayonne’s critical water infrastructure.”

Franco’s press release continued, stating Weaver also mentioned Suez is responsible for these repairs.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2021/05/two-firefighters-hurt-13-displaced-in-blaze-that-damaged-bayonne-three-homes.html

In a statement Franco said, “This is another example that advocacy works but a reminder that our leaders need to do a better job of being proactive rather than reactive.”

Franco continued, “While I am pleased to see Suez is addressing this serious problem, what happened in 2018 should have been a wake-up call for everyone. It shouldn’t have taken a call to action and a newspaper article 4 years later for this company to address its responsibilities.”

“Whether it’s our water supply company, contractors or developers I will continue to hold the line on accountability as the next councilman of the Third Ward.”