Riverkeeper Staff Called Upon to Serve

Captains Sheehan and Carola reappointed to Bergen County and Hackensack posts

 

As 2006 wound down to a close, Captains Bill Sheehan and Hugh Carola received word that their continued services were required by two of our region's official advisory bodies.

 

In December, Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney reappointed Captain Bill to the county's Trust Fund Advisory Board, a position he has held continuously since its inception in 1999. The Board reviews applications for open space, historic and farmland preservation funding from municipalities and nonprofit agencies and submits its recommendations to the County Freeholders for final approval. Monies are collected through a voter-approved surtax of one cent per $100 of assessed property valuation and distributed to projects that meet strict criteria. Since it began its work in 1999, the Board has overseen more than $32 million worth of projects and helped preserve over 590 acres of open space. Capt. Bill was the Board's founding Chairman.

 

"I am honored by Mr. McNerney's continued trust in me and I look forward to serving alongside such a distinguished group of dedicated people," said the Captain.

 

Also in December, Hackensack Mayor Karen Sasso reappointed Hugh to the city's Environmental Commission for a second three-year term. Such commissions serve in an advisory role to a municipality's governing body, Planning Board, Department of Public Works, etc. to review proposals, plans and procedures for their environmental impacts. One recent project that was reviewed was the River Street Flood Control Project. The project, which conveys stormwater from a low point underneath the railroad trestle at Mercer Street to the Hackensack River, keeps large volumes of water out of the city's Combined Sewer System and was completed with a minimum of disturbance to nearby Foschini Park.

 

"One thing that we're always aware of is the need to maintain a professional distance between the work of each official group and the work of Hackensack Riverkeeper," explained Hugh. "While there is often overlap, we will always be sure to keep a sharp focus in all our work."