TRT - Testosterone Replacement Therapy in North Arlington, NJ

NORTH ARLINGTON, NJ – Due to a quirk in the NJIC Week 6 crossover schedule, Wood-Ridge played North Arlington for the second time in three weeks on Friday, this time in North Arlington. The result was pretty much the same though, a 38-14 victory over the Vikings. Wood-Ridge improves it record to 4-3 on the season with the win.

Read: Wood-Ridge Defeats North Arlington, 26-7

The Blue Devils got the ball to open the game, driving for 14 plays and chewing 9:05 seconds off the clock. They knocked on the door of the end zone, but ultimately got stopped at the 5-yard line, forcing a successful field goal try by Kledji Elezaj to go up 3-0 in the first quarter.

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North Arlington responded to open up the second quarter, going up 7-3 following a 24-yard touchdown run by Sean McGeehan with a successful extra point by Felipe Carvalho (his first of two on the day.)

The Viking defense went on to force a three-and-out, but Wood-Ridge would get the ball back in two plays as Jimmy Masucci intercepted McGeehan who threw the ball away under pressure.

Wood-Ridge's Antonio Loyola would cap off a short 36-yard drive with a touchdown from a yard out, going up 10-3 following the extra point by Elezaj (his first of five on the day) with 7:24 in the half remaining.

Following two three-and-outs by the Blue Devil defense, Wood-Ridge received the ball with 2:31 in the half, taking possession from their own 48 after a punt return for a touchdown by Loyola was called back for holding. Masucci would ultimately connect with receiver Jaydin Punt from 8-yards out in the corner of the end zone for the score, going up 17-7 with 15.5 seconds remaining.

The Blue Devils went on to force another three-and-out to open the half, immediately capitalizing with a 33-yard touchdown pass over the middle from Masucci to Punt to go up 24-7 on the first play of the drive. This would be Punt’s second score of the game.

The Vikings responded to cut the lead to 10 on the next drive as McGeehan hit Ian Crudele on a rollout pass from 7-yards out, making the score 24-14 with 4:53 in the third quarter. This scoring was set up by a big 44-yard pass play from McGeehan to Crudele.

At 8:19 in the 4th quarter, the Blue Devils took advantage of a short punt, fielding the ball at the opponent 18-yard line and scoring on the first play of the drive from a handoff up the middle to Loyola, making the scoring 31-14 with 8:19 to play.

After forcing a turnover on downs, the Blue Devils found the end zone one more time, adding insurance points with Masucci running the ball in from 21-yards out, making the final score 38-14.

BELLEVILLE/NORTH ARLINGTON – There’s good news for Belleville and North Arlington commuters who would have otherwise been stranded as DeCamp Bus Lines halts its NYC commuter bus services on Friday, April 7.

NJ Transit, at the urging of Belleville Mayor Michael Melham, North Arlington Mayor Daniel Pronti and officials in nearby municipalities, is modifying four existing commuter bus routes in northern New Jersey to accommodate former DeCamp riders.

Beginning Monday, April 10, NJ Transit’s 199D line will now provide alternative service for DeCamp’s Route 44 customers in Belleville, North Arlington, Newark and Lyndhurst to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, departing NYC at Gate 208.

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Former DeCamp Route 44 customers will be able to get on and off the NJ Transit bus headed to New York City at Union Avenue and Mill Street in Belleville. In North Arlington, commuters can get on and off at Ridge Road and Garden Terrace.

Restoring service has been a priority for Melham and Pronti, who joined on conference calls with other area mayors, as well as county and state officials, to identify quick solutions.

“It was evident that this was going to create a hardship for residents who had come to rely on this bus route to get them to and from New York for their work or to see loved ones,” Melham said. “Thankfully, our concerns were heard and some service was restored.”

Pronti wrote a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy, expressing his concerns.

He wrote: “Many of our North Arlington residents depend on the existing DeCamp Bus service into and back from Manhattan. We hope that our state representatives, as well as NJ Transit, find a solution and take over the DeCamp routes so our residents do not suffer any long term financial losses due to these unanticipated changes.”

Melham and Pronti are advocating for additional, permanent transportation options, as the interim NJ Transit plan only includes weekday peak periods for the four modified bus routes.

According to NJ Transit, the plan will accommodate approximately 85% of current weekday DeCamp customers. The remaining customers can access existing bus, rail and light rail service, as well as local municipal bus shuttles, the agency states.

“It is important to note that this emergency service plan will only include weekday peak periods for the four modified bus routes and will not duplicate the current DeCamp routes in their entirety, though the variants will mirror many portions of the current routes,” says Jim Smith, NJ Transit’s Chief Communication Officer.

“During weekends and off-peak weekdays, customers are advised to utilize existing NJ Transit services. NJ Transit will continually monitor ridership demand, and will be able to make adjustments in June if warranted and as resources allow.”

A man who lit up highlight reels for nine NFL seasons lit up faces in North Arlington this week.

Former Pro Bowl returner Dante Hall made a surprise visit to North Arlington football practice on Tuesday to address players and share tips of the trade. The former Chiefs and Rams star still ranks in the top 10 in league history in both punt return touchdowns and kick return touchdowns.

North Arlington coach Joe Borkowski was able to set up the meeting through a mutual friend of Hall, who now lives in New Jersey.

While it's been 15 years since Hall danced past pro gunners, Borkowski described his guest with three words any high school player could relate to: Madden cheat code.

"Once I started introducing him, I saw some eyes light up a bit," Borkowski said. "Our first water break, I saw a bunch of them go to their phones and YouTube. I had to yell at them to put their phones away and check it out later. They were star-struck. The coaches were just as star-struck as the kids because my staff is all between the ages of 26 and 35. That's our wheelhouse."

North Arlington moved around the schedule of training camp to accomodate Hall's expertise. Hall worked with some of the team's returners at the start of practice, then hung around for offensive drills and provided feedback.

The meeting broke up the monotony of the summer for the Vikings, who are getting ready to face Fort Lee in the preseason opener on Saturday.

"Camp is hard," Borkowski said. "We're in camp and going against the same kids and the same color all the time. Having Dante there gave us some juice and some energy for the start of practice. We noticed a little extra pop. They were trying to impress him."

Borkowski joked that the meeting was a little bittersweet since he and his dad are long-suffering Charger fans. They watched as division rivals in 2003 when Hall set an NFL record by scoring on a return in four straight games.

Hall's ability to change direction and flip field position earned him the nicknames the X-factor and the Human Joystick. Borkowski hopes that success will serve as an inspiration for the Vikings who are coming off a 5-4 season.

"You can impact the game regardless of your role," Borkowski said. "It doesn't matter if you're the freshman water-boy or playing special teams or the team captain that doesn't come off the field and scores touchdowns. Everyone has a role here. He made a living off it."

NORTH ARLINGTON - North Arlington’s Water Rescue Team has responded to four alerts and provided aid to neighboring municipalities over the three months since its inception in October.

Most recently, the Water Rescue Team was requested by the Kearny Fire Department to assist with rescues along the Belleville Turnpike after a storm dumped several inches of rain in the area on Jan. 13. In less than 90 minutes, the team rescued 15 people from their flooded vehicles with no major injuries.

“We are very proud of our Fire Department and this new team that is now trained to respond to incidents involving open water, swift water, rapid deployment, and also search, rescue and recovery,” said Mayor Daniel H. Pronti. “While the team has only been in place for a few short months, they have already proven to be a tremendous service to our community and the surrounding region.”

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In December, the team was deployed to Fairfield to provide back up to the Fairfield Fire Department and responded to several calls for assistance, one of which resulted in the rescue of a resident trapped in their home. The team spent eight hours assisting Fairfield firefighters.

“North Arlington’s swiftwater rescue team demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our firefighters to safeguard lives. Each rescue is a testament to their skill, resilience, and the profound impact they make," said former Fire Chief and Training Officer, Mark Zidiak.

After Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the North Arlington Volunteer Fire Department had been researching equipment, training and funding to support the creation of the water rescue team. A $20,000 grant from the American Rescue Plan allowed 13 volunteers to be trained in swiftwater response.

“As the frequency of water events continues to rise, the North Arlington Volunteer Fire Department plans to increase the number of those trained and to potentially expand that training to include Rescue Boat Operations and Swiftwater Technician,” said Councilman Brian Fitzhenry, member of the Public Safety Committee.

Thanks to grants, firefighters are outfitted with full personal protective equipment including dry suits, helmets, boots, life vests, gloves and water safety accessories. Members had to undergo a rigorous two-day, 16-hour class.

The inaugural class includes: Team Administrator Deputy Chief Robert Fellrath, Captain Brian Marshall, Captain Marissa Piscal, Captain John Gaffey, Lieutenant Anthony Bruno, and Firefighters George Hays, William Gallo, Daniel Keogh, Jenny Lok, Brandon Pipher, Amanda Riehl, Matthew Titterington, Mark Cunningham Jr. and Lindsay Weiss.

A second class of the Water Rescue team is scheduled for the fall.

NORTH ARLINGTON, NJ - Mayor Daniel H. Pronti spoke of long-anticipated upgrades along the Borough’s riverfront and other exciting initiatives throughout town, during his annual “State of the Borough” address at the municipal reorganization meeting.

Throughout 2024, the Borough will be unveiling plans to upgrade open spaces throughout the borough. Daniel Morris Park will feature a new hardscape design and a picturesque, outdoor water fountain. Other vacant land parcels along the riverfront will undergo environmental cleanup and ultimately serve as both parking and park land. Children’s Centennial Park on Schuyler Avenue will be rededicated and undergo several new improvements.

There will also be a continuation of the project to connect a walking path along the Passaic River that will eventually, and safely, take pedestrians and cyclists from the Belleville Turnpike to Riverside County Park.

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Mayor Pronti gave a stunning statistic that the average municipal tax bill for a homeowner in North Arlington in 2024 is actually $101 less than it was in 2016, the year before the Borough implemented the Rolling Reassessment, in which 25% of homes are inspected annually and all homes are then re-evaluated and taxed accurately.

“As our Borough continues our upward swing, we continue to see a vibrant main street, which is the key to a successful community,” said Mayor Pronti, noting the successful business community is a superb partner in the effort.

He discussed plans to acquire properties to solve long-term parking problems around Rip Collins Field and the South End Business District on Ridge Road.

The Borough is seeing an end to long-standing eyesores, according to the Mayor. The Hughes Auto Sales property has been purchased and the new owner has agreed not to open another car lot, but to create a continuation of the residential area along Canterbury Avenue. The design will be consistent with the existing homes on that street, complete with parking.

There will be more upgrades along the Belleville Pike and next to the newly-upgraded Shawn’s Saloon. Two small, run-down buildings will be replaced with a new structure.

Mayor Pronti also recapped a successful 2023 with the creation of the Borough’s first all-inclusive and sensory friendly playground at Fisher Field, a well-attended third-annual Celebrate North Arlington event and extra services provided by the Department of Public Works, including a litter patrol initiative.

“We have many exciting plans for this upcoming year with community trips, new signage, redevelopment projects and more parking, he said.

At the meeting, incumbent council members Donna Bocchino and Mario Karcic were sworn in for their newest terms by former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli.

Following their re-elections in November, Bocchino and Karcic will both serve three-year terms. Karcic was nominated to, once again, serve as Council President and Allison Sheedy was nominated by her fellow councilmembers to serve as Council Vice President. Both were then sworn-in by the Mayor.

Fire Chief Matthew Piscal, 1st Deputy Fire Chief Mark Zidik and 2nd Deputy Fire Chief Robert Fellrath were also sworn-in at the meeting. Certificates of recognition were presented to the North Arlington 2022 Junior Little League team, who were named 14U All-Star District 5 Champions, and to the 2023 Little League team, 12U All-Star District 5 Champions.

Mayor Pronti and the Borough Council announced the appointments of volunteers to their respective municipal committees, and also announced the Borough’s professionals for 2024.