The Town of Kearny was among nearly 100 local businesses, institutions and local governments honored by the Hudson Transportation Management Association April 1 at its annual New Jersey Smart Workplace (NJSW) Awards Breakfast in Jersey City.
The event was hosted by the Hudson County Community College at its Culinary Conference Center.
Through its award program, HTMA pays tribute to efforts by the business and government community to “improve the environment and the quality of life for our Hudson community” by promoting commuting alternatives designed to reduce traffic and congestion and improve air quality, said HTMA Director Jay DiDomenico.
Kearny was recognized on two fronts:
The town received a Safe Routes for School Bronze award for its summer camp program’s participation in the HTMA’s Bike School program.
The agency loaned bicycles to the camp at no cost and camp counselors, trained by the HTMA, taught campers bike safety best practices.
Additionally, Washington Elementary School participated in the agency’s Walk to School program which encourages walking instead of being dropped off by car.
Also, the Kearny Department of Public Works collected a NJSW award for assisting its employees in exploring commuting alternatives by hosting a Transit Fair and distributing information on ride-sharing.
John Peneda, the town’s Urban Enterprise Zone coordinator and town assessor, accepted the awards on behalf of Kearny.
Among the local dignitaries attending the breakfast were Harrison Mayor James Fife, Hudson County Assignment Judge Peter Bariso, Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Freeholders E. Junior Maldonado and Anthony Romano and Hudson County Improvement Authority Executive Director Norman Guerra.
