Hudson County View

LETTER: North Bergen Preschool littered with safety hazards, resident says

In a letter to the editor, North Bergen resident Robert Walden says that the township preschool is littered with safety hazards including structural deficits and animal infestation.

Photo courtesy of Robert Walden.
Photo courtesy of Robert Walden.

Dear Editor,

On July 17, 2017, I sent North Bergen, Hudson County and State officials 68 photos showing deplorable conditions at the 17 trailer North Bergen Preschool, located in Braddock Park.

These photos show electrical and fire hazards, structural defects, animal infestation (groundhog holes under virtually every school trailer) and improper drainage.

During Hurricane Sandy, a tree limb fell onto electric wires, which fell onto a trailer, burning two Preschool trailers down.

These photos show tree limbs resting on electric wires very close to the trailers; a fire could easily occur again.

These photos show conduit on the trailers missing hardware, falling down, holes in walls, drainage gutters and ventilation covers missing, nests in wires, etc.

On August 19th, 2016, North Bergen stated these 16 year-old school trailers “are typically leased for 5 years” and they have “aged beyond their useful life.”

Going back to November 5th, 2014,, North Bergen stated  these trailers are “constantly checked for mold and other environmental problems,” but my request for public records showing test results came back with no records found.

Not one official has responded to my July 17th, 2017 photos and my attempts to find out if repairs will be undertaken have been fruitless.

These conditions still exist today, while just several feet away, North Bergen is replacing artificial turf on its HS football field.

The preschool is supposed to be moved out of Braddock Park within 2 years. 
Preschool students, teachers and parents deserve a safe school for the next 2 years.

Please relay this message to the NJ Department of Education:  Commissioner@doe.state.nj.us

Robert Walden

North Bergen resident

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