Pascrell Joins Officials to Unveil New Moonachie Borough Hall

Targeted News Service (Press Releases)

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release:

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- Ribbon cutting comes after Pascrell helped secure $4.58 million for repairs

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Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), Moonachie Mayor Dennis Vaccaro, New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy, and state officials unveiled the new Moonachie Borough Hall at 70 Moonachie Road. After the building was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy, Rep. Pascrell helped Moonachie officials negotiate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) over the cost for substantially replacing the structure. As a result of their collective efforts, the borough received a grand total of $4,582,662 million in FEMA funds to repair the hall.

"Today is long day coming. Seven years after Hurricane Sandy devastated this community, the Moonachie community can finally turn the page," said Rep. Pascrell. "Every person in our town knew Moonachie Borough Hall sustained significant damage and was in desperate need of repair. When FEMA came back to us with a damage estimate of only $68,000, this was a slap in the face and I demanded answers. We worked together to make it right, and fortunately our persistence paid off, as FEMA rightfully agreed to provide over $4.5 million for Moonachie. I want to commend the dedicated fleet of municipal employees, police officials, office workers, and professionals who carried the stress of temporary offices. We've rebuilt our borough hall and Moonachie can begin a bright new chapter for its citizens."

"When Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey, the storm devastated too many our communities, including Moonachie," said Governor Phil Murphy. "I am thankful for the leadership of Congressman Pascrell and local officials in securing funding for Moonachie Borough Hall to allow this community and its residents to build back what was lost."

"Although it's been seven years since Hurricane Sandy made landfall, upending the lives of thousands of New Jerseyans, the memory is still raw in communities like Moonachie," said First Lady Tammy Murphy. "Moonachie's beautiful new town hall is a testament to the work of dedicated public servants like Congressman Pascrell, as well as every single elected official, clerk, construction worker, and community member that came together to make this project a reality."

"I want to commend all of the officials who helped make today possible, as well as the police, fire, and municipal employees who remained committed to their work as we rebuilt. But, most importantly, I want to welcome everyone home," said Moonachie Mayor Dennis Vaccaro.

Over 30 inches of water flooded Moonachie Borough Hall after Hurricane Sandy made landfall in 2012. FEMA's original estimate to repair the damage was only $68,000, significantly less than the cost required to repair the destroyed structure. For nearly a year and a half, Rep. Pascrell helped negotiate with FEMA over the cost for repairs until FEMA agreed to provide needed funds to which Moonachie was entitled.

A lead cosponsor of the National Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2017, Rep. Pascrell has consistently led the fight in Congress to provide federal relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy, Rep. Pascrell last week voted in support of provision that will provide critical tax relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. He has also worked tirelessly to secure numerous federal grants for New Jersey as the state continues to rebuild. Rep. Pascrell excoriated Donald Trump and congressional Republicans last year after they sought to redirect $107 million in disaster relief funds from New Jersey to pay for their deficit-funded tax scam bill ratified in 2017.