The event was stymied back in mid-June when the town instituted a controversial ban on firefighter fundraising.
The issue came up because Battalion Chief Mike Gonnelli also held an unpaid position on the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC). The NJMC votes on zoning projects in some parts of Secaucus. Town officials said that because entities could donate funds to the Fire Department and then seek NJMC approval, there could be a conflict.
But there were also several political battles going on between the town and Fire Department.Now, for whatever reason, the ban has been lifted. "We want to put all that behind us," Gonelli said last week. "It was a great show of support for the Fire Department. I don't think it could be any better. We expected 300, but it's got to be more than that. Some people just came to the door to give a donation and leave." The fundraiser was for Engine No. 3 on Centre Ave. and Tower Ladder 2 in the north end. Gonnelli said the fundraising was for social activities for the two companies. "We leave our wives and families frequently, so at times we take them out or have parties to keep the morale of the department up," said Gonnelli. "The fundraising allows us to do that."
Going all-out
Volunteers in Secaucus' department receive a small stipend depending on the number of fires they respond to. Having an all-volunteer department saves the town millions of dollars per year.
Guests at the fundraiser endured warm temperatures with good humor and good spirits. Rows of tables lined the walls with various items donated by businesses, organizations and individual donations.
At a tricky tray, guests buy raffle tickets to place in a jar by a specific item or group of items they hope to win. The more tickets they put in, the better their chance of winning.
There were kitchen appliances, barbeque grills, gift certificates, and other items gaily wrapped in cellophane and ribbons by the firefighters' wives. Sally Kantor and Maryanne Spangenberg wrapped over 200 baskets. "It was a lot of work, but somebody had to help them," said Spangenberg. "It was really Sally who put it together. She's the crafty one."
Spangenberg said people started coming down after 5:30 p.m. Mass. Firefighters cooked hot dogs. Guests were served cookies and cakes made by firefighters' wives. There was water and soda too. Five-dollar raffle tickets were sold at two tables, and other firefighters walked around with handfuls of tickets that were quickly purchased.
Helen Chiccone lives across the street from Tower Ladder 2 on Seventh Street. She said she "loves each and every one of [the firefighters]. Not everybody will get out of bed and out their life on the line."
Chiccone said the firefighters deserve every penny they receive from the Tricky Tray Fundraiser.
"As far as I'm concerned, they all shine like stars," she said. "If my husband was still alive, he'd say the same thing too."
Regarding the city's change of heart about department fundraising, Town Administrator Anthony Iacono said, "We came to a compromise so the fundraising could continue, according to state mandates. The firefighters cannot accept any donation over $250. Technically, in a fundraiser, no one person contributes more than that."
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