We had the opportunity to interview Commissioner Tucci over lunch.Commissioner Tucci was born in Newark and moved to Nutley about 25 years ago. He lives here with his large family, his wife and four children. He is a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Urban Studies. He always worked in government. He was town administrator for Bloomfield, NJ. In that position he created projects to fix roads, bridges and develop community improvement plans. This experience helps him as Commissioner.

He told us about the different programs that are run under the Parks and Recreation Department. The department was formed in 1911 and has changed to now consist of the Buildings and Grounds, Shade Tree Department, and Recreation Department. There are 30 diligent workers in the department which in the summer increases to about 50 people. There are part time and seasonal workers too.

Mr. Tucci was elected commissioner in 2000. He wanted to become commissioner because he enjoys working in government and wanted to improve Nutley. He thinks the most important things he has done as commissioner are; built a roller hockey rink and tennis courts, fixed all the little league fields, built a new soccer field, got new playground equipment and worked on the opening of the Adult Day Care Center.

Commissioner Tucci is looking forward to the opening of an Adult Day Care Center for the seniors in town. There will be a minimal fee charged and it will provide a service of care for those seniors who can’t be left alone while their caregivers work, like those with Alzheimer’s. The seniors will be able to spend the day enjoying the activities and dining together. The Parks and Recreation Department, under Commissioner Tucci, looks to provide lots of activities for everyone to participate in. They have also expanded many of the existing programs. He told us he receives both complaints and praises for the selection of programs offered.

There are events throughout the year like ski trips, snow boarding trips, summer day trips, trips to Radio City Music Hall, and other local attractions and trips to local sporting events.

There are recreation programs for everyone in Nutley. The toddler and preschool children are offered classes in tumbling, soccer, art, basketball and music. In the summer they offer a program at Spring Garden School for children getting ready to enter kindergarten.

The elementary and junior high school students have a wide variety of programs to participate in such as; art, music, theater and exercise classes, sports programs, clinics and camps. High-school students can play baseball, softball, tennis golf, soccer, football, lacrosse, wrestling, volleyball and hockey. The Parks and Recreation Department provides programs for the senior citizens too. There is bingo, playing cards, shuffleboard, dance class, bocce ball, checkers, chess and different types of exercise classes and Friday socials.The Parks Department produces two town plays, one with younger children and another one that anyone in town can be in. These shows brings good entertainment to Nutley.

The department is working with the Board of Education to possibly take over the care of the Park Oval, Tangorra Field, where the high school plays its home games. If this happens they will re-do the Oval and perhaps put lights on the field.

The Shade and Tree Department takes care of the variety of trees we have in town. We are a Tree City USA because we made a commitment to plant so many trees every year. In Nutley, we have many types of trees; pine, maple, cherry blossoms, dogwood, oak birch and weeping willows. This department handles any diseases or problems with the town trees.

Looking into the future Commissioner Tucci would like to bring back the bicycle races we had through Nutley and see if we can have a town pool, build an ice hockey rink and a lacrosse field, create a dog play area, resurface the track, and improve the orphan bridges.

The Parks and Recreation Department co-sponsored a visit from Ken Daneyko and the Stanley Cup.

Although there are many things he would like to see he explained there has to be a balance in what is done in the parks because they are neighborhood parks. The parks should improve the quality of life and its improvements shouldn’t disturb the neighbors.

Through the achievements of Commissioner Tucci and the Parks and Recreation Department both young and old have the opportunity to come together and participate in a variety of activities. There is always something going on that you can become a part of. They provide something for everyone.

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CyberFair '04
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