Rutherford Chamber of Commerce's Grand Opening of their Train Station Location

By Jennifer Ersalesi

Photo credits: Maggie McGill, Dan Meredith, and Janet Mariano Merli

On Wednesday, June 18th, the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce celebrated the Grand Opening of their new location in the Rutherford Train Station. Under the leadership of President Dan Meredith, the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce has established itself as an active non-profit organization, with over two hundred members, and has made many important contributions to the Borough of Rutherford. It is both exciting and important that the Chamber now has its own space in such an iconic, central location in Rutherford.

During the Grand Opening, President of the Chamber, Dan Meredith, expressed his gratitude, "This was not an easy or quick road to get to this point, and on behalf of the Rutherford Chamber Board and Directors I would like to thank some key people who have been instrumental in bringing us here today. We would like to thank Mayor Frank Nunziato for taking the initiative and following through on negotiations for a new contract with NJ Transit, which will enable the Rutherford Chamber to occupy this space. Also, Borough Public Information Officer, Kim Bogosian, Borough Administrator, Bob Kakoleski, and Borough Attorney, Robert Ferraro, for your continued efforts in making this dream come true, and to everyone on the Rutherford Borough Council (Stephanie McGowan, Christie DelRey-Cone, Ray Guzman, Susan Quatrone, Matt Cokeley, and John Errico) for supporting us every step of the way, believing in our mission to bring together the private, the municipal, the business, and the nonprofit communities as one for the better of all Rutherfordians by voting in favor of Rutherford Station as the Chambers Future Home."

Mayor Frank Nunziato congratulated the Chamber and presented them with a Proclamation. The Rutherford Chamber of Commerce also welcomed Assemblyman Gary Schaer, Bergen County Deputy Director Michael McParland on behalf of County Executive James Tedesco, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Felician University, Dr. Michael Markowitz, and Rutherford Borough Council members Council President Stephanie McGowan, Councilman Ray Guzman, Councilwoman Susan Quatrone, Councilwoman Christie DelRey-Cone, and Councilman John Errico. Michael McParland presented the Chamber with Certificates of Commendation from the Bergen County Executive's Office.

There were also three guest speakers, including local historian, Billy Neumann, President of the Board of the Meadowlands Museum, Robin Reenstra, and Rutherford Historic Preservation Society's Spokesperson, Oksana Heimur. Each speaker told more about the history of the Railroad Station and its significance in our community throughout the centuries.

Now that the Chamber has a beautiful, historical space, it will have the opportunity to host a variety of events and social gatherings. Dan Meredith explained, "The space will be used as a gateway to Rutherford to attract people from the region to our beautiful Borough and all it has to offer. Also, a permanent local community-minded space for all Rutherfordians to enjoy. The space will be used for upcoming monthly exhibits, ranging from the arts to local business showcasing, also, as a permanent information station, and welcome center, highlighting Rutherford Chamber members, and Rutherford community events, as well as showing off some of our proud regional institutions that call Rutherford home, such as Felician University.  We are one step closer to opening our Future Home at Rutherford Station. It is important to understand the significance of this location’s past and how it has played such a big role in what is now our future. The Chamber has decided that for our debut exhibit, we will collaborate with the Rutherford Historic Preservation Society, in conjunction with the Meadowlands Museum, and local historian Billy Neumann to create a public exhibit showing and telling the fascinating history of this location."

Rutherford Chamber of Commerce Board and Directors