Costco in Wayne, NJ, evacuated after reports of Freon leak
Wayne Costco was evacuated on Tuesday, August 6, 2025, after reports of a Freon leak. Employees wait outside while emergency crews investigate the incident.
WAYNE – The township plans to introduce a new ordinance requiring criminal background checks for recreation employees and volunteers to provide additional security on town property.
The measure, introduced by the council on Wednesday, is being considered as officials prepare to take over the YMCA on Pike Drive in less than three months.
Mayor Christopher Vergano said that by acquiring the 13,500-square-foot facility, the community will “get in touch with more kids,” which is why background checks “make a lot more sense right now.”
SECONDARY SCHOOL: Two experienced coaches lead the athletics programs at Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley
Authorities are purchasing the 14.2-hectare site on Ratzer Road for $12.2 million. The municipality will repay the debt over the next 12 years by collecting open space taxes.
Current community-sponsored sports for children are limited to swimming and wrestling, as most programs are offered locally by the Wayne Little League, the Wayne Police Athletic League, and the Boys & Girls Club of Wayne.
The proposed regulation would require coaches and all other adults supervising children to undergo background checks every three years. As part of those checks, applicants would have to fill out forms provided by the police department, which would then match their fingerprints and names to those in the files of the FBI and the New Jersey State Police.
Applicants would receive an identity card if no absences are found during the background check.
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The regulation covers all youth activities – not just sports – and so-called non-sponsored programs, i.e. those that are not run by the municipality but organized by external groups on municipal property.
The Council will hold a public hearing on the regulation at its meeting on 4 September.
Vergano said the township administration will also announce a proposed fee schedule that evening for attending programs at the new community center.
Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news in your local community, subscribe or activate your digital account today.
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