Dear Neighbor,
As the weather finally warms 🌞 up, here’s the latest on happenings in our City.
Movies 🎥 Under 🍿 the Stars 🌟
Starting next month, the City will host free movie screenings at Pier A Park at First St. & Sinatra Dr. as well as at 7th & Jackson Park. Movies start at 9 pm in June and July and at 8:30 pm in August, weather permitting.
Movies Under the Stars schedule for Pier A Park:
Wednesday, June 15 - Jumanji: The Next Level
Wednesday, June 22 - Aladdin
Wednesday, June 29 - Spiderman: No Way Home
Wednesday, July 13 - In the Heights
Wednesday, July 27 - West Side Story
Wednesday, August 10 - Sing 2
Wednesday, August 17 - Encanto
Movies Under the Stars schedule for 7th & Jackson Park:
Wednesday, July 20 - Soul
Wednesday, August 3 - Frozen 2
Subtitles will be projected on the movie screen on request. Assisted listening devices are available and must be requested at least three weeks in advance. To request an assisted listening device, please email gfallo@hobokennj.gov. Residents are encouraged to bring a blanket or low-back chair. For movie updates visit this link.
Expanding the Farmers Markets
The City of Hoboken has announced that this year there will be three farmers' markets, allowing residents to buy fresh produce from local and regional vendors. Starting next month, the City will launch a new Southwest Park Farmers' Market in partnership with the Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition (QLC). Residents will now have access to weekly farmer's markets in downtown, midtown, and uptown Hoboken.
The Uptown Farmers' Market is back under the 14th Street Viaduct between Grand and Adams on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm thru mid-December.
The Hoboken Farmers' Market at Church Square Park is the City's longest-running farmer's market. The market, which is sponsored by Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition, returns June 7th and every Tuesday from 2 pm to 8 pm on Garden Street at Church Square Park thru mid-November.
The Southwest Park Farmers' Market will take place June 9 and every Thursday from 2 pm to 8 pm on the north side of Observer Highway between Jackson Street and Harrison Street.
All markets offer nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other local products. Select vendors also accept SNAP benefits.
Early Childhood Center at the Jubilee Center
Mayor Bhalla and Schools Superintendent Dr. Christine Johnson announced a new lease agreement providing additional classroom space at the Jubilee Center for the Hoboken Public School District.
Through the five-year lease, the district will be able to utilize all three floors of the Jubilee Center for Head Start preschool classes for 60 children in the Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 programs.
The Hoboken Public School District will use all three floors of the Jubilee Center from 7 am until 4 pm under the lease agreement, while TRUE Mentors will use the center from 4 pm to 9 pm until June 30. Starting in September, the district will have access from 7 am to 7 pm. In March, TRUE Mentors moved into the Jubilee Center to offer free one-on-one, group, and educational mentoring programs to Hudson County youth ages 7-18.
Dog 🐶 Licenses, Rabies 🐕🦺 Clinic, and Waste 🐕 Stations
All dogs in the City of Hoboken are required to possess a dog license. Residents can apply for a dog license or license renewal online here. Questions? Email doglicense@hobokennj.gov. Residents also can submit a dog license application in person or via mail at the Hoboken Health Department at 124 Grand St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, with a check or money order payable to the City of Hoboken. A printable application can be found here.
The City hosts a free rabies clinic on June 4, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Multi-Service Center at 124 Grand St. For more information, click here.
Hoboken has 30+ pet waste bag dispensers, thanks to generous Hoboken residents, the Hoboken Business Alliance, and other businesses that have adopted a pet waste station. You can adopt one too! Upon request, the City will purchase and install a pet waste bag dispenser within one block of your home. As a pet waste station adopter, you agree to replace your bags regularly and encourage your neighbors to properly dispose of their dog waste. You can apply here.
Cannabis and Cannabis Dispensaries in Hoboken
I have received many questions and comments about the legalization of cannabis and potential dispensaries in Hoboken. This week I issued a special newsletter dedicated to Cannabis and Cannabis Dispensaries in our Community following up on questions and concerns I fielded at a neighborhood meeting on the subject last week. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, please check it out.
The Hoboken Planning Board will hear the application concerning the Story Dispensary at 51-53 14th Street (the location of the former Hudson Tavern) on June 9th at 7 pm at City Hall in Council Chambers. A link to the Planning Board agenda for the June 9 meeting, including this application, can be found here.
Hoboken Fire Department’s Charity Golf Outing
Local 1078 is hosting its 2nd Annual Charity Golf Outing on August 24th and is looking for sponsors. Last year’s event raised over $8,000 for charity. This year, charity proceeds will be awarded to graduating Hoboken High School student through a Memorial Scholarship. If you have questions, want to register, or sponsor this great event, contact Local 1078 President Tom Worley, at local1078pres@gmail.com.
Survey Results for the Municipal Complex and Recreation Center
Last week, the City hosted a meeting discussing the results of its latest Municipal Complex and Recreation Center survey. Over 1000 residents provided feedback on the 4 design options with 41% preferring Design 4 which incorporates a civic center, pool, recreation center, and fieldhouse, 28% preferring Design 3 which includes the same facilities except for a fieldhouse, 15% preferring Design 2 which includes a civic center and pool, and 9% preferring Design 1 which is the base design. You can view the May 12 meeting here. You can also read Mayor Bhalla’s recent update to the public on the status of the municipal complex and recreation center here.
Join the Port Authority Bus Terminal Advisory Council
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is looking for people who commute to or live near the Midtown Bus Terminal to serve on its Port Authority Bus Terminal Advisory Council.
In July 2019, the volunteer Advisory Council was created to provide facility management input on operations, customer service issues, and community impacts. Members meet every two months, either in person or via teleconference, and serve for two-year terms.
Applications to participate on the council must be received by May 31. Applications are available online at www.panynj.gov/PABTAC. Completed applications can be submitted via e-mail to PABTAC@panynj.gov.
Save the Date: National Night Out is August 2
This year's National Night Out is Tuesday, August 2, at Church Square Park from 5 pm to 9 pm and the Hoboken Police Department and Stevens Police Department are looking for vendors to participate.
The fun-filled night, featured in communities across the nation, promotes police-community partnerships and camaraderie in an effort to make communities safer. Hoboken business owners can sign up to participate and register for a table by emailing Officer William Oquendo at oquendow@hobokenpdnj.gov and Sgt. Christopher LaBruno at labrunoc@hobokenpdnj.gov.
COVID-19 Updates
Over 6.8 million New Jerseyans have been fully vaccinated with over 14.4 million doses administered in New Jersey, as of May 5th. As of May 16th, Hoboken’s positive test results total 11,232 cases confirmed since the start of the pandemic. Two weeks ago, there were 10,854 positive cases.
New Jersey’s transmission rate is presently at 1.28. Please stay vigilant, practice social distancing when necessary, wash your hands, and stay safe.
HUMC is now hospitalizing 4 people with COVID, 2 of whom are Hoboken residents. If you have any reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID, please quarantine and then schedule an appointment for a COVID test 5-7 days for those fully vaccinated and immediately for those unvaccinated after potential exposure. To find out when you should get tested, click here.
Sadly, one more COVID-19 related death was reported in our community, a 63-year-old man who passed away in January, increasing Hoboken’s COVID death toll to 65 since the start of the pandemic. I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to each Hoboken family that has endured this terrible pain and loss.
COVID Testing Updates
To get the current Hoboken COVID testing and hours click here.
Testing for Hoboken Residents and Business Employees:
605 Jackson Street (Administered by Medicine Man)
Date: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Time: 8am - 12pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
At-home testing
The NJ Department of Health and Vault Medical Services is offering free, at-home COVID-19 saliva test kits. To order your kit go to learn.vaulthealth.com/nj. I ordered four free test kits from the federal government for my family, and you can order yours at https://www.covidtests.gov/.
COVID Vaccination News
As of May 19th, nearly 100% of our seniors (65 and older) have received their first dose, and nearly 100% of our seniors are fully vaccinated. Thanks to our seniors for stepping up and protecting themselves and our community!
99% of Hoboken residents 12 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 85% are fully vaccinated.
96% of Hoboken residents 18 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 82% are fully vaccinated.
Nearly 100% of Hoboken residents 30 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 98% are fully vaccinated.
95% of all Hoboken residents have been provided with at least one dose, and 82% are fully vaccinated.
To get current Hoboken information on the City’s vaccination and clinic schedules click here as new information is posted daily.
If you are a Hoboken resident and would like a copy of your vaccination record, please contact LMedeiros@hobokennj.gov. Vaccination records are also accessible for all New Jersey residents through the Docket app.
CVS pharmacies in Hoboken also supply the COVID-19 vaccine. Walgreens pharmacies in Hoboken are also supplying the COVID-19 vaccine.
Coffee with Cohen . . . the home edition
Last year, to practice social distancing, rather than eliminate my monthly Coffee with Cohen events, I turned to the internet. For my 56th Coffee with Cohen event, on Tuesday I hosted special guest Historic Preservation Commission member Cristin Cricco-Powell.
We discussed why preserving historic Hoboken is so important, the This Place Matters program, what Hoboken can do more to preserve the charm we all love, how the public can be more informed on the work of the Historic Preservation Commission, and much more. I also answered your questions on cars and trucks running stop signs at 9th and Adams and many other issues. Over 110 people have watched this event and you can check it out here.
My next Coffee with Cohen event will be in two weeks. I hope to see you there. Do you have a question? Send it to HobokenPhil@gmail.com as I try to address each one. These events are hosted on my Facebook page Philcohenforcouncil and you can watch them here.
You can always follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. If you have any questions or concerns, or I can be of assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com.
Phil Cohen
Hoboken City Councilman
Hoboken, New Jersey
HobokenPhil@gmail.com
(862) 234-9053
P.S. You can learn more about me and my ideas for Hoboken (as well as read this newsletter and prior newsletters) on my website philcohen.org.
