Dear Neighbors,
August is here and the City Council is slowing to its summer schedule, I hope you and your families are enjoying some downtime at the shore ⛱☀️ or some of your favorite summertime activities.🍦⛵️🏔
Here’s the latest happening in our City.
COVID-19 Updates
The rate of daily positive tests in Hoboken and New Jersey has started increasing. The transmission rate for NJ had been below 1.0 for several months, reflecting that for each person who gets COVID, it is spread to less than one other person. But now, the New Jersey transmission rate is 1.37. According to Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Health, the highly transmissible delta variant is now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in New Jersey, which is likely the case in Hoboken.
As of August 5th, over 5.3 million New Jerseyans have been fully vaccinated with over 10.9 million doses being administered in New Jersey. Hoboken’s recent positive test results total 5,194 cases confirmed to date. Two weeks ago there were 5,107 positive cases. Although the weather is warmer and many members of our community are vaccinated, COVID-19 remains. Please stay vigilant, practice social distancing when necessary, wash your hands, and stay safe.
In July, we celebrated an extended stretch of 60 days of having no COVID patients at Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC). However, now HUMC is treating two COVID patients, one of whom is an unvaccinated Hoboken resident. If you have any reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID, please quarantine and then schedule an appointment for a COVID test at least 5-7 days after potential exposure.
A Tax Cut is Coming for Hoboken Residents
On July 21st, the Hoboken City Council unanimously approved a final budget that resulted in a property tax cut of 2.83% for the 2021 municipal budget. As a result, the average homeowner will save $74 in annual property taxes.
I am proud to have worked hard with my fellow members of the City’s Finance Subcommittee to take Mayor Bhalla’s April submitted budget which featured a 0.0% tax increase and “kicks the tires” of that proposed budget with my Council colleagues to realize additional tax savings for you.
Hats off to our Finance Subcommittee Chair, Emily Jabbour, for leading the way on lengthy negotiations and discussions to deliver a 2.83 percent tax cut for the residents of Hoboken without compromising any city services.
Thanks to Mayor Bhalla and all my Council colleagues for all their invaluable input and unanimous approval and adoption of the Finance Subcommittee’s recommended final Budget. I also want to send a big “shout out” to the professionals in Hoboken’s Finance Department and their fearless leader, Business Administrator Jason Freeman.
Big thanks and appreciation go to President Joe Biden, Governor Phil Murphy, Senator Bob Menendez, Senator Cory Booker, and Congressman Albio Sires for delivering the critical American Rescue Plan Act funds that softened COVID’s profound tax and revenue hits to our community, which made this budget possible.
The people of Hoboken deserve a tax break and it is on the way! You can read coverage of the final, approved budget here.
Willow Pharmacy — 100 Years of Serving our Community at 9th and Willow
Willow Pharmacy has served Hoboken and the 5th Ward at 900 Willow for 100 years. That’s right, 100 years! 🎉 🎉
Happy 100th Anniversary 
Willow Pharmacy!
Thanks to Frank, our neighborhood pharmacist, and Frank’s team for serving our families and helping our community through the dark days of the COVID19 pandemic and beyond. Willow Pharmacy is always there. As one friend recently told me, “Phil, they saved my life.”
Here’s to Frank and to Willow Pharmacy's original owners, the Seligman family, for generations of service to our community.
Thank you, Frank!
Hoboken Unveils Two Brand New HOP Buses!
The City of Hoboken and Mayor Bhalla unveiled two new wheelchair-accessible HOP shuttle buses! The HOP shuttle service allows residents to easily navigate the mile-square city for free. In addition to improving our HOP service, these buses improve accessibility for passengers of all ages.
The HOP furthers Hoboken's efforts to improve access for those who do not - or cannot - drive. The HOP works alongside other initiatives, such as our Citi Bike share program, Vision Zero’s bike and pedestrian improvements and Corner Cars, Hoboken's car-sharing program.
These new HOP shuttles replace older shuttles that the City will use as backups. Passengers can track their location in real-time online or via the "Passio Go" app and flag down a HOP at any intersection on the route. To download the new mobile app, Apple users can click here and Android users can click here. The shuttles also can be tracked at https://hoboken.passiogo.com/. Remember, passengers must wear a mask on the HOP! For more HOP information click here.
Hoboken Initiates a Second Round of Grant-Making for Small Businesses
To continue mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on Hoboken’s small businesses, a new $1.8 million grant funding program is now open for Hoboken’s small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
With these funds, made available through the American Rescue Plan, small businesses can cover COVID-19-related expenses incurred between Sept. 1, 2020, and July 28, 2021 such as: employee salaries, mortgage payments, business loan payments, equipment leases, finance payments, and utility expenses (including electric, water, gas, phone, and internet costs).
To qualify for grants of up to $10,000, each Hoboken business must be: for-profit; have no more than 25 full-time employees, and the employees in total must work no more than 1,000 hours per week. Further, each Hoboken business that establishes 75 percent of its employees are fully vaccinated is eligible for bonus funds.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, August 11th, so act soon! Complete, eligible applications will receive grants until the program's funds run out. Required documentation includes a completed W-9 form. Awards will not be given to applicants with incomplete submissions.
Awards will be announced by the end of September. To learn more and apply, click here. If you need more information about this program, you can email smallbizgrants@hobokennj.gov. Hoboken’s CARES Act funding provided $1.82 million in grants to 322 Hoboken businesses, with an average award of $5,652. If you know a Hoboken business that could benefit from these funds, please encourage it to apply ASAP.
Rental assistance available for Hoboken residents
Hoboken residents in need of rental assistance and affected by the pandemic may qualify for a grant through Hudson County, which has created an Eviction Protection Program. Hoboken and Hudson County residents can apply until August 15th, or until funds run out.
Applicants must live in Hudson County (except for Jersey City residents), must have been financially impacted by COVID-19, must have received a summons or eviction notice from a landlord, and must meet the income guidelines outlined in the link here. Rental assistance and utility assistance are available. Applicants do not need to demonstrate that they can pay their rent in the future. For more information and applications click here.
COVID-19 Vaccinations Required for all Hoboken Municipal Employees
In yet another way Mayor Bhalla is leading the way to protect our community from COVID-19, last week Mayor Bhalla signed an Executive Order mandating that all Hoboken municipal employees be fully vaccinated by August 9th, or submit to weekly negative COVID-19 tests.
Further, employees who are not fully vaccinated will be required to wear a face-covering indoors and outdoors in public while working for the City. All Hoboken City Hall employees and law enforcement personnel are subject to this new vaccination/testing requirement.
As many municipal employees regularly interact with residents and community stakeholders, this vaccination/test requirement promotes safety and prevents the spread of COVID-19 in municipal buildings and throughout our community.
Thanks to Mayor Bhalla for his continued leadership on COVID-19.
Major Vision Zero Safety Improvements at 11th and Willow
Vision Zero pedestrian safety improvements and traffic signal upgrades which have been underway at 11th and Willow for a few months are now complete. Now, this busy intersection features four new concrete curb extensions, ADA-compliant curb ramps with detectable warning surfaces at all corners, high-visibility crosswalks with new pedestrian countdown timers, and traffic signals with 12" LED faces.
Wallace School families and 5th Ward residents will appreciate these critical infrastructure upgrades. Thanks to Mayor Bhalla, Transportation Director Ryan Sharp, and Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise for this effort. You can learn more about the City's Vision Zero initiative here.
Before and After at 11th and Willow
Hoboken’s Citi Bike Share Program is Taking Off!
In May I attended Hoboken’s ceremonial launch of our new Citi Bike Share program. In the program’s first full month, we have seen extraordinary public acceptance. In June, 29,666 Citi Bike rides began or ended at a Hoboken Citi Bike dock. Almost 1000 rides a day! You can read the data and interesting insights in this thread written by Abhijith Reddy, a Hoboken resident and avid cyclist. 
This 5th Ward bike dock at 11th and Washington had 1,873 rides in June, making it one of Hoboken’s most popular!
COVID and Summer Travel
The CDC has travel recommendations for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. All travelers leaving the State should check with the travel destination and transportation carrier (i.e., airline, cruise ship) to see if there are additional health and safety protocols or requirements, such as proof of a negative COVID-19 test within days of departure. Travelers should also check with their employers, schools, and other entities that may have quarantine policies.
The CDC recommends delaying your travel plans until you are fully vaccinated.
Domestic Travel
The CDC advises that unvaccinated individuals should get tested 1-3 days before their trip, 3-5 days after travel, and stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after domestic travel. Vaccinated New Jersey residents are no longer required to quarantine when traveling domestically outside the State. For more information, click here for the CDC’s guidance for domestic travel.
International Travel
The CDC requires all air passengers arriving in the US from a foreign country to get tested for COVID-19 no more than 3 days before their flight departs and present their negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 before boarding the flight. For more details on international travel from the CDC click here.
COVID Testing Updates
To get the City’s latest information on Hoboken’s COVID tests and hours click here.
Free Testing for Hoboken Residents and Business Employees:
Jackson St. Gym (Administered by Medicine Man)
Date: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Time: 4 - 7 pm (Wednesday), 9 am - 12 pm (Friday)
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Jackson St. Gym (Administered by PromptMD)
Date: Thursdays
Time: 8 am - 12:30 pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Hoboken Housing Authority, Community Room (Administered by NJ Department of Health)
Date: Fridays (August 6th, August 20th)
Time: 1 - 7 pm
Location: 221 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR, saliva-based (do not drink or eat 30 minutes before the test)
Who: Hoboken and Hudson County residents, Hoboken business employees
No appointment necessary
Riverside Medical Group
Riverside Medical Group recently closed our public COVID-19 testing facility and transferred its testing facilities to their three Hoboken offices. All Hoboken residents and Hoboken employees remain eligible for free COVID testing at Riverside offices.
To get your COVID-19 test with Riverside, Hoboken residents and employees can call their preferred Riverside test location:
232 Clinton Street - (201) 876-3215
609 Washington Street - (201) 706-8490
1111 Hudson Street - (201) 942-9314
City MD
City MD at 231 Washington Street also offers COVID-19 tests. You can walk in without an appointment and get tested during regular hours.
COVID Vaccination News
In spectacular Hoboken news, as of August 5th, nearly 100% of our seniors (65 and older) have received their first dose, and 95% of our seniors are fully vaccinated. Just amazing.
76% of Hoboken residents 18 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 70% are fully vaccinated.
86% of Hoboken residents 30 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 80% are fully vaccinated.
68% of all Hoboken residents, regardless of eligibility, have been provided with at least one dose, and 62% are fully vaccinated.
Mayor Bhalla and the Hoboken Health Department continue collaborating with local pharmacies to offer free COVID-19 vaccine clinics for Hoboken residents and employees of Hoboken businesses at the following locations and times:
Walk-in Vaccination Clinics
Where: 221 Jackson Street (community room)
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees, Hoboken students
Day: Thursdays
Time: 3 pm - 7 pm
Vaccine Offered: Johnson & Johnson (one-dose) or Moderna (two-doses) or Pfizer
Ages: 18+ and Pfizer vaccine for ages 12+
Administered By: Better Life Pharmacy
Where: 605 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 4 pm - 7 pm
Vaccine Offered: Johnson & Johnson (one-dose) or Pfizer
Ages: 18+ and Pfizer vaccine for ages 12+
Administered By: Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding
To get the City’s latest information on vaccinations and clinic schedules click here.
In addition to the clinics above, Hoboken Family Pharmacy is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine at their Hoboken location at 307 First Street during regular business hours, while supplies last. Residents and employees can schedule an appointment here or by calling (201) 420-7777.
CVS pharmacies in Hoboken Midtown and Uptown locations also are supplying the COVID-19 vaccine. To track CVS’s Hoboken vaccine supply click here. You can also receive the vaccine at the County’s vaccination center in Kearny. Click here to make an appointment.
Coffee with Cohen . . . the home edition
Last year, to practice social distancing, rather than eliminate my monthly Coffee with Cohen constituent events, I turned to the internet. On July 19th, I hosted my 38th livestream event welcoming Toni Tomarazzo and Susan Lisovicz, members of the Hoboken Community Center’s Board of Trustees.
We discussed the HCC’s services, programs, plans to rehabilitate the recreational area of the “Y” at 13th and Washington, and how our community can financially support or volunteer for the HCC. I also discussed the latest on COVID vaccines, COVID testing, a special grant from Jon Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul Foundation for Hoboken Legion’s Post 107 to house homeless veterans, and much, much more.
My favorite part of Coffee with Cohen is answering your questions. I addressed your questions regarding repairing a fallen street sign at 11th and Adams, opposing a proposed Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission fracked gas-fired power plant, and more. I also shared the results of my poll on your favorite Bon Jovi song. Over 415 people have watched this event and you can check it out here.
Do you have questions you would like me to answer at my next event? Please send them to HobokenPhil@gmail.com as I try to answer each one. The event is hosted on my Facebook page @Philcohenforcouncil and you can watch it here. My next Coffee with Cohen event will be Monday, August 23rd at noon and I hope to see you there.
You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, or if I can be of assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com.
Phil Cohen
5th Ward Councilman
City of 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 my prior newsletters) on my website philcohen.org. 
