Dear Neighbor,
It’s exciting (to me) to begin May with the Mets in first place.
Here’s your update on all things Hoboken.
⛵️Weehawken Cove Clean Up ⛵️
As you have probably seen in person or on social media, Hoboken began the long-awaited removal of abandoned boats from Weehawken Cove. As of Thursday morning, seven of the fourteen boats have been removed from the Cove.
This is the latest example of Mayor Bhalla’s administration’s substantial efforts to upgrade our uptown waterfront, which will include the creation of a living shoreline at the Cove, bulkhead upgrades at 16th Street, a brand new Cove Park as a part of Rebuild by Design, along with the preservation of the Monarch and Union Dry Dock Properties for public, open space.
At Wednesday's meeting of the City Council, we authorized an expansion of work hours for the City’s contractor to 6 am until 8 pm, with all work being performed within the Hudson River.
The project is funded by a $235,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Removal Program secured by Mayor Bhalla with the invaluable assistance of Senator Bob Menendez, Senator Cory Booker, and Congressman Albio Sires.
One common question the City has received from residents is whether boat owners are responsible for the cost of the removal, even though we received a substantial federal grant for the project, protecting Hoboken taxpayers. The answer is that if identification numbers are on an abandoned boat, the City will bill the boat owner for payment. Unfortunately, boats often have no identification numbers or their numbers have been removed. Per our ordinance, an owner who does not pay the assessed fee is subject to additional fines, up to $2,000, and/or imprisonment for up to 90 days.
More information about the project is available here.
7 down 7 to go!
Hoboken Solar Program
The Hoboken Housing Authority and the City of Hoboken have launched the Hoboken Community Solar Pilot Program. Under the program, which is part of Hoboken's Climate Action Plan initiated by Mayor Bhalla to become carbon-neutral by 2050, the HHA and other residents who are low- and moderate-income (less than $67,980) will receive discounted clean solar energy.
With the Community Solar Program, low and moderate-income residents who are disproportionally impacted by on-site solar energy limitations, such as physical restrictions on their properties, will have access to clean, solar energy.
The program will be available to HHA residents and low- to moderate-income residents (household income less than $67,500) who live in buildings with master meters or in buildings that cover the utility costs for multiple units. Solar energy will be provided by a remote solar project in Elizabeth, NJ, which will then be allocated to the residents of the HHA. This pilot program is provided at no cost to the taxpayers of Hoboken as a result of a partnership with Hartz Solar, Gabel Associates, and the nonprofit Solar One. The Hoboken Housing Authority expects to save 25 percent on electricity charges as a result of the program. These savings will be deposited into the HHA Community Solar Fund, which will be used for an energy or sustainability project that benefits the community directly.
Besides reducing energy costs and carbon emissions, the program will provide green business job training to up to 25 HHA residents. This summer, residents of the HHA will decide the specific project to be funded at community engagement sessions put on by the HHA and solar administrator Gabel Associates, Inc.
Green job training for up to 25 HHA residents is scheduled to begin June 27th, with three weeks of classroom and hands-on training in construction safety, electrical basics, and solar installation.
All Green Workforce Training Program students who complete the training will be eligible for an interview with a local solar installer for a job starting at $21 per hour.
Hoboken Public School’s Production of Matilda 
Get your tickets now for Matilda at the Hoboken High School! Opening night is Friday, May 20, at 7 pm with additional performances taking place on Saturday and Sunday. You can purchase tickets here.
Hoboken Holi Celebration
Enjoy the music and festive colors with Namaste Hoboken at a Holi Celebration May 14th from 11 am to 1 pm at the Sinatra Park Ampitheater! All proceeds will go towards a scholarship awarded to a Hoboken Public High School Student.
Spring Fling Rescheduled
Spring Fling, a community-wide day of service dedicated to cleaning up our parks and public spaces, has been postponed to Sunday, May 22, 10 am - 2 pm due to rain in the forecast for this Saturday. For more information and information on how to sign up and participate in Spring Fling, go here.
Statewide Plastic Bag Ban
The statewide ban on carry-out plastic bags and polystyrene foam food-service containers began Wednesday.
The law, signed by Governor Murphy in 2020, replaces Hoboken’s earlier plastic bag ordinance. The new plastic bag ban prohibits grocery stores and retail establishments from providing single-use plastic bags to customers. Furthermore, grocery stores with 2,500 square feet or more are prohibited from giving customers single-use paper bags. The sale of polystyrene foam takeout food containers and other polystyrene food-service products, such as plates, cups, food trays, and utensils, are also prohibited. The law also requires food service businesses to only provide single-use plastic straws when requested by customers.
This new ban is slightly different than Hoboken’s plastic bag ban initiated a few years ago, in that businesses can no longer charge a fee for a paper bag, and large grocery or retail stores are no longer permitted to provide paper bags (or plastic bags).
For more information, go to the NJ DEP’s Get Past Plastic website or check out NJ Clean Communities’ BagUpNJ campaign which has a detailed list of the law’s impact on supermarkets, restaurants, retail stores and food pantries.
Municipal Budget Workshops
The City Council’s Finance Committee, on which I serve, is hosting virtual workshops where you can learn more about the specific components of the Administration's proposed budget before the Council votes on the budget and consider potential areas for cost savings in the proposed budget. You are welcome to participate — a Zoom link for the meetings is here.
The schedule and agenda for the final Finance Committee Budget hearing on Monday evening is as follows:
Monday, May 9, 2022 – 6 PM
Department of Public Safety | 6 PM
Department of Transportation and Parking | 7:15 PM
I look forward to folks joining the budget hearings to learn about your municipal budget. You can review department presentations and learn more about our municipal budget workshops at www.hobokennj.gov/budgetworkshop.
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 2nd, Hoboken’s positive test results total 10,854 cases confirmed since the start of the pandemic. Two weeks ago, there were 10,590 positive cases.
New Jersey’s transmission rate is presently at 1.19. Please stay vigilant, practice social distancing when necessary, wash your hands, and stay safe.
HUMC is now hospitalizing 1 person with COVID who is a 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 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.
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 5th, 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 81% 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 55th Coffee with Cohen event on Tuesday, I hosted special guest Acting Police Chief Steven Aguiar.
Chief Aguiar and his Family at his Swearing in Ceremony
We discussed public safety in Hoboken, new HPD programs and initiatives including addressing e-bikes on sidewalks, combatting auto theft, the HPD’s infrastructure limits, the plan for new Police Department facilities, traffic enforcement at 13th & Adams and much more. I also addressed many other issues affecting our community and answered your questions on EV charging stations and the 9th Street Infrastructure project. 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.
