Dear Neighbors,
This week, Governor Murphy announced the second stage of reopening the Garden State.
Let’s continue being cautious and practice social distancing as we approach a new, more sustainable “normal” in Hoboken, living with the risk of COVID-19 in our community and appreciating our gradual return to life more like the lives we lived before COVID-19 came to the Mile Square City.
COVID-19 Incidence Update and a Flattening Curve
As of Thursday, 563 Hoboken residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
Since March 30, 29 Hoboken residents have died due to COVID-19. I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to each heartbroken Hoboken family that has endured this unimaginable pain at what is already an extraordinarily challenging and stressful time.
Please know that you have the full support of your neighbors and our entire Hoboken community. We are with you. Together, we send you our prayers and extend to you our wishes for your comfort, healing, and peace.
Employee Testing for Hoboken Businesses
Our COVID-19 test facilities are now open to employees of any Hoboken business. This is a critical step in facilitating Hoboken businesses’ reopening, providing critical information to help ensure that our businesses and their employees are safe for customers. The process remains the same for residents, business owners, and employees who work in Hoboken – call the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hotline at City Hall at 201-420-5621 and arrange a test. Over 100 employees have already signed up for this testing, which is great news.
Hoboken residents remain able to sign up for both the COVID-19 nasal swab test (offered by Riverside Medical at 15th and Jefferson) and the antibody finger-prick blood test (offered by PromptMD at 7th and Jackson). To get tested for the COVID-19 nasal swab test, residents must schedule an appointment by first calling 201-420-5621 Monday through Friday, 9 am - 5 pm. Registration is required for antibody testing, and residents can click here to do so. The antibody test is a Boditech AFIAS Rapid COVID-19 Antibody Test that is currently certified for all of Europe and has been presented to the FDA for approval. In clinical trials, the test provides over 96.6% sensitivity and specificity, higher than what is required by the FDA. To date, almost 6,000 people have registered for antibody testing. In our first three days of antibody testing, the City has tested about 1,800 people. The antibody test results will let you know whether you are actively shedding the COVID-19 virus and also whether you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus previously and, if so, the degree of that exposure. The tests cost you nothing and will be covered either by your insurance (with no deductible) or by the City.
New Jersey’s Second Stage Reopening
On Monday, Governor Murphy announced that the state will begin its second stage reopening. Stage 2 permits outdoor dining at Hoboken’s restaurants, and non-essential in-person retail establishments to operate on June 15th. Salons and barbershops will be allowed to re-open starting June 22nd. You can read more about the reopenings here.
I haven’t had curly hair since I was back in law school, my mom likes it, but I definitely could use a trim, and can’t wait to visit my friends at Hair Cult for my first haircut since March -- I encourage you to make your hair cut appointments at your favorite Hoboken salons and barbershops now, our local businesses will appreciate knowing that you will be there when they open their doors, and it will help them plan their first weeks back in business with significantly reduced capacity when you return.
The Uptown Hoboken Farmers’ Market Returns!
Last Saturday, Hoboken residents embraced the weekly return of the Uptown Hoboken Farmers’ Market under the viaduct between Grand and Clinton Streets. I was happy to check out the market, which is open from 9 am to 2 pm in a new location to permit social distancing. The customers shop in one direction and patiently awaited their turn to shop. It was a welcome return to a “normal” routine that I had missed. Your favorite vendors are there, including: Stony Hill Farms; Hoboken Farms; Pickle-Licious; Paolo Kitchen; bwe kafe; and coming tomorrow and the Saturdays to follow, Alfalfa and Choc-o-Pain! Thanks to Mayor Bhalla, Director of Environmental Services Jennifer Gonzalez, and Bijou Properties for this terrific public/private collaboration to bring a socially-distancing Farmers Market to the 5th Ward and Uptown Hoboken. Hope to see you there!
Hoboken Outdoor Fitness
Exercise is a major part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It also plays a part in establishing good mental health. Over the past few months, it’s been hard for people to keep up with healthy habits as gyms and fitness centers have been closed. Fortunately, Hoboken based fitness clubs can now utilize certain City fields and parks in order to have safe, socially distanced workouts. Licensed owners or managers of fitness centers in Hoboken can now apply to host outdoor classes of up to 15 people here. The classes must follow strict social distancing guidelines. You can read more about Hoboken’s outdoor social distance fitness policy here.
1.5% Tax Increase for the Third Quarter
As many may recall (before I was even sworn into office in January), in December the City’s Business Administrator identified a projected budget shortfall of $7.4 million. Since then, decreased revenue related to the COVID-19 State of Emergency, as well as increased expenses to protect our community during the pandemic, have added additional challenges to our City’s fiscal picture. Further, we learned that the Hoboken Board of Education passed its budget of $83.2 million reflecting a 7.95% increase from the previous year due to 18% increased enrollment (which is a good thing) and other factors.
On the positive side of the fiscal ledger, we just got some much needed good news from Hudson County. The single biggest piece of Hoboken taxpayer’s bill is the Hudson County levy, representing about 40% of every dollar in our tax bill. Last week we learned that Hoboken’s tax bill from Hudson County will be reduced by 6.5%. This unexpected break from Hudson County comes at a very good time for us and stands in stark contrast with many years of absorbing frustrating double-digit tax increases levied on our City in the past decade.
Generally, the City’s budget is due in early May, but with the current State of Emergency in effect, and the State’s decision to push it’s Fiscal Year forward, the State has moved back municipalities’ deadlines for filing budgets with the State. The first two tax bills of the year are calculated based on last year’s budget with the next two, August’s and November’s, calculated based on the new budget. With the State’s deadlines pushed back, however, and much guidance from the State to municipalities in flux, the City has not yet introduced a budget for consideration to the Council. Hoboken’s 3rd Quarter taxes, due in August, then, will be an estimated tax bill.
Instead of an increase of 5% in the estimated 3rd Quarter tax bill, as presented to the Council just 2 weeks ago — thanks in large part to Hudson County’s 6.5% reduction, and the hard work of the City’s Finance Department working with the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee (on which I serve) — there will only be a 1.5% levy increase in the Third Quarter. The City Council also considered 2% or 3% increases for the Third Quarter estimated tax bills, but the Council opted for the lowest possible responsible tax increase. There is a risk that by taking the lowest considered level for the 3rd Quarter bill that the 4th Quarter tax bill could be significantly larger than the 3rd Quarter because our budget must be balanced at year-end, and the 4th Quarter tax bill will be the final opportunity to do so. But we will do our best to work with the Administration to minimize any shock in your tax bill, especially during these difficult days.
Hoboken Relief Fund
The newly established Hoboken Relief Fund is designed to help our small businesses and neighbors in need who have suffered adverse economic impact from COVID-19. I am honored to Co-Chair this effort and work with a remarkable Board of Trustees. The fund has already raised over 300 thousand dollars in pledges and donations. All contributions go directly to Hoboken’s small businesses that are suffering these days and are the backbone of our community as well as to your fellow Hobokenites in need. You can learn about the Hoboken Relief Fund here.
The Hoboken Relief Fund hosted an amazing “Love Local,” online concert on May 16th hosted by Hoboken legend The Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro, and Mayor Bhalla, featuring our local talent and world-class musicians coming together to raise critically needed funds for the Hoboken Relief Fund. It was a wonderful concert with amazing musicians and performances. If you weren’t able to view it you can see it here and donate here.
On June 6th from 7 pm - 10 pm, the Relief Fund is hosting another fun-filled event! Please join us for a Saturday Night Virtual Dance Party where DJ Cam will be spinning your favorite dance hits to raise much-needed funds for our Hoboken small businesses and neighbors. The need is great, and if you can afford to make a contribution, we’d love to see you dancing together Saturday night. Join us here!
The City Council Abolished the Office of Constituent Services on Wednesday
In a head-shaking move, six members of the City Council thought it was a good idea to abolish the Office of Constituent Services two weeks ago — and then override Mayor Bhalla’s veto of this ordinance at Wednesday‘s Council meeting. At a time when Constituent Services are so important for financially distressed Hobokenites who need help getting State benefits, like unemployment benefits — and so much more — six City Council members put their own personal agenda ahead of the best interests of the City by eliminating the Office that Mayor Bhalla created, with much fanfare, in October 2018. It’s disappointing when petty politics drive public policy — and unfortunately, thousands of Hobokenites who have relied on the Office of Constituent Services for assistance will no longer be able to do so. I am grateful that Councilwoman Jabbour and Councilman Doyle joined me in opposing the ordinance to Abolish the Office of Constituent Affairs.
Critical Census Filing
Despite the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoboken’s 2020 Census participation rate has been impressive, and as of June 4th, we are at 62.1% participation citywide! However, we still have a way to go until 100%.
I strongly encourage all residents to respond online at www.my2020census.gov, over the phone, or by mail. While the self-response period has been extended, we need you to respond ASAP to avoid the need for in-person follow-up from the Census Bureau.
In order to be eligible for critical funding for our schools, roads, housing initiatives, non-profits, Medicaid, Medicare, and so much more, it is critical that all Hoboken residents complete the 2020 Census. It takes less than ten minutes to fill out the questionnaire online, but your response makes a big impact on our community. You can learn more about the importance of completing the Census here and here.
Coffee with Cohen . . . the home edition
To practice social distancing, rather than eliminate my monthly Coffee with Cohen constituent events, I turned to the internet. On Monday, June 1st, I hosted my most latest Coffee with Cohen Livestream event. I enjoyed updating you on what’s going on with Hoboken’s COVID-19 issues, Antibody testing for Hoboken employees, the Uptown Hoboken Farmer’s Market, and information to help our small businesses. If you tune in, you will also learn the results of my poll in which I ask how you choose to wear face coverings when you go outside. There have been over 360 views of Monday’s event as of yesterday. The event is hosted on my Facebook page @Philcohenforcouncil and you can view it here.
As long as we have this state of emergency, I plan to continue hosting this event twice a month on the internet, and I hope you join me at noon on Monday, June 15th for the next one!
If you want to reach out with any questions or concerns, or if I can be of any assistance to you or to your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com
Stay safe everyone!
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 on my website,
