Dear Neighbors,
August is here, and here are updates to keep you informed on the latest in our Mile Square City.
Addressing Rodent 🐀 Activity
As your Councilman, I have been actively engaged in addressing concerns about rats. When residents email or otherwise alert me, I promptly contact Hoboken’s Health Department to send inspectors, bait neighborhood sewers with poison, and/or issue violations if appropriate.
In the past year, the Hoboken City Council authorized $125,000 with Paramount Exterminating to curtail rodent activity on public property, employing methods such as CO2, baiting sewers, and rodent birth control to reduce the rat population and prevent future infestations.
Despite the City Council’s increased focus on these issues this year, the number of complaints and rat sightings are on the rise. Since May, I have knocked on more than 1,500 doors speaking with residents, checking in, and catching up. Recently, I have heard more of your rat concerns. Just yesterday, in response to my urging, the Hoboken City Council held a special meeting, fast-tracking new legislation strengthening the City’s tools to rid rats from our community.
Here are details on the new Ordinance which will go into effect on August 24th:
New requirements for containerized garbage cans:
- Requires all residential or mixed-use properties with 10 or fewer units to use containerized garbage cans with tightly fitting lids for waste disposal.
- Properties with more than 10 units are required to utilize containerized garbage bins, except in cases where space constraints prevent it.
- All containerized garbage cans must be closed with a properly fitting lid at all times, including during storage and especially when placed at the curb for collection.
Some have asked why larger buildings are exempt from the containerized can requirement, which is a good question. The answer is there is not enough space on sidewalks near certain large buildings to accommodate the necessary amount of garbage containers.
Specifications for the new containerized garbage cans are as follows:
- Capacity: Strongly recommended to be no larger than 32 gallons, and no smaller than 10 gallons
- Durability: Constructed with a material capable of holding garbage without leakage or spillage
- Weight: Less than 50 pounds when full
- Lid: Tightly fitted lids securely connected to the container
- Identification: House or lot number displayed at least six inches tall for easy identification
New Garbage Bag Specifications
- With space constraints, properties must use disposable garbage bags at least 1.1 mils thick and treated with rodent repellent or at least 3 mils thick if they lack rodent repellent.
- Disposable plastic bags should be stored indoors between collections.
Private Property Extermination and Enforcement:
Property owners are responsible for arranging pest and rodent control services on their premises within 7 days (previously 14 days), after being notified of rodent activity by City inspectors. If the property owner fails to comply, the city will then take necessary extermination measures and seek reimbursement from the homeowner with the option of placing a lien on the property for unreimbursed pest control services rendered by the City.
Reporting Rodent Sightings is Centralized & Easy:
The City has streamlined the process of reporting rodent infestations. Residents can submit reports at ratreport@hobokennj.gov. Please include the exact address of the infestation, along with your contact phone number and any additional details and pictures, if available.
Additional Measures for Parklets are Coming: The administration is working on additional rodent control measures for businesses that utilize parklets for outdoor dining. These measures will aim to properly maintain outdoor dining areas, conduct regular extermination inspections, and enhance sanitation practices, including regularly washing underneath parklet surfaces.
For more detailed information on the City of Hoboken's rodent mitigation initiatives, click here.
New ♻️ EV🚗 Charging 🚙 Stations ♻️ Are Coming!
Hoboken is collaborating with Volta to introduce 25 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations throughout the city with the goal of ensuring easy access for residents to these stations. By 2030, the city aims to have every resident within a 5-minute walk of a public charging station.
The first phase of the Volta program will include four level 2 chargers and four DC fast chargers, strategically located at ResilienCity Park, Columbus Park, Monroe Arts Center, and Southwest Resiliency Park. The DC fast chargers are capable of recharging a vehicle's battery from 20% to 80% in just 30-60 minutes, while the level 2 chargers will add approximately 20 to 25 miles per hour of charging.
Construction has already started on the first phase, with two level 2 charging stations installed on 10th Street between Clinton Street and Grand Street. If you'd like to learn more about Hoboken's EV charging infrastructure and the city's commitment to sustainability, click here.
Register for the 800 Monroe Resiliency Park Community Meeting
I am proud to have supported the Monarch litigation settlement that ended the threat of 11-story condos being built over the 15th Street piers and deeded to the City the 800 Monroe property as community space, instead of the then-planned 150+ condo Ironstate project.
Please join a virtual community meeting for planning our 800 Monroe Resiliency Park next Thursday, August 9th, at 6 pm. All Hoboken community members are encouraged to participate and register for the event.
The project team will unveil two draft design concepts based on the valuable feedback received from the community during the public meeting held in April. Your input during this meeting and through a soon-to-be-released survey will help shape the final design for the City's fourth resiliency park. You can learn more about the 800 Monroe Resiliency Park project here.
Proud to be a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate
Help Your Neighbors by Donating Back to School Supplies!
In collaboration with local non-profits HOPES and FamilyHood, the Office of Constituent Services is conducting a school supply drive to assist residents in need. The City is requesting donations of crayons, pencils, pencil cases, notebooks, and folders. You can make a difference for students who need a helping hand as they head back to school.
Please drop your contributions at Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington St., from Monday to Friday, between 9 am and 4 pm through August 15th.
Coffee with Cohen … the home edition
Mark your calendars, as I am hosting my 84th Coffee with Cohen community event on August 14th from 8 to 9 am at Uncle Milton’s Cafe, a wonderful, locally owned and operated 5th Ward business located at 1117 Jefferson Street, across from ResilienCity Park. Come join us for coffee, croissants, and conversation!
Staying Up To Date and Seeking My Assistance
I issue this newsletter every other Friday. You can stay up to date by following me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. If you have any questions, 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.
