Dear Neighbors,
This week it seems we went straight from Winter ❄️ to Summer 🌞 Here’s hoping for at least a few Spring-like days ahead. Here are your monthly updates.
Standing Against Violence and Terror in Hoboken
Recently, were horrified to learn a Hoboken man was arrested for planning to firebomb the home of Nerdeen Kissani, a leader of Within Our Lifetime, a pro-Palestinian organization. We absolutely condemn political violence, threats of violence and terrorism. These actions are completely unacceptable and have no place in our community.
Let me be clear: there is no place for anti-Muslim or anti-Palestinian violence in our community.
To our Palestinian and Muslim neighbors: you belong here, you are valued, and your safety is not negotiable.
Addressing Hoboken’s Structural Budget Challenges
For too long, over my objections, Hoboken’s municipal surplus has been used by the prior Administration, and my Council colleagues as a short-term solution to offset tax increases, rather than a stable, self-replenishing reserve consistent with sound fiscal practices. These decisions have had lasting consequences. What was once a $24 million municipal surplus in 2018 has declined to approximately $10 million in 2026, accounting for the lion’s share of a $17 million budget gap identified and inherited by Mayor Jabbour. This structural deficit led Standard & Poors to assign Hoboken a negative outlook, although presently maintaining the City’s AA+ bond rating.
Maintaining a strong credit rating is essential to protect taxpayers. A downgrade would increase borrowing costs for critical infrastructure projects, ultimately placing millions of dollars of additional tax burdens on taxpayers. The need for recent emergency repairs, such as the deteriorating bulkhead and seawall along Sinatra Drive, requiring $30 million in municipal bonding, underscores how vital it is to preserve financial flexibility.
Moving forward, we must focus on identifying ways to responsibly increase municipal revenues and reduce expenses, with the goal of minimizing future property tax increases. Next week, Mayor Jabbour is introducing a municipal budget reflecting three million dollars in cost savings — narrowing our structural deficit to $14 million —- and landing on a 19% municipal tax increase. The Mayor has been transparent with the community concerning the need to maintain a responsible, regenerating surplus, and has communicated clearly her commitment not to reduce critical services which our community expects and deserves — sanitation services, public safety, flood resilience, addressing aged infrastructure, and maintaining our roads and public spaces. I look forward to working with my Council colleagues to identify additional cost savings and revenue enhancements, as the Council moves to adopt a responsible municipal budget.
A Decisive Victory for a Valued Small Business
I proudly sponsored the ordinance which ultimately protected Blue Violets, and rendered moot the meritless litigation pursued by those who sought to drive this micro-dispensary out of business. Last fall, Councilman Quintero and I called on the backers of this litigation to drop the case, as their fearmongering and dire predictions about the business before it opened simply had not come true after they began serving the community (as recognized by Hoboken Girl’s readers!). While it is unfortunate this case was litigated “all the way to the Supreme Court”, I’m grateful that Max and Lauren have prevailed. Here’s wishing Blue Violets many years of continued success as a respected and valued member of our Washington Street business community.
Reclaiming Our Waterfront Parks from Goose Poop
At our last Council meeting, I sponsored an emergency resolution unanimously approved by my colleagues to address an issue I have heard much about from my constituents — the accumulation of unsightly and unhealthy goose waste in our uptown waterfront parks. Goose poop can carry Listeria and E.Coli bacterium.
The Council authorized an emergency contract totaling $18,995 with Geese Chasers North Jersey LLC. The scope of work includes ongoing geese management services, including daily monitoring, deterrence by trained professionals and border collies, and seasonal egg addling in spring 2026 to help reduce future nesting. This is a practical, humane approach to maintaining the quality and accessibility of our parks and allowing our residents to safely enjoy these public spaces.
Investing in Safer, Smoother Streets Across Hoboken
This spring, Hoboken is partnering with PSE&G and the North Hudson Sewerage Authority to pave approximately two miles of city roads. These improvements follow extensive underground infrastructure upgrades, including enhancements to drinking water mains and pressure valves, gas mains, and expanded storm sewer capacity to help reduce flooding. This work also will incorporate Vision Zero safety upgrades, including high-visibility crosswalk striping, and curb ramp improvements enhancing accessibility at key intersections.
Work is scheduled from April through early June, with streets across Hoboken slated for restoration, including several square blocks in Northwest Hoboken. You can see the map of planned repaving here. Most of this work is funded through grants and utility capital projects, funding critical infrastructure upgrades while minimizing the burden on Hoboken taxpayers.
The Uptown Farmer’s Market Returns May 2nd!
One of the best things about living in uptown Hoboken are enjoying Saturday mornings at the Uptown Farmer’s Market. On May 2nd the farmer’s market returns to its home under the viaduct.
Enjoy fresh farm produce, baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, and more with local musicians laying down tunes while you enjoy the welcoming vibe. So come on out in May and shop local, and enjoy the best of what Hoboken (and the 5th Ward) has to offer every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm, under the viaduct.
Coffee with Cohen . . . the Home Edition
On Wednesday, April 22nd at 12 pm, I host my monthly Coffee with Cohen … the home edition community event with special guest Hoboken’s Transportation and Parking Director Ryan Sharp.
You can RSVP to join this virtual meeting here. If you have questions for me or Director Sharp, send them to HobokenPhil@gmail.com and we will try to address them.
Staying Up To Date
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
(201) 639-4082
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.
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Paid for by Phil Cohen for Hoboken City Council |
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