Several issues erupted at a fiery Hoboken’s City Council meeting last night. Below is a summary. More to come later on!
LaBruno erupts at taxpayer’s suggestions
Councilwoman Terry LaBruno became incensed when resident Donna Antonucci wrapped up her presentation on Fire Department budget cuts at the council meeting last night.
LaBruno’s husband is a fireman. She exploded at Antonucci from the dais.
“I’ve watched my husband body-bag children,” LaBruno yelled. “Lives are not numbers.”
LaBruno jumped from her seat as she spoke, but police officers actually swarmed Antonucci, who was almost escorted from the building.
LaBruno later apologized: “I don’t think it was the intent of anyone to hurt the city.”
2009 parking permit fee may be reduced
Tickets for overtime parking meters went from $20 to $30 as the Hoboken City Council voted unanimously to increase parking fees as a way to avoid a resident parking permit hike last night. Other penalties also increased. The council will now work with Fiscal Monitor Judy Tripodi to rescind the resident permit hike, they said.
Parking Utility head John Corea said he will offer residents a credit or refund if they’ve already paid extra for a new permit.
No job for finance director yet
The council tabled a vote on an ordinance to create the position of director of the Finance Department. This position had already been filled by Nick Trasente, a former colleague of Tripodi, but the ordinance needs to pass for the position to exist. Tripodi does not have the authority to pass ordinances, so the council must approve the position.
Council members said they were poorly informed of the nature of the position before the vote, and tabled it until some questions could be answered by the administration.