Reporter poll asks: Should taxpayers get money back?
According to city officials, Hoboken will introduce its new municipal budget at the Sept. 1 council meeting.
There has been much discussion over the new budget. The city has an unrestricted surplus of $11.8 million, which is part of a total surplus of $20 million. Councilwoman Beth Mason released a letter last week to supporters asking that Mayor Dawn Zimmer return this money to the taxpayers.
A report on NJ.com stated that Business Administrator Arch Liston said the money will not go to tax relief, because the city anticipates substantial healthcare costs and the negotiation of six to seven labor contracts.
Calls to Liston’s office last week were not returned.
Readers of The Hoboken Reporter took part in an informal poll on The Hudson Reporter’s website to weigh in on whether to return the surplus to taxpayers. Fifty-four votes were received in the two days of polling. For the final results, head to www.hudsonreporter.com or http://tinyurl.com/24w5dwe.
Senior bus reinstated
After protests from the senior community, the city reinstated the senior bus as of Thursday, Aug. 19.
“The seniors weren’t happy,” said Thomas Foley, division head of senior services.
The senior bus will operate on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The city had been encouraging seniors to utilize “The Hop” bus system, which expanded the city’s cross-town bus system.
Mayor Dawn Zimmer mentioned the presence of a few problems in a letter to The Hoboken Reporter published on Aug. 8, but seemed confident that The Hop could adjust to the needs of the seniors.
“Despite the improvements, we recognize that these changes can be frustrating at first,” Zimmer said in the letter.
The Hop was advertised as offering double the frequency, extended hours, and broader coverage compared to the senior bus. Those incentives did not satisfy the seniors, so the senior bus has been reinstated.
Hoboken Business Center honoring Mother Theresa
The Hoboken Business Center is asking residents to help honor Mother Theresa by placing posters, available through the city’s Catholic churches, in their windows on Thursday, Aug. 26.
Gregory Dell’Aquila, owner of the Hoboken Business Center, collaborated with graphic designer Joseph A. Corrado to develop and distribute posters of Mother Theresa through the city’s Catholic churches.
“Mother Theresa shows us the kind of compassion and devotion from which we all can learn and grow,” said Dell’Aquila in a press release. “I’d like to encourage everyone, regardless of their religion, to display one of these posters in their window as a tribute to honor Mother Theresa’s legacy on the 26th.”
Those interested in obtaining a commemorative Mother Theresa poster are encouraged to visit Catholic Churches located throughout Hoboken, including Saint Francis, Saints Peter and Paul, Our Lady of Grace, Saint Ann’s, or the Hoboken Business Center at 50 Harrison St.
New parking meters will give receipts
New parking meters are coming to Hoboken, and the city is hoping they will create more spots and make parking easier. The “pay and display” system requires motorists to pay ahead of time, print a receipt, and display it on their dashboard.
“These meters will instantly create an additional twenty parking spaces in our city,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer, in a press release. “They are not only much more convenient for the community, but they also provide the city with dramatically improved accounting capabilities at a time when every quarter counts.”
Parking Director Ian Sacs believes the new meters will not only be more efficient, but also assist the city in keeping track of how much money is brought in through street parking.
“These meters provide more payment options, break down far less often, and their solar panels make them an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional parking meters.” Sacs said. “With the auditing features of these meters, there won’t be any questions about how much money is being collected.”
STY academy all-star basketball game taking place on Aug. 27
The Hoboken Police Athletic League, Save the Youth Academy, City of Hoboken, and Hoboken Housing Authority are proud to present the STY Academy’s Third Annual Summer Youth All Star Game at 5 p.m. Aug. 27 on the basketball courts at Church Square Park/Fourth Street Park.
The 12- to 14-year-olds will start playing at 5 p.m., and 15- to 18-year-olds will play at 6 p.m.
The program has been effective at keeping Hoboken youth off the streets during the dog days of summer and actively engaged in generating positive energy.
“Programs like this are key to providing empowerment and focus for our neighborhood youth during the long, hot summer months, and to strengthening our community,” said STY Vice President Jake Stuiver, a member of the Hoboken Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, in a press release.
The event’s rain date will be Aug. 31.