There’s a new swagger on the left side of the City Council table.
The evening after a hard fought campaign by two candidates who represent two sides of a politically divided city came to an end, the council convened for their shortest meeting in a long time. The business of the city was discussed until approximately 8:30 p.m. But the people who make up the council audience seemed to want more from the meeting and, at the same time, seemed unable to let go of a bitter election season that has changed the political majority on the governing body.
“We have to start respecting each other’s opinions and feelings.” – Patricia Waiters
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As the impact of the election began to be felt, a new attitude overtook the former council minority.
Lenz not there
The 4th Ward special election was not certified by the Hudson County Board of Elections before Wednesday’s council meeting took place, which meant Occhipinti could not take a seat on the council.
Council President Carol Marsh announced at the beginning of the meeting that Lenz said he would not be seated “out of respect for the electoral process.”
Occhipinti was in attendance on Wednesday night, seated in the third row of the public pews.
Assistant City Clerk Jerry Lore said the certification will take place this week, which would mean Occhipinti would be certified and sworn in for the next City Council meeting on Nov. 15. The meeting is on a Monday because the 95th Annual League of Municipalities conference will take place from Nov. 16 to Nov. 20 in Atlantic City, and Hoboken will participate.
Actual business
The agenda was rather short for the meeting, but new ordinances were read and introduced. Some first readings of ordinances were voted on, including one which would amend the time sidewalk cafes are open until, and another which would ease the restrictions and requirements for solar panels to be installed on residential areas.
The final vote on an ordinance which would create two new positions in the legal department failed after a 4-4 tie vote. In order for the vote to be passed, they’ll have to bring the ordinance back and see how the new swing vote, Occhipinti, decides.
Overtime discussion continues
Councilman Michael Russo and Parking Director Ian Sacs continued their seemingly regular bi-monthly discussion about overtime in the Transportation and Parking department.
Russo called on Sacs to discuss the approximately $15,000 in overtime which was reported and said he was doing a “poor job managing overtime.”
Sacs, once again, told Russo that it is cheaper for workers to be paid overtime rather than bring on new employees.
“My preference is to slowly bring on parking enforcers and measure the difference in salary and the cost benefit of overtime,” Sacs said.
Sacs said he provides the same response to Russo every meeting, and believes if new officers were brought on it would cut overtime but overall costs would skyrocket.
Council remarks
Councilwoman Theresa Castellano recognized Vincent Wassman, who was honored earlier in the week through a proclamation issued by Mayor Dawn Zimmer, for his service on the Historic Preservation Committee.
Russo later thanked political foe Lenz for his service on the council.
“Although we did not agree on a lot of things he does deserve this recognition,” Russo said.
The attention quickly turned to the newly elected Councilman Tim Occhipinti in the crowd.
“I’d like to congratulate Mr. Occhipinti,” Russo said. “Job well done; I look forward to working with you.”
The meeting took an interesting turn when Councilman Dave Mello requested an apology from Russo for using Mello’s name on a tombstone during the Russo Civic Association Halloween event.
“For [the event] to be politicized is offensive, and juvenile,” Mello said. “I think I’m owed an apology, my family is owed an apology, some of my council colleagues who also had their names [there] are owed an apology.”
Castellano said since Mello is in politics he needs to get “some thicker skin.” Russo said to place the names of the council and the mayor in the coffin is something they do “every year.”
Mello said someone sent him a photo of the tombstone, and wouldn’t have been happy if his daughter was there to see her father’s name on the tombstone.
Councilman Ravi Bhalla congratulated Occhipinti on the victory and said he hopes Occhipinti will keep his word to be an “independent voice.” Bhalla also thanked Lenz for his service and said he valued Lenz’s “intellect and creativity.”
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
The public portion of the meeting consisted of demands from the public for more civility.
“We have to start respecting each other’s opinions and feelings,” said Patricia Waiters, a Lenz supporter who spoke for five minutes about the incivility of the nasty political fight. “Michael [Lenz] isn’t the loser of this election, the people lost because we are going to continue to play [politics].”
Another resident and Lenz supporter, Scott Siegel, also said that he wished people “would be more respectful of other people.”
Lane Bajardi, a supporter of Occhipinti, said he was “a little disappointed with the way this meeting has gone.” He also said people should be “disappointed in the things said tonight.”
Margaret O’Brien, a resident of Hoboken, shined the spotlight on Hoboken blogs and said she would report offensive material to the FBI for cyber-bullying.
Closed session
The meeting ended with a closed session pertaining to the Hoboken waterfront. News was released the next morning that more parts of the waterway would close down as a safety precaution while they are inspected.
“The Waterfront Walkway north and east of the Hudson Tea Building will be closed to pedestrian traffic. Additionally, the short section of the promenade from the southern entrance of Pier A south to Warrington Plaza, which is owned by New Jersey Transit, will also be closed to pedestrian traffic,” according to a city press release.
Will a new council president take the seat?
Three sources from within the Occhipinti campaign indicated that Beth Mason might be elected as the new council president once the new majority is in power. Neither Mason nor any other council members would comment on the reports on Wednesday.
The next City Council meeting is Nov. 15, and Occhipinti should be certified and sworn in, officially shifting the council majority to the side which is, on most issues, aligned against the mayor.
Ray Smith can be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com.