Open forum with Assembly reps
State Assembly Democrats from Hudson County – Joan Quigley, Caridad Rodriguez, Vincent Prieto, Ruben Ramos, Anthony Chiappone, and Charles Mainor – will be hosting a public forum on Wednesday, March 10 to
hear directly from Hudson County residents on ways to cut taxes, maintain services, and improve the quality of life in New Jersey.
The hearing is from 5 to 8 p.m. in the county freeholders’ chamber, 567 Pavonia Ave. in Jersey City.
Residents and public officials are invited to talk for three minutes each.
If there are a large number of participants, the committee may divided into three panels to ensure all attendees are heard. Their comments were also recorded.
“Together the six of us represent three-quarters of a million people and many of them have great ideas for improvement,” Quigley said. “Others may have only strong opinions about what is wrong. We’ll listen to each
of them, but we hope speakers will focus on solutions not just problems.”
If Hoboken residents have questions about the forum, they are directed to call Nicholas Calicchio, office director for Ruben Ramos, at (201) 714-4960 ext.11.
Public meeting on flood pumping station
The city will hold a public meeting on Monday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall to update the community and discuss the design of the underground wet weather pumping station, which is being constructed by the North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) on the south side of Observer Highway between Hudson and Washington streets.
The full amount of the estimated $14 million cost for the project will be funded by the NHSA; $5 million of the project will come from a federal stimulus grant. The balance of $9 million will be financed through the NHSA’s participation in the New Jersey State Revolving Loan Fund which provides long-term, low-interest infrastructure loans to qualified entities.
“Providing the public with an update about the pumping station and getting their input into the design of the façade of the structure is vital,” Mayor Dawn Zimmer said.
Among those attending the meeting to discuss the project will be representatives from the NHSA, Zimmer, Transportation and Parking Utility Director Ian Sacs, and Community Development Director Brandy Forbes.
Stevens garage appeal postponed
The City Council was scheduled to hear a zoning appeal Wednesday night for the garage that the Stevens Institute of Technology is planning to build on Sinatra Drive in Hoboken. However, the meeting has been postponed until Wednesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
The garage was approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustments last year, but local waterfront activist groups are appealing to the council to have the decision overturned.
The Zoning Board approved 19 variances for the large Stevens building, which will also include some classroom space. Part of their plan is also to re-route Fifth Street where it meets Sinatra Drive.
Stevens is planning to use the garage for students and employees, but has promised to allow some sports groups who use Sinatra Field to also have access at certain times.
Want to join a local political committee?
On Saturday, March 13 at 10 a.m., the Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition will host an informational forum on the upcoming elections for the Hoboken’s Democratic and Republican committees. The forum will be held at St. Matthew’s Parish Hall, Eighth and Hudson streets.
Hoboken citizens interested in running for the local committee seats are encouraged to attend. A speaker from the non-partisan Citizens’ Campaign of NJ will lead the session and candidate petitions will be available.
Please visit cityofhoboken.com or qlchoboken.org for more information.
‘7th Inning Stretch’ baseball plays
On Saturday, March 13, at 8 p.m., Mile Square Theatre is presenting “7th Inning Stretch,” the annual fundraiser event featuring seven 10-minute plays about baseball. The lineup includes Constance Congdon, Guggenheim Award winner; David Magee, Oscar and Golden Globe nominee for “Finding Neverland;” Chris O’Connor, Mile Square Theatre artistic director, and others.
The performance will be held at Stevens’ DeBaun Auditorium, Fifth and Hudson streets. Reception with free wine and light fare follows.