Some housekeeping before we get into updates: First, I have COVID.
So I will not be at the City Council meeting in person tonight. I will dial in. I tested positive over the weekend. I don't feel great, but this time around feels more mild than the last two times I have had it. Next, I get the impression you don't want to see the Garage B Redevelopment plan move forward…
Overnight, 90 residents weighed in on the Garage B redevelopment project, and the message was loud and clear—97% said NO. If it passes on introduction tonight, there will be a public hearing at the next City Council on March 19th. If you haven’t yet responded to the “Run the City Better: Hoboken's Urban Plan” survey I circulated last night – CLICK HERE to make your voice heard.
Now, on to this week’s updates—some heavier, some lighter, all important and a little on the lengthy side today:
- Sinatra Drive Safety Updates
- Lithium Battery Safety & Micro-Mobility
- Parklet New Ordinance & Survey Results
- Investing in Public Safety Responsibly—Not Blindly
- Mayor Bhalla’s Last State of The City – March 11
- Hoboken EMS Celebrates a New Ambulance
- The Hidden Cost of Pull-Ups: A Critical Need at HCC Food Pantry
- Support Ukraine: Fundraiser Piano Concert – March 15
- Hoboken Varsity Basketball: Come Out Tonight!
- Help Restock the Little Free Library at Maxwell Park
- It’s That Time of Year: Hoboken Summer Camp Fair – March 9
SINATRA DRIVE SAFETY UPDATES
The waterfront along Sinatra Drive, south of the skate park, remains closed at least through September, possibly longer - I don't have a current update on this. But as the weather warms up we are already seeing more people head outdoors to walk, run, and bike, and the current setup is proving inadequate to safely accommodate the increasing number of pedestrians and cyclists.
The most critical pain points are:
- The crosswalk next to the skatepark: Two-way traffic is not slowing down when approaching the crosswalk. I personally witnessed several cars drive through despite the pedestrian lights flashing.
- The narrow sidewalk around the corner by Sybil's Cave: This sidewalk is too small to accommodate two-way foot traffic (or even one-way), forcing many pedestrians into the street. Given the curve in the road, this is a dangerous situation.
To address these safety concerns, I am proposing to the city the following immediate and short-term solutions:
- Traffic Calming for the Crosswalk - Install temporary speed humps (not bumps) in both directions to slow down vehicles approaching the crosswalk and also place pedestrian crossing stanchions in the traffic lanes to reinforce pedestrian right-of-way.
- Reducing Vehicle Speed Along the Curve - Install stanchions on the center line all the way around the curve to force vehicles to slow down and be more cautious.
- Weekend and Possibly Weekday Lane Closures - Close one lane of Sinatra Drive all weekend, and potentially on weekdays, starting April 1st. This will provide safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists while construction continues.
I recognize that closing a lane of Sinatra Drive is not an easy decision, as it will impact traffic flow and shift vehicles onto other roadways. However, the current setup is dangerous and action must be taken now to prevent accidents and ensure a safer experience for all who use our waterfront.
LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY AND MICRO-MOBILITY
We passed new lithium-ion battery safety legislation that I am proud to have helped craft. It goes into effect on March 11, 2025, with enforcement beginning immediately. These batteries have been linked to serious fire hazards, and the law is designed to improve safety in shared residential spaces.
Key Points of the New Law:
- No Charging or Storing in Common Areas: Lithium-ion batteries cannot be charged or stored in hallways, lobbies, stairwells, or basements of buildings with three or more units.
- Ban on Second-Hand Batteries: The sale, repair, and use of second-hand or uncertified lithium-ion batteries is prohibited.
- Fire Hazard Prevention: The law aims to reduce the risk of fires and explosions caused by improper storage and charging.
Imagine a fire breaking out on your floor, and a neighbor had stored or charged their e-scooter or e-bike in the hallway. If that vehicle caught fire, the battery could explode, making it impossible to pass through, trapping people in their apartments, and preventing firefighters from accessing the scene.
A prior version of the ordinance was more restrictive with the impact being the effective banning of all micro-mobility vehicle. After receiving feedback from the public, including the leaders of Bike Hoboken, I pushed for this current version that still addresses the key areas of concern identified by Hoboken's Fire Marshall while maintaining support for responsible use and storage of personal micromobility vehicles.
PARKLETS - NEW ORDINANCE & SURVEY RESULTS
Last week, the Parklet Ordinance that I co-sponsored with CW Jabbour officially passed and will go into effect soon, setting new cleanliness and maintenance standards for outdoor dining structures in Hoboken. This measure ensures that parklets remain clean, properly maintained, and free from sanitation issues. The ordinance passed 6-2, with CM Ramos and CM Russo voting against these improvements.
Key provisions include:
- All parklets must provide daily access to the entire area underneath the floorboards to ensure thorough cleaning.
- Daily sweeping and washing to prevent food and litter buildup.
- Weekly power washing to improve sanitation.
- Monthly pest control treatments to address the ongoing rat crisis.
- Stronger compliance measures, requiring non-compliant parklets to be brought up to standard within 30 days or be removed.
- Quarterly health inspections instead of annual ones, with oversight now under the Health Department instead of Zoning to ensure proper enforcement.
- Daily table and chair set up required, on all days restaurant is open for business; using as storage during business hours is now prohibited.
These improvements directly address public health concerns while ensuring outdoor dining remains viable. Thank you to my colleagues who supported this and to residents who continue to push for smarter, balanced policies that keep Hoboken clean and safe.
Parklet Survey Results: Love Outdoor Dining, But...
A big thank you to the 378 residents who participated in my Parklet Survey! Your feedback helps shape how we balance outdoor dining with keeping our streets clean and functional. The results? People love eating outdoors but have concerns about parklets. Here are the questions and responses:
Do you like eating outside?
- 60 percent said yes, whether at a parklet, streatery, or sidewalk café.
Where do you eat outside most?
- 48 percent - Sidewalk café
- 34 percent - Parklet
- 5 percent - Streatery
- 13 percent - None of the above
What should happen to parklets?
- 46 percent - Remove them altogether
- 28 percent - Keep them as they are
- 23 percent - Keep, but with stricter cleaning rules, better locations, seasonal limits, and higher rental fees
- 4 percent - Remove parklets and replace with streateries
Why keep parklets?
- 34 percent - More outdoor dining options
- 14 percent - They add charm to Hoboken
- 15 percent - They help small businesses
- 30 percent - All of the above
Why remove them?
- 23 percent - Not kept clean
- 22 percent - Take up parking
- 17 percent - Meant to be temporary for COVID
- 4 percent - Look bad, used as storage
- 28 percent - All of the above
The new parklet ordinance directly addresses some of these concerns, particularly cleanliness and parklets being used as storage. In parallel, the City Council’s Zoning Subcommittee that I sit on is working on broader changes, including seasonality, revised pricing, and limits on where and how long parklets can operate.
This is the kind of issue where we can make meaningful improvements when we run the city better. Our community needs policies that support outdoor dining while balancing quality of life, fair pricing for city services, and parking needs and our small businesses need a reliable framework they can count on. More to come on this!
INVESTING IN PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSIBLY—NOT BLINDLY
On the City Council agenda tonight is a proposed eight-year contract for Hoboken’s police officers, one of seven labor union contracts the city has. Public safety personnel, including police officers and firefighters, make up 45% of Hoboken’s total budget, making these agreements critical not only to safety, but also to long-term financial planning.
As is typical of this administration, this contract was added to the agenda late Friday for a vote tonight, giving little to no time for review. Given the long-term financial implications, including above average annual salary increases and other modifications, I am submitting several questions to the administration today, including a request for more time to review and provide comments before approval.
While I support ensuring our police officers are fairly compensated, I have concerns about approving such a long-term agreement, negotiated by Mayor Bhalla who is leaving at the end of this year, without fully understanding its impact on future hiring, budgeting, and overall public safety investments.
Key Issues with This Contract
-
Starting salaries remain too low to recruit new officers.
- The Police Chief and Public Safety Director have raised concerns that the starting salary of $46,484 is not competitive, making it harder to hire officers.
- This salary is only slightly higher than fast-food wages, yet this contract does not address the issue—a missed opportunity given our growing public safety needs.
-
Locking in long-term salary increases limits flexibility as the city grows.
- Hoboken is experiencing significant population growth and will need more officers over time to meet increasing demands.
- Committing to this eight-year contract now leaves little room to adjust staffing and financial resources responsibly in response to that growth.
-
We cannot evaluate this contract without also reviewing the police superior contract.
- Without understanding how salary increases for rank-and-file officers compare to superior officers, we cannot ensure the pay structure makes sense.
- There is a risk that new salary increases will push some officer salaries above those of their supervisors.
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Public safety represents 45% of the city’s budget—these agreements must be reviewed together.
- Instead of evaluating one contract at a time, we should be reviewing all four public safety contracts—police officers, police superiors, and two firefighter contracts—together and in the context of the city’s budget.
- Making long-term financial commitments in isolation is fiscally irresponsible.
SALARY INCREASES IN THE PROPOSED 8 YEAR CONTRACT
Under Mayor Bhalla
- 2024: 0%
- 2025: 3.0%
New mayor -
- 2026: 5.0%
- 2027: 4.0%
- 2028: 4.5%
- 2029: 5.0%
- 2030: 5.5%
- 2031: 10.0%
These base salary increases are in addition to contractual step increases, which average approximately 14% per year, and a new annual stipend for education levels. For context, since I have been on the City Council, aside from adjustments during COVID, salary increases have typically ranged between 2-3% annually. This contract far exceeds that trend without a clear plan for how to sustain these commitments.
A BETTER APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND BUDGETING
If we were running the city better, we would evaluate all contracts together, ensuring fairness, consistency, and financial sustainability—rather than approving them in isolation. It is irresponsible for this mayor to negotiate any long-term agreement for the city, especially one that commits future administrations to major salary increases without flexibility.
I am submitting questions today, including a request for more time to review and provide comments, because decisions of this magnitude should not be rushed.
MAYOR BHALLA’S LAST STATE OF THE CITY – MARCH 11
Mayor Bhalla will deliver his State of the City Address on Tuesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. at Mile Square Theatre (1400 Clinton St.). RSVPs are required, and tickets are free on a first-come, first-served basis (limit of four per person). Reserve your tickets here. For those unable to attend in person, the address will be streamed live on:
- City of Hoboken Facebook
- City of Hoboken YouTube
A recording will be available at the same links after the event.
HOBOKEN EMS CELEBRATES A NEW AMBULANCE
Last week, coincidentally on their 54th anniversary, Hoboken EMS unveiled a brand-new ambulance—purchased without taxpayer dollars—along with a cutting-edge automated CPR machine that enhances life-saving efforts. A huge congratulations to Tommy Molta and the entire EMS team for their dedication to Hoboken. Thank you for your service!
What many people may not know is that until recently, Hoboken’s Volunteer Ambulance Corps (HVAC) was entirely volunteer-run and free for all residents. Their operations were funded solely through donations and minimal city support. During COVID, as volunteer numbers declined, service suffered, and the administration was ready to replace them with a neighboring ambulance service that would have charged residents. Instead, CM Russo, CM Ramos, CM Defusco and I fought for an alternative solution that ultimately paved the way for HVAC to transition to a hybrid model—charging insurance companies but remaining free for any resident without insurance. Importantly, they also do not level-set, meaning they do not chase residents for unpaid balances beyond what insurance covers.
Since this shift, HVAC has rebuilt its volunteer base, expanded services, and now operates with a mix of volunteers and paid EMTs to continue to provide the incredible and life saving service to Hoboken residents.
THE HIDDEN COST OF PULL-UPS: A CRITICAL NEED AT HCC FOOD PANTRY
Last week, I joined several neighbors to volunteer at the HCC Food Pantry during an unloading shift - one I hadn't worked before. During this shift, I learned something I hadn’t been aware of—the critical need for Pull-Ups. These are incredibly expensive, and many daycare centers require them. If a child doesn’t have enough, they may not be able to attend daycare, forcing a parent to stay home. This creates a cycle of challenges for families in need.
We were told that Pull-Ups are one of the most requested items in HCC’s personal care pantry. If you’re feeling generous, please consider donating:
- Drop off Pull-Ups Thursdays between 9-11 AM at the HCC Food Pantry.
- Order from their Amazon Wishlist: HCC Food Pantry Wishlist
I believe the HCC is one of the most important non-profits we have in Hoboken serving many of our neighbors who often struggle to make ends meet. As many of you know, I work at the food pantry every two weeks—picking up bread and perishables and helping on distribution day. I was one of the original people who helped launch the pantry in Hoboken, I’ve been a regular volunteer and do everything I can in my elected role to support them. Thank you for considering them in your giving plans.
SUPPORT UKRAINE: FUNDRAISER PIANO CONCERT – MARCH 15
Longtime Hoboken resident and business owner Roman Malantchouk and his family continue their work to support Ukraine through their nonprofit organization. As conditions remain dire, they are hosting a piano concert fundraiser on March 15 in Morristown, with a goal of raising $100,000 to fund:
- Eye trauma reconstruction surgery
- Psychology mission trips
- Urgent medical supply needs
How to support: Event and Donations
HOBOKEN VARSITY BASKETBALL: COME OUT TONIGHT!
If you’re free tonight, come cheer on the Hoboken Redwings as they take on Ridgefield Park at home at Hoboken High School at 6pm in the quarterfinals of the North Jersey sectionals! Even if you don’t have school-aged kids, the energy, team spirit, and community pride make it an experience worth having.
Last Thursday, I attended my first Hoboken High School basketball game in a couple of years, and I can’t believe what I’ve been missing! Superintendent Dr. Johnson invited me to watch the Redwings play in the first round, and it was a nail-biter from start to finish. The score stayed close the entire game, but in the final eight seconds, the Redwings pulled ahead to defeat Hillside 65-61.
This young team has so much promise for the next few years, and tonight's game is shaping up to be another exciting one. Hope to see you there!
HELP RESTOCK THE LITTLE FREE LIBRARY AT MAXWELL PARK
I walk by Maxwell Park all the time, and recently, I noticed that the Little Free Library there is almost empty. That’s a great sign—it means people are using it to take books! But what would be even better is seeing it fully stocked again with new books for the community to enjoy.
If you have any gently used books you’d like to share, consider dropping them off at the Little Free Library in Maxwell Park. Whether it’s a favorite novel, a children’s book, or a nonfiction read, every contribution helps keep this wonderful community resource alive.
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR: HOBOKEN SUMMER CAMP FAIR – MARCH 9
Summer may feel far away, but now is the time to start planning. The 2025 Hoboken Summer Camp Fair organized by Maint Street Pops is your one-stop destination to explore 25+ local camps offering programs in sports, arts, STEM, and more. Meet camp representatives, gather information, ask questions, and even register on the spot. Whether your child is a budding artist, athlete, science enthusiast, or just looking for new adventures, there’s something for everyone.
Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: 301 Garden Street, The Rue Building Gym
Cost: Free to attend
As I said in a prior newsletter—BEING MAYOR OF HOBOKEN IS A BIG JOB. At the center of every conversation I have, on every single topic, is this simple truth: If we just Run The City Better, so many of our problems would be solved.
We need a mayor who structures city government so it actually works—for public safety, for sanitation and rodent control, for recreation, for better urban planning. It’s not just about headlines and ideas. It’s about rolling up your sleeves, managing every detail, and always putting Hoboken’s residents first. That’s what I’ve always done, and that’s what I’ll continue to do.
You’re going to hear me hammer this theme over and over: Running the City Better. This will drive my vision for our city—a vision anchored in community—and it will be at the heart of my platform and everything we do together to improve Hoboken.
I also want to hear from you. What’s your top issue? What’s one way we could Run the City Better? Reply to this email and let me know!
As always, please share this with everyone you know who may be interested and reach out any time on any issue important to you: 201-208-1674 or [email protected].
Tiffanie Fisher
Hoboken City Councilwoman
Engage. Inform. Advocate.
“More Voices are Better”
If interested in helping me explore running to be your Hoboken Mayor:
- join Team Tiffanie
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Learn more: www.Hoboken2ndWard.com
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