City Council Appoints Board Members

Planning Board President Tony Soares will fill the vacancy on the North Hudson Sewage Authority Board, replacing Michael Schaffer, who recently pled guilty to extortion in last year's corruption sting. City Council appointed Soares to the position during Wednesday night's council meeting, in a—different thant usual—5-4 vote.

Council members Ravi Bhalla, David Mello, Beth Mason and Nino Giacchi voted against Soares.

Mayor Dawn Zimmer preferred to appoint former Democratic Committeeman Brian Assadourian to the position. Councilman-at-Large Bhalla nominated Assadourian for the position. 

Zimmer said in a phone interview on Thursday morning that she believes people should only serve one board. 

"I think it's best to have one person on one board," said Zimmer. "I want to involve the community as much as possible," she added. 

Earlier yesterday, local blog Hoboken411 speculated that Soares would be taking the position on the NHSA board for the health benefits package the position comes with. 

"I did not go for this for the benefits," said Soares, adding that he already has health benefits (to prove his point he took out his insurance card from his wallet). When asked if he'd be accepting the benefits, he said "that's irrelevant." 

"I live in the worst flood zone in Hoboken," said Soares, who served on City Council for eight years. "I'm serving the public."

Within the mayor's council majority, Mello and Bhalla both favored Brian Assadourian for the position. Fourth Ward Councilman Michael Lenz and Council President Carol Marsh are known to be political allies of Soares. Soares said he has lunch with Lenz every now and then.

"I was able to reach across the aisle," said Soares. 

City Council unanimously appointed Marianne Camporeale to the Hoboken Housing Authority Board.