Council Members to Vote on Vacancy After Judge's Order

The entire Hoboken City Council will have to be present on Wednesday — either in person or over the phone — to vote on Jim Doyle's council appointment.

Hudson County Assignment Judge Peter Bariso ruled on Friday that all members must be present at the meeting to take the vote. 

Doyle was appointed after former Councilwoman-at-Large Carol Marsh stepped down from her seat.

In response, the four minority members of the council sued their opponents on the city council as well as Jimmy Farina, the city clerk, claiming Doyle's appointment was illegal. Bariso ruled that, in fact, five votes were needed and Doyle was removed from the council. 

While all eight members will have to be at the meeting on Wednesday, it's still unclear what an "abstain" vote will mean. 

Another hearing has been scheduled on Jan. 2, in front of Judge Bariso in Jersey City. 

Councilman Ravi Bhalla said that there had been "some discussion" about taking the vote, but not yet swearing in Doyle in case he gets reappointed. 

It's possible that Doyle's seat remains vacant until November, Bhalla said. Bhalla said that would have an "extraordinarily adverse" effect on the city of Hoboken.