New Councilman To Focus on Parks, Development

he said he had enjoyed the "first 40 minutes" of the council meeting. On Friday, Patch checked in with the new councilman, and asked him how he enjoyed the rest of the meeting and what his plans are as councilman-at-large.

Doyle will fill the remainder of former councilwoman Carol Marsh's term. Marsh stepped down last month.

Doyle, an attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency and a 25-year resident of Hoboken, said that the New Jersey Transit development and the acquisition of parkland in Hoboken will be two of the council's upcoming priorities.

"This is the time to buy land for open space," Doyle said. "Forever is a long time if we fail to acquire these lands and other people start building."

The city is in the process of acquiring an acre of parkland in the southwest. The first court hearing in the eminent domain process is scheduled later this month.

The city and New Jersey Transit both have their own versions of what should happen to the downtown 52-acre site, which includes the Hoboken Terminal.

"I think it looks good," Doyle said about the city's plan. "I am sure there’s room for smoothing out the edges here and there from both perspectives."

As far as working together with his new council colleagues goes, Doyle—a supporter of Mayor Dawn Zimmer's administration—said he would like to "bridge the gap," between the majority and the minority on the council.

"I am going to do what's right for the community," Doyle said.

Doyle, 53, has also been involved with the running group Hoboken Harriers. Since 1995, Doyle has been in charge of organizing many of the groups' races and other events.

Only one meeting into his tenure as councilman, Doyle said it was hard to predict what the challenges will be. He said it will take a "learning curve" to familiarize himself with all the issues in front of the council.

Officially, Doyle's term expires on June 30, 2013. If the municipal elections are moved to November after next month's referendum, he will be up for election in November 2013.

But, when asked how he liked the remainder of Wednesday's meeting after the first 40 minutes, he said that "it only got better."