Hoboken City Council Passes $700G In Legal Contracts

The amount will cover ongoing litigation for the first quarter of 2013.

The Hoboken City Council passed over $700,000 in legal contracts Wednesday night. Corporation Counsel Melissa Longo said the amount will cover the city's legal fees through April 1, or the first quarter of the year. "We can certify the funds passed by the temporary budget," she said. "After the budget is passed, we will come back to you to increase their numbers." Longo noted that each contract is for a firm that is already representing the city in ongoing litigation, including a challenge to the Election Day referendum on rent control. The amount the city spends on legal fees often comes under scrutiny from the public, as well as some council members. Among the contracts was also a resolution approving $35,000 for Montville-based attorney…

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Hurricane Sandy to Shut Down State Parks

Parks to be shut down by noon on Sunday, officials say.

All state parks and historic sites are scheduled to be shut down at noon on Sunday in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today. According to Martin, safety concerns are forcing the closure and those who are camping now at state facilities across the state are being advised to prepare to leave those sites by mid-day Sunday. Martin also said those with reservations for next week are advised that parks may be closed through the entire week. Persons with reservations will be called by DEP personnel to reschedule their visits to state parks. After the storm passes through the state, the parks and historic sites will be assessed and re-opened on a case-by-case …

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City Council Approves Ordinance to Buy Parkland

The city will now be able to go out and try to buy two properties of land.

With the passing of a new law, the city of Hoboken will now be able to acquire two pieces of parkland in the Northwest.  The ordinance passed 5-4, with the four minority members voting "no." The majority voted in favor. The ordinance also includes the option to use eminent domain during the negotiations with property owners.  Negotiations with the owners of the properties—one at 13th and Adams and another at Sixth and Jackson—have not yet begun.  While Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo called this ordinance an example of "heavy handed government," while Council President Ravi Bhalla said that this ordinance "sends the appropriate message that we’re serious about acquiring this property." "This is the process that gets things started," …

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Special Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday

After last week's sudden cancellation, the city council will meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

It's time for take two. After last week's lack of quorum—because of Councilmembers Peter Cunningham and Carol Marsh' sudden exit from the building—a new meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. in City Hall.  Last week's last minute resolution to bring the question of moving school board elections to November on the ballot will likely be discussed again.  Also on the agenda is a $7.7 milion contract to construct Frank Sinatra Park and an agreement to start renovations on Mama Johnson Field. For coverage of the meeting, check back with Patch later this week. 

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Khoboken

8:37 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012

getdaboozeout Stincus? Is that the best you can do after your 2/3rds the way into a bottle? Come on, I expect better from the premier town elected lush. No, we the people demand better from you. Dont forget, you are leading by example, and by God we have a right to have a perfectly good example of you making a fool out of yourself while drunk posting. In fact, I think that I am going to organize …   more ›

Mile Square Parenting

Parenting in Hoboken on Memorial Day

Kathy Zucker and her family spend the holiday weekend staying close to home and enjoying Hoboken activities without the usual crowds.

Most Hoboken residents go out of town on three-day weekends. They head to the Jersey Shore, the Poconos or the Hamptons, to enjoy the sun and some much-needed nature. For my family, holiday weekends represent a rare chance to relax and really enjoy all that Hoboken has to offer without the bustle of the usual crowds. My husband and I always stay home because we view three-day weekends as a chance to relax and get some down time in the comfort of our own home. We spend Saturdays tidying up our condo after a week of whirlwind toddler mayhem, and taking care of chores like grocery shopping and folding laundry. On Sundays we barbecue with family and friends or take a trip into Manhattan to Central Park Zoo and Columbus Circle. That free Monday…

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Mile Square Parenting

Coming Up With a Summer Plan for Hoboken Toddlers

Kathy Zucker had to scramble to come up with a summer plan for her Hoboken toddlers that encompassed both classes and outdoor activities. Collaborating with another mom helped provide for a summer of structured fun.

The end of the school year is here, and I am faced with the age-old parenting dilemma; what to do with my kids this summer? I want to continue drop-off classes for my daughter to get her used to the school routine, but I don't want to spend a lot of money and also want to enjoy the warm weather with a lot of outdoor activities for both my kids. Another mom and I decided to join forces to come up with a summer plan for our kids (exactly the same age, so it's really convenient to spend time together since there are no surprises for either mom). The other family is traveling all summer, so we decided to enroll our older children one day a week in the preschool summer camp at Hudson Dance and Movement. Classes started a few weeks ago, and so …

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Juggling Career & Motherhood in Hoboken

The recession began for Kathy Zucker's family in 2006, so she had lots of practice in managing a household on one income when things got tough in 2008. Every cloud has a silver lining, and she actually became healthier when her lifestyle changed.

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Patch.com and my column! Every two weeks I am going to be writing about topics relating to my Hoboken household of four (me, my two toddlers E & J, and my husband N). I am a Hoboken WAHM (Work at Home Mom) living in a four-bedroom condo (they really do exist!) in southwest Hoboken (Mayor Dawn Zimmer's ward!) that we bought in early 2009. I have to say that I never in my wildest dreams thought I would wind up doing what I do, but it all works. And you know, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Ten years ago I was a dedicated Manhattan career woman. I was a hospital marketing director headed for VP, my husband and I were newlyweds living in Brooklyn Heights, and I thought that was how things would always be. …

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