Thank you to the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps

Thank you to the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps

Your Efforts and Professionalism are Deeply Appreciated

Serving the Hoboken Community Since 1971

Click Here to Donate 

March 31, 2020

Stay Safe

HVAC members (L-R) Haley, Diego, and James 

USNS Comfort Arrives to NYC

USNS Comfort Arriving to pier 80 in NYC 

The ship was greeted by 6 helicopters and small boats.  

March 30, 2020

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All Public Parks Closed in Hoboken, NJ for at least 2 Weeks

All Public Parks Closed in Hoboken, NJ

March 29, 2020

Stay Safe

Sunday, March 29, 2020 1:15PM

HOBOKEN, New Jersey (WABC) -- Hoboken officials announced Sunday a two-week closure of all parks in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The closures include all Hoboken and County parks, and all dog parks, beginning Monday at 8 a.m.

Hoboken Citizens Express Their Support for COVID-19 Helpers

7PM on Saturday, March 29, 2020...a new tradition is initiated in Hoboken NJ as people shout and cheer from their windows, balconies and stoops for the hospital workers, first responders, municipal workers and grocery personal. 

Stay Safe 

Thank you first responders and healthcare workers from uptown Hoboken! pic.twitter.com/i6OzBU3Jg7

— tara chedester (@tarachedester) March 28, 2020

Social Distancing at Church Towers

Social Distancing at Church Towers in Hoboken, NJ

March 26, 2020

Stay Safe

Effective March 21, 2020, 9:00pm

NJ Governor Issues Executive Order Requiring "Non-Essential Retail Businesses" to Close

All Businesses Must Reduce Their On-Site Workforce and Permit Employees To Work Remotely Where “Practicable” Effective March 21, 2020, 9:00pm Yesterday New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 107 in response to the ongoing Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) public health crisis. The Order became effective on March 21, 2020 at 9:00 PM. The Order places a variety of restrictions on all State residents and businesses. The following is a general summary of the key provisions that directly affect the business community and their employees: All New Jersey residents are required to remain home, with limited exceptions; they are permitted to leave their residence to perform their job.  While at work, employees must practice social distancing and stay at least six feet apart whenever practicable. This would include, for example, while having lunch and taking public transportation to and from work.  All “non-essential retail businesses” must close their brick-and-mortar premises. The Order delineates a number of “essential” retail businesses that may remain open to the public (subject to certain restrictions):   Grocery stores, farmer’s markets and farms that sell directly to customers Pharmacies and alternative treatment centers that dispense medicinal marijuana Medical supply stores Retail functions of gas stations Convenience stores Ancillary stores within healthcare facilities Hardware and home improvement stores Retail functions of banks and other financial institutions Retail functions of laundromats and dry-cleaning services Stores that principally sell supplies for children under five years old Pet stores Liquor stores Car dealerships, but only to provide auto maintenance and repair services Retail functions of printing and office supply shops Retail functions of mail and delivery stores Restaurants may operate during their normal business hours but are limited to offering only food delivery and/or take-out services. All employers must permit their employees to work remotely “wherever practicable.” This includes accommodating all employees who can “telework” and/or work from home.  If employees cannot perform their job functions through telework or work-from-home arrangements, the business should make best efforts to reduce staff on site to the minimal number necessary to ensure that essential operations can continue. Examples of employees who need to be physically present at their work site in order to perform their duties include: Law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and other first responders Cashiers and store clerks Construction workers Utility workers Repair workers  Warehouse workers  Lab researchers Information technology maintenance workers Janitorial and custodial staff Certain administrative staff Violations of the Executive Order are punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 6 months and/or a fine of up to $1,000.00.

The Governor’s office already has issued a number of clarifications via Twitter (welcome to 2020) and certain statements made by Governor Murphy at his press conference are somewhat different from the plain language of the Executive Order.

Hoboken NJ -Sunday March 22, 2020

Various pictures taken around Hoboken, NJ on March 22, 2020 in response to efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. 

A Message from Jack Raslowsky, President of Xavier High School

Hoboken Press Conference- COVID-19 March 17th, 2020

COVID-19 Press Conference: Hoboken March 17, 2020

Press Conference in Hoboken-- March 17, 2020. 
Please click LINK HERE  Discussion about self isolation, closer of non-essential businesses and social distancing. 

OVERVIEW:

• All residents should immediately begin self-isolating at home. The policy, similar to the one enacted in San Francisco, requires people to stay home except for essential needs, the purchasing of food, care for a family member or friend, to get health care, or employment where remote work is not possible.
• Travel for employment, shopping for food/supplies is still permitted. Recreational travel is prohibited. Groups of 5 or more are prohibited.
• Restaurants are permitted through delivery and take-out service only, while grocery stores, supermarkets, bodegas, banks, liquor stores, restaurants with food, pharmacies, and coffee shops will remain open until 8:00 p.m.
• Activities such as running, jogging, bike-riding, walking, and other similar types of exercise are permitted under the new self-isolation policy, but only if social distancing of at least six feet is observed.
• These steps are being taken due to an uptick in police activity and growing concerns over the spread of Coronavirus.

Story on HMAG: CLICK HERE 
Story on Hudson County VIEW: CLICK HERE 


Related Video from CNBC

Communication: Hoboken Police Chief to the Citizens of Hoboken Concerning Coronavirus Mitigation Efforts

This communication was sent to members of the press on March 15th (Sunday AM). We thought we would publish it here for all to read. 

Hoboken Horse Link
Hoboken Girl Link 
NJ.COM Link 

  Communication: Chief of Police with the citizens of Hoboken, NJ 3/14/20 by Tony Petrosino on Scribd

Hoboken Declares State Of Emergency- CDC Coronavirus Info

City Hall- Hoboken, NJ 

Hoboken officials announced Thursday afternoon that the city had declared a State of Emergency to continue preparations for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and will announce recommendations for the schools from the city's Health Department soon. The announcement also said the city will construct a medical tent outside of Hoboken University Medical Center to help manage the anticipated surge of patients given COVID-19.

The tent will likely be used for TESTING of the COVID-19 virus. This is done to minimize the likelihood that an infected individual will enter the hospital for a non-essential procedure (testing). 

Interactive and current map of where cases have been reported nationally 

To date, there are no confirmed cases so far in Hoboken — a mile-square city of 53,000 people, many of whom work across the river in Manhattan — but it is expected that this announcement will allow city services to take proactive action in the days and weeks ahead to protect the health and safety of the town. 

All non-essential city-run events and meetings have been canceled until further notice. This includes:

1. All city-run recreation activities and sports for children and adults, and closure of all city recreation fields and facilities
2. The Planning Board, Zoning Board, and all municipal volunteer board meetings
3. Public meetings including the Neumann Leathers and NJ Transit Records Buildings meetings scheduled for next week.

Perhaps the best and most reliable source for information about the coronavirus is the Center for Disease Control. Please click here for valuable information: 

For your home: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/index.html

For Pre-school and K-12 Children: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html

About the virus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

March 2020 Hoboken Board of Education Meeting - Payment for Superintendent's Merit Goals, February Payroll Surpasses $3,400,000, $350,000 Needed for Mental Health Services for Hoboken Middle School and Former Superintendent Randina Hired on Consent Agenda Item as a Consultant at an Undisclosed Rate to Assist the Failing Hoboken Middle School

Detailed agenda for the Hoboken Board of Education for March 10, 2020 where we learn "You may not address or question an administrator or other board members" and "The chairperson may interrupt, warn, or terminate a speaker’s statement if reasonable decorum is not observed." 

We also learn the superintendent gets a merit raise on top of her salary (9.13), total payroll for February was over $3,400,000 (10.04), a $350,000 contract was award to an outside company for mental health services at Hoboken Middle School (10.07)...and the district decides to quietly hire former Superintendent Cindy Randina at a rate not reported on the agenda. 

Subject 9.13 Approval of Payment for Superintendent's Merit Goals

Meeting Mar 10, 2020 - AGENDA Category 9. ACTION - GOVERNANCE AND PERSONNEL Type Action (Consent) Recommended Action RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, per the Superintendent's Contract, payment for Qualitative Merit Goal #1 and Qualitative Merit Goal #2, pending receipt of approval from the Executive County Superintendent of Schools.

Subject 10.04 Approval of Payroll

Meeting Mar 10, 2020 - AGENDA Category 10. ACTION - FINANCE Type Action (Consent) Recommended Action RESOLVED, that the Hoboken Board of Education approves the payroll, employer’s share of social security and unemployment for the following pay dates:

Pay	Pay Date	Net Payroll	Employee Deductions	Taxes	Refunds and/or Net Pay Adjust	Gross Payroll	Employer Share SS and SUI	Total
15 of 24	02/15/20	$876,304.56	$335,524.14	$328,924.19	$100.00	$1,540,652.89	$112,774.94	$1,653,427.83
16 of 24	02/28/20	$838,362.96	$333,569.20	$314,204.28	$1,024.76	$1,484,668.88	$108,171.46	$1,592,840.34
					$(442.80)

10 MARCH 2020 / RESOLUTION NO. 10.07 

Contracts - School Year 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 

Over $350,000 to Effective school Solutions for Therapuetic mental health services at Hoboken Middle School. 

10.11 Approval of Appointment of Educational Consultant

Meeting Mar 10, 2020 - AGENDA Category 10. ACTION - FINANCE Type Action (Consent) Recommended Action BE IT RESOLVED that the Hoboken Board of Education does approve the appointment of Dr. Cindy Randina as an educational consultant for the Hoboken Middle School, at a rate to be determined, for the period from March 11, 2020 through June 30, 2020.

  Hboe March 2020 by Tony Petrosino on Scribd

Hoboken Employees put Administration and Council on Blast before Council Pushes for New Insurance Plan

Hudson County View reporting that Hoboken City Hall workers put the Mayor Ravi Bhalla administration on blast for around 90 minutes at last night's council meeting after 79 employees received layoff notices last week, prompting the council to approve a resolution that could prompt a switch to a new healthcare plan which boasts over $6.5 million in savings.



“We are being targeted because we are born and raised people and that is a fact! … Look at that list: that list was orchestrated, it was planned, it was devised, and in some cases, it was planned so the person doesn’t even have bumping rights!,” she exclaimed.

Furthermore, Chrys Cooper, an employee of the municipal court, said she is taking care of a disabled child and a mother who is on her third round of radiation treatment and was beside herself over the fact that the entire court staff had been noticed.

Full meeting

“When you issue tickets, who’s gonna handle it? What happens if we all just walk out one day, of the courtroom? What’s gonna happen? You’re gonna have no money coming in from those fines.”

Over a dozen employees expressed similar points of view, asking why employees of the mayor’s office were receiving stipends, why millions of dollars were being invested in parks, and why the administration hadn’t considered switching insurance plans sooner.

1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco pushed for a vote on the matter after blistering the city’s current provider, Fairview Insurance.

“Why is this administration holding onto Fairview so dearly? Because they’re the largest funder for this administration, that’s how this mayor gets elected,” he shouted to applause from the audience after a union rep said switching plans could save up to $10 million.

Corporation Counsel Brian Aloia suggested that the resolution should be amended, since although the change could save about $6.7 million, it could take up to 120 days for the plans to switch if the state becomes the sole insurance provider.

The Downward Spiral: Hoboken Public School Enrollment 2010 to 2020

Figure 1: 2010 vs 2020 Enrollment- Hoboken Public Schools
CLICK TO ENLARGE 

There is much discussion in Hoboken about the "growing" district (see figure 2)...how the enrollment is "going up" and how expansion or new schools will need to be built. According to an article by Marilyn Baer of the Hoboken Reporter (January 11, 2019) we read: 

"In the past (Superintendent) Johnson and Board of Education members have said they may need more seats for students in the coming years. “If enrollment continues to grow at the rate we’re seeing recently, we will surely face the need for additional space or buildings,” said then-school board president Thomas Kluepfel a year and a half ago at a school board meeting." -Hoboken Reporter (1/11/19)

Well, perhaps a new school should be built, I would not not argue against it at all. But if the reason for building a new school is to accommodate an increase in enrollment, there is no data to support such a claim. 

Let's look at one way to examine this question. Each year, the New Jersey Department of Education requires districts to fill out an Application for State School Aid (ASSA). There is a great deal of useful information from the ASSA report. One useful aspect is the report separates enrollment by grade and by traditional public and public charter. 

Figure 2: Claims of Growing Enrollment 

One can easily see that over the last decade there has been some slight increase in the Full Day Kindergarten enrollment (from 269 to 329) and in Grade One (from 207 to 246). There is also an increase of special Education students in the elementary grades (from 107 to 190). That being said, there has been a significant loss of enrollment from Grade Three to Twelve (see Figure 1). 

People say a lot of things on social media, in the park, and at public meetings....but the reality is that the Hoboken Public School system is not growing in any meaningful way and, in fact, it is losing enrollment- especially in the middle and high school grades. 

	2010-11	2020-21	NET
Full Day K	269	329		60
ONE	207	246		39
TWO	194	192		-2
THREE	176	163		-13
FOUR	147	145		-2
FIVE	134	118		-16
SIX	148	107		-41
SEVEN	116	122		6
EIGHT	122	68		-54
NINE	131	95		-36
TEN	127	106		-21
ELEVEN	133	96		-37
TWELVE	125	78		-47
SPED ELEM	107	190		83
SPED MIDDLE	49	58		9
SPED HIGH	111	78		-33

2010-2011 Hoboken City ASSA Report
CLICK TO ENLARGE

2010-2011 Hoboken City ASSA Report
CLICK TO ENLARGE

NJDOE Update on COVID-19 and New Jersey Schools

COVID-19 has also begun spreading in the United States, including in Washington State, Rhode Island, Florida, and New York. We are working with NJ / Hudson County school and health officials to establish protocols for schools in the event that coronavirus does spread to our area. More information will be shared as this plan develops. In the meantime, attached is the most current information and recommendations for schools from the New Jersey Department of Health.

Currently, preventive basic hygiene measures are deemed most important. Schools have instituted additional cleaning protocols, to ensure that commonly touched surfaces are cleaned throughout the day. In addition, teachers are incorporating handwashing breaks into the day, and reminding students about basic hygiene protocols, such as sneezing into their elbow, washing hands after coughing / sneezing or using the bathroom, and before eating. The nurse in each building has also scheduled a meeting with each class to provide a presentation about hygiene and preventing the spread of germs.

Please note that the New Jersey Department of Health does not recommend the use of face masks for general prevention, and has communicated that handwashing provides better protection from infectious diseases. (Masks may be used to help prevent the spread of disease once an individual is already infected.)

Covid19 Schools Final 3.2.20 by Tony Petrosino on Scribd