UPDATE FROM MAYOR BHALLA ON COVID-19
Below is an update from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla for Hoboken residents:
Despite facing tough times, a number of our small business owners and employees are going above and beyond to support Hoboken families and frontline workers. One of those business owners is Mike Hauke, the owner of Tony Boloney’s on First Street. Mike and his team took the initiative to donate 80 pizza kits as an extra treat for families picking up meals from the Hoboken Public School District. These kits provide a fun at-home activity and a delicious meal. Thanks to Mike and all those business owners who are generously providing food to those in need.
Impact of COVID-19 in Hoboken
We fortunately saw another single digit amount of COVID-19 cases yesterday, with six confirmed for a total of 402. Another senior in his early 80s unfortunately passed away for Hoboken’s 21st fatality, and our hearts are with his family and loved ones.
Celebrating Earth Day from home
I wish all of Hoboken a Happy Earth Day today! Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we had to postpone all of our in-person events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, including our annual spring fling clean-up event. Fortunately, our Hoboken Green Team and Hoboken Green Businesses have coordinated a number of virtual events for Earth Week to showcase Hoboken’s commitment to our Climate Action Plan. This plan, which we launched last year, calls for Hoboken to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, net zero by 2030, and exceeding the goals of the Paris Agreement.
These virtual Earth Week events include an at-home city nature challenge, evening to support local green businesses in Hoboken, climate change workshop hosted by bwe kafe, and an at-home Spring Fling cleanup. In the absence of an in-person cleanup event, we are asking each resident to help celebrate Earth Day with a spring cleaning at-home on Saturday. You can help Hoboken recycle and reduce pollution, while also wearing gloves and practicing social distancing with face covers.
For more information and schedule of our virtual Earth Day events, please visit http://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/earthday.
Face masks donations requested
Our essential workers, Office of Emergency Management, Community Emergency Response Team, and more have been using face masks generously donated to City Hall. The supply of face masks is running low, and any additional donations would be appreciated. If you are able to make, purchase or provide face masks, we would welcome drop offs off at City Hall through the Newark Street entrance (between Washington Street and Bloomfield Street).
Face covers strongly recommended to be worn at all times outdoors
Many residents have reached out asking for tickets to be issued to those not wearing face masks or face covers. While the Office of Emergency Management has been actively enforcing the face cover requirement at all local businesses, when outdoors, face covers are strongly recommended. Our face cover executive order cannot supersede the State’s current order, which does not require face coverings in public and does not provide for penalties to be issued to those not wearing face covers outside. However, I continue to urge in the strongest terms possible, to have some consideration and respect for your neighbors and to wear a face cover at all times outdoors.
Additional stimulus package for small businesses passes through U.S. Senate
I’ve heard from a number of small business owners who are understandably frustrated after applying for assistance through federal loans but received none in the first round of stimulus funding. Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed an additional stimulus package that includes over $300 billion for small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program, which quickly ran out of its initial funding. The bill is expected to be passed by the U.S. House of Representatives later this week and then sent to the President to sign into law.
I’m disappointed that this bill did not include badly needed assistance for states and local governments. However, I’m hopeful that the next stimulus bill will include this funding.
Please postpone moving if possible
I’ve received questions from those seeking clarification on moving in or out of Hoboken. While moving is not prohibited in the State and City’s executive orders, I ask landlords and tenants to please try to postpone moving whenever possible at the end of this month to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19. If you are a landlord or tenant and have the ability to postpone a move or listing to a later date, please consider doing so. This will help limit non-essential visits to apartments and movers from coming in and out of Hoboken. The State’s executive order permits showings of apartments on a one on one basis, however we strongly urge virtual tours instead.
As a reminder, a tenant cannot be evicted from his or her dwelling during the State of Emergency, which is ongoing. However, to be clear: Hoboken does not have the ability to declare a “rent holiday” – in other words, you are still required to pay your rent on a monthly basis, even if your lease expires and you are in a “holdover” or month-to-month status. Both landlords and tenants are suffering right now, and I would strongly encourage you to pay your rent if you can afford to do so, in order to avoid conflicts between landlords and tenants. I would also encourage landlords to work with tenants who are struggling by finding alternate payment arrangements where possible, such as deferred payments or application of a security deposit towards a payment as a means to resolve shortfalls.
For any Hoboken resident needing legal advice pertaining to their tenancy, Hoboken’s tenant advocate, Andrew Sobel, Esq. is available at no charge. Residents should please email bevans@sobelhan.com or call 201-470-6233 to schedule a virtual appointment.
Thankful for our first responders
Responding to emergencies during COVID-19 can be very challenging, but I want to commend the Hoboken Fire Department for their quick response to extinguish a fire at our senior building at 76 Bloomfield Street this morning. Thank you to Hoboken Fire Department Battalion Chief Anton Peskens for his leadership, and the fire fighters for responding during the early morning hours. I also thank the Hoboken Police Department officers including Lieutenant Michael Costello, and also Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Sgt. William Montanez for helping at the fire. It’s a credit to all of our first responders that they are able to respond to non-COVID-19 emergencies in an efficient manner to keep our residents safe.
Thank you, Hoboken, and as always, please stay safe indoors.
Sincerely,
Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor