In addition to announcing that all Hoboken parks will be closed for a period of two weeks beginning at 8 o’clock on Monday morning, Mayor Ravi Bhalla made the following coronavirus-related announcements on Saturday night:
TEACHER DONATES MASKS
Hoboken High School library media specialist Michelle McGrievey spent the past several days sewing 17 masks, which she has donated to the city’s police department. McGrievey has worked at the high school for 18 years. Mayor Bhalla thanked McGrievey, and anyone else who has taken the time to help out Hoboken’s first responders.
24 NEW COVID-19 CASES
Mayor Bhalla announced that there are 24 new cases of COVID-19 in the city, bringing Hoboken’s total to 85 confirmed cases of the virus. The Mayor reminds residents that the city is taking numerous measures to flatten the curve, and the best way to do that is to remain at home. If you have to go out, keep your social distance to a minimum of six feet.
CHANGE TO NJ TRANSIT 126 BUS SCHEDULE
After receiving notification from some of Hoboken’s front line health care workers that NJ Transit was doing away with the 5 a.m. #126 bus to New York City, Councilwoman Emily Jabbour and the Mayor reached out to the transit company on Friday. NJ Transit was going to eliminate the departure time from the Hoboken Terminal and make 6 a.m. the first one scheduled to leave for Manhattan. After hearing from the Councilwoman and Mayor that this would have had a negative impact on hospital workers who relied on the earlier departure time, NJ Transit has agreed to add a bus servicing the 5 o’clock hour. One #126 bus will now depart from the Hoboken Terminal at 5:25 a.m.
ORDINANCE WOULD SUSPEND RENT INCREASES IN RENT-CONTROLLED APARTMENTS
To help Hoboken tenants living in rent-controlled buildings, who may be struggling with their incomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an ordinance is being added to the city council agenda. The proposed law would eliminate rent increases in these buildings during the State of Emergency and for the two months thereafter. The proposed ordinance is being co-sponsored by Councilman Michael Russo and Councilwoman Jabbour.
NO EVICTIONS OR FORECLOSURES
Mayor Bhalla reminds residents that Governor Murphy signed an executive order prohibiting evictions and foreclosures for a period of at least 60 days. If Hoboken tenants cannot pay their rent on time, the Mayor reminds them that landlords cannot try to evict you or foreclose on your home. If they try, you should immediately contact Caroline Caulfield in the Hoboken Office of Constituent Services at ccaulfield@hobokennj.gov.
If you feel you need to speak with a lawyer concerning a tenant/landlord issue, free legal services are available through Hoboken’s tenant advocate Andrew Sobel, Esq.
To book an appointment, call 201-590-2728, or send an email to hfranklin@sobelhan.com.