Quality Of Life

Among the most crucial tasks of municipal government is to ensure the cleanliness and livability of public spaces. Hoboken has done well in this area historically, but continued progress in managing waste and pollution of all kinds is crucial to the long-term health of the community.

Clean Streets and Improved Living Conditions

  • Introduce Better Equipment for Cleanliness: Purchase portable power washing units to keep the main commercial areas free of trash and dog waste.

    • New solutions should be implemented in collaboration with the Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA) sanitation team. 

    • Allocate sanitation employees who are dedicated to addressing dog poop in order to document and map “hot zones” that need to be revisited more regularly for enforcement and clean up. 

  • Be More Rigorous on Enforcement: Hire overnight sanitation inspectors to ensure compliance with trash storage and parklet regulations in the business district. 

    • First, make sure that all trash receptacles are in working order.

    • The worst instances of litter/garbage that is not compliant with our regulations occurs overnight - we need to deploy enforcement during those times. Send out code enforcement officers to inspect overnight in the business districts, which helps prevent rodent issues.

  • Work with the City Council to revisit the garbage hauling contract to add an additional recycling pickup to prevent accumulation and dispersion of trash on sidewalks.

  • Stop the Chop: Work with neighboring municipalities to address disruptive noise pollution from helicopter traffic in coordination with Hudson County and federal representatives who can connect with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Support The Unhoused Population

  • Ultimately, the issue of homelessness must be tackled at its root by addressing the unaffordability of housing. But in the short run, the city must take steps to support unhoused people and address residents’ concerns. 

    • Move Unhoused People from Public Spaces into Safe Spaces.

      • The City must spearhead coordination of services from non-profits to this population and local law enforcement so that we can better address ongoing issues, identify gaps in service, and expand city-allocated resources to bring solutions.

      • Expand coordination across Hudson County to partner with other shelter facilities that may have more capacity than Hoboken Shelter (e.g. St Lucy’s) so people aren’t left out on the street. Work with Hudson County to expand the operating schedule for the County Shelter in Kearny to be open 365 days a year.

      • Empower the new Community Policing Bureau to identify and connect with the unhoused population, and those at risk to intervene early.

      • Expand the presence of public bathrooms such as the Portland Loos to all public spaces and the waterfront.

    • Provide Critical Mental Health Services:

      • Work with the network of mental health providers including Bridgeway, Hoboken Hospital, and other local providers to do targeted outreach to residents who may be demonstrating mental instability in public spaces. 

      • Add a crisis response team with mental health responders through this partnership that’s available on call via Hoboken Police Department.

Parks and Recreation Facilities

I believe that supporting reliable recreation programs and maintaining clean, accessible open spaces are essential responsibilities of local government. These resources strengthen our community’s health, well-being, and sense of connection.

  • Expand and Enhance City Recreation Facilities:

    • Oversee acquisition of the former YMCA from Hoboken Community Center (HCC) and implement a subsequent redesign based on resident input - which includes an existing indoor pool that must be open year-round for all residents.

    • Prioritize renovation of the Multi Service Center at 124 Grand Street in order to expand our footprint of recreation space at this site, modernize the Senior Center, expand the footprint for the Hoboken Public Library satellite here, and update the Hoboken Family Planning Clinic facilities.

    • Expand access to City-owned recreation spaces to be open later - especially the Damon Murray Gym at 7th/Jackson and the Multi Service Center to allow for more open gym time weeknights and weekends all year long.

    • Prioritize the ongoing and routine maintenance of our existing recreation spaces and parks so that the taxpayer burden is simple upkeep rather than major overhaul.

    • Steward transfer and redevelopment of the Union Dry Dock property to keep Hoboken on track for a continuous park spanning the length of the waterfront.

  • Broaden Partnerships to Increase Access:

    • Work with Stevens to improve communications about opportunities for residents to use on-campus facilities and participate in on-campus activities such as sports events.

    • Add weekend HOP service to the Weehawken Pool during summer months until such time that a Hoboken community pool is complete.

    • Work with Hudson County Division of Parks to get time on fields throughout Hudson County to expand practice time for travel sports programs. 

Community Programming

As part of the larger commitment to transparency, I believe that residents need easier access to information about what’s going on locally in terms of events and ongoing activities. I am committed to better connecting residents to what’s going on, and expanding our efforts to get the word out.

  • Strengthen the Recreation Department:

    • Clearly define the mission of our Recreation Program to be clear about the way we prioritize use of public spaces. Improve coordination between the school district and private recreation leagues to strike a balance across programs and avoid duplication.

    • Institute a parent advisory board to improve feedback and responsiveness with the Recreation Department, and establish a program that allows more volunteers to support our Recreation programs. 

    • Every league/sport must have a page on the City website that explains the rules, the calendar, the contact information for coaches, the schedule of practices and games, and the standings. Schedules for each season must be provided to participants no later than 3 weeks before the start of each season.

  • Hoboken Needs a Summer Camp:

    • Develop a robust summer program that engages children as participants, and older youth as counselors to provide an affordable, local option that takes full advantage of existing facilities.

  • Expand City Programming:

    • Expand programming for kids not into sports (e.g. theatre, music, art, etc) in partnership with local arts programs and local artists.

    • Expand program offerings for active seniors (e.g., beyond Zumba) because in 2025, our population of mature adults want to live active and social lives. Also ensure that these programs are offered throughout the city, not just at the Senior Center, which is downtown.

Work with Hudson County to expand inclusive and adaptive programs available to our population of children and adults with disabilities