'Groundhog Day': Giattino Returns To Hoboken City Council Presidency

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken's nine-member City Council met Jan. 3 to swear in new members and begin another year of voting on initiatives.

"This is like my ninth swearing in overall," said re-elected 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos Jr.

"It's like Groundhog Day," agreed City Clerk James Farina.

After a brutal election for six of the nine Hoboken City Council seats in November (and a runoff in December), the council swore in five re-elected members and a new councilman — Paul Presinzano for the 1st Ward.

Presinzano replaced outgoing councilman Michael DeFusco, who decided not to run again.

After the nine members were seated, they voted to make 6th Ward Councilwoman Jennifer Giattino the council president, a role she'd served before.

Giattino is part of a faction of five council members who sometimes vote independently of the mayor's administration.

Councilman Jim Doyle, who is allied with Mayor Ravi Bhalla, was elected as the vice president of the body.

Salaries for Hoboken City Council members are $35,000 for the part-time slots. The vice president earns $37,500, and the president earns $40,000. They also get benefits.

Farina presented outgoing Council President Emily Jabbour with a proclamation for her "humanitarian initiatives" as council president and as a citizen. "She handled the presidency of the City Council excellently," Farina said.

Councilman Paul Cohen nominated Giattino, who got a unanimous vote.

• READ MORE: Balance Of Power Could Shift After Council Election
• READ MORE: Profile: Jennifer Giattino

You can watch the Jan. 3, 2024 Hoboken City Council meeting on YouTube here.