Who Will They Choose? New Hoboken Council President On Tap, Will Get Raise

HOBOKEN, NJ —Who will Hoboken's nine-member City Council choose for their new president at their Wednesday meeting? Speculation abounds.

Whoever gets the slot is in for a raise. The council members voted on the salary increases last month, four weeks after the municipal election. The next council president will now earn $40,000 a year, up from $26,541.

The vice president will also get a bump, as the council voted to give that person a salary of $37,500, up from $24,130. The vice president used to earn what other members earned.

A political source said that 3rd Ward Councilman Michael Russo, who is up for re-election in 2023, will likely be chosen to lead the council for the next year.

Mayor Ravi Bhalla has been steadily increasing his support on the council, including from some of the members who opposed some of Bhalla's measures last year.

READ MORE: Hoboken Swears In 2 Re-Elected Members And Political Newcomer

Other Agenda Items

The votes for president and vice president are first on the council agenda (linked below). Among other items on Wednesday's agenda are:

• A resolution appointing a "pay to play" reform compliance officer for the city. "Pay to play" is the practice of allowing campaign donations to influence who gets favors and contracts in a city. "Pay to play" reform is meant to curtail the practice.
• A resolution authorizing a $40,000 payment to Morton Salt. Weather forecasters have been predicting mixed snow and rain for Friday.

When it rains, it pours.

How To Join Or Watch Remotely

The city of Hoboken announced Monday that due to unprecedented COVID numbers, Wednesday's City Council meeting (originally slated to be the first in-person meeting in nearly two years) will now be virtual, and city employees will work remotely until Monday.

To join the council meeting, follow the instructions at the beginning of the bi-monthly
agenda found at http://hobokennj.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx or
contact the City Clerk’s Office at (201) 420-2230. The meetings are also streamed on the city's Facebook page with this link.

Related: City Swears In Mayor, 3 Council Members On New Year's Day 2022

Related: City Hires County Freeholder For Part-Time Position

You can sign up to get breaking news alerts in Hoboken and a free daily newsletter each morning at 6 a.m. with local news. Sign up with your zip code and email.

Get a free morning newsletter with news in Hoboken or your town: https://patch.com/subscribe