Local Politics · Hoboken, NJ
The Hoboken City Council postponed votes on a proposed short-term rental ordinance and a $997,728 annual parking garage contract during its October 21 meeting. The short-term rental proposal, sponsored by Councilman Joe Quintero, would cap rentals at 60 nights per year and apply hotel occupancy taxes, following recent police responses to such properties. The council also delayed awarding a two-year management contract for four city garages after the city's corporation counsel determined that notification for disqualifying the lowest bidder was not sent. Both items are scheduled for first reading at the November 4 meeting.
Housing & Development · Hoboken, NJ
The Hoboken City Council approved Resolution CD3 on Wednesday night, Oct. 21, authorizing a redevelopment agreement for a 164-unit all-affordable building at 331–333 Harrison St., the first new structure in the Hoboken Housing Authority's plan to replace aging public housing. The resolution names Hoboken Forward One Urban Renewal Associates, LP as redeveloper, described as a joint venture of the Housing Authority and RPM Development, LLC. Authority officials stated the first phase would house about 12% of residents under a one-for-one replacement requirement mandated by city ordinance and HUD, with the next phase including demolition of the existing Andrew Jackson Gardens complex. A separate payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement still requires its own council vote.
Housing & Development · Hoboken, NJ
The Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a plan to replace the former Aspen Market grocery at 226-228 Washington St. with a mixed-use building containing 18 apartments and commercial space. The project, filed by 226 Wash Realty, LLC, includes no on-site parking but requires participation in the city's Park and Shop program for commercial customers. The board granted multiple variances for height, density, and bulk, citing site constraints and proximity to transit. Formal adoption of the resolution was scheduled for the board's October 20 meeting.
Local Politics · Hudson County
Hudson County commissioners approved a seven-year, $25.6 million IT contract with Hindsight, Inc. on Oct. 8 to manage county information systems and telecommunications. A memo recommending the award justified a roughly 12% first-year price increase by citing a staffing rise from 9 to 12 full-time-equivalent employees, but County Executive Craig Guy's office said the vendor added those three technicians in 2023 without county request or consultation. The county's written answers to bidders confirmed the incumbent already employed 12 FTEs and that no published service-level agreements govern performance. Commissioner Bill O'Dea abstained from the vote, questioning whether the county should require SLAs with penalties for a contract of this size.
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Crime · Hudson County
Former Hudson County Parks Department employee Alfonso A. Zamarra, 58, of Rutherford, has been charged with 28 counts of wire fraud related to a seasonal “no-show” job he held from late 2019 through July 2023. Zamarra allegedly submitted timesheets for work not performed and claimed unemployment benefits when prohibited from working during other periods, receiving tens of thousands in unauthorized wages and benefits. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark and was released on a $100,000 bond. This is the third Parks Department employee charged since March, following earlier bribery and kickback charges against former directors.
Crime · Hoboken, NJ
A 19-year-old Hoboken man, Matthew Edwards, has been charged with attempted murder and weapons offenses related to a shooting on the 1300 block of Willow Avenue. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on September 30 in the parking lot of a Walgreens near 13th Street, with no injuries reported at the time. Edwards turned himself in to Hoboken Police on October 18, and the charges were announced by the department on October 22. Authorities have not released specific details regarding the motive or whether anyone was targeted.
Local Politics · Hoboken, NJ
Mayor Emily Jabbour named Ty Bereskie, formerly Assistant City Manager of Evans, Colorado, as Hoboken's new Director of the Department of Infrastructure, with the appointment announced Thursday and Bereskie starting the role Oct. 22. He will oversee infrastructure operations, capital planning, utilities, and other critical municipal services. RJ Theofield, who had been leading the department as Acting Director since joining Hoboken in 2021, transitions into the Deputy Director role. The city cited Bereskie's more than a decade of experience in public works, utilities management, and capital improvement planning.
Local Business · Hoboken, NJ
Nick Rutigliani and Dante Amato, co-owners of Hoboken's Otto Strada restaurant, have taken over Lisa's Deli at 901 Park Avenue from the Lisa family. The deli, founded in December 1971 by Pietro and Caterina Lisa, closed during summer months and a sign appeared in October 2026 indicating new ownership. The new owners plan to refresh the space with a smaller Italian-deli menu featuring meatballs, chicken cutlets, rice balls, soups, house-made mozzarella, and sandwiches, replacing the previous 300-plus-item menu. They are targeting a January 2027 reopening, though no exact date has been confirmed. Former owner Maria Lisa retains ownership of the building.
Local Politics · Hoboken, NJ
The City of Hoboken has appointed Ty Bereskie as the new director of its Department of Infrastructure, with his first day on the job occurring on the date of publication. Bereskie previously served as assistant city manager for Evans, Colorado, and held roles in public works and water resources management. Mayor Emily Jabbour cited his technical expertise and commitment to data-driven planning as key factors in the selection. RJ Theofield will transition into a deputy director role within the department.
Local Politics · Hudson County
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) endorsed Hudson County Executive Craig Guy for a second term during a fundraiser at Liberty House on Wednesday evening, Oct. 21, calling him an effective leader and urging support ahead of the June 2027 primary. Guy, who chairs the Hudson County Democratic Organization, announced his re-election bid roughly a year ago and has secured endorsements from 10 local mayors; Jersey City Mayor James Solomon joined him at the event after previously being a holdout. Booker also discussed his own Senate race against Republican Justin Murphy in the Nov. 3 election, framing it as a referendum on President Trump's policies. Separately, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced charges of 28 counts of wire fraud against a Hudson County Parks Department employee related to a "no-show" job, though the name was not specified in the article.
Nearby · Local Politics · Jersey City, NJ
Jersey City Ordinance 26-089, which would end permanent rent control exemptions for new towers in redevelopment areas and hotel-to-apartment conversions, was withdrawn from the Oct. 21 council agenda after sponsors Ward D Councilman Jake Ephros and Ward E Councilwoman Eleana Little said the administration requested additional review time. The ordinance strikes two exemptions in Chapter 260 and would substitute New Jersey's 30-year limit under the Newly Constructed Multiple Dwelling Law. About 80 residents signed up to speak during a roughly three-hour public comment period, with many Newport and Portside tenants urging introduction on Nov. 12 while others opposed the measure. The council's next regular meeting is Thursday, Nov. 12, preceded by a caucus Monday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m.; adoption would require a second reading, public hearing, and take effect 20 days after final passage.
Nearby · Local Politics · Jersey City, NJ
Jersey City is preparing a new request for quotations for health insurance broker services that expands the scope to encourage competition, with both existing broker contracts set to expire October 31, 2026. One incumbent, RD Parisi Associates, reported $81,500 in campaign contributions to Mayor James Solomon and his council allies in 2024–2025, per state ELEC filings; the firm was hired by a 7-0 council vote in October 2024 at roughly $444,000 annually. In August 2026, the council added about $40.1 million over three years to prescription drug contracts after an actuarial report from RD Parisi found plans underfunded, while the city claims a provider switch saved taxpayers more than $30 million. No law was broken by the donations or contract award, and any new broker selection will go before City Council.
