Author: SmartyJones

News

Hoboken flooding – hope is in sight: Das Pump set to rock for middle October

Here’s the latest communication from the NHSA on the Wet Weather Pump under construction downtown.  This solution is highly anticipated and is working through some complications on clearing tubes connecting to the pumping station to pump out the water.   A key timeline is completing at least one of two by October with insertion of linings.  The work is hard and needs to be completed on delicate piping manually.  It’s pretty rough going from the sounds of it and another crew is being added to push it ahead.
If this plan continues along the proposed timeline, some much needed relief will come online by the middle of October with the other half early to middle next year.
The document is a memo to the NHSA Chairman Richard Wolfe. For more, see the NHSA site: http://www.nhudsonsa.com/ MEMORANDUM
Status of H1 Screening and Wet Weather Pump Station

TO: Richard Wolff/Chairman/North Hudson Sewerage Authority
COPIES: North Hudson Sewerage Authority Board of Commissioners
FROM: Michael Wilson, P.E., Project Manager, CH2M HILL
 
DATE: August 15, 2011

Chairman Wolff:

As requested, we are providing the monthly update regarding the progress of
construction of the H1 Screening and Wet Weather Pump Station project. This update
is for work that took place during the month of July 2011.

The contractor’s most recent progress schedule is dated August 10, 2011. The progress
schedule reflects continued completion of the few remaining elements of work
associated with the pump station and electric building, as well as continued startup of
new equipment and systems. Significant cleaning and inspection work on the western
pipeline was achieved during the month, and activation of the west pump and western
pipeline is still anticipated for the fall 2011. As noted previously, activation of the
western pump and pipeline is contingent upon timely completion of the pipeline
restoration work. Section C provides a comprehensive schedule narrative and
commentary. The following is a summary of important project issues, milestones
achieved, and the most recent estimate of the project schedule: 
Read More...

News

How Tim Occhipinti saved Hoboken

Tim Occhipinti is working dilgently to alleviate the flooding problem in Hoboken.  He’s taken a number of important steps this week to aid residents through the flooding.


Earlier this week, the occupant of the 4th ward Council seat took time out of his busy schedule to help residents in the Southwest as the flooding problem erupted when a torrent of rain came crashing through town.  Tim was even wading in knee deep water helping other southwest residents.

Oh wait, that was Councilman Dave Mello.  Sorry, my bad. Read More...

News

Free Garage Parking for Residents in Flood-Prone Areas

http://www.hobokennj.org/content/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/rainingpic.jpg

City of Hoboken announces:

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for our area.
The City of Hoboken is providing free parking in municipal Garage B
(located on 2nd Street between Hudson and River streets) through Monday,
August 15 at 8am for residents who reside in flood prone areas and have
a valid Resident parking permit or Temporary parking permit placard.

The following streets are closed as of 10am on August 14 due to flooding:

  • Jackson Street from 3rd to 4th
  • 4th Street from Monroe to Harrison
  • Observer Highway from Henderson to 18th (Jersey City & Hoboken sides)
  • Park Avenue from Observer Highway to Newark
  • Newark Street from Garden to Park
  • 9th Street from Monroe to Madison
  • Madison Street from 8th to 12th
  • Harrison Street from 1st to Observer Highway
  • 1st Street from Newark to Willow
  • Adams Street from 8th to 9th
  • 9th Street from Jefferson to Clinton

Residents are strongly urged not to move or drive around any
barricades on flooded streets and not to walk or drive through any
flooded area. Read More...

News

Sign of the Times: Hoboken’s crime fighters add a wonder, a Wonder Woman

Batman and Robin recently joined by The Flash (l) have now added Wonder Woman to the cast.

Hoboken’s anti-crime comic troupe heroes added the newest member and this one is a woman.  Having recently added the Flash, who is merely a flash rear left, it’s Wonder Woman getting all the attention in Hoboken Friday night.

This photo taken in midtown on Washington Street is sure to add to the legend.

No doubt the crime fighters will be a welcome addition to the more quiet and less visible efforts of those who are about to take a bite out of Hoboken crime.

You may remember them:

Coming soon for the Old Guard near you
News

Mayor weighs in on timeline for 1600 Park opening

In a brief phone interview too late for the earlier article/editorial, Mayor Zimmer explained the additional safety measures required before 1600 Park opening and noted liability to the city without its implementation.

“Right now we’re negotiating with the County how we’ll be able to expedite the installation of the traffic light.  The County was uncomfortable without there being a crosswalk at 15th Street.”

The mayor noted the traffic patterns and speeds in the area of the park saying, “The City can’t have a police officer always there in the interim… As soon as we can clarify the timeline in negotiating the traffic light with the county, we’ll put that out.” Read More...

News

Horse Sense: About Das Parks

Several developments on the Hoboken park front and with 50,000 people even with people away on vacation, there’s plenty of heat on that front.

1600 Park’s opening is delayed.  The official explanation why there will be no September opening is due to public safety concerns and the need to add a traffic light via aid from the county.  But the concerns from any number of park activists will be better addressed with a delay such as the height of the retaining wall and to a lesser degree the fine tuning with a slower build and opening. Read More...

News

Jersey Journal butchers hospital story ‘for the Hoboken taxpayers’

While the summer days while away, there’s always a political canard or two to play and sometimes our local media joins the fray.

Yesterday’s Jersey Journal story stated on the severance for the ex-CEO of HUMC:
And what Hoboken taxpayers may find more appalling is that they are on the hook for $100,000 of that package. 

The reality is Hoboken taxpayers have no liability in any shape or form for the private agreement reached on the former CEO’s severance agreement.  It’s primarily an agreement being mostly paid by the owners in waiting: HUMC – Bayonne’s Holdco. Read More...

News

Beth Mason attacks mayor’s support of hospital CEO’s severance

Councilwoman Beth Mason apparently unable to derail the sale of the hospital issued a statement attacking the mayor for agreeing to a 600K package for the former HUMC CEO Spiros Hatiras.


With the Masonseed re: Appleseed effort to stop the hospital sale failed, the team of Mason consultants goes on the attack on a different front.  This is a surprising development, not the attack itself but the substance.  There’s not an outright lie in this email blast.


This time Mason uses the Jersey Journal story to good affect.  None of this however will stop the sale of the hospital itself.  If you ask Hoboken taxpayers whether they prefer to pay a $100K severance package or the $52 million bond for a hospital bankruptcy, they will not blink in reply.


Give credit where due, this is a good Bet. Read More...

News

Flooding update

City of Hoboken announces:

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“Hoboken is facing severe flooding today due to the heavy rains during high tide,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “We have reports of man hole covers being dislodged throughout the City. It is so important that residents not walk or drive through flooded areas until the water recedes. Walking or driving through these areas is dangerous.”

A wet weather pump station is currently under construction by the North Hudson Sewerage Authority. Start-up of the pump is projected for the fall of 2011. Read More...