The Hoboken City Council voted to give Police Chief Steven Aguiar a new three-year contract that tops out at $330,000 at last night’s meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“Has the contract with the police union for our regular police been settled? Do you have any timeframe for that?” asked 1st Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano
“Hopefully soon. Negotiations and contracts kind of move at their own pace,” Hoboken Business Administrator Jason Freeman replied, not that the city has six different collective bargaining units.
“I’m a big believer in taking care of the core of the worker before we look at superiors or we look at management, that’s the way you build a stronger workforce,” Presinzano added.
He said that was the sole reason he could not support a new deal with Aguiar, which has his salary at this year for $300,000, $315,00 for 2026, and $330,000 for 2027.
3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo said while he feels the Mile Square City’s top cop is worth that level of compensation, it will have a notable impact on the budget, also pointing out they will also have to vote on the first reading of a $30 million bond.
“We continue to make decisions that will affect our budget that will affect the affordability of our residents and the taxes they pay on their homes … He deserves what we’re offering. But maybe we need to start looking at things closer,” Russo declared.
Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour, thus far the only declared candidate for mayor, explained why she would be supporting the contract.
“I’m confused at the context being applied. We are voting on a contract for the chief of police. We, as a community, since the unfortunate incident that happened on Halloween, have been extremely, extremely critical of what’s happening in public safety in this city. Parents want to feel safe,” she began.
“Chief Aguiar stood there and demonstrated what it is to be a strong leader for this department,” she added about the public safety meeting held shortly after the incident.
She said that the leaders of both police unions are in favor of the new deal, which should negate Presinzano’s notion that they should be taken care of first. She also claimed that Aguiar was currently the lowest compensated police chief in the county.
“The fact that we are not demonstrating a united front as the legislative body behind him is really disappointing. I am so disappointed that this clearly is becoming a political discussion. The chief has earned this contract. He will now be the fifth highest paid chief in Hudson County,” Jabbour added, noting he scored number 1 on his chief’s test statewide.
2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher said that while it is a significant contract being offered during a difficult time, she felt that Aguiar has shown he is a capable leader.
“Chief Aguiar has answered every one of my calls … I believe in his ability to lead.”
4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos said the council’s job is largely to get clarity on issues by asking questions, as well as that there has been an uptick in certain crimes such as carjackings and thefts.
Nonetheless, he agreed that Aguiar has answered the call of duty time and time again.
“The reason I’ll support it tonight is if I do call him on a Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. … he’ll answer my call or text,” Ramos added, noting that he will be just as responsive in the late evening hours.
He also pointed out that the council is kidding themselves if they don’t acknowledge that many residents left the public safety meeting in November feeling disappointed.
“All the public safety members are feeling the pressure … in what is objectively a very safe community … He deserves the contract,” 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen argued.
Hoboken Councilman-at-Large Joe Quintero also said he would be backing the new agreement, calling Aguiar “the definition of a leader in this community,” also acknowledging that unhoused people with mental health issues rightfully make people feel safe.
“I’m going to hold you all to it when … the chief asks for 20 more officers. I’m happy everyone is so supportive,” Russo interjected, calling back to something Aguiar said at the public safety meeting.
“Your interpretation is interesting,” Hoboken Council President Jim Doyle jokingly replied before stating he would support the contract as well.
He continued that public safety can often be like the economy, where there is a difference between perception and reality.
“I do believe people left this room disappointed. Disappointed is not the same as … criminal statistics … It’s dangerous for us to depict a situation as a safety issue in this city,” Doyle declared.
The resolution was ultimately approved 7-1, with only Presinzano voting no. Since Doyle did not acknowledge him after the vote was called, he expressed his frustration immediately afterwards.
“I want to see the rank-and-file looked after first before management. Don’t ever put words in my mouth! That’s political grandstanding when you paint a picture of me, I merely said the process – not once did I attack the chief or anybody else,” Presinzano exclaimed.
“God forbid I ask questions. I have the right to defend myself if I’m attacked … If anyone up here who wants to run for mayor wants to take shots, I’m ready. It’s just going to be political grandstanding for nine months until the election.”
How much in severance pay owed, so far?
How much in accumulated sick days, so far?
How much owed in accumulated pension, so far?
How much owed in future unlimited lifetime health benefits to his wifey, so far?
Why is that info missing from council agenda?
Why is that info missing from this report?
Agree that would all be nice to see all that on the council agenda, but I don’t think there’s a single governing body or media outlet in the country that has access to information like this prior to a vote. Your comment intrigued me so I gave a fairly comprehensive look online and came up dry. If you have something in mind, I’d like to take a look at it.
Here is your hint from a separate case: https://library.municode.com/nj/Jersey_City/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=952244
For the past few months Fulop tries to sabotage OPRA for exact numbers from this very ordinance. These numbers (and names) were reviewed by corporate counsel, risk manager and business manager before it was put before the council. So the docs are there all along. What is he trying to hide?
Perhaps, the fact that each deputy chief of police in JC gets 180 sick days on first day on job. Fulop alone managed to nominate 18 of these cats. More then NYPD, which is 35 times larger. That is lots of dough. $ 500 000 per head minimum. In city which still milks others by being on Abbott list of impoverished municipalities unable to pay for its own schools.
Then add all the other obligations as listed in original post. Mind you, that is just a single employee.
Keep digging, John. There is nothing that prevents you from filing OPRA with Hoboken. Just be precise with your description of records.
Bonus: all severance ordinances (plural) are listed as “special emergency” what allows to bypass budgetary procedure of financing and then fly under the radar of NJ Treasurer’ audits.
True, but like you said that’s just a hint; nowhere near the level of detail you were seeking in Hoboken. There is nothing preventing an OPRA, also correct, but my point was more about the timeliness of the info – there’s no way to get that type of specifics prior to a vote.
Technically, failing to publish detailed info prior to council meeting is a breach of fiduciary duty (and OPMA). Both councilmen and the public have a right to see it beforehand. Councilmen in order to make informed decision to vote, and public to comment.
Also, OPMA voids legitimacy of public meetings which fail to comply with it.
Clearly, Bhalla is street smart and understands what justice Branedis noted a century+ ago: sunlight is the best disinfectant.
I think you should shoot OPRA to Hoboken for detailed info on this cat. Info which is readily available to selected few at city hall. Just make sure you detail exactly what you want, to prevent them weasel their way out through back door on technicality.
Giving anyone a 14% raise in this economic environment is ridiculous and fiscally irresponsible. The police chief has the least amount of experience compared with other chiefs in Hudson County.
The council people have no principles and will always do what is politically convenient for them compared with what is right for the taxpayer. Several council members expressed reservations about voting for the contract, Tiffany, Russo, Ruben, but in the end they all voted for it, except for Paul.
He currently is at $262,000 and then will top out at $330,000!!!!!
Nothing personal against the Chief, he’s a positive in our community as long as Ravi and Emily’s “Defund the Police” Leftists don’t gain more of a foothold here. The idea of public service in these parts appears to equal very well off if not top 1% compensated in the country.