Four Hoboken City Council members are sponsoring a resolution on the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting to reinstate Brian Crimmins as fire chief, noting that the city is out of compliance with state orders and paying fines for doing so.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher is the lead sponsor, with 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos – all mayoral candidates – as well as 1st Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano, joining her as co-sponsors of the local legislation.
” … The Civil Service Commission has issued a decision with respect to regarding the Fire Chief, which is binding upon the City of Hoboken; and, whereas failure by the City of Hoboken to comply with said decision has resulted in the imposition of statutory penalties of $100 per day,” the resolution says.
“Which have accumulated to approximately $10,000 to date, an unnecessary burden on Hoboken taxpayers, whereas, continuation of noncompliance will result in further daily penalties, compounding the financial cost to residents.”
Back in May 2021, Crimmins was placed on administrative leave and Anton Peskens was named the acting chief without much explanation. He returned to work as a firefighter back in April 2023.
Then in October 2024, a New Jersey Office of Administrative Law judge issued an order for Crimmins to be reinstated and New Jersey Civil Service Commission voted for Crimmins to be reinstated the following month and the city still did not comply.
Then in February of this year, the NJCSC ruled that Crimmins must be reinstated by the end of March or the city will be fined $100 a day with a maximum penalty of up to $10,000, all as HCV first reported.
“Civil service rendered judgement against the city. If the city continues to appeal or pursue other avenues, it’s only it’s wasting taxpayers dollars. It’s simple, follow their decision to reinstate the Chief and avoid more financial penalties,” Presinzano said this morning.
“After all, how do we build trust with City Hall employees if we challenge the rules set up to help them? By ignoring this decision, it is a slap in the face of civil servants across the state.”
City spokeswoman Marilyn Baer declined to comment on the particulars, citing pending litigation.
“This matter is currently under review by the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. As such, the City cannot comment further,” she said in an email.
The city requested a motion to stay the reinstatement ruling back in the spring, a motion that was denied and therefore the city remains out of compliance.
The Hoboken City Council will convene Wednesday at City Hall, located at 94 Washington St., at 7 p.m. and the public session will also stream live on their YouTube page.
Okay, months ago the City lost a motion to stay the reinstatement of the real Fire Chief. Why wasn’t he reinstated at that point in time. I assume the reinstatement calls for back pay at the Chief rank. It begs the question, why is the Administration asking for a retroactive pay increase to the acting chief while defying a Court Order. Apparently, we are going to be paying a Chief’s salary for 2 people. What a disgrace for the Bhalla administration and any Councilpersons who let this continue. Will Emily Jabbour break out and show her independence or will she become Bhalla 2.0?
Another costly botched Bhalla political move.
His mess again on your tab.
Botched and Emily Jabbour to run and hide then smile and lie to the public.
So predictable.
You’ll be allowed to eventually return to a job in which no one respects you. The silence of the fire department is deafening. You’re a clown. Guess you shouldn’t have wasted all that money at Hudson School and Boston College. Relax, Brian.
Exactly, Fisher, Russo, Presinzano, and Ramos are anti-Fire Department. Their silence is clear, and they all know. Signal to the rest of the city’s workers. Don’t expect any of them to respect you. No one in the Hoboken Fire Department wants Crimmins back.
I have no dog in this race but please explain how anyone can be “anti-fire department”. What does that even mean? That they are for buildings burning to the ground?
I dunno who this clown is commenting about Brian but either put your name to this comment or shut up. We have enough cowards in the Fire Dept as it is. Just saying. You’re clown antics speak volumes… #SorryNotSorry #DueProcess
You did’t sign your post.
HA HA HA HA
Cry me a river and so called truth Speak for yourselves. I guarantee 95% of the department wants Crimmins back. Everything else you’re saying is lies.So to all you retired guys commenting on Crimmins cut the bullshit. You left because you were scared to face the music when the truth came to light. You guys are pathetic.
Who was the Fire Chief who lived in Willow Terrace, and whom, upon death, had 10s of silver candelabras & serving trays, women’s pearls and jewelry and other goods? A BNR told me that for generations, junior firefighters stole from residents during calls, then passed up to seniors? True?