The City of Hoboken has hired Robert Smith as the first and only employee of their local water system, where he’ll serve as the superintendent at a salary of $135,000 a year.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Smith comes to Hoboken with over 27 years of managerial experience in the water and wastewater field, most recently serving as the Director of Water and Sewer Utilities for the Borough of Sayreville.
“I am proud and honored to be named the new Water Superintendent here in the City of Hoboken,†Smith said in a statement.
“I am looking forward to serving the citizens of Hoboken to the best of my abilities, ensuring that they receive the highest quality of water and service possible.â€
The new superintendent position became necessary in Hoboken with the new water system contract with SUEZ that provides Hoboken with over $33 million in water main upgrades over the next 15 years, which went into effect on July 1st.
Smith will now be overseeing those operations.
“I’m pleased to welcome Robert as Hoboken’s new Superintendent of our water system. He has the experience and knowledge to oversee our multi-million dollar water main replacement project,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla added.
“I look forward to working with him as we proactively upgrade Hoboken’s infrastructure and improve the quality of life for residents.â€
As a result of the new Suez deal, Hoboken now controls all of the revenue from the water utility bills which are now invested back into water main upgrades by the City, as opposed to a private water utility.
Hoboken will replace approximately 18 percent of the water main system by 2034.
Smith’s $135,00 salary will be fully funded through the water utility, at no taxpayer expense, according to the mayor’s office.
He previously earned a salary of $142,000 in Sayreville, public records show.
