In a letter to the editor, Hoboken resident Perry Belfiore explains how ended up being asked to pay an expensive fee for tree removal and sidewalk replacement/curb restoration.
Dear Editor,
Only God can create a tree, but it takes Hoboken to destroy one. Take this missive as part venting and part cautionary tale.
43 years ago, I bought a house on 11th Street. I was the first in my family to do so. Extended relatives had long since abandoned Hudson County for the suburbs.
Friends I knew, having heard of the price of the house cautioned I would get more house in Bergen County for the dollars paid. My retort, I was born in Hoboken, and I would likely die in Hoboken.
Before marriage Hoboken and Greenwich Village where 3rd wheels in my relationship with my future wife. Even then the similarities between both communities was unmistakable. So we bought our home and started raising a family.
But over the years Hoboken has devolved from a caring community to a “Town Without Pity,” with an inverse proportion between monetization and caring. But I digress.
Sometime in the 70s, trees were planted from Willow to Hudson, on 11th Street. No prior notice was given, nor permission sought. One day a city road crew showed up with a jackhammer, two days later every property had a tree.
We were told it had something to do with a Federal Program “Plant a Million Trees.”
We embraced this City Asset nurturing it and using it as a point of navigation. I would tell people looking for my house, “the house with the tree in front.” Sadly others suspicious of sewer impact went out the way to kill the trees.
I am of an age where getting maudlin is a natural state of being. I sometimes think of those no longer among us, who the tree saw coming into my house. I didn’t say I was rationale, but I now find it easier to cry.
Now this tree grew strong and tall. And indeed the unintended consequence others feared began to manifest. My neighbor’s sidewalk became victim to the roots and the tree pit could no longer contain the girth of the trunk.
So five years ago I reach out to The City of Hoboken and informed the Bhalla Administration that their Asset was wreaking havoc with my neighbor’s sidewalk.
Hoboken dispatched the City Arborist to check out the tree. The Arborist reported the species of the tree, the good health of the tree, and that the sidewalks adjacent to the tree were adversely impacted by the trees growth.
In fact, my neighbor was to be cited due the impact of this City Asset. I began communicating with Environmental Services Director and CCing several City Council members. One councilperson joined the fray.
Apparently this councilperson saw the problem and had shelved a resolution recognizing city trees as city assets and thus the city’s problem. The councilperson joined me asking what could be done to ameliorate the problems while maintaining the tree.
The arborist wrote a method which included shaving and underpinning roots with U shaped rebar. The plan was shelved when I asked who would PAY!
For two years, due to mild hectoring from my neighbor, who has the patience of God, I would send out emails reminding the director that the errant city asset was still growing exacerbating existing problems.
Then on September 16, 2022, I received a notice of violation and an order to pick up a permit and repair the sidewalk. Included in the paperwork was an engineering report calling out the trees as the root, haha, of the problem.
The premise upon which the violation was based is the City Code, which place the onus for sidewalk upkeep and maintenance on the home owner. The threat, the City will do the work and place a lien against my property.
Nothing better to snap morose thinking that a good fight, so, I responded that the order contains the solution. The tree, a CITY ASSET is the cause of the problem and repair cannot be effectuated without handling the tree.
I also point out that I have proffered two ethics complaint and sued and been awarded damages from Ravi Bhalla. If a court hearing is to proceed, a change of venue will be sought.
Again radio silence. Then on May 1, 2023, some 8 month after the notice of violation, in a scene comparable to the quarantining of ET, 11th street from Garden to Bloomfield became frenetic.
Chainsaws, a high-low and a crew which seemed to be in the dozens, descended on the poor tree. I must confess it was hard not to feel for the tree as it was dismembered, especially as it trunk was exposed, revealing all its annual rings.
That night the family was bereft. At dinner we spoke of how the tree came into our lives unannounced and left the same way. No one in GOVERNMENT bothered to tell us what was happening, and that is a shame.
As part of the surprise my neighbor’s and my sidewalks were removed. The next day a new sidewalks were poured.
I was congratulated by fellow property owners for the trees removal, but my family continued to lament and rationalize the killing of a healthy and beautiful city asset.
And we thought that concluded the chapter on tree until a certified letter from the City of Hoboken was delivered on June 30, 2023.
Within the envelope was an invoice for $16,733.16 for tree removal and the pouring of two (2) sidewalks, mine and my neighbors and ancillary charges for repair to a third neighbor’s sidewalk.
I know the City of Hoboken planted the tree, as I have stated I bought the house sans tree.
But the way this government acts you would think Johnny Appleseed went through an unpaved Hoboken planting trees or that trees seed miraculously burrowed though concrete and slate, and the CITY had nothing to do with it. I
view trees as a Public Asset and like all public asset a CITY responsibility.
For a city government to unilaterally foist responsibility for an asset onto its residents is the height of irresponsibility and this attempt will be fought to my dying breath. Morose my ass!
Perry Belfiore
Hoboken resident
So old time connected political gadfly the litigious Peter “Perry” Belfiore doesn’t want tp have to reach into his own pocket to pay for maintaining his Hoboken townhome like everyone else has to do.
Got it.
No this is about a surprise bill from the city for an area outside, I think? Is this wrong?
Not a surprise. Especially for someone who has been as active as he and his family have been in Hoboken politics. He just doesn’t want to pay what everyone else has been paying for for decades.
Morose – adjective: sullen and ill-tempered.
That in my experience is a fair description of Mr. Belfiore.
Where did you obtain your degree. ! And who cares about your summation of my intellegent brother. Go work a carnival.
Never been a fan of Perry and his sometimes “colorful” political activities and commentary, but I see his point: he didn’t plant the tree, and he didn’t request the city to plant it. The city planted it on their own. Why should a homeowner be held responsible for problem stemming from a tree they didn’t plant or request?
City code on homeowners maintaining sidewalks should be limited to snow and trash removal. This situation seems to go beyond the spirit of the law.
What’s your “plan B”, Perry?
This wouldn’t have happened to Perry if his best boy Mayor Peter Cammarano wasn’t removed from office after being convicted of multiple felonies and sent prison for his corruption.
Peter Cammarano , you are talking about 10 or more years. First I still would like to here the phone call between Stan Grossbard and Twek. If her honor didn’t set that whole thing up herself. No she didn’t have the brains but her better half did. By the way didn’t you hear the comments Peter said about all the jerking Italians that saw him as their salvation , and follow him no matter what. No I don’t even believe you listen to his tapes that the feds recorded. Don’t you know that does not sit right with Italians to be mocked. Odd though still can hear that phone conversation. My brother work his head off to help him. Didn’t even know he was meeting with a supposed developer. For what 10 thousand. That is the kicker he married money. He didn’t need that money. Something stinks and not in Denmark, in Hoboken.
Here come the Ravibots!
Vijay is that you? Jason? Nancy? Amar? Wicked Witch of the West?
Ravi sucks and old Hoboken knows it. Even his own Indian community despise him.
Maybe instead of politically motivated retaliation he should find who spread those racist fliers around town in 2017 to help get him elected.
And Cohen lives across the street from Perry. Let’s have a look at his sidewalk…
No proof so far that the racist flyers aimed at Bhalla were not from Belfiore.
Perry is the best! It’s pathetic to see how low Team Bhalla can fall to seek political vengeance.
For those unaware, Perry “OG” Belfiore won a $56,000 lawsuit against the city when Ravi had him kicked out of City Hall for speaking publicly about an ally of Ravi’s (this was back even before was still plotting his “Don’t Let Terrorism Takeover Our Town” campaign he attributed to the leading mayoral candidate back in 2017).
Look it up.
Also, Ravi was censured by the State of NJ and almost disbarred.
Look it up.
And he said “over my dead body” about NY Waterways building exactly what they’re going to be building soon at Union Dry Dock: a ferry maintenance and diesel refueling complex. And promised to steal Charles Poggi’s land for the critical new police and fire department headquarters. There was no way that wasn’t going to happen, until it didn’t. But the pool is coming!
Ravinder Bhalla is so crooked that if he swallowed a nail he’d defecate a curry covered corkscrew.
Really pretty simple – vote out Cohen and insert Liz, fill in Paul for Mike, re-elect Tiffanie and Ruben – and hope that Jen gives it another run. Team Arrogance will not change on it own – it falls to a cross section of independent voices to change our culture.
I feel you, Perry. This town has become a victim of its own success, with long standing residents paying the price. I moved here long ago, a friend advising me of the town’s easy nature. From where I sit now,
It seems a fantasy, in a place where everything grows harder and harder.
Mr. Belfiore’s friends slip so easily and quickly into disgusting racist tropes.
Not harder for everyone. Some OG’s get really good deals in so called affordable housing in luxury buildings.
Sometimes all you need is a fantasy and a political connection to make it happen.
Perry’s Niece and Sister got into Wonderlofts affordable units…each with their own two bedroom apts.
His Niece Dina is single, but did Vanessa and Leo who oversaw affordable housing help them move from nice Applied Housing Apts to luxury almost free apts?
How come Director Vanessa Falco has never been compelled to attend City Council meetings and answer questions as the other City Directors are asked to do ?
Doubtful anyone win the Bhalla Administration will ever explain how these millions of dollars of affordable housing units get handed out. The whole system has been kept on the down low so only the few who know the complexed system even exist let alone how to actually qualify for an affordable unit.
That position was essentially created for her so an at large council slot would open up, which in turn went to Quintero. Falco was too unreliable as a 5th vote and Quintero has been in lock step from day one. Think about how many issues have been decided by 5- 4 votes and what might have been had the public come out in larger numbers. None of this was an accident…
YOU FIGHT DOWN AND DIRTY. I AM NOT MY BROTHER’S KEEPER. (CMB.) NEW JACK CITY LOL I LOVE IT HERE . SO DOES DINA. AS FAR AS THE TREE GOES . A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. METAPHORS FROM MOVIES. ONLY THING IS WE CAN NOT USE ANY OF THE AMENITIES LIKE THE TENANTS CAN IN 770. EVEN WHEN THEIR BOYFRIEND, GIRLFRIEND, PARTNER SEEK UP THE BACK STAIRS OF THE WHITE HOUSE. KEEP UP YOU FOOL. WHAT DOES MY BROTHER’S TREE PROBLEM HAVE TO DO WITH MY OBTAINING AN AFFORDABLE APARTMENT. PEOPLE LIVE IN AFFORDABLE WITH HUGE PROPERTY. RECIEVING FEMA.
No one helped us. Our savvy intelligence, with good fortitude and God’s help. You be surprised how good things happen to good people. I am sure all you know is slender mocking and insulting. My brother should not have to pay for poor tree planting and care. What does my apartment obtaining have to with trees on 11th st. You pay for it . Give something up instead of gossip trash.
Nice Applied housing. Now I know you don’t know what you are talking about. If you were concerned about saving money and adjusting affordable housing. Applied housing is market rate. So for a one bedroom it cost more than a two bedroom in affordable an abundant amount. So the rental assistance programs pay more for less space . Nice, that is a joke. Did any of you see the play were a certain someone kicked down the microphone when truth be told.They should have went into affordable when the abatement time was over. Oddly everyone living in there received a voucher at the exact time this occurred. Talk about good timing. Most tenants if not all received vouchers. That is why it is less costly to build affordable housing than market rate accepting rental assistance programs. Learn a thing or two. I am taking this space to make known I apologize for any typos. I try to edited after posting and I obviously didn’t know how. I rarely gossip. You know what, this is fun. If you are knowledgeable . I’ll take you to school. Because it is clear my household was the intended target. Not my brother’s tree at all. You might be giving yourselves up. You talked about Mr. Belfiore ( and you yokels wish you could be a BELFIORE) not one word of his immediate family. Which that is not neighborly and unacceptable either. Stick with the matter at hand. Oh, for those racist flyers . We all know Rhavi sent them to himself for the sympathy vote.
VOTE FOR LIZ URTECHO IN NOVEMBER!
Your time is up, Phil.
You used to be our friend and neighbor, but now you’re just a pathetic blight, lips still firmly suckling the Bhalla teet. What does he have on you? Emails? Photos? You have had a good career a Greenburg; you don’t need to be mayor of our town to be a success. (And incidentally, we all know Ravi will give it to the Hoboken Mommies Queen and an all around brilliant social worker as soon as he leaves for Fullop’s cabinet). So why waste your time?
Whatever the case we don’t understand how you can completely disregard our neighborhood, our friendship, our Hoboken.
Rebecca, Maddy, and Anna: we feel sorry for you and will still be your friends. We know you didn’t ask for any of this: the looks you get in town, the neighbors (Rob, Julie, Dave, Carrie, Jerome, Jan, etc.) who may smile to your face but all gossip about your dad behind his back. They all ask why. Why did he sell out? Surely whatever Ravi has on him can be forgiven. Just know it’s not your fault.
We understand how embarrassing this must be for you, girls, to have such an emasculated father who perhaps only loves the Mets more than Ravi Bhalla.
But hang in there, vote for Liz in November, and you can still salvage a bit of your pride.
And we will love you no matter what your father does to Hoboken.
Attacking family. So disgusting even for a Belfiore
You idiots with that fake / made up south Asian parody names will only strengthen Rafi, Ravi, Phil and Marla’s support.
Everytime a Belfiore, a Holmes, Raia, or other OG gets near a campaign, the racism rears it’s ugly head
How did the Lexus Driving niece of Perry Belfiore get herself a nice 2 Bedroom Affordable housing unit at Wonderlofts?
She and her Mom ( who also got one of her own ) are driving the neighbors and management crazy
How would you know about driving anyone crazy in the neighborhood. Do you own a 2 million dollar condo.
That’s how dem city’s treat us voting citizens.next they’re getting rid of seniors citizens housings.all thanks to the Ravi and Zimmer administration
Eat your heart out. Same way tenants in affordable own beach homes not one but as many as 3. Do not think for one minute they made the over income allowed after tenancy was made they went in with high paying jobs . Way over the allowed income. If you have any other questions please call me. I wonder what skeletons you have in your closet. What does my brother’s tree have to do with my neeeds. If you were so concerned you should advocate for affordable with one bedroom. As a matter of fact. Due to my illness my husband and I must have separate sleeping arrangements. He is on the lease. If you want to know about Dina’s Lexus you are going to have to talk to the lover who is paying for it. Your just not fortunate enough for that to occur in your life. Go get one
Nice Applied housing. Now I know you don’t know what you are talking about. If you were concerned about saving money and adjusting affordable housing. Applied housing is market rate. So for a one bedroom it cost more than a two bedroom in affordable an abundant amount. So the rental assistance programs pay more for less space . Nice, that is a joke. Did any of you see the play were a certain someone kicked down the microphone when truth be told.They should have went into affordable when the abatement time was over. Oddly everyone living in there received a voucher at the exact time this occurred. Talk about good timing. Most tenants if not all received vouchers. That is why it is less costly to build affordable housing than market rate accepting rental assistance programs. Learn a thing or two. I am taking this space to make known I apologize for any typos. I try to edited after posting and I obviously didn’t know how. I rarely gossip. You know what, this is fun. If you are knowledgeable . I’ll take you to school. Because it is clear my household was the intended target. Not my brother’s tree at all. You might be giving yourselves up. You talked about Mr. Belfiore ( and you yokels wish you could be a BELFIORE) not one word of his immediate family. Which that is not neighborly and unacceptable either. Stick with the matter at hand. Oh, for those racist flyers . We all know Rhavi sent them to himself for the sympathy vote.
Is your daughter reporting her girlfriends income if they live there together?
No one lives with my daughter accept a dog . FOOL. The last I heard her dog has no income. I do know she reports hers. You so obsessed with my daughter and my life. Did you not receive an apartment in affordable. If not there are so many tenants in affordable housing apartments over housed, children living with them not reporting their lovers. This must be a very jealous person. Start at Marine view, then Clock Tower where a woman just obtain an apartment after selling a home. Then dig your teeth into Clock Tower where you could pay for an apartment. Better yet fool start in Appieled where everything goes. That is funding for the low income voucher receivers. I can mot believe my brother’s actions have you concerned about my accomplishments. LIKE I SAID EAT UR F N HEART OUT.
There is no one living with my daughter. She likes her space.
How do you know or what makes you think it is a girl.