Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and advocates for the Union Dry Dock property are rejoicing over the fact that this morning’s NJ Transit board meeting was cancelled, though they are set to reconvene on Friday.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Today was a tremendous victory for Hoboken, and more importantly, for good government,” Bhalla said in a statement.
“Hitting the pause button on this rushed and ill-conceived plan provides NJ Transit the opportunity, under the leadership of the incoming Murphy Administration, to begin a deliberative and transparent planning process that considers input from all stakeholders, including the public.”
Bhalla, joined by 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher and various advocates from Friends for a Better Waterfront, attended today’s scheduled NJ Transit meeting at their Newark headquarters.
However, due to a lack of quorum, the meeting has been moved for Friday at 10 a.m.
According to the state Open Public Meetings Act, all public meetings must receive “written advance notice of at least 48 hours” and be posted in at least one prominent place and/or two newspapers.
“Thank you to Governor-elect Murphy, who understood the need for local voices to be heard on this matter. Thank you to Senator Menendez and Senator Booker for their advocacy. And a big thank you to Senator Stack, Assemblywoman Chaparro, Assemblyman Mukherji, the Hoboken City Council Members, and all of the advocates and residents who have been united on this issue,” added Bhalla.
Bhalla and former Mayor Dawn Zimmer have both previously expressed their disappointment in NJ Transit for trying to acquire the coveted Union Dry Dock waterfront property from New York Waterway for $1 – as have Fisher and 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino.
A spokeswoman from NJ Transit did not return an email seeking comment on Wednesday.