December 2, 2021

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla to reinstate the Office of Constituent Services

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla today signed an ordinance officially reestablishing the Office of Constituent Services, which will open next year to provide day-to-day assistance to Hoboken residents on a variety of issues.

In 2020, the Office of Constituent Services was eliminated when the City Council majority voted to adopt an ordinance abolishing the office, overriding a mayoral veto. The office was originally reinstated in 2018 during the first year of the Bhalla administration.

“The Office of Constituent Services played a vital role in enhancing the quality of life of residents across this City on a variety of issues, and it has been sorely missed,” said Mayor Bhalla. “When this office officially reopens next year, I know it will once again help increase efficiencies and the speed in which residents have their concerns and questions addressed. As the pandemic continues and residents face food and housing insecurity, this office is needed now more than ever. Thank you to the Hoboken City Councilmembers who worked with my administration and voted to reinstate this critical office.”

The City is now seeking qualified applicants for a Constituent Services Coordinator to head the office. Those interested can learn more or apply at www.hobokennj.gov/jobs or email a resume and cover letter to Personnel Officer Michael Kraus at Mkraus@Hobokennj.gov.

Specifically, the Office of Constituent Services will coordinate inquiries and requests with City departments and agencies on behalf of residents on topics including the handling of counseling and referrals for social services, tenant assistance and education, housing and employment inquiries,  various quality of life issues, violations of City codes and general inquiries regarding available City services.

During its almost two years of operation, the office serviced approximately 2,500 requests from residents, assisted with 50 cases in coordination with the tenant advocate, oversaw 1,050 requests through the Hoboken 311 system, and sent more than 6,000 emails and correspondence on behalf of constituents.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the office assisted more than 1,000 residents, recruited 250 volunteers to feed more than 900 seniors with the Health and Human Services Department, connected food-insecure families to critical groceries from the Hoboken Food Pantry, assisted small business owners with PPP applications, and facilitated unemployment claims from the state for dozens of residents.

Councilmembers Jim Doyle, Michael Russo, Emily Jabbour, Vanessa Falco, and Phil Cohen voted in favor of the ordinance to reinstate the office at last night’s Council meeting, while Councilmembers Ruben Ramos and Jen Giattino voted against the office’s reinstatement.  Councilmembers Michael DeFusco and Tiffanie Fisher abstained from the vote, which was considered on second and final reading. The ordinance was initiated by the Bhalla administration and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Jabbour and Cohen.