Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition

Hoboken Property Tax Revaluation: Summary of Community Meeting #1

Brad Miller — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:22:35 +0000

Hoboken City Hall | Luigi Novi

Hoboken Revaluation: Community Meeting #1, May 9, 2013

Representatives from Appraisal Systems Inc. hosted a community meeting on May 9 at Hoboken High School to explain the citywide revaluation process to Hoboken residents. The PowerPoint presentation is available on its website: http://asinj.com/revaluation/power-point.htm.

This is the first of a series of public meetings, to be held during the evenings and daytime over the next few weeks to answer the public’s questions about the process. Dates will be posted on the city’s website, and circulated to subscribers of the city’s news feed via Nixle. The next one is Thursday, May 16, 2013 at the Elks Club, located at 1005 Washington Street. Meetings will take place from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for residents and from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for business owners.

ASI encouraged all interested parties to read through the presentation and call them at 201-493-8530 with specific questions. The only question they cannot answer until the process is complete is how the revaluation will affect any individual property owner’s taxes. That will depend on a number of factors.

The goal of the reval is to arrive at current fair market values for all properties – residential and commercial – upon which to base the new tax rate. The city’s overall amount collected through property taxes will not change, unless city council changes the city budget. It’s been 25 years since the last citywide reval. Just because a property’s value is raised from the 1988 level, doesn’t necessarily mean taxes will rise, as the city’s overall tax rate will be adjusted to the new collective assessed value.

The appraisers will begin the physical surveys the week of May 13, and will complete the entire city in two to three months. They’re sending 6 – 8 inspectors out to knock on every door of every house, apartment and commercial property in Hoboken. They need to see the interiors as well as exteriors to evaluate the condition and quality of finishes, especially kitchens and baths, and amenities such as fireplaces and views. The interior visit will take about 5 – 15 minutes.

If the homeowner/renter isn’t home for the first visit, the appraiser will leave a sticker with a proposed time for the next visit, and a phone number to call to reschedule if the time isn’t convenient. If the resident misses the second visit, the appraiser will issue an estimate at the highest possible value, so it’s in the property owner’s best interest to make that appointment.

Homeowners should submit any supporting documentation regarding value — either a recent bank appraisal, or concerns or repairs that might not be apparent in a quick survey. These documents will be factored in, but may not substantially change the evaluation. Again, the goal of the reval is to establish a current, citywide market value baseline for all properties.

While ASI is performing these residence-by-residence surveys, they’re also inspecting the neighborhood and delineating neighborhoods by common characteristics and within physical boundaries, whether by traditional local definitions or more recent ones, as determined by observation. Neighborhoods will be evaluated for both positive and negative factors, such as parks or flooding risk.

The valuations will factor in these three elements: interior inspection, exterior inspection and neighborhood; then, ASI will analyze recent sales (past 2-3 years, emphasis on past year) for sales trends and prevailing market values.

The end of the initial valuation process is Oct 1, 2013 – that’s the deadline for ASI to finish the city-wide reval and calculate a proposed new tax rate, and issue their notification letters to property owners, which will arrive around mid- to late-November or early December.

At that point, ASI will encourage property owners to set up one-on-one meetings (to be held at a local municipal building) to discuss how ASI arrived at their appraisal and how it compares to homes in their neighborhood. At that point, property owners will see how the tax rate change will affect their property taxes. They can also log into ASI’s website and research the new assessed values citywide, as well as the information used to calculate it.

After that, there will be time for informal hearings to appeal an assessment – similar to a property tax appeal, property owners will have to produce documentation on comparable sales that support a different assessment value. Then, finally, ASI submits the final assessments to the municipality and county. After that, property owners’ recourse is only through the normal property tax appeal process, which is in April 2014.

The new rates will be reflected in municipal tax bills next year, with the July bills showing the adjusted amounts for 1st and 2nd quarters, to be added/subtracted to/from the 3rd and 4th quarter.

The presenters were very professional, and residents in attendance asked a lot of questions about Superstorm Sandy: Whether the appraisal will take into account flood zones, damage repaired or not yet repaired, properties sold as tear-downs, properties whose ground-floor units are no longer habitable, etc. ASI’s representatives could only say these factors will be taken into account – anyone with more specific questions should raise them during the inspection, or contact ASI at 201-493-8530.

For further information:
Hoboken assessed property values: www.hobokennj.org/proptaxes.
County tax rate and ratios here: http://www.hudsoncountytax.com/html/RatesRatios.aspx.
(The ratio applied to Hoboken’s assessed values is 31%. Divide the assessed value by 0.31 to see the effective market value assigned to a property.)
NJ revaluation process explainer: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/pdf/lpt/revaluation.pdf

2nd Annual Hoboken Green Fair – May 19, 2013

Brad Miller — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:56:35 +0000

Green Fair 2012

The City of Hoboken will host its 2^nd Annual Green Fair on Sunday May 19, 2013 from 11am to 5pm at Pier A Park along the Hoboken waterfront. The fair is being organized by the City of Hoboken Green Team, which is composed of members of the City Administration and the community.

The Green Fair is intended to introduce sustainable lifestyle choices to the community, raise awareness regarding environmental concerns, and demonstrate how consumers can reduce their impact on the earth by selecting sustainable, eco-friendly products and services, reducing energy consumption, conserving water and limiting their dependence on fossil fuels.

The fair will feature live music and organic food vendors.

The Green Team is currently soliciting vendors who are “green businesses” or non-profits whose mission aligns with environmental sustainability. The Green Team is also reaching out to involve the local arts community. Interested vendors can submit the online registration form below. Potential vendors can contact Christopher Brown at cbrown@hobokennj.org with any questions.

Here’s a video the QLC’s Brad Miller of http://www.apt3media.com/ made about last year’s Green Fair.

Hoboken Green Fair from Apt3 Media on Vimeo.

Hoboken Flood Mitigation Solutions

Brad Miller — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:49:45 +0000

Well, it’s springtime in Hoboken which means beautiful weather….followed by flood events during high tide. This morning we got a reminder that there is still a lot of work to be done. Below are tips to prevent and deal with flooding at your home and business:

How to prevent and/or contain flooding on your property:

Make sure you have a sump pump installed and tested to ensure it is working properly.

For a typical single family to 4-unit building, the pump should be sized for at least 3,600 gallons per hour.
Consider a battery-operated backup, in case of a power failure. Installing a water alarm will also let you know if water is accumulating in your basement.

Make sure you have a spare, portable sump pump on hand for when flooding does occur.

3,600 gallon per hour pumps are available at most local hardware & plumbing stores, Home Depot, Lowes and Grainger for approximately $150.00.
Be sure to include a hose and an electrical extension cord for an additional $20.00.

****DO NOT LEAVE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OUTDOORS, SUBMERGED IN WATER OR EXPOSED TO MOISTURE.

Install a back flow preventer (aka check valve) on your sewer line before it enters your building.

Cast Iron is recommend and available from most local plumbing supply stores, Home Depot, Lowes and Grainger for approximately $199.99
PVC is lower cost option at approximately $59.99, although not as durable as cast iron.
Be sure to use a licensed plumber and have the plumber obtain the necessary permit from the Hoboken Construction Office, located on the ground floor of city hall. Including permits, installation should cost approximately $300.00 to $550.00 above the cost of the device, but is well worth the investment.

****A cleanout access door must be installed adjacent to the backflow preventer and checked at least everything three (3) months to prevent blockages (i.e. toilet papers and other debris).

Have sand bags (aka tube sand, mason sand, etc.) on hand and ready to create a flood barrier around your property. Sand bags are available at Home Depot and Lowes for approximately $3.99 per 50 pound bag.

Be sure not to located sand bag barriers against doors which are used as a means of egress.

Have removable flood gates on hand, preferably installed prior to the storm, to prevent floor waters from infiltrating your property.

Gates can be ordered from local door & hardware stores, starting at approximately $250.
Be sure not to block means of egress from the building.

Raise your electrical components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers, and wiring) at least 12 inches above your home’s projected flood elevation. In basements, consider installing electrical equipment 48” above the floor.

Place the furnace, water heater, washer, and dryer on cement blocks at least 12 inches from your home’s projected flood elevation.

Replace existing concrete in front of your building by installing a tree pit. The pit will allow storm water to be naturally absorbed by the soil and tree, and remove ease the burden on the sewer system.

Total cost should be approximately $350 to $500 using a local, professional landscaper.
The pit should be 5’ x 5’ and no less than 3’ x 3’ to allow the tree roots to establish and grow, but must still allow a 3’ to 6’ path for pedestrians.
A permit can be obtained by simply faxing or hand delivering the completed one (1) page permit application to the Department of Environmental Services. A permit is normally granted within 48 hours.
Tree permits can be download at: http://www.hobokennj.org/docs/board/stc/HPU_Tree_Permit_2011-10.pdf

Install a rain barrel to collect run off from your roof (minimum 50 gallons). The water can be held until the storm subsides, and/or used later for irrigation.

A variety of rain barrels are available at Home Depot, Lowes and online.
The prices will range from approximately $50 to $350 depending on size and aesthetic look.
Be sure to install a filter to prevent mosquitos from entering the barrel and laying eggs.
Adding certain fish, such as goldfish, to open rain barrels will eliminate new mosquito eggs from hatching (the fish eat them) and provides a nice outdoor feature.
Also be sure to empty and disconnect your barrel in the winter to prevent damage from freezing.

Install a drywell.

Pipe your roof gutter and drainage system to a drywell, which will then overflow to the sewer system. While the cost is significantly higher than a rain barrel (typically starting at $1,000), a drywell will hold hundreds to thousands of gallons and allow the stormwater to naturally infiltrate the soil.

Minimize water use during intense storms; if the sewer is overflowing the water will not be able to leave your building and will most likely result in a flood.

Install low flow fixtures to reduce the amount of water being added to the overburdened sewer system, for example:

Dual flush toilets, or toilets with a maximum flow rate of 1.28 gallons per flush.
Bathroom faucets with 0.5 gallon per minute aerator.
Kitchen faucets with maximum 1.5 gallon per minute
Showerheads with a maximum 1.75 gallons per minute.
EnergyStar rated and/or front loading washing machines.
EnergsStar rated dishwashers.

Replace your sidewalk and driveways with pervious pavement, which allows water to infiltrate naturally into the soil below.

The approximate cost will be between $6 and $25 per square foot, depending on product type and aesthetics.
There are lower cost options available such as Grasspaver^®and Driveable Grass^® which can be planted to add a splash of color; the vegetation will also provide a cooling effect in the summer. Be sure to plant low maintenance sedums which do not require cutting and can stand up to foot traffic.

Install a green roof (aka vegetated roof).

New construction or renovation projects should include adding minimum of 4” soil and low maintenance sedum to the roof, which will absorb stormwater and slowly evaporate back to the atmosphere. This not only keeps the rain out of the sewer, but helps insulate your building, prolongs the life of the roof membrane and provides a cooling effect in the summer.
Existing buildings should look at lightweight green roof systems, such as GaiaSoil.
The installed cost will be approximately $6 to $30 per square foot, depending on soil depth and plant variety.

Install ground level landscaping.

Replacing any hardscape (stone, concrete, asphalt, etc) with vegetation and soil will absorb stormwater and ease the burden on the sewer system during intense storms.

When cleaning up after the flood:

Be sure to mop up and wash down any affected surfaces using bleach, antimicrobial soap or other disinfectant.
Open windows and set up blower fans to accelerate the drying process.
Open up any drywalled areas to allow the wall cavities to properly dry out.
Any materials that have been wet for more than 24 to 48 hours after the flood are at a high risk of growing mold and should be treated by a mold specialist or discarded.
Contact a local Certified Industrial Hygeniest to test the air and surfaces for E. Coli, mold and other dangerous pathogens.

Hoboken Board of Education Candidates’ Forum Video

Brad Miller — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:10:18 +0000

Hoboken Board of Education Candidates’ Forum

October 25, 2012
Demarest School, 4th Street between Bloomfield and Garden Streets 7pm – 9pm

Hoboken Rent Control Referendum Debate Video

Brad Miller — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 06:46:57 +0000

Forum on Question #2, Change to Rent Leveling Law

October 24, 2012 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Our Lady of Grace School, Willow Avenue at 5th Street

Hoboken Green Team Challenge – Eat Fresh, Buy Local

Brad Miller — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:20:00 +0000

The City of Hoboken’s Green Team is asking members of the community to take the Green Team Challenge by pledging to purchase locally grown produce and shop, dine, and support local Hoboken businesses. Pledges can be submitted online at :www.hobokennj.org/greenteam.

The pledge drive is part of the City’s participation in the Sustainable Jersey Program, a statewide incentive program for municipalities to achieve sustainability. In 2011, the City of Hoboken received Sustainable Jersey certification.

Paper Shredding & Hazardous Waste Dropoff

Brad Miller — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 23:15:18 +0000

On Saturday October 20, 2012 stop by the Hoboken Municipal Services Garage from 9am – 1pm to have your junk mail and other paper documents shredded.

Then on Sunday October 21 from 9am – 1pm you can drop off hazardous household waste such as paint, fluorescent light bulbs, etc.

The Garage is located on Willow Avenue between Newark Street and Observer Highway.

Hoboken awarded $20,000 Sustainable Jersey Grant to fund rain garden curb extensions

Brad Miller — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 15:08:46 +0000

Curb Extension Rain Garden In Philadelphia

Sustainable Jersey representatives announced today that the City of Hoboken has been awarded a Sustainable Jersey Small Grant for rain garden curb extensions. Hoboken is one of just four municipalities in New Jersey to receive a Sustainable Jersey Small Grant at the $20,000 level. The 2012 Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program funded by the PSEG Foundation is providing $200,000 in grants to local governments for sustainability projects. Since 2009, Sustainable Jersey has distributed over $795,000 in grants to New Jersey municipalities to help towns make communities more livable, environmentally friendly and prosperous.

“Rain garden curb extensions will help us reach two of our top sustainability goals: to alleviate flooding by capturing stormwater runoff and to further promote walking by creating safer pedestrian crossings,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “We are excited to partner with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program to implement this green infrastructure demonstration project.”

The grant will fund the planning, design, and installation of two rain garden curb extensions. Along with green roofs, rain barrels, permeable pavement, and other green infrastructure elements, rain gardens are one tool to mitigate flooding by diverting stormwater from the sewer system. The demonstration project will serve as a model for all cities in New Jersey as they begin addressing green infrastructure, stormwater management, CSO control, traffic calming, pedestrian safety, and beautification of our core urban communities.

The winners of the grants have proposed projects that provide sustainable solutions to everyday challenges. Organic curbside waste recycling, storm water runoff solutions, innovative bioswales, water conservation, sustainable landscaping, wildlife interaction plan, community gardens and more have been added to the list of initiatives that the Sustainable Jersey Small Grants program is funding. New Jersey is the first state in the nation to have a comprehensive sustainability program for communities that links certification with strong state and private financial incentives, and a fully resourced program of technical support and training. Sustainable Jersey is 100 percent voluntary and each town can choose whether it wants to get certified and the actions it wants to do in order to achieve enough points to get certified.

“PSEG is committed to being a steward of the environment and making meaningful contributions to the communities it serves,” said Anne Hoskins, senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability for PSEG, one of New Jersey’s oldest companies and largest employers. “We are proud to support this program and to fund projects that will make life better in neighborhoods all over New Jersey.”

The Sustainable Jersey grants are intended to help local governments make progress toward a sustainable future in general, and specifically toward Sustainable Jersey certification. Currently, 67 percent of New Jersey’s towns and cities (378 towns across all 21 counties) have registered to become Sustainable Jersey certified. “The impact that these projects will make in New Jersey is incredible,” said Pam Mount, Chair of the Sustainable Jersey Board of Trustees. “Aiding towns and Green Teams to achieve their sustainability goals by funding green initiatives will have a ripple effect that will benefit us all.”

In 2011, the City of Hoboken achieved the Bronze Level Sustainable Jersey certification and received the Sustainable Jersey Leadership Award for addressing alternative transportation and parking solutions.

Committee for a Green Hoboken’s “Green Drinks” at H-mag Rooftop

Brad Miller — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 03:10:48 +0000

Please join us on Wednesday, September 26th for the 2nd Annual H-mag Rooftop Green Drinks; this year we will be raising money to further the QLC’s Committee for a Green Hoboken’s efforts to install various stormwater measures throughout Hoboken, including street trees and rain gardens.

We kindly request a $20 donation, which will include wine, beer and hor d’oeuvres.

Location: 80 River St. Penthouse
Time: 6:30pm

https://www.facebook.com/GreenHoboken

Hoboken Uptown Farmers’ Market is back!

pneshamkin — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:34:50 +0000

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that New Jersey is known as the Garden State when you live in the middle of an urban jungle. The Hoboken Uptown Farmers’ Market is back, with proof in the form of strawberries, sweet corn, and those famous Jersey tomatoes. Beginning June 7, and running through October, the market will be open Thursdays from 3 pm to 7:30 pm. The convenient time and location at the corner of 13th & Hudson Streets ensures that residents of uptown Hoboken and beyond will have an opportunity to load up on some freshly picked salad greens for Thursday night’s dinner or a scrumptious blueberry pie for the weekend barbecue.
This year returning vendors include Ort Farms of Long Valley, NJ, Stony Hill Farms of Chester and an organic farm, Jeff’s Produce. Rounding out the veggie selection is Gina’s Bakery of Montclair with freshly baked breads and sweets. Hoboken Farms is a popular stop for a variety of epicurean delights. Surely no one can resist the call of Dr. Pickle, who will happily give customers a sample of any of his briny, delicious olives, roasted peppers and pickles, of course! As a certified ‘Jersey Fresh’ market, the customer can be assured that the fresh produce is grown right here in New Jersey.
As in years past, the market is committed to helping our neighbors in Hoboken who have limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. At the end of each day, vendors are encouraged to donate leftover produce to the Hoboken Shelter, which is celebrating its thirtieth year of service to our community. This year, customers may purchase produce for the shelter alongside their own groceries and the market will deliver it for them. Additionally, eligible customers are welcome to use WIC (Women, Infants & Children Program) coupons with participating vendors.
Look for the Hoboken Uptown Farmers’ Market on Facebook and Twitter, where we’ll keep you updated on the deal of the day and what’s in season.
Remember – shopping at a Farmers’ Market is great for the local economy, your health and your carbon footprint. Shop Jersey Fresh!