The Hoboken Tax Reform Coalition
Hoboken Employees: 1968 vs Present Day
I wrote this up a while back based on a old report I'd come across:
In Hoboken, the more things stay the same, the more they stay the same.
Way back in 1968, The Hoboken Chamber of Commerce commissioned a report studying the efficiency and cost of the city’s operation. It is interesting to see how some of the comments from over forty years ago mirror present-day perceptions. From an article in the February 20, 1968 Jersey Journal:
In comparison to other Hudson County municipalities of similar population, Hoboken’s city services cost considerably more per capita than its peers. Though Union City is roughly the same size as Hoboken, it cost $81 per capita to provide services as compared to Hoboken at $112 per capita. North Bergen, geographically five times the size of Hoboken, cost $90 per capita. The study estimated that Hoboken employed 200 more employees than Union City, which had a population 12% greater than Hoboken.
“Government employees have gained increased wages generally equal to those paid by business and industry, but they have retained such benefits as shorter work hours, longer sick leave and vacations, and leniency of punctuality, attendance and extended sick leaves which should be brought in line with industry practices.”
“Sick leave with pay has in some instances been allowed for periods exceeding a full year and far in excess of earned sick leave.”
“The report maintained that a staff of 27 employees to care for three municipal parks was too large…a field survey of the three parks – Church Square Park, Stevens Park, and Elysian Park – showed only 12 men working.”
“The board (of education) had 266 classes in the school system and 334 teachers. Although the additional teaching staffs are assigned to special subjects and to provide substitutes when needed, the reports said that a review of the number of classes and teacher assignments indicates that full-time teaching schedules are required.”
“Hoboken had 137 policemen compared to 99 for Union City and 105 for North Bergen…Hoboken has 2.96 policemen for every 1,000 of population. North Bergen has 2.40 and Union City has 1.88.”
“The report recommends the number of (police) captains be reduced from six to five; lieutenants from 16 to 10; sergeants from 20 to 15; patrolmen from 94 to 91.” Currently, Hoboken has 4 captains, 19 lieutenants, 30 sergeants, and 104 patrolmen.
HPD Total Staffing:
1968 137
1991 136
2008 158
Hoboken's current population (45K, est.) is about the same as in 1968, but markedly different in socioeconomic makeup.
40+ years of appararent overstaffing. Total cost?
Views: 0
- Attachments:
-
-
19680220JJ Overstaffed.jpg, 9.7 MB
-
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Concerned Citizen on -
A friend who lived in Linden, NJ always remarks how poorly managed the city is compared to Linden.
For example we do not have any garbage cans on the sidewalks. Maybe on Washington street, but none of the other busy sidestreets have any garbage cans... like on First street where all the bars are.
With all the employees on payroll we can't afford garbage pickups?
In the fall they let the leaves pile up in busy areas like the waterfront sidewalks.
With the exorbitant taxes we pay, I scratch my head every year wondering what services we get.
-
Permalink Reply by georgia on
-
I am not surprised! A small group of people figured out (a long, long time ago) how to screw the residents around here: so they decided to call themselves 'the government' and created all these small towns. All these small towns needed (of course!) their own city hall, mayor, PD, FD, schools, workers, no-show employees, etc. What a waste, and what an ingenious way to legally screw the taxpayers! From time to time, some mayors and employees go to jail (but never enough). However, it never deterred other crooks from continuing the vicious cycle. We now have a small group of good citizens attempting to restore some fiscal responsibility. I am afraid that the harm has been done and the good people are overwhelmed by all the wrong done in the past.
© 2012 Created by Administrator.
Powered by 
.
