City Names New Business Administrator

Hoboken got one step closer today to getting its independence back from the state, with Mayor Dawn Zimmer announcing the City's new business administrator. 

Arch Liston, 54, the Business Administrator in Bridgeton, will take the job. Liston, who has been working in Bridgeton since 2006, manages a $22.5 million budget. He served as Township Manager in Mount Holly from 1999 to 2006. Liston also served as chief of the Police Department in Mount Holly.

Liston, who was looking for an apartment in Hoboken on Friday afternoon, said he was "just thrilled to death," about the his new job. He said he will start on May 3. 

Right now, Liston said he is trying to understand what the priorities are in town, as well as studying public safety and budgetary issues facing Hoboken. 

"Today represents an important step for Hoboken," said Zimmer, who is celebrating her birthday today. "We're putting behind us one of the remaining vestiges of past mistakes and looking forward to making Hoboken a better city through competent management, honest governance, and real accountability."

Hiring a new business administrator was one of the key requirements for Hoboken to free itself of the state's control. Approving a 2010 budget—which was done during the March 16 Council Meeting.  The budget was approved in Trenton earlier this week, when Zimmer visited the Local Finance Board.

Approval of the appointment of Mr. Liston will be on the City Council agenda for the April 21st meeting.