Mayor Will Veto Lowering Directors', Mayor's Salaries

Mayor Dawn Zimmer on Wednesday afternoon told the members of the City Council that she would veto the ordinances that would reduce the mayor's and the director's salaries.

Earlier this month an ordinance was introduced to —including that of Business Administrator Arch Liston—as well as the mayor's salary.

The items are up for second reading and a final vote at Wednesday's council meeting.

In an e-mail to the council members, Zimmer made clear that passing the ordinances would be a waste of time. In her email Zimmer wrote:

Tonight’s City Council Agenda includes second readings of proposed Ordinances reducing the Mayor’s and Directors’ salaries over and above the 10% reduction that I myself implemented immediately upon taking office.  These proposals, which were introduced during an election campaign, appear to have been based at least in part by political rather than public policy considerations. They are not in the best interests of the City of Hoboken, and I urge the City Council to reject these ill considered measures. Please be advised that if these measures are passed on second reading, I will exercise my authority under the Faulkner Act to veto them.  

Hoboken City Council is supposed to meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night. The mayor said that if the ordinances do pass, she will veto them on Thursday morning. If it happens, this will be the second time the mayor exercises her veto power. In December, Zimmer vetoed an ordinance repealing the recreation fee.