Erin Lanahan 
Hoboken’s newest Mayor is looking to introduce a new snow removal program and shake up City Hall at a City Council meeting on February 11, 2026. Mayor Emily Jabbour will introduce a proposal at tonight’s City Council meeting that would reorganize two City departments, creating the Department of Community Services and the Department of Infrastructure. The departments aim to better serve the community while streamlining planning and design for the City. Mayor Jabbour is also looking to start the Volunteer Snow Removal program that would provide free snow removal services to qualifying residents when Hoboken gets more than six inches of snow. All of these proposals will need approval from Hoboken City Council. Read on for a breakdown of Mayor Jabbour’s proposals ahead of tonight’s City Council meeting in Hoboken.
City Hall Department Reorganization
In an email to constituents, Mayor Jabbour shared her proposals, if approved by City Council, would reorganize two City departments and not create any new departments.
The proposed Department of Community Services aims to bring together constituent services, social workers, cultural affairs, senior services, health, and recreation under one organization that focuses on delivering responsive, accessible, and inclusive programs.
The proposed Department of Infrastructure would integrate capital planning, engineering, public works, facilities, information technology, and sustainability and resiliency efforts. This would combine parts of the Department of Climate Action and Innovation with Public Works, including parks, sanitation, road repair, and fleet maintenance. This reorganization would result in the City dissolving the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Public Works and Department of Climate Action and Innovation. These jobs and resources would live under the new departments being proposed. A detailed look at the layout of the proposed restructure can be found online here.
This proposed restructuring will reportedly organize planning and design for infrastructure, public spaces, transportation, and development through collaboration between the Departments of Infrastructure, Transportation and Parking, and Community Development.
The last ordinance proposes a new Division of Public Engagement within the Department of Administration. This would be responsible for creating meaningful, transparent, and responsive communication between City Hall and the Hoboken community. The goal is to centralize public communications and outreach, community engagement initiatives, digital and social media communications, data-informed engagement efforts, press and media relations, and the coordination of quality-of-life issues across city departments. It would report to the business administrator and the Mayor’s chief of staff.
Read more: Emily Jabbour Sworn in as Hoboken’s Mayor
“Tonight’s City Council meeting is about setting the tone for how we govern by clearly signaling our priorities: efficiency, transparency, and quality of life,” Mayor Jabbour told HG in a statement. “Introducing this reorganization is about putting people first. When residents call City Hall, participate in a recreation program, seek social services, or want to understand a project happening on their block, their government should be easy to navigate and responsive. By aligning services that directly impact daily life and strengthening how departments work together, we can improve outcomes without adding bureaucracy, because residents deserve a smarter, more accountable City government.”
Volunteer Snow Removal Program
After days of watching mountains of ice build on sidewalks and streets of Hoboken, the Mayor is looking for a new way to try and clear the streets. Mayor Jabbour plans on introducing the Volunteer Snow Removal Program during the City Council meeting on February 11, 2026. The program would provide free snow and ice removal for qualifying residents if approved. The snow removal program aims to help elderly residents and those with disabilities who may not be able to safely clear snow and ice from their homes or cars after major winter storms.
If this program gets approved, it would provide free snow and ice removal from sidewalks, entranceways, and driveways of qualifying residential properties. It would also provide free snow removal for cars and on-street ADA parking spaces. These removal services would only be activated by the City of Hoboken when total snow accumulation exceeds 6 inches.
See More: What’s Going On with Hoboken Street Cleaning? Snow Removal Schedule + Other Updates
The people shoveling the snow and ice for this program would be volunteers. These volunteers are required to be at least 16 years of age and would not be compensated for their time, hence being voluntary. Volunteers would have to bring their own shovels and layer up with their own winter clothing. The City may supply ice melt materials if available. These volunteers would not be allowed to accept any payment for their snow removal services or enter any residence.
“Severe winter weather can create real safety challenges for seniors and residents with disabilities,” said Mayor Jabbour in a statement. “This volunteer snow removal program would harness Hoboken’s strong sense of community by bringing neighbors together to help ensure safe access to homes after major storms, while providing a meaningful way for residents to support one another.”More details will be made available if the program is approved by Hoboken City Council.
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