Here is a press release from Tony Soares, former Hoboken Councilman:
Since 2001 Michael Schaffer has been a compensated commissioner (free health care) on The North Hudson Sewage Authority.
Mr. Schaffer votes on approvals for developments that come on line. He votes to allow or reject projects based on capacity of the system and Hoboken's ability to sustain each development.
In his role he decides whether of not a project is actually built. The commission's approvals are stronger than zoning. If they deny, the project is a no-go unless the developer/applicants can address their engineering concerns.
It was Mr Schaffer who on his 1st night as a Commissioner in 2001 abstained from voting on the large scale Sky Club. A project that was originally opposed by many-including the City Council.
Schaffer abstained because he said he was not familiar with the plan. The Plan was a regular front page debate in the local press for years.
At the time the project was being transferred from a developer with a 40 count indictment (Rene Abreau )to a local builder (Manhattan Building Co.) They in turn sold out to Toll Bros.
Because this project was granted nearly 20 variances, the NHSA's engineers recommended the plan be denied because flooding in the 4th ward was so bad.
Instead the Commissioners voted the project through.
While many wonderful families live there, they too experience a neighborhood that has an exacerbated flooding problem, not because of their homes, rather Michael Schaffer and the NHSA never compelled developers to address engineering warnings by their very own engineers!
Today, Mike Schaffer stands as a defendant. Now I can guess why he may have abstained on that 2001 vote, as well as doing so very little for the residents of Hoboken's Westside. ◦
