Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken have hired Robert Smith as the new Superintendent of Hoboken’s water system. Mr. Smith comes to Hoboken with over 27 years of managerial experience in the water and wastewater field, most recently serving as the Director of Water and Sewer Utilities for the Borough of Sayreville, New Jersey. The new Superintendent position became necessary in Hoboken with the new water system contract with SUEZ that provides Hoboken with over $33 million in water main upgrades over the next 15 years, which will be overseen by Mr. Smith.
“I’m pleased to welcome Robert as Hoboken’s new Superintendent of our water system,” said Mayor Bhalla. “He has the experience and knowledge to oversee our multi-million dollar water main replacement project. I look forward to working with him as we proactively upgrade Hoboken’s infrastructure and improve the quality of life for residents.”
“I am proud and honored to be named the new Water Superintendent here in the City of Hoboken,” said Mr. Smith. “I am looking forward to serving the citizens of Hoboken to the best of my abilities, ensuring that they receive the highest quality of water and service possible.”
Earlier this year, Mayor Bhalla and the City of Hoboken formalized a new contract with SUEZ that provides for over six times more investments in Hoboken’s water main system as compared to the old contract. Hoboken now controls all of the revenue from the water utility bills which are now invested back into water main upgrades by the City, as opposed to a private water utility. Hoboken will replace approximately 18% of the water main system by 2034.
Mr. Smith’s salary will be fully funded through the water utility, at no taxpayer expense. He will be the only full time employee of the water utility.
