December 30, 2021

City of Hoboken announces new Constituent Services Coordinator and Part-Time Public Safety Advisor

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken today announced lifelong Hoboken residents Nora Martinez DeBenedetto will serve as the new Constituent Services Coordinator, and Hudson County Commissioner Anthony Romano will serve as a part-time Public Safety Advisor for the City of Hoboken.   

“As a vibrant and diverse City we are constantly adapting to best meet the needs of our residents,” said Mayor Bhalla. “Nora has a long history of problem solving and volunteerism that makes her a perfect fit to work with residents across the City as the new head of the Office of Constituent Services. I can think of no better person to join my administration and I know she will do an outstanding job serving our residents.”

DeBenedetto is a born and raised Hoboken resident with a long history of volunteerism within the community, having coordinated the City’s annual Art in the Park program since 2008 and served on the executive board of the Hoboken Democratic Committee since 2018. Further, she is a founding member and volunteer manager of the Hoboken Uptown Farmers Market, organized voter registration drives, and was part of the Hudson School Strategic Plan Committee. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Syracuse University and Master of Education from New Jersey City University. DeBenedetto, who is bi-lingual, is currently an Early Childhood Educator at Kaplan Preschool.   

DeBenedetto will begin on February 1. As the new head of Constituent Services, she will coordinate inquiries and requests with City departments and agencies on behalf of residents on topics including the handling of counseling and referrals for social services, tenant assistance, and education, housing and employment inquiries, various quality-of-life issues, violations of City codes, and general questions regarding available City services.  

During its almost two years of operation, the office serviced approximately2,500 requests from residents, assisted with 50 cases in coordination with the tenant advocate, oversaw 1,050 requests through the Hoboken 311 system, and sent more than 6,000 emails and correspondence on behalf of constituents.  

Commissioner Romano will serve as the City’s new part-time Public Safety Advisor starting on January 1.   

As a Public Safety Advisor, Romano will assist the administration on various public safety matters, including EMS Services, community -public safety relations, personnel matters, identify cost-savings measures, and more.     

“Anthony’s experience both as a former police captain at the Hoboken Police Department and as a dedicated public servant will be crucial to increasing community and public safety relations in Hoboken,” said Mayor Bhalla. “He has institutional knowledge of both the Police and Fire Departments that is invaluable to the City and he will help us build upon the strength of our Police and Fire Departments in the new year.”

“Anthony Romano has a history of advocacy and a wealth of public safety knowledge that will be an asset to our departments,” said Hoboken Police Chief Daniel LoBue and Hoboken Fire Chief Anton Peskens. “We look forward to continuing to work with him as we build upon our engagement with the community and streamline operational efficiencies.”

Romano is a lifelong resident and public servant with over 40years of public safety experience. He was an officer with the Hoboken Police Department for over three decades, rising to the rank of captain before his retirement. As a Hudson County Commissioner, Romano also serves as the Chair of the County’s Public Safety Committee, Personnel Committee, Economic Development and Housing Committee, and the Senior Citizens & Veterans Affairs Committee.   

Romano earned his Bachelor’s in History at St. Peter’s University and a Master’s in Criminal Justice from New Jersey City University. He also completed the Command and Leadership Program at West Point and he teaches as an Adjunct Professor at Saint Peter’s University.