Residents press council on cannabis prohibition, parking enforcement and thank public works

Public comment at the Dec. 16 Hackensack council meeting covered cannabis retail, local parking enforcement and community events.

Joel Dawkins told the council that, under state statute timelines, municipalities may prohibit retail cannabis and urged Hackensack to consider prohibition before the August 2026 deadline, citing Ordinance 30 of 2021 as the prior administration's action. Dawkins framed the issue as one of protecting children, families and the community.

L. Lore of 85 Linden Street described a long-running parking dispute in a mixed commercial–residential block near the Anderson train station and said repeated enforcement actions and a notice of violation had left the household seeking relief. The speaker asked the council to review photos and directed them to share the images with Mr. Freeman, the city manager; Mr. Freeman told the speaker staff would be in contact later in the week after city traffic staff review.

Other commenters thanked municipal departments: Doug Gafello praised the Department of Public Works and sanitation for timely plowing and trash service during recent storms, and Marlene Somerville (representing a community organization) thanked the council for a hurricane notice and asked about continued events for Women's History Month and Black History Month.

Council members and staff responded by noting next steps: the resident-only parking ordinance was on the docket for further consideration (first reading passed that night) and the city manager agreed to follow up on the specific parking complaint. No formal action on cannabis retail was recorded at the meeting; Dawkins' remarks were part of the public-comment record.