PERTH AMBOY – There was tension at the Council Meeting when two audience members asked City Attorney Mark Blunda what is the proper procedure in regards to anyone taping public meetings.

Residents Alan Silber and Stanley Sierakowski were concerned when resident Israel Varela spoke before the Council. Varela felt that there was a delay in a police report that he needed for a case he was involved with in his position as a School Board Member. Silber and Sierakowski both remarked that while Varela was speaking he was being taped. The person taping Varela had a stake in the outcome of the suit that Varela is involved in.

While addressing the Council resident Ricky Aviles said it was perfectly legal to have any public meetings taped.

When Sierakowski took issue with Aviles’ statement, Aviles turned around and told Sierakowski he needs to be quiet. “No one interrupts you while you are speaking.”