PERTH AMBOY – Communication #10: Edna Dorothy Daniel, Chairperson of the Housing Authority advising Board of Education President Samuel Lebreault that the Housing Authority believes that there have not been any active negotiations in response to the Authority’s position on the fair market value of the former Delaney Homes property. In the event the Board and the Authority fail to reach an agreement on or before August 15, 2015, the Authority will withdraw from active negotiations and pursue its redevelopment plans for the property (6/16/15)
At the June 22, 2015 Caucus meeting several residents came up to speak about this communication. During the public portion, former Council President Ken Balut said, “Under Best Practices, the Council and the Board of Education are supposed to meet. Two Government Agencies are involved.”
Resident Reinaldo Aviles said, “The Delaney Homes property belongs to HUD. You (the Council) appointed the Housing Authority Commissioners. The Housing Authority took appraisals based on properties such as towns like Westfield. The people on the Board of Education who want the Delaney Deal to fall through wants the Celotex Property for the School. You (the Council) need to ask the Housing Authority where they based their appraisals on. You need to talk to the Housing Authority. We have a low graduation rate. We need to step back and remember it’s about the kids and the taxpayers. It will take a while to build a school of that size. Put pressure on all of your Housing Authority appointees.”
Resident Alan Silber came up to speak. “The Board of Education should come here (the Council Meetings) and demand that the City demand the money from the YMCA. There were contributors from the heads of large cooperation’s who gave money to candidates running for the Board of Education.” Silber mentioned Survey Monkey and WalMart. Those rich contributors can come here and just buy the property and build a High School for Perth Amboy. It would be a drop in the bucket for them.”
Council President Lisa Nanton responded to Silber’s last statement by saying, “That’s not a bad suggestion.”
During the Council comments, Councilman Joel Pabon said, “I would hate to see the school lose the land and the money.”
Councilman Bill Petrick said, “There are other parties interested in that property (Delaney Homes). If something isn’t done, that money will go to another community and that will be a loss to generations of children. We need a negotiator.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez said, “A liaison had been established between the Council and the Board of Education.”
Councilman Joel Pabon said, “Lisa Nanton and I have been in communications with the Board of Ed.”
Fernando Gonzalez interjected, “I think games are being played and someone needs to intercede.”
Council President Lisa Nanton said, “The land value is a sticking point. We need a negotiator for a fair appraisal of the land. By the time the 4th and 5th Graders get to High School, there will be no room for them if a new High School is not built.”
Councilman Fernando Irizarry suggested that the Council send a letter to the Board of Education and the Housing Authority that the City is concerned. They need to resolve this matter.”
City Attorney Mark Blunda agreed that a third appraisal is needed and phone calls should be made to both parties involved.”
The discussion continued into the 6/24/15 Council Meeting. Resident Stanley Sierakowski said, “Dot Daniel and Sam Lebreault are not decision makers. She (Dot Daniel) is not an appraiser and failed in this communication. She doesn’t have authority to issue ultimatums.”
Former Councilman Kenneth Balut said, “The High School is taxpayers dollars. Somebody can call the Board of Education with numbers for the value.”
