Cleanup of C-Town Fire Debris Addressed • South Amboy City Council Meeting 7/15/15

Councilwoman Zusette Dato speaks to Foodtown Property Owners (C-Town Property Site) Edmund J. Paczkowski (Center) after the meeting. *Photos by Carolyn Maxwell

By: Katherine Massopust

SOUTH AMBOY – Council President Mickey Gross was not present at the 7/15/15 Council Meeting so Vice President Christine Noble conducted the meeting. The bill list for payment dated July 9, 2015 was passed by a motion by Councilwoman Zusette Dato and seconded by Donald Applegate.

The Council presented 2 ordinances at the 7/15/15 Council Meeting: Ordinance# 10-2015 – An Ordinance to Amend City Code Chapter 79, Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse Article I Collection. The Ordinance was read twice and twice moved by Councilwoman Zusette Dato and Seconded by Councilman Donald Applegate.

Ordinance #11-2015: An Ordinance amending South Amboy City Code Chapter 53, Article XIX “Zoning Regulations” to address construction after Superstorm Sandy and Bulk Standards. The Ordinance was read twice and both moved by Councilwoman Zusette Dato and Seconded by Councilman Thomas Reilly.

Both ordinances were approved

Animal Lover Amy Dundee

unanimously. There were no public comments made on these items.

During the Council comments, Mayor Fred Henry thanked the Police, Fire Department, First Aid Squad and everyone who organized things for the July 2, 2015 Fireworks. “They helped make things a very pleasurable night.”

Mayor Henry commented on the passing of John “Skeets” Scarzinski who served as an Umpire in the South Amboy Little League for years. Councilman Thomas Reilly also added condolences for the passing of “Skeets.” “He took time out to teach kids how to play. I hope to talk to somebody in the Little League and get a field named after him.”

Mayor Henry also welcomed back Business Administrator Camille Tooker and thanked her for her dedication. “Even though she was out, she worked from home.”

Henry commented on the progress of cleaning up the debris from the C-Town Fire which occurred on April 13, 2015. “The owners have to submit a price to the Insurance Company. As soon as a quote is submitted, a cleanup (of the fire debris) will begin on Bordentown Avenue.”

Councilwoman Zusette Dato added, “We feel your pain. Now there’s announcement for some movement.”

After the meeting, former Foodtown owners (who still own the property that C-Town was located on) Edmund J. Paczkowski said, “We closed after being open for 84 years after Sandy. The Insurance Company is supposed to deposit money in New Brunswick Court. We’ll have to go to the court to receive the money. They are still investigating. The Prosecutor’s Office cleared the property back to us. We are getting quotes now to send to the court.”

When asked what their plans for the property were, the owners answered, “We don’t know yet. We have to settle debts. We have no money coming in. Once this is taken care of, we would like to rebuild. We hope and pray we make the right decision.”

During the public portion Animal Lover Amy Dundee came up to speak. She had handed out information packets and introduced herself. She asked if there were any questions on the information she handed out.

Mayor Henry answered, “The Council did not get a chance to examine the packets. I looked at it and think there’s some merit to it. At the next business meeting we’ll look into it.”

Dundee also asked about some safety issues going on in South Amboy. “There were some incidents involving Police with individuals jumping fences in my neighborhood. (Police were chasing suspects on two separate incidents.) I’m a little concerned.”

Mayor Henry stated, “I think it’s just a coincidence. I’m glad the police are doing their job.”

“We’d like to know more,” Dundee added.

After the meeting, Amy Dundee explained about her interest in animal advocacy. “There was a dog “Butch” that was found in a junkyard. According to state law, there was nothing that animal control could do to help Butch,” said Dundee. “That’ how I became interested (in the Animal Advocacy Facebook  Group  (Snows  Law) Lets Change NJ Animal cruelty law S495) – when I heard about this neglected dog. I want to promote responsible ownership of animals.” The letter (about tethering dogs) which was sent to Mayor Henry and the South Amboy City Council is published in the Community Voice section in this issue of the Amboy Guardian.