Categorized | Carousel, News

Two Programs Introduced At South Amboy Council Meeting

James Delmonico, the Director of Sales for GovPilot. *Photos by Joseph L. Kuchie

James Delmonico, the Director of Sales for GovPilot.
*Photos by Joseph L. Kuchie

By Joseph L. Kuchie –

SOUTH AMBOY – GovPilot and South Amboy’s new art district were discussed extensively at last week’s South Amboy council meeting.

GovPilot is an online engine that will allow residents to access city maps and application forms with ease using the city’s website, while the new arts district will bring musical performances, art galleries, and festivals to South Amboy in hopes of bringing businesses and tourists to the city.

James Delmonico, the Director of Sales for GovPilot, walked the council and the residents in attendance through the software by showing other cities that have invested in GovPilot. The technology, which is now active on South Amboy’s website, is expected to centralize city data for the public and reduce the need for residents to make calls to the city or make a trip to city hall.

Some of the features Delmonico demonstrated included finding residential zones, voting zones, recycling schedules, and pet licenses. GovPilot and the city will work together over the next few weeks to find the best and most useful processes to add to the website to make life easier for city residents.

The new South Amboy arts district was also discussed by Diana St. John and Susan Pellogrini, who have worked in other up and coming cities in New Jersey such as Red Bank and Asbury Park. Their plan is to use the arts, musical performances, and other events to revitalize the downtown area in South Amboy and bring tourism and new businesses to the city.

Diana St. John and Susan Pellogrini give a presentation on the arts in South Amboy.

Diana St. John and Susan Pellogrini give a presentation on the arts in South Amboy.

Residents were cautiously optimistic about the new program, citing parking issues as a big concern in making the arts district a success. The art district’s home base will be at 141 North Broadway, and residents reminded the council that businesses have failed and left the downtown area in the past because of the parking situation.

St. John and Pellogrini explained to residents that they plan to work closely with the city to find a solution for parking and make sure their events go off without a hitch, including utilizing the train station parking lot and some of the school parking. They explained that they would also schedule their events around the time where public parking is more accessible.

“I live in town and I said from the very beginning I’m tired of having to go to Princeton or going to someplace else to buy a cup of coffee or walk inside and see a gallery exhibit,” St. John said. “I would love to do that where I live.”

Mayor Fred Henry expressed his excitement for both programs but emphasized the need for the city and its residents to work together to make it happen.

“These are very positive things that are happening for the city and we obviously need everybody’s cooperation to make them happen,” Henry said. “We are trying to bring people into town so that the businesses on Broadway and the rest of the town will prosper from it. Is it going to happen overnight? Of course not. We have to get the word out there. The whole thing is to make South Amboy more liable for the whole community.”

“We are starting initiatives tonight that will help improve the quality of life in South Amboy,” Henry added in his public comments. “These are all programs to make life better for people in South Amboy. I hope we can all work together on these things and make them very positive.”

All council members were in attendance. The next city council meeting will be held on May 18 at 7 p.m.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Browse Current Issue - Click Here

Safety Announcement

We are taking safety precautions in the City of Perth Amboy, and emphasize that it is important: IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!!
Report Suspicious Activity – Be Vigilant – STAY ALERT! Do not think that any call or report is too small. Don’t allow the actions of a few dictate your quality of life.
FOR ALL EMERGENCIES, DIAL: 9-1-1
FOR ALL NON-EMERGENCIES, DIAL: 732-442-4400