PERTH AMBOY – Ordinance No. 1 – First Reading – No Public Discussion – Establishing a Street Performer Ordinance.

The Street Performers will be in parks or similar open spaces. Department of Recreation Department Head Ken Ortiz came forward to answer any Council questions.

Council President Bill Petrick was concerned about loud music becoming a problem.

Ortiz answered, “We will have staff during these performances to control this.”

There were also concerns from Councilman Fernando Irizarry in regards to any language that people might find vulgar.

Ortiz said, “This is a tricky situation because there is such a thing as freedom of speech and what one person might find vulgar that another might not. Maybe we can add a language clause to the ordinance.”

At this point, DeCotiis Attorney Judy Verrone said, “Ortiz is correct. There is such a thing such as freedom of speech. Basically, this ordinance is to regulate a place and time where a performance can take place.”

A question was acted if these performers will be using streets. Ortiz replied, “We can isolate places with ample space for these performances.”