Pat Walsh receives a proclamation from Mayor Henry for his hard work as an athlete and a student.
*Photos by Joseph L. Kuchie

Residents Fighting to Keep Rental Units Out of South Amboy

7/19/17 Council Meeting

By: Joseph L. Kuchie

SOUTH AMBOY – South Amboy residents came out to last Wednesday’s city council meeting to voice their opinion on the increasing number of rental units coming into town.

Councilman Tom Reilly began the discussion during his public comments, urging the South Amboy Redevelopment Agency to look in a different direction when it comes to bringing projects into town.

Joseph Prysbylski who is set to receive his Eagle Scout Badge receives a proclamation from Mayor Henry

“I want to be on record that I think we lost our course a little bit,” Reilly said. “I think the direction of the town when I look at housing going up down by the Y, the proposed 1850 units here at Manhattan Beach, the proposed units on Main Street, I think we’re going in the wrong direction. I encourage the Redevelopment Agency to start to re-consider some of the projects coming out of there and I really wish we look in a different direction, possibly industry or home ownership.”

“I’m just very, very concerned about the number of units that are going up in town and the impact it’s going to have, especially on our services,” he continued. “We talk about adding the amount of people to this town and the strain it’s going to put on our police force, our first aid, our fire department, we’re working with skeleton crews now. I just wish we would take some of those things into consideration and, again, urge the Redevelopment Agency to start looking at some different projects.”

“I think we have enough residential development, the town is crowded enough, the infrastructure we can’t handle right now and neither can emergency services,” Councilman Brian McLaughlin added.

Resident Michael Paul of 324 Parker Ave. noted that the city was already crowded and the additional units would cause a strain on the neighborhood.

“It’s going to put a strain on our neighborhood as far as parking goes, infrastructure as far as basic utilities, not to mention the use of emergency services units,” Paul said. “Plus, the influx of people that we’re going to have in our neighborhood. You’re adding an extra 100 people to a little spot.”

Resident Phil English, who has been a local firefighter for nearly 48 years, spoke of the city’s current struggles with finding volunteers. He believes that renters will not be interested in volunteering and adding more residents would add to the overwhelming amount of calls the city’s first responders already receive.

“Rental units are not bringing volunteers into the town. The average age of the guys going out on the trucks is 50-58 years old. It’s something to take into consideration,” English said. “Even with the EMS, 125 calls were diverted to mutual aid because we couldn’t get people from EMS to come out. Renters don’t have vested interest in town so they aren’t going to become volunteers.”

Mayor Fred Henry noted that the Bordentown Ave. project had not yet been approved by the city. He also explained that the city has done their research on projects like this and studies show that potential buyers are more interested in renting than buying homes.

“If somebody wanted to come in and build a single-family home, we’d welcome it,” Henry said. “You can’t tell people to build a rental or a for sale. Right now the market is for rentals.”

“If you look at all the studies that are out there now, people are getting away from home ownership and going into apartments,” he added.

Business Administrator Stacey Kennedy and the city council urged those who are against the rental units to attend the monthly planning board meetings at City Hall. They are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.

Mayor Henry presented proclamations to residents Joseph Prysbylski and Pat Walsh for their hard work and contributions to the city of South Amboy.

Prysbylski is set to receive his Eagle Scout badge after serving as a boy scout for eight years. Prysbylski has completed a number of charitable projects for the city and his church, including building 16 bird houses for educational purposes at Kiddie Keep Well Camp.

Walsh was a 4-Time All-Division athlete in cross country and track at South Amboy Middle High School, setting school records in the 500, 1600, and 3200-meter races and was a three-time NJSIAA Sectional Champion in the 320- meter.  Walsh also graduated third in his class with a 4.3 GPA and served as Vice President of the student council and President of the Executive Board.

Councilwoman Noble ran the council meeting as Council President Mickey Gross was not in attendance. The next city council meeting will be held on August 16 at 7:00 p.m.