2/7/18 Business Meeting

By: Joseph L. Kuchie

Councilwoman
Zusette Dato

SOUTH AMBOY – Councilwoman Zusette Dato recently questioned the distribution of the free bagged flyers that are thrown on resident’s driveways in South Amboy.

Dato has noticed an increase of the bagged flyers being thrown beyond properties in South Amboy. She asked City Attorney John Lanza if an ordinance could be made to help clean up the city’s streets.

“I’m okay with the flyers because the truth is I’m looking for my flyer from the supermarket, however they should be required to put it at the door or on the door knob,” Dato said. “It shouldn’t be in the street, it shouldn’t be on your lawn, it shouldn’t be on the sewer cover, and that’s where they wind up. It looks terrible.”

“I’m okay with them distributing them but not the way they are doing it,” she added. “If they deliver to the door I’m fine with it and I support it.”

Councilwoman Dato referenced other town ordinances that require these flyer distributors to be licensed so the city knows who and what is being distributed.

“It requires that the vendor be licensed, that means we know who they are we can tell them what they can and can’t do… they can’t claim violation of freedom of the press,” Dato said. “If we license them it’s income for the city.”

Mayor Fred Henry gave an update on the ongoing search for a new city Business Administrator.

“We’re bringing back two of the candidates for a second interview on Friday and also a new interviewee on Friday,” Mayor Henry said. “We’ll see whether or not we want to pick one of those people or keep looking.”

Mayor Henry has been handling the duties of Business Administrator since the beginning of 2018. He reflected on his time filling in at City Hall and praised the individuals who typically fill the role.

“To say the least it’s been an eye-opener on a lot of different issues, I have a lot more respect for people who do this job, it’s been interesting,” Mayor Henry said.

“I don’t think we should rush into this decision,” Councilwoman Dato said. “Not that we’re going to find the perfect candidate but if the candidates that present themselves don’t have the kind of experience we need especially with the projects we have that are looming, I think we wait it out or go to the league of municipalities source or something and keep at it. Don’t rush into this, it’s a big one.”

Councilman Brian McLoughlin was not in attendance for the business meeting. The next city council meeting will be held on February 21 at 7:00 p.m.