By Joseph L. Kuchie –

SOUTH AMBOY – Local residents at last week’s city council meeting discussed an ordinance amending the South Amboy city code for garbage and refuse

The new ordinance added conditions on the collection of bulk waste and white goods. This included scheduling pick-ups for the waste, new identification tags issued from the city, and the fine for violating the new ordinance.

City Clerk Kathleen Vigilante

Resident Stanley Jankowski of John Street was concerned about the limit placed on free bulk items being put to the curb. Residents will annually receive four identification tags to place on bulk items that will be taken at no charge, but there will be a charge of $25 per item after the four are used.

“Four bulk waste items could be three televisions and a computer…you’re going to have a problem with a lot of this stuff I can tell you right now,” Jankowski said. “You can only use four a year? That’s going to be a problem I can see it.”

The council pointed out in the ordinance that bulk items can be dropped off at the Department of Public Works at no charge. Part “E” of Section 79-20 reads:

“There shall be no charge for bulk waste items dropped off by the resident at the Department of Public Works, located at South Broadway, South Amboy, New Jersey. This service shall be limited to the 3rd Saturday of each month, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and no special identification tags shall be required for this service.”

Eileen Ryan of Bertram Avenue, who owns and rents properties in South Amboy, asked about the pick-up appointments and who was responsible for the garbage left on the street. The ordinance reads that the residential landowner shall be obligated for compliance of pickup, but Ryan believed the ordinance should have more detail.

City Attorney John Lanza

“I own a home and I rent. Two of them left in the middle of the night and left the whole street loaded…Are we going to fine him? I don’t interpret that here,” Ryan said. “I hear that he’s responsible, but I don’t see anything that says we gave you a warning…why should we pick up the garbage left behind by tenants that ran out in the middle of the night? There’s nothing written what their obligation is.”

Council President Joseph Connors later said that this amendment was “a start” and Mayor Fred Henry added the council “could always tweak it if necessary”

After the public hearing concluded the council voted unanimously to pass the ordinance and send it to Mayor Henry for his approval.

Mayor Henry also congratulated South Amboy’s fire department for taking home a number of trophies and awards in Wildwood at the Firemen’s Convention. He also praised the American Legion and Elks Club for their 9/11 ceremonies on the anniversary of the attacks.

The next city council meeting will be held on Oct. 16 at 7:00 p.m.