PERTH AMBOY -Council Meeting 3/12/14 – Resolution 134-314 Granting a waiver of residency to Jennifer S. Ingenito as Municipal Court Administrator.

The question of the Council continually granting waivers to individuals who work for the City but live out of town came under fire again.

Jennifer Ingenito had been given an extension for the second time to move into the City as a condition for keeping her position as a Municipal Court Administrator. Although she is highly qualified, Council Members present and past were not pleased that she has stalled in relocating to the City.

Council President Joel Pabon said, “This posting (Municipal Court Administrator) has been around for a year and no one came forward who is qualified.”

Resident Alan Silber said, “I refuse to believe that we can’t find someone qualified in town for the Court Administrator job.”

Resident Ricky Aviles said, “If someone promises to move into town for the job, we should hold them to it or remove the residency requirement.”

City Attorney Mark Blunda made it clear that the Administration advertised for the Municipal Court Administrator Position. “No one who is a resident of Perth Amboy that applied was qualified.”

Former Councilman Fernando Gonzalez said, “When I was on the Council, I voted for Ms. Ingenito to keep her position on the condition that she would move into town. Now she is requesting a waiver. If you grant her this, it would be a slap in the face to the people.”

The Council voted “Yes” to grant her a residency waiver except for Member Kenneth Gonzalez who has been against granting her continuous waivers from the beginning.

Councilman Fernando Irizarry was absent at both the 3/10/14 & 3/12/14 Caucus & Council Meetings.