By Mariyah Wojcik–
SOUTH AMBOY- Concerns about the 2014 city budget, wildlife management, and a financial update about the Independence Day fireworks were announced at the April 16 city council meeting.
The South Amboy City Council discusses the upcoming fireworks. Photo by Mariyah Wojcik
Currently, South Amboy is operating under a temporary budget while the final 2014 budget is in the process of being approved. As it is the middle of April, concerns are being expressed by council members as well as residents about when the budget will be approved.
“This is the third year in a row where we are one third of the way through the year and we are just starting the budget,” said Councilman Mickey Gross. “We need to sit down as a group and figure out a way to get this to the council earlier, of course with little to no tax increase for residents.”
Business Administrator Camille Tooker contends that Mayor Fred Henry, the administrative staff, and Chief Financial Officer Terry O’Neil have finished their portion of the budget, and now it is the council’s responsibility to hold public hearings and to approve the final budget.
“Is there a time frame for the budget hearings, and passage? It is getting late in the year, and I wanted to know what the council is planning to do regarding the budget,” said John O’Connell, a resident of South Amboy.
Tooker repeatedly asserted that a definite time frame for the budget cannot be given due to the amount of time that the council may devote to the documents involved, and that she is hopeful that it will be passed in a reasonable time frame.
Problems with wildlife on private property were also of interest at the city council meeting. Resident Barbara Pasternack claims that raccoons on her property, as well as surrounding lots, have been inundated by destructive raccoons.
“These raccoons have eaten parts of the roof, and are a nuisance in the backyards of myself and my neighbors. When I called animal control, they said that they could not help me with the problem,” said Pasternack.
South Amboy has a contract with Woodbridge Township for animal control services. Unfortunately, because raccoons are considered wildlife rather than domestic animals, animal control cannot offer assistance.
“I do not know of any community with a raccoon contract,” said Gross. “It is the homeowner’s responsibility to deal with the raccoons, and I do not recommend that you try to trap it yourself.”
Gross offered to suggest wildlife removal companies to Pasternack, commenting that it is unfortunate that the city cannot offer help, but that wildlife removal is simply beyond the scope of the city’s responsibility.
The fundraising for the fireworks display set for July 3, 2014 is progressing steadily. According to Gross, who is in charge of this fundraising effort, South Amboy must contribute at least $20,000, of which $15,000 has already been acquired.
“The goal is $25,000 but we need at least $20,000,” said Gross.
The cost of the fireworks display is shared with the city of Perth Amboy, which contributes a larger share of the funding, as it is a larger city. Perth Amboy is set to contribute approximately $45,000 according to Gross. This joint effort will ensure that the fireworks are able to take place as scheduled this July.
