Outgoing Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach

PERTH AMBOY – The 6/25/14 Council Meeting was the last official meeting for Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach. He was first appointed Business Administrator when Wilda Diaz started her first term as Mayor in 2008. She also appointed Mark Blunda as City Attorney. Fehrenbach was briefly replaced by Jane Feigenbaum. Fehrenbach was rehired after Feigenbaum left. There was concern when Diaz appointed nonresidents to the B.A. and City Attorney positions.

Fehrenbach and Blunda did a forensic investigation and uncovered a large debt left by the previous administration due to unethical practices. Residents were grateful for this, but there were some City Employees whose jobs were eliminated or downsized. Some of the City’s debt was reduced by negotiating agreements with Middlesex Water Company and Chevron.

The City Council showed their appreciation for what Fehrenbach was able to accomplish.

Some of the accolades included remarks by Council President Joel Pabon who said, “You might not have lived here, but you always were here. I thought we were paying you too much money in the beginning. But I have to say, you were worth every cent. You always returned my e-mails and calls promptly.” Pabon told the new B.A. Jillian Barrick, “I wish you the best of luck.”

Councilwoman Lisa Nanton told Fehrenbach, “You kept my mind sharp. Sometimes I couldn’t figure out if your answer was yes or no. It was a privilege to sit here with you. You are an intelligent and good soul and Jillian will have big shoes to fill.”

Councilman Bill Petrick said, “During the big storms you (Fehrenbach) were here. I appreciate everything you have done and you pulled us through financially. You will be missed. I appreciate your experience, knowledge and ability to pull us through.”

Councilman Fernando Irizarry noted Fehrenbach’s integrity, intelligence and patience.

Mayor Diaz became emotional and said, “I am thankful and grateful to Greg. I did not always agree with him, but he stuck by me in the hard times. No one wanted to give the City a loan. Now we have an A+ rating. You will always have a home here in Perth Amboy.” She also thanked Jillian Barrick for working hard.

Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez said, “The wisest decision the Mayor made was bringing you on board. People recommended that we let the State take over, but the Mayor took the difficult route. I’m glad that Jillian Barrick, the new B.A. will be moving here. She was impressive as the assistant B.A.”

Attorney Mark Blunda said, “The Mayor’s hiring of Fehrenbach was the best decision she made. The Mayor would call him (Fehrenbach) seven days a week. In my 38 years in my profession, Greg has been the hardest working and the most honest public official I’ve known. He will be greatly missed.”

Then it was time for Greg Fehrenbach to speak, “The City will be happy to have Jillian Barrick here. She has skills I may be lacking and I have 150 percent faith in her. I started in June 2008 and I want to thank the Mayor and all the Council Members I’ve worked with.”
Greg Fehrenbach started to choke up with emotion when he said, “This position has been the hardest of my career. I also want to thank the taxpayers and residents. S&P (Standard & Poors) recognized the hard work of the City. The tax levy was reduced in 3 of the last 4 budgets. You can only control the City’s taxes – not the decisions of other State Tax Boards. The residents have had many discomforts in the past years and had every right to be upset. Many of the City Employees  worked overtime without compensation. The Mayor’s only objective was to protect the citizens. We’ve had disagreements and shouting matches. She wants to support the values of the City.”

PERTH AMBOY – The City Council, City Clerk and City Attorney pose with outgoing B.A. Greg Fehrenbach (back row 3rd from right) and welcome the new B.A. Jillian Barrick (back row 2nd from right) . *Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

“I also want to recognize all the industries that are located here, the Department and Division Heads, Administrative Staff and all the residents.”

Fehrenbach thanked City Attorney Mark Blunda and said, “Hiring Blunda was the best decision that the Mayor made.”

He also warned that the City’s fiscal condition is still fragile. “I want to thank you all for the opportunity for me to be here.”

Not everyone was a fan of Fehrenbach. Businesswoman and BID Board Member Virginia Lugo made scathing comments regarding Fehrenbach’s involvement in BID matters. She talked about an item in the BID budget. This had to do with an administrative salary which was $45,000 and was voted to be cut by the BID members. Fehrenbach and Barrick recommended that this salary be reinstated and the majority of the members decided to do this.

Lugo said, “In September of this year will be the first time that the BID Board will be voted on by the businesses who are BID members. These owners can submit their own candidates to be elected to sit on the BID Board.” Lugo hoped that Jillian Barrick will be fair  – unlike Greg Fehrenbach.

Jillian Barrick became the City’s new Business Administrator on July 1, 2014.