To be Built on Seaman Avenue Site 8/28/14 — Board of Education Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
Board Member
Ken Puccio
PERTH AMBOY – During the 8/28/14 BOE Meeting, there was controversy over the proposed Elementary School to be built on Seaman Avenue, the former site of a meat packing plant which is presently owned by the Board of Education. Agenda Item 15B-9 stated: The approval of PennJersey Environmental Consultants to conduct Remedial Investigation and Remedial Action Services for the Seaman Avenue Site (425 Seaman Ave. and 489 Sayre Ave.) at a cost of $449,595.00.
The Seaman Avenue property was purchased in the early 1990’s. The land is considered contaminated, and the Board of Education’s responsibility in the deal is the remediation and cleanup of the property. The State will pay $57 million to build a new elementary school.
The heated discussion was initiated by Board Member Ken Puccio, “In the ‘90’s there was a report that the la
nd was uncleanable. I cannot approve of an Elementary School on a toxic waste site. I object on building on a site that will affect kids with what’s buried underground there. The property was sold for $120,000 and we bought it for $1.2 million. It’s a good place for a maintenance facility. I wouldn’t let my kid go there.”
Board Member Maria Garcia said, “Two schools need to be built. If you look at the numbers and look at the time and level of students going to the elementary school and high school – which is more needed? We have to remove the soil. This is going to be very expensive. Think about this. How many are coming to school – we need a study.”
Board Member Sam Lebreault stated, “I share your concerns. We have to take this one step at a time and have the testing. The technology was different in the ‘90’s and the early 2000’s. This firm assured us that the site is cleanable. We don’t have a choice. We can build an elementary school and go forward and build them both (high school and elementary school). It’s a start and technology may have improved.”
Board Member Anthony Bermudez remarked, “If it’s possible to get the report from the 1990’s and the NJ Environmental Consultants are we able to use that report?”
Board Secretary Derek Jess stated, “If one does exist we can look at it.”
Board Member Ken Puccio stated, “They did do the whole nine yards when the property was purchased.”
Board Member Sam Lebreault suggested that the item be tabled until all the reports are reviewed. The Board unanimously agreed to table this item.
During the public portion resident Stanley Sierakowski spoke about the Seaman property. “The Mayor isn’t on your side. They want to see you fail. She wanted control of the budget. The law firm that represented the BOE twenty years ago recommended the Board buy the Seaman Avenue property. Research and see if you can sue the law firm.”
Later in the meeting, Board Secretary Derek Jess stated, “We own the land. The State will build on the land. We must test the land to see if it’s suitable. Thru remediation it will be determined if it’s suitable. Presently, there is no other land the Board of Education owns suitable for a school.”
