SOUTH AMBOY – Newly Appointed Councilman Tom Reilly at the 2/4/15 Business Meeting. *Photo by Carolyn Maxwell
SOUTH AMBOY – At the 2/4/15 Business Meeting, Item G was a request submitted by the South Amboy Fire Department. Business Administrator
Camille Tooker told those in attendance that Fire Chief Mike Geraltowswki said that there are issues with the fire snorkel. “It has been out of commission several times and we’ve had to borrow equipment from other towns. They said that a new snorkel is needed which would be an estimated cost of $1.5 million. I have researched equipment with similar specs and we found one for about $800,000.”
Tooker encouraged the Council to reach out to the Fire Chief or to herself if they had any more questions that they needed answered before deciding which course to take. She could make available to the Council the letter sent to her by Geraltowswki where he laid out specifications of the snorkel that is needed.
Item #G – The Department also requested $25,000 for 10 sets of turnout gear. This would include all clothing and footwear with the exception of helmets.
Council President Mickey Gross asked the Members if there was any problem with this request. They said, “No.”
Ordinance 2-2015 – First Reading – An ordinance to amend Chapter 46, Constructions Codes, and other Fees for the City of South Amboy.
Law director John Lanza said, “There is a need to see about increasing fees pertaining to some items that need attention. The increase in fees will pertain to some items that the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment have to submit to applicants.” Lanza said, “Former City Clerk Kathy Vigilante left a memo regarding notary and peddler fees. When it comes to fees for the taxi and limo drivers they are under 2 different statutes. We have to redo the taxi ordinance and liquor licenses first. With some licenses the fees can’t increase more than 20% per year.
A fee could range from $150 to $2,500 depending on what needs to be done. We need to move on this.”
Newly chosen Councilman Tom Reilly wanted to know if there is an open window to raise fees.
Lanza replied, “No. We have delayed raising fees for a while.” Lanza continued to talk about additional fees, some of which included a tax map fee which ranges between 50 Cents and $5. FedEx fees and duplicate tax sales records were also discussed. “A person may come in and a picture ID is needed. We have to make sure that they know what they are signing, especially when requesting or filling out taxi and limo forms. A person filling out a form for a taxi or limo license must show proper ID and it has to be for themselves – not for someone else. I will do the ordinances for these fees. Some of these existing fees are so low that you can’t even buy a milkshake with them.”
