Newly Sworn in Councilman Fernando Gonzalez takes his seat once more on the Council at the 5/27/15 Caucus and Council Meeting.
*Photo by Katherine Massopust

By: Katherine Massopust

PERTH AMBOY – There were many topics of discussion at the 5/27/15 Caucus and Council Meeting which was held on the same date due to Memorial Day. First on the agenda was addressing traffic on State Street. Councilman Joel Pabon suggested there be an opening to Rudyk Park to alleviate traffic.   Annie Hindenlang Executive Director Office of Economic and Community Development Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency proposed to use the area behind High Street where the railroad tracks are located. “The Second Street Grant has some additional funding and we can use that. There’s accessibility issues and I’m processing those proposals. The Rudyk Park High Street Tracks are not active.”

There was an ordinance proposed to give parking permits to portion of High Street, Smith Street and Fayette Street residents. During the public portion of the Council Meeting Resident Reinaldo Aviles asked about the permits. “What are the specifics?”

B.A. Jillian Barrick stated, “The current residential parking permits has no cost or time restrictions.”

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez stated, “We’re doing it for this area at this point. Are there any other areas where residents are getting ticketed and so on? Are we doing this in every area?”

Councilman Bill Petrick answered, “Market Street.”

Fernando Gonzalez stated the residential stickers benefit the town as a whole. You owe it to them to represent them. People have been coming up to me. (about residential parking permits in other areas)

Council Lisa Nanton stated, “Now we are amending the ordinance. Why didn’t you come to me?” (about the parking complaints)

Gonzalez had no response to Nanton’s question. He reiterated, “I’m urging anyone out there to come forward and we will hear them.”

The ordinance passed unanimously.

Another Ordinance to allow for Hardship exemptions for handicapped parking in business districts was proposed.   A handicapped resident on Market Street had previously complained about the lack of parking on Market Street causing a hardship for him.

During the Council Meeting, all the Council Members voted “Yes” but Fernando Irizarry who voted “No,” stating he did not feel comfortable with the ordinance.

The third ordinance was to create some new positions replacing older ones. One position is a Sanitary Inspector who would drive around and see if trash is put out after 5 p.m. and whether or not it is in the right type of cans, etc. This position will be a part of the Department of Public Works. Another position is a Senior Housing Inspector who will be in charge of all the other Housing Inspectors. This employee will be a member of Code Enforcement.

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez questioned the $80,000 salary for the Senior Housing Inspector. Councilman Joel Pabon questioned about it not being a “second tier.”

B.A. Jillian Barrick explained that these are non-union positions and are not in union titles. “There are some full time and some part time.”

Pabon asked, “What is the salary range of an employee placed in this title in that salary range?”

“If you feel uncomfortable with the title and that it is given the wrong impression, the language can be revised,” Barrick stated.

Gonzalez then stated, “These are all new positions in the City. We’re spending this kind of money. We have the highest taxes in Middlesex County.”

Pabon asked, “Are we looking to promote from within? Is that set in place?”

B.A. Barrick answered, “Each one of these titles is being filled by existing employees.”

Pabon then asked, “Is the Sanitation Inspector going to have set hours? Is this person going to be flexible? Are you adding on to Code Enforcement during the day and weekends and after 5 p.m.?”

Councilman Fernando Irizarry added, “We should emphasize why we are creating this position? We’ve had a number of people express concerns with garbage.”

Barrick again asked, “Would you like this ordinance to be revised? (not in short steps – the proper language)

All of the Council Voted “Yes” to the ordinance except for Fernando Gonzalez who abstained. (due to his affiliation with PARTNER)

Resolution R-216-5 –Authorizing the Planning Board to investigate the properties (from Elm Street to Maple Street, Market Street to New Brunswick Avenue. This proposal will be a study using $7000 which is available.     City CFO/Comptroller Jill Goldy stated, “We can approve a certain amount of money not used for Bayview Park. We can use it for a down payment (for some necessities) in the future.”

City Council President asked, “The money was not used at Bayview Park? What was not done at Bayview Park?”

Goldy explained, “The money was used for many things: animal shelter improvements – not all was done in Bayview Park.”

Annie Hindenlang stated, “This is only a study. We’ve been looking to achieve a transit village. The Best way is to look at a core area around the train station. The first step is putting into effect where we’re planning to build.”

Irizarry asked, “Is there a clause for Eminent Domain?”

Hindenlang answered, “It’s the fairest approach, if you approve. It’s mostly parking lots. They are owned by three large owners. We hope not to use Eminent Domain. We talked to the largest property owners.”

Fernando Gonzalez asked, “Were there any public input? Any community meetings?”

Hindenlang stated, “We had one community meeting. A lot of students from the High School met with us for that project.”

Irizarry asked, “Is this the study that was done with Rutgers?”

Hindenlang answered, “It was one of the studies done with Rutgers and a culmination of a lot of projects. We’ve already got the grant.”

Councilman Bill Petrick asked, “The Grant will fund the process?”

“The grant and the Redevelopment Agency,” Hindenlang answered him.

The Resolution passed unanimously.

Council President Lisa Nanton asked about the Second Street Park.

Hindenlang answered her, “We are resolving funding for the cleanup process. I feel by hoping that cleaning will happen during the year and will be finished.”

“When it came to what was on the ground – the contaminates that is.” Councilman Pabon added.

“If you stand on the ground for more than seven hours, you’ll turn into a light bulb!” Councilman Gonzalez joked.

“There’s hot spots depending on the location. They have it marked,” Pabon stated.

Hindenlang continued, “There is a certain level of cleanup. We’re not going to cap where we’re going to clean up.”

Nanton added, “I still have concerns about a community garden without an irrigation system. I would like more basketball courts.”

Councilman Joel Pabon agreed.

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez stated, “We need to bring in rateable’s. I don’t think the Waterfront is a place for parks.”

B.A. Jillian Barrick answered, “You will get no bigger cheerleader than me for rateable’s. This money is green acres funding. It has to be used as a park. We’re in great need for parks. Because of this park, two developers are interested in mixed use buildings.”

Gonzalez added, “The waterfront has a tremendous amount of park area. I’m just concerned.”

Hindenlang continued, “In January we designated a developer for that area. (For creating a park under the Victory Bridge)