Handicap Committee is not Needed

4/24/17 Caucus 4/26/17 Council Meeting

PERTH AMBOY – Resident Ken Balut stated, “If Code Enforcement would take care of illegal housing, it would take care of the parking problems. I had an OPRA request dealing with Code Enforcement, but I haven’t heard anything back from that  request yet.”

Resident Michael George wanted to know if Code Enforcement can overrule the Fire Department. “I would also like to commend the Police Department and the Fire Department for doing a tremendous job in fighting a fire on Rector Street. I saw people going back into that house on the same day as the fire. Code Enforcement is nowhere to be found. They don’t enforce the laws and our town is getting filthy because of animals getting into open garbage cans. I’d like to commend Council President Petrick for asking questions.”

A Rector Street Resident,  Mark Achamizo came up to comment about Code Enforcement. He said, “While I was participating in the cleanup day during Earth Week, we picked up a lot of garbage in a short space. We also saw a lot of houses where work was being done and their was no work permits posted. A lot of people are being thrown under the bus. Code Enforcement needs to be held accountable. Maybe we need new people in there.”

Business Administrator Adam Cruz wanted to address some of the erroneous information in regards to the fire on Rector Street. “The comments made were very hurtful to Code Enforcement. This property did not have illegal housing. It was a legal three family house. Code Enforcement showed up right after the fire and took pictures. All 16 people from the house were relocated for at least 24 hours. People were then allowed to move back in on the first floor.”

Councilman Joel Pabon asked if the attic was part of one of the 3 apartments. “I was surprised when someone said that the fire engines couldn’t make a left turn leaving the station to get that fire.”

Cruz responded, “Chief Cattano would know more about this.”

When Cattano came up, he stated, “I know of no such issue. Curbs were cut so that engines can make a left hand turn and it was designed that way from the very beginning.”

Pabon then commented further, “Code Enforcement is never here (at Council Meetings). A Resident said that they picked up 5 bags of garbage during the cleanups in a few short blocks. In the past, Code Enforcement used to put orange stickers on garbage bags or cans of people who violated garbage ordinances. There is no reason for Code Enforcement not to see this (all the garbage). It’s not fair to the taxpayers who keep their places clean.”

Cruz responded, “Your point is well taken. The departments that are present are here because there is something on the agenda that they may have to address. We have a Code Enforcement Person on duty on the weekends and I provided documents to Council President Petrick in regards to the fire.”

Gregory Pabon came up to speak about the Handicap Parking Committee of which he is a member of. He addressed a discussion in regards to having 2 Handicap Committees, each having 3 members. “A second committee is not going to resolve anything. We get doctor’s prescriptions that I can’t read, then we have to follow guidelines. Are we allowed to override a doctor’s diagnosis?”

Gregory Pabon’s comments prompted Council President Bill Petrick to make the following statement, “The Handicap Committee should not exist because the State said that a doctor’s diagnosis should be sufficient. You (the Committee) are all admitting that you are not medical professionals, but this is just my personal opinion.”

Gregory Pabon also took the opportunity to address the police body cameras (see p.2.), “If the police had these body cameras when the incident (Dixon Rodriguez) happened on Hall Avenue 2 years ago, then if all of the responding officers had these cameras, then you would have had 3 different views that was going on.”

Resident Jeremy Baratta who is also on the Handicap Committee said, “I thought the City Clerk handled the Handicap Parking problem.”

Council President Bill Petrick responded, “No, she doesn’t.”

At the same time, City Clerk Jasko shook her head, “No.”

Baratta said, “When we sit down and look at a file, we have to follow guidelines.”

Council President Petrick then asked, “Is there anyone  here qualified to give medical expertise?”

Baratta responded, “If what we are given is not obvious as to why a person needs a handicap spot, then we may ask for additional information. If they (the applicant for a handicap spot) doesn’t provide more backup information, then they might just have wanted to slip in.”

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez asked for documentation from other cities to see what they require for someone to get a handicap parking spot.

Baratta responded, “Even New Jersey Transit is requiring more additional information before they grant a spot.”