PERTH AMBOY – Former Law Director Mark Blunda poses for a photo with the Council and. B.A. Adam Cruz ((R) seated)
*Photo by Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – Resident Jeremy Baratta came up and asked, “Why are we meeting here? The elevator is broken and the handicapped can’t get up here. It happened at a Zoning Board Meeting, too.” He let it be known that there was a handicapped person who couldn’t make the Meeting because they could not get up the stairs.
Resident Renee Skelton came up to speak next. She stated that the zoning violation she spoke about at the last Council Meeting was still going on. Violations are not being enforced or are selectively enforced. She then added that the case she spoke about before was not on the calendar because Code Enforcement, the local Prosecutor, and the defendant’s lawyer had a closed-door meeting. The person in violation was given a 30-day adjournment. She went on to say that this was an R-25 Zone and commercial and industrial activity is prohibited. She wanted to know why this is not being enforced.
Law Director King responded, “The owner of the company thought they were okay. Code Enforcement gave them a 30-day adjournment. This went to the Zoning Board to get a hearing. Within 30 days, the buses had to be removed (from the property). The judge gave the company 30 days.”
Councilman Irizarry spoke next and thought the judge violated the law.
Council President Petrick said, “Zoning should look into this and the judge ignored the violations.”
Law Director Peter King then said, “Summons were issued. The Company got a 30-day adjournment.”
Irizarry then stated, “We have an ordinance that needed to be followed.”
Skelton spoke up again and was adamant when she said this case never went before a judge and her belief was that they made a deal with the prosecutor. She stated that Code Enforcement would give her a date (when the case would be heard). She also said that any time she went to court on those dates the case was never on the calendar.
Cruz responded, “We follow the law as written. The defendant’s attorney requested a meeting with the judge.”
Skelton concluded stating the City has no responsibility to help anyone and the case never went before a judge.
Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up to speak about Ordinance No. 4 Adopting Amendments to the Focus 2000 Redevelopment Plan for Redevelopment No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 in accordance with the local Redevelopment and Housing Law.
Sierakowski wondered, “Why is there no information in the main book about this ordinance?”
City Clerk Elaine Jasko responded, “The backup is not in the book. It’s the First Reading.”
There were more comments regarding problems affecting quality of life issues.
Resident Sharon Hubberman referenced R-77-2/18. Referring a Redevelopment Plan to the Planning Board for comments and recommendations. Hubberman stated, “This should encompass a traffic study. In other towns, the Council can refer back to the party involved (contractor, developer, or planner). Our roadways have not had an evaluation taken by our engineer. A traffic study is viable.”
PERTH AMBOY – Council President hands a citation to former Law Director Mark Blunda for his service to the City of Perth Amboy. Looking on (L to R) Councilmen Fernando Irizarry, Joel Pabon, Helmin Caba and Fernando Gonzalez. Resolution R-55-2/18 Expressing appreciation, compliments, and gratitude to Mark J. Blunda, Esq. for his dedicated services as Law Director.
Resident Vincent Mackiel then spoke about CDBG grants and thought that they (the organizations) do good work.” Mackiel wanted to know who denied the Salvation Army to stay open. “It’s unacceptable to have the homeless on the street and hanging out in the library. If the Salvation Army was open, they could use that facility.” He also referred to R-77-2/18. “I can park at the train station after the buses were removed. People can park at the Landings. Eliminate speculative development. It did not live up to what it was supposed to be. Stop catering to certain people.”
Resident and Businessman David Caba came up to speak. He asked the Council if they could please clarify what R-77-2/18 is about.
Law Director Peter King responded, “This is for the Greek Church property.”
Caba continued, “After 10 years, Rector Street is going to be fixed. After it’s restored, I want it to be: The Caba and Irizarry Way.”
Resident Ken Balut spoke next. He referenced R-55-2/18 appreciation to Mark Blunda. “I can’t say enough about how Blunda handled the City’s cases while spending less money. He then referenced Communication No. 12 (Adam Cruz, B.A. advising Council President William Petrick that he story of an O/D and a person having a needle in the arm during Code Blue at Olive Street is false).
Balut stated, “Churches and Volunteers should not be handling the homeless. I don’t have a problem with the Y helping the homeless, but Smith Street is not a good location. The church on Cortlandt Street is better.” Balut also said, “R-67 should be tabled until someone is here to speak how that money will help the poor. Grants were given to City Employees who are not qualified. Don’t give to employees who already have a house. We lost the UEZ because they gave money to those who are not qualified. This is all tax dollars regardless if it came from the State, Local, County, or Federal. I also believe that there is something wrong in Code Enforcement.”
Resident Alan Silber then came up to speak. He referenced Resolution R-56-2/18 through R-59-2/18 which dealt with workers compensation settlements. “A lot this is due to dangerous work. Do we have someone making sure that workers have safe working conditions. The insurance company is weak. Is there a list of compensation money listed? I see that there are organization changes.” Silber then continued, “In 2016, a person who worked on a political ticket in 2016 now has a job with the City. Was this new job created for him? I also see this person is overseeing the Parking Utility.”
Cruz responded, “That person is the Manager (of the Parking Utility).”
Silber retorted, “The title states “Overseer” – not “Manager.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez then spoke up regarding this situation, “I sent an email. This is very serious. If a job was created due to improper appointments and illegal priority, I heard this person rents an apartment from somebody that worked on that campaign.”
Councilman Gonzalez finished the discussion asking, “You wanted people involved to come here to testify under oath.” He then spoke about R-77 asking why was this requested.
Parish Council President of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Perth Amboy, Judge Marina Corodemus came up to speak, “This is the community center property, which is still under the Elizabethtown Gas remediation. It took 3 months for the engineer report. It should have taken 30 days. This is our 7th time coming back here. I don’t know what was the delay by your City Engineer. Our engineers and the others (that we hired) had their work or reports done in a timely manner.”
During the last public portion, David Caba came up to speak, “The Council is starting to listen. I saw the special meeting on the internet. I saw people sitting with the Council up front. The room was packed, and the public was standing. The public should have been given those seats. Eric Rodgers made a good point. I would have loved to see him sitting with you instead. Wilda is not running this City. I don’t have the kind of money those developers have. I agree with rezoning parts of Smith Street, but it depends on who will benefit. Mr. Rodgers was right. Paramount does nothing. I came here a couple of years ago criticizing Paramount. All they do is take people’s money and run. They always get tax appeals. A lot of the stores that were in properties owned by Paramount are closed. It’s very disappointing that people cut deals that only benefit them. They don’t have a heart. I see the Council is working for the people.”
Resident Jeremy Baratta came up to speak, “We need an update on the Sunshine Law. During the public comments anything that is written on the Agenda/Ordinance can be commented on. On the second public portion, people can talk about anything. Any paid professional should know this. There should be no ambiguity about public comments and what’s stated on the agenda.”
Ken Balut came up to speak, “I hope this is a legal house (what PRAHD purchased). Barry gets $5 million from the County. The Mayor wrote a letter supporting Barry that disappeared. There was another $150,000 payout for sexual assault, too. This is not being handled properly. I was sent a notice stating that my property needed to be properly maintained. It was a complaint about my hedges. It’s wintertime, my hedges are bare. The only thing is the pictures they sent me that was supposed to be my property was not my property. They found a certain time to take pictures of my house when there were no cars parked there.”
Balut had complained at previous meetings about illegally parked vehicles on his block.
Alan Silber came up to speak next. “Two owners who will have their property values increased were sitting up front (by the Council) during that special meeting. We need more inspectors. Paramount wants regulations and red tape removed. We always get rosy pictures of new developments.” Silber then addressed Councilman Caba, “Mr. Caba, you have to realize who gives you money and who you give money to. You gave money to someone who rents an apartment from someone who the Mayor helped get on the Board of Education.” Silber then addressed Councilman Irizarry, telling him, “I was amazed you gave a “No” vote to one of the agenda items.”
Sharon Hubberman then came up to speak, “There were a lot of sentiments concerning the density of the City. It’ a false premise that additional people will become consumers. The growth rate will be a hinderance. You need jobs. You need to reestablish a Tenant Board. Store owners pay between $3000 – $6000 a month in rent after all their expenses. I read a report that in Jersey City, people were pulling scams where they knocked on people’s doors. It’s usually two people working together. I saw this happen yesterday in Perth Amboy. This is a safety issue.” She went on to discuss the Vegetation gardens (discussed at the special meeting). “Recreational use of marijuana will become issues for the Police and other residents. Other towns are banning this. Our Police force is pulled in many different directions. I have called the police when I have seen people suspiciously knocking on doors.” She then stated these people have walkie-talkies which scare her. “When I call the Police, they come right away.”
Stanley Sierakowski came up to speak. He again read the ordinance dealing with the Redevelopment Agency and the appointment of members. He again reiterated, “The Faulkner Act does not overrule the State Stature.”
Law Director Peter King responded, “A letter of opinion was submitted 3 months ago regarding the Faulkner Act.”
Resident Linda Ferreira came up to speak, “The elevator was turned off after a previous meeting. Police said the elevator was broken, even though I used it twice that day. I was lied to. Who says we don’t have crime? I remember when the police used to drive around. My daughter’s car was stripped. Every time I read the paper, there are more cops hired. We should have thousands. I remember when my daughters didn’t want to move from the City. Now, she can’t wait to get out. 80% of people who work for the City are on Boards, and they also worked on the Mayor’s campaign. What happened to the teen curfew? The Budapest section of town is forgotten about.”
Resident Iris Rodriguez came up to speak, “There’s a lot of congestion, especially on Fayette and Smith Streets and at the Ceres School near Broad and State Streets. There are no lines to cross the street. People go 50 miles per hour in a 25-mph zone. It’s hard to get in and out of QuickChek. The traffic is making me very stressful. We need more streetlights because of the amount of housing we have.”
Steve Nascimento, who owns a condo at Harbortown for the last 12 years came up to speak. “I no longer live in town, but there have been 2 massive failures of past developments. Harbortown wants to try to convince 2 Councilmen to approve plans (amended). Look at the lack of workmanship at Harbortown presently. Look at the deficiency of the new housing that you can see with the naked eye. See how it’s being maintained and do a walkthrough before you have a meeting (with the Harbortown Representatives). Pools that were supposed to be constructed were turned into parking lots. In Aberdeen, they put in amenities that they promised to put in our town. The community center came in 8 years after I lived there.”
After the public portion was closed, the Council made their comments.
Helmin Caba thanked those who attended the meeting. He also said, “Don’t assume that the Council knows everything. We depend on you.”
Fernando Gonzalez stated, “It’s incumbent on us (the Council) to take our positions seriously. We need to investigate if people who work on campaigns have been hired and if they live in town. The Council should investigate and have people come here under oath to answer questions. I asked Mr. King to investigate the individual who is overseeing the Parking Utility.”
King then responded to Gonzalez. “Just to be sure, you want me to see if this person was paid to work on a campaign and if he is qualified for the position he was appointed to.”
Gonzalez then asked King, “What is the law to make us an investigative party?”
Irizarry had no comments.
Joel Pabon had a statement regarding the zoning changes, “Annie Hindelang from Redevelopment had said that she would incorporate a traffic study into the zoning, and what about the update on the county road?”
Bill Petrick responded to the county road question, stating, “The people working on that road are reapplying for some of the expired permits.”
Pabon then went on and asked about the storage of vehicles on the City’s High Street properties. “A lot of those cars have been there for a while. There was supposed to be a time limit. They should be auctioned off or given back to the owners. High Street is becoming a junk yard.”
Council President Bill Petrick spoke last. He thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and those watching on TV. “If you’re having trouble with the audio problems, call the City Clerk.”
