SOUTH AMBOY – Council VP Christine Noble gave an update on how she along with other committee members decided how the CDBG funds of $40,650 requested should be used. “We must reapply every year for these grants. We requested $20,000 to be used for the Business District (part of that total includes $1,500 for print material) and materials for improving the exterior of businesses. $7,500 were requested for the City/Arts District. This will be for marketing purposes and programs. $5,000 would be targeted for the New Jersey Fresh Produce for Seniors. The summer recreation programs would receive $5,000 which would include a 6-week program which may include a field trip. $3,150 will be used for our first August 7th National Night Out. This would be used to promote the event and for supplies.”
Council Vice-President
Christine Noble
After Noble’s report, there was a question on Resolution R-40-2018 Authorizing the release of a performance bond for Raritan Point, LLC.
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz explained that this was for a Force Main Trench for a road opening. “The trench is in the northbound lane and it is a county road.”
Councilman McLaughlin had a question regarding an item on the bill list. He asked why the Aide to the Mayor needed a laptop.
Mayor Fred Henry explained that the Aide may have to do City work at home, and any other City Employees who may have to do the same have a laptop.
Council President Mickey Gross then asked for Council Comments.
Tom Reilly spoke first and said that he and fellow Councilman McLaughlin met with the First Aid Squad. “It seems as if there are certain businesses that are always calling the Squad. We need an ordinance to help them. I also met with Rico, who owns a barbershop on Broadway, and also with other business owners. There’s a concern about businesses on Broadway with windows that are covered up. One of those businesses has a locked door. We don’t know what’s going on and this has to stop. It’s hurting the downtown.”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin then spoke up. He reiterated Reilly’s thoughts when it came to the First Aid Squad, “They need help. We’re asking people to please join them. My son just joined the Cadet Unit.”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato spoke about the tragedy in Parkland, Florida, and the sadness, grief, and shock of this shooting. “The students (from that community) are gaining attention and momentum.”
Councilman
Brian McLaughlin
Council President Mickey Gross then spoke about the City’s First National Night Out coming up in August and how he was pleased that the City is doing this. He also wanted to thank Jay Elliott from Code Enforcement. His department is setting up a bedroom in one of the schools so that the parents can see where kids hide their stash. Gross recounted going to a County Meeting a couple of years ago. Someone at that meeting talked about a big substance problem in South Amboy. “That remark really threw me off.”
City Attorney John Lanza thanked Councilman McLaughlin for his efforts in getting involved in the First Aid and other City Organizations.
Council President Gross spoke again because he wanted to thank City Engineer Rasimowicz for getting grants for the City. He also recognized the work of Firefighter Phil English.
Mayor Henry then spoke about the mass shooting in schools and other venues. “Some politicians only think about terrorists (foreign) and not homegrown terrorists. I fear for my daughter who is a teacher. Who thought we would see students covered in blood. Forget the wall and protect our children.”
When it came time for Public Comments, the first speaker was Kelly Wiley. She came to speak on behalf of the Frog Hollow Club. She started out by saying, “I’m glad to see Police Officers at our schools.” She then talked about some of the complaints she had about the Woodmont Company. “That company put handicapped parking signs on our (Frog Hollow’s) fence. There was a lock on our property. Woodmont needed to work on a sewer grate and they broke that lock to get to it. We need a copy of their insurance for our records. They (Woodmont) are impeding us from getting into our property in the winter. We are trying to be good neighbors. They are trespassing on our property, but they eventually fixed the gate and lock. “
Gross responded and said he talked to Woodmont about being a good neighbor (to the Frog Hollow Club).
Wiley continued, “They (Woodmont) have wires hanging on our property and they were fresh to us. Fire trucks will have difficulty getting through the back of the Frog Hollow Property with these wires hanging down.”
The next person to speak was a Resident at 236 John St. She wanted to know if the Art Gallery had any specific hours.
Mayor Henry responded, “They’re posted on the door.”
She then asked about the work being done at the Pump Station on O’Leary Boulevard, “Is the City paying for that work?”
Henry responded, “Yes, because it is City property.”
The Resident then complained about a big green box with wires extruding from it, “It’s also obstructing the sidewalk.”
Henry responded, “I know about the box, but it’s not preventing people from walking on the sidewalk, but I’ll look into it.”
The Resident then complained about all of the congestion because of the parking situation by Harbor Lights.
The Mayor responded, “We can request a traffic report.”
The Resident responded, “So far, no one has gotten hurt.” She then asked if the Manhattan Beach Project is still paying a management fee to the City.
Henry responded, “They owe the City backpay which they will be paying. The Manhattan Beach Company also appealed their taxes.”
Businesswoman Amy McLaughlin came up to speak about a business whose windows are covered up with black curtains. “What goes on in these places?”
Council President Gross responded, “They make apps.”
Amy McLaughlin responded, “It looks bad.”
Mayor Henry responded, “Code Enforcement, Zoning, and the City Attorney said this is OK. I talked to the building owner and the Master Plan will address this. A sign was put up on the building and then it was taken down. They also have an electric car charging port which is free for cars who require one.”
Councilman Reilly also addressed this issue. “There is an ordinance in place that a business can’t have a cafeteria on the first floor.”
Amy McLaughlin then remarked, “You’re not required to have signage, then?”
Resident and Firefighter Phil English then came up to speak. He asked what the local government is doing regarding any plans in instance of an active shooter. “Have our Police had active shooting training?”
Henry responded, “I’ll have to check with the Police Department.”
English then told the Council that he and other members of the EMT went to a free out-of-state training on how to respond to a terrorist attack. He indicated that since the training did not cost anything, the Police should go. “The training is great, and it’s very vital.”
A resident from George Street came forward and said, “You should have a Police Representative at the Meeting to answer these questions. We’ve had several auto break-ins. My brother’s van was stolen. The citizens need to be alerted.” She warned everyone to put your lights on and lock the doors of your car and house. “Our cable channel has nothing on it. I will volunteer to put flyers in mailboxes (to alert people about what’s going on).” She then insinuated no crime is reported in the City. “The City is very different now than in the 1940’s and 1950’s.”
The last Resident to speak was Kim Sieber. She suggested that the Council look at the Sayreville Facebook Page, “Which is amazing. Follow their example.”
Council President Mickey Gross wanted to let the Residents know, “Events are posted on the City Facebook Page. This also includes incidents and crimes that have occurred.”
Councilman McLaughlin spoke up and said, “This needs to also be put on our TV channel.”
