3/26/18 Business & Council Meetings
By: Katherine Massopust
Councilman Thomas Reilly
SOUTH AMBOY – At the beginning of the 3/26/18 Business Meeting, the Council unanimously voted to hire Glenn Skarzynski as the new Business Administrator. Council President Mickey Gross was pleased with the decision and welcomed him aboard.
There were several topics for discussion.
The first item discussed was Ordinance No. c) An ordinance supplementing Ordinance No. 22-99 establishing a length of service awards program for volunteer firefighters and first aid organization members who serve the City of South Amboy to include cost of living adjustments.
B.A. Skarzynski stated it’s to allow for the cost of living increase. C.F.O. Angel Albanese stated that a list of the requirements for qualified members are posted in locally in firehouses.
Councilman Thomas Reilly stated, “Thank God we have those people in the Fire Department and First Aid”
On Business Item e.) Update Drug Free school zone/public parks ordinance. B.A. Skarzynski stated there are new changes in the mapping.
A discussion then ensued about cars speeding in the school zone during high traffic density times in the day. Councilman Thomas Reilly stated, “We have a drug free school zone. It defines increase in expanding (what is defined as) a school zone. We will explore the idea (about speeding). We have a lot of kids waiting to go to school in the morning.”
City Attorney John Lanza stated he would look into any town road that the City has jurisdiction over that would apply. He stated that he would pass this information over to the Police Department. Councilwoman Zussette Dato stated, “I see it near the middle school.”
B.A. Skarzynski stated that the speeding stature was governed by the state stature.
City Attorney John Lanza stated that he would look into it.
Council Member Thomas Reilly suggested between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and between 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (the hours when children are present).
Item No. h) Senior Bus Bid Award. Mayor Fred Henry stated that the new bus for the Seniors will be replacing the old bus.
Item No. i.) Business Liaison – Councilman Thomas Reilly commented on the Business Breakfast that was recently held. “The businesses want the City to be more business friendly to the businesses in town. We would like to publicize the (local) businesses on our site. It’s a marketing tool to enhance the businesses in town.”
Mayor Fred Henry stated, “It’s something very easy to do.”
City Attorney John Lanza stated, “We should put a disclaimer (on the site in case of unwanted links on the businesses websites). Council President Gross agreed with this, “Somebody has to watch the store.”
Reilly then added, “It’s a good point. We can take any additional links off the site.”
Skarzynski added his concerns, “I don’t know if it’s practical. Policing so many sites could be difficult.”
Reilly then added, “Volunteers (Fire, First Aid, etc.) can get discounts. I’ve spoken to businesses in town. Feedback has been positive. Everybody wins.”
B.A. Skarzynski stated, “We want to designate somebody in the City the point of contact. For that, clerical support will be better.”
Councilman Thomas Reilly then stated, “(Council Vice-President) Christine Noble has offered to help me with the Street Fair in June. The date is to be determined.”
Mayor Fred Henry then added, “The 9th is the Baseball Game for the Historical Society.” Reilly then stated there was a Breakfast Buffet in May to lead up to that.”
Item No. j.) Budget Timeline. There was a discussion stating that the City is allotting an additional $500 to cover business meeting refreshment expenses. It was also stated that there will be six summer jobs for a 20-hour week at $10/hr. to work for the Department of Public Works. There was also a discussion about some positions open in Code Enforcement. Councilman Brian McLaughlin asked if any new hire would have to be trained. It was recommended that any individuals to be hired should ideally be up to date in training.
Item No. l.) Resolution authorizing TAN (Tax Authorization Note) C.F.O. Angel Albanese stated that many residents made prepayments on their taxes due to anticipation of President Trump’s new tax law.
Item No. m.) Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It was noted that in the United States 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys have been sexually assaulted (at sometime in their life). The Council agreed to do their best to promote awareness of this issue. It was also noted that they will paint the town pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Council President Mickey Gross recused himself on Items n.) Resolution appointing Michael Testa, Architect (for the façade on City Hall) and o.) Resolution for Middlesex County’s 2018 Recycling Enhancement Grant Program (the grant comes out of his office).
Item No. r.) A Resolution authorizing the award of a Contract for Special Legal Servic#26-2018. City Attorney John Lanza received a raise from $175/hr. to $195/hr. It is only the second raise Lanza’s had in 32 years.
Councilman Thomas Reilly noted there is a huge waiting period (3 months) for Volunteer Firefighters before they are allowed to ride on the truck. Councilman Brian McLaughlin stated the new firefighters have to pass a background check and that the waiting period was necessary.
For Ordinance #2-2018 – An ordinance to amend South Amboy City Code Chapter 79, Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse, Article I, Collection and Ordinance No. 10-2015. The times were discussed when to put garbage on the street.
Councilwoman Zusette Dato mentioned the Pigeon Palace was fined $500. Mayor Fred Henry said, “We are glad to meet with the owner as long as he tears the building down.”
“It’s 5 plus years since the hurricane (Sandy). I don’t have tolerance anymore,” Dato said.
There was a discussion regarding South Amboy’s “Hole in the Wall.” Mayor Fred Henry said, “We had a Freeholder Director look at it. They’re claiming it is safe. The columns are sticking out. Trains do go over it.”
Councilman Thomas Reilly stated, “Not only is it a hazard, it’s worse in the wintertime.”
Council Vice-President Christine Noble stated, “I got a lot of compliments about the DPW’s job of snow removal.”
Councilman Thomas Reilly said, “On Wednesday, June 20, 2018 there will be a sales event at 11 a.m. at the Senior Center.
There was a discussion regarding an access road behind Frog Hollow in case of an emergency. Councilman Thomas Reilly stated, “I want to introduce a bill. There is over 20 First Aid Calls a year (that is affected by the blocked area) Part of the problem with the First Aid is that they have to have 2 EMT’s at each call. We really have only one access road. (Venetian, Woodmont, the YMCA, and Frog Hollow all are in the area affected). Mayor Fred Henry said, “Let me talk to Mark (City Engineer) about what can be done. We’re already looking into that. (an access road behind Frog Hollow)
Council President Mickey Gross stated the date for the Fireworks will be Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Gross stated the next years St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be on Saturday, March 16, 2019. “Yes, that is a Saturday. It will give the taverns and local businesses a chance to be open two days instead of one.”
Mayor Fred Henry thanked everyone for their condolences for the passing of his mother, Ann Henry.
The 3/26/18 Council Meeting followed the Business Meeting (both of which were rescheduled due to the recent storms).
Councilwoman Zusette Dato stated it was the best St. Patrick’s Day Parade ever. “A big thanks to the Parade Committee. It makes us proud to be from South Amboy. I also want to thank Public Works for their huge job during the snow.”
Mayor Fred Henry again thanked everyone who gave condolences on the passing of his mother, Ann Henry. “Everyone loved Mrs. Henry. She keeps us proud. I thank everyone for these comments and I thank the whole Council. I welcome the new B.A. and we had a great (St. Patrick’s Day) parade.”
