4/9/18 Caucus

PERTH AMBOY – During the public portion of the 4/9/18 Caucus Meeting, Ronald Ray, who is the Chair of the Zoning Board came up to speak. He stated, “In 2010, the Governor changed the appointments that determines if someone is full time or part time. The City adopted an Ordinance (if our Attorney should be full time or part time.)”

Council President Bill Petrick told Mr. Ray that the Zoning Board Attorney is no longer a City Employee, “This was changed a few years ago.”

Ray then continued, “Some Board Members were left out of this decision. It could have been avoided. If there’s a conflict, this should not have been rushed. We were sued. We had to remove the Attorney and request an RFP. There was a meeting and my email was down. (I couldn’t  be notified) and there was a snowstorm. I suggested we get more facts before holding a meeting. I was told I was no longer the Chairman.”

Petrick then told Ray that the Board (Zoning Board Members) makes appointments to positions unless there is something illegal done. 

Ray then wanted to know, “What is the validity in removing the Chair? This is political. I’m here for this town and you should be less concern about pomp and circumstances.”

Petrick responded to Ray, “You need to take it up with the Board Members.”

Law Director Peter King also told Ray, “We told the Board Members what they can do procedurally.”

Resident Jeremy Baratta who is also a Zoning Board Member then came up to speak. He said, “Myself and other Zoning Board Members spoke at a Meeting. Some members got together last Thursday (4/5/18). I spoke to Mr. Ray before that Meeting and he didn’t come. I took minutes. There was a vote and a closed session. That special Meeting was presented to the City Clerk and was approved.”

Petrick asked, “Was a Meeting requested and was there a quorum?”

Baratta responded, “A secretary ran the Meeting (not the regular Zoning Board Secretary). All the Members were notified of the Special Meeting. There were seven of us, and there were people from the public present. Mr. Peticlair was there.”

Zoning Board Member Maria Garcia later came up to speak, “When you (the Council) appropriate funds to Code Enforcement, is it a lump sum? Then they allocate it to different items?”

Petrick answered, “They (Code Enforcement) have line items (for money allocations).”

Garcia continued, “The Board didn’t have money for required courses. Ask how Code Enforcement is allocating funds to the Planning and Zoning Boards. I agree with Councilman Gonzalez. The Planning Board didn’t get requested money (for the Master Plan). There were no plans for schools or widening or expanding roads. A third party drew up plans who did not live here.”