4/23/18 & 4/25/18
PERTH AMBOY – Resident Ken Balut came up and said, “The sound at the last meeting was terrible.” He then had a bone to pick with the BID, “The people on the BID seem to benefit the most.” He then named Chair Barry Rosengarten and members Jorge Cruz, Jeannette Rios, Tommy Hudanish, and lawyer Kenny Gonzalez who signed off on a lease. He said, “They spent $40,000 on flyers and a program book.” He asked if Kenny Gonzalez got a sign for his new office. “Sipos could use a new sign. The Business Administrator Adam Cruz said that grant money was used to help purchase that house instead of CDBG funds. Is the Jewish Renaissance in the business of getting rich? There’s no park, yet. In East Brunswick, they’re getting a park with 7 acres for $1.5 million.”
Resident Alan Silber then came up to speak. He told the Council, “You must assess the credibility of people giving you information. Bryan Walensky (Parking Utility Supervisor) was supposed to be an interim appointment. The position was supposed to be for six months. He was told he could get benefits. Now, it’s supposed to be a provisional manager. Can we get the money back from the health insurance payments he got? Nobody I talked to knows what he does. He was supposed to do the City’s website. I see no changes. He was paid $70,000 and got health benefits. Isn’t this illegal if he (Walensky) is an interim? He got paid $100,000 while working on the last political campaign. He’s a political operative.”
Law Director Peter King responded, “I will look into this matter.”
Business Administrator Adam Cruz responded to Silber’s remarks, “The initial appointment (Walensky) is six months. After ten months, we can approve for a permanent position.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez spoke up, “I wish I heard about this ten months ago. Pelissier (Former B.A.) was the last interim appointment. Can I see for the last two years who were interim appointments and are interim and provisional interchangeable?”
King answered, “I’ll see if there’s a difference between if someone being called interim or provisional?”
Gonzalez then also wanted to know, “Was this position created for him (Walensky)?”
Cruz then responded about the website. “With the new website, we are starting from scratch.”
Council President Bill Petrick then questioned Cruz’s answer. “This person (Walensky) has been working on the City Website for eight months. I think other companies could have had it up and running already.”
Resident Jeremy Baratta came up next. He remarked about the website, “Please at least update the Board Members. The position (Bryan Walensky) is not civil service.”
It was also noted during the meeting which was held at Olive Street because the City Hall elevator is not working, that there was a missing tile at the ceiling on Olive Street. DPW Director Frank Hoffman said, “We’re putting in a new AC unit.”
B.A. Adam Cruz also told the Council, “The Fire Department’s rating was increased, and the Police Department is fully accredited thanks to the efforts of Acting Police Chief Roman McKeon and Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano. I want to congratulate both departments for a job well done.”
There was a brief discussion regarding Resolutions R-167, R-168, and R-169. This was involving different firms to handle tax appeals and counterclaims on behalf of the City. The City’s Tax Assessor William FitzPatrick came up to explain these three resolutions. “For R-167-4/18 the contract for Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst, and Doukas would handle the regular tax appeals. For R-168-4/18, the Firm of Boggia and Boggia are working on ongoing appeals on the UAW Building on High Street and the hospital. This company started last year with these appeals. For R-169-4/18 Authorizing the Tax Assessor to settle tax appeals up to $5000 and to institute counterclaims on behalf of the City for 2018. Our attorney said we need to do this more frequently. For counterclaims, we petition the courts to increase the assessment. Settlements can be settled throughout the year.”
