7/18/18 South Amboy Business &
Council Meetings
Business Administrator
Glenn Skarzynski
SOUTH AMBOY – Some of the items discussed at the Business Meetings included for the disposal of surplus property. B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated, “Vehicles have been advertised on the GOVDeals to satisfy the cost.”
City Clerk Laura Kemble-Kalantsis answered the question regarding Item No. B. Resolution to provide for the insertion of a special item of revenue in the budget. “It’s $500,000 for a recycling grant.”
Council President Mickey Gross stated, “I have to abstain from this item because it comes out of the department that I work for.”
Item No. C. Resolution to return a performance bond and accept a maintenance bond for 2082 Route 35 South. City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz said, “It was signed off by Angelo Valetutto (Planning Board Consultant PE, PP).”
City Engineer
Mark Rasimowicz
Rasimowicz also answered the question for Item No. D. Resolution awarding emergency sanitary sewer lines inspection and cleaning for $12,280 invoiced for emergency repairs. “It was awarded to Oswald Enterprises.”
For Item No. E. Resolution to renew a liquor license for 2018-2019 license term. Kemble- Kalantsis said, “The pocket license was paid through the State. This is so they can pay the City.”
For Item No. F. A Resolution to amend Resolution 107-2018-Forclosure for Delinquent Taxes. City Attorney John Lanza said, “These locations are undesirable because of contaminants. A title search can be done, and the City can proceed with the foreclosure if the owner doesn’t pay the taxes.”
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz answered, “The Resolution regarding road improvements on Stevens Avenue to Jads Construction Company. They will be providing a handicapped ramp and paving.”
Item No. I. A discussion to prohibit the growth and sale of marijuana and refer it to the Zoning Board. City Attorney John Lanza answered this, “This has to be also approved by the Planning Board.”
Item No. J. An Easement at 310 South Feltus. City Clerk Laura Kemble-Kalantsis stated, “I received a check for retainer from the owner of the property.”
Mark Rasimowicz added, “I will review the map and they are just replacing the front steps.”
There was an Ordinance regarding a bond for various capital improvements for the City of South Amboy. This was appropriating $3,110,000 and authorizing the issuance of $2,979,500 bonds and notes of the City to finance part of the cost.”
Laura Kemble-Kalantsis said, “There was $750,000 that came in from the State to add to the City Coffers for the Ferry Terminal.”
Councilman Brian MacLaughlin had a question in regard to parking for the firemen who work at the Independence Firehouse. “We, Glenn (Skarzynski) are working on it.”
Skarzynski then stated, “Students were glad about working through the co-op system through City Hall. We’re also looking at military surplus for lighting.”
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz stated, “We’re looking at the hole-in-the-wall. Glenn and I will be meeting with Conrail.”
Council President Mickey Gross commented about this as well, “Mark and I met with the County and Freeholders. The County is very concerned about this. I was impressed (with what was said), and we’re moving in the right direction.”
Mark Rasimowicz spoke up and said, “Ridgeway Road also needs to be done.”
Mickey Gross then talked about the July 3rd Fireworks which went well. “But the Boat Parade needs work. The depth of the water was too shallow.” He then thanked everyone who participated.
Rasimowicz then gave a wrap up of the improvements being made throughout the City: work that was done and to be done. “The road paving was put out to bid. Utility companies will be doing part of the paving. The pedestrian bridge by the Waterfront was painted, and the company that did this was top-notch. On Bordentown Avenue, we’re waiting for the utility companies to start their work. They wanted to do it in two years. The gas company put their main lines in, but still have to do some cutting. This will not happen before school starts.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski said, “I met with some planners who would like to have a meeting with two Council Members regarding redevelopment and zoning. I also met with a grant writer for a about an hour. We discussed potential revenue that we don’t even know about in the City. It would basically deal with clean communities and civic work.”
Gross then gave an update about a person who has a pigeon coup on their property. “That case will be in court soon.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski then added, “A bench warrant was issued because the defendant didn’t show up for the court date.”
Skarzynski then stated, “I’m looking to replace the lights on the boardwalk with maybe LED’s.”
For the Business portion of the Meeting, Councilwoman Zusette Dato and Councilman Thomas Reilly were absent. During the Regular Meeting, which was held at 7 p.m., Councilwoman Dato was called by phone to participate. Reilly was absent.
During the portion of the Meeting when the Council and any other Administrators wanted to talk, Christine Noble spoke first. She complimented everyone for the great job they did who worked on the fireworks. Gross also thanked those involved in the fireworks. “It was a lot of hard work.” He reiterated, “The boat parade needs work.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski said, “Per the State, we will be replacing our video conferencing equipment and will be able to post videos and our Meetings online.”
Council President Gross spoke up, “We should discuss this first.”
Mayor Fred Henry then commented, “When we have this in place, (the video conferencing equipment, etc.), this will allow developers to make presentations, so the public can see this for transparency purposes.”
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz then spoke about Stevens Avenue road improvements, “It was 50% funded by NJDOT with a $500,000 grant. “This is part of the annual city-wide road paving.”
During the public portion, OEM Coordinator Mark Herdman talked about an emergency drill held in the City. “We were a pilot for the County. We learned a lot and the training was done by the County. I want to thank the Fire Department, the Police Department and the Department of Public Works. We fulfilled the County’s wishes.”
Mayor Henry then told Mark Herdman that he also appreciated the volunteerism.
Gross also congratulated Herdman. “I went to a meeting in New Orleans, and your exercises were discussed there. You went above and beyond what was asked. Don’t be surprised if you get called by other cities to talk about what was done.”
Herdman then gave credit to all the volunteers who made this drill a success. “I’m only as good as them. The whole drill was done in 3 hours and 1 minute.”
After the Meeting, Herdman explained, “This is a pilot program and it was based on a population of not more than 10,000. It was a drill in which South Amboy was the pilot city regarding how emergency services would respond to a bioterrorism attack. Residents will be notified by all forms of social media outlets. The antidote would first be issued to all the emergency personnel and their families first. The OEM’s would then go door to door to each resident to deliver medicine. The County had a certain time frame set up from the time the attack took place until the medicine was distributed to all the residents.”
