1/8/19

PERTH AMBOY – Before the Council went into closed session, Resident Ken Balut spoke up and asked what topics they would be discussing. 

Council President Bill Petrick spoke up and said, “It would be regarding the Zoning Board, Business Administrator, and personnel.”

It was then decided by the Council and Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach that the public should be allowed to speak before the closed session.

Resident Balut spoke about the PILOT’s that were dropped in the laps of the Council at the last minute. They were not informed by the previous B.A. about what was going on. “It was said that all the Budapest Section were not getting full garbage pickups. That’s why you need a qualified B.A. The Mayor’s budget keeps going up. You have to have cooperation with all parts of government. Adam Cruz was your problem. Look at the lawsuits dropped in your laps. The Susan Batista lawsuit alone was over $100,000 in attorney fees. If you vote for a Business Administrator you don’t know much about, you’re going to look like fools. It’s our tax dollars.”

Resident David Caba came up to speak next, “How many chaplains are there? We started with ninety, then it went down to thirty. Maybe we just need one.”

Council President Bill Petrick said, “I will get the information you requested and the qualifications that the chaplains need to meet.”

Caba continued, “ Chaplains need to get background checks. If you are a religious person, you will hold back on personal attacks, but I’m not judging. How many applicants were there for the Business Administrator jobs? Jobs are just given out and what does this say to our youth? Everything should be based on qualifications. What is the interview process to be qualified for the job (B.A.)?”  Caba then referenced a communication that was on the Caucus Agenda regarding if the Mayor’s position should be reduced to part-time. “I think the position should be a full-time job, and they should work full-time. The Mayor is always blaming the Council.”

B.A. Greg Fehrenbach answered the question on how many applicants there were for the Business Administrator position. “There were 17 applicants. 6 were interviewed, but no one from Perth Amboy applied.”