Police Officers attending the 1/23/19 Council Meeting
*Photo by Carolyn Maxwell
1/23/19 Caucus/Council Meeting
PERTH AMBOY – Resident Ken Balut questioned the Council on R-48-1/19 – An Agreement with the Jewish Renaissance Foundation AmeriCorps Program in an amount of $4054.07.
Balut said, “There was a misuse of money when a City Employee got a house. Annie Hindenlang (Who was Exec. Dir. of Redevelopment at the time) said in that case, it was a decision by P.A.R.T.N.E.R. (The Perth Amboy Redevelopment Team for Neighborhood Enterprise & Revitalization). P.A.R.T.N.E.R. said, “No, it wasn’t.” So, who’s watching them (the JRF)?”
After Balut spoke, Fehrenbach addressed Communication No. 2 – An anonymous resident from Neville Street, relaying problems of overcrowding, loud music emanating from within homes and cars, the existence of possible illegal housing, the storage and sale of vehicles and retaliation against complaints made to the police.”
Fehrenbach stated that Code Enforcement had issued violations to those premises.
Councilman Fernando Irizarry asked to get a report on how many times the police were called and how many summonses were issued regarding loud noises on that street.
Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up to speak and questioned the six acres of land where the County Park will be built. “At the time that it was Rosengarten’s property, it would have been one million dollars an acre. There was no appraisal at the time. What was in the contract? Who were the lawyers? There were no taxes paid for 25 years and no liens. How much was the Rosengarten loan to the other property owner? Why was the lien not recorded? The County paid $100-$150 per cubic yard. Who were the owners? Was this a donation?”
Law Director King answered, “This may have been a donation of land.”
Sierakowski’s closing statement was, “You can’t appraise contaminated property.”
Resident Alan Silber came up next. He was disturbed by the fact that the Council did not question a $500,000 settlement. “Any settlement over $500,000 should be polled separately by each Council Member. Also, no one could remember a Special Meeting called to discuss an appointee. You should discuss a potential candidate in public. There is also a Notice of Claim on October 10th and 12th, 2018 that was put in an article that Mayor Diaz submitted. The article stated that Petrick complained about a woman’s medical procedure.”
Fehrenbach addressed Silber’s concerns about the Special Meeting held (to discuss the hiring of a Business Administrator). “Closed sessions permit discussing hiring of candidates. States differ in their policies. In 2008, interviews (of certain potential administrative appointees) were done in closed session.”
During the Council portion of the 1/23/19 Meeting, Resident Ken Balut had a question regarding Ordinance No. 1 – Putting a Fire Prevention Bureau under the jurisdiction of the Fire Department.
He stated, “The Police are jeopardizing their lives when it comes to illegal housing. You should get a list of what each Department (Police, Fire, Code Enforcement) is doing. You’re talking layoffs. Only landlords benefit from illegal housing.”
Resident Stanley Sierakowski asked about the closed session minutes and when they can be OPRA’d.
The Perth Amboy City Council Meeting with new Business Administrator Frederick C. Carr (Far Right) *Photo by Carolyn Maxwell
Council President Petrick responded, “Once they are approved.”
Law Director King then added, “Only after the matter is settled.”
Sierakowski then questioned the County owned property in the City. “Does it include all properties given to the County which would include tax sales and liens? I got the information from Nancy Martin in the Tax Collector’s Office. The information that the Duane Marine Property owed taxes. The Council can probably get more information than I can.”
Ken Balut came up again to question the resolution regarding R-48 (the Jewish Renaissance asking for funds of $4054.07). “Do not approve of this until you know where the money is going. People who complain about illegal housing are harassed.”
Alan Silber came up to talk about people getting a $100,000 job for working on a campaign. “We are paying City Employees while they are working on campaigns. Regarding the Jewish Renaissance, they should be disqualified. A City Employee bought a house from the Jewish Renaissance. She said she met the requirements. She had to redo her deed and pay back $500.”
During the last public portion, Resident Stanley Sierakowski said appraisals on properties should be done only if they are clean. As far as the police, they should be given a housing allowance of $10,000 a year when they are hired. Once they achieve a certain salary grade, the allowance should be stopped.”
Dot Daniel who is also Chair of the Housing Authority came up to speak, “A lot of repossessed houses are used by the homeless to keep warm.” She also told the Council that the banks that own these homes should have their feet held to the fire. Daniel told the Council to mark their calendars for October 27th and 28th of 2019. “The City and St. Peter’s Parish will be holding the first First Responders Day. I already spoke to the Mayor about having a service for them.”
Resident Sharon Hubberman came up to speak about R-21, R-23, R-24, R-25 – Appointments to the Zoning Board. “I’m asking the Council to repeal them. They were not in accordance because some terms were not expired. The only valid appointment was for the alternate. There was a lot of discrepancies in the ordinance. Did you interview all 13 candidates? I informed the Zoning Board Members that some members may not have been citizens. I know there is a new deadline for early February. The best action is to correct this action.”
Council President Petrick responded, “When the election dates were changed, all Members’ terms expired in December 2018.”
