PERTH AMBOY – Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz and the city’s Business Improvement District (BID) recently hosted a Neighborhood Business Meeting at Sipos Bakery at 365 Smith Street. The program, which featured presentations by the Mayor, BID Chairman Barry Rosengarten and directors from the city’s departments, drew a standing-room-only group of local business owners and residents. Each director shared a similar message – the departments are focused making a significant and positive difference across the city from waterfront to downtown shopping district and in all neighborhoods. Shown in the photo are local business owners, Mayor Diaz (center, front row) and directors from the Fire, Police, Code Enforcement, Public Works, and Parking Utility departments. Also shown are Geri Barcheski of Clean Communities and Dianne Roman, who are helping the city prepare the United States’ 2020 Census.
*Photo for the Perth Amboy BID by Bob Rinklin
2/7/19
By: Katherine Massopust
PERTH AMBOY – The BID held the first of 2019’s Neighborhood Business Meetings at Sipos Bakery on February 7th. Acting Executive Director of the BID Randy Convery was the Master of Ceremonies.
Police Chief Roman McKeon spoke first that the priority focus is the community. The Police recently opened up a Substation on Madison Avenue and to please dial 911, or 732-442-4400 in case of a non-emergency. “We’re here to help – not harm you. We provide you with a service.”
Fire Chief Edward Mullen spoke next, “We recently have taken over the Fire Prevention Department. Contact us if you have gas or oil leaks, or fires. Each business must meet fire protocols and be inspected once a year. We want to make sure your businesses are safe. Walk through your businesses and see if something is wrong. For instance, if you need a fire alarm or if you see something unsafe, address it. Make sure exit lights are up and carbon monoxide/fire alarms are okay. Make sure your employees are safe. For owners of houses that are of two units or less, if you need a fire/carbon monoxide alarm, call 732-376-1749 and we’ll install them for you. If you need anything, we’re right next to Code Enforcement.”
Code Enforcement Director Irving Lozada spoke next. “It’s my first meeting as Acting Director. I’m here to serve the community. Code Enforcement is a filter to the City. If you are planning to build, expand, or have a business, make sure you have a contractor with a license. Our office number is: 732-826-0183. We are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are planning soon to be open on Thursday nights and weekends.”
Department of Public Works Director Frank Hoffman spoke next. “We clean the streets, take care of parks, take care of pot holes and trim trees. Our phone number is: 732-826-2010. We are open on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Mayor is focusing on developing economics and bringing in businesses and has a smart street plan. We want to encourage people to walk across town, have more recreational space. We’ll have a County Park on Second Street and a Riverside Park at Riverview. The Mayor got commitments for the development of Riverview Drive, extending all the way to Elm Street. It will be a lot easier for trucks to go down. This will spur economic development. We’re excited about the economic expansion.
Head of Recycling Geri Barcheski spoke next. “Green and Clean is combined. We will outreach to greater expansion. We are on a roll! In a few short years, Perth Amboy has doubled the amount of recycling in our City. Our garbage amount has been lowered to the 7th in Middlesex County. We are now recognized as a Clean Community in Middlesex County and New Jersey. It is a launch site for clean waterways. The Green Wall in China – they don’t want the United States’ garbage anymore. We have clean cardboard and clean plastic. We can only send over good products and we ask businesses to do the same and separate their garbage. There is the Green Business Certification Programs. Keep it True and in the Blue! If we put out clean, greater products. We were recognized by the reduction of litter overall in the community. Now, there is much less litter. There is education in schools, community cleanups so residents, businesses, and schools have a cleaner environment. There is a grant your 501c3 organization can receive by participating in cleanups. The Public Works are located at 599 Fayette St.”
Acting Parking Utility Director Celestina Ramos spoke next. “We are removing old city parking meters and replacing them with pay stations. We are trying to get rid of malfunctioning meters. We are located at 151 Jefferson St. The number is: 732-826-9223.”
Director of the Department of Human Services Dianne Roman spoke next. “We serve the very young and the very young at heart. The Census of 2020 is knocking at our doors. What is very important is that if we are not counted in the census, Perth Amboy will not able to get money – by census dollars. This has direct impact of funding and has serious consequences in 2020. The Census Campaign is working with the BID to help us to inform by counting. The Census can be completed online, by phone, and by mail-in form. The Complete Count Committee will see that the methods of census will be delivered by trusted individuals. It’s a 10-minute questionnaire. Title 13 protects all information in the Census. There is approximately 60,000 people in the town.”
BID Chair Barry Rosengarten spoke next. He reminded everyone to patronize Sipos and thanked them for hosting the meeting. “The BID represents you. The City activities are wonderful. Take advantage of the BID. The meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month in the evening. In reality, it’s all about you. Randy Convery is the Executive Director. Thank you, Randy for taking on the BID. The Mayor has done everything in the City to make it a better place than it was before. I want to thank the directors in the City. It’s about who we are in the town and how we grow.”
Mayor Wilda Diaz spoke next. “We will continue to support Small Businesses. We are creating a consumer basis. At the old Raritan Steel, we are planning to build two warehouses. We are creating another boom in the economy. That means jobs for the residents of Perth Amboy. We set a standard with developers. The priority is the people of Perth Amboy. We support the community. We view the Smith Street/Market Street area as an opportunity zone. 4 zones are designated as opportunity zones. We’re going to different investors who will be able to fund some of these projects. We’ve revamped our programs for the youth. There is a Success Bound program in the High School which will allow Students to have an opportunity to learn about our businesses. They can earn college credit. Don’t leave our children behind. They will come back and be business owners. Let them know what it is to be an entrepreneur. Clean up the Business District and make it appealing.”
Diaz continued, “We’ll have seminars with professionals who will come to help business owners. We will bring professionals together with businesses to see what they can offer the community. We’re growing by leaps and bounds in our community. We are creating an atmosphere to help the business community and we will continue to support them.”
It was noted that businesses can sign up for Constant Contact to receive email updates from the BID.
