3/6/19 Business Meeting
By: Carolyn Maxwell
SOUTH AMBOY – Councilman Thomas Reilly hesitated when it came to Resolution No. 56-2019 Waiver of reading in full of the Budget for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019. He stated that he really had no opportunity to go over this, so he couldn’t vote on it.
Mayor Fred Henry then explained, “On this resolution, items can be discussed (and changes can be made),”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski explained, “This Resolution will be on the April Council Meeting (agenda).”
After this clarification, Reilly said he was okay voting for this as a first reading.
B.A. Skarzynski then told the Council Members that there had to be a change on the line item that read $885,000 in capital funds. “$800,000 will be capital funds. $85,000 of that will be needed to cover a site remediation. The total will still come out to $885,000.”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato made a motion to approve Item Numbers R-56 and Council Vice-President Christine Noble seconded the motion. For R-57 Council Vice-President Noble made a motion to approve, and Councilwoman Dato seconded the motion.
B.A. Skarzynski then explained R-58 – A Resolution of Support for the City of South Amboy authorizing a Sustainable New Jersey Grant Application. “This has to do with Greenable Energy. It’s an approval to fund a committee (to help make the City more environmentally friendly).”
On Resolution R-61 – Awarding a contract for the final ecological evaluation, remedial investigation, and L.S.R.P. services for the former South Amboy Sewage Treatment Plant Site. Skarzynski explained that we had an unpleasant surprise. “The DEP Study was never completed. There was an RFP put out so that the City could complete this by the DEP deadline or the City will be fined. This site is by the foot of Henry Street by the former Pump Station. We no longer own this site, but since the remediation was first started by the City, we have to complete it.”
During the Council Comments, Councilwoman Zusette Dato said she is looking forward to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Council Vice-President Christine Noble reported that people in town were very happy with the job the DPW did during the last snowstorm, and she is also looking forward to the parade.
Councilman Tom Reilly spoke next and was happy to report about a new business opening up called Java Dave’s. “This business is interested in participating in the business program.” Reilly also said, “We have about ten businesses in the program that are offering discounts to our First Responders.” He asked if the Responders all have ID cards (so they can show it to the businesses).
Skarzynski replied, “We’ll make sure of that.”
Reilly then questioned if the participating businesses need to have any kind of decals displayed so people know they are participating (in the discount program).
Skarzynski assured Reilly, “We will make sure something is displayed by the businesses.”
B.A. Skarzynski then talked about the next addition of the South Amboy City Newsletter coming out. “We’ll be offering our businesses a chance to advertise in it. We’ll be mailing out the newsletter to our residents. City Services will be included and a breakdown on how our taxes are used. The Council can have a blurb included with their photos. Maybe we can have a group photo taken at the (St. Patrick’s Day) parade.”
Reilly then asked about the upcoming Government Week. “When will the Mayor speak at the school?”
Mayor Henry replied, “I have a couple of topics in mind to speak about.”
Reilly then asked if kids will be coming to City Hall that week (for a tour).
Acting City Clerk Laura Kemble-Kalantsis replied, “Yes.”
Reilly then went on to suggest that the Council Members have a Meet ’n Greet at the Train Station that week. “It would be great for the commuters to talk to us and ask us questions. We could hand out the newsletters. We should pick a date that week.”
Dato responded, “I think that would make people happy.”
Council President Mickey Gross spoke up and said he did something similar for 20 years when he was campaigning with Cabriel.
Reilly continued, “We also need to recognize City residents and employees that week.”
Mayor Henry then suggested, “We should do a resolution honoring anyone that we recognize (for community service, etc.).”
Reilly also suggested, “We should recognize the volunteers every year. We can send information to everyone involved and have this done at the April 17, 2019 Meeting.” Reilly then reported that First Responders go to certain businesses all the time and those businesses should recognize them.”
Skarzynski commented next, “The building at the corner of Broadway and John Street (the one whose part of the roof blew off during the last snowstorm) will be taken down on March 22nd or 23rd.” He then spoke about the Ferry, “It’s in its final design. We have digital signs by the schools on O’Leary Boulevard which will benefit our schoolchildren. A new tractor arrived to be used on our beach front for regrading the sand. Middlesex County will be repaving some of the County Roads.”
Mayor Henry then spoke up, “The City will have a Beach Replenishment Plan.”
Skarzynski spoke again, “Middlesex County College Students are doing a Beach Cleanup in April. We are compliant with the GIF (General Insurance Fund) and all of our employees are trained in CPR except for the Library Staff who will be getting the training soon. We’re looking to get a pop-up tent with the City logo. This tent will also shelter people during inclement weather. The State Economic Agency will be coming to the City. There were 400 boxes of files that have been identified for shredding. Everything (records) will be digital. Venetian Care and Rehabilitation Center put in a macerator. The City Engineer said they need a grinder. We’re meeting with Venetian to discuss this. Venetian has not paid the last bill.”
Reilly then discussed a problem on a property on Main Street.
Council President Gross spoke up, “Somebody needs to see if they’re in compliance.”
Councilwoman Dato spoke up and said, “There still are a lot of trailers on that property.”
Mayor Henry then added, “We can send someone to inspect this property.”
Council President Mickey Gross spoke up and said, “I want every kid in this town from second grade up to learn how to swim. I want to make sure this goes through. I am adamant about this.”
Reilly said, “I’m 110% behind you.”
Gross continued, “All of our inspectors need ID’s. We’re going to have one big party at the Fireworks. The County also has money to help prisoners to clean up cities.”
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz spoke next, “I met with the NJDEP to get input on the Ferry. We would like to incorporate some of their ideas. We have a follow-up meeting with the State. There will be paving done on Stevens and Ridgeway and Washington Road by the Elks, also the Radford Ferry/Main Street. As far as the Hole in the Wall, the County is working with Conrail.”
Mayor Henry spoke last and said, “The last couple of years we have had a zero increase in the budget. We’ve made good financial moves by the City. A lot of good things are happening and will continue to happen.
Councilman Brian McLaughlin was absent.
