By: Katherine Massopust

PERTH AMBOY – The first items discussed at the 4/8/19 Caucus were Budget Hearings for the Parking Utility. Manager Celestina Ramos stated the budget for the Parking Utility has stayed the same. There are 30 new pay stations in the hospital area. This includes New Brunswick Avenue, Lawrie Street, Barclay Street, etc. The need for the larger number of pay stations is to provide a shorter walking distance for people.

Ramos stated there were no budget cuts. She emphasized that she has a smaller salary than her predecessor and the person who took over her old position is presently getting paid less than she did. 

Council President Bill Petrick asked, “Where was the Clerk I position advertised?”

Former B.A. Greg Fehrenbach stated that the job opening was posted within the City offices where all City employees can see what was available. “The minimum salary is approximately $34,000/year)” 

Fehrenbach then added, “Except for the dispatchers, whatever they might be – blue collar or white collar. We don’t have any numbers for 2019. We only have 2018.”

Petrick then stated, “I’m not talking for the unions, but as far as the budget, we need something to work with.”

Law Director Peter King stated, “The (salary) range is set by the Council.”

Petrick said, “If we want to defund certain areas of the departments, we could.”

Next were the budget hearings of the Marina Utility. The Marina was represented by Frank Hoffman. He stated that the Marina had a surplus which will be used to pave the north and south lots of the Marina. “As Frank (Wild – Harbor Master) runs the Marina, we’ve had a profit.

Chief Financial Officer Jill Goldy stated that the way the budget is put together each year balances out from the profit in slip rentals. Later on, more slips will be rented. Any additional costs on the budget will be balanced from the surplus. Last year, the Marina Utility exceeded their budget. As long as it does not exceed the amount of money from the prior year. They can anticipate money they have from the prior year. It’s a much more consistent method. Whatever slip rental arrangement you have since most rent year after year. In November, they put a down payment. In January, they pay the rest of the rental. Surplus for the Marina Utility stays with the Utility.

Councilman Fernando Irizarry asked, “Even though you have a surplus, you can use it for something else?”

CFO Goldy stated she disagreed with that method.

Irizarry then added, “I’m not encouraging anyone to use the surplus. I’m not encouraging anyone to use this money for something else.”

Frank Hoffman then clarified the issue, “When we bought the jet skis, they paid for themselves. As far as the 20-foot slips, if we had bigger slips, we could rent more. When we got money from FEMA, we had to leave everything as is.”

Council President Bill Petrick then added, “We attempted to get FEMA to dredge but we were unsuccessful. I’m glad they’re still useful. I heard from several boat owners. They are complaining that they pay for a slip and can’t find a place to park.”

Business Administrator Frederick Carr stated, “Boat owners only want to pay $50 to park anywhere in the Marina. If it was that low, everyone would pay for it.”

Councilman Irizarry asked, “Will it limit parking for other people?”

“There are only 42 spaces available,” Carr added. 

Irizarry then asked, “What about parking? If the person is not there, then is nobody else able to use it?”

Carr answered him, “It would be their spot. They use it whether or not they are there.”

Petrick then added, “I don’t like that idea. It’s a prime area for restaurants and businesses and residents who visit.”

Councilman Joel Pabon then stated, “I get where you guys are coming from. They’re making a lot of money. What they pay is peanuts. I’m going to look into it. We need parking for our residents. The restaurants are using it and they pay us peanuts.”

Carr agreed that a more detailed discussion is necessary at another time.

Petrick then stated, “We’re the only marina around that doesn’t have a boat ramp.”

Hoffman explained, “I would like to put it back in.”

Petrick said, “I don’t want to waste money putting in a boat ramp only to be used part of the time. The Cornucopia has (a problem with the train bridge) when Conrail doesn’t open up. I don’t’ want to put up a boat ramp and we can’t use it.”

Hoffman then added, “When I was in the room and they were talking, they (Conrail) said that was the reason, so its capable for businesses to do shipping.”

Petrick said, “It’s failing just like the old Victory Bridge. We should look into somewhere else sensible, since at this side of the town with access to the bay.”

The next Budget Hearing was for the Courts. Court Administrator Ms. Pena represented the Courts. She stated that the Deputy Court Administrator position has been eliminated and that this departure caused a decrease in the budget. Pena stated that she has a flexible schedule and that reductions were made by the overhead from the cost of salaries. 

Councilman Irizarry asked, “If you decide to leave, then there is no one to replace you?”

Pena indicated that the answer was “Yes.”

Petrick asked, “What happens when you are not there?”

Pena answered that a Judge could do her duties if he/she had to.

Irizarry then stated, “What is not clear to me is if it had been to eliminate a position like that – God forbid something happens to her.”

Pena assured him, “There’s other qualified people throughout the State.”

Irizarry then asked, “Has revenue in court gone up or down?”

Frederick Carr answered, “They’ve gone down.”

Pena said, “Summonses have gone down. Overall summonses issued over the months have gone down and parking and moving violations.”

Irizarry then went on to a different topic, “Is there money in the Budget for the Dive Team?”

Fire Chief Ed Mullen answered, “All money coming from grant money. We match it.”

Irizarry then asked, “What about when the money runs out?”

Mullen answered, “We’ll put in for more grants.”

Irizarry said, “We say we’re not paying for it – and then we’re paying for it!”

Petrick asked, “What is the life expectancy of the suits?”

Mullen answered, “10 years. The tanks should last around 15 years.”

Irizarry then stated, “Why is a town this size spending money on this? If we had resources to do this -but we don’t You’re not going to convince me we are going to do this at this time.”

Pabon the added, “With all do respect, I disagree with you. The money is not coming from us now. I’ve seen what thee guys do. I’ve been out there. I’ve seen it. If there’s one person that can be saved by these guys, I’ll always support it.”

There was a discussion about the Budget which was presented on March 13, 2019. Irizarry was annoyed, “I don’t recall approving the Budget”

Former B.A. Greg Fehrenbach clarified this, “What you did on March 13, 2019, you approved the Budget for publication. It’s not approved. It is published, then approved for public hearing.” He went on to explain, “There are 4 pages of amendments. Each line you look at are amendments to the Budget. You are saying all that we talked about to bring this down. There is one more change in the water/wastewater utilities.”

Councilman Helmin Caba asked, “All these amendments and appropriations – who made them?”

Greg Fehrenbach was becoming increasingly irritated, “Everybody wants to point fingers. We’ve received a direction of the Budget from the Mayor. The Council did not agree with the Mayor.”

Caba then asked, “Who decided that?”

Fehrenbach answered, “At a meeting, we asked the Council what to eliminate. The Council gave us no directions as on how to bring it down. We went to the departments and gave each of them targets to go down. The departments responded with what could be cut. Other departments were less cooperative. Based on that, we came to meet the governing body’s directions.”

Caba said, “City Employees said the blame is on the Council. When you left, you gave a recommendation that was not followed. For example, Bryan Walensky was the Mayor’s Campaign Manager. He was hired by the Mayor. To this day, he hasn’t done (what he’s supposed to have done). He was supposed to do our website. He got paid $100,000 (being the Mayor’s campaign manager) and then he gets a job getting paid almost that (same amount). We had no say about hiring Bryan Walensky. Let’s clean things up before blaming the Council. The Mayor has the last say.”

Fehrenbach then became aggravated and stated, “All of you who were elected may want to finger point. There is a responsibility to provide services to the population. You can drive looking through the rearview mirror or the windshield.”

Caba then continued, “Our past is clearly affecting our present and it will impact our future. Once you leave, your recommendations go out the window. The Mayor has the last say.”

Fehrenbach continued, “I made decisions based on criteria adhered to by the Mayor.”

Petrick then said, “When you left, we were in a good position. When you came back, you found a disaster because of mismanagement of the Administration. That’s why you have presented to you an approximate 5.5% tax increase. I know that to be factual.”

Fehrenbach said, “There is an old Irish saying: When there was a divorce taking place, they say “They were a pair of the minute.””

Petrick then said, “When we have laws in this community passed in the governing body, when they want to, they follow them. When they don’t want to, they don’t follow them.”

Fehrenbach then said, “I hope there was a balance in the last 9 months. There has been a significant attempt to see the six of you treated on equal level. There has been an unwillingness of the Council to get along with the Mayor and the Mayor with the Council. This has been the most frustrating part of my life I ever had.”

Petrick then said, “There was an election. Things got ugly.”

Irizarry then asked, “Can you show me what we talked about and what was given us? I know what you try to do and I thank you for it.”

The attention turned to Ordinance No. 1. – An Ordinance to amend an ordinance entitled “vehicles” and traffic (Ordinance No. 194-78 as amended)” Adopted September 19, 1978, also known as Chapter 414 et seq of the Code of the City of Perth Amboy. Re: Parking in City Hall Area.

Irizarry then stated, “The parking around City Hall hours is going to change from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.”

Councilman Joel Pabon said, “Residents who live here know way ahead of time so they can move their car at 7 a.m.”

Carr agreed to tell people what’s going on first. 

The Council continued then discussed Communication No. 3 An anonymous citizen advising of several issues in the neighborhood 491 Neville Street, including loud music, illegal housing, speeding and possible used car lot. 

Code Enforcement Director Irving Lozada came up to speak, “I have a report on the 3 properties: 490, 491, 492. I have copies here of the results. One property was inspected. He found an illegal conversion in the basement That was on January 9th. He gave them 2 weeks to comply. He came back on the 30th of January. The inspector was satisfied. They dismantled everything. One property had 7-8 unregistered cars. He took pictures and sent a violation. We came back, all the cars left. The Police checked if they are registered.” Lozada continued, “We keep getting the same complaint. The letter is anonymous.”

Police Chief Roman McKeon then came up to speak, “One citizen has as much rights as we all. Since the beginning of the year, we had 3 calls in that area. 2 summonses were issued. We keep getting complaints. The person wants to remain anonymous.” 

Petrick added, “Maybe they are afraid of retribution.”

McKeon then stated, “Because the person wants to remain anonymous, we are in the dark.”

The public portion was next.

Police Officer Hani Tawfik came up to speak first, “You hit on it – point fingers. A budget was proposed and said what needs to be done. The statements made reflect on costs and layoffs proposed.”

Council President Petrick then stated, “What the Administration proposed was a 5.5% tax increase. The governing body returned and said only a 2.5% increase. Some people get paid $100,000, should we cut that?”

Tawfik said, “Sit down and work it out. Half the people are busy. It all trickles down.”

Petrick explained, “We’re talking about people who don’t do anything and get a paycheck.”

Caba then added, “We are not pointing fingers. We’re stating facts. There is no way I’m going to vote for a 5.5% tax increase. Taxes are high in the City. Taxes are high in the City. If taxes are going up, then rent goes up. The Board of Education – only 25% comes from the City. Most is paid for by the State. It’s possible the City might have to file bankruptcy. This is mismanagement. The Mayor hired Bryan Walensky. Made up a position. That is one example of many. That is why we’re in this predicament.”

Petrick then said, “You wouldn’t want to happen what happened in Camden where they disbanded the Police Department. When Greg Fehrenbach left, we were in good shape. Once in position, the Mayor squandered the money.”

Tawfik then stated, “There were no increases in taxes for 5 years.”

Petrick said, “Fiscal mismanagement.”

Resident Ken Balut came up to the mic. “We’re in this position because of a PILOT which was given to a warehouse that was already there. The Parking Utility – the hiring practices – Walensky was disgusting for $100,000. The Deputy Clerk in the Court was given a $15,000 raise. Tax dollars go to the YMCA to make Steve Jobin rich. There’s something wrong with this picture. The PILOT is giving millions of dollars given away to Target and Bridgeport. Bridge gave us more money. Where did it go? When does it stop? Why do we need a Mayor’s Aide? Why do we need a Pubic Relations person? What has she put in the newspapers? The water problem? There’s total incompetence in the Administration. It’s not the Council. Cut the Budget. We don’t need a Deputy Mayor. Let her come to work everyday.”

PBA Local #13 Union President Daniel Gonzalez came up next. He stressed teamwork to come to an agreement on the budget.

Resident David Caba came up next. “It’s interesting what’s going on in the City. It was not a tour – it’s a journey. Powers are for short term. It’s shameful when I got these texts and pictures. When we say we serve the City it’s like customer service. Is customer service to go at the Mayor just because we disagree with her? Find out for me, was a C/O (Certificate of Occupancy) issued at 245 State and 121 Market. I did my own research. I got back from the City an OPRA request – a C/O of November 6, 1997. Under zoning it says: commercial and two office spaces. When this was issued which C/O issued was it? Was it this one? Or was it issued with the apartments? That depends on the Zoning Board. It’s not zoned. I do business with the person. There are people who spend money. It has to be across the board. I’m thinking to move out of here, but I’m not. I love my town. Some people don’t know what’s going on.”

Director of Code Enforcement Irving Lozada came up to speak. “Mr. Caba came here with complaints. Within the same week, I was there. An inspector issued 4 violations. Summonses were issued and they have to go through the proper process. We took actions on the whole property.” When asked if people are living there, Lozada answered yes and they are going to be removed and there are summons issued to the property owner for conversion of business to apartments.

Resident Alan Silber came up next. 4 different inspectors. Last week, we saw two Code Enforcement Officers pull up on the corner of Market and Rector Streets (246 Rector). 4 different inspectors went to that house. Adam Cruz (Former Business Administrator) was going to get over $30,000 paid. The Council has been so argumentative, because this lawyer keeps coming up with things. The only time they (the Council) work together is when it’s for their benefit. In 2001, over 100 police officers got laid-off in Trenton. Now, fast-forward in 2019 the Council and Mayor have problems and want to lay off 20 police officers. Stuff keeps repeating themselves. There’re more grants which means more mismanagement. An inexperienced clerk is being paid more than a police officer.”

Irving Lozada returned to the podium. “On the same day Code Enforcement came to Rector and Market. We’ve reached out to the owner. He was on vacation. At the end of the day, I called him in Florida. He had called in to receive a temporary C/O to move furniture in.” Lozada explained that he flew in from Florida to get a final C/O. “Four inspectors showed up: one for building, fire, plumbing, electric. At the end of the day, we’re here to serve you.” When asked, Lozada said he had to find out if the owner passed inspection. “I will find out,” Lozada assured the Council.

Resident Vince Mackeil came up to the mic. “New Jersey sues DuPont and 3M for pollution. The reason I’m bringing this up is to ask if legal representatives of the City are there ever a recourse to the State. Two different elements you guys have talked to in the last six months particularly about the watershed.  Perth Amboy residents would like clean water. Something has to be done directly from the State.”

Former Councilwoman Lisa Nanton came up next. “I have all those things you requested. All information about the property.” She read the executive summary to dissolve PARA (Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency).

Mayor Wilda Diaz came up to speak. “I had to sit in back and I want everyone to come out and to make it very clear jobs have to be offered to the Citizens of Perth Amboy. The goal of the City is to help residents and to create a tax base. Many of our businesses are in a heavy industrial area. We always have been forthcoming. The job creation – that part is relevant. Clean up blighted areas. It’s going to take years to develop a tax base. They with foresight. The Budget is the most difficult part. We paid off over $62 million of our debt. Where was the most of hiring done? Our safety personnel. No one wants to pay taxes. Every department helped with this budget. Greg Fehrenbach came already before anyone is sitting here.  The most hires are in safety personnel and DPW. I want to work with the Council. I know you want 2.5%. I sat with each and every department, every director when the first Budget was presented. I want to work with the Council. If we make these cuts in some departments, how will it affect our residents? We’re working on Census 2020 right now. In 2010, my goal was to count as many people as possible.”

Helmin Caba asked Mayor Diaz about Walensky (Diaz’s Campaign Manager) and why he was given a created position as Parking Utility Manager. 

Diaz answered, “He was your campaign manager, too and he was qualified. He has a Master’s in Business.”

Caba stated, “At the time, he lived in Garwood.”

Irving Lozada came up to speak, “I just found out earlier today that I have to present a budget this Wednesday. I have an appointment and I can’t come on Wednesday. In 2018, I was not in that department. I can only answer what came in after 2018.”

Lozada asked the Council if he could be heard now. The Council said it was ok.

The public portion was closed, and Director of Code Enforcement Irving Lozada sat down. “I did sit down with former Code Enforcement Director, Jamie Rios. I only came aboard at the end of the year.”

Fehrenbach stated that there are 4 sections to Code Enforcement. One is the Uniform Construction Code which generates a vast majority of revenues for this department and the City is responsible under the regulations under the direction of Codes and Standards.

Council President Petrick advised Lozada to speak with former Code Enforcement Director Jamie Rios and work out a budget. 

After Lozada was done with his presentation, the Council convened to a closed session and when the returned, no formal action will be taken. The time was 7:21 p.m.