5/22/19 Council Meeting
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – During the public comments on the Ordinances, Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up to speak on Ordinance No. 1 Regarding: The water and sewer rates. Sierakowski wanted to know if the Water Company rates will be fixed. “And what is the projected increase?”
Business Administrator Frederick Carr responded, “I will get you the information.”
Council President Bill Petrick told Sierakowski, “It depends on the size of the water meter. The fee, depending on the size of the pipe can go up anywhere between $24.13 up to $140.82. For the average household, it will be around $25.00 per quarter.”
Sierakowski continued and stated, “It’s a fee or a tax. You should vote it down. See how it will impact the elderly who may not use that much water. Charge only for what you use.”
Petrick addressed Sierakowski again, “You just want to pay for the supply of water? With the flat rate, it’s also to pay for improvements (to the system).”
Sierakowski responded, “The fees will never be eliminated.”
Resident and former City Councilman Ken Balut came up next, “Middlesex Water Company and the Administration needs to be held accountable. We were paying for garbage (blended water). The letter that residents received about the water situation should have been distributed before the residents heard about it at a previous Meeting. Why weren’t you (the Council) told about these problems with the water beforehand?”
Businesswoman and Resident Sharon Hubberman came up and asked about the rates for the sewer expenses.
Carr responded, “The increased rate is for the combined water and sewer. The base rate pays for the system cost to reduce water. The cost comes into effect after the first 500 cubic feet is used, then you pay. The fixed cost is to pay for those maintaining the system while the homeowner may be away. The rates are increasing by 3%.”
Hubberman then went on about 11 public notices stating that we did not meet the quality of the water requirements. “The CEO of Middlesex Water Company has a million-dollar salary. The last notice we received was hand delivered and we should be getting a rebate from the water company – not an increase.”
Petrick went on to explain that the charge was based on the base rate for 5/8” pipes. The Council decided to table Ordinance No. 1. It was moved by Councilman Helmin Caba and seconded by Councilman Joel Pabon.
On Ordinance No. 2 – Adopting redevelopment plan for 319, 320 & 322 McGuire Pl. also known as Block 106.02, Lot 55, 55.01 & 56. Balut asked, “How many houses are planned?”
Petrick responded, “I think there are eight with two spaces per unit. There will be one space for the garage and one on the pad and some space in the parking lot.”
Balut continued, “You can’t put than many houses in a small area. The homeowners will automatically start making changes and Code Enforcement will not notice. It will become a very crowded neighborhood and hard for snow and garbage removal.”
B.A. Carr spoke up and clarified that there will be 2.4 parking spaces per unit.
Ordinance No. 2 was moved by Pabon and seconded by Caba.
When it came to the Resolutions, Ken Balut questioned R-241-5/19 – Memorializing Ed Troche’s position as the Registrar of the City of Perth Amboy and affirming his reappointment to November 3, 2020. He wanted to know, “Why is this not a part-time position if Troche is also in the Police Department?”
Council President Petrick responded, “We have no knowledge about that.”
B.A. Carr spoke up and stated, “Troche has an office space in the Police Department.”
Councilman Pabon spoke up and added, “If Troche has another position, we need to know.”
Carr then added additional comments and stated, “Troche is also a white-collar shop steward. I just heard about this now.”
Sharon Hubberman came up again and asked about R-249-5/19 – Regarding construction financing loan program of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to be issued in the aggregate principal amount of up to $1,132,700.00 dealing with the water and sewer.
B.A. Carr explained that this resolution is short-term funding to reevaluate the City’s projects that were already done as a restructure of loans going into the future. He explained that there is a report that gives the whole workings of the infrastructure.
Council President Petrick spoke up and said, “This includes the water pipes through Runyon that is coming into Perth Amboy.”
Hubberman then asked, “What happened to the $280 million of funding from 2008? The cost of today is not appropriate. The figure is on the budget.”
Balut then came up and had a question about R-203-5/19 – The public hearing on the Budget Amendment. He questioned the numbers on the Budget regarding the water.
B.A. Carr explained, “The cubic feet (500) stays the same.”
Balut said, “It’s a 1% tax increase regarding the Budget.”
Carr then went to explain that he met with the DCA (Department of Community Affairs). “We are waiting for their approval.”
Balut continued and stated the Council should approve. “There is a lot more money that is out there. There is money between the Y and Kushner. If the DCA wants to come down, I will talk to them. We got no press releases about the water or shootings. Send a message to the Mayor to get her act together. Buckeye is looking for a tax appeal and I heard they were sold. You guys should look out for that. We lost money with three Administrations.”
Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up next. He spoke about the Kushner money, “The Mayor illegally extended the contract. Where is it in the Budget? The three to four million dollars? It should be an accounting item. Anchor Marine owes us at least $2 million. The CFO should be here to explain this. PILOTS are not ratables. You have an impasse with the Mayor. Explain to the DCA what the Mayor did. Look at the Y contract.”
Law Director Peter King responded to Sierakowski’s comments about the Y, “The DCA looked at the Y’s contract already, and it’s okay.”
B.A. Carr then spoke up, “We can’t put in the Budget money we don’t have.”
Resident Sharon Hubberman came up, “The cost savings in wages and salaries is over $1 million. $58 million in taxes are to be raised. The surplus was increased. The Municipal Council salaries should not be increased.”
Council President Bill Petrick responded to the last statement, “The Municipal Council increase was voted down.”
Hubberman continued, “PARA (Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency) should be restructured. There should be cutbacks in the Mayor’s office.”
Petrick explained, “In the Mayor’s office there were cutbacks on some vehicles, personnel, and the Mayor’s salary.”
Hubberman continued, “You don’t factor PILOTS into the Budget.”
Carr answered, “Anticipated funds are not in this Budget.”
Hubberman then asked about the Bridge PILOT.
Carr said, “I will give you the exact number if you email me.”
Former Councilwoman Lisa Nanton asked the Council if they would be voting on R-203.
Petrick responded, “No.”
Nanton then suggested that the Council vote on R-203 as soon as possible, “There’s no use in delaying it.”
Petrick then went on to explain, “We voted, and the Mayor vetoed it.”
Carr then spoke up and stated, “This has nothing to do with the Mayor’s veto. The DCA is looking at the Amendment (that the Council made).”
Nanton then commented, “Vote again.”
Councilman Helmin Caba asked for more detailed information on R-230-5/19 – Authorizing emergency temporary appropriations to extend the CY 2019 Temporary Budget in the amount of $6,250,370.00.
Carr responded, “It’s a Budget amendment pertaining to salary and wages. The items have a designated number corresponding to them and the Buckeye tax appeal will be a factor.”
Law Director King spoke up and cautioned the Council to let them know if they tried to change certain line items, then they (the Council) are open to litigation.
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up and told the other Council Members to let the Budget go through. “We already made our point.”
Caba talked again, “We didn’t get any timeframe from the DCA.”
Carr responded, “Not yet.”
Council President Bill Petrick suggested, “We should only pass the expenditures for the month of May. If the DCA comes back (with a response) before June 10, 2019, we would have a clear picture of where we stand. We should amend R-230 so we can pay the bills for the month of May only.”
When it came to vote on R-230, the motion was made by Councilman Helmin Caba and seconded by Councilwoman Milady Tejeda. The only one to vote “No” was Councilman Joel Pabon. Councilman Fernando Irizarry was absent.
B.A. Car said, “We will send out the amended Budget.”
For Resolution R-231-5/19 – In support of Path to Progress recommendations made by New Jersey Economic and Fiscal Policy Work Group, there was a motion made by Councilman Caba to table this Resolution and seconded by Councilman Joel Pabon. The motion passed.
For R-232 thru R-249, it was moved by Joel Pabon and seconded by Helmin Caba.
Public Portion:
Resident Ken Balut came up first to speak. He told the Council, “That’s the way to show cooperation. You have to be fiscally responsible. Tax dollars were spent to support Kushner. Negotiations were made with Kushner to stop subpoenas. Ask for an audit on the Mayor’s people. Now, she’s moving people around. I will go in front of the DCA anytime to discuss money.”
Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up next, “I want to congratulate those who voted “Yes” for R-203. If you don’t understand a resolution, then table it. Pabon voted incorrectly.” He then read a portion of Robert’s Rules. “One person cannot implement their tyranny on others. Put a stop to it.”
Sharon Hubberman then came up to speak. She referenced the presentation about the CPS/Madison proposed plan given by Remedial Project Manager John Osolin from the U.S. EPA Region 2. “Today, we saw what was going on with our water. I talked about the water problems at the 2016 NAACP Mayoral Debate. I was told our water was clean. Now, we are put on a superfund site. We just renewed a deal with the water company who put us in this position. For 3 months, we had been exposed to unsafe water. Why hasn’t the Mayor been at these water hearings? Can we trust the numbers on these reports? The Mayor should resign and also the person who sent those reports. I tried to raise awareness (about the water problems) in 2016. The polluters should be putting up those additional wells.”
Council Comments:
Helmin Caba spoke first and asked Carr, “Why did you ask me if I wanted to pull R-231?”
Carr explained, “You (Caba) explained concerns about this.”
Caba then continued to talk. He thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and reminded him that June 4th is the primary. He also wanted to thank all of those who gave their lives for their country. He again thanked everyone who stayed around for this 3-hour Meeting and voicing their concerns.
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke next and said, “The audience members came up and asked good questions regarding the presentation about the CPS/Madison proposed plan.” He then referenced R-203 and stated, “It’s going to be a tough time for the administration. Employees need to get paid. We have done our part. The ball is in the Administration’s court.” He then expressed his gratitude to all Veterans and to all who lost loved ones. “I tip my hat to you. I know we add names to the Memorial Wall (on Sadowski Parkway). Some people who have passed away should have a star next to their names. A class of 1934 is bringing Veterans with them. We need to put money to fund putting more names on the wall. Veterans said they would pay to have their names on the wall.”
B.A. Carr said, “We are working on this.”
Councilwoman Milady Tejeda wanted to thank everyone for being here so long. “It says a lot about you. I also want to thank all Veterans.”
Council President William Petrick thanked all who attended the Meeting. He stated that the presentation by the John Osolin, (Remedial Project Manager US-EPA) re: CPS/Madison Plan was a good idea and beneficial to all. He thanked Business Administrator Carr for getting them here to make this presentation. He reminded everyone that Memorial Day is to thank those for giving and risking their lives for their country (military as well as civilians).”
Councilman Irizarry was not present due to a previous work commitment.
