5/20/19 Caucus
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – Ordinance No. 1 (first reading) An Ordinance regarding making Zambory Avenue a one-way street from Waltrus Avenue East to the Western most driveway (Approximately 100 feet in length) drew several comments from the Council.
Business Administrator Frederick Carr said, “This decision was based after an analysis of resident’s complaints.”
Council President William Petrick said, “I would like to hear from Doug Dzema’s (PHM Executive Director Housing Authority) office on how this will affect the residents in that area.”
Councilman Joel Pabon then brought up the fact that Bruck Avenue is hazardous and should be looked at. “It’s too narrow, and so is West Side Avenue. I never heard about Zambory Avenue having problems.” He then went on to add, “Pine and Summit Streets have problems with cars speeding, even with stop signs being posted.”
Carr then asked Pabon, “Please email a list of all the streets you are concerned about.”
Councilman Irizarry said, “I agree with Council President Petrick to have Dzema come here.”
Council President Petrick then suggested they table this ordinance.
Next, there was a question regarding R-203-5/19 – Public Hearing on Budget Amendment. B.A. Carr explained, “We will have this public hearing on the amendments on Wednesday (5/22/19).” He went on to explain to the Council about some of the line items that pertain to payroll, salary, wages, and other expenses. “Some of these items are contractual obligations that can’t be changed. Only the Mayor can do layoffs. Currently, three people were laid-off. The Mayor and Council need to work through this issue.”
The next resolution R-233-5/19 – Accepting the Safe & Secure Communities Program Grant in the amount of $60,000 administered by the Division of Criminal Justice, Department of Law & Public Safety.
Carr explained, “This is a reimbursement of our funds from last year.”
CFO Jill Goldy came forward to explain, “The Police Officers were paid for 2017 and 2018.”
The next Resolution discussed was R-241-5/19 – Memorializing Ed Troche’s position as the Registrar of the City of Perth Amboy and reaffirming his reappointment to November 3, 2020.
Carr explained that Troche got a call from the State about updating his status from 2014. “This had fallen through the cracks.”
R-247-5/19 was explained next. Exceeding the completion time of the contract with Master Consulting, P.A., for the professional engineering services for the Waterfront Recreation Improvement to September 30, 2019.
Councilman Pabon asked, “What project is this for?”
Carr explained, “That was the tennis court restrooms. It will be project closeouts, and then after that, they will be completely done. This is to clean up the paperwork. It was paid for by a grant.” Carr went on to explain R-248-5/19 – Authorizing submission of an application to New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for the Neighborhood Preservation Program. “This would be for downtown district improvements.”
Councilman Joel Pabon had a question about Communication No. 9 – Senator Joseph Vitale advising of the safety concerns on New Brunswick Avenue (CR616) (between Rte. 440, Convery Blvd, and Washington Park). Pabon asked, “Were there any talks about what to do in this area for the kid’s safety?”
Carr responded, “There was added signage and we’re looking at a fence. There was a mention about a person who got hit by a car in that area.” Carr went on to say, “I can talk to the person who got hit. I agree with having a barrier.”
Petrick then added, “We need to put in strips in this area.”
Carr said, “We can look into this.”
Pabon then talked about Communication No. 12 – Frederick Carr, B.A. notifying Frank Hoffman (Director DPW) to contact PSE&G Consultant to attend the meetings of the May 20 & May 22 to address the concerns of Council Member Pabon.
Pabon stated, “This should be of concern to everyone. It’s not just my opinion. The lights are out. I represent the citizens. The last time I counted, 15 lights were out at the train station. We have a million supervisors and directors. I don’t see them looking at these problems.”
Councilman Helmin Caba then spoke, “This entire Council has expressed our concerns. People say they don’t want to come to Perth Amboy because of it being too dark at night.”
B.A. Carr then spoke up, “I’m not throwing you (Pabon) under the bus. I can see your frustration and told your concerns to Danny Cleaver.”
Pabon then added, “An Auxiliary Police Officer took down all the numbers of the lights that were out on Amboy Avenue.”
Petrick spoke up and added, “We should not be paying PSE&G for lights that are out.”
Council Fernando Irizarry spoke up and said he agreed with Petrick, “Don’t pay until the lights are fixed. Maybe we (the City) should look at other companies to replace PSE&G.”
Pabon then thanked CFO Jill Goldy for attending the Caucus. He continued, “I want to know what is the policy on reporting accidents involving City Employees when they are driving City vehicles while on duty?”
Law Director Peter King responded, “If it’s an on-duty accident, the employee is to call their supervisor and stay at the scene. The City is responsible.”
Irizarry then questioned, “Is it possible to see if an employee had an on-duty accident in a City Vehicle before?”
King responded, “There will be a disciplinary and appropriate action taken with the possible dismissal of the employee.”
Pabon then spoke again, “Everyone knows about this one employee always having on-duty accidents and the same type of accident. Did they not report their accidents? One of those accidents happened by the Councilwoman’s house.”
B.A. Carr then responded, “It was reported and the employee was disciplined.”
During the public portion, Resident Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe had comments about accessibility, the Budget, and the presentation on the Downtown Gateway Redevelopment Project. “During the Budget Hearings, there were heated discussions. Now, we had a presentation about adding more congestion. We need to work with what we have. There is no initiative from the City to update their sidewalks or residents’ sidewalks. A lot of people who use wheelchairs, strollers, or walkers sometimes have to walk on the street. If people need to rest, there are not many benches, especially on Smith Street. The library and other City buildings are not handicapped accessible. I had given a plan to work on accessibility to the City.” Márquez-Villafañe then had a couple of stats that she read, “Of 38,000 adults in the City, 5,000 are Seniors. There are 856 Veterans, 745 whom are male and about 35 who are female. There’s not much recreation for people with disabilities. Accessibility for all benefits everyone. We also need to patronize those who are hearing impaired for them to be involved.”
Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up next. He talked about R-231-5/19 – In support of Path to Progress Recommendations made by New Jersey Economic and Fiscal Policy Work Group. Sierakowski stated, “Sweeney (President of New Jersey Senate) is fighting Governor Murphy. Don’t get into this dog fight. You should table it. Sweeney and Murphy will compromise.” Sierakowski then talked about 7 townhouses on Fayette Street that were bought by a church in Sayreville. “Did they (the City) follow through on it? Those townhouses were only supposed to be used by the church. If not, they should not have gotten a tax exempt. See who is actually living in them.”
Resident Ken Balut came up next. He questioned the Council about not having enough money to sue a roofing company. “Look at how bad the streets are on Amboy Avenue.” He then questioned the Downtown Gateway Redevelopment Project and said sarcastically, “This will not bring in more children?” Balut continued, “Where is the Mayor when people talked about bad water? Studies need to be made when new projects are discussed. How will this impact the City as a whole and the school’s density? Look at all the lights that are out by the Outerbridge. Code Enforcement does not see violations now? We have selective enforcement. We gave $50 million in PILOTS – Zero for the schools. Who donated money for the Mayor from North Jersey?”
Businessman and Resident David Caba came up next, “I agree with you all regarding PSE&G. Have the Mayor do a press conference to tell PSE&G that we will not pay the bill until the lights are all fixed. She will bring buses with people to criticize us. I also agree with Councilman Pabon who asked when will the new park be done. What about the dog park the Mayor promised? It doesn’t matter whose park this is. We can’t even get a park done, yet they want to add more apartments. I drove around the City on Saturday and it was disgusting. There was loud music and people drinking out in the open. I like this Council, even when you disagree. We are losing our quality of life.”
Councilman Irizarry responded to some of Daid Caba’s comments. “The police can’t be everywhere and it’s up to us to help the police do their job. We have to work together. Our mentality is let someone else take care of it.”
Resident Vince Mackiel came up next. He had concerns about the Water Remediation of Madison Site from years ago. “The Mayor should ask for an extension of public comments and should have documentation available. The Runyon Watershed has been a part of my life and I was interested in this even when I lived in South Amboy. 400 cubic yards from the Watershed was removed for treatment and put back into the system. There was supposed to be a remediation investigation that wasn’t done. Will they really clean up the water? The Madison Industries and Superfund Site Cleanups should be followed.”
Renee Skelton came up to speak and talked about the potential for historic sites. She cited the Parkhurst House
Skelton then asked how many units were discussed for the Downtown Gateway Redevelopment Project.
Irizarry answered, “420 units.”
Skelton then went on to talk about the numbers of units already planned or approved. “Riverwalk: 400; 600 potential – Kushner; 117; 300 Sayre Avenue.” Skelton then stated that the Council should take into consideration the schools, the infrastructure, and the added services.
Councilman Joel Pabon then asked Skelton about the Parkhurst House Site (Convery Boulevard and Smith Street). Skelton explained it was scheduled to be demolished on May 21st. She then stated that it (the Parkhurst House) may have been a part of a historic site (Underground Railroad, Raritan Bay Union (Eagleswood)). It could have been built in the 1800’s. Renovations may have given the appearance of being built later. We have information about the joints (in the basement). Experts said that the house is from the 1850’s.
Resident Reinaldo Aviles came up to speak next, “I agree with Ms. Skelton. Will a developer allow someone to cover the cost of a dig (archeological) on the property?” He then went on to dispute some of the claims of property values in Perth Amboy. “There are For Sale Signs on a lot of houses and they’re being sold. We deserve a newer stock of housing. People who will go to these new developments will be from town. I don’t know if we need that many new apartments. We need affordable housing.”
Councilman Helmin Caba asked, “What’s going on with PARA? They had a meeting with no quorum.”
Renee Skelton came back up and stated she went to the last PARA Meeting and there were only 4 people there.
Law Director King responded, “4 would be a quorum.”
Council President Petrick spoke up, “No one (on PARA) was appointed by the Council, so their meeting was not legal.”
Councilman Helmin Caba spoke next, “I want to thank the Administration for the digital signs announcing the election (for the June Primary), but the signs didn’t have the dates of the Primary.”
Councilman Joel Pabon responded to Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe’s concerns about lack of recreation for the handicapped. “There were recreation programs for the handicapped, but not many people came. I was involved in some of those programs. I really can’t talk about now, but I know in the past, there were.”
