6/10/19 Caucus
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – Business Administrator Frederick Carr informed the Council that there were two title changes in the Office of the Mayor and Deputy Prosecutor (in the Court System). He referred to Ordinance No. 5 – An Ordinance to amend an ordinance entitled Ordinance fixing and establishing a schedule of salaries and salary ranges and increments for officers and employees of the City of Perth Amboy. (nonunion and management)
After Carr spoke, Councilman Fernando Irizarry referenced R-255-6/19 – Certifying to the Middlesex County Board of Taxation a local tax levy in the amount of $26,414,828 for the 2019-2020 Perth Amboy School Budget/General funds. Irizarry requested the tax levy for the school budget for the last 3-4 years.
Attorney Peter King spoke next explaining R-256-6/19 authorizing a contract with Jasinski, P.C., as investigator in the personnel matter in an amount not to exceed $9,500. “This is because we need an investigator who will get facts regarding a lawsuit involving two City Employees.”
Business Administrator Carr then talked about R-261-6/19 – Authorizing the use of contracts with approved Omnia Partners Government Purchasing Alliance National Co-op Vendors. “This is for a video camera and software supplies for the Police Department.” Carr then talked about R-265-6/19 – The NJDOT Grant for local aid for 2020 road improvements for several streets off of Convery Boulevard. He explained that the DOT looks at the traffic volume when deciding on streets that need improvement.
Council President Bill Petrick stated, “There are other streets in much worse condition than Sayre Avenue.”
Department of Public Works Director Frank Hoffman came up to give more details, “I have a list of over 20 streets that need work done.”
Councilman Fernando Irizarry then spoke up and asked if the end of Fayette Street at the intersection of Center Street is on the list.
Hoffman answered, “Yes, but there are some streets that will cost much more to repair. High and Fayette Street will be worked on the day after school ends.”
B.A. Carr then talked about R-268-6/19 – A release of performance guarantees, cash bonds in the amount of $218,340.00 and planning/escrows in the amount of $2,369.30 to Buckeye partners for 380 Maurer Road.
Car explained that this is the refund from up-front money that was paid for the escrow and cash bonds.
DPW Director
Frank Hoffman
DPW Director Frank Hoffman came up to explain Resolution R-268 thru R-273 which dealt with purchasing of equipment for Public Works. He explained that one of the purchases would be for a payloader which is over 20 years old. “There is a second payloader which is 7 years old and has a warranty that has expired. Then, there is a frontend loader on a garbage truck that which has a versa bucket attachment that is not made by the Jesko Company that we need.” He then went on to talk about purchasing a roll-off reeving system for one of the trucks. “What we have now is one roll-off that is 26 years old and another one that is 12 years old. The roll-offs put the containers down. The purchasing of this new equipment is to combine things. It can be used for all 4 seasons.”
Council President Bill Petrick then asked if the old equipment was washed after each use.
Hoffman then went on to explain, “I don’t know what was done before I was here. All I can tell you is since I’ve been Director, I’ve made sure that every time the equipment was used it was washed down.” Hoffman then went on to explain that the total cost of all the equipment that they requested to purchase comes to about $238,000.
Councilman Fernando Irizarry had a question regarding R-278 – Authorizing the 2018-2019 renewal of an inactive plenary retail consumption license to Aris Lounge, LLC, T-A 829 Lounge effective June 13, 2019. Irizarry stated, “I’m concerned because of this establishment having prior problems.”
City Clerk Victoria Kupsch explained, “This is a pocket license that hasn’t been used since the last problem. They might try to sell the place. As a matter of fact, there is a pending sale. It’s the same location as before, but it will be a different ownership.”
Council President William Petrick spoke up and asked if there could be restrictions when it reopened.
Law Director King spoke up and explained, “There’s going to be new owners. You can request restrictions of the new owners, even though the problems were under the old owners.
Before the public portion opened up, Business Administrator Carr told the Council that the City can save over $75,000 on our Stop Lost Insurance Plan.
The Meeting was then opened up to the public. Resident Ken Balut came up to speak. He asked, “How long are you going to have the situation with Irving Lozada being appointed as the Code Enforcement Director go on? You finally had a crime press release after we talked about getting rid of the Public Information Officer.” He then read some of the statements that the Mayor read during her State of the City. “We still have rich companies that got PILOTS totally between $75 million and $100 million in PILOT money. I would also like to see the School Board Tax levy for the last 3 years.” He then talked about the presentation given earlier by the Perth Amboy Youth Alliance Group. “They gave a very thorough report.” He then mentioned that the City should run the YMCA. “The government gives Harbortown money and now we want to give Harbortown money to have a Fun Day. We are getting beat up in taxes.”
Resident Alan Silber came up next. “A year and a half ago, we were told the tax burden would be lifted off of the taxpayers. Now, we have a 5% increase. Our former B.A. Fehrenbach was appalled when he came back. Ordinances were changed and relatives and campaign managers were hired. Does each employee have to have a title?”
Council President answered, “There are general titles such as Clerk or also maybe Clerk 1 or Clerk 2.”
Business Administrator Carr then elaborated, “One person can have two titles depending on the job and the department they are in.”
Silber continued, “I’m looking at Financial Disclosures (pertaining to some of the titles).”
Carr answered, “We have working titles and civil service titles. Civil Service Clerks can work in different departments.”
Resident Vince Mackiel came up next. He talked about Buckeye. “They have a tax appeal in the legal court and also before the Federal Government Security Committee.”
Council President Bill Petrick responded, “One doesn’t impact on the other.”
Mackiel continued, “We have to make sure that Buckeye is taxed properly. He then went on to talk about the water situation in Perth Amboy. “I don’t accept the version that went on YouTube. I talked about the seriousness of the water contaminants.” He then spoke ab out what Luis Perez Jimenez (Director of Operations at the USA-PA (Utility Service Associates Perth Amboy) Middlesex Water Company)) talked about regarding opening new wells. “I talked about doing remediations. We need a clean water supply. There are dead trees by the water supply, and we need a real watershed. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has to create a partial study or a testing gate to see how the cleanup will proceed. The City has to be a part of this.” See letter he submitted, below.
Resident John K. Dyke came up next. He talked about the importance of Eagleswood and its history. “It’s important that the developer do an archaeological dig and it should be a requirement.”
Council President William Petrick asked Dyke if he knew what the cost estimate would be.
Dyke responded, “I have no idea, but there is a firm in Cranford that can do this. Other historical towns make this a requirement (if they believe there is a site that may have historical artifacts on site). Don’t sell our history short. I think if a dig is done, it should take about 8 months.”
Councilman Joel Pabon was not present at the Caucus.
Vincent Mackiel’s letter.
