PERTH AMBOY – (L to R):Dave Brogle (Dir.of Production), Luis Perez Jimenez (Dir. of Operations, Perth Amboy), Robert Villager (Assistant V.P. of Operations) at the 6/24/19 Caucus
*Photo by Carolyn Maxwell
Mayor & Council
President Go Toe to Toe
6/24/19 Caucus
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – On the agenda, there was a question regarding an ordinance dealing with a property that had a private fireline. Luis Perez Jimenez – Director of Operations at the USA-PA (Utility Service Associates Perth Amboy) Middlesex Water Company) came forward to state, “This line, which is privately owned has no meters, but does have a stand-alone pipe connection that can be hooked up when needed by the Fire Department.”
Law Director Peter King gave more information regarding Ordinance No. 4 – Dissolving the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency and designating the City Council as the Redevelopment Entity for the City of Perth Amboy (Adoption Subject To Approval From Local Finance Board). He told the Council that he is waiting for one last document which would be the bills to close out the month of June from PARA before sending the information to the Local Finance Board.
Councilman Joel Pabon questioned Ordinance No. 5 – Regarding fixing and establishing a schedule of salaries and salary ranges in increments for Officers and Employees (Non-Union and Management). Pabon stated, “Some positions we asked to remove are still there.”
Business Administrator Frederick Carr responded, “We still have to leave the salaries in, even if there is no one in that position.”
Councilman Fernando Irizarry then spoke up, “This ordinance doesn’t reflect the change in the Mayor’s salary.”
Carr responded, “The Council introduced, then voted to restore the Mayor’s salary. It was voted on to restore her salary to what it was in January 2018. If the Council wants to restore the Mayor’s and the Deputy Prosecutor to their previous salaries, then you can turn down this ordinance.”
Council President William Petrick responded, “So, we have to change the entire ordinance to make one change?”
Law Director King said, “Yes. You have to change the whole ordinance to change one item.”
There was also a question regarding handicapped applications and how many are still pending. Councilman Fernando Irizarry, who is on the Handicapped Committee stated the last meeting was cancelled and he could not attend it because he was attending a funeral in Puerto Rico. “There were not many applications that were pending.”
Council President Petrick had a question regarding R-293-6/19 – Emergency temporary appropriations to extend the CY 2019 temporary budget in the amount of $10,221,104.00.
Carr responded, “This is the combined amount for July and August.”
Petrick requested the months be broken down individually.
Carr went on to explain R-295-6/19 – Application for the State of New Jersey Safe and Secure Communities Program Continuation Funding.
“It’s for fringe benefits for two existing officers.”
Councilman Joel Pabon questioned R-296-6/19 – A Change Order to the Contract with Suburban Consulting Engineers for professional environmental study for underground storage tanks at 400 Stanford Street in an amount not to exceed $15,800.
Pabon said, “I hope this is going to be it.”
Carr stated, “I doubt it. There is lead in the groundwater, and they need to get ground level samples. They could not get a clean sample.”
Council President Petrick stated that a proper site screen should have been installed. “The responsibility should have been with the original owner of the property.”
Director of Recreation Ken Ortiz came up to explain R-300-6/19 – A Bonners Program under Middlesex County College.
Ortiz stated, “This is an internship program with Middlesex County College and the Democracy House. It is to hire a College Student to help out with the Teen Center. They would assist the Site Manager. Besides helping out in the office, and the intern will also be a part of the mentorship team. Interested individuals will have to go through an interview process at Middlesex County College. We prefer to have a Perth Amboy resident, but it’s open to anyone. This is a nationally recognized program. It was first brought to our attention by Isamar Payano (Municipal Alliance Coordinator) when she attended Rutgers University. Rutgers also participates in this program.”
Councilman Joel Pabon had a question regarding R-297-6/19 – Purchasing a 1 automated plate reader and 1 upgraded automated license plate reader processing unit for the Police Department in an amount not to exceed $21,324.48. He questioned, “Will that bring the total to 3?”
Deputy Police Chief Cattano came forward, “This will bring the total up to 5.” Cattano explained, “This will help in identifying cars that are stolen or have suspended registrations. The one license plate reader we have now is 10 years now. The new ones will have a quicker processor. The cameras will have infrared detectors. It will make sure the vehicles are not stolen or on a watchlist. They are on a county database, which we will not have to pay a fee to.”
Luis Perez Jimenez came up to explain R-304-6/19 – Increasing the contract with Sensus USA for the purchase of water meters and advanced metering infrastructure project in an amount not to exceed $28,357.00. “These are large industrial meters. The meters are mechanical, and we have to stay away from purchasing meters with lead and copper components.” Luis Perez Jimenez went on to explain R-305-6/19 – A contract with Allied Construction Group increasing the contract for the Second Street Pumping Station Hazard Mitigation Improvements for an amount not to exceed $167,993.00 (90% of this amount will be reimbursed by FEMA). “There’s a standby generator that is over 20 years old. We talked to FEMA. It was agreed that it was best to buy a new one.”
Law Director Peter King gave information regarding R-306-6/19 – Amending R-180-4/19 – Authorizing execution of contracts for towing services for years 2019 to include 2 additional towers. King explained, “None of the towers had contracts, and they could not tow until contracts were done. Once those contracts are reviewed, they will be good for 2 years.”
During the public portion, Resident Sue Pezza came forward. She explained she is the coordinator for the Girl Scouts Gardens. She was upset because one of the gardens that was planted is gone now. “One butterfly garden that was planted in memory of my Dad was stolen and some of the flowers were trampled on. Fencing was put up around the garden, and there was debris all over. Some of the decorations that I put up were tossed all around. Some of the swamp flowers were donated by the Royal Garden Club in Perth Amboy.”
Business Administrator Frederick Carr spoke up and told Pezza, “I contacted Director of Public Works Frank Hoffman, and also Supervisor Danny Cleaver from the same department. They immediately went down there to look at the problem and clean up the mess.” He then went over and gave Pezza his business card so she could contact him for further assistance.
Mayor Wilda Diaz came up next. She said she appreciated seeing the resolution for the appointment of Irving Lozada for Acting Code Enforcement Director on the agenda. She asked the Council to please take into consideration some of the key positions of some of the people (when considering the budget). She then told Council President Petrick he should have abstained when voting on some of these positions. “You took personal attacks on these positions and some women.”
Petrick responded, “Would you prefer we cut the Police and Fire Departments?”
The Mayor then asked Petrick not to interrupt her when she was speaking. She continued, “You (Petrick) personally voted on two positions that you are in litigation with. I’m going to stand with those two females. Irving Lozada has worked hard to turn the Code Enforcement Department around. You need to fund those positions that are critical. You personally targeted some people.”
Councilman Helmin Caba spoke up and defended Council President Petrick, “Those positions that were removed were based on economics.”
Business Administrator Carr spoke up and said, “Representatives from the Water Company are here to explain the malfunctioning of pumps. The residents will be receiving letters from Middlesex Water Company and a follow-up letter from the City with a follow-up explanation.”
The first representative to speak was Director of Production Dave Brogle. He stated, “In 1990, we started adding chlorine to the water to handle organic matter. In 1998, we lessoned the amount of chlorine and put in a different additive. We sampled the locations that have the highest amounts of contaminants. We moved the point of relocation of where we would add chlorine. The main well, which was low in organics had the problem. We were now chlorinating up-front to remove as many organics as possible.”
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up and suggested we made need to start using more wells.
Luis Perez Jimenez responded, “We’re working on a feasibility study to see what we need to control. We have spent $17 million in the last several years to update the system. We can ask for low interest loans. We have 5 working wells. The Rainy Well has been existence since 1993. The other wells are over 32 years old.”
Brogle then continued, “A home water filtration system may help as long as you maintain them (per their instructions).”
Representative Robert Fullager, who is the Assistant Vice-President of Operations spoke next. “This problem is not unique to Perth Amboy.” He also responded to people who brought up the water problem in, Flint, Michigan. “In Flint, Michigan, there was a failure on all levels, and it was a cover-up. You can see all reports dealing with your water.”
B.A. Carr then spoke up, “Luis Perez Jimenez is working on the CCR (Consumer Confidence Report – A document that provides consumers information about the quality of drinking water in an easy to read format).”
Resident Ken Balut came up next, “We had levels for smoking. The same as on how much water we should drink. Levels keep being lowered. We’ve had experts come here before. Trust the Administration? I don’t think so. Look at what’s going on in New Brunswick with their water.” Balut then turned his attention to Irving Lozada. He stated, “Lozada could not fill out an application correctly when he applied for a job as a Confidential Aide (to the Mayor). He will just be a paper-pusher. We are shorthanded, yet they want to put someone unqualified for the position (Code Enforcement Director). 11 letters should have been sent out regarding the water situation.”
Resident Vince Mackiel came up. He asked representatives from the Water Company if they have to report any of the City’s water problems to Federal Agencies.
Brogle responded, “The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) makes the regulations. Some cities stay with the minimum requirements. Everything reported to the New Jersey EPA goes to the Federal EPA.”
Mackiel then asked, “Besides what the Superfund Sites require, can we do more?”
Council President Petrick responded, “We may be able to put some wells outside of the plume area.”
Mackiel continued and suggested, “We should use the Superfund Sites and new wells. I would like to see more politicians involved. I appreciate the Council Comments. The Mayor needs to become more involved. This can impact the economics of the whole country.”
Resident Alan Siber came up next. “When people come up to speak, they should also say where they live.” He then talked about interim appointments, “If there is a no-vote after a period of 90 days, the Mayor can reappoint someone else in that position.” He then stated that Law Director Peter King made an $885 donation to a campaign ticket that the Mayor was supporting. “The Mayor is conflicted. The people who were put on the Budget worked on her campaign. You (the Council) will be setting a precedent when voting for Irving Lozada. Can we put people in any position? Certifications in some positions are not required. You can put anybody in the position as Police Director. I would be skeptical about the water reports. The current Prosecutor at Flint, Michigan wants to reopen the investigation (regarding their water problems). Look at the YouTube Video regarding our water situation. The panel consisted of the Mayor and representatives from the Water Department.” Silber also questioned the Mayor taking a vacation when working on a campaign.
Law Director King responded, “The Mayor can take a vacation and work on a campaign. A person can’t work on a campaign during their working hours. The Mayor can reappoint someone for a position after 90 days. After the 90-day trial period, it goes to the Council. They can say no to appoint the same person., so the appointment can go to someone else.” King then responded to Silber’s statement about making a contribution to a political campaign, “I did not do a check for $800.”
Councilman Irizarry spoke up, “At a previous meeting, a resident stated that 13 letters have been sent out regarding the water in Perth Amboy. To me, that meant that unsafe levels have been elevated 13 times.”
Brogle responded, “I don’t know where that number came from. Unsafe levels have to reach a certain threshold and each paying customer has to be notified through direct mail. The state also has to be notified.”
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke next, “I liked the presentation regarding the water, but it was not put on the agenda. We were part of the blame for this. I also went to a meeting regarding sewer overflow.”
Luis Perez Jimenez spoke up next, “There will be another meeting regarding sewer overflow that will be on July 1 which we will present to the DEP.”
B.A. Carr said, “The draft of what will be presented is 175 pages.”
Luis Perez Jimenez continued and said, “We can do a presentation in Perth Amboy.”
Councilwoman Milady Tejeda spoke up next, “I want to thank you (Middlesex Water) for coming here and I believe the truth will come out.” She also congratulated all of the graduates of the Class of 2019.”
Council President Petrick said, “I appreciate Middlesex Water coming here tonight, but it should have been publicized. It’s important that we are transparent.”
