Quality of Life Issues & Taxes Discussed
7/10/19 Council Meeting
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – During the first public comments, Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up to question R-320-7/19 – The Amendment to the Focus 2020 Plan for Redevelopment Area #1 (Gateway) RE: Warehousing. He was against any warehousing being put in that area. “If you put up warehouses, you won’t be able to put any educational building there.” He requested that the Council table that resolution.
Council President William Petrick responded, “The plan was changed, and there will be no residential. The warehouses will finance the proposed project.”
Sierakowski then continued, “You should still table the resolution and put an office building or educational facility instead. It’s being limited (building warehouses there). You don’t need the Gateway to Perth Amboy to be warehouses. Let’s look at what New Brunswick did.”
Resident Alan Silber spoke next and stated he was against R-321-7/19 – Extending the contract with Peter J. King, Esq. and the lawfirm of King and Petracca, LLP to perform legal services beyond the regular duties of the Director of Law in an amount not to exceed $50,000.
Alan Silber explained, “King did not oversee the contractor that did the roof repair work at Olive Street like he said he would. King changed the nepotism ordinance. The Public Relations Officer during working hours sent out political press releases criticizing the Council. King said that the press releases were not political. King made political contributions to Wilda’s Team. King is conflicted. King should be removed. He (King) has to be recused from everything and he can’t be trusted.” Silber also said that King told a reporter from a daily newspaper that we (the City) were thinking of getting rid Adam Cruz for some time. “Why did he City wait so long to remove Cruz?”
Stanley Sierakowski came back up to talk about R-286-7/19 – CY:2019 Municipal Budget Amendment. He asked, “What is the dollar amount?”
B.A. Frederick Carr responded, “It is a 1% tax increase. There was an increase on some titles and deductions on some positions. It has gone to the State for review.”
Sierakowski then stated, “If it’s 1%, I’ll agree to it.”
Earlier in the Meeting, when they voted on the Ordinances, Ordinance No. 1 – 2020 Redevelopment Plan Gateway Re: Warehousing. (first reading) – Councilman Irizarry made a motion; it was seconded by Councilman Helmin Caba. Councilwoman Milady Tejeda who was the only one to vote “No.”
When it came to Ordinance No. 2 – Focus 2020 Redevelopment Plan for Area #3 (Industrial) RE: Billboards. (first reading) A motion was made by Irizarry; seconded by Caba. Council President Bill Petrick was the only one to vote, “No.”
When it came to Ordinance No. 3 – Focus 2020 Redevelopment Plan Area #1 (Gateway) RE: Cell Towers (first reading) – it was moved by Irizarry; seconded by Caba. Councilman Joel Pabon was the only one who voted “No.”
Ordinance No. 4 – Loading Zones; Ordinance No. 5 – Garbage, rubbish, reuse; Ordinance No. 6 – restricted parking spaces for use by handicapped persons regarding additions/deletions. (all first readings) They were all moved by Irizarry and seconded by Caba. Everyone voted “Yes.”
When it came to the consent agenda, the following were asked to be pulled to be voted on separately: R-320 was asked to be removed by Councilwoman Tejeda. R-321 was asked to be pulled by Council President Petrick. R-322 – Transfer of a retail consumption license at 519-521 State St. Casa del Toro Restaurant transferred to El Tiro de Baliloe Steak House Bar & Grill. This was pulled as well.
When it came to R-320, it was moved by Councilman Irizarry and seconded by Councilman Tejeda. When it came for the Council to vote, everyone voted “Yes” except Tejeda who voted, “No.”
When it came to R-321, Petrick stated, “We just did a contract for Peter King and his firm for $50,000 a few months ago. Why are so many of these contracts coming up now?” Petrick requested that R-321 be tabled. It was seconded by Councilman Joel Pabon. Everyone voted “Yes” to table. For R-322. It was moved by Milady Tejeda and seconded by Fernando Irizarry. Everyone voted “Yes” except Councilman Helmin Caba who abstained.
There was a late-starter R-323 dealing with 3 bars. One of the businesses was questioned by the Council because of neighborhood complaints. It was decided after the Resolution was put on the agenda, it was decided to exclude the one questionable establishment to just have 2 of the 3 businesses included. R-323 was tabled until the amendment could be made.
The amendment included only 2 renewal of 201-2020 Plenary Retail Consumption Licenses. Amada Pina t/a Latin Love Lounge, 460 State St., Inactive. The second license was for Jose De La Cruz t/a La Opccion, 176 New Brunswick Ave.
Public Portion: Resident Stanley Sierakowski was concerned about the billboards in Ordinance No. 2 in Redevelopment Area #3 (Industrial). He stated an instance when a former Governor had allowed individuals who were later indicted for putting up unauthorized billboards. He asked the Council if the person who wants to put up the billboards is an LLC. “You don’t see billboards going up on the roads from Highland Park into New Brunswick.” Sierakowski also questioned Ordinance No.3 RE: Cell Towers in Redevelopment Area #1 (Gateway). “Who made the deal with the Cell Tower and what is the land being used for?”
Council President William Petrick responded, “The penthouse on the building will house the antenna with a curtain around it.”
Resident Alan Silber came up next. He mentioned at the last Meeting; the Council moved an Ordinance regarding a liquor store. “The amendment will only last for 6 months. People have liquor licenses that are not in use.” He continued, “I have a picture taken at a fundraiser and the picture are 2 people that are suing the City. Peter King (Law Director) thought that this was not wrong. King denied giving money to a campaign. This whole thing with paying Adam Cruz. We did not have to pay him. He (King) is supposed to work for the Council and the Mayor.”
Sharon Hubberman spoke next in reference to R-321 (Contract with Peter King). “It’s bordering almost on pay-to-play. It’s about integrity and morality. You want to close the loophole regarding contributions made to individuals. You can close that loophole.”
Sharon then went on to talk on the property on the corner of Washington and High Street. “There’s a lot of soil. Is it hazardous?” She then talked about the property that used to be the Shell Gas Station located on the corner of New Brunswick Avenue and Convery Boulevard. “What’s going on there? There’s no signs posted.” She then asked that the deep potholes on Washington Street to Amboy Avenue be looked at. She also thanked the Council for allowing her to do the presentation (on the water quality).
Council Comments:
Councilman Helmin Caba thanked all those who made presentations this evening. He then mentioned about the upcoming activities for all to enjoy.
Councilman Fernando Irizarry thanked all who contributed to the Fourth of July Celebrations. “I was so proud to be an American. I was so inspired.” He also suggested the Rent Leveling Board needs to be reactivated. “Landlords may raise rents (taxes are going up). The Ordinances say the homes that have renters have to be registered. That will be the job of the Rent Leveling Board. If it’s (Rent Leveling Board) not active, then we should eliminate it. I also want to thank those involved in the roads that were paved. Rector Street still needs to be paved. Where are we at this point?”
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke next. “I, the Mayor, and Councilwoman Milady Tejada have been talking with the Board of Education about opening up Elizabeth Street. The cul-de-sac by the Wilentz School on First Street needs to be opened up. Hubberman’s presentation was very good. I asked Luis Perez-Jimenez to look at the information (that Hubberman provided). I want to thank Kenny Ortiz (Director of Department of Recreation) and his staff for the summer activities provided. Other towns are copying our movie nights. I want to thank Juan Carlos who works in Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez’s office. I talked to him to address the lights that were out at the train station. They are now fixed. Some others were out. I called again and they were fixed. Maybe there is something else going on. We pay high taxes.” He also mentioned on Rector Street they need to patch to fix or patch the holes there.”
Councilwoman Milady Tejeda stated, “We want to lift up the town.” She thanked the Recreation Department and congratulated the cooperation between the Board of Education and the Council. She also mentioned that she has received a lot of pictures of dirty streets from the residents.
Council President Bill Petrick said, “We thank those coming to the Council Meetings and those watching in TV land.” He thanked Hubberman for her presentation. He then told Councilman Irizarry that the Rent Leveling Board isn’t responsible for landlord’s raising the rent. “That is not a function of the Rent Leveling Board. Owners of rental properties can register at the Clerk’s Office.”
