7/8/19 South Amboy Business Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – There were a number of topics discussed at the 7/8/19 Business Meeting.
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz stated that two different applications were sent in for a grant to pave North Feltus Street and Sixth Street. He stated that last year North Broadway was paved.
Business Item e.) Resolution Authorizing an Agreement Between the Township of Woodbridge and the City of South Amboy for Animal Control. Council President Mickey Gross stated, “They do a phenomenal job. If you know the hassles other towns have with animal control, we are lucky.”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato asked, “I have a question about animal control. How much activity do we have?”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated, “We have more than our fair share of activity. We have our share of complaints.
Council President Mickey Gross stated, “Animal control is an issue in every community.”
Business Item j.) Resolution Declaring JADS Construction Company of NJ Inc., to be in Default of Agreement to Perform Stevens Avenue Road Improvements and Authorizing that Certain Actions be Taken by the City of South Amboy to Compete the Project and Charges Against the Performance Bond.
Mark Rasimowicz explained that Stevens Avenue’s repairs were below par and the contractor was supposed to repair the road.
Councilman Brian McLaughlin asked, “Did you send any complaints, so he doesn’t get to do any more public contracts?”
Rasimowicz explained, “We have a bond for our repairs. He (JADS Construction) is willing to do the work but not to work with the manufacturer of the asphalt. I want to get this work done before winter.”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato asked, “Explain if we will take bond to withhold money.”
Rasimowicz stated, “The Contractor has not been paid for asphalt. The town performance bond – that’s a guarantee he completes the work. This could push him to come and do it. We need to take the first step to call in the performance bond.
Law Director Francis Womack stated, “We called. He said everything is fine.”
There was a discussion on Ordinance #14-2019: Ordinance entitled an ordinance to fix union minimum and maximum salaries. Also Ordinance #15-2019: Ordinance entitled an ordinance to fix non-union minimum and maximum salaries.
Councilman Tom Reilly asked, “How is this going to impact what we have now? What are we adding and deleting?”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski explained, “3 or 4 will get significant bumps up. We have instances with two positions: one with less service making more money than one with more one more experience. There is no provision to advance them in a salary. We sat with the union and clearly defined where you are in year one and where you are in year ten. It explains why the matrix and how it is set up. This benefits us from a budget perspective. There were titles we never use and looking forward have no use for. We did add some titles. We anticipate the City is going to grow. We have the ability to do that. We don’t have to keep coming back. We have the option to regularly add to titles. We prefer to promote from within and we provide the training and the title.”
Council President Mickey Gross stated, “If a man passes a test, he should be promoted instantly.”
B.A. Skarzynski stated, “We’re ready. It was explained in detail.”
The next topic of discussion was #16-2019: An Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Ordinance No. 27-02. This Ordinance dealt with increasing the sewer rates.
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski explained the need for increasing the sewer rates. “Ideally the sewer system will be self-sustaining. It’s user-based instead of flat taxes. We’re getting hit with pretty substantial repair bills. The new one on Pine Avenue is in the $60,000 range. We’re hoping not to pull from the tax base.” Skarzynski stated that the sewers need to be upgraded and recommended an increase in sewer rates.
There was a discussion of whether the increase should be in one foul swoop or incremental. If the increase was in a one time raise, it would be a $44.24/year increase depending on usage which would translate to 18 Cents/Day. It was also proposed to have an either incremental increase by year or month. The Council debated which would be the best choice of the three options.
B.A. Skarzynski stated that any of the three choices would solve the problem in three years from now. “The way it is structured, we will be essentially the most used will billed more. We did preserve the discounts for seniors and the disabled.”
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz stated, “In the past, it was a lot more. We’re planning to upgrade two pump stations.”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin asked, “Why are we always putting this off?”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato stated, “We have a big problem. If it’s a chronic issue, we have to do it.”
Councilman Thomas Reilly stated, “I’m not for it. We have a zero tax increase and now we are putting a essentially a tax increase.”
Council Vice-President Christine Noble stated, “We haven’t raised our sewer rates in 10 years.”
Skarzynski then stated, “10 to 11 years.”
Council Vice-President Noble stated, “Do it incrementally.”
Dato said, “The problem is getting worse.”
Skarzynski advised the Council, “Once you pass it – it takes time to collect it.”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin advised, “A one shot deal – I’m not for it. I’m looking out for a fixed income person.”
After two votes the Council decided to raise the sewer rates incrementally by a yearly increase. Councilman Thomas Reilly voted “No” to the increase.
Council Comments:
Councilwoman Zusette Dato stated, “The fireworks were fabulous. At the park, I saw families. It was such a good feeling – a great joint effort between Perth Amboy and South Amboy.”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin had no comments.
Councilman Thomas Reilly stated, “Great job with the fireworks.” He then asked about municipal court appearances being mandatory for first time offences, especially minor ones.
Councilman Brian McLaughlin answered, “I was told by residents, yes they have to appear.”
B.A. Skarzynski stated, “We want to make possible they don’t have to do it.”
Council President Mickey Gross stated, “First time you get a warning, then the second time, they send you a ticket and you have to appear.”
Reilly stated, “Something like not putting a lid on garbage cans – you shouldn’t have to go to court.”
Skarzynski stated, “You are talking about a warning versus a summons.”
Reilly then added, “I’ve known people who had to shut down their business or take a day off from work (to go to court).”
Skarzynski said, “There is a balance to be gotten. Will a simple knock on a door or is it a grievance that needs a summons? Right now, it’s 60% warnings and 40% summons.”
Mayo Fred Henry stated, “Congratulations on the Fireworks. Everyone including the Police, Fire, First Aid – everyone – it was the best fireworks show.”
The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m. The open meeting followed. All the resolutions passed. Thomas Reilly voted no to Resolution #16-2019. All other resolutions were passed unanimously.
