10/23/19 Council Meeting
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – During the first public portion on agenda items only, resident Stanley Sierakowski came up to talk about R-465 – 10/19 – A contract with the law firm of Gluck Walrath, LLP for legal services to evaluate the PILOT of E-Port 1 in conjunction with an audit in the amount not to exceed $10,000.
Sierakowski questioned, “Who ordered this?”
Council President Petrick responded, “It was the administration. This will see how much it would cost the city and how much the school is losing.”
Sierakowski continued, “PILOTS are supposed to give projections. In Hudson County, they revised PILOTS. PILOTS are negotiable.”
Resident Lisa Nanton came up next. She questioned R-459-10/19 – Recovery on the Waterfront – A nonprofit corporation, for its use of the clubhouse within the Memorial Youth Complex from January 1st, 2020 and terminating December 31st, 2020.
She wanted to know what is that, and where is that.
Council President William Petrick responded, “This organization does counseling, and lost their facilities when the tennis courts burned down. The group has been on the waterfront for four years.”
Nanton then questioned, “Why are the bathrooms locked on the waterfront?”
Petrick stated that there was an individual that was messing up the facility.
Nanton then asked if cameras could be installed.
Petrick answered that it can’t be monitored by cameras inside the bathroom because of invasion of privacy.
Nanton, “What you need are surveillance cameras on the outside and a police presence.”
When it came to the ordinances, Business Administrator Frederick Carr asked that Ordinance No. 1 – The Wreckers be pulled as per requested by the Chief of Police. “The Chief would like to look at this ordinance further. The council made minor changes to the ordinance which will be kept intact.” Councilman Irizarry made a motion that the ordinance be tabled. It was seconded by Joel Pabon.
Lisa Nanton had a question regarding Ordinance No. 2 – Capital Improvements and appropriating $4,195,480.00 and authorizing the issuance of $3,985,706.00 in bonds or notes of the city to finance part of the cost thereof.
B.A. Carr explained, “Some of the items involved 3 vehicles in the public works, a printer laminator, and turnout gear in the fire department, road paving and construction. $1 million involves the new school. Improvements to the marine parking lot, fire apparatus, a fingerprinting system, mini-sweepers, a tractor-trailer vehicle, the heating system in city hall, and other items related to that in city hall. Items in this ordinance was in the city’s budget.”
For the consent agenda, R-455-10/19 thru R-467-10/19 was moved by Councilman Irizarry and seconded by Councilman Joel Pabon.
During the last public portion, a resident from 715 Cortlandt St. came up because she was disappointed about the shoddy work that was done when waterlines across the street from where she lived had to be dug up. “They did a shoddy job and it looks like the street is breaking up again where they did the work. They are charging me for repairs, and this work is done across the street from where I live. I pay almost $10,000 a year in taxes. They messed up the blocks in front of my house. I had to put something there so people wouldn’t break their legs. It took them months before they even came to take care of the leaks.”
Council President Petrick explained that the water and gas lines run on both sides of the street. Your homeowner’s policy might have a rider on your service line.”
B.A. Carr went on to explain, “This problem with the waterline started last year in July. The water company had to fix the line. There are two houses involved. The municipal water line was across the street. The homeowner is responsible for the repairs from the main to their home. There was a leak in the 30-foot line. In April, the resident got the tax bill and it went through a tax sale, but she was taken off of that sale list. Ken Ortiz from the Department of Recreation and Human Services is checking for different services that can help people with payment plans who are behind because of leaks occurring.”
The resident stated, “I have never been behind on my taxes or water bill. It looks to me like the water leak is about to happen again.”
Carr continued, “The bricks that were in front of the resident’s property were at the curb line.”
Councilman Irizarry then questioned, “What can we do about those displaced bricks?”
Carr explained, “We tried to contact the homeowner without any luck.”
Petrick spoke up, “Usually the city charges less than a private contractor (when there’s a break in the waterline).” He then asked, “Can the city take out a policy to help with repairs?” He then asked B.A. Carr, “Maybe you can talk to the water company to see if you can replace the bricks that they dug up from the homeowner’s property and give them back to the homeowner.”
The resident said, “There are still holes where the water company dug up. The holes are as big as a head.”
Petrick added, “It’s an old section of town.”
Carr said, “I will talk to all people involved (to try to come up with a solution).”
Alberto Rosario from 76 Gordon Street came up to speak next who spoke in Spanish. Councilman Irizarry translated for him. Rosario explained that he had an accident in 2016 and has gone through 3 surgeries. “I had my last surgery on July 7th of this year. On July 10th, I applied for handicapped parking. It has been 4 months and I have gotten no response. There are 2 no-parking signs because of cleaning on Wednesday and Thursday on certain hours and 2 more signs were put up in addition. I’m waiting for a response to see if I can get handicapped parking. At certain times of the day after I drop my kids off in school, sometimes I am in my car driving around 3-4 hours looking for a parking space. If I filled all the requirements to get a handicapped parking space, why is it taking so long?”
Law Director King responded, “It’s in an ordinance tonight. (No.2).”
Irizarry spoke up and explained, “It was approved, and it will be given to you in December.”
City Clerk Victoria Kupsch explained the procedure is when the Council votes on an ordinance, after 20 days it goes in the newspaper and when it is printed in the newspaper, it becomes law.
Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up next. He spoke about when Ken Oritz came here to speak about the land swap between the city and the Board of Education, specifically about the half-acre on Seaman Avenue and the acre of land at Flynn School. “The city doesn’t want to develop the Seaman Avenue property and its contaminants. It’s too expensive to remediate. The standard to build housing is higher than what you need for a parking lot. Let the city donate the land and sell it for $1 to the Board of Education and let the school take care of it. Get the property assessed. The city wants the property on the corner of New Brunswick Avenue and East Avenue. That is the jewel. Don’t do anything until there is an appraisal.”
Resident Vince Mackiel came up next. He talked about Communication No. 19 – Business Administrator Frederick Carr advising that proactive actions have reduced the levels of TTHM in the water system and the quarterly running average is below 80.
Mackiel stated, “The water needs improvement and so does the entire water system. This issue goes back to the 1970’s. I addressed this in May when I talked about the BASF site. What are you going to do about that site? In Toms River, they are turning one of their contaminated sites into a superfund site. The Federal Government will have to clean up and monitor the site. The city should be sending one to investigate that site. It needs a new solution.”
Resident Lisa Nanton came up and referenced Communication No. 6. She asked, “Who is Wenzel (Planning Board Attorney) advising? It’s not a belief – it’s an ordinance.”
Council President who is on the Planning Board stated, “We didn’t know about this and he decided on his own to submit this letter. I don’t remember him (Wenzel) discussing this at a Planning Board Meeting. The HPC should revise the ordinance to make it stronger.”
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up and suggested they pull the ordinance and take a look at it.
Nanton then commented about Communication No. 19. “In the 1990’s, the waterlines were displaced. Will they be replaced? There are 5,000 gallons of water a minute going through the current waterline. If that line goes, we will be forced to buy water.”
Council Comments:
Councilman Fernando Irizarry was first. He requested there be an audit on the UEZ employees. “Maybe we need to change the educational requirements for department heads. I look at what other towns require and some of those requirements include a master’s degree.”
Law Director King responded, “There may be additional costs.”
Irizarry continued, “Some of them may have to be grandfathered in, but I’m looking at the future.” He then again warned the public about people coming into the neighborhoods to question them who their utility carriers are. “Call city hall.” He also mentioned the November 5th election coming up and urged all to participate on this day. “Use your right to vote.”
Councilman Joel Pabon said he wanted to talk about positive things happening in the town, especially in the Recreation Department, “Check their Facebook Page and Twitter. The Prop House had many great events this year and still more to come. Enjoy what’s happening in the city now and what’s to come. We have 65,000 people and only 15,000 voted. It’s important to vote, especially with this Board of Education Election coming up. All the parks in the city are very busy (with activity). I want to thank everyone who came out today and talking about your concerns.”
Councilman Milady Tejeda said, “I want everyone to be safe on Halloween. Come out to vote on November 5th and our (school) district is moving forward. It’s our town and we should take care of it.”
Council President William Petrick warned residents of the scammers going around to different communities and to call the police for suspicious activity. He mentioned that the YMCA and the JRF are holding a Trunk or Treat for Halloween. He told the parents and guardians make to check your children’s bags to make sure everything is safe to eat. He thanked all those watching out on TV land and all who came.
Councilman Helmin Caba was absent due to illness.
