3/11/20 Council Meeting
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – Deputy Police Chief Lawrence Cattano presented an update of what the city is doing in response to the public’s concerns of the outbreak of the corona virus. He stated, “There is cross-training in all departments so that there is more than one person who can be assigned to do needed tasks. We are making sure that all necessary equipment is sanitized and there are enough cleaning supplies on hand. We are coordinating efforts with our hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and medical entities.”
Business Administrator Frederick Carr had some comments concerning Code Blue situations, “There should be a 6-foot distance from individuals who may be suffering symptoms. Clean your work area with wipes and disinfectants. Make sure you always wash your hands.”
Cattano then continued, “If someone comes into the hospital with symptoms and further testing is needed, samples are then sent to the state. If it’s warranted, the state will send samples to the CDC. I was recently on a conference call with the White House. We discussed small business loans with low interest. The department of education is looking to relaxing the rules for those to graduate. We may recoup monies due to the corona virus if we have to use additional manpower.” Cattano also talked about the possibility of closing of schools and people who display mild symptoms may have to do self-isolation. People can also pay their bills for taxes and water online.
For the first public portion on agenda items only, Resident Ken Balut came up first. He referred to R-115-3/20 – A hazardous discharge site remediation grant from the Department of Environmental Protection. He talked about the Kushner properties again, and that a developer was given $5 million for their land. “It’s taken $20 million to clean up the place. This is a $9 million grant and it’s disgusting to give it to a developer. Since 2006, the Kushner properties have been a rathole. Kushner has been selling condos in Long Branch for $2.5 million for one condo. When I and Fernando Gonzalez were on the council, we wanted to break Kushner’s contract. Code Enforcement does nothing, and you should have the state investigate that department. Take control of PARA.”
Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up next. “Kushner has interest in that property (discussed on R-115). His contract is voidable and that property is probably worth double that was paid for the land. Get a qualified lawyer. They may think you are not qualified to make decisions. The mayor extended the contract that you can void.”
Sierakowski again urged the council to table R-100 (Refunding money to Seabra’s Armory for the Family Day Event). “The Armory prevented residents from parking in their lot. You loaned the Armory $400,000 and that money was not paid back.”
Vince Mackiel came up next. He had concerns about the new road by Second Street. “You need to look that along with what you want to do with the road along First Street (to relieve the congestion for the schools and the residents). You will be giving up recreational space.”
Mackiel was also concerned that the city was not doing enough when it came to deal with the corona virus. “We’ve lost facilities in Perth Amboy and we need spaces to add new beds. For the underinsured, there will not be enough doctors. We need new hospitals. China added new beds overnight. We need new hospitals. The city should apply for new beds now and have this as a primary obligation.”
Carr responded, “It was warehouses that were turned into hospitals (in China). Putting an application in for new hospitals is not viable. We have a robust health system.”
Cattano came up to address Mackiel, “I’ve been employed for 30 years at Robert Wood Johnson and Perth Amboy Hospital. There are areas in those hospitals that could be converted into treatment areas. Large tents have been ordered for Perth Amboy and Old Bridge. Statewide. We have EMS, Task Forces, and Field Hospitals, but there is certain information that cannot be divulged for security purposes. We have many emergency situations protocols in place.”
There was a lengthy discussion concerning the ordinance entitled: Wreckers (Towers). Council President William Petrick had questions regarding storage fees, call cancellations, how fees are displayed on the tow truck vehicles, and fees that are charged by the towers when cars are left in their garages for an extended period of time. Petrick was concerned that considering the city’s average income level, he felt the fees were too steep.
Later during the public portion, Adele Tawfik came up and explained, “When it came to pick up oil spills, depending on the spill, it’s 5-6 gallons of antifreeze in an average car. The labor charge is only one aspect. There are a lot of components involved.” He responded to Petrick’s statement, Tawfik answered, “When a car is towed, they should have 12 hours of free storage before they pick it up. I feel that 8 hours is enough time. Nobody disappears from their car for more that 8 hours. The rates are pretty fair, and we are below what the fees that the state charges. There is a fatality every 6 days for tow drivers. Give us what we deserve. We have been going through this for the last 10 years.”
Another tower who has a company on Second Street talked about the fees he incurs just when he has to get someone to start a truck just to go out. I lose almost $100 a day on cleanups. Transmission fluid is the most dangerous to clean up. If there is an accident involving glass, it may take us from 1-2 hours to do that. With some of these fees, we are not even breaking even. Sometimes we don’t get any payment for the cleanups.”
When it came to vote on the resolution, R-93 thru R-114 and R-118 thru R-120 was moved by Councilman Fernando Irizarry and seconded by Councilman Joel Pabon.
R-116 – Overriding the Mayor’s veto of an ordinance dissolving PARA and designating the city council as the redevelopment entity for the city of Perth Amboy and enjoining those previously approved redevelopment projects identified in this ordinance pending review and further action by the city council.
R-117 – Overriding the Mayor’s veto of an ordinance entitled “An ordinance to amend an ordinance entitled Redevelopment adopted May 28. 1997 a.k.a. Chapter 99 et seq. of the code of the city of Perth Amboy.
R-116 and R-117 were pulled to be voted on separately. When it came to vote, Councilman Fernando Irizarry and Councilman Joel Pabon voted “No”. Councilman Helmin Caba, Councilwoman Milady Tejeda, and Council President Bill Petrick voted “Yes”. Motion did not pass (4 votes were needed to pass the resolutions involving PARA).
The reasons that were given for voting “No” are that Irizarry was concerned about the onslaught of lawsuits from developers that were already approved for their projects. Petrick reminded Irizarry that Perth Amboy is “hot property” for developers. “And presently PARA is operating fast and loose. We need to look at the projects that had caused them to lose money. There were decisions made by a small group of people.”
Tejeda agreed with Petrick, “We have to take the bull by the ring.”
Petrick also stated, “Everyone is suing us already. We don’t review everything that PARA is doing now.” Tejeda also questioned R-115 dealing with property for remediation that still belongs to the city. She questioned, “What will happen to that grant money if we turn down that resolution?”
B.A. Carr responded, “If we don’t use the grant, it would go somewhere else.”
Public Portion:
Resident Balut came up, “PARA has been a scam since the Joe Vas situation. There’s no overlook on the Kushner property and Kushner keeps benefiting. Former B.A. Peter Pellisier told me we are getting $4 million from Kushner. The city is now faced with over a million-dollar lawsuit the police filed under an unfair labor practice. The firemen contract starts at $41,000 for the first year. I guess other employees are more important than the police who should be at least on the equal level than the firemen. You guys changed the police contract after they agreed to it.”
Irizarry challenged Balut and stated, “That doesn’t change what the police agreed to in the past.”
Balut came back and said, “When I was negotiating the contract for the police department, they all got raises.” Balut told the council that they need to read the unfair labor practices against them. You don’t read the lawsuits because no one cares.”
Stanley Sierakowski came up. “The council can save money with property such as Simpson Methodist Church Clock. I’m not against fixing the clock, but you need to see what the individual contract called for. Maybe you can get the state or the church to accept responsibility for the cost. Go higher to the state church. Maybe they could help out.”
Resident and businesswoman Sharon Hubberman came up. She talked about the measures taking place regarding the corona virus. “We want to be ahead of the curve.” She then tackled the two resolutions: R-115 and R-116 (regarding PARA). “To dissolve the entity is not the direction to go. We have a lot of vacancies. You need different input and I’m glad the resolutions didn’t pass.” She was happy to report the lights in her part of town are being fixed. “I appreciate the council looking out for the residents but regret the PBA litigation.”
Jeremy Baratta came up. “I looked at Wilda’s veto letter regarding the two PARA resolutions. I’m astounded the mayor couldn’t find 7 qualifying people out of a population of 60,000 people to apply for PARA. I applied and Stanley said he applied. I believe that Kenny Balut also said he applied for PARA.” Baratta then ask, “What does the word “enjoin” mean?”
Substitute Law Director Roman B. Himiak said he couldn’t go into more detail.
Baratta then asked the council if the get the PARA minutes. “I haven’t seen any PARA meetings posted. Do you get cancellation of your meetings?”
Petrick replied, “Speaking for myself. No.”
Baratta concluded, “A scheme has been said. There’s been encumbered services and land and funds going thru PARA.”
Resident Lisa Nanton came up. She congratulated the council for holding the line on the taxes. The homeowners own the burden of property taxes and they were not happy with the raises going to people who were disrespectful during meetings. The most valuable real estate in the United States is the shoreline, but PARA does not take advantage of it. The mayor appoints people to PARA and she benefits along with other politicians who get contributions from developers.”
Nanton then turned her attention to historic buildings, “We suggested the Copperworks building could be used as a museum. The Planning Board was asked to tour the building. Only Petrick toured the building. The Copperworks was a historic building which didn’t need to be abolished. PARA had a $3 million debt with nothing to show for it. PARA is not for the people. It’s for the politicians.”
Council Comments:
Before the comments started, B.A. Carr wanted to give an update on the barriers on the Rte. 35 Bridge. “The DOT said they won’t remove the barriers. They flat out refused.”
Pabon then commented, “Some of the barriers have been tipped over for a while which shows the DOT hasn’t been that area for a while.”
Irizarry heard the DOT was coming to Perth Amboy to discuss the Rte.35 road.
Carr responded, “They are coming to Perth Amboy to discuss something else.”
Irizarry said, “They should come at night so people can attend the meetings.”
Carr said, “I’ll make sure the DOT knows this.”
Helmin Caba had no comments.
Fernando Irizarry cautioned the public, “Don’t make comments that are not verified. Everyone should remain calm during the Corona Virus outbreak.”
Joel Pabons said, “We are all ears and appreciate all you say. Not everyone has a computer.” He also requested if they get the lawsuit filed by the PBA filed under unfair labor practice. “Stay safe and use common sense.”
Milady Tejeda thanked everyone who gave an update on what’s being implemented in the city regarding the corona virus situation. “North Brunswick is closing their schools. Be cautious. We are all going to miss Mr. Massopust.”
Bill Petrick sent his sympathies to Mr. Massopust’s family. “Mrs. Massopust, his wife is also an educator.” He signed off by telling everyone, “Be careful, especially for those with compromised immune systems. We are all susceptible.”
