Teleconferencing Technical Issues,
Corporate Distribution Center, Waterfront Parking Topics of Discussion
6_17_20 Council Meeting via Teleconference
By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – Resolution No. 07-2020 – An ordinance of the city council of the city of South Amboy establishing standards for electronic meetings in the city of South Amboy.
Councilman Thomas Reilly asked B.A. Glenn Skarzynski, “How do we know the public dialed in?”
B.A. Skarzynski explained when people log on, they pop up on the screen. If they disclose their name, it is recorded. If not, they are assigned as listed and recorded. He stated that there were 23 people participating in the meeting.
Reilly was concerned about technical issues and if the public had difficulty getting to login, that the meeting should be called off.
Council President Mickey Gross stated that if multiple people can’t login, the meeting should be cancelled, but if one person is having difficulties (due to their own issues), it might be different.
Law Director Francis Womack stated that they could make sure the electronic system is order.
Council President Gross stated, “We have to be realistic about this.”
Reilly assured everyone that he wanted it done the way B.A. Skarzynski laid it out and that if one person cannot dial in is one thing, but if seven can’t dial in that’s another.
Law Director Francis Womack stated, “We can include a clause if the information is correct and if the electronics are in working order.
Council Vice President Christine Noble asked, “What if no one is dialing in from the public?”
City Clerk Debra Brooks assured everyone that the council was using the same number as the public is using (if it is working for the council, it’s working for the public).
Womack advised for that situation; it wouldn’t require the meeting to be cancelled.
Councilwoman Zusette Dato asked, “On this particular ordinance, have other municipalities had any recent ordinances?”
Law Director Womack answered, “I have to go back and look, but several other states have done it.”
Ordinance No. 08-2020 – An ordinance of the city of South Amboy, county of Middlesex, New Jersey amending the Broadway/Main Street Redevelopment Plan.
Councilman Thomas Reilly asked about the plan to put a light industrial warehouse on Main Street.
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski explained that the plan is to put a 155,000 corporate distribution center on lower Main Street. He stated that this will be a clean industrial building and will be on what remains of developing (undeveloped property) in South Amboy.
Reilly asked if there were any PILOTS involved. He stated that he was weary of any more PILOTS in South Amboy.
Skarzynski stated he is sure the subject will come up.
Council President Mickey Gross stated that this project is in its early stages. “We are voting on a plan.”
B.A. Skarzynski assured the council that any PILOTS must go before the council.
Council Comments:
Councilwoman Zusette Dato said, “Monday is the first day we allowed local restaurants to open (with outdoor seating). “It’s all good. I encourage everyone to support our restaurants.”
Council Vice President Christine Noble asked, “Is outside dining allowed to be open later than 8 p.m.? Will those hours be increasing?”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski answered, “Closing time did not come from the state. We tried to pick a balance between peace in the neighborhood and businesses being open. We can revisit that.”
Councilman Thomas Reilly thanked the First Presbyterian Church, Friends of South Amboy, and St. Mary’s Food Pantry. He also thanked the Ancient Order of Hibernians who teamed up with the Friends of South Amboy to distribute meals to the needy.
Reilly also brought up about the same eyesore on First Street that was mentioned before at many council meetings. B.A. Skarzynski stated he would get back to him with an update.
Reilly again mentioned the pallet business. He also brought up a house which is located next to a playground on Roosevelt Avenue. “It’s been 8 years and that structure is still there.”
B.A. Skarzynski answered, “It’s bank owned and as long as it’s not collapsing, little can be done.” He explained that if the structure is uninhabitable it is different than a hazard.
Reilly congratulated the class of 2020. He also offered his condolences to the family of Police Chief Darren Lavigne on the passing of his father.
When asked about the First Aid Squad, Skarzynski told the council the meeting is tomorrow (6/18/20). Reilly asked that the results be shared of the conclusion at that meeting. Skarzynski stated it was up to the mayor if whether or not he wants to share that information with the council.
Reilly asked about the boarding house issue. Skarzynski answered that Jay Elliot (Director of Code Enforcement) is handing this matter with the State.
Reilly asked if there can be a grace period for the water/sewer bills.
Law Director Womack stated that they can draft an ordinance to make it happen.
Reilly then asked about the vaping ordinance. Womack said they certainly can do it.
Councilman Brian McLaughlin expressed his condolences to the family of Chief Lavigne and First Responders. He stated that a suspect had been apprehended in the homicide at the South Amboy Train Station.
McLaughlin asked about Cambridge.
B.A. Skarzynski stated that Code Enforcement came for a rather lengthy visit and told them what needed to be done.
McLaughlin then asked for an explanation of Vote-by-Mail.
Councilwoman Zusette Dato answered, “I just posted the first of the flyers we received from the county. At the voting places there only will be provisional ballots.”
McLaughlin asked about parking.
B.A. Skarzynski stated we need a study on parking. “We were in the process, then the pandemic happened.”
Law Director Francis Womack emphasized that it needs to be time related study.
Council President Mickey Gross stated, “Hats off to Glenn Skarzynski, Jay Elliot, the police department, and everyone to make outside dining. It was a joint effort by a lot of people. It was a priority getting these restaurants open in less than two weeks.”
Mayor Fred Henry also extended his condolences to Chief Lavigne. He thanked the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Friends of South Amboy. Over 100 meals were served. He then noted, “The American Legion is having a flag retirement ceremony on July 9th at 6 p.m. at the Fisher’s Lodge. The South Amboy Seniors are having friendly graduation posts and pictures of seniors on Broadway. On Monday, the library opened for curbside pickup.” He then added, “Anybody who would like to join the Rotary Club, please contact them.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski thanked everyone for their efforts. He thanked the city clerk and the incredible staff.
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz stated there were city improvements going on and to be careful driving. “Stevens Avenue is being re-milled. O’Leary Boulevard has new curbing and sidewalks. It will be milled and repaired.”
Public Portion:
Resident William DeMasi was the first person to speak. “There are cars racing down the street at all hours from 10 p.m., sometimes from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. Is there anything that can be done about this?”
Mayor Fred Henry answered DeMasi, “Get in touch with the police department. Obviously, we don’t want anyone speeding around.”
The next person to speak was Lisa Joseph. “I want to thank the first responders and healthcare workers. I have a deep appreciation on how difficult it is for them. The Fisherman’s Parking Lot in the Waterfront, we have an amazing beachfront as an unpolished gem. The parking lot is at maximum capacity in the morning. I understand it is a free beach to be enjoyed by everyone. The parking lot is being used by everyone here. It has an extremely high traffic use. Is there any way we have South Amboy resident’s parking? We have a lot of overflow in parking. There is extensive parking at the county park. Can we open the school parking lot for parking? Maximizing with one-hour park opening or have something to cater to South Amboy residents? We need to look at parking for residents.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski answered Lisa Joseph’s concerns, “I asked Ms. Joseph to join the public portion.”
Council President Mickey Gross said, “I think you have a valid point and it’s something worth looking into.”
Joseph said, “This might be one thing of three months of quarantine. We should not turn away our residents. The development can only take so much parking. We just came off 3 months of quarantine.”
Councilwoman Dato said, “It’s an interesting idea. How would we monitor it? We would have to man it 24 hours. That’s if the county says you can open the lot to 100% at this point.”
B.A. Skarzynski said, “There are a couple of options, whether it be a decal or badges.”
Gross added, “We should have a discussion to address this to make it right.”
Joseph then concluded, “All it takes is to put up a sign tomorrow. It’s something we can do now.”
Law Director Francis Womack requested that the council go into a closed session to discuss litigation. The council went into closed session at 8:26 p.m. All council members were present.
