7/15/20 Business & Council Meeting via phone conferencing

By: Katherine Massopust

SOUTH AMBOY – The 7/15/20 South Amboy Business and Council Meetings were merged into one meeting. The first order of business was to discuss the grievance that the PBA filed against the Business Administrator. Council Vice President Christine Noble recused herself from the discussion and vote but remained on the line to listen with approval from the council.

PBA Representative Brian Noble brought the PBA Attorney: Mike Bukowski, who spoke for the PBA. “We have a grievance filed in a schedule change with the COVID-19 crisis. This type of grievance has become common. Other towns had grievances. They sat down with the town and worked out the new schedule. I sent the town (South Amboy) letters and got no response form anybody. I’m not sure who made the decision and if it was ultimately made. As a result, a lot of unfortunate things occurred. When we went to 12 hours (shift), a lot of issues occurred. Some people were working nights, the wrong people were put in supervisory positions. We have a contract. If the town wants to put 12 hours shifts, the officers get overtime. Instead of working 15 days a month, say they work 12 hours a day with no overtime. South Amboy is the only town that didn’t do that. That is not what the contract says. We put in a grievance and got no response. Now this is all done. We have to comply with the contract. The contract calls for extra pay. The contract is very clear. Emergencies happen all the time. People have kids, spouses, obligations.”

Business Administrator Glenn Skarzynski made his statement, “I have 2 issues: first addressed is the initial grievance. The second is with the council. The council upheld the grievance. There was a provision in the contract with schedule change. As far as overtime pay, I did not see that in the contract. Article 10; Section 2 on all overtime on over 40 hours/week. Overtime is calculated on a 40-hour work week. We took normal action. Overtime is calculated at 4.1 hours a week. We paid retroactive of the payroll. I’m willing to look at the contract.”

Council President Mickey Gross then requested that after the meeting, the two parties (B.A. Skarzynski and the PBA) sit down and make a phone call offline to work out this out. Both parties agreed to do this. Gross noted that South Amboy has the best police department around.

There was a discussion regarding the proposed vaping ordinance. Law Director Francis Womack explained the proposed ordinance. “The model came out in Piscataway. It takes in account our zoning and takes into account the areas where there is exposure to vaping. We allow vaping sales to occur in the business district and the Rte. 35 business district (within a certain distance). There is a 500-meter circumference in the types of places (to prohibit sales) such as: schools, firehouses, churches, etc.” Womack went on to explain the distances on Broadway and on Bordentown Avenue and on Rte. 35. “We can’t control this 100%. We never know what the future will hold. We allow vaping within limited areas and certain distances in a 500-meter radius.”

Councilman Thomas Reilly thanked Law Director Womack for getting this done. “We all know how dangerous this is.” Reilly reminded everyone that 500 meters is approximately 1640 feet (the length of 5½ football fields).

There was another discussion regarding resident permit parking at the Fisherman’s parking lot. Law Director Womack stated that under South Amboy’s current city codes, it does not let the fisherman’s parking lot become a South Amboy resident parking lot.

There was a brief discussion regarding No. 07-2020 – establishing standards for electronic meetings. Councilman Thomas Reilly asked how it will be determined if the public is able to participate.

City Clerk Debra Brooks replied that the council uses the same system that the public is using.

There was a question from the public from Resident Bill DeMasi who asked if a link to the meeting and could be copied the calendar so you could click on it and add it to your Google Calendar. It was noted by City Clerk Brooks that if the council can get on to the meeting then so can the public because they are on the same system.

B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated that putting the link of the meeting on Google Calendar could be done.

Council Comments:

Councilman Thomas Reilly mentioned the illegal palate business that needs to be addressed. He also mentioned the issue involving senior parking behind city hall.

B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated he didn’t get to the senior parking yet because there are still other issues that have to take priority.

Reilly asked about the progress between the Progressive and Enterprise Firehouses.

Skarzynski stated that the fire companies are not being merged and there is an ongoing discussion with the Fire Department leadership regarding moving the firehouse.

Councilman Reilly then asked about a resident who complained about a bamboo issue in his backyard.

B.A. Skarzynski stated that the resident who has the bamboo (and it is growing on the neighbor’s property) has been sent a summons.

Reilly then asked about the 4-hour parking signs on First and Second Street and requested that this issue be put on the next agenda.

Reilly then added there is a fundraiser for Mike Coman who is having health issues. The fundraiser is on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at the Enterprise Firehouse. He noted that more information is on the South Amboy website. (See Page 10 of the Amboy Guardian) “It’s $100 per pair of people to participate. Mike has given so much to this town.”

Reilly then mentioned about PILOTS. “When taxes get raised, their taxes are locked in.”

Councilwoman Zusette Dato reminded everyone to support local businesses. She also reminded everyone to fill out their 2020 Census forms. “South Amboy is at 66.4% on participation (in the census). Over 30% have not yet participated. You can do it online. It’s confidential. Billions in funds of dollars rely on the census.”

Council Vice President Christine Noble reminded everyone to slow down when driving and be careful.

Councilman Brian McLaughlin thanked all the healthcare providers, the police and fire departments. He then asked about Cambridge.

B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated, “We had progress. Our Code Enforcement is on that. They have been informed in what they need to do.” He stated that their trucks keep on idling.

Board President Mickey Gross thanked City Clerk Debra Brooks and B.A. Glenn Skarzynski for putting this meeting together. He then spoke about the pandemic. “COVID-19 is still going on. This is not the time to let our guard down and our mask down. It is real! I thank the first responders, the fire department, the police department and everyone involved in the health department.”

Mayor Fred Henry thanked City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz for overseeing the streets being paved including Steven’s Avenue and O’Leary Boulevard and there are more roads to be paved.”

Public Portion:

John Street Resident William DeMasi made some comments, “I am the resident with the bamboo issue in my yard. Are they (the resident who has the bamboo growing everywhere including on his property) required to move the bamboo? It is not clear to the resident that they need to remove the bamboo.”

B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated, “Code Enforcement will make it clear to the owner that the bamboo needs to be removed.”

All council members were present. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.