Upcoming Election,
New Fire Apparatus, Beach Cleaning & Serving on Boards
Among Topics for Discussion
8/19/20 Business & Council Meeting
Via Teleconference
By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – First on the agenda was a brief discussion of the grievance between the PBA and the Business Administrator. B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated he spoke briefly with the PBA attorney. Skarzynski stated he needed more time to review the contract with the PBA attorney. Council President Gross suggested the matter be discussed at the September Meeting.
It was later noted in the public portion by PBA Representative Brian Noble that this has been going on for 4 months and to wait until September it would be a 5th month. B.A. Skarzynski noted that if no agreement is made, the matter will go before the council and they will either uphold or dismiss the grievance.
The next matter for discussion was parking on First and Second Streets. B.A. Skarzynski stated the police were notified about this issue. Councilman Thomas Reilly asked that residents should not be ticketed for parking on the street they live on. Reilly gave the example of a resident who works the night shift and sleeps during the day and would be subject to getting ticketed. B.A. Skarzynski stated that the council cannot tell the police to not do their job. Skarzynski stated he will reinforce Reilly’s request to the police.
The next item for discussion was a Planning Board Representative from the council. It was noted that this was required by the state. No one volunteered.
Next on the agenda was Resolution #20-257 (carried from the July 15th Meeting) – Authorizing for shared services with Woodbridge Township for Animal Control Services.
It was noted by City Clerk Debra Brooks that she reached out to Woodbridge and determined that there is no extra charge for services for weekend hours.
There was a discussion regarding Resolution #20-265 – Authorizing the Mayor or his designee to execute the purchase and installation of public lighting improvements in various locations in the City of South Amboy from FSG New Jersey through the Keystone Purchasing Network.
Councilman Thomas Reilly asked what location the streetlights were being replaced. B.A. Glenn Skarzynski answered that every streetlight on Broadway, the 100 Block of Augusta. He stated LED lights will be replacing each streetlight on Broadway, using the same poles the old lights were on.
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz discussed Resolution #20-270 – Resolution awarding contract for the various road improvements in 2020 – PM Construction. He stated that on First, Second, Augusta, and Church Streets there will be milling and paving. It will begin in one month.
There was a discussion on Resolution #20-271 – Resolution authorizing the mayor or his designee to execute the purchase of two e-one typhoon model FS19JCO5 Fire Apparatus through the Houston Galveston Area Council (“H-GAC”) Cooperative Purchasing Program.
It was noted by B.A. Glenn Skarzynski that the apparatus will arrive in one year from now after everything is said and done. Council President Mickey Gross stated that the plan was to have the apparatus by Labor Day 2021 to be ready for the 2021 Fireman’s Convention in Wildwood. There will be two new pumpers with a full complement of gear. B.A. Glenn Skarzynski answered that two trucks will come out of service and because of the age of the old vehicles they most likely will be scrapped.
There was a discussion on Ordinance No. 10-2020 – An Ordinance of the City of South Amboy limiting and prohibiting the sale of vaping products and e-cigarettes in certain places within the B-1 General Business Zone of the city. (first reading)
Law Director Francis Womack stated that the ordinance was to protect certain members of the community. “Our approach is to look at the city as a whole and identify the parts of the town that has certain places such as daycare centers, and it establishes what distance where a business can sell vaping products. It’s essentially a zoning ordinance.”
Council Comments:
Council Vice President Christine Noble said, “Great job with the beach this year. A big shoutout to everyone including the DPW. Thank you, guys!”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato said, “Although I did not have the pleasure to know Mike Coman (who recently died), we extend our sympathy to his family. The fundraiser is this Sunday (August 23, 2020). I thank the community for all the work at the food pantry.” Noble noted that the number of families being served had significantly increased over the last month. Noble thanked the Friends of South Amboy, St. Mary’s Food Pantry, and the First Presbyterian Church. “If you can’t donate goods, donate money or just volunteer your time.”
Dato then spoke about the upcoming election on November 3, 2020. “The Governor announced recently plans for the November 3, 2020 General Election which will be conducted primarily by vote-by-mail ballots which will be sent automatically to all active voters. Voters need not apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot. Ballots will be mailed to voters no later than October 5, 2020. Secure ballot drop boxes will be placed all over the county. Voters may return only their own voted ballot to their designated polling place. Any voter who appears at a polling place on Election Day will vote using a provisional (paper) ballot except voters with disabilities. Every Vote-by-Mail ballot that is postmarked on or before November 3, 2020 which is received by November 10, 2020 at 8:00 pm will be counted if it meets all other statutory requirements.”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin offered his condolences to the Coman Family.
Councilman Thomas Reilly thanked all the food pantries and the volunteers for the countless hours, especially Mary McLaughlin, “She always is in need for more volunteers. If you can, please help. Try to donate time if you cannot donate food.” Reilly then asked about the illegal palate operation that still is going on.
B.A. Skarzynski stated that they have been issued summonses.
Reilly then complained that certain eyesores in town had been going unattended for too long. B.A. Skarzynski explained that the legal process is lengthy to get this things done (with blighted property). Reilly noted that this has been going on with certain properties for 8 years.
Councilman Reilly gave his condolences to the family of Mike Coman and encouraged everyone to attend the fundraiser on August 23rd. “Mike (Coman) was a role model for young people. You can’t put a price on that.”
Reilly asked if the members of Progressive Firehouse are okay with being moved. B.A. Skarzynski answered, “Some understand it is going to happen. Not one firefighter was happy.”
Reilly asked the reason for the move.
B.A. Skarzynski explained the situation, “There are a number of reasons why this needs to be done. Based on current conditions, there are vast improvements that need to be made (to bring the stations up to 21st Century firefighting). There are financial reasons as well. We have 5 firehouses. 2 houses are approximately 100 years old and the other 2 houses are not far behind. We need to modernize 3 firehouses. The most cost-effective way is to consolidate from 5 to 3 fire stations and modernize the newest firehouse. This is still in discussion stage and is likely to be a year before more is done.”
Mayor Fred Henry then said, “There is a lot of sentimentality. The firehouses are very old, and apparatus has to be put there. We consider that the firehouses are 100 years old, and it’s time to move on. 21st Century firefighting – it’s nothing personal. It’s what is best for the city in a cost-effective way.”
Reilly objected, “I don’t think those groups will agree.”
Mayor Fred Henry then added, “We met and explained these things. The Fire Chiefs discusses these things necessary for 21st Century firefighting.”
Council President Mickey Gross spoke about the pandemic, “It’s really scary what I deal with in the County Board of Health Department. We will be virtual (council meetings) at least thru September. I do not think we should meet in person yet.”
Mayor Fred Henry offered his condolences to the family of Mike Coman. He thanked the volunteers at the blood drive and sock collection. Mayor Henry reminded everyone it is the 100th Anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment granting women suffrage. “The South Amboy Library has an exhibit that is open to the public (on woman’s suffrage). We will be having a 9-11-01 Ceremony at Train Plaza at 6 p.m.”
Public Portion:
Resident Alka Baijal spoke first, “We moved to this community very recently. What I’ve noticed over the last few months I’ve been here, not everyone uses the beach as it should be. On Monday (morning), it is a mess. There is glass, rolls of toilet paper, etc. Some more steps are needed to do better. The Department of Public Works do a great job, but they need to be utilized more of. Other cities charge nonresidents to use their beaches. This cost could offset the cleaning cost and police presence there. The broken glass bottles are a danger to children and pets. In order to keep the beach clean, we need to do things to deter littering.”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato later commented, “As far as charging for the beach, in my opinion this should not be any fees so everyone can have easy access to the beach.”
The council agreed.
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski said, “I’ll call DPW tomorrow We actually tried starting earlier and some neighbors complained it was too early. I will assure you we will keep a judicious eye. The police want foot patrols – we’ll speak to them. I hope the installation of cameras will deter this.” Skarzynski explained to ban glass bottles would need council action.
The next person to speak was resident Bill DeMasi. “The bamboo issue (spoken about in the July council meeting) – I learned new info who owns the bamboo. My neighbor – he put a fence up. The bamboo is between the border is a foot onto his property. I will email Mr. Elliot (Director of Code Enforcement) tonight. Thank you to everyone for your help.”
Council President Gross gave his phone number to DeMasi and told him to call him about the problem.
Resident Brandon Russell spoke next. Russell stated that he wished to serve the city and that the council was refusing to listen to his ideas. Council President Gross and Councilwoman Dato suggested that Russell look at openings on boards and to see where he could serve on a board which suits his interests. At first Russell stated he had no interest on serving on a board. Gross then suggested the Fire Department or First Aid Squad. Russell then said he would serve on a board. After discussing this matter for several minutes, Council President Gross told Russell to call him offline to discuss in what capacity he could serve the city.
The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m. All council members were present.
