1/6/21 South Amboy Reorganization and Business Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – The Council unanimously reelected Mickey Gross as Council President and Christine Noble as Vice President.
When voting upon the consent agenda, Councilman Brian McLaughlin asked if the much-needed fire chief’s vehicle was in the 2021 budget. Business Administrator Glenn Skarzynski answered that it was not in in the temporary budget, but it will be in the full budget under bonding and in the middle of February it will get funding.
The consent agenda was passed, but Resolution 21-043 – Authorizing the Award of a contract for Bond Counsel and Resolution 21-049 Appointing SARA – Dato – unexpired term were pulled to be voted upon separately.
The vote for Resolution 21-043 was: Zusette Dato, Christine Noble, Mickey Gross voted “yes” and Brian McLaughlin and Thomas Reilly voted “no.” Motion passes 3-2.
The vote for Resolution 21-049 was: Zusette Dato, Christine Noble, Thomas Reilly, Mickey Gross voted “yes” and Brian McLaughlin voted “no.” Motion passes 4-1.
There was a question if the umpire fees were for this year or last year. It was answered that it was for 2020.
After the reorganization portion of the meeting, the regular business meeting began.
Council Comments:
Council Vice President Christine Noble said, “There are so many families affected by Covid. Congratulations to Brian McLaughlin, Tom Reilly, and Zusette Dato on their reelection. It is well deserved.”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato said, “I’m very happy to serve and begin my 3rd term. I take it very seriously. We do take it – all of us. I want to commend those who volunteer in South Amboy. We have the most kindest, generous people in our city. Whether it be the Friends of South Amboy, the Fire Department, Police Department, Volunteers at the YMCA or any group – you know who you are. Whenever we have a need, you rally around.” Dato then added, “(City Clerk) Deborah Brooks recently lost her dad.” Then she offered her condolences to South Amboy Grant Writer Chris Mazauskas, Our grant writer did his job and helped us. I am so sorry to lose him. My condolences to his family.”
Councilman Thomas Reilly said, “Thank you to the food panty and first responders. We are putting ourselves out there in the pandemic. We received a sign-up for the Covid vaccine.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski said, “There is a top posting on our website for the Covid vaccine.”
Councilman Thomas Reilly said, “Stay safe. We just went through the holidays. There were a lot of social gatherings. We are in the second wave.” He then added, “The December 2018 minutes – we can get the audio and minutes?”
B.A. Skarzynski answered, “We will send it tomorrow. The audio is not great, but it’s better.”
Reilly then asked about the illegal palette operation, and an update on illegal housing.
Skarzynski answered, “As far as the palette operation, nothing yet. For the illegal housing, we are making progress. We went through the list. There are 60 actual cases of illegal housing. We are diligently working at getting them to be compliant.”
Councilman Thomas Reilly said, “I want to thank Christine Noble for her kind comments. We are in the second wave. You have a voice on the city council. Put South Amboy first.”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin said, “I want to thank the first ward and the entire city, my wife Amy and three children. Are we allowed to have a second person to be on the Redevelopment Agency? I’d like to be appointed if we can.”
Council President Gross asked if the law director could research that. Law Director Womack said, “I’ll get that to you quickly.”
McLaughlin said, “I want to thank the services personnel. A council member should be appointed to each department. Is there any way to get some relief to the residents (regarding the water bill)?”
B.A. Skarzynski answered, “I’ll see what we can do – a temporary reprieve.”
Law Director Francis Womack said, “I want to address Council McLaughlin’s concerns. I don’t believe our form of government will do that (an extra councilmember on the redevelopment agency). Those are pertaining to specific forms of government – not the terms in our city code. That we’ll be without changing forms of government.”
Council President Mickey Gross said, “There is no better place than South Amboy. The greatest people in the world are in this city. When a crisis hits, the first thing out of their mouth is: “What can I do?” We lost our grant writer. Chris (Mazauskas) was my friend. I will miss you, my friend. Get vaccinated. Let’s get back to normal. Vaccinate – Vaccinate-Vaccinate!”
Mayor Fred Henry congratulated Council President Mickey Gross and Council Vice President Christine Noble. “Happy New Year! May it be healthier than in the past year. I hope it all ends peacefully in Washington D.C. May God bless America. May God save America!”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski said, “Everyone on the council has South Amboy’s best interest at heart. I will miss Chris (Mazauskas) and Debra Brook’s dad. I offer my condolences.”
Law Director Francis Womack said, “Congratulations. I echo what the mayor said about Washington D.C.”
Public Portion:
Council President Mickey Gross then welcomed Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, and County Clerk Nancy Pinkin who were logged on via teleconferencing.
Assembly Speaker Coughlin spoke first, “It is the saddest most shameful night in our democracy. Pray for the safety of everyone. Hope this comes to a peaceful resolution. Congratulations and thank you for your service.”
County Clerk Nancy Pinkin congratulated the reelected council members and Mickey Gross and Christine Noble. “We wish our (50) troopers (deployed to Washington D.C.) well.”
Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez said, “It’s an extreme honor to join you. I wish a safe 2021. Congratulations. You have such a wonderful team. Send best wishes to all of you.”
Brian Murphy spoke, “Congratulations to everyone. The house next to me has been unoccupied. There is a new owner. In the night he put 6 no parking sings in front of his property. That’s 4 parking spaces. It’s handwritten 1-7-21 to 1-15-21. Did he have permission to do this? We will be missing 4 parking spaces.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski said, “I’ll call the police after the meetings.”
Brian Murphy added, “He (the neighbor) is a nice guy.”
First Assistant Chief Dave Szatkowski said, “I want to thank the Mayor for swearing in the fire chief. My condolences to the grant writer, Chris.”
Resident Branden Russell spoke next, “The 2018 Meeting – I reminding you of the solution I prepared. I did research and I did a spread sheet.”
Mayor Fred Henry answered Russell, “Questions are to go to the Council President, and we will discuss this with the CFO and the B.A.”
Russell then asked, “When can I expect a response – a written response?”
Mayor Henry said, “We’ll get everything to you.”
The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m. All council members were present.
