Interviewing of Citizen Public Safety Advisory Board Candidates & Misuse of Handicapped Parking Permits Among Topics Discussed

By Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – Several applicants were on the agenda to be interviewed to be placed on the Board for Citizen’s Public Safety. Two candidates: Samantha Castro from Frontline Youth and Zaria Moore were the only ones not present.

The rest of the candidates (four of them) were current or former city employees.

David Benyola, who is retired from the Department of Human Resources has always been involved with the city’s residents through his former employment.

Seth Nanton has been a resident of the city for many years and said he has positive and negative interactions with the police.

Captain Miguel Pellot said he will have 25 years as a police officer in October 2021. He has been involved in community policing for most of his career and the residents know him when he used to walk the beat of city streets.

Detective John Marcinko told the council that unfortunately he will not be able to take the place on the Board due to his wife’s objection. His wife said he had too much on his plate as it is and that in this case, family has to come first.

Kenneth J. Puccio gave a very impressive list of his involvement from day #1 as a police officer. He also coached in the Perth Amboy Youth League. He is retired and is still a Special #2 Officer and is the President of the Board of Education. He has 30+ years experience in the police department. He has also been a volunteer firefighter. He has taught at several New Jersey Universities involving different productive police practices. He has been very involved in the Juvenile Justice Department in the detective division and is one of the founders of the DARE Program.

“A lot of current police officers were involved in some of the programs that I was head of. I am also a cancer survivor and have been free of cancer for 10 months,” stated Puccio.

After the candidates that were present spoke, there was a discussion regarding handicapped parking misuse and removal procedures.

Council President Bill Petrick spoke about this, “There are concerns that there is a person who has a handicapped parking sign in front of their residence and instead of parking there will park in another parking space. We should let the police know about this. They can take care of this matter.”

Councilman Joel Pabon then spoke up, “I talked to Police Officer Montalvo about this particular person abusing their handicapped parking permit and I am waiting for the officer to get back to me. We have more handicapped parking in Perth Amboy then towns that are even bigger than us. People are abusing this privilege. I know of a police officer who lives next to someone who abuses their handicapped parking spot. We need to put something in writing to address this particular situation. Maybe after giving the abusers several warnings, something more drastically can be done.”

Attorney William Opel responded, “I don’t know if there is anything in an ordinance pertaining to this.”

Petrick then suggested, “Maybe warnings should be issued. After that, tickets should be issued.”

Pabon said he talked to a person who had a handicapped spot. “I told him that he was abusing it. That person then challenged me and said, “Show me something on the books that says I can’t do this.”.”

Opel then told the council that he has to look at the ordinance and he would get back to them.

City Clerk Victoria Kupsch spoke up and commented, “The handicapped placard has a number that is attached to the particular vehicle when they filled out the application for a handicapped spot. That hanger is for that particular vehicle and for that particular spot. That parking space is then designated for the vehicle. You can take the placard and put it in another vehicle if they are transporting that handicapped person (who owns that placard) someplace.”

On Ordinance No. 5 – Authorizing the transfer of a to be subdivided block 95, lot 1 (More commonly known as 590 Smith Street). Petrick stated that this is where the car wash is.

Lawyer Opel talked about Ordinance No. 2 (First Reading) – Adopting an amendment to the Focus 2020 Redevelopment Plan for Area No. 1 (Gateway) in accordance with the local redevelopment and housing law. “This property by the gas station/car wash on the corner of Convery Boulevard and Smith Street, has a permitted use.”

Ordinance No. 3 (First Reading) Entitled “Taxicabs” RE: Rates.
Council President Petrick said, “Taxicab rates are going up by $1.”
City Clerk Victoria Kupsch then added, “It’s a dollar per zone.”

Fire Chief Ed Mullen came up to talk about the Resolution R-432 thru R-434 regarding grant involving replacement of Marine 5 and Port Security Grants. “The last grant that we received has been maxed out. We have $900,000 going towards a new boat and capital funds would be needed. We expect a new boat to be received by June 2023. The old boat can be traded in or given to an interested party.”

Council President Petrick spoke up, “I was very impressed by all the grants the Fire Department has been getting from the Port Security Program.”
Mullen spoke up again and stated that, “Some of the grant money was used for maintenance purposes and the Dive Team received Port Security Grant. We’ve had 15 years of Frontline service, and I am proud of this. The new boat that we will be getting has a 10–15 year lifespan. It will be for emergency responses, and it is 4 feet bigger than the old marine boat. The two Buckeye Terminals and the Kindermorgan terminals are very important in providing port security.”

Council President Petrick then had a discussion regarding R-438 (The Perth Amboy Self Storage LLC located on Block 427 Lot 3 & 4) “I am very pleased with this project. It came out very nice.”

Pabon spoke up, “After this project was completed, I noticed that there is an existing street that is existing that was supposed to be a part of the railroad, but that street has no name attached to it.”

City Engineer Ernest Feist joined the conversation via Zoom, “The street you are talking about is supposed to be a private road for the developer of that project.”

Petrick was concerned because that road goes through the e-port property.
Feist responded, “It’s supposed to provide access to all the factories in that area, but I will get back to the council when I get more information on that private road.”

Petrick then questioned R-439 thru R-442 where the tax collector placed liens on several properties for charges incurred by the Department of Public Works for cleanup. Petrick stated, “The building on Rector Street was razed to the ground, but the yard still needs to be cleaned up. This building that was razed is across from Kushner’s property and maybe we should send the bill to Kushner.”

Pabon then spoke up, “There is an enclosed property on Rector Street that has become a dumping ground for mattresses and other garbage. This was supposed to have been written up. There are fire hydrants by this property, and I wonder if they are even working.”

Petrick then stated, “I’m looking at resolutions where people are getting liens on their properties because people have to do cleanups (R-439 thru R-442). Yet, we let Kushner get away with all of his properties (being in disarray for all these years).”

Petrick then said, “Resolution R-448-9/21 – Authorizing the proper city official to apply for the Middlesex County Art and History Program Support Grant in the amount of $5,000 has to be pulled because they (Office of Economic and Community Development) are not ready.”

Acting Chief of Police Larry Cattano came up to talk about R-471-9/21 – The submission of an application to the State of New Jersey Office of the Attorney General bolstering police/youth trust program grant in the amount of $16,500.

Cattano stated, “It’s an extension from a state grant. It is an entrepreneurship program for at risk youth.”

Tashi Vazquez from the Department of the Office of Economic and Community Development spoke via Zoom to clarify what is in this resolution, “This is a new grant for the community and the youth, and it is family friendly. Four events will be taking place (bicycling and bicycling paths) for families as well as for our youth.”

City Engineer Feist spoke via Zoom to add more information about R-438 (Self Storage and unknown street), “That Street is designated as a right-a-way for existing businesses.”

Petrick then questioned if this roadway has curbs. Feist explained that it has curbs and drainage.

Pabon spoke up, “It only seems that tractor trailers are parked on that road. If that road belongs to us, we should be able to enforce the laws on that street.”

Attorney Opel asked Feist if that roadway meets community standards.
Feist responded, “It does, and it was part of the application for the city roadway standards. If you draft this ordinance, you can name that street because at one time it was an existing roadway. You’ll need to have streetlights on that road.”

Acting Police Chief Cattano came up and stated that the police department has received numerous complaints about that roadway. You (the council) need to do something so we can take over that street.”

Pabon spoke up again and said, “There is a driver training business located on that street.”

Cattano continued, “Businesses located on that street are disputed as to who really owns that street.”

Opel finished the conversation, “I will work on getting the ordinance together.”

Public Portion:
Resident Ken Balut came up and questioned if the city had received the $16,000 check from Kushner for work that the city did on one of his properties.

Opel responded, “Yes, the check came in, but it was for $49,000.”

After Opel gave that amount, Balut applauded him by clapping loudly. Balut then asked if the report came in on the Government Strategy Group (on the work they did for the city and how much they charged the city).
Council President Petrick responded, “The report has been received, but it has not been made public yet.”

Opel spoke up, “Once the report on the Government Strategy Group is finalized, it will be made public.”

City Clerk Kupsch said, “The report should be done by the next council meeting.”

Balut continued, “Code Enforcement is not doing anything about the Kushner properties and other properties (which are environmental hazards). Kushner is friends with past politicians and a lot of politicians that are presently serving which allow him to get away with a lot. A lot of his condominiums in the city have no firestops built in and they are fining the tenants instead of Kushner. I keep bringing this up, but Kushner never gets fined. Is the county controlling us?”

Resident Vince Mackiel came up next. He questioned, “What kind of safeguards do we have to protect the city? What exactly are the threats to the city? We are undergoing a lot of climate disruption. Why are we having all these fireboats in the Arthur Kill and Raritan Bay? We spent over $1 million in 4 years for all this equipment that has to do with the marina and fireboats. What is the justification and threat? This needs to be explained. Speedway Gas Station on Smith Street just closed to make improvements.”

Chief Mullen came forward, “The person who just spoke made positive questions. There are three large petroleum facilities in the area as well as terminals, waterfront properties, and warehouses. We are the closest for port security, but we need to have more boats. We have saved 41 lives of jumpers in a short period of time. Our dive team has also helped with people who have OD’d with opioids.”

After Mullen spoke, Lisette Martinez from the Office of Aging spoke via Zoom, “We want to give the council information on R-453 regarding the Middlesex County Department of Senior Services Assistive Technology Grant for Calendar Year 2022 in the amount of $10,000 with no matching funds required. This is for our senior citizens. They can get technical assistance and attend workshops to help them navigate through social media outlets. It will also help to update our technology at the senior center on Olive Street.”

No one from the public spoke through Zoom.

Councilwoman Rose Morales was absent because of illness. Councilwoman Milady Tejeda joined the meeting via Zoom at 6:45 p.m. The council went into closed session at 6:54 p.m.

The Council came back into the chambers at 7:42 p.m. to adjourn the Caucus Meeting. The council portion started at 7:43 p.m. Councilwoman Milady Tejeda was there in person. Councilwoman Rose Morales was the only person to miss both meetings.

The ordinances were opened to the public to speak on. For ordinance No. 1 – Stormwater management, no one from the public spoke. It was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda. Ordinance No. 2 – Handicapped Parking additions, no one spoke from the public. It was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda.

Ordinance No. 3 regarding donations of property located at 215 Riverview Drive donated to the city by Duke Realty LLC which contains the new amphitheater park and renovated lab building.

Resident Lisa Nanton spoke on this ordinance via Zoom, “Duke Realty said this was not an amphitheater built on the property. I see that our Business Administrator Mike Green is not at the meeting. I wouldn’t call this as having an amphitheater. Why don’t you just call it a stage with a little roof over it?”

Councilwoman Milady Tejeda said, “At the last meeting we had, they were supposed to have a change on the ordinance and strike the word amphitheater from the description.”

Council President Petrick said, “It looks more like a flat platform.”

Attorney Opel cautioned the council and said, “Amphitheater is what in the description of the property. If you change the wording, it may cause a big problem.”

After the ordinance was closed for public discussion, it was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda.

Ordinance No. 4 – entitled “General Development Land Administration”. No one spoke from the public. It was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda.

Ordinance No. 5 – authorizing transfer of a to be subdivided block known as 590 Smith Street. No one spoke from the public. Councilman B.J. Torres had a problem with this ordinance. He was unhappy with the intent to build a Wawa on that property which is the gateway to the city. “This is a piecemeal development. This is a main artery to our city. There is a 7-11 nearby and will it be a hardship on that business?”

Attorney Opel responded, “PARA is putting together a site plan which includes part of that parcel which can accommodate this kind of enterprise. They are looking at a traffic analysis.”

Torres continued, “It seems like this is already planned, and I am not sure that this is the right direction for the city. We already had a lot of accidents happen in that area.”

Opel said, “When it comes to plans for that property, the Planning Board will be involved.”

When it came to vote on ordinance No. 5 it was moved by Councilman Joel Pabon and seconded by Councilwoman Milady Tejeda. Councilman B.J. Torres was the only one to vote, “No.”

Ordinance No. 6 – entitled “Police Department”. No one spoke from the public. It was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda.

Public Comments on Agenda Items Only:
Resident Vince Mackiel came up first. He spoke about Communication No. 5 – NJDEP submitted a suspected hazardous substance discharge notification regarding the contamination of water with oil resulting from a fire and explosion of a vessel while docked at the Kindermorgan Perth Amboy Terminal. Mackiel said, “This was a drill on the Arthur Kill. I would like a report on this drill to be distributed to the council and Business Administrator. We’ve had environmental stress due to Covid and other stressful situations. Drills are supposed to be conducted four times a year. You want to prevent disasters. This was a drill that took place and maybe the spill was occurred during the drill. You need to prevent disasters because eventually it will happen.”

The council then voted on the Ordinances (First Reading). No public discussion.

Ordinance No. 1 RE: Fixing and establishing a schedule of salaries and salary ranges in increments regarding Perth Amboy Fire Officers Association Local# 4070 January 1, 2019, thru January 1, 2022. It was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda.

Ordinance No. 2 – Adopting an amendment to the Focus 2020 Redevelopment Plan for redevelopment area 1 (gateway) in accordance with the local redevelopment and housing law. It was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda.

Ordinance No. 3 – An ordinance to amend an ordinance entitled, “Taxicabs” regarding rates. It was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda.

The Council then voted on the consent agenda. R-430 thru R-447 and R-449 thru R-469 and R-471 was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda. R-448 was removed during Caucus. R-464 thru R-470 were for the appointments of people to serve on the Citizens Public Safety Advisory Board. All those who were on the list to be interviewed for a position were appointed with the exception of Detective John Marcinko who declined the appointment (R-470). Marcinko’s appointment has to be filled by another member of the Police Department who has to be recommended by Acting Police Chief Larry Cattano.

Public Portion:
The first person to come up to speak Retired City Employee Dave Benyola. He wanted to thank the council for appointing him to the Citizens Public Safety Advisory Board. He also wanted to know, “What is the status of the work to be done on the bridge by ShopRite (on Rte. 35)?”

Acting Chief Cattano came forward, “They expect to have the work started again in 6 months.”

City Engineer Ernest Feist joined the conversation via Zoom, “There had to be a subservice investigation first. There were unknown obstacles which cause some parts of the project to be redesigned.”

Council President Petrick said, “I know that they were worried about the force main and vibrations happening.”

Retired City Employee Bob Percelli, “I want to congratulate the Office of Aging which is doing an excellent job. They have exercise programs and other activities for the seniors. I urge all senior citizens to come to the senior center to see all they have to offer.”

Petrick then remarked, “I know that the senior center also provides bus service.”

Percelli confirmed, “Yes, they do.”

No one from Zoom spoke.

Council Comments:
Councilman Joel Pabon had no comments.

Councilwoman Milady Tejeda said, “I decided take a walk down to the Waterfront. I was surprised at all the garbage on the street. I am asking the residents to please stop doing that when there are garbage cans all over the place. Do your part to keep the city clean. Keep vigilant about getting vaccinated. The schools are back in session, and I wish the students and teachers well.”

Councilman B.J. Torres had no comments.

Council President Bill Petrick said, “I see that we have three meetings coming up on September 20th, 21st, and 22nd. I would like to ask the council if they would like to have a double meeting on the 20th and cancel the council meeting on the 22nd because there is another event at the same time on that day that we may need to attend.”

All the council members present agreed that they were okay with that change.

Petrick also said, “It is up to the community to keep the city clean and not public works. We have a lot of garbage cans available around the city. If you see someone dumping garbage, take photos so they can be sent to the proper departments (to investigate). Please mask up if you haven’t had the vaccine. Let’s all work together.”

The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m.