1/24/22 Caucus

By: Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – After going back and forth with his fellow council members, especially Joel Pabon, Council President Bill Petrick and the other council members finally were able to interview applicants for the Zoning Board, Housing Authority, and Rent Leveling Board. Applicants either came in person or appeared via Zoom. 

The first group of applicants that spoke were for the Zoning Board. Hansel M. Farrier came forward and introduced himself speaking English, but said he felt more comfortable speaking Spanish although Council President Bill Petrick said that when he is on the Board, he would have to communicate in English. Farrier spoke in Spanish with Councilman Joel Pabon translating. He said, “I am home right now not currently doing anything. I want to help the community. I learn fast, and I am capable and willing to do anything in my free time. My English is not that great. I am from Costa Rica, and I have been here 13 years.”

Roberto Fernandez was applicant No. 2. “I am married, and my wife is a lifetime resident. We currently have two sons attending the high school. I have a military background and I’ve worked with the State of New Jersey. Perth Amboy is an economic powerhouse. I want to give back. I’ve attended Rutgers University and I’ve worked with the supply chain. I am a member of the New Jersey National Guard, and I’ve worked as a logistics officer. I do have the time and my family is very supportive. Geographically we are in a good position with access to many highways and roads. Transportation wise, the warehouse goes hand in hand.”

Applicant No. 3 was Paola Arias. “I have been here since the age of 9 and I work at the Jewish Renaissance. I currently have three children in the Perth Amboy schools. When I was in high school, I worked in city hall when Wilda was mayor. You can always do good, no matter what. I help people filling out their insurance forms. I also work with the undocumented. I love to be kept busy and I finish working at 3:30 p.m. We should build up like the surrounding cities around us. I’ve worked with Edison Jaques (who is a motivational speaker). I also have worked in nursing homes.”

Applicant No. 4 was Megan A. Oduyela. “I’ve been residing in Perth Amboy for 23 years. I came here at the age of 13. There are a lot of warehouses. I love it and I like to have my hands in things and keep abreast of things. We are near everything, and I love all the high-rises going up in other cities.”

Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up, “I see you are a member of the Harbortown Association.”

Odueyla continued, “I want to be a part of the city and I am an attorney by trade. I only will do something if I could be committed. I see high-rises for Perth Amboy like they have Hopelawn.”

Applicant No. 5 was Anthony Leone, who did not appear. 

Applicant No. 6 was Salatiel Suriel. She said, “I have been a resident since 1990. I’ve attended Seton Hall, Rutger’s, and the Perth Amboy School System. I do linguistic work and now I work for legal services. I’m applying for the Rent Leveling Board. We have to make sure we have affordable housing. I am also a hospital volunteer. I am looking to help out with immigration cases. I work until 4 p.m. and have no children. You can depend on me, and I love to be involved.”

Applicant No. 7 was Marcia Garcia. She said, “I have been on the Planning Board for 9 years and the Zoning Board for 5 years. I served for 15 years for free, and I am certified on these boards. There are only 3 current members on the Zoning Board that have experience. I thank the Board for their confidence in me. I am here to represent the city based on knowledge and unbiased decisions.”

Councilman Pabon spoke up and wanted to thank Garcia for her interest in continuing to serve for all these years. 

Garcia continued, “We can be the gem of New Jersey, but we have very limited land and some of it is contaminated. You have to factor in the cost to mediate contaminated land. We have to make sure developers want to do the best for the city and not for themselves.”

Applicant No. 8 was Marilyn Grullon. “I am born and raised here and have two children. I’m a paralegal and I have filed Zoning applications. I am also a licensed realtor. I’ve been on the Zoning Board since August 2021 and have all of the needed certifications.”

Councilman Pabon spoke up, “I am impressed with all you have done. You have gone through all the training and changes come from leadership.”

Applicant No. 9 was Carlos Jimenez. “I am 44 years old, and I am a native of Queens, New York. I am a commercial litigation attorney and I and my parents have a real estate background. My parents own real estate and currently have 160 tenants. I went to the military academy and my wife is a graduate from Perth Amboy High School. I attended law school in 2004 and graduated in 2007. I am familiar with the Landlords/Tenant Court. I’ve been here since 2015 and I live at the Landings.  I’ve read the Amboy Guardian Newspaper to keep abreast of the Kushner litigation. I plan on staying here forever. My mom is very involved in the community in New York. We are living in very progressive and digitized times right now. I work from home. I am young, passionate, and want to see positive changes.”

Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe (not on the list) is presently on the Zoning Board. She stated, “I am 23 years old and always have been family oriented. I started a nonprofit and I have tutored children for free. I was a member of the handicapped parking committee before it was disbanded. In July 2020, I was appointed as an alternate on the Zoning Board. I was moved up after someone left the Zoning Board and I am also involved with helping the oversight of over 60 federal programs and I work with the national policy working with children in the adoption system. I’ve only missed two Zoning Board Meetings.” 

Applicant No. 10 was Roberto Rodriguez who was not present.

Applicant No. 11 was Yojani Mota. She said, “My husband and I have a school bus company and I am the secretary. I attend to the drivers, and I am home all day.”

Applicant No. 12 was Christopher Rosario was not present.

Applicant No. 13 was David Benyola. He said, “I have been a resident for 50 years and I have had a 15-year career in the city in the Human Resources Department. I’ve helped the homeless and victims of domestic violence. In the Housing Authority, we were able to get vouchers so that people can relocate anywhere in the United States. I also have been the Vice-Chair of the Planning Board.”

Applicant No. 14 was Iris Gomez. She said, “I’ve been a 50-year lifetime resident. I’ve worked at PRAHD for 24 years. I’ve worked with the youth, adults, and homeless. I’ve also worked with the Preventive Foreclosure Program. I am applying for the position on the Housing Authority and at one time, I lived in Delaney Homes.”

Applicant No. 15 was Linda Ferreia. “I’ve tried to get on different boards before. I currently live in the Budapest section of town. I am applying for the Rent Leveling Board. Renters, landlords, and homeowners all need to have their voices heard. I have been a renter and homeowner in Elizabeth and Perth Amboy. I’ve been a resident for 28 years and I would be very fair, speak up, and I am very passionate and I’m not quiet. I work for a nursing home. Because of Covid, I have not been able to attend many meetings. I was told that they couldn’t find my application, but then they did find it. They asked me if I was still interested in applying for a position on a municipal board. I told them, “Yes”.

The council went on to discuss the other agenda items. Council President Bill Petrick explained Ordinance No. 1 – Personnel Policies. “It is basically a change of title only.”

There was next a discussion on R-52 – Permit to the United Dominicans of Perth Amboy to be held on August 12, 13, & 14 at the Robert Wilentz Athletic Field.

Councilman Pabon questioned, “Where did this put us? We are in no condition for a large gathering. At the point we are at right now, how can we do this?”

Council President Petrick then asked, “What if later on due to circumstances that we will have to cancel this event?”

Business Administrator Green said, “We can invoke their permit if circumstances arise due to health or other concerns.”

Petrick spoke up again, “We lost a community activist to Covid, and we had an issue with Covid in city hall. It doesn’t matter what time of the year. Covid will be a problem.”

Green reiterated, “The permit is based on what is best for the city.”

Petrick continued, “I am concerned about a super-spreader event and if we can be sued if we have to cancel the event, especially what is the city’s liability if we cancel the event after we have approved it.”

City Attorney William Opel stated, “You have the power to withdraw the event. If has to be cancelled based on federal or state guidelines, the city cannot be faulted.”

Fermin DeJesus who is on the Dominican Festival Committee came up. He said, “We have to follow whatever is mandated by the state. The sponsors understand in certain circumstances due to Covid that the event may have to be cancelled.”

Opel continued, “The public safety and health concerns come first.”

The city clerk said, “Only certain permits have to be signed.”

Acting Police Chief and OEM Coordinator Larry Cattano spoke next. “The state of emergency takes place over everything. We have done cancellations of events in the past because of emergency circumstances.”

Acting Director of Human Services Dianne Roman spoke about R-54-1/22 – An agreement with Middlesex County to provide funds in the amount of $91,881 to the city of Perth Amboy to be used for Code Blue Warming Center Services.

“These funds are to be used between November 2021 thru March 2022. So far, we’ve had 38 Code Blues and have served over 300 clients. We have to follow guidelines and we work with the YMCA, the Jewish Renaissance, and other organizations have given us donations. The Center for Prosperity on Smith Street has been a great help to us although they cannot provide overnight accommodations. The do help out with case management with some of the clients.

Councilman Pabon spoke up and said, “We appreciate all who service the homeless during a Code Blue Period.”

Roman continued, “We average between 19-24 people a night when we have a Code Blue situation and people do come in from other communities. We also have to do paperwork with all the clients with all that we do so we can get reimbursement. We have one police officer and one staff member from the YMCA who helps out.”

B.A. Green then explained that for R-56 – An agreement with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the New Jersey Task Force and the Perth Amboy Fire Department regarding the selection of Firefighter Patrick McGhee as a member of the NJ Task Force 1.

“We will be compensated by FEMA.”

Petrick questioned for R-59 – A change order No. 1 to the contract with AVS Installation, LLC for OEM Video Wall Installation in an amount not to exceed $1,675.

“Will there be anything for the council chambers?”

No one responded.

Cattano made a remark regarding R-60 – An application to the State of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety 2022 Summer Expansion Programming Grant in the amount of $30,000.

“This is a Hallmark Grant to work with the youth.”

Petrick then explained R-61-1/22 – A contract with Atlantic Tactical for the purchase of 150 new weapons, all associated required leather gear in the amount not to exceed $73,688.50.  

“This will involve service revolvers and automatic weapons.”

There was a brief discussion involving R-64-1/22 – A memorandum of understanding between the Raritan Bay High School Sailing Foundation, a nonprofit organization for its usage of the sailing and kayaking compound within the Sadowski Water Park and Beach for the 2022 Spring and Fall Sailing Seasons.

Green fielded this question, “It is for storage of the sailing boats for the high school students.”

Pabon spoke up and said, “I think it is a mistake. It should say Perth Amboy High School.”

Councilman B.J. Torres spoke up via Zoom and wondered if this will interfere with our sailing program.

Council President Bill Petrick said, “In the past, other schools use our facilities for their sailing program.”

Councilman Torres was concerned because the parking in that area is limited.

Director of Department of Recreation and Human Services Kenny Ortiz cleared up this confusion, “The Raritan Bay Foundation is supplying money. It was an intermural program and it’s an agreement memorializing the instructors and they would have to pay to use our facilities. It has expanded the sailing programs for our use.”

B.A. Green explained R-68-1/22 – Determining the form and other details of not to exceed $20,800,000 General Improvement Refunding Bonds of the city of Perth Amboy or such other amount as determined by the CFO to accomplish the refunding on the terms required by the Local Finance Board.

“This is refinancing so we can get a better rate. This was authorized on November 8, 2021. This will help up with our water/infrastructure, hazardous pay, business and community grants, and the police and fire departments.”

Council President Petrick spoke up, “We have neglected our aging water structure for over 100 years. We need to advocate for this.”

Green continued, “We need $100,000,000 for water system upgrades. It may take small interest loans to do this. This was Mayor Caba’s concern from day one.”

Petrick spoke up again, “The Fire Department can check the water pressure throughout the city to remedy where low water pressure is. This is doable.” Petrick also asked for an update on the Fayette Street Bridge. Green said he would get that information to him.

Pabon then asked to table R-76 thru R-78 which would recognize certain members of the Police Department. Pabon mentioned R-76 specifically. – Commending Auxiliary Police Office Robert O’Buck for his dedicated service (making him the longest active Perth Amboy Police Officer).

“He may not be the longest serving. There were three recent incidents where police officers were involved in rescues. We need to sit down with the Chief before recognizing certain individuals.”

Petrick said, “Maybe we should recognize people on a monthly basis.”

Pabon then stated, “Sandy Rivera was being recognized on R-78. She was one of the officers who prevented a person from jumping off of the bridge.” Pabon then asked if Cattano was informed of the people being recognized on the agenda.”

There was no response.

Petrick continued, “I just want to recognize people who are involved year-round in the community.”

Pabon asked that these resolutions be removed until we have the next meeting. The only two to say “no” were Petrick and Torres.

There was then a brief discussion about the El Patio Bar on Fayette Street. Petrick said, “Wasn’t there a murder there?”

Cattano came up and explained that there were shots fired, but there were no deaths.

Petrick said, “The State ABC investigated the incident and said we (the council) can take action on our own.”

Opel suggested that this be discussed in closed session.

Pabon said, “The former Law Director Peter King said that the State ABC can handle El Patio. This is a serious situation. This bar was open for all the holidays.”

Petrick said, “We can’t let this go. They should be closed because of all of their violations.”

B.A. Green spoke up and mentioned that the FOP Contract had to be reviewed.

Public Portion (in-person first):

The first person to speak was Resident Ken Balut. He mentioned that Sandy Rivera was on the agenda to be recognized for her service has been discriminated against. “We should support the police who are doing a hard job putting their lives on the line. The El Patio Bar has been taken care of for years due to politics. This bar should have been closed down like the one on Amboy Avenue. We are getting $14 million from the American Relief Bill, but we are still hurting. The American Relief Recovery Act has been used for everything else except being used for the residents.”

Resident Lisa Nanton spoke next. “I am excited about all the applicants that were interviewed at tonight’s meeting for the municipal boards. Our President just turned 79 and the Speaker of the House is 80. It is good to have experienced and younger people working together. The Zoning and Planning Boards are different. When people come before these boards, they already have spent money on lawyers and other expenses. Sometimes those meetings can become very passionate, even among the Board Members. I’m glad to see they still have the lights on city hall circle. It looks very beautiful.”

No one spoke on Zoom.

The council went into closed session at 8:02 p.m. Councilwoman Milady Tejeda was absent due to being delayed at her job. Councilman B.J. Torres participated via Zoom. Petrick, Morales, and Pabon were at the meeting in person.