2022 Municipal Budget Adopted
5/4/22 South Amboy Council Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – Council President Mickey Gross changed the order of business with the permission of the council to discuss the 2022 Municipal Budget. Gary Higgins, CPA/Auditor gave some brief remarks. “The budget has already been introduced on April 6, 2022. It has been submitted to Government Services on pertaining to two pieces of revenue that need to be approved to adopt the budget. The budget is $1.22 per 100 municipal dollars – the same as in 2021. There is no increase to the taxpayers. The Local Finance Board extended from March 20th to a March 29th deadline. You are supposed to act on the next scheduled council meeting which is this evening.”
Councilman Tom Reilly asked, “Upon review, there were two items, elaborate.”
Higgins said, “The backup of revenue between the city and the Redevelopment Agency, and the backup in the rate increase. They want to tie out to locals. The backup sheet. They were satisfied with what Dan (CFO Balka) gave. You cannot appropriate in excess of prior years. There is a $1,366,000 line for additional new sewer fees. Dan put in a certification in. They were satisfied with what he gave.”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin asked, “We are still in the middle of a contract with the city workers. Are pay raises put in?”
CFO Balka answered, “Yes.”
Higgins continued, “I am not an attorney.”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato stated that she had no questions and was satisfied with the budget.
Council President Mickey Gross stated that he too was satisfied, “You did a good job, Glenn (B.A. Skarzynski) and anyone who put it together.
The Municipal Budget was opened up to the public for any questions anyone may have.
Resident Greg Babolack asked, “Are we adding any taxes?”
Higgins answered, “The tax rate in the municipal portion of the budget is not increasing. There are the municipal, school, and county portion of the budget. The municipal portion is not going up.”
Council Comments on the Budget:
Councilman Tom Reilly asked if there were continued funding for SARA through the American Rescue Plan. “I would like sustainable revenue to come into the budget.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski answered, “Redevelopment is taxpayer money for the use of general benefit of the community. We sent a yearly limit to work with what happens in the city. Every time a PILOT is done with a development, a fee is paid to the agency.”
Councilman Tom Reilly stated “There is a 33% increase in service fees. That did not happen with the Woodmont PILOT. It is $2,400 per unit per year. It is kind of low. People in this town are paying $9,000 a year.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated, “We will go over PILOTS to see if anything is owed to the government.”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin said, “Councilman Reilly stated my concerns.”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato stated, “I’m pleased to present the 2022 budget without providing a burden to our residents with the help of our CFO and B.A. and everyone who put this together.”
Council President Mickey Gross said, “Hopefully in the future, we will have more money come into the city. There is a zero increase without cutting any services.”
Mayor Fred Henry stated, “Whenever you come up with a budget with zero tax increase, the city council has a lot to do with these things, not cutting back on the budget but adding services. Thank you to everyone involved – it’s a team project.”
CFO Dan Balka stated, “Another half of the American Rescue Plan – we can use it in capital projects.”
Mickey Gross thanked everyone. The 2022 Municipal Budget was unanimously adopted.
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski said, “Asked to provide money all that SARA can give to the city – it is subject to review.”
Zusette Dato said, “If it happens in the future, if a professional is required, SARA pays the fee to the city.”
Tom Reilly stated that there are two new firefighters to the Protection Fire Department.
The bill list, consent agenda, and ordinances were passed.
Council Comments:
Councilman Tom Reilly thanked the volunteers and donators to the food pantry and thanked the first responders. “The Independence Fire House is having a flower sale on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (for Mother’s Day) Please support them. Kindly and Place Program by Habitat for Humanity – there are certain income and age requirements. Custom order Bricks for a property destroyed by Sandy – there is an order form on our Facebook Page and website. It’s Small Business Week. Help out our small businesses in town.” Reilly then asked about the Business Breakfast with a possible date of June 11th. He asked the city clerk if there are any grants or loans available.
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated that Kathy Kudleka had conversations with him.
Councilman Tom Reilly stated, “I don’t know where to host it. I’m supposed to find out interest level. There probably is money available to help the businesses.”
City Clerk Deborah Brooks stated she would send a “Save the Date” email.
Reilly asked about the Handicapped Parking Ordinance that was being reviewed.
B.A. Skarzynski stated that the traffic officer has a copy of the old ordinance.
Councilman Brian McLaughlin stated, “A blast email/news story was sent out with false information going out. “Someone hacked my Facebook Page,” he stated. He then wished everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.
Councilwoman Zusette Dato stated, “Yesterday a group of second graders started a water safety program at the Y. Since we are close to water, all second graders will learn basic skills. I hope they come back for swim lessons.” She stated that there is a concert to help Ukraine. Tickets are $20 each ahead or at the door. “Sunday there was a Beach Cleanup. WeLoveFour and Amazon cleaned up the beach. Amazon supplied equipment.” Dato then wished everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. “It’sthe most important career to be a parent.”
Council President Mickey Gross said, “The concert Friday night to help people in Ukraine – please help out. The American Legion sold some bricks already. For the swim program – we will do second, third graders. We are surrounded three sides by water. If we do one thing right, teach the kids how to swim. It’s the right thing to do! Happy Mother’s Day!”
Mayor Fred Henry said, “I want to thank all the people at the ballfields. They are really doing good. On May 16th there is a Police Memorial, please come and support our men and women in blue. There is a free health screening on May 18th. On May 29th at 9 a.m. the American Legion. The Mayor’s walk on May 14th – and Healthy Kids Day – I want to thank Jay Elliot for organizing this. I want to thank the Council for the positive vote and no increase in municipal tax. Best wishes to (Council Vice President) Christine Noble whose mother was rushed to the hospital.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski thanked Chris Meger. “Chris is very quiet. He is an environmental advocate. South Amboy is open to 260 different species of birds. I have a lot of projects he discusses with me.”
Law Director Francis Womack stated that the court date with Venetian has been rescheduled to either late June or early July.
Public Portion:
Mary Szaro stated that the minutes on South Amboy’s website did not reflect her comments on parking that she made at the last council meeting.
City Clerk Deborah Brooks stated that the website had been updated to include Szaro’s comments.
Larry Parsons spoke next. He urged everyone to come to the Memorial Day service on May 22 at 11 a.m. at City Hall which will be run by the South Amboy Exempts. He explained that there will be 4 cemeteries in which wreaths will be laid, Calvary at 8:30 a.m.; Sacred Heart at 9 a.m; St. Mary’s at 9:30 a.m. and Christ Church at 10 a.m.
The next person to speak was owner of the Broadway Diner, Vicki Grasso. She asked if South Amboy had a Chamber of Commerce and if they could put something together. She stated that there used to be a trash can in front of the diner, and it was removed. She complained about bags of dog poop that people leave on the sidewalk because there was no longer a garbage can there.
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated that the South Amboy Business Association was run by Dr. Jordan Gonzalez, and he will pop in and see him. He also suggested the local Rotary Club. He assured Vicki that her garbage can will be back there tomorrow.
Vicki made a few comments about the Department of Public Works. “They are underpaid. I love the town of South Amboy. How early do you shut down the street when there is a city event? People have no place to park .”
Council President Mickey Gross answered, “I am part of the reason. For safety reasons, we like to keep the cars off the street.”
Resident Greg Babolack asked, “Where does SARA get their money from?”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski answered “Fees from projects.”
Babolack then asked, “Is there a set of rules of how the money they can be used?”
Skarzynski answered no.
Gary Higgins then added, “The Redevelopment Agency fees have to go into the agency because that is their general purpose.”
Babolack then said, “Two meetings ago I was told I cannot talk about politics in the Council Chambers,” (Referring to McLaughlin’s comments).
Council President Gross answered, “I take pride not to turn council meetings into a political arena. What Mr. McLaughlin’s reasons (for stating what he did) is not politics.”
Vicki came back up and asked about outdoor dining. “Are you going to limit it? I did not apply because I can only put two tables.”
B.A. Skarzynski told her to call him for more information. “There has to be room for people to walk down the sidewalk.”
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Council Vice President Christine Noble was not present do to a family emergency.
