5/11/22 Council Meeting
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – The first order of business was a presentation by Charlie Kratovil who is a Central Jersey Organizer, Food & Water Watch and Food & Water Action Group. He talked about the proposed construction of a gas-powered plant in Keasbey. He provided a handout and presented a slideshow to argue his case as to why this should not be built. He said this would be the sixth powerplant built in the county. “In 2016, there was a huge gas-powered plant that opened up in Keasbey on the Raritan River. Now, they want to build another one right next to it. This will be one of the greatest county polluters in the state. When the other plant opened up in 2016, they were supposed to build a park which has not happened yet. 70 schools would be located within 6 miles of the newly proposed plants. Edison, Highland Park, and Hoboken have already drafted a resolution to oppose this new powerplant and I hope you will do so tonight.”
Some of the information on the handout provided by Kratovil listed the total number of pollutants that would be harmful to the environment and to the health of Central Jersey residents. At the top of the fact sheet, were the different organizations who were against having this plant. He also said they intend to have more meetings so the public can have input.
He thanked the council for the opportunity to be here, “It was an honor.” He also stated that the Perth Amboy Green Team hosted an event that they were able to speak at and we need to move away from fossil fuels.
Council President Petrick asked if this proposed plant would use natural gas fire.
Kratovil answered, “Yes.” He also said, “There are many other sources such as solar, wind, and hydraulic electricity. I am not an advocate for nuclear.”
Petrick then asked if the proposed plant would use scrubbers.
Kratovil answered, “Yes, but they stated it would be state of the art. So far, 3 towns have these plants: Sayreville, South Amboy, and Keasbey.”
The meeting was then open to the public to talk about any ordinance that have their own public hearing.
The only person who spoke about Ordinance No. 1 – An ordinance to amend an ordinance entitled Streets and Sidewalks was Business Administrator Michael Green. “The amendment to this ordinance mandates that DPW will no longer have to build structures.”
Resident Sharon Hubberman spoke via Zoom, “Why did they remove the portion of the ordinance that says exclusive of the commercial zone on the application? Is there room in the ordinance for a final council approval. A lot of cleaning of sidewalks need to be done before you allow any sidewalk dining.”
Green responded, “The Chief of Police, the Fire Department, and DPW will make sure that all the applicants are in compliance with the ordinance.”
No one commented on Ordinance No. 2.
For Ordinance No. 3 – Approving the easement for open space purposes at Block 427 Lot 3. Law Director William Opel spoke up, “In 2018 PARA had an agreement with the storage company who owns that property that 6,621 sq. ft. of easement would be donated to the city which is adjacent to Rudyk Park, and they are fulfilling that agreement.”
Public Comments on Agenda Items Only (in-person first):
Resident Ken Balut spoke first. “For R-225 – A contract with Game Time Company Maturano Recreation Company for various playground repairs in an amount not to exceed $61,999.00. not go out for bid? How can you cut the budget so close to June? You have two city employees whose combined salaries will cost close to $5 million in a 5-year period. Why do you have these high salaries in the Mayor’s Office. Why are they doing a rush job to get work done by July 4th and paying overtime for it? Can you show us what work was done on Saturday and Sunday? Who approved all this work to be done on overtime for July 4th?”
B.A. Green responded, “For the park repairs, it was a state contract which does not have to go out for bid.”
Balut suggested that they go to the League of Municipalities to get a cheaper cost on equipment and furniture.
The next person to speak was Resident Jim Dabrowski who stated that he was a member of the NAACP and a Patten School Teacher. “I am against the new powerplant. It hurts our children. I urge the council to join the other towns to oppose this plant.”
A young woman who resides on Kearny Avenue whose first name was Gillian stated that she is an educator and she has another doctor’s appointment to check her immune system. She stated that she too, is against this powerplant.
Another Perth Amboy Resident spoke. She stated that Perth Amboy is a beautiful and historic town and she doesn’t want to have more pollution in it.
The Meeting was opened up to Zoom Participants:
The first person to speak was Sharon Hubberman, “I thank Charlie Kratovil for his presentation. I’ve complained about our air quality, and you were supposed to look into that. I appreciate the presentation about how powerplants have negative impact on the environment and our residents. Biofuels don’t release as much harmful by-products. This is a horrible thing, and I am against powerplants. The council needs to adopt a resolution to oppose it.”
A woman by the name of Nina who is a resident of Old Bridge thanked Kratovil also. “I am terrified for our children. I am against this powerplant, and we need to have people come out to speak about the harmful effects on our health. We need to protect our residents.”
Resident Jeremy Baratta spoke next, “I think most people would oppose this powerplant.” He then asked if the El Patio Bar was there at an earlier meeting.”
Council Petrick stated that there was no meeting regarding the Patio Bar tonight.
Montville Resident Holly Cox spoke next, “Within 5 years there is a 50-50 chance of a large temperature increase. The world will be unlivable if we continue with powerplants and fossil fuels which are relics. We are in a climate crisis and need to stand up for the harmful long-term effects. I especially urge the residents of Perth Amboy to oppose the plant.”
Caroline Pozycki-Torres spoke next, “I urge the council to pass a resolution to oppose this plant. Governor Murphy should use the environmental protection law to deny these plants (from being built).”
Resident Maria Vera spoke next, “I agree with all of those who oppose this powerplant. We need a safe and healthy environment, and the council needs to make the best decisions for us.”
Council President Bill Petrick said, “We need to have representatives from the powerplant company make a presentation, and we will need to have an ordinance drawn up.”
Councilman B.J. Torres spoke up and questioned if R-231 – (An application to the USDOJ for the Cops Hiring Grant Program to hire 10 police officers) should be left on the agenda.
The council then voted on the Ordinances and the Consent Agenda.
Ordinances No. 1,2,3 was moved by Councilwoman Rose Morales, and seconded by Councilman B.J. Torres. For the consent agenda, R-221 thru R-235 was moved by Morales and seconded by Torres. Ordinance No. 2 (First Reading re: Police Department Composition) was removed at the Caucus. R-236 (Amending the CY: 2022 Budget) and R-237 (Waving the Residency Requirement for Nicholas Prochilo) were both removed at the Caucus.
Public Portion:
Resident Ken Balut spoke first. He requested that they (the council) get every available call made in the last 5 years to the El Patio Bar. “A lot of tickets issued to that bar were dismissed and there were video tapes. If we take care of the bars that always have trouble, then everyone else will fall into place. (There are still some good bars that are in town.) With these bars (that are constantly causing trouble) are unsafe for the residents and for the police. The Clerk’s office is supposed to have a meeting with the bar owners. 106 youth have died from opioid abuse. Someone should talk about that. The governors and mayors don’t want to provide those stats showing all of these people that are dying from drug abuse. They put blinders on. What happened to the project to help people with substance abuse? Think how much will die in 5 years.”
The meeting was then opened up to Zoom participants:
Maria Vera spoke first, “We have too many buildings and houses in Perth Amboy already and we are so overcrowded. There is no parking, but everyone wants to build. We have to send our kids to schools out of town because of this. We are living on top of each other. There are over 500 school buses. In the past, they only used buses for kids that were handicapped. I’ve lived here for over 40 years. I see so many people that congregate on corners. We need space, and we keep polluting with all of these out-of-town school buses.” She then addressed comments to Acting Police Chief Larry Cattano who was not present.
Council President Petrick reminded Vera that she had to address the comments to him.
Vera continued, “There are too many cars with loud mufflers, and we don’t want to hear that. There are too many cars with dark, tinted windows and we need to have more checkout points.”
Resident Sharon Hubberman spoke next. She wanted to know if there were any more discussions on the city budget, “Will there be any tax increase? What happened to the discussions on animal control regarding feral cats? I haven’t seen any feral cats lately, but the resident should not have to capture them.”
Council President Petrick answered, “Residents are not responsible to trap feral cats.”
Chief Cattano came on Zoom, “Animal Control will set up traps and residents can call when they see the animals are in the trap. If a cat is pregnant, they cannot disturb the cat.”
Resident Maria Garcia spoke next, “I requested that Code Enforcement address the issues of people living in attics and rooms and can those rooms be rented out?”
Green responded, “We will have that code up on the website.”
Garcia continued, “I don’t think rooming houses are permitted via the ordinance.”
Green repeated, “I will have that ordinance posted on the website on Monday.”
Garcia then questioned, “What was the cause of the recent fires?”
Fire Chief Ed Mullen then spoke on Zoom, “The vast majority of the fires were accidental such as discarded smoking materials on the outside. Sometimes, it’s faulty electrical wiring, overloaded strips, and cooking fires. Out of 70 fires, 3 were suspicious. Wind was the major factor in spreading fires. Have an alternate exit out of your house or apartment. The Fire Department works every day to make sure the residents are safe. We have rescued people from attics. If we see illegal housing, it has to be reported to the Police and Code Enforcement.”
Council Comments:
Councilwoman Rose Morales said, “The presentation on the powerplant was very informative. I thank all who participated tonight.”
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke via Zoom, “I am in the mountains. I could hear what was going on during the meeting, but the reception was bad. That is why I was not able to speak for most of the meeting.”
Councilman B.J. Torres said, “I thank Kravitol for his presentation and others who talked about the environmental impact of this powerplant. We have spent tens of millions of dollars to do remediations on land. We have airports, oil tankers, and increase in warehouses which have an impact on our children. 3 of my relatives had brain tumors and one recently died. Communities like us suffer and I would like us to draw up a resolution to oppose this plant and to have it available for the next meeting.”
Council President Bill Petrick thanked Kravitol for his presentation, “I would like to invite powerplant representatives to also make a presentation. Be careful, because Covid is still here.” Petrick added, “The County and School increased their taxes.”
B.A. Green closed out the meeting letting the council know that $8.4 million of the federal money is due next and the city has no financial stress.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Councilwoman Milady Tejeda was not present in person or on Zoom. Councilman Joel Pabon was present via Zoom but unfortunately during a major part of the meeting had technical difficulties with the audio and could not be heard on Zoom.
