6/1/22 Council Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. The consent agenda, bill list, and minutes passed.
Councilwoman Zusette Dato praised City Clerk Deborah Brooks for her diligence in keeping up with handicapped parking spaces.
Brooks stated, “When we come across them (e.g. someone passes away), they go to an ordinary space.
Dato said, “I appreciate what you do.”
When it came to Ordinance No. 2022-07 – Bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the city of South Amboy, in the county of Middlesex, New Jersey, appropriating $3,247,600 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $2460,706 bonds or notes of the city to finance part of the cost thereof.
Director of Revenue and Finance and CFO Dan Balka who was present at the meeting, said, “It is for road repairs, Public Works, Public Safety, a vehicle for the Fire Department, and a sound system for the Council Chambers and Court Room, and paving at the Public Works facility. The two ordinances are split with the other one is for two trucks: a garbage truck and hook lift.” Balka added that the girl’s field would be renovated.
Mayor Fred Henry stated that the girl’s field will be finished by this fall.
Council President Mickey Gross stated that Balka was doing a great job.
Council Comments:
Councilman Tom Reilly thanked the First Responders and Food Pantry donors and volunteers. “We want to recognize those who work diligently at the food pantry. It is overdue. We can work on a list. The American Legion “Buy a Brick” fundraiser – please support the American Legion. On June 18th at 107 George Street, the SAFD Enterprise Truck 8 is having a Food Truck Festival. Please support our businesses in town. There are new places opening up – it’s a good sign for our city. The South Amboy Boys Baseball Team are Golden Champs. I’d like to reach out to get them recognized.”
Council President Mickey Gross stated for Reilly to deal directly with the Superintendent.
Councilman Brian McLaughlin stated, “Please support the American Legion. Congratulations to the Boys Baseball Team and Girls Softball Team (they both made the championship).” McLaughlin then spoke about a fictitious article that was put out. He also stated that the old Superintendent was supposed to go up at the council meeting and introduce the new Superintendent, “It wasn’t a place to grandstand for politics.”
Council Vice President Christine Noble had no comments.
Councilwoman Zusette Dato said, “The second graders completed the Water Safety. “That’s a program offered by the Y and the City of South Amboy Elementary Schools.” She then spoke about the upcoming Primary Election and explained the early voting procedures.
Council President Mickey Gross said, “Hat’s off to the Swim Program. Hope to make it for the 3rd and 4th Grades next year. The Fireworks are July 2nd. There will be 10 food vendors, and other vendors.” Gross then spoke about Chris (Sears) who was promoted by the Diocese. Gross then spoke about the Ferry coming into town, “Take a moment to thank Mayor Fred Henry. A lot of work went into it talking to city Engineers, and it didn’t happen overnight. He also thanked everyone who was involved including Jack O’Leary (Former Mayor), Camille Tooker (Former Business Administrator) and Glenn Skarzynski (Business Administrator). It’s a great thing for the City of South Amboy. It will put South Amboy on the map!”
Mayor Fred Henry said, “Recently we had a Memorial Day Ceremony and recognized those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It is a right and freedom to vote. In the past we had 50% of people who voted, now it is 40%. We had two groundbreakings: Memorial Park on Bordentown Avenue. I want to thank the Applegate Family for donating the property. I want to thank the Commander of the American Legion. The new American Legion Post is being worked on with the New Jersey State Legion. The building is on lower Davison Street and will be used for their offices. There are units set aside for homeless vets.”
Mayor Henry continued, “The Ferry Groundbreaking was an incredible journey – a project 25 years in the making. Jack O’Leary in the 1990’s going down to Washington and getting directly involved. NJ DOT, the Planning Board, South Amboy Redevelopment Agency, the City Council. I want to thank Asm. Speaker Craig Coughlin, Sen. Joe Vitale, Asw. Yvonne Lopez, Congressman Frank Pallone, County Commissioner Director Ron Rios, County Commissioners and everyone. It is a great addition to our Waterfront. There will be a restaurant and walkway along the Waterfront. 10 years of meetings and planning. It is a very exciting time in South Amboy. I thank everyone in the background – Public Works cleaning the land and preparing it – I have nothing but praise for them.”
Public Portion:
Resident Mary Szaro spoke, “I want to raise the issue of parking. One resident who lives on Broadway had parking issues. I brought it up since then. In 2017 in the Master Plan for a Parking Strategy Meeting. I’m asking Mayor Fred Henry what actions have been taken on this.”
Mayor Fred Henry answered, “We were in the process in building behind Sciortino’s, but it is private property. NJ Transit is in the middle and talking about doing it back then, then they backed out in the last minute. There is a possibility in the future more different entities within the city. The Master Plan suggests this. We had an open meeting, and the public did participate. It doesn’t mean we can’t open up again.”
The Meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
