By: Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – Resident Sharon Hubberman was first up to speak about the misconceptions that people had regarding the Rent Leveling Board which she is the chair. She also had paperwork that she handed out to the council so they could follow along as she spoke about different issues.

“We need to set the record straight. Someone stated that we don’t have brochures or any other printed information about the duties of the Rent Leveling Board. We had our first hearing in 2021 from a landlord who had a hardship request. We’ll grant a hearing within 45 days of a request. We’ve had hearings because tenants thought they had an unfair rent increase. Our secretary sends out all the information when there is a request for a hearing. Sometimes hearings are withdrawn if a landlord and tenant resolve their issues. We address all matters that fall under our jurisdiction. We need open discussions, and you all are here to address issues given to you. We want to make sure we have procedures put in place that will be used going forward. Our Board Secretary Dianne Roman (who is very efficient) and our we have a new member Mr. Nunez, who seems very excited to be on the board. We need to have an additional attorney because we have a lot of hearings coming up. The original ordinance was adopted in 1973. We need more marketing material and to make sure the material is readable for the landlords and tenants. We may need a technical assistant instead of another lawyer.”

Council President Bill Petrick spoke up, “What is most important is clarity in your literature and you need to send it to the clerk’s office.”

Councilman Joel Pabon thanked Hubberman for coming tonight, “What is the Rent Leveling Board’s budget?”

Dianne Roman came up to speak, “I have included allocations for what we need. I also have talked to our law department about our needs.”

Pabon said his concerns were that he wanted to make sure that all this information gets out to the landlords and tenants regarding rent increases.

Petrick then suggested that this information about rent increases will go out the same time as the water bill.

Business Administrator Michael Greene said, “We will put it out on social media and with the water bills.”

Roman said, “We will have popup information on the city website, but first it needs to be okayed by the legal department.” Roman then briefly spoke about the Landlord Identity Registration. “We are looking how New Brunswick handles their tenant registration. We want to make sure that tenants can provide feedback on their apartments (good or bad).”

Petrick suggested, “There should be one form to do all registrations (no matter what kind of rental unit you have).”

Sharon Hubberman continued, “We are looking for uniformity, contact information, and who would receive the forms and decontrolled forms.”

Councilman B.J. Torres spoke up and thanked Hubberman for the hard work that she does for the residents. “A lot of residents were not aware of the Rent Leveling Board, and they go to other social services and resources (when they have problems regarding their rent).”

Petrick then suggested that there be one single phone number for landlords and tenants to contact regarding any matters involving rental increases, etc.

Torres said, “We can’t change the past – we can only go forward.”

Hubberman concluded the discussion, “PRAHD and Middlesex County have helped us, especially during Covid. We want to make sure we have a positive governance and policy.”

The meeting was then open to discussion on any ordinance that had its own hearing.

Resident Ken Balut came up to speak, “For Ordinance No. 3 – A bond ordinance for water/wastewater utility improvements issued in the amount of $1,500,000. He wanted to know how much it will cost in lawyer fees.

B.A. Greene explained, “It will be $15,000 and there may be partial forgiveness on the amount of these bonds.”

Balut continued, “All lawyers have to do is use an APP to do calculations. We have a B.A. who is a lawyer. This is why poor towns bleed money. When I was on the council, I always asked questions and went to the Comptroller’s office when it came to issuing bonds. This has got to stop. I look at everything, especially when it comes to fees. You need to always ask what the legal fees will be. There are no discussions on lawsuits. When I was on the council, there was one person who sued the city multiple times. I once was able to get a lawsuit that was originally for $75,000 knocked down to a settlement of only $7,000.”

B.A. Greene concluded the discussion, “Going forward, the fee will be 1% of the lawsuit and the amount is more than just lawyer’s fees.”

No one from Zoom spoke.
Public Portion (Agenda Items Only – In-Person First):

Resident Ken Balut came up first. He referenced R-504 – Appointing Jill Goldy as Second Alternate Funds Commissioner for the Public Entity Joint Insurance Fund. “This is another place all of our money goes to. Someone on the council should be on this committee and someone should account for this money. We stopped some of the excessive lawyer bills when I was on the council. You make the decisions and should investigate lawsuits before settling. A lot of times prosecutors fail.” Balut then referenced R-523 – Rescinding Resolution R-458-9/22-Accepting the bid and authorizing a contract with Altec Building System for the Perth Amboy Water Department in an amount not to exceed $5,926,500. He asked, “Why the change?”

Council President Petrick responded, “It is because they have to use union labor.”

Greene then explained, “The price might go up because of this.”

Law Director Opel then added, “That project labor agreement had to be in place.”

Balut then talked about R-528 – Authorizing the waiver of all fees associated with the construction and installation of the City Town Tavern Marker to be located at 315 High Street. “This has been a 10-year project and it started in 2012. I sat with the mayor and the architect of this project.” He couldn’t remember at the time who it was. “Now, it is finally being done.”

The council voted on the Ordinances. Ordinance No. 1 (No Public Discussion) – Amendments to Focus 2020 Redevelopment Plan for Area No. 2 was moved by Pabon, seconded by Morales. Ordinance No. 1 regarding additions and deletions for restrictive parking places for use by handicapped positions was moved by Pabon, seconded by Morales. Ordinance No. 3 – involving bonding for water/wastewater improvements – moved by Pabon, seconded by Morales. The only person to vote no was Torres.

Law Director Opel stated that since the vote was not unanimous, it failed to pass.

Ordinance No. 4 – Granting the conveyance of a dedicated right of way easement over a portion of Block 172, Lot 1.01 was moved by Pabon, seconded by Morales.

Ordinance No. 5 – Purchase of two firetrucks and appropriating $860,000 and authorizing the issuance of $342,500 bond or notes to finance part of the cost thereof. Moved by Pabon, seconded by Morales. B.J. Torres had one brief comment, “We have the money and should use the American Rescue Funds.”
Public Portion (In-Person First):

Resident Ken Balut came up first, “We should a plaque up honoring Tom Ward. He was part of initial discussions involving the Town Tavern. You should call Kevin McCabe about getting money for improvements to the Outerbridge instead of having a study done.” He then turned his attention to the YMCA. “We had an arbitration agreement. The school pays to use the pool as well as others. Look at his salary and benefits. He is getting to be a millionaire and donated to politicians. You need to make sure that the $486,000 are given to all employees who worked during Covid. They came to work and did their job and should be getting that money before the holidays. Everyone who runs this town are out-of-towners.”

A man who lives on Packer Place came up to speak next. He was concerned about all the commercial vehicles that park on Sayre Avenue. “The police ticket them after 6 p.m. They also park on Mitchell Street. When will the city employees get Covid money?”

B.A. Greene explained, “They will get it before the holidays.”

Petrick then said, “Caba will probably hand them out personally.”

Councilwoman Morales asked if fees could be raised on the fines for the trucks that park on those streets.

Police Chief Larry Cattano came up, “There was an authorization for additional charges and graduated fines.”

Councilman Pabon spoke next, “The neighbors are complaining about the school buses parking on Brace Avenue. People are having trouble backing out of their driveways. It is out of control.”

Cattano responded, “We only get involved if buses are blocking driveways. There is a light traffic street ordinance in place that involves gross vehicle weight. Nighttime is when enforcement takes place mostly.”

Councilman B.J. Torres spoke up, “The council wants to make sure all employees who worked during Covid will get some of those American Rescue Plan Funds. This is not a gift. It is money that was earned by the employees and should have been given out months ago. Now, the money has been devalued.”

The next person to come up to speak was a woman who lives on Andrew Drive. “The parking is horrible even though we have parking permits. The cops can’t do anything involving private lots. There was a fight that happened at the parking lot at Urgent Care and when the cops came, they were cursed out. Some people will ignore the resident parking spots and urinate in our neighborhood.”

Councilman Petrick responded, “We need to get enforcement in that neighborhood. People have sent me videos.”

Another woman who lives on the same street came up to speak, “JamaGrille – Why were their liquor license renewed with the trouble that we’ve endured for three years?”

Petrick answered, “We wanted a license removed from another bar (El Patio), but the state overruled us.”

Opel spoke up, “The state had disciplinary action with due process. Owners can appeal the decision.”

The resident continued, “Can we petition to have this bar close earlier?”

Opel stated, “It depends on the kind of violations such as too much noise after a certain time. It depends on the infraction and if it goes before the court.”

City Clerk Victoria Kupsch spoke up, “Restrictions can be added at renewal time for their license. The resident continued, “The police have been called 66 times to that bar. Parking permit signs mean nothing to those violators.”

Petrick spoke up, “It is up to the discretion of the police who respond to those calls as to what will be done.”

Police Chief Cattano who also lives in the area said, “There has been multiple calls to the area. Arrests have been made and summonses have been issued. 15 households are affected, and 16 resident stickers have been issued. We can’t do towing because it is not in the ordinance. We have to take more abuse because of new police restrictions. We get loud music complaints coming from cars. Some people don’t care if they get tickets.”

Pabon spoke up and asked if they checked for the capacity for parking for the lots at the club and the capacity inside the club.

Cattano then explained, “We worked with Code Enforcement to check that there are no capacity issues, and that club also has a downstairs bar. They were told they can’t park at the business next door.”

Petrick stated, “Now, all these small bars are turning into nightclubs.”

City Clerk Victoria Kupsch told the council, “This place is licensed for a downstairs bar and patio.”

Petrick then requested to see a list of all complaints at this establishment.

Kupsch reminded the council, “You have to build a case and there would have be a file in order for the council to take action.”

Cattano spoke up again, “There also have been a lot of outside fights.”

Petrick said, “The State always has precedence over us with these bars.”

Kupsch then added, “We can do complaints as long as it does not involve parking issues.”

Law Director Opel then added, “There could be input from the neighborhood that they are having quality of life issues with this bar and our city departments can also add comments.”

Petrick then asked, “Can we have a hearing regarding this bar?”

Opel responded, “Only if it has ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) Violations.”

Pabon again stated, “We need to check the capacity inside the bar.”

Cattano said, “We will put a package together, but most of the complaints are what is going on outside the bar.”

One of the residents from the neighborhood asked, “Why do Waterfront Residents get special treatment with warning signs?”

Petrick said, “The people ignore those signs, also.”

Cattano added, “Maybe we could look into adding DWI Checkpoints.”

Petrick then suggested, “Maybe there can be a meeting with the residents and the owner of the business.”

One of the residents from Andrews Street stated that she had photos of people urinating, fighting, and discarding garbage.”

The next person that came up to speak was Former Police Officer Guadalupe “Lupe” Munoz who talked about what is needed for the police department to operate efficiently and how Councilwoman Morales said to give the police department additional tools. “We are looking at quality of life issues and safety for all our residents. I worked for 26 years in the police department. I also worked at the former Safe Haven Building. There are robberies left and right on Columbus Avenue. I feel bad for the Chief. You know how things operate – there is crime, noise, and fights.”

Petrick responded, “That is why we hired many additional police officers.”

Munoz continued, “Many homeowners own security cameras.”

Petrick continued, “There is an excess in salary. We need more boots on the ground. We have more technology with us just walking around with our own devices.”

Police Captain Miguel Pellot spoke next. “We need to make sure that we get those American Rescue Funds for our essential personnel. Employees are our most important commodity. There have been restrictions on that money which has now been expanded. The money was there for last year’s holidays. Who will oversee the list of people getting the funds? Have you been given any input for how these funds should be used?”

Petrick responded, “No.”

Pellot continued, “Trenton has entire plans for the money, how it has been spent, and the future plans for it. I also need to know what is the city policy for the release of doctor’s records (regarding city employees medical records).”

Opel said, “I will get back to you.”

A resident from Cortlandt Street came up to speak next, “We need to make sure the Outerbridge Crossing is servicing our needs. The Goethals Bridge has pedestrian walkways and that’s what we need.”

Petrick spoke up, “That’s a great idea.”

The resident continued, “We should be able to walk across the bridge and not pay $16. Let the Port Authority know we need it so it serves everyone. Any modifications to the bridge should benefit us.”

Petrick responded, “Kevin McCabe is a Commissioner on the Traffic Division in Trenton and having a study on the bridge is a waste of money. We need to send a letter to expand the bridge for a pedestrian walkway and a bike lane. We should contact Kevin McCabe.”

Pabon spoke up, “This is the second resident that came to talk about this (the Outerbridge). Staten Island said that we never talk to them about the bridge. Reach out to the mayor and assemblywoman about this matter so that we can inform our residents.”
Zoom Participants:

Resident Lisa Nanton spoke about the grant money when it comes to nonprofits and churches. “It is a long process. You have to apply for licenses and meet certain requirements. It takes a lot of time and money.” She then spoke about Elizabethtown Gas and their continuing digging on our streets. “They hire contractors and make sure they pave the streets after digging. We need to pin them down now. The street closures are not announced. The Harbortown Development shrubs are dying. In other towns, those developers have irrigation systems. They give us the least available services.”
Council Comments:

Councilwoman Rose Morales thanked all the participants and hoped that we can find solutions for the residents on Andrews Street. She reminded everyone that early voting starts on Saturday, October 29, 2022.

Councilman Joel Pabon mentioned the Trunk or Treat activity that will be taking place on October 29th at City Hall Circle. “There are too many craters on the streets, especially on Market Street.”

Councilman B.J. Torres reminded everyone about the upcoming election and that voting should be an obligation. When it comes to jury duty and voting, everyone needs to participate.”

Council President William Petrick said that the council will all be back in two weeks. The meeting was over at 9:33 p.m. Councilwoman Milady Tejeda was not present due to illness.