11/21/22 Council Meeting

By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – There was a brief discussion about Ordinance No. 22-16 which affected abandoned and vacant properties. Councilwoman Zusette Dato asked what the penalty would be regarding the history of the ordinance is have the properties been neglected.

Business Administrator Glenn Skarzynski stated that it came into question when there is a property that didn’t comply.

Law Director Francis Womack stated that the ordinance would comply with new state laws and the fines and penalties were adjusted accordingly.

Dato asked, “If the city must take care of abandoned property, do we put a lien on it?”

B.A. Skarzynski answered, “It (the ordinance) puts in a lot of things. It is now much easier (to take care of the blighted properties).”
Council Comments:

Councilman Tom Reilly thanked the food pantries and first responders. He reminded everyone of the Friends of South Amboy Basketball Event on Saturday, December 17th at South Amboy High School. “Come down to support our charity. The Friends of South Amby help people feeling hardship. 50/50’s will be sold. It will also be on South Amboy TV. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Consider volunteering for the First Aid Squad and Fire Department. They are always looking for volunteers. Support local businesses.”

Reilly then asked about the raise in sewer rates.

B.A. Glenn Skarzynski answered, “Three years ago, we informed the public that we were not self-sustaining. It has been 11 years since there was an increase. The adjustment in rates will increase over a 3-year period. We were under drought conditions and water use is up, specifically water usage. We are taking a critical look in that. Our goal is to make sewer self-sustaining. Only different fees is the 65+ years or disabled. Everyone else is raised. It’s on our radar.”

Reilly asked about the infamous “Pigeon Palace.”

B. A. Skarzynski answered, “An entity is looking to purchase it. I hope to have a date in a few weeks.”

Reilly stated, “I ask to make that a priority. We’ve got to get that thing knocked down.”

Councilman Brian McLaughlin wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. He asked why the Ferry Terminal is up for rebidding.

Skarzynski answered, “It should be $2 million. We are rejecting all the bids and sending out for more. It is not a blank check – it is a reasonably priced commodity. One bid was for over $6 million and another for $9 million.”

Councilwoman Zusette Dato reminded everyone of the food drive at the senior center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

Council Vice President Christine Noble wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Council President Mickey Gross wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. “Thank you to all first responders, for all you do!”

Mayor Fred Henry thanked the food pantry for giving out 270 turkey dinners and the South Amboy kitchen for cooking the turkey meals. I want to thank everyone. There was an emergency at Hillcrest. There was a gas leak, and it took the Office of Emergency Management, Fire Department, and Police Department for a smooth evacuation.”

Business Administrator Glenn Skarzynski said that the city is working on the budget and opening bids on the Ferry Terminal will be on December 9th.
Public Portion:

Resident Mary Szaro came up to speak. She gave a spotlight on the Green Team stating that the Team will have completed the requirements by 2023. She gave highlights on the Green Team’s accomplishments and plans. She said they have installed an Environmental Commission and happy to get other ones. She stated there is a Wildlife Interaction Plan, Brownfield Interaction Plan. “We are holding a Green Fair on March 4, 2023.” Szaro pointed out Chris Smiga who was present at the council meeting who is leading a bright future for South Amboy. “Get the lead out,” Community Forestry Management Plan, an Innovative Community Project which promotes the Green Team and a Community Educational and Outreach in the fall of 2022. Also included are Diversity and Equality Programs and Historic Preservation. She gave the council a chart explaining the details of the Green Team.

Chris Smiga came up to speak, “Under the direction of Jay Elliot (Director of Code Enforcement), we reached out to Edison. The households voluntarily participated in ta drinking water program. Half the households want a ban on lead. Middlesex Water has a “Get the Lead Out,” timeline.”

Council President Mickey Gross said, “The new law on the books is if you rent an apartment, the landlord is responsible to have someone come out and test the property. Also have an inspection done. It is on the landlord to do this.”

Smiga continued, “We would like the city to create an Environmental Commission.”

The next person to speak was Resident Norman Gayle who was experiencing a high sewer bill despite being a senior. “There is no dispute on facts. The billing of seniors is also on water. Right or wrongly, I will gather feedback. Some people got a lower sewer bill – but its not for commercial water.”

Council President Gross said, “I didn’t’ realize we’ve ever done that. Middlesex Water is not our friend. We got a separate meter to specify for a sewer bill. They charge for a separate meter. Make sure. For multifamily property, they get that increase as well.”

Councilwoman Dato said, “We’ve discussed this. We understand the need for an increase. It is uniform for homeowners with buildings that are that large.”

The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m. All Council Members were present.