Perth Amboy Councilman Fernando Irizarry
PERTH AMBOY – Late starter Resolution R-175-3/14 Authorizing execution of a memorandum of agreement with the Policemen’s Benevolent Assoc. Local #13 Regarding police academy graduate’ salary.
Former Council President and Retired Police Officer Kenneth Balut had an issue with this resolution. At the 3/26/14 Council Meeting, Balut said, “Young cops should get raises. Some of them have foreclosures on their homes. These young cops deserve more.”
B.A. Greg Fehrenbach said, “Around January 3rd or 4th of this year, the Dynamic Salary Guide in the contract was inconsistent. Automatic step increases were stopped. We discussed this with the P.B.A. Seven officers will get the increase. The Public Employment Group decided to eliminate the Dynamic Salary Guide.”
Councilman Bill Petrick said, “We don’t negotiate union contracts.”
When it came time to vote on this resolution, all voted “Yes” except for Councilman Fernando Irizarry who abstained.
Balut questioned Irizarry’s abstention. He told Irizarry, “When you abstain, you should give a reason why. You voted for the Chief’s raise.”
Irizarry said, “I abstained on this resolution on the advice of the lawyer [City Attorney Mark Blunda].”
Balut asked Irizarry if he could give a reason for his abstention.
Irizarry asked the lawyer who was there in Blunda’s place if he had to answer that question.
Irizarry was told he didn’t.
B.A. Fehrenbach told Balut that what Irizarry said was true.
Balut told Irizarry that he didn’t have a problem giving the Police Chief a raise. (At a prior Council Meeting)
Irizarry answered, “My abstention should not be misconstrued. I support the whole Police Department.”
Resident Ricky Aviles questioned, “Did the attorney tell Irizarry that he couldn’t give a reason why he should abstain?”
Addressing Council President Joel Pabon, Aviles said, “When speakers come up to the podium, they should be addressing you. When the Mayor or a City Employee is sitting in the audience and they come up to speak, they should follow the same time limit as the other speakers. If not, they should come and sit up front with you if they need more time.”
