South Amboy Council
4/18/18 South Amboy Council Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – At the 4/18/18 Council Meeting, during the Council Comments portion of the Meeting, Councilwoman Zusette Dato reminded everyone that there will be a beach cleanup on Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. at the Waterfront. “We’d love to have everyone.” She then mentioned that there is a survey from the Metuchen/Edison/Woodbridge/South Amboy YMCA addressing the needs and concerns of the community. “The Y is not like another gym. Please participate in the survey. The B.A. will put it on the City Website and on our Facebook page.” Dato then stated that the Edison Chinese School is putting on a program “Celebrate the Year of the Dog” at the Dowdell Library on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.
Councilwoman
Zusette Dato
Councilman Thomas Reilly stated the South Amboy Historical Society will have a display with speakers on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the Senior Center. Reilly congratulated Councilwoman Zusette Dato upon receiving the Peter J. Barnes Jr. Community Champion Award.
This award is given to an individual who has a legacy of community service, is responsive to and interested in the work of the YMCA, serves as an example for others in leadership, integrity and the core values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Zusette has a long history of volunteerism with the YMCA of MEWSA and within the community. (from: http://www.ymcaofmewsa.org)
“It’s well deserved,” stated Reilly.
Reilly then said, “The Business Administrator has been adding local business on our webpage which will help market businesses and increase people shopping here. I want to thank Glenn (B.A. Skarzynski) (for doing this).”
Reilly then added that the Business Breakfast will be June 2, 2018. He then reminded everyone there will be a street fair on Saturday, June 23, 2018. Reilly concluded his comments thanking volunteers and the DPW for all the hours they put in helping to make Little League opening day a success. “Thanks for continuing to support our kids.”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin thanked the Fire Department, Police Department, First Aid, and EMT’s for helping to rescue a man who had driven his car into the water. He commented on the recent power outages, “The infrastructure is old. JCPL is making upgrades. They just haven’t got to us here yet.”
Council President Mickey Gross congratulated the new B.A. for the excellent job he is doing.
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated, “The (South Amboy) newsletter has been sent to the printer.” He then stated he was able to obtain $130,000 in unclaimed grant money from the County. “That money will be used for handicapped access and a new senior bus.”
Council President Mickey Gross stated his sister-in-law who is disabled fell down during a power outage. He thanked the Police, Fire, First Aid, and EMT’s for responding to the emergency. “I thank God for them every day.” Gross congratulated Zusette Dato on her award. “Your heart is always willing to help.”
Mayor Fred Henry thanked B.A. Glenn Skarzynski for his excellent work. He then mentioned the South Amboy Historical Society is sponsoring a vintage baseball game where some of the members of the historical society will play a travel team at a game with 1870’s rules. He also stated there will be repairs done to several roads including O’Leary Boulevard. “I want to thank the D.O.T. A lot of good things are happening in South Amboy.”
During the public portion, Resident Louise Johnson came up to speak. She complained about the power outages in South Amboy, “I have lived in this town for 35 years. For 35 years I put up with losing power. For 35 years I put up with JCPL. Recently, three times, when I was on the computer, the computer and everything else in the house went out. I’ve reset clocks time after time. It’s getting worse and worse. I couldn’t get to church on Sunday! I live on Washington Road. I was late to church. The church I go to has been there since 1886. We deserve a little more. PSEG is in Perth Amboy. JCPL is in South Amboy. Why can’t we get PSEG?”
B.A. Skarzynski addressed her concerns, “We received a large number of complaints on JCPL due to loss of power. JCPL explained why there was loss of power. The first time was due to wildlife. An Osprey nested on power lines in Old Bridge. They’re a federally protected species, so it took a few days to clean that up. The second outage was when a wood pole fell and hit wires. The third time a Sayreville transformer exploded and there was a large fire. The fourth time, they lost a transformer on Broadway.”
Skarzynski stated that changing the power company is beyond the power of the Council. However, the Council could send correspondence to JCPL expressing their displeasure.
Johnson stated, “This last storm was the icing on the cake. Every time the wind blows I lose power. It shouldn’t be. We can do better than this.”
