5/23/18 Council Meeting
PERTH AMBOY – Councilman Fernando Irizarry questioned, “What will happen to our Engineer of 30 years when the new water contract comes through?”
Law Director Peter King responded, “No one knows yet because we are rebidding.”
Business Administrator Adam Cruz responded to Irizarry’s inquiring regarding to new water meters that are going to be installed, “These readings can be done by scanning.”
Irizarry then had a question regarding resident’s concerns about the proposed units being built on the St. Demetrios property. “I want to know if they will only be for people of Greek ancestry?”
King responded, “They can’t do that.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez spoke up and asked, “Were the 25 signatures on the petition (saying that they do not approve of the plan) forwarded to St. Demetrios Church? I went to the presentation. If people could see it, I think they would be pleased with the project. Only two people from the neighborhood were there.”
Resident Ken Balut came up to speak and asked Council President Petrick if he was aware of the ceremony at the Fire Department. He stated that some of the administrators or directors were not there.
Petrick responded, “The Fire Chief said it was very small and informal and only the on-duty firemen participated. They pulled out a fire truck during the ceremony.” (See the Perth Amboy Fire Department’s Facebook Page for more info.)
Balut continued, “It’s incompetent not to know the numbers (dollar amount the Schools and City are getting from PILOTs.) The administrators don’t know. You couldn’t read the numbers that were on the OPRA request information. You just give money to the rich. You get PACS from the rich money and give them the money back.”
Alan Silber came up to speak and told the Council that someone sent him a picture from Facebook showing him a picture of the Mayor and a City Employee in Puerto Rico. “Who paid for the trip? How much was the trip? And how many days were they there?”
Council President Bill Petrick responded, “We didn’t get any information on this.”
Silber continued and asked about the policy on nepotism. “You didn’t know about the change and was it changed back to the original (ordinance)?”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez responded, “I am meeting with the attorney about this. There may be some additional changes added.”
Silber than asked, “What about cronyism? It’s just as important. People were hired who are relatives of friends of the Mayor. What about our City’s website?”
Petrick said, “I don’t think anything has changed.”
Silber concluded remarking, “It’s (the website) been a year. Maybe he’s working on the next campaign.”
Adam Cruz spoke up to answer Silber’s question about the Mayor and City Employee’s trip to Puerto Rico. “There was no cost to the City.”
Resident Vince Mackiel came up next to speak about the water issue, “3 out of 8 wells were affected. If we have a drought or any other unusual weather conditions, are there any other water sources options?”
Petrick replied, “We can buy water from Middlesex Water Company. They already supply water to Woodbridge. There is incomplete data on the water safety issues.”
Mackiel continued, “I know there are a lot of important industries that stabilize our cities.”
Petrick said, “BASF is remediating the Plume. They will do an experimental process which the US-PA and NJDEP will monitor and provide us with expertise.”
Mackiel then asked, “Are businesses going to be connected to this? 30 years ago, the City lost 1 million gallons of water a day because of one business. Everyone should have to abide.”
Petrick then stated, “Businesses and residents will get new meters, accept for businesses that will need special meters.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez then added, “Even churches pay water bills. Depending on the type of business, they may need a different size meter.”
Parish Council President of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Perth Amboy, Judge Marina Corodemus came up to speak. She first thanked Councilman Fernando Irizarry for the prayers he said at the beginning of the meeting, “We pray for those not truthful about the church. We are putting back the community center and we are abiding by the Fair Housing Laws – Municipal, State, and Federal. I don’t need anyone coming up here to read the laws to me. People spread falsehoods. How miserable and soulless to attack a church? We invited the Council and Citizen Groups to come to a meeting. Religious and ethnic groups were invited to our church to see our plans. I’ve spoken about our plans. Why do some people hate the church? We could be in court filing defamation of character charges. I don’t know what more can be said. It will be a green building and you’ll be getting revenue. This will not be attacking the school system. There will be 24 2-bedroom apartments that are pre-fabs.”
A Resident from Kearny Avenue came up to speak, “The people talking against the church are a bunch of liars. They’re racists. Many Greeks are in this town. 3 or 4 white people are racists. We have been here 100 years. We never made any problems. The Mayor does good things. Don’t listen to them (the liars).”
Resident Dot Daniel came up to speak, “I have many friends from the Greek Church. We need proper housing for all. The Seniors are always asking me for help with housing. We haven’t had vouchers for years. 95% of people in housing units have jobs. Some two jobs. Seniors have contributed (for years) and are in need of housing. They (St. Demetrios) are doing the right thing.”
Resident David Caba came up to speak, “I was asked to go to a Freeholders Meeting concerning the (County) park. It’s been 4 years. We (the PAHS Baseball Team) are in the County Championships for the first time. Maybe other towns have championships because they care about their youth. Look at the developers who abandoned projects. The real estate is rebounding and maybe that’s why Kushner wants to come back. He still hasn’t fixed Rector Street. I will ask about that park. Build a soccer field and restaurants at the Waterfront.”
Council President Petrick told Caba, “Permits are in place and there should be a ground-breaking in the fall.”
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up, “We didn’t ask you to go to a Freeholders Meeting.”
Irizarry then also spoke up stating, “We have not approved the 600 (Seagate) units.”
Caba responded, “I didn’t say you approved 600 units.”
Petrick spoke up again and said, “The playground, parking lot, and a soccer field were supposed to be a part of that park, but a cleanup has to be done first.”
When it came to Council Comments, Gonzalez asked to put in the agenda to have runoff requirements for elections. “They used to have it, but it was eliminated. Every major city has been represented by the majority of voters. Maybe it’s because we have been controlled by one party.”
City Clerk Elaine Jasko responded, “It was done to save money.”
Councilman Gonzalez stated, “Politicians in charge did it to benefit themselves.”
Councilman Irizarry asked that there be a dedication by rider for a Resolution (how PILOT money should be delegated).
Petrick responded, “It was done, but needs to be put on by the Council.”
King told the Council, “It was tabled.”
Irizarry continued and talked about the fences that were on one of railroad bridges, “They look like prisons.”
Cruz responded, “They were installed by the City for pedestrian safety.”
Council President Petrick added, “NJ Transit put up additional fences to keep out dumping.”
Irizarry then said he wanted to recognize two First Responders who prevented a suicide.
Joel Pabon said, “I want to thank the Greek Church for coming here to clean up some issues. I also want to thank Ms. Rivera for giving us the update on the upcoming (County) park. Parks don’t make championships. When I was growing up, we didn’t have great parks, but we played in those parks. Parks have improved dramatically. There are million-dollar parks that have never produced championships. Rudyk Park is second to none in the County. The high school has first preference for using the park. I give credit to the coaches, which is key. He puts time into those kids and kids go to baseball camps, now. In the City, we can now watch the games and enjoy them.” Pabon mentioned the upcoming Memorial Day Ceremony which will honor our fallen soldiers. “I thank them and their families.”
Petrick also mentioned the Memorial Day Parade and the festivities leading up to it (Waterfront Arts Festival). “I thank everyone in attendance and watching on TV-Land.”
Councilman Helmin Caba was absent.
