(L to R) Councilman Helmin Caba, B.A. Adam Cruz, PE, BCEE, Senior Project Manager from CDM Smith Howard S. Matteson, Director of Operations at the at the USA-PA (Utility Service Associates Perth Amboy – Middlesex Water Company) Luis Perez Jimenez at the 5/21/18 Caucus *Photo by Carolyn Maxwell
5/21/18 Caucus
PERTH AMBOY – At the 5/21/18 Caucus, after the call to order, the Council immediately went into closed session. They returned approximately 30 minutes later at 5:10 p.m.
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez questioned the agenda item pertaining to the Purchase of Water Meters and Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project. The suggested contractor for this project was Sensus USA, Inc. Gonzalez argued that the Council needed more backup information about this.
Director of Operations USA-PA (Utility Service Associates Perth Amboy) Middlesex Water Company) Luis Perez Jimenez came up to answer Gonzalez’s concerns. He stated, “The existing meters are 20 years old. We went to various vendors. The existing vendor we have now does not have tamper-proof meters. We have 1,200 Sensor meters in the system, now.”
Council President William Petrick then asked, “Can the existing meters in the system be wired for radio transmission?”
Perez Jimenez responded, “We already have this in place and there’s no need to have meters at houses.”
Gonzalez still insisted, “We should wait on this until we get a new water company.”
Perez Jimenez continued, “The new company coming in can use the new meters which will be installed.”
Petrick then added, “We’re bringing in a new billing system in-house.”
Perez Jimenez then explained there will no longer be a need for meters at houses. “The readings will be power-driven by the water itself.”
The meeting was then opened up to the public.
A resident from Prospect Street had a question about Communication No. 10 dealing with the Market Street Bridge Pedestrian Crossing. She asked what is the status and when it will it be fixed. “When will signs be posted for the pedestrians who need to cross the bridge?”
Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano came up to speak, “There were four signs (advising pedestrians that they need to walk on the other side of the street) posted.”
B.A. Adam Cruz then spoke up regarding the bridge on Fayette Street. “It will cost between $8 million and $10 million to fix that Bridge. There are people on site who are working on the Market Street Bridge.”
The resident then voiced concerns, “Cars are speeding on Prospect Street and no one imposes the speeding laws.”
Resident Robert Mesy came up to speak and proclaimed, “We need clean water! People that live in back of me play loud music and park in my driveway. They play their loud music very late at night.”
Resident Ken Balut asked the Council if they were informed of the Nationwide Memorial Service to honor firemen. “We pay someone $75,000 a year to notify you of events. I got the notification on Facebook. You go to private sessions about personnel matters. I hear there’s one lawsuit against the police being settled for six figures. And what about our water problems?”
Petrick answered, “Water will be talked about in a private session. The new meters will be installed prior to the new water company coming in. We need to put in new meters because the old ones were being tampered with.”
Balut then asked, “How many people were charged for tampering with water meters?”
Resident Alan Silber came up to speak. He questioned the installation of a lawn irrigation system at 56 Brighton Ave. for $34,700. “That’s a lot of money. The one by Waters stadium watered the streets and not the grass. Do they work on a timer (system)?”
Petrick responded, “It could be on a timer or done manually. If it works correctly, there should be a sensor. In Iselin, I see streets being watered instead of the grass.”
Silber then questioned, “Could some people be paying too much (for their water)?”
Petrick replied, “The meter readings will be done through a radio (transmission). This new company who bid can do this.”
Perez Jimenez came up to comment, “We are purchasing 5,900 meters. They are tamper-proof. Certain commercial properties such as Crows Nest and some of Trujillo’s buildings have certain kind of new meters. The water bills will be monthly.”
Perez Jimenez then answered Balut’s question in regard to has anybody ever been charged for tampering with water meters. “There is a bar on Hall Avenue that has been charged with meter tampering and also a house. We must have evidence before we can take these persons to court.”
DPW Director Frank Hoffman came forward to talk about the Brighton Avenue lawn irrigation system. “There’s a timer and it can also manually shut off if its raining. The timer is 15 minutes, then it shuts off. Everything is adjustable.” Hoffman also responded to irrigation systems at City Hall and Dalton Field. “We do maintenance at the end of the season on their irrigation systems.”
Mayor Diaz then came up to speak, “We are rezoning the business district and are eliminating the Waterfront part. We need to concentrate on our business district, and I want to thank the Council President for coming to those meetings. People agreed to just concentrate on the business district.” The Mayor also was happy to report that Duke Realty, which is handling the E-Port Logistics Center announced that one company in Amboy is taking one of the buildings. She also stated there’s a second company coming in that is European, and they want to hire Perth Amboy residents. “Look at the Remediation on State Street. We have taken steps to make sure residents get hired. By the end of the year, two buildings will be filled. Job Fairs are being held.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez said, “I want to address a couple of problems. The building at the corner of Fayette and Goodwin Streets that has the mural painted on the side is in bad shape.”
The Mayor responded, “That is a County building and we’re trying to get control of that.”
Gonzalez responded, “The business next door to that building can use it. We seem to be the last ones on the County’s mind. There’s also a building on the corner of Herbert and Smith Street that’s very ugly.”
The Mayor responded, “These are also County buildings.”
Gonzalez stated, “I will go to the next County Meetings to complain. That area has been that way for 40 years.”
The Mayor responded, “Remember, that the area (where BRIDGE is now) was in bad shape for 20 years. Now, look what’s happening. Look what Duke Realty did with getting businesses at the BRIDGE building.”
Councilman Joel Pabon talked about an incident that happened over the weekend, “Between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. there were horns blowing loudly at the Waterfront. There were military helicopters flying. They were flying low and flying loud. Nobody knew why they were here. There should have been something posted. This was done for 3 days in a row.” He was also grateful that some of the roads were repaved.
Deputy Chief Cattano came up to talk about the military aircraft. “They were on a planned government mission and their pattern included flying from New York State to Jersey. They were military planes. The United States Coast Guard had a blast for fog warning that occurred every 60 seconds.”
B.A. Adam Cruz again talked about the bridges that are being repaired, “We have owned the Fayette Street Bridge since 1929 and it’s deteriorating rapidly. We closed one side of the pedestrian (walkway). We applied for a grant which we didn’t get. There’s $400,000 set aside for design. Until then, we are on our own and may have to bond money to pay for a new bridge.”
Councilman Gonzalez questioned the amount of $44,000 for new LED lights for the Smith Street area.
Hoffman came up to explain, “This is a verbal quote and we don’t have the money in the budget.”
Gonzalez then suggested, “Let’s talk to the BID about using some of their surplus money for the lights.”
Hoffman then reminded the Council, “We also have to talk to PSEG who we have a contract with.”
Councilman Caba spoke up and said, “I thought that BID was for this (helping to pay for the lighting).”
BID Chair Barry Rosengarten came up to speak, “We (the BID) are in favor of getting downtown lighting, but we haven’t talked about any payment for this. We can discuss this at our next BID Meeting.”
Environmental Engineer Howard S. Matteson, (PE, BCEE, Senior Project Manager from CDM Smith) and Luis Perez Jimenez came up to speak about the City’s water.
Matteson said, “There are low levels of dioxins, so you can minimize blending. It’s a known contaminant. The Runyan well is treated before the water is distributed. The Human Health Department extrapolated in order to see what the cancer risks were. The Human Health Criteria was redefined. Your drinking water is safe. Perez can choose which well to take water from to use, but the water was always blended.”
Perez Jimenez then spoke up, “3 of the 8 wells are affected by the plume.”
Matteson said, “We are using advanced oxidation: ozone and pre-ozone.”
Petrick asked, “Are the chemicals broken down?”
Matteson responded, “Yes, and you (the City) will be the first to try this process.”
Councilman Gonzalez then questioned, “Are there any companies that left behind these contaminants?”
Perez Jimenez responded, “There were two companies.”
Law Director Peter King ended the conversation and said, “BASF acquired those properties that will do the cleanups.”
Councilman Fernando Irizarry was absent due to a death in the family.
