9/23/19 Caucus

By: Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – During the discussion on Ordinances First Reading, Councilman Joel Pabon had concerns about Ordinance No. 2 regarding: Parking Prohibited on Andrews Drive and Wagner Avenue. He discussed the HEAT Bar whose  patrons would park on those two streets. “If we grant these residents to have prohibited parking, then I think the patrons of that bar will just go and park on other streets in the Spa Springs Section. You need more patrolling of that club. Al Cibelli’s (the former establishment) never had any trouble.”

Business Administrator Carr responded, “They (The HEAT Bar) had a deal with the gas station next to it to allow the patrons to park there.”

Council President William Petrick then spoke up and stated, “The Andrews Street Residents are just looking for some kind of relief.”

Pabon continued, “The HEAT Bar should hire a police officer. It would drastically help them.”

Councilman Fernando Irizarry spoke up. He also had concerns about this ordinance. “What about other residents near bars? Do they ask for the same consideration? And what happens if the police don’t respond to those residents’ complaints?”

Petrick said, “If the police don’t enforce the ordinance, then we will have to bring the police here for discussions.”

Irizarry then went to another subject regarding the trash pickup on Wagner Street. “We need to change the hours for the cars to be removed off of the street.”

Department of Public Works Director Frank Hoffman came up to answer Irizarry’s question, “We need to get to the streets early, so we don’t interfere with the school buses on the road, so we start out at 5 a.m. We have to get our trucks in early for pickups, and we may have to tow cars that are in the way.”

There was a question if they could have smaller trucks come in pick up the trash in the Budapest section (which has smaller streets).

Hoffman explained that the smaller trucks would have to make more trips. “We have trucks (that have extended mechanical arms).”

There was then a question regarding Resolutions 415-9/19 and 416-9/19. 

R-415 – Placing liens on property for charges incurred by the Department of Public Works. B.A. explained that these properties were on the abandoned property list.

Council President William Petrick questioned, “Why do we never go after people like Anchor Marine like we do for people who own small properties?”

Regarding R-418-9/19 – Extending the contract with Peter J. King Esq., and the law firm of King, Moench, Hirniak, and Mehta, LLP formerly known as King and Petracca, LLP to perform legal services beyond the regular duties of the Director of Law in an amount not to exceed $60,000.

Law Director King explained, “Some of the cases are active litigation involving the City and PARA acting in bad faith. Kushner was involved in that suit.”

Old Naval Building Demolished, Perth Amboy 9/22/19
*Photo by Katherine Massopust

When Joel Pabon heard the name Kushner, he mentioned the lights that were out by the Landings property. “Those lights were connected to the old naval building and then all of a sudden the building was knocked down.”

King went on to explain other duties were performed regarding R-418. “There was an employee who went on maternity leave and was paid for it and she never came back. We went to get the money back and she filed for bankruptcy. We are still working on that case. Another case involved the Benny Ruiz lawsuit where he claimed backpay because he was found not guilty. We won that case.”

Petrick spoke up and stated, “I would like to know what Kushner will do with the old naval building property.”

Pabon spoke up and stated, “I would guess that Kushner will pay less taxes now that building no longer exists.”

During the public portion, resident Alan Silber came up next and asked, “Can some of the speakers can talk louder so people can hear what they are saying?” He then asked, “When we hired an assistant prosecutor, was it a new position?”

King responded, “There used to be two prosecutors and one left due to retirement but said they would return if they were paid more. An assistant prosecutor was hired by the Mayor.”

Silber continued stating that a judge shut down the court and this judge was in conflict because of having many relatives employed by entities of the City. “Was it a conflict to have that judge close the court? Was it proper for the assistant prosecutor to come a Council Meeting to talk about Puerto Rican women being discriminated against?”

Silber then questioned R-414 and stated, “This is a new law firm. If work was done, then it should say the exact amount and not the phrase not to exceed the amount of.”

Petrick responded and said, “The Resolution did have an exact amount.”

Silber then said, “It should have stated that.”

Resident Vance Mackiel came up to speak next. He had a question regarding Communication No. 5 – Anchor Consultant, LLC submitted a copy of the NJDEP Waterfront Development Permit Application Package for Kinder Morgan Perth Amboy Terminal Dock B Dock House at 920 High Street. 

He asked, “When the City was recovering from Superstorm Sandy, there was 1 million gallons of oil spills. Have they stabilized their properties to prevent this from happening again? The smell of stench was a result of those companies not taking care of their properties.”

Council President Petrick spoke up and suggested that Mackiel write a letter to the NJDEP about this.

Mackiel responded, “It’s not proper not to discuss this. Discuss this with the City Engineer. It’s your responsibility. You submitted information to FEMA.”

Petrick then suggested that Mackiel come to the Planning Board Meetings because the City Engineer is always there. 

Mackiel then finished his statement with, “Environmental concerns are of interest to the whole state.”

During the Council Comments, Councilwoman Tejeda asked if the money that came from Comcast could be used for the safety of children in Washington Park.

Petrick responded, “The money went into the general fund and we can look at using it at Washington Park.”

Councilman Joel Pabon suggested that they talk to Kenny Ortiz in the Department of Recreation and Frank Hoffman in the Department of Public Works regarding this information. 

Tejeda also asked if the Council can get the agenda earlier.

B.A. Carr responded, “We needed to put the firefighter’s contract on the agenda and that is why it was delayed.”