3/25/20 Council Meeting

By: Katherine Massopust

SOUTH AMBOY – After technical difficulties on the 3/18/20 Council Meeting, which was via audio phone casting, the South Amboy City Council had their meeting on 3/25/20 via audio conferencing with improved technology. Several of the Council Members had difficulty with the system on 3/25/20 and requested that the meeting be rescheduled to March 25th. The main focus of the 3/25/20 meeting was to pass the 2020 Municipal Budget. 

 Council President Mickey Gross handed the meeting over to Gary W. Higgins, CPA, RMA, PSA – Managing Committee Partner of Lerch, Vinci & Higgins, LLP who performed the financial auditing services. Higgins introduced the 2020 Budget which was subject to review by the Division of Government Services.

 Higgins stated that the budget was submitted to Director of Revenue and Finance & CFO Dan Balka and explained that the CFO replied with a request to the Division of Local Municipal Services gave permission to begin the process of adoption.

 Higgins stated that the budget is $3000 under the tax cap. 

 After the public hearing (which took place via phone conferencing and by B.A. Glenn Skarzynski and Mayor Fred Henry checking both doors for anyone wishing to speak from the public), the city council was asked if they had any comments about the budget.

 Some of the council members had concerns, and there was a brief discussion regarding this.

 Councilman Brian McLaughlin asked, “If the budget is not adopted, do we still run on a temporary budget?”

Higgins stated that the council can always pass emergency appropriations if needed and the money can be used for public health and welfare. He advised the council that if a temporary budget is passed, the city has to initiate temporary tax bills, etc. “There is a upside and downside in case of an emergency.”

 Councilman Thomas Reilly stated, “We cannot give large raises to city workers who have been working only one year. We also overestimated the tax revenue from Woodmont.

B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated, “We did give members Code Enforcement increases up to comparable salaries to surrounding towns.” 

 Higgins then explained that Woodmont currently paid how much they were going to pay. “We realize that last year was inaccurate. Your budget properly reflects that.”

 Councilman Brian McLaughlin stated that the First Aid Squad needs a new ambulance.

 B.A. Skarzynski stated, “There is money (in the budget) to fund a new ambulance.” He stated there is enough for a down payment on a new ambulance and when it comes, the NCIA will fund the rest to cover the cost. 

 McLaughlin then inquired about the co-op program regarding youth to work during the summer in the DPW. “There is no reason it can’t be done.” He then stated that some of the personnel that was budgeted for he agreed with and some he didn’t. “We are counting on PILOT money to be put into the budget. A lot of these are rentals. We have a pandemic. I’ll vote “No” on the budget.”

 Before the voting, Council President Mickey Gross checked the front and back doors and asked anyone listening (he looked on the computer to see who was listening) on the phone conference and asked if they wished to comment on the budget. 

 The voting went as follows: Zusette Dato: Yes; Brian McLaughlin: No; Christine Noble: No; Thomas Reilly: No; Mickey Gross: Yes.

 The 2020 budget did not pass for adoption.

 City Clerk Debra Brooks read resolution 20-108 which enacted a temporary budget for 2020. After reading the temporary budget, the council voted unanimously to pass the temporary budget.

 Resolution 20-107 which  was to apply for a grant for the Federal Transit Association for a grant for the year 2020 Passenger Ferry Grant Programin support of the ongoing efforts to construct the Radford Ferry Terminal Project passed unanimously.

Council Comments:

 Councilman Brian McLaughlin thanked everyone who is helping during the coronavirus outbreak including the OEM and Police Department. 

 Councilman Thomas Reilly stated, “I was deeply troubled by the last meeting – having issues. We can’t have things like that happen.”

 Council Vice-President Christine Noble stated, “Accidents happen. I agree with increases to salary. I agree we need an ambulance. I know it will be passed. Everybody should have their questions answered.”

 Councilwoman Zusette Dato stated, “I agree. No one feels good about what happened at the last meeting. I agree with Christine (Noble). We’ll work to resolve it the best we can. Be kind. I ask we all remember local businesses. They need our help. Try to have some normalcy. Remember the Census. I did it and it took me under ten minutes.

 Council President Mickey Gross stated, “The police, the B.A., the Mayor – we’ve been working nonstop. Please! If you have any questions about the coronavirus call me! Do not look at the idiots on social media. Call me! We had something someone said on social media that was not true. Tell people to call me if you need answers. As of today, there are 3 cases in South Amboy.”

Mayor Fred Henry stated, “We’ll work (the budget) out.”

 B.A. Skarzynski stated, “We’ll provide the system and keep everybody abreast.”

 Mayor Henry said, “Well get through this. I promise.”

 For the final public portion, both doors were checked and everyone on the phone were asked if they wanted to speak. 

 The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.