10/21/20 Council Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – Two resolutions: No. 20-293 & 20-294 were passed. Since the 10/7/20 Business Meeting was cancelled, Council President Mickey Gross suggested that every item on the consent agenda to first be discussed. The council agreed.
There was a discussion regarding No. 20-295 – Resolution providing for the insertion of a special item of revenue in the budget pursuant to N.J. S.A.40A:4-87(CH.159P.L.148) – Public and private revenues offset by appropriations – NJ CARES ACT GRANT.
B.A. Skarzynski stated that the City of South Amboy will be receiving $40,133.42.
Councilman Thomas Reilly asked how this money has to be spent. B.A. Skarzynski stated that the monies awarded must be spent on protective equipment that meet the criteria.
Councilwoman Zusette Dato asked about the police dropbox for mail-in ballots.
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski noted that was put in free of charge and the installation was reimbursed.
Councilwoman Dato thanked Congressman Frank Pallone for the $5 million awarded for the Ferry Terminal. Council President Mickey Gross thanked the administration, B.A. Glenn Skarzynski, the staff of the City of South Amboy who did a great job, too.
No. 20-297 – Resolution authorizing the city of South Amboy to sell surplus city equipment and vehicles through the municibid website for the city of South Amboy.
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated that derelict vehicles that are no longer in use must be auctioned off. This will be done via an online company. Skarzynski was pleased to announce that the grant for the arts institute of Middlesex County Division of Art & History Program Support II grant program (Resolution 20-300) was applied for and granted. According to Skarzynski, the grant is specifically for the arts. Councilwoman Zusette Dato noted that the city has to match the grant with $750.
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz stated the city is installing an emergency generator at the Department of Public Works.
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski explained No. 20-304 – Resolution in support for submission of application to the transportation alternatives set-aside program of the NJDOT. He stated that the city is applying for an alternate grant to enhance the area between the downtown and the ferry terminal (up to $1 million).
Councilman Thomas Reilly stated that it would be nice to extend to the county park.
Skarzynski said that is exactly the Mayor’ strategic plan.
The consent agenda was moved by Councilwoman Zusette Dato and seconded by Council Vice President Christine Noble. All voted yes.
There were two additional items up for discussion. The first was an update on Best Practices. B.A. Skarzynski stated, “We were able to answer all desired directions the state required with a “yes”. We were able to comply with the state.”
The second discussion was about the South Amboy First Aid Squad becoming a part of the city under its umbrella. B.A. Skarzynski explained that before this, the maximum donation the city could give to the First Aid squad was $70,000.”According to Skarzynski after becoming under the umbrella of the city, there is no such restriction. Skarzynski stated that he had numerous meetings with the First Aid Squad and the Fire Department. (The South Amboy First Aid Squad would become the South Amboy Fire Department – EMS Division.)
Council President Mickey Gross brought up that the First Aid Squad needs a new ambulance. Skarzynski stated, “There’s money for that.” Skarzynski explained that the city met with 3 fire chiefs and communicated the requests of both organizations. “The way we are structuring this ordinance, we are expecting no change. They would just benefit by being under the city umbrella.”
Council President Gross stated, “I have received many complaints from the third Fire Chief’s vehicle. Is there some way to fix it? Can we as group agree to buy this truck. Can we order it tomorrow?”
Fire Chief Bob O’Connor said, “It should have been ordered months ago.”
Skarzynski said, “We can get the money. It’s a matter of locating a vehicle available to purchase immediately.”
Gross said, “It’s a safety issue.”
Skarzynski said he would meet with the CFO first thing tomorrow morning to get things going.
Ordinances 13-2020 and 14-2020 were passed.
Council Comments:
Councilwoman Zusette Dato said, “The South Amboy YMCA has reopened. Classes have resumed and there are online classes.” Dato then added, “The Mayor’s Wellness Challenge is a virtual walk/run from October 19th to November 15th. Contact Jaqueline Kelly at the Senior Center. Voting information centers has been set up and are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the New Brunswick County Administration Building. There is additional information on the County Clerk’s Website. Ask people if they got the vote-by-mail ballot.”
Council Vice-President Christine Noble made some remarks regarding Halloween. “I just want to remind everyone if you choose to participate, be careful driving that day.”
Councilman Tom Reilly stated, “St. Mary’s Food Pantry is running low. They need donations of food.” Reilly then spoke about the recent house fire on Second Street. “The South Amboy Fire Department saved the church on one side and the home on the other. They are real professionals.” Reilly then asked about the illegal palate operation.
B.A. Skarzynski stated, “They were issued a second summons. The fines were too low (with the first summons).” Skarzynski noted, “There was a total of 3 pallets on a trailer today as I left the city.”
The discussion turned to illegal rentals. Skarzynski said, “There are a lot of suspected illegal dwellings. We dwindled it to over 60 multifamily dwellings. 44 have been sent notifications. They are going to get regularized.”
Councilman Reilly stated, “There are two parts: the renters not paying their yearly fee. Some don’t have the right to rent.”
Skarzynski said, “We don’t want to fight a two-pronged war. First things first. Once we complete that process, we will report back regularly on the progress.”
Reilly said, “One of the issues in town are if 15 to 20 people live in a residence, there are cars parked all over the street.”
Skarzynski said, “We’ll have inspectors down.”
Reilly then changed the subject, “Try to patronize our businesses – shop local.”
There was a brief discussion about having two meetings in November, January, and February. Council President Mickey Gross stressed the importance of not having combined meetings except in the summer. Gross also stressed the importance of having virtual meetings due to the dangers of Covid. Although the council preferred live in-person meetings, they agreed that it would be safer and better for both the public and themselves to continue having virtual meetings.
Councilman Brian McLaughlin thanked the South Amboy, Perth Amboy, and Sayreville Fire Departments who help put out the recent fire on Second Street. He asked for donations to the family whose house that caught fire. McLaughlin turned his attention to the records of past South Amboy Council Meetings. He was concerned that there were no minutes or copy of what went on at the 12/19/18 Council Meeting.
Law Director Francis Womack said, “We do have minutes. The Acting City Clerk counted the vote. The Acting City Clerk came to me in 2019. We tried every program and went to the state police. We were not able to make it audible.”
Councilman McLaughlin suggested to send it out to someone professional.
Councilwoman Dato stated that minutes were taken, and the minutes showed how the vote were taken.
Law Director Womack said that the city had no transcribed audio and they are not required to do so, and neither is stenography (for a city council meeting).
Councilman Reilly stated, “There’s a lot more to the meeting than just a vote. There’s not one person in town who was in favor of that project (Manhattan Beach which was voted upon by the council at the 12/19/18 meeting).”
Womack explained, “If minutes are presented to you, if you have the ability, the council can admit these minutes who was present at the meeting and what occurred.”
McLaughlin said, “There were a lot of residents (at the meeting). We didn’t respect their wishes.”
Council President Mickey Gross gave his comments about the recent fire and illegal housing. “Thank the South Amboy Fire Department for their response.” Gross then changed the subject, “As far as illegal housing, what does the city do with those who do not respond?”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski answered, “They have to go in front of a judge.”
Council President Gross stated that there will be drive thru flu shots on October 30, 2020. “At some time, there will be a Covid vaccine. This flu vaccine drive-thru at the firehouse is a practice run. We are preparing to handle thousands of people for the health department, city, and police department. This could be good practice run for the Covid vaccines.”
Mayor Fred Henry said, “I want to thank the Fire Department for containing the fire. My parent’s house was next door. I grew up in that house. I thank them for what they do. I want to thank the wellness program. We offered free advertising on shirts (for this event). It is your right to vote. You can mail in your ballot or put it in a dropbox at the high school. We hope everyone gets out to vote. I want to thank (City Engineer) Mark Rasimowicz for the work on the streets. We are having our annual cemetery tour. The Veteran’s Day Ceremony will be on November 11, 2020 at Train Station Plaza. Stay safe.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski said, “We’ve been experiencing heavy truck traffic on Main Street.” Skarzynski then spoke about a library program to honor Veterans by the Dowdell Library. “The library has an excellent program – Storytime with a Veteran. Email the library a picture with a description and they will put it on their website.”
Public Portion:
The first person to speak was resident Jeanie Longobandi who lives near a firehouse. “The firehouse siren is very loud where I live. I have a one-year-old son that wakes up (when he hears the siren). The siren goes off every day around 6 p.m.”
Resident Branden Russell spoke next. He asked each council member, “What is your most preferred method of contact from South Amboy Residents?”
Brian McLaughlin had no preference. Zusette Dato, Christine Noble, and Thomas Reilly said email. Mickey Gross said email or call his home, but if he is walking out the door he will not answer. Mayor Fred Henry said to contact the Business Administrator’s office.
Russell then brought up the minutes of the December 19, 2018 meeting. Law Director Womack reminded Russell that the city has since hired a certified municipal clerk. Russell commented that was not legally sufficient.
Resident Bill DeMasi spoke next. “Will the multifamily homes found to be noncompliant return to be single family? Suddenly homes will go up for sale. Will they be required to be single-family homes?”
B.A. Skarzynski stated if they want to be multi-family, they must go through the zoning board.
Law Director Womack stated that if it is a multi-family building not legally proven as multi-family; it cannot continue. Tenants have some rights. To continue, they (the owners) have to go to a zoning meeting.
Resident Greg Batulak was next to speak. He directed his question at Law Director Francis Womack. “What media was used to record that meeting?”
Law Director Womack answered, “I don’t know.”
City Clerk Deborah Brooks said, “The software and audio are standard. It is the same one the court uses. Something went wrong with the microphone (at the 12/19/18 meeting).”
Batulak asked, “It was not a tape cassette? Let’s get that audio back. It’s an important meeting. What about the missing minutes? Are you going to post the minutes (of the missing meetings on the website)?”
City Clerk Brooks stated that presently she must focus on the election which takes priorty, but she would try to work on them by December/January if possible.
Batulak commented that there was a live Democratic Committee meeting at the Hibernians and asked why the council couldn’t be in-person.
Council Vice President Christine Noble said, “We knew exactly how many people were coming to that meeting (Committee meeting). Mickey Gross recommended the virtual meetings (for council). He works in the field of health. I respect science and medical experts. There is a spike in cases. If I had my wish, I would go live, but it’s not prudent to do so.”
Law Director Womack explained you don’t know how many people are coming to a council meeting and they may wish to speak, and it isn’t practical to have an in-person meeting at this point.
Batulak asked why the last meeting was cancelled.
Council President Mickey Gross stated it was his decision. He added, “I do not think it is safe to have an in-person meeting. I am doing the responsible thing.”
Resident Larry Parsons spoke next, “When will they complete the other side of the Hole in the Wall?”
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz said, “It’s a county road and it we discussed the processes of milling and paving. I’ll check with the county.”
Parsons said, “It’s very rough.”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin complained that his wife’s business was interrupted because of digging in front of it on Broadway.
City Engineer Mark Rasimowicz stated that there were different crews working on Broadway without permits and he would follow up on it.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. All council members were present.
