Council Meeting
3/24/21 Council Meeting
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – During the first public portion on the ordinances, Resident Ken Balut came up to speak about Ordinance No. 3 – The acquisition of property for public use known as 984 Amboy Ave. by exercise of the power of eminent domain. Balut stated that he heard that there had been a cash deal to buy this property by September. “Can you trace this money? A city employee knew the guy who bought this property. I want to make sure the taxpayers don’t overpay. Was it one person or others who did a cash deal? It’s very suspicious.”
Fire Chief Ed Mullen came up to respond, “The appraisal for this property was less than expected and the council will have to approve any funding. I will make sure that I do my due diligence.”
The public was then allowed to comment on agenda items only.
The first person to come up to speak was Resident Stanley Sierakowski. He referenced R-168-3/21 – The interlocal service contract with the County of Middlesex Health Department Services.
“Is there any oversight since the county employees are paid by our taxpayers? When I worked for the county, people had to electronically sign in and out. You need to know exactly what these people do when they come here. When I worked for the county, a person was fired for not doing any work. This is a political patronage job. When Peter King (Former Law Director) was our attorney, he changed the nepotism law without notifying the council. The mayor’s sister was hired by the city.”
Council President William Petrick then spoke up and corrected Sierakowski stating, “It was the Assistant Mayor’s sister.”
Sierakowski continued, “There was a lawsuit involving this person. I wouldn’t pay it. Peter King was less than forthcoming.”
Petrick spoke up and said that some of the bills submitted by Peter King for payment, “I had them redacted.”
Sierakowski suggested that the council go to the county and have them investigate Peter King.
Ken Balut came up to speak about R-168. “Stanley (Sierakowski) is right. People donated (to political campaigns) and get jobs. When I called up about replacing my water meter, the person was in Alabama. Our former B.A. (Adam) Cruz did everything the mayor asked for. A sexual harassment suit was covered up in the court. I will continue to bring up sexual harassment cases. Women are not being treated fairly in this town. King knew about all of this and did nothing. I heard that homeowners are supposed to be getting a $500 rebate on their taxes. I hope this rumor is true.”
Resident and BOE Member Junior Iglesia came up to speak, “I’m coming here as a concerned taxpayer and parent.” He referenced Communication No. 3 –Middlesex County Board of Taxation submitted a copy of a resolution adopted on March 11, 2021 establishing the percentage of one hundred percent (100%) as the ratio of assessed to true of real property to be used for the purpose of assessing the taxable values to be used levying taxes for CY 2022.
Iglesia read from a written statement, “In 2012, the real value of property to levy taxes went from 96% to 100%. How much will the tax bill be increased? We are paying close to $8,000 in property taxes which is higher than Woodbridge. Are we going to continue to have tax increases? We need to have the most accurate information (when putting resolutions on the agenda).” Iglesia then played a tape recording of a psychologist who spoke about the harmful effects of marijuana, especially on the brains of developing youth. The tape went over the allotted time, and the council did not grant any additional time for Iglesia to finish playing the tape.
Resident Maria Peralta came up next and spoke in Spanish. Councilman Joel Pabon translated for her with a little bit of help from Councilwoman Milady Tejeda. She said, “All State and Federal Agencies have a translator. I respect Councilwoman Morales and I don’t understand when she felt threatened or offended when I spoke about marijuana at one of the other meetings. Somebody ran a campaign promoting marijuana. You dodged a question that I asked you to talk about regarding marijuana as casually as if it was ordering a pizza. Marijuana brings in gangs and crime. I’m asking the council to vote “No” to marijuana and put our kids first. Two council members seem to be for it (having marijuana in the city).”
Council President Petrick spoke up, “You are being misleading and going off topic with some of your statements.”
Attorney Daniel Gonzalez came up next, “Regarding marijuana, it’s already had its negative impact. Police prosecuted people (that had small amounts in their possession) which cause people to lose their jobs or not be able to get jobs. We can make money with marijuana. Marijuana will be regulated, and this could be profitable to the city. This is a way to prevent tax increases. Marijuana has been proved to prevent paranoia. Other towns will benefit from marijuana sales and be able to build up their cities. Marijuana has always been sold illegally. It’s not about religion or good or bad. I pay almost $15,000 in property taxes.”
Resident and Former Councilman Fernando Irizarry came up next, “When it comes to marijuana, I don’t deny there has been social injustice to minorities, but don’t deny the effects it has on the community. I have never injected my faith into these discussions. 53% of the people that approved of legalizing marijuana did not want it in their cities. We’ve heard in the past how some industries will bring jobs into the city, but nothing came of it. Raritan River Steel only provided a few jobs. This (marijuana) is supposed to benefit our city? We don’t want to be the poster child for selling marijuana. Will residents be allowed to grow their own marijuana?”
Petrick responded, “It’s no across the board for marijuana to be sold in the city.”
Irizarry continued, “It’s not fair to limit people who need a translator to only speak for 5 minutes.”
Petrick then made a lengthy comment regarding marijuana, “I am not for or against marijuana, and I want to hear all arguments. I am a child of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. Many people were incarcerated who got caught up in the usage. The Drug Enforcement Agency has linked marijuana as a gateway drug. Alcohol abuse is a concern. Our community will decide what to do and we will educate ourselves. We (the council) will have an expert to guide us on marijuana usage. We have a zoning map to see if there is a possibility of where to have distribution centers. We are not going backwards.”
The meeting was then opened up to Zoom participants.
Resident and Businesswoman Sharon Hubberman spoke first. She urged the council to read the entire law regarding marijuana and the pending bill. “We don’t exceed the 150,000-population threshold. The city is only 4.5 square miles and we should not have any marijuana dispensaries here. We have too much traffic, now. Our infrastructure is old and the federal money that we receive can help. We have 150 days to address the marijuana issue. I appreciate the feedback of the history of marijuana. Look at the cost in revenues generated. The cap on the profit for marijuana is only 3%. Will it help our city? Have presentations from all law enforcement agencies.”
When it came time to vote on the consent agenda, R-168 thru R-184 was moved by Pabon and seconded by Morales. Ordinance No. 1 – Establishing a cap bank for the municipal budget was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda. Ordinance No. 2 – Addition of handicapped parking places was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda. Ordinance No. 3 (see above) was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda.
Public Portion:
Resident Ken Balut spoke first, “Who picked up the garbage located at 395 Rector St.?” He then mentioned that New Jersey has sports betting and the lottery which is supposed to lower property taxes. “Marijuana will not lower the taxes. I once was in Vancouver, and kids would smoke marijuana openly while waiting for the school bus to pick them up. Now kids can smoke it even if they are minors, and the cops can’t even tell their parents. When I was a cop, if we picked up someone who had hard drugs, it would be pleaded down to possession of marijuana. When we had legalized sports betting, Governor Murphy was the first one to make a sports bet. Did we get any breaks from the sports betting? They card you if you need to purchase alcohol. These politicians are clueless. They always say it is for the children when it hurts them. . . And 395 (Rector Street) is Kushner’s property. Did Kushner pick it up or did the city?”
Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up next. “Business Administrator Ed Remsen was opposed to give me the title search information on the Anchor Marine property. What Remsen gave me was 21 years old. The title search only showed who was the president of Anchor Marine and the secretary’s name, but not the other owners. Developer Rosengarten put a lien on the property which he withdrew to get $5 million for it. It was assessed at $1 million when he bought it 30 years ago. It was rezoned from commercial to residential which should have caused the assessment to go up.”
Business Administrator Remsen came on Zoom to address 395 Rector St. “There is a reinspection planned for that property for Friday (3/26/21) and if the garbage is not removed, we will put a lien on it.”
Junior Iglesia came up next, “I agree with bringing experts to talk about marijuana, but we need a public forum to ask questions of those experts.”
Attorney Daniel Gonzalez came up next, “It’s good to have experts come to speak (about this issue) and to get different opinions.” He then stated that he went on a tour to look at the new amphitheater that was built in Perth Amboy. “There are wonderful things coming to Perth Amboy, and the former administration did good things such as a new park. Sometimes the council members were at odds with Wilda. It should not be about egos or politics. Work with each other and this new administration. Results don’t happen overnight, and the Zoom operator does a good job. We need a Spanish interpreter. The amphitheater is good for musical events and maybe we should hold our festivals there. Riverview Drive will be a good access to the theater.”
Petrick spoke about Gonzalez’s remarks about the amphitheater, “I’m surprised the seating was removed. There are no bathrooms and no dressing rooms.”
Gonzalez concluded his remarks, “I’ll take another look at it. I find it very calming (the amphitheater and its location).”
The meeting was opened to people on Zoom. No one spoke up.
Council Comments:
Councilwoman Rose Morales addressed Resident Maria Peralta’s remarks. “I wasn’t offended. At a previous meeting, you gave us an ultimatum that if we vote, “Yes” for marijuana, you will bring in protestors. I am trying to be fair, and the marijuana issue is going to be challenging. The bottom line is we can’t’ give 100% of what people want. We have to educate ourselves. I understand both arguments and I need to be fair. I’m going to be a devil’s advocate. Cigarettes are killing people as much as alcohol. I will try to make the best decision, stay neutral, and educate myself. Have a Happy and Safe Easter.
Councilman Joel Pabon said, “We had a number of speakers who talked about the marijuana issue and I respect the opinions of others. We don’t meet every week. There are 5 of us (on the council) and we will base our opinions on what we hear from the public. Send your opinion and to the Board of Education. This is about wanting this in your backyard. This is a hot topic, and it will be so until a decision is made. I’m happy to report that April 1st parks will be open, and I can’t wait to see this happen. Recently on one beautiful day, one park was packed with people playing basketball. Bring your own wipes when using the bathroom. Please keep practicing good hygiene.” He then talked about the alleyway in the back of people’s houses on First Street. “Most residents have garages back there. The county never paid for the boardwalk on Sadowski Parkway. People are asking for more lighting and showers on those boardwalks. And for some reason, showers were put up, but they were put in the middle of the boardwalk. I speak Spanish, but I’m not good at translating, especially if a person speaks fast. We need a translator, and we need to get the community involved, especially when it comes to the marijuana issue. I wish everyone a Happy Easter.
Councilwoman Milady Tejeda said, “I’ve been here since 1974 and I remember when I would take buses and people would be smoking marijuana while riding on the buses. Regarding marijuana: I am going to vote by what is good for our community. I’m glad that we (the council) will have an expert on marijuana to talk to us. The public also needs to hear this. We have an open door. Please help any of your senior citizen relatives to get registered for the vaccine. My mom is finally getting hers. Have a Happy Easter and remember why we are celebrating this holiday.”
Councilman B.J. Torres was the only council member to participate through Zoom. He had explained earlier when they did the rollcall that because of Covid cases going up again, he felt it was necessary to have meetings through Zoom.
Council President Bill Petrick said, “The council will have an expert who will speak to us regarding marijuana, but we can see if that same expert can speak to the public. We will wait until we hear from the expert and the public.” Petrick then requested that Law Director Northgrave draw up a resolution to urge the Senate and Assembly to reconsider to have parents notified if their minor children have possession of marijuana. “Maybe other cities can piggyback off of this resolution to notify their representatives of what is in this ordinance.”
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. All council members were present (Torres was present via Zoom). B.A. Remsen was also present via Zoom.
