1/5/22 Reorganization/Business Meeting

By: Katherine Massopust

SOUTH AMBOY – Due to the rise in Covid, the meeting was held virtually. Mickey Gross was re-elected President and Christine Noble was re-elected Vice-President.

Added to the consent agenda was to nominate Councilwoman Zusette Dato to SARA and Councilman Brian McLaughlin appointed to OEM (Office of Emergency Management).

There was a question by Councilman Tom Reilly about Resolution 22-047 – the Library Board Appointments. Since the Superintendent of schools was appointed to the Library Board, Reilly asked if the Superintendent leaves, who will fill this appointment. 

City Clerk Brooks explained that this appointment is always the Superintendent of Schools, and if such a case happens, the new appointee would be the new Superintendent. 

There were some questions on the consent agenda about the language in changing the power of the city council to take legal action, if necessary, at a Business Meeting (so it will no longer be called a business meeting). This was included in the ordinance of the future dates of council meetings in 2022. City Clerk Deborah Brooks stated that the change was advised because the council may need to take legal actions at a business meeting and that the council no longer meets in the conference room. The business meetings are held in the regular meeting room so that it can be recorded properly. “Historically at a business meeting, no action was taken. Presently, if there is only one meeting a month for any reason, legal action can be taken.”

Councilman Tom Reilly stated he was not comfortable with this and that he did not wish to rush any legislation without the public having ample time to be informed.

City Clerk Brooks explained that this gives the council options if the legislation has a time deadline and does not interfere with putting things off without discussing it. 

Councilman Reilly stated he wanted this pulled off the agenda.

Brooks suggested that a straw poll be taken and that the council pass the date list of the future council meetings portion of the ordinance.

  Councilwoman Zusette Dato suggested, “We can have a discussion. It is important for the public to hear on the agenda. If we need to take action, approve the dates now, before we take action (on the ability to pass legislation during a business meeting).

  Law Director Francis Womack stated, “We need to publicize the dates of meetings by the 10th. We don’t need to specify what type of meeting it is (called).

City Clerk Brooks stated, “Anything that is not required, you can choose to carry (over to a regular meeting). I don’t want to get stuck. You (the council) are not supposed to take action at a business meeting. If it falls on a 30-day deadline for instance, we have that option.”

Council President Mickey Gross stated that he had no wish to push anything through. 

  Law Director Francis Womack stated that anything that needs to take action on always can be voted on.

The council decided to publish the dates, but to pull the portion of the ordinance to discuss the ability to pass legislation at a business meeting to be discussed in the future, but passed the list of meeting dates.

There were some questions on Resolution 22-052- A Resolution extending the Resolution 20-094 contract award for the supply of gasoline for municipal vehicles to Kira-Dhar, Inc. Exxon of Sayreville.

Councilman Brian McLaughlin asked if the city was getting its own pumping station. 

  Business Administrator Glenn Skarzynski answered “Yes, at the end of the year. It will have all the bells and whistles with diesel and gas. It will be above ground.”

Council Comments:

Council Vice-President Christine Noble stated, “Have a happy, healthy new year. Thank you for voting me as Vice-Chair.”

Councilman Brian McLaughlin stated, “Have a happy new year. Covid came roaring back. Thank you to the new fire chiefs.” McLaughlin then asked about the redistricting that the county was doing in several municipalities, including South Amboy.

City Clerk Deborah Brooks stated, “Five different municipalities are being done at one time. There will be an extra meeting on the 14th at Middlesex County College. There is a 30-day timeline to get down by statute. The state gave it in late. Everybody is scrambling to get data together to get to the meetings.”

Councilman McLaughlin asked, “Do we know what the new wards are going to be?”

Brooks answered, “We will have new wards on population counting. Our town is very simple because we do not have any large populations to move. We are moving 600 people. That is less than 200 homes. We are working on this and things that are required a lot is predetermined. It has to be continuous. We are shifting (areas). Once I get the numbers and proposals, I will get them back to you. None of the current proposals will be include any current council members. In the 2030 (future census), it will be adjusted then.”

Council woman Zusette Dato stated that this process is run by a bipartisan Election Committee consisting of both an even number of Republicans and Democrats.

The Amboy Guardian reached out to Councilwoman Dato who referred us to the City Clerk who gave the following statement: “With the results of the 2020 census back, it has been determined that there is more than a 10% population difference between our largest and smallest wards. Therefore, per state statute, we must Re-Ward the City. I have attached the public notice that will be going out shortly. There are five municipalities that must Re-Ward.  We will be shifting approximately 600 people from Ward three to Wards 1 and 2.  None of the current Council Ward members will change wards.”

Councilman Tom Reilly wished everyone to stay safe with Covid coming back.  He thanked the new fire chiefs, the volunteers and donors to the food pantries. He then asked about the Historic Preservation Ordinance.”

Law Director Womack stated, “We have an ordinance thanks to Ms. Szarro (SAHPC Chair). The council needs to be clear what is included in this ordinance.” He explained that an ordinance was drafted, but it needs to be fine-tuned and to be vetted.

Reilly stated, “This ordinance shows pride and growth in the community.”

Councilwoman Zusette Dato wished all the best to everyone. “I want to thank the city employees, the OEM, Fire Department, First Aid Squad and all the people who make the city grow.”

Council President Mickey Gross announced the Covid numbers for Middlesex County: “1,800,” I honestly don’t know of numbers ever being higher. We are going to have testing tomorrow (1/6/22) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at no charge. I want to thank the workers and everyone.”

  Mayor Fred Henry stated, “I want to congratulate Mickey Gross and Christine Noble as President and Vice-President.” He announced that the Allie Clark Sports Center is being renovated. He congratulated the new fire chiefs.

Law Director Francis Womack wished everyone a happy new year. 

Public Portion:

Edward Grimes, who was standing outside city hall was the only person to speak from the public. He put on a wrestling mask and began to speak. Council President Gross told Grimes to take the mask off, but Grimes did not and continued to speak, “We want you to support disabled veterans. We just gave you a ramp. Your ban on medicinal cannabis is hurting vets. Even the Taliban gives medicine to its troops. We need medicinal cannabis for vets. We are going to ramp up all the public buildings for the disabled so they have access. We want representation for the taxation.” Grimes spoke in favor of praying and he then read a poem.

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. All council members were present.