(L to R) Mayor Fred Henry, City Council President Mickey Gross, South Amboy Police Chief Darren Lavigne, South Amboy Fire Chief David Szatkowski, South Amboy First Aid Squad Captain Tim Walczak pose for photo in a thank you for help with coordinating a successful St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
4/6/22 South Amboy Council Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
Councilman Reilly presents a Resolution to Mark Herdman for his service to South Amboy
SOUTH AMBOY – The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. Celebrating Government Week, Councilman Tom Reilly read two resolutions honoring two citizens of South Amboy: Janet Kern and Mark Herdman. Councilman Reilly stated, “When you volunteer, you gain confidence, you feel like part of the community, you learn new skills, have a challenge – this town does not function without volunteers.”
Reilly then read the two resolutions:
Janet Kern
WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the City of South Amboy would like to acknowledge South Amboy resident Janet Kern; and
WHEREAS, Janet has dedicated countless hours to this community and has demonstrated in many ways her deep and genuine love for this City; and
WHEREAS, Janet has been a lifelong resident of the City of South Amboy along with her two sons, George and Keith; and
WHEREAS, Janet graduated from Hoffman High School was employed by the school system for twelve years and has worked the last 16 years as a paraprofessional for special needs students; and
WHEREAS, Janet has received the Middlesex County Education Association Award for Public Education/Community Partner and has been on the Board of Education for 21 years a member of the PTO having held positions of Secretary, Vice President and President and
WHEREAS, Janet has spent many years involved in various local organizations such as the SA Youth Center, SA Elks, SA Juvenile Comm JCC’s Center of Life Long Learning, SA First Aid Squad, and the SA Lions; and
WHEREAS, presently Janet is active in the Friends of South Amboy, SA Board of Education, SA Planning Board the Food Pantry.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of South Amboy, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey do acknowledge and thank Janet Kern for her selfless efforts.
Mark Herdman:
Councilman Reilly presents a Resolution to Janet Kern for her service to South Amboy *Photos by K. Massopust
WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the City of South Amboy would like to acknowledge Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Herdman; and
WHEREAS, Mark has dedicated countless hours to this community and has demonstrated in many ways his deep and genuine love for this City; and
WHEREAS, Mark has been a resident of the City since 1980 along with his wife Sue, daughter Andrea and son Steven and has a grandson named Austin; and
WHEREAS, Mark was Deputy OEM Coordinator from 2003 through 2013 and has been OEM Coordinator from 2013 through the present; and
WHEREAS, Mark became a volunteer fireman in 1982 and rose through the ranks over the years and served as Fire Chief from 2000-2003 and has been an Honorary Member of the First Aid Squad since 1988 and this March marks his 40th year in the Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Mark has spent many years since 1995 coaching girls and boys softball, baseball, basketball and football for various local organizations; and
WHEREAS, Mark, during the entire COVID pandemic, has worked tirelessly with the Food Pantry and First Aid Squad to provide food and supplies for families in need
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of South Amboy, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey do acknowledge and thank Mark Herdman for his selfless efforts.
After the presentation, there were four speakers. The first speaker was Tim Walczak from the South Amboy First Aid Squad. The First Aid Squad has been in South Amboy for 131 years. We need members. We’ve got people who started their career at the South Amboy First Aid Squad. There, we have common goals – to serve the community. You will become part of the team. It is not easy – sometimes you are interrupted in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner. No one volunteers thinking they save the town a lot of money, but they do. Members are regular people. Some people from 50 to 60 years old are members. I’ve met my best friends of my life when I joined. If you know someone, tell them to get off the couch and volunteer.”
Tim Walczak – South Amboy First Aid Squad Captain
John Dragotta, First Assistant Fire Chief of the South Amboy Fire Department spoke next. He thanked everyone who came to the open house at Independence Firehouse on Broadway Avenue which occurred earlier in the day. “I joined the Fire Department in 1979. I’ve been 20 years in the South Amboy Fire Department, Ex-Chief in Madison Fire Department, I’ve been on the Old Bridge Board of Education and I am on my fifth term of the Board of Directors at Dupont Credit Union. We need people. Some of our younger members are 56-68 years old. We need people to step up. It can be a stepping-stone for job opportunities. There is nothing greater than community service. I’m elected Chief. We responded to 308 fire calls last year and everyone came home safe.”
The next speaker was Kathy Kudelka from Senior Programs. “We transport seniors to downtown twice a week to bingo, Lunch Bunch Trips to local restaurants, and other trips down the shore. We have Chair Yoga which went from 4 persons to 14. We may have to add another class. We have speakers on topics such as Scam Awareness and are introducing a Book Club once a month. We have luncheons such as The Mayor’s Christmas Party. Lunch & Learn features different topics by collaborating with local businesses and presentations such as Estate Planning and Hypertension Awareness. Next week we will have walking clubs where we will walk in the park with seniors. We are planning a community cookbook and will have taste testing at the Senior Center and plan to sell the cookbooks.”
Brian Noble of the South Amboy Youth Association (SAYA) spoke next about Recreation Programming in South Amboy. “We have baseball, softball, a summer travel program. In winter, we have soccer and basketball. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.”
South Amboy Police Chief Darren Lavigne spoke next. “We (the SAPD) are open 24/7 – 365 days a year. We live in a very safe environment. I want to thank the mayor and council for grant money for a camera program in the city. Wearing body cameras are now mandatory. The Police Department has many outstanding members who reside here. It is an outstanding career to be proud of. I am proud to be Police Chief.
Councilman Tom Reilly noted that some people signed up to volunteer during the Open House earlier in the day.
Mayor Fred Henry stated, “We are extremely proud of what you do. We all thank everyone for their participation in City of South Amboy.”
John Dragotta – First Assistant Fire Chief SAFD
The council then took a brief break and resumed at 6:43 p.m.
Council President Mickey Gross made it clear that the council was introducing the budget, not voting on it. Gross stated it would take hours to go over every detail. Councilman Brian McLaughlin noted that if anyone wants to review it, they can come to city hall and do so. There are no increases in municipal taxes.
Resolution 22-099 awarding the contract for construction engineering for the South Amboy Intermodal Transportation Center/Radford Ferry – Colliers Engineering & Design. The resolution passed.
Council Comments:
Councilman Brian McLaughlin said, “The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was great. Good job, Mick! We started cross training, so everyone knows how to do other things.” He then asked about the new committee of which he was a member of that was to handle any grievances with the Police Department.
Council President Mickey Gross answered, “You (Councilman McLaughlin), the mayor, Business Administrator Glenn Skarzynski will be on the committee.”
B.A. Skarzynski stated that he would deny the grievances unless he gets another member of the council on the committee.
Councilman Tom Reilly was then asked to be on the committee. He responded that he would discuss that later.
Councilman Tom Reilly thanked the Food Pantry and First Responders. He noted the passing of Volunteer Fireman John McNeil. He stated that he wanted a firm commitment form businesses in town for the upcoming Business Breakfast. He asked City Clerk Deborah Brooks to speak to the local businesses to make sure they commit to the breakfast. He also repeated from the last council meeting that the Handicapped Parking Ordinance is severely outdated and needed to be updated.
Kathy Kudelka – South Amboy Senior Services
Council Vice President Christine Noble thanked Mark Herdman and Janet Kern and all the volunteers on the Parade Committee.
Council President Mickey Gross thanked Mark Herdman for the great job he does all year round. He thanked the Police Department and Fire Department, and First Aid Squad and everyone who helped with the parade. “We will do it again next year.” He reminded everyone of the Irish Festival on October 1st and thanked everyone for the concert at the High School.
Mayor Fred Henry thanked the Parade Committee and congratulated Mickey Gross who was recently named Elks Citizen of the Year. He congratulated the South Amboy Police Department on the good job they do and for getting accreditation. He congratulated Colliers Engineering who received the contract to construct the Ferry Terminal. He thanked Kathy Kudelka for what she does with Lunch & Learn. “The council is doing the first step in getting the budget passed. There is 0% increase in municipal taxes. Thank you to Dan Balka CFO and B.A. Glenn Skarzynski. We try to give our Police Department, Fire Department and First Aid Squad all the equipment they need. They are keeping our residents safe.”
Public Portion:
Police Chief Darren Lavigne thanked the Parade Committee and Mark Herdman. He noted there was a change in the parade route, but the police handled it. He thanked the New Jersey State Police, Perth Amboy Police Department, Middlesex County Police. “Everything went seamlessly.” He also thanked the OEM for all their meetings.
A Representative from Collier’s Engineering thanked the mayor, council, and B.A. He assured everyone that that they will do the best job and make this is a worthy project come to fruition.
Another Representative stated that Colliers Engineering will complete the project on time and on schedule.
Brian Noble – South Amboy Youth Association
Police Officer and Union Representative Brian Noble voiced his disapproval that B.A. Glenn Skarzynski on the Grievance Committee.
Council President Mickey Gross stated he would discuss this.
Law Director Francis Womack stated that once the Grievance Committee made a decision, it would be it.
Gross stated he would remove Skarzynski from the committee if a second council member would be appointed to the committee.
Law Director Womack said, “I didn’t think from a legal perspective to have all the council members on the committee. It would put the council at a disadvantage and on the spot in full public domain would make them uncomfortable. We will have a 3-step process and give the body the decision.”
The council did not make a final decision on the committee and adjourned the meeting at 7:12 p.m. Councilwoman Zusette Dato was not present.
Darren Lavigne – South Amboy Police Chief
