8/17/22 Council Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – Council President Mickey Gross was on vacation, therefore, Council Vice-President Christine Noble conducted the meeting in his absence. Business Administrator Glenn Skarzynski gave a brief rundown on the consent agenda. The council passed the consent agenda with no discussion.
Council Comments:
Councilman Tom Reilly thanked all the volunteers and donors to the food pantry. He questioned an issue brought up at the prior council meeting about the new developments offering 2 months free rent. Reilly asked B.A. Skarzynski if the lack of income generated from the developments for those 2 months affected the PILOT.
B.A. Skarzynski answered that the income is reduced, and that the city of South Amboy had the same arrangement with Woodmont.
Reilly then asked hypothetically could they offer 100 units free.
Skarzynski answered that theoretically they could, but it would not be practical for them to do so because they would lose out on revenue as well.
Reilly commented that he thought it was a bad deal for the city.
Reilly then mentioned arts and crafts. “I know this year we had baseball and softball in the summer. That is good, but so many kids have no access to a pool, beach, etc. They don’t have money to do those things. I am pressing that we reinstitute it for next summer. Can’t we do both (arts and crafts and sports)?”
Reilly then asked about the Handicapped Parking Ordinance.
B.A. Skarzynski answered that he did not know the status of that at this time.
Reilly commented about the Co-Op and Government Program. “I am really excited it will be brought back. It is a good introduction to city government. I’m pleased it is being put back into place.”
Reilly then asked about the alleys, “Second and Main Street looks terrible.”
Skarzynski assured him that speed bumps were being put in.
There was then a brief discussion about the historical sign which was moved twenty feet. Councilman Reilly stated, “When we were going to remove that sign, first thing we should have done was inform the Historical Society. Is that city property?”
B.A. Skarzynski stated, “Manhattan Beach had nothing to do with it. The city owns the walkway. The sign was moved twenty feet. I didn’t think moving a sign twenty feet would be such a contentious issue.” He stated that the residents wished the sign moved.”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin thanked the first responders. He stated that the owner of one blighted property paid a $9,000 fine and sold the property. Another blighted property was under foreclosure.”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato commented on the Barbershop Literature Program. “Rico Vazquez who owns a barbershop put this program into place. (The program was on hiatus during Covid) With the help of Renee Banks who owns the antique shop down the street (Broadway Ange), she donated a bookcase to the barbershop. This way kids read real books while their dads are getting a haircut instead of looking at electronics.”
Law Director Francis Womack stated that he and B.A. Skarzynski went to court for the city’s lawsuit against Venetian, but there were no judges, so the court date was rescheduled.
Mayor Fred Henry spoke about the latest Lunch & Learn. “The last program was Aging Sensitivity.” He then stated that the Ali Clark Sports Complex will be dedicated on 18th. “The County Commissioners got a grant for the Independence Firehouse for a car show. We are trying to get more things going on.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated that 80% of the remediation is done at Woodmont. “At the middle of September, we expect construction to start.”
Public Portion:
President of the South Amboy Historical Society Mary Szaro spoke first. “I want to recognize two volunteer organizations: The Green Team – we are relaunched! Every second Thursday at 6 p.m. we meet. There is information on South Amboy’s website. Our first project is the Community Garden at the South Amboy YMCA.” Szaro then stated the South Amboy Historical Society will have an open house at their gallery on the last Saturday of October (29th). She then spoke about the historic sign which was moved. Big or small, I am the point of contact. Was it put back up?”
B.A. Skarzynski answered “It is twenty feet from where it was as requested by residents. It is in response to the complaints by neighbors.”
Szaro stated, “We (the South Amboy Historical Society) should be involved.”
B.A. Skarzynski stated, “If I move any more signs, I will let you know.”
Resident Greg Babolack came up to the podium to speak, “At a previous meeting, it was stated that there are possibly 5 PILOTS (existing) approved in the town. Are there any more PILOTS?”
B.A. Skarzynski answered that he was not aware of any.
Babolack then asked about the new media equipment that was purchased for South Amboy. Skarzynski stated that it will be installed on September 26th.
Babolack asked, “Does anyone test the (existing) equipment prior to a meeting? Are there any procedures? Can you watch a meeting on the internet?”
Council Vice President Christine Noble stated, “You can’t watch the meeting on the internet.”
City Clerk Deborah Brooks stated that there is no test for the (old) equipment.
Babolack asked, “Do you turn it on and play it back to see of it works or not?”
Brooks answered, “That is why we are are getting a new system.”
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
