6. The Amboy Guardian *September 21, 202221 st Anniversary of 9-11-01 Remembrance Ceremony, Perth Amboy 9/11/22 *Photos by Paul W. Wang & Katherine Massopust21 st Anniversary of 9-11-01 Remembrance Ceremony, South Amboy 9/11/22 *Photos by Azabache Productions
Answering Council andResident’s Concerns9/12/22 Caucus & 9/14/22 Council Meeting*Continued from Page 2Pabon asked, “Are we gettingtrucks from the same suppliers?”Council President Petrick thennoticed that they keep raisingprices.Greene responded that hewould get back to the councilon this.There were several questionsregarding R-453 – Accepting agrant from the State of New JerseyBoard of Public Utilities inthe amount of $25,000.Greene explained that this wasthe Community Energy Planwith the Green Team.Councilman Torres then questioned,“Does the city have awindmill project with PSEG?”Greene explained, “This resolutionhas nothing to do withthat. I think PSEG spoke withthe Raritan Yacht Club to talkabout a windmill project.”For R-451 – Authorizing agrant to the Raritan Bay YMCAin the amount of $249,857.48 tobe funded through the AmericanRescue Plan Act.B.J. Torres questioned, “Whyis the Y doing the oversight?”Greene explained, “It’s reimbursementfor some of the projects(they were involved in).”OECD Director Tashi Vazquezsaid, “This is for windowlessbasements which was usuallyfrom UEZ funds. Our grantteam we hired do not write allof our grants. I have writtensome of the grants myself. TheY has been in the forefront ofhelping with housing.”Council President Petrickspoke up, “The OECD shouldbe doing the work instead offarming out work to others.”Vazquez then explained, “Wewould have to hire more staff.”Petrick continued, “I don’tthink the money is being spentwisely.”Torres then spoke up, “Weshould have oversight of thesefunds. Does each city departmenthave its own grant writers?”Vazquez then explained, “Wealready hired a city planner.”Fire Chief Ed Mullen cameup and talked about windowlessbasements, “400 violationshave been issued since the FireDepartment took over (the inspections).”Vazquez then explained, “Weahave also talked to HackensackMeridian Hospital to get theirinput.”Public Portion:No one spoke in-person.Sharon Hubberman was thefirst person to speak via Zoom.She questioned R-441. “Therehas been no presentation onthe infrastructure of financingfor this ordinance. What kindof funding and terms are thereto pay down on the principle?What are the investments andinterest rates? How will thefunds be invested?”B.A. Michael Greene said, “Iwill speak to the CFO to get theanswers of Ms. Hubberman’squestions.”YMCA President Steve Jobinspoke via Zoom. He talkedabout a discussion that he waspart of pertaining to a healthierPerth Amboy with people fromvarious groups, “This cameabout a few years ago whenthere was a Carbon Monoxiderelated death at a Fayette Streetbuilding. We talked about gettinggrants for healthy and affordablehousing. We havepeople who can talk to the communityabout different healthrelated issues. We’ll be here tohelp no matter what.”Councilman Torres askedSteve Jobin if the council wereinvolved at the time in thosetalks.Jobin responded, “I’m notsure.”Torres spoke up, “I have 20years experience in helpingpeople statewide with healthand quality of life issues.”Petrick spoke up, “The Cityhas the funding.”After the public portion wasclosed, Council President BillPetrick asked if any of the councilwanted to make any comments.Councilman Torres wasn’t goingto speak up, but decided todo so, “Is the Covid Task Forcestill operational? I had two incidentsthat happened this week.One involved in me getting thewrong booster dosage at thehospital and the other happenedat the ShopRite in Perth Amboy.I had an argument because theyrefused to give my 16-year-olda shot. In Perth Amboy, youhave to make an appointmentonline for a booster shot. OldBridge has walk-ins. We need tohave more walk-in locations (inthe city).”The meeting adjourned at10:17 p.m.The discussions continued atthe 9/14/22 Council Meeting.The meeting was opened up tothe public for Ordinances thathad their own public hearing.Before the first speaker cameup, Law Director Opel made abrief comment regarding adoptionof Ordinance No. 1 (nopublic comment) which wereamendments to the Focus 2020Redevelopment Plan for RedevelopmentArea No. 1. He toldthe council that the introductoryparagraph was amendedand were accepted and nothingchanged and the PlanningBoard said that there were nosubstandard changes made.Councilman Pabon then questionedif the Planning Board gotinformation on the Urgent Caregoing in that area.Petrick responded, "The PlaningBoard just knew it was goingto be for commercial use."Resident Ken Balut came upto speak Regarding OrdinanceNo. 1 (public hearing) $157,000of the American Rescue PlanFunds for the Water/WastewaterUtility (funds for the acquisitionof a 6 Submergible Pump forthe Water/Wastewater Utility inPerth Amboy.He questioned, "What is thetotal money of the AmericanRescue Plan Funds used?"B. A. Greene responded,"$16.4 million, which is on the*Continued on Page 9Ads Sell! Call Carolyn!732-896-4446September 21, 2022 * The Amboy Guardian .7Notification of Environmental Investigation and CleanupEZ Car Wash1131 Convery Boulevard (Block 397.17, Lots 13, 14, and 15)NJDEP Preferred Identification #016566September 2, 2022In accordance with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regulationsfor “Notification and Public Outreach”, Lovi Family, LLC, is required to provide informationrelating to environmental conditions and remedial activities being conducted at theabove referenced Site.Historically, the Site operated as a gasoline station. As a result of historical operations, groundwater at the Site has been impacted by Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes (collectivelyBTEX). These contaminants were initially detected in the groundwater in 1989. Sincethat time, the person conducting the remediation has determined that the contamination in thegroundwater has migrated from the site.Lovi Family, LLC. is conducting remedial activities in accordance with the requirements ofthe NJDEP to address the chemical contaminants detected. Remediation at the Site is ongoing.Most recently, a Remedial Investigation / Remedial Action Workplan has been completed,which documents the horizontal and vertical extent of ground water contamination. As aninterim remedial measure (IRM), chemical injections have been performed to reduce contaminantsin the source area. The person conducting the remediation has evaluated the environmentalimpacts from the Site including the potential for the contamination from this Siteto affect drinking water wells and/or the quality of indoor air to ensure that any impacts fromthe contamination is promptly mitigated. A Classification Exception Area (CEA) and WellRestriction Area (WRA) are currently proposed for the extent of ground water impacted withcontaminants above applicable NJDEP standards. Continued quarterly ground water samplingis proposed to monitor contaminant concentrations and extent of the plume. In addition, continuedevaluation of the vapor intrusion pathway is to be conducted for properties locatedwithin 30 feet of ground water contaminants in exceedance of vapor intrusion ground waterscreening levels (VIGWSL).For additional information, please contact John Kerber, the LSRP of record for the Site, at908- 955-4400.By: Katherine MassopustSOUTH AMBOY – The councilpassed the consent agenda,bill list and ordinances withoutdiscussion.Council Comments:Councilman Tom Reillythanked the First Responders,food pantry donors and volunteersfor the job that they do forthe city. He inquired about theFirst Quarter of PILOT Numbers.Business Administrator GlennSkarzynski did not have the report,yet.Councilman Reilly then askedabout the “Pigeon Palace,” andanother property located onRoosevelt Street.Law Director Francis Womackstated that the demolitionof the “Pigeon Palace” will bescheduled with the Code EnforcementOffice. “We preparealong with the date and timeof demolition. We had a problemin the past with NJ Transit.Nothing has changed in that respect.”Reilly asked, “By the end ofthe year, will that get done?”Womack answered, “It will beno more than10-20 days to givenotice, then 10 more days theordering that completes demolition.”Council President MickeyGross stated, “At least we havea date.”B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated,“A developer of the RooseveltBlighted Properties Discussed9/7/22 Council MeetingStreet property is about to acquireit.”Reilly said, “That building hasbeen that way since Sandy (10years).”Skarzynski said, “They getsummonses, comply, then repairit again.”Reilly asked what the timelineon Roosevelt Street.Skarzynski answered, “TheRoosevelt Apartments – theyare going to put 50 units on .9acres.Reilly then stated, “Supportour local businesses and helpthem out. Please support theAmerican Legion in their bricksale. I urge everyone on thecouncil to buy a brick. It is agood way to support the Veterans.”Councilman Brian McLaughlinthanked all the volunteers.Council Vice-President ChristineNoble stated, “The schoolyear is starting. I wish everyonea happy and healthy new(school) year.”Councilwoman Zussette Datosaid, “I was at the food pantry tosee how it is run. It is an examplehow the community helpsthe community. It is under thesupervision of Mary Porcello.I commend all the people whowork there.” Dato then stated,“The Arts Festival at the ArtGallery – there will be live musicand performances, photos,and food and other games. TheYMCA is having a scarecrowcontest. The Allie Clark SportsComplex is finished.”Council President MickeyGross said, “We have a very aggressivepaving program.”B.A. Skarzynski listed anumber of streets being pavedincluding South Feltus andThompson Streets.Gross stated that the Irish Festivalwill be on Saturday, October1, 2022. “The Book BagsClean Community Grant didn’tcost our city anything. Therewill be a little league groundbreaking.”Mayor Fred Henry thankedCongressman Pallone for roadand sewer repairs. “There is anew pump station to improveflood resilience. He spoke aboutthe upcoming 9-11-01 RemembranceCeremony and to pleasecome out. “At this point, wehave young adults who were notborn yet when this tragedy happened.”Henry then stated thatOctober 21, 2022, is the BusinessBreakfast sponsored by thelibrary.Public Portion:The first person to speak wasMary Szaro on Resolution 22-175 (an easement request)B.A. Skarzynski answered,“When we formalize the easement,the boundaries will be included.”The meeting adjourned at 6:23p.m. All council members werepresent.