May 15, 2019 * The Amboy Guardian .1 * WWW.AMBOYGUARDIAN.COM * COMPLIMENTARY UP TO 10 COPIES/$1 EACH ADDITIONAL THE Fireworks Spectacular Amboy*Biweekly Newspaper* GuardianWednesday July 3, 2019 • VOL. 9 NO. 5 • 732-896-4446 • P.O. BOX 127 • PERTH AMBOY • NJ • 08862 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2019 • Gentlemen's Disagreement 5/6/19 Caucus Meeting By: Carolyn Maxwell money for the Council to take make cuts to keep taxes down. If PERTH AMBOY – There was over PARA, but it’s doing the taxes go up, then so do rents. We a rather odd exchange between opposite.” should have done small increas- Council President William Pet- Petrick responded, “Every- es each year. I’m not afraid of rick and Councilman Fernando thing we do is costing us money. meeting with the DCA (Depart- Irizarry regarding the Council 's Look at the Batista Lawsuit, ment of Community Affairs). Amendment to the Budget. The which probably could have been We should raise taxes 1% and problem arose when Irizarry settled for $100,000. (It’s still use surplus money. The bottom questioned the Council Presi- ongoing). PARA was costing the line is we have to look out for dent’s suggestion that the Coun- City money. The BID Office be - the taxpayers and residents.” cil’s salary be increased. ing located in City Hall is cost- Council President Bill Pet- Irizarry asked, “What is the ing the City money.” rick then responded to Caba rational of this increase?” Irizarry countered, “I wasn’t and made a reference to some- Petrick explained, “If we in support of your (Petrick’s) thing that Business Administra- take on PARA’S responsibili- Amendment and that’s why I tor Frederick Carr said earlier ties, then I felt we needed an didn’t respond to your email.” during the Meeting. Carr had increase. We would need to put Petrick told Irizarry, “I wish started out by saying the Coun- money in for services that we you had.” Petrick then stated, cil amended the Budget to try Council President Councilman request of other departments “People in this building were to reduce it to a 1% increase William Petrick Fernando Irizarry and attorney fees.” overlooked, while the Mayor fa- plus using the surplus. He said, with the DCA is not needed. Carr responded to Petrick, Irizarry still wasn’t convinced. vored others in her office (with “Some of those layoff positions $7.3 million was the original “You need to adopt the budget He explained, “We will be do- raises).” were already paid for. The DCA deficit. It was reduced down first.”to ing work that people voluntarily Irizarry then stated, “You (Pet- is concerned about the Budget $3.3 million after the Mayor Councilman Joel Pabon then did for free. And now we will rick) approved these people (in and wants to meet personally presented her budget.” commented, “I really don’t want get paid what they did for free?” the Mayor’s Office).” with the CFO, myself (Carr), the So, when Petrick responded to to use the surplus and I’m will- Irizarry continued, “We are Petrick countered, “Not all of Administration, and the Coun- Caba, he said, “We should rub- ing to forgo our raise and I’m talking about people getting laid them.” cil. You will need to hold a pub- berstamp the Mayor’s budget willing to give up the 1.3% in- - Councilman Helmin Caba lic hearing on amendments. If off while increasing the Coun and everything will be fine? Can cil’s salary. It doesn’t look right. then talked, “I feel a strong need the Council adopts the Mayor’s we get that in writing?” *Continued on Page 2 It was not supposed to cost any to take over PARA. We need to original budget, then a meeting PILOTS and Budget Discussions on Front Burner 5/8/19 Council Meeting By: Carolyn Maxwell nies. How much will the bond “If more people were here, they monies are spent.” amended Budget. “If you cut PERTH AMBOY – Comments make our taxes go up? How could have spoken about this. I This prompted Council Presi- the Budget now, we’ll be in the were made regarding Ordinance many people will work in those applaud those who show up.” dent Petrick to state, “So, you same situation next year. We No. 1 – Financial Agreement buildings? No one is work- Councilman Helmin Caba also can lock future governing bod- (some residents) told you the with NCP Perth Amboy Urban ing together. Rich companies responded, “We will receive a ies into debt.” Mayor’s Budget was getting Renewal LLC (225 Elm St.) and abandon the projects after the larger payment with the PILOT Fearon responded, “I have loaded. The CFO had made ad- other applicable documents re- buildings were built by those and the money should help our been involved in about 20 PI- justments after I found out some lated to the authorization and is- who did not request a PILOT. taxpayers.” LOTS over about a 12-year information.” suance by the City of Perth Am- Lawyers and developers from Business Administrator Fred- period. Under current law, you Balut then talked about R-213- boy not to exceed $2,800,000 North Jersey develop political erick Carr responded, “$1.1 can’t do a dedication (of mon- 15/19 A memorandum of agree- redevelopment area bonds and PACS. We need to have public million of the PILOT that will ies) of a rider.” ment between JRF and the City determining various other mat- hearings (regarding those who be paid to the City will go into Sierakowski then came up of Perth Amboy Recreation De- ters in connection therewith. want PILOTS). Buckeye had the general revenue. We have again to talk about Ordinance partment for the administration Resident Stanley Sierakowski public hearings. Any competent to show good faith to the DCA No. 2 Adopting redevelopment of a 2019 summer employment came up to speak first. “This mayor and business administra- Board. The financial and City plan for 319, 320, & 322 Mc- program. was negotiated by PARA and tor should have known PILOTS Agreement Draft will be sent to Guire Place. He stated, “This a He asked, “How did a City the City Attorney. Any amend- were bad.” the Council for approval or to half acre property and it’s not Employee get a First-time ments that the Council wants James Fearon from Gluck be amended. The Council will a hardship case. It doesn’t say Homebuyer Grant that had to should be discussed. The Coun- Walrah LL9 who spoke at both decide if they want to give any how many townhouses are to be be changed a year later? Cruz cil can even table it if they want. at the 4/22/19 and 4/24/19 money to the schools from the built. What is the density?” (former B.A.) said it was grant The Mayor is making you (the Meetings regarding 225 Elm first PILOT payment.” Councilman Petrick respond- money (through another agen- Council) look weak by not hav- Street was present. He stated, Councilman Fernando Irizarry ed, “I think it’s 7 or 8 townhous- cy). The First-time Homebuyers ing people here who can answer “The PARA lawyer negotiated spoke up and stated, “Everyone es. A Developer is trying to get was supposed to be for the poor. your questions. You especially the financial agreement and itneeds to understand the finan- as many in as possible.” The paperwork was done by the need the CFO here.” was drafted by myself, and re- cial situation of this City. Usu- Sierakowski continued, person who got the First-time Resident Ken Balut came up flected the developers tax abate- ally Ms. Goldy (CFO) is here “There was a report done about Homebuyers house.” next. “I can’t believe how dis- ment which PARA had no part on Mondays, but not always on 5 or 6 years ago about PILOT Councilman Fernando Irizarry gusting that road (Elm Street) of.” Wednesdays.” abuses in Jersey City. I’m in responded to Balut, “Every- is. We are subsidizing Fortune Council President Bill Petrick Fearon spoke up again, “For favor of PILOTS if they aren’t thing was done by the books.” 500 Companies and there’s no responded to Balut’s statement the first 3 years of the PILOT abused.” Former Councilman Fernan- money for schools. We’re giv- about not having public hear- (2020-2022), the governing Resident Ken Balut came up ing away $70 million to compa- ings regarding 225 Elm Street, body will have a say how the and talked about the Council’s *Continued on Page 7 South Amboy City Council Meeting 5/15/19 - 7 p.m. 2. The Amboy Guardian * May 15, 2019 Gentlemen's Disagreement 5/6/19 Caucus Meeting cers. We may have to give some your money that you are offer- *Continued from Page 1 grant money back. The Mayor ing – it’s taxpayers’ money.” spent $5000 (in taxpayer’s dol- She then asked a question crease. Some positions can be lars) to pay Kushner. You didn’t about R-226-5/19 – Authorizing combined.” question the Mayor’s associa- execution of a relocation sani- Petrick then suggested, “We tion with Kushner. We subsidize tary easement agreement with can use some of the funds that the Y, and no one questioned the NCP Perth Amboy Holdings, the City receives from the cable Board of Education who gives LLC. (225 Elm Street). “Is this companies.” the Y money. You (the Council) costing us money?” Councilman Joel Pabon then are going to have the same is- King replied, “It’s not costing spoke up, “I never rubber- sues with the Budget next year.