Amboy Guardian April 15
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April 15, 2020 * The Amboy Guardian .1 * WWW.AMBOYGUARDIAN.COM * Next Issue May 6, 2020 • VOL. 10 NO. 2 • 732-896-4446 • P.O. BOX 127 • PERTH AMBOY • NJ • 08862 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 • Appreciation for our Healthcare Workers, Coronavirus Causes Disagreement Perth Amboy 4/9/20 *Photos by Paul W. Wang Regarding City Events 3/30/20 Caucus & Council Meeting via Phone Conference By: Carolyn Maxwell and nizations will have to decide cember 31, 2022. “What is the Katherine Massopust whether or not they will post- cost to the city?” PERTH AMBOY – The Caucus pone the festivals.” Carr responded, “$3,157.08 and Council Meetings originally Petrick said, “Since it’s only It’s $300,000 total and there are scheduled for March 23rd and four of us here to vote (Council- steps in salary ranges across the 25th were rescheduled to March woman Milady Tejeda was not board.” He also went back to let 30th due to technical difficulties. available in person or via tele- the council know for Ordinance The issues were worked out and conferencing due to work re- No. 3 the increase should be both meetings were held back- lated obligations), then it’s a 2-2 $97,000.” to-back. They could be viewed tie. This will cause the postpon- Councilman Irizarry conclud- and/or heard through the Zoom ing of a decision and the resolu- ed by thanking Mr. Carr and his App or through regular tele- tions have to be tabled.” team for a good job to settle this phone. Irizarry had a question re- (Ordinance No. 4). One of the longest discussions garding Resolution R-131-3/20 The caucus was then opened involved Resolutions: R-129- – Authorizing settlement of up to the public. 3/20 – Special Permit for the Cande Land, LLC vs. The City The first speaker was Resident Committee Patriotico Cultural of Perth Amboy and Perth Am- Jeremy Baratta via telephone. Puertorriqueno of Perth Am- boy City Council by way of a “I see that the door to city hall boy to be held June 12th, 13th, consent order for final judge- is locked. Is the public allowed and 14th 2020 at Rudyk Park. ment. “Will this set a prec- access to the building?” R-130-3/20 – Special Permit edent with this order from the Council President Petrick re- for the United Dominicans of courts?” sponded, “No.” Perth Amboy for the Dominican Law Director Peter King re- Baratta then questioned, Festival to be held August 14th, sponded, “How you (the coun- “How can people participate if 15th, and 16th 2020 at the Rob- cil) will act has nothing to do they don’t have any means?” ert Wilentz Field on First Street with the precedent. This is a B.A. Carr spoke up, “Any and Sadowski Parkway. writ order to drop the rent. It’s phone can be used: cell or land- Councilman Joel Pabon stated, the lesser of two evils to go be- line.” “It would be irresponsible to fore a judge for a rent increase. Baratta continued, “What have any festivals due to what’s We can fix the ordinance.” about the homeless or others happening (coronavirus pan- B.A. Frederick Carr had asked without phones? It’s not open demic).” that they table Ordinance No. 2 to the public and where is the Council President William – An ordinance to amend an or- agenda packet?” Petrick suggested that these two dinance fixing and establishing Carr answered, “The agenda is resolutions be removed from the a schedule of salary and salary on the city’s website along with agenda. ranges in increments for offi- the backup material.” Councilman Helmin Caba cers and employees for the city The next person who spoke questioned, “Will the two fes- of Perth Amboy re: Teamsters via telephone was Stephanie tival committees need to reap- – January 1, 2018 to December Márquez-Villafañe. “I want to ply for permits? What kind of 31, 2022. “The Teamsters need thank the council and the ad- timeframe will they have to ap- to ratify.” ministration for allowing this ply? Let’s not get ahead of our- Irizarry questioned Ordinance to be an option (teleconferenc- selves.” No. 3 – Establishing a schedule ing and phone participation). Pabon spoke up again, “It only of salary and salary ranges in It’s not preferable, but it’s better benefits both sides. The commit- increments for officers and- em than nothing.” tees (of the two festivals) need ployees of the city of Perth Am- The caucus portion of the to tell their sponsors. We should boy regarding AFSCME (The meeting was adjourned at 5:17 just cancel this year’s festivals. I American Federation of State, p.m. bet New York will not have any County and Municipal Employ- The regular meeting started parades.” ees) - January 1, 2018 – Decem- around 5:35 p.m. It was agreed Councilman Fernando Irizarry ber 31, 2022. He questioned the to by the council that each agreed with Councilman Hel- titles of an Assistant Aide and a speaker during the public por- min Caba, “We should table the Senior Legal Aide. tion will be given a 3-minute two resolutions in case things Carr responded, “An Assistant time limit. change.” Aide would help out in the Tax Resident Jeremy Baratta was Irizarry’s other concern was Accessor’s Office and a Senior the first person to speak. He ref- the name of the fire officialLegal Aide will help out in the erenced R-131. “The city coun- on the application should be Legal Department. We would cil is named as the defendant.” changed because that person is have also a Legal Stenographer Council President Bill Petrick no longer in the fire department. to help out in the court system.” explained the lawsuit. “A man Petrick responded, “At the Irizarry then questioned Ordi- purchased a building and he time the application was made, nance No. 4 – An ordinance to wanted to increase the rent for that person was the fire official.” amend an ordinance fixing and one or more tenants. We do not Petrick then stated, “It’s up to establishing a schedule of sal- have a Rent Leveling Board, so the city (regarding whether or ary and salary ranges regard- the man’s lawyer told him to go not these festivals will take ing OPEIU (Office and Profes- to court.” Showing appreciation for our healthcare workers at Hackensack place).” sional Employees International Meridian, Perth Amboy Caba then stated, “The orga- Union). January 1, 2018 – De- *Continued on Page 2 Updates on Coronavirus Outbreak: www.perthamboynj.org & www.amboyguardian.com 2. The Amboy Guardian *April 15, 2020 Coronavirus Causes Disagreement Regarding City Events 3/30/20 Caucus & Council Meeting via Phone Conference Petrick answered, “The land- Take care of yourself. Enjoy *Continued from Page 1 lord came here several times to your backyard and the fresh air. discuss this.” I want to thank Frederick Carr Baratta stated, “The Rent Lev- Baratta stated, “The court for putting the information re- eling Board has not been ap- rendered nothing. Why is the garding the coronavirus. You pointed by the mayor. Rent can- city not doing anything, so this are putting numbers out on the not be increased above 5%.” doesn’t happen again? The number of cases because not Petrick said, “The (previous) council should change the ordi- everyone has the mayor’s Face- landlord did not make any im- nance, so you appoint the rent book page. Thanks to the tech provements for over 30 years. A leveling members. You need department and to the city clerk new landlord bought the prop- to protect the citizens from ar- for putting the meeting togeth- erty and made improvements.” bitrary rent increases. I would er.” Baratta said, “This should look further into this and also to Council President Bill Pet- have not been turned over to a why the mayor is not doing her rick asked the council members judge. The man did not have to job.” if they would agree to put the buy this building. I didn’t see Council Comments: towing ordinance on the agenda anything in the papers about Councilman Caba said, “We for the next meeting. They all any improvements. He wants definitely live in strange and agreed. “It’s a brand-new world to increase the rent from 200%- challenging times.” He pleaded and I’m glad it worked out this 300%. The lowest is 40%. to all residents in surrounding time (the phone conferenc- There is nothing stating about towns to stay home and save ing).” Petrick noted that every- any improvements.” lives. “Take this seriously and one should not litter the streets Petrick stated, “We will vote put this into action. Talk to with used masks and gloves. “If on this by consent agenda.” friends and family and stay at a you are wearing them, dispose Joel Rosa from Kearny Av- safe difference. Use social me- of them properly. Don’t throw enue thanked the council for dia to keep your sanity.” Caba them on the ground. Throw their effort of coming together.then quoted Charles Darwin, them in a garbage can. It’s not I use Zoom in conference are- “It’s not the strongest, nor the up to the city workers to clean na. I couldn’t find the agenda.most intelligent that survive. up the community – it’s up to There’s a chat area. You should It’s the one that is most adapt- everyone.” He mentioned the submit the agenda on the chat able to change.” emergency services and also the area in the Zoom App.” Caba then added, “Let the po- DPW.