Amboy Guardian September 20
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* WWW.AMBOYGUARDIAN.COM * September 20, 2017 * The Amboy Guardian .1 Pink Ribbon Gala COMPLIMENTARY UP TO 10 COPIES/$1 EACH ADDITIONAL October 7, 2017 THE Amboy*Weekly Newspaper* Guardian • VOL. 7 NO. 25 • 732-896-4446 • P.O. BOX 127 • PERTH AMBOY • NJ • 08862 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 • St. Demetrios Property Discussion Draws Standing Room Crowd 9/11/17 Caucus & 9/13/17 Council Meeting PERTH AMBOY – City Engi- neer Jeffery Rauch came forward to answer questions about the St. Demetrios Property, which is need of redevelopment. Their church hall had to be demolished because of contaminated soil un- derneath it. Councilman Fernando Gonza- lez said, “The community voiced their concerns to him because of the lack of understanding what is going to happen on that property. The Council also needs to know. Is there going to be a presenta- tion or is this going to be a topic (L to R) St. Demetrios Church Attorney Robert J. Goldsmith from the Members and Clergy of St. Demetrios Parish at the 9/11/17 Caucus for discussion for the audience to law firm of Goldsmith & Greenbaum, Ken Balut, President of the Par- *Photos by Carolyn Maxwell participate in?” ish Council Judge Marina Corodemus Law Director Peter King said, “There will be a presentation. King replied, “Yes, because of of worms. You have shed a light lic notices were published.” built? This is a historic area and The resolution on the agenda is the prior use of the land, but it on what was previously done by The High Street Resident con- what will it do to our property separate.” will have to go through the Zon- PARA.” tinued, “The community needs values?” Jeffery Rauch then began to ing Board.” Councilman Helmin Caba more facts. I’m here to protect A Wisteria Place Resident speak, “The City and the Plan- Petrick questioned, “Would it asked if St. Demetrios will sell the rights of the people in the voiced concerns because there's ning Board Engineer met to see be best to just go through the the units as the developer. neighborhood. This property was too much noise and traffic now. if the property where the hall Zoning Board instead of PARA?” Goldsmith replied, “Rentals not in a blighted area.” “How long will it take to build used to be met the criteria for re- At this point, Annie Hindenlang will be through a third party.” Lewis Street Resident Lois this?” development. The Planning from PARA came up to speak, Councilman Joel Pabon said, Lane came up to speak. She wel- Councilman Irizarry was sur- Board agreed to our (City Engi- “Because of preexisting condi- “If the neighbors knew what was comed the community center, but prised at the fact that the resid- neer’s) findings to place the land tions, it’s best that this goes going on, it would alleviate a lot she opposed the condos. She also nets were not given proper no- for redevelopment and to recom- through Redevelopment because of their concerns.” He also sug- mentioned that the 1683 Society tice, “The Council was told that mend that to the Council. The the property is owned by the gested that people go visit the believes the condos will spoil the the gas company was going to land is historic and some of the church which is a nonprofit.” church which is beautiful inside. area. notify the neighbors of the site contaminants are from the Robert Goldsmith who is the "The church stayed after Super- Christina Dyke who is a mem- plan.” 1800’s. The Perth Amboy Gas attorney for St. Demetrios came storm Sandy and have invested a ber of the 1683 Society came up Councilman Fernando Gonza- Company had their building up to speak next. He told the lot to stay in the community.” to speak. She read a section from lez responded to some of the resi- there and the property was then Council, “There will be a cove- Resident Stanley Sierakowski the State Stature for public hear- dents who said that work was go- sold to St. Demetrios in the nant because of the remediated came up to make some com- ings. She believes that the State ing on at the site very early in the 1950’s. The building had to be site. The governing body will de- ments, “The church is not the de- Stature was not followed when it morning.” He said, “I will have demolished to get to the contami- cide what the site will be. If you veloper, but they can transfer the came to advertising the public the Business Administrator and nants. The contaminated material go through the Zoning Board, rights to another developer. I ask hearings on this matter. Code Enforcement contact the had to be removed and replaced there will be no assurance. The the Council to table this because Another High Street Resident electric company to see if the with clean fill. The site remedia- Community Center will be re- the area is not blighted and they questioned, “Will there more of a *Continued On Page 7 tion is now underway. Because built at a significant cost to St. could probably make more mon- police presence if the units are of the contaminated site, it does Demetrios with 24 Senior Hous- ey in rentals than sales.” not meet the redevelopment stan- ing Units. Revenue will be reen- A Resident from Linden Street Line of Duty Death Honored at NJ State dards by New Jersey laws. It was tered into the City because the came up to speak, “We are expe- Firemen's Convention 9/16/17 Wildwood a brownfield site. As a remediat- apartments will be market value riencing collateral damage. My *Photo by Katherine Massopust ed site, the Planning Board and not tax exempt. Only the house is shaking from all the con- agreed that the property needs to Community Center will have a struction that is going on. I be redeveloped.” tax exempt status. There is also a bought my house for the view Councilman Fernando Irizarry distinction between a commer- and quietness. We have a parking said, "The site is in a R-60 Zone cial developer versus a church problem now with all the activi- which is only for single family group. The church will be the de- ties that go on in the park. With a homes. Will the zoning have to veloper. In an economic crisis, senior housing unit, you have to be changed?” such as in 2008, it can change charge them reduced rates. I Rauch replied, “The Council from ownership to rentals.” don’t have a problem with the has to make that decision and the Hindenlang then spoke again, community center, but I don't ap- Redevelopment Agency. It’s af- “Since this is going to be a new prove of the units being built.” ter PARA makes the recommen- project, the governing body (the A Resident from High Street dation, if the Council decides if Council) has control over us came up to speak, “Were notices WILDWOOD - A Perth Amboy Fire Engine with Purple Bunting they want to follow through.” (PARA).” (pertaining to this project) ever led the NJ State Firemen's Convention Parade in Wildwood to hon- Council President Bill Petrick Councilman Fernando Gonza- published in the papers?” or Richard Leonard of the Perth Amboy Fire Department. asked, “Will they have to go lez responded to Hindenlang’s Jamie Rios from Code Enforce- through a variance?” statement, “You opened up a can ment stepped up to speak, “Pub- South Amboy City Council Meeting - 7 p.m. 9/20/17 2. The Amboy Guardian * September 20, 2017 If It’s Local - It’s Here! Mayor Wilda Diaz Unveils Taskforce Recommendations Press Release 9/6/17 PERTH AMBOY- Mayor Wilda Diaz held a press conference for the unveiling of the taskforce recommendations on Wednes- day, September 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Perth Amboy City Hall Council Chambers located at 260 High Street, Perth Am- boy. Mayor Diaz was joined by city officials, residents, Jeff Mila- naik, Principal of Bridge Devel- opment Partners; Wilfredo Larancuent, President of the NJ Mayor's Task Force *Photo by Paul W. Wang State Council of SEIU; and taskforce Chairpersons includ- and create jobs for the residents and within a building usually ing, Robert Garrison, National of Perth Amboy open to the public or as grand as LECET; Robert Medina, Medi- o It is also recommended that the Proprietary House. na 43 Business Strategies; and the City hire a professional grant o Create a standing committee Donna Chiera, President of writer to prepare and obtain state amongst stakeholder communi- AFTNJ-- for a public delivery and federal grants for the city ty members and representatives on the recommendations pro- agencies to advance economic of local boards. vided by the all members of the development and growth. • PUBLIC SAFETY taskforce. o The City should look to create o Continue to foster relation- I am pleased to announce that a Hotel District in order to at- ships with the department & we’ve reached a milestone in tract hotels large enough to draw community to ensure we’re all nearly completing the taskforce conferences and visitors. on the same team report. However, most impor- o Perth Amboy should increase o This committee recommends tantly, we will be finalizing the the amount of PILOTs/Long the administration continue to report with a public meeting to Term Tax Abatements in order invest in both and apply for be held on Monday, September to stimulate the local economy grant funding for police and fire 18th at the Brighton Avenue and create jobs for residents of departments.