There are often misperceptions about an economic redevelopment tool that cities like Perth Amboy use to redevelop underused or blighted properties The mechanism is known as “payments in lieu of taxes,” or PILOTs a financial agreement that Perth Amboy enters with developers to spur economic growth and revitalization on parcels of underused land many of which have sat vacant for decades and have become neighborhood eyesores Here is how PILOTs work in New Jersey: Developers who enter into an agreement with the host city pay a negotiated fee instead of property taxes based on a percentage of the project's costs or revenue is typically lower than the standard property tax rate by 10% to 15% The PILOT agreement lasts for a set duration the redeveloped parcel is placed on the normal tax rolls This payment — which many describe as an “annual service charge” to the city — encourages developers to invest private dollars for commercial PILOTs give Perth Amboy a steady stream of new income in exchange for offering property tax incentives to developers helping make their plans financially feasible This mutually-beneficial relationship is already transforming portions of Perth Amboy with amenities that will generate tax revenue for generations on under-used land that many historically disregarded as “lost,” with little value PILOT agreements have attracted large-scale redevelopment to areas of Perth Amboy that may have otherwise been unattractive to developers because of high property value or environmental concerns Perth Amboy is attracting quality developers far and wide who are proposing exciting projects for our community mixed-use development with new restaurants and shops and clean industrial uses that generate steady tax income without burdening city services these PILOT agreements incentivize developers to invest heavily in Perth Amboy increased property values and overall economic growth that encourages even more redevelopment this program helps stabilize property taxes for city residents PILOTs have proven successful in several New Jersey municipalities where Mayor John McCormac has used this new revenue for nearly 20 years to attract major companies and fund various community projects The success of these agreements has spurred other neighboring municipalities where Mayor Kennedy O’Brien is exploring the potential of PILOTs for the many redevelopment initiatives in the pipeline As the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency moves forward with PILOT agreements we will be working closely with the city school system and other community partners to identify ways in which the revenue can be used to support capital improvements Opinion: We can't let Washington undermine NJ's economic engine: intellectual property We see PILOTs as a smart way to spur relationships within the city as we all work and plan together for a greater tomorrow through the infusion of redevelopment funds As more New Jersey municipalities recognize the benefits of these agreements we fully expect PILOTs to become an increasingly important component of economic development strategies as they are such a win-win for both taxpayers and private investors Tashilee Vazquez is executive director of the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency The Panthers (3-10) jumped out to an early lead with one run in the first inning and extended their advantage with three more in the second North Brunswick (1-11) mounted a comeback with three runs in the fifth but Perth Amboy responded with a run of its own in the bottom half of the inning to maintain control Kristian Gonzalez earned the win for Perth Amboy pitching four innings while allowing three runs while Chris Aracena and Cesar Suriel each contributed one RBI The Panthers were aggressive on the basepaths with six stolen bases Chris Cardinoza took the loss for North Brunswick despite a complete game effort allowing six runs (two earned) while striking out four and walking two over six innings The N.J. 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All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices Kushner and city officials in Perth Amboy have taken a key step in a plan to bring more than 600 apartments and retail space to a nearly 16-acre stretch along the Arthur Kill waterfront The municipality and its redevelopment agency announced Friday that they have finalized agreements with the developer noting that the project known as Sea Gate would remediate and revitalize an existing brownfield site High and Fayette streets that Kushner is buying from the city for $4.6 million part of the estimated $200 million development that would be constructed over three years Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners is the project’s architect Along with five buildings housing 602 market-rate one- and two-bedroom apartments the plan calls for at least 5,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space on the Arthur Kill and public amenities such as a waterfront tree-lined esplanade stretching nearly a half-mile from Front Street to the bulkhead between Smith and Washington streets landscaped plazas and a dog park for public use “We have been working closely with the redeveloper to create the type of plan that can benefit the entire Perth Amboy community not just the residents of Sea Gate,” Mayor Helmin Caba said waterfront property and creating the type of development that will benefit Perth Amboy for years to come.” The announcement Friday came two days after the City Council approved a payment in lieu of taxes agreement for the project which calls for Kushner to pay the municipality about $1.2 million annually The redevelopment area now generates only about $113,000 a year in net revenue adding that the developer will contribute $1 million to Perth Amboy for affordable housing assistance “This project has been years in the making and we’re excited to be working with the City of Perth Amboy to move it forward,” said Michael Sommer the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency have provided strong leadership while working with us to shape a shared vision for the underutilized waterfront that will benefit the entire community We look forward to taking the next steps toward turning this vision into a reality.” city officials said they envision Sea Gate to be a bustling community with vans shuttling neighborhood residents to the Perth Amboy train station Restaurants with views of the water would dot the property complementing shops and potentially a connection to Manhattan-bound ferry service The agreement also includes a memorial to Thomas Mundy Peterson a city resident who was the first African American to vote in an election following the ratification of the 15th Amendment “This property is a waterfront gem that has been under-used for far too long,” Tashi Vazquez executive director of the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency “There are environmental challenges that can only be handled through redevelopment with a well-capitalized private partner who can create the highest and best use of this property “There is a shortage of this higher-end type of rental housing in Perth Amboy another key reason why we are moving forward with Sea Gate,” she added “The redeveloper is envisioning such amenities as outdoor fire pits lounge space and other recreational areas that connect the tenants and the waterfront views.” streetscape improvements and lighting funded by the developer has been covering New Jersey commercial real estate for 13 years Many industry leaders view him as the go-to real estate reporter in the state a role he is eager to continue as the editor of Real Estate NJ He is a lifelong New Jersey resident who has spent a decade covering the great Garden State Restaurant chain Bojangles has opened along a major commercial corridor in Piscataway as part of a previously announced deal brokered by The Goldstein Group All RIGHTS RESERVED Copyright 2023 Real Estate NJ 101 Eisenhower Parkway Roseland Our site uses cookies. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy PERTH AMBOY – Honey Meerzon's four-family investment property on Smith Street is apparently in the way of a $110 million Gateway project at the foot of the Route 35 Victory Bridge where a nearly 500,000-square-foot warehouse is planned The city's Planning Board last month recommended her property qualifies as a condemnation area in need of redevelopment and the City Council is slated to vote on the Planning Board's recommendation later this month said the reason her property and the longtime tire shop next door could be declared condemned under eminent domain is because the front of the structures are very close to the sidewalk and street And it’s a condition not unique to her property with an estimated nearly 1,000 other city properties that don't meet the front setback requirements and could in the future face condemnation in order to be redeveloped The condemnation area in need of redevelopment consists of several properties near the Route 35 entrance to the city: 501 Smith St. at the corner of Smith and Herbert streets; 505-507 The city has many older homes and businesses Meerzon has launched a Change.org petition in an effort to halt the City Council from adopting the Planning Board's recommendation and protect homes the community and the rights of property owners Meerzon owns the four-family home at 505-507 Smith St that she bought with her mother in 2016 and where she's had the same tenants for about 10 years She brought the property when she was a single mom looking to get back on her feet and made a lot of upgrades at the property More: Perth Amboy park will be transformed into a community events space adding the 14 people living in the house all work or attend school within walking distance Meerzon said her property and the tire shop next door were put on a blight study list last year by the city She said an attorney explained to her that the city was looking to condemn her property to repurpose it for a 470,000-square-foot warehouse development proposed for behind her property She said she was told that by condemning the property she would not receive the full value for her property which was appraised last month at $800,000 City officials have not responded to multiple requests for comment In April 2024 Mayor Helmin Caba and other city officials held a news conference to announce the start of work on the $110 million Gateway project by Denver-based Viridian Partners near the Route 35 Victory Bridge that includes the nearly 500,000-square-foot warehouse and nine acres for future development on a 44-acre underutilized and contaminated site They kicked off the project with the demolition of a boarded-up structure at 535 Smith St At that time Caba said the vision is to transform the area into a vibrant mixed-use space that reflects the city's spirit and aspirations The finished project is expected to generate more than 400 long-term jobs and more than $1 million in local tax revenue the property behind the Smith Street home she owns has already been cleared in preparation for the development More: Middlesex County's five most dangerous roads come under the microscope Meerzon said she hired a planner to dispute the city's report that deemed her property blight, but only a minority of Planning Board members voted against condemning the properties at the March 5 meeting The Planning Board is scheduled to memorialize the condemnation of the properties this week adding she’s concerned about her tenants who have relied of her for housing for the past decade "They walk to their jobs; they don't have cars." Meerzon said she's also concerned about the people in the 1,000 other homes in the city that were built close to the sidewalk or street the bigger chance that other people in Perth Amboy have of keeping their homes," she said Meerzon feels confident the City Council will vote to condemn the property at the April 16 meeting which means she will have to fight the designation in court Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime please subscribe or activate your digital account today Firefighters from multiple departments battled a fast-moving brush fire along Riverview Drive in Perth Amboy on Saturday afternoon according to the Perth Amboy Fire Department and quickly escalated to a second alarm as high winds from the nearby bay fueled its spread Responding units encountered a large area of wildland burning and worked for over an hour to contain the blaze and 4; Trucks 2 and 3; Rescue 1; and Chiefs 1 and 5 Sayreville’s Engine 3 and Brush 5 responded to the scene along with NJ Forest Fire Service Brush 26 and A-7 Hopelawn and Woodbridge fire companies provided station coverage for the city while Perth Amboy units were committed to the incident No injuries were reported and officials have not announced the cause of the fire Authorities said crews would remain at the site through the evening to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and to monitor for flare-ups fire officials had not issued any evacuation orders or reported structural damage © 2008-2025 - Shore News Media & Marketing Ltd Welcome Mickeymickey@disney.comManage MyDisney AccountLog OutNew Jersey communities mourn deaths of family lost in nightclub roof collapseByJanice YuSaturday 2025Janice Yu reports on remembrances in New JerseyNEW JERSEY -- Communities in New Jersey are reeling after the loss of at least two local people who tragically died in the roof collapse at Jet Set Club in the Dominican Republic At least two families have been impacted as their own were among the 220 that died in last Tuesday's collapse in Santo Domingo "We had a lot of false alarms through the day that three friends that were with her There was one person with no I.D," Manny Contreras told Eyewitness News Contreras is the uncle of Jennifer Contreras who was on the Island-nation celebrating a friend's birthday She would have turned 26 the following day on April 9 From the moment the family of Contreras heard about the tragedy "Her sister Luz was able to identify the tattoo that she had as they were bringing their last body out that was her that was of that," Contreras said A memorial for Igancio continues to grow outside of her hair salon business Those who knew the 42-year-old mother say she was kind and a hard worker who took care of her mother and touched the lives of many in the neighborhood you know," a close friend told Eyewitness News Both the families of Jennifer and Violeta are now working to bring their bodies back here to New Jersey for the funeral and burial Caba is said the city is offering counseling and pastoral services as the community continues to mourn such a tragic loss "We often say Perth Amboy is a family -- and like any family Let us continue to stand together in unity * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New Jersey news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. PERTH AMBOY - Despite opposition from some residents the City Council has approved plans for 602 market-rate apartments along the city's waterfront the Kushner Companies $200 million project called Sea Gate that will receive a long-term property tax break Under the terms of the financial agreement with the developer Perth Amboy is expected to receive about $1.2 million a year from the developer with total revenue over the 30-year agreement projected to be about $64 million the property generated only $190,000 in taxes Councilwoman Hailey Cruz cast the lone opposition vote on the ordinance approving the tax break and a financial agreement with Perth A Urban Renewal LLC to redevelop the properties along Front according to the city clerk who noted many residents spoke against the project during the lengthy Feb Perth A Urban Renewal LLC is an affiliate of Landings which in 2000 reached a redevelopment agreement with the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency (PARA) and Charles Kushner of Kushner Companies as the redeveloper for the Landings at Harborside Kushner Companies has two condominium buildings in Perth Amboy − Bayview They are part of the planned $600 million Landings at Harborside complex More: Perth Amboy seeking state funding for $1 million upgrade of waterfront park In 2017 a confidential settlement was reached between Kushner Companies and 32 condo owners in the Landings at Harborside community after the residents filed a consumer fraud lawsuit alleging construction issues such as water infiltration and insufficient parking Kushner Companies then suspended all construction of the Landings Perth A Urban Renewal LLC is now looking to finance design and construct 602 residential apartments in five five-story buildings with 909 parking spaces and a minimum of 5,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space for the waterfront neighborhood that will be known as Sea Gate The 15.75-acre redevelopment area will have landscaping is expected to be constructed in three phases over a three-year period "We have been working closely with the redeveloper to create the type of plan that can benefit the entire Perth Amboy community not just the residents of Sea Gate,” said Mayor Helmin Caba High and Fayette streets from the city for $4.6 million; said PARA Executive Director Tashi Vazquez Kushner Companies will also be contributing $1 million to Perth Amboy for affordable housing assistance the plan includes a memorial to Thomas Mundy Peterson tree-lined esplanade stretching from Front Street to the bulkhead between Smith Street and Washington Street landscaped plazas and dog park for public use The project is expected to produce about 600 temporary construction jobs with wages estimated at about $44 million The project will also require more than $12.5 million in infrastructure improvements including the construction of a waterfront bulkhead and esplanade and utility infrastructure improvements as well as about $2 million in environmental contamination/remediation costs The approval of the plan comes several months after the council tabled a similar ordinance in part because of residents' concerns about whether two historic buildings the former Perth Amboy Police Headquarters and First Aid Squad building Those buildings have not been removed from the plans PERTH AMBOY – The city is looking to offer kayaking along the Raritan River It recently issued a request for bids for kayak rental services to expand recreational opportunities for residents and visitors The city's Department of Recreation plans a kayak rental station at 2 Second St. within the city's sailing and kayaking compound There is a boat launch at the end of Second Street and the location was chosen due to its high summer traffic and accessibility for water activities Lebron said the kayak rental service is intended to be an unmanned standalone unit that operates with a vendor-managed mobile app dawn to dusk More: Perth Amboy may redevelop more Smith Street properties by Route 35 Each kayak rental station will include sit-on-top single-user kayaks with paddles and lifejackets will be stored in a tamper-proof locker that is to be provided The operator will be responsible for developing ways to market the rental station services prior tolaunch and the operator will be responsible for maintaining the equipment More: Perth Amboy OKs tax break for controversial Kushner plan for 602 apartments on waterfront Rental fees will be set by the city at the time the contract is signed and the operator can adjust them with city approval The city will receive a minimum of 50% of the gross rental revenue received from rentals less the direct costs of any non-standard repairs Sealed submissions are due at Perth Amboy City Hall by 10 a.m The city anticipates awarding a contract on April 16 PERTH AMBOY - The Planning Board will consider whether several Smith Street properties not far from the Victory Bridge and Route 35 should be designated as a condemnation area in need of redevelopment The board will hold a public hearing March 5 to decide whether to recommend to the City Council that the properties qualify for redevelopment and acquisition by the city through eminent domain The 16,274.27-square-foot study is made up of five properties near the Route 35 entrance to the city: 501 Smith St. The proposed redevelopment area is near the city's Gateway redevelopment project where old buildings are being demolished at the foot of the Route 35 Victory Bridge The first step in the 44-acre project was the demolition of a boarded-up structure at 535 Smith St More: One person hurt in Perth Amboy food business gas explosion will invest more than $110 million to acquire clean and stabilize contaminated parcels of land between the Route 35 Victory Bridge is expected to generate more than 400 long-term jobs and more than $1 million in local tax revenue more than nine acres of land abutting the Smith Street business corridor will be remediated and “pad ready” for the city at no cost Perth Amboy officials will decide how best to redevelop the land is now the focal point of our redevelopment efforts,” Mayor Helmin J "With the collaboration of Viridian Partners and the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency we are starting to witness the transformation of this critical area into a thriving PERTH AMBOY - The city is again looking to move forward with Kushner Companies' $200 million plan to build 602 apartments along the city's waterfront and receive a long-term tax break The City Council has introduced an ordinance approving the tax break and a financial agreement with Perth A Urban Renewal LLC to redevelop the properties along Front A public hearing and final adoption of the ordinance is scheduled for the City Council's Feb The ordinance comes just five months after the Council tabled a similar ordinance in part because of residents' concerns about whether the former Perth Amboy Police Headquarters and First Aid Squad building city officials planned to renegotiate the terms but a city notice gives no indication whether the historic structure will be saved A city spokesperson has not yet responded to a request for comment about those sites which in 2000 reached a redevelopment agreement with the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency and Charles Kushner of Kushner Companies Kushner has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the United States ambassador to France five-story buildings with 909 parking spaces The project is scheduled to be built in three phases More: Here's why Raritan Bay YMCA just bought a $2.4 million Perth Amboy rooming house The plan also authorizes the city to grant a tax exemption and a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) in accordance with the provision of the Long Term Tax Exemption Law Upon completion and stabilization of the project the municipal share of the annual service charge is projected to be about $1.2 million and the total municipal share of annual service charges is projected to be about $64 million over the term of the tax exemption PERTH AMBOY - One person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a gas leak and explosion at a Hall Avenue food business a family living in a third-floor apartment is being relocated after the incident the Perth Amboy Fire Department was notified about a gas leak and explosion at 232 Hall Ave The address is the home of Daniela's Poultry they found the front windows of the first-floor food business were blown out and smoke filling the interior City official said surrounding buildings were evacuated and a hose line was used to control the fire Once Elizabethtown Gas secured the gas main fire crews entered the building to extinguish the fire The cause of the fire and explosion is under investigation by the Perth Amboy Fire Department's Fire Investigation Unit PERTH AMBOY – The city is moving forward on the $1.4 million transformation of a downtown pocket park into a central gathering space in one of the few open sites along the length of Smith Street The city has set April 18 as the date for sealed bids to be submitted at Perth Amboy City Hall for the improvements to Rosengarten Park The project calls for a new concrete sidewalk Americans with Disability Act-accessible pathways A pre-bid walkthrough at the site will be held 10 a.m which will allow for visual inspection of the property Bidders can submit questions in writing to the purchasing agent by April 11 and the city will provide answers by April 14 Last year the city broke ground on the project as part of an effort to create more green space in city neighborhoods More: Applications being accepted for new affordable housing in Middlesex County Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency executive director explained the idea for the pocket park was conceived in 2021 when the city received a technical assistance grant from “Together North Jersey” to plan how the space can be enhanced for years the property was privately owned and underutilized Together with the Perth Amboy Business Improvement Corporation the Office of Economic and Community Development staff and help from area business owners a plan was developed to purchase the property and develop ideas for the space The concept for the park came from community surveys student depictions as well as input from small business owners who suggested everything from phone chargers to bird feeders Acquisition of the property was secured with a $688,000 state grant from the Department of Community Affairs’ Neighborhood Preservation Program More: Perth Amboy looks to offer kayak rentals along the Raritan River the Urban Enterprise Zone State Board approved an application for $700,000 for the construction which was in addition to $25,000 allocated by the Perth Amboy Business Improvement Corporation with a commitment to support with additional funds as the project progresses The park was renamed for Barry Rosengarten a lifelong city advocate and a leader of the Perth Amboy Business Improvement Corporation who played a key role in acquiring the park property “Barry’s efforts in real estate and community development his role in enriching the lives of our youth through initiatives like introducing sailing at Perth Amboy High School and his creation of the ‘Celebrate Perth Amboy’ organization have significantly enhanced the quality of life in our city,” Mayor Helmin Caba said last year when he presented Rosengarten with a plaque of appreciation PERTH AMBOY -The Raritan Bay YMCA has added to its affordable housing portfolio by buying the Remington Rooming House at 377 Smith St The property joins seven other multi-unit properties including a 20-unit rooming house also on Smith Street “This expansion is a reflection of our deep commitment to the community,” said Steve Jobin Raritan Bay YMCA president and chief executive officer “We believe everyone deserves access to safe affordable housing and the resources they need to build a better future Our work is driven by the belief that a thriving community starts with stable homes.” Smith Street brick building has 39 units with a store at street level furnished with a twin-sized bed and a refrigerator The building’s interior and exterior are equipped with 24-hour security cameras the property is operated in accordance with the Housing for Older Persons provisions of the Fair Housing Act The property is within walking distance of the the railroad station and major bus lines is challenged in providing safe and supportive housing the YMCA has adopted the mission of expanding affordable housing options to help the city's most vulnerable residents The YMCA has focused its efforts to assist disabled and homeless veterans individuals with mental illness and physical and developmental disabilities The sale was arranged through the Kislak Company of Woodbridge WOODBRIDGE - A nearly million-square-foot warehouse on the site of a former petroleum tank farm along the Woodbridge and Perth Amboy border on the banks of the Raritan River has received approval from one town and is now seeking it from the other will seek approval for the project from the Woodbridge Planning Board on Jan The project calls for the construction of a 971,962-square-foot warehouse with open space on the site of the former Buckeye Raritan Bay Terminal petroleum tank farm along Smith Street in Woodbridge and Perth Amboy The property is in the joint Woodbridge-Perth Amboy Redevelopment Zone The project was approved by the Perth Amboy Planning Board last year More: Meet Woodbridge's new police director The Perth Amboy Planning Board approved the construction of the warehouse building including 50,000 square feet of office space The Perth Amboy board also approved a three-story parking garage with 355 parking spaces; three surface parking lots containing 44 and 140 parking spaces respectively; two surface trailer parking lots each with 90 spaces water tank and open space for waterfront access for a pier; seating and a kayak launch along the Raritan River the developer plans to demolish and remediate the petroleum tank farm site and subdivide a portion of the site along the waterfront to create a public riverfront park with amenities such as a kayak launch Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity has announced it is accepting applications for two affordable housing opportunities in Perth Amboy The new single-family homes at 99 and 101 Pearl St will be sold to selected applicants from $170,000 for low-income applicants to $230,000 for moderate-income applicants The two-story homes will feature three bedrooms Applicants must attend a mandatory virtual information session to qualify The random selection for eligible applicants will occur May 29 interested parties must have a bank mortgage prequalification letter all persons applying and using income for qualification purposes must be a U.S a minimum income of approximately $50,000 (low) and $80,000 (mod) and a minimum credit score of at least 600 More: NJ economic prosperity depends on affordable housing | Opinion The home will have a deed restriction that allows modest equity upon resale and mandates that it be sold at an affordable price to another income-eligible family The prospective homeowners will contribute sweat equity helping to build their home as well as other homes To register to attend the mandatory information session, go to www.morrishabitat.org/homeownership/apply-for-home-ownership email: cmakin@gannettnj.com Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba has been elected to a second four-year term by holding off two challengers who serves as chair of the Perth Amboy Democratic Organization defeated both former longtime City Councilman William Petrick Unofficial totals show Caba received 6,299 votes while Hubberman received 2,565 and Petrick 2,332 Caba's City Council running mates also emerged victorious Democratic Councilwoman Rose Morales received 6,293 votes and Democrat Stacey Peralta received 5,844 More: NJ election results 2024: Most races called in Central Jersey Hubberman's Republican City Council candidates Maria E Rodriguez and Franklin Rodriguez received 3,704 and 3,406 unofficial votes Caba has cited public safety as his top priority for his next term in office His administration has worked on reducing crime by expanding the police force and using new technology including investing $4 million in police technology upgrades such as the creation of a real-time intelligence center and more license plate readers He also is focused on improving the city's downtown He said through the Urban Enterprise Zone $2.6 million has been secured to create safer sidewalks .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jake Tiger | For NJ Advance MediaDominic Long registered a one-hit shutout in Middlesex’s 7-0 win over Perth Amboy in Middlesex The game was Long’s second consecutive complete-game shutout after his effort against Colonia on April 17 Chris Kozak provided a two-RBI double for Middlesex Jake Tiger can be reached at hssports@njadvancemedia.com The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! PERTH AMBOY – In the wake of the school district's decision to eliminate "courtesy busing" for many students the Perth Amboy teachers union has publicly criticized Superintendent of Schools David A a copy of which was obtained by MyCentralJersey.com includes a $272,120 salary in 2024-25 and tops out at $312,263 in 2028-29 It also includes a monthly estimated Travel and Expense Reimbursement of $500 This travel line item has specifically drawn the ire of the union representing district faculty and support staff especially after the district notified families just before the start of this school year that courtesy busing for students had been cut said this and other financial terms in Roman’s contract make no sense to the union “when almost everyone who works at or attends Perth Amboy Public Schools has had to learn to do without.” More: These are the Central Jersey school superintendent salaries by district, NJ's 10 most paid increasing the workload on remaining staff,” Paradiso said our families have had to scramble to find ways to get their children to school Teachers who have left the district are not being replaced and our students are in classes with random substitutes The superintendent did not respond to a request for comment Paradiso said the next ax to fall will be to cut programs for students because Roman has said the district is in a hole in the millions of dollars State records show the Perth Amboy school district received $221,348,532 in state aid for the 2024-25 school year The records show $1.8 million in transportation aid The Perth Amboy YMCA has acquired a mixed-use rooming house property in Perth Amboy for $2.4 million in a newly announced deal by The Kislak Co The brokerage team represented the undisclosed seller in the transaction at 377 Smith St. three-story brick building with 40 units and a street-level retail store while the property operates with a rooming house license and in accordance with the Housing for Older Persons provisions of the Fair Housing Act Kislak Senior Vice President Daniel Lanni handled the assignment and procured the buyer of what’s known as the Remington Rooming House “I am proud to have facilitated the sale of this unique property which highlights the vibrancy of the Perth Amboy real estate market and the interest in rooming houses as a viable “The seller and purchaser YMCA were a pleasure to deal with The sale price equated to a 6.6 percent cap rate and Ocean First Bank was prompt and efficient with their handling of the financing.” Kislak said the building’s interior and exterior are equipped with security cameras that run 24/7 The property is also within walking distance of the city’s NJ Transit station and all major bus lines PERTH AMBOY – The city has launched a series of projects aimed at revitalizing the downtown by investing more than $2.6 million in safety The changes are designed at fostering a more vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors To enhance downtown safety about $500,000 is being used to purchase and install security cameras in commercial areas monitored by the Perth Amboy Police Department will help ensure swift responses to any incidents The city has launched a seasonal clean team initiative which collaborates with other municipal departments to maintain streetscape cleanliness The city also will replace 120 outdated downtown litter containers More: Perth Amboy parents rally in protest of courtesy busing slashed more than $190,000 has been invested in new litter sweepers and the removal of a non-functioning fountain at the Five Corners on New Brunswick Avenue “The removal of the fountain opens up a lot of space for community events,” said Noelia Colon coordinator of the Urban Enterprise Zone and deputy director of the Office of Economic and Community Development “Thanks to the collaboration of the Urban Enterprise Zone and the Perth Amboy Business Improvement Corporation and many more community activities in our downtown It will allow the creativity of our community to really shine through creating attractions for residents of all ages throughout the year.” City pride is showcased though the Hometown Heroes Banners project a $43,000 initiative that honors local service members and veterans by displaying their photos and ranks on banners throughout Perth Amboy's downtown A forthcoming trolley service will highlight historical and cultural locations within the city improve accessibility and encourage economic growth by drawing attention to the city’s heritage a free bikeshare program allows residents and visitors to explore the downtown and waterfront area while promoting sustainable transportation director of the Office of Economic and Community Development said the new initiatives are designed to make it easier to explore the downtown with or without a car Transportation alternatives also encourage more redevelopment opportunities to transform areas between the train station and outer neighborhoods Perth Amboy looks to break ground in 2025 on Rosengarten Park a $1.4 million project that will feature an outdoor stage and serve as a central gathering space for community events and leisure Perth Amboy’s Democratic mayor is facing two challengers for reelection to a second four-year term who also serves as chair of the Perth Amboy Democratic Organization is being challenged by former longtime City Councilman William Petrick Caba is running with City Councilwoman Rose Morales and council candidate Stacey Peralta Petrick does not have any council running mates Hubberman is running with Republican council candidates Maria E we’ve made real progress in reducing crime by expanding our police force and embracing new technology We now have more officers on the streets and have invested around $4 million in police technology upgrades These improvements include a city-wide fiber-optic network for faster emergency communication and the creation of a real-time intelligence center which allows our officers to respond more quickly and effectively These investments make a noticeable difference in keeping our community safe without any increase in municipal taxes we’ve secured $2.6 million to make necessary improvements — safer sidewalks We’re also expanding the Business Improvement District (BID) to bring even more resources to local businesses helping them thrive as we improve the overall downtown experience These efforts will make it easier and more enjoyable for residents and visitors to support our local economy More: These Central Jersey voters will see ballot questions in November's election what seems to be the issue that residents are most concerned about,and what is your response to those concerns I’ve heard a lot from residents about the spread of misinformation especially around public safety and housing With so much information floating around online it's easy for rumors to cause confusion and fear I’m committed to making sure people get accurate information — whether through direct communication with the police department or my office We want people to feel informed and reassured We want you to get the facts directly from us we’ve implemented rent control and are working on creating more affordable housing options through development initiatives and the Housing Trust Fund The condition of our roads and infrastructure is another issue that comes up frequently We’ve prioritized improving the streets and curbs not just for drivers but for pedestrians and cyclists as well we’ve repaved over 80 roads across the city including key areas like Washington Street and the roads surrounding Rudyk Park These improvements were funded without any tax increase thanks to a combination of city funds and external grants We’re committed to ensuring our infrastructure supports safe and accessible travel for all residents We’ve been addressing this through Middlesex County’s Vision Zero initiative which includes improving pedestrian infrastructure and gathering community feedback on how to make streets safer A recent example is our partnership with Middlesex County on the Smith and Goodwin Streets project and improved crosswalks were installed to enhance both pedestrian and vehicular safety What do you think is the biggest issues facing Perth Amboy One of the biggest challenges we’re tackling is the need for more job opportunities Through redevelopment efforts in Perth Amboy we’ve successfully created over 1,000 jobs The partnership with Middlesex College to offer the Success Bound Youth Leadership Academyhas been a game-changer for Perth Amboy’s youth since 2018 It offers paid internships withoutsacrificing college credit opportunities helping students balance academics and work Success Bound prepares our next generation of leaders for college and career success with 100% of participants going on to university How would you propose the city balance redevelopment while preserving its history Redevelopment is essential for Perth Amboy’s future but we are equally dedicated to preserving our rich history to restore key historical sites like the Proprietary House which will play a central role in our 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026 is also undergoing a second phase of renovation ensuring that our historical landmarks remain part of our community while we grow can and should the city offer to help resolve the lack of courtesybusing I know how frustrating the courtesy busing issue is for families While the decision rests with the public school district and school administrators to push for solutions that better support our kids the city is doing everything we can to keep students safe increased police presence before school arrival and during dismissal and are working with NJDOT to improve Convery Boulevard where foot traffic has increased due to the new high school We’re also helping families secure bus passes where needed to ensure reliable transportation options my focus is on ensuring student safety and continuing to advocate for solutions that truly help families Census figures show Perth Amboy's population has grown by nearly 4,000 in the last 10 years,which some attribute to the increase in unsafe and overcrowded housing conditions What do you see as the best ways to improve residents'quality of life while still welcoming newcomers to the city We understand residents' concerns about overcrowding and while these issues aren’t unique to Perth Amboy It’s important to notethat the assumption of increased population leading to more crime isn’t necessarily true and property crimes have decreased by 83.2% Our Home Improvement Program offers up to $25,000 to assist homeowners with essential repairs — whether it’s fixing a roof This allowsresidents to stay safely and comfortably in their homes we’re updating the city’s Master Plan for the first time in over 20 years ensuring that both long-time residents and newcomersbenefit from improved infrastructure Our goal is to create a city where every resident can thrive whether they’ve been here for years or are just starting their journey in Perth Amboy There are too many issues in our community to single out just one We need to get a handle on spending once again we were working on that under the [Wilda] Diaz administration; parking and traffic in our town and now safe transportation for our school children is an issue this group that is in power now has created what seems to be the issue that residents are most concerned about and what is your response to those concerns The safety of transporting our children to and from school speeding vehicles of all kinds and loud music Petrick suggests sitting down with the Board of Education and superintendent of schools hiring a true Police Director from within the department who has the policing experience and making a real commitment to community policing What do you think is the biggest issue facing Perth Amboy The contamination of our water system (the cancer risks); our aging sewage system (billions of dollars); and overcrowded unsafe housing (affordability crisis) Our community has for years talked about our historical connections while under this administration have turned a deaf ear when it comes to preservation of our dwindling historic resources I intend to actively support preserving and promoting what historical resources we have left building a program to promote our history to bring in visitors building our community's image in the greater metropolitan region as a location to learn history Our community is out of balance when it comes to home ownership versus rentals for too long the leadership in this community has ignored private home ownership in favor of large high-density residential projects owned by out-of-town developers whose only interest is their profit desirable low crime areas within Perth Amboy are our single family home developments; such as Columbus Circle Caba's administration would have Perth Amboy grow unchecked to 100,000 high density can and should the city offer to help resolve the lack of courtesy busing the schools budget is bigger then the city's budget they have had years to plan for this day and have done nothing to ensure our children's safety nor see they are given the best education possible On paper we are spending $23,556 per student each year in reality most of that money is being eaten up by out-of-town administrators not going into educating our children At the new high school the safety strips on the stairways are already peeling off the classroom clocks and bell are not synchronized with one another throughout the building the time on your phone is not the time on the wall and the time in one classroom is not the time in another room the bells to signal class change are going off ten minutes apart We have always been an immigrants community our diversity leads to our community's uniqueness and strength Having said that we are still only 4.5 square miles half of which are now eaten up by mega warehouses If we want our community to keep it's character and livability we have to seriously consider smarter growth and sustainability in the space we occupy verses over population and the depletion of our water supply from Runyon water works noting that Runyon water works is already blending contaminated water with good water to both meet EPA safety standards and meet the city's ever growing need for water now Hubberman has not responded to repeated requests for comment on the questions submitted to all candidates According to the Stronger for Perth Amboy Facebook page she was born and raised in the city and has been a community advocate for more than a decade She is a businesswoman with previous experience as a Wall Street financial professional and currently works in strategic communications She is a former owner of a touring art gallery Her passion for the arts and history provides an additional anchor to the development initiatives and solutions she sees will contribute to the expansion of opportunities and economic growth in Perth Amboy and sees safety and service as integral to boosting positive change PERTH AMBOY – Ceremonies are planned for next spring to honor three Perth Amboy police officers who gave their lives in service to the city The events will give the community a chance to pay tribute to Police Officer Thomas Raji The dates for the ceremonies have not yet been set During a ceremony at the Perth Amboy Marina on Front Street who served the Perth Amboy Police Department for a decade before he died in 2008 at the age of 31 when his patrol car was struck by a drunken driver at the intersection of Route 1 and Green Street in Woodbridge while he was transporting a prisoner to the Middlesex County Jail He became the first Perth Amboy police officer killed in the line of duty a former member of the Perth Amboy Police Department a lifelong Perth Amboy resident with more than 19 years of service Formeza’s leadership and dedication continue to inspire his colleagues and the community he cared so much about Media reports and the Officer Down Memorial Page indicate Formeza died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty He became the second city police officer to have his life taken in the line of duty marking the entrance to the Perth Amboy Police Department Marine veteran and 26-year member of the department Rivera was off duty and driving his personal vehicle around 7:30 p.m when he apparently suffered a medical emergency lost control of his vehicle and collided with parked vehicles in the Harbortown section of the city Earlier this year Councilman Kenneth Puccio sponsored ordinances to rename the two police marine vessels and dedicate a street sign to the three fallen officers The ordinances were introduced in August and unanimously approved by the City Council in September “These officers meant so much to the people of Perth Amboy,” Puccio said and I’m proud to see it embraced by the council and the community These dedications will keep their names and their sacrifices alive in our city’s memory.” The dedications have drawn support from city leaders and the police department “It’s hard to put into words what these officers meant to us,” Police Chief Larry Cattano said “They were great men who gave so much to this city This is one way we can ensure their contributions are always remembered.” Mayor Helmin Caba said the dedications will be a lasting reminder of the officers’ bravery and the community’s gratitude for everything they gave EDISON — Perth Amboy’s path to success usually relies on its ample team speed providing easy baskets in transition or the occasional binge from the 3-point line The Panthers took an alternate route Saturday by dominating the boards from the opening tip until the final buzzer to produce a 56-46 Perth Amboy (9-9) amassed a 32-12 advantage on the boards with Laivon Balthazar grabbing 18 to set the tone Edison (10-8) only claimed two offensive rebounds the first occurring midway through the third quarter when Joshua McQuillar threw the ball off a Panther as he was falling out of bounds and only had one second-shot opportunity in the entire contest More: Boys basketball rankings: Greater Middlesex Conference, area UCC Top 10, through Jan. 25 More: 'Like a playoff game': Metuchen wins key GMC Gold meeting for absent coach “In practices we always go hard on rebounding and boxing out and it played a factor in the game today,” said Balthazar everybody boxes out so it helped us get the rebounds this game.” The Eagles employed a 2-3 zone which neutralized Perth Amboy’s offense but created opportunities on the offensive glass as Edison struggled to box out coming out of the zone but I feel like we had the advantage inside,” Perth Amboy coach Donald Reid offered “I just feel like they couldn’t hang with Laivon and I told them The Panthers never trailed in the contest and forged a 6-1 edge on the boards in the first quarter as Balthazar contributed four points and four rebounds to a 16-13 cushion The senior forward delivered all six points in a late second-quarter spurt that extended the lead from 23-20 to 29-20 “What I’ve been trying to implement lately is to get the ball inside more,” Reid explained “I feel that with the teams we are playing sometimes we have the advantage with Laivon now they have to come down and double and I’m trying to tell them they’re going to get more shots that way.” who shared Panther scoring honors with Balthazar at 16 apiece “The game plan going in was to work inside/out,” the senior guard explained he started going to the line (seven second-quarter free throw attempts) and it opened guys up We were hitting shots and we were feeling it.” but no lead appears safe for a squad that has had difficulties finishing games and squandered a 24-point lead against South Plainfield earlier this season The Panthers committed nine turnovers in the fourth quarter but the lead never dipped below nine points thanks to Manzueta The senior guard made just one of seven attempts in the first half but nailed four shots in a row to deliver all 11 points that Perth Amboy scored in the final period “Once I started seeing some going in in the second half then I started feeling myself and I started hitting some good shots getting to the basket and taking care of the ball as best as I could even though at the end it was a little sloppy,” Manzueta stated “We were able to finish the job and come out with the win.” Edison’s Dheeraj Samparaboyina was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points his fourth time hitting that total or more this year while Dedrick Harvey had 10 steals and six assists One of his steals came when he stripped the ball from Balthazar as he landed with a rebound a signature move he seems to do every game “He’s a little guard and so he can get in the corners with no one seeing him,” Balthazar noted The loss was Edison’s second in its last six games but the Eagles are in a very good place atop the GMC Blue Division Edison can capture the division title by beating J.P Stevens on Wednesday and second-place Timothy Christian on Thursday just before the league’s coaches will convene to prepare for Friday’s GMC Tournament seeding meeting PERTH AMBOY - The city will hold a public hearing next week on plans to create an inclusive playground and other improvement at Truxton Park at the intersection of Florida Grove Road and Truxton Drive The project is estimated to cost $1 million The city will be asking the state's Green Acres program for money to help pay for the project Plans for the park include a handicapped-accessible concrete sidewalk and gate to the playground which will have a rubber safety surface and inclusive play structure with ramps and integrated shade three-bay swing set with inclusive seat options inclusive seesaw and rocking play structure The engineer's cost estimate shows $425,000 for playground structures and other costs for site clearing and demolition new concrete path and other work for a total of $1.022 million More: Million-square-foot warehouse on Raritan River bank inches awaits final approval An environmental impact assessment indicates that the area has a variety of trees The park property is relatively flat and slopes near the city's waterfront "Because of the park’s close proximity to the bay it faces an elevated risk of experiencing tidal flooding and water level changes stormwater runoff from extreme weather events can pose a risk to this park due to its distance from the shoreline," the assessment states the project is not expected to create any changes to the existing environment because the new playground equipment is on already cleared and graded land The installation of the playground equipment also will temporarily halt activities at the park and in the long run anticipate an increase in visitors especially by families with special needs children The public hearing will be held during the Jan Written comments on the application may be directed to Tashi Vazquez Assistant Director of the Office of Economic and Community Development 2025 at 11:50 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Kristin Borden/Patch)PERTH AMBOY NJ — One person was injured when a building exploded after a gas leak Thursday afternoon in Perth Amboy The explosion happened at 3:45 p.m. Thursday at a building at 232 Hall Avenue, News 12 reported The explosion knocked out the front windows of a first-floor food business located there, and a natural gas leak was detected, according to MyCentralJersey Perth Amboy Fire Chief Ed Mullen told News 12 While the building appeared to be empty at the time of the explosion a person walking by was injured by the blast and hospitalized make sure you call 911 right away so the fire department can get here as quick as can be,” Mullen told News 12 “Because sometimes gas leaks could end up in an explosion Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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The new Perth Amboy High School is ready to welcome students to begin the school year on Sept A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday at the school “The new Perth Amboy High School: where the roots will be strong La Promesa: the promise to nurture our students to experience rigorous curriculum within a robust educational learning environment supported through the exploration of their creativity Construction began in 2021 on the $283.8 million 576,000-square-foot building which will serve about 3,300 students in grades 9-12 The project is the largest high school ever built by the New Jersey Schools Development Authority intended to relieve overcrowding in district schools while also providing specialized educational spaces was built on an 11.63-acre site that formerly housed the Delaney Homes federal housing complex Perth Amboy Public Schools purchased the land from the Perth Amboy Housing Authority for $7.4 million in 2016 and then the district demolished the pre-existing structures on the site The high school is the sixth capital project built by the School Development Authority in Perth Amboy since the inception of the school construction program in 2000 The SDA previously invested more than $150 million in Perth Amboy projects including the Rose M Lopez Elementary School which opened in 2019 NEW BRUNSWICK – A Perth Amboy man charged with stabbing his wife to death in front of one of their four children will remain behind bars while awaiting trial Superior Court Judge Michael Toto on Friday ordered Wellington Leonardo held in jail for the alleged slaying of his wife who authorities say wanted to end their marriage appeared by video from the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick and didn’t speak other than acknowledging he could hear the proceeding and occasionally wiped his eyes possession on a weapon for an unlawful purpose and endangering the welfare of a child in the early morning stabbing of Rosanna Rodriguez “Murder in front of your children is utterly monstrous and what we do with monsters is we lock them up judge and this act what he did to this woman is monstrous," said Middlesex County Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Brian Shevlin Police entered the home through a window to get to the children who were locked in a bedroom Leonardo suffered wounds to his torso and cuts to his feet, and his attorney Daniel Gonzalez argued the injuries were the result of self-defense. Arriving officers found the husband laying on top of his wife, both covered in blood, on the kitchen floor, according to court papers the victim did; she had three wounds on her back that is not self-defense," Shevlin argued while adding he believes Leonardo's wounds came from slashing his wife The assistant prosecutor played the 911 call from the couple's 13-year-old daughter who through crying asked for police to hurry because her dad was trying to stab her mother with a knife help me" as the dispatcher tells the teen to stay in the bedroom with her younger sisters and lock the door reassuring her their mother will be alright "Can you also send an ambulance?" the girl says they'll be there any second," the dispatcher responds the dispatcher tells the teen to open the window to their first-floor home and call out to the officers the teen responds that the officers are coming the teen later told police her father was drunk when he came home around midnight She was sleeping when she heard her mother screaming went into the kitchen and saw her father stabbing her mother the teen yelled to her father to stop hurting their mother before grabbing her 3-year-old sister and going to the bedroom went back into the kitchen and saw her father had dropped the knife The teen threw an object at her father who turned and gave her "a cold stare" and continued to attack her mother "This was an extremely traumatic event what she observed," the assistant prosecutor said while adding the teen told police there had been prior domestic violence incidents in the home and that Leonardo had previously struck Rodriguez Shevlin said police were previously called to the home over Leonardo's drinking who maintained it was an act of self-defense played police bodycam video in which Leonardo repeatedly asks about his wife’s condition after he regains consciousness Gonzalez said his client has no criminal history "There is no question that a tragedy occurred here but now the determination of whether it’s a murder or self-defense or something else will be determined at a jury trial," the attorney said Leonardo is scheduled back in court next month PERTH AMBOY - The state has revoked the teaching license of a former teacher at a city magnet school who pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child by sexual contact The Department of Education's State Board of Examiners earlier this month revoked the teaching license of Edward M of Tinton Falls after he pleaded guilty before Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Joseph Paone to third-degree endangering the welfare of a child White was charged in December 2023 after an investigation found that he allegedly inappropriately touched two students on separate occasions while employed as a carpentry teacher at the school located on High Street in Perth Amboy according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone More: Edison schools settles former student's sexual abuse lawsuit for $3 million In a statement after the arrest on the Middlesex County Magnet School website Superintendent Jorge Diaz said the district was notified on Dec 2023 of an alleged incident involving a teacher and a student at the Perth Amboy campus "The school administration immediately reported the information to the local police department for investigation The teacher was placed on administrative leave and prohibited from contacting anyone affiliated with the school district," Diaz said in the statement The Middlesex County Magnet Schools in Edison Piscataway and Woodbridge are formerly part of the county's vocational-technical school district that provided occupational training State records show White had worked for this district since 2015 and as of 2021 earned a salary of $80,107 Izabella Pardo (10) of Perth Amboy races around third base and scores a run during the Autism Awareness Challenge softball game between Middlesex and Perth Amboy at North Brunswick Community Park in North Brunswick .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By John Lewis | For NJ Advance MediaIzabella Pardo doubled and drove in four runs to highlight a 17-hit attack Johanny Almonte doubled twice and drove in three runs for the Panthers Jaslyn Collado added a triple and two RBIs struck out seven and walked one before she gave way to reliever Mia Santos John Lewis can be reached at hssports@njadvancemedia.com The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) the city wants to be ready to showcase its best assets like waterfront views of the Raritan Bay historic buildings and even the Victory Bridge Perth Amboy is working with the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission to achieve certification as a “film ready” community Part of that process involves updating the city's 2013 Film Ordinance to meet the commission's requirements which include introducing a waiver for flexibility shortening the advance notice days from 14 to 7 and identifying the city's Office of Economic and Community Development as the film liaison The commission's certification deadline is set for Aug 30 and the city is on track to be certified as a New Jersey Film Ready Community by September Recently the City Council introduced amendments to the 2013 filming ordinance with a public hearing and final vote on the ordinance scheduled for the governing body's Aug Under the ordinance the term filming involves the taking of still or motion pictures on film videotape or a similar recording medium for commercial or educational purposes for viewing on television through mass media or for institutional uses This does not include filming of news stories A Filming Review Committee will be responsible for reviewing and approving all applications for filming in Perth Amboy The committee will consist of the city's director of the Department of Human Services Office of Economic and Community Development or the film ready liaison's designee A major motion picture shall refer to any film financed and/or distributed by a major motion picture studio such as Universal Pictures; Warner Brothers including New Line Cinema Village Road Show and Bel-Aire; Paramount including MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movie; 20th Century Fox including Fox Searchlight MGM-United Artists and Dreamworks; as well as any film with a budget of at least $5 million and recurrent television series programming and any major streaming service such as Netflix More: Fallen Perth Amboy police officer to be honored in special way Under the ordinance public lands refers to any and every public street public park or playground or any other public place under the city's control Incidental use of a public street or sidewalk which is of minimal impact and does not result in a closing to the public use shall not be considered filming on "public land," the ordinance states students filming or taking still photography to satisfy a course or curriculum requirement at an educational institution must supply proof of enrollment The ordinance also requires any person or organization looking to film on the city's public property to complete an application and obtain a permit which will be issued through the city's Office of Economic and Community Development The permit will include the approved location and duration for filming with specific reference to days or dates The permit must be available for inspection by city officials at the filming site Permit applications can be obtained from the Office of Economic and Community Development during normal business Under the ordinance if a permit is issued and filming does not take place on the specified dates due to weather issues or other causes a new permit for filming on other dates may be issued if all other provisions are in compliance no permits shall be issued until applied for prior to seven days before the requested shooting date but that seven-day period can be waived by the business administrator director of economic and community development or film ready liaison if the applicant has obtained all related approvals and adjacent property owners or tenants do not need to be notified Permits for filming will not be issued without proof of insurance cover for bodily injury and property damage and an agreement in writing by the applicant that does not make the city liable for any expense claim or damages resulting from the use of public land the basic filming permit (for all filming other than student films) is $250 for a period not to exceed 14 consecutive days renewable for terms of 14 consecutive days at a fee of $250 per term Daily filming fee for major motion pictures payable in addition to the basic filming permit is $1,500 a day and permit for nonprofit student filming is $25 More: Perth Amboy mural pays homage to hometown basketball legend Brian Taylor Filming applicants also will be responsible for hiring and paying off-duty Perth Amboy police officers for the times indicated on the permit as well as posting maintenance bonds to make sure the filming location is left in satisfactory condition once filming is completed The ordinance also sets requirements related to the minimizing interference with the passing of pedestrians and traffic minimizing inconvenience to nearly property owners including noise and parking The city can require one or more patrol officers if the production may impede the flow of traffic In cases where filming will directly involve or affect businesses these parties shall be given written notice of the filming at least three days prior to the requested shooting date and be informed that objections may be filed with the film review committee "The FRC will make every effort to work with residents to minimize the inconvenience caused by filming in residential areas and will require the applicant to give affected residents at least three days' notice of parking restrictions night shooting or other inconveniences," the ordinance states filming in residential zones shall be permitted Monday through Friday between 8 a.m Any night shooting must be approved by the Police Department and no filming will be allowed in a residential area after 11 p.m The state-of-the-art high school will open in Perth Amboy after a long wait Hannah Gross, Education and Child Welfare Writer | August 28, 2024 | Education The new Perth Amboy High School is ready to open its doors to students next week marking what the New Jersey Schools Development Authority said was its largest school construction project ever undertaken The project adds room for nearly 3,300 students and cost $284 million The three-story building has a 1,000-seat auditorium a multi-media center and a security operations center It also includes additions such as an automotive lab life skills lab and a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps “The opening of this new high school is just the beginning our parents and our community that we will continue to strive for excellence for our students,” said Damian Medina assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction Tuesday’s opening ceremony held in the new auditorium got off to a late start which Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) said is fitting based on the project’s timeline The school district purchased the land for the new building for $7.4 million in 2016 and it will welcome students for the first time on Sept EducationOfficials say fixing overcrowded, aging NJ schools requires billions“It took years to put things together longer than any of us had hoped for to get this started all the waiting was worth it because you end up with something truly special and that’s what we have here today,” said Coughlin New Jersey ROTC members led the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the ceremony followed by a performance of the national anthem by the high school choir the band performed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” while students danced across the new stage this school is yours,” Medina said during the ceremony learn and discover who you are and what you want to become.” Speakers delivered messages in both English and Spanish a nod to the 71% of students whose primary home language is Spanish according to school performance report data the district’s graduation rate was in the 50s The number of students awarded the Seal of Biliteracy also increased more than 750% in the last nine years ‘Every student deserves to have a place like this to go to school but across the state.’ — Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) Perth Amboy is one of the former Abbott districts where construction is fully paid for by the Schools Development Authority the state agency in charge of construction and renovations of school facilities in 31 districts The authority was developed after a 1998 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that the state must fully fund school construction and renovations in some of the poorest districts at the time The condition of school facilities was preventing students in these districts from receiving the “thorough and efficient” education they are entitled to under the state Constitution Districts not eligible for full funding can have a minimum of 40% of construction costs covered The new high school is the most expensive construction project in the Schools Development Authority’s history “Every student deserves to have a place like this to go to school,” Coughlin said “We’re committed to developing new schools Schools Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Manuel Da Silva said the SDA builds high-quality facilities noting that the new high school building is fit to serve generations of Perth Amboy students He joked that he should have brought a hoverboard or Segway to get around the large school building EducationState promises to replace 13 Newark schools as district mulls bond for other projectsThe SDA has completed 35 projects and added 30,653 new seats since 2011 This includes the construction of new schools and additions or renovations to existing school facilities The need for new and improved school buildings is still great in districts across the state and the authority has little money to fund new projects Of the agency’s next 19 projects outlined in the strategic plan for advancement 17 will address capacity needs while two will address aging infrastructure an addition and renovation of Cleveland St Elementary School in Orange is expected to be completed by the start of the school year is expected to open in September 2025 and have room for 936 students Hannah Gross covers education and child welfare for NJ Spotlight News via a partnership with Report for America She covers the full spectrum of education and children’s services in New Jersey and looks especially through the lens of equity and opportunity Hannah graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2023 with a degree in Political Science and Hispanic Studies and completed internships at NBC10 Philadelphia and Telemundo 62 and Forbes She is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists @grosshann or send her an email at GrossH@njspotlightnews.org SUBSCRIBE NJ Spotlight is part of The WNET Group and is operated by WNET a non-profit organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code PERTH AMBOY – Parents are protesting the school district's recent decision to eliminate "courtesy busing" for many students including those attending the new Perth Amboy High School along Route 35 Some of them marched Wednesday from Washington Street and Amboy Avenue to the Board of Education offices on Barracks Street to voice their concerns president of Perth Amboy American Federation of Teachers said the last-minute decision to eliminate courtesy busing for students who live less than 2.5 miles from school has left parents scrambling to arrange transportation for their children 29 meeting expressed regret about not notifying parents about the elimination until mid-August and said it would continue to explore the possibility of providing courtesy transportation "Courtesy busing is not mandated by the New Jersey Department of Education," the Board said at the meeting adding the cost for the non-mandatory transportation during the 2023-2024 school year was $3.7 million New Jersey law requires school districts to provide transportation to students in grades K-8 who live more than 2 miles from their school students in grades 9-12 who live more than 2.5 miles from school and students with disabilities who have transportation in their Individualized Education Program The district previously provided courtesy busing for students in grades K-12 More: Perth Amboy ready to welcome students to new $284 million high school Perth Amboy has about 10,000 students in grades pre-K-12 six elementary schools and three preschools The district underwent major budget challenges which resulted in the reduction of staff members and programs and because courtesy busing is not a state requirement it could no longer be maintained or expanded without further cuts in staff and programs Some city students now must travel along busy roadways where the district's new $284 million Perth Amboy High School is located not far from the Woodbridge border and this just makes it worse," Paradiso said Superintendent of Schools David Roman has not responded to a request for comment Paradiso noted Perth Amboy has a lot of immigrant families some without transportation or the funds to send their children to school by taxi She said some families have purchased electric bikes and scooters for their children to travel to school along Route 35 Parent Alison Perez-Cabret expressed concern some students will drop out due to the difficulty in getting to school She also expressed concern about students starting their walk to school before crossing guards are on duty and heading home from after school programs after crossing guards have completed their shifts for the day PERTH AMBOY — The City of Perth Amboy has reached a milestone announcing the opening of its first-ever tattoo shop in the city BV INKS in the Shop Rite Plaza had a grand opening celebration with the community on Friday Tattoo enthusiasts and first-timers alike came together to mark this milestone day and an exciting new era for local businesses “The opening of BV INKS signifies a shift in the city’s economic and cultural landscape while fostering a more inclusive and dynamic business environment,” according to the Perth Amboy Business Improvement Corporation Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba joined in the grand opening festivities Other local notables on hand were Yolanda Flores executive director of the Perth Amboy Business Improvement Corporation director of the Perth Amboy Office of Economic and Community Development Caba also took to Instagram and Facebook to congratulate BV INKS owner Bryan Valera. “Congratulations @bvinkstudio Wishing you endless success as you continue to ink your legacy in Perth Amboy.” why has Perth Amboy never had a tattoo parlor until now tattooing was prohibited in the Middlesex County city due to Ordinance No The ordinance only allowed tattooing for medical purposes by licensed physicians the City Council passed an ordinance that allowed body art establishments to operate in the city under regulated guidelines The ordinance includes zoning for the location of tattoo shops in the central business district and it requires a sign at the entrance that states “No one under 18 be admitted.” To make an appointment, follow BV INKS on Instagram Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom A city in Middlesex County gets its first tattoo parlor after a more than 60 year prohibition was lifted.\nRead More BV INKS Caba also took to Instagram and Facebook to congratulate BV INKS owner Bryan Valera. “Congratulations @bvinkstudio To make an appointment, follow BV INKS on Instagram Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom Micah Gordon (5) of Plainfield tries to drive past Isaiah Headley-Smith (25) of Roselle Catholic during the boys basketball game between Roselle Catholic and Plainfield at Roselle Catholic High School in Roselle NJ on 2/1/25.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jason Bernstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comMicah Gordon made five 3-pointers and finished with 23 points and five assists as top-seeded Plainfield rolled to an 81-42 victory over Perth Amboy in the first round of the North Jersey 12 rebounds and four blocks for Plainfield (24-3) which jumped out to a 26-7 first quarter lead and never looked back Kiian Kirkwood and Kamai Lowery added nine points apiece Plainfield plays eighth-seeded Linden in the quarterfinals on Monday Jadiel Manzueta made five 3-pointers to finish with a team-high 19 points for Perth Amboy (15-12) Laivon Balthazar added 11 points and 13 rebounds PERTH AMBOY – Two more families are celebrating the holiday season at home thanks to Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity (GMM Habitat) donors and staff families and friends participated in a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov The celebration brought together all those who partnered to complete the new single-family homes for an Army veteran family of five and a three-generation civilian family of four "I stand before you today not only as a proud veteran who served nine years as a medic in the Army but as someone who knows firsthand the value of community and resilience," said Mylcaryz Dellossantos an Army veteran and first-time homeowner who will be sharing the home with her husband and three school-age children "Serving as a medic taught me about sacrifice here in the presence of people dedicated to lifting others up I feel that same spirit of unity and dedication." The ribbon cuttings took place during GMM Habitat’s Veterans Build Week a national initiative designed to provide housing solutions and volunteer and employment opportunities to U.S military service members and their families "Veteran's Day and Veteran’s Build Week hold special places in our hearts," said Liz DeCoursey "It is a time when we come together as a community and a country to express our gratitude and appreciation to the brave men and women who have selflessly served our country Our veterans have devoted their lives to protecting our freedoms and to making our country the greatest force for stability and peace in the world Their dedication and untold sacrifices are both humbling and inspiring." More: Somerset Vo-Tech students help restoration of Ida-damaged home in Manville Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba attended the groundbreaking and offered a warm welcome to the two families a place where love and dreams will grow," Caba said Also participating in the ceremony were 40 students from the Timothy Christian School in Piscataway The students spent five days over the past year volunteering to help build the homes this is beyond our wildest dreams," said Penelope Velez-Camacho a member of the civilian family who were moving into their first-ever home "It’s incredibly humbling to have so many people actively dedicating their time and effort toward helping us achieve our dreams." Helping to make those dreams a reality were 410 volunteers from civic corporate and school groups who donated 2,826 hours of labor toward building the two-story GMM Habitat provides a hand up not a handout to affordable homeownership Both new Perth Amboy homeowner families performed between 300 to 400 hours of "sweat equity" working alongside other Habitat volunteers toward building their homes both homes were featured in an episode of NBC TV’s home makeover show "George to the Rescue." The families received a full house of furnishings and interior design services as part of the show The homes were funded by donations and grants from Citizens Bank The homes also received funding from the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Team for Neighborhood Enterprise and Revitalization (P.A.R.T.N.E.R) Department of Housing and Urban Development Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity is part of a global which is one of the leading builders of affordable housing in New Jersey serves 68 municipalities in Morris and Middlesex counties and the greater Plainfield area Through volunteer labor and monetary donations and materials Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat builds affordable new homes and provides home repair services to income eligible families and individuals Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat has served nearly 1,100 families through building more than 200 local homes preserving 531 homes for low-income homeowners and seniors and helping 383 families with housing solutions worldwide The local affiliate organization has engaged more than 150,000 volunteers in its various programs Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat also operates a successful ReStore home improvement and furnishings outlet in Randolph which has kept 19,727 tons of reusable materials out of landfills and funded 39 homes please subscribe or activate your digital account today.