SOUTH AMBOY – There are several new things in South Amboy in 2024 – a police chief, three new patrolman, a drone, firefighting equipment, an ambulance, two garbage trucks and a property tax increase.
“Change is inevitable and under my administration we have created a future for South Amboy which isincredibly bright,” Mayor Fred Henry said in his 2024 State of the City address Saturday at the South Amboy Senior Resource Center.
Joseph Matarangolo was sworn in March 20 as South Amboy’s police chief, replacing Darren LaVigne, who had been a member of the police department for 36 years, the last 14 as chief, the mayor said.
Other officers promoted were Brian McCabe to captain, Michael Kelly to lieutenant and Christopher Norek to sergeant.
Robert (Max) Garcia, Kyle Gasiewski and Marcus Nunez also joined the department as patrolmen, Henry said.
The Protection Fire Company is on track to receive a $1 million new fire truck, the mayor said, and the city has again received a grant from the state Department of Community Affairs to help pay for $75,000 in firefighting equipment.
The First Aid Squad will be getting a new ambulance later this year, the mayor said.
“We also purchased two new automatic stretchers, which will allow our volunteers to mechanically lift patients into the ambulance,” he said. “I witnessed a demonstration and was so impressed with how much easier and quicker it was to move patients,”
The mayor also said the city’s Office of Emergency Management has added a drone that will be used by police, the first aid squad and firefighters.
The city has ordered two new garbage trucks and a new dumpster, Henry said.
Other infrastructure projects include the replacement of the Raritan Street pumping station, repaving North Broadway from Main to Augusta Streets. That work will also include curb work and lighting, he said.
The city is waiting for approval for the repaving of South Broadway, from Augusta Street to Bordentown Avenue.
Property owners will see an increase of $68.70 a year,or $5.73 a month, in the municipal portion of their tax bill for a home assessed at the city’s average of $274,800 under the terms of the budget approved by the City Council on April 3.
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The increase is lower than the inflation rate, the mayor said.
“With the cost of just about everything rising, this is an accomplishment of which I am very proud,” Henry said.
Construction has already begun on two warehouse projects on lower Main Street, Henry said, adding the developments will add property tax revenue with very little impact on municipal services and schools.
Veterans Memorial Plaza will also continue to be upgraded with the addition of plaques containing the names of those from South Amboy who died in military service, Henry said.
The city has purchased property at John and Broadway with the intent of tearing down the old building and building a parking lot with 80 spaces, the mayor said.
Henry said the construction of the South Amboy ferry terminal is ahead of schedule.
Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com
Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
