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South Amboy Newsletter - February 2026

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This newsletter from the City of South Amboy highlights community events, public safety initiatives, and city improvements from 2025, while also looking forward to 2026. It features the Fire Department's participation in community events, recognition of local volunteers and public safety officers, updates on city services like senior transportation and recycling, and initiatives like the Emergency Management's drone program. The newsletter also includes information regarding snow removal rules, tree preservation ordinance, and annual license renewals. Several contacts are provided for various city departments.

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--- Document: South Amboy Newsletter - February 2026 Document ---
RECORD
2025 Emergency Vehicle Light Parade
Festive
moments in
support of
the Raine
Foundation
A Season of Service
and Teamwork
Throughout 2025, the South Amboy Fire
Department was proud to participate in events that
bring our community together and strengthen the
bond between our public safety agencies.
      One of last year’s highlights was our
participation in the annual Emergency Vehicle
Light Parade. In true holiday fashion, our long-held
trophy for Best Decorated Vehicle was mysteriously
“stolen by the Grinch.” While we suspect some
holiday mischief was involved, we would like to
extend our congratulations to the South Amboy
Police Department for taking home the trophy this
year. Rest assured, the Fire Department is already
looking forward to reclaiming the trophy next year.
     Events like these highlight the strong working
relationship between the South Amboy Fire
Department, Police Department, and First Aid. 
The City of South Amboy  •  140 North Broadway  •  South Amboy, NJ, 08879  •  southamboynj.gov
F E B R U A R Y  2 0 2 6
T H E  C I T Y  O F
Helping Hands, Stronger Community
Members of Independence Fire Company, along with members of
the South Amboy First Aid Squad, under the leadership of former
Chief of Department Rafael Albarran, were honored to assist the
Raine Foundation in support of its mission to serve families
throughout the Bayshore community.
      The Raine Foundation has made a significant and positive
impact by providing food, clothing, holiday assistance, and other
essential resources to families facing difficult circumstances. Their
dedication and compassion continue to make a meaningful
difference in the lives of those in need.
      The South Amboy Fire Department and the South Amboy First
Aid Squad would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Raine
Foundation for the incredible work they do for our communities. We
are honored to support and be a part of such a special organization
and commend their continued commitment to helping others.
Lights, Laughter, and Local Pride
We work side by side year-round to serve and protect our
community, and it is always a pleasure to come together for
events that celebrate teamwork, community spirit, and a little
friendly competition.
     We thank the residents of South Amboy for their continued
support and for sharing in these moments with us.


Contact your council member: 
732-525-5920
Mayor’s Office: 732-525-5932
Business Administrator: 732-525-5933
Monday through Friday: 
8:30am – 4pm
Meeting Dates
Reflecting on a Year of Progress
A Message from Mayor Fred A. Henry
My wife Linda and I wish everyone a very happy New Year and best wishes for a 
healthy and successful 2026. Special thank you to everyone who helped make 2025 
an incredibly successful year for our City!
Here are some important examples of that success that I think are worthy of highlighting:
Early in 2025 we adopted a budget which resulted in an average of a $78.00 REDUCTION in municipal taxes for each
homeowner (based on $274,000 assessed home value).  
In April, I was proud to appoint Patricia Kanecke as the FIRST FEMALE Police Chief in the history of South Amboy and
Middlesex County! I also appointed three (3) new police officers.
We continued to invest in the capabilities of our police department, including the purchase of three (3) motorcycles and the
acquisition of a Hummer vehicle for our outstanding DARE program, thanks mainly to the efforts of our Business Administrator,
David Kales.  
Recently, we received our new senior transportation vehicle, which was on display at the League of Municipalities Convention in
Atlantic City. This bus will enable our senior citizens to travel in comfort and style!
Our First Aid Squad has seen a welcome increase in new volunteers. The city continues to support the mission of this critical
department by purchasing a new ambulance and an automatic stretcher to facilitate efficient patient transport.
The acquisition of a state-of-the-art drone this past year will enhance capability and add another valuable tool to support the
operational efficiency of our emergency service departments, for the benefit of our residents. This drone was recently deployed in
support of a search and rescue operation on the water, locating lost boaters and aided in their rescue.  
Our Public Works Department procured a front-end loader that will support operations such as salting, beach clean-up, and more!
To support our downtown businesses, we acquired property on Broadway and will be paving it shortly. This will provide an
additional eighty (80) parking spaces for our downtown district.   
Our Senior and Recreation Department initiated a Dedication bench program along the waterfront walkway.  
Your trust is the foundation of our work. May your 2026 be filled with health, happiness, and shared success.
City Hall Hours
City Council:
First and third Wednesdays of each month, 
6pm and 7pm respectively
South Amboy Redevelopment Agency (SARA):
First Thursday of every month, 6:30pm
Planning & Zoning Board:
Fourth Wednesday of every month, 6:30pm
MAYOR 
Fred Henry
COUNCIL PRESIDENT 
Michael Gross
COUNCIL MEMBER AT LARGE 
Anthony Conrad
1ST WARD COUNCIL MEMBER
Larry Lenahan
2ND WARD COUNCIL MEMBER
Tom Reilly
3RD WARD COUNCIL MEMBER 
Zusette Dato
Elected Officials
CITY HALL NEWS
2


This holiday season, the South Amboy Fire Department was proud to assist Santa Claus in making special
visits to residences throughout South Amboy.
     With the help of our firefighters, Santa was able to personally deliver holiday treats not only to the children
of our community, but also to their furry family members. The smiles, excitement, and holiday spirit shared
during these visits truly captured the sense of community that makes South Amboy such a special place.
     Events like this allow the Fire Department to connect with residents outside of emergency responses and to
help create lasting memories for families throughout our city. We are grateful for the opportunity to spread a
little extra holiday cheer and thank the residents of South Amboy for welcoming us into their neighborhoods.
Be part of the team that wins 2026’s Christmas
Parade. 
The South Amboy First Aid & Safety Squad is honored to
have been invited to the 2025 Annual Christmas Parade and
Tree Lighting! To us, this is more than just a community
event. It’s an opportunity to continue building our
connections with the community; to show them we do more
than just emergency response. 
     Over this past year, we have gained over 20 new members
dedicated to serving our City of South Amboy and beyond
City limits! This is more than just a job; it is a passion, an
honor, and pure dedication. It is a commitment that you, too,
can help us continue to honor each and every day. Join us.
Learn something new. 
CITY HALL NEWS
SA First Aid: Serving South
Amboy Beyond the Call
3
Community Smiles This Holiday


As my term as Fire Chief of the South Amboy Fire Department comes to an end, I would
like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to those who made this experience
both meaningful and successful.
     First and foremost, I want to thank the dedicated members of the South Amboy Fire
Department. Serving alongside such committed, professional, and selfless individuals has
been an honor. Any accomplishments achieved during my term were only possible because
of your unwavering support, teamwork, and dedication to protecting our community.
     I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the citizens of South Amboy.
Your trust, encouragement, and continued support of the Fire Department never went
unnoticed. It has been a privilege to serve a community that truly values public safety and
the men and women who provide it.
Fire Chief Michael Kelly and his family
I am honored to serve as your 2026 Fire Chief and look forward to
working alongside the dedicated men and women of the South
Amboy Fire Department. We are a small, all-volunteer department
committed to serving our community with pride, professionalism, and
teamwork.
     I joined the department in 1999 and have had the privilege of
serving with the Mechanicsville Fire Company and the Independence
Fire Company. I am currently serving with the Enterprise Fire
Company. I am proud of our department’s history and look forward to
continuing our mission of protecting the residents of South Amboy.
      If you have ever considered becoming a firefighter, this is a great
opportunity to get involved and serve your community. We are
actively seeking new, younger members to help support the five fire
companies that make up our department. All training is provided at no
cost, and there are many opportunities for personal growth, skill
development, and lifelong camaraderie. —Michael Kelly
CITY HALL NEWS
A Message from the Fire Chief
4
With Thanks and Appreciation
     My sincere thanks also go to the Mayor, City Council, and everyone in City Hall for their guidance, cooperation,
and continued support of the Fire Department. Your partnership and commitment to our mission played a vital role in
allowing us to move forward and serve effectively.
     Additionally, I would like to recognize the Department of Public Works. Thank you for your hard work in
maintaining our firehouses and vehicles. Your behind-the-scenes efforts are essential to our operations and are deeply
appreciated.
     Finally, I want to thank my family. Your patience, understanding, and unwavering support made it possible for me
to serve in this role. The long hours, late nights, and added responsibilities were only manageable because of your
encouragement and sacrifice. I am forever grateful for everything you have done for me and for the Fire Department.
      Serving as Fire Chief has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I am proud of what we have accomplished
together and confident that the South Amboy Fire Department will continue to uphold the highest standards of
service and professionalism in the years ahead. Thank you all for the opportunity to serve. —Raphael Albarran


At the December 2025 Council meeting, longtime resident and business owner Surjit Singh was recognized by
The Mayor, Council, and Speaker of the NJ State Assembly for his numerous interventions on behalf of people
in need of support and assistance. 
     Surjit, the owner of Johns Auto Center at 272 N Stevens Avenue, is a staunch supporter of law enforcement,
and a very present advocate and source of aid and support for people in challenging circumstances. Most
recently, one of Surjit’s employees observed a family in need of a place to stay. Surjit and his staff brought the
individuals to his place of business, offered some sustenance, and got to work reaching out to elected officials
and county agencies and nonprofits. Through his persistence, Surjit navigated the procedures and processes and
successfully got that family placed in suitable accommodations as well as other resources for their comfort.  
     This was only one of a handful of situations Surjit intervened in during the month of November. Many of
our residents and officials know of similar interventions by Surjit over the years.
     The City of South Amboy commends Surjit Sing as at true champion of lifting people up in our community.
Surjit, you are exactly the model of community and service above self that has come to characterize what it
means to belong to the South Amboy community.
Administrative Capt. Daniel Holovacko (left)
and Chief Patricia Kanecke with new officers
In October South Amboy announced the addition of three
(3) new police officers:
Jose Arias
Douglas Gumprecht
Raymond Perez
     We congratulate these officers on their appointments
and wish them a safe and rewarding career in the South
Amboy Police Department. The City is committed to the
safety and well-being of our residents and will continue to
be proactive in making these investments in our police
department. We are proud of our Police Department and
are grateful for the individuals who serve our City. 
CITY HALL NEWS
New Police Officers Appointed
5
Honoring a Champion of Community Service


CITY HALL NEWS
6
The City of South Amboy Office of Emergency Management initiated a public safety program to
enhance the City’s capabilities. This resulted in the procurement of an Unmanned Aircraft System
(UAS), commonly referred to as a drone, as well as the formation of a Drone Unit. The Unit is
comprised of ten personnel from OEM, Police, and Fire, who have all earned their Remote Pilot
Certificate through the Federal Aviation Administration. 
Drones are rapidly evolving technology geared towards meeting the needs of various disciplines.
South Amboy Emergency Services will be able to use this tool for scene assessments, monitoring
large scale events, conducting damage assessments post disaster, and search and rescue. The Unit’s
drone is equipped with a high-quality camera, a speaker to make public announcements, a spotlight,
and a drop-device. The drop-device will allow safety equipment to be lowered to someone in distress,
such as a life vest. 
When emergency responders are operating at an incident, including the use of emergency drones, it is
critical that the public does not fly personal drones in or near the scene. The City’s UAS Drone will
have red and blue flashing lights on. 
Unauthorized drones can:
Interfere with emergency operations, delaying life-saving efforts.
Create collision hazards for emergency drones and aircraft.
Violate federal and local regulations, which may result in fines or legal action.
Please keep your drones grounded and allow emergency crews to work safely and efficiently. Your
cooperation helps protect lives and ensures responders can do their job without unnecessary risks.
This program has already proven to be an asset to not only South Amboy, but to our neighboring
public safety agencies. The Drone Unit has been requested to help support the mission of ensuring life
safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation. 
Investing in Technology 
for Public Safety


Winter is Here!
Know The Snow
Removal Rules
Recycling Reminder
Just a reminder: In accordance with City
Ordinance 137, the owner, occupant, or tenant
of any property bordering a City street must
remove snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks
within 12 hours after snowfall ends. 
If ice cannot be safely removed, it must be
thoroughly covered with sand or an ice melt/
de-icer type substance. Also, it is a violation of
the ordinance to throw or deposit shoveled snow
into the city streets. 
Any resident who wishes to cut or remove
any tree, upon any lands within the City of
South Amboy, shall do so only with City
approval, in accordance with City Ordinance
Chapter 158.
 
Any questions should be directed to the City
Conservation Officer John Bartlinski at 
bartlinskij@southamboynj.gov, 732-401-
2651, or contact the Building Department at
732-525-5927.
ALERTS & ADVISORIES
Help keep our recycling running smoothly by
placing all recycling cans out the night before
collection day. Please make sure cans are facing
forward and easily accessible so the truck’s
automated arm can reach them without delay.
Have questions or running into any issues? 
We are happy to help — call 732-525-5973.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our
community clean and green!
7
Tree Preservation
Ordinance
As of March 5, 2025
For online payment users (WIPP) — a PAS-1
form information button has been added to your
WIPP (online payment portal) website to allow
residents to easily access the prior year taxes
billed information they need to complete their
PAS-1 application for property tax relief. 
JOIN the enrolled services of auto-pay (WIPP) –
visit the official website of City of South Amboy
www.southamboynj.gov Create an account to
schedule payments & sign up for auto-pay! 
New Jersey Tax Collection
Important Reminder from the 
Office of the Municipal Clerk
clerk@southamboynj.gov
732-525-5920
Annual License Renewal
Business Licenses
A great business starts 
with being up to date!
Dog Licenses
Woof! A licensed pup 
is a happy pup!
Cat Licenses
Meow! Don’t forget 
your furry friend!
Food Licenses
Safe food starts behind the
scenes so renew that license!


UPCOMING EVENTS 
8
Happy 2026! As we reflect on 2025, we would like
to thank the members of our Senior Center! Thank
you for being a part of our center events and
utilizing our transportation services. Over the past
year, we have had such an amazing turnout for arts
and crafts, presentations, live music, and many
other notable events like, senior chair yoga! The
overwhelming participation in the costume and ugly
sweater participation at the Mayor's parties have
brought us lots of laughs and so much joy. We also
had great upgrades to the center this year to make it
fresh and bright! We can’t wait to see what the new
year will bring!
A Message to
Our Seniors
Celebrate
Government
Week
•  April 15, 2026  •
 
9am
Fire Department talk with 
South Amboy Middle-High School students 
  
4-7pm
Open house at the Independence Fire House 
on Broadway with police, fire, first aid, OEM, 
and other community organizations     
 
6pm
Mock City Council Meeting with 
SAES 5th grade students
 
7pm
Recognition of outstanding volunteers 
and high school essay contest winners
Any resident of South Amboy, 60 years and older, is eligible to join our senior center and take advantage
of all the services we provide. We are always looking for new members and new ideas! Looking forward to
seeing you there.
with the City of South Amboy