Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sayreville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
22 issues with medium priority
Old Firehouse Repair
A remediation contractor damaged the historic firehouse and is now on the hook for repairs. Permits are being expedited and work should start within a week, with a top masonry expert advising on preserving the brickwork.
Cheesequake Road Property Preservation
Councilwoman Novak wants to open talks about acquiring and preserving Peter Marco's 40 acres; the mayor agreed to have the business administrator gauge the owner's interest.
Optimum Cable Service Complaints
Comcast wants to build out cable and internet service in the part of town that has only one provider. A public information session is planned for August; the Council signaled support for a right-of-way agreement.
Willow Street Sewer Force Main Work
Well maintenance contract ($586,055 to A.C. Schultes), air filtration at the Eugene Pump Station, and Crossman pump station equipment replacement.
Remote participation (Zoom) in council meetings
A proposal to let the public and council members join meetings by Zoom failed 3-4, with Mayor O'Brien breaking the tie. Supporters called it a democracy and accessibility issue; opponents cited costs, moderation problems, and abuse clerks faced during remote meetings.
Senior center pole barn parking loss
A pole barn to shelter senior-center buses, funded with surplus CDBG money, will remove seven parking spaces at the senior center. Councilwoman Novak and residents are upset; the administration says county meal-program vehicles will relocate to an auxiliary lot to offset the loss.
Canal Road flooding after pipe replacement
Since a new drainage pipe was installed under MacArthur Avenue, heavy rains leave Canal Street flooded for long periods; the council asked the engineer to investigate.
Main Street downtown parking and speeding
Residents warned the new bus depot plus Bass Pro traffic will jam Main Street, and demanded actual enforcement of the 25 mph speed limit. Zebrowski asked police to restore officer traffic posts at school arrival and dismissal times.
CDBG grant plan concerns
Councilwoman Novak admitted she voted for the CDBG plan without seeing the attached written plan, and questioned whether the borough's CDBG committee even exists. A resident warned putting a phantom committee in the resolution risks HUD fraud accusations.
Volunteer firefighter LOSAP increase
Voters will decide in November whether to increase the Borough's LOSAP contribution for volunteer firefighters and EMS members — the first increase since the 1990s beyond inflation adjustments.
Cultural Arts Committee leadership dispute
After years of operating without legal footing, the Cultural Arts Council is now formally established by ordinance and has nine appointed members. Residents clashed over whether it should sit under the Recreation Advisory Board or be fully independent, and members are pushing for a bigger 2026 budget, especially for teen programs.
BOE Bus Depot Litigation Settlement
Behind closed doors, the Council authorized the borough attorney to begin settling the bus depot lawsuit with the school board; the settlement resolution will be public at the next meeting.
Kennedy Park Improvements
A $1 million state grant will fund Fielek Park improvements; a resident naturalist urged the Borough to protect the park's wildlife, pond and native plants while upgrading it.
Scott Avenue structure fire response
Fire and mutual aid companies saved all occupants and neighboring homes in a structure fire on Scott Avenue — a house Councilman Blemur once lived in. Blemur urged working smoke and CO detectors.
GoNetSpeed Fiber Broadband Coming
The borough approved a rights-of-way agreement with GoNetSpeed, opening the door to new fiber-optic internet service and more competition for residents.
Waterfront Parcel J senior housing amendment
The adopted amendment allows up to 105 age-restricted rental units, including 16 special-needs units, on Parcel J near the existing Gillette Towers complex, helping meet the borough's Fourth Round affordable housing obligation.
E-bike and e-scooter safety
Councilman Synarski blasted unsupervised kids riding electric bikes, including one under 10 with an unfastened helmet. New state rules kick in in July, and the borough may ban e-bikes from parks.
Proposed Jupiter Power Battery Storage Facility
SERA named Jupiter Power conditional developer for the old power plant site on River Road; a community information session is set for March 26. A resident warned the council to check how the facility could affect the town's insurance ratings.
Towing and storage rate increases
Towing fees are jumping — light-duty tows from $100 to $150, heavy-duty from $450 to $650, and daily storage rates roughly doubling. If your car is ever towed, it'll cost more.
Winding Woods traffic safety
Forty-four accidents in three years near the Winding Woods exit have prompted a county study of a possible traffic light there.
Senior property tax relief programs
The mayor shared that his household's $10,000 property tax bill was effectively halved by the ANCHOR and state NJ benefits, and urged eligible residents — 65 and over or disabled — to apply for the Stay NJ program.
Community Aquatic and Fitness Facility
A $3.65 million aquatic and fitness center is planned at the former Rose Street pool site, funded by roughly $2.1 million in state grants and loans, with a partnership giving the school district access for programs.