Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sayreville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
36 issues
Capital Budget and Road Funding
Two road paving contracts totaling about $2.18 million were awarded — Phase III of the 2023 program and Phase I of the 2025 program.
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.
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.
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.
Fire District Budget Question
The council agreed to pursue a voter referendum to raise pension (LOSAP) contributions for volunteer firefighters and first aid squad members to the full amount — a recruitment and retention move after four firefighter deaths were memorialized this year.
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.
1909 town hall / President Park firehouse repair delays
A motion to declare the old firehouse historic failed 3-3. Supporters want the designation to unlock preservation grants; opponents, including the mayor, say the $3 million office renovation should proceed without the constraints of historic status.
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.
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.
Dispensary ban reconsideration
A resident asked the council to revisit its 2021 ban on cannabis dispensaries, arguing residents are spending tax dollars in neighboring towns.
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.
Flock license plate cameras
A resident criticized the delay in the promised public forum on Flock cameras, calling them an easily-hackable mass surveillance system tied to a national database. Councilman Rios also pressed for safeguards, saying asking questions about data collection isn't anti-public-safety.
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.
Data Center Moratorium
Councilman Blemur pushed to make data centers a prohibited use in Sayreville, but the council split 3-3. Mayor O'Brien wouldn't break the tie and wants SERA to weigh in, so the issue will come back.
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.
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.
Nor'easter storm response
Multiple council members praised public works, police, OEM, fire and first aid crews for their storm preparation and response, noting no reported power failures despite the second-highest coastal water level since Sandy.
Sewer fee shortfall and MCUA costs
Councilwoman Novak says the town can't wait any longer on water and sewer rate decisions and wants sewer rates, water rates and connection fees examined separately, noting connection fees haven't been adjusted in years.
Jernee Mill Road/Bordentown Avenue intersection safety
Residents near Kenneth Avenue fear the proposed double roundabouts will displace longtime homeowners and make the intersection more dangerous, not safer. The council unanimously backed a resolution telling NJDOT to go back to the drawing board; the attorney will draft formal language for next meeting.
'Make Polluters Pay' Resolution
Food & Water Watch asked the council to back a state bill making polluters fund cleanup, potentially $50 billion over 20 years. The mayor referred it to the Environmental Commission for a recommendation.
Melrose Pump Station flood-resilience rebuild
Sayreville locked in $2.86 million in Hurricane Ida recovery money to reconstruct and upgrade the Melrose Pump Station so it can better handle flooding and coastal storms.
Bailey Park contamination concerns
Resident Tom Biesiada detailed decades of Hercules and DuPont chemical dumping and warned against park plans on contaminated ground. The business administrator said an environmental assessment is underway before any construction.
Hercules Redevelopment Plan II — Sunshine Biscuit site
The public hearing on the amended redevelopment plan for the former Sunshine Biscuit site was pushed to April 13 so the planner and redeveloper can answer council and public questions.
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.
Youth sports and scouting fee assistance
Scoutmaster Jim McCracken asked the borough to cover scouting registration fees like it does for youth sports. The mayor liked the idea but the budget's already passed — he wants numbers from all troops by way of the business administrator.
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.
2026 Municipal Budget introduction
The borough's 2026 budget failed to get adopted because no council member would second the adoption motion. The Mayor told the council to go back and rework it, and wants the DCA to advise on how to move forward. This could affect services and next year's tax bills if it stays unresolved.
$800,000 Sewer Fee Shortfall
Sewer fees came up $800,000 short this year — a shortfall now being made up through taxes. Novak said a fee ordinance is coming before year's end to shift costs off homeowners.
Library security and improvements
Steel doors, keypad locks and new office furniture for the library — roughly $77,000 combined through co-op contracts.
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.
Affordable Housing Ordinance Update (Ordinance #08-26)
The council reaffirmed its commitment to adopt everything needed to implement its court-approved affordable housing plan — 194 present-need and 240 prospective-need units.
Public Employee Health Care Cost Reform (Resolution 2026-160)
The council unanimously voted to have a resolution prepared demanding reform of health benefits — a cost issue that hits the borough budget and taxpayers.
2026 Municipal Budget and Tax Increase
The borough's 2026 budget failed to get adopted because no council member would second the adoption motion. The Mayor told the council to go back and rework it, and wants the DCA to advise on how to move forward. This could affect services and next year's tax bills if it stays unresolved.
Non-Lethal Goose Management
Animal Protection League advocates returned to push non-lethal solutions to the town's goose problem — no-feeding rules, habitat changes, and deterrents — after their key borough contact retired.
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.