The Sayreville Borough Council had an agenda, but the proposal by the Historical Society to recognize and preserve the Old Town Hall and Firehouse emerged as a focal point of the meeting. The society presented a detailed history advocating for the building’s designation as a local Historic Landmark and for support in creating a committee to explore preservation and revitalization opportunities. They also shared their nomination for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Trustee and Meritus Award. The society underscored the building’s historical significance and restoration potential, highlighting urgent maintenance needs such as a leaking roof and windows. The council estimated the cost of bringing the building up to code at around one million dollars and discussed the necessity to balance this with other municipal funding needs. Mayor Kennedy O’Brien expressed appreciation for the society’s passion but urged caution due to financial constraints. The council agreed to move forward with the ordinances for the Old Town Hall and Firehouse, scheduling a public hearing for February 26th.

Financial matters continued to be a theme as the council addressed ordinances 3-24 and 4-24. Ordinance 3-24, moved by Councilman Daniel Balka, relates to setting salaries for borough officials, officers, and employees through 2027. unanimous approval was reached. Ordinance 4-24, also moved by Balka, pertains to the 2024 budget appropriation limits and the establishment of a cap bank, which again received unanimous support. Both ordinances are set for a public hearing on February 26, 2024.

The public portion of the meeting saw no comments or questions on resolutions, leading to a swift adoption. However, the discussion on a request from the Jersey Allstar cheer team for a coin toss event sparked debate over the organization’s ties to Sayreville and compliance with local ordinances. Mayor O’Brien suggested further review after Councilman Christian Onuoha questioned the team’s connection to the borough.

Mayor O’Brien introduced a policy group to draft a clear flag display policy for the borough building, aiming to honor the country, state, and veterans while providing a process for community organizations to participate. Councilman Stanley Synarski relayed concerns from veterans, highlighting the need for a fair policy.

Public comment policy was another point of discussion. A council member emphasized the need to protect the town and ensure discussions are appropriately timed and lawful. The attorney clarified the procedures for the pending mosque application, stressing the importance of providing notice and avoiding discussion outside the planning board.

The meeting also featured resident requests for an additional attorney to oversee the 216 Ernston Road application and road repair concerns. Residents Joe Carmes, Nikki Voio, and Kim Muari advocated for an independent legal review of the project. Mayor O’Brien and Councilman John Zebrowski, as planning board members, noted that the council cannot decide on planning board matters. Residents also urged the council to prioritize road repairs, with Mayor O’Brien assuring that it is a top priority once the budget is adopted.

Councilman Onuoha supported the reinstatement of Zoom calls for meeting participation, noting their accessibility benefits. A resident’s complaint about a malfunctioning street light led to the Mayor disclosing more aggressive legal actions to hold the electric company accountable.

A tense exchange occurred when resident Barbara Sari sought help for her daughter’s health issues due to mold in their apartment. Mayor O’Brien outlined the limitations of the council’s authority, which led to a heated back-and-forth with Sari over the urgency of her situation.