The council moved to adopt three separate ordinances related to public health codes, including the regulation of garbage, grass, weeds, brush, and debris throughout the borough, as well as the adoption of the public health nuisance code of New Jersey for Sayreville. These ordinances, approved on the first reading, will be subject to public hearings on May 28, 2024, and were advertised according to law. The director of code enforcement, who gave an overview of these ordinances, highlighted the necessity for their adoption and the significance of their content.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, residents expressed a range of concerns. One resident in particular questioned the authorization of the Keith Law Firm to investigate PFAS contamination, pointing out a lack of clarity on the reasons for the investigation and the potential sources of contamination. This concern was echoed in discrepancies noted between online information and the meeting agenda regarding the borough engineer’s authorization to prepare an updated structural environmental analysis.

The discussion on transparency extended to the council’s handling of public queries and the recent hiring of a chief of staff. One resident criticized the restriction of Zoom participation in meetings, while another called for further clarification on a previously passed resolution. Additionally, several speakers addressed the council’s proposed pilot program, with one particularly vocal critic questioning the necessity of the program and accusing the mayor of offering tax breaks to developers at the expense of the residents, raising concerns about the program’s potential financial impact on taxpayers.

Aside from these issues, the meeting also encompassed several general items. The council addressed the authorization for the borough engineer to close the 2021 Road Project phase two and issue final payment to the contractor. Furthermore, the engineer sought authorization to prepare applications for the Department of Transportation’s annual trust fund program for municipal roadways and sidewalk projects.

The CFO’s report included authorizations for tax refunds and amendments to the 2024 local Municipal budget. Additionally, the council addressed requests for social affair permits, such as for the annual Parish Carnival, block parties, and special events. Residents were informed of the successful organization of a recent fishing derby by the Recreation department and updates on planning board meetings and the Memorial Day Parade preparations by the Public Works department.

Despite the variety of topics covered in the meeting, the emphasis on transparency and accountability overshadowed the routine proceedings, with the council’s decisions on the ordinances and the budget taking center stage. The council’s approval of the 2024 Municipal budget followed a public hearing where comments were welcomed, though no specific details on the budget’s content or implications were discussed in the available summaries.