Road Repairs, Park Improvements, and Water Upgrades Delayed as Sayreville Tables $17 Million Bond Package
SAYREVILLE, NJ — The Sayreville Borough Council voted on October 14 to carry six major bond ordinances totaling more than $17 million to its next meeting in November. The measures, which cover a range of infrastructure and equipment purchases, were continued without additional public notice.
The council did adopt one ordinance during the session, but the bulk of the evening’s capital agenda was postponed. Each of the six bond ordinances was carried by individual motions to the next meeting, scheduled for November 10.
The proposed ordinances, all under the Administration and Finance Committee, include funding for parks, roadways, and municipal equipment. Bond Ordinance 26-25 would allocate $1.24 million for park improvements, while Bond Ordinance 27-25 designates $6.36 million for roadway work.
Additional items on the postponed list include Bond Ordinance 28-25, which would appropriate $1.42 million for general capital improvements, and Bond Ordinance 29-25, setting aside $3.68 million for the purchase of vehicles and equipment.
Two other bond ordinances address water utility upgrades. Bond Ordinance 30-25 provides $2.74 million for water system improvements, while Bond Ordinance 31-25 adds another $1.9 million for similar projects.
Councilwoman Mary Novak, who serves on the Finance Committee, expressed concern about the timing of the postponements. “Bonding ordinances are usually done pretty much right after the budget is approved,” she said. “Doing this at the last minute could mean we wind up spending more money with all the price increases going on with a lot of the vehicles.”
Novak abstained from several roll call votes to carry the ordinances forward. “Obviously there was some discussion on this, not with me, and I’m on finance,” she said. “Nobody asked a question as to why all of a sudden this was being put off. That’s a very poor way to do business.”
During the public comment portion, resident Jim Robinson also questioned the lack of detail surrounding the large bond packages. “The public really ought to know what roads are being talked about and what vehicles are being purchased,” Robinson said. “Most families spend more time discussing $1,700 than the council spent discussing $17 million in bonds.”
The council ultimately voted to carry all six ordinances to the November 10 meeting. The continuation means the measures will return for public hearing and final consideration without further public notice.
