NL action is win for boro, taxpayers, county

Finally, score one for the taxpayers. The recent decision by Middlesex County Assignment Judge Robert Longi to allow the borough of Sayreville to proceed with the condemnation of the 400-plus-acre National Lead site is a victory for the borough, for the county and for the taxpayers.

For too many years, that chemically fouled but potentially very valuable land parcel on the Raritan River and Raritan Bay has been held hostage by its corporate owner, who refused to budge on its cleanup, thus depressing taxes paid to the borough and the county. Now, with cooperative action by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Sayreville local government, the acreage may be cleaned up, redeveloped and returned to beneficial public use, generating millions of dollars in tax revenue every year.

The county pledged the $33 million necessary to get the acquisition by the borough off the ground. I am convinced it was a prudent decision by the freeholders, and I join Sayreville Mayor Kennedy O’Brien in applauding the decision. The entire county will benefit.

David B. Crabiel

director

Middlesex County Board

of Chosen Freeholders