Parking permit action pending in Sayreville
BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer

SAYREVILLE - Commuters will not be allowed to park near bus stops on certain residential streets if officials move forward with a plan for permit parking.

The Borough Council on Monday voted to introduce a revised version of an ordinance that would require parking permits for those who park near bus stops on sections of 22 streets, including Spruce Lane, Pinetree Drive, Locust Lane and Ernston Road.

The action comes in response to the concerns of Laurel Park residents, officials said. Five of the six council members were on the dais Monday to vote on introducing the ordinance.

Republican Councilman John Melillo raised questions about the measure, saying he believes the council needs to offer alternatives to commuters before restricting where they can park.

"We are not giving them options," Melillo said, adding that he fears that commuters will go to other nearby streets that are not restricted by the ordinance and create the same situation there.

"What is the alternative without a park-and-ride or another location," Melillo asked.

Democratic Councilman Dennis Grobelny said the ordinance will take effect upon completion of the new commuter lot, which will have approximately 250 parking spaces. Officials are anticipating the completion of the lot at Raritan Street and Washington Road by December.

"This ordinance will not go into effect until we have the park-and-ride," Grobelny said.

Republican Mayor Kennedy O'Brien told the Suburban he is concerned about the ordinance because the majority of commuters parking on residential streets in the borough may be residents of Sayreville.

"The ordinance needs more work," O'Brien said. "Commuters need a viable alternative to get to work. You cannot just abolish parking on residential streets without giving residents a viable alternative to park to get to work in the morning."

Democratic Councilman Daniel Buchanan said several roads in Sherwood Forest were added to the ordinance since it was originally introduced in July.

He said the council is looking at using North Ernston Road for commuter parking, adding that officials are working with state Assemblyman John Wisniewski's office to make about 200 parking spaces in the Sayrebrook Shopping Center available for commuters.

Melillo, who has been opposed to the ordinance from the outset, said he will review the new ordinance this week, adding that he has not decided how he will vote on the issue next week.

"I have got to give it some thought," Melillo said. "I want to make sure that the lot being built [will have] sufficient spots for Sayreville residents."

Judy Congers, chairwoman of the borough's Commuter Advisory Board and a commuter to New York, revealed the results Monday of a poll she took, saying she was able to get a good cross-section of commuters who travel by bus and train to the city.

"People wanted more parking," Congers said. "They are challenged finding parking."

At the Aug. 14 regular meeting of the council, several commuters and residents voiced their concerns. O'Brien described the issue as a townwide challenge.

Democratic Councilman Stanley Drwal said he worked with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to get 230 spaces for Academy bus riders who want to rent a space for the new route on Jernee Mill Road. Drwal described the VFW parking lot as a temporary solution to bring a measure of relief to commuters.

Resident Barbara Kilcomons said residents are unable to find parking for their guests when commuters park on their streets. She added that the borough should seek funds from the county to help meet Sayreville's commuter parking needs.

"Middlesex County is spending millions," Kilcomons said. "It is Sayreville's turn to request money for parking."

Lucy McIntyre said she takes Academy bus service to work every day. She struggles to maintain her schedule according to the timetables set by the bus company to get to the city every day, she said, adding that she parks in a nearby shopping mall parking lot to get to the bus stop.

"Please do something about the scheduling," McIntyre asked.

Borough Business Administrator Jeff Bertrand said officials are hoping to increase the number of bus stops in the borough. He added that Matawan and Old Bridge residents are coming to Sayreville to use the bus stops and commuter lots.

Congers, who told the council there has been success in getting more bus stops in Sayreville, added that her group is hoping to get Academy to increase service even more.