Sayreville offers $231K for Washington Rd. site
Democrats, GOP have opposing views on land acquisition
BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer
Sayreville is pursuing the purchase of open space off Washington Road, despite concerns raised by Republicans and residents at recent meetings.

The Borough Council voted Nov. 19 to make an offer of $231,000 to the owner of the 3- acre lot, which is near the borough's 9/11 memorial. The borough's hired appraiser determined the amount used in the offer, according to Borough Business Administrator Jeffry Bertrand.

Manalapan Enterprises LLC, of East Brunswick, is the owner of the property, having purchased it for $145,000 from Margaret Karcher last year.

Democrats, who presently hold all six council seats, want the borough to preserve the site as open space, but Republicans including Mayor Kennedy O'Brien have voiced opposition to the land acquisition, calling it a waste of open space funds.

Councilwoman Kathy Makowski said at the Nov. 19 meeting that the council will pursue the parcel, using borough open space funds, which have not been used since the fund was set up several years ago.

Wayne Kronowski, the borough's chief financial officer, said the borough currently has $2.7 million in its open space fund.

Makowski said the purchase will ensure that another buyer doesn't construct a business on the lot, which would further increase traffic on the one-lane county road that is known for congestion during peak hours of the day.

The borough cannot afford to miss another opportunity to preserve the land, Makowski said, noting that the town missed out on the chance to buy the land for $145,000 in the past.

"I certainly think it's a good step," Makowski said.

Councilwoman-elect Paula Siarkiewicz, a Republican, said that former officials did not purchase the property due to questions about whether it could actually be used to build a business on. She said she opposes this offer, because she believes the price is too high.

Makowski disagreed, saying the appraisal price equates to the increase in property value over the years. She said she is confident that the land can be developed.

"There is no doubt that the property can be built [on]," Makowski said.

Siarkiewicz responded that property values are currently low and the borough should not offer $231,000 for the property.

Borough Attorney Brian Hak noted that the governing body is obligated to offer the owner the appraised, fair-market value for the property.

"You can't low-ball somebody," Hak said.

At a council meeting last week, resident Barbara Kilcomons said she thinks a million-dollar retaining wall would have to be constructed in order for a business to build on that site.

"That's why the property has not been sold," Kilcomons said.

"I think you are making a very, very big mistake," she added.

Kilcomons said the council's decision to move forward with acquiring the property is unpopular with residents she has spoken with.

"They said no," Kilcomons said. "They did not want to spend their open space funds on that piece of property. They thought it was unnecessary."

Kilcomons recommended that the town purchase a former furniture store property on Main Street in order to start efforts to revitalize the borough's downtown. She said the construction of a parking lot to encourage businesses to relocate to Main Street should be a priority for the council.

Councilman Stanley Drwal said that business owners from other parts of Sayreville have told him that if the municipality improved parking on Main Street, they would consider relocating there.

Kilcomons expressed disappointment with what she described as a missed opportunity for Main Street with past administrations. She said that former officials did not follow through on her calls for them to buy the Coastal property, which is located on Main Street between MacArthur and Pulaski avenues. That property offered the borough an opportunity to have stores built with parking in the rear, she said, but it was sold to a developer who put up housing instead.

Makowski said the revitalization of Main Street is something that the council is planning toward.

She said the idea to purchase the 3- acre lot off Washington Road stems from the recommendation of the borough's Open Space Committee.

Val Tarr, a member of that committee for the past three years, told the council that his committee did research on the property off Washington Road and decided that the land should be preserved.

"That's one of the most beautiful sections of town," Tarr said.

Resident Nellie Malet said the council should look into hiring a grant writer in order to facilitate the revitalization of Main Street. She added that residents who regularly attend council meetings are getting frustrated with officials who do not act on their advice.

"We are proactive as taxpayers as to what's happening in our community," Malet said. "Let's follow through on what we're discussing."

"Let's get moving and stop talking," Malet added.