Land purchase gets OK on second try New council votes unanimously to acquire site near firehouse BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer Firefighters applauded the Sayreville Borough Council Monday as officials gave the go-ahead to buy land for additional parking next to a local firehouse. "It's a win-win for everyone ... firefighters and residents." - Dennis Grobelny Councilman The borough will purchase property adjacent to the Melrose Hose Company No. 1, which had sought the land at 255 Oak St. for extra parking. The borough will demolish the house on the site and construct a parking lot for first responders and visiting organizations that hold meetings at the building. The project is expected to alleviate some congestion on the roadway, which is a frequent complaint of residents who live in that neighborhood. The Borough Council previously rejected the move to bond for the property acquisition due to cost concerns. With then-council members Daniel Buchanan and Thomas Pollando voting Dec. 17 against the bond to acquire the land, the council did not have enough votes in favor of the ordinance. Though the vote was 3-2 in favor of the bond, approval requires two-thirds of the council members present to vote in favor of it. On Monday, the four Democrats who remain from last year's all-Democratic council and the two new Republican council members voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance, which appropriates $230,000 and authorizes $219,000 in bonds for the property acquisition. They also approved an ordinance that directs title and possession of the land to the borough. Democratic Councilman Stanley Drwal told the Suburban that the borough is purchasing the property in foreclosure, and the concerns over cost have been allayed. "We're going to go ahead and try to acquire the property," Drwal said. "At [a] prior agenda meeting, all of the council members got a breakdown of the cost. I understand a lot of the concerns, but this property came up at this time, and sometimes you have to act on things like property acquisition." The total cost of the project will be $265,500, including acquisition, demolition and parking lot construction, according to Borough Business Administrator Jeffry Bertrand. The property at 255 Oak St. currently has a myriad of code violations and zoning issues, Bertrand has said. Borough Attorney Brian Hak said he is working out irregularities with the foreclosure proceedings. "There were just some title issues that need to be cleared up," Hak said. Democratic Councilman Dennis Grobelny said that while the project will help firefighters respond to emergencies, it will also minimize congestion in that area of Melrose. "It's a win-win for everyone ... firefighters and residents," Grobelny said. George Gawron, president of Melrose Hose Company No. 1, spoke on behalf of the firefighters after the decision was made Monday. He voiced support for constructing additional parking for the company, as he said the lack of parking has delayed the department's response time in the past. "We'd just like to say thank you," Gawron said. Republican Mayor Kennedy O'Brien told the Suburban that the project will benefit the Melrose community. He noted that the residents who live near the firehouse supported the council's decision. "I think it is in the best of interest of public safety for the residents of Melrose," O'Brien said. "It's inherently beneficial to the residents ... and it is an effective use of the firehouse. It's inherently good, and the costs are acceptable."