notes accomplishments
since election in 2000
Sayreville mayor
notes accomplishments
since election in 2000
By jennifer dome
Staff Writer
Kennedy O’Brien
Confirming rumors already circulating around Sayreville, Republican Mayor Kennedy O’Brien officially announced his intention to seek another term as mayor last week.
"I have very much enjoyed my tenure as mayor," O’Brien said.
O’Brien, 49, is nearing the end of his first four-year term as chief administrator of the borough, having first been elected in 2000.
In talking it over with his wife, Janice, O’Brien said they both decided they were ready for another four years.
"I have my wife’s full faith and support, and, might I add, permission to run again," O’Brien said jokingly.
So far two candidates have come forward as contenders for the mayoral seat. Democrats Mary Novak and Councilman Thomas Marcinczyk have each announced they will seek to run on their party’s line during the primary elections in June.
Speaking from his third-floor office in borough hall last week, O’Brien mentioned several quality-of-life issues that were overcome during his first term.
Among those accomplishments is the change in closing time for bars from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m. Under his leadership, the Borough Council also voted to revoke the liquor license for the Krome nightclub, located on Route 35 south, he said.
O’Brien said both cases helped relieve borough emergency personnel, such as police, who were plagued by the late night calls about disturbances at bars and club Krome.
"It was my feeling that the residents in the borough are not here to subsidize bars," O’Brien said. "It’s not what Sayreville is about today."
He also noted the closing of Cinema 9, an adult movie theater whose business license was revoked last year.
O’Brien listed the downzoning of the Mocco property and preservation of open space, in the form of the Julian L. Capik Nature Preserve, as accomplishments during his term.
Two major projects that have come up during O’Brien’s tenure are the condemnation of the National Lead property and the proposed redevelopment of land near River Road which may lead to the construction of the Neptune Regional Transmission Systems power conversion plant.
O’Brien hails the power conversion plant as "smart business." He said the project will bring a clean ratable to the town and provide $400,000 a year for 30 years in lieu of taxes, as well as $2.25 million for the purchase of the land.
Looking toward the future, O’Brien said he would like to work on property tax relief for residents. He said that he thinks the borough provides good services for residents at the lowest possible cost, but property taxes still need work.
"I believe we’re in the service business," O’Brien said.
O’Brien said he wants to work on acquiring additional open space throughout the borough. He recently directed the borough’s Planning Board and the Open Space Committee to examine tracts of land that the borough might be able to preserve.
O’Brien said development in the form of single-family homes is something he wants the borough to avoid; however, senior housing and development that would bring ratables are elements that are needed in the borough.
According to O’Brien, seniors who have lived in the borough their whole lives have asked him to help make affordable senior housing available.
Besides his involvement as the mayor and his service as a commissioner with the Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency, O’Brien is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Morgan Lions and a parishioner of Our Lady of Victories Roman Catholic Church.