Frank Bella (R) Bella, 54, has been a Sayre- ville resid ent since 1 9 8 3 and has been involved in borough government for the last 20 years. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Long Island University and currently serves on the Board of Adjustment and the Board of Health. Additionally, he is an emergency medical technician (EMT) for the Sayreville Emergency Squad. He has previously served on the Planning Board, including three years as chairman, and was previously appointed to serve out the unexpired term of a councilman who moved. Bella is married to Anna Marie and has three children: Anthony, 23, Rebecca, 20, and Adrianna, 13. Two three-year terms on the Borough Council will be up for grabs Nov. 3. The seats currently belong to Democrats Stanley Drwal and Kathy Makowski, neither of whom is seeking re-election. The Democratic candidates are Dennis C. Grobelny and Thomas V. Pollando, both former councilmen. The Republican candidates are Frank Bella, also a former councilman, and Nicholas Perrette. As a Borough Council member, what ideas or proposals would you introduce over the next few years?
Dennis Grobelny (D) Grobelny, 66, has been a Say reville resident his entire life and is a widower with three children. He previously served on the Zoning Board of Adjustments for 10 years, including five as chairman. He served three years on the Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Agency, one as vice chairman, and served on the Borough Councilman for six years, from 2003 to 2008. He has also served as fire chief for the Sayreville Fire Depar tment. He attended college for two years and is now retired. Bella: As a council member, I would concentrate on improving the image of Sayreville. We need to work toward revitalizing the town, similar to what has been done in some surrounding communities. I would specifically address entrances to town, such as the Route 35 corridor in Morgan and the Washington Road approaches from both the South River Bridge and Raritan Street. I would propose a special committee of merchants and commercial property owners from throughout Sayreville. We must seek their input and offer the full resources of the borough, including redevelopment, to assist in mutual goals such as tax reduction.
Nicholas Perrette (R) Perrette, 63, has been a Sayreville resident for over 16 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and a Master of Science degree in information systems. He currently serves as a financial services consultant with International Settlements and is a licensed real estate salesperson. He has served as president of the board of directors for the Park Village II Homeowners Association for the past six years and is chairman of the St. Stan’s 2009 Census Committee. He is also a volunteer for the Sayreville Police Domestic Violence Response Team. He is married to Madeline and has three children: Danielle, 39, Michele, 36, and Nicholas A., 30. Grobelny: Tom and I are just like everyone else in town: we’re taxpayers. That’s why we want to freeze spending. We want to implement zero-based budgeting to prevent waste and ensure every tax dollar spent is justified. We are also concerned with the increase in crime in Sayreville. While we have an excellent police department, not enough leadership is being provided by council to combat the escalation of crime in our community. We want to increase the presence of our police force in high crime areas by instituting “quality of life” patrols in certain areas. We support 100 percent transparency in all government activities, and putting all public records online.
Thomas Pollando (D) Pollando, 60, has been a Sayreville resident for 38 years. He at tended college for two years and is currently the vice president of communications at Electrical Cont ract – ing Co. He is currently serving his first year on the Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency and has previously served as president and founder of the Sayreville Athletic Association. He has also been president of the Morgan Athletic Association; president of the Morgan Lions; and served on the recreation, planning and zoning boards. Pollando served two three-year terms on the Borough Council from 2001 to 2007, and served as its president during his second term. He is married to Rosemarie and has three children, ages 35, 29 and 25. Perrette: Foremost on my “to do” list as a councilman would be to address the municipal budget and to scrupulously investigate ways that Sayreville could save money, and pass those savings on to the residents in the form of tax stabilization. Additionally, I am concerned about finding solutions to the unyielding traffic congestion residents endure. I plan on bringing proposals to the Borough Council that will positively impact the quality of life for the residents of Sayreville. Additionally, I will develop ideas that will make our local government transparent to the residents we serve.
Pollando: Dennis and I are taxpayers, and we are concerned about our property taxes just like everyone else. As councilmen, we will first propose that the mayor and council immediately freeze spending. Then we will work to initiate the practice of zero-based budgeting, which will require the borough to begin the budget year at zero and justify every line of spending. We would also like to initiate a “Crime Prevention Program” that has proven to be effective in reducing crime rates in neighboring communities. Woodbridge Township, which has instituted such a program, reports that major crime has dropped 35 percent in 15 different areas between January and June 2009.
What can be done to stabilize municipal taxes?
Bella: This is a question with which all municipalities struggle. The quick answer is to bring in more ratables, but how do you do that? Here in Sayreville, stabilizing taxes relies so much on the redevelopment of the National Lead site, which is why it is important to get the project moving. It has been bogged down for far too long. I would aggressively pursue solutions free of partisan politics. I would also encourage more residents to attend the public meetings during the budget preparation process. This would give them the opportunity to speak up and hold elected officials accountable when difficult decisions are being made about how their tax dollars are spent.
Grobelny: Sayreville families are tightening their belts. So should Borough Hall. We want to immediately freeze spending and initiate zero-based budgeting to weed out waste. Just like families are forced to do every day, we believe that government should not spend more than it takes in. For too long, not enough has been done to increase the practice of shared services. There are a lot of ways we can lower our costs by working with neighboring communities, and if we do that by maintaining quality services, then they should be explored.
Perrette: In these tough economic times we need to make some tough choices. I consider myself a fiscal watchdog. My professional reputation and career were built on saving my company and clients money. I will bring that “watchdog” style to the Borough Council. Obviously, every expense needs to be thoroughly investigated and justified. We need to not only think “out of the box” but need to redefine how big the box should be, and what we need to put in that box. I believe that by making tough decisions, and working in a bi-partisan fashion, we can stabilize taxes.
Pollando: In addition to immediately initiating a spending freeze and implementing zero-based budgeting, we also support working cooperatively with other governmental agencies to share services. For too long, local leadership has resisted and even refused to work cooperatively with neighboring towns, resulting in increased costs to Sayreville taxpayers. Dennis and I will do whatever we can to lower costs while preserving our quality services. What are your thoughts on the Main Street Bypass project?
Bella: Traffic is a significant problem in town; however, before proceeding with this particular project, I would like to see the traffic and environmental impact studies. Only after reviewing all the data and costs to the taxpayer can a decision on this endeavor be made. Assuming the bypass would prove beneficial in alleviating congestion, I want to ensure that property values, as well as the quality of life for any resident affected by this undertaking, will be protected. The use of adequate berms, fencing and other buffering devices would be essential.
Grobelny: Everyone in Sayreville knows there is too much traffic on our local roads. Unfortunately, due to partisanship, not enough is being done about it in Borough Hall. That is why Tom and I want this road built so we can provide some traffic relief while doing everything possible to protect the quality of life of those residents who will live near it. We should also be exploring different ways to alleviate traffic. That’s why I’m glad we’re finally going to be offering shuttle service for residents so they can leave their car at home, at practically no cost to the borough.
Perrette: The mayor’s creation of an advisory committee, which also involved residents, gave those affected a voice in the creation of this road project. While this project has been a part of the borough’s master plan for over 20 years, Sayreville has changed dramatically in that time. Our roads are more congested than ever before, and this project will bring some much-needed relief to all the residents of Sayreville. The Main Street Bypass is also needed for the safety of our residents, as this road will provide emergency access to roads that currently have no access.
Pollando: For years, Mayor O’Brien and his Republican council have dragged their feet in addressing traffic congestion within the borough. A road that would help take out-oftown traffic off our local roads and reduce congestion, planned for nearly 20 years, has been stalled purely for partisan reasons. We need to end that partisanship by building this road, and by supporting innovative ways to reduce traffic in Sayreville. A good example is providing a free shuttle to bus and rail stations for Sayreville residents who would like to leave their cars at home.
Why should people vote for you?
Bella I seek the support of voters because I believe I am uniquely qualified to lead Sayreville to better things. With more than 20 years dedicated to both government and community service, I know how things work, and will use that experience to hit the ground running to solve problems for the people of Sayreville. I enjoy working with people and will utilize my years of volunteerism to encourage others to join me in doing similar positive things for the betterment of all Sayreville residents.
Grobelny: These days, families in Sayreville have to be careful in how they spend money. We believe Borough Hall should be just as careful. That is why we support freezing spending and instituting zero-based budgeting. We also believe that when you’re not tough on crime in one part of town, it can quickly spread throughout the entire community. Our anticrime plan will give police officers the tools they need to lower crime rates. These are tough times for families. Tom and I will work every day to keep Sayreville the community we can all afford to call home. We are both asking the voters in Sayreville to support our team.
Perrette:: I am a new face for the people of Sayreville. I have lived here for over 16 years. I have seen politicians promise the moon and fail to deliver. I am different. I bring a sincere desire to effect positive change and am not beholden to a political boss, and do not want to engage in “politics as usual.” I wholeheartedly believe that by working in a bipartisan manner, the residents I serve are the beneficiaries. I would like to contribute my professional experience in financial management to benefit the residents of Sayreville.
Pollando: Although Dennis and I are not currently on the Borough Council, we have years of experience in serving the residents of Sayreville. We support freezing borough spending and initiating zero-based budgeting. We also understand that when you fail to address crime in one part of town, it can quickly spread to another part. That’s why we have an anti-crime plan that will give our police officers the tools they need to lower crime rates. In these tough economic times, we will do whatever it takes to keep Sayreville a community we can all afford to call home. These are the reasons why we are asking voters in Sayreville to support our team.
— Jennifer Booton compiled this story.