SAYREVILLE – After five years on the governing body, Ricci Melendez is departing from the Sayreville Borough Council.
Melendez announced his resignation from the council in a Facebook post on Nov. 21. After congratulating the victors of this year’s council race, Democrats Kevin Dalina and Damon Enriquez, and thanking the Republican candidates, incumbent Councilman Pat Lembo and Joel Bloom, he stated he would not be serving on the council for the following year.
“I have been proud to serve the Borough of Sayreville for the last seven years as councilman, board member and liaison for various committees,” he said. “So it is with great gratitude and much sorrow that I will not continue my role as councilman, effectively ending my term.”
Melendez has served two non-consecutive terms as a councilman. He first served on the council from 2012-15 and rejoined the governing body in 2017. In resigning, Melendez, an information technology infrastructure manager outside of the council, cited conflicts with his professional career.
“As a father and husband, my responsibility and commitment is to my family. My wife and my three children are my world,” the councilman said. “And my kids are at an age where they need me the most. My beliefs have always been to serve properly one must commit fully to this role, even while balancing family life. I feel Sayreville deserves a full-time effort from our council people, regardless of the part-time definition of the position. During my time I have always rolled up my sleeves and worked my hardest to promote and model the values that have always been of utmost importance to those of us who devote ourselves to public service: honesty, integrity, fairness and justice.
“Fortunately my professional career has taken a turn in which I need to fully dedicate all of my time and resources to it,” he continued. “It’s an opportunity that I’ve been working towards and I feel it’s the right time to pursue it. The time and resources I’ve given to Sayreville I can no longer continue and still remain effective.”
As his tenure on the governing body concludes, Melendez thanked his fellow council members, borough employees and residents.
“I want to want to thank my council colleagues for supporting my initiatives,” Melendez said. “Without full support, I could not have possibly made progress. It was truly an honor to serve with people who all drive for the same goal of a better Sayreville. It’s a difficult process to move things forward, but I’m confident that Damon, Kevin and the rest of the council will continue to do what’s best for our people and keep driving Sayreville forward.
“I’m extremely grateful and it was an honor to serve the people of Sayreville. I want thank the borough employees, residents, the governing body and my Democratic chairman [Tom Pollando] and party for allowing me this opportunity,” he said. “I’ve had the pleasure to meet so many great people during my time. I expect our progress will continue and as a 25-year resident, I will continue support Sayreville’s future and growth.”
Melendez also stated he requested to have Enriquez succeed him as the council liaison to the Sayreville Recreation Department.
“I’ve asked the council to consider Damon to take over my role as the recreation liaison,” he said. “Damon, like myself, is a father and coach and shares the same passion I have for children and recreation activities. He understands how critical and important for the town to invest in these programs. I’m confident, if chosen, he would do a great job for recreation.”
Melendez’s current three-year term has one year remaining.
Leaders of the Democratic Party in Sayreville, Melendez’s political party, will soon provide the names of individuals who want to succeed him to the remaining council members. The council members will select one of those residents to serve during 2019. The seat held by the appointee will be on the November 2019 ballot as a full three-year term.