Officials: Burned-out
Tot Lot to be rebuilt
Mayor Kennedy O’Brien
pledges $1,000 reward
for arsonist
SAYREVILLE — Local officials are vowing to find the person responsible for destroying the borough’s new Tot Lot.
In a straw vote taken at the Monday night agenda meeting, the Borough Council unanimously agreed to allow Business Administrator Joseph D’Arco and Borough Engineer Jay Cornell to begin working to rebuild the park.
"We have to make this a priority to rebuild," Mayor Kennedy O’Brien said.
Police are still investigating the possible act of arson which occurred at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday.
According to police reports, the metallic and plastic playground structure in the center portion of the park was ablaze when police arrived at the scene. Members of the Sayreville Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire when they arrived, shortly after the first report.
Borough officials have assessed the damage at $30,000 to $50,000.
The fire, which is being labeled suspicious by police officials, prompted O’Brien to pledge a $1,000 reward of his own money toward the capture of any person or persons responsible for the crime.
The borough does have insurance to reconstruct the Main Street lot.
In addition, Councilman Fred Semoneit has been working closely with state Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-19th) in an effort to speed up the construction process.
Semoneit said Wisniewski may help obtain a state loan for the construction since there possibly will be a delay in receiving the insurance money.
"Vandalism such as this strikes at the heart of our community," Wisniewski said.
On Monday, Wisniewski also announced that he would be introducing legislation that would increase the penalties for vandalism.
Under the proposed legislation, judges would be allowed to suspend the driver’s license of a convicted offender.
The penalties would range from a suspension of six months for a first offense to as much as three years for a third offense.
Under current law, judges can order these suspensions only for those convicted of a drug-related crime.
In addition, the proposed law would also allow judges to add community service and restitution to the penalty.
"We can work to bring an end to this type of wanton destruction by dealing with the offenders harshly and quickly," Wisniewski said.
The park officially opened a few months ago after more than a year of construction.
The council is expected to make a formal statement at tonight’s public meeting.