'Sayreville has taken a lot of black eyes.That's not what we're about,' new mayor says

SAYREVILLE - After four years on the sidelines, Kennedy O'Brien will be returning to the mayoralty on New Year's Day and hoping to change things around in the town he calls "a wonderful, wonderful place to live."O'Brien, who served as mayor for 20 years before he declined for re-election in 2019, has come out of retirement at a critical time for Sayreville.

The town is still recovering after the murder of Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour in February, charges of corruption associated with the Club 35 strip club and a court fight with the Board of Education over a new transportation facility.

But Sayreville is also on the cusp of a bright future with consistent progress on the Riverton project, perhaps the biggest redevelopment project on the East Coast.

"Particularly in the last several years, Sayreville has taken a lot of black eyes," O'Brien said. "I'm just looking to change that around. That's not what we're about."

O'Brien knows leadership can make a difference.

"I've always felt that Sayreville is a wonderful, wonderful place to live," he said. "I truly like being mayor and helping people."

O'Brien , who defeated Democratic challenger Bill Henry in the November election, will be sworn into a four-year term as mayor during the borough's reorganization meeting on Monday. ]The reorganization agenda session will be held 11 a.m., followed by the reorganization meeting and official swearing-in around noon at Borough Hall.

Democratic Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick did not seek reelection.

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With the one year anniversary of the death of Dwumfour approaching, O'Brien said he doesn't know if or when a community can heal from such a heinous crime that drew national attention.

"But I am comforted by the fact that a suspect has been apprehended and will have his day in court. I do laud law enforcement for a methodical investigation," he said.

Part of the healing process, O'Brien said, is improving communication with residents..

"I've always made myself available to people anytime and I will continue to do that," he said. "I've always had an open door policy. I listen to what people tell me and I will also continue doing that."

O'Brien said he hopes to post regular podcasts on issues in town.

Another top priority is to "scrutinize every dollar spent at Borough Hall."

"I have not been in office for four years, so it is important that my team undertake a detailed, top-down review of all municipal departments and recommend the removal of any perceived waste that has been created," O'Brien said. "Sayreville historically runs a very lean municipal government and I need to ensure it remains that way. On average, it typically costs only about $40 a week for the average taxpayer to receive a full range of municipal services, from 24-hour police, ambulance and fire, to road maintenance, to leaf and snow removal, to bulk waste pick-up, to our great library, to our parks and recreation."

O'Brien said continuing to provide such quality services at a reasonable price is not easy, but "that is what the voters have asked us to do, and that is what my team will do."

The borough also needs to upgrade some of its roads, which O'Brien believes have been ignored in recent years.

"We also need to address the growing amount of traffic in Sayreville, which is having a detrimental effect on our quality of life," he said. "We will be working closely with our engineers and police to develop solutions that can be implemented immediately."

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O'Brien said he had his first meeting with Police Chief Daniel Plumacker on Dec. 20 and discussed his expectations for solutions.

The borough is applying for state grants for the completion of the Main Street bypass, O'Brien said.

When asked if he thinks borough government should have more control over the Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Agency (SERA) which has come under scrutiny by the current administration, O'Brien said "No. But SERA must remain fully transparent and, like elected officials, be fully accountable to the people of Sayreville. I will make sure that happens."

"During my years as mayor, SERA was an incredible partner in the redevelopment process and must remain that way," he said. "Local redevelopment agencies, such as SERA, were established by state statute as independent entities so they are not influenced by political intrusion."

In response to the conflict with the Sayreville Board of Education which recently filed a lawsuit against the borough over the proposed district transportation complex, alleging breach of contract, O'Brien said he doesn't "understand why the Schools Superintendent and the Board of Education would sue their own town."

"That said, open and transparent conversation among all affected parties is a good first step to a resolution," O'Brien said.

Purchasing open space in the borough is another issue O'Brien would like to tackle.

"There is very little amount of large open space in the borough," O'Brien said. "Of the available smaller parcels, if there is contamination, it prohibits us from purchasing.

"That said, we are open to any open space opportunities, and I will be launching a new committee for the management of open space and exploring the possibilities for residents."

The incoming mayor also discussed Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) Programs, which have also been discussed at recent meetings.

"PILOT programs have tremendous benefit and need to be explored further," O'Brien said. "I think it's terribly misunderstood."

O'Brien said he was contacted by Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac, who told him that Woodbridge has 50 PILOTS with great success.

"Basically, you get more revenue from a PILOT than from regular taxes," O'Brien said. "They have to be looked at individually."

Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

More: Meet the candidates for Sayreville mayor and where they stand on the issues

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: New Sayreville mayor hopes to turn around 'wonderful place to live'