Sayreville council reappoints borough professionals and dozens of board members at reorganization meeting

The Sayreville Borough Council used its Jan. 1 reorganization meeting to confirm numerous municipal appointments and reappointments, approving by roll call a slate of borough professionals and dozens of seats on boards and commissions.

On the consent agenda the council reappointed its borough attorney (one-year term), borough engineer (CME Associates), the borough auditor (Suplo and Company), bond counsel (Archer & Greiner), the financial advisor (Northwest Financial), and accounting services (PFO Connor Davies). The council also reappointed municipal and special counsels (including Nolan & Lang for tax matters and Habinski Law/Jordan Ricks for special counsel services) and confirmed James Weber as municipal judge for a three-year term.

Council members recorded roll-call votes on each reappointment; the transcript records individual “yes” votes for many members as the clerk called each name. Some reappointments produced no votes against; one reappointment (COA matters counsel D. Francesco Baitman/Davis Lair & Flom) recorded at least one 'no' vote and a brief explanation from Councilwoman Novak, who said the firm once represented a property owner that had been considered for affordable housing and that she preferred a different attorney for those matters.

The council also filled seats on the board of adjustment, planning board (including a four-year and a two-year seat), redevelopment agency, housing authority, Commission on Aging, library board of trustees, environmental commission, open space committee and other local advisory bodies. Several appointments were for multi-year terms; in one case Donna Roberts was appointed to serve an unexpired term previously held by another member.

During the roll calls council members repeatedly welcomed the newly elected members and thanked volunteers and staff. Multiple council members said they would like more robust agenda meetings through the year to allow more in-depth review of matters before voting.

What happens next
- Most appointments are effective immediately for the terms specified in the motion; the transcript contains roll-call confirmations and 'yes' votes for the majority of items.
- Where council members recorded a 'no' vote or abstention (the COA counsel reappointment and a few numbered items), those individual positions are preserved in the roll-call record and will be reflected in official minutes and resolutions.

The reappointments are routine for an annual reorganization session and clear the way for department operations and board activities through the coming year.