Sayreville, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Sayreville, New Jersey
settlement_type = Borough
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


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imagesize =
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mapsize =
map_caption = Location of Sayreville in Middlesex County. Inset: Location of Middlesex County in New Jersey.


mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Sayreville, New Jersey

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Middlesex
government_footnotes =
government_type = Borough (New Jersey)
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Kennedy O’Brien
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = April 29, 1919

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 48.6
area_land_km2 = 41.2
area_water_km2 = 7.4
area_total_sq_mi = 18.7
area_land_sq_mi = 15.9
area_water_sq_mi = 2.8

population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 42560
population_density_km2 = 980.5
population_density_sq_mi = 2539.4

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|885386|Borough of Sayreville, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.]
elevation_m = 7
elevation_ft = 23
latd = 40 |latm = 27 |lats = 56 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 19 |longs = 19 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 08871-08872, 08859, 08879
area_code = 732
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-65790GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0885386GR|3
website = http://www.sayreville.com
footnotes =

Sayreville is a borough located on the Raritan River, near Raritan Bay in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 40,377. [cite web | title = Sayreville (borough) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau | url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/34/3465790.html | accessdate= September 25 | accessyear = 2006]

Sayreville was originally incorporated as a township on April 6, 1876, from portions of South Amboy Township. On April 2, 1919, the borough was reincorporated as the Borough of Sayreville, based on the results of a referendum held on April 29, 1919."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 173.] In 2007, Sayreville ranked 47 among the top 100 places to live in the United States by "Money" Magazine. [ [http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0707/gallery.BPTL_top_100.moneymag/47.html Best Places to Live Top 100] ]

Geography

Sayreville is located at coor dms|40|27|57|N|74|19|27|W|city (40.465769, -74.324043)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 18.8 square miles (48.6 km²), of which, 15.9 square miles (41.2 km²) of it is land and 2.8 square miles (7.4 km²) of it (15.20%) is water.

Sayreville is bordered on the north by Woodbridge Township, the northwest by Edison, the northeast by Perth Amboy, the east by South Amboy, the southwest by South River and East Brunswick, and the south by Old Bridge Township. Sayreville touches East Brunswick and Edison, although there are no ways to go directly from one town to the other.

The borough is approximately 35 miles southwest of New York City and 66 miles northeast of Philadelphia on the southern bank of the Raritan River. Area code 732 and 848 are used in Sayreville. It used to carry Area code 908, until 908 was allocated to Union, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties and Sayreville was designated as 732. Rahway and Clark in Union County still use the 732 area code.

Sayreville uses four ZIP codes 08872, 08871, 08879, and 08859. 08872 and 08871 are the Sayreville zip located in the borough itself. 08879 is the South Amboy zip located in the informal sections of Morgan and Melrose of Sayreville, the City of South Amboy, and the informal section of Laurence Harbor of Old Bridge Township. 08859 is the Parlin ZIP code located partially in the Borough of Sayreville and Old Bridge Township.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1930= 8658
1940= 8186
1950= 10338
1960= 22553
1970= 32508
1980= 29969
1990= 34986
2000= 40377
estimate= 42560
estyear=2006
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=06000US3402359280&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C05000US34023%7C06000US3402359280&_street=&_county=sayreville&_cityTown=sayreville&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=060&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Sayreville borough] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 12, 2007.]
footnote=Population 1930 - 1990. [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 40,377 people, 14,955 households, and 10,917 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,539.4 people per square mile (980.5/km²). There were 15,235 housing units at an average density of 958.1/sq mi (370.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 76.47% White, 8.62% African American, 0.13% Native American, 10.56% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.12% from other races, and 2.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.29% of the population.

There were 14,955 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the borough the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $58,919, and the median income for a family was $66,266. Males had a median income of $47,427 versus $35,151 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,736. About 3.4% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Sayreville is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a six-member Borough Council, with all positions elected at large in partisan elections. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. Members of the Borough Council are elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year. ["2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 87.]

The Mayor of Sayreville is [http://www.sayreville.com/BIOS/bio_obrien.htm Kennedy O’Brien] . As of 2008, members of the Borough Council are Council President [http://www.sayreville.com/BIOS/bio_Grobelny.htm Dennis Grobelny] , [http://www.sayreville.com/BIOS/bio_Drwal.htm Stanley Drwal] , [http://www.sayreville.com/BIOS/bio_kaiserman.htm David M. Kaiserman] , [http://www.sayreville.com/BIOS/bio_makowski.htm Kathy Makowski] ,Paula A. Siarkiewicz and [http://www.sayreville.com/BIOS/bio_zach.htm Rory Zach] . [cite web | title = Borough of Sayreville Borough Council | url=http://www.sayreville.com/council.htm | accessdate= May 7 | accessyear = 2008]

Federal, state and county representation

Sayreville is in the Sixth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 19th Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 63. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Education

The Sayreville Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3414640 Data for the Sayreville Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 7, 2008.] ) are four K-3 elementary schools — [http://www.sayrevilleelementary.net/arleth_files/arleth.htm Emma Arleth Elementary School] (518 students), [http://www.sayrevilleelementary.net/eisenhower_files/eisenhower.htm Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School] (460), [http://www.sayrevilleelementary.net/truman_files/truman.htm Harry S. Truman Elementary School] (442) and [http://www.sayrevilleelementary.net/wilson_files/wilson.htm Woodrow Wilson Elementary School] (334) — [http://www.sayrevilleelementary.net/UES_files/ues_schoolinfo.htm Sayreville Upper Elementary School] for grades 4&5 (887), [http://www.sayrevillemiddle.net/ Sayreville Middle School] for grades 6-8 (1,361), and
Sayreville War Memorial High School for grades 9-12 (1,677). [http://www.sayrevilleelementary.net/selover_files/selover.htm Jesse Selover Elementary School] (77 students) offers a half-day program for children ages 3 to 5 years with mild to moderate disabilities, and a full-day program for children of the same age with moderate disabilities who require a greater degree of time and attention.

History

Native Americans were the first settlers of Sayreville. Tribes of the Navesink lived along the South River where Jernee Mill Road is located today. This was noted on a 1656 New Jersey map by A. Vanderdonck, a Dutch surveyor and map maker. During the 20th century, amateur archaeologists have found thousands of Indian artifacts at the location shown on the map. [ [http://www.sayreville.com/historical_history.htm "Significant facts about Sayreville history" by Ed Pytel, Sayreville Historian] ]

Predating the incorporation of Sayreville in 1703, the Morgan Inn - later known as the Old Spye Inn - was established in what is now the Morgan section of Sayreville. The inn was located on a hill overlooking the Raritan Bay. The original owners, the Morgans were said to be related to the famous pirate, Captain Henry Morgan, who is said to have visited the Inn on more than one occasion. [ [http://www.njhm.com/oldspyeinn.htm The Old Spye Inn] , New Jersey History's Mysteries. Accessed September 2, 2007.]

It was during the American Revolutionary War that the Morgan Inn gained its new name, the Old Spye Inn, according to local legends. A local British loyalist Abe Mussey was captured by American troops while signaling to British Ships on the Raritan Bay in 1777. He was tried as a spy at the Inn, convicted in one-day trial and sentenced to death by hanging. Mussey's execution was carried out using a tree near the Inn's entrance. Mussey was reported to be buried behind the inn in an unmarked grave. The Inn was destroyed by fire in the late 20th century, but its ruins remain on the National Register of Historic Places. [ [http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/1identify/lists/middlesex.pdf New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places: Middlesex County] , New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Historic Preservation Office. Accessed September 2, 2007.]

Originally known as Roundabout (for the river bends in the area) and then as Wood's Landing, it was renamed in the 1870s for James R. Sayre, Jr. of Newark, co-owner of Sayre & Fisher Brick Company (along with Peter Fisher of New York) that once flourished here. Extensive clay deposits supported the brick industry from the early 1800s until 1970. From its inception, Sayre & Fisher Brick Company quickly grew into one of the top brick making companies in Middlesex County. Brick production grew from 54,000,000 bricks annually in 1878, to 178,000,000 bricks in 1913. Company representatives in 1950 had estimated that a total of 6,250,000,000 bricks had been produced since the founding of the company. [cite web | url=http://www.njhm.com/sayre&fisher.htm | title=New Jersey History & Mysteries | accessdate = March 23 | accessyear = 2006]

In 1898 DuPont begins production of gun powder at its plant on Deerfield Road. [ [http://www.injersey.com/day/story/0,2379,207725,00.html Sayreville Timeline from "Home News Tribune"] ] The company would later build additional facilities in Sayreville for the production of Paint and Photo Products.

At one time the Raritan River Railroad passed though Sayreville and had several spurs to service Sayre & Fisher and other local industries. Featured in a 1914 episode titled "The Juggernaut" of the silent movie serial "The Perils of Pauline", the railroad got a brief taste of stardom. [ [http://216.86.48.88/rrrrwp/?m=200603 All about The Raritan River Railroad ] ] The episode was staged on the line, including the construction of a bridge over Ducks Nest Pond in Sayreville. [ [http://suburban.gmnews.com/news/2007/0329/Front_page/083.html Suburban Weekly] ]

Redevelopment

Although the borough remains an industrial town, the addition of many technology companies and a growing residential population has changed the landscape of this central New Jersey town.

Randy Corman, Executive Director of the Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Agency (SERA), has been heading up the development of the parcel of land commonly referred to as the National Lead Site / Amboy Cinemas lot since about 2000. This new "City" will clear woods, trees, and wetlands and install an entire city complete with commercial, industrial, residential, and recreational, all near the Middlesex County Utilities Authority (Sewerage Authority) and the Middlesex County Fire Academy. [ [http://www.cityfeet.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?PartnerPath=&Id=9928 Borough Set to Buy Tract for $32M] , Cityfeet.com, January 4, 2005.] There has also been much litigation as to the makeup of the members and public opinion about this project has never been put to a ballot. [ [http://suburban.gmnews.com/news/2006/0216/Front_page/001.html Sera to court] ] In addition, closed door meetings have been accused of going against the Sunshine Open Meeting Act. [ [http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060926/OPINION01/609260421&SearchID=73258143612057 Get rid of play to play at NL] .]

Further, the redevelopment plan has run behind schedule and the County threatened not to give SERA any more extensions on choosing a developer. [ [http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060914/NEWS0102/609140431&SearchID=73258144323445 NL behind schedule] .] SERA also voted to replace the Hanlon law firm with the New Brunswick-based Hoagland firm, which is a major contributor to the Democratic Party. [ [http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060915/NEWS0102/609150463&SearchID=73258144891884 NL Developer unresolved] .]

Transportation

Sayreville enjoys proximity to several major roadways - the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95), Interstate 287 which becomes Route 440 — providing access to Staten Island and Long Island, New York points — U.S. 1, U.S. 9, Route 18, Route 34 and Route 35.

Three highway bridges span the Raritan River from the Sayreville side. The Edison Bridge on U.S. 9 and the Driscoll Bridge on the Garden State Parkway connect Woodbridge on the north with Sayreville on the south. The Victory Bridge carries Route 35, connecting Sayreville with Perth Amboy.

New Jersey Transit offers service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan via the 131 and 139. Service within New Jersey is offered to Newark on the 67, to Jersey City on the 64, and to other local destinations on the 815 and 817 routes. [ [http://www.njtransit.com/sf_tp_rc_middlesex.shtml Middlesex County Bus/Rail Connections] , New Jersey Transit. Accessed June 19, 2007.]

Community

Sayreville is a gateway to the Jersey Shore because the Raritan River is the line that is often considered to be the start of the shore region.

Sayreville's EMS-Rescue System is operated by an all-volunteer membership. The Sayreville Emergency Squad was founded in 1936 and provides EMS-Rescue Service with its sister Squad, Morgan First Aid. Both squads provide Emergency medical services, Motor Vehicle Extrication, Boat and Water Rescue, Search and Rescue, and any other rescue function needed. As one of the only completely volunteer first aid squads remaining in central New Jersey, they provide these services free to the citizens of Sayreville. The Sayreville Emergency Squad has been offering rescue services to the Borough since it's formation in 1936 and has had a dedicated extrication crash truck as early as the 1940s.

Sayreville also has an all-volunteer fire department. It has four fire companies, Sayreville Engine Company #1, Melrose Hose Company #1, Morgan Hose & Chemical Company, and the President Park Volunteer Fire Company.

Sayreville also operates an all-volunteer Auxiliary Police. The Auxiliary Police are seen though the town doing numerous jobs from patrols to various borough events.

Sayreville is also home to the Starland Ballroom concert venue.

Sayreville also has several night clubs such as Club Abyss and Club 35.

Sayreville has two community football and cheerleading teams, the Sayreville Leprechauns and Morgan-Parlin Panthers.

Noted residents

Notable current and former residents of Sayreville include:
*Jon Bon Jovi (1962-), rocker's boyhood home. [Goodnough, Abby. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE6D9143CF936A25753C1A963958260 "IN BRIEF; A Town Bids for Recognition By Renaming Highway Stops"] , "The New York Times", October 15, 1995. Accessed December 28, 2007. "It used to be enough that the rock star Jon Bon Jovi hailed from Sayreville. Lately, though, the Middlesex County town is yearning for more recognition."]
*Greg Evigan (1953-), Actor on television hits "B.J. and the Bear" and "My Two Dads". [Dencker, Martha. "Picking berries, making bricks: Memories of old-time Sayreville.", "The Star-Ledger", April 15, 1999. "Among other indigenous pieces of Sayreville in the museum are memorabilia from two native sons: the rock star Jon Bon Jovi and actor Greg Evigan, who had leads in the television shows 'BJ and the Bear' and 'My Two Dads'."]
*David Frank, former clown & performer for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus; Co-Founder, actor and Director for "Us Presents" Theatre company. [ [http://ontik.org/index_files/Page1078.htm ONTIK] .]
*Marilyn Ghigliotti (1961-), Actress. Played the character Veronica Loughran in Kevin Smith's cult hit "Clerks". [Beckerman, Jim. [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_docid=0EB511D68CD30A82&p_docnum=1&p_queryname=NaN&p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated4&p_nbid=P5BA53BKMTE4NTg0NzQ0OS4yODY4NjU6MTo3OnJhLTE4ODg "IT WAS SLOW GOING AT THE QUICK STOP: `CLERKS' STARS KEPT WAITING"] , "The Record (New Jersey)", November 4, 1994. Accessed August 15, 2007. "A 20-year Sayreville resident, she plays Veronica, girlfriend of the hapless clerk Dante (O'Halloran).... A graduate of Sayreville High School and a friend of O'Halloran's for several years, Ghigliotti has acted opposite him in theater productions of "Wait Until Dark" and the off-off Broadway production "Sabona."]
*Dulé Hill (1975-), Actor ("The West Wing", "Psych") who graduated Sayreville War Memorial High School in 1993. [ [http://www.nbc.com/The_West_Wing/bios/Dule_Hill.html Bio of Dulé Hill] , NBC's "The West Wing". Accessed December 17, 2006.]
*Tom Kelly (1950-), Former Minnesota Twins manager at one time lived in the Parlin section of Sayreville.
*Madelyn Noe, Track & Field [ [http://www.advance.uri.edu/quadangles/sum2004/story9.htm University of Rhode Island Alumni Profile] ] . American women's indoor mile record holder. [ [http://www.usatfnj.org/madelyn_noe_sets_a_new_record.html American Masters Indoor Record] ]
*Eddie Popowski (1913-2001), Known as "Buddy". Long time coach and two time interim manager of the Boston Red Sox. [ [http://www.thedeadballera.com/Obits/Popowski.Eddie.Obit.html THE OBIT FOR EDDIE POPOWSKI] , copy of article from "Home News Tribune". Accessed September 2, 2007.]
*Rhonda Rompola, Coach of the Southern Methodist University women's basketball team since 1991. In her 15 years at SMU, Rompola has tallied a 270-176 mark, earning her 250th career win on Jan. 29, 2005, at Boise State. [ [http://smumustangs.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/rompola_rhonda00.html SMU Team Profile] .] Rompola attended War Memorial High School in Sayreville. She was a three-time All-State and All-Conference performer, leading her team to a 44-8 record and the 1978 Central Jersey Championship. As a player, Rompola was SMU’s first women’s basketball All-American.
*Dave Sabo, AKA "The Snake" - rock guitarist who plays in the heavy metal band Skid Row. [Iozzia, David. [http://davesontour.com/misc/psycho.html "Dave's On Tour 2005: Psychotherapy–Feeding My Head/Banging My Head"] . Accessed September 2, 2007. "Skid Row guitarist Dave 'Snake' Sabo was raised in Sayreville, the home of New Jersey's premier rock club, Starland Ballroom."]
*Charles Wiley, child actor, Republican Congressional political candidate (vs. Edward J. Patten [cite book |editor=John L. Moore |others= |title=Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U.S. Elections|edition= 3rd |year= 1994 |publisher=Congressional Quarterly |location=Washington, D.C. |id=0-87187-996-4 |pages=1543 pg. 1251] ), journalist whose search for truth led to his arrest eight times by secret police, including the KGB and imprisonment in Castro's Cuba. He has covered several wars, including four trips to Vietnam reporting for NBC, UPI, The London Express and many other U.S. and foreign news media. His articles and photographs have appeared in TIME, Newsweek and the New York Times. Wiley is also a well known radio/TV talk show personality and commentator. [ [http://www.aim.org/speakers_individual/P84_0_14_0/ Accuracy In Media Profile] .]
*Timothy Wiltsey, a 5 year old boy from Sayreville, NJ who was reported missing by his mother, Michelle Lodzinski, on May 25, 1991 from a local carnival. [ [http://www.free-webspace.biz/thevictims/wiltsey_timothy.html In Memory of Timothy Wiltsey] .] The Wiltsey story was featured on "America's Most Wanted". Almost a year later in April 1992, Timmy’s remains were discovered in a creek in marshy area near Raritan Center in Edison, New Jersey where Lodzinski once worked as a secretary. His murder has never been solved, even though Michelle Lodzinski was considered a primary suspect. It has been alleged that Lodzinski failed two lie detector tests and there have been inconsistencies in her story. She was never charged in the case.
*John S. Wisniewski (1962-), represents the 19th legislative district in the New Jersey General Assembly. [ [http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=8176 Assembly Member John S. Wisniewski] , Project Vote Smart . Accessed August 12, 2007.]

See also

* T. A. Gillespie Company Shell Loading Plant explosion - October 4, 1918

References

External links

* [http://www.sayreville.com Official Sayreville website]
* [http://www.sayrevillek12.net Sayreville Public Schools website]
*NJReportCard|23|4660|0|Sayreville Public Schools
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3414640 Data for the Sayreville Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://www.lmxac.org/sayreville Sayreville Libraries website]
* [http://www.sayrevillepoliceaux.org Sayreville Auxiliary Police]
* [http://www.sayreville.com/firstaid/sayreville/ses_home.htm Sayreville Volunteer Emergency Squad]
* [http://www.youthbombers.com Sayreville Youth Bombers Football]