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Sayreville discussion on shooting-range noise and a proposed Port Authority MOU stalls after no second on negotiation motion
Summary
Council members debated installing a $180,000 sound wall at the municipal firearms range and an authorization for the business administrator to negotiate an MOU with Port Authority to share costs; a motion to authorize negotiations failed for lack of a second.
Council members and residents discussed persistent noise from the borough firearms range, a planned soundproofing wall and the possibility of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Port Authority to share costs.
Councilwoman Novak noted the borough engineer reported planting trees would not mitigate the noise and described a $180,000 sound wall proposal. Novak said Port Authority users of the range have used suppressors and had few complaints; she said Port Authority pays fees to use the facility and might contribute toward a wall. "Port Authority has been there every day with absolutely no complaints," Novak said, and she urged the borough to pursue funding partners.
Council member Mary (first name used at the meeting) moved to authorize the business administrator to negotiate an MOU with Port Authority that would include both usage fees and a proportional share of the cost of sound mitigation. The motion specified authorizing outreach to secure both continued range-use fees and a contribution toward soundproofing. The council president asked for a second but none was offered; the motion therefore did not proceed.
Council members also emphasized that the borough seeks to preserve the range for local police training while minimizing impacts on nearby residents. One council speaker said the governing body's prior decision not to reauthorize MOUs for outside agencies was intended to protect officers' access and the community's quiet enjoyment.
Details clarified during discussion: - Estimated cost for a soundproofing wall was discussed at about $180,000. (Speaker: Councilwoman Novak) - Port Authority reportedly pays significant fees to use the range; Novak cited a payment range she described as between approximately $350,000 and $400,000 (speaker used an imprecise figure). The exact figure was not confirmed on the record. (Speaker: Councilwoman Novak) - A motion to authorize the business administrator to negotiate an MOU including cost sharing was made by Mary but received no second and therefore did not move forward.
Outcome: No council authorization was granted at the meeting to negotiate or reauthorize an MOU with external agencies for range use; staff were not given a council-approved directive to finalize a cost-sharing agreement.
