Efforts underway in Sayreville to save one of NJ's most endangered historic places
The Sayreville Historical Society has ramped up efforts to preserve the Old Fire House next to the Municipal Building on Main Street.
“We have been on a five-year mission to save the building,” said the organization’s President Frank Terzino Sr. "We're not asking the mayor or council for money. We believe we can do this with grant money.”
Terzino said the first step is to designate the site as a local historic landmark, asking for borough residents to help encourage elected officials to vote in favor of it.
The designation would allow for a committee to apply for possible grant opportunities to repair and repurpose this “crucial and inspiring staple in our history of Sayreville,” according to a post on the Sayreville Historical Society's Facebook page.
A resolution for the designation is on the agenda for Monday's Borough Council meeting.
The Old Fire House was listed in 2023 among Preservation New Jersey's Top 10 Most Endangered Places.
"Although no funds are available for this nomination, Preservation New Jersey is our advocate and is guiding us to success," Terzino said. "Unfortunately, it's been a long and slow-moving process, but we can move ahead after the positive vote on March 11."
Priority is to apply for emergency funds to repair the building’s roof and windows, he said.
"There needs to be an evaluation of the building to determine what needs to be done and in what order," Terzino said. "Grants need to be applied for and we would need the borough's help. The jail cells are in great shape and the inside needs (tender loving care), but according to Preservation New Jersey, she’s in great shape and can be revitalized."
Preservation New Jersey estimated that about $1 to $1.5 million would be needed to revitalize the entire building, he said.
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Heather Yannone-Pawski, the Historical Society's corresponding secretary, told the Borough Council last month about the site’s history.
When the Township of Sayreville was established in 1876, she said, the governing body faced the challenge of finding suitable venues for meetings and as the township grew, it became evident that a dedicated space was needed to serve the needs of the community.
In April 1909, the Township Committee decided to build a Township Hall. Upon reviewing records, it discovered that Sayreville residents had already voted to purchase land and construct a municipal building back in 1900, she said.
E.A Fisher offered a 50-by-100-foot lot for the construction which faced its share of difficulties, and work came to a halt in 1910. When the initial mason encountered financial issues, Sayre & Fisher, a local business, stepped in and provided bricks and supplies at cost. New contractors were selected, and construction resumed.
The building served multiple functions through the years. It was the venue for municipal meetings, housed government offices, served as a police station, a jail, and even a firehouse. In 1913, due to overcrowding in School No. 2, the meeting room was temporarily repurposed as a classroom, and a fire escape was installed to ensure safety.
The Borough Council decided in 1941 to construct a new municipal building and the old town hall's role began to transition.
On Oct. 21, 1942, the Council moved to the new location. Sayreville Engine Company 1 took over as the sole occupants of the building until it moved to the MacArthur Avenue site in 1971.
The building continued to serve the community in various ways. It became a meeting place for organizations such as the Civil Air Patrol, further solidifying its importance as a gathering point for our borough.
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.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Sayreville efforts to save one of NJ's most endangered historic places
