Future ofMain Street a priority for Buccellato Victor in mayoral runoff sworn in Tuesday BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer Newly elected Republican Mayor Paul Buccellato has high hopes for Matawan and the Main Street and train station areas, now that he is the official mayor. Paul Buccellato Buccellato ousted Democratic incumbent Mary Aufseeser by 50 votes in the Jan. 15 mayoral special election. Friends, neighbors and residents of Matawan spurred Buccellato to make the decision to call for a recount after losing to Aufseeser by one vote in the November election, he said. The recount resulted in a tie, and a second election was required. The turnout of 2,039 voters on Jan. 15 surprised Matawan Borough Clerk Jean Montfort, since November's election turned out just 1,967 voters. The borough has 4,975 registered voters. "I really didn't expect it to be this busy," she said. "This is a very freaky thing that happened. A number of people said this time that if their spouses had gotten off the couch the first time and voted, this special election might not have happened." Most voters came to the Matawan Municipal Community Center willingly, but others weren't as happy to recast their vote. "This was a waste of taxpayers' money, especially when you consider how much residents pay in taxes already," said Tim Andreacci, who voiced other concerns as well. "One of the most frustrating things is the lack of people on Main Street during the evenings. It is disheartening to see it so empty and everyone going into Red Bank or somewhere else." Main Street is an important item on Buccellato's agenda after his swearingin on Tuesday. "I'd like to move some issues forward in the borough," he said. "The police department building is in need of an update or relocation, and the fire department's ladder truck could use replacing." Following up the 2006 study of the Main Street Revitalization Plan, Buccellato hopes to form a committee made up of residents and council members to provide clear communication between the municipality and the community when it comes to deciding what is in the best interests of the Main Street district. But Buccellato, who has been a town councilman since 2001, still hopes that new interest from council and community members would help speed up the paper-filing process and increase involvement in the Main Street Revitalization, hopefully increasing the chances for the town to receive grant money. The new initiatives to revitalize Matawan would extend to the areas surrounding the train station as well. Former Mayor Mary Aufseeser expressed her gratitude to the people of Matawan and the hope that the town can continue to move forward. "I know what Matawan was, and I know what it can be," Aufseeser said. "A number of good things happened during my tenure as mayor, and we will have to see if Mr. Buccellato can really make something happen with Main Street and the train station." During an interview last week, Aufseeser pointed out that Buccellato had previously been the Borough Council's liaison with the Historic Sites Commission and had yet to deliver on that relationship where the train station was concerned. "But, I think that he has a wonderful council and that they are earnest people," Aufseeser said. "I hope everyone can settle their differences and remember that this is about Matawan."