Woodbridge News Spring 2015

Transcription

Woodbridge News Spring 2015
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Published by Jaffe Communications, Inc. • www.jaffecom.com
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Council News
Municipal Council Holds
2015 Reorganization
At the Municipal Council
Reorganization Meeting in January,
Councilwoman Michele Charmello
(Third Ward) was announced as
Council President and Councilwoman
Nancy Drumm (First Ward) was
named Council Vice-President.
A new Councilwoman, Lizbeth
DeJesus, was sworn-in to complete
the unexpired term of long-time
Councilwoman Brenda Velasco who
retired at the end of 2014. Former
Councilwoman Velasco will continue
her public service as the Township
Historian with the mission of locating a home for the Township
Historical Museum, a long-awaited
project that will hopefully come to
fruition this year. Long-serving
Councilmen Richard Dalina (Second
Ward) and James H. Major (Fourth
Ward), and At-Large Councilmen
James V. Carroll, Gregg Ficarra and
Kyle Anderson continue their service
on the Municipal Council.
ToWN Hall
1 Main Street
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us
eleCTed oFFICIalS
Mayor:
John E. McCormac
Municipal Council:
Council President:
Michele R. Charmello, Third Ward
Council Vice-President:
Nancy Bader-Drumm, First Ward
Richard A. Dalina, Second Ward
James H. Major, Fourth Ward
Debbie Meehan, Fifth Ward
James V. Carroll, At-Large
Gregg M. Ficarra, At-Large
Kyle Anderson, At-Large
Lizbeth DeJesus, At-Large
IMpoRTaNT NuMbeRS
All Numbers Area Code 732
2015 Woodbridge Council Members
Left: Municipal Clerk John Mitch administers the Oath-of-Office to Councilwoman
Michele Charmello as Council President for the 2015 term.
Center: Councilwoman Nancy Drumm, with daughter Lauren Elizabeth Drumm, takes the
official Oath-of-Office from Municipal Clerk John Mitch as Council Vice-President for the
2015 term.
Right: Councilwoman Lizbeth DeJesus takes the official Oath-of-Office from Municipal Clerk
John Mitch. Standing with Councilwoman DeJesus are her husband and children, Matthew,
Brianna, Angel and Madison.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
Town Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 634-4500
Mayor’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602-6015
Municipal Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602-6007
Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 634-7700
Municipal Prosecutor . . . . . . . . 634-4500
Municipal Court . . . . . . . . . . . . 636-6430
Office of Emergency
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602-7361
Tax Collector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602-6010
Tax Assessor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602-6002
Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602-6047
Purchasing Dept.. . . . . . . . . . . . 634-4500
Building Department . . . . . . . . 602-6003
Housing Department . . . . . . . . 602-6009
Main Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 634-4450
Barron Arts Center . . . . . . . . . 634-0413
Health Dept. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 855-0600
Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 738-1311
Sanitation . . . . . . . . . . . . 738-1311 x3600
Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . 738-1311 x3049
Parks & Recreation . . . . . . . . . . 596-4048
TV 35 & 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 726-2310
Planning Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602-6005
Division on Aging . . . . . 855-0600 x5023
Multi-Services Program . . . . . . 726-6262
Evergreen Center . . . . . . . . . . . 726-6261
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Council News
Council on the Move
Council president Charmello promotes Woodbridge artisan Guild
The Woodbridge Artisan Guild (WAG) is dedicated to supporting and
nurturing the visual arts in Woodbridge Township by increasing awareness
and appreciation of local artists and their art. Council President Charmello
is leading the effort to promote the WAG but the WAG needs the support of
the Woodbridge community in order to grow, support local artists and fulfill
its mission to expand artistic education. Visit www.woodbridgeartisan.com
to learn how you can support the WAG by becoming a contributing artist
or member, to make a financial donation, or to volunteer at WAG exhibits
and events.
Council Vice-president drumm advocates Relay For life
Council Vice-President Nancy Drumm, also the Membership Director
for the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce, advocates for various
charities and causes, including the annual American Cancer Society’s
Relay For Life. As part of the cause, Councilwoman Drumm sponsored the
Woodbridge High School Lady Barrons softball team in their first-ever
“Go Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness” game. The annual Woodbridge
Relay for Life is set for June 6 at WHS. Contact Councilwoman Drumm
at nancy.drumm@twp.woodbridge.nj.us for details.
Councilman dalina Reminds Residents that Greenway is open
Councilman Rick Dalina reminds us that the Middlesex County Greenway
is a great place to spend a spring afternoon hiking or riding a bike. The
rails-to-trails Greenway follows the abandoned Lehigh Valley railroad
along a 3.5-mile trail from Crows Mill Road in Woodbridge to Middlesex
Avenue in Metuchen. Connected to several parks in the area, the Greenway
weaves through Woodbridge, Metuchen and Edison as a green ribbon that
ties the communities together. The Woodbridge section of the Greenway
provides residents with a walking/hiking/biking trail, as well as a living
classroom for educational and environmental initiatives. Please go to
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B01Gw6UmlPY&feature=player_embedded
for a really great video tour of the Greenway.
Woodbridge residents are invited
to enjoy the Greenway.
annual Golf outing for buddy ball Sports Set for June 8
Councilman Jim Carroll announced that the annual Buddy Ball
charity golf outing is set for Monday, June 8, 2015 at the Colonia Country
Club. The annual fundraiser benefits the Woodbridge Buddy Ball sports
program which provides Woodbridge Township children with special needs
an opportunity to participate in an organized sports program. The Buddy
Ball motto, “Now it’s Their Turn to Play,” means just that. It offers free
programs in soccer, basketball, baseball, swimming and bowling. To sign
up for the golf outing or to learn more about Woodbridge Buddy Ball,
contact Councilman Carroll or the Woodbridge Recreation Department.
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THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Council News
Councilman Major Champions earth-arbor day
As Council representative for the Woodbridge Environmental Commission, Councilman Jim
Major announced that the Annual Earth-Arbor Day Festival is set for Saturday, April 18 from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, at the Woodbridge Community Center (WCC). Preserving our
planet’s natural resources with education and green initiatives is foremost on the Earth Day
program. Plan to join the Environmental Commission for the annual Arbor Day tree-planting
initiative at the WCC. There will be Earth Day giveaways, educational information on how you
can go green and save green, and other fun activities for kids of all ages.
Councilman Ficarra is looking for a Few Good Volunteers
Councilman Gregg Ficarra oversees one of the most active and successful
community efforts of coordinating Township volunteers for any and all projects.
The Mayor’s Youth Volunteer Award Program, which honors and recognizes
Township young adults for their volunteer efforts and projects, is set for Sunday,
April 19, 2015 at the Woodbridge Community Center. And, don’t forget about
Wellness Woodbridge which includes upcoming events such as the Woodbridge
Run for Pizza on July 8, the Labor Day weekend Crossroads 5K race and fun run,
and the annual Tour de Woodbridge bike tour on September 27. Contact
Councilman Ficarra at gregg.ficarra@twp.woodbridge.nj.us to nominate a
deserving youth volunteer or to catch up on the Wellness program.
Councilman anderson promotes Wb employment Center
Woodbridge Township has embarked on an effort to connect Woodbridge businesses that have
job openings with Woodbridge residents who are in the job market. Council President Kyle
Anderson reports that local businesses can post job openings and job-seekers can submit a resumé
via the Township web page. Woodbridge businesses looking for workers can check the Township
web site for applicants prior to going out to the general public with available positions and
Woodbridge residents looking for employment can obtain leads on potential job opportunities
through the Woodbridge Township Job Bank at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/employment.
Councilwoman Meehan Supports Community events
Councilwoman Debbie Meehan is always first-in-line to sponsor events
and programs that support the community and assist families in a time of
need. Most recently, Councilwoman Meehan and the Colonia Business
Community hosted the Taste of Colonia, a fundraising event in support of
the annual Valentine’s Day Have-A-Heart food drive. The CBC raised $6,000
and collected more than 600 pounds of food for the Township food pantries.
Councilwoman deJesus announces Youth in Government day
Student leaders from seven Woodbridge high schools will get a first-hand
look at the daily workings of municipal government on Tuesday, May 19 as
Councilwoman Lizbeth DeJesus and the Mayor’s Office host the annual
Youth in Government Day at Woodbridge Town Hall. The program brings
students to Town Hall for an inside look at municipal government. The
student government leaders participate in an Administration staff meeting,
conduct a Council meeting and attend Municipal Court proceedings.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
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Council News
Report from the Municipal Clerk’s office
By John Mitch, Municipal Clerk
With spring finally here, it won’t be long before
landscaping businesses are back in motion tending
to hundreds, if not thousands, of lawns around
Woodbridge Township. Landscaping businesses that
provide service in Woodbridge are reminded to:
• Register (no-fee) with the Township’s Housing
Division (Department of Planning &
Development).
• Adhere to ordinance(s) that prohibit advertising
on the property where general maintenance
services are being performed (i.e., lawn cutting).
• Maintain property free of weeds or plant growth
in excess of six inches (not including cultivated
flowers and gardens).
• Keep property free of rodents.
• Maintain accessory structures (detached garages,
fences, walls, etc.) in good repair.
• Storage of inoperative or unlicensed motor
vehicle(s) is not permitted on any premise and
no vehicle is permitted to be in a state of major
disassembly, disrepair or be in the process of
• Refrain from blowing or depositing landscaping
and lawn debris onto the street.
• Follow noise ordinance(s) with regard to times
permitted to provide service in commercial and
residential zones.
Property owners (vacant or not) are required to
maintain the exterior of their property in a clean, safe
and sanitary manner. Other requirements include:
being stripped or dismantled.
• Maintain swimming pools in good repair and in
clean and sanitary condition.
• Maintain exterior stairs, decks, porches, balconies
and similar areas and ensure that they are
structurally sound.
• Keep property free from accumulated garbage
• Maintain sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways
and similar areas in proper state of repair and free
from hazardous conditions.
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and rubbish.
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Mayor’s Pages
From the Mayor’s Desk…
Mayor’s Summer Concert Series
Ready to “Rock n’ Roll”
The Mayor’s Summer Concert Series is set to return this
summer with more concerts, more bands and more entertainment than ever! This summer, you can go to a free
concert just about every night. Don’t miss the original
Monday Night “Oldies & Doo Wop” or Tuesday’s “Rock n’
Roll” Tribute Band. Woodbridge Wednesday live performances feature an eclectic mix of music genres including
Rock n’ Roll, Americana, reggae, jazz, and more. The best
Woodbridge musicians take the stage at “Local Band
Thursday” and the all-new “Country Band Sunday” with
the best country talent on stage anywhere in Central Jersey.
See you “Around the Town,”
John E. McCormac
Mayor, Woodbridge Township
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
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Mayor’s Pages
We want to
hear from you…
N
ge ew
s
oodbrid
Send us your
pictures or stories
for our next issue!
The Woodbridge News
c/o Town Hall
1 Main Street
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
wbmayor@twp.woodbridge.nj.us
W
Mayor Mac
Sponsors 2015
Shopping
Spree Raffle
Raise Money for Your
Group or Organization
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Tooling around the Township
Set for april 25
Tooling Around the Township
is set for Saturday, April 25, 2015.
The annual Township-wide fix-up
day targets home repair projects for
eligible Senior and handicapped
residents. We’re looking for fix it
volunteers and we’re taking nominations for fix it projects. Please visit
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us for all
the information. Call the Tooling
Team at 732-602-6015 or email at
tooling@twp.woodbridge.nj.us to
nominate a house for repair, to volunteer, donate supplies, or become a
business sponsor. Sign-on today!
Woodbridge Set to Celebrate
Multi-Cultural
Take a trip around the world
in Woodbridge! Celebrate
Woodbridge Township MultiCultural Day on Saturday, April
18, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
when the Woodbridge Community Center hosts a United
Nations gathering of the international cultural and ethnic populations, groups, organizations and
associations that call Woodbridge
home. Welcome new citizens
as the U.S. State Department
administers the Oath of
Allegiance to new citizens.
Experience the cultural and
ethnic history, traditions, food,
art, music, dance, and displays
of the many different cultures
that are the foundation of
Woodbridge Township and
learn more about the many cultures, ethnicities, and diversity of population
that make up our community. Cultural representatives are encouraged to
contact Niven Raghib at the Woodbridge Township Recreation Department at
732-596-4047 or Niven.raghib@twp.woodbridge.nj.us for more information
on this year’s Multi-Cultural Day celebration.
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Mayor’s Pages
Mayor Mac’s Favorite e-links
Sign up today to receive the Woodbridge E-News.
It is your direct link to all of the news, upcoming
events, programs and happenings underway in
Woodbridge Township. You can receive our weekly
WB E-News simply by going to the sign-in
link on the Township web page at
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us. dear Mayor Mac...
Thanks For all
The playgrounds
Mayor Mac is on Facebook
Facebook is the fastest online social network and a great way for friends to
keep up-to-date on all the events and happenings going on around Town. For
updates on everything Woodbridge, go to Mayor Mac’s Facebook link at
https://www.facebook.com/MayorJohnMcCormac.
Follow us on Twitter #woodbridgenj.
For the latest on Township news, events and programs,
check out the online edition of The WB News at
www.WoodbridgeNews.net. And, find up-to-the minute
event and program listings on the Township web page at
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.
Woodbine
Avenue
School #23
For information on the WCC, visit their web page at www.njwcc.com, go
to the Facebook link at www.facebook.com/WoodbridgeCommunityCenter,
or follow the WCC on Twitter @NJWCC.
“Have-a-Heart” Food drive
Challenge Wraps-up
The 2015 “Have-A-Heart” food
drive collected more than 22,000
pounds of non-perishable food and
raised more than $27,500 in cash
donations to support the efforts of
local food pantries in their work to
aid needy families throughout
Woodbridge Township. More than
100 Township corporations, businesses, retail outlets, charitable organizations and residents contributed to the
2015 “Have-A-Heart” food drive.
Township businesses were not the
only ones donating. Each year, the
third grade students at Robert
Mascenik School #26 in Iselin collect
non-perishable foods. This year, the
students collected more than 200
pounds of food. If you didn’t get a
chance to contribute to “Have-AHeart,” don’t worry, non-perishable
foods can be dropped off any weekday at the Woodbridge Township
Public Health Center, 2 George
Frederick Plaza, between 8:30 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m. Additional food dropoff locations are at Woodbridge Town
Hall, 1 Main Street, the Woodbridge
Library, 1 George Frederick Plaza, or
at the Woodbridge Community
Center, 600 Main Street.
The “Have-A-Heart” food drive campaign is
announced from the WCC.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
Claremont Avenue School #20
Kennedy Park School #24
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Mayor’s Pages
State of the Township 2015
Continued from page 1
sand jobs to our citizens with the
added benefit of a cleanup of some
highly contaminated brownfield
sites. And, the economic development of these projects has been the
engine that has allowed us to drive
the historic $17 million investment
in our schools — the Woodbridge
Township School District Facilities
Improvement Project. The Township
dedicated 25 percent of the revenue
from the development projects —
approximately $2 million per year —
to our school system to enable them
to catch-up on their infrastructure
needs, which is typically the first
thing cut in tough economic times.
Instead of spending this amount
annually, we authorized nearly $17
million in capital spending in 20132014 and have another $3 million set
aside for 2015. The $2 million annual
allocation of our $8 million annual
windfall will support the debt service
on this $20 million investment in our
school and community facilities.
Because tax-free financing was
used, all of the projects include a
community benefit. Today, students
and residents have the immediate
benefit of the community infrastructure improvements — new
turf fields for football, soccer,
baseball and softball, along with
a new stadium and field house, a
new track & field facility, new
bleachers, playgrounds, tennis courts,
basketball courts, theatre and performing arts facilities with air conditioning, along with parking lots,
walking tracks, and sidewalks — all
for the benefit of each and every
Woodbridge Township neighborhood.
Just drive past a field crowded
with people at night or on the weekends, or see kids on the swings, or
our neighbors and residents on the
walking tracks, and you will realize
that the entire Woodbridge community has an improved “Quality of
Life” because of these investments.
These new facilities not only provide
a benefit to those who use them, but
also to those who do not. In fact, we
can say that everyone in the community gets the benefit of an increase in
property values when the neighborhood school gets a facelift.
Residents, business owners and other special guests listen to Mayor McCormac’s plans for
Woodbridge.
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Several of the “Quality of Life”
initiatives that we continue to work
on include our efforts to reduce traffic congestion, control speeding, and
improve problem intersections. In
addition, Tooling Around the
Township is scheduled for Saturday,
April 25, 2015. This is our annual
program that provides renovation
and fix-up services to senior and
handicapped residents. And, we
won’t stop cleaning up our neighborhoods. The free bulk waste pick-up
and weekend garage sales get underway in April. The schedule is published in the 2015 Sanitation
Calendar you received in January
or you can find the information
on the Township web page at
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.
Our municipal services and our
outstanding school system are only
part of our “Quality of Life” here in
Woodbridge. For those who love the
arts, the Barron Arts Center has an
aggressive schedule of concerts,
exhibits, poetry readings and special
events. The annual BarronFest arts
festival anchors our arts initiative.
And, we have stepped-up our free
Summer Concert schedule to include:
Monday Night 50’s and 60’s Oldies;
Rockin’ Tuesday 70’s & 80’s Tribute
Bands; Woodbridge Wednesday
concerts at Parker Press Park; Local
Band Thursday; and new this summer
– Country Band Sunday. The Downtown Farmer’s Market returns with
Jersey Fresh produce, specialty food
and craft vendors, the best BBQ anywhere and a whole lot more for the
upcoming market season.
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Mayor’s Pages
If you are looking for fitness and
wellness events, the Mayor’s Wellness
Campaign sponsors and promotes
the annual Crossroads race, Pizza
Run, bike tour, and many challenging
programs targeting health, wellness
and fitness through the Woodbridge
Community Center (WCC). And, it’s
never too late to sign-up for a
Membership at the all-new WCC
which is always at the leading edge
of what’s hot in the health, wellness
and fitness industry. The popular
LesMills “Group Effect” exercise
classes and personal training programs have available space for that
serious workout! The WCC offers
Zumba and boot camp fitness classes,
Healthways Sneakers Fitness for
Seniors, a full aquatics program with
swim lessons for all ages and a competitive swim team. In addition there
are roller & ice skating lessons with
open sessions for ice hockey and
roller skating and there is a weight &
aerobic center with personal training
programs, events and services targeted directly to our seniors.
and fitness programs. The WCC also
offers a full-court gymnasium, basketball court, indoor track, and so
much more. Host your 2015 party,
birthday, anniversary, project graduation or corporate event at the WCC.
The full-service, in-house WCC Café
and catering is available for all parties and events. Contact the WCC
Membership Services Coordinator at
732-596-4196. Visit our webpage at
www.njwcc.com, see us on Facebook,
or stop by the WCC at 600 Main
Street, Woodbridge.
For our younger residents, we
have our Recreation Department and
Youth Recreation Council which
covers close to 50 leagues and nearly
10,000 children. This year, we will be
offering an expanded summer camp
that will include all kinds of activities, including trips to the Highland
Grove Swim Club & Spray Park in
Fords and the newly renovated
Bowtie pool in Port Reading.
And, for our seniors, we have five
senior clubs and a dedicated outreach to those seniors who are homebound and unable to attend events.
The New Jersey Senior Olympics
return in September. Last year, more
than 1,000 Senior Olympians from
across the state traveled to Woodbridge to participate in the three-day
competition. May is Senior Month,
and we will be announcing a host of
We are very proud of what we’ve
accomplished over the past year and
look forward to the challenges of
the coming year. We recognize the
trust and confidence each and every
resident has placed in us to run your
Township. We welcome the challenges that are in front of us, and we
stand ready to tackle the issues that
we all face as a community – together,
we are “The Best Town Around.”
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
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Business News
WEDCO Targets
New Business &
Economic Development
The Woodbridge Economic
Development Corporation (WEDCO)
continues to recruit new corporations,
businesses and retail outlets interested
in making Woodbridge Township their
corporate or business home. WEDCO
provides a detailed map of available
development and redevelopment
opportunities available to corporate,
industrial and businesses looking to
invest in Woodbridge Township.
The annual WEDCO Business
Seminar & Economic Forum,
“Woodbridge: Business Development
2015 – Opportunities for the Future,”
played to a sold-out crowd in October,
2014. WEDCO and statewide business and government leaders offered
up-to-the minute information on business and redevelopment opportunities and initiatives geared to further
stimulate economic development
throughout Woodbridge Township
and the Region.
Woodbridge energy Center
project awarded #1
The CPV Woodbridge Energy
Center was named “New Jersey’s
Leading Infrastructure Project” by
the New Jersey Alliance for Action
at their annual business seminar in
February. The Alliance for Action’s
“Leading Infrastructure Project”
award program highlights innovative,
pioneering and landmark construction initiatives that impact the state’s
economy and recognize the corporate
offices, businesses, government agencies and organizations that partner to
ensure project success. Accepting the
2015 Alliance for Action Award for
the Woodbridge Energy Center
Project (L-R): Tony Mann, E-J Electric
Installations Company; Peter Vogt,
Kiewit Powers Constructors
Company; Steve Kessel, Brown &
Caldwell; Alan Davala, GE Power &
Water; Dan Nugent, CPV
(Competitive Power Ventures);
Mayor John E. McCormac; Mike
McLaughlin, Middlesex County
Building & Construction Trades
Council; Kevin Condon, AECOM;
Artie Cifelli, The Venn Group; Mike
Seelman, Ferreira Construction; Tom
Wilson, Kaufman, Zita Public
Relations; Tyler Duvall, Williams
Gas Pipeline Company; and Keith
Svensen, HatchMott McDonald.
WedCo online Commercial Real
estate directory
The WEDCO online real estate directory lists commercial and business real
estate available in Woodbridge Township. The directory, which is updated
monthly, provides specific demographic and contact information for each property. Go to www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us (WEDCO link from the Home Page)
for Woodbridge Township commercial and business real estate listings or to
learn more about locating your business/industry in Woodbridge Township.
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THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Business News
Woodbridge under Construction
The Woodbridge Redevelopment
Agency, WEDCO and the Mayor’s
Office recognized that long-term
economic planning and business
incentives, combined with significant
efforts to control the cost of municipal
government (while maintaining a
consistent level of services and programs) was key to a strong economic
future. The Administration works
with corporations, businesses and
industry to encourage growth and
expansion in Woodbridge. As a result,
several significant development and
construction projects — projects that
demonstrate that corporations and
businesses view Woodbridge as a
sound investment — are actively
underway.
Woodbridge energy Center Competitive power Venture
(CpV)
Construction of the WoodbridgeCPV Energy Center is well underway.
Situated on 27.5 acres on the Keasbey
BDA, the Woodbridge-CPV Energy
Center represents a 700 mega-watt
natural gas-fueled electric generating
facility that will produce enough
electricity to power 700,000 homes.
The Woodbridge-CPV Energy Center
employs more than 500 skilled workers
during peak construction ($60 million
payroll during construction) with more
than 25 permanent jobs when operational
($3.5 million annual payroll) in 2015.
avenel arts Village
Metropark
The Woodbridge Redevelopment
Agency recently announced plans for the
development of the Avenel Arts Village
on the site of the former General
Dynamics property in Avenel. The Avenel
Arts Village will include a transit center
with an arts complex, retail space and
residential apartments. Demolition of
the General Dynamics property, under
oversight by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, has
begun, with site work and construction
slated for later this year.
The Hampshire Company continues
to invest in MetroPark with the planned
development of a 192-room hotel; a
274-unit apartment complex; a 250,000sq. ft. office building; 17,400 sq. ft. of
retail/restaurant space; and a seven-level
parking deck. The development is
anchored by the Centra Office Complex
which opened in 2011 as an environmentally Star-Certified office building.
Main Street
HeSS
The Township has a unique opportunity to redefine downtown Woodbridge
with the right mix of retail space, restaurants, office space and high-end housing
with the future development of the 10story HESS office building and 50-plus
acres of property on upper Main Street
and Route 9. The iconic red neon HESS
refinery sign has faded from the horizon
and the famous green neon HESS sign
will soon come down from their corporate office building, but their legacy will
live in Woodbridge Township forever as
the properties are turned into future
uses that will substantially increase the
tax base and allow for a brand new
Woodbridge.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
Il Costello’s is well-underway with
the redevelopment of a one-block section of Main Street. The project includes
4,500 sq. ft. for new retail stores on Main
Street and 16 one-bedroom second-level
apartments.
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Business News
business Round-up
Got Threads N’ bling: This full-service retail outlet
celebrated the opening of their store offering the finest
custom-design, hand-crafted designer embroidery items including apparel, clothing, outerwear, hats and unique gifts located
at 106 Main Street in downtown Woodbridge with a Grand
Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on November 22, 2014.
Miller ale House: Located at the site of the former Replay
Bar on Route 9 North, Miller Ale House celebrated its Grand
Opening on November 12, 2014.
The upS Store: The UPS Store, located at 10 Main Street,
offering retail shipping, postal and printing services, opened its
Woodbridge store in October, 2014 with a Grand Opening
and Ribbon Cutting ceremony.
Mcdonald’s of Woodbridge: McDonald’s of Woodbridge,
“I’m Lovin it,” celebrated the arrival of its newest Woodbridge
Township restaurant with a Grand Opening and Ribbon
Cutting ceremony to officially open its doors at 753 St.
Georges Avenue on November 22, 2014.
14
amboy Group: The Amboy Group, a state-of-the-art food
processing and cold storage facility and leading manufacturer/
distributor of authentic “Tommy Moloney” Irish beef and Italian
meat products in the United States, announced the opening of
its $20 million Woodbridge Township-based production headquarters and distribution facility at One Amboy Avenue,
Woodbridge Township on November 14, 2014.
JR Taxation Services: JR Taxation, a full-service accounting
and tax consulting firm specializing in personal and business
tax returns and financial business plans, celebrated its Grand
Opening at its new office and business center at 363 Avenel
Street, Avenel, on January 10, 2015.
New York Italian deli: New York Italian Deli, offering topquality Italian cuisine, fresh homemade mozzarella and fullservice catering at a great value, celebrated its arrival in
Woodbridge Township at 145 Amboy Avenue with a Grand
Opening on February 21, 2015.
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Business News
Woodbridge Metro Chamber
of Commerce Sponsors
business events
Woodbridge boasts Solid
Credit & bond Rating with
S&p aa+ Rating
Since 1964, the Woodbridge
Metro Chamber of Commerce
(WMCC) has served as the first
stop for business in Woodbridge
Township. The WMCC works to
attract, locate and welcome new businesses to the Township.
Whether you are a new business locating in Woodbridge,
or an existing business seeking to increase visibility and
opportunity, the WMCC is your first stop. Contact the
Chamber at 732-636-4040 or visit the web at www.woodbridgechamber.com. A look at some of the upcoming
Chamber business events include:
The Woodbridge economy stands on sound footing
with the announcement by Standard & Poor’s assigning
Woodbridge its AA+ long-term financial credit rating.
“The rating reflects our assessment of the Township’s
very robust economy, liquidity, budgetary flexibility
and strong budgetary performance and management,”
S&P said upon issuing the report. “Woodbridge maintains a diverse local economic base with access to the
greater regional economy of the New York City metropolitan area and the Township stands as a positive
investment community with a diverse tax base, strong
wealth and income levels and low debt burden.” As a
result of the excellent financial rating, many more international, national, regional and local corporations and
businesses are making inquiries regarding business
opportunities in Woodbridge.
May 16:
Annual Chamber of Commerce Main
Street “Street Fair & Festival”
June 1:
WMCC Annual Golf Outing
Colonia Country Club
Information: 732-636-4040
buy local Supports the
Woodbridge economy
Buy Local invites Township businesses and retail outlets to
offer promotional and merchandise discounts to Buy Local
shoppers, and encourages Township residents to Buy Local
from participating businesses and retail outlets. Buy Local offers
great bargains and great products at a discount to Township
residents and local shoppers. Check out some of the great Buy
Local specialty shops in any of our Downtown Shopping areas:
Main Street in Woodbridge; New Brunswick Avenue in Fords;
Inman Avenue in Colonia; Oak Tree Road in Iselin; Avenel
Street in Avenel.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
15
Greenable Woodbridge
Tips on
being Green
Mow & Go, Cut It & leave It
Grasscycling Protects our
Environment & Saves Money
Grasscycling, the natural way to
have a green, healthy lawn while
spending less time and money, builds
a healthier, more natural lawn and
helps manage grass clippings instead
of hauling them to a landfill. A typical
lawn of 5,000 square feet generates
about 75 pounds of clippings per
mowing. In fact, the Woodbridge
Township Department of Public
Works collects more than 6,000 tons
of grass clippings each year which
costs over $375,000 in additional
landfill fees. Years of research have
shown that by mowing frequently
(5-6 times a month) and not bagging
those clippings, lawn owners can save
up to 40% of the time they spend
on routine lawn care! To learn more
visit the Township web page at
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.
Green links
The latest Greenable Woodbridge
news can be found on the Township
website at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.
Greenable Woodbridge is now on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/
GreenableWoodbridge/183102700923?
ref=nf.
To join the Green Team or to
share your green ideas, email us at
wbgreen@twp.woodbridge. nj.us.
16
Mayor McCormac Named
environmentalist of the Year
Mayor John E. McCormac was
named Environmentalist of the
Year for 2014 by the Governor’s
Environmental Excellence Awards
Program which recognizes environmental, academic, business, government, civic and citizen leaders from
across New Jersey for their commitment to protect and enhance the
state’s environment. The Governor’s
Environmental Excellence Awards
program is co-sponsored by the
NJDEP and the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology
(NJCAT), in partnership with the
State League of Municipalities.
Mayor John E. McCormac accepts the
Environmentalist of the Year Award from
NJDEP Commissioner Bob Martin and
William Dressel, Executive Director, New
Jersey League of Municipalities.
In announcing the award,
Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob
Martin noted that Mayor McCormac
has implemented environmental and
sustainable programs to protect and
restore the environment, while taking
into account Woodbridge’s economic
and financial well-being. Under
Mayor McCormac’s leadership,
Woodbridge Township received $2.4
million in rebates from the State
Board of Public Utilities to install
solar panels at six town-owned
buildings, secured $5 million in open
space funds from the county for
preservation, and implemented
single stream recycling that reduced
municipal disposal costs by $135,000
while increasing recycling by 44 percent (to 65 percent in 2013, far above
any larger town in New Jersey).
Woodridge Township has been
named the New Jersey “Sustainable
Champion” with “Silver-Level
Certification” for five consecutive
years – 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and
2009 and has been selected as a pilot
community in the national STAR
(Sustainability Tools for Assessing
and Rating Communities) Program.
Greenable Woodbridge
Selected as STaR Community
Greenable Woodbridge has been
awarded a 3-STAR (Sustainability
Tools for Assessing & Rating
Communities) Community Rating for
national leadership in Sustainability.
In announcing the award, the
Executive Director of the nationwide
STAR Program noted that sustainable
cities provide a healthy environment,
support a strong
economy, and
continually improve
the well-being of
the community.
Woodbridge Township is to be
applauded for its commitment to
sustainability and for the clarity and
transparency provided in achieving
STAR status.
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Greenable Woodbridge
attention backyard Gardeners!
looking for Seeds?
The Woodbridge Township
Environmental Commission has
established a Seed Library – one of
the first in Middlesex County – at
the Fords Branch Library (211 Ford
Avenue). Residents can check-out
small packages of seeds and plant
them in their own garden. Then, at
the end of the growing season, dry
out the seeds and bring them back
to the Seed Library where they can
be packaged and ready for the next
growing season. The Seed Library
operates on the honor system, so no
library card is needed. Email the
Woodbridge Environmental Commission at
wbenvironmentalcommission@gmail.com for more information.
Greenable Woodbridge
and M&T bank present:
Walks in the
Woodbridge Wild:
A Tour of the Ernest L. Oros
Wildlife Preserve
Greenable for Residents
Greenable Woodbridge and CielPower
Offer Home Energy Assessment Program
With the arrival of spring, it’s time to make your home more energy
efficient and to save money on energy bills. Greenable Woodbridge is
pleased to announce a partnership with CIEL Power to offer a Townshipwide Home Energy Assessment program. For a special rate of $49,
Woodbridge Township homeowners receive a comprehensive home
energy assessment and qualify for up to $5,000 in rebate(s) and/or a
$10,000 zero interest loan to cover the costs of energy-saving home
improvements. The Home Energy Assessment program can help homeowners achieve up to 30 percent savings
on their energy bills, while reducing
environmental impact. The program
covers insulation, windows, doors, heating and cooling, and hot water systems,
among other energy-saving additions
and home repair. It also improves the
value, comfort, health and safety of the
home while saving money. Contact CIEL
Power, the Township’s energy assessment
contractor, at www.cielpower.com/woodbridge for more information about the
Home Energy Assessment program.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
17
Recreation News
Recreation
department
and WCC offer
Summer Camp
Register Now for
a Summer of Fun
Attention Parents! If you’re
looking for that really cool Summer
Camp, then look no further. The allnew Recreation Department & WCC
Summer Camp program offers more
camping alternatives than any other
camp in the region. Explore the
expanded Specialty Camps or check
out the exciting new swim camps at
Highland Grove Pool & Spray Park
in Fords and Bowtie Pool in Port
Reading.
The Recreation Department
Summer Camps return to Merrill
Park in Colonia with all new expanded Specialty Sports Camps for soccer, baseball, basketball, and the hugely popular Multi-Sports camp offering
in-depth sport coaching. There’s a
camp for every child and every interest including swimming, skating, arts
& crafts, sports & specialty camps,
skyline mini-golf and nearly an endless list of incredibly fun summer
activities. So, before time runs out,
stop by the WCC (600 Main Street)
and sign up your campers for the
best and most affordable Summer
Camp experience anywhere. The
camps always fill-up quickly, so don’t
miss the early bird special. The professional Recreation Department &
WCC Summer Camp staff is waiting
for you! Visit www.njwcc.com to
learn more about the WCC Summer
Camp Program.
18
Wb Recreation department
posts Spring program Schedule
The Recreation Department has
put together an incredible list of
activities, sport programs, and special events for the spring recreation
season including Kids Fun Activities,
Buddy Ball Sports, Special Hockey,
Elite Runners Track & Field Club,
Ballet & Dancing classes,
Co-Ed Volleyball, Youth Karate &
Tae Kwon Do, Bowling, Tennis
Lessons and Adult Sports. Check
out what’s new at Recreation, visit
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us or call
732-596-4048 for a complete listing
of what Rec has to offer!
Recreation & Woodbridge artisan
Group (WaG) offer art Classes
Sign-up now for
Brushes & Beer (adult
art class) every Friday
or Playful Painting for
Young Artists, an 8-week
children’s painting class
with easy to follow
instructions. All classes
are at the WAG Artisan
Guild Gallery at 101 Main
Street.
Save the Date:
Wb Movie
Car Show
april 26, 2015
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
19
Woodbridge Community Center
20
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Woodbridge Community Center
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
21
Health News
WellNeSS
CaleNdaR
Heath department awarded
Shaping NJ Community Grant
July 8:
The Department of Health &
Human Services has been awarded
a Shaping NJ Community
Improvement Grant that will be used
to advance in-place programs and
initiatives that encourage residents to
be physically active and improve
nutrition through a healthy diet. As
physical activity levels are positively
affected by the availability of sidewalks and walking paths, the Health
Department will oversee the installation of new, and the expansion of
existing walking paths, the installation of bike racks, signage and
mileage markings, and the creation of
Walking Path brochures. The healthy
Wb pizza Run
Town Hall Starting Gun at 6:30 p.m.
Registration online at
www.raceforum.com/wbgsummer
Sept. 27:
Tour de Woodbridge bike tour
Mayor’s Council
on physical Fitness
announces Grant
program
nutrition program will target the
best practices related to organizing
healthy food donation baskets for
families in need, developing a preferred healthy food donation list, and
creating simple healthy recipes from
food donations.
The Mayor’s Council on Physical
Fitness & Sports announced the
availability of grant monies for innovative wellness projects. Eligible
applicants can apply for a grant of
between $500 and $1,500 per
project. Wellness projects include
programs, activities, or public events
designed to encourage individuals of
any age to learn about or participate
in activities that promote healthy
and physically fit lifestyles. Please
public Health day Set for april 11
The Woodbridge Department of
Health & Human Services and the
Mayor’s Wellness Campaign will
host Public Health Day on Saturday,
April 11 at the Woodbridge Health
Center (2 George Frederick Plaza)
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take advantage
of the many FREE health and wellness screenings, health provider
exhibits, fitness events, wellness
programs and so much more.
Stay tuned to The WB News and
the Township Web Page at
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us for all
the health and wellness news.
visit www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us
for more information on the Mayor’s
Council on Physical Fitness grant
program.
22
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Health News
Health department announces
Spring Clinic Schedule
The Health Department’s Nursing
Division is on-call throughout the
year to provide health clinics, screenings, and medical tests for residents.
Child Health Conference:
Physical examination, health counseling and immunizations for children
on the first, second and third
Thursday of the month.
Clinic fee: $10. You may be seen
by appointment only and must be
uninsured.
STd Clinic & HIV Testing:
Sexually transmitted disease screening, examination, counseling and
ttreatment takes place on the first
three Thursdays of the month from
1:15 - 2:15 p.m. at the Health Center.
Clinic fee: $10 resident; $20 non-resident (proof of residence required).
Free Rapid HIV testing by appointment only. Call 732-855-0600 x5012
to schedule.
STd Test:
Last Thursday of the month.
4:30 - 6 p.m. at the Health Center.
Clinic fee: $10 resident; $20 non-resident (proof of residence required).
adult Health Services:
Hypertension screening and blood
pressure test:
• 4th Tuesday of the month:
2 p.m., Health Center
• 2nd Monday of the month:
11:30 a.m., Evergreen Senior Center
• 3rd Tuesday of the month:
11 a.m., Town Hall
• 3rd Tuesday of the month:
2 p.m., Fords Branch Library
adult Vaccine (over 18):
Shingles, Hep B, and others.
Clinic fee: $24. Call for appointment
732-855-0600 x5011.
School age physicals:
For children new to the school
district without insurance.
Clinic fee: $10. Call for appointment
732-855-0600 x5011.
Child Immunization:
School-age children: Second Monday
of the month.
Clinic fee: $10. Must call to
schedule appointment.
Mayor’s Wellness
Campaign
promotes Healthy
lifestyle & Fitness
The Mayor’s Wellness Campaign
hosts events and programs that
challenge Township residents to
engage in a healthy and active
lifestyle. The Mayor’s Wellness
Campaign, with participation of the
Departments of Health & Senior
Services and Recreation, the
Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness,
the Woodbridge Community
Center (WCC), the Woodbridge
Township School District, Raritan
Bay Medical Center, and Township
businesses and corporations
committed to wellness, have put
together a series of health and
wellness events that are sure to
get everyone fit for the summer.
The Nursing Division also offers
additional Child Health Care
Services, Immunization Clinics, and
Adult & Senior Health Services.
Municipal alliance at Work
The Woodbridge Municipal Alliance tackles the tough issues by delivering
a strong and effective anti-drug message to the core audience – students.
Today, the Municipal Alliance is targeting an upsurge in heroin addiction –
particularly involving students and young adults. The Alliance, in conjunction
with TV-35, put together a Round Table discussion on Heroin addiction.
Please take time to watch the show – it is extremely informative and
offers keen insight into heroin addiction. You may watch the video at
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.
The Municipal Alliance also sponsors programs geared to reaching
Senior residents in a forum that discusses concerns and questions about
substance abuse and medical issues for Seniors. The Municipal Alliance Center
is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and offers information
on substance abuse, stress, anxiety, depression, bullying, parenting and much
more. The Alliance always appreciates volunteer help. Contact the Alliance at
732-855-0600 x5008 or email shirley.genty-vogt@twp.woodbridge.nj.us.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
Colonia High School “Hero’s & Kool Kids”
visit Colonia Middle School with their “don’t
do drugs” message.
23
Arts & Library News
The barron Report
… and, More from the barron
Free admission for events and
concerts at The Barron ($5 suggested
donation)! And, The Barron continues to give back to the community
throughout the entire year by collecting non-perishable food items and
pet supplies for We Feed Woodbridge
and the Woodbridge Animal Shelter
The Barron Arts Center Spring calendar
is now available.You don’t need to
go to New York City or Philadelphia
to experience art, culture, music, and
first-rate entertainment. It’s right here
in Woodbridge at The Barron Arts
Center. Here’s a sample of what’s on
tap for the coming entertainment
season at The Barron.
• Explore the world of Student Art at
the Student Works art exhibit on
display in April.
& Pet Adoption Center. When attending any Barron concert, exhibit or
program, please participate in the
voluntary program to keep our food
pantries stocked and our pets safe
and healthy. Get all the latest information on upcoming programs and
events by calling 732-634-0413.
Calling all
Senior artists
The annual Senior Art Show
opens in May. But you can’t
display if you don’t register.
• A Taste of the Arts Lecture Series
continues with “The History of the
Jersey Shore.”
• The ever-popular Poets Wednesday
& Poetry Workshops returns. Signup for new and returning art classes.
And there is so much more on tap at
The Barron.Visit www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us for complete listings and
registration details on all of the Barron
exhibits, concerts, classes, events, and
programs. Call 732-634-0413. Like
The Barron on FaceBook and follow
us on Twitter.
Save The date
April 18: Experience international cuisine and support the
Woodbridge Township Cultural Arts Commission at a fundraising
dinner. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling 732-634-0413
for reservations.
The cast and
crew of the
“Woodbridge
Ghost Walk”
support the
Woodbridge
Arts Alliance.
24
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Arts & Library News
A Look Back in Time:
Cross Keys Tavern
George Washington’s Visit and Inauguration
as First President of the United States
By Donald Johnstone Peck
On April 16, 1789, George Washington departed
Mount Vernon to travel the 225 miles to New York City,
stopping at the Cross Keys Tavern the night before his
inauguration. Situated on the Old Dutch or Upper Road,
the Cross Keys Tavern was a popular stopover for travelers from New York to Philadelphia.
The Cross Keys Tavern was a cradle of revolt. It was
the headquarters for the Sons of Liberty where colonists
gathered to criticize the king; merchants voiced protest
over harsh British trade restrictions; petitions were
drawn up and signed; tea boycotts organized; and militia
units formed.
Here Washington was given a tumultuous reception
by a large military company and civilian contingent,
including the first New Jersey State Governor, William
Livingston, Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard who had
commanded the militia who had arrested Royal
Governor William Franklin and many other distinguished officers as well as members of the rank and file.
The morning of April 23, 1789, Washington left
Woodbridge traveling to Elizabethtown Point and boarded an “elegantly adorned” crimson-canopied, fortyseven-foot barge crossing Newark and Lower New York
Bay. He landed to a stupendous ovation at lower
Manhattan, where he was inaugurated on April 30.
Spotlight on History:
Walk the Woodbridge
History Trail
The Woodbridge
History Trail welcomes
and informs history
buffs and visitors. The
History Trail – a total
of 46 signs – traverses
a 1.5 mile loop along
North and South
Park Drive from Pearl
Street to Mobile
Avenue on both sides of Heard’s Brook in Tanzman Park in
downtown Woodbridge. The history signs offer historical
accounts of Woodbridge from pre-Revolutionary War to
the present. Forty-one signs complete the actual History
Trail, with six signs placed at specific locations:
• Barron Estate on the grounds of the Barron Arts
Center on Rahway Ave.
• James Parker at Parker Press Park
• Schools 1&9 in front of the School District
Administration Building on School Street
• Soldiers & Sailors
Monument in the island at
the foot of Main Street
and Rahway Ave.
• Municipal Building in
front of Town Hall
• Adath Israel Synagogue
located at the site of the
Veterinary Clinic
avenel & port Reading Next
Stop on the History Tour
The Historical Association of
Woodbridge Township presents the
next tour in the continuing series of
“Historic Tours of Woodbridge.”
Board the “history” bus and
explore Avenel & Port Reading on
April 19. The bus leaves from the
Woodbridge Community Center
(600 Main Street) at 12:30 and
2:45 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person.
Registration is required. Call 732-6344500 x2126 or email wthpc1669@hotmail.com.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
our History:
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Want to learn more about Woodbridge history?
Want to participate in making our history come alive?
To become a member of the Woodbridge Historic
Preservation Commission please visit www.wthpc.org
or call 732-634-4500 x2126.
25
Arts & Library News
Woodbridge
Public Library
Woodbridge public library
Honors director ed beckerman
Get Your library
Card & explore
the universe
The Woodbridge Public Library
celebrated its 50th Anniversary in
2014. As part of the festivities, the
Library honored Ed Beckerman, the
first Director of the Woodbridge
Public Library. Under the leadership
of Director Beckerman, along with
support from the Mayor’s Office,
the Friends of the Libraries of
Woodbridge Township and Township
residents, the Woodbridge Public
Library fulfilled its mandate to provide the Woodbridge community with
literature, information, entertainment,
programs, events and other resources
needed to flourish in a complex and
changing world. Today, the Woodbridge
Township Library system includes the
The Woodbridge Public Library
has it all with more than 460,000
volumes. Looking for a good mystery? A how-to on home renovation?
A travel guide to anywhere in the
world? A biography? You’ll find all
these and more in the Library’s book
collection. Access nearly 100 years of
Woodbridge history through the
special collection of local history
materials, photographs and genealogical information or through the
online newspaper archive collection.
Special print collections include large
print, young adult, test preparation
and Adult Basic Reading.
The Library houses thousands of
movies, vintage television shows,
music albums and audiobooks – all
available for mobile and online
access through a new partnership
with hoopla digital (hoopladigital.com).
Patrons can enjoy thousands of titles
– from major Hollywood studios,
record companies, and publishers –
available to borrow for instant
streaming or temporary downloading to smartphones, tablets and
computers. Hoopla digital is offered
at no cost to patrons via browser,
Android and IOS and requires only
a Woodbridge Public Library card.
To get registered, or find out more
information, visit www.woodbridgelibrary.org or
www.hoopladigital.com.
26
Main Library in Woodbridge, and
the Fords, Henry Inman (Colonia)
and Iselin Branch Libraries. Visit
www.woodbridgelibrary.org for
information about the Woodbridge
Library and all Library events and
programs.
Meet the Friends of the libraries
of Woodbridge Township
The Friends of the Libraries of Woodbridge Township promote the activities and goals of the Woodbridge Public Library. From the Ongoing Book Sale,
which you have probably noticed at the Main Library entrance, to the Annual
Book Sale in April, the Friends work to secure quality reading material for the
community while raising funds to assist the Library and patrons. The Summer
Reading Clubs, Monthly Book Clubs and Movie Nights are just a few of the
programs courtesy of the Friends. We hope you will considering joining The
Friends. Family Membership: $10. Individual Membership: $5. Student/Senior
Membership: $4. Email: friends@woodbridgelibrary.org.
FRIeNdS oF THe lIbRaRIeS
booK Sale apRIl 23 - 26
Browse the tables, find that rare gem
of literature or just get a great novel
for the beach. There is always a huge
selection of “vintage” books on sale at
the Friends of the Libraries Book Sale
at the Woodbridge Main Library. Books
are $0.50 to $1.00.
Thursday, april 23: Friends &
Members Preview from 4 - 9 p.m.
Friday, april 24 & Saturday, april 25:
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, april 26: 1- 4 p.m.
Bag Day: Buy a $5 “Friends” Bag & fill it
with all your favorite book selections.
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
27
Public Works
Spring Clean up is Coming
Woodbridge
Now Recycles
Cooking oil
Township residents can drop
off liquid waste cooking oil (no
solids or hard fats) at the Public
Works Recycling & Convenience
Center (225 Smith Street,
Keasbey). The waste oil will be
cleaned and transformed into
American-made biodiesel fuel.
benefit of Recycling Waste
Cooking oil:
• Prevent damage to household
plumbing and reduce blockages
in municipal sewer system.
• Reduces cost of landfill
disposal.
• Eliminates risk of municipal
water contamination.
• Support renewable energy.
Free Bulk Waste Pick-Up & Garage Sale
Weekends Return in April
It’s time to clean-out the garage,
basement, or spare room! The annual
Spring Clean Up program with
permit-free Saturday/Sunday garage
sale(s) followed by free curb-side
bulk waste pick-up returns in April.
Anything you don’t sell or give away
at your garage sale, along with the
bulk items you put at the curb, will
be picked up free the following week.
Place discarded items at curbside
after 4 p.m. on Sunday after the
neighborhood garage sale weekend,
and then the bulk waste will be collected the following week. And, once
again, residents participating in the
garage sale weekend can advertise
their yard sale on the Township web
page (www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us)
free of charge – so visit our website
and advertise your yard sale or just
find out who is having the best
garage sale in town.
Bulk waste items include: furniture, wood, carpeting, appliances &
mixed metals. No hazardous waste,
tires, paint, stone/concrete/asphalt,
propane tanks or chemicals. The free
bulk waste pick-up is for Woodbridge
Township Residents only! Contact
the Recycling Office at 732-738-1311
x3035.
drop off bulk Waste for FRee at the
Township Recycling & Convenience Center
Bulk Waste Accepted: Appliances,
Mixed Metal, Bulk Waste, Concrete,
Asphalt, Brick, Brush, Leaves, Old
Propane Tanks and Electronics
(computers, monitors, scanners, PCs,
modems, printers, cables, keyboards
and televisions).
drop-off Hours:
Mon. – Fri.: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed on Sunday
Woodbridge Recycling & Convenience Center
28
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Public Works
Single Stream Recycling is Successful
Single Stream recycling, putting
all recyclables (plastic, glass, bottles
and cans, cardboard, paper) in the
same container, eliminates the need
to separate and/or bundle and substantially increases the amount of
household waste that we recycle.
Recycling is great deal for every
Woodbridge Township resident,
homeowner and business. And,
recycling is not only profitable, it’s
the right thing to do for our environment. Recycling decreases reliance on
natural resources and reduces our
carbon footprint.
publIC WoRKS
HoTlINe:
732-726-2325
Call the publIC WoRKS
HoTlINe to report potholes, illegal
housing, property maintenance violations
or other township-related concerns.
Woodbridge public Works achieves
Top State award for Recycling
The New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection presented
the Woodbridge Department of
Public Works – Office of Recycling
with the 2015 Award for
Outstanding Achievement in
Recycling. Guy Watson, Chief,
NJDEWP Bureau of Recycling &
Hazardous Waste Management
presents the award to Dennis Henry,
Director, Woodbridge Department
of Public Works.
Keep our dpW Workers
Safe - Stay back!
The DPW reminds that sanitation
trucks are at work and on the
road all the time. For everyone’s
safety, The WB News reminds
motorists and pedestrians to stay
100 feet behind trucks at work.
Let’s keep everyone safe.
See your tax mailer for the recycling guidelines…
Questions?
Call the Recycling division
at (732) 738-1311 ext. 3049
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
29
Public Works
public Works Mailbag
Dear Mr. May
or,
I would like
to bring to yo
ur attention
job the public
the wonderf
works crew
ul
did clearing
trees and lim
u
p
th
e fallen
bs on the pro
perty betwe
Road and 60
en 50 E. Clif
E. Cliff Road
f
last October.
workers we
The DPW
re exception
ally professio
diligent in cl
nal and very
earing the d
ebris that has
Hurricane S
been there si
andy. They w
nce
e
re
m
in
d
very courteo
ful of my pro
us to me. Ke
perty and
vin Teehan n
in advanced
otified me
of what work
they would
long they wo
be doing, ho
uld be there
w
,
an
d
th
e
be produced
noise that w
from the eq
o
u
ld
uipment so
prepared. O
that I would
nce finished
be
they left the
pristine con
p
roperty in
dition – the
best it looke
Supervisor K
d in years.
evin Teehan
and the men
Works Depar
of the Public
tment should
be commend
well done.
ed for a job
Sincerely,
Nancy R., Col
onia
Dear Mayor,
I have lived on Hillside
Ave. in Woodbridge for
32
years. Ever since you
have been Mayor, we
ge
t
ex
ce
llent
snow and ice service
on our street. It’s 12:30
pm and I
have seen a truck tw
ice on our street putti
ng down salt.
I just want to thank yo
u for the excellent job
you are
doing as Mayor and tak
ing care of the people
of
Woodbridge Twp. Keep
up the good work.
Janice and Alfred S.
Woodbridge
Offer Expires 12/31/15
30
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
31
Pet Corner
Shelter is looking
For a Few Good
Volunteers
The Woodbridge Animal Shelter &
Pet Adoption Center is looking for
people who care about animals and
want to help find them good homes.
Volunteers at the Shelter can help
care for the animals, take the dogs
for walks, assist in adoptions and
participate in special Shelter events.
There are opportunities available
for just about everyone, so contact
the Shelter today at 732-855-0600
x2034.
Email: animalshelter@twp.woodbridge.nj.us
Volunteer Hub: http://was.volunteerhub.com/events/Index
REMINDER…
pick-up after
Your pet
The Health Department and
Animal Control remind pet owners
to please be considerate of others by
cleaning up after your pet. Animal
droppings are not only unsightly but
they also pose a health risk and can
transmit disease. Township ordinance
requires that owners/animal handlers
remove all pet droppings and properly
dispose of the droppings in a sealed
leak-proof container or bag. Thank
you for being a responsible pet
owner – it keeps Woodbridge
beautiful and healthy.
32
Spring into Spring with a New pet
Woodbridge Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption
Looking for that purrfect pet as a
new companion? Shelter dogs make
the best pets! And it’s easy to adopt.
But, before you adopt, the staff and
volunteers at the Woodbridge Animal
Shelter & Pet Adoption Center
encourage adopting families to meet
and greet their new pet in the comfortable and toy-filled family pet &
play center. When it’s time to take
your new pet home, just fill out the
adoption form and the staff will complete the arrangements. If you can’t
get to the shelter and want to see our
pets or obtain an adoption form, visit
the Woodbridge Township web page
at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us and
click on “Animal Shelter & Pet
Adoption Center.” You’ll be glad you
did. If you’re interested in helping us
take care of our animal guests and
friends and want to volunteer, simply
call the shelter at 732-855-0600 x5007
or contact our volunteer coordinator
at 732-636-4580.
Woodbridge Animal Shelter and Pet
Adoption Center
Shelter Hours
The Woodbridge Township
Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption
Center is open Monday through
Saturday located at 195 Woodbridge
Avenue in Sewaren.
732-726-7035
Monday
1 - 3 p.m.
Tuesday
5 - 8 p.m.
Wednesday
1 - 3 p.m.
Thursday
5 - 8 p.m.
Friday
1 - 3 p.m.
Saturday
Noon - 4 p.m.
FRee Rabies Clinic Set for May 11 & 13
Calling all Dogs and Cats! The Woodbridge Department
of Health & Human Services and the Animal Shelter & Pet
Adoption Center are offering a FREE rabies clinic for all
Township dogs and cats on May 11 & 13 from 6 to 8 p.m.
at the Woodbridge Health Center. All dogs and cats over six
months of age must be licensed. Licensing and vaccinating your
pet protects your family and helps in the return of your pet if
it should get lost. For more information on pet licensing please
visit www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Pet Corner
paw prints with WaG
(Woodbridge Animal Group)
april 11
WAG Yard Sale
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All proceeds benefit WAG
May 1
WAG “Tricky Tray” Benefit
Be a WAG Volunteer: woodbridgeanimalgroup@yahoo.com
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/
WoodbridgeanimalGroup
Microchip Your pet
New Shelter Service Targets Pet Safety
The Department of Health & Human Services and the Woodbridge Animal
Shelter & Pet Adoption Center now offers micochipping for pets. New pet
owners can receive microchipping at time of adoption from the Woodbridge
Animal Shelter or plan to go to the microchip clinic at the Health Center on
May 11 from 7 – 8 p.m. A $25 fee includes the microchip, lifetime pet id and
registration with the national pet recovery database (Home Again). Stop by
the Animal Shelter or call 732-855-0600 x5007 for more information.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
license Your Cat;
It’s the law
The Animal Shelter & Pet
Adoption Center is taking in more
cats than ever before, so it’s even
more important that cat owners
license their feline friends before
they reach seven months of age. The
2014 cat licensing season began on
September 1. All cats must have a
current rabies vaccination to be
licensed – which protects your cat,
as well as other animals and even
people, from acquiring this potentially
fatal disease. If your cat is spayed or
neutered, it will cost less to license
($13 spayed/$23 non-spayed).
Cats that are spayed will generally
be calmer and roam less and, of
course, will not add to the current
over population. If your cat is not
licensed, please call the Woodbridge
Health Department at 732-8550600 x5004 for more information
or visit the Township website
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.
33
Seniors’ News
SENIORWaTCH
Save the date! Senior Month Coming in May
Know Who’s Knocking
at the door
Senior Month 2015 kicks off in
May! This year, Senior Month
includes the 9th Annual Mayor’s
Senior Summit in conjunction with
the Active Older Adult Lifestyle
Expo sponsored by the WCC on
May 6. Senior Month highlights
include symposiums that target
timely and current Senior issues and
concerns, emphasis on Senior Health
& Wellness with programs such as
the Aging Well, Living Well Brown
Bag lunch series, health clinics,
fitness events, and information
sessions just for Seniors.
The spring not only brings sunshine and warm temperatures, it also
arrives with scams and cheats looking
to take advantage of Senior homeowners. The Division on Aging and the
WPD caution Senior residents to
Know Who’s Knocking at the Door
and to make sure people claiming to
be public utility workers, or other
types of public service employees,
salespersons, or anyone selling a home
repair or construction service, are in
fact who they say they are. Always
keep your door locked and request
identification or official credentials.
And, don’t hesitate to contact the
WPD to come to the house to check
the ID of anyone trying to gain entry
without a prescheduled appointment
or proper identification. Call the WPD
at: 732-634-7700 or the Division on
Aging at 732-855-0600.
For more information
about Senior Month 2015,
call the Mayor’s Office at
732-602-6015 or visit
the Township web page at
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us
all-New SeniorSize with
Caroline and TV-35
SENIORSIZE with Caroline. The
Mayor’s Wellness Campaign urges
senior fitness buffs to turn on TV-35
every morning at 8 a.m. and afternoons at 4:30 p.m. for all-new exercise
routines just for Seniors. SENIORSIZE
is all about Senior health and wellness.
Join Caroline and TV-35 every day for
SENIORSIZE. You’ll be glad you did.
34
enlist Now! Wpd Senior police
academy patrols in May
The WPD Senior Police Academy
is a five-week course designed to
increase communication, understanding and awareness with senior
residents, the WPD, and the public.
Highlights and topics of the Academy
include: crime prevention information; tour of the WPD and Municipal
Court; training as a civilian observer
(ride with a WPD officer); firearms
demonstration; and graduation. To
learn more or to register for the WPD
Senior Citizen Police Academy,
contact the WPD Community Affairs
Office at 732-726-2318 or visit to the
Woodbridge Township web page at
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.
A new class is being held in the
Spring of 2015. Applications can be
downloaded from the Township web
page at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us,
or can be picked up at Town Hall,
the Police Department, Woodbridge
Community Center, Evergreen Senior
Center, or the Housing Authority.
Class size is limited to 25 people and
is on a first come, first served basis.
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Seniors’ News
Meals on Wheels available
Meals on Wheels provides a home-delivered hot noon
meal and a cold supper every Monday through Friday
from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Woodbridge Township Senior
residents 60 years of age or older are eligible. There is
a $5 contribution for the daily meal service (no Senior
resident will be denied service
if unable to make the contribution). To apply, call Barbara
Lemchak in the Meals on
Wheels office at the Woodbridge Health Center at
732-634-4141 daily between
9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Important phone
Numbers for Seniors
evergreen Senior Center
732-726-6262 x5023
Multi-Service on aging
732-726-6262
N.J. department of Health
& Senior Services
800-792-8820
Social Security, Iselin Office
800-772-1213
Medicare
800-633-4227
Social Security
800-772-1213
pharmaceutical assistance (PAAD)
609-792-9745
Home energy assistance
program (HEAP)
800-510-3102
National do Not Knock - do Not Call
888-382-1222
better business bureau
609-588-0808
Mary Lou Pettigrew and the Meals on Wheels volunteers received
a Proclamation from the Municipal Council for their service to
Woodbridge Township Senior homebound residents.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
Woodbridge police department
732-634-7700
35
Veterans’ News
Important Information
for all Veterans
Visit the official website of the
New Jersey Department of
Military & Veterans Affairs at
www.state.nj.us/military.
New Jersey Veterans
Memorial Home at Menlo Park
(732) 452-4272
State Veterans Service
officers – Middlesex/
Somerset
(732) 937-6347/48
Va Hotline for
General benefits
(800) 827-1000
Veterans employment office
(732) 937-6205
Middlesex County
Veterans Services
(732) 745-4051
Va Clinic – New brunswick
(732) 729-9555
lyons Veterans Facility
(908) 647-0180
east orange Veterans Facility
(973) 676-1000
New Jersey department of
Military and Veterans affairs
(800) 624-0508
Veterans Cemetery
(Arneytown) (800) 624-0508
36
attention Returning Veterans:
Sansone-Woodbridge Military Assistance
Center is Open for Business
The Sansone-Woodbridge Military
Assistance Center partners with
Woodbridge-area businesses and education institutions to assist returning
Veterans, National Guard members,
Reservists and spouses with securing
employment and advancing educational opportunities. The SansoneWoodbridge Military Assistance Center
and Director Ron Davie (US Navy
Veteran and Commander, American
Legion T. Nulty Post #471) are available
to assist Veterans by locating the
resources available to military personnel and spouses. Located in the
Mayor’s Office, the SWBMAC offers:
vocational and career training grants;
employment and job-search coaching;
post-service Veteran education assistance; Veterans employer subsidies;
social media networking and guidance
on available federal, state, county and
local programs available to Veterans.
For more information contact
Ron.davie@twp.woodbridge.nj.us,
call 732-634-4500 x2037 or visit
www.woodbridgeveterans.org.
Thousands line Main Street
to Salute Township Veterans
The Woodbridge Veteran’s Day
Parade stepped-off from St. James
Church on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014 with
thousands of spectators lining the
Main Street parade route. Township
veterans and active-duty military
personnel from all branches of service proudly marched along with representatives from Township veterans
organizations: Woodbridge American
Legion Post # 87; American Legion T.
Nulty Post # 471; Colonia American
Legion Post # 248; Avenel Detachment,
U.S. Marine Corps League; VFW
Hopelawn Memorial Post # 1352;
VFW Colonia Memorial Post # 6061;
VFW Avenel Memorial Post # 7164;
VFW Woodbridge Memorial Post
# 4410; VFW Iselin Memorial Post
# 2636; VFW Fords Memorial Post
# 6090; Disabled American War
Veterans Woodbridge Chapter # 56;
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla
4-4 Sewaren; Woodbridge Township
Veterans Alliance. Participants also
included public service and emergency response units, scouting,
youth, civic and historic organizations, the Woodbridge High School
marching band, the Black Hawk
Drum & Bugle Corps and parade
dignitaries participating in honoring
our Veterans and military heroes.
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Veterans’ News
Support our Troops Rally Set for May 20
The annual Support Our Troops
rally is set for Wednesday, May 20
at George Frederick Plaza (next to
the Woodbridge Public Library). The
families of military personnel and
area veterans, along with local residents, are invited to attend the rally
to honor and recognize Woodbridgearea troops serving overseas. The
Support Our Troops rally not only
recognizes active-duty military
serving our country, but the past
service and heroic contributions of
Woodbridge Township veterans.
Historical association
Sponsors Military
Walk of Honor
The Historical Association of
Woodbridge Township recently
installed the latest commemorative
bricks at the Woodbridge Soldiers &
Sailors Monument across from Town
Hall on Rahway Avenue. There is still
room for more bricks. To honor the
service of a member of the military,
contact Frank LaPenta and the
HAWT Monument Committee at
6 Baker Street, Iselin, NJ 08830.
Woodbridge Veterans greet the
students at Menlo Park Terrace
School #19 to talk about the
importance of Veterans Day.
The 3rd Grade Class at Kennedy Parks
School #24 sponsored a Valentine’s
Day “Cupid Card” campaign to assist
the American Legion T. Nulty Post
#471 Blue Star Family send cards,
letters, and care packages to military
personnel serving overseas.
Honor Your Hero with a banner
The Hometown Hero Project will place Hero banners on the downtown
Main street areas in Woodbridge, Colonia, Fords, Port Reading, Iselin and other
high traffic areas. Sponsored by the T. Nulty American Legion Post 471, the
Hometown Hero Project honors the men and women of the military who
are active duty members, honorably discharged veterans (living or deceased),
KIA or POW/MIA, and who have established roots to Woodbridge Township.
Contact Karen Neary at 732-738-4694 or email countrykar@aol.com.
For information on the purchase of Hometown Hero banners.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
37
Youth & Education
april Is Youth Month! bigger & better
Than ever!
MaC-e at Work
The Mayor’s Advocacy
Committee for Education (MAC-E)
strives to improve the quality of
education for the more than
13,000 students attending all 24
schools throughout Woodbridge
Township. The mission of MAC-E is
to energize and support a partnership between the local business
community, Woodbridge Township
schools and the Mayor’s Office.
MAC-E views its work as an effective way to impact and enhance
the academic experience of district
students, and stands as an advocate in broadening the educational
experience of students by presenting them with options for real
world career opportunities and
the skills necessary to productively
and successfully participate in
today’s workplace. Contact
Bernadette Sohler, Middlesex
Water Company, at 732-6387549 to learn more about MAC-E.
Mayor John E. McCormac and Dr.
Seuss’ “Cat-In-The-Hat” arrive at Oak
Ridge Heights School #21 for “Read
Across America Day.”
38
April is Youth Month, a
month when we recognize and
celebrate our youth with funfilled events & shows, recreational activities, health & fitness
programs, educational seminars
and so much more. Here’s just
a sampling of the many events
that are on tap for Youth Month
2015.
april 11: little league
opening day
Merrill Park; Fords Clara
Barton; Woodbridge; Little
Fellows of Colonia
april 12: National library Week
april 18: Multi-Cultural & earth
day Festival at WCC
april 19: Mayor’s Youth
Volunteer awards
at WCC
april 23: bring Your Child
to Work day
Learn about pet care at “Kids &
Pets” interactive classes at the
Woodbridge Animal Shelter & Pet
Adoption Center. Join us to party at
the Municipal Alliance Spring formal
at the Evergreen Youth Center. There
will be special Youth Month events at
the Woodbridge Community Center
(WCC) and a student art show at
The Barron Arts Center. All in all,
more than 60 events geared to young
people are scheduled for Youth Month
2015. Check all of the Youth Month
activities at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.
Youth Month photos…
Top Left: Big Wheels
Right: Youth Volunteer Awards
Bottom Left: Crossroads 5K Run
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Youth & Education
Woodbridge Community
Youth players announce
auditions
big Wheels day is april 8
The Woodbridge Community Youth Players, a summer stock theatre group of local actors and actresses,
are looking for talent and will hold auditions in May
2015 for the Summer performance of Hairspray.
Opening July 22 - 26, 2015 at the newly renovated
theatre at Woodbridge Middle School. Read The WB
News, like us at the WCYP Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wcyp.inc or visit www.woodbridgecommunityyouthplayers.org for information
on try-outs, auditions, and tickets. The WCCYP
“Have Magic to Perform... Just for You.”
Career Fair 2015
Plan for the Future of Tomorrow... Today
Calling all High School Seniors and Juniors! Career
Fair 2015 is set for Friday, May 29, 2015 from 8:30 a.m.
to noon at the Woodbridge Community Center (WCC).
Career Fair 2015 offers students an opportunity to
speak one-on-one to career service representatives and
to learn about future career opportunities. Explore career and business opportunities in Health
Care, Restaurants & Hospitality,
Emergency Services, Retail,
Banking, Manufacturing, Trades,
and Government.
Career
Fair
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
39
Police & Public Safety
Wpd appoints Six New police officers
Wpd NaRCaN
program Saves lives
Woodbridge Township Police
Officer Christopher McClay, who
had just undergone training in the
use of Narcan, saved the lives of two
overdose victims over five days earlier this year. Narcan, also known as
nasal naloxone, is an opioid-reversal
drug recently approved for use by
law enforcement to help save heroin
and opioid users from death by overdose. Officer McClay responded to
the first incident on January 21 after
the WPD Command Center received
a 911 call about a 25-year-old
woman who had overdosed on narcotics in a home in the Colonia section. The second incident took place
on January 25, after the WPD
received a 911 call about an unconscious person in a parking lot in the
Iselin section of Woodbridge
Township. The WPD has completed
training of all officers in the use of
Narcan.
Mayor John E. McCormac
and Police Director Robert
Hubner welcomed six new
police officers to the ranks
of the Woodbridge Township Police Department
(WPD) during a Town Hall
swearing-in ceremony on
February 12. The new officers completed the statemandated police training
program at the Mercer
Pictured from left: Captain Roy Hoppick, Deputy Director
County Police Training
Joseph Nisky with new officers William G. Schneider,
Academy and have takenMario Aochoa, Joseph R. Nisky, Cory Oberberger, Nirav
up patrol assignments.
Patel, Carl Kaasik, Police Director Robert Hubner and
The appointments were
Mayor John E. McCormac.
approved after each recruit
successfully completed an
extensive testing and eligibility process overseen by the New Jersey
Department of Personnel, Department of Community Affairs, and the
Woodbridge Police Department interview team.
Wpd police officer Michael Csanyi
Named officer of the Year
The WPD recognized Police Officer
Michael Csanyi, Radio Patrol Division,
as 2014 Police Officer of the Year. PO
Csanyi employs a proactive approach
to policing to include patrol responsibilities, criminal investigation, arrest
procedures, and motor vehicle safety
enforcement. While conducting patrol
responsibilities, PO Csanyi encountered an emotionally-disturbed indi-
vidual with a propensity for violence
and effectively and without incident
calmed the individual without escalating the situation. In another patrolrelated encounter, PO Csanyi arrived
at the scene of a large group of intoxicated individuals and immediately
de-escalated the situation without
further incident.
WPD Officer Christopher McClay
exhibits the Narcan kit used to save
the lives of two individuals who had
overdosed on heroin.
40
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Police & Public Safety
See a Crime,
Report a Crime
The Woodbridge Police Department has established a special hotline to report suspicious or criminal
activity. Call the WPD Crime Tip
Hotline at 732-855-TIPS (8477) to
report a crime.
dVRT looking For a Few Good Volunteers
The Woodbridge Township Domestic Violence Response Team, an all-volunteer
community-based assistance program, is seeking new members. Township residents
who want to make a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence are
encouraged to apply. Applicants will be required to complete an application and undergo an interview and criminal background check and complete a 40-hour training
course. Team members are required to be available for 12-hour shifts from 6 a.m. to
6 p.m. or from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. For more information call 732-634-4500 x2802 or
visit www.woodbridgedvrt.org.
Wpd participates in
drug Take back program
Looking to get rid of expired and unwanted
prescription medications? Just go to the
Woodbridge Police Department (WPD) and
deposit unwanted prescription drugs in the
Project Medicine Drop Box. The WPD accepts
expired, unused and unwanted prescription
drugs that are potentially dangerous if left in
the family medicine cabinet. Woodbridge residents can bring unused and expired prescription drugs (if possible in the original prescription container), powders, pills, liquids and
unused medication needles and syringes to
the Woodbridge Police Department Reception
Room located in the lower lobby, Town Hall,
One Main Street. For more information
contact the WPD at 732-634-7700.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
Municipal
Court News Have a question about
Municipal Court? Call 732-636-6430 or 732-634-4500
or go to the Municipal Court webpage
at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/court.
did you know?
Paying a traffic ticket is more convenient now than ever before. Pay
at Town Hall on weekdays (Monday
through Friday) from 8:45 a.m. to
4 p.m. Pay online at NJMCdirect.com,
use the convenient drop box outside
Town Hall or pay by mail.
Municipal Court
office Hours
Mon., Wed. & Thurs.
from 8:45 a.m. – 4 p.m.
❖ ❖ ❖
Mon., Wed. & Thurs.
6:45 p.m. to end of
Court session
❖ ❖ ❖
Tues., from 8:45 a.m. to
end of court session
❖ ❖ ❖
Fri., 8:45 a.m. – 4 p.m.
41
Police & Public Safety
don’t Wait
For disaster;
Register for
CodeRed
The Office of Emergency
Management has implemented the
CodeRed emergency notification
system. If you would like to be
contacted on your home, business,
cell, VolP phone, or TTY/TDD
system, you must register the
phone number(s) with the Woodbridge Township Office of Emergency Management. Please note
that the service being offered is for
Woodbridge Township residences
and businesses only. Visit the
Township web page at
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us to
register for CodeRed notification.
NOTE: If you previously completed a
CodeRed or Reverse 9-1-1 registration
form you DO NOT need to re-register.
Woodbridge Fire department
Swears In Seven New Career Firefighters
Congratulations to Woodbridge
Fire Department’s (WFD) newest firefighters. The WFD provides public
safety services to more than 22,000
residents of Woodbridge Proper and
Sewaren. The response area includes
residential, condominiums/town-
houses, industrial, retail, high-rise
office buildings, two senior citizen
buildings, a nursing home, five
schools and one of the largest shopping malls in the northeast. The WFD
responds to an average of 800 alarms
annually.
Fire Commissioners
Todd Howell & John
Kenny, Fire Officers
Antonio Neves,
Brendan Wagner,
Michael Walsh, Jayson
Bullock, Michael
Magda, Patrick
Drumm, TJ Kane,
Fire Commissioners
Robert Minkler and
Patrick Kenny.
CeRT Wants You
In the aftermath of recent emergency events, the Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT)
has been assigned more public safety
responsibilities and is now looking
for a few good Woodbridge
Township volunteers. CERT volunteers receive extensive emergency
response and preparedness training
and assist police, firefighters, EMT’s and
emergency responders
during time of disas-
ter. To become a member of the
Woodbridge Township CERT you
must be at least 18 years of age and
have a valid NJ driver’s license. To
obtain an application, or to learn
more about the CERT program and
how you can be part of a community
preparedness team, please visit
www.woodbridgecert.org.
The Woodbridge
Township CERT Team
and the Office of
Emergency Management
are ready for
any emergency.
42
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS. • S p r i n g 2 01 5
Around the Town
downtown Farmer’s
Market Returns in June
Vendors Wanted for Expanded Market,
Shop “Jersey Fresh” Every Wednesday
at Parker Press Park
The Woodbridge
Farmer’s Market
returns every
Wednesday afternoon to Parker
Press Park. This
season the WB
Farmers Market has
expanded with more “Jersey Fresh” farmers offering
fresh-from-the-field vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants,
and organic specialties. Market vendors include: Good
Tree Farm; Pops Farm Market; Benson Barbecue; The
Chuckwagon; Empenada Lady; and specialty vendors
Jaker’s Pickles, La Bonbonniere Bake Shoppe, J.J. Bitting
Brewing Company Beer & Wine Garden, Rita’s Ice and
Bahama Breeze. The Farmer’s Market is open every
Wednesday from 3 - 8 p.m. There is free Parking at the
NJT train station parking lot at Parker Press Park.
S p r i n g 20 15 • THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
It’s Quick, It’s easy.
It’s Safe.
Pay your tax and sewer
bill at the convenient
drop-off box outside
Town Hall. Just drive-up,
drop-off and go.
43
THE WOODBRIDGE NEWS.
1 Main Street • Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095
eCRWSS
poSTal CuSToMeR
Presort Std
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 1774
New Brunswick, NJ