East Brunswick was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 28, 1860, from portions of both Monroe Township and North Brunswick Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Washington town within the township (February 23, 1870; became independent as South River on February 28, 1898), Helmetta (March 20, 1888), Milltown (January 29, 1889) and Spotswood (April 15, 1908).[24]
The L.J. Smith Farmhouse, now the headquarters for the East Brunswick Historical Society
The general area of central New Jersey was originally occupied by the LenapeNative Americans. According to a 1677 bill of sale now in the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, New Jersey, Thomas Lawrence, a New York baker, purchased thousands of acres of land from local Native Americans named Querameck, Kesyacs, Isarick, Metapis, Peckawan, and Turantecas.
In this document, the area is called Piscopeek, which later become known as Lawrence Brook, after its purchaser. Around the late 17th century, settlers began arriving in the northern part of East Brunswick, and by the mid-19th century, a small settlement had formed in the southeastern part, known as the Old Bridge section of the town, an area that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, the Old Bridge Historic District.[28][29]
The area today known as East Brunswick was incorporated in 1860 from parts of North Brunswick and Monroe townships, including the community of Old Bridge.[24] Originally a farming community, suburban settlement started in the 1930s with improved road access. Large scale housing and road construction, especially after World War II, transformed East Brunswick into a more suburban community. The extension of the New Jersey Turnpike to East Brunswick in 1952 led to a sharp spike in population growth, with the 1950 Census population of 5,699 more than tripling to 19,965 as of the 1960 enumeration.[29]
In the early 1970s, a citizens group called Concerned Citizens of East Brunswick sued the New Jersey Turnpike Authority over a proposed major widening project. The citizens group effectively won the case, gaining concessions in turnpike design, scale and mitigation measures for noise and air quality. The citizens group presented technical data from their own experts and prevailed in what was one of the earliest technical confrontations regarding urban highway design related to environmental factors in U.S. history.[30]
East Brunswick was also the site of the gunfight at Turnpike exit 9 shortly after midnight on May 2, 1973, in which a car being driven by Zayd Malik Shakur (born James F. Costan), with Assata Shakur (formerly JoAnne Chesimard) and Sundiata Acoli (born Clark Squire) as passengers, was stopped on the New Jersey Turnpike State Trooper James Harper, backed up by Trooper Werner Foerster in a second patrol vehicle. After Zayd Shakur was asked to step out of the car to address a discrepancy in his identification, a shootout ensued in which Trooper Foerster was shot twice in the head with his own gun and killed, Zayd Shakur was killed, and both Assata Shakur and Trooper Harper were wounded.[31]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 22.36 square miles (57.91 km2), including 21.78 square miles (56.42 km2) of land and 0.57 square miles (1.48 km2) of water (2.56%).[1][2]
The township lies on exit 9 of the New Jersey Turnpike. Its Municipal Building, named for 1970s Mayor Jean Walling, is located 31 miles (50 km) southwest of New York City's Times Square and 49 miles (79 km) northeast of Center City, Philadelphia. It takes approximately 45–60 minutes to reach Midtown Manhattan in New York City or Center City, Philadelphia, depending on traffic and destination.[32]Route 18 runs through the eastern part of the township, as it serves as a vital route in Central Jersey for access to the Jersey Shore and interior parts of the state. East Brunswick's pristine suburbs and its convenience to major highways for leisure and for work, have contributed to it being a popular place for New York City commuters.[20]
East Brunswick is located in the heart of the Raritan Valley region, as the township is located right on the southern shore of the Raritan River. The Lawrence Brook, a major tributary of the Raritan River, runs along the western border of the township. Farrington Lake[33] and Westons Mill Pond are sections of the Lawrence Brook that have been widened by the presence of man-made dames. The South River, another major tributary of the Raritan River, runs along the eastern border of the township near the historic village of Old Bridge. The Manalapan Brook's watershed (a tributary of the South River) encompasses much of the southern half of the township near Spotswood and Monroe, whereas the aforementioned Lawrence Brook's watershed encompasses much of the northern half of the township near Milltown and the other Brunswicks.[34][35]
The 2010 United States census counted 47,512 people, 16,810 households, and 13,179 families in the township. The population density was 2,189.6 per square mile (845.4/km2). There were 17,367 housing units at an average density of 800.4 per square mile (309.0/km2). The racial makeup was 69.36% (32,954) White, 3.98% (1,890) Black or African American, 0.10% (48) Native American, 22.80% (10,835) Asian, 0.01% (6) Pacific Islander, 1.68% (798) from other races, and 2.06% (981) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.70% (3,184) of the population.[21]
Of the 16,810 households, 37.2% had children under the age of 18; 65.8% were married couples living together; 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 21.6% were non-families. Of all households, 19.0% were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.23.[21]
24.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 32.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.4 males.[21]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $100,655 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,929) and the median family income was $110,948 (+/− $3,838). Males had a median income of $80,527 (+/− $3,109) versus $54,162 (+/− $2,066) for females. The per capita income for the township was $41,518 (+/− $1,366). About 3.0% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.[49]
Of the 16,372 households, 40.5% included children under the age of 18, 68.6% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.1% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.23.[47][48]
In the township the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.[47][48]
The median income for a household in the township was $75,956, and the median income for a family was $86,863. Males had a median income of $60,790 versus $38,534 for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,286. 2.8% of the population and 2.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.1% of those under the age of 18 and 5.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.[47][48]
Opened in 1970, Brunswick Square Mall is a single-story regional shopping mall, located on the corner of Route 18 and Rues Lane. The mall is currently anchored by Macy's and JCPenney and it has a gross leasable area (GLA) of 769,041 sq ft (71,446.2 m2).[54][55][56] Outside of Brunswick Square, the township itself has many other shopping malls and plazas, mostly dotted on Route 18. There are some other notable shopping destinations near East Brunswick, including the Menlo Park Mall in Edison, Woodbridge Center in Woodbridge, the Freehold Raceway Mall in Freehold, and The Shoppes in Old Bridge.
The Tower Center complex includes two 23-story office towers, a 12-story Hilton Hotel, located near the intersection of the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 18. The two towers are among the tallest structures in Central Jersey, and can be seen for several miles.[57] In March 2023, Bengaluru-based technology services and consulting company Wipro opened its American international headquarters in the Tower Center.[58]
Giamarese Farm & Orchards is a family-owned business covering 35 acres (14 ha) and dating to 1941. It is a popular seasonal attraction for East Brunswick residents, located on Fresh Ponds Road in the southern section of the township.[59]
Arts and culture
East Brunswick is home of Playhouse 22, a volunteer-run community theater, housed at the Elliott Taubenslag Theater at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center.[60]
Founded in 2019, the East Brunswick Arts Coalition supports arts and cultural organizations such as the East Brunswick Museum, East Brunswick Arts Commission, Playhouse 22, the East Brunswick Historical Society and the East Brunswick Human Relations Council.[61] Harvest Fest is an annual outdoor festival hosted by the East Brunswick Arts Coalition and located in the township's beautiful historic district. The festival typically showcases food vendors, art and craft vendors, a beer garden, live music, and more.[62]
In July 2021, the film Shiv Shastri Balboa starring Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta was filmed in East Brunswick.[66]
Parks and Recreation
Watertower-like sign near the entrance of Heavenly Farms
While there are no major county or state parks within East Brunswick's borders, there is still a nice assortment of recreational activities in the township.
On the border of East Brunswick and South Brunswick is the Ireland Brook Conservation area, a 22,651,200 sq ft (2,104,370 m2) nature preserve of forests, fields, nature trails, and wetlands, near the Ireland Brook (a tributary of the Lawrence Brook within the much larger Raritan Valley region).[67]
Heavenly Farms is the largest park operated by the township's division of recreation. It features baseball and softball fields, bike trails, a disc golf course, a dog park, football fields, lacrosse fields, and lighted soccer fields.
Youth of East Brunswick playing soccer
Crystal Springs Family Waterpark is an aquatic center that hosts 5 various size pools, a splash park, water slides, a lazy river, and more recreational activities.[68] The park opened in 1994[69] and was the first municipal waterpark in New Jersey.[70] The park was built on the site of parts of Dallenbach Lake.[71]
Smaller parks in the township include the township's Community Park, along with Bicentennial Park, Country Lane Park, Crandall Play Area, Dideriksen Park, Frost Woods, Great Oak Park, Keystone Park, Lenape Park, Pine Ridge Park, Riva Avenue Park, Sadowski Play Area, Tices Lane Park, Volunteer and Veterans Park, Washington Heights Park, and Welsh Park.[72]
Law and government
Local government
The Township of East Brunswick was established in 1860. Since January 1, 1965, the Township has operated within the Faulkner Act under the Mayor-Council Plan E form of municipal government,[6][73][74] which is used in 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide.[75] The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the five-member Township Council, with all members elected at-large as part of the November general election in even-numbered years. The mayor and two council seats are up for vote together during Presidential election years, with the other seats up for vote two years later. Serving on a part-time basis as the chief executive of the community, the Mayor votes only in the case of a tie on a vote by the Township Council and can veto ordinances, but vetoes can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the council. The Township Council adopts ordinances; adopts a budget after review and revisions; makes appropriations; sets taxes and bond issues; creates and abolishes jobs via ordinance; sets salaries and establishes municipal policy. The council has the authority to initiate hearings for the purposes of gathering information for ordinance making, airing public problems and supervising the spending of its appropriations.[76]
As of 2024[update], the mayor of East Brunswick is Democrat Brad J. Cohen, whose term of office ends December 31, 2024.[3] Members of the Township Council are Council President Kevin McEvoy (D, 2026), Council Vice President Dana Zimbicki (D, 2024; elected to serve an unexpired term), Dinesh Behal (D, 2024), James Wendell (D, 2026) and Dana Winston (D, 2026).[77][78][79][80][81]
Dana Zimbicki was appointed in February 2022 to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that was vacated the previous month by Michael Spadafino.[82] Zimbicki served on an interim basis until the November 2022 election, when voters chose her to serve the remainder of the term of office.[79]
In February 2021, the Township Council appointed Dinesh Behal from a list of three candidates submitted by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Sterley Stanley until he resigned from office the previous month to take office in the New Jersey General Assembly; Behal served on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[83][80]
Elected as a Republican, James Wendell announced in July 2017 that he was switching parties, giving Democrats control of the Township Council.[84]
In February 2014, the Township Council appointed Michael Spadafino to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Nancy Pinkin, until she stepped down the previous month to take office in the New Jersey General Assembly.[85] In the November 2014 general election, Spadafino was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[86]
David Stahl served as mayor from his election in 2012 until his resignation on January 14, 2016, when he left office to take on a judge position in nearby Woodbridge Township.[87] The Township Council appointed Kevin McEvoy, a former history teacher at East Brunswick High School and trustee of the East Brunswick Public Schools, to serve the balance of Stahl's term as mayor that expired in December 2016; McEvoy stated that he would not run to serve a full term as mayor.[88]
Republicans took control of the Township Council for the first time in 14 years in 2010, as Camille Ferraro, Mike Hughes and James Wendell swept the three seats that were up for election, with voter sentiment focused on controversy over a redevelopment plan for a parcel of land known as the "Golden Triangle".[89] Hughes, the youngest council member ever elected, said the stalled project was keeping property taxes disproportionately high on residents and called for revitalization of business.[90]
Federal, state and county representation
East Brunswick Township is located in the 12th Congressional District[91] and is part of New Jersey's 18th state legislative district.[92][93][94]
Middlesex County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners, whose seven members are elected at-large on a partisan basis to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in January, the board selects from among its members a commissioner director and deputy director.[100] As of 2025[update], Middlesex County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year, and residence listed in parentheses) are:
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 31,297 registered voters in East Brunswick Township, of which 9,957 (31.8%) were registered as Democrats, 5,298 (16.9%) were registered as Republicans and 16,024 (51.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 18 voters registered to other parties.[116]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 55.9% of the vote (11,848 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 42.8% (9,064 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (275 votes), among the 21,332 ballots cast by the township's 31,870 registered voters (145 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 66.9%.[122][123] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 55.3% of the vote (12,817 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 43.0% (9,967 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (238 votes), among the 23,187 ballots cast by the township's 32,144 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.1%.[120] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 53.8% of the vote (12,016 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 45.1% (10,069 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (163 votes), among the 22,348 ballots cast by the township's 30,364 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 73.6.[121]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 62.3% of the vote (7,849 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 36.4% (4,589 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (164 votes), among the 12,731 ballots cast by the township's 31,870 registered voters (129 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 39.9%.[129] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 52.7% of the vote (7,805 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 39.1% (5,799 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.8% (1,007 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (128 votes), among the 14,824 ballots cast by the township's 31,116 registered voters, yielding a 47.6% turnout.[130]
The East Brunswick Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.[131] As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of 11 schools, had an enrollment of 8,260 students and 687.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.0:1.[132] Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[133]) are
Bowne-Munro Elementary School[134] (with 220 students; in grades K–4),
Central Elementary School[135] (415; Pre-K–4),
Murray A. Chittick Elementary School[136] (498; K–4),
Robert Frost Elementary School[137] (472; Pre-K–4),
Irwin Elementary School[138] (473; K–4),
Lawrence Brook Elementary School[139] (454; Pre-K–4),
Memorial Elementary School[140] (568; Pre-K–4),
Warnsdorfer Elementary School[141] (450; K–5),
Hammarskjold Upper Elementary School[142] (1,279; 5-6),
Churchill Junior High School[143] (1,282; 7–9) and
East Brunswick High School[144] (2,095; 10–12).[145][146] In the 2012 "Ranking America's High Schools" issue by The Washington Post, the district's high school was ranked 45th in New Jersey, after being ranked 48th statewide in 2011.[147]
Hatikvah International Academy Charter School, a Hebrew languagecharter school that offers an International Baccalaureate program opened in September 2010 for grades K–7, with plans to add a new grade each year until an eighth grade is offered. A lottery is held each year, with separate draws for residents of East Brunswick Township and non-residents, to allocate the limited number of positions available for each class.[150] The school plans to build a permanent structure as part of the Campus for Jewish Life (formerly known as the YM-YWHA of Raritan Valley) to replace its current facility the school has rented located near Trinity Presbyterian Church.[151] Concerns have been raised regarding the funding for the school, which will come from the East Brunswick Board of Education budget, including $1.34 million for the 2010–2011 school year, and that the district will not be able to reduce expenses by the amount that will be paid to the charter school. Hatikvah school officials emphasize that charter schools can often educate students at a lower cost than traditional public schools and that "taxpayers do not pay an extra penny for having a charter school in town, period".[152] The school received $75,000 in grants from foundations to cover the costs of applying for a charter and for getting the school operational.[153] Hatikvah budgeted $11,033 per student for the 2010–2011 school year,[154] while the East Brunswick Public Schools budgeted $12,782 per pupil for that same year.[155] As of the 2021–22 school year, the school had an enrollment of 573 students and 44.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.0:1.[156]
View south along the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) just south of Exit 9 in East Brunswick
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 205.94 miles (331.43 km) of roadways, of which 176.11 miles (283.42 km) were maintained by the municipality, 19.65 miles (31.62 km) by Middlesex County, 5.48 miles (8.82 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 4.70 miles (7.56 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.[162] The township is served by several major roads and highways.[163]
The New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) passes through East Brunswick.[164] The Turnpike's Joyce Kilmerservice area is located between interchanges 8A and 9 northbound at milepost 78.7.[165]Route 18 connects with the turnpike in East Brunswick and provides connections to New Brunswick, US 1 and the Jersey Shore.[166] Major county roads that pass through include CR 527[167] and CR 535.[168] Other limited access roads are accessible outside the township, such as the Garden State Parkway in neighboring Sayreville and Old Bridge, and I-287 in neighboring Edison.
The Turnpike's "dual-dual" configuration (car-only and truck lanes) was extended from exit 10 in Edison to just south of exit 9 in 1973, then to exit 8A in 1990, and finally to exit 6 in 2014.[169][170]
Suburban Transit operates bus routes to New York City every 10–15 minutes from both the Transportation Center and Tower Center; it takes about 30–50 minutes depending on traffic. Service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal is available on Line 100 from Princeton and on Line 400 from the Transportation Center, to 59th Street and Madison Avenue on Line 300, to the United Nations on Line 500, and to Wall Street on Line 600.[177]
Dating back to 1888, the Raritan River Railroad is a shortline railroad that stretched 12.6 miles (20.3 km) through Middlesex County. Passenger service ended in 1938 and the line, now much-reduced in length and part of Conrail, provides freight service through the township, where two businesses still receive weekly freight shipments of plastic.[178] There have been proposals to turn the line into a light rail corridor.[179]
Playhouse 22, East Brunswick's Community Theatre and Performing Arts Center, resides in the multi-purpose Community Arts Center at Heavenly Farms Park. Recognized in 2000 as Community Theatre of the Year in New Jersey, Playhouse 22 has staged many hit musicals, dramas, comedies and original works.[183]
The township has Tamarack Golf Course, a public golf course operated by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority.[184]
The Middlesex County Fair Grounds is the site of the week-long Middlesex County Fair held every August, providing festivities and food for families throughout Central Jersey and surrounding regions. First held in 1938, the Fair moved to its current site located on Cranbury Road (County Route 535) in 1965.[185]
The East Brunswick Museum, formerly the Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church, in the community of Old Bridge features the works of local artist James Crawford Thom.[186]
Margaret Kemble Gage (1734–1824), who allegedly spied on her husband General Thomas Gage in order to supply military intelligence to the American Revolutionary Army[203]
^Raritan River Basin, Sierra Club, New Jersey Chapter - Raritan Valley Group. Accessed September 16, 2017. "The Raritan River proper forms at the confluence of the North Branch and the South Branch just west of Somerville. It flows 16 miles before slowing in tidewater at New Brunswick."
^[1], Distance between cities. Accessed May 3, 2022.
^Sweilem, Amira. "N.J.’s population center still tilts north. This town considers it a badge of honor.", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, November 27, 2022. Accessed January 20, 2024. "Answer time: East Brunswick has held the statistical center of population title since the 2010 Census.... The U.S. Census runs the calculation every 10 years and it has wobbled around Middlesex County since 1880, straying just once since that time into Somerset County (Warren Township) in 1890. East Brunswick just barely held onto the population center in the 2020 Census calculations.... The new spot is on Hawk Court just off Milltown Road between the NJ Turnpike and Ryders Lane."
^Stirling, Stephen. "U.S. Census shows East Brunswick as statistical center of N.J.", The Star-Ledger, March 31, 2011. Accessed July 14, 2011. "For any of you who have ever lain awake at night asking: Where, oh where is the statistical center of New Jersey, there really is an answer. Nenninger Lane, East Brunswick. A few hundred feet into the woods along tiny Nenninger, a dead-end road beside the New Jersey Turnpike, sits the heart of the Garden State in terms of population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau."
^"East Brunswick, N.J., Represents State's Population Center.", The Star-Ledger, March 27, 2001. Accessed September 17, 2007. "And the center of New Jersey, according to 2000 census data, is a litter-strewn patch of woods on Milltown Road in East Brunswick. Demographers call it the center of population, the place that would require the least amount of travel if all the state's 8.4 million residents were to converge on one spot.
^Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living in: East Brunswick", The New York Times, December 2, 1990. Accessed January 4, 2012. "The first settlers -- Dutch, English, Scots and Germans -- arrived in the 16th century, according to the East Brunswick Historical Society. One of them, Thomas Lawrence, bought several thousand acres from the Leni Lenape Indians to create a plantation in an area now known as Lawrence Brook, which is within walking distance of the park-and-ride operation at the Tower Center. The oldest homes are in a 126-acre (51 ha) historic district called Old Bridge, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Not to be confused with the nearby town of Old Bridge, the district arose next to the first bridge across the South River, which was used by early settlers to ship fruit and vegetables to New York City and Philadelphia."
^Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living in: East Brunswick", The New York Times, December 2, 1990. Accessed March 20, 2017. "Midway between New York City and Philadelphia, East Brunswick is a classic commuter community.... 'The turnpike has 18 exits,' Mayor Sinagra noted, 'and we're exit 9. That means we are situated 45 minutes from two major employment centers.'"
^Hatala, Greg. "Glimpse of History: A day on the lake in North Brunswick", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, July 28, 2014, updated March 29, 2019. Accessed December 3, 2019. "Farrington Lake, which today is bordered by both North Brunswick Township Park and Bicentennial Park, was a popular spot for boating, fishing, swimming and camping at the time this photo was taken. Actually a freshwater reservoir, the body of water was created by a dam on the Lawrence Brook, a tributary of the Raritan River, according to eden.rutgers.edu."
^About Us, Giamarese Farm & Orchards. Accessed December 3, 2019. "The Giamarese Family has been farming for over seven decades. Our farm is located on thirty-five acres in East Brunswick, New Jersey."
^History of the CouncilArchived December 3, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, East Brunswick Township. Accessed December 3, 2019. "The Township of East Brunswick was established in 1860. Since January 1, 1965, the Township has operated under the Mayor-Council Plan E form of government pursuant to the Faulkner Act, Chapter 69A of Title 40 of the New Jersey Statutes."
^History of the Council, East Brunswick Township. Accessed May 1, 2020. "The Township of East Brunswick was established in 1860. Since January 1, 1965, the Township has operated under the Mayor-Council Plan E form of government pursuant to the Faulkner Act, Chapter 69A of Title 40 of the New Jersey Statutes.... The Mayor is the chief executive of the community who is chosen for a four year term at the regular Presidential election in November and serves part-time.... The Township Council is the legislative body. There are five members elected at large for staggered four-year terms at the general election held in even-numbered years."
^Salvadore, Sarah. "Dana Zimbicki Appointed To East Brunswick Council; Zimbicki will fill the seat left vacant after Michael Spadafino resigned in January.", East Brunswick, NJ Patch, February 16, 2022. Accessed May 5, 2022. "Dana Zimbicki was appointed to the East Brunswick Town Council on Monday. She will fill the seat left vacant by Michael Spadafino. Spadafino resigned from Council on Jan. 10, and the East Brunswick Democratic Organization (EBDO) nominated three candidates to fill his position - Verne Whitlock Jr., Dana Winston and Zimbicki."
^Russell, Suzanne. "East Brunswick selects Behal as new council member", Courier News, February 23, 2021. Accessed May 20, 2021. "Dinesh Behal has been selected as the township's newest council member.... Fellow council members expressed support in wanting to work with Behal, who is filling the seat formerly held by Sterley Stanley, a Democrat, who won a special election in January for an 18th District Assembly seat and became the first South Asian to represent Middlesex County in the state Legislature."
^Berzok, Maureen. "East Brunswick: Jim Wendell Joins the Democratic Party in Move that Overturns Town Council Majority", TAP into East Brunswick, July 11, 2017. Accessed September 11, 2017. "Council Vice-President James Wendell, the 2016 Republican candidate for mayor and a lifelong member of the GOP, announced today that he is joining the Democratic Party.... With Wendell’s decision to switch parties, Democrats will now control both the mayor’s office and the majority on the township’s council."
^Rakossy, Rob. "Michael Spadafino Elected To East Brunswick Township Council", TapInto.net, February 11, 2014. Accessed July 12, 2016. "After a contentious and rancorous meeting two weeks ago, the East Brunswick Township Council reconvened Monday night to once again attempt to fill the vacancy created when former Councilwoman Nancy Pinkin moved on to her higher office in the New Jersey State Assembly.... While Council members Hughes, Wendell, and Contrino maintained their vote, Council President Ferraro elected to make the switch, voting this time for Spadafino, thus avoiding Mayor Stahl's need to break the tie, and electing Spadafino by a 3-1 margin over McEvoy. Spadafino was then immediately sworn in to his new role."
^Russell, Suzanne. "East Brunswick Mayor David Stahl resigns from office", Courier News, January 13, 2016. Accessed July 12, 2016. "David Stahl, mayor of East Brunswick for the past seven years, resigned from office Wednesday to become a municipal judge in Woodbridge Township."
^Amaral, Brian. "Kevin McEvoy becomes new East Brunswick mayor", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, February 9, 2016. Accessed July 12, 2016. "Democrat Kevin McEvoy was appointed by the town council Monday night to fill the 11 months left on outgoing mayor David Stahl's term.... McEvoy will not run for another term in November, he said."
^Lee, Eunice. "Anger, economy cited as voters put Republican majority on East Brunswick Council", The Star-Ledger, November 4, 2010. Accessed November 22, 2012. "After 14 years of Democratic control in East Brunswick, the township council has swung to the Republicans. Voters on Tuesday chose Republican challengers James Wendell, a real estate developer, former school board member Michael Hughes and re-elected Republican Councilwoman Camille Ferraro."
^Biography, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Watson Coleman and her husband William reside in Ewing Township and are blessed to have three sons; William, Troy, and Jared and three grandchildren; William, Kamryn and Ashanee."
^Board of County Commissioners, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed May 1, 2022. "The residents of Middlesex County's 25 municipalities elect seven persons to serve as members of the Board of County Commissioners. The Commissioners are elected at large to staggered three-year terms in the November general election. In January of each year, the Board reorganizes, selecting one Commissioner to be County Commissioner Director and another to be County Commissioner Deputy Director."
^"Governor - Middlesex County"(PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Archived from the original(PDF) on September 10, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^Heyboer, Kelly. "How to get your kid a seat in one of N.J.'s hardest-to-get-into high schools", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 2017. Accessed November 18, 2019. "Middlesex County has two stand-alone career academies for high-achieving students: the Academy for Science, Math and Engineering Technology, located on the campus of Middlesex County College in Edison, and the Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge. How to apply: Students must attend a mandatory information session and submit an application by November of their 8th grade year."
^Rubin, Debra. "Hakol b'seder as Hatikvah notches its first semester", New Jersey Jewish News, December 29, 2010. Accessed March 6, 2012. "Hatikvah has received $50,000 to cover application costs and another $25,000 grant to cover start-up costs from the Hebrew Charter School Center of the Areivim Philanthropic Group."
^New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 6 – 9 Widening: Description of the Proposed Project, New Jersey Turnpike Widening Project. Accessed January 4, 2012. "By the early 1970s, the dual-dual concept had been extended south to Interchange 9, thereby providing a twelve-lane facility (three lanes on separate inner and outer roadways in each direction) between Interchange 9 in East Brunswick and Interchange 14. The dual-dual concept was extended further south when separate outer roadways accommodating both truck and automobile traffic were constructed and opened to traffic in 1990 between Interchange 8A in Monroe and Interchange 9 in East Brunswick."
^Oliveto, Gerald. "History Of The Raritan River Railroad", Jersey Central Railway Historical Society, May 1999. Accessed December 3, 2019. "The Raritan River Railroad (RRRR) began operating in 1888 and grew to the final size of 12.6 miles in 1917. The 12.6 mile mainline ran from South Amboy to New Brunswick.... The old RRRR mainline has since been cut back from New Brunswick to East Brunswick/ New Brunswick border with the current terminus being at the banks of Farrington Lake."
^Preserving Rail Rights of Way in Middlesex CountyArchived October 16, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed December 3, 2019. "On this basis the following rail lines may merit future investigation on their feasibility for accommodating a light rail and/or busway type of passenger service. Raritan River Railroad. South Amboy, Sayreville, South River, East Brunswick, Milltown, North Brunswick, New Brunswick - This corridor could address some of the east-west travel needs in the central area of the County providing a transit way that would link the City of South Amboy and the City of New Brunswick. This could also provide a viable commuter travel alternative to the heavily used Route 18 Corridor."
^Tamarack Golf Course, Middlesex County Improvement Authority. Accessed January 4, 2012. "Tamarack features two 18-hole championship golf courses in East Brunswick, which were designed by Hal Purdy."
^History and Background 81 Years - 1938 - 2019, Middlesex County Fair. Accessed December 3, 2019. "The county fair was held at the East Brunswick Grange and the contiguous properties of the Dunhams Corner Union Chapel and the Township of East Brunswick Municipal Complex which then consisted of a town hall and garage that would eventually become Playhouse 22.... In 1960 the trustees realized that the fair had outgrown the Dunhams Corner Road properties and decided to enter into negotiation for the purchase of the Scott Farm on Cranbury Road. This paved the way for the development of the Middlesex County Fairgrounds as it is known today, with closing on September 15, 1961. It took nearly four years for approvals to be received from East Brunswick and the County for the use of the property as the fairgrounds, and nearly a year to clear and prepare the property for parking and fair activity space. Despite these hurdles, the fair opened on its own property for the fair of 1965."
^Marks, Jon. "Michael Barkann is Always on the Run", Jewish Exponent, February 3, 2016. Accessed June 25, 2019. "Since returning to Philly — where he started off with KYW television more than 30 years ago — Barkann has covered the various local pro and college teams. It’s kind of ironic he’d wind up here, though, considering he grew up in the heart of Giants territory in East Brunswick, Middlesex County, N.J."
^Saul, Louise. "Tract Stirs Dispute In New Brunswick", The New York Times, May 26, 1974. Accessed April 19, 2020. "Assemblyman James Bornheimer, who lives in East Brunswick, has introduced in the Legislature three bills aimed at saving the tract for open space."
^Kemp, Heather Wendt for Weird NJ. "Weird NJ: The Brasnos – Old Bridge’s movie heroes", Asbury Park Press, April 23, 2017. Accessed December 26, 2017. Persons short in stature historically have found work in the entertainment industry. The members of the Brasno family of Old Bridge were able to benefit from this trend. They were a family of six, four of whom were little people. As 'proportional' dwarfs, or 'midgets' as they were commonly known in the 1930s, siblings Olive and George Brasno were offered Munchkin roles in The Wizard of Oz.... Not foreseeing that the movie would become a classic, Olive and George declined MGM’s offer, choosing instead to continue with their own more lucrative vaudeville act, 'Buster Shaver, Olive and George.'"
^Chris Cimino profile, WNBC, backed up by the Internet Archive as of October 9, 2007. Accessed February 13, 2011. "He currently resides with his family in East Brunswick, NJ."
^via Associated Press. "Second Time Around", St. Petersburg Times, May 24, 1972. Accessed December 4, 2014. "Wally Dallenbach, a 36-year old veteran driver from East Brunswick, N.J., will get a chance to compete in the 56th running of the Indianapolis 500-mile race after all."
^Jordan, Chris. "East Brunswick native, 26, stars in two new films", Asbury Park Press, May 23, 2010. Accessed December 4, 2014. "In Eisenberg's short but productive career, the East Brunswick native has taken on a variety of roles, including a kid dealing with divorce in The Squid and the Whale; an amusement park ride operator in Adventureland and a zombie killer in Zombieland."
^Forrester, Paul. "The Overachiever", The Village Voice, November 30, 1999. Accessed June 25, 2019. "In 1989, Bryan Fortay, a slickly packaged, highly touted quarterback from East Brunswick, New Jersey, was the quarterback recruit for coach Jimmy Johnson at the University of Miami."
^Blank, Gerald. "Norwalk Didn't Vote For Marx", PM, April 16, 1947. Accessed January 14, 2013. "He had been born, on February 18, 1908, one of five sons, in East Brunswick Township, N. J.... Irving Freese had gone to a one-room elementary school and had been graduated from the New Brunswick High School."
^Feitl, Steve. "UFC 218 fighter Sabah Homasi got athletic start in East Brunswick", Asbury Park Press, November 30, 2017. Accessed January 22, 2018. "While Sabah Homasi only spent the first decade of his life in East Brunswick, he has vivid memories of growing up in the Garden State. He and his friends from the neighborhood turned the street he lived on – Noel Lane – into their own athletic field, whether it was a baseball diamond, soccer pitch or basketball court."
^Alexander, Andrea. "Sept. 11 kin want answers", Asbury Park Press, November 20, 2003. Accessed December 4, 2014. "'It is extremely disappointing,' said Mindy Kleinberg of East Brunswick. Her late husband, Alan, worked for Cantor Fitzgerald."
^Bourbeau, Mary Ann. "East Brunswick native voices SpongeBob Squarepants character", Courier News, November 15, 2015. Accessed December 20, 2016. "Sheldon J. Plankton, the villainous character on SpongeBob Squarepants, is in a never-ending search for the secret formula in his nemesis' Krabby Patty recipe. Though Plankton continuously fails in this quest, Douglas Lawrence Osowski, who voices the tiny sea creature on Nickelodeon's animated series, found the secret formula that led to his own success – animation."
^Stewart, Zan. "Guitarist Mellett loves its versatility", The Star-Ledger, May 15, 2008. Accessed February 13, 2011. "Performing with Glen Ridge-based Niewood, especially in an intimate trio, is a prime situation, says Mellett, who lives in East Brunswick with his wife, singer Jeanie Bryson."
^Olivier, Bobby. "N.J. American Idol singer Jax reveals she has cancer", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, August 8, 2016. Accessed December 20, 2016. "Jax, the bubbly 20-year-old who finished third on "American Idol" in 2015, revealed Monday she has thyroid cancer. In an interview with New Jersey 101.5 radio, the East Brunswick resident discussed a difficult last few months, which involved surgery to remove 12 cancerous tumors from her thyroid gland."
^Cutler, Jacqueline. "Adam Mitzner: A Case of Redemption", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 9, 2013. Accessed June 25, 2019. "Like Mitzner, who's from East Brunswick, Sorensen is a New York City lawyer, so the descriptions of courtrooms, the workload and the attitudes of judges have the ring of authenticity."
^Assemblywoman Nancy J. Pinkin, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed August 23, 2020. "Public/Party Service: East Brunswick Township Council 2005-14, President 2006-08; East Brunswick Planning Board 2005, 2008-09"
^"Play it again, Badal Roy", India Abroad, September 10, 2004. Accessed June 26, 2008. "But last week, Roy, an East Brunswick, New Jersey–based tabla player, who has performed with the likes of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Yoko Ono, was part of the tournament's opening night act."
^Michael Seibel, All American Speakers. Accessed April 3, 2022. "Michael Seibel was born in Brooklyn, NY, and lived there for his first nine years. His family then moved to East Brunswick, NJ, where he graduated from East Brunswick High School in 2000."
^Rich, Motoko. "Reads Like a Book, Looks Like a Film", The New York Times, January 26, 2008. Accessed February 13, 2011. "Mr. Selznick, whose grandfather was a cousin of the legendary Hollywood producer David O. Selznick, grew up in East Brunswick, N.J., the oldest of three children."
^"Sterley Stanley Gains District 18 Assembly Seat Formerly Held by East Brunswick's Nancy Pinkin", TAP into East Brunswick, January 13, 2021. Accessed May 5, 2021. "History was made tonight when two-term East Brunswick Councilman Sterley Stanley overwhelmingly defeated Edison Councilman Joe Coyle to become the first South Asian to represent Middlesex County in the New Jersey State Legislature."
^Jordan, Chris. "New band delivers a statement about intensity", Home News Tribune, December 7, 2010. Accessed February 13, 2011. "Prepare to get Phowned. It's the name of a new show on Spike TV featuring East Brunswick native Greg T. and the rest of the Z100 Elvis Duran and The Morning Show crew.
^Staff. "Historic Trolley Treks planned for March 11"Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine, Old Bridge Suburban, March 8, 2007. Accessed February 13, 2011. "The East Brunswick Museum is housed in the former Simpson Methodist Church built in 1862 in the heart of the township's historic district. The museum has a large collection of local artifacts, including antique kitchen equipment, sewing and clothing pieces, farm implements, photographs, former New Jersey Gov. Harold Hoffman's elephant collection and several paintings by local artist James Crawford Thom."
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