The official newsletter of Woodbridge, NJ

Woodbridge Mayor McCormac & Public/Private Environmental Partnership Announce $27,800 Federal EPA Grant to Fund Wetlands Restoration Education Project

WOODBRIDGE – Mayor John E. McCormac announced that Woodbridge Township continues to set the pace in environmental and sustainable initiatives with the award of a $27,800 grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will fund a comprehensive Wetlands Restoration Education Project. The project partners with the Edison Wetlands Association, the Woodbridge Township School District, representatives of El Paso Corporation and the Brownfield Development Area Committee, and the Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency to establish and create a series of wetlands education seminars, programs, and tours coordinated by the Edison Wetlands Association in partnership with Woodbridge Township high school students, science faculty, and members of the Woodbridge Youth Leadership Council.

“The EPA grant provides the seed money needed to establish a long-term program geared to educate students, residents and visitors about wetlands restoration and the positive impacts that this type of project has on the local environment and the future of our community,” said Mayor McCormac. “This grant program is a perfect example of federal, state and local government, the school administration, business community, and nonprofit partnerships working together to maximize the use of our resources to address environmental issues. Equally important, students from our schools involved in the sciences and environmental initiatives will be afforded the opportunity to serve as environmental stewards, educators, and advisors on the importance of wetland remediation and the benefits to the entire region.”

Joining Mayor McCormac to announce the Wetlands Restoration Education Project were Caroline Ehrlich, Chief-of-Staff and Executive Director, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency, Dr. John A. Crowe, Superintendent, Woodbridge Township School District, David Wheeler, Director of Operations, Edison Wetlands Association, Robert Cornez, Project Manager, Environmental Remediation, El Paso Corp., representatives of the Brownfield Development Area Steering Committee, and members of the Woodbridge Township Municipal Council.

Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac Hosts 6th Annual Township-Wide Senior Summit

Woodbridge – Senior residents from throughout Woodbridge Township today attended the 6th Annual “Mayor’s Senior Summit” hosted by Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac where Township senior’s expressed opinions on a diversity of topics and offered ideas and suggestions on how to improve senior-related programs and services throughout the community.

As part of the 2012 “Mayor’s Senior Summit,” Mayor McCormac engaged senior residents in an exchange of ideas in an open discussion on topics ranging from expanding and improving services, programs and facilities at the Community Center, Evergreen Senior & Youth Center, and other Township senior facilities… to improving communications with senior residents on emergency preparedness, weather-related alerts and consumer safety… to suggestions on improving public safety such as cracking down on speeding in residential areas…to “Quality of Life” issues such as home maintenance and repair, and expanded physical fitness and wellness programs and seminars for senior residents.

“The senior residents attending the ‘Senior Summit’ were aware of the available Township-sponsored services and programs and, more importantly, expressed opinions about what they feel the Township should provide in the way of services and programs. I was impressed with the opinions, suggestions, and ideas offered on how to address Township-wide issues, along with an understanding of what needs to be done to improve the ‘Quality of Life’ for everyone,” Mayor McCormac said.

County Passport Office Opens for Business at Woodbridge Town Hall on Thursday May 3, 2012

Woodbridge – Mayor John E. McCormac today announced that Woodbridge Town Hall will host a one-day ‘Passport Satellite Office on Thurs., May 3, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Middlesex County Clerk’s Office and the Woodbridge Township Municipal Clerk’s Office will be accepting applications for U.S. Passports in the Council Meeting Room (First Floor), Woodbridge Municipal Building, located at 1 Main Street.

The Passport Satellite Office is sponsored by the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office and the Woodbridge Township Mayor’s Office to bring county programs and services directly to Township residents. In addition to processing passport applications, the County Clerk’s Office is available to administer the Notary Public Oath of Office to persons who previously applied to the State of New Jersey to become a Notary Public and who have received approved applications from the State.

S.A.V.E. Your Joints to Maintain a Healthy, Active Lifestyle

Spring is here and the summer months will be here sooner than you think. Exercise and participating in sports are great ways to keep up your activity level which, as we know, leads to better health and improves the body’s ability to deal with virtually any adverse health condition. But, we all know someone or maybe it’s even ourselves, who complain of joint pain or discomfort that prevents us from leading an active lifestyle and achieving better health. Although it is especially important for us as we get older, I believe following the acronym S.A.V.E; situate, avoid, vary and exercise, is useful for people of all ages.

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Township Hall

Mayor John E. McCormac Kicks-Off Valentine’s Day “Have a Heart” Food Drive

On Monday January, 9 Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac will kick-off the 2012 Valentines Day “Have-a-Heart” food drive by issuing a challenge to Township businesses, corporate offices, food service industry, and residents to donate 214 pounds of non-perishable food or contribute $214 to Township food pantries. The event will be held on the second floor of the Woodbridge Community Center, located at 600 Main Street.

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Law & Order

13 New Police Officers Appointed to Ranks of Woodbridge Police Department

Mayor John E. McCormac announced today the appointment of 13 new police officers to the ranks of the Woodbridge Township Police Department – eight officers have completed the state-mandated police training program at the Union and Somerset County Police Training Academies and will immediately take-up patrol assignments; five new police recruits will begin the six-month police academy training program for assignment in mid-2012. The appointments were 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.

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Business

A Letter From Mayor McCormac

Dear Woodbridge Township Businesses,

The Woodbridge Township food pantries need your help! The economy has hurt many more Woodbridge Township families than ever before,which has substantially increased the demand for food supplies and donations at all of our food pantries.

This year, we’re again asking Woodbridge Township businesses to lend an even bigger, and more generous, hand. We are inviting you to participate in the 2012 Valentines Day “Have-a-Heart” Food Drive Challenge. We know that many Township businesses, retail outlets, food stores, food service and hospitality representatives, and corporate offices are already involved in assisting the community by providing non-perishable foods and donations on a regular basis. However, circumstances this year demand that we do just a little more. That is why we’re again issuing the “Have-a-Heart” Food Drive Challenge. We’re asking Township businesses, retail food service outlets, and corporate offices to donate 214 pounds of food or contribute $214 to assist our food pantries continue their work providing food and meals to less fortunate residents and the homeless. The 2012 challenge ends on Valentine’s Day - Feb. 14 (hence the 2/14 challenge.)

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Education

Superintendent to Hold Press Conference Announcing Donation

The Woodbridge Township Board of Education and Administration will hold a press conference acknowledging a donation of $3,000.00 from the Colonial Pipeline Company, Avenel, NJ. The donation will be divided between six district schools that fall within one-half mile of the company's existing pipeline. Port Reading School #9, Ross Street School #11, Ford Avenue School #14, Lafayette Estates School #25, Matthew Jago School #28, and Fords Middle School will each receive $500.00.

Frank Sutphen, Chairman of the Woodbridge Community Advisory Panel (C.A.P.) stated "I'm very proud of Colonial's desire to give back to our community, and I'm proud to serve with people like Colonial's Management Representatives, Greg Stewart and Duncan Sinclair of the Blair Road facility, who work so hard to keep Woodbridge clean and safe."

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Community

Skyline Mini-Golf & Recreation Facility Opens at the Woodbridge Community Center

Skyline Mini-Golf is the newest 18-hole miniature golf course in the region. On April 9, 2012, it officially joined the Arenas at Woodbridge roller skating rink, ice skating and hockey center, video game arcade and prize center, the YMCA's renowned fitness, health and wellness facility, and the award-winning Arena's Café as the newest recreational amenity at the Woodbridge Community Center located at 600 Main Street in Woodbridge. In coming months, we anticipate even more recreation activities with the addition of professional baseball/softball batting cages, a trampoline center, family picnic area, and companion recreational and entertainment amenities.

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Accomplishments

AICPA Names Mayor McCormac as recipient of 2011 "Outstanding CPA in Local Government" Award

Washington, D.C. -- The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) today announced that Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac, CPA, was named as recipient of the 2011 “Outstanding CPA in Local Government” Award. Read more...

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Multi Media

Video hails Woodbridge as model town

Woodbridge's 10 towns, one community aspect is hailed as a model for New Jersey in a new video by a non-profit organization that seeks to encourage small communities in New Jersey to begin thinking about combining.