Under an overcast sky and cool breeze, spirits were high at Sabella Park on Monday, April 21 as a blue ribbon was cut to celebrate the park’s new turf field.

It is a significant moment for the Township as it is New Jersey’s first Pivot field. Pivot was created by TenCate’s Center for Turf Innovation (CTI) following years of research and development. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and ongoing testing, CTI perfected the blend of traditional, durable sports fibers with new materials that closely resemble the look and feel of natural grass.

Pivot eliminates nearly 100% of plastic shedding because there’s no conventional infill, which causes abrasion and shedding of the turf.

“We’re proud of it,” said North Brunswick Parks & Playgrounds manager Robert Bongiovi. “The kids of this town will have the best playing surface to play on for years to come.”

The materials used for the Sabella Park field is the same as Rice University’s football stadium, which replaced its playing surface last year following the effects of Hurricane Beryl.

The field also utilizes GeoCool, a cooling additive, which can help dissipate heat and reduce surface temperatures. GeoCool is made from a renewable inorganic mineral that’s 100% recyclable and non-toxic.

“This field is great for the kids of North Brunswick, coming up and playing football,” said North Brunswick Township High School football coach Mike Cipot. “They have something to look forward to and something to be proud of that they have a state of the art field.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony comes nearly five months after the field sustained damage due to a sewer main break on November 30. Public Works Director Steve Bloyed thanked Mayor Francis ‘Mac’ Womack, the Township Council and Business Administrator Justine Progebin for their support with the field replacement project.

An extended detour is in place along Hidden Lake Drive just beyond the Route 27 entrance while emergency repairs are made to the culvert by Middlesex County.

Please observe informational signage at Route 27 and Aaron Road.

The Township of North Brunswick will hold its 9th Annual Community Wide Yard Sales during the first three Saturdays in May. The yard sales will be conducted in three zones.

On Saturday, May 3, yard sales will be held in Zone 1, which includes Berdine’s Corner and the neighborhoods bordered by Livingston Avenue, Patton Street, Ridgewood Avenue, Linwood Place, Hermann Road, Milltown Road, including the Milltown section, Chrome Street, Georges Road and Nassau Street.

On Saturday, May 10, the sales move to Zone 2 including all neighborhoods on either side of Route 130 from the Route 1/130 overpass to Black Horse Lane, including Deer Brook Village.

On Saturday, May 17, the Zone 3 yard sales will be held between Route 1 and Route 27 and from How Lane south to Finnegans Lane including Driscoll Road. and the section including Excelsior, Thalia, and Cordelia streets.

The yard sales will be rain or shine.

Registration deadlines are:

• Thursday,  May 1 at 4 p.m. for the May 3 Yard Sale;
• Thursday, May 8 at 4 p.m. for the May 10 Yard Sale; and
• Thursday, May 15 at 4 p.m. for the May 17 Yard Sale.

Participant lists will be posted on the Township website at 12 p.m. on the Friday before the yard sale.

On the Monday following each yard sale, a collection of bulk material will be automatically scheduled for each registered household.

The Department of Public Works will collect only bulk items that were not sold and placed at the curb, which may include indoor and non-metal outdoor furniture; large toys; bagged clothing, textiles, dishes, glasses; small appliances and home décor items. Metal items such as bicycles, air conditioners and bed frames will be collected on the Wednesday following each yard sale.

For further information regarding the post-sale collection regulations, please contact the Department of Public Works at 732-297-1134.

Veolia Water in conjunction with the Township of North Brunswick will be flushing fire hydrants beginning March 31 and continuing through May. This may lower water pressure temporarily. If the water appears discolored after flushing has occurred, run your cold water until the discoloration clears. Should you have any questions, please call Veolia Water at (732) 297-7332.

General flushing occurs Sunday through Thursday, 8 p.m. – 4 a.m. However, it may be necessary to perform some flushing during normal business hours. Should you encounter one of our team members performing this required task, please give them 20’ of space and practice social distancing. We want to keep you and them safe.

At the March 24 Township Council Meeting, the North Brunswick Municipal Alliance presented the winning banner designs from the 2025 Annual Women’s and Men’s Mentorship/ Leadership Conference Series, which included 8th grade North Brunswick Township Middle School and 11th grade North Brunswick Township High School students.

Congratulations to students Beyonca Hatcher, Alicia Taylor, Nicole Dumashie and Nishta Patel!

At the March 3^rd Township Council Meeting, the North Brunswick Township Women of Influence Committee honored Shanti Narra, Laura Pelszynski and Rosalba “Rosie” Camarillo as its 2025 Influential Women of the Year Award recipients.

The award is bestowed upon women who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their fields, professions and communities. It recognizes the outstanding efforts of women whose drive has moved the Township of North Brunswick forward in the areas of Arts & Culture, Business, Community Volunteerism, Education and Government and Civic Human Services.

Congratulations to Shanti, Laura and Rosie!

Mayor Womack and the Township Council honored Elmwood Cemetery Association President Eleanor Molloy at last night’s Council Meeting.

Elmwood Cemetery was established in 1868. Eleanor’s great-great grandfather, D.G. Stubblebine was the founding President of Elmwood Cemetery. Her family has been running the cemetery since its inception with Eleanor starting work in 1990. She became President in 2013, representing the sixth consecutive generation.

Elmwood Cemetery has continually and very methodically recorded family histories, serving as an archival resource for genealogy. Since taking over as President, Eleanor expanded their commitment to assisting families with their personal histories. Eleanor strongly believes in the importance of knowing your roots, heritage and history; and

Under Eleanor’s direction, Elmwood developed the Civil War, World War 1, World War 2, Spanish American War and Korean War Walking Tours that tell about these conflicts through the personal stories of the men and women buried at Elmwood. She implemented an Educational Advisory Council to get professional advice about their Civil War Walking Tour and, with the professionals on the EAC, developed curriculum for schoolchildren. From this, Elmwood gave educational tours to North Brunswick students from middle school through high school.

Eleanor has worked with several North Brunswick volunteer organizations including the Woman’s Club, the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, the American Legion and the VFW to ensure that our local veterans are honored. She served on the North Brunswick Township WWl Centennial Commission and spearheaded the ringing of the Bells of Peace on November 11th. In 2021, Elmwood dedicated a “Never Forget Garden” in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This garden serves as a memorial to our local veterans who are missing in action or killed in action, never to return home.

Eleanor developed partnerships with the community to support organizations that positively contribute to the wellbeing of North Brunswick residents. Elmwood Cemetery has supported four Eagle Scout projects. In 2018 they collaborated with the North Brunswick Environmental Commission to host a Bio Blitz and they supported a North Brunswick Township student’s college internship which researched the 1918 influenza pandemic. Each February and March they offer programming for Black History Month and Women’s History Month.

Eleanor started the annual butterfly release and the Luminaria, two programs to offer a joyful remembrance for those in our community who are grieving and have suffered a loss. These programs are a reminder that we are not alone in grief. Eleanor has sought to make Elmwood a source of compassionate care for the bereft. She strives to serve North Brunswick Township with a place to remember and honor those who have gone before us.

Congratulations and thank you for your continued dedication to the North Brunswick community!