Township women honored for their exceptional achievements and service to North Brunswick

At the March 20th Township Council Meeting, the North Brunswick Township Women of Influence Committee honored Joyce Dreger, Cyndi Baumgartner and Sudharani Kankanala as its 2023 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.

Below is a photo gallery and biographies of the award recipients. Congratulations to Joyce, Cynthia (Cyndi) and Sudharani (Sudha)!

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Joyce Dreger
Cyndi Baumgartner
Sudharani Kankanala

Joyce Dreger

Biography read by Sue Kneller

Mrs. Dreger began her teaching career in Metuchen at Mildred B. Moss Elementary School where she attended school as a child.

While raising her family she subbed in North Brunswick schools for several years before going back full-time.  Mrs. Dreger taught first grade for 23 years at Parsons Elementary School.

In 1970, Joyce joined the North Brunswick Woman’s Club and has been a member for the past 53 years serving various positions including President from 2016-2020. She is always involved in making treat bags for our Police Department and for Meals on Wheels recipients each year as well as placing wreaths and flags at the cemetery for our fallen Veterans.  She volunteers her time at various activities and fundraisers to support homeless veterans, children and their families dealing with cancer and high school scholarships for graduating seniors from NBTHS and surrounding Vocational Schools.  It seems to give her no greater joy than to serve the community she loves and to make North Brunswick a great place to live, work and play.

Even after retirement from the school system and because of her love for reading, she volunteers each year to read to school aged children on “Read Across America Day.”

Joyce has won awards for her poetry writing.  Most recently she took First Place from the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs for her poem titled “Pandemic Ramblings” which was a beautiful reflection of life during the Covid Pandemic.

She has always been involved in music. She is an accompanist for plays and the National Federation of Woman’s Club’s State Chorus. She sings with the Our Lady of Peace Chorus and has sung with the North Brunswick Woman’s Club for at least 25 years. She also accompanies Parsons orchestra and chorus for their Winter and Spring concerts.

On behalf of the Women of Influence Committee, it gives me great pleasure to present Mrs. Joyce Dreger with the Influential Women of the Year Award for 2023.

Cyndi Baumgartner

Biography read by Eleanor Molloy

On behalf of North Brunswick Women of Influence Committee, it is my privilege to present Cynthia Baumgartner with the 2023 Influential Woman of the Year Award.

Cyndi’s hard work, her dedication to the residents of North Brunswick and her commitment to transformative change has saved the lives of those in our township, county and state.

Cyndi served as the North Brunswick Police Department Records Supervisor for over 20 years.  During that time, she set standards for records management which were praised by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.  Her work ethic and dedication have led to practices which are still maintained.  The consummate professional and leader, she is respected for her willingness to share her knowledge and wisdom with her peers and those in her field.    

Over the last 30 years, Cyndi has been raising awareness about the issue of Domestic Violence in our community. Today, there are women and children in our community are that are alive and safe because of Cyndi’s work and determination. Since her training with Women Aware in 1987, Cyndi has been advocating for survivors of domestic violence and raising awareness about Domestic Violence throughout Middlesex County.

 She served on the North Brunswick Domestic Violence Response Team since its inception in the 1990s.  After nearly a decade of this work, she spearheaded the formation of the Middlesex County Coalition of Domestic Violence Response Teams as a way for teams to support each other and standardize response.  She has trained countless Domestic Violence Advocates through this group, setting the standard for victim advocates throughout the county. 

Cyndi also pays it forward as a member of the Ladies Adams Athletic Club providing support for youth sports and scholarships to High School Athletes.

A lifelong resident, we would like to thank Cyndi for her dedication to North Brunswick and for making our home town residents smarter, better and safer.

Thank you Cyndi.

Sudharani Kankanala

Biography read by Tangie Cobb

Sudha as she is lovingly called, is a true leader, advocate and gracious servant to the youth and citizens of her community. She has acquired many volunteer community service accomplishments and presidential volunteer recognitions as well. Her passions include: inspiring and empowering women and young girls. She has served in many capacities some of which include: Chair of NBI India Day (An annual Twp event celebrating India’s independence). She is the recipient of the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award for her unwavering service to our youth.

She is currently the advisor of the North Brunswick Interact Club; a youth organization in conjunction with the Rotary Club where she is guiding (35) students and organizing youth leadership activities. I have personally had the pleasure of working along side Sudha in the North Brunswick Soccer Club Snack Shack. The first year she volunteered I said to her, “Do you ever smile? You’re always so serious”. She gave me a really serious look and then POOF… her face lit up with the most beautiful smile. I’m grateful to have earned that sentiment. And now whenever our paths cross she makes sure to share her beautiful smile.

When we celebrate someone; it gives us an opportunity to remind them of the qualities that make them special. Sudha you have a true servants heart and it is golden! On behalf of the North Brunswick Township Women of Influence Committee; NBTHS; our Mayor and Township Council, I proudly present to you the 2023 Influential Woman of the Year Award for your Volunteerism and Youth Advocacy.

Thank you for all you’ve done and will continue to do.  

North Brunswick Township Police Department Press Release

As we wake up this morning, many of us are still in disbelief having seen the video released last night that captured the brutal events that took place on January 7th in Memphis, Tennessee where the reckless acts of five police officers cost a young 29-year-old man his life. 

We at the North Brunswick Township Police Department are appalled and embarrassed by this event. When incidents such as this take place anywhere in the country it affects every man and woman that wears the badge. These tragedies not only take an emotional toll on the officers who know right from wrong, but they erode the trust the community has in them.

New Jersey has the strictest use-of-force policies and de-escalation training in the country.  The North Brunswick Township Police Department embraces this standard. Our officers train on use-of-force and de-escalation tactics throughout the year and are devoted to protecting and serving our community in a professional, compassionate, and humane manner in every interaction.

We promise you that the North Brunswick Township Police Department will continue to work hard on ways to secure the trust of the community we serve, build bridges for more inclusive relationships, and assure residents and visitors that the events in Memphis, Tennessee, or Minneapolis, Minnesota, or elsewhere will never happen here.

Chief Joseph Battaglia

37-Year Officer of the NBTPD

Township Council Members in attendance with First Lady Tammy Murphy at Grant Award Ceremony

North Brunswick Township Council President Rajesh Mehta and Councilwomen Amanda Guadagnino and Mary Hutchinson were in attendance with New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy today for a grant award ceremony at the NJ Economic Development Authority’s New Jersey Bioscience Center (NJBC) – Step-Out Labs off Route 1.

The Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) Board awarded a combined $1.275 million in grants to 17 startups to accelerate the development of technologies, products, and services that support maternal and child wellbeing.

North Brunswick based Lactiga Inc. was one of the grant award recipients.

“New Jersey is home to some of the most innovative startups across a myriad of industries, and it is my honor to be here today to recognize some of the top startups in maternal and infant health,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “As we celebrate our sixth annual Maternal Health Awareness Day here in New Jersey, I reflect on the significant work we have accomplished and what has yet to come. In the next three years, a top priority is to build a thriving Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center in Trenton that will continue this groundbreaking work long past the Murphy administration. I am certain that today’s grant recipients will be essential partners to the Center and to Nurture NJ.”

A section of North Brunswick Municipal Complex is expected to open in the fall

Susan Loyer

MyCentralJersey.com

Article Link

NORTH BRUNSWICK – Township officials are hoping a section of the township’s municipal complex, which remains closed because of flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida more than 18 months ago, will reopen this fall.

The rest of the building could reopen in early 2024, said Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack.

The first floor of the police department, the main lobby and the courtroom at the complex on Hermann Road sustained extensive flood damage in the record-setting rainstorm, forcing the relocation of offices and the police department.

Some township offices are operating out of trailers at the site, while others have been moved to other locations.

Womack said the township does not have an exact cost for repairs, but he estimated damage to be in the multi-millions dollar range.

Womack said he is hoping most, if not all of the cost will be paid for by insurance and FEMA.

On Jan. 24, township officials are scheduled to meet with the project managers, said Township Business Administrator Justine Progebin, who is overseeing the work.

“The township will receive a recommendation and direction for the next stage of active restoration efforts at the end of the month,” Progebin said.

Managing the restoration are CME Associates, concentrating on the structural integrity of the building; T&M Associates, responsible for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing aspects of the boiler room; Hillmann Consulting, focusing on the environmental integrity of the building; and USA Architects, which is responsible for restoration and possible improvements to the building.

In addition, BDO USA is assisting the township in reviewing all insurance claims and navigating the FEMA claim, Progebin said.

“FEMA has been very, very helpful, but that’s a slow process and when you have to navigate with your insurance company and with FEMA you try to make sure everybody is on the same page so we don’t use a single taxpayer dollar that we don’t have to use,” Womack said. “That’s taking a long time. We’ve been very careful. We don’t want to spend one dollar of taxpayer money if we don’t have to.”

Parts for the mechanical room have all been ordered, Progebin said. The elevators are being brought to the site and the contract for roof repairs has been awarded, she added.

“They are looking at putting the elevators in sometime in March,” she said. “In May, they will be working on the roof, which should be completed in July.”

After the mechanical room, elevators and roof are done, workers can move forward with the rest of the restoration, Progebin said.

In addition, while the building is closed, the township is considering making enhancements to the complex, which may include relocating the nearby senior center to the municipal complex.

“We’re hoping to make a greatly enhanced spot in the complex for our senior citizens,” Womack said.

The municipal building would serve as a community center offering senior activities on a daily basis, Progebin said. In addition, she said, the space could be used as an emergency center, if necessary.

“It would be able to transition on a moment’s notice to an emergency facility that can be used as a shelter,” Progebin said. “While the building is closed, the township is hoping to take the opportunity to do this and deliver the best possible outcome with no financial impact to the taxpayers.”

The township solicited bids for grant writers to help secure funding for the enhancements.

Progebin said the township does have capital funding for the seniors, as well as about $400,000 in a trust fund that is earmarked for the senior center.

“Instead of using that money to update the existing building, we’re hoping to redirect the money to give them the best possible space, rather than trying to fix their current spot,” she said.

After Sandy, the township received a $500,000 grant to install a full generator to run the municipal complex.

“The municipal complex already has the infrastructure in place,” Progebin said. “The generator is there, the space is there and we’ve already addressed the storm water issues. Building a stand-alone resiliency facility that doesn’t get used regularly seems wasteful. This seems like a much more cost-efficient plan.”

She said the plan would then free up the senior center, which could possibly be used as a neighborhood youth civic center, but the proposed plans are still under discussion.

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