North Brunswick honored United States Army veteran Francisco Cortes by dedicating Old Georges Road and Adams Lane as Cortes Way on Monday, May 6.

Francisco served in the U.S. Army form 1996 -1999. He was the foreman corporal in the second and the eleventh Armored Cavalry Regiments nicknamed Black Horse.

Francisco served at the elite Ft. Irwin. In 1951, the post became the home of the United States Army Armor and Desert Training Center and was designated Fort Irwin in 1961. In 1981, the installation was re- designated as the National Training Center (NTC) and since then, its development as the premier training site of the U.S. Army has been non- stop. From 1999 – 2003 Cortes enlisted in the National Guard.

Mr. Cortes is currently a Disabled Veteran for injuries sustained while on a Tank Mission at Ft. Irwin, California. He continues to give back a great deal to the veterans across the United States, particularly in New Jersey. He began as the Co – Founder of the NJ STATE VETERANS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, which serves the Veterans business community across the state and has grown to one of the largest chambers of commerce in the State. He is now the CEO and President of the Setroc Group.

Francisco has a loving family, married to his wife Claribel, a former North Brunswick Board of Education member and a North Brunswick Township Council member who is now the Middlesex County surrogate and their son and daughter.

We thank and honor Francisco Cortes for his service to our country and community!

At the May 6 Township Council meeting, North Brunswick Township High School junior Samantha Guadagnino, St. Joseph High School freshman Joseph Guadagnino and St. Thomas Aquinas High School freshman Gianna Socio were honored as Scholar/Athlete/Artist award recipients.

Samantha is enrolled in Honors and Advance Placement classes. She has been inducted into the National Honor Society and National Italian Honors. Samantha attended Judd Elementary School, Linwood and the New Middle School where she was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, as well as being the first Vice President of the first graduating class. She also was a student athlete who played Soccer and Lacrosse.

She has been a participant at the Municipal Alliance Leadership Conference in 2023.  Samantha is on the Student Government Executive Board and is a leader in PUSH (Prevention Using Student Help).

Joseph attended Judd Elementary, Linwood and the North Brunswick Township Middle School. He was inducted into the National Honor Society at the North Brunswick Township Middle School. Joseph is currently part of the Honor’s Program at Saint Joe’s and is enrolled in all honors and Advanced Placement classes. He has earned a GPA of 4.8.

He was the captain of the Saint Joe’s Freshman Soccer Team and earned a varsity letter with the swim team. He was honored to receive the All GMC Division and All GMC County award for his High School Swim Team.

Gianna has attended Judd Elementary, Linwood and North Brunswick Middle School from Kindergarten through eighth grade. In 2022, as a seventh grader, Gianna was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society and held the office of President during her eighth grade year. While at North Brunswick Middle School, Gianna was a member of the Aubrey Pappas Club earning a scholarship during her eighth grade. She also attended the North Brunswick Municipal Alliance Leadership Conference in February of 2022.

Congratulations to Samantha, Joseph and Gianna!

The North Brunswick Police Department is proud to announce the launch of a new initiative that began January 1, 2024 aimed at reducing traffic-related fatalities and enhancing road safety within the community. This proactive effort underscores the department’s commitment to preserving lives and fostering a culture of responsible driving.

As part of this initiative, the North Brunswick Police Department will be collaborating with the neighboring towns of Edison and South Brunswick along with the State Police to intensify enforcement measures targeting reckless driving, distracted driving, and speeding. By pooling resources and expertise, law enforcement agencies aim to crackdown on hazardous behaviors that endanger motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.

“With the alarming rise in traffic fatalities in Middlesex County, it’s imperative that we take decisive action to address the root causes of these tragedies,” stated Chief Joseph Battaglia of the North Brunswick Police Department. “Through coordinated enforcement efforts and community engagement, we are dedicated to making our roads safer for everyone.”

The partnership between the North Brunswick Police Department, the Edison Police Department, the South Brunswick Police Department, and the N.J. State Police signifies a unified approach to combating dangerous driving behaviors. By combining forces, law enforcement agencies will deploy additional patrols, conduct targeted enforcement operations, and implement educational initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of safe driving practices.

“We urge all members of the community to join us in this critical endeavor,” Mayor Womack emphasized. “Together, we can make a meaningful difference and prevent senseless loss of life on our roadways. Remember, the life we save could be yours.”

Residents are encouraged to report any instances of reckless driving, distracted driving, or speeding to the North Brunswick Police Department or their local law enforcement agency.

The North Brunswick Veteran Street Sign Program hit a milestone on Monday, April 29 as its 100th ceremony was celebrated at the intersection of Cozzens Lane, Hartland Commons and Sabella Park Drive.

Family and friends gathered as North Brunswick honored U.S. Army veteran Bob Davis with the dedication of Davis Way.

Bob grew up in Flatbush Brooklyn and graduated high school from Erasmus Hall. He attended the University of Miami, Florida followed by a life-long fandom of that university’s sports teams and a successful career in business.

Bob served in the 11th Army Airborne Division.

Bob has served as a North Brunswick Township Councilman for twenty–one years, as well as Council President and a member of the Planning Board. Bob joined the Adams Athletic Club in 1988 and has been the chaplain for that organization for ten years and a Trustee for six years. Bob’s volunteer spirit was displayed when he coached Pop Warner football for five years. Bob found great enjoyment in leisure recreation, playing really bad golf with his friend Tom Kole which always brought smiles to his face.

Out of compassion for those who have served our country, and with an understanding of the magnitude of their sacrifices, Councilman Davis began North Brunswick’s Veteran’s Street Dedication Program in June of 2014.

Today, as we celebrate our Township’s One Hundredth Veterans’ Street Naming dedication, we honor Bob for his service to our country and to our Township. One of Councilman Davis’ greatest accomplishments has been tirelessly working to support all Veterans and the Veteran Street Dedication Program has been dear to his heart, along with the Paver Brick Project at Veteran’s Park, which also honors those who have served and sacrificed for our nation through their military service.

Bob is a loving man, dearly loved in return for many years by his late wife Linda, and now by his son Brett Davis and his wife Amy and their children, Tovah and Louis; by his son Adam and his wife Carly and their children, Dylan and Parker; by his loving companion Nan Kopel; by those who have the privilege of serving with Bob in the North Brunswick municipal government; by his friends in sports and civic organizations; and by all the people of North Brunswick.

We thank Councilman Davis for his service to our country and North Brunswick community!

Thursday, April 25 was Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day!

The children of Township employees had a great morning at the Department of Public Works with a hayride, checking out Township trucks, vehicles and heavy equipment, learning about recycling and picking up litter.

The North Brunswick Boost goes on location this week to Community Park with special guest Dave Rosenberg, president of the North Brunswick Baseball & Softball Association.

Mr. Rosenberg discusses the NBBSA as well as the Autism Awareness Challenge, a showcase for high school baseball and softball players, which was held last weekend at Community Park.

The North Brunswick Boost welcomes special guest North Brunswick Township High School principal Michael Kneller to the show this week.

Mr. Kneller discusses the school’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on April 19, the NBTHS Designer Bag Bingo & Basket Raffle on April 20 as well as other school events over the next month.

Mayor Womack and the Township Council honored James Tracey at the April 15 Township Council Meeting for his efforts in overseeing the American Heart Association Jump Rope for Heart and Kids Heart Challenge.

James has been fundraising for the American Heart Association (AHA) for the past seven years where he began this initiative as a Physical Education Teacher at Arthur M. Judd Elementary School and has continued as a Physical Education Teacher and Health Teacher at Linwood School. For 2024, he surpassed the$ 4,000 goal set by Linwood, raising $4,246.31 to date.

James has been a part-time employee for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services for 25 years in the Division of Recreation where he started as a camp counselor in 1999. He has been involved with the Leal, summer camp, aquatics programs and Township special events.

Congratulations!

Check out the premiere of The North Brunswick Boost with Mayor Francis ‘Mac’ Womack and Councilwoman Guadagnino! Today’s special guest is Schools Superintendent Janet Ciarrocca.

The weekly show will highlight community members that make a positive impact around town, upcoming events and noteworthy news updates.

Stay tuned as we’re planning on location shows!