Woodbridge Town Council Approves $5.6M Bonds, Redevelopment Updates

Council Actions: License Plate Readers, Bonds, and Redevelopment

Following the ceremony, the Council moved quickly through its regular business.

Members approved the purchase of six automated license plate readers for patrol cars under a five-year lease with Axon Enterprise, totaling $59,544. Officials said the devices will help locate stolen vehicles and enhance neighborhood patrols.

The Council also advanced two bond ordinances totaling roughly $5.6 million — one covering general public improvements and another replacing ice-rink compressor units at the Woodbridge Community Center.

In redevelopment matters, the council referred an amended Route 1 Redevelopment Plan (Area 7) to the Planning Board for review. It also approved change orders for ongoing Route 9/Main Street road improvements and hired CME Associates to oversee environmental and construction work for the next phase of Cypress Park in Avenel.

Redevelopment Dispute: New Street Apartments

During public comment, John Kazlauskas, a resident of Woodbridge Proper, questioned a proposed 30-unit apartment project on New Street, saying it conflicts with past township claims that the street closure years ago was meant to reduce noise.

McCormac rejected that characterization. He said the project replaces “two houses that were constant trouble” and an office building that generated traffic. “We’re trading three problematic properties for a beautiful new apartment building,” he said, adding that no prior promise was made to limit noise.

The mayor also dismissed Kazlauskas’s suggestion that the area was misrepresented to neighbors.

“Every street has noise,” he said. “This redevelopment makes the neighborhood quieter, not louder.”

Election Reaction

Former council candidate Ken Gardner opened public comments by congratulating the mayor and council members on their reelection.

Gardner, who ran as a Republican to unseat Councilwoman Sharon McAuliffe, thanked supporters and said he hoped to continue working on local issues.

McCormac later returned the thanks, congratulating all five re-elected ward council members and at-large winner Dan Harris.

Police Director Pushes Back on Burglary Rumors

Before the council moved to closing reports, Director Nisky addressed what he called “misinformation” from the previous meeting about a string of burglaries in Avenel. He clarified there had been only one domestic-related burglary, not a series of home invasions.

In other department activity, Nisky said officers have issued more than 27,000 summonses so far this year, impounded 51 e-bikes, and added 12 new auxiliary officers to expand parking enforcement.

“Our police department remains proud to lead the way to a safer community,” the police director said.

Council and Community Announcements

Council members used the closing portion of the meeting to share community updates and holiday plans:

• Councilman Viru Patel thanked voters for his re-election and celebrated the opening of Trader Joe’s in Iselin.
• Councilman Howie Bauer announced the Avenel Holiday Lighting for Nov. 23 and highlighted the groundbreaking for the Cambria Hotel on Route 1.
• Vice President Sharon McAuliffe promoted Small Business Saturday (Nov. 29) and the annual Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting downtown.
• Councilman Kyle Anderson congratulated local high school football teams for playoff runs and pointed residents to job openings listed on the township website.
• Councilwomen Lizbeth DeJesus and Debbie Meehan urged residents to support food-pantry drives, Thanksgiving baskets, and the township’s Toy Extravaganza.
• Councilman Dan Harris promoted the Turkey Trot 5K at Merrill Park on Nov. 29, benefiting the Marissa Tufaro Foundation.
• Council President Cory Spillar, speaking for Councilman Brian Small, reminded residents of the Port Reading Tree Lighting (Nov. 25) and Township Light Parade (Nov. 29).

The meeting concluded with routine administrative resolutions on tax and sewer refunds and a disabled-veteran exemption.