Woodbridge Marks Black History Month, Approves School Property Deal
Council adopts Ford Avenue School 14 acquisition and advances redevelopment, infrastructure, and park funding items
Woodbridge Township officials and community members gather outside the municipal complex for a Black History Month flag-raising ceremony ahead of the Feb. 3 council meeting. (The Central Jerseyan)
Chris Howell | February 4, 2026
Woodbridge Township officials marked the start of Black History Month Tuesday with a flag-raising ceremony at the municipal complex attended by local leaders and New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, before the township council convened for a meeting that included final approval of the Ford Avenue School 14 property purchase and action on redevelopment, infrastructure, and park improvement measures.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH FLAG-RAISING HELD AHEAD OF THE MEETING
Woodbridge Township officials marked the start of Black History Month on Tuesday with a flag-raising ceremony at the municipal complex attended by local leaders and New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.
The event began inside the municipal building with remarks from officials, then moved outside for the flag raising. After the ceremony, attendees returned indoors for the regular council meeting.
The ceremony also included recognition of Officer Thomas Hendricks, who was honored by Mayor John McCormac and the Municipal Council during Black History Month for being named Woodbridge Police Department’s Officer of the Year for 2025. Hendricks, a graduate of the Cape May County Police Academy in 2022, has quickly distinguished himself as a proactive officer while also serving the community as a New Jersey State–certified emergency medical technician and firefighter.
Police Director Anthony Nisky said Hendricks represents “a unique opportunity to bridge the gap in the community and uphold the legacy of service in the Woodbridge Police Department,” citing his professionalism, dedication, and impact beyond traditional policing.
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Woodbridge Police Officer Thomas Hendricks speaks during a Black History Month recognition ceremony inside the township council chambers. (Source: Woodbridge Police Department / Facebook)
FORD AVENUE SCHOOL 14 PROPERTY PURCHASE APPROVED ON FINAL READING
Later in the meeting, the council adopted an ordinance authorizing the township to acquire real property known as Ford Avenue School 14 in the Fords section of Woodbridge. The ordinance states the public purpose is “creating and preserving recreational space.”
The council also approved two traffic ordinances on second reading: one deleting a handicapped parking designation on Diaz Street and another adding a handicapped parking designation on Lee Avenue.
MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECT BOND ORDINANCE INTRODUCED
The council introduced a bond ordinance to fund the Omar Avenue Extension and Paddock Street Improvements Project, with an appropriation of $9,990,000 and references to state and county grants, as well as bond financing and bond anticipation notes.
RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TOWNSHIP PROPERTY ACTIONS ADVANCED
Several first-reading ordinances dealt with property control and right-of-way issues, including:
- Accepting property from Morris Avenel Associates Urban Renewal LLC for use as a permanent right-of-way.
- Authorizing the lease of township-owned property by public auction on Moore Avenue.
- Accepting a conveyance from the Woodbridge Township Board of Education for a permanent right-of-way easement.
REDEVELOPMENT: 1177 RAHWAY AVENUE PLAN MOVES FORWARD
On the land-use front, the council introduced an ordinance to adopt the “1177 Rahway Avenue Redevelopment Plan” under New Jersey’s redevelopment law. The agenda also included a resolution referring that redevelopment plan to the township Planning Board for review and comment, a standard step in the process.
SCHOOLS AND PILOT FINANCING: HOPELAWN SCHOOL 10 LISTED
Among the resolutions, the council authorized the mayor to execute an agreement with the Woodbridge Township Board of Education for a pledge of certain PILOT payments tied to the construction of Hopelawn School 10 and other school improvements. A separate resolution on the agenda also addressed a requested transfer of a financial agreement involving 51 New Brunswick Avenue (a Woodmont Industrial NBA Urban Renewal agreement transferring to SREW NJ Hopelawn 51 Urban Renewal, LLC).
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS: GRANTS LISTED FOR FORD AVENUE PARK AND ADA SWINGS
Two grant-related items on the agenda focused on park improvements:
- A NJDEP Green Acres grant for Ford Avenue Park Improvements is listed at $2,298,000.
- A NJ Department of Community Affairs grant item to improve township playgrounds by installing ADA swing modifications and related access structures in 30 parks.
CANNABIS FACILITY: TOWNSHIP SUPPORT RESOLUTION
The agenda also included a resolution supporting the location and operation of a cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and retail facility operated by AYR Wellness NJ II LLC (formerly identified under other names).
OTHER BUSINESS: CONTRACTS, PARADE, AUDIT ADDENDUM, AND ROUTINE ITEMS
Additional agenda items included: a contract for printing and mailing the 2026 sanitation and recycling calendar (not to exceed $55,950), a shared services agreement for qualified purchasing agent services, an audit addendum for the year ending June 30, 2025, and routine resolutions covering refunds, official newspaper designations, and a special event agreement.
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