East Brunswick State Of The Township Address: Hope & Commitment

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — At Monday night’s State of the Township address, East Brunswick mayor Brad Cohen acknowledged the hardships residents faced in a pandemic year, and highlighted the various achievements of the town.

“I don't think it is a stretch to say that 2020, for most of us living through a pandemic and the massive toll it has taken on our health, economy, way of life – has been an annus horribilis (horrible year),” said Cohen.

“With the advent of vaccines and modern science, I believe that we have every reason to be hopeful. With that — we here in East Brunswick must reconcile the year 2020 and look to our future with hope and vigor.” he said.

Cohen focused his speech on themes similar to his Holiday address – hope and resilience.

The 25-minute-long address highlighted the achievements of the townships, beginning with the Parks and Recreations Department. Despite the various programs held by the department, including a COVID information center, they saw a decline in sponsorship.

“Despite our efforts at normalcy, the fact remains that revenue for the department was down due to the fact that many of our traditional in person programs had to be cancelled. With that also comes a decrease in corporate sponsorships,” said Cohen.

The mayor said he hoped with people getting vaccinated, the department could open its water park.

The Department of Planning, Engineering and Construction continued its work during the lockdown. Thirty-nine 39 roads were repaved and repaired at a cost of $4.2 million. A large section of Old Stage Road was repaired through County assistance and PSEG commitment. They have several projects lined up for 2021.

Since COVID-19 disproportionately affected the senior population, the township’s Department on Aging was the first to close.

"That does not mean that we have forgotten our seniors,” said Cohen. "During the lockdown, we took the time to make COVID modifications to the center and our busses. The department received a $750,000 grant from the state for a new roof, windows and HVAC system.”

Work is presently under way on those projects, said Cohen. There were 11,000 meals on wheels delivered last year — which according to the mayor, is the highest in the program’s history. "We certainly hope to see the Center and the programs open soon in person,” he said.

Cohen also went on to thank the Department of Public Works, calling them the “unsung heroes.”

He said the work they do “may not seem very sexy” but is extremely important to the township.

He also praised the East Brunswick Police Department (EBPD) for their commitment to safety and community policing.

The EBDP partnered with Shop Rite to assist seniors and special needs children through the Blue Delivery Program during the pandemic. They also sponsored a safe Halloween Trunk and Treat drive-thru for kids last year.

"The unit also maintains a close relationship with our Township BOE, Houses of Worship and area businesses,” said Cohen.

He also highlighted EBPD’s response to the Black Lives Matter protest last summer.

“In response to the Black Lives Matter Protests this summer we had a peaceful and respectful rally here in the Township. This was coordinated by pre-rally planning between the protesters and EBPD- there were no issues and the event was attended by several hundred people,” Cohen said.

The mayor reiterated his administration's commitment to racial justice and equality.

He said his administration will continue to uphold standards required by the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police Accreditation.

“We will continue to provide evidence that ensuring the public safety and understanding that Black Lives Matter are not mutually exclusive constructs —they co-exist here in East Brunswick,” he said.

"Let us all hope that my next State of the Township address will look back upon the year and we can utter the phase 'Annus mirabilis', the Latin phrase for a marvelous year."

Click here to see Mayor Cohen's 2021 State of the Township Address.

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