Press Releases

For Immediate Release

June 23, 2026

Contact: Jennifer Poppy

South Brunswick Township Public Affairs

732-329-4000 x7275

SOUTH BRUNSWICK GIRL SCOUT TROOP 84291 EARNS BRONZE AWARD

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. — South Brunswick Girl Scout Troop 84291 earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor for Junior Girl Scouts, by has completing their Friendship Bench Project at Woodlot Park.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award recognizes Junior Girl Scouts who identify a community need and create a solution. Troop 84291 used teamwork to share a message of kindness and inclusion at Woodlot Park.

The project, completed with South Brunswick Township’s Public Works and Recreation departments, transformed an existing park bench into a Friendship Bench with messages and artwork promoting kindness, inclusion and friendship.

Planning began in October 2025 with the troop meeting with Mayor Charlie Carley to discuss community needs. The girls selected the Friendship Bench concept, worked with township staff on the design and completed the project between April and June 2026, using reused materials when possible.

Troop 84291 members include Vanya Aggarwal, Anisha Dhavalikar, Sia Joshi, Jiya Mehta, Ana Milione, Janani Pemmasani, Tarushree Pudukkudi, and Riya Sadarangani. The troop is led by Vandana Sadarangani and Ujjwala Patil Dhavalikar.

“Our parks are places where residents come together, and this project helps make Woodlot Park more welcoming,” said Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “Troop 84291 created something that will serve as a reminder of friendship and kindness.”

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For Immediate Release

June 16, 2026

Contact: Jennifer Poppy

South Brunswick Township Public Affairs

732-329-4000 x7275

SOUTH BRUNSWICK RECEIVES $50,000 HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT FOR CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY UPDATE

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. — South Brunswick Township has secured a $50,000 Historic Preservation Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to undertake Phase I of an update to the Township’s Cultural Resource Survey.

The Township received notification on May 13, 2026, that the grant agreement had been successfully executed, allowing work to move forward on the project.

The Cultural Resource Survey, originally completed in 2003, is being updated to meet current New Jersey Historic Preservation Office (HPO) guidelines and to incorporate historically significant properties that were either not included or require updated documentation. The project will support the Township’s ongoing efforts to identify, preserve, and celebrate South Brunswick’s historic resources.

“This grant will help us better understand and preserve the places that tell South Brunswick’s story,” said Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman. “By updating our Cultural Resource Survey, we are creating an important tool that will guide future preservation efforts and help ensure our community’s history remains part of our future.”

The updated survey will assist the Township and Historic Preservation Commission in evaluating opportunities to establish additional historic districts in Monmouth Junction, Dayton, Fresh Ponds, and Deans. Currently, Kingston is the Township’s only designated historic district.

The overall survey project includes 320 cultural resources throughout South Brunswick. Of those properties, 287 were documented in the 2003 survey and require updates to meet current standards. An additional 23 properties currently protected under the Township’s Historic Preservation Ordinance require new research, mapping, and photography, while 10 additional historically significant properties throughout Kendall Park, Little Rocky Hill, Monmouth Junction, Deans, Kingston, and Dayton will be documented for the first time under current HPO standards.

Phase I of the project will focus on approximately 85-110 properties and include updated research, photography, mapping, and field inspections. Work is scheduled to begin this month and continue through 2027.

“Updating the Cultural Resource Survey is one of the South Brunswick Historic Preservation Commission’s responsibilities per the municipal code,” said Terry Caruso, Vice Chair of the Commission. “This State grant provides the resources needed to complete this update and support the Township’s ongoing historic preservation efforts.”

The Historic Preservation Certified Local Government Grant Program supports municipalities in identifying, documenting, and preserving historic resources. The updated Cultural Resource Survey will provide valuable information for future planning decisions, preservation initiatives, educational programs, and historic district designation efforts throughout South Brunswick.

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For Immediate Release

June 15, 2026

Contact: Jennifer Poppy

South Brunswick Township Public Affairs

732-329-4000 x7275

SOUTH BRUNSWICK HONORS WORLD WAR II VETERAN STEPHEN J. KISH WITH STREET DEDICATION CEREMONY

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. — The Township of South Brunswick honored the life, service, and dedication of Corporal Stephen J. Kish during a Veteran Street Dedication Ceremony attended by family members, veterans, Township officials, and community residents.

Held as part of the Township’s Veteran Street Sign Program, the ceremony recognized Corporal Kish’s distinguished service in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and celebrated his lasting contributions to both his Nation and community.

Corporal Kish’s children, Jenny, Stevie, and Arnie, joined Mayor Charlie Carley, Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman, Councilwoman Jo Hochman, Councilwoman Archana “Ann” Grover, Township Manager Bryan Bidlack, representatives of local veterans organizations, members of the South Brunswick Police Department and Honor Guard, and residents for the ceremony honoring his military service and legacy.

The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks recognizing the importance of preserving the memory of local veterans whose service helped protect the freedoms enjoyed by future generations. VFW Commander Scott Weyd led the Pledge of Allegiance and shared the military service history of Corporal Kish, highlighting his contributions to the Allied victory during World War II.

Mayor Charlie Carley offered remarks reflecting on Corporal Kish’s service and the importance of recognizing veterans whose sacrifices helped shape the Nation’s history.

A formal Township Resolution was then read by Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman, detailing Corporal Kish’s military service and accomplishments. The Resolution noted that he entered active military service in the United States Army Air Forces in 1942 and served as a Parachute Rigger Repairman with the 336th Service Squadron, 58th Service Group.

Serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II, Corporal Kish participated in the Luzon, New Guinea, and Philippines Island campaigns, supporting military operations through the inspection, maintenance, and preparation of critical airborne equipment. His service contributed to Allied efforts that helped secure victory in the Pacific.

For his faithful and honorable service, Corporal Kish was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon.

Born in Jersey City in 1922, Stephen J. Kish was raised in the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, where his family operated a small grocery store. Following his honorable discharge in 1945, he returned to the family business, raised three children, and continued serving his community as a volunteer firefighter.

The Resolution further recognized that the municipal roadway designation “Kish Way,” previously established under the Township’s Veteran Street Sign Program in honor of members of the Kish family, would also serve as a continuing tribute to Stephen J. Kish through the commemorative ceremony held in his honor.

During the ceremony, Stevie Kish, his son, unveiled the commemorative street sign recognizing Corporal Kish’s service and ensuring that his contributions to the Nation and community will continue to be remembered.

“As you drive around and see these dedicated streets, remember that these veterans are only a milli-fraction of the many who have served,” said Jenny (Kish) Cortes.  “Some came back and led a normal life while many others died or came back, their lives forever changed by the war.”

The ceremony concluded with closing remarks encouraging residents to carry forward the memory and example of Corporal Kish and all veterans whose service has helped preserve the freedoms enjoyed today.

South Brunswick’s Veteran Street Sign Program recognizes honorably discharged wartime veterans with commemorative street signs installed along existing municipal roadways as a lasting tribute to their service and sacrifice.

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For Immediate Release

June 9, 2026

Contact: Jennifer Poppy

South Brunswick Township Public Affairs

732-329-4000 x7275

SOUTH BRUNSWICK MARKS PRIDE MONTH WITH FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. — South Brunswick Township officials, residents and community members gathered at the Municipal Building on June 3 for a Pride flag-raising ceremony recognizing Pride Month and re-affirming the Township’s commitment to fostering community for all.

Representing the Township were Mayor Charlie Carley, Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman, Councilwoman Archana “Ann” Grover, Councilwoman Patty Germain and Township Manager Bryan Bidlack.

In his remarks, Mayor Carley reflected on kindness and acceptance, “The progress of human dignity … isn’t found in noise or spectacle … but in the simple courage of people living their truth, and in the everyday choice to expand our hearts.”

Following the Mayor’s remarks, Township officials joined Louise Walpin and Marsha Shapiro in raising the Pride flag at the Municipal Building, where it will fly throughout June. The Township also presented Walpin and Shapiro with a copy of its Pride Month proclamation in recognition of their longstanding advocacy for LGBTQ rights and marriage equality in New Jersey.

“The rights we enjoy today were earned through courage, persistence and collective action. Ordinary people throughout the ages decided they would no longer accept being treated as less than equal,” said Marsha Shapiro.

Walpin highlighted her work as a co-founder of the Trans Rights Coalition of New Jersey and discussed ongoing efforts to protect access to gender-affirming healthcare and advance equality for transgender residents.

“Pride means standing with all vulnerable communities,” said Louise Walpin. “It will never be measured by how far we have come alone, but rather by how willing we are to continue moving forward together. Our love, collaboration and mutual aid is our greatest strength.”

The ceremony followed the Township Council’s adoption of a resolution proclaiming June as Pride Month and re-affirming the Township’s commitment to human dignity awareness within the community.

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For Immediate Release

June 2, 2026

Contact: Jennifer Poppy

South Brunswick Township Public Affairs

732-329-4000 x7275

SOUTH BRUNSWICK HONORS MARINE VETERAN THEODORE W. LOUNSBURY JR. WITH STREET DEDICATION CEREMONY

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. — The Township of South Brunswick honored the life, service, and sacrifice of Sergeant Theodore W. Lounsbury Jr. during a Veteran Street Sign Dedication Ceremony attended by family members, veterans, Township officials, and community residents.

Held as part of the Township’s Veteran Street Sign Program, the ceremony recognized Sergeant Lounsbury’s distinguished service in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and formally dedicated a commemorative street sign in his honor.

Sergeant Lounsbury is survived by his cousins Arlene Mikkelsen, Karen Busco, David Beier, and Cindy Beier, as well as his nephews William Lounsbury Jr. and Eric Lounsbury. Family members were among those who joined Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman, Councilwoman Jo Hochman, Councilwoman Patty Germain, Township Manager Bryan Bidlack, representatives of local veterans organizations, members of the South Brunswick Police Department and Honor Guard, and residents for the ceremony honoring the South Brunswick native’s courage, sacrifice, and service to the Nation.

The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks recognizing the importance of preserving the memory of local veterans whose service helped protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans. VFW Commander Scott Weyd led the Pledge of Allegiance and shared the service history of Sergeant Lounsbury, reflecting on his courage and devotion to duty while serving with the 1st Marine Air Wing in Da Nang, Vietnam.

A formal Township Resolution was then read by Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman, detailing Sergeant Lounsbury’s military service and accomplishments. The Resolution noted that Sergeant Lounsbury served in a medical evacuation helicopter unit conducting dangerous combat rescue operations in support of wounded servicemen during the Vietnam War.

For his extraordinary heroism and service, Sergeant Lounsbury was awarded the Silver Star Medal and numerous additional military honors, including the Navy Commendation Medal for Valor and the Air Medal awarded twenty-three times for meritorious achievement during aerial flight operations.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1945, Theodore W. Lounsbury Jr. was raised in the Dayton section of South Brunswick and graduated from South Brunswick High School in 1963 before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1964.

Sergeant Lounsbury tragically passed away on April 10, 1968, at the age of twenty-three while still serving in the Marine Corps.

During the ceremony, family members unveiled the commemorative street sign that will permanently honor his legacy within the community he once called home.

“As we dedicate this street sign, we ensure that Sergeant Theodore W. Lounsbury Jr.’s courage, sacrifice, and service to our Nation will never be forgotten,” said Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman. “South Brunswick is proud to honor one of our own whose actions reflected the very best of our Country.”

The ceremony concluded with the playing of Taps by Paul G. Feldman of Taps for Veterans in honor of Sergeant Lounsbury’s memory and service.

South Brunswick’s Veteran Street Sign Program recognizes honorably discharged wartime veterans with commemorative street signs installed along existing municipal roadways as a lasting tribute to their service and sacrifice.

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