Location of Old Bridge Township inMiddlesex County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Middlesex County inNew Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Census Bureau map of Old Bridge Township, New Jersey
Interactive map of Old Bridge Township, New Jersey
What is now Old Bridge Township was originally incorporated asMadison Township by an act of theNew Jersey Legislature on March 2, 1869, from portions ofSouth Amboy Township (now City of South Amboy).[29] In a referendum held on November 5, 1975, voters approved changing the township's name to Old Bridge Township by a margin of 7,150 votes to 4,888.[30][31] The township's name was changed to avoid confusion with the borough ofMadison inMorris County.[30][25] When the township was established, the area was made up primarily of farms and the population grew slowly. In 1880, the population was 1,662 and by 1950 it had reached 7,365. Over the next decade, a building boom started;[32] as farms gave way to developments, the population tripled to 22,772 by 1960.[26] The1980 census cited 51,406 people. The township saw major changes with the extension of Route 18 to the shore.
The township was named as a contender for the title of one of the best places to live in the United States byMoney magazine in both 2005 and 2007.[33][34]
In 2016, SafeWise named Old Bridge Township as the sixth-safest city in America to raise a child; the township was the second-highest ranked of the 12 communities in New Jersey included on the list.[35]
The first inhabitants of the area known as Old Bridge were theLenni LenapeNative Americans. Those who settled in Old Bridge and other parts ofCentral Jersey were known as theUnami, or "people down the river."[29] They migrated to the shore along the Raritan each summer from their hunting grounds in the north.[31] When the English gained control from theDutch in 1664, the state was divided into two provinces,East Jersey andWest Jersey. In 1683, the general assembly of East Jersey defined the boundaries ofMiddlesex County and the three other original counties (Bergen,Essex andMonmouth) as containing all plantations on both sides of theRaritan River, as far asCheesequake Harbor to the east, then southwest to the Provincial line, with the southwest line being the border ofMonmouth and Middlesex counties and the Township's southern border.[36]
Thomas Warne, one of the original 24 proprietors of East Jersey, was listed as a landowner of this area, and his son is said to have been the earliest European resident residing in the Cheesequake area in 1683. John and Susannah Brown were granted a 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) land grant from the King of England in 1737. They called the area Brownville, and this part of township is still known as Browntown.[31]
In 1684, South Amboy Township was formed. At that time, it covered an area that now consists of the Townships ofMonroe and Old Bridge, the Borough ofSayreville and the City ofSouth Amboy. The Township covers 42 square miles (110 km2) that separated from South Amboy on March 2, 1869, and was originally called Madison Township.[29] In 1975, the name was changed by referendum to the Township of Old Bridge. The purpose was to establish a single postal designation and ZIP code for the township and to differentiate the township from the Borough ofMadison inMorris County.[37][26] The community ofOld Bridge inEast Brunswick derives its name from the fact that the first bridge spanning theSouth River was built there, and as other bridges were built across the river the first one became known as "the Old Bridge."[38]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 40.93 square miles (106.00 km2), including 38.18 square miles (98.89 km2) of land and 2.75 square miles (7.11 km2) of water (6.71%).[1][2]
The2010 United States census counted 65,375 people, 23,777 households, and 17,333 families in the township. Thepopulation density was 1,717.7 per square mile (663.2/km2). There were 24,638 housing units at an average density of 647.3 per square mile (249.9/km2). The racial makeup was 74.06% (48,418)White, 6.21% (4,063)Black or African American, 0.20% (129)Native American, 14.34% (9,374)Asian, 0.02% (10)Pacific Islander, 2.72% (1,780) fromother races, and 2.45% (1,601) from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.81% (7,064) of the population.[21]
Of the 23,777 households, 33.7% had children under the age of 18; 58.5% were married couples living together; 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.1% were non-families. Of all households, 22.6% were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.25.[21]
22.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.5 males.[21]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010American Community Survey showed that (in 2010inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $82,640 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,053) and the median family income was $98,634 (+/− $2,857). Males had a median income of $67,487 (+/− $3,364) versus $48,856 (+/− $3,104) for females. Theper capita income for the township was $35,666 (+/− $1,152). About 3.1% of families and 4.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.[56]
As of the2000 United States census[17] there were 60,456 people, 21,438 households, and 15,949 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,587.4 inhabitants per square mile (612.9/km2). There were 21,896 housing units at an average density of 574.9 per square mile (222.0/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 79.48%White, 10.82%Asian, 5.30%African American, 0.16%Native American, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 1.87% fromother races and 2.32% from two or more races. 7.57% of the population wereHispanic or Latino of any race.[54][55]
There were 21,438 households, out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% weremarried couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.30.[54][55]
In the township the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.[54][55]
The median income for a household in the township was $64,707, and the median income for a family was $74,045. Males had a median income of $51,978 versus $35,462 for females. Theper capita income for the township was $26,814. About 3.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.[54][55]
Madison Township had many mill streams that were used to generate water power. The Warne family ownedfulling mills in the area. Fulling was used as a finishing process used on woolen cloth that would remove the dirt and grease and to compact the wool fibers. The mill is said to have been run behind Old Bridge High School and flows east into theMatawan Creek. The area of Old Bridge was also known for its many mills that manufacturedsnuff, a scented tobacco product that was used by men and women during that time. The Washington Snuff mill (later renamed the Dill Snuff Mill) was established in 1801 and was located on Mount Pleasant and Old Bridge Turnpike (now Route 516).[57]
The clay soil in the area surrounding Old Bridge was used for pottery and bricks way before the first European settlers. "Fine clay had surrounded Cheesequake Creek when the Lenni Lenape Native Americans lived there. The early discoveries of clay along the banks opened the clay industry to Middlesex County as well as the state of New Jersey. By the 1800s clay was a major industry. The clay deposits found along Cheesequake Creek are reported to be some of the finest stoneware clays in the United States."[37] The clay supplied local potters as well as those inHudson Valley,Norwalk, Connecticut, otherNew England states, and parts ofCanada. The earliest use of clay from this area was used by Captain James Morgan before the Revolution. The Perrine clay pit was located nearU.S. Route 9 and Ernston Road.[57]
The Cottrell homestead is a landmark in Old Bridge. It was built in 1831 and still stands today on the northeast corner ofCounty Route 516 and Cottrell Road. The Cottrells owned a 150-acre (61 ha) apple orchard that was located across the street from their home. Apples that could not be used because of their size or quality did not go to waste. Across from the cold-storage building on the southwest corner of Cottrell Road and Route 516, the family built the New Jersey Apple Growers Inc.distillery. It was at this distillery that they pressed the apples into cider and distilled the brandy in large vats. The brandy would age in barrels in a government warehouse that was located on the Cottrells' property. The Cottrells produced apple brandy for twenty years on the farm and sold it wholesale to distributors under the name Browntown.[37]
Old Bridge Township is governed within theFaulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under theMayor-Council system of municipal government.[6][58] The township is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide governed under this form.[59] The Township Council is comprised of nine members, with six elected to representwards and three electedat-large from the township as a whole in partisan elections held as part of the November general election in odd-numbered years. All elected officials serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with the six ward seats up for election together and the three at-large seats and the mayoral seat up for vote together two years later.[60][61]
As of 2024[update], theMayor of Old Bridge Township isRepublican Eleanor "Debbie" Walker, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.[3] The members of the Township Council are Council President Mary Rita Sohor (R, 2027; At Large), Council Vice-President Anita Greenberg-Belli (R, 2027; At-Large), Darin Accettulli (R, 2025; Ward 2 - appointed to serve an unexpired term), Jill DeCaro (D, 2025; Ward 4), Erik DePalma (R, 2027; At Large), Kiran Desai (D, 2025; Ward 3), Kevin J. Garcia (R, 2025; Ward 1), John E. Murphy III (R, 2025; Ward 6), Anthony Paskitti (R, 2025; Ward 5).[62][63][64][65]
Darin Accettulli was appointed to fill the Wars 2 seat expiring in December 2025 that had been held by Erik DePalma, until he took office as an at-large councilmember. Accettulli will serve on an interim basis until the November 2024 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.[66]
Republican Mark Razzoli had been behind Democrat Jill DeCaro by 11 votes at the November 2021 general election for the seat in Ward 4. In December 2021, the results were invalidated after it was confirmed that dozens of residents had received incorrect ballots that had voters casting ballots in the incorrect ward.[67] In a March 2022 special election, DeCaro was elected over Razzoli by an 838 to 693 margin.[68][69]
In January 2020, the Township Council selected Erik DePalma from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the Second Ward seat expiring in December 2021 that became vacant when Mary Sohor resigned to take office after taking office to an at-large seat.[70]
In June 2016, the Township Council appointed June Dungee to fill the vacant Third Ward seat expiring in December 2017 that had been held by Reginald Butler until his death earlier that month; Dungee served until the November 2016 general election, when voters choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.[71]
The Old Bridge Municipal Court has authority over misdemeanor cases related to traffic violations, criminal offenses, and local ordinance violations that occur within Old Bridge Township.
Middlesex County is governed by aBoard of County Commissioners, whose seven members are electedat-large on a partisan basis to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in January, the board selects from among its members a commissioner director and deputy director.[80] As of 2025[update], Middlesex County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year, and residence listed in parentheses) are:
As of March 2011, there were a total of 38,907 registered voters in Old Bridge Township, of which 10,946 (28.1%) were registered asDemocrats, 6,363 (16.4%) were registered asRepublicans and 21,577 (55.5%) were registered asUnaffiliated. There were 21 voters registered to other parties.[102]
In the2012 presidential election, DemocratBarack Obama received 54.1% of the vote (13,127 cast), ahead of RepublicanMitt Romney with 44.9% (10,911 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (240 votes), among the 24,402 ballots cast by the township's 39,947 registered voters (124 ballots werespoiled), for a turnout of 61.1%.[103][104] In the2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 51.0% of the vote (14,001 cast), ahead of RepublicanJohn McCain with 47.4% (13,019 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (274 votes), among the 27,464 ballots cast by the township's 39,454 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.6%.[105] In the2004 presidential election, RepublicanGeorge W. Bush received 51.0% of the vote (12,722 ballots cast), outpolling DemocratJohn Kerry with 47.7% (11,884 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (237 votes), among the 24,931 ballots cast by the township's 36,428 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 68.4.[106]
In the2013 gubernatorial election, RepublicanChris Christie received 68.3% of the vote (10,211 cast), ahead of DemocratBarbara Buono with 30.3% (4,532 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (206 votes), among the 15,147 ballots cast by the township's 40,437 registered voters (198 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 37.5%.[112][113] In the2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 57.8% of the vote (9,511 ballots cast), ahead of DemocratJon Corzine with 35.9% (5,898 votes), IndependentChris Daggett with 5.9% (976 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (168 votes), among the 16,444 ballots cast by the township's 38,430 registered voters, yielding a 42.8% turnout.[114]
United States Senate election results for Old Bridge1[115]
TheOld Bridge Township Public Schools serve students inkindergarten throughtwelfth grade.[117] As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of 14 schools, had an enrollment of 8,096 students and 670.5 classroom teachers (on anFTE basis), for astudent–teacher ratio of 12.1:1.[118] Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from theNational Center for Education Statistics[119]) are M. Scott Carpenter Elementary School[120] (with 226 students in grades K–5), Leroy Gordon Cooper Elementary School[121] (196; K–5), Virgil I. Grissom Elementary School[122] (182; K–5), Madison Park Elementary School[123] (285; K–5), James A. McDivitt Elementary School[124] (532; K–5), Memorial Elementary School[125] (417; K–5), William A. Miller Elementary School[126] (332; K–5), Walter M. Schirra Elementary School[127] (269; K–5), Alan B. Shepard Elementary School[128] (280; K–5), Southwood Elementary School[129] (343; K–5), Raymond E. Voorhees Elementary School[130] (394; K–5), Jonas Salk Middle School[131] (903; 6–8), Carl Sandburg Middle School[132] (981; 6–8) andOld Bridge High School[133] (2,707; 9–12).[134][135][136]
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 222.24 miles (357.66 km) of roadways, of which 179.32 miles (288.59 km) were maintained by the municipality, 24.41 miles (39.28 km) by Middlesex County and 16.65 miles (26.80 km) by theNew Jersey Department of Transportation and 1.86 miles (2.99 km) by theNew Jersey Turnpike Authority.[145]
The township is crisscrossed by many major roads and highways.[146]
Middlesex County Area Transit shuttles provide service on routes operating across the county,[161] including the M3 route, which operates betweenBrunswick Square Mall and Old Bridge[162] and the M7 route between Brunswick Square Mall andSouth Amboy.[163]
Raritan Bay Medical Center has two hospitals in the area, theOld Bridge division and thePerth Amboy division. The Old Bridge Division, known as Hackensack Meridian which handles all but trauma cases is located at the intersection ofRoute 18 and Ferry Road.[166]
Old Bridge maintains a full-time police department consisting of 90 sworn personnel divided into multiple bureaus.[167] The police department handles approximately 50,000 to 55,000 calls for service each year.
Administration Bureau: Chief of Police. Police radio, computer, 9-1-1, and dispatch operations. Training, scheduling etc.
Patrol Bureau: First responders for calls of service, motor vehicle crash investigators, motor vehicle and criminal law enforcement, road construction, special operations.
Traffic Safety Bureau: All traffic enforcement, road construction planning, commuter lot parking enforcement, state funded grants (i.e.:seatbelt enforcement, mobile phone enforcement, child seat, pedestrian etc.) serious and fatal motor vehicle crash investigations, large scale lane closings for events or crashes,road striping, traffic sign replacement and repair, ATV details, special events. Security of impounded vehicles.
Detective Bureau: Investigates all serious offenses and crimes, serious and fatal motor vehicle crash investigations, plain clothes operations. Works closely withFBI,United States Secret Service, Alcoholic Beverage Control and other federal agencies.
Identification Bureau: Works in conjunction with the detective bureau, documents all serious crime scenes, photography for crime scenes and fatal/serious motor vehicle crashes, fingerprinting, evidence collection, processing and storing, civilian background checks, Megans Law enforcement, firearms application investigating and processing.
Narcotics Bureau: All drug- and alcohol-related investigations, undercover operations, surveillance, liaisons with Prosecutors office, special operations, raids. Keeps a close relationship with theDEA.
Fire Arms Unit: Officers trained in qualifying and training all police personnel in weapons systems. This unit repairs and maintains firearms, gear and schedules all state mandated firearms training for the officers. Orders ammunition and supplies related to officer gear.
Police Garage: Mechanics trained in police vehicle repair, wiring, maintenance, storage of impounded vehicles.
Auxiliary Police: Patrol in marked cars and uniform. They augment the regular officers while on patrol. Auxiliary officers provide additional security for events and details, parade traffic assistance, township fairs, carnivals, benefit functions etc. These officers fall under theOffice of Emergency Management section of the township and are all volunteers, receiving no paychecks for their services.
Special police officers: Most of these "special" employees are classified as Class I officers. They provide security at parks and recreation areas, conduct crowd control and are frequently used on court days to handle prisoners. They also serve as another set of eyes and ears for the patrol bureau. Class II officers are also employed in the township. Class II police officers are armed and hold the same powers as officers within the patrol bureau while they are on duty.
Old Bridge is divided into four fire districts:[168]
Fire District 1: Laurence Harbor Fire Department, established in 1924 and operating out of two stations.[169]
Fire District 2: Cheesequake Volunteer Fire Company, with Station 1 at 113Route 34, Station 2 at 4290Route 516 and Station 3 at 3080 Route 516.[170]
Fire District 3: South Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Company, established in 1947 and operating out of three stations, with Engine Company 1 located at 958 Englishtown Road, Engine Company 2 at 14 Throckmorton Lane and Engine Company 3 at 1599 Englishtown Road.[171][172]
Fire District 4: Madison Park Volunteer Fire Company, organized in 1956.[173]
Each of the above have several different fire houses with adequate equipment and trucks to handle any and all situations that arise within the township or surrounding towns.Old Bridge is equipped for:
Old Bridge is divided into five districts each with a volunteer first aid squad. Numerous ambulances are in service for the community. A paid squad is employed between the hours of 6am to 6pm. A majority of all the volunteer squads are defunct.
Cheesequake Volunteer First Aid Squad, formed in 1969[174] (Defunct in 2021).
Laurence Harbor Volunteer First Aid Squad, established in 1927 and serving the areas of Laurence Harbor, Cliffwood Beach, Genoa, Cheesequake State Park, Cheesequake Village and Ellen Heath[175]
Madison Park Volunteer First Aid Squad, formed in 1959 (Defunct as of 2023)[176]
Old Bridge First Aid and Rescue Squad (nicknamed "Red & White" due to the color of their ambulances)[177] (Defunct as of 2023)
Old Bridge Volunteer Emergency Medical Services (nicknamed "Green & White" due to the color of their ambulances)[178] (Defunct as of 2023)
Old Bridge Township Emergency Medical Services (OBTEMS) is the municipal paid service which covers daytime hours 6am–6pm.[179]
Advanced Life Support, also known as medics, are paid personnel dispatched to all township calls based on the requirements of assistance. Medics respond to all life/death situations due to a traumatic injury, industrial accident, heart problems, strokes, serious vehicle crashes, etc. The medics are housed byRobert Wood Johnson University Hospital,Saint Peter's University Hospital and Raritan Bay Medical Center. Each are assigned their own ambulance.
Cheesequake State Park covers 1,600 acres (650 ha), offering recreation opportunities including hiking and camping.[180]
Laurence Harbor Beachfront offers 70 acres (28 ha) on theRaritan Bay waterfront, with beaches, playgrounds and fishing available, in addition to a boardwalk and walkways at Paul's Beach stretching 1.3 miles (2.1 km).[181]
CPS Madison Industries Superfund Site has been identified as the 14th-worstSuperfund site in the United States. That area is fenced off along Waterworks Road, near Cheesequake Road. This area has one chemical plant still operating, Old Bridge Chemical. A former plant, Ciba Chemical closed several years ago and a bulk of the plant was demolished, only the office building remains.[185]
Many small ponds in the area are remnants of clay pits dug in the 19th century, as clay was a major industry. The Perrine clay pit was located near Route 9 and Ernston Road.[37]
The Runyon coal yards were located off Bordentown Avenue and Cheesequake Road, at the site of Stavola Asphalt Construction Company (formerly Manzos Contracting). Rail cars at this yard were used to transport their loads to the South Amboy docks, where the coal was shipped to New York City.
Pilings of former docks can be found by foot traversing Steamboat Landing Road, also known as Dock Road, which is the extension of Cottrell Road at its intersection of Route 34.
The Ochwald Brickworks, now the site of Bridgepointe Development inLaurence Harbor, began operation in 1910 and continued operation into the early 1960s. Behind the Bridgepointe Development and far into the woodline and field, old bricks can still be found.[37]
The Kepec Chemical Company in the Genoa section (off County Road) is whereJulius and Ethel Rosenberg were reported to have contacted Russian spies in 1950. The FBI conducted surveillance of the building at the intersection of Biondi Avenue and Gordon Street. Only a few bricks remain to mark this location at the foot of Columbus Avenue.[186]
A mass grave in the Ernst Memorial Cemetery off Ernston Road holds the remains of over a dozen unidentified victims of theT. A. Gillespie Company Shell Loading Plant explosion of 1918. This plant exploded in the Morgan section of neighboring Sayreville, killing an estimated 100 persons. Shock waves were felt as far north as Newark.[187]
A horse-racing track used to be located where present day Lakeridge development now stands (near the border with Matawan Borough.)
A circular car racing track (early 1950s to approximately 1982) used to be located off County Route 516 where the Whispering Pines Development is now. No visible trace remains.
Cheesequake State Park, one of the oldest in the country, opening on June 22, 1940, covers 1,274 acres (516 ha), partially located in Old Bridge. Located near theGarden State Parkway exit 120,Route 34 andRoute 35, the park is often crowded by sunbathers, picnics, concert goers (nearbyPNC Bank Arts Center) and tourists.[188]
ACold War-eraNike missile base is located offU.S. Route 9 on Jake Brown Road. Listed inWeird NJ as a haunted site, readers frequent this area and explore the fields where former base worker residences once stood. The actual base was purchased by theOld Bridge Township Public Schools for use as storage. The former underground silos and tunnels were purposely flooded and caved in when the base was closed.[189]
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, a racetrack that had hostedFunny Car anddrag racing including the NHRA Summernationals, is located off Englishtown Road near the township's border with Manalapan and Monroe. As part of a January 2018 reorganization, the facility announced that it will no longer be holding drag racing events, retaining kart and motocross races, as well as car shows and concerts.[190]
On September 3, 1977, theGrateful Dead performed for a crowd of 100,000 at Raceway Park. The show was recorded and released in album form as part of "Dick's Picks", a series of live albums, in 1999.[191]
The heavy metal bandMetallica relocated from Los Angeles to the township in the early 1980s to record the songs on what would be their debut albumKill 'Em All.[192]
^abcHistory, Old Bridge Township. Accessed May 28, 2024.
^Depalma, Rachelle."If You're Thinking Of Living In; Old Bridge",The New York Times, June 1, 1986. Accessed May 28, 2024. "In the 1950s, large-scale development began in the community - then called Madison Township - when investors purchased huge tracts of land to meet the housing demands of people anxious to leave urban areas."
^De Angelo, Walter A.The History Buff's Guide to Middlesex CountyArchived September 29, 2020, at theWayback Machine,Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed December 16, 2019. "On March 7, 1683, the Assembly of East Jersey established four counties, Middlesex, Bergen, Essex and Monmouth. Middlesex County's original boundaries ran from the Essex County line eastward as far as Cheesequake Harbour, then southwest to the boundary between the provinces of East and West Jersey, and then northwest to the provincial boundary of East Jersey."
^The Council's Role in GovernmentArchived May 23, 2022, at theWayback Machine, Old Bridge Township. Accessed May 23, 2022. "The Township Council consists of nine members, all elected from a combination of wards and at-large, serving staggered terms of office. In Old Bridge, there are six ward council members and three at-large members."
^Loyer, Susan."Meet the newest member of the Old Bridge Township Council",Courier News, January 27, 2024. Accessed April 21, 2024. "The township has welcomed its newest council member, Darin Accettulli. Accettulli, a Republican, was appointed Jan. 16 to temporarily fill the Ward 2 seat. Councilmembers Jill DeCaro and John E. Murphy III abstained from the vote.... The seat was vacated by GOP Councilmember Erik DePalma, who was elected in November to the At-Large seat. Accettulli’s term will run until Dec. 31, 2025."
^Wildstein, David."Judge overturns Old Bridge election; Do-over election ordered after some residents received the wrong ballots"Archived May 23, 2022, at theWayback Machine, New Jersey Globe, December 29, 2021. Accessed May 23, 2022. "A Superior Court judge has invalidated the results of an Old Bridge Township Council election after finding that some voters received the wrong ballots and has ordered a special election to fill the seat. Democrat Jill DeCaro defeated GOP Councilman Mark Razzoli in the November general election by 11 votes in Old Bridge’s Ward 4. Judge Thomas Daniel McCloskey determined that election officials didn’t properly follow boundaries set in the 2011 ward redistricting map put voters from the odd numbered homes on one side of Cymbeline Drive in Ward 2, and the even numbered homes on the opposite side of Cymbeline Drive residing in the Ward 4."
^Wildstein, David."Democrat Jill DeCaro wins special election in Old Bridge Middlesex Dems stop GOP trend in early local special elections"Archived May 28, 2022, at theWayback Machine, New Jersey Globe, March 22, 2022. Accessed May 23, 2022. "School board member Jill DeCaro has won a special election for Old Bridge Township Council in a Ward 4 special election, defeating Republican Mark Razzoli in a big win for New Jersey Democrats and the Middlesex County Democratic organization.... In the November 2021 election, DeCaro had unseated Razzoli, who had been the incumbent, by 11 votes, but a Superior Court Judge invalidated the election after that 27 voters received the wrong ballot and 17 of them voted."
^Chang, Kathy."Old Bridge Township Council reorganizes with familiar faces, new council member"Archived January 9, 2020, at theWayback Machine, CentralJersey.com, January 9, 2020. Accessed May 13, 2020. "On New Year’s Day in front of dignitaries including Donald T. DiFrancesco, former governor of New Jersey, Assemblyman Robert Clifton (R-Middlesex) and former Old Bridge Mayor Barbara Cannon, family and friends, Mayor Owen Henry was sworn in for his third, four-year term, and Councilwomen Anita Greenberg-Belli, Eleanor 'Debbie' Walker and Mary Rita Sohor were sworn in for the three, four-year term council-at-large seats inside council chambers. Sohor vacated her Ward 2 seat, which expires on Dec. 31, 2021, after she was sworn in for the council-at-large seat. The Old Bridge Republican GOP offered three names and the council selected Erik DePalma to fill her unexpired seat until the November election."
^Epstein, Sue."The Old Bridge council has chosen a replacement for Reginald Butler"Archived July 5, 2016, at theWayback Machine, NJ Advance Media forNJ.com, June 28, 2016. Accessed July 13, 2016. "The council chose a replacement Monday night for long-time councilman Reginald Butler, who died earlier this month after a lengthy illness. June Dungee, 72, will represent Ward 3 until November when there will be a special election to choose someone to fill out the remaining year left on Butler's term."
^Biography, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Frank Pallone, Jr., was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, where he grew up and still resides."
^Biography, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Watson Coleman and her husband William reside in Ewing Township and are blessed to have three sons; William, Troy, and Jared and three grandchildren; William, Kamryn and Ashanee."
^Board of County Commissioners,Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed May 1, 2022. "The residents of Middlesex County's 25 municipalities elect seven persons to serve as members of the Board of County Commissioners. The Commissioners are elected at large to staggered three-year terms in the November general election. In January of each year, the Board reorganizes, selecting one Commissioner to be County Commissioner Director and another to be County Commissioner Deputy Director."
^"Governor - Middlesex County"(PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on September 10, 2015. RetrievedDecember 24, 2014.
^"Governor - Middlesex County"(PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections.Archived(PDF) from the original on September 11, 2015. RetrievedJanuary 2, 2018.
^"Governor - Middlesex County"(PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014.Archived(PDF) from the original on February 20, 2014. RetrievedDecember 24, 2014.
^Old Bridge Board of Education District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, Old Bridge Public Schools, updated June 27, 2000. Accessed May 2, 2024. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades K through 12 in the Old Bridge Township School District. Composition: The Old Bridge Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Old Bridge Township."
^Heyboer, Kelly."How to get your kid a seat in one of N.J.'s hardest-to-get-into high schools", NJ Advance Media forNJ.com, February 23, 2019. Accessed February 8, 2025. "Middlesex County has two stand-alone career academies for high-achieving students: the Academy for Science, Math and Engineering Technology, located on the campus of Middlesex County College in Edison, and the Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge. How to apply: Students must attend a mandatory information session and submit an application by November of their 8th grade year."
^About Our Schools,Middlesex County Magnet Schools. Accessed February 8, 2025. "These high schools are free public schools that offer hands-on, integrated learning opportunities for students in grades 9-12 interested in all types of careers as well as higher education. Any student who resides anywhere in Middlesex County's 25 municipalities student may apply to the school district. If accepted, the home school district will permit the student to attend and will organize daily transportation at no cost to the student's family."
^Who We AreArchived December 18, 2019, at theWayback Machine, Calvary Christian School. Accessed December 17, 2019. "Calvary Christian School is a ministry of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge."
^Our MissionArchived December 18, 2019, at theWayback Machine, Saint Ambrose School. Accessed December 17, 2019. "St. Ambrose offers full day programs in grades pre-K 3 through 8, as well as before & after care."
^About UsArchived December 17, 2014, at theWayback Machine, Laurence Harbor Volunteer First Aid Squad. Accessed September 23, 2014.
^Home page (Defunct as of 2023)Archived 2015-10-02 at .org(Error: unknown archive URL), Madison Park Volunteer First Aid Squad. Accessed September 23, 2014.
^Cheesequake State ParkArchived December 18, 2019, at theWayback Machine,New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed December 17, 2019. "Cheesequake State Park’s uniqueness lies in its geographical location. Not only is it situated in the middle of the urban north and the suburban south, it lies in a transitional zone between two different ecosystems. Open fields, saltwater and freshwater marshes, a white cedar swamp, Pine Barrens, and a northeastern hardwood forest are the main characteristics of the park."
^Old Bridge Waterfront ParkArchived December 18, 2019, at theWayback Machine,Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed December 17, 2019. "In 1999 the County and Township came together to implement a shared vision of providing better access to the Raritan Bay for visitors. The County and Township entered into an agreement whereby the County would build and maintain a park and boardwalk on 71-acres of waterfront property owned by the Township.... The Paul’s Beach section offers visitors unparalleled access and views of the Raritan Bay. It is the start of 1.3 miles of boardwalk and walkways that extend all the way to Margaret’s Creek near Laurence Harbor."
^Strunsky, Steve."After 53 years burning rubber, drag racing ends at Raceway Park"Archived February 27, 2020, at theWayback Machine, NJ Advance Media forNJ.com, January 17, 2018, updated January 30, 2019. Accessed December 17, 2019. "With the rising cost of fuel, tires, insurance and other expenses of speeding from a standstill to more than 200 mph on a 1,000-foot track, drag racing has become too expensive for the mostly amateur racers who drive on weekends and Wednesday nights at what is officially known as Old Bridge Raceway Park, said Steve Mamakas, executive officer of the Old Bridge Township Mayor's Office of Economic Development.... The Napp family, which opened the raceway in 1965 and continues to operate it privately, decided to end drag racing, and convert the grandstand and about half the strip into an outdoor concert venue, Mamakas told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday, after he met last week to discuss the changes with Raceway Park President Michael Napp."
^Donahue, Brian."A town’s history as seen through the camera’s eye"Archived January 19, 2018, at theWayback Machine,Suburban News, June 6, 2002. Accessed January 18, 2018. "There are also the Runyan Coal Yards off Browntown Avenue, the old Cheesequake Hotel and even a picture of the Kepec Chemical Co. — the site where the Rosenbergs allegedly contacted Russian spies in 1950."
^Grave Site of the Morgan Plant Unidentified DeadArchived September 7, 2015, at theWayback Machine, Morgan, New Jersey. Accessed August 10, 2015. "The remains of those unfortunate souls, who were so badly disintegrated by the blasts, were buried in a mass grave in nearby Ernst Memorial Cemetery."
^viaAssociated Press."Summernationals homeless after Raceway Park drops drag racing"Archived January 19, 2018, at theWayback Machine,ESPN, January 18, 2018. Accessed January 18, 2018. "The NHRA Summernationals no longer have a home. The owners of Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, have informed the National Hot Rod Association they no longer will host drag racing events, effective immediately.... While drag racing on the quarter-mile or eighth-mile track will end immediately, Raceway Park will use the stadium portion of the facility to continue most of its operations, including auto swap meets, numerous car shows, motocross and kart races and other events."
^"Metallica and the Old Bridge Metal Militia: The untold story "Archived October 2, 2023, at theWayback Machine,Asbury Park Press, April 1, 2016. Accessed April 2, 2016. "... the couple decided to invite Metallica out to Old Bridge to record the songs on the demo for a proper album, which would eventually be called "Kill 'Em All." The band, originally from Los Angeles, subsequently lived in various houses and motels throughout Central Jersey and the Jersey Shore for the next two years when not on tour."
^Staff."Hurt so good"Archived March 2, 2013, at theWayback Machine,Home News Tribune, March 14, 2008. Accessed February 7, 2011. "Spatola and Ansley (bass) both grew up in Old Bridge and went to shows and performed at the former Birch Hill Night Club in the township..."
^Tejada, Miguel Cruz."Junot Díaz dice 'en RD hay muchos quirinos'; escribirá obra inspirada en caso"Archived 2008-08-22 at theWayback Machine,El Nuevo Diario (Dominican Republic), August 11, 2008. Accessed August 25, 2008. "Hizo el bachillerato en el Cedar Ridge High School de Old Bridge, Nueva Jersey, en 1987, y se licenció en inglés en la Universidad Rutgers (1992), e hizo un Master of Fine Arts en la Universidad de Cornell."
^Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, Volume 200, Part 2Archived October 2, 2023, at theWayback Machine, p. 251. J.A. Fitzgerald, 1983. Accessed August 23, 2023. "William E. Flynn, Dem., Old Bridge - Assemblyman Flynn was born in Perth Amboy Feb. 3, 1938. After his graduation from Trenton State College he attended Rutgers University Law School, where he received his juris doctor degree."
^"Phil Ivey, High School Hall of Famer"Archived August 21, 2016, at theWayback Machine, F5 Poker. Accessed August 7, 2014. "Ivey went to the bulk of high school in Edison, New Jersey and eventually graduated from Middlesex's Old Bridge High School in 1995."
^GPC Jaguar Women's Soccer: CoachesArchived November 8, 2017, at theWayback Machine,Georgia Perimeter College. Accessed November 7, 2017. "Franklin Lawson enters his tenth year as assistant coach of Georgia Perimeter College women's soccer program. A native of New Jersey, Lawson was a second team All-State player at Cedar Ridge High School in Old Bridge, New Jersey."
^"Horace J. 'Hoddy' Mahon",The Star-Ledger, November 26, 2011. Accessed April 4, 2025. "Hoddy was born in Scranton, Pa., and moved to Old Bridge, N.J., before settling in Allenhurst 35 years ago."
^Mifflin, Lawrie."Doing a Star Turn for the Home Team, at Last"Archived September 7, 2017, at theWayback Machine,The New York Times, August 18, 1996. Accessed March 11, 2012. "Giants Stadium is a short trip up the turnpike from Old Bridge, where Mr. Ramos lives with his wife, Amy -- a former North Carolina State University soccer player like her husband -- and their 16-month-old son, Alex."
^Weinraub, Bernard."Jersey Girl Makes It Big, at Least on TV"Archived October 2, 2017, at theWayback Machine,The New York Times, June 20, 2000. Accessed November 25, 2012. "After years of struggling as a writer and working as a waitress and bartender in and around the working- and middle-class North Jersey towns North Arlington and East Rutherford, Ms. Ruggiero (ROUGE-ear-oh) has been plucked from obscurity to write and help produce a new autobiographical television comedy series,That's Life, on CBS."
^Rose, Lisa."Once 600 pounds, mom from Old Bridge puts down the fork and turns off the webcam"Archived January 7, 2012, at theWayback Machine,The Star-Ledger, December 18, 2011. Accessed January 30, 2012. "A mother of two from Old Bridge became a tabloid phenomenon last year after saying she was proud of her 600-pound physique, and wouldn't mind getting bigger. Donna Simpson capitalized on the notoriety that followed, as her internet modeling career took off and traffic increased on her website, where voyeurs could watch her eat on camera for $19 a month."
^"Why 4-star Artur Sitkowski is returning to New Jersey", The Knight Report, November 3, 2017. Accessed January 6, 2024. "Late Wednesday night, Rutgers landed a commitment from the No.6 overall pro-style quarterback in Artur Sitkowski. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound prospect originally hails from Old Bridge, NJ."
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