Some polling locations change due to COVID-19 restrictions
NORTH BRUNSWICK – The primary election on June 8 will be uncontested in North Brunswick.
On the Democratic ticket, incumbents Cologero “Carlo” Socio and Dr. Will Lopez are running for re-election.
Rajesh Mehta, who recently filled the seat of Claribel Cortes, who was sworn in as Middlesex County surrogate, will be on the ballot to continue that term.
Susan Hucko will be appearing as the candidate for the Republicans.
Cologero “Carlo” Socio is a lifelong resident of North Brunswick.
He is a project supervisor for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
“I am very active in the community, having served as a class parents for both of my daughters at Judd Elementary School, was a member of the Judd PTO, am currently a member of the North Brunswick Baseball Softball Association board, I am active with the Youth Sports Festival, am a former travel and recreation soccer coach, as well as a former travel and recreation baseball coach. I am an active member of the New Jersey Wrestling Officials Association and will be the incoming secretary of the Central Chapter,” Socio said.
He is also the current liaison to the North Brunswick Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and has served on the North Brunswick Planning Board.
This is Socio’s 21st year on the Township Council; he is the current council president and has served as president and vice president in past years.
“I am running for re-election because I would like to continue the progress we have made in maintaining and attracting ratables to town. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven challenging to the area as well as the township but as we emerge from this we are looking forward to a stable and expanding ratable base. We are in the planning stages of major park improvements at Babbage Park and are working cooperatively with the Board of Education on many endeavors to continue to make North Brunswick a desirable community to raise our families.
“We have seen a heightened awareness with our code enforcement and continue to strive to excel in this area. As we emerge from the shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, we look forward to not only re-establishing long held township tradition but to expand programming to offer activities to all of our residents.
“We look to accomplish this while keeping a mindful eye on our budget so that we can maintain the services we provide while doing our best to keep our tax rate stable,” Socio said.
William Lopez is a 15-year North Brunswick resident.
A podiatrist, he has also served on the council for four years.
“I take joy in helping the community and participating in moving North Brunswick into a prosperous future,” he said. “In the coming years, if re-elected, I look forward to helping North Brunswick grow in regards to business development, cultural diversity and economic growth. I have been extremely honored to represent this beautiful community and look forward to doing so in the future.”
Hucko could not be reached by press time.
Rajesh Mehta has lived in North Brunswick for almost 22 years.
He retired four years ago from the U.S. Postal Service, where he served as a supervisor and manager.
He has been involved in town through the Municipal Alliance Committee, Heritage Day Committee, Human Relations Committee and Meals on Wheels.
Mehta said when he moved from India to the U.S. in 1988, he had a background in politics. After he retired he decided he wanted to “make our community better” and became a committeeman for District 27.
He said his main areas of concern are property taxes, the train station development, water meter replacement, complaints about Optimum/Altice cable service and continuing a low crime rate.
“I will see how I can make a difference,” Mehta said. North Brunswick is a “nice community” and “I will try do improve what I can.”
The polling locations for the June 8 Primary are as follows. Some were changed to accommodate guidelines related to social distancing:
District 1 – Parsons School, 899 Hollywood St.
District 2 – Judd School, 1601 Roosevelt Ave.
District 3 – Parsons School, 899 Hollywood St.
District 4 – Livingston Park School, 1128 Livingston Ave.
District 5 – John Adams School, 1450 Redmond St.
District 6 – Parsons School, 899 Hollywood St.
District 7 – North Brunswick Township High School, 98 Raider Road (formerly Our Lady of Peace)
District 8 – Linwood School, 25 Linwood Place
District 9 – North Brunswick Fire Co. No. 3, 1470 Cozzens Lane
District 10 – Livingston Park School, 1128 Livingston Ave.
District 11 – North Brunswick Township Middle School, 100 Renaissance Boulevard North (formerly Our Lady of Peace)
District 12 – Livingston Park School, 1128 Livingston Ave.
District 13 – North Brunswick Township High School, 98 Raider Road
District 14 – Linwood School, 25 Linwood Place
District 15 – John Adams School, 1450 Redmond St.
District 16 – Linwood School, 25 Linwood Place
District 17 – Adams Athletic Club, 1210 Cozzens Lane
District 18 – John Adams School, 1450 Redmond St.
District 19 – Judd School, 1601 Roosevelt Ave.
District 20 – North Brunswick Fire Co. No. 3, 1470 Cozzens Lane
District 21 – North Brunswick Township High School, 98 Raider Road (formerly Society Hill)
District 22 – North Brunswick Fire Co. No. 3, 1470 Cozzens Lane
District 23 – Adams Athletic Club, 1210 Cozzens Lane
District 24 – Sabella Park Clubhouse, 1473 Cozzens Lane (formerly Governor’s Pointe)
District 25 – North Brunswick Township Middle School, 100 Renaissance Boulevard North (formerly Deer Brook Clubhouse)
District 26 – Sabella Park Clubhouse, 1473 Cozzens Lane (formerly Governor’s Pointe)
District 27 – North Brunswick Township Middle School, 100 Renaissance Boulevard North (formerly Judd School)