EAST BRUNSWICK – On March 28, the East Brunswick Township Council honored the careers of Township Clerk Nennette Perry and Department of Public Works employee Ronald Murphy.
On Feb. 14, 1984, Perry started her career in East Brunswick working with the township’s finance director and office coordinator. She remained in that role until her promotion to deputy clerk on June 28, 2004. Two years later, on June 12, 2006, she was promoted to township clerk.
To commemorate her service in East Brunswick, she was awarded with an honorary plaque presented by Assemblyman Sterley Stanley and Middlesex County Clerk Nancy Pinkin, both East Brunswick residents.
Pinkin described Perry as a “steady hand” for her commitment to consistency throughout her 39 years of public service.
“I think very few residents know how much goes into the role of clerk and how much you’ve done. I don’t even remember you being absent or anything. You’ve been at all the meetings, dealing with all the residents, being involved in many of the very personal aspects of all the lives of our residents. So, it’s to your credit and we wish you well on your retirement,” Pinkin said.
Council Vice President Kevin McEvoy then took the podium to read the resolution that honored Perry’s career. After the reading, Perry shared a brief statement thanking both current and past councils.
As she enters retirement, she expressed excitement in beginning a new journey.
“It’s been a wonderful adventure and now, my husband and I are going to start another adventure. So, I thank you all,” Perry said.
To fill Perry’s seat, the council appointed Tamar Lawful as East Brunswick’s township clerk. Lawful’s three-year term will commence on April 1.
The council also presented a resolution to acknowledge the 32-year career of Ronald Murphy. On Oct. 10, 1989, Murphy started as a service worker with the Public Works Department. He would receive promotions in 1992 and 1996 to become a Service Worker II and Service Worker III/Equipment Operator.
On Feb. 1, 2020, he was promoted to field specialist in the department.
In the resolution honoring Murphy, it stated, “By the Township Council, Township of East Brunswick, County of Middlesex, on behalf of a grateful community, do hereby thank Ronald Murphy for his dedication and service to the Township of East Brunswick and its residents and extend to him our best wishes for a long and healthy retirement.”
Proposed Ice Rink
During the public portion of the meeting, several residents voiced their concerns over the township’s proposed plan for an ice rink. Although not on the agenda for discussion, Council President James Wendell permitted the public to speak on the matter.
Residents raised questions regarding the details of the project, its proposed location and the costs associated with its design and construction. The rink will purportedly be a multipurpose facility built on 8-acres of land near the previously demolished Wonder Bread factory.
During a Feb. 28 meeting, the council tabled a resolution that would have authorized DMR Architects to provide design services in the amount of $575,000. According to the resolution, the design services would have been funded by the township’s facilities improvements accounts for $250,000 and $325,000.
However, due to the council’s concerns regarding the usefulness and necessity of the project, the resolution was not voted on. With the resolution not appearing on the last two agendas, residents have been using the public portion of council meetings to ask for updates on the project.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Councilwoman Dana Zimbicki acknowledged the residents in attendance by affirming their right to ask questions and seek information.
“Coming up and speaking and giving your viewpoint is part of what democracy is, and we appreciate it. … The public portion is always at the beginning of our meetings, where you get to come up and you get to talk about what matters to you, from the agenda, from your mind, whatever is concerning you.” Zimbicki said.
Zimbicki further explained that before proceeding on the ice rink project, the council needed more information to make a “responsible decision.” Thus, causing a delay.
“The delay of this item on the agenda isn’t out of irresponsibility, it is out of responsibility. Making sure that we’re doing our due diligence and researching this before we make a final decision,” she said.
A specified date has not been set for a vote on the resolution. For more information on meeting dates, visit www.eastbrunswick.org/AgendaCenter