• School taxes on the way up in Spotswood, down in Helmetta

    BY THOMAS CASTLES Staff Writer SPOTSWOOD — In a unanimous vote, the Board of Education adopted its 2013-14 school budget, which carries a 1.8 percent increase in the tax levy. The $27 million tab for the 2013-14 school year is down from last year’s $28 million package. However, the budget’s $15 million tax levy is…

  • A walk to remember

    Ireland Brook Conservation Area showcases flora, fauna of Middlesex County BY JOSEPH SAPIA Correspondent An egg mass, apparently that of a salamander, lies in a puddle in the Ireland Brook Conservation Area, which is located on the border of East Brunswick and South Brunswick. A fter walking through a Davidson Mill Road field, maneuvering through…

  • Complaint: Mayor wanted only nonresidents ticketed

    Ex-Helmetta police director alleges he was harassed for contacting prosecutor BY THOMAS CASTLES Staff Writer Drivers who frequent Main Street in Helmetta know the borough’s police department has a penchant for tracking down speeders on the small town’s only thoroughfare. Andrew Ely, Helmetta’s former police director, alleges in a complaint filed in Middlesex County Superior…

  • Snuff mill redevelopment could begin this summer

    Helmetta Planning Board grants final approval for apartments, townhouses BY THOMAS CASTLES Staff Writer The site of the former Helmetta snuff mill will be converted into apartments (above) and a new community center (below). The iconic snuff mill that employed Helmetta residents for more than 100 years has sat conspicuously abandoned for two decades. But…

  • N.J. Lottery revamp is a numbers game

    Small retailers fear loss of business if state redirects focus of lottery ticket sales BY JESSICA D’AMICO Staff Writer Dhiren Desai (l) and Vikram Chaudhari sell lottery tickets at the Esquire News & Smoke Shop, Freehold, on April 3. Many small-business owners are concerned that privatization of the lottery would have a negative impact on…

  • OEMs or aftermarket?

    Some policies will pay to replace damaged parts with original equipment, while others specify lower-cost components from other makers. Does it matter? By Jim Gorzelany CTW Features Getting in a car wreck is bad enough, but having to jump through the hoops involved in the insurance claims process can be daunting at times. Even if…

  • Q&A

    Airbags and SUVs with Sharon Peters Q: We’ve been looking at the GMC Acadia, which has a center airbag between the two front seats. No one’s sitting there, so this strikes me as an over-the-top gimmick that salespeople use to impress people, and one that probably isn’t of value. What do you think? A: I…

  • Acing the student debt test

    Young homebuyers who successfully manage and pay off their student loans are rewarded with higher credit scores and better mortgage rates. By Madhusmita Bora CTW Features Mounting student loan debt is making it difficult — if not impossible — for many potential first-time homebuyers to enter the real estate market. Consumers today owe a staggering…

  • Century 21 Ailor Associates earns Quality Service Award for customer satisfaction

    Century 21 Real Estate, franchisor of the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization, has announced that Century 21 Ailor Associates, Oakhurst, is a recipient of the Century 21 Quality Service Office Award for its commitment to providing quality customer service to its clients. Also recognized for their quality service is Louis Lombardi of Century…

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