Mayor Talks Accomplishments, Sets Development Agenda In East Brunswick

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — East Brunswick held its reorganization meeting on Monday evening. Mayor Brad Cohen, Councilwoman Dana Zimbicki, and Councilman Dinesh Behal took their oath of office after winning their reelection bids in November 2024.

Fr. Mark Hanna, pastor of St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church and the most senior head of any faith community in East Brunswick gave an invocation, seeking blessings on the community and everyone who serve it.

Middlesex County Clerk Nancy Pinkin administered the oath of office to Mayor Brad Cohen, who will be serving his third term. He was first elected to office in November 2016.

During his speech to the community, Cohen reflected on the progress made by East Brunswick since he took office.

He also recalled his last oath of office, which was held on Zoom four years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cohen acknowledged the support of his family, team and community in helping him get East Brunswick to where it is today.

“It really doesn't matter to me if you voted for me, or if you didn't vote for me, or if you didn't even vote at all. If you call up the office and you need our help, we don't ask you who you voted for. We just do the job of representing the residents here and hope at the end of the day that we make more good decisions than bad decisions,” Cohen said.

The Mayor went on to highlight the achievements of his administration over the past two terms.

“We've had a number of accomplishments that I think most of them are able to see. They're palpable at this point. Redevelopment has truly set the township in a 21st century direction, and that could mean everything from what you see at Legacy to the buildings being built at Varmella, to the new FedEx building that's on Edgeborough Road, which has all resulted in a record number of new businesses coming into the township,” Cohen said.

“It's a birth and regrowth of our Chamber of Commerce, the upgrades that have been going on at Midstate Mall. All of this is happening for a reason - because there's a buzz about what the future of that corridor and what the future of this township holds, and people want to be part of that.”

Cohen noted that municipal taxes over the last eight years have always been under 1 percent, yet the administration was able to accomplish and provide all the services to residents of the township.

The Mayor spoke about the record number of road repairs (180 miles) and a record number of grants that the township received over the last eight years, which topped $27 million.

Cohen spoke about the new affordable housing obligation put upon the township for the next 10 years.

“The initial number was the same 314 that we got 10 years ago. We're working on trying to get that reduced. Some of the places they thought we could build are not practical. So I think the number will come down, but we will have to deal with it. We will do that together. We are being forced by the state and by our county to do a reevaluation of home values. We're going to have to work on this together and figure out our way through it,” Cohen said.

Despite challenges like parking deck revenue declines, Cohen remained optimistic about the future, emphasizing collaboration and forward-thinking initiatives like the Vermella project and Brunswick Square Mall redevelopment.

He also cited the issue with the East Brunswick Board of Education as they determine their needs for new buildings and facilities. He promised to work the BOE on the matter.

“Whatever we do, whatever we decide, we decide as a township, and we end up doing what's best for the people that live here and for the people that will continue to move here, because education is still the number one reason that people move to East Brunswick,” Cohen said.

After the public comments and swearing-in ceremony, council members voted for the Council President and Vice President.

Councilman Kevin McEvoy and Zimbicki were re-elected Council President and Vice President.

Current council members are Behal, Zimbicki, McEvoy, James Wendell and Dana Winston.

Have a correction or a news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com