JEFF GRANIT staff Honor Guard members from Monroe Township Fire District 3 carry the casket of Fire Chief James J. Beebe from the fire truck for the funeral services at St. James Church in Jamesburg May 8. Beebe, 64, died May 3 following an illness. A Vietnam veteran, Beebe served as a volunteer fir... More ... Talks begin on merging three school districts County super to review options for Spotswood, M'town, Helmetta BY VINCENT TODARO & BRIAN DONAHUE Staff Writers       School officials in Spotswood, Milltown and Helmetta will explore the possibility of consolidating their school districts in the coming years. The discussion comes as the state has assigned each county's executive school superintendent to develop proposals to merge school districts and services. More ... E.B. council continues cutting tax increases Municipal budget cuts reduce tax rate hike from 14 to 9 cents BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       The East Brunswick Township Council on Monday shaved nearly a third of the proposed municipal tax increase. Using a mix of increased revenues and budget cuts, the council reduced the proposed tax rate hike from 14 cents to 9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. More ... The circus is in town      PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Second-grade students at Monroe's Barclay Brook Elementary School perform in the annual Circus Minimus show at the school on Friday. Above: second-grader Christian Giannola walks on the balance beam as teacher Kelly Molitoris lends a hand during the show. More ... Helmetta cuts $70K from school budget Tax increase reduced from $180 to $104 on average BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       HELMETTA- Borough and school officials agreed on $70,000 worth of cuts to the rejected school budget this week. MayorNancyMartin said the governing bodymet with school representativesMonday to discuss the tax levy, which voters overwhelmingly rejected last month. The budget was defeated 103-29 i... More ... State-funded bike path will run thru Milltown Citizens raise concerns of hidden costs, graffiti BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - Though the exact path is not clear, plans for a pedestrian walkway and bike path are on track in the borough. Slated to extend from Washington Avenue to Violet Terrace, the project will be funded with grants from the state Department of Transportation (DOT). A contract awarded for the... More ... J'burg council votes 3-2 to uphold school budget BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       JAMESBURG- Asplit Borough Council decided last week against cutting the defeated school budget. The council voted 3-2 during its May 7 meeting to uphold the Board of Education's 2008-09 budget. The board's proposal,which called for a school tax increase of $124 on the average home, was rejected d... More ... Milltown FD golf event honors NYC firefighter Benefits charity while celebrating memory of fireman lost on 9/11 BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - Though Charles Garbarini was someone borough firefighters never met, he is someone they will never forget. The lieutenant with the New York City Fire Department perished in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, but his memory burns brightly, thanks to those who continue to honor it. More ... Middle school trio rocks out on debut CD single IMOZ lists Green Day among influences for its pop punk sound BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK- Why wait to be an adult, or even a teenager, to get into the music business? IMOZ, a group of sixth-graders from the Hammarskjöld Middle School, is already making a name for itself among their peers and music fans who have downloaded their song. More ... Boro plans upgrades for Wyoming Avenue BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - Borough officials are planning a number of upgrades toWyoming Avenue, including repaving, drainage improvements, curbs and sidewalks. The total cost for the project is slated to be more than $1 million, according to Council President Curt Stollen. More ... Celebs come to Monroe for Fisher House benefit Show dedicated to memory of organizer Martin Salmanowitz       MONROE - An "all star benefit show" will take place May 18 at 7 p.m. at the Marasco PerformingArts Center to support the Fisher House Foundation. The Fisher House Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropic organization that aids wounded soldiers and their families. More ... EBPD to present awards; swear in new patrolman       EAST BRUNSWICK - In recognition of Police Week, the township's police force will hold its annual Police Awards ceremony tonight at 7 p.m. The ceremony recognizes the sworn officers of the township's police department, as well as civilians who have exhibited exemplary service to the community in ... More ...      JEFF GRANIT staff Mourners follow the casket of Monroe Township Fire District 3 Chief James J. Beebe out of St. Jame's Church, Jamesburg, during the May 8 funeral service. Funeral Director David DeMarco (from left) walks with Beebe's daughter, Stephanie Carrara and her husband, Timothy, and Beebe's ... More ...