SCOTT FRIEDMAN Ann Marie Rademacher-Simmons of Milltown holds a copy of the Sentinel from September 1957, recently unearthed in a time capsule at Our Lady of Lourdes School. The lead story was about forming a full-time police force in East Brunswick, which had been done in 1954 but was abolished the... More ... Board majority OKs $41.9M referendum Board debates going forward without title to portion of site BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Though questions loom about the title for land where a new high school will be built, the Monroe Township Board of Education voted last week to hold a Dec. 11 referendum seeking an additional $41.9 million for the project. Board member Rita Ostrager was the only one to vote against the referendum... More ... New panel would focus on unsightly properties Residents, officials say some properties need better maintenance BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       Anew borough committee will be formed with the purpose of making Spotswood look nicer. The idea stems from a discussion held at a September meeting of the Borough Council when resident Frank Kardashian suggested the town do something about unsightliness problems such as overgrown grass, sidewalks... More ... Bike tour      Eight Scouts and three leaders from Boy Scout Troop 223 in East Brunswick participated in the Middlesex County Habitat for Humanity's 10th annual bike tour out of Thompson Park in Jamesburg Sept. 16. The group rode 15 miles and raised $450. From left are Veronica Sudia, Ian Luxenberg, Justin Moy, Sk... More ... Time capsule unearths mementos from 1950s Milltown residents recall early days of OLL school BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       MILLTOWN - The cornerstone of the Our Lady of Lourdes School building was pried out, exposing a carefully soldered metal box that hadn't been seen in half a century. Among the items in the box was a newspaper whose headline read, "Await Report on Fulltime E.B. Police." It was a copy of the Senti... More ... New laws bring limits to knocking, dropping BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - Residents who prefer peace, privacy and pristine properties will perhaps pour praises onto the Borough Council for two new ordinances. The "do not knock" and "do not drop" orders will allow residents of Milltown to opt out of practices like door-to-door solicitations, and fliers and c... More ... Toddler dies after being hit by car in Monroe BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MONROE - A 17-month-old toddler was killed Monday after he wandered into the street and was struck by a sport-utility vehicle. The child, Zsamel Riggins, was hit by a 2002 Dodge Durango traveling eastbound on Lower Matchaponix Avenue at 4:17 p.m. More ... Building owner to pay fine, address violations BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - A municipal court judge recently fined the owner of the old Asbury Fuel building for various code-related violations. The owner, Evangelos Dimitrakopoulos, of Edison, was given a $1,500 fine, and agreed to drop any legal action against the borough, according to borough Business Admin... More ... Heritage Day festival      SCOTT FRIEDMAN Nick Lazos (l) and Harold Blumenbrantz, both of Monroe, serenade the crowd with "It's a Small World" at North Brunswick's 25th annual Heritage Day festival held Saturday at Babbage Park. More ... Boro seeks bidders for Lincoln School property BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SOUTH RIVER - The borough will put the former Lincoln School up for auction. The vacant school property at William and Prospect streets was previously included in the borough's redevelopment plan, but that was scrapped earlier this year after residents voiced opposition to the redevelopment proc... More ... New PBA contract raises salaries, changes schedule BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - Police have a new four-year contract that includes average costof living increases of about 3.8 percent per year. The Township Council voted last week to accept the agreement, which is retroactive to the beginning of the year, Township Business Administrator James White said. More ... Scouts hike 70 miles in New Mexico       EAST BRUNSWICK - It was easily the "high point" of the summer for 11 township residents. The group, including Boy Scouts and adults from troops 223 and 252, spent 12 days trekking through the back country of New Mexico at Philmont Scout Ranch. More ... Divided council denies senior center contract BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       MILLTOWN - One borough official is expressing frustration with what he said is an unnecessary delay in expanding the parking lot of the town's senior center. More ...