JEFF GRANIT staff Diane Lipman (center) concentrates on her breathing, along with Carmela Florio (back, from left), Thelma Wilkofsky and Heddy Hupner during the Friday morning yoga class at the East Brunswick Senior Center last week. More ... New-look Boro Council vows to bring integrity Harto, Waters take seats; Farkas named council president BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Milltown officials looked toward a year bringing both change and challenge at their reorganization meeting Jan. 2. The swearing-in of two new Borough Council members shifted control of the governing body from Democrats to Republicans, who now have a 4-2 majority. More ... State bill would limit library funding hikes Mayor, council say mandated increases are taking toll on boro BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       Jamesburg officials may see relief from budgetary woes if state legislators pass a bill that would reduce the mandated library funding increases to 4 percent per year. Set to go before lawmakers later this month, the bill would put libraries on an even keel with the 4 percent spending cap placed ... More ... County gov't feels new year will be taxing Freeholders sworn in at reorg.; director calls for necessary tax reform BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       EDISON - Middlesex County Freeholders Stephen J. "Pete" Dalina, Christopher Rafano and Blanquita Valenti were sworn in as members of the board during the freeholders' reorganization meeting Friday, held at Middlesex County College in Edison. More ... Arts and crafts program      PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN Above: Kyle Pepitone, 6, of Monroe, makes a caterpillar while his mom, Christine, looks on during the weekly arts-and-crafts program at the Monroe Township Library Sunday. Below: Jessica Esposito, 4, hones her craft with some help from her grandmother, Joan DeFeo. The progra... More ... Local towns get DOT grants for road work       The state Department of Transportation (DOT) announced last week the award of $78.75 million in municipal aid to fund street improvement and safety projects in 438 towns. The grant program covers a variety of projects including road resurfacing, rehabilitation, reconstruction and signalization, a... More ... Diem up for challenge as council prez for '08 BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - After five years on the Township Council, Catherine Diem is excited to take her first turn as its president. The Democratic councilwoman was elected president for 2008 during Monday's Township Council meeting. She previously served for two years as council vice president. Counci... More ... Cost of arts center still a concern BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK- MayorWilliam Neary said this week he is hoping to soon know the final price tag of the community arts center planned for Heavenly Farms, Cranbury Road. More ... Building condemned after fire       SPOTSWOOD - A roof worker accidentally started the fire that severely damaged a borough apartment building Saturday, police said. The worker had been hired to repair the roof at 490 Main St., a three-story structure with four apartments. The roof caught fire at 12:10 p.m. while the worker was us... More ...      JEFF GRANIT staff Thelma Wilkofsky stretches her arms above her head while concentrating on her breathing during Friday morning's yoga class at the East Brunswick Senior Center. More ... Boro panel considers airing town meetings BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - Local officials may take a cue from neighboring towns such as South Brunswick and East Brunswick and begin televising Borough Council meetings. Councilwoman Marge Drozd is part of a committee that is considering the idea of televising meetings so that residents do not have to leave t... More ... Get a leg up      JEFF GRANIT staff Irene Merrill of East Brunswick uses a necktie to stretch her leg during a yoga class Friday at the East Brunswick senior center. More ... Neary says council will get budget sooner BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK - At the request of some TownshipCouncilmembers, the administration has agreed to present its municipal budget for review earlier this calendar year. During Monday's council meeting, Mayor William Neary said he will give his formal presentation in February, and the budgetwill be ad... More ... Two Scouts' projects helped beautify town BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       SPOTSWOOD - - It is now easier to enjoy tennis matches at the high school and watch butterflies at the Appleby School, thanks to two local Scouts. More ...