Open-meetings advocate targets two local towns Lawsuit says Monroe board doesn’t give info on closed-session matters BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       John Paff makes it his business to ensure that local governments adhere to open public meeting laws. The volunteer advocate picks towns around New Jersey, often at random, to see if their governing bodies are complying with state laws. And after two years’ experience, he has found t... More ... Recycling center plan goes to county for vote BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer       EAST BRUNSWICK — Middlesex County officials may come to a vote tonight on an application to build a recycling facility on Edgeboro Road. Triple M Sanitation is seeking approval to build what it describes as a Class A recycling center on the road, which residents say has already seen e... More ... Police charge man with risking widespread injury       SAYREVILLE –– A borough road was blocked off for several hours last week when a resident barricaded himself in his home and threatened to blow the house up, according to police. Michael S. More ... Police Beat All items in Police Beat are taken from police department records. All suspects are presumed innocent until found guilty in court.       Sayreville Police arrested and charged Thomas J. Skarzynski, 39, of Sayreville, with driving while intoxicated on Washington Road at 7:06 p.m. Dec. 12. Police arrested and charged Christine Mamelko, 42, of Piscataway, with driving while intoxicated on Oak Street at 12:0... More ... Park projects under way throughout Old Bridge BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE — Improving parks has become a priority for township officials, with several projects completed and more in the works. New fields and playgrounds as well as better lighting and facilities are all part of the plan to enhance the parks and their facilities. More ... Parlin family’s home a winter wonderland Passers-by regularly stop out front due to the Christmas display BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       When the Aperawic family was too busy last year to put up its usual Christmas display, most people assumed they had moved. In prior years, the light display consistently drew visitors to their home at 27 Cori St., but an addition being built on the house and the birth of twins kept ... More ... SERA grants extension for senior housing plan More than 200 units may soon be proposed for River Road site BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE — Officials hope to reach an agreement with a developer for the construction of senior housing near the borough’s Senior Center on Main Street. The Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency (SERA), which in 2005 designated the PRC Group as the developer of the site known a... More ... Kazakh boy helps couple create family Couple wanted to give orphan from Kazakhstan a home in America BY JAY BODAS Staff Writer       METUCHEN — One of the borough’s newest residents now calls Metuchen, as well as the entire United States, home for the very first time. Earlier this summer, residents Jonathan and Lisa Miller brought home T.J., a 2-year-old boy from Kazakhstan, adopting him as their own son. More ... Five make it to Eagle       SAYREVILLE — Five local teens were recently presented with their Eagle badges after earning the highest rank Boy Scouts can achieve. The ranks were awarded during a ceremony at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Washington Road. More ... JEFF GRANIT staff Carpenter Elementary School students including Shaun Van Buskirk (front, l-r) Anant Jani and Angelique Giglo sing and clap during the holiday show, “December in Our Town,” performed in Old Bridge Tuesday. More photos on page 6. Read the Story... Plan for 207 homes goes back to board       Judge rules no default approval for developer on Fulton’s Landing BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer The clock is ticking for Sayreville to hear a developer’s plan for 200 single-family homes proposed on 100 acres of vacant land off Main Street. More ... Two guilty in theft from housing authority Former employees took money from assistance programs BY BRIAN DONAHUE Staff Writer       Two former housing authority employees in Old Bridge and South Amboy have pleaded guilty to stealing a total of $91,000 from two publicly funded rental assistance programs. More ... Cops’ efforts bring smiles to kids in need Many pitch in with donations for annual Cops for Kids party BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       OLD BRIDGE — The George Bush Senior Center was decked out in holiday style for the annual Cops for Kids party Friday. More than 50 children and their families came to enjoy dinner, holiday music, face painting and a visit from Santa himself. More ...