OLD BRIDGE — Come January, three Democrats and three Republicans will hold the six wards seats on the Old Bridge Township Council.
In Ward 1, Democrat candidate David W. Merwin, who will serve his first term, garnered 1,611 votes over Republican candidate Robert C. Thompson Sr., who received 1,174 votes.
Merwin said he was humbled for the support he received during the Nov. 7 election.
As councilman, Merwin said he will move toward council term limits and the elimination of health benefits for elected and appointed officials.
Merwin said he would like to work to establish a discount for all residents 65 years and older on their water and sewer bills; bring back township-wide bulk garbage of TVs and furniture pick; investigate bringing back a Public Sanitation Department and/or tighten the township’s garbage collection ordinance and work with the Old Bridge Police Department on combating the opiate epidemic and the influx of youth gangs in the neighborhoods.
In Ward 2, Republican Incumbent Mary R. Sohor, who will serve her third term, garnered 1,285 votes over Democratic candidate Zeeshan Siddiqi.
During the campaign, Sohor said she would continue to advocate for projects to repave the roads, to install curbs and install needed traffic lights at intersections.
Sohor also said she would like to improve the township’s coordination of services with Middlesex County.
In Ward 3, Democrat candidate Edina Brown, who will serve her first term, garnered 980 votes over Frank R. Weber, who received 716 votes, and Independent candidate Rosemarie Watkins.
During the campaign, Brown said she will use her voice to speak up for the people of Ward 3 and all of Old Bridge if need be.
In Ward 4, Democrat candidate Mark Razzoli, who will serve his first term, garnered 1,257 votes over Republican Incumbent Alan Rosencranz, who was seeking his second term.
“I’m humbled and grateful to be elected to the Council,” Razzoli said. “It’s a victory not for me, but for Old Bridge’s residents, who voted for new ideas and new leadership.”
Razzoli said even though he doesn’t take office until January, he is going to continue talking to residents about their needs and concerns so “we can hit the ground running to move Old Bridge in the right direction.”
In Ward 5, Republican candidate Anthony “Tony” Paskitti, who will serve his first term, garnered 1,514 votes over Democrat candidate Anette Tunyla Hopman, who received 1,082 votes.
In Ward 6, Republican candidate John E. Murphy, who will serve his first term, garnered 1,172 votes over Democrat candidate Kenneth R. Totten, who received 1,097 votes.
Murphy said it was a tough election right down to the mail in votes.
“My opponent and I conducted a clean campaign,” he said. “Shortly after the results he called me to congratulate me and said it was a pleasure running against me and if I ever needed anything, to give him a call. He was a very worthy opponent.”
Murphy said the township needs a cohesive council willing to work together for the best interest of the residents of Old Bridge, whether they are Republican, Independent or Democrat.
“It appears that we may finally have a council that has the best interest of the residents,” he said.
During the campaign, Murphy said he is against overbuilding in the township and is for reorganizing the Code Enforcement Department and the animal shelter.
