.st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Anthony Gabbianelli | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comMark Stein and Ryan Hutchins each drove in a pair of runs and combined to score three runs for Dunellen in its 8-6 win against Somerset Tech in Bridgewater Dunellen (10-6) led 6-1 after the top of the third inning when Somerset Tech (6-6) tied the game with a five-run bottom of the third Dunellen broke the tie and regained the lead when it scored a run in the top of the fourth inning After adding another run in the top of the fifth Juan Luis Rodriguez scored two runs for Dunellen and drove in a run Cole Mayer and Cesar Andres Fermin Alarcon each had a hit and scored a run went four innings while allowing just one hit and three walks while striking out seven for Dunellen Caden Winnicki and Anthony Torres each doubled for Somerset Tech Alex Morales was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a double Anthony Gabbianelli can be reached at agabbianellli@njadvancemedia.com The N.J. 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All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices DUNELLEN - New Jersey American Water will begin replacing more than a mile of water mains on the south side of the borough next month The $3.2 million project will replace approximately 5,770 feet of aging water mains that were installed as far back as the 1930s with new 8-inch and 12-inch ductile iron pipes along Prospect Avenue from Grove Street to Center Street and Whittier Avenue from New Market Street to Center Street The project will also include replacing fire hydrants and utility-owned service lines along the pipeline route New Jersey American Water will replace any customer-owned service line that has been identified as lead or galvanized as part of a statewide initiative to remove all lead and galvanized service lines by 2031 will begin work the week of March 3 and expects to be completed by the end of August Work outside of these hours is not expected unless required to maintain project schedule More: Dunellen gaining recognition for efforts to revitalize its 'Miracle Mile' Final street restorations will be completed in the fall The project timeline is subject to change due to a variety of factors including weather and availability of supplies Traffic restrictions and/or alternating traffic patterns are likely during work hours All emergency vehicles and local traffic will be allowed access during construction Broadway Off-Broadway Off-Off Broadway Cabaret Dance Opera Classical Music Minneapolis / St. Paul Connecticut Atlanta Chicago Los Angeles Central New York WEST END UK Regional Canada Australia / New Zealand Europe Asia Latin America Africa / Middle East TV/Movies Music The Actors Studio of New Jersey will present Cruel Intentions: The 90's Musical at the Dunellen Theatre for two nights only-Friday Tickets are now on sale at www.actorsstudionj.org/cruelintentions This jukebox musical is a tribute to the iconic 1999 film and the unforgettable era of frosted tips snag some delicious food and beverages (available for purchase and highly recommended) and relive the ultimate 90s nostalgia trip Cruel Intentions: The 90's Musical is based on the cult classic film twisted take on the scandalous French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses The story follows the wickedly charming step-siblings Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil as they spin a web of seduction and revenge at their elite Manhattan prep school With a soundtrack packed with the biggest 90s bangers-from Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera to Backstreet Boys and more-this show is a non-stop parade of guilty pleasures and throwback hits Critics rave that it's "a pure 90s flashback that brings all the cheese and very '90s experience...a fun night out upbeat 90's score that can't help but win you over" This production is helmed by an ace creative team: directed by Michael Restaino, choreographed by Coldin Grundmeyer, associate directed and choreographed by Dan F. Sims, with production management by Heather Welsh and stage management by Joey Palazzo. Casting will be announced at a later date, so keep your eyes peeled for more updates! Join Grammy Award-winner Judy Collins, “the wild ageless angel of pop” (The New York Times), as she performs her legendary 1967 album Wildflowers in its entirety. Collins is joined by Madeleine Peyroux, who has become one of today's most acclaimed jazz singers since she began her illustrious career busking on the busy streets of Paris.   Burlington County Footlighters will present Fiddler on the Roof across three weekends from May 2-17, 2025. The classic musical is set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. We have all of the details here! The next stars of stage and screen may very well be getting their start this summer with the Tomato Patch Summer Workshops at Mercer County Community College (MCCC). Registration is now open for sessions that begin June 30. The Actors Studio of New Jersey will present Cruel Intentions: The 90's Musical at the Dunellen Theatre for two nights only-Friday, June 27th and Saturday, June 28th at 8:00pm. function closestickysocial(){document.getElementById("foxsocial").style.display="none";}@media(max-width:1024px){.most-popular,.video-row{display:block;margin-top:25px}}Videos and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows © 2025 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy There’s been a flurry of activity lately — from new construction to façade improvements — but the plan to revitalize Dunellen’s downtown is more than two decades in the making It’s why officials in the Middlesex County borough are eager to keep the momentum going with a balanced but proactive approach that has caught the attention of developers and planning advocates “This has been a 20-plus-year conversation,” Mayor Jason Cilento said pointing to “a nice renaissance” that is in full swing in Dunellen’s central business district Developers since 2022 have completed three projects with a combined 450 housing units and new retail space — including a seminal award-winning development by Prism Capital Partners Three other proposals are moving ahead after securing key approvals in 2024 part of a pipeline of at least eight projects that are in process or being reviewed by borough officials credited former Mayor Robert Seader with laying the groundwork and specifically with getting the approvals to redevelop a long-vacant industrial property downtown before retiring in 2019 That gave way to Prism’s project at 100 South Washington Ave. which replaced the former Art Color printing factory with 252 luxury apartments and some 9,000 square feet of retail space located directly across from Dunellen’s train station also includes 130 new for-sale townhouses by K “That was his big project,” Cilento said of his predecessor who spent 21 years leading the 1.1-square-mile borough of some 8,000 residents “It helped build a nice foundation for where we’re at today.” said the apartments were fully leased nine months after opening The Nell, whose sixth and final building opened in 2023 is part of a stock of new rental housing that also includes 14 units at 150 North Ave And that’s poised to grow with other developments that were approved in 2024 including projects that would bring a combined 120 units to key corridors on Front Street and North Avenue Prism’s senior vice president for residential noted that other developers operating in Dunellen shows “that we gave them proof of concept Taylor Architecture & Design’s busy year in the borough seems to bear that out. The firm designed all three projects receiving planning board approval in 2024: an eight-unit building at 337 Front St., a 50-unit building at 405-415 North Ave. that would replace the Dunellen Rescue Squad and a 62-unit building at 431-441 North Ave. The developments have been in the works since 2022 and they will replace underutilized buildings Taylor said the town offered his North Plainfield-based firm creative freedom: “We can’t always do the design that we would love to do” on projects due to zoning regulations or budgetary constraints The practice also has three other mixed-use projects in the works in Dunellen it has a mayor and council that are looking for development,” Taylor added “Our Main Street story is much like most Main Street stories,” in that the malls and highways built in the 1960s “took the soul out of our downtown.” Then Art Color prompting the push that culminated in 2003 when the borough adopted a downtown redevelopment plan “If you look at the models around the state this is really the way that you have comeback stories in the downtown.” property and business owners have invested $100 million in downtown redevelopment projects and façade improvements aiming for a look that honors Dunellen’s history as a transit village About 89 percent of the tax burden falls on residents so officials need to increase the commercial values of the downtown to balance things the borough created a five-year tax abatement program to incentivize smaller property owners to make improvements Cilento said he doesn’t want longtime business owners feeling pushed out Getting owners of older properties to revitalize their sites while maintaining their historic look is “just as much my goal (as) to get a new builder in and tear down an old building and build something new.” Cilento said officials work with a town planner and they survey residents yearly and run town halls to make their redevelopment plan “a living document to really be what our residents and our business owners and general community want the town to become.” Locals told him they didn’t want new apartments the redevelopment plan caps projects at three stories Residents were also concerned about high-density development expanding throughout the town It’s a mix of Victorians and colonials and Sears homes and capes and bilevels,” he said and you can see all eras of homes that have been built But Taylor and Cohen say there is a need for new housing Taylor said Dunellen has “old housing stock It’s not really up to par with a lot of the new housing that’s coming online.” “New Jersey in general is still under-housed,” Cohen said “There’s not enough housing to accommodate the demand that’s out there,” especially multifamily housing with expanded amenities Each new project offers an affordable housing component The Nell has 58 units reserved for that purpose a higher percentage due to the total number of homes Cilento also said every project incorporates flood and stormwater management while the town has a climate resiliency plan a new South Avenue culvert under the railroad embankment and the federal Green Brook Flood Control Project should provide additional protection Cilento wants to re-evaluate Dunellen’s flooding map The Department of Environmental Protection’s current map adds more of the borough to the flood zone That includes Taylor Architecture’s North Avenue projects Brian Taylor said the team raised the first floor about a foot and added a ramp and drainage without seriously impacting the design Cilento said the redevelopment plan is bringing results and shop owners tell him they have more visitors Dunellen will keep working to attract new businesses as well He’s got big plans for the town where he grew up and is raising his family When he travels around the state and mentions Dunellen It’s not just local leaders and developers that recognize the appeal of downtown Dunellen the borough announced that it won the esteemed “Great Downtown” designation by the American Planning Association’s New Jersey Chapter walkable business districts that excel in fostering economic development while touting it as an endorsement of the collective efforts of local businesses and we invite everyone to experience the energy and excitement of our revitalized downtown,” Mayor Jason Cilento said at the time and we are excited to see what the future holds as we strive to make downtown Dunellen an even more inclusive The news came just weeks after Prism Capital Partners accepted a New Jersey Future Smart Growth Award for The Nell its mixed-use project that redeveloped the former Art Color printing factory across from NJ Transit’s Dunellen train station The coveted honor followed the strong lease-up of the property’s 252 apartments which occupy the site alongside a 9,300-square-foot freestanding retail building at 100 South Washington Ave The project’s success is also a personal achievement for Robert Fourniadis he was struck by “this dilapidated old industrial building” that he saw while driving through Middlesex County He wanted to build in walkable communities with transit and Dunellen seemed to check all the boxes but that was sidelined by the 2007-2008 recession “The Nell is a prime example of how developers their architect partners and municipal governments can work together to benefit communities for the long term,” Fourniadis said last fall as the firm announced the New Jersey Future award “Prism and the borough of Dunellen worked diligently to bring this project to life Redevelopment of complex sites like this can only succeed through trust Marlaina Cockcroft is a freelance writer based in New Jersey has been covering New Jersey commercial real estate for 13 years Many industry leaders view him as the go-to real estate reporter in the state a role he is eager to continue as the editor of Real Estate NJ He is a lifelong New Jersey resident who has spent a decade covering the great Garden State Greek Real Estate Partners has gained a seal of approval for one of its key divisions thanks to a new accreditation from the Institute of Real Estate Management All RIGHTS RESERVED Copyright 2023 Real Estate NJ 101 Eisenhower Parkway Roseland Our site uses cookies. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy DUNELLEN – The Dunellen’s Future Together Team has officially announced its 2025 Borough Council slate Incumbent Council President Daniel "Cole" Sigmon and incumbent Councilwoman Trina Rios will seek third terms in office Daniel "Cole" Sigmon has been an active member of the Dunellen community since moving here with his wife they are raising their three sons in the town Cole became involved by joining Dunellen’s Playground Committee which led him to regularly attend council meetings It was here that he developed relationships with council members and gained a deeper understanding of the work and dedication required to keep Dunellen running Cole has worked closely with the Mayor and Council on several key initiatives including advocating for the revitalization of downtown Dunellen improving pedestrian safety through the Mayor’s Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force supporting the creation of a Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) within the Office of Emergency Management and delivering responsible budgets as Finance Committee Chair he has served as a council liaison to several borough organizations the Plainfield Area Regional Sewerage Authority (PARSA) Cole was unanimously elected Council President "I am running for re-election because I believe in the power of local government to make a real difference in people’s lives,” Cole said “Serving on the council has allowed me to advocate for responsible development support our first responders and volunteers and find creative solutions to the challenges our community faces.” He continued “I want to continue this work—to ensure Dunellen remains a place where families and businesses can thrive forward-thinking decisions for our future." Trina Rios and her family moved to Dunellen 15 years ago quickly recognizing it as the perfect place to call home knew Dunellen was where they would raise their two children demonstrating her commitment to the community from day one including Boy Scout den leader and advocate for the Hispanic community She works closely with local churches to distribute food to those in need further showcasing her dedication to helping others Her involvement with the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and Dunellen Education Foundation (DEF) highlights her passion for education Trina’s love for literacy led to her appointment to the Library Board of Trustees where she continues to serve as the Mayor’s Representative She was sworn into the Dunellen Borough Council in 2020 and re-elected in 2022 Trina has acted as a liaison to several borough committees She has also previously served as Council President Trina expressed her excitement about seeking re-election “The strength and unity of our community have always been my inspiration It’s this collective spirit that motivates me to continue serving and seek re-election ensuring that Dunellen remains a place we’re all proud to call home.” Rios and Sigmon have earned the full endorsement of the Dunellen Republican Organization Cilento has proudly supported both candidates “Cole and Trina have worked tirelessly for the betterment of our community and proven track record are exactly what Dunellen needs to keep moving forward I wholeheartedly support their re-election and look forward to the progress they will bring in another term.” Rios and Sigmon are eager to connect with Dunellen residents in the coming weeks canvassing door-to-door to earn every vote Their campaign focuses on doing what’s best for Dunellen—an effort that transcends political affiliation and looks toward a brighter future Join Rios and Sigmon for Dunellen at DaLuca’s Cafe Saturday For a petition-signing meet-and-greet with State Senator Jon Bramnick as well as Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz and Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis who are seeking re-election for the State Assembly in LD21 All registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters are encouraged to attend and sign the petition in support of the candidates 2025 What: Petition-signing meet-and-greet with D Cole Sigmon and Trina Rios for Dunellen Borough Council and Nancy Munoz and Michele Matsikoudis for State Assembly Note: Any registered unaffiliated voter who signs a partisan petition for any office will automatically be registered as the same party as the candidate for whom they sign the petition I would like to receive emails from Insider NJ DUNELLEN — Dunellen was trailing by six entering the final stanza when it rallied for a late touchdown Friday At least that’s what it felt like on the Faber School softball field as Dunellen rallied for seven runs in the bottom of the seventh to trim North Plainfield by the football score of 17-16 Kyla Fucito singled in two runs and Rose Ciccolella tied the game with an RBI-single before Fucito crossed the plate with the anticlimactic winning run on a bases-loaded walk to winning pitcher Savanna McCann (3-3) More: Softball: Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament bracket set More: Softball roundup: Daily results and links for Skyland Conference, GMC, area Union County “I think that their pitcher definitely got in her head so I felt like I had a chance (to contribute),” said Ciccolella who made the last out in the sixth and was the ninth batter due up in the seventh “I was just trying to advance the runner and keep it going.” The winning seven-run rally required just three hits There were four lead changes in the contest as the momentum swung back and forth like a metronome North Plainfield (4-3) took a 4-0 lead in the top of the first The Canucks regained the lead at 9-8 in the fourth and extended that advantage to 16-10 going into the bottom of the seventh by tacking on five runs in the sixth and another in the seventh in what The winning rally began with Alexa DeVesa’s third walk of the afternoon/evening — it was a 4:30 start — followed by an infield error and single by Kasey Manna to load the bases Kaitylee Garcia walked to force in the first run but the Canucks’ Briyith Castro (1-3) recorded her third strikeout to momentarily quell the threat Kyleigh Tigue and Mikayla Sheehan both walked to force in two more runs before Fucita’s single to right made it 16-15 stroked a single up the middle to knot the score and “We’ve done it in multiple games this season,” noted Dunellen coach Kerry Johnson who huddled her team before the winning rally “The only thing I said going into the last little bit was we’ve got this.’ We knew we were going to come back There were no shortage of hitting stars as one might expect from a 33-run contest went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and Garcia got on base four times and scored on three of them despite going hitless Taylor Mooney went 4-for-5 with two triples and four RBIs Samantha Colon went 3-for-4 and drove in the game’s initial two runs with a first-inning triple and Chloe Rodriguez went 3-for-4 and scored four times The result knotted both teams at 5-2 for second place in the GMC Blue Division standings behind unbeaten Calvary Christian but Johnson was looking at the bigger picture but it’s not our main focus,” Johnson explained ‘This is the turning point in our season,’ and I hope I’m right.” Dunellen could soon welcome another 62 apartments to its central business district as part of a project that the borough’s planning board approved late last month According to Taylor Architecture & Design part of the professional team for developer 1879 Morris Associates LLC the proposed building at 431-441 North Ave would transform a series of commercial properties which could start construction in mid-2025 10 two-bedroom units and four three-bedroom units with nine of the homes reserved as affordable housing a package room and a second-level amenity deck along with a design that pays homage to the borough’s heritage and to the train station roughly a quarter-mile away “The design of the exterior of the building respected Dunellen’s history as a transit village,” Taylor Architecture wrote in a news release “Through the balanced use of warm brick masonry the building activates the streetscape and continues the promenade of retail and restaurants already established in the area “A prominent central tower with bracketed hip roof and clock tower harkens back to the railroad inspired architecture that Dunellen continues to preserve will be well lit in the evening to celebrate the transit-inspired design.” Dunellen’s planning board approved the proposal on Sept 23 as part of its ongoing downtown redevelopment marking the second Taylor Architecture-designed project approved last month while President Brian Taylor presented it to officials The project team also includes land use attorney Joseph Paparo of Porzio Bromberg & Newman PC and civil engineer and professional planner Joseph Sparone of Dynamic Engineering PC Dunellen planning board OKs 50-unit rental project downtown, Taylor Architecture says .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Matt Cosentino | For NJ Advance MediaRose Ciccolella went 4-for-5 with two doubles an RBI and two runs and Dunellen scored seven runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally for a 17-16 win over North Plainfield in Dunellen The game was tied at 10 after five innings but North Plainfield went ahead with a five-run sixth and another run in the seventh Gaelle Velez went 3-for-5 with a triple and three RBIs and Mikayla Sheehan added two hits Taylor Mooney and Jordan Phillips each had four hits and three RBIs for North Plainfield (4-3) The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! DUNELLEN - Everybody who lives or works in the borough knows something good is going on in Dunellen But now the rest of the world is beginning to take notice The borough was recently recognized for its commitment to sustainable growth community development and infrastructure improvement “Dunellen’s recent recognitions highlight how far we’ve come with balancing growth and our community’s identity," said Borough Council Member Teresa Albertson "Our efforts aren’t just about new buildings but about ensuring that every step we take benefits our residents and future generations to come It is encouraging to see our years of planning and community input being recognized by so many organizations and publications." In October, Dunellen was featured in Business View Magazine, which reports on the latest advances in municipal public works More: Dunellen to unveil restored firehouse three years after devastating blaze The article said Dunellen "proudly balances its rich traditions with a forward-thinking vision Often described as having a 'Rockwellian' charm it’s a close-knit place where neighbors support one another and children grow up forming lifelong connections." Also in October, The Nell at Dunellen Station, the development on the former Art Color site on Washington Avenue, received the 2024 Smart Growth Award from New Jersey Future New Jersey Future wrote the project "is an exciting new transit-adjacent development that is transforming Dunellen by introducing a vibrant commercial corridor and adding much-needed housing units in a mixed-use setting." The development was also called by New Jersey Future a "strong partnership between the municipality and the developer." More: Developers of Dunellen’s long-awaited transit village ink first commercial tenants In November, Downtown Dunellen was awarded the “Great Downtown” designation by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association (NJ APA) The group called Dunellen "a charming borough in Middlesex County that is renowned for its vibrant downtown and strong sense of community" and praised Mayor Jason F Cilento and former Mayor Robert Seader for their efforts in revitalizing the downtown In January, Real Estate New Jersey magazine featured new construction in Dunellen and the borough's efforts to revitalize downtown “These awards are a testament to the incredible teamwork and dedication of everyone involved in shaping the future of Dunellen," said Cilento "We are incredibly fortunate to work with such knowledgeable and dedicated individuals from our municipal team and project partners to our local businesses None of this would be possible without you and I look forward to our continued collaboration here in our Miracle Mile.” A developer has secured a key approval for a project that would bring 50 new apartments and commercial space to Dunellen’s growing downtown the space would occupy a ground-up three-story building at 405-415 North Ave Plans call for a mix of floorplans ranging from studio to three-bedroom units with seven of the dwellings reserved as affordable housing along with a series of resident amenities and exterior streetscape upgrades Dunellen’s planning board approved the project during a unanimous vote earlier this month, Taylor said. According to MyCentralJersey.com that puts the borough one step closer to revitalizing a site that includes the Dunellen Rescue Squad and a vacant Bank of America branch in a plan that will build on other multifamily and mixed-use development nearby The report noted that borough officials are working with the rescue squad to redevelop an abandoned property at 635 Bound Brook Road for a new headquarters “The redevelopment of the old rescue squad property will support Dunellen’s efforts to revitalize downtown generate additional revenue for the borough and enhance the area’s appearance,” Mayor Jason F the new rescue squad building will replace the abandoned structure with a state-of-the-art facility helping the volunteer organization sustain itself for years to come and attracting new volunteers as they embark on this exciting new chapter.” while the firm’s Brian Taylor presented it to borough officials They noted that the new building’s exterior would aim to satisfy the architectural requirements of the local redevelopment plan which emphasizes transit-inspired architecture using brick masonry and authentic architectural detailing consistent with Dunellen’s history as a railroad town The second floor would allow for large private balconies for some units as well as a 2,000-square-foot common landscaped rooftop amenity deck streetscape and lighting improvements are part of the application as part of compliance with the redevelopment plan The development team also includes land use attorney Peter Lanfrit of Savo Schalk Corsini Warner Gillespie O’Grodnick & Fisher PA civil engineer Richard Adelsohn of Frank Lehr & Associates traffic engineer Elizabeth Dolan of Dolan & Dean Consulting Engineers and professional planner Kevin O’Brien DUNELLEN – The borough has been awarded the "Great Downtown" designation by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association The award recognizes downtown areas that have successful businesses new housing and retail options through redevelopment “The recognition as a ‘Great Downtown’ by the New Jersey American Planning Association is a proud moment for our entire community,” said Mayor Jason F “This achievement reflects the collaborative efforts of our residents and local leaders who have come together to create a downtown that is not only vibrant and welcoming but also a true reflection of our community's spirit." The award comes after years of major redevelopment projects like the apartments and homes on the former Art Color site that have brought new residents to downtown Dunellen enhancing its identity as a transit-oriented community near the station on NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line The prospect of direct train service to Manhattan once the new tunnel under the Hudson River is completed has led to the revitalization of downtowns along the Raritan Valley Line including hundreds of new apartments in neighboring Plainfield and Bound Brook More: $14 million redevelopment project proposed for Dunellen Rescue Squad, vacant bank The aware cites Dunellen's “Miracle Mile,” because its area is only one square mile The corridor along North and Washington avenues features 118 businesses The revitalization began more than 20 years ago under former Mayor Robert J Seader with efforts to redevelop the Art Color site Cilento has overseen nearly $100 million in investments through new developments and facade improvements and we invite everyone to experience the energy and excitement of our revitalized downtown," Cilento said and we are excited to see what the future holds as we strive to make Downtown Dunellen an even more inclusive .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jack McKenna | For NJ Advance MediaNine Dunellen players drove in at least one run in its 15-1 victory in five innings over Perth Amboy Magnet in Dunellen on Friday Perth Amboy Magnet scratched across a run in the top of the first inning before Dunellen responded with six runs in the bottom half of the first Dunellen tacked onto its lead over the next three innings by plating four Cole Mayer had a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate for Dunellen driving in three runs and coming around to score once while hitting a triple and drawing a walk Michael Dow had a strong performance both ways tossing two innings of scoreless relief on the mound while recording two RBI and two runs scored in a 2-for-3 day in the batter’s box for Dunellen (5-3) and drove in the lone run while going 2-for-3 for Perth Amboy Magnet (2-5) Jack McKenna can be reached at hssports@njadvancemedia.com The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) DUNELLEN – The downtown apartment building boom may be continuing if the Planning Board approves a proposal to build 50 apartments on the North Avenue site of the Dunellen Rescue Squad and the vacant Bank of America The Planning Board will hold a special meeting Sept 12 on the $14.46 million project by 405-415 North Avenue Urban Renewal LLC that calls for an 83,323-square-foot three-story mixed-use building The bank building and the squad headquarters will be demolished The borough is working with the rescue squad to redevelop an abandoned property at 635 Bound Brook Road for a new headquarters "The redevelopment of the old rescue squad property will support Dunellen's efforts to revitalize downtown and enhance the area's appearance," said Mayor Jason F and attracting new volunteers as they embark on this exciting new chapter." The proposed apartment building's two commercial spaces one 1,770 square feet and the other 1,149 square feet will be on the ground floor along with 63 covered parking spaces There will also be a 509-square-foot gym for residents on the ground floor More: Which cops in Central Jersey make the most DUI arrests? We have the numbers The top two floors will have 50 apartments – two studios 21 two-bedroom units and three three-bedroom units 43 will be market-rate and seven will be affordable units The .6715-acre property between Madison and Prospect avenues backs to New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley Line and is a block from the Dunellen train station A financial analysis prepared by the NWQ Financial Group found that over a 30-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the developer the borough would have a net gain of $4.7 million The study also concluded that the apartment building would see only an increase of five students in the public school population .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Dylan McCoy | For NJ Advance MediaGianna Zaliwski drove in three RBIs as Middlesex ended a two-game losing streak on its home field Middlesex (4-2) created an 8-0 lead in the first two innings of the game Dunellen (3-2) would answer with seven runs in the third and fourth innings scoring seven in the bottom of the sixth to invoke the mercy rule Kylie Vitelli recorded the pitching victory for Middlesex striking out seven batters in her six innings on the mound Amber Demeter and Ciara Canty each had a two-hit Rose Ciccolella led Dunellen on offense with three RBIs Savanna McCann recorded the team’s lone extra-base hit Middlesex will attempt to continue its winning ways against Carteret tomorrow The two teams matched up to open the 2025 season with Middlesex winning 12-2 in five innings Dylan McCoy can be reached at hssports@njadvancemedia.com DUNELLEN – Three years after its firehouse was gutted by a blaze the borough will be dedicating its restored firehouse in December The grand opening and rededication of the George W Hodulik Firehouse on South Madison Avenue is scheduled for noon Dec “We are incredibly excited to officially welcome the Dunellen Fire Department back to the new and improved George W Hodulik Firehouse," said Mayor Jason Cilento in a news release but it has been incredible to see the camaraderie between our first responders and the eagerness of our community to come together and help out in any way they could This building has been a staple of our community since the ‘60s and now it is set to serve generations of Dunellen firefighters to come.” The fire on the afternoon of Oct. 12, 2021 began when the Dunellen Fire Department’s Truck 1 caught fire in the apparatus bay of the facility The blaze resulted in the loss of four pieces of apparatus including Truck 1 The fire also caused extensive smoke damage throughout the building The restoration of the firehouse began shortly after the fire leading to a complete overhaul of the structure More: Dunellen awarded 'Great Downtown' designation after years of redevelopment All systems within the building that was built in 1962 were replaced An elevator and a fire sprinkler system were installed along with a sound system to allow enhanced training sessions to be held in the hall the Dunellen Fire Department has a new Engine 3 and Truck 4 which was sent to E-One in Florida to be fully refurbished and has been back with the department since late 2022 but the Dunellen Fire Department is excited to be back home and operating at full power to continue serving our community,” said Fire Chief Bill Scott fire departments from neighboring communities and across the country came to Dunellen's aid The Middlesex Borough and Green Brook fire departments played critical roles in maintaining fire protection in Dunellen with the Green Brook Fire Department loaning one of its trucks to the Dunellen Fire Department Green Brook also offered its facility as a temporary base of operations for Dunellen firefighters until a temporary garage facility was completed behind the George W fire departments nationwide came to Dunellen's support including the Chester Township Fire Department Station 47 in Pennsylvania which lent one of its engines to the Dunellen Fire Department and everyone who supported us these past few years," Scott said and North Stelton fire departments who responded to the initial incident and put out the fire in our building." The firehouse was renamed to honor lifelong Dunellen resident Hodulik who has been a member of the Dunellen Fire Department since 1961 Navy from 1944 to 1946 in World War II and from 1950 to 1953 in the Korean War The cheers swelled inside the Dunellen Theatre on Aug erupting into a roar as fans watched Dunellen native Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone finish first in the 400-meter hurdles at the Paris Olympic Games It earned her a gold medal and her sixth world record making her a four-time Olympic gold medalist Dunellen will host a homecoming ceremony for the track star at Columbia Park — and fans can cheer McLaughlin-Levrone in person The event will include speakers from the state Dunellen Public Schools and Union Catholic High School Officials will offer words of congratulations and provide official resolutions recognizing McLaughlin-Levrone’s accomplishments Recap: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of NJ sets world record again on way to Paris Olympics Middlesex County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum and the Dunellen Borough Council are scheduled to be there Nearly 2,000 people are expected to attend the 90-minute ceremony at the park It's home to the track where McLaughlin-Levrone trained as a child Public parking will be at the Dunellen Train Station and on surrounding streets; handicap parking will be at the Columbia Park parking lot at the end of Orange Street There will be no parking on Columbia Street and Orange Street Columbia Park will only be accessible through Orange Street “The borough of Dunellen is extremely proud of all that Sydney has accomplished and we’re excited to see where her passion and dedication take her next,” said borough communications coordinator Billy George “She is an inspiration for us all and a true role model for the next generation to look up to There’s no one better to represent our borough Staff Reporter Jenna Intersimone: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com DUNELLEN — A couple of the GMC’s hottest teams squared off at Faber Elementary School on Wednesday with temporary bragging rights in the Silver Division up for grabs as Dunellen hosted Piscataway Magnet The visiting Raiders entered having prevailed in four of their last five endeavors while Dunellen was looking to extend a five-game winning streak as well as the end despite a huge run in the middle from the Destroyers Much of the flow of the game was determined by the availability of one man who went scoreless in the opening half thanks to two fouls and an extended period on the bench He scored all 16 of his points after halftime and put the finishing touches on a 17-0 run that straddled the third and fourth quarters More: Boys basketball rankings: Greater Middlesex Conference, area UCC Top 10, through Jan. 11 More: Boys basketball: St. Thomas beats Old Bridge in first game since coach’s dismissal I was out of the game and normally I’m a facilitator It put us in a bad position,” Davis said of his foul woes attack the basket when you see an open lane and finish strong like you normally do.’ So one thing I focused on was finishing strong.” There were six lead changes over the first 11 minutes before the Raiders ran off nine unanswered points with Davis on the bench to eventually lead 27-20 at halftime that in the midst of the 17-0 burst that ended with seven consecutive points by Davis and a 44-34 lead for the Destroyers (8-2 “It was really that they’re just so focused they dug deep and they found something extra within them and that was what it was,” Dunellen first-year coach Matt Cianfrone said I have complete faith in these guys and in what we do and they believe in each other and they were able to find that extra gear.” 5-2) used baskets by AJ Skara and Joel Polynice to eventually equalize at 51-51 with 38 seconds remaining dropped in a layup and Davis added a free throw after Piscataway Magnet missed a 3-pointer with 10 seconds remaining while 6-foot-6 Danny Watts delivered nine points Cianfrone was quick to praise the efforts of sophomore reserve Will Ghanim who had two steals in the big run and also finished with four assists and three rebounds “He made a few plays in a row and he’s growing every game he just makes plays when we need them,” Cianfrone lauded “He seems to find a way and he made some big ones.” while Taron Caldwell had 14 points and seven steals The game was played in a raucous atmosphere something teams in the lower divisions of the GMC may not be accustomed to I’m happy everyone came out,” Davis gushed “Normally it’s not a packed crowd but I have to love everyone for coming out.” There are still a ton of games to be played in the eight-team division and Piscataway Magnet can take some solace in the fact that it is just one victory shy of last season’s win total “Things are pretty good and we’re still in the running for the division,” Raiders coach Len Reyes offered A team with three losses is probably going to win the division so it’s not like it’s over yet.” DUNELLEN – Olympic star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone returned to her hometown for a ceremony Monday at the Columbia Park football field the borough named the track after her with a big red sign above the press box Dunellen Mayor Jason Cilento strode to the podium at the 50-yard line to remind the packed stands and fans lining the fence about something he said in 2021 if her success continued “At that ceremony I joked we had no idea what we were going to do next,” he recalled “other than possibly renaming the entire town after her here we are in 2024 and sure enough she went well and above and beyond winning two more gold medals and setting her sixth world record surprise – we have officially renamed Dunellen.” Middlesex County’s newest town is now McLaughlinville After a few silent moments the mayor continued “I’m just joking,” said Cilento to roaring laughs from the crowd Renaming a town is actually pretty difficult and I think we can all agree that we like the name Dunellen.” “But instead of renaming the whole town after you Sydney,” Cilento said “I hope you’ll settle for a key to the city on a beautiful plaque an honorary street naming of Fairview Avenue a proclamation honoring your continued success as well as a joint proclamation from the mayors of Dunellen’s sister cities in Italy – Borgonovo Val Tidone and Castel San Giovanni We also have a plague honoring and recognizing her great parents Willie and Mary McLaughlin It was a rainy day until McLaughlin-Levrone as well as her Union Catholic High School coach Mike McCabe and principal Sister Percylee Hart and local and statewide politicians who gave speeches showing up to lend support was 1968 Olympian Barbara Friedrich (javelin) and 1956 Olympian Elliott Denman (50 KM race walk) USA Today called her “the most dominant U.S and maybe the top female athlete across all sports in the U.S.” she repeated as the 400 hurdles Olympic gold medalist with a world-record and gold-medal winning time of 50.37 She also earned her second-straight gold medal as part of the women’s 4x400-relay team that set an American record McLaughlin-Levrone took the baton on the second leg took off and created a gap as long as the Eiffel Tower Her split of 47.71 would have been a gold medal-winning time in the open 400 If one goes through a six-degrees of separation for McLaughlin-Levrone based on the locations she’s been to There are the three Olympic sites where she produced head-turning performances in Paris in which she was inducted to its Athletics Hall of Fame last week You might have seen her appearing in the shoots with the likes of Coco Gauff But no matter how many far-flung international locales and superstars she rubs shoulders with the one-square-mile borough of just under 8,000 residents in northwestern Middlesex County The Columbia Park complex includes a gazebo for big events like school graduations between the senior center and tennis courts A three-minute walk takes you to the Dunellen Theatre that opened in 1922 for vaudeville acts and silent films They have a volunteer fire department and rescue squad While McLaughlin-Levrone’s fan base extends all over the world and certainly throughout New Jersey it’s Dunellen that appears next to her name as her hometown on TV before the big races – something she noted herself “I’m always at a loss for words whenever I come home facing the crowd and with the dignitaries and family members seated behind her “It was here where I first fell in love with track and field It was here where the dream became stuck in my mind since I was 8 years old that this was my passion This is what I wanted to do and God has blessed me with an amazing family an amazing state to be able to get that accomplished displayed an Olympic Gold Medal around her neck who waited in a long line along the fence with "Sydney" chants She posed for pictures and signed sneakers “It honestly brings me so much joy every time on that TV where I see hometown and it says Dunellen I truly enjoy that moment,” she said to cheers “I do and I love telling people that we are a one-square-mile town I can’t even put into words just what it means to have so much support They ask me after almost every race what does it feel like The 25-year-old thanked everyone in that village “I’m grateful for your support and to all the young kids not just athletes but whatever you aspire to do I truly hope that you will chase excellence in whatever it is that you do,” she said “Keeping God first at the forefront and understanding that whether you win or you lose you have people behind you who will love you regardless of what the result is.” her fourth-grade teacher at Faber Elementary School in town and now the principal He later said she sometimes drops by to talk with the students and there’s a bulletin board showcase with pictures and articles that the children marvel at Tennant noted that while people see her as a world class athlete he remembered her practicing her blocks on the school’s sidewalk at recess and beating boys in races as well as standing up for her friends and giving encouraging words “with a tremendous smile every single day.” “We are incredibly proud of you,” he told the crowd “As you stand here today surrounded by your friends and family and mentors know that you’ve inspired countless young athletes in our small little town of Dunellen You’ve shown them that their backgrounds do not define their futures You are proof that greatness can emerge from Dunellen and we are ever grateful for you to bring light to our town You said in an interview once I want to show others that their dreams are worth chasing and we are all chasing our own dreams a little harder because of you.” Andy Mendlowitz can be reached at AMendlowitz@NJPressMedia.com .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By John Lewis | For NJ Advance MediaMark Stein and Joseph Reyes had three hits each as Dunellen defeated New Brunswick Michael Dow had two hits and drove in two runs for Dunellen It was the first loss of the season for New Brunswick after a 3-0 start John Lewis can be reached at hssports@njadvancemedia.com  The N.J. 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Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) Downtown Dunellen Wins Prestigious “Great Downtown” Award from NJ American Planning Association (NJ APA) https://njplanning.org/2024-awards/downtown-dunellen/ The Borough of Dunellen is thrilled to announce that Downtown Dunellen has been awarded the esteemed "Great Downtown" designation by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association (NJ APA) This prestigious award recognizes downtown areas that feature vibrant new housing and retail options through redevelopment and infill development and downtowns that serve as the centerpiece of the community The NJ APA "Great Downtown" Award celebrates vibrant walkable downtowns that excel in fostering economic development Dunellen’s win acknowledges the collective efforts of local businesses and the municipal government in creating a thriving and connected downtown that serves as the heart of the community and local leaders who have come together to create a downtown that is not only vibrant and welcoming but also a true reflection of our community's spirit We are committed to continuing this work—building on our progress to make Downtown Dunellen a dynamic destination for people to live and we invite everyone to experience the energy and excitement of our revitalized downtown The New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association NJ APA is the professional organization that guides planning and planning professionals to promote smart planning and planning principles across the state The "Great Places in New Jersey" awards is held every year and recognize exemplary downtowns and neighborhoods that contribute to the state’s quality of life and embody the principles of smart growth .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Matt Cosentino | For NJ Advance MediaMadison Simone had two hits and three RBIs and earned the win as Bloomfield scored 10 runs in the second inning on its way to a 14-2 victory over Dunellen in Bloomfield struck out nine and walked three in a five-inning complete game Natalia Mosquera tripled and scored two runs and Mia Benkert doubled knocked in a run and scored for Bloomfield (4-5) Kasey Manna went 2-for-2 with an RBI for Dunellen (3-4) The borough’s Republican councilmembers joined Jason Cilento in his endorsement Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) for governor Tuesday said the moderate Bramnick has the best shot at winning a statewide election in the Garden State arguing November’s election results showed New Jersey is a purple state but not a “red stronghold.” Cilento said Bramnick is a thoughtful leader who can effectively handle issues like the high cost of living “We cannot assume that Trump’s improved performance in New Jersey alone means we should distance ourselves from moderate Republicans or ignore the fact that our state is truly purple,” Cilento said in a release “A center-right candidate is needed to win a statewide gubernatorial election.” The mayor said Bramnick’s history as a moderate Republican in Trenton shows he has the skill to work with Democrats — who he thinks are likely to hold onto the legislature — to achieve pragmatic results “Bramnick also has the ability to work with Democrats who are likely to maintain a majority in Trenton for the foreseeable future due to district lines,” Cilento said in a release “The ability to negotiate with the opposite side of the aisle and bring them back to the center is a political win—compromise is not a dirty word and it can be done without sacrificing one’s principles.” Cilento said the entire Dunellen GOP Organization and the town’s Republican Council members have joined him in endorsing Bramnick “Whichever Republican gubernatorial candidate emerges from the primary in June 2025 and faces the Democratic nominee in the general election we as Republicans—regardless of where we fall on the GOP spectrum—must unite behind them and work to elect them,” he wrote See here for a full list of 2025 gubernatorial endorsements .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Dylan McCoy | For NJ Advance MediaJamael Davis scored 10 of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter as 5 seed Dunellen overcame a late deficit in front of its fans claiming a 61-58 victory over 12 seed Highland Park in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Highland Park (14-12) appeared to be on its way to an upset taking a 10-point lead into the final quarter forcing multiple turnovers before Danny Watts hit a layup with 40 seconds left to go ahead Watts totaled 10 points on the night while Ryan Hutchins added 16 hitting all six of his attempts from the free throw line in the victory Highland Park had three players reach double-digit scoring Jayden Guadalupe led the team with 19 points Dunellen was able to snap a four-game losing streak with the win It will travel to 4 seed Manville on Saturday in a quarterfinal matchup Dunellen Borough Police Department Announces Promotions of New Captain and Sergeants Following Approval at September 3 Council Meeting 2024 - The Borough of Dunellen and Dunellen Borough Police Department are excited to announce the promotions of Dunellen Police Officers These promotions were officially approved at the September 3 Council Meeting by Mayor Jason F “As a member of the Dunellen Borough Council and the Chair of the Police Committee Goldman enter these exciting new chapters of their careers I wish them all the best in their new roles and I look forward to their continued success as they serve our community,” said Councilman Hal VanDermark “The Borough of Dunellen is very fortunate to have so many incredible officers on our police force and I have the utmost confidence in their ability to lead and push the department forward These promotions are a testament to the quality of their careers thus far and their commitment to the safety and well-being of our Miracle Mile Goldman and I know they will continue to make us proud,” added Mayor Jason F who has been with the Dunellen Borough Police Department for 27 years making him the first Police Captain in almost 30 years During his service with the Dunellen Police Department Captain Beenders has held numerous roles within the department and received many awards throughout his career from the apprehension and arrest of a burglary in progress to most notably the apprehension of a suspect with a gun Beenders will oversee the administrative responsibilities within the department Lieutenant Doherty was promoted from the rank of Sergeant Doherty has been a member of the Dunellen Borough Police Department since 2002 where he started as a Patrolman he held numerous responsibilities and has been recognized with awards and citations for various acts throughout his career from life-saving awards to gun and drug arrests Doherty will command and oversee the Patrol Division Sergeant DeAngelo joined the Dunellen Borough Police Department in 2004 and throughout his 20-year career has held many responsibilities including his most recent assignment as Detective since 2020 He has received several awards throughout his career most notably a money laundering investigation that resulted in the seizure of $45,600 to receiving a Meritorious Service Award for saving a kidnapped victim of a Sexual Assault and apprehension of the suspect in 2023 DeAngelo will serve as a Patrol Squad Supervisor Detective Sergeant Goldman has served in the Borough of Dunellen since 2014 with his most recent assignment being in the Detective Bureau He has received numerous awards throughout his career most notably an Exceptional Duty Award in 2019 for a Narcotics Seizure of Cocaine with a $10,000 street value to an Honorable Service Award in 2020 for the apprehension of an Armed Robbery suspect Goldman will serve as the Supervisor of the Detective Bureau “I’ve had the privilege of working with and watching these officers grow throughout their careers and I’m proud to see them advance into positions of leadership These hard-working individuals always go the extra mile for their fellow officers and the Dunellen community and I congratulate them on their well-deserved promotions,” said Dunellen Borough Police Chief Dan Smith Vanessa Kohler (25) of Highland Park catches a pass in front of Brooke Newland (35) of Dunellen during the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 1 girls basketball quarterfinal between Dunellen and Highland Park at John P .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Anthony Gabbianelli | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comVanessa Kohler scored a team-high 22 points with five rebounds three assists and eight steals for Highland Park in its 67-42 win over Dunellen in the Clem Santy Holiday Tournament in Dunellen Highland Park (2-1) led 36-18 at halftime against Dunellen Thara Belton nailed three three-pointers for Highland Park with 17 points Ava Kohler was 3-for-4 from the free throw line with 15 points Sophie Jimenez scored 15 points for Dunnellen (1-1) as it drops its first game of the season The N.J. 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Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Anthony Gabbianelli | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTim LaCanna scored a game-high 19 points for Somerville in its 53-28 triumph against Dunellen in Dunellen Somerville (18-7) led 29-16 at halftime against Dunellen This is the second time this season Somerville has held its opponents to less than 30 points in a game and the first time since its season opener against Delaware Valley on Dec Somerville leads the Valley Division of the Skyland Conference with a 6-2 record Delaware Valley is in second place with a 5-2 record Brian Palko scored 13 points for Somerville Dunellen (15-7) is 1-2 in its last four games after ending a three-game winning streak Dunellen leads the Silver Division of the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) with a 12-2 record Piscataway Magnet is in second place in the division with an 11-3 record Jamael Davis scored 14 points to lead Dunellen .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Will Harrigan | For NJ Advance MediaSeven runs in one frame in a high school baseball game usually proves decisive as Dunellen’s offense came alive in a 16-6 victory over Highland Park in Dunellen The big fourth inning of seven runs was the first of three crooked numbers for the Destroyers Kristina Roman Lopez had a huge day for the winners homering and driving in four as part of a 3-for-4 day Joseph Reyes also drove in three for Dunellen in this one Julio Rodriguez doubled and drove in three as part of a big day for Highland Connor Roth-Zappo also drove in a pair for Owls in this one The N.J. 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To add your name, click here Belvidere’s QB Kyle Blew (12) passes the ball ahead of North Warren’s defense as Belvidere football hosts North Warren on Oct .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Steven Bassin | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comIt was a three-touchdown in Dunellen for both senior quarterback Kyle Blew and sophomore wide receiver Elijah White during Belvidere’s 34-0 victory over the Destroyers Blew and White connected right off the bat for the game’s first touchdown to put Belvidere up 6-0 going into the second quarter The senior signal caller extended the County Seaters’ lead to 14-0 with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Mason Chamberlain and then ran in for the successful two-point conversion White helped give Belvidere a three-touchdown going into halftime on special teams by returning a punt for a touchdown with 1:50 left to play in the first half Both Blew and White recorded their third touchdown of the night during the third quarter on a 57-yard catch and run that White took to the house Jake Enderley tallied the final touchdown of the night for Belvidere during the fourth quarter Ben Howard had a sack and recorded seven total tackles during the contest for Dunellen Belvidere (3-1) has won three games in a row and will host Bound Brook next Friday night Dunellen (0-4) travels next Friday to face Middlesex The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) Steven Bassin can be reached at SBassin@njadvancemedia.com Edryn Morales (1) of Manville gets around Nas Hart (1) of College Achieve Asbury Park during the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 1 Final between Manville and College Achieve Asbury Park at Meter Dei High School in Middletown 2024.Richard O'Donnell | For NJ Advan .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jason Bernstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comEdryn Morales led all scorers with 25 points as fourth-seeded Manville defeated fifth-seeded Dunellen Na’quavere Thomas had 11 points and Josh D’Ambrosio added 10 for Manville (19-8) Manville plays top-seeded Thrive Charter in the semifinals on Tuesday Ryan Hutchins paced Dunellen (16-10) with 17 points Jamael Davis and Danny Watts added 10 points apiece The N.J. 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DUNELLEN – The borough is taking steps to bring more miracles to what officials call the Miracle Mile The Borough Council has established the Dunellen Downtown Management Organization (DDMO) as an official organization and has hired a firm to look into the possibility of creating a Special Improvement District the DDMO promotes economic development and helps with grand openings revitalizations and events like the borough’s annual HarvestFest An ordinance adopted by the Borough Council on June 17 expanded the number of members on the DDMO from nine to 15 "The DDMO is a volunteer organization and several of our members have been on the committee since its inception Just a few people can make a big difference in a small town and we are very grateful for their contributions," said Peg Lockwood More: Comcast gets approval to begin wiring work in Dunellen In addition to a handful of town officials six members of the business community and four residents or civic leaders will have a seat in the DDMO Mayor Jason Cilento is hopeful that the changes to the DDMO will enhance the ongoing efforts to revitalize the borough's downtown “The establishment of the DDMO as a formalized entity in the Borough of Dunellen is a big step for our community as having our own downtown management organization has been instrumental in promoting and retaining businesses and boosting our economic growth,” the mayor said More: Dunellen becomes first NJ town to implement this aquatic pollution tool “The DDMO has been an invaluable resource for the Borough of Dunellen and I’m proud that we were able to make the organization a ratified fixture for our community,” said Council President Terri Albertson The borough is also working with Ink Creative Strategies on a study to investigate the possibility of creating a Special Improvement District for Dunellen A Special Improvement District is an area within a municipality where property owners and businesses collaborate to manage additional services and improvements Property owners in a Special Improvement District are assessed a small surtax on their property tax bills “Special Improvement Districts (SIDs) are essential in today’s economic climate to support small businesses by strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Natalie Pineiro former director of the Downtown Somerville Alliance "By offering unified management and targeted improvements SIDs create memorable and authentic experiences for both residents and consumers fostering vibrant and thriving downtown areas.”  Cilento is also optimistic about the prospects of a Special Improvement District “I believe that a vibrant downtown is essential for the success of any municipality and following the accomplishments of the DDMO over the years we are excited to expand these initiatives as we assess the creation of a Special Improvement District which would further enhance our local business community,” Cilento said Ryan Hutchins (2) of Dunellen makes a move against Liam Griffiths (4) of Roselle Park during the boys basketball game at John Farber School in Dunellen .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Bakari Tice | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comJamael Davis and Ryan Hutchins led the scoring charge for Dunellen as both tallied 17 points to lead the squad as it defeated East Brunswick Magnet 62-43 in East Brunswick Danny Watts was also in double figures as he finished with 12 points Dylan Taylor led East Brunswick Magnet (0-8) with a game-high 22 points with Sebastian Ortiz scoring 13 Dunellen improves to 6-2 and extends its win streak to four games It will face off against Wardlaw-Hartridge in its next game Bakari Tice can be reached at btice@njadvancemedia.com. 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Sign up now! 1/27Boys Basketball: Dunellen at Middlesex, February 4, 2025.st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Mike Kinney | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comLike almost any young basketball player both in in love with and serious about the game Owen Reynolds spent countless hours shooting while visualizing himself in competitive situations where he almost couldn’t miss In the first half of Tuesday night’s game against neighboring Dunellen fantasy was outscored by fact for the Middlesex senior The 6-4 Reynolds scored by going coast-to-coast off his own blocked shot and rebound one minute into the game and then scored on a coast-to-coast layup off a steal 1:13 later then again and again until you almost expected the flashing digits of the scoreboard to eventually spell out the talented wing’s name Reynolds entered needing 26 points to reach 1,000 for his career and he accomplished it with yet another length-of-the-floor breakaway off a steal in the final seconds of the first half - or the equivalent of 1.6 points a minute He finished with a career-high 31 points to steer the Blue Jays to an 81-39 victory over Dunellen in a cross-divisional Greater Middlesex Conference battle in Middlesex This is one of the best feelings I ever felt,” Reynolds said Reynolds' scoring helped Middlesex rebound from a 57-46 loss Monday to Manville and improve to 14-6 Dunellen (14-5) had a three-game win streak snapped but I really wanted to hit it in a home game,” Reynolds said “I felt good right away; felt like I was in a flow state A little over four minutes in game time after Reynolds had ended the half with his milestone bucket for a 43-20 lead Dunellen senior guard Ryan Hutchins reached 1,000 career points when he connected on a driving layup and then completed the three-point play on a free throw with 5:36 left in the quarter Hutchins came in needing 11 points for his milestone and he finished with 13 on the same court upon which he played his first competitive basketball game - as a freshman on the Destroyers' varsity team Dunellen's Ryan Hutchins and Middlesex's Owen Reynolds both tallied their 1,000th career point during the same game. What's the odds? pic.twitter.com/0Zyqkn0u6A “It feels special to do it where I played my first-ever basketball game,” Hutchins said “I never played before freshman year; never touched a basketball.” Sunburn and cracked cuticles from sweaty summer shootouts and frozen winter workouts in the park and in his driveway assured the b-ball gods that Hutchins had more than made up for his long absence from the game “I never thought I’d be here,” Hutchins said “I didn’t know what I was gonna be when I started playing basketball But I would just go outside and play for hours and hours and try to get better.” The presumption at tipoff was that Hutchins (averaging 18.2 ppg.) would probably hit the mark at some point in the second half while it was much more doubtful for Reynolds He came in averaging 19.1 points and having scored at least 26 points just five times in his career but obviously he had his eyes on the prize and he went after it,” Middlesex head coach Jared Goldstein said Reynolds started and finished his unlikely first-half journey by attacking the rim in transition yet his game wasn’t all about the dribble drive He also buried four 3-pointers on just five attempts in that half Reynolds did begin to wonder just how close to the milestone he was “I don’t usually count how many points I have but obviously today it was a little different,” he said Reynolds already had 10 points - as well as three rebounds a block and a steal - by the time he sat in between quarters to listen to instructions from Goldstein Just keep passing the ball to Owen would have been the advice from probably anyone else in the gym not named Goldstein or who was playing or cheering for Dunellen though it did not take long to understand that it wasn’t so just because of his hot hand Guys were simply passing to a teammate who happened to be open The Blue Jays racked up an astounding 22 assists including seven from senior point guard Dominic Parenti and three each from junior guard Marcus Lavornia and junior forward Chris Kozak “The guys were coming up to me and joking with me today‚” Reynolds said We’re not gonna pass you the ball,’ And then before the game we got you,’ because I know they’ve always got me.” Reynolds sank his sixth and final 3-pointer 2:13 into the third quarter to open a 50-24 lead and was pretty much done for the night by then “I thought I was gonna get little more (than 31) but we were up by a lot and we’ve got a big game coming up later this week (vs Junior forward Mark Melchiorre scored 11 point and sophomore guard Jax Robel had eight for Middlesex Senior forward Danny Watts scored 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds for Dunellen Dunellen's Ryan Hutchins and Middlesex's Owen Reynolds both tallied their 1,000th career point during the same game. What's the odds? pic.twitter.com/0Zyqkn0u6A