Mayor's Update - December 14, 2021

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Mayor's Update - December 14, 2021

Dear Cranbury Residents,

This is my final Mayor’s Update for 2021, and I wanted to THANK YOU for the great privilege of serving as your Mayor for this exciting year. Many people are unaware that serving on the Township Committee is a part-time role and that most of us have full-time commitments. It’s been a challenge to juggle Cranbury business with my full-time job and family obligations, but I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful people around town.

Cranbury Township Year-In-Review Video. I start out each Township Committee meeting with a picture from a town event, and I’ve stitched these together, added a few more, and made a year-end video. Please watch the video here! Thanks to all the volunteers and township employees who keep our town running and for making it such a special place to live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iZopBkUFA8

At last night’s Township Committee meeting, we thanked Jay Taylor for his 12 years of service on the Township Committee. During his time on the TC, he helped to steer Cranbury through a period of unprecedented financial pressure and worked to maintain a stable tax rate over his tenure, with strong financial stewardship and prudent oversight. The Township Committee enthusiastically welcomes Eman El-Badawi, who was elected on November 2 to fill the vacated seat on January 3.

Also at last night’s meeting, we enacted three ordinances. The first ordinance was to update and streamline the sign ordinance, making it clearer what is allowed and not allowed in the village area. The second ordinance updated the snow removal ordinance and outlined the fine and notification process (please just clear your sidewalks within 48 hours of a snow event and you’ll never hear from the township). The third ordinance updated the Cranbury Historic District and designated the Cranbury Station hamlet as a historic district. You can always find a list of proposed and approved ordinances here.

TODAY (December 14) is the Cranbury School $18,500,000 Bond Referendum. The project consists of $9.4 Million for a 600-seat Center for the Arts Education; $3.7 Million for Main Office Renovation, Security Vestibule, and Academic Commons; $2.2 Million for Cafeteria and Kitchen Renovations and Greenhouse; $2.0 Million for Parking Lot re-design and resurfacing; $899,000 for Science Room Renovations; and $196,000 for locker replacement. Details of the project, including Frequenty Asked Questions (FAQs), can be found on the December 14 Referendum Page. The outcome of this bond referendum will impact property taxes, so the Township and the Board of Education encourage all residents to learn about the project and make a plan to vote on December 14. Mail-in ballots cannot be brought to Town Hall; please drop them in the mail or drop them into the drop box at the Police Station at 1 Logan Drive.

December 17- Luminaries on Main Street! The Cranbury Business Association is once again lighting the darkness this Friday with luminaries on Main Street 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Any resident on Main Street should feel free to join in to make the village area festive! Set up starts at 3:00 p.m. at Studio 43 -- volunteers are always welcome.

December 17 and 18 - A Snow White Christmas! The Cranbury Arts Council presents this heartwarming holiday production. Performances are 12/17 at 7:00pm and 12/18 at 3:00pm. Buy your tickets now using this link: https://signupforms.com/registrations/27899

Consider volunteering for a Township Committee or Board in 2022! We often have openings on our various boards and commissions during the year, and each January the new year appointments are made by the Mayor and the full Township Committee. Please check out the list of boards and committees and fill out this form if you’d like to express interest. These go on file with the Township Clerk and form the basis for consideration once a position needs to be filled. There are currently vacancies on the Municipal Alliance, Parks Commission, and Clock Winding Committee. In addition, several positions will need to be filled at the January 3 Township Committee re-organization meeting.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season!

Regards,

Michael Ferrante, Mayor
Cranbury Township Committee

https://www.cranburytownship.org/home/news/mayors-update-december-14-2021