Mayor's Update - April 1, 2022

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Mayor's Update - April 1, 2022

Hello, Cranbury Residents!

Spring has sprung! And with daylight savings time, the days are definitely getting longer. The weather continues to be topsy turvy with snow blizzards one day and sunshine the next. Prior to the cold snap, I hope you were able to get outside and enjoy the crocuses along South Main Street in Heritage Park. There is still time to enjoy the daffodils around town and in your neighborhoods. Cranbury’s Township Committee members, volunteers, staff and professionals continue to focus on accomplishing the goals we have set for this year. Below are highlights of recent accomplishments and events from this past month and some things to look forward to in our Township’s year-long celebration of its 325th Anniversary:

Municipal Budget: The Township Committee adopted the 2022 Cranbury Township municipal budget. The total budget is $12,873,011.02, using $1,790,000 of surplus, so there will be no increase in municipal tax from last year. The 2022 budget brings with it many capital projects including road repairs, sewer improvements, updates to the parks, implementation of a bike network plan and the purchase of additional traffic safety equipment. The TC members are confident they have succeeded in adopting a fiscally-sound budget that will enable Cranbury to safeguard its financial standing and complete capital projects while maintaining Cranbury’s services.

Annual Banquet for Cranbury Fire Company & Cranbury First Aid Squad – This annual event recognized top responders and milestones for squad members’ years of service. Over the last two years the Fire Company was called into service a total of 727 times, while the First Aid Squad responded to 1,780 calls.

The Fire Company is all-volunteer and the First Aid Squad has both volunteer and part time career members, and both organizations are always looking for new members. Next time you see them, whether they are on a call or not, please thank them for their dedication! For information on how to volunteer, contact the Fire Company at firemt48@gmail.com and the First Aid Squad at mail@cranburyfirstaid.org.

Recycle -- Help the Planet and Earn Money for Our Town: Cranbury is the recipient of a $94,904.30 recycling tonnage grant award from the NJDEP. Each year Cranbury is required by law to report recycling tonnage to the NJDEP. Recycling tonnage grants are awarded through the State’s Recycling Enhancement Act and are funded by a $3 per-ton surcharge on trash disposed of at solid waste facilities statewide. The NJDEP then allocates funds back to municipalities based on their recycling tonnage. Curb-side pickup and community-wide recycling events are vital to the grant award and to keeping our township beautiful!

Healthy Town Up and Coming – Cranbury was just awarded this designation by the NJ League of Municipalities and the NJ Healthcare Quality Institute! It is awarded to townships that make their communities “healthier places to live, work, and play”. We can thank the Mayor's Wellness Committee for all their hard work and dedication. Let’s continue to support this committee by filling out the survey that was recently sent out by them in a township e-blast, survey. Thanks in advance and I look forward to seeing you at future Mayor’s Wellness Events, which are held via Zoom on the 3rd Wednesday of each month!

Brainerd Lake Dredging: The water level of the lake has been brought back up; the staging area and trucks have been removed and the restoration of areas around the lake is nearly complete. Now, it’s time to enjoy the beautiful view and the wildlife on and around the lake. Don’t forget about our Annual Stream Clean-up scheduled at Village Park on April 23rd, 9 – 11 am.

Join the Celebration: Cranbury has installed 3 kinetic wind sculptures by artist Lyman Whitaker in Heritage Park. The Cranbury Township Parks Commission has organized a community-wide "Art in the Park" event which will take place in Heritage Park on Sunday, April 3rd, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Many of our town's boards, commissions, clubs, societies, and religious organizations will be participating with fun activities and will share helpful information about the town. I hope you will join in this celebration of some of the things that have made Cranbury so special over the last 325 years!

325th Anniversary Celebration: Tour de Cranbury, a biking event, is being planned for the fall. If you would like to be part of the committee to plan this event, please contact me at brogers@cranbury-nj.com. Also, keep the iconic photos of Cranbury coming to be put on the Township website. Please send photos to mferrante@cranbury-nj.com.

Learn more about Township meetings and upcoming Cranbury town events by visiting the Cranbury Township website, including the annual May 30th Memorial Day Parade being hosted by the Lions Club.

Enjoy the chirping of the spring peepers, tiny chorus tree frogs who mark the arrival of spring with their high-pitched peeping calls. Let’s join together in health and wellness and soak in all the wonderful sights and sounds of emerging nature! I look forward to seeing you around town!

Sincerely,

Barbara Rogers, PhD
Mayor, Cranbury Township Committee

https://www.cranburytownship.org/home/news/mayors-update-april-1-2022