Mayor's Update - November 9, 2021

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Mayor's Update - November 9, 2021

Dear Cranbury Residents,

I hope you’re enjoying a nice fall in Cranbury! Thanks to our amazing Police, Fire, and First Aid teams who helped make Halloween a safe and fun evening on Main Street. Thanks to Cub Scout Pack 52 and Scouts BSA Troop 52 for their effort in collecting food and hygiene products through the Scouting for Food program --- another amazing year of generous donations from our community to those in need!

At last night’s Township Committee, we agreed on language for a revised snow removal ordinance. During last winter, when snow remained on the ground for many weeks, it became obvious that not all residents were clearing their sidewalk within 48 hours after a snowfall, creating a hazardous condition for pedestrians. At our next meeting, we will introduce a revised ordinance that outlines penalties for not clearing snow for an extended period after a snow event. The township does not want to be in the business of enforcing snow removal, so please be diligent about clearing your sidewalk (and maybe help any neighbors who may have difficulty doing it themselves).

At last night’s meeting, we also announced that Cranbury was awarded a state municipal grant for repair of Plainsboro Road. That work will start in 2022.

November 17 – Mayor’s Wellness Program. “Eating During the Holidays” program will discuss how to maintain healthy habits through the season and relieve some of the food guilt that can exist during this time of year. Join via Zoom at this link.

December 14 - Cranbury School $18.5 Million Bond Referendum. The Cranbury School has been holding a series of information sessions on the project that will be voted on in a town-wide referendum special election on December 14. 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. Approximately $4.2 Million of the costs will be reimbursed by debt service relief from the state (34% of the $12.4 Million eligible costs). The outcome of this bond referendum will impact property taxes, so the Township and the Board of Education encourages all residents to learn about the project and make a plan to vote on December 14.

Donations for Afghan Refugees. Committeeman Matt Scott is providing medical support at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. In his work there, he sees a need for some items and encourages Cranbury residents to help out these refugees. Specifically needed and greatly appreciated are: winter coats for adults and children, men’s shoes, women’s shoes, and socks. Please consider donating clean and usable items to Matt on his front porch at 82 N. Main St. and he will hand-deliver to the base the next day he works. Thanks to all who’ve dropped stuff off already!

Volunteer 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 and Parks Commission, and several positions will need to be filled at the January 3, 2022 Township Committee re-organization meeting.

Recycling Refresher. When I walked my dog Bo yesterday morning, I saw a lot of Cranburians being super-diligent about recycling paper, glass, #1 and #2 plastic, and cardboard. I also, unfortunately, see a lot of “aspirational” recycling of non-recyclable items --- these can cause the recycling machines to clog up, or (worse) cause an entire batch to be thrown out. Curbside recycling should be clean, should not include plastic that isn’t #1 or #2, plastic shopping bags, dishware, or Styrofoam. When it comes to recycling, “when in doubt, throw it out” is the best rule of thumb. Check out this helpful graphic for DOs and DON’Ts and THANK YOU for recycling. Also, check out the Recycle Coach app for schedules and more. The Cranbury recycling shed is an option for some items not recyclable curbside. Unfortunately, #5 plastic cannot currently be recycled, so your best option is to throw it out or find a way to do a Seinfeld-esque cross-border transfer to New York.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season!

Regards,

Michael Ferrante, Mayor
Cranbury Township Committee

https://www.cranburytownship.org/home/news/mayors-update-november-9-2021

[anon-opr0]

Any update on the lake dredging?

Thanks.

[fyi]

Advisory: A Cranbury Township Reminder - Lake Dredging Project Under Way

The site is considered an active construction area at all times. No unauthorized person should enter the lake bed or construction area for any reason.