Mayor's Update - March 7, 2022

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Mayor's Update - March 7, 2022

Hello, Cranbury Residents!

This past weekend’s weather is a hint that spring is around the corner! The weather may fluctuate, but Cranbury’s Township Committee members, volunteers, staff and professionals remain steadfast in keeping the Township running smoothly. Boards and Commissions are presenting their 2022 goals; the Township Committee agreed to a 2022 budget that keeps Cranbury municipal taxes flat with no increase over the 2021 tax rate; and we are focused on sustainability action items and making Cranbury’s 325th anniversary year special. We continue to manage and maintain the many areas of the Township (Village Historic District, preserves, parks and preserved farmlands) that make Cranbury a great community. The traffic sub-committee has been listening to residents and is working with the State and County on road safety and truck traffic mitigation efforts. Preserving our town’s character and building resilience for its future will take continued careful long term planning, input and effort.

News Around Town

Lake Dredging: The crews have completed the dredging portion of the project! The water level of the lake is being brought back up and the clean-up of the dredging staging area and the rain garden in Village Park is in the process of being completed. This will be completed in time for our Annual Stream Clean-up scheduled on April 23rd.

Cranbury Commons: Due to the pandemic, construction was delayed on the businesses and apartments being built adjacent to The Gateway. The apartments are currently scheduled to be completed in the spring with occupancy to begin soon after. Two restaurants have signed agreements to move in -- Scotto’s Pizza and Restaurant and Princeton Soup and Sandwich. There is still plenty of room for other stores. So get the word out and let’s make sure we support these businesses when they open!

1713 East Jersey Cottage: Stop by Millstone Park off of Old Trenton Road to see one of the oldest houses in New Jersey! It’s in the process of being renovated by the Cranbury Historical Society (CHPS) and recently received a Certificate of Eligibility for the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. Many months of work researching the house’s history and preparing the application for this recognition was well worth the investment of time and effort. Besides the prestige and recognition for the humble cottage, the eligibility status allows CHPS to apply for grant money, which is needed for the restoration. The dedicated members of CHPS will see this project through to its completion! Please visit the CHPS website to learn more and find out how you can help.

Gourgaud Gallery: The past Fabulous February event with paintings donated by local artists was quite a success! The Cranbury Arts Council (CAC) was thrilled that new buyers took an interest in this fundraiser. The CAC would like to remind residents that a few paintings remain on line at Cranbury Arts Council website. The next event is “National Youth Art”, scheduled for March 7-30. Cranbury School students will display their art in the gallery, which will be open Monday to Friday from 9 am - 3 pm. Stop by and take a look at the talent of our local youth!

Mayor’s Wellness Committee - Reminder that every third Wednesday of each month there is a community Mayor’s Wellness Event on Zoom. Keep an eye out for e-blasts on upcoming events. In February, we had a well-attended gentle yoga session. It’s always more fun to exercise and de-stress with neighbors and friends. Join in each month!

The Great Backyard Bird Count: Although the Cranbury Library is in a temporary location at the Odd Fellows Hall on 30 N. Main Street while the new library is being constructed, they continue to have programming. This birding event in February had numerous residents attend. They spotted twelve different bird species, including a bald eagle and they saw two ravens courting in the sky. You never know what you may see when you join a community event! Visit Cranbury Public Library website for a schedule of their upcoming events.

24th Annual Craft Show: The Cranbury Education Foundation (CEF) hosted this popular annual event this past weekend. They had over 1,800 attendees throughout the weekend, with over 100 vendors participating! Members of EDAC had helped promote the event; The Lions Club of Cranbury hosted a raffle each day; show volunteers helped put on the event; and food was donated by many of the local businesses. Feedback from the crafters and show attendees was that the show was well-run and a phenomenal experience. It certainly took a village to put on this event!

325th Anniversary Celebration: Keep the photos coming! The TC is collecting iconic photos of Cranbury to put on the Township website. Please send photos to mferrante@cranbury-nj.com.

Sustainability Actions

Municipal Energy Audit: The free Municipal Energy Audit that was awarded to Cranbury last year has been completed. Facility visits by the NJ Clean Energy program auditors were scheduled and completed over two days with the help of Township staff. The draft audit of the three municipal buildings (Fire House, Police Department and Town Hall) was finished and is currently being reviewed by Cranbury’s sustainability sub-committee. The completed energy audit will provide recommendations for building updates to reduce greenhouse gases emissions that contribute to climate change.

Green Tip of the Month: Become a better recycler and celebrate Global Recycling Day, March 18! We’ve been taught about the importance of recycling and now it’s time to learn how to recycle correctly. Download the Recycle Coach app to get recycling pick-up reminders, a “what goes where” search tool, and quizzes that test your recycling knowledge. For local recycling information and a link to the app visit the Recycle Coach Middlesex County website

Learn more about your local government and upcoming Cranbury events by visiting the Cranbury Township website . You will find Deputy Ferrante’s presentation from a recent Township Committee meeting, De-mystifying Cranbury Municipal Government, and a list of upcoming Township meetings and town-wide events.

Looking forward to seeing you around town! Enjoy the calls of the red-winged blackbirds as they start to mark their territories in our wetland areas. Listen for the male’s “conk-la-ree” calls as our local harbingers of spring!

Sincerely,
Barbara Rogers, PhD
Mayor, Cranbury Township Committee

https://www.cranburytownship.org/home/news/mayors-update-march-7-2022

[anon-opr0]

When will the developer of Cranbury Commons begin construction on the second retail building planned to go closer to the corner of Main and Old Trenton? Will their bond be withheld until they complete it?

[anon-8156]

The bond will be held. There was discussion before this TC that the corner if not built would be a good TC acquisition for green space. I’d rather have that then an empty building.