Cheney/Hagerty/Kushner Redevelopment Plan - FINAL PLAN

[anon-sp0n]

The new development at Old Trenton will generate tax revenue for the Township, not cause more taxes. The two purely affordable and special needs developments on Route 130 will cost Cranbury taxpayers millions (over time because they will finance it with bonds). But Cranbury was going to pay one way or another, it's not like we had a choice not do something.

Why say "especially PHS"? It's not a disproportionate school expense compared to others or the state average and if would cost taxpayers far more to fund our own high school.

California has had property taxes fixed at purchase price (with very modest escalations) since 1978 and it has been terrible. It destroyed some communities and many school systems. And it creates massive inequity.

NJ property taxes are definitely a problem. Our are among the highest in the nation. But if you really want to fix it, it has to be done at the state level. Unfunded state mandates make up a huge potion of the school budget and some of the municipal budget. Christie made a big show early on in his term of laws to severely limit local municipal budget increases but did nothing to change these state mandates. As you can see, it had almost no effect. Municipalities had to cut local expenses to support the state requirements.

[anon-s6p5]

You hit the key point.

The state in trying to fix their own mess has pushed all these unfunded mandates on the schools and town. At the same time they are taking away our revenues through energy tax receipt money.

The state has these giveaways to make special interests happy then place the burden on the towns and taxpayers.

[anon-0493]

[anon-s6p5]

The affordable units have been on agendas of both the TC and PB which are emailed out. Covered by the Cranbury Press which now is delivered to a lot of homes and also Tapinto.

You have Rt 130D which is on Rt 130 by Cranbury Estates and another property including special needs at the site where Paul's Auto is presently on Rt 130.

These are the developments required by state mandate.

The commercial properties on Cheney will not remain vacant forever and their taxes will be more than what is there today.

[info-rr1s]

Can you elaborate on the "two purely affordable and special needs developments" that will cost millions, that you are referring to? If I hadn't read it here, I wouldn't know anything about it. There is almost no effort to disseminate information to the general public outside of this forum, so don't say this board is not important, and don't say you should go to town meetings either. It is difficult for some people to do that.


Attending meetings is not always feasible, but this info is being made available through traditional noticing, as the other poster said, and via the official township website. I go to the official documents on the township website to get info, rather than this forum. Issues presented here are often slanted. But, if you want to make a point, share an opinion, argue for/against something...then do attend a meeting or speak to a committee member.