FYI: the TC meeting scheduled for Monday, May 19, 2008

[Guest]

FYI:

(info from the township)

The Township Committee Meeting scheduled for Monday, May 19, 2008 will begin at 6:30 p.m.
in the Township Meeting Room to conduct the Agendas routine business.

At 7:00 p.m. the meeting will then move the School Cafeteria, 23 North Main Street for the discussion on the possible acquisition of the PNC Bank building and lots. Action will be taken.

[Guest]

"Action will be taken"

Does this imply they have already made up their mids and are just putting on a show of letting voters voice their concerns?

[James]

If that is the case, then I have sever reservations regarding the business practices of the TC. Not the individuals, but the practices as a group as not one individual could make this action. The logical process would be to obtain cost projections, guage resident interest and then take action. What the TC seems to be doing on this and other issues like the ballfield is making up their minds without consideration for resident input or monetary consequences.

I can't see how the TC could take action to vote this through on the 19th. Perhaps and I am hoping this is the case, the action if there is interest is to spend the time to get a cost projection.

Those interested in preserving our taxes and town have to show up.

[Guest]

"Action will be taken."

I was wondering that too when I read the message in email.

What action?

[Guest]

[Cranbury Conservative]

At the TC meeting last month when the PNC purchase was first discussed, one of the TC members mentioned a "show of hands" type of vote as a possibility. Perhaps the show of hands vote is the intent behind the "Action will be taken" statement?

On a separate note I find it odd that the only meeting minutes not posted as of yet on the township web site are for the meeting I am referencing above from April 21 in which the PNC purchase was first discussed. It would be nice to review those minutes before this meeting on the 19th.

[Guest]

[??]

[Guest]

"I do not see how they could possibly vote on this Monday night and still be consistent with their fiduciary obligations as elected officials representing the interests of the voters. "

That's the point, the TC only listens to special interest groups and not to the entire community. This is why the Cranburians are upset.

There is a proposed Open Space + recreation report that was completed by an independent company along with Cranbury's Planning Committee in AUG 2007. This is to added to our towns "Master Plan". But, has the TC voted on it yet? NO - they are trying to bypass the Master Plan and purchase the PNC bank before voting on the change to the Master Plan.

[Cranbury Conservative]

Yes I agree about the master plan statement. The TC has used the 2007 Recreation report to support the Babe Ruth field expense to the taxpayers. However they are ignoring the recommendations of the 2007 plan for a library if needed and to be built across the parking lot from the school.

[Guest]

Can someone tell the TC that:

The US economy is not doing well (Wall St. and banks are axing lots of high paying jobs).

The "Consumer Sentiment Falls To Lowest Level in 28 Years."

Gas price is approaching $4/gal.

My property tax had increased more than 20% last year.

And, the Cranbury taxpayers are NOT their ATM machines!

[Guest]

You NEED to show up Monday and tell them yourself.

I agree with you. But the bottom line is the TC and Library supporters have been quietly organizing a large turn-out of people to support the sale at the meeting. If they can claim that based on that meeting they believe there to be broad support, they will use that as an excuse to vote in favor of it immediately. Of course they realize it would probably fail a full Township vote if they did that next month so they want this excuse. The only way it won’t happen is if the broad, anonymous community of people sensibly against it make the effort and hardship if necessary to show-up and speak-up.

I have changed my work schedule and am leaving early to rush home from NYC in time for the meeting Monday. I would urge you to do the same. I believe this is an even more important meeting than the COAH one that had people in the school hallway due to the high turn out. Granted COAH is a more important issue and what the TC really should be focused on, but that meeting was a preach to the choir session and this one may precede action by the TC that affects all our taxes and ability to fight COAH down the line.