Mayor's Update - March 24, 2021

[fyi]

Mayor's Update - March 24, 2021

Happy Spring!

Thanks to all who attended Monday night's Township Committee meeting --- we had over 90 people join the Zoom call (which is twice the fire capacity of the Town Hall meeting room, and 22 times more than current COVID restrictions would allow in the same space). While no one enjoys Zoom meetings, it has allowed us to use visual aids more readily, and people can join and listen more easily from home. We welcome any member of the public to join the meetings and speak during the public comment session. Where possible, we will address questions after the public comment session, and will capture action items that can't be addressed on the spot. People can also send any public comments in via twpclerk@cranbury-nj.com by 4:00 on the day of the meeting, or via USPS.

NJ Cannabis Legislation. At Monday's meeting, we spent a long time unpacking and understanding the new NJ cannabis regulations, which includes six classes of licenses, from cultivation through retail. At this point, we are doing our due diligence on the new rules, and exploring all the implications (and unintended consequences) of permitting or prohibiting each of the six classes of licenses. Please do not correlate our due diligence with presumed endorsement of these licenses; our job is to understand the new regulations and to make the right decision for our town. We have the luxury of time, as we do not need to approve a new ordinance until August, and the regulations are being refined and clarified in real time. We will not review this topic again in April and will discuss it again at one of our two May meetings.

Cranbury Pizza re-opened yesterday! At their new (larger!) location at 55 N. Main St (next to our own Teddy’s). We are so glad the team persisted through the June fire and are opening, better than ever, in their new location.

The library building is moving forward! There will be a groundbreaking ceremony available via live-steam April 29 at 11:00 a.m. (details forthcoming). This has been the culmination of over ten years of dedication from our library board and foundation volunteers and was made possible through the donations of residents and matching NJ State grant!

At our April 12 Township Committee meeting, we will get an update from the Economic Development Advisory Committee, as well as the second reading and public comment on three ordinances, including a revision to our recently approved Scenic Corridor Overlay Ordinance.

The Mayor's Wellness Campaign continues with the April 21 session on chair yoga! Check out the Township website for more details.

Enjoy the Parks. We are so happy to have excellent parks and open space in town. Please remember to park only in designated areas, and to leash and pick after your dog.

COVID Update. Vaccines continue to be increasingly available to our residents. As of March 15, at least 20% of our residents have received at least one dose of vaccine (the second highest in Middlesex County after Monroe at 22%). Please continue to practice CDC protocol, even as the weather warms up.

https://www.cranburytownship.org/home/news/mayors-update-march-24-2021

[anon-4331]

I hope notice will be given as opposed to finding out the day before the meeting.

I would hope that the Council will let people weigh in before they act.

I expect though that the Mayor will give little notice and that the public will only speak at public comment after the committee has made their decision. It seems there is already a view to do everything possible to get this through.

[anon-1ror]

What a waste of money this new library will be. Libraries are a thing of the past.