Mayor's Update - June 3, 2022

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Greetings, Cranbury residents! What a terrific Memorial Day Parade we had this past Monday! Thank you to the Lion’s Club for organizing it and thank you to all who participated in the parade, including our Township volunteers and professionals who consistently show up to these events that make Cranbury so special. Also, thank you to fellow Cranburians and visitors who cheered on the participants and gathered at Cranbury’s Memorial Park to commemorate those who have served our country. Our gathering in Cranbury was a small gesture to honor those who made the highest sacrifice while serving in our armed forces so that we may live in freedom.

As the weather has gotten nicer, have you enjoyed the shade and beauty provided by the trees along Main Street and in our parks and preserves? Our town understands the value and importance trees hold for our future – they filter our air, ensure healthy drinking water, cool urban spaces, absorb excess carbon, and improve our overall well-being. In honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management, Cranbury has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 34th consecutive year! A lot of hard work and care goes into planting and managing the trees that will help sustain our quality of life for generations to come. Before considering cutting down trees, please contact the Shade Tree Commission to discuss the need for the tree removal and possible replacement.

Although Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer, it is still spring! Let’s continue to enjoy the trees as their young leaves unfurl in all their glory and the pollinators buzz about their flowers. Beauty abounds in the trees and open spaces around town!

Did you know?

The Cranbury Police have made it easier to get rid of unwanted medications. The best way to dispose of unused or expired medicines is to drop them off at a drug take back site. Pills, tablets and capsules can be disposed of in the Safe Medicine Drop Off Unit located at the Cranbury Police Headquarters, 1 Logan Drive. Over the last 18 months, 120 pounds of medication have been collected! They are released to Drug Enforcement Agency custody pending processing for destruction in support of Operation Take Back Middlesex County. Subscribe online to Nixle for additional information and to get local police alerts and advisories. The proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

The NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife will be restocking Brainerd Lake with fish later this summer. Fish that are released into public waters are raised in a New Jersey state fish hatchery. The species and density for Brainerd Lake have been determined but the actual restocking will depend on state hatchery supplies.

Cranbury Museum has reopened! Please visit this fabulous museum at 4 Park Place E, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, Sundays. Visit their CHPS website for up-to-date information on the museum and learn more about the 1713 East Jersey Cottage in Millstone Park, too!

The Cranbury Volunteer Fire Company provides fire and rescue services to Cranbury and its surrounding communities. They are always looking for volunteers – junior memberships available for 16–17-year-olds and full memberships available for those 18 years of age and older. Training and equipment are provided. Please send an email to firemt48@gmail.com to find out more.

Quality, variety, affordability, and integration into the community are the hallmarks of the affordable homes being offered by Cranbury Housing Associates (CHA). CHA is a non-profit membership organization that relies on residents of the Township to volunteer their time and energy to effectively develop and manage high quality, affordable housing in Cranbury. To learn more about CHA and become a member/volunteer visit the CHA website at the Cranbury Housing Associates.

May the Fourth be with you! Since that date, all stores, including retail, food service businesses, and grocery stores in New Jersey are now prohibited from providing customers with single-use plastic carryout bags. The Plastic Pollution Reduction Act is the strictest single-use plastic ban in the nation! If you are new to town, you can pick up a reusable Clean Communities bag at Town Hall. Please support CHPS and pick-up a reusable cloth bag at the Cranbury Historic Center on Thursdays, 10 am – 12:30 pm!

Wondering what to do with the kids this summer? Have them join in on all the fun at camps in Cranbury!
-- Registration is open for the Cranbury Arts Council's 2022 Summer Art & STEAM Camps! It includes the popular Musical Theater Workshop -- performing Disney's The Jungle Book Kids this year! All camps will be held in the Cranbury School and taught by Cranbury School teachers as well as local theater, music, art, and dance professionals. You can check out all the summer camps and access the registration process online at the Cranbury Arts Council website.

-- Registration is open for the Cranbury Recreation Camp – June 22 through August 12, 2022! It includes indoor and outdoor activities including swimming and many exciting day trips! Check out the calendar of activities and registration process for each of the following camps: Senior Camp (entering grades 5-9), Junior Camp (entering grades k-4) and Little Tykes (entering Pre-K/3-5 years old) at Cranbury Recreation Camp.

Let’s celebrate all that has made Cranbury so special over the last 325 years! This includes opening a time capsule set aside 45 years ago, which will be opened on the front steps of Town Hall on July 4th , and a Line Dancing event July 14th in Village Park.

Learn more about Township meetings and upcoming Cranbury events by visiting the Cranbury Township website.

I hope to see you around town!

Barbara Rogers, Mayor

https://www.cranburytownship.org/home/news/mayors-update-june-3-2022