Mayor's Update - April 25, 2023

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Mayor's Update - April 25, 2023

Dear Cranbury Residents,

At last night’s Township Committee meeting, we awarded the contract for paving Plainsboro Road. We are reviewing the bids for a half-mile walking trail in Village Park; look for that to be completed over the next few months. We also were visited by several residents of the Willows at Birchwood, a residential building on Route 130 that backs up to Bennett Place and Village Park; we were pleased to report that there is progress on a paved connector path for a safer pedestrian connection to our walkable village area. The Traffic Sub-Committee reported out on new bike lanes being installed on Old Trenton Road that will support traffic calming and sharing that road. Our Parks liaison reported on new water filling stations that are being installed in all our parks. Also at last night’s meeting, Darek Hahn, chair of the Economic Development Advisory Committee, gave a report out on 2022 accomplishments and 2023 goals --- thanks to Darek and all our EDAC volunteers who are focusing on being a “business ally” and also “enhance the experience” from both the business and community side.

Thanks to all who came out for Saturday’s Stream Clean-Up! Barbara Rogers (Sustainable Jersey’s April Sustainability Hero) reported last night that the crew recovered 258 pounds of garbage from our waterways in town.

LIBRARY WEEK / LIBRARY SURVEY: As part of National Library Week (April 23-29), the Cranbury Public Library mailed every household a survey about your library usage, preferences, and satisfaction with library services. Please take two minutes to fill it out with the unique QR code or drop your survey off at the library. If you didn’t get a survey in the mail, feel free to stop by the library and they have a few extras (30 Park Place West). Check out the full library calendar for exciting upcoming events, or host your meeting in one of the large meeting spaces.

SUMMER RECREATION CAMP: Now is the time to think about fun summer activities for the young ones. Due to the school construction, there will not be Arts Council Camp this summer, but the Summer Recreation Camp will be happening June 26 through August 11! Three camps available for all ages, with pool visits and amazing field trips weekly.

The next few weekends there is a lot going on in town --- lean in and enjoy these exciting new events:

Tomorrow (April 26) is the Mayor’s Walk to School. We’ll start at 8:00 a.m. at the firehouse and walk to Cranbury School. Join the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, the Green Team. Support our walkable, bikeable town.

Friday (April 28) is ARBOR DAY! We passed a proclamation last evening to honor this annual event. Thanks to our amazing Shade Tree Commission who speak for the trees in town. Deputy Mayor Eman El-Badawi will attend the annual tree planting ceremony while I’m traveling to another arbor (Ann Arbor, Michigan).

Friday, (April 28) – Cranbury School 125th Anniversary Alumni & Community Dance - 7-10 p.m. This evening is an adult-only celebration for former students, current and former parents, staff and community members including food and a night of dancing - hosted by Cranbury School alumni (and DJ) Brett Gash and Chris Rollins. Click here to purchase tickets.

Saturday, (April 29) – Town-wide Garage Sales. Clean out those closets and get ready to shop for bargains at this fun annual event.

Sunday, (April 30) – 125th School Anniversary Community Day from 10 to 3 p.m. at the Cranbury School - rain or shine (if it rains, we move fully into the school)! Food vendors, bouncy house, carnival games, arts & crafts, races and more! Opening ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Closing ceremony - including the unveiling of the special gift to the school - is at 2:30 p.m.

Monday, (May 1) at 7:00pm – “What Parents Need to Know About Opioids” Via Zoom. This is NOT just one more drug prevention seminar. It is crucial information for every parent. Dr. Omar Abubaker, DMD, PhD, will share his compelling story about how he has changed drug protocols across the medical community in response to our nation’s opioid crisis.

Saturday, (May 6) – Praise in the Park. Three local churches, along with a number of local charities (including RISE, Homefront NJ and the Be The Li9ht Foundation) and with several local businesses are bringing this family-focused and family-friendly “music festival” from 1:00 pm till 6:00 pm in Village Park. Click here for more information or for free tickets.

Saturday/Sunday, (May 6 and 7) – Clean-Up Day! Town-wide Clean-Up Day at the DPW yard on Dey Road. 7:00 am to 3:00 pm both days. Please consider the Buy Nothing Cranbury Facebook page or the Princeton Freecycle group to offer items prior to this event that might be usable or useful by neighbors to save items from the landfill.

Sunday, (May 7) – Tour de Cranbury Biking Event. A fun biking event for all experience levels, organized by Troop 52 Eagle Scout candidate Tyler Cenci! 10-mile tour check-in starts at 8:00 a.m. (Village Park), “All-skills” level at 9:15 a.m. (Village Park), and “Trikes” ride starts at 11:30 a.m. (Millstone Park). Register Here and Choose Your Ride

Sunday, (May 7) – 1713 House Colonial Fair 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Cranbury Historical & Preservation Society will sponsor the Cranbury Colonial Fair & Spring Picnic at the 1713 East Jersey Cottage site in Millstone Park. The Sons of the American Revolution and BSA Troop 52 will open the celebration with the presentation of colors. Colonial music, food vendors, Colonial games, re-enactors, demonstrations, and several local shoppes will be there! Come for the community celebration and see how far the renovation of the 1713 East Jersey Cottage has come since being moved to Millstone Park in the Fall of 2019.

Saturday, (May 13) – Bake-A-Book. This exciting Baking Competition and Free Cake Tasting is sponsored by the Cranbury Library Foundation. Create a cake based on your favorite book. 1:00 p.m. drop-off and 1:30 p.m. tasting by the public!

Saturday, (June 3) – The 30th Annual Health and Wellness Fair. Sponsored by the Municipal Alliance, this fun event will feature new activities and some classics, including Cranbury Brook Preserve hikes and a Colorful Fun Run.

Saturday, (September 23) – Rabies Clinic Returns! From 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Firehouse will be a free rabies vaccine clinic. Please note only dogs are permitted at this rabies clinic. Thanks to our Board of Health for bringing back this important community service.

I hope you’ll take part in some of these events over the next few weeks!

Michael Ferrante, Mayor
Cranbury Township

https://www.cranburytownship.org/home/news/mayors-update-april-25-2023