Uh Hi there. Welcome. Have a seat. Um I'm calling to order the Township Committee meeting on Monday, June 22nd, 2026. It's a regular meeting, 7:00 p.m. Could all um stand uh who are able to say the
Pledge of Allegiance. >> Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> [clears throat] >> Okay, we'll move on to the Open Public Meetings notice pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act. Notice of this meeting was sent to the Cranbury Press, Cranbury Times, Home News Tribune on January 9th, 2026, posted on the Township's website, and sent to those who requested a copy of this notice.
Uh roll call, Mr. Christopher. >> Here. >> Mrs. Elbadawi. >> Here. >> Dr. Rogers. >> Here. >> Mr. Scott. >> Here. >> And Mayor Kaniaram is uh excused absent. Thank you. >> Okay. Um as you can see, um I'm not Lisa. Uh and I'll be conducting the
meeting today. She's out of town. Um so, um Yes. So, uh um any agenda additions or changes? >> None. >> Okay. Uh Township Committee meeting um regular meeting. We could do this together, right? Or do we have to do it
individually? Um I uh Do I have a motion for the regular meeting of June 8th, 2026, and closed session June 8th, 2026 uh committee meeting. >> I'll move. >> Okay. So, do I have a second?
>> Second. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Move on to roll call for those. Mr. Christopher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Elbadawi. >> Yes. >> Dr. Rogers. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott. >> Abstain. >> And Mayor Kaniaram is absent. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh we're moving on to reports and
communication. Um we'll start with uh Who would like to start? We'll start with >> I'll start. I'm happy to. Uh so I attended the Park and Rec meeting last week, the 17th. Um quick update.
Um if you guys recall, Mr. Mr. Butterworth came to a TC meeting uh 2 months ago to to request that we uh have someone read the Declaration of Independence during the 5th of July uh fireworks.
I relayed that uh after that meeting to Parks and Rec. They said they would work on it. They didn't. So, they didn't have anyone to read uh the 5th of July or the Declaration of Independence, so I I gladly volunteered. However,
I would open up to the TC if you guys want to join me or if anyone else is interested. Uh I'm happy to do it. >> I'd love to join you. >> Yeah? >> I think it's even just to stand there. I'd I'd love to join you. >> Let's do it. Now, I spoke with Ms. Maribello. Um uh DPW is going to deliver a PA system
to my house and I'll go over there and get Zevo to set it up. I don't know what the reach of that PA system is. I don't think it's going to really go beyond >> [clears throat] >> 50, maybe 100 ft. I don't know, but it is what it is.
Um so >> What time? >> Well, that's the that's the question. So, on the township website, it just says 5th of July fireworks. It doesn't give any sort of uh schedule or itinerary. So, uh I discussed it with Parks and Rec and we requested that we actually put on
the calendar of a schedule of events, right? So, we have um um the band playing. I'm not sure what time they start. I believe they they um they stop right before it gets dark enough for the fireworks. Um so our thinking was that we would do
it after the band played. Um So I'm not exactly sure of the timing, but you know. Band starts at Do we know what time? Anyone? >> [laughter] >> I think it's it's like an hour before sunset if I remember correctly. >> roughly an hour before sunset.
>> And which band? >> Huh? >> It's like a brass band. >> Yeah, brass band, yeah. >> So maybe we can ask them. >> Yeah, yeah. Um So I think uh we need to figure that they play hour before sunset, they play for an hour. And then
um immediately prior to fireworks will be a reading of the declaration. >> How long do you think it'll take? >> 15 minutes? >> Not that long. Not that long. And then if we can >> Are you a fast reader, man? >> What's that? >> Are you a fast [clears throat] reader? >> Yeah.
>> No. >> Are you going to be in town? Are you going to be in town? >> Um My mom is very excited. She told me that she's going to get me a white wig and square-toed shoes. >> [laughter] >> I told her not to do. She said she would. >> I really hope she comes. >> I hope so too.
>> [laughter] >> We'll see. Um >> But yeah, it'd be great if you come, it'd be fantastic. So I request that on the township website that we sort of publicize this because um uh because of the the PA um not having necessarily road
reach, I'd like people to know about it before the day of so people are aware of it. Um It'll be fun and a good >> Can you fill out like um we probably want to do it on on a blast with the >> Yeah, actually blast. Do it on blast and then >> Yeah.
>> on the calendar as well. >> So can you fill like there's a form that we fill out? Do we need to do that? >> ask Ken for the information. >> Okay. Oh, that's good. >> Yeah, that'd be good. Yeah. >> Thank you for for taking that on. So >> Of sure. >> I mean I can't believe it's coming up.
Like it's so already. >> That's 2 weeks, yeah. >> So we have to get it out tonight. >> Yeah, tomorrow. >> Tomorrow. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, the mayor's update tomorrow. >> Um yeah, I mean, you know, obviously if we'd known about it 6 months ago, it'd be a different story.
We only knew about it from I believe 2 months ago. Give or take. >> Pretty good. >> And um uh parks and rec didn't have quorum last month, so there was a bit of a gap. So, all things being said, you know, I think we in the last minute we were able to sort of patch together, but hopefully this
will be a tradition we can continue um in the years henceforth. >> I was just with Guy yesterday, and he's very excited. >> Oh, good. Okay. Is he going to be there? >> He will be there, but he will not be reading. >> I know he won't speak. >> Yeah, I know. Yes, he used to read in Japan. >> Right.
>> But doesn't feel comfortable right now. >> Um couple other things at parks, um uh um I had brought up to them at the uh insistence of Mayor Mayor Canerem about um uh um potential movie night in Village Park. We've done this in the past.
Um and it kind of fell by the wayside. So, um I I raised it for the parks committee, um and they expressed interest. Um they were thinking probably better to do it after summer. Do it early fall. People are back in town. People are not on summer vacation.
Um I know there's historical precedence for it. So, they're going to they're going to look into um possibility of doing that. Um I believe they have the money for it. I think they're thinking September 29th was the tentative the date, but I'll get back to you guys. Um but it would be
um yeah, movie night in the park, Village Park. Um not sure what 29th is, but Yeah. I agree. It's very difficult to hear up here. >> Thank you, Debbie. >> Nice.
Uh Actually, that might be September 19th. I apologize cuz 29th is not a weekend. It might be the 19th, but I'll I'll get back to you guys. But they're they're looking into setting that up, so um you know, that will be on a a a mayor's blast and on the calendar, but we can look forward to a
a movie night in Village Park, which I think is um you know, I I think I recall it was a number of years ago, but they were they were successful and well attended. I think people like that. That Um the next issue was question of the status of the dock. I know we're waiting
for a grant. Do you know anything about that, Ms. Mirabella? The dock in Village Park. >> That we requested money from Senator Greenstein. Yeah, we haven't heard anything yet, but they just put that appropriation request in a couple of weeks ago. >> Okay. Okay. So, that's something I'll follow
up on at the next uh Rec meeting. Uh that's it. >> Thank you. Any questions for Matt? Okay. Iman, would you like to go or we can skip over here? >> No, I'm happy to go and I'm sorry, I'm a little wordy today. So,
um on the official side, the Affordable Housing Subcommittee had a meeting on June 11th and our members met with the state DEP um as well as the Walters Group and just to sort of discuss parameters of construction at 1260 uh South River Road. And um it's great, you know, all parties
are on board and this project continues to move forward appropriately. Um on June 11th again, the Library Board met and our library continues to be ready for the summer youth literature programs as well as adult programming.
And um interestingly enough, I don't know if the public remembers, but there was a survey that was sent out to the public. I'm hoping and trusting that a lot of the members of the TC also took the survey. And part of the take back from the survey was that residents were saying they would like
more books. And they would like to see less empty space. Um less programming also they kind of said. So it was a conscious decision on the library's part to not put books on the bottom shelf of every bookcase because they didn't want people to have
to bend down so far. But it looks like that may be part of the So they're going to populate the bottom shelf now with more books and see whether, you know, what the feedback is from from that. And um you know, I just appreciate that
information from these surveys are taken and used and we update our behavior and our practices as a result of that. So that's great to see. Um our uh library director Brooke was selected by the state librarian to attend a week-long conference in DC. So that's pretty exciting.
Um and I just wanted to tell this TC that I am not forgetting it, but our award from the Quality Institute, the mayor's wellness campaign, continues to reside at the library. They have it on a beautiful little sort of display and it's up front and I just love that everybody gets to see it. And so if it's
okay with this TC, can it reside there a little bit longer? >> I think that's fine. >> You're good with that? >> Yeah. >> I don't know. I look over at Matt. >> Are you sure, Matt? >> [laughter] >> Matt, you seem you seem perturbed. >> He has a few awards around it.
>> Okay. So I I appreciate that. Thank you. Um and I was able to sub for uh Barbara this week this uh month at the HPC meeting that was on June 16th. And they approved an application for a fence replacement of a home with historic designation and um a tree had
damaged that fence. They discussed the train depot over at the Chamber and Barclay property and ideas that they could give the home own the home owners, excuse me, the property owners um as to what to do with that structure, and they fully understand that the owners will decide on the
project and the access to it. Um, Uh, there was a little bit of discussion about the train tracks in the back and who owns it. I guess we kind of settled on maybe Conrail owns it, but the maintenance of those tracks and who does
one call to maintain them and are they supposed to be maintained? And I guess this question is directed maybe towards you, Denise. >> They'd have to call Conrail if Conrail owns the tracks. I don't know if they have to be maintained. I don't Are they used? Is there any
>> No, well, that's a good question. I don't think they are. I don't think they are used, but it seems like in the past, um, they were maintained to some degree, like either a little bit of mowing and, you know, things were kind of removed off the tracks when, like, trees and branches and things fell. Not maintained
to the point that a manicured lawn would look like, but somewhat. And it looks like it's not happening now. And I guess that the residents are kind of questioning what's going on. >> Yeah. >> So, Conrail, is that a number that we would have? No.
Okay. All right, so we will we will try I'll punt it back to them and see. Barbara, maybe you can take this guidance back to them as well. It looks like we don't have a number. And so, they want to see how they can have it maintained. >> I would even suggest that they go to the county and find out about the
bike, um, the bike rails to trails because, uh, maybe they might have something to say about it, too. Okay. >> Yeah, that's that's good guidance. >> You know. >> That's good guidance. >> Yeah. Well, I'll I'll do that. That's me. >> That's perfect. Thank you. >> you for taking the meeting. Yeah, keep going.
>> Of course. Um, and HPC discussed, uh, we passed the ordinance regarding the the designation of the historic district and they discussed maybe additional communications to the residents that would be affected by that. Uh, I think it's just really just to say, "Hey, you
know, we didn't forget about you and this is happening and we just want to make sure that you know that this has happened and that's a pretty thoughtful gesture." They did start out with communications before they initiated the project. They did you know, live communications with residents when they came to the meetings
and now they're looking to maybe reach out again just to say, "Hey, this is this is done and the designation is as follows." Um The member of the HPC mentioned that they took photographs with Barbara of the three buildings and the gazebo at
1274 South River Road and they were very gracious Barbara they had great things to say about you, so thank you. And with regards to the salvaging they're pleased that the demo company will be salvaging and you know, both properties that we have our affordable housing projects going to
be on they're just happy to know that there's a salvaging element that's involved. They did share that they were continuing to pursue the retrofitting of the front doors. They're going to continue to talk to a handyman and see what their options are and they are also wanted to express their
dissatisfaction with regards to a couple of abandoned properties in town. I did want to share that I think the impression is that there is no enforcement regarding abandoned properties. We don't necessarily have an ordinance for abandoned properties, but we have an ordinance for
sort of unsanitary Board of Health issues and those are actively and consistently being enforced and so residents who own property that look disheveled or have met the threshold
where the Board of Health has to be called upon, they do receive citations and that's that's our enforcement. That's every town's enforcement actually. That is my sort of official and in in other sort of commentary if you guys
would humor me, congratulations to our graduates of Cranbury and Princeton High School. I actually have one that graduated to Princeton High School. And it was finally a good day, good weather. It wasn't too long, wasn't too short. We didn't have a tornado at the end of it like we did 2 years ago. Like it was
very good. So, yeah. Um I also wanted to mention cuz we've had a couple of surveys this year. It was the energy survey, it was the library survey, it was a park survey. Um you know, I just feel like if if we
could as a TC maybe encourage the chairpeople of our boards and commissions to share those information. And you know, maybe have the members take those surveys. Like it's nice if, you know, members on this side kind of took those surveys because it the information we use to update our, you know, our our
practices. So, uh I also wanted to point out cuz a couple of conversations with different boards and commissions come up where they they reference something on social media. Namely their Facebook sites. And the township has own social media.
I don't know that the that the residents are aware of that. That a lot of what they see online is not the township's official communications. And so, we have our township mayor's updates. We have our township electronic newsletter that goes out via email.
We have a township Facebook. And our police department has their own Facebook as well. Am I missing anything else, Denise? And so, anything else that people see on a Facebook site and even if it says, you know, "Beautiful Cranbury, I'm official." It's not official. Like
that's not the official Facebook site. So, just please get your information from the appropriate sites. And if we on our boards and commissions are are citing information on some of these non-official sites, I don't think that's the most um I don't think that's that's a great practice for us.
Um I in fact actually refrain from commenting or or posting on those sites cuz they're not official. Um parks and traffic parks and rec or the traffic subcommittee we were approached by resident in 2024 2025 regarding the signage of Village Park.
I don't know if any of you recall but what was proposed or what was said is that it's hard for people to find the entrance to Village Park because the sign is so recessed. We discussed this a little but I don't know that we came up with a resolution. So what's happening is residents in the
neighboring road Bennett's Place get all these people coming in thinking that they're at the park. Actually sometimes they park in the parking lot in Bennett's Place and they just walk over to the Village Park. I mean I guess maybe it's for both the
parks and the traffic subcommittee. Can we maybe try to find a resolution for this? We did discuss it. We didn't take it to any resolution and it continues to be an issue for people. So I don't know who's you're on the traffic subcommittee, right? >> Personally I think that should reside in
parks because if they're going to have put a sign up it would have been up to them to to try and determine that. But I guess it could be traffic too because then we'll help leading people to where it would be. So >> I know we've talked about it. There's
just no really good place to put the sign. That was the issue because you can't put it too far out. It'll obstruct traffic. There's not a lot of property there to put it on. That's where it was put where it was put. I'm not really sure unless
>> Is there a right of I mean I guess we'd have to determine there's a right of way prior to going in between Bennett and Village Park cuz that then we can put maybe There's feasibly no land to put another sign there. >> Yeah I don't Yeah you live right near
there so you >> I can't come up with where you'd find room for especially a sign as big as the one we currently have. I don't know where it would go. We we had the little one. I think that was remedied years ago. That was >> Where's the little one? >> It's
like it's literally like the size of a laptop. >> Oh. >> Right on the corner there. The metal the green metal one. So I mean it was addressed I think to the best of our ability so far but >> We've talked about it. Nobody can figure out where else you could possibly put
>> I think last week talked we talked about like raising the one we have up a little bit to help with visibility. I don't know if that's going to help at >> Yeah, I you know with the bush I I brought this to parks and we we basically had the same conversation. We threw our hands up there and no where to put it but Um
This may seem crazy but what about the cemetery? Is there any precedent for asking them to just put like a finder sign cuz they they have a lot of land, right? >> I like that idea. >> Yeah, they have a lot of land that's not been used. I mean there's no Um sorry. That That particular corner of
the cemetery I don't think they're going to be putting any more bodies in there. And and there there does seem to be a fair amount [clears throat] of land there. Yeah, I know. I know. I walk my dogs there every day and I I see a fair amount of land there. I think that you know if you could put some kind of
finder sign there possibility. It may might be worth reaching out to them. >> Is it First Methodist? Is that >> No, it's the Presbyterian >> The Presbyterian? >> Well, >> I don't mind working on this with you a little bit if you're okay with that. >> I don't think it'd be either. I think
it'd be just talking to First Presbyterian and then ask them if they would mind. >> But has this been discussed at the like has has our traffic sort of yeah, they have. Okay. I mean it is unfortunate because people keep ending up on Bennett's Lane and like I said the
parking spots sometimes do get filled with people that are going to the park as opposed to for the residents that are living there. So, they're just frustrated and that therefore >> and I feel like it's it's it's a real issue. People end up in Bennett and they end up frustrated and they come to us and then we say there's
nothing we can do, but I think if we maybe talk to them, to First Presbyterian and see if you know possibility. >> Okay, maybe we can brainstorm a few possibilities and take each one down to the path of failure or success, right? >> [laughter] >> Okay, I appreciate that. Thank you. >> I guess.
>> Um and my last point is um you know, I last meeting I did bring up that I really wanted this TC to um discuss protections for vulnerable members of our community [clears throat] and we actually had a ton of um you know, public comment on that that night. I will resurrect I I started this
commentary by email in February and I reiterated it in in May and I know in May got a little bit of communication, you know, through the lawyer, but we as a TC are yet to discuss it. I would like to see something from us. Um
I think this is as leaders in the community, I think this is an issue we we should be able to to move to move ahead. I really think so. Um and that's it. Thank you. >> Um thank you. Any questions?
>> Um I have a few questions. Uh regarding you're referring to sort of derelict properties. So, this property on Cranberry Station Road. Um I know we have we have codes as far as health and
Cranberry Cranberry Neck, sorry. Cranberry Neck, sorry. Uh Cranberry Neck Road. Um and I drive by there maybe every other day and it's just getting worse and worse. And so, I mean there there has to be a point I I know we we don't have um ordinances for
um aesthetic maintenance of properties, but it's just getting bad. I mean, it's completely overgrown. I would imagine it's rodent problem at this point. So, my question for the TC and for Denise is um can we look into some focused um
enforcement because I feel like that is an absolute eyesore. It's a problem just for the town at large. It's a problem for the neighbors um who live on on uh Cumberland Station Cumberland Nick, sorry. Um and you know, I I I think we
People brought up to us before the TC and we kind of say, "Oh, well, nothing we can do." But, I feel like there's something we should be able to do. It's just getting kind of bad. >> The health officer writes a citation. It goes to court. It's in the court's hands. If the court decides to send a warrant
out for the property owner, that's highly unlikely. So, if the property owner doesn't respond or doesn't show up in court for the hearing, it's out of our hands. It's at the court now. This TC wants to decide to do something about derelict properties, you should
have an ordinance in place for that, and you should have money budgeted to have a contractor that will come out and mow. Because our public works can't They can't start taking care of everybody's property. >> You know, there's a resident that actually lives there. And it's very interesting because they somehow get
into their home. With all the tall grass and the branches all over, they're still getting into their home. So, someone actively lives there. We don't know the reasons for why this can you know, the condition of the the home is the way it is and uh we have to accept that you know, people have circumstances that may just
you know, be what what they are. But, I think you touched upon something important and maybe we should consider an ordinance um that addresses abandoned homes in in bad condition. >> And you can't pick and choose. So, if
there is a bad situation personal, they're going to get a lien on their house if we have to go out there with a contractor and clean it up. So, you just have to know that, which is why we haven't had an ordinance like that. So, but that's up to the committee. If they want to pursue
an abandoned property ordinance, can look into that and then we can hire someone who's going to come out and take care of this kind of stuff, pay for it and then put a lien on the property. You're not going to get that money back until they actually sell the property. So. It's okay. So, it's worth the
discussion. I know in in my time here, I think I only know three properties. >> Mhm. >> Three properties. >> Yeah, I mean, yeah, of course. I mean, most people living in Cranberry are going to make town their home, but it, you know, those three properties have an effect on their neighbors and the
township at large. So, I feel like it's something that um we're not all here tonight, but I think it's something that we should look into. >> And you're only talking about residential properties, but now, what if there are properties on the highway that are not being taken care of? Are we now
going to start going in and enforcing on those, too? So, that those are the things that have to be talked about, thought about before you put it in place. >> Uh for the property that we're talking about today, has it been reported to the Department of
Health? >> Yes. Yes. And they have received citations. And it's in the court's hands. Yep. >> Um I just I'm not sure. Like, should this be an action item over time of like looking into >> it it it's come up again. I Yeah, you're
>> Like an or you're looking through it with an ordinance of >> Yeah. >> for abandoned properties. >> properties or derelict properties or >> I mean, who where does that go to? Like, who wants to take that on? I mean, is it like a TC member or do we
bring it up? >> Well, >> Well, if >> everyone is on board with looking at it, you have to get some examples, samples, and you have to decide what you want included in it. And then how we go about finding a contractor who's going to maintain the
properties. >> Before we do that, could we maybe get some guidance from Steve just to say in other towns that have encountered this, short of an ordinance, what else is there? >> That's it, an ordinance. >> without an ordinance you're you have no
power to do anything. An ordinance is not exactly the strongest teeth, but at least it's teeth. >> Yeah. So, this would be an ordinance for abandoned properties. So, we're going to look for guidance from Steve. >> No, we're going to look for examples
from other towns. >> That's it. Who who would who wants to take that on? >> I will look. >> Thank you, Trish. >> Thank you, Denise. So, Denise will be that's nice. Your action item. So, >> [laughter] >> If you're thinking of Cranberry Pizza,
we would only talk about residential properties cuz I >> No, it'll cover all. Right? An ordinance will cover all, not just residential, it'll be commercial, industrial. >> what the definition of an abandoned property is as well. >> Right. >> all legalities. You can't just decide
someone owns a property and you're going to tell them what to do with it. You can't tell them what to do with it. If it's falling down, that's a different story. And you know, there's no high grass around that property, there's no holes in the the roof, there's no windows out, it's secured. You don't like the way it looks. That's not
necessarily going to be an abandoned property. >> has to be parameters. >> Right. >> So, it'll be interesting to find a model and see see like a town that happens to work well with maybe and if that's something we can do >> And so, typically
>> that we have as well. >> Right. So, but typically enforcement on an ordinance like that looks like what? Just a lien? >> Well, yeah, I mean I don't know who we're going to put in charge of determining that it is actually an abandoned property. And then we would
have to send them notice to abate and if they don't, then they would have a lien put on their property once we actually have whoever we hire to go do what they have to do. And is it just cutting the grass? Is it I mean >> I think I think it's great. Like let's see what a model ordinance is. See if
it's something that we can do. And then we could ask those questions. >> But how do you get a And again, we're going to do a lot of work here. So like how do you get an owner to to make good on that lien? Like how do you >> You don't. You put a lien on their property. It's like someone who doesn't pay their taxes. You get a lien on their
property. You don't get that money back. A lien holder might buy the lien and you get it, but otherwise you're going to have to wait till they sell. >> Wow. >> And there's no process for condemning. >> Wow. >> Oh, well, condemning is would be the construction official and it there
parameters for that. It has to be falling down. I mean Yeah, we never had that situation unless there was a fire or something in in where the building was unsafe. >> And it was going to fall >> we could have an ordinance
regarding an abandoned home and it can be assessed and determined to be abandoned and then we may still not be any further in rectifying that situation. >> a contractor to do the work, but we're going to front the money is what I'm telling you. >> Let's let's first Let's before we guess
work all this, let's get a model like let's get an ordinance and see if if it works. Like what what it would entail. I think you know, I it's great you brought this up, but let's get the information I think before we start guessing. Does that make sense? >> Agreed. >> Okay.
Thank you. Thanks for bringing that up. Lisa's going to be so happy. >> [laughter] >> Uh one So I have one other comment. Not really a question, but a comment. Um you talked about social media um, about communication with the town. I I think
we should acknowledge the fact that um, Cranbury Cranbury Press is no longer >> Yeah. >> going to be an uh, functioning entity any longer. Um, which is, you know, it's we've known for a long time that that local journalism is is unfortunately um,
a dying breed, uh, which is tragic for not only keeping up on local events, but for for local democracy. Um, and I feel like there's not much we can do. We can't put out our own newspaper, but I do think that we should think about having maybe a work session to discuss
um, you know, uh, our social media presence, how to communicate because I mean, it's been as you all know, you've all been on the TC. I've been on the TC a long time. It's very difficult to communicate with the public, you know, 30, 40 years ago it was a lot easier cuz we had a we had a reporter sitting here who would actually
report out on our meetings and would get stories and and do journalism, um, which isn't really a thing anymore. Um, so I I think that we should as a TC be proactive and and look in and try and figure out a way we can work
around this. But I'm sure other towns are dealing with it as well, right? Like, you know, unless you're New York City, um, you don't have local journalists reporting on on your um, your township your government meetings. Um, so I just think we should try and brainstorm and figure
out a way I know Facebook is, you know, a private entity and Facebook pages are usually private, but is there a way to be more proactive? Is there a way to have a a better Facebook presence or whatever the social media uh, platform is? Um, I just think it's something that that we need
to address because it's been a recurring issue over the nine years that I've been here. Um, and it's only going to get worse. So, I just put it out there as someone who's not running again next year. I'm not going to be here. You guys can deal with it. But I think that it's something that needs to be addressed, cuz the public they just don't know. You know,
they they go to uh what about Cranbury or Cranbury info? >> That the site that shall not be mentioned. >> Exactly. Exactly. Um and you know, they get half stories, they get stories that are biased, that aren't true, and I just think that um as far as good governance
going forward, we need to figure out a way through this. Um I don't have an answer, but I think we should discuss it. >> Do we Where do we advertise now then? Like do we advertise in the Cranberry like for our meetings and stuff? Where do we Where do we advertise? >> Everything uh legal advertising was changed then now it's on the township
website. The residents should subscribe and go to township website. >> Okay. >> We used to do local newspapers and that changed recently. >> Okay. >> Um with that so now the there's a spot on the township website for those public legal notices cuz most of the newspapers weren't printing anymore. So, they made
it so that township websites are the legal >> Oh, so that got changed. Okay. So, that's our public >> like even for bids. All um any legal notices are on our township website and under a tab for that. >> Okay. >> And that's any town that's the township website. >> I I think if we had a work session, we could you know, we could try and be
creative. I know other towns have used like student journalists to create a local paper. Like uh I was at my high school graduation this past week uh with my mom. My my youngest graduated and um I saw the the Tower, the Princeton High School newspaper. I got more information from
the Tower about what's going on in Princeton and high school than I have from anything else I've read in the past year. And you know, a lot of very good, smart kids who want to go into journalism um you know, who might be encouraged to maybe report on TC meetings. I I
I'm just throwing it out there cuz I feel like it's a real problem. >> Well, now you said 30 years ago there used to be a press here. It wasn't that long ago. >> I know, but >> It was just like 4 years ago or something like that. >> Yeah. >> I'll I'll date myself, but I was cleaning out my mom's basement a few
months ago and I found Times from like, I don't know, 1992, a Wednesday Trent Times. It was like this thick. >> Wow. >> And you open it up, and there was a reporter for Hamilton, for Princeton, for West Windsor. They had multiple stories on goings-on about town. >> Those were the days.
>> Those were the days. And obviously, we're not going to build a newspaper, but we have to figure out a solution because this is a real problem. And we saw last year with all the disinformation, all the social media nonsense that blew up over things that could be easily explained with real journalism, but
So, my suggestion >> To speak to your point, um I don't know if you know as well, but the uh the Chronicle has also been >> I've thought about to mention the Chronicle as well. >> Chronicle's great, yeah. >> No, it's been discontinued. It just stopped. The last edition was last month. >> Yeah. >> But to to think along the lines of what
you're mentioning, I started looking at the different uh newspapers around us, right? Like the Monroe Monroe has a newspaper, the Patch comes out of Princeton. Like, is there an opportunity for some of our information to find its way there? And that'll require, you
know, so I'm I'm working on that. >> Great. Thanks. >> Um I think Iman, you bringing up uh how there are official sites for the Township on Facebook, I think that's really important for for um residents to know that um you know, that's been vetted,
etc. >> Great. >> I still would recommend a work session now so we can iron all this out and get all these things out there and like sort of >> I'll send that to Lisa. That's the recommendation. >> January 1st. >> [laughter] >> Oh, I thought you were going to take the lead on this before you left.
>> [laughter] >> I would be in support of a work session as well. Um >> What would we call it? Work session on communication through >> That's perfect. >> Yeah. Communication. >> Make it a catch-all. >> Okay. >> Your last commentary about protection, I
think some of the materials that were provided at our last meeting, Thank you to our public. Um certainly stirred up a lot of thoughts. Lots of interesting tidbits in in all of those examples. And I think it might behoove us to
to move in that direction and and make it fit Cranberry. I don't I don't think any of them were perfect. >> I think that's an action item that needs to follow up. Absolutely. >> I would really appreciate us just What would you want to put that under? >> We haven't done that yet. Yeah. Yeah. >> Would Would you want to be like more
specific or just uh vulnerable communities to like How would we >> I don't know. >> Okay. Um detention. Okay. We'll look at that. It's an action item.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Um go ahead. >> Yeah, while I'm chatting, uh the only meeting that I had since we last spoke uh was the Board of Ed meeting on the 15th. Um Congratulations to all of the Cranberry school. >> Yay.
>> Both graduates and all of the good kiddos over there doing great work um and teachers. I'd be remiss to say that with my wife being a teacher um and administration. Uh another great year under everybody's belts. Um just some really fun year-end things.
Graduation obviously has already occurred now. Um the USDA actually visited Cranberry school. Just reached out to say they'd like to see um the aquaponics lab. >> Oh. >> After the school-to-table event
farm-to-school. It was something like I don't >> [laughter] >> It was a cute play on farm-to-table. >> Yes. Yes. >> Whichever words were were mixed up. The USDA sort of exposed the administration. Um the USDA came to visit, which was super cool. Um paving
depending on the weather, is supposed to start tomorrow. Um we'll see how that goes. There was back to the GEO discussion that happened here. They talked about that a little bit. They had a a submission to the RFP that they put out
for a service to move forward with security at the school. Um and that was essentially it. Oh, I'd be remiss to say there were there were three teams for Odyssey of the Mind, which has turned into a really big thing
at the Cranbury School. Um they had three teams. They came in 17th, 15th, and 14th place respectively, and that's teams across the entire globe. Um which I thought was pretty darn cool. Um they got to go to Worlds. They met people from all over the world. It was really cool. >> Nice.
>> Really cool stuff. Um and then and that was it at the board. >> Can I ask you a question? >> You sure can. >> Um regarding Oh my god, I had it and I lost it. Regarding the um
the Say that again? >> The paving? >> Well, the paving is going to be weather dependent, right? Uh no, the the security, the school security. The emails went out like I received one and I don't know whether I received one because I was a parent or a resident.
So, who did the emails go out to? >> Which emails? >> It was emails that went out to say that the school is moving forward with a security entity. >> How was it communicated? Is that what you >> No, they communicated it, but I don't know whether I received it because I'm a parent of a student at the school or
whether I received it as a resident. Like, do you know if they sent it to residents or just parents? >> I don't know. >> Okay. >> I would assume it's just parents. That would be my guess. >> Okay. Thank you. So, just as a FYI, paving, let's I'm
going to announce it again. Um how many days is that going to be? >> Two or three, they said. >> They said calendar Tuesday through Friday. >> And where and people that want to visit town hall need to park >> on the street or in the lot back here. >> Or in the lot back here.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Cool. Um Okay. So, even though we're in a drought warning, uh it's raining. And um and here we go. It's a nuisance flooding. This is called a nuisance
flooding event, okay? And there's a timely thing coming up uh June 24th from 6:00 to 7:30. Flooding is a persistent problem. Be part of the solution. Okay. This is being sent out through the mayor's um
town news and announcements. Um I'm hoping that we can put this in the kiosk, even though no one, you know, the school's out. There's a QR code that gives you more information. Uh this is through the Southern Middlesex Flood Mitigation and Resiliency Study.
Um understand where flooding is having the So, there's 10 towns. If we don't speak up, you know, they're we're not going to they're not going to know that we are having issues with flooding, okay? Understand where flooding is having the largest impact on residents, evaluate options to address
current and future flooding in focus areas, reduce flood risk and improve resilience through the development of strategies and conceptual mitigation projects for future implementation. This was 3 years in the making this study. This is I think it's FEMA money, it's federal money, and the county's now
gotten this money and you know, let's just get our voices heard and you know, June 24th 6:00 6:00 to 7:30. Um you know, hear what's going on because more events like this, like, you know,
uh nuisance flooding is going to occur. So, that's my uh that's that. Um another um So, I went to an EC I'm the EC Liaison Environmental Commission um the um
Delfa's done a really great job of there's an outdoor classroom that's been put in with the school and the and the environmental commission is really partnered with them and and [clears throat] the students are getting a lot of
great hands-on experience with gardening and I think they have a camera for birds that come and you know eat at the at the at the feeder. So it's pretty cool. Um the other thing is is they're doing their due diligence with all the
preserves Unami Woods uh is you know was cleaned up and looks like it's in good shape. The Brook Path which is behind Unami Woods is in pretty good shape. The still grass has not grown in yet so I I'd be surprised during the summer if it'll still be in good shape.
Um Reinhardt Preserve also was checked out and they're talking about Pin Oak sign that Pin Oak sign like Reinhardt Preserve Unami Woods they're trying to be consistent and whether Pin Oaks could get a sign like that and they're trying to figure
out who would make a wooden sign and I'm like this would be a perfect Eagle Scout project. So if there's any Eagle Scouts that are interested in doing Okay yeah put the word out okay cuz there is already a design it just needs
to be made and place found for it. Um and that brings me to another meeting that's coming up and it's not at the most convenient time but um this was the time that could work. This the community energy plan they've been working on it all year they've been
working with a consultant who has put together a draft plan for how many buildings I think four or five municipal buildings um let's see which do they include um and it's been it was really cool. They
they estimated how much energy when the energy, um, surges occurred. Um, it's town hall, police department, fire station, public library, um, I think were the four. And, um, so, you know, once we get this
plan, this is what I'm finding out, it's taking me a while, but once you get a plan, and we approve the plan, that's when you can start getting the big grants to actually implement the plan. So, um, so, this is a step towards possibly doing something bigger, whether whatever, you
know, whatever is in the plan. Um, I did send out to PC members, and if you could please take a look at it, and if you have any comments, now's the time to comment, um, because it's it uh, the the grant is almost over, and
we're closing it down by the end of July. Um, and that meeting is on Wednesday at 2:00 in the library. Uh, 2:00 to 3:30. So, if you
had any want to have any input into the community energy plan, and how, um, we as a community can save energy, and the municipality can save energy, um, through energy efficiency initiatives, please come. You can also just email.
>> What's that date again? >> It is Thursday, June 25th, 2:00 to 3:30. That was the only time that within the next few weeks that that could work, so, that's why that time was chosen.
Um, and, um, I think that is Oh, um, Shade Tree had a uh, walk. I don't know what the attendance was. It was this past Saturday. Um, historic Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society, um, July 15th,
Life Challenges in Central Jersey during the Revolution by author Larry Kidder, um, Cranberry Library. Um so, come one, come all. Let's keep celebrating our 250th. Um and uh let me see. I think that was
Oh, one thing I want to do is remind you as liaison. Um Cranberry Day is around the corner and I can't believe we're talking about it. But, please remind your boards and commissions, you know, if they are going to present anything, do they have to tell you um Debbie for
the >> Um I've already reached out to a couple of the chairs. Um working with Gina to make sure that um she has her boards and then we'll send that to the people that, you know, are running it. >> Okay. >> Christine or or Juliana to get our tables in. So, I I reached out to
Katherine Stein and some of the others. >> Okay, terrific. Um cuz I know that um the Environmental Commission is um you know, they have their watershed model and they kids love it. They just dump water all over it and see it move.
>> That's what we'll be asking the TC members to their schedule. >> Yeah. And then we'll have a table, too. >> Mhm. >> Okay. And we'll have to come figure out what what we're going to do, too. Um and I think that is it.
Boy, that was a long one. >> It was. >> Okay. Um any subcommittees? Department heads? >> I just want to remind everyone the second meeting in July is being canceled. >> Okay. Okay, I'll hopefully have that
resolution in before the Um so, be do you want to do the audit now or or or should I do it that >> Speak on Yeah, I can speak on the audit. The 2025 audit >> it's a resolution and you're going to
pull it out or you could speak to it now and >> need to pull it out on the consent agenda. Same every year. Uh 2025 audit was completed. We received it. No comments, no recommendations, clean audit as always.
Everything's good. >> Yay, okay. >> Okay. >> Um, any questions that anyone has? I know we were sent a summary. >> Mhm. >> Thank you for all the work that goes into that, so really appreciate it. Thank you.
>> Okay, um, any follow-up items? I think these are action items, the ordinance and stuff like that. Yeah, these are all action. What's follow-up item? What is >> From the last meeting. >> Oh, okay. Okay. >> What's pending? >> Okay. Um, so now it's up to me to read
boards and commissions of vacancies. We have the Environmental Commission second alternate expiring 12/31/27 and Zoning Board second alternate 12/31/27. And we, uh, okay, so HPC had one and we will be
appointing um, in a resolution for HPC. Okay. Um, Okay, um, we have a second reading um, ordinance. >> Uh, the ordinance that we have on for
second reading is Cranbury Township Ordinance number 06-26-18, an ordinance amending the code of the Township of Cranbury chapter 1 for 40 entitled towing. >> So now I open up to the public. Okay. Um, does anyone
I'm opening this up to the, um, the second reading to the public. Does anyone have a comment on this particular ordinance? Okay, seeing none, I um, I'll close that. Um, does the Township Committee, I'm opening it up to the Township Committee.
>> Yeah, what what's this about? Cuz I I didn't get any information on this part. What [clears throat] >> We We We did it last meeting. We talked about >> Oh, I wasn't here. >> Um does someone want to summarize it? Go ahead. >> Please. >> The towing ordinance so that we can change the fees, which haven't been
raised in a very, very long time. Um and it represents the increase in the fees coming from the towing company. >> For >> towing cars in Cranbury. >> The township towing. Who's towing them? PD? >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> Good. Got it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um any other comments? >> We're good with that. >> Okay. Um seeing none, let's close and Uh we'll have a motion. >> I'll move. >> Uh now that I know about it, I'll I'll move.
>> Second. >> Okay. Second. Okay, let's vote. >> Okay. So, we'll move on to roll call now if I can find my roll call sheet. Uh Mrs. Overdorf. >> Yes. >> Um Mr. Scott. >> Yes. >> Mr. Christopher.
>> Yes. >> Dr. Rogers. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Knipe is absent. Thank you. >> Okay, we have um resolutions that consent resolutions A through E, and uh does anyone want to
pull any out? And if not, then we have a motion for all. >> Uh I'll move consent resolutions A through E. >> I'll second. >> E. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. We'll move on to roll call again
by memory. Mr. Christopher. >> Yes. >> Dr. Rogers, we're going in order. >> I'm fine. >> Uh yes. >> Mrs. Overdorf. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott. >> Yes. >> Mayor Knipe is absent. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh We are now on to public comment.
I'm going to have Bonnie. Bonnie. >> Can you also talk about the AC again? >> I can't keep turning it up every time as it gets hotter it's going to keep going on. So, everyone has to speak louder into the microphone. >> This is a reminder I know Bonnie you got
so many of these dogs you have 3 minutes and please state your name and um >> My name >> [clears throat] >> You guys are going to have to Yeah, yeah we can't keep turning the air off. The hotter it gets the more it's going to keep going on.
>> The more the more hot air we produce >> So, everyone just speak into the microphones >> [snorts] >> as best you can and project your voices and try to be as quiet as possible in the audience as well. >> You can move that towards you because you don't
>> [laughter] >> Bonnie Larson 22 Cranberry Neck. I want to thank Matt and Iman for bringing up the property on Cranberry Neck Road um years ago the Township Committee had a
property maintenance committee and I was on it. But they did not but they had it watered had us water it down so much that it's what it is today. Mowing the grass or if
there's no roof no windows so we really need a much better property maintenance code. But there were there were three of us on the committee and we presented the um
final ordinance to the committee um and that it's what it was. But I really feel that we do need to do something because that property is getting worse and worse. I mean the tree has been down in the
front lawn for ages, ages. And he was putting in gravel. He was trying to gravel the whole property. And then he stopped. So, there's gravel all over the place. I
mean, so the whole property needs to be looked at. >> Thank you, Bonnie. Thank you for giving us some historical knowledge, too. It's always useful. Thank you. >> ago that we were that we were on that committee. >> Please state your name and write your
address down. Thank you. 3 minutes. >> Okay, I'm going to have a couple of notes here. Jennifer Linenfeld, I live on Griggs. I've spent a lot of time reviewing the packet of provoke proposed ordinances
that was discussed at the June 8th meeting. And I keep coming back to a few basic questions. Back in October, Cranbury adopted an immigrant Trust Act resolution.
At the time, many residents viewed that action as largely symbolic. Because New Jersey's Attorney General already regulates how local law enforcement interacts with federal immigration authorities.
Now, we're discussing, less than a year later, additional immigration-related ordinances. And I'm trying to understand what these proposed ordinances would actually do in practical terms
that is not already addressed by existing state law and attorney general directives. More importantly, what specific problem in Cranberry are these ordinances
intended to solve? I also think it's important that we separate the immigration discussion from the data center discussion. Data centers raise legitimate local questions involving land use,
infrastructure, energy consumption, and zoning. Whether residents support it or oppose them, that's a discussion that deserves to be had on its own. I'm also concerned that many of these
proposals appear to be based on model ordinances that originated in mis- municipalities with very different demographics, resources, and circumstances that then Cranberry.
Before adopting policies developed elsewhere, I think residents deserve to understand why they are necessary here. I also have questions about the practical implications. Cranberry or Cranberry already has a
federal immigration processing facility operating within our community. How would these ordinances affect existing facilities? And the federal government's, and ultimately the federal government wanted to lease or purchase a property for
federal purpose, what authority would Cranberry realistically have to prevent that from occurring? At the end of the day, every ordinance requires time, legal review, staff resources, and
taxpayer dollars. Before moving forward, I hope we can have a clear discussion about what problem is being addressed, what authority Township That's it. I was done almost anyway. Thank you so much.
>> Thank you. Thank you for your respect. >> Always. >> Okay. Um before I begin, Mr. Scott, do you need any of the papers that I brought in um regarding those ordinances in the last session? Thank you. Okay. Jenny Pesaki, Main Street, Cranberry.
I'm very glad one of my fellow residents brought up concerns about the ordinances. That is one of the reasons I wanted to speak this evening. A, I wanted to thank you again for a second opportunity to be able to talk about the proposed ordinances for vulnerable communities.
Um I didn't get all of the questions of my fellow resident, but I'd like to be able to mention uh answer some of them. Number one, the Attorney General, uh, her directive regarding the use of local
law enforcement. It applies to state police. It does not necessarily apply to municipal police. You will note that in places like Delaney Hall, local municipal police departments have been
used to guard Delaney Hall. Our police do obviously follow all of the regulations of the Attorney General when it applies to criminal law enforcement, but not necessarily civil law
enforcement. So, the notion that we already have a directive that protects our municipal police being used for federal law enforcement is incorrect. The next thing I also wanted to point out is that ordinances that I gave
examples of, uh, I believe it was described, pertain to municipalities that have very different demographics than that of Cranbury. I actually take a I disagree with that. I'd like to point out that one of the ordinances that I gave you
last time was presented by the town of Montgomery that just passed both a data center ban and a detention center ban. They passed it last week unanimously. As a matter of fact, at that meeting during the public
comment period, there were, uh, individuals who represented data centers who actually had a disagreement with the ban. One of them being that the property that they were concerned about was a private tract of land that was being
considered for sale for a possible data center. The tract of land they described, I hate to say it is very similar to the Henry Farm property. So, private land can be used for that purpose. And then the last thing I wanted to say is that
it is private businesses that are running the detention centers. That's what we're concerned about, not federal law enforcement centers. The GEO Group, CoreCivic, those are private organizations that are running these detention centers that are purchasing
warehouses. And that is what we are trying to stop from happening in Cranbury as we have many warehouses that are vulnerable to such purchases. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Public comment? Um seeing none, uh we're going to close
public comment. You know, this is I I appreciate different opinions and we are here to to hear them and that's what we, you know, and and this is great that the public is coming out and and and um expressing them. Um and it's up to us now to
to to um try and take some of these and see what kind of actions we can do so that we hear more voices. It's very important to hear more voices and to bring this up cuz it does there is passion behind all this and and and logistics. So. >> Can I just make a comment on something?
Just, you know, um on with regards to this TC when um just reflecting back on conversation regarding an ordinance, um you know, when when we look to pass an ordinance, it's not just for one house with regards to uh an abandoned property. It's not one property. It's just in general, we want to look at
properties that don't meet the mark, that have fallen into disrepair, that are abandoned and all properties will be treated the same. Not just a a particular property. I I I don't feel that we are picking on one person. It's a in general we're looking at the township in general and I think
we all need to um you know to say that publicly. But it's it's it spurs us on to to think of at the larger the greater good of Cranbury and to have this kind of situation. So and it's and it's good that we're publicly talking about it so that um you know the public can
understand what we can and can't do. That's certainly very important to know. Thank you. Uh Okay. Um so let's see. Uh action items.
So I think um >> I captured a few for myself. Like I will be and I have been looking at the neighboring newspapers to see what they could do with regards to reporting out on Cranbury info. Um I will be working with Matt on two issues. Um
with the Declaration of Independence I will support his initiative of course very excitedly and looking at options for the signage at Village Park. >> Uh Stacy. >> Um um so I um so we wanted eventually
look at a work session on communication. Um I think you know we'll have to see how when and how we can do that. I think the summer is We've already uh >> I think that fall would be more appropriate. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um and um
I think we're going to have to uh look more carefully about um you know detention in in data center ordinances, take a look more carefully um you know of of what's been presented and whether we want to move that forward or I'm not even sure or like do we have a I mean I'm I'm not sure how
we would go about looking at that further. If we decide to do that. Um So, um I'll talk to Lisa about it and see what we can do. >> Okay. >> Um
and um I think that's it. Uh Hey, uh can I have a motion to adjourn? >> I'll second. >> I'll second. All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> I. >> [clears throat]