Clinton Township Newsletter

3 f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 9 Carol Beder's Well, 2018 was a busy year for the Township. Early in the year, after a long negotiation, we came to a final agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center which covers a period from before 1990 till 2025. The first municipally sponsored 100% affordable project on Beaver Ave. is now under construction and a second project on Rt. 31S received preliminary approval from the Planning Board. As a result of these and additional efforts a "Final Judgment of Compliance and Repose" was issued by the Courts on January 9 of this year. This protects the Township against so-called builders remedy lawsuits, which could result in extremely dense, unwanted development, through 2025. The construction on the Exxon expansion project is proceeding on schedule, with about 300 new employees coming to the site over the summer of 2018, tanks installed and the building expansion underway. The Hanna Memorial Cancer Infusion Clinic at the corner of Petticoat and Rt 22 is well along and will be completed this year. The Planning Board approved, and construction has begun on, a new Synagogue for Chabad of Hunterdon on Payne Rd. In Annandale Village, the Planning Board gave preliminary approval for the project to replace the Old Municipal Building with a 10 unit apartment building (designed to look like a larger home), a restored historic store (as a restaurant) and a paved public parking lot. We expect demolition and construction to start by early summer. In 2017, the Township took over Fire Prevention inspections from the State and this year began performing those duties for Lebanon Borough via a shared services agreement. With the strong support and leadership of Chief Robert Emery, former Chief Dave Lunger and the Annandale Hose Company, this initiative saves the Township money and improves fire safety for our volunteers and property owners. Through a donation, the Police Department added a Canine officer to the ranks. We also hired, trained and equipped three Class III officers who are performing contracted school safety duties at North Hunterdon. As far as roads are concerned, in 2018 we repaved River Bend Rd, Melody Ln,Harvest Ct, Moebus Pl, Woods Edge Ct, Main St, Country Club Dr, Old Mountain Rd, Deer Path Rd, Circle Dr, Ivanhoe Ct, Camelot Ct, and Charlotte Dr. In August, Council passed an ordinance requiring owners of vacant or abandoned homes to register them with the Township and maintain these properties or face court action. This has already resulted in cleanups and improved maintenance on several problem parcels. In the 2017 General Election, the voters approved using up to 50% of the Open Space Tax for maintenance or improvements to our open space lands. This has allowed us to construct small gravel parking lots to serve the open space property on Regional Road (also known as Marookian) and the Prostak Farm parcels on Payne Road. In addition, Council approved installation of a "Butler Bridge" to access the largest portion of the Windy Acres tract, including trails established by the township's Environmental Commission. The Township will now be able to proceed with the cleanup of various structures on the site this spring. While we're talking about Parks, with the leadership of Councilwoman Amy Switlyk and a number of volunteers, the Township made improvements to two of our properties. At the Marookian tract along RT 31S, donations from Hunterdon Healthcare allowed us to purchase fitness stations along the 5K trail, while the North Hunterdon Rotary donated labor and funds for several benches and an information kiosk. At Bundt Park, a water well and a dog park with spaces for large and small dogs were added to the expanded Community Garden section of the park. We've had some personnel turnover during the year with a new CFO, Lori Majewski, joining us at the turn of the year. On Council, I'd like to welcome Marc Strauss as he begins his first term on the body and thank Dan McTiernan for his work and support as Councilman and Council President. We're pleased he will continue to contribute to our community by serving on a number of committees. In closing, I'd also like to extend my thanks and appreciation to Council and to all the residents of Clinton Township who volunteer their time, whether it be on a board or commission, or through their involvement with our recreation programs, and who make Clinton Township the wonderful place to live in that it is today. With best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year! Respectfully, John Higgins, Mayor SHADES | MOTORIZED SHADES | BLINDS | DRAPES | PLANTATION SHUTTERS You Deserve Them! 908.236.2688 14 Lebanon Plaza n www.WindowExpressionsNJ.net n Reach Over 14,000 Local Consumers Monthly n Change Your Message Monthly n Have Your Ad Designed – Free! n Run a Small Article (about 150 words) – Free! n Have your ad linked to your website at: www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com email us at: Want your message seen by over 14,000 readers? When you advertise in the Clinton Township Newsletter you can: ctnl@comcast.net

• Cover