Greetings! It was a hot July, but that didn’t stop Cranbury’s 325th anniversary celebrations and community events -- annual fireworks, opening a time capsule from 1977 and line dancing in Village Park.  I hope you were able to attend some of these activities. If not, there are more to come.

It’s past the halfway point of my term as mayor. I thought setting goals and staying focused on achieving them would be rewarding enough, but this position is so much more. I have represented this small but mighty town at local activities, parades, senior and school events, and Middlesex County meetings. With each opportunity, my enthusiasm for Cranbury just continues to grow. I draw on the strengths of my fellow township committee members and township staff and appreciate the countless hours our volunteers provide to this town with their expertise and passion. I also enjoy speaking with residents at “Meet the Mayor and Chief Owens” events and will continue to add them to the Township calendar. It’s a fantastic opportunity to greet fellow neighbors outdoors and in person where you can speak about concerns and provide me with suggestions and encouragement for the direction of the town.

One of the most profound moments this past month was reading a line in a letter from the time capsule that was addressed from Patricia Scott, 1977 Cranbury Mayor, to the 2022 Mayor: “Together they [residents] work to preserve the heritage that is so rich in this village. We hope this spirit never dies. For in spite of our ever-changing world, we need roots.”

Did you know?

Old Cranbury Road has recently been repaved. It has new roadway markings called sharrows, a white bicycle with two chevrons on top. This does not indicate a dedicated bike lane but reminds bicyclists and motorists that the lane must be shared. Bicyclists may move to the center of the lane in these slower traffic areas and the sharrow lets drivers know to expect people on bikes to be in the lane.

Additional roadwork this summer included the Cranbury Greene development and portions of the County Roads, Old Trenton Road and Cranbury Neck Road. Roadwork and improved crosswalks on the eastern section of Plainsboro Road and improvements to the bridge over the Millstone River are scheduled for 2023.

Infrastructure work continues at The Regency, the new development located at Dey and Petty Roads. Petty Road will be repaved over the next few months. Watch out for road closures and delays in this area.
Cranbury Commons (corner of South Main Street and Old Trenton Road) business spaces are almost full! Six businesses have signed leases and are preparing to come to town. They include a pizza restaurant, a soup and sandwich restaurant, a coffee shop, a Vietnamese restaurant, and a learning center. 

Middlesex County is addressing increasing truck traffic with a Southern Middlesex County Freight Study. I attended two meetings of this newly-formed group, which takes a regional approach, across town boundaries, to traffic. This year-long study will collect data and input from townships, businesses, and residents to make recommendations and apply for future federal funding. It will include meetings for community engagement.  It’s a long overdue effort addressing a complex issue impacting Cranbury.

The Cranbury Library has a new logo! Construction on the new free-standing Cranbury Public Library continues to go smoothly. The Grand Opening is planned for a Saturday in the fall. There will be a full day of fun activities and speakers. Keep an eye out for updates by receiving the monthly Cranbury Public Library newsletter.

The Cranbury Municipal Alliance is looking for new members! They meet every third Tuesday at 3:30 pm. This township commission coordinates school and community efforts to reduce drug and alcohol abuse, focusing on prevention, education, and programming. Visit the township website to learn more and fill out a volunteer form.

Curious what was in the 1977 time capsule? Capsule contents are currently on display in the Betty Wagner Cranbury Historic Center. The history center is open on Thursdays from 10 am – 1 pm.

Upcoming events:

National Night Out is August 2 @ 5-8 pm. Come to Village Park for the annual fun community-building event sponsored by the Cranbury Police Department and Cranbury PBA 405.
It’s almost time for Cranbury Day, Saturday, Sept 10th, 9 am – 4 pm organized by the Cranbury Business Association. Join in on this fun-filled day on Main Street where vendors and township boards and commissions set up tables with information, giveaways, and items to sell. Who would want to miss the Lion’s Club Rubber Duck race at the Brainerd Lake Dam?
The Cranbury Lion’s Club is celebrating its 90th Anniversary on September 24th, 6 – 9 pm at the Cranbury Inn. Make reservations and bring family and friends! Visit the Lion's Club website or contact Phyllis Johnson at [email protected] for details.
The Senior Center in the Town Hall building is open! Sign up at the Town Hall for lunches (Aug. 26 and Sept. 23) and other upcoming events. In October, lunches will begin to be offered twice a month. The Cranbury Township Recreation Department is requesting that all patrons of the Cranbury Senior Center fill a registration form annually.

Let’s keep the Cranbury spirit alive, and I hope to see you around town!

Barbara Rogers, Mayor