The council wants a postal designation of South Brunswick for the township, rather than the three it has now Kendall Park, Monmouth Junction and Dayton.
By: Matthew Armstrong
The Township Council wants South Brunswick to be known as South Brunswick, not as the sum of its parts Kendall Park, Monmouth Junction and Dayton.
"We need to have an identity of South Brunswick," said Mayor Debra Johnson. "We have Jamesburg addresses here, Princeton, North Brunswick. We are South Brunswick."
The township is serviced by seven post offices, three of which are located in the township. Changing the official mailing address to South Brunswick would mean that there would have to be one central post office to service the entire township.
"I think it’s a good idea but I know that it will hinge on the post office," said Council member Carol Barrett. "It would mean making one post office and I don’t know if financially the post office will be willing to do that."
But before changes are made to existing post offices, the township needs to request the U.S. Postal Service to conduct a study regarding whether or not a change is needed, said spokesperson Carl Walton.
"There would have to be an operational advantage to justify making a switch," said Mr. Walton. Monroe, Hillsborough and West Windsor have all gotten their own post offices in the last five years.
Though most council members were interested in the idea, they said they need more input from the public.
"My only problem is that I remember the various parts of the township wanted to retain their identity, but we should solicit input to see if people want it," said Council member Edmund Luciano.
"I’ve heard a number of people who are for this and probably and an equal number of people that don’t. Wouldn’t this be the perfect thing to put on a non-binding referendum for a vote in November?" Council member Ted Van Hessen suggested.
Council members said that there will be public meetings and possibly surveys to determine what residents want.