By: Joseph Harvie
The Township Committee approved the printing of a township booklet that would be used to welcome new residents and provide answers to some of the most common questions asked at Town Hall.
Town Historian Betty Wagner and Township Clerk Kathy Cunningham presented their idea to Township Committee on Monday. The council agreed to spend $500 for the initial printing of 500 booklets.
"They cost $1 a piece to print, but they will be free to the residents," Ms. Cunningham. "They’ll be available to new residents as well as any resident that wants a copy. Once they’re done they’ll be available in Town Hall."
Ms. Wagner said the booklet would have information about garbage and recycling pickup along with information on elected officials in town.
Ms. Cunningham said the booklet would have information on the history of Cranbury, how the committee is elected, gas and electric suppliers, state and congressional representatives and phone numbers for the police, fire and rescue squads.
"It would be a shade of gray with cranberry lettering, and there would be a lot of material in the booklet about the questions that are asked the most when residents call Town Hall," Ms. Cunningham said. "My feeling is that it is long overdue."
The booklet would have a picture of town hall on the cover along with the seal of the township.
The committee said the booklet would probably have to be updated every year since committee members are elected and new members of township boards and committees are named every year.
Committeewoman Pari Stave said the booklet would make information for updating the township Web site easily available.
"One of our goals down the line is to update the Web site, and this would be a good start to that," Committeewoman Pari Stave said.
The booklet will be handed out to participants taking part in a conference of the New Jersey League of Historical Societies on June 19, Ms. Wagner said.
Ms. Wagner said the booklets have a deadline of June 4 because that is when Ms. Wagner is filling binders that will be handed out at the conference.
Ms. Cunningham said the booklet could also be placed in Town Hall for residents to pick up and the Township Committee said it could also be placed in welcoming baskets for new residents.
Committeewoman Becky Beuaregard suggested that the booklet have voter registration information in it, such as where to register and how to file for an absentee ballot.
"I think it is a great idea. People tend to keep booklets; papers get thrown away. I think it is terrific, you put a lot of hard work into this," Mayor Richard Stannard said.
