SOUTH BRUNSWICK – The Dayton Village Citizens Coalition took yet another step toward improving their town when some students, who worked on the planning process at the community design workshop in January, made a presentation to the town council on July 8.
Michael Kimmey, who just graduated from South Brunswick High School, gave the presentation. He talked about the lack of a town center in Dayton around the Five Points section of Culver Road and, because of this, a lack of a real sense of community.
“The problem [at the community design workshop] was it was only really people from Dayton,” Kimmey said. “Not many people feel they’re attached to this. We could have a town center in the middle of Dayton as opposed to a little sliver with flowers and a flagpole.”
Instead, Kimmey said a grassy area with a fountain and space for people to sit would be the ideal center of a town. People could hold festivals and events there.
He also talked about changing the décor of the Wawa. At the workshop, many residents felt that Wawa was a valuable business to have in town, but complained that it just did not look nice enough.
“Wawa has been known to change their façade if the town requests,” Kimmey said.
Kimmey detailed all the areas around Dayton where sidewalks or trails are needed, including the section in between Davidson Mill Park and the YMCA, which has scenic views but no trail, and also the area between the Wawa and the post office on Culver Road, which does not have any sidewalks.
“We have to create a place that is more pedestrian friendly,” Kimmey said.
Mayor Frank Gambatese said that things will have to move along slowly, but that first the township may look into getting some county money that is available to put in more lighting in the area.
“The problem is the mechanics in terms of getting this done,” said Councilman Charles Carley. “The most important partner we’ll have in this process will be the county.”
One thing Carley mentioned he would like taken care of is the proliferation of utility wires in the area, although he said it would probably be a five-year process, the way utility companies work. He also mentioned that the Department of Transportation would have to be a willing partner, because of the need to put in new sidewalks in various areas.
Many of the council members said that they were not sure about whether or not the businesses in the area would agree to any changes, and Councilman Christopher Killmurray mentioned that he had spoken to some owners who were concerned about the potential changes.
Overall, though, the council agreed with most of the presentation.
“I’m glad the students participated in this,” Gambatese said. “I’m very, very impressed and I know the council is impressed.”
“I’m in awe of the presentation,” said Deputy Mayor Carol Barrett. “It’s so important to see our young men and women who take an interest in our township. It’s a worthwhile endeavor. We’re heading in the right direction. It will take a while, but anything that is worthwhile is worth waiting for.”
Russell Richardson, who ran the community design workshop along with the Dayton Village Citizens Coalition, was impressed with the students as well.
“Their input was superb,” he said.
Richardson, who went before the council about a year ago, has been working on some of the recommendations the board gave him at the time and he hopes to go back before the council in a short time. Some key issues the council brought up a year ago was to add some senior housing, add some affordable housing and to limit the generation of school-age children in Dayton.
“We want to integrate connectivity back into the village,” Richardson said.
Richardson said that it was not yet time to start talking to businesses about potential issues.
“This is rather large and complex,” Richardson said. “You have to address the main issues that move your project forward first.”
Tyler Euchinsky, Daniel Huaman and Nicky Kaytus were the other students who worked alongside Kimmey on the community design workshop.