By Allison Musante, Staff Writer
PLAINSBORO The Township Committee is setting a lofty goal for 2011 to be the best township in the state, Mayor Peter Cantu said, after being re-elected by his committee to his 31st year as mayor in his 37th year on the committee.
”I am thankful for the opportunity to again work with my colleagues and to do what I love, which is participating in the township’s affairs,” he said.
At the township’s reorganization meeting Tuesday night, Mayor Cantu recalled the community and financial achievements of 2010 and looked ahead to new challenges. In March, Plainsboro was ranked seventh on New Jersey Monthly magazine’s list of “Best Places to Live,” but Mayor Cantu said there is room for improvement this year.
”It’ll be a busy year but I’m confident we can meet the challenges,” he said. “We are a rich and diverse community and we have a strong economy. Next year we want to be number one in the state not number seven.”
The top priorities will be aiding a struggling business community, developing the site of the new hospital, and complying with the state-imposed 2 percent budget cap while maintaining quality service.
He said the township made strides last year in its financial strength. It saw greater efficiency of insurance costs from a successful bidding process, it secured a AAA bond rating, sustained a favorable tax collection rate one of the highest in the state at about 99 percent and utilized $868,000 in grants to offset expenses in the township.
The highlights of community development included the opening and dedication of the new library, which he said sees more than 1,100 visitors a day, the progress of converting the former library into a recreation center, and the timely maintenance of roadways.
”I also give the police a lot of credit for putting on the cyberbullying seminar, which attracted attention to the topic, and showed that Plainsboro is leading by example,” he said.
Joined by their wives and sons, Michael Weaver and Ed Yates were sworn into office by clerk Carol Torres. Mr. Weaver and Mr. Yates were re-elected by the public to their positions in November, defeating challengers Tony Cook and Neil Sutter.
”I want to thank the citizens and the voters who had faith in Ed and I,” Mr. Weaver said. “We are very pleased to have moved Plainsboro in a good direction and we are going to continue to keep Plainsboro on a positive footing on the projects over the year.”
Mr. Yates and Mr. Weaver will enter their 13th year on the committee together.
”We are honored and humbled by the trust voters have placed in us,” Mr. Yates said. “We will continue to make Plainsboro a great place to live.”
Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis was re-elected by the committee to his position, marking his 17th year on the committee and 13th year as deputy mayor.
”We will continue to thrive in this tough economy,” he said. “Our dedicated staff and volunteers is what creates such a high quality of life in Plainsboro, and I’m proud to be part of a great team that makes this all happen.”
Nuran Nabi will continue serving on the committee. He and Mr. Lewis were re-elected by the public and sworn into office in November 2009.
The meeting was attended by state Sen. Linda Greenstein, a Plainsboro native. The committee officially welcomed Deborah Voohrees to the position of Recreation Director and Craig Hubert to the position of township prosecutor. Both have been working in their appointed positions for several months.
Mayor Cantu and the committee appointed the following individuals to fill vacancies in the township boards and committees:
Cable TV Advisory Committee: Michael Weaver as committee liaison; Robert Sheehan, Carolyn Bitzer.
Environmental Advisory Committee: John Morgan, Elizabeth Jones.
Planning Board: Mayor Cantu, Patricia Hullfish, Mr. Yates, William Reininger, Henry Shaefer, and Kelly O’Brien as alternate No.1.
Town Crier: Clifford Hochberg.
Shade Tree Advisory Committee: Terri McClendon, Patricia F. Hullfish.
Zoning Board of Adjustment: Cary Spiegel, David Bander as alternate No. 2.
Community Development Block Grant Committee: Robert Sheehan.
Human Relations Council: Joseph Dell Beni as the police representative, Aneesha Raghunathan, Joshua Levy.
Library Board of Trustees: Mayor Cantu, Iris Chang, Brian Stevens as the school district representative.

