EAST BRUNSWICK — Redevelopment will be a major focus for the year ahead, according to Mayor David Stahl.
As part of his State of the Township address at the Feb. 2 Township Council meeting, Stahl cited the redevelopment process as one of the goals that have been “ramped up” for the year ahead.
Although Stahl has noted that vacancies in East Brunswick since he took office as mayor have decreased, the township still has a 12 percent commercial vacancy rate.
“This redevelopment process will provide the basis for those private-property owners on the Route 18 corridor to make investments in their property that they’ve been lacking to date and resulted in the vacancies we see today,” he said.
Stahl described the current state of the township as strong and at the “cusp of even better times.”
“We have worked extremely hard as a community over the past six years to weather the financial storm of declining real estate values, declining municipal revenues, declining state aid and increased cost,” Stahl said.
“Working with the Township Council, I’ve instituted austere economic policies when I first became the mayor. This policy allowed East Brunswick to be financially responsible during these difficult times.
“We dramatically reduced our spending while continuing to invest in our community by making prudent investments in our infrastructure.
“The township’s economic strength can easily be measured in our excellent bond rating, which allows us to borrow money at well under 1 percent. Our debt remains well-managed so as not to burden future generations. While we suffer the burden of tax appeals like so many municipalities in New Jersey, the township does not have to resort to borrowing money to offset those losses, as many other towns have done.”
He said his administration is going to be focused on infrastructure improvements, including funding road improvements on Fresh Ponds Road, which has been closed since September due to the replacement of a bridge.
Proposals will be presented to the Township Council on the management program for existing water tanks to ensure a reliable plan to maintain those structures in the future, Stahl said.
“We will explore the viability of building a new water tank, west of the turnpike, to provide a better service to that area,” he said. He said the township is going to begin replacing water lines in the Lawrence Brook area, as well as stop using fluoride in the water system.
“I’ve read much data on the pros and cons of putting fluoride in our water system,” Stahl said. “When fluoride was first introduced, it was not easy for individuals to receive fluoride in any other way.
“Today, there are many other options and, in addition, so many people are choosing to drink from bottled water. I just believe it’s the time to end this, and this is something that will be done very shortly.”
Stahl also said remediation of Foerter Farm will be completed in 2015. The council approved the purchase of the farm in 2010.
“I’m very excited about this year and the many initiatives I’ve outlined tonight, and I’m looking forward to working with the Township Council on it,” he said. Among the highlights of 2014, Stahl cited the East Brunswick Public Library’s restoration of Wednesday-evening hours; the township’s first East Brunswick Community Day, which he described as a “major success”; and the return of July 4 fireworks. “With the council’s blessing, when we do our budget, hopefully they’ll be back in 2015,” Stahl said.