The Monroe News - February 2019

FEBRUARY 2019 EDITION

Historic Acquisition Increases Monroe’s Open Space Inventory

The Mounts Mills farm in Monroe in 1929.

Peter Eonaitis, Jr. was raised on the Mounts Mills farm.

Monroe has taken another step toward preserving 50 percent of its estimated 43-square-mile land area for open space with the purchase of a 6.286-acre parcel, known as 201 Mounts Mills Road, for $850,000.

The property features more than 5 acres of active designated farmland at Mounts Mills Road and Buckelew Avenue.

“The Township’s acquisition of this parcel allows us to expand our open space inventory and preserve farmland that might otherwise have been developed for up to six single family homes,” said Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro. “This preserved farmland, steeped in local history, now will serve the citizens of Monroe for generations to come.”

The property, acquired with open space trust fund money, was purchased by Peter and Anistasis Eonaitis in 1929.

The Eonaitis family farmed the land, where they raised their only child, Peter Eonaitis Jr. As a child gazing into the sky, it is reported that Peter remembered seeing the Zeppelin Hindenburg pass over his family farm on its fateful journey to Lakehurst in 1937.

On July 6, 1945, Peter enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. At six feet tall and perfect stature, he was selected to serve as a guard raising and lowering the American flag at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC. He recalled being saluted by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Admiral Ernest Joseph King and British Prime Minister Clement Richard Attlee. He also was a personal guard for the United States Secretary of the Navy James Vincent Forrestal.

After returning home from active duty, Peter lived on his Mounts Mills farm with his wife, Beatrice, who served as the Township Clerk and operated the property until her death in 2008. Peter’s niece purchased the land following his death in 2010 at the age of 82.

“The purchase of this farm serves two important functions for Monroe Township. We preserve our land and honor our local history,” said Councilman Leonard Baskin. “We are thankful to Peter Eonaitis Jr. for his service to our country and we’re thankful for the opportunity to maintain the farmland for years to come. “

The surrounding land with exception of the home and the barns were sold in the mid-1980s for the development of Heritage Chase. The open space property is dedicated to Peter and Beatrice Eonaitis.

Connect with Monroe

Click below to learn more about these Township services

Monroe Township Library Celebrates 30 Years

Officials bury a time capsule to mark the 30th Anniversary of the library.

On October 17, 1988, a card table was set up in the lower-level of the Municipal building, and thus began the Monroe Township Library.

Officially opened on April 1, 1989, Library Director Irene Goldberg ran the library with the help of Helen and Councilman Irwin Nalitt. With limited funds, Goldberg and her staff bought all the books themselves in order to stock the library.

Goldberg ran the library from the basement of the municipal building alone for the first few weeks. Once she gathered some furniture and set up a phone line, she was able to hire a temporary secretary to help with placing orders and filing paperwork. Leah Wagner was hired in January 1989 and arranged a children’s area.

With the local library established, a Library Board of Trustees had to be created. Board member Robert Isaacs has served diligently these past 30 years. Goldberg and Wagner continue to work at the library.

The library was able to move to its own building in 1997. The library expansion was completed in 2009 at 3 Municipal Plaza.

“We are proud of our reputation for being welcoming and professional,” Goldberg said. “Information is our business. We are willing to explore innovative ways to serve our public, not just in books, but in other media, programming and exposure to new ideas.”

To mark the historic 30 years of service, the library planted a time capsule on January 2. It contains materials from the early days, including photographs, original library cards, and other important documents that shed light on the library’s evolution.

In the 30 years since its opening, the Monroe Township Library has expanded inside and out. As of 2019, the library hosts programs for all ages including clubs, meeting spaces, career services, “how to” classes and others. The library is now even open on Sundays, from 10 am to 6 pm.

The library will be hosting a series of special events each month in 2019 to mark the 30 th Anniversary. The next scheduled event is a 30 th Anniversary Trivia Game, “1989” Edition, on Thursday, February 28 at 2 p.m.

Monroe Tax Rate Remains Second-Lowest in Middlesex County

Monroe's effective tax rate remains the second-lowest overall in Middlesex County, according to the county’s Board of Taxation.

The 2018 “Abstract of Ratables” lists Monroe’s effective tax rate as having maintained a stable second place position – tied with Old Bridge – in comparison to the county’s 25 municipalities.

The state defines an effective tax rate as “a statistical study that enables the comparison of one district to another based on the assumption that all districts are at 100 percent valuation. This rate is not to be used to compute the tax bill.”

“Monroe Township maintained this very stable position through fiscally responsible decisions, careful negotiating and thoughtful planning,” said Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro. “Despite consistently flat municipal state aid, we continue to provide services and resources to our residents that are largely unparalled elsewhere in the county.”

In addition, Monroe was ranked with the third lowest municipal tax rate for the sixth consecutive year. “This position is particularly impressive given unanticipated public safety increases and no increase in municipal aid from the state,” Mayor Tamburro said. “And we continue to have among the lowest residential water and sewer service fees in the region.”

Mark your calendar! Bond Referendum March 12

On March 12, the community will have the opportunity to VOTE on a referendum to build a new 1,000-student, second middle school on Applegarth Road and a 1,000-student addition to our high school.

The high school addition can only be approved if the middle school project is approved. If passed successfully, the middle school project is expected to open for students in September 2022 and the high school project in December 2022.

Learn more about this referendum:

District Website - Facebook - Twitter - Mobile App