SEPTEMBER 2019 EDITION
Mayor Tamburro Proposes to Ban Tractor-Trailers on Three Arteries from Cranbury
Three township roads will be subject to weight restrictions under a proposed ordinance supported by Monroe's mayor and council. (Photo: Google Maps)
Facing more than 1,200 trucks traveling along three Monroe roads into Cranbury each day, the Township Council is to vote on an ordinance on October 7 to greatly reduce the ongoing problem. If approved, this ordinance would then be forwarded to Middlesex County and the state Department of Transportation for final approval before implementation.

The Township Council, at the request of Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro, is expected to approve weight restrictions on trucks permitted to travel on Cranbury Station Road, Prospect Plains Road and Cranbury Half Acre Road, west of Applegarth Road. 

Under the proposed ordinance, no truck weighing more than eight tons would be allowed on these major arteries from Cranbury. 

Tamburro urged Monroe residents who are tired of the Cranbury-bound traffic to voice support for the ordinance at the upcoming meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m., on October 7 at Town Hall, 1 Municipal Plaza.

“This ordinance has been developed based on careful study and deliberation,” Mayor Tamburro said. “While we recognize Cranbury has a thriving warehouse sector for its benefit, we cannot allow local residential roads in Monroe to serve as a main thoroughfare.”

The ordinance was developed following a municipal study this summer, showing more than 1,200 trucks each day traveling along Cranbury Half Acre Road and Cranbury Station Road. Following such alarming information, the mayor immediately asked his professional staff for recommendations on how to significantly reduce the tractor trailer traffic.

It was decided that an eight-ton limit on all trucks would force these tractor trailers to follow approved routes to Route 130 in Cranbury.
Monroe Sues Lennar – A National Homebuilder – for $2.4 Million
Frustrated with a lack of action, Monroe Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro has ordered municipal attorneys to sue Lennar, a national homebuilder with a local office in Freehold.

The mayor is demanding the company address the outstanding punch list items for sitework at the Stonebridge at Greenbriar development off Federal Road.

Mayor Tamburro is seeking the release of $2.4 million in performance and cash bonds so the municipality can complete the sitework on behalf of the people of Stonebridge.

“We’ve sued under-performing developers before and we will sue them again,” Mayor Tamburro vowed. “We’ve absolutely lost our patience with Lennar, who will now face us in court to explain why they have not fulfilled their obligations to the people of Stonebridge.”
Lennar, a Florida corporation, faces a lawsuit over delays and site construction issues at Stonebridge, a development site off Applegarth Road. (Photo: Monroe Township)
“There are a number of construction-related concerns for site work that have gone unabated for far too long,” he added. “I absolutely refuse to release performance bonds until Lennar has provided satisfactory construction, according to our municipal engineer’s inspection of the site.”

Performance bonds are required by the Township to ensure the developer provides quality site work, as part of the construction requirements.  

Monroe’s legal action, submitted to Superior Court on September 6th, relates to four distinct Performance Bonds for separate segments of Stonebridge development. 

Township engineers have been asking Lennar to address punchlist items for too long, and they remain outstanding, prompting Mayor Tamburro’s action. 

For Mayor Tamburro to agree to drop the lawsuit, Lennar and its bond company must finish the outstanding work or have a reputable contractor handle it. If not, Monroe will seize the money to complete the punch lists, while warning the public about the town’s experience with Lennar.

“The message is simple: We won’t back down until Lennar finally steps up,” Mayor Tamburro said. “Time for them to get to work.”

Monroe Township Police Increase Patrols to Curb Speeders
Following the opening on September 5th of the Monroe Township Schools, Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro has directed Police Chief Michael J. Biennas to target speeders in school zones and bus stops.

“As I was driving around town to observe the opening of our eight public schools, I noticed a number of motorists speeding in school zones and ignoring pedestrian crossings,” Mayor Tamburro said. “This is a tremendous hazard, especially for our children coming to and from school. Some motorists need a stern reminder of the laws of the road, to ensure our children remain safe.”

Biennas noted the police department increases its traffic focus during the initial days of school each September, as many parents are learning about drop-off areas and children are traveling from bus stops and using crosswalks.  
“We need to have zero tolerance to speeders around our schools and children,” Monroe Police Chief Michael Biennas said. “Back to School is always the time of the year where everyone needs to take a deep breath, slow down and follow the letter of the law.”

Chief Biennas also reminded all motorists never to pass a school bus while its red lights are flashing. That is critical for the safety of our children.

Mayor Tamburro has asked the police chief to increase the number of patrol cars during this heightened time of the day when the morning and afternoon bells ring. “No one wants to give out tickets,” the mayor said. “But we will have no choice if motorists disregard the law and put our children’s safety in jeopardy.”
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Mark Your Calendars for the Monroe Green Fair
Join fellow residents on Saturday, September 28 at Monroe Township High School for the 10th Annual Green/Health & Wellness Fair!

The free event, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 200 Schoolhouse Road, will offer more than 100 exhibitors and speakers who will provide valuable information, products and services to help attendees stay healthy and save money while protecting the environment.

Food vendors are encouraged to eliminate plastic straws and an updated Green Tips booklet will include municipal and county trail maps. 

There will be vendors selling eco-friendly products, as well as kid-friendly crafts, games and activities, throughout the day. There will also be live music, the EnviroMobile, (a mobile environmental classroom) a freecycling booth, paper shredding and locally grown produce for purchase. 

“Whether you are a kid or an adult, there’s always something new to learn at the Green Fair,” said Mayor Tamburro. 

The event is hosted by the Monroe Township Environmental Commission, in cooperation with the Monroe Township Library. Learn more by contacting Environmental Commission Secretary Kathy Budge at 732-521-4400, ext. 130.

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