OCTOBER 2019 EDITION
Monroe Mayor Meets with Middlesex County Officials to Advance Truck Ban Ordinance
Pictured from right: Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro, Monroe Township; Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios; Khalid Anjum, Department Head of Infrastructure Management, Middlesex County; Mark Rasimowicz, Monroe Township Engineer (Photo: Monroe Township)
Monroe Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro met with Middlesex County officials in New Brunswick on Thursday to outline the recently-adopted ordinance that bans heavy tractor-trailers from three residential roads along the Cranbury town line in Monroe.

The ordinance banning these trucks was unanimously approved by the Township Council earlier this month with over 300 residents attending the public hearing in support. County review is the next approval needed in the statutory process to remove tractor trailers weighing more than eight tons from Cranbury Station, Prospect Plains and Cranbury Half Acre roads, west of Applegarth Road.  

Mayor Tamburro met with Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios and Middlesex County Department Head of Infrastructure Khalid Anjum to discuss how hundreds of tractor trailers are using these three residential roads in Monroe to access large warehouses in neighboring Cranbury.

“I am working hard to fast track this ordinance and get these Cranbury tractor trailers off our residential streets, once and for all,” Mayor Tamburro said. “I appreciate that county officials were so quick to meet with us to discuss the ordinance and hear the concerns of our residents. I want this ordinance enacted as soon as possible for our residents and I am fully committed to seeing this ban through county and state approvals.”

The Township will continue to keep residents informed as this tractor trailer ban progresses through the County and State Department of Transportation. 
Middlesex County and Monroe Township Move to Acquire 76 Acres of Wooded Property
In partnership with Monroe Township, Middlesex County is negotiating a contract to purchase 76 acres of wooded land on the western side of Perrineville Road, south of Union Valley Road.

The large parcel, currently owned by Galaxy Land Corp., served as a farm from the 1930s through the 1980s. Over the past 30 years, it has reverted to forest.

“This effort is yet another strong example of our close relationship with Middlesex County,” said Monroe Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro. “We have a shared commitment with our county leaders to ensure 50% of the land area in Monroe ultimately is preserved as untouchable open space for generations and generations to come. This former farm is a beautiful piece of land and when approved, would be one of the largest parcels secured for preservation.”
Pictured above left: The 76-acre Galaxy property located off Perrineville Road being farmed in 1953. Above right: The Galaxy property reverted to forest in 2013 . (Photo: Center State Engineering/USGS)
Tamburro has targeted the tract for open space in recent years, noting it is surrounded by preserved space on three sides and will ultimately create a large forest that would be unique to most, if not all, municipalities in the county.

Funding will come from the Middlesex County Open Space Recreation and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. Funds from the municipal budget will not be used.

“Our ongoing and productive partnership with Mayor Tamburro and Monroe Township is a key reason as to why we are purchasing this property,” said Middlesex County Freeholder Charles Kenny, who chairs the county’s Infrastructure Management Committee. “We are committed to using the county’s open space fund strategically, ensuring it is used for the maximum benefit. This 76-acre parcel in Monroe is a terrific opportunity and an ideal use of this funding.”

Middlesex County Freeholder Leslie Koppel, who lives in Monroe and has been a long-time supporter of Monroe’s open space plan, said the county is on target to preserve more than 130 acres in Monroe this year.

“This has been a tremendous partnership,” Koppel said. “Working together, I am sure we will help Monroe achieve its goal of 50% land preservation in the Township.”

Middlesex County recently purchased 59 acres of wooded land just south of this parcel earlier this year, noted Monroe Council President Stephen Dalina.

“Not only do open space purchases avoid future development, but we are also preserving thousands of trees and a very balanced ecosystem of forest and fauna,” he said. “Monroe could not have accomplished this feat without such support from the county. The real winners, however, are the residents of Monroe.”

Monroe Residents to Save 10% on Electricity Bills This Winter
The Monroe Township Council locked in the lowest fixed electric rates to date for the Monroe Township Community Energy Aggregation (MTCEA) program, approving a “Round Four” contract with a new provider, Constellation New Energy (CNE).  
“Monroe Township is a pioneer in New Jersey when it comes to municipal energy aggregation and leveraging bulk purchasing to achieve lower energy rates for our residents,” said Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro. “The MTCEA program saved residents approximately $13 million in the first three rounds and we anticipate even more savings in Round Four. Our residents can expect to see a reduction of $150 for a typical household – more for those using large quantities of electricity or living in all-electric homes.”

As the lowest bidder, CNE proposed a set price of $.08395/kwh for the duration of a two-year contract. This new rate, effective December 1, 2019, represents a 10% percent savings over the JCP&L tariff price during winter months when consumption, particularly for all-electric households, is at its height.

Monroe Township’s electricity supply contract with South Jersey Energy under Round Three of the MTCEA program is scheduled to terminate in December 2019. Current MTCEA program participants will not have to take any action in order to continue under the new provider.  

Established in 2013, the MTCEA program is conducted under State law and in accordance with the State Board of Public Utilities’ regulations. Current participation is approximately 14,500 households with Round Three savings estimated at $4 million. Residents seeking additional information should contact program coordinator Harold Klein at 732-521-4400, ext. 135.
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New Facilities Open at Monroe Township Soccer Complex
Photos: Monroe Township
A brand new concession stand and ADA compliant restrooms officially opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 12.

Mayor Tamburro and members of Township Council looked on as Freeholder Leslie Koppel and Monroe Township Soccer Club President Bill Craver cut the ceremonial ribbon to the new facility.

The restrooms and new concessions are the capstone of improvements to this facility where beautiful new turf fields provide optimal playing conditions.

Monroe Township One of America's Safest Towns According to National Home Security Company
Frontpoint, a home security company serving the entire United States, has reported that Monroe is one of the towns in the nation with the fewest robberies. In fact, Monroe is tied with Marlboro as the safest towns in New Jersey regarding robbery.

Monroe reported no robberies in all of 2017 and all of 2018. In addition, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, Monroe also recorded no cases of murder, arson or other various crimes in its 2018 report.

“Anyone living in Monroe knows that we have a stellar police department committed to going to the greatest lengths to ensure public safety,” said Monroe Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro. “ We appreciate this recognition that underscores the superb work of our police department. It is another reinforcement that we are on the right track. ”
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