Cranbury Township Grapples with Fire and Advances Plans for New Fire District
- Meeting Overview:
The Cranbury Township Committee meeting on January 13, 2025, primarily focused on a significant chimney fire at a residence on Cranberry Neck Road and the proposed establishment of a new fire district in the township. The committee also addressed various local concerns, including a cyber security breach, pet licensing, and upcoming budget meetings.
0:00The spotlight of the meeting was on the recent chimney fire incident, which Chief Smith from the local fire department detailed extensively. The fire, which resulted in substantial damage to the residence, was initially reported to the Plainsboro fire department due to a miscommunication from the caller’s cell phone, leading to a quicker than expected response. Chief Smith explained the logistical challenges faced by the fire department, including the lack of nearby water sources and the extensive hose deployment required due to the 1,800-foot-long driveway. The operation utilized 455,000 gallons of water and involved 17 tankers and eight engines from multiple municipalities, with approximately 30 personnel engaged in firefighting efforts. Chief Smith described the event, stating, “Unfortunately they lost everything… no one was hurt, that’s the main thing,” and suspected the fireplace as the fire’s cause, though it remained undetermined. Committee members expressed their gratitude towards the fire department for their heroic efforts, with one member commenting on the overwhelming gratitude shown by the homeowners.
In a related agenda item, the committee discussed the formation of a fire district in Cranbury. Rich Zimmer, representing the fire department, reported organizing four informational sessions and gathering over 200 signatures from residents supporting the initiative. Zimmer stated, “We’re ready tonight to present to the committee… to verify we have a little over 200 signatures.” The committee deliberated on the next steps, including the validation of signatures as required by state law and the preparation of a budget for the proposed fire district. There was a consensus on proceeding cautiously, with plans to collaborate with the township accountant to ensure all necessary expenses were accounted for, and a public hearing will be scheduled once the signatures are validated.
17:04The meeting also covered updates on ongoing township matters. The Personnel subcommittee’s January 3rd meeting addressed staffing issues as part of their annual planning. The Development Review Committee met on January 9th to discuss a proposed group home application requiring additional land from the township. This application will be revisited in the next meeting on January 20th. A resolution for an application from Wayfair was postponed due to their absence at the meeting, prompting discussions on improving the efficiency of future meetings.
Pet licensing updates were presented, with the township reporting 94 licensed dogs and 12 cats. An automated licensing system was introduced, allowing residents to easily obtain licenses. With a rabies clinic scheduled for January 25th for dogs, residents were reminded of the licensing requirement by the end of January, with a preference for pre-registration to manage clinic attendance.
Acknowledgment was given to the Cranbury Volunteer Fire Department and its support from 18 other municipalities in response to the recent fire. The committee encouraged community engagement and volunteerism, highlighting the rewarding nature of serving the local fire department. In other community news, the Princeton School District is preparing to welcome a new superintendent, Michael Lusa, from the Chatham school district, receiving appreciation from the Board of Education for their thorough vetting process.
Cyber security concerns were addressed following a breach involving the Power School platform affecting multiple schools, though Cranbury’s data was reportedly unaffected.
Regarding financial planning, the committee deliberated over scheduling a budget meeting initially proposed for January 25th but faced conflicts with other events, including the rabies clinic. After considering alternatives, they decided to hold the meeting on January 28th at 7 PM to allow adequate preparation time.
Appointments were finalized with John Muselli appointed as a Class Two member to the Planning Board, completing mayoral appointments. Openings for several boards and commissions were noted, prompting a call for community engagement to fill these vacancies.
Lisa Knierim
City Council Officials:
Eman El-Badawi, Robert Christopher, Barbara F. Rogers, Matthew A. Scott
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
01/13/2025
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Recording Published:
01/13/2025
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Duration:
36 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Middlesex County
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Towns:
Cranbury
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