NORTH BRUNSWICK – Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack stressed the importance of a township government creating an environment where all residents can live, work and relax with the highest possible quality of life during his State of the Township address.
Addressing residents on Feb. 4, Womack began by thanking the township’s first responders; and volunteers from the Domestic Violence Response Team, Food Bank and youth sports organizations for their service to the community.
“It is the spirit of concern, of fraternity and mutual respect that takes our neighborhoods, our vibrant diversity, and weaves us together like a unified quilt – a quilt where people like you embrace and embody our commitment to one another,” he said.
Womack cited “unglamorous but critical” infrastructure improvement programs. He said the sewer system is now optimized after many years of steady improvements. The new Department of Public Works vehicle maintenance garage enables mechanics to keep the township’s vehicles and equipment in good condition while also allowing for shared service agreements, such as maintaining Helmetta’s fleet. He said the town is in the planning stages of bringing electric charging stations to the municipal building and to North Brunswick Community Park. The town implemented online payments for water bills and it is seeking greater efficiencies for electronic billing and additional payment enhancements, he said. A council committee will ensure that newly installed water meters will accurately estimate water usage and alert water leaks.
Womack said the town is continuing to partner with Middlesex County on open space purchases.
Senior transportation will be enhanced with traditional bus service, local taxi service, and rideshare companies.
He continued that the town is partnering with the state and county to obtain funds to build a state-of-the-art community library. The town is also into the design phase for a new Babbage Park, focusing recreational emphasis on seniors and the special needs population.
Womack also cited business development, especially along the Route 1 corridor, such as the addition in 2018 of Hobby Lobby, Trader Joe’s, Ulta and Ace Hardware.
“Notably, our industrial corridors are attracting new interests and we expect to consider applications by as many as three new state-of-the-art facilities this year which, if successfully approved, these industrial facilities will be an important element of diversifying our tax base,” he said.
Womack touched upon the township’s commitment to affordable housing, which include the completion of 184 brand new units at the Crescent Apartments, as well as the 220-unit Amaranth that is being developed on Route 130.
In terms of the MainStreetNB transit village project, “the train station is chugging along, albeit at a green snail’s pace,” he said.
“This critical improvement by our town, announced in a letter by Gov. Chris Christie to our residents, remains a priority for Gov. [Phil] Murphy, as it is for our House Speaker Craig Coughlin of Woodbridge, as it is for the mayor and the council. We believe the train station will be a reality soon,” he said.
To conclude, Womack again thanked the township’s first responders and volunteers.
“We are a strong and vibrant and wonderful community, not because of where we are, but because of who we are,” he said.
Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@newspapermediagroup.com.
