Ice arena, Route 18, Community Arts Center: Where key East Brunswick projects stand
EAST BRUNSWICK – Construction of the ice arena and cricket field at Heavenly Farms are just a few of the things the township can look forward to this year, Mayor Brad Cohen said during his State of Township address earlier this week.
Other projects include plans for the Community Arts Center, many new businesses and better solid waste and recycling service as the township implements its new contract, Cohen said.
The new cricket tield was designed and sent out to bid, the mayor said, adding construction will be starting soon.
Plans for the ice rinks have been finalized and bids are expected to go out shortly with construction also to begin this year, he said.
Cohen also reported that the state Department of Transportation has indicated that the Route 18 reconstruction project is ahead of schedule.
And one of the largest projects the township will ever undertake is completely out of the hands of municipal government, Cohen said.
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"As you can guess, this would be the renovation or new construction of the high school," he said. "I expect the Board of Education will continue to make progress on this project and will provide plans for a renovation or a new school to the public."
Along with the plans, there must be a complete understanding of the tax impact for residents, Cohen said.
Township debt stands at $78 million and increased this year due to the approval of the $40 million bond which will be used to pay for the ice arena, the mayor said, but the bond will not be secured until construction is closer.
Cohen said the assessor's office reports that the township had 247 added assessments for 2023, equating to an additional $13 million in tax ratables. The office processed 842 deeds, an indicator of new residents, and handled 45 tax appeals, representing a 15-year low for tax appeals.
Additionally, about 80 new businesses found their way to town, according to the Economic Development Office, Cohen said, and this year is already lining up to exceed that number.
The mayor said the DOT’s watermain replacement project on Route 18 is 50% complete and this portion of the project should be done by fall.
Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com
Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: East Brunswick NJ mayor provides updates on key projects
