State of Edison Township address: Land for new school, light transit service on to-do list
EDISON – A shuttle service providing residents transportation to the train station, an alternative to Optimum's internet service and the planned acquisition of land on Talmadge Road for a new school, are part the vision for Edison in 2023, according to the mayor.
Mayor Sam Joshi said when he campaigned for mayor in 2021, he promised to end Optimum's monopoly as the only major internet service provider in town.
"I'm proud to announce after extensive conversations with senior executives Optimum's monopoly in Edison will end this year because Comcast is coming to town," Joshi said to applause during his State of the Township address Tuesday evening before the Edison Chamber of Commerce at the Pines Manor.
The announcement did not include any details about when Comcast would be coming or how residents would be able to switch providers.
Township residents and Joshi himself have long complained about the deficiencies in service provided by Optimum, particularly related to service cutting out. He campaigned on a platform of wanting to bring faster, reliable and more affordable internet service to town, and last year explained Optimum does not have an exclusive contract with Edison, and other internet providers can come to the township, but they choose not to so to maintain their respective monopolies.
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The Township Council authorized a high-speed broadband feasibility study and business plan last year.
"My administration and the council stand ready to launch municipal broadband and ensure that every single resident has a choice for their internet service provider," Joshi said Tuesday night.
New school
Joshi also announced plans to acquire land on Talmadge Road for a new, centrally located district school, but did specify if it would serve elementary, middle or high school students.
He said the overcrowding in district schools is a problem everyone in town is aware of. With the addition last year of $11.8 million in education funding, Joshi said the Edison Board of Education has a cash surplus of $30 million but has yet to create a plan to address school overcrowding, while the problem continues to grow.
"It's time our youth comes first. As mayor I promised to help secure land that addresses the overcrowding crisis in our schools. I'm proud to say my administration and the council are committed to acquiring nearly 10 acres of land on Talmadge Road centrally located to all of Edison for the purpose of building a brand-new school," Joshi said.
But at last week's Township Council meeting, an ordinance authorizing the $9 million acquisition of property at 430 Talmadge Road from Birchco Realty was removed from the agenda.
Some residents said the size of that property is too small for a school but would be great for recreation, and some school board members questioned if there was a clear plan. Another resident said she didn't want $9 million spent on a property that has an assessed value of much less.
Shuttle service
Joshi also announced plans to reinstate a light transit service which years ago had a few township vans to transport resident from several apartment complexes to the train station.
"We're not only reviving that program, we're expanding it with additional shuttles to accommodate more citizens," Joshi said. "This means fewer cars on the road and less traffic. It's environmentally friendly and reduces our carbon footprint. A low-fare local shuttle system will save gas and parking fees. It's truly a win for everyone."
Joshi's speech did not offer details about when the program would be implemented, or the costs involved.
Other projects
Joshi also announced plans for a second and larger community garden with 55 beds at Bernard Dwyer Park in North Edison off Annette Drive, construction to begin this spring on a youth sports recreation center, work to begin this year on the renovation and expansion of the William Toth Health Center, and work to be completed by the end of this year on a children's splash park.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Edison State of the Township address highlights 2023 initiatives
