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Welcome To Cranbury
Cranbury is one of the oldest towns in New Jersey. While it is believed that there were settlers in Cranbury (then known as Cranberry and Cranberry Town) as early as 1680, a deed of sale between Josiah Prickett and John Harrison dated March 1, 1698 for land “with all improvements” indicates buildings on the land and early settlement. Cranbury celebrated its 300th anniversary in 1997. On March 7, 1872, Cranbury Township was officially created and organized as a political subdivision of Middlesex County, consisting of the village of Cranbury and outlying areas, which were then parts of South Brunswick and Monroe Townships. On August 9, 1979, Cranbury was named a State Historic District, and on September 18, 1980 it was designated a National Historic District. At that time it was said to be “the best preserved 19th century village in Middlesex County.” The significance of Cranbury’s historic district is inextricably tied to its agricultural setting. The village was built to serve the surrounding farm community, and its importance is directly related to that farmland. One of the most attractive draws to Cranbury Township is its commitment to preserving open space. Presently, 75% of available farmland is preserved. While maintaining its roots, Cranbury has grown in recent years to include business projects such as factory outlets, warehouses and office buildings on its outer rim. New housing developments have attracted seniors and young families. The population of the Township has grown in recent years: The 1990 Census figures were: 2,500 and the 2000 Census figures were: 3,227. Cranbury Township is located in southern Middlesex County and is 13.4 square miles. The Township is bordered by South Brunswick, Monroe, Plainsboro and East Windsor Township and Hightstown.
Cranbury’s Town Hall is located at 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, NJ 08512. It is open Mondays through Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The Town Hall is the former Cranbury Elementary School built in 1896. It was wholly renovated and restored, and formally rededicated as the Town Hall in October 2001. Telephone: (609) 395-0900 The Township of Cranbury was incorporated in 1872. Cranbury Township has a five member Township Committee. A Township Committeeperson serves a three-year term. The terms are staggered. Each year the Committee elects one of its members to be the Mayor. The Township Committee has legislative and executive powers and the Mayor serves as the Chief Executive Officer. In 1990, the Township Committee adopted an ordinance to create the position of Administrator. The Administrator functions as the chief administrative officer for the Township.
The Township Planning Board adopted a revision to the Township’s Master Plan in November, 1993. The plan provides for agricultural preservation to the west of the village area. Residential expansion of the historical village is limited for preservation as well as affordable housing purposes. Areas of the Township that are east of Route 130 have been zoned to encourage office and industrial development. A lot of office park developments have been recently built in this area.
New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July Holiday, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Holiday.
All Township Committee meetings are held the first, third and fourth Mondays. The meetings start at 7:30 p.m., except the fourth Monday, which starts at 8:00 p.m. All meetings are held in the Town Hall, unless otherwise noted.
POLICE DEPARTMENT, Police and Public Safety The Cranbury Police Department is staffed by 16 full-time officers. The Police Department is located on Dey Road, near Route 130 at the present time. A new Station on Liberty Way is being planned. Burglar alarms should be registered with the Police Department each January. The forms are available at the Police Station. Also, the Cranbury Police Department offers home security checks. Contact: Captain Edward J. Kahler, III for further information. Fire Services The Cranbury Fire Company is staffed by volunteer members. The Cranbury Fire Company was established in 1898. The Cranbury Fire House on South Main Street houses three of eight vehicles. A 10,000 square feet Fire House was constructed in 1995, replacing the original fire house, which was built in 1921 and is now a museum. Ambulance Service Ambulance calls are handled by volunteers of The Cranbury First Aid & Rescue Squad. The First Aid operates out of their building on Maplewood Avenue in the Township’s village area.
Public Works Roads, Recycling, Parks and Sewer services are provided by full-time Public Works employees under the direction of the Superintendent of Public Works. White Goods White goods (washers, dryers, etc.) will only be picked up by obtaining a permit, the 2nd Wednesday of the month. A permit is $10.00 from The Public Works Department (listed above). Chipping Chipping is picked up the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Recycling Middlesex County (1-800-488-6242) provides for recycling pickup from Cranbury Township residents. Every new resident is given a 20-gallon round container, as well as a 14 gallon square container. These may be picked up from the Public Works Department, second floor of Town Hall, 23-A North Main Street, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. If any containers need to be replaced the cost is $5.75 for the round container and $4.29 for the square container. The telephone number for the Public Works Department is: (609) 395-0900, ext. 229.
Electric & Gas Electric and gas service is provided by Public Service Electric & Gas Company: (1-800-436-7734). Water Water is provided by New Jersey American Water Company: 1-800-272-1325 or (908) 654-1234. Sewer Sewer is provided by Cranbury Township: 609-395-0900, ext. 239. Cable Service Cable Service is optional and is provided by Comcast Cable Company: (609) 655-1300. Garbage Collection Cranbury Township does not provide garbage collection. Residents must contract haulers. Midco (908) 561-8380 and Waste Management (609) 883-1420 are two companies which serve Cranbury Township.
In addition to its parks and public Cranbury Swim Club, the town offers year-round recreational activities and a summer day camp for children. Health services are available through a contract with the Middlesex County Health Department. The Health Officer may be reached at: (609) 395-0900, ext. 237.
Affordable Housing development and construction is provided by Cranbury Housing Associates, P.O. Box 603, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, (609) 734-7434, a non-profit corporation and managed by Piazza & Associates, 116 Village Boulevard, Suite 200, Princeton, NJ 08540, (609) 951-2272.
Cranbury Elementary School District The Cranbury School District is a Type II School District. The Cranbury School serves Kindergarten through 8th grade. High school education is provided through a contract with the Princeton Regional School System. The Cranbury School is staffed by a full-time Chief Administrator, Vice Principal and Business Administrator. Its nine-member School Board is elected.
The Cranbury Library The Cranbury Public Library is a joint library, which also serves as the library for the Cranbury School. The Library is managed by a Library Director and a seven-member Library Board of Trustees. The hours of operation are: Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10:00 until 5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day – Saturdays 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Closed on Sundays.
Voter Registration Applications, Civilian and Military Absentee Ballot Applications and Party Affiliation Declaration Forms may be obtained from Town Hall. For the deadline dates for filing these forms, please call the Clerk’s Office at: (609) 395-0900, ext. 231.
Cranbury Post Office ~ 08512 The Cranbury Post Office is located at 65 North Main Street. The hours are: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The Cranbury Post Office was dedicated to the memory of Todd Beamer, a Cranbury resident, who perished on Flight 93 in Schanksville, Pa. on September 11, 2001. In the Post Office is a mural of Cranbury by Lee Stang Harr, dedicated September 17, 1983, in celebration of the Middlesex County Tercentennial.
Cranbury Museum The Museum (c. 1834) is a restoration by the Cranbury Historical & Preservation Society to represent a typical 19th century Cranbury home. With a few exceptions, its furnishings are gifts from Cranbury families. Its basement area houses permanent memorabilia of early businesses and activities, Lenape Indian artifacts, and artifacts recovered during the 1977 archaeological dig at Main Street and Park Place West. The Museum is open Sundays, from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m., or by appointment. Group tours are available.
The Gourgaud Gallery, New Jersey’s only municipal gallery, is located in Town Hall. It features a new exhibit each month with an artist’s reception every First Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Gallery hours are: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and Sundays, Noon until 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays on occasion.
Cranbury History Center In 1736 the land now occupied by the History Center and the Cranbury Fire House was purchased for the site of a gristmill, to grind grain for the farms throughout the Township. The mill burned down in 1860, but was reconstructed. It was probably then that the present Gristmiller’s House was built. Cranbury Township acquired the Gristmiller’s House from an early Cranbury family, and from 1968 to 1985 the house served as Cranbury’s Police Station. When the Police Department moved to other quarters, the house began to deteriorate and was threatened by demolition. This building was restored by the Cranbury Historical & Preservation Society in the early 1990s with the help of a matching grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust and the support of Cranbury residents, friends and businesses. It presently houses all visual, oral and written records of Cranbury’s history; and is open Monday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. or by appointment (609) 860-1889.
The Cranbury Press (732) 329-2914 is the local newspaper. This weekly publication comes out every Friday. Also serving the Cranbury area are The Home News & Tribune (732) 565-7262, The Newark Star Ledger (973) 877-4141 and The Trenton Times (609) 396-3232
Cranbury has one limousine service: All Class Limo, 4 Brickyard Road, Cranbury, NJ 08512 (609) 443-2900. Bus service to New York City is available through the Park & Ride, which is located on Route 130 in adjoining South Brunswick Township. Nearby Princeton Junction and Hamilton Township house NJ Transit and Amtrak rail stations which serve Philadelphia, Newark and New York City. Exit 8A of the NJ Turnpike is accessible from Cranbury. Princeton Airporter Service runs from The Holiday Inn at Exit 8A in Monroe Township to Newark Liberty International Airport: (609) 587-6600. However, Cranbury Township is about a one-hour drive to and from both Philadelphia and Newark Liberty International Airports.
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