Peter Cantu was elected mayor for the 27th time at Plainsboro’s January 2 re-organization meeting. ##M:[more]##The township’s residents elect a five-person committee which chooses a mayor and deputy mayor from its own members. Neil Lewis was again elected deputy mayor.
At the meeting, Cantu discussed the township’s progress over the past year, and his expectations for the year ahead. “With the help of a lot of people including an outstanding staff, we as a township have been able to make major strides towards achieving our goals,” says Cantu. “We will continue our commitment to provide a high quality of life for current and future residents, our strong commitment to a balanced master plan, and to maintaining the necessary infrastructure to support the town.”
Cantu said he expects to complete the financing for the new library this year, and that the project could go out to bid before the end of 2007. He said the township has raised $1.2 million of its original goal of $1.5 million. “I’m raising our goal to $2 million to help offset the cost of the library. Construction could begin in late summer or early fall,” said Cantu.
Plainsboro announced at its December 28 year-end meeting that Greta Kiernan will be hired as a fundraising consultant for the library project. Architect George Scheiferdecker presented the township his schematic plans for the project, along with a cost estimate of $12 million.
Cantu said that the coming year will bring the retirement of Cliff Maurer, the Township’s Public Safety Director. Maurer is expected to serve until March, and Cantu says a replacement will be named in the coming months. Mary Ann Busher will become the new tax assessor, following the retirement of Jean Jacobsohn, and Mary Testori will be the new tax collector, following the retirement of Judy Scheideler.
The township accepted the resignation of Public Works Superintendent Jeffrey LaPooh, which came following allegations that he took money at his former position with the Borough of Kinnelon. LaPooh has been employed by Plainsboro since the summer of 2006. Township officials would not comment except to say that LaPooh had resigned.
