Another tough winter is behind us, and what better way to celebrate the spring and summer months than with a host of outdoor recreation events?
The rec calendar kicks off April 25 with our second annual “Earth Day Fun Run/Walk’’ at the Robbinsville High Cross Country trail. Last year, we officially opened the 3.1-mile course with this event, and we could not be more pleased with how it turned out.
The big day in our Township is on June 13 with Community Festival. Held at Community Park beginning at 2 p.m., there will be plenty of activities for the children, including pony rides, Bricks4Kidz, face painting, Kidz Art and, of course, fireworks. Prize alley also returns, along with a host of non-profits and vendors from throughout Robbinsville and Mercer County.
The Robbinsville Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, with support from the recreation department, will host the 3rd Annual “Father’s Day Fishing Derby’’ at West Town Center Lake on Sunday, June 21. Make Father’s Day even more special by enjoying a technology-free morning with the kids at the lake. Come enjoy breakfast, give-a-ways and prizes for each age group. This is a great day to spend quality time with your family and friends. The Fishing Derby has blossomed into a signature event, so be sure to look for registration information and more details in our Township Newsfeed in the coming weeks.
The first movie night of 2015 will take place June 26 on the big screen at Tantum Park. This is another terrific event popularized by Recreation Division Director Joe Barker that never disappoints. Recreation summer camp begins June 29 and runs through August 14 at Robbinsville High. The following week, on July 7, our “Summer Concert Series’’ kicks off and runs each Tuesday through August 11. Bring your lawn chair, blankets and snacks while enjoying some of the best bands in the area at the West Town Center Lake gazebo.
The summer schedule winds down with Travel Camp at the Robbins House August 17.
Also, don’t forget to enjoy the picturesque Foxmoor Community Park on Washington Boulevard, which we officially opened in October.
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I just wanted to offer a few words about our proposed 2015-16 municipal budget, which I submitted to Township Council in February.
The $21.9-million budget would signal another flat year at 53.1 cents per $100 of assessed value (township average home value is $368,000). If adopted by Council, we will have averaged a flat budget over a five-year span since 2010. Spending cuts, along with the addition of new businesses and ratables in the township, are paying dividends.
The budget also includes $3 million to purchase and construct the new municipal building adjacent to investors Bank on Route 33. When you think about where we are and how government continues to get more expensive, I think we are in great shape. To do what we have done with our budgets the past five years is very difficult in this type of environment. I want to thank everyone on my team, and the local businesses and corporations which put their trust in Robbinsville, for making it possible for us to stabilize municipal taxes.
Dave Fried is the Mayor of Robbinsville.
