Robbinsville Township Mayor Dave Fried delivered the fourth installment of his “Pay it Forward” initiative May 8 as part of the 2018 State of the Township address at the Stone Terrace in Hamilton.
In conjunction with Recovery Advocates of America and the MidJersey Chamber of Commerce, Robbinsville Township raised more than $120,000 through sponsorships and individual donations for the Community Addiction Recovery Effort, better known as the C.A.R.E. program.
C.A.R.E. is an ongoing effort offering treatment options for recent arrestees struggling with opiate/opioid addiction. The program has been standard operating procedure for the Robbinsville Township Police Department since January 2016. Conditions include no current arrest warrants in their name. C.A.R.E. allows officers to offer a pathway to recovery by providing resources, access to treatment, and guidance from trained addiction professionals, including Recovery Advocates.
“This is a nationwide epidemic, and Robbinsville is not immune,” Fried said. “But we are determined to do our part by providing a pathway for recovery. We can’t save everyone, but we certainly can’t arrest our way out of this problem either.”
Donations and sponsorships to the C.A.R.E. program will be used for partial scholarships, travel and lodging expenses en route to recovery and other essentials items necessary for treatment and recovery. Treatment options and essentials are based on eligibility and availability. Admission to the C.A.R.E. program does not absolve the arrestee from his/her legal obligations, including fines and/or possible imprisonment.
With the inclusion of this year’s donations, Robbinsville State of the Township/Pay it Forward events have raised more than $250,000 since 2015.
During his State of Robbinsville address, Fried highlighted a third straight municipal tax cut and five consecutive years of either flat, or reduced taxes. He also referenced the success in acquiring the 220-acre Washington Woods/Edinburg Village property across from Robbinsville High, a purchase that included a $2 million grant from Mercer County.
Additionally, Fried revealed the township will acquire the 140 units that comprise the Mercer Mobile Home Park and add it to the town’s affordable housing inventory. Robbinsville’s Affordable Housing Plan recently was deemed conditionally compliant by the state Superior Court, thus taking step toward fulfilling its affordable housing obligations over the next 10 years. Plans also are underway to build a new police station and court with neighboring Hightstown, along with expanding recreation with a new indoor basketball facility at Pond Road Middle School.
In a somber moment midway through the address, Fried choked back tears in acknowledging the recent deaths of both Sharon School teacher Debbie Dauer—last year’s Pay it Forward recipient—and township recreation director Joe Barker.
Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried presented the first “C.A.R.E. Warrior Awards” to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofi (right) and assistant state attorney general Sharon Joyce, accepting on behalf of attorney general Gurbir S. Grewal, during the State of Robbinsville Township Address at The Stone Terrace by John Henry’s May 8, 2018. (Photo by Cie Stroud.),
