In every edition of the Ewing Observer, Mayor Bert Steinmann answers readers’ questions.
I frequently drive under the railroad overpass on Scotch Road. On one side it says, “Welcome to Ewing,” and on the other, “Take Pride in Ewing.” I DO take pride in Ewing, but those signs look like they haven’t been refreshed since they were originally done. It is embarrassing, especially when everyone is so focused on bringing new people and business to Ewing. If the township cannot properly keep such a small bit of PR in good shape, it should be painted with no sayings at all.
–Rita Cleary
I too take Pride in Ewing and I have searched for ways to have the bridge repainted. The bridge and tracks over Scotch Road are owned by CSX Corp. I have met with them and asked them to paint the bridge, but they indicated that it was not a priority within their budget.
I then had our finance office reach out to vendors to obtain prices for the township to paint it. I also received an offer of a donation from Capital Health Systems to help defray the cost. The prices came in at over $200,000. Lead paint removal and other related environmental issues with the cost made it difficult when all things were reviewed. With the upcoming redevelopment of the old GM & Navy sites and the traffic at the Mercer county Airport, I have asked my staff to review it again with all parties.
When we lived in Lawrence Township we were asked to separate our recycling, paper and corrugated in the green container, and bottles and cans in the yellow container. Since we moved to Ewing in 2004 we have continued to do the same. However, I noticed that when the recycling truck picks up our recycling they toss everything into the same truck. I believe this is called “single streaming.” Can we now assume that we can mix our recycling in our yellow and green containers?
–Raymond Daikeler
Yes. The Mercer County Improvement Authority, which coordinates the recycling for most of Mercer County, including Ewing Township, switched to single or co-mingling in 2012. The contractor Central Jersey Waste separates all of the recycling at their location. An additional consideration for Ewing Township is the paper that is recycled then is sold to the Homasote Corp. in Ewing and reused in areas around the county.
If you have a question for the mayor for next month’s edition, submit it by emailing bsanservino@mercerspace.com or by going to mercerspace.com and searching for “Ask the Mayor.” You must be a Ewing resident.
