In every edition of the Ewing Observer, Mayor Bert Steinmann answers readers’ questions.
With these new stores opening on the College of New Jersey grounds, will Ewing get any tax money from these businesses or does only the College benefit?
–Mary Walley
The township will receive $395,000 a year for 30 years. There is also an escalator to increase the payment every year based on the Consumer Price Index. Since the property is owned by TCNJ, they do not have to pay property taxes.
This payment, which starts in 2016 is approximately two times the amount the township would have received if taxes were allowed to be assessed. The location of the new stores on Rt. 31 will allow for easier access for the residents of Ewing Township to shop and eat at the various stores and restaurants.
I live in Fleetwood Village. The curb at the corner of Albans & Dixmont was previously painted bright yellow, informing residents not to park there. Now the paint is faded and weeds are overgrown. Who is responsible for maintaining this? Also at the corner of Duke & Lower Ferry, why isn’t there a yellow curb and only a sign that reads no parking to curb? Both of these passageways become difficult when cars are parked on both sides of the roads.
–Brenda Wood
The area of Albans & Dixmont has never been designated for a yellow curb designation. This has to be done by an ordinance that would include a public hearing. Apparently, someone in the past painted the curb. If you and the neighbors in the area feel that these two areas should be reviewed for a yellow curb and for no parking then you need to ask the township. Please contact my administration at (609) 883-2900, ext 7647. You can also email me at bsteinmann@ewingnj.org. In New Jersey you cannot park any closer than 50 feet from a stop sign and 25 feet from an intersection. Also, you are not permitted to park more than 6 inches from the curb.
I live behind the West Trenton post office. On their property, a very large pine tree branch has a long vertical crack in it and will soon break off. Last time this happened we had over $1,200 worth of damages to our property. This other branch is bigger and I’m afraid it will kill someone when it comes down. Every storm has brought down branches from these weak pine trees. I have sent two certified letters with pictures to the postmaster, but there has been no action taken. What other steps do you recommend that I take to help alleviate the problem?
–Al Waranis
The property where the post office is located is leased to them. I have contacted our congressional representative Bonnie Watson Coleman to make sure that the owner is contacted and the large pine tree is addressed. I have also reached out to the property owner and asked that they address the problem directly. Lastly, I have sent my administrator over to the post office to ask the manager of the office to contact her boss at the regional office. I expect action on this problem soon.
What can the town do about abandoned houses? They make area neighborhoods and streets look run down. Who do you hold accountable? Can you fine the owner of the house, or force them to put that house up for sale?
–Sharon Spich
We have an ordinance that requires all property owners, including banks and mortgage companies, to register their properties. They have to pay $250 a year to register them. They also have to maintain them by cutting the grass and trimming trees outside and board them up if necessary. Failure to do so results in fines of up to $2,000 dollars, If the town does any work on the property, we file a lien for the cost. All liens are paid to the town when the properties sell or are auctioned off. If you have any properties of concern please call the Code Enforcement office at (609) 883-2900, ext. 7677 and give them the address. You can also email the information to them at llitz@ewingnj.org.
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.
