Sunteți pe pagina 1din 12

www.robbinsvillesun.

com
MAY 9-15, 2012
FREE
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Editorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Spay/neuter clinic
Low-cost clinic set to open
on May 15. PAGE 3
Customer service via Twitter
By JULIE STIPE
The Robbinsville Sun
If Frank Eliason has become
something of a celebrity in the
world of customer service, its not
because hes a slick businessman
who knows how to get attention.
Amazingly, its because Eliason
really is passionate about chang-
ing the way businesses do cus-
tomer service.
Eliason attributes his success
to his enthusiasm for personal
connections, and this makes him
a perfect fit for Robbinsville.
Everything about Rob-
binsville is community-oriented,
Eliason said.
Eliason, his wife, and their two
daughters, moved to Robbinsville
last July from Bucks County, Pa.,
he said, after looking all over
for a home that would be closer to
New York City, where Eliason
works.
His family found Robbinsville
by accident, Eliason said, when
they stopped in the township to
find a restroom for daughter, Lily.
They liked what they saw, and
now live in a neighborhood off
Sharon Road.
We love the community, Elia-
son said.
Eliasons rise to fame among
businesses began during his time
working at Comcast with a com-
pletely novel method of customer
service using Twitter. The social
media site lets users Tweet
short messages others can see.
Eliason took advantage of the
social-networking giant to search
for Tweets that used the word
Comcast. When he found a
Council
amends
signage
rules
By JULIE STIPE
The Robbinsville Sun
The Robbinsville Township
Council adopted an amend-
ment to the Town Center de-
sign guidelines for signs at its
meeting on April 26.
Councilman Rich Levesque
argued that the current guide-
lines for signs are too restric-
tive and that because of this,
businesses in town center are
for the most part not within
guidelines.
Since the council was dis-
cussing amending the guide-
lines, he said, businesses have
not been cited for violations,
but they have been ap-
proached about them.
The town center guidelines
that deal with painted window
and door signs restrict signage
to 20 percent of the window or
door area, specify that the let-
tering must be silk-screened
or hand-painted, and limit one
sign per door or window. Door
and window signs may be in
addition to wall-mounted
signs, freestanding signs, ap-
plied letter signs, projecting
signs or valance-awning signs.
Levesque noted some busi-
nesses in town center have 90
percent of their storefront
JULIE STIPE/The Robbinsville Sun
Frank Eliason gets an enthusiastic greeting from his dog Mac at his home in Robbinsville. Eliason first garnered attention for helping
Comcast customers using Twitter; since then he has become a celebrity in the world of customer service and social media.
please see ROBBINSVILLE, page 4 please see COUNCIL, page 8
P r e - s o r t e d
S t a n d a r d
U S P o s t a g e
P A I D
B e l l m a w r N J
P e r m i t 1 5 0 1
P o s t a l C u s t o m e r
2 THE ROBBINSVILLE SUN MAY 9-15, 2012
Enjoy the ambiance and experience
a touch of Thailand with our
authentic, fine Thai cuisine in a
calming, beautiful atmosphere.
The Shoppes at Foxmoor
1041 Washington Blvd. and Rt. 33
Robbinsville, NJ 08691
GPS: Use Washington Twp.
Hours: M-Th 11:30-3; 5-10 Fri 11:30-3; 5-10:30
Sat and Sun Noon-3; 5-10:30
We are open on both Saturday and Sunday for both lunch and dinner.
609-371-9600
www.ploysiamthaicuisine.com
Make Your
Mother's Day
Reservations Now
All Mothers will
receive a FREE
Dessert!
Jh\l Cll5l\l
Specialists in large mature trees-from 8-20+ for immediate shade
and privacy. Large trees can reduce energy bills by shading your
house from the sun. Excellent quality and low prices.
Shade Trees
Fruit Trees
Over 5,000 specimens to choose from. Trees and shrubs are grown
in our own fields. Landscape design, installation and planting
services available.
170 Pond Road Robbinsville 609-426-9114
Just minutes from the intersections of Routes 130 and 33
www.ostrichnursery.com
Mon-Sat 8am-5pm Sun 10am-2pm
State Certified Nursery NJ State Contractor #13VH037
Evergreens
Perennials
$50
OFF
Any purchase of $200 or more
Must present coupon at time of sale. With this coupon only. Applies to plant material only. Not valid on landscape installations,
already discounted or sale items, any other offer or prior purchases. Limit one discount per customer. Expires 6/30/12.
$100
OFF
Any purchase of $400 or more
$250
OFF
Any purchase of $1,000 or more
32ND ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
Flowering Trees
Roses
Common Containerized Plants
Unusual Dwarf
AREAS
LARGESTNURSERY
BRIEFS
Despicable Me at
Tantum Park on May 11
Robbinsville Township and
Robbinsville Little League pres-
ent Despicable Me on Friday,
May 11, at Tantum Park as part of
its Free Night at the Movies' se-
ries.
The movie will begin at ap-
proximately 7:30 p.m., or after the
conclusion of the 6 p.m. game.
Come sit on Field 1 with a blan-
ket, or bring a lawn chair. The
RLL concession stand will be
open all evening for the purchase
of food and drinks.
The second free movie night
event comes on the heels of the
popular showing of Kung Fu
Panda II at the Robbinsville Field
House March 30, when close to
400 children and adults enjoyed
free play, music, refreshments
and the movie on a large screen.
Supporting Our Abilities
cookbook up for sale
Supporting Our Abilities at
Robbinsville (S.O.A.R.) program
has created a cookbook of more
than 40 recipes collected from
Robbinsville school district staff.
The students in the program
practiced daily living skills in
cooking many of these delicious
recipes as well as job skills in pro-
ducing the books (typing, copy-
ing, laminating, keeping track of
orders and payments, etc.)
Staff throughout the district
contributed some of their fa-
vorite recipes including French
toast, appetizer dips, Italian dish-
es, scrumptious desserts and
much more! Visit www.rob-
binsville.k12.nj.us/rpsd/lib/rpsd
/cook_book_flyer__2_.pdf to place
your order.
Senior Center open
house set for May 19
Come see what all the excite-
ment is about on Saturday, May
19, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rob-
binsville Senior Center's annual
open house with festivities that
include a DJ, giveaways, tours of
the facility, refreshments, prize
drawings, bocce and much more.
Everyone is welcome, so please
bring a neighbor, friend or family
member along to experience all
the activities available.
For additional information
please contact director Renee
Burns at (609) 259-1567, via e-mail
at reneeb@robbinsville-twp.org.
Pond Road Student
Academy takes place
Pond Road Middle School stu-
dents recently participated in the
Pond Road Student Academy.
On March 30, middle school
students were treated to a break
from their traditional curriculum
in order to explore a variety of
themes related to Mind, Body,
Self.
Community members teamed
with teaching staff to conduct in-
formative sessions geared to ad-
dress the whole child.
Originally launched in 2006,
this years program included
courses in hip-hop dance, karate,
aerobics, fitness, origami, poetry,
CSI forensics, scrap booking,
puppy training, crocheting, cup
cake decorating and sign lan-
guage.
NJ Ease Senior
Services Helpline
(877) 222-3737
PSA
Please recycle this newspaper.
MAY 9-15, 2012 THE ROBBINSVILLE SUN 3
MULCH
Natural Brown
$
19
00
per yard
Black
$
24
00
per yard
Natural & Color Enhanced
Certified Playground Wood Chips
Delivery or
Pick-Up
John Stanley
609-918-1668
www.TimberwolfTreeService.com
To meet the demand for low-
cost spay/neuter in Mercer Coun-
ty and to lower euthanasia rates
there and in counties to the south,
People for Animals will open its
second high-volume, high-quality,
low-cost spay/neuter clinic at 1
Sharon Road in Robbinsville on
May 15.
Once at full capacity, the clinic
will spay and neuter approxi-
mately 12,000 cats and dogs every
year. Combined with the approxi-
mately 18,000 cats and dogs
spayed and neutered every year at
its Hillside clinic, PFA is poised to
fix an astounding 30,000 animals
annually in the near future.
PFA embarked on opening a
clinic in Mercer County after data
from its SpayNJ program showed
a large demand by Mercer County
residents for low-cost
spay/neuter. SpayNJ is PFAs vet-
erinarian referral service for peo-
ple looking for low-cost
spay/neuter where they live. Help
is available by calling (877) SPAY-
NJ1 or visiting www.spaynj.org.
The new clinic was also borne
of PFAs desire to reduce the high
euthanasia rates in counties to
the south of Mercer County. High
euthanasia rates are a direct re-
sult of people not spaying and
neutering their cats and dogs. In
2009, the Burlington County Ani-
mal Shelter euthanized 77.5 per-
cent of the cats it impounded. In
Gloucester County, the rate was
81 percent.
By siting its new clinic in Mer-
cer County, PFA is making low-
cost spay/neuter accessible to res-
idents of southern New Jersey
via its PETCO Neuter Scooter
program.
To schedule surgery for a cat
and/or dog at the Robbinsville
clinic, call (609) 208-3252 or re-
quest an appointment online at
www.pfaonline.org. As men-
tioned above, PFAs popular
PETCO Neuter Scooter program
will also operate out of the Rob-
binsville clinic picking up ani-
mals in the morning on select
dates at PETCO stores in Piscat-
away, Edison, Middletown, Free-
hold and Brick and returning
them in the afternoon. The pro-
gram will expand in the coming
months to transport animals to
and from the Robbinsville clinic
from PETCO stores in Eaton-
town, Old Bridge, the Mercer
Mall, Howell, Toms River, Cin-
naminson, Cherry Hill, Deptford
and Turnersville. Available dates
and an online appointment re-
quest form for the PETCO Neuter
Scooter program can be found at
www.pfaonline.org/clinic/neuter-
scooter/petco/.
In addition to spaying and neu-
tering, PFA will also provide low-
cost wellness services every Mon-
day from 4 to 5:30 p.m. beginning
May 14. Services will be provided
on a first-come, first-served basis
and will include vaccines, routine
testing, microchipping, and de-
worming. Please call PFA at (609)
208-3252 prior to coming to the
clinic for wellness services to
make sure we are open.
Narcotics Anonymous
of New Jersey
(800) 992-0401
PSA
Low-cost spay/neuter clinic
set to open on May 15
The Robbinsville Education
Foundation will commit the pro-
ceeds of the upcoming Golf Clas-
sic to launch a three-year initia-
tive to fund a pre-engineering pro-
gram a Pond Road Middle School,
which will result in seamless
technology education for stu-
dents in grades six through 12.
The classic is scheduled for
May 22 at 1 p.m. at Mercer Oaks in
West Windsor.
Admission for individual
golfers, which includes dinner
and a buffet lunch, is $150.
The price for dinner only is $50.
Sponsorships at multiple levels
are available.
The REF, in collaboration with
the Board of Educations former
Partners in Education commit-
tee, previously raised $76,721 to
fund pre-engineering at Rob-
binsville High School, known as
Project Lead the Way.
That funding commitment last-
ed from 2004 to 2009.
This commitment, which will
span three years, will require the
REF to raise $61,060 to fully fund
the middle school program.
As designed, the middle school
pre-engineering program will
give students hands-on opportu-
nities to strengthen skills in sci-
ence, technology, engineering and
mathematics. Class assignments
will require students to create, de-
sign and build projects to solve
problems. Teachers will have to
receive specialized training, and
the initiative will also call for up-
grades of classroom technology.
Individuals or businesses that
would like to participate in the
event are encouraged to visit the
foundations website, www.re-
fkids.org, or call event co-chairs
Debbie Baer (609) 731-7951 or Jodi
Stephens, (609) 371-0071.
The Robbinsville Education
Foundation is a registered non-
profit, and contributions are tax-
deductible.
complaint about the company,
Eliason would tweet back, asking
if he could help.
The immediacy of Twitter, the
lack of a script and Eliasons gen-
uine concern for customers,
made the idea hugely successful
in a way that began to change
peoples perceptions of Comcast.
The success of the Twitter idea
took Eliason from a manager of
customer support at Comcast to
Director of Digital Care.
Now, Eliasons passion for, and
rather unconventional approach
to, customer service has led to a
book, which came out on April 24,
called @YourService.
The book tells stories of Elia-
sons experiences in the cus-
tomer-service industry, and de-
scribes his philosophy of cus-
tomer service, which he insists is
straightforward.
Im just a simple customer-
service guy, he said.
Eliason attributes his success
to his emphasis on personal con-
nections.
Human connections are a key
component to things, Eliason
said. People connect to people.
You can see this in every field. To
this day, companies still dont un-
derstand that.
In fact, Eliason is such a propo-
nent of human relationships in
businesses he is skeptical of so-
cial media, despite the attention it
has brought him.
Innumerable companies have
jumped on to the social media
bandwagon since Eliason began
Tweeting for Comcast, but, he
said, many of these companies
dont understand how to use it.
Eliason said companies tell
him all the time their customers
want service via social media.
They dont want social serv-
ice, they want help, Eliason said.
Using social media to blast a
company on the Internet, Eliason
said, is not a cry for social serv-
ice. Customers end up complain-
ing about a business on social
media when service is poor in
general.
Eliason is also skeptical of so-
cial media when used to create a
Facebook page or Twitter ac-
count for a business. Again, Elia-
son said, Thats not how people
use social media. People dont
connect to companies.
The constant demand by busi-
nesses that consumers like
them on Facebook is not a way for
a company to create fans, he said.
Why would I do that? Eliason
joked. I was just on the phone
with you, and I dont like you!
Eliason does admit, however,
that social media is powerful and
is changing the way companies
think.
One of the ways it is influenc-
ing businesses most is indirectly,
by allowing people to communi-
cate to one another their likes and
dislikes.
The customer controls the
message to the other customers,
Eliason said. Companies are re-
alizing they have to improve their
service.
Adding service through social
media may help some companies
make more people happy, but
Eliason doesnt think businesses
should depend on it. What it
comes down to, Eliason said, is
that, by measuring the time em-
ployees spend helping customers,
businesses send a message to the
employee that the customer is not
important.
Theyre measuring the wrong
things, Eliason said.
Furthermore, he said, those in
customer service are not empow-
ered to make their own decisions.
Theyre tied to a script and not al-
lowed to find a way to make com-
promises that might result in a
happy customer and a happy
company.
I think scripts should go,
Eliason said. I always joke, Well,
did you give the customer the
script, because otherwise, its not
going to go so well.
In the end, Eliason said, cus-
tomer service reflects the compa-
nys mindset: whether they really
care about fixing problems or just
want their loudest detractors to
shut up.
Social media is just highlight-
ing the culture you already have
in the company, Eliason said.
Companies have to decide, what
is our culture, what do we want to
be?
4 THE ROBBINSVILLE SUN MAY 9-15, 2012
Mother's Day is May 13th
20% OFF GIFT SHOPPE ITEMS
Exp. 5/13/12.
Excellent Service and Knowledgeable Staff
Landscape Design & Installation Available
Extensive Garden Center and Nursery
Unique and Different Varieties of Plants
1000's of Perennials
Jonathan Green Lawn Care Products
FAFARD Soil Products (The soils professionals use)
818 Old York Road
Highstown, NJ 08520
www.villagenurseriesnj.com
609-448-0436
mcnccnviLLc
rucL oiL co.
10% OFFwith any tile order/purchase
Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 5/31/12.
Must present coupon at time of purchase.
Design Center &
Showroom
Professional
nstallation
Tile Masters
INCORPORATED
Kitchens Countertops Foyers Bathrooms
Ceramic PorceIain NaturaI Stone GIass TiIe
Tel: 609-259-0055 ext. 104
Fax: 609-223-2488
Cell: 609-752-6713
www.tilemasters2.com
Robert Pogroszewski
2360 Highway 33, Suite 110
Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Lic.# 13VH03701200
ROBBINSVILLE
Continued from page 1
Robbinsville man publishes book on customer service
Golf Classic proceeds committed to program
MAY 9-15, 2012 THE ROBBINSVILLE SUN 5
Summer Camps
Multi-Arts (June 18-22, 25-29 & August 20-24, 27-31)
Theater (August 6-17)
Environmental Art (August 6-10, 13-17)
952 Alexander Road
(Historic Princeton Junction Firehouse)
West Windsor, NJ 08550
609.716.1931
West Windsor Arts Council Members
SAVE 10%
Register
before June 1
and get a $20
gift voucher
BRIEFS
Fathers Day fishing
derby is June 17
The Robbinsville Township
Municipal Alliance Against Alco-
holism and Drug Abuse presents
the first Fathers Day Fishing
Derby on Sunday, June 17, from 8
a.m. to noon at the gazebo.
The lake at town center will be
stocked with fish and we will be
promoting catch and release.
Prizes for the biggest fish and
most fish caught will be awarded.
Food and drink will be provided
throughout the day at nominal
costs.
For more information, contact
the Robbinsville Township Recre-
ation Division at (609) 918-0002,
ext. 120, or on the web at
www.robbinsville-twp.org and
jbarker@Robbinsville-Twp.org.
Pop Warner hosting
annual golf tourney
Pop Warner is hosting a chari-
ty golf outing benefitting the Spe-
cial Olympics of New Jersey and
youth football and cheer on Fri-
day, June 1, at the Cranbury Golf
Club, at 49 Southfield Road.
Registration and lunch begin
at 11:30 am with a shotgun start
for the four-person, best ball
(scramble) format at 1 pm. The
$125 fee per-player includes
greens fee, cart and an assort-
ment of other prizes and competi-
tions, including longest drive and
closest to the pin. Early registra-
tion is encouraged, as entry is
limited to the first 144 paid play-
ers. Contact Ryan Lederman at
(561) 702-5676 or email presi-
dent@hpwf.net.
Food for Guns program
set for May 12
Robbinsville Township is
proud to be part of the Food for
Guns Program on Saturday, May
12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the
Trenton Fire Department Head-
quarters, located at 244 Perry St.
in Trenton.
ShopRite and Shiloh Baptist
Church are among the many
sponsors of this innovative and
effective program.
Bring your unwanted guns
(limit 2 per-person) and exchange
them for a $100 ShopRite gift card.
(No ammunition, BB guns,
starter pistols, air rifles or flare
guns will be accepted).
This is a rain or shine event.
There will be no questions asked
and no ID required.
Information flyers available for
download in both English and
Spanish on the Robbinsville
Township website at www.rob-
binsville-twp.org.
6 THE ROBBINSVILLE SUN MAY 9-15, 2012
20 Nassau Street, Suite 26A
Princeton, NJ 08542
609-751-0245
The Sun is published weekly by Elauwit
Media LLC, 20 Nassau Street, Suite 26A,
Princeton, NJ 08542. It is mailed weekly to
select addresses in the 08691 ZIP code. If
you are not on the mailing list, six-month
subscriptions are available for $39.99. PDFs
of the publication are online, free of charge.
For information, please call 609-751-0245.
To submit a news release, please email
news@robbinsvillesun.com. For advertis-
ing information, call (609) 751-0245 or
email advertising@robbinsvillesun.com.
The Sun welcomes suggestions and com-
ments from readers including any infor-
mation about errors that may call for a cor-
rection to be printed.
SPEAK UP
The Sun welcomes letters from readers.
Brief and to the point is best, so we look for
letters that are 300 words or fewer. Include
your name, address and phone number. We
do not print anonymous letters. Send letters
to news@robbinsvillesun.com, via fax at
609-751-0245, or via the mail. Of course,
you can drop them off at our office, too. THE
ROBBINSVILLE Sun reserves the right to
reprint your letter in any medium includ-
ing electronically.
PUBLISHER Steve Miller
GENERAL MANAGER & EDITOR Alan Bauer
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Ed Lynes
NEWS
MANAGING EDITOR, NEWS Kevin Canessa Jr.
MANAGING EDITOR, PRODUCTION Mary L. Serkalow
ROBBINSVILLE EDITOR Julie Stipe
OPERATIONS
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Joe Eisele
DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Tim Ronaldson
ART DIRECTOR Tom Engle
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Russell Cann
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Barry Rubens
VICE CHAIRMAN Michael LaCount, Ph.D.
ELAUWIT MEDIA GROUP
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Dan McDonough, Jr.
VICE CHAIRMAN Alan Bauer
in our opinion
D
o you have an extra $1,300 that
you dont need and wouldnt
mind giving to the govern-
ment? Didnt think so.
But, if you live in New Brunswick,
your household is on the hook for
$1,330.68 when it comes to covering ac-
cumulated sick and vacation time for
public workers, according to the gover-
nors office.
Statewide, the governor estimates
that accumulated sick and vacation
time totals more than $825 million on
municipalities books.
Seems excessive. Or, rather, just
plain wrong.
As one of the exercise gurus from
the 80s or 90s said: Stop the insanity.
The Star-Ledger last week had a
great report on how a number of polit-
ical figures stand to cash out hand-
somely when they retire. It also points
out that, while some reform was
passed in 2010 capping new employees
payouts, theres still a lot of political
wrangling going on. The newspaper
reported that the Democrats want to
allow public workers to keep only the
time theyve accumulated, while Gov.
Christie wants to force employees to
use banked time when taking days in
the future, thereby reducing the num-
ber of payable days upon retirement.
For those of us in the private sector,
chances are the decision already has
been made: Were not banking any-
thing. Were lucky to have a job. Were
fighting rising health-care premiums
and the like, while probably not get-
ting much of a raise if any raise at
all.
So, the whole concept of banked
sick pay is foreign to us. Politicians
should take note.
It seems the governor and the De-
mocrats both recognize the larger
problem here, and, in fact, have
worked to address it moving forward
with new employees.
Lets hope that they can reach an
agreement on the details. Taxpayers
are footing some mighty big bills
now and will be in the future.
Sick means sick
Sick days are for when you are sick, not for when you retire
Sick day reform
The governor and Democrats already
have reached an agreement on bene-
fits for new employees. Now they
should be able to work out the details
on the big bills for which taxpayers
are still on the hook.
Mayor Fried responds to
situation in Hamilton Township
By now, many of you are aware of the al-
legations that have been leveled against
Hamilton Township Mayor John Benciven-
go. I feel it is important to take a moment
and respond so the residents of Rob-
binsville are provided with important facts
that will help them draw their own in-
formed conclusions. As was reported, Ben-
civengo and I are friends.
This should come as no surprise.
As mayors of neighboring communities,
we have had to work together to solve com-
mon problems for the benefit of both
Hamilton and Robbinsville residents. Ad-
ditionally, we have worked together within
the Mercer County Republican Party and
from these professional interactions, a per-
sonal friendship developed.
In addition, as I have stated, Rob-
binsville Township has previously ob-
tained health care benefits via the
same firm named in recent media ac-
counts.
Therefore, it would seem logical that the
authorities would look into any communi-
cations between John and myself as part of
their investigation.
This entire situation has come as a com-
plete surprise.
If what I have read about Bencivengo
turns out to be true, I will be extremely
shocked and disappointed because that is
not the John Bencivengo I have come to
know.
However, friendship or no friendship, I
cannot and will not condone any illegal
conduct, alleged or proven, from anyone
within my professional or personal net-
works. In that regard, the township will be
immediately terminating its association
with Allen and Associates.
Furthermore, I would like to assure the
residents of Robbinsville that I have not
engaged in any illicit activity and I, along
with my administration, will cooperate
fully with any investigation.
Mayor Dave Fried
letters to the editor
Alana Jaskir is first runner-up in Thespian essay contest
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Dun-
can once said, The opportunity to learn
about the arts and to perform as artists is
an essential part of a well-rounded cur-
riculum and complete education.
In response to Duncans statement, jun-
ior Alana Jaskir won first runner-up for an
essay she submitted as part of the fourth
annual Thespian Democracy Works essay
competition.
James Palmarini, director of educational
policy for EdTA and the editor of the Teach-
ing Theatre journal wrote to Alana, Your
detailed account of your transition from
shy freshman to savvy junior, aware of the
power of theater to transform and to teach,
really hit home with our readers. You truly
represent how theatre can be, as you write,
a way of living and understanding.
Please visit www.robbinsville.k12.nj.us/
rpsd/lib/rpsd/essaycontest1.pdf to read
Alanas account of how her participation
in Robbinsvilles theater program helped
to shape her life.
Visit us online at www.robbinsvillesun.com
20 Nassau Street
Princeton, NJ 08542
609.751.0245
elauwit.com
windows covered in signs, but
said the storefronts are still at-
tractive.
Levesque proposed all of the
painted sign guidelines section of
the document be removed.
Township attorney Mark
Roselli suggested simply chang-
ing the guidelines to allow paint-
ed windows and doors, without
restrictions. Councilwoman
Sheree McGowan argued the
township should have some limi-
tation on signage to prevent busi-
nesses from looking unsightly.
It has to be so it doesnt get
overbearing or tacky, McGowan
said.
If business owners want to go
outside the guidelines, McGowan
said, they can get special permis-
sion.
We just have to let people
know that the process of doing
something different from what it
says in the ordinance isnt bur-
densome, McGowan said. Mc-
Gowan agreed that laminated
panel lettering should be permit-
ted, and that limiting signs to 20
percent of window area is unnec-
essary, but argued the township
still needs checks and balances in
place.
Levesque suggested the guide-
lines be amended so they dont
limit signage to a specific percent
of window or door area, and
allow laminated panel lettering as
an option for signs, along with
silk-screened and hand painted.
The sign ordinance was
amended to reflect these sugges-
tions and the council adopted the
amended ordinance.
In other business, the council
also discussed a project to solve
the problem of trees overtaking
and ruining sidewalks in town-
ship neighborhoods. Some trees
roots spread more than others,
Councilman Vince Calcagno said,
and trees that need to spread
their roots should not be
planted between a curb and side-
walk.
In many areas of the township,
Calcagno said, the wrong type of
tree was planted, which causes
the rising and buckling side-
walks.
Calcagno said the townships
original plan to trim the trees
roots, would not work in every sit-
uation.
In many cases, Calcagno said,
if a trees roots are trimmed, the
tree will either die or the problem
will simply reoccur. In these
cases, he said, the tree would like-
ly have to be replaced, but
Calcagno said the township
would have to take it on a case-by-
case basis.
Councilman Ron Witt agreed.
Its not going to be a uniform
approach, Witt said.
The township, he said, would
focus on trees causing sidewalk
damage that are planted between
curbs and sidewalks, would iden-
tify ways to fix the problem and
the project would then go out to
bid, Witt said.
If a tree causing sidewalk dam-
age needs to be removed, but a
resident wishes to keep the tree
and have its roots trimmed in-
stead, Witt said, the township
would permit this. However, he
said, the township must warn res-
idents that the problem would
likely reoccur, and that when it
does, it would be the residents re-
sponsibility.
Robbinsville resident Kathy
Goodwine said it had been almost
two years since she first ap-
proached Robbinsville Public
Works Director Dino Colarocco
about the problem.
I didnt expect it to morph into
this, Goodwine said, as she
added she is glad the township is
taking the project seriously and is
looking for the best option. Im
very happy to see youre not
going to spend good money on a
bad project.
WEDNESDAY MAY 9
Toddler Story Time: Ages 2 to 3,
accompanied by an adult. 10 and
11 a.m. at Robbinsville Branch
Library. Registration required.
Call (609) 259-2150.
Preschool Story Time: Ages 4 to 5.
2 p.m. at Robbinsville Branch
Library. Registration required.
Call (609) 259-2150.
Robbinsville Township Zoning
Board meeting: 7:30 p.m. at the
Senior Citizen Center, 1117 U.S.
Route 130. For more information,
visit www.robbinsville-twp.org.
THURSDAY MAY 10
Toddler Story Time: Ages 2 to 3,
accompanied by an adult. 10 a.m.
at Robbinsville Branch Library.
Registration required. Call (609)
259-2150.
Preschool Story Time: Ages 4 to 5.
11 a.m. at Robbinsville Branch
Library. Registration required.
Call (609) 259-2150.
Robbinsville Township Council:
7:30 p.m. on the second and
fourth Thursdays of the month.
Visit www.robbinsville-twp.org for
more information.
FRIDAY MAY 11
Another Free Night at the Movies:
7:30 p.m. at Tantum Park. Hosted
by Robbinsville Little League.
Despicable Me will be shown
after the conclusion of the 6 p.m.
game. Bring a blanket or lawn
chair. Concession stand will be
open.
Baby Time: Ages 6 to 24 months,
accompanied by an adult. 10:30
a.m. at Robbinsville Branch
Library. Enjoy rhymes, songs and
simple stories. Online registration
required.
SATURDAY MAY 12
Food for Guns: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at
Trenton Fire Department Head-
quarters, 244 Perry Street, Tren-
ton. Bring unwanted guns (limit
two per person) and exchange for
a $100 ShopRite gift card. No
ammunition, BB guns, starter pis-
tols, air rifles or flare guns
accepted. Rain or shine event. No
questions asked and no ID
required. For more information
visit www.robbinsville-twp.org.
SUNDAY MAY 13
Calvary Chapel Mercer County
worship service: 11 a.m. every
Sunday at Robbinsville Pond
Road Middle School. Contempo-
rary and non-denominational
Christian service. Visit www.wel-
cometocalvary.org for more
information.
Lifetree Community Church: 10
a.m. every Sunday at Sharon Ele-
mentary School, Robbinsville.
Visit www.lifetreecc.com.
Robbinsville Seventh-day Adven-
tist Church: Sabbath school at
9:30 a.m. Worship service at 11
a.m. 2314 Route 33, Robbinsville.
MONDAY MAY 14
Passport to Fun II: Grades four to
six. 3:15 p.m. at Robbinsville
Branch Library. Participants will
explore a different country each
week through writing, art or
cooking. Program will occasional-
ly include food. Registration
required.
MOMS Club of Robbinsville meet-
ing: 10 a.m. at Robbinsville Sev-
enth Day Adventist Church,
Union Street. Speaker from Roma
Bank. Robbinsville resident moth-
ers and their children welcome.
For more information visit
www.momsclubofrobbinsville.co
m.
Robbinsville Township Environ-
mental Commission meeting: 7
p.m. at the firehouse, 1149 Route
33. For more information visit
www.robbinsville-twp.org.
TUESDAY MAY 15
College Funding: 7 p.m. at Rob-
binsville Branch Library. Learn
about the complex process of col-
lege funding, proper financial
planning, incorporating your
childs needs and desires, and the
significance of the Expected Fam-
ily Contribution. Presented by
Innovative College Funding
Solutions, LLC. Registration
required.
Toddler Story Time: Ages 2 to 3,
accompanied by an adult. 10 a.m.
at Robbinsville Branch Library.
Registration required. Call (609)
259-2150.
CALENDAR PAGE 8 MAY 9-15, 2012
WANT TO BE LISTED?
To have your Robbinsville meeting or affair listed in the Calendar or
Meetings, information must be received, in writing, two weeks prior
to the date of the event.
Send information by mail to: Calendar, The Robbinsville Sun, 20
Nassau Street, Suite 26A, Princeton, N.J. 08542. Or by email:
news@robbinsvillesun.com. Or you can submit a calendar listing
through our website (www.robbinsvillesun.com).
We will run photos if space is available and the quality of the photo
is sufficient. Every attempt is made to provide coverage to all
organizations.
Heating, Plumbing,
Cooling and Fuel
SINCE 1925
Licensed On-Staff
PIumbers FuIIy Insured
16 Gordon Ave. Box 6097 Lawrence, NJ 08648
609-896-0141 IawrenceviIIefueI.net
S50 OFF
Separate Hot Water Heaters
Must present this coupon at the time of purchase.
May not be combined w/ any other offer. Expires 6/1/12.
10% OFF
Any Service
Up to $100. Must present this coupon at the time of purchase.
May not be combined w/ any other offer. Expires 6/1/12.
S100 OFF
Heating/Air Conditioning InstaIIation
Must present this coupon at the time of purchase.
May not be combined w/ any other offer. Expires 6/1/12.
Lic. #13VH00927200
COUNCIL
Continued from page 1
Council discusses tree planting in township
Visit us online at www.robbinsvillesun.com
classified
T HE R O B B I N S V I L L E S U N
MAY 9-15, 2012 PAGE 11
BOX A DS
W H A T Y O U N E E D T O K N O W
All ads are based on a 5 line ad, 15-18 characters per line. Additional lines: $9, Bold/Reverse Type: $9 Add color to any box ad for $20. Deadline: Wednesday - 5pm for the following week.
All classified ads must be prepaid. Your Classified ad will run in all 10 of The Sun newspapers each week! Be sure to check your ad the first day it appears.
We will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion, so call us immediately with any errors in your ad. No refunds are given, only advertising credit.
L I NE ADS
List a text-only ad for your yard sale,
job posting or merchandise.
Only
$
20per week
B US I NE S S
S E RV I C E S
Only
$
80per month Only
$
25per week
H O W T O C O N T A C T U S
Call us: 609-751-0245 or email us: classifieds@elauwitmedia.com
Hopewell Sun Lawrence Sun
Montgomery Sun Princeton Sun
Robbinsville Sun West Windsor Sun
Roofing
Home Improvement
Dog Boarding CIeaning
Must present coupon at time of estimate.
Not valid with other offers or prior services.
Offer expires 6/6/12.
$1,000 OFF
UP TO
Any new
complete roofing
or siding job
Must present coupon at time of estimate.
Not valid with other offers or prior services.
Offer expires 6/6/12.
10% OFF
UP TO
Any
roofing
or siding job
Must present coupon at time of estimate.
Not valid with other offers or prior services.
Offer expires 6/6/12.
FREE
ROOF AND
GUTTER
INSPECTION
Must present coupon at time of estimate.
Not valid with other offers or prior services.
Offer expires 6/6/12.
FREE
GUT TERS
With any new roof
and siding job
Virtual Home
Remodeler
CHECK OUT THE SUN CLASSIFIEDS!
MiIa's CIeaning Service
Reliable, Affordable
Free estimates
Call Mila
609-620-0849
Email:
mila.iaskevich@gmail.com
HIGHEST PRICES PAID for GOLD DIAMONDS SILVER
can be damaged in any condition
With precious metal prices at all time highs now is the
time to turn broken or unwanted
Jewelry Sterling Silver Silver Coins Flatware
Gold Coins Diamonds High End Watches into Cash
Make us your last Stop
.-eot eme/e-s
5 Po|ots ham||too Twp at the coroer oI 00akerbr|dge & d|ob0rg 8d. 609-584-8800
OVER 32 YEARS
A FAMILY BUSINESS
CASH
EXPERT JEWELRY AND WATCH REPAIR
POOLS
New Rebuild Service
Open Close Liners
Paint Removals
Patios Decks
Call: 908-359-3000
HeIp Wanted
Wanted To Buy
Drivers: ndustry Leading
Pay, Hometime, Bonuses,
Benefits, 99% No-Touch,
24 hr. dispatch, late model
equip. CDL-A 2yrs
tractor/trailer exp. req.
Logistics One:
1-888-598-4226, x120
Ocean City New Jerseys #1 Real Estate Team!
The Team You Can Trust!
Matt Bader
Cell 609-992-4380
Dale Collins
Cell 609-548-1539
Let the Bader-Collins Associates make all of your Ocean City
dreams come true! If you are thinking about BUYING, SELLING or
RENTING, contact us for exceptional service and professionalism.
3160 Asbury Avenue Ocean City, NJ 08226
Office: 609-399-0076 email: bca@bergerrealty.com
Gold Coast 2nd floor condo. This
unit features 3 bedrooms 2 baths, is
being offered furnished with a great
rental history. The roof is 3 years old,
the deck is 3 years old, water heater
is 2 years old, outside electric at bot-
tom and top of stairs all redone, fans
is bedrooms and family room 2 years
old, new microwave and refrigerator,
and all hardwood floors were re-
done 3 years ago. Property also has
plenty of off-street parking and is
close to the beach! JUST PAINTED
AND CARPETS CLEANED! $459,900
OCEAN CITY
ASBURY AVENUE
856-356-2775
Board Your
Dog In A
Loving Home -
Not A KenneI
www.OurHome-DogBoarding.com
Why choose P. Cooper Roofing and Siding?
30 Years Experience Family Owned and Operated High Quality Products Senior Citizen Discount
No High Pressure Sales Tactics Professional Installation
www.cooperroofing.com
Virtual Home
Remodeler
Must present coupon at time of estimate.
Not valid with other offers or prior services.
Offer expires 5/23/12.
$1,000 OFF
UP TO
Any new
complete roofing
or siding job
Must present coupon at time of estimate.
Not valid with other offers or prior services.
Offer expires 5/23/12.
10% OFF
UP TO
Any
roofing
or siding job
Must present coupon at time of estimate.
Not valid with other offers or prior services.
Offer expires 5/23/12.
FREE
ROOF AND
GUTTER
INSPECTION
Must present coupon at time of estimate.
Not valid with other offers or prior services.
Offer expires 5/23/12.
FREE
GUTTERS
With any new roof
and siding job

S-ar putea să vă placă și