Mayor Dave Fried today called for the resignation of former mayor Nancy Tindall from the Township’s Affordable Housing Committee and Rent Leveling Board, stating that it was time that the public, as well as County and state officials, be clear that Ms. Tindall’s actions to derail Route 130 development do not represent the views of this administration.

“If Nancy Tindall wants to oppose Route 130 economic growth, she has the right to do so as a private citizen,” Mayor Fried said. “But she should not simultaneously serve as a member of my administration while subverting our economic agenda.”

Since July 2005, Ms. Tindall has served as chair of the Township’s Affordable Housing Committee. She was later appointed a member of the Rent Leveling Board. Under the form of government approved by the voters in November 2004, these volunteers are appointees of the mayor.

“Voters have told us they are fed up with high taxes and with having to drive long distances to shop or obtain services,” Mayor Fried said. “We have tried to strike a balance among good planning, good design, the need for modern conveniences, and the need for property tax relief. The people of Robbinsville cannot be denied change due to one person’s single-minded quest to keep Route 130 looking like a tour through Appalachia, which is how another former mayor described it.”

Read the full posting from Robbinsville Township’s web site

Firefighters Jason Belmont and Ed Hirschman have been asked to leave for “reasons of economy” by the township. The timing of the layoffs is unusual as it comes days before the township is scheduled to negotiate with the firefighters’ union.

Read more at The Times

On February 25, 2008 the district proposed a tax increase that would cost the average township property owner an additional $187.50 in property taxes during the 2008-2009 school year. If the budget is approved, Robbinsville voters will be asked to approve $32 million for general appropriations at the school budget elections in April. This amount is up from the $30.5 million the district appropriated for spending in 2007-2008.

The proposed budget would result in a tax rate of $1.22 per $100 of assessed property value, a 5% increase as compared to the 2007-2008 school tax rate. It’s estimates that the increase would cost the average homeowner $187.50 in property taxes per year.

Read more at The Times

Tonight’s town council meeting will introduce an ordinance to change the zoning rules between Route 526 and East Windsor along Route 130 which would provide for drive-through restaurants and consolidate commercial zones. The new ordinance designates space for highway commercial zones which would allow the development of hotels, restaurants, stores, and offices, and village commercial zones where the maximum proposed building height is 25 feet (versus 35 feet for the highway zone).

For the full story, see http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1203570315283620.xml&coll=5

A 31-year-old technology teacher at Pond Road Middle School was arrested late last night at his Ewing Township residence, Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini Jr. announced today.

Daniel P. Corvino, 31, of Theresa Street in Ewing Township, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child (second degree) and aggravated criminal sexual contact (third degree).

According to Bocchini, after instruction on the dangers of Facebook and MySpace at Robbinsville High School yesterday, a teacher was approached by students concerned about inappropriate communications with Corvino. School officials contacted the Robbinsville Township police and an investigation ensued.

Last night, detectives from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the Robbinsville Township Police Department, with assistance from the Ewing Township Police Department, executed a search warrant at Corvino’s home and seized computer equipment. Corvino was taken into custody and transported to the Robbinsville Township Police Department.

Corvino is alleged to have broadcast himself touching his genital area via a web camera attached to a computer to the victim, a 14-year-old female residing in Robbinsville.

Bocchini commended the Robbinsville Township School District for its quick action and cooperation with law enforcement.

Corvino is being held on $100,000 bail. The investigation is ongoing and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Anyone with information on the case should contact Robbinsville Township Detective Bryan S. Boccanfuso at (609) 259-3900 or the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Child Abuse/Sex Assault Unit at (609) 989-6063.

Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

From the Mercer County Prosecutor’s web site at http://www.mercerpros-nj.com/Press/February-08/pr-2-15-08.htm