Shuttle service seen as a boon for local business
BY CHRIS GAETANO
Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - Mayor Frank Gambatese implored South Brunswick business leaders to increase their community involvement during his annual State of the Township address.

The May 1 speech was part of the second annual Industry and Commerce Commission luncheon where state, county and local officials heard concerns from 120 members of the local business community, about 30 more people attending than last year.

The theme for this year's meeting was transportation, with a panel discussion featuring Gary Toth, of the state Department of Transportation, Freeholder James Polos, representing the county Department of Transportation, Township Manager Matthew Watkins, Police Chief Raymond Hayducka and Sgt. James Stoddard. Much discussion on the part of all those speaking was focused on the upcoming South Brunswick Municipal Area Residential Transit (SMART), an intra-township commuter shuttle system that is slated for its maiden voyage this fall.

Toth expressed support for the SMART system, saying that it would be a good way to reduce traffic without adding more roadways. It was during his address that he also revealed intra-departmental musings of stopping the Route 1 widening project, a move that was sharply criticized by South Brunswick officials both during the luncheon as well as the council meeting later that night.

Polos spoke about how the county transport system, MCAT, will eventually link up with SMART to give residents a wider range of options for all people. He expressed a desire to clear misconceptions that municipal transportation is only for the old and disabled, stating that he would like to see the local and county shuttle systems be taken seriously as a real option for commuters. He noted this would alleviate a problem he has frequently heard from the South Brunswick business community, namely that it is difficult to find labor, by helping workers from further away have more opportunities to get to local jobs.

"The face [of municipal transport] is not just the poor, the indigent ... the sick and infirm. It's people who need to get to work. ... Not just laborers but white collar professionals as well," said Polos.

Hayducka, after a brief introduction, let Stoddard take the lead in talking about the police's various efforts to control congestion and increase traffic safety. He said that the police act as a local conduit for traffic concerns by addressing community concerns.

Finally, in what seemed to be the meat of the presentation, Watkins explained SMART in detail before the crowd. Noting that time and time again, surveys indicate traffic is one of the biggest gripes in the town, Watkins said the shuttle system will stop in residential neighborhoods and take commuters to various mass transit hubs like park-and-rides and train stations, and back again in the evening. In between that time, the shuttles will be used to supplement the township's senior transport program.

What makes the system unique is that people will be able to track exactly where each vehicle is at every moment because shuttles will be linked to a GPS network, so no one will ever need wonder when it will come. The township has set a fall opening date.

"We're going to get out there and do it, even if I have to drive those buses myself," said Watkins.

Watkins also said that the construction of Route 522 1-A is just awaiting clearance from the Department of Environmental Protection to begin.

During the question and answer period, business leaders expressed a positive reaction to SMART.

"[It] would be very beneficial to the community," said Carol Smith, who runs the Oakdale Mobile Home Park on Route 1. Smith noted that the shuttle would be a huge convenience for people who need to get to work but don't have a driver's license.

Stoddard confirmed that many workers get to and from work in unregistered cabs. It's an issue he said he has been working on personally.

Following the panel discussion on transportation, Gambatese addressed the audience with his second annual State of the Township speech. In it, he called on the local business leaders to do more.

"It's not good enough for you to just pay taxes, to be very frank with you," said Gambatese.

He called on engineering companies to mentor students in the district. He called on banks to educate seniors on managing their finances. Overall, he asked that local businesses take a more active role in the community they are based in.

"I'd like you to use your expertise to help our residents," said Gambatese.

He went on to talk about ways South Brunswick has helped businesses since his administration came into power. He said that the application process was sped up and that what used to take five or six meetings could now be accomplished in one. He also said that major changes were made in planning. He also praised the warehouse developments in the eastern section of town, saying that they are valuable in providing tax money and jobs to the community. In addition, the mayor said South Brunswick is a growing community with a lot going for it.

"We really believe we're on the move," said Gambatese.

However, he went on to say that more problems still needed to be addressed. He pledged cooperation in finding more ways to support the smaller companies in the area.

Those present had a generally positive reaction to the mayor's address, in addition to the transportation discussion.

"I think it would be a great idea and it will help with global warming, in terms of small businesses who need employees for their labor force, but not many businesses know about it, so they should advertise that," Marian Hill, who runs Total Telecom, said of the SMART system.