Mayor Gusciora grateful for State assistance; cancels emergency meeting
November 24, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mayor Reed Gusciora thanked officials from the NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for stepping in to certify Trenton’s 2022 municipal budget last night following Council’s unsuccessful vote.
Three members—Council President Kathy McBride, Councilwoman Robin Vaughn, and Councilwoman Sonya Wilkins—voted against the amended budget last night, prompting DCA Director Jacquelyn A. Suárez to send a letter to the Mercer County Board of Taxation following the meeting to certify the budget. (Link to the letter)
“I’m grateful for the State’s assistance in helping to resolve this budget impasse with our City Council,” Mayor Gusciora said. “While I understand the politics of Council leadership not providing support for the budget, they should not do that to the detriment of City residents who rely on our services. Fortunately, voters sent a very clear message that they want a Council that works for the people in the next four years, and not against them.”
The State’s action prevents the City from experiencing multimillion-dollar consequences in the absence of a budget. Prior to State action and following the failed vote, Gusciora issued an executive order instituting the amended City budget, while at the same time delivering notice to Council members of an emergency meeting on Friday which has since been cancelled.
In April, Council passed a resolution receiving Gusciora’s proposed budget with no municipal tax increase, but they missed a state-mandated deadline for passage. As of October 1, all six City Council members have been accruing fines of $25 per day for not meeting their obligation to pass a municipal budget in a timely manner, per State law.
trenton-cy22-budget-certification-letterDownload 
November 24, 2022
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Keris Tree Farm and Christmas Shop is celebrating over 33 years growing, cutting, and selling trees on a 24-acre farm just outside Allentown at 848 Route 524 also known as New Canton Stone Tavern Road. Keris Tree Farm is family owned and operated since 1977 and the first trees were harvested in 1990. The farm has choose-and-cut trees by the foot, balled trees, fresh pre-cut Canadian Balsam and Fraser Fir, wreaths, roping and seasonal greenery.
The Christmas shop is where the magic happens, a winter wonderland of artisan made crafts, decorations and holiday gifts. Maggie has hand curated merchandise from artisans to antiques for over thirty years… her eye for design and vintage holiday decor makes it such a special holiday shopping experience.
2022 Event List:
The Allentown High School Choir will be singing Christmas carols! December 4th 12:30
Backyard Brews will be set up with hot beverages and snacks for sale on 11/26-11/27, 12/3-12/4, and 12/10-12/11. @backyard_brews_
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 10-5, Saturday and Sunday 9-5, CLOSED MONDAYS
Closed Thanksgiving Day
Facebook: Keris Tree Farm & Christmas Shop
On the porch you’ll find bundles of greenery for sale, including winterberry, holly, magnolia, branches and many types of evergreen cuttings stocked fresh.
The Christmas shop is where the magic happens! Maggie has hand curated merchandise from artisans to antiques for over thirty years… her eye for design and vintage holiday decor makes it such a special holiday shopping experience. If you’ve never entered the shop you don’t know what you’re missing! The exterior is unassuming but the inside is glowing with many treasures to find.
Choose and cut a tree, or tag a tree to cut later in the season. Visit the Christmas shop! The farm has a selection of white pine roping, Fraser Fir wreaths, Noble Fir wreaths, greenery, magnolia, winterberry and holly branches. Also live balled Christmas trees!
Photos of the Keris Farm and Christmas Tree Shop showing overall quantity of trees in different stages of growth. As the trees get older and sold room is made to plant new trees for future years.