Other West Windsor Council news: Among other items discussed at the October 24 Council meeting were the following, some of which will be set for public hearing at the meeting on Monday, November 14:
Caruso Excavating Inc. of Howell Township will receive $8,470 for work on a new retention basin at Duck Pond Park. After Hurricane Irene there was bank erosion at the pond, requiring repair. Business Administrator Robert Hary said that “the stabilization undertook considerable wear and to prevent erosion there had to be some changes to it.”
The cost will be included in the township’s FEMA grant application for reimbursement.
Lucas Construction Group will collect a closeout amount of $65,922.93 for work on the Alexander Road S-curve project. Hary said that roughly $45,000 would be allocated for police and public safety costs because additional law enforcement presence was required.
“At first we thought we would only have to have police on-site during the initial project and during paving, with the hope that the public would be aware not to drive through that way. But it’s an area where a lot of people who are not from West Windsor will go, so we had problems with people driving right through the barricades. Also there were mail, school buses, and garbage removals, as well as traffic to Obal Garden Market, their patrons, and their deliveries,” Hary said.
For additional striping near the beacon on Southfield Road, adjacent to the trolley line trail, Orchard Holdings will get $890 from a change order for final quantities adjustment and project closeout as part of the township’s 2010 Pedestrian Safety Improvements.
Council voted for a reduction of performance guarantees for Avalon Bay Communities for Avalon Watch. Hary said the big renovation that took place prompted the township to reduce the bonds down to 30 percent of the original, but the amount will still exceed $200,000 held.
A professional services agreement has been entered with Princeton Animal Hospital, 726 Alexander Road, for veterinary services not to exceed $10,000. Mayor Hsueh explained that animal control usually sends animals in need of special veterinary attention and services to a local animal hospital for treatment. Princeton Animal Hospital put in the bid offering the cheapest price. He added that expenses are usually overrun with animal hospital bills.
With regards to the future of West Windsor’s animal control officer position, Mayor Hsueh said the township has also put that service out for a contract bid. He said the township must find “the most reasonable one.”
Through state contract West Windsor will purchase a 2012 Chevy Tahoe SUV for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services for $41,764.49 from Day Chevrolet in Monroeville, PA. The Tahoe will replace a 10-year-old Dodge Durango.
Preparing for winter snow continues, as Council approved the purchase of a 2012 Ford four-wheel-drive pickup truck equipped with a plow for the Department of Public Works for $34,571. The new truck will replace a 1995 model with 175,000 miles and in need of a new transmission.
Council voted for an agreement with Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission to establish a “cooperative pricing system” similar to a shared services arrangement. Director of Public Works Alex Drummond requested the agreement to enable the township to buy mowers and other equipment at reduced prices.
A resolution to execute a redevelopment agreement with CDNJ Plaza, LLC — home to Chase Bank at 63 Princeton-Hightstown Road — was pulled from the agenda by Hary because attorneys for both parties needed to revise language on affordable housing. Hary said designating CDNJ as the redeveloper comes from the township’s incentive to recover the costs of redevelopment.
Hary said that, as the first property within the designated redevelopment area to have a “redeveloper agreement,” CNDJ will be assessed a fee asking it to pay its fair share as calculated by planning board attorneys.
Hary said the resolution should be presented at the council meeting on Monday, November 14.
