Although council member Kamal Khanna will be leaving the West Windsor town council in a few weeks, he is still working to fulfill a promise made in a campaign statement during the fall election (WW-P News, October 11): To implement a smoking ban on all township property. To this end, he has proposed a smoking ban ordinance that will be considered by the council on Monday, December 9, at 7 p.m., at a special work session immediately preceding the regular business meeting.
According to Council President George Borek, “we will be discussing the ordinance and address any changes or differences of opinion the council members may have. If there are just minor changes, the council can then move to introduce the ordinance at the business meeting immediately following the work session. If not, it will be introduced at a later Council meeting.”
The ordinance seeks to prohibit smoking inside all municipal buildings; within 35 feet of the entrance of any municipal building; within any township vehicle; in any enclosed retail establishments with customer seating; and in any park or other recreational facility owned or leased by the township to which the public is invited. The penalties for violating the ordinance would be: $250 for the first offense; $500 for the second offense; and $1,000 for each subsequent offense. Any municipal employee who violates the ordinance may also be subject to disciplinary action.
Council member Linda Geevers expressed some concerns about the process being followed, as well as the language of the ordinance itself. “Too often we have had discussion on important topics after they have already been placed on the agenda,” she said. Geevers advocates having “working meetings first so that important issues can be discussed and digested, and then we can talk with residents before we move forward with the item. This is something that we have done in the past, and something I have asked to be reinstated. (WW-P News, April 12). When the new Council reconvenes in January, I expect this will be one of the procedural changes we will make.
“In this case, while I am glad that we are discussing it during a working meeting, I am not convinced that we will be able to immediately introduce it.”
“In my opinion,” she continued, “if we are going to do this, we should do it all the way. We should ban smoking outright on all municipal property, just as the school district does. No smoking inside or outside, period. There should be no ‘35-feet’ exception. Why should we in any way encourage smoking, especially when we have to pay the healthcare premiums for township employees? I will support an outright smoking ban. I don’t see how anyone would argue otherwise.”
Other Council News: Council proclaimed Monday, December 9, as “Communities of Light Day” at its meeting on November 25. The administration and council members also commended Womanspace and the work that they perform on behalf of victims of domestic violence.
Council vice president Kristina Samonte noted that Womanspace has provided emergency shelter and comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence since 1977 and for victims of sexual assault since 2002. Samonte asked every West Windsor resident to demonstrate their support of Womanspace’s initiative by placing luminaries along their driveways and sidewalks on December 9.
The administration announced that the annual tree lighting ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 8, at 7 p.m. at the Ron Rogers Arboretum, and will include musical entertainment, free refreshments, and a fireworks display. In addition, the Historical Society of West Windsor is hosting an “old-fashioned holiday at the Schenck House,” located at 50 Southfield Road, on Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will include self-guided tours, refreshments, and holiday decorations.
The Vaughn Drive parking lot opened on December 1. According to the Parking Authority, daily commuters may only use the current Vaughn Drive entrance to the Vaughn Drive Lot; and all commuters from Route 1 must turn left onto Vaughn Drive and enter the lot from the Vaughn Drive entrance. Permit holder commuters approaching from the Alexander roundabout can enter the Vaughn Drive lot from the Alexander Road entrance, and daily pay parkers from the Alexander roundabout must turn right at the light onto Vaughn Drive and use the Vaughn Drive entrance. Note that Vaughn Drive is the only exit from the lot; drivers cannot exit directly onto Alexander Road.
Council also unanimously approved the return of a portion of several escrow deposits relating to various development projects, including Nassau Park Walmart, $3,904; Susan Gordon, $1,555; Hall Family Associates, $13,775; Amended University Square PH. 2, $4,504; and Edinburg Animal Hospital, $3,860. Council also unanimously approved a three-year membership renewal in the Mid Jersey Municipal Joint Insurance Fund, as well as land development performance guarantee agreements with 19 Roszel Road LLC for new office construction at that address.
Council also approved the purchase of four 2014 Ford Taurus SE sedans or brand equivalent for the township police division, from Hertrich Fleet Services, at a cost of $79,772. Hertrich had presented the lowest bid out of three received, and includes a total trade in amount of $6,300 for five vehicles.
Two ordinances were also introduced at the meeting. The first ordinance proposes to amend Chapter 60 of the Municipal Code, relating to the cable television governmental access channel programming policies and procedures. In light of the discussions during the past election season regarding the restriction on political statements by candidates and others being made at council meetings, which are televised, within 100 days of an election, council is proposing to eliminate that prohibition, as it is in conflict with prevailing law. (See WW-P News, August 30).
A second ordinance relating to tighter oversight and regulation over taxicabs and vehicles for hire was also proposed. This ordinance has been recommended by both the police department and the clerk’s office. Public hearings on both ordinances will be Monday, December 9, at the regular council meeting at 7:30 p.m.
