An ordinance calling for a lease between the Police Benevolent Association and West Windsor Township at 367 North Post Road was tabled at the April 2 Municipal Council meeting. Council always needs more information.
In townie lingo this area is known as PBA Corner, which is horribly dangerous and decrepit because:
1. A power pole juts out into the roadway creating a 24/7/365 hazard. (If no one — including the turtles-crossing-the-road mayor — sees the hazard, is it really a hazard?)
2. The PBA stores members’ auto and/or landscaping storage trailers on site.
3. The driveway is often littered (as it is currently).
4. It serves as a convenient point for on-duty officers to converse and complete paperwork.
5. The physical area is largely unkempt with overgrowth.
6. What is the declared use of the trailer, hours of operation, costs for water/sewer, real property taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.?
7. Wouldn’t members’ meetings and resting be more comfortable and safe in the station house?
8. The site is a short distance from the hazardous intersection of Clarksville and North Post roads, which has consumed almost eight months to post signs and effect roadway markings.
9. This action follows the template the township effected with the West Windsor Arts Council. I believe it has to do with transparency and accountability.
Considering the above, ordinance 2013-07 suggests/calls for a lease of $1 per year.
What has been brought to my attention, given the new focus on cost control and overall municipal fiscal vigilance in a mayoral election year, would be a lease of $38,000 per annum ($3,166 per month) to benefit and offset taxpayer expenditures for the helicopter lessons. And it would cover more than half the cost of an Animal Control Officer who performed duties our police officers avoid.
Sadly, of course, this merely reflects a sign of the times as the township becomes run more like a business whereby estimates, bids, and more scrutiny are implemented to budgets.
Unless, of course, this is an example of pay-to-play in reverse, currying favor with the police to compensate for legions of lawyers who fail to read the fine print of labor contracts.
Given the sustained vigilance of West Windsor Council, this ordinance as currently configured, is in jeopardy and DOA.
What a shame the police department couldn’t find the pictures taken inside the Grover House during one of the many police training exercises in the house. I heard the mayor was offering his personal house for police dog training. I cannot confirm that, however.
The mayor and his administration must protect our 27,000 residents and relieve the fiscal pain of sequestration.
Pete Weale
Penns Neck
