After intense discussions on energy suppliers and the redevelopment of the former American Cyanamid site at the September 22 West Windsor Council meeting, both issues arose again at the October 6 meeting without much ado.
Council passed a resolution authorizing the administration to contract with energy consultant Gabel Associates. Gabel will advise the township in the procurement of electricity from third-party suppliers (TPS), as opposed to the incumbent utility, for municipal facilities.
The administration is seeking to cut costs and demonstrate to residents the benefits of TPSs. Ewing and Lawrence townships currently purchase third-party electricity supply for their municipal buildings.
Council members emphasized the need for three years of measurable data which would help them compare the town’s previous average utility rate with bid proposals.
Township landscape architect Dan Dobromilsky told the council that the township can establish its bid criteria, including criteria for electricity generated from renewable sources, and that these would require council action.
The township can also widthdraw from the process at no cost to the township. A contract energy consultant is only paid when the township contracts with a TPS. “If the bid doesn’t reach a threshold that we are comfortable with, we can reject it,” Dobromilsky said.
Howard Hughes project director Chuck McMahon also addressed council in a follow-up to Hughes’ s presentation of their 658-acre site.
McMahon’s statement explained that redevelopment would benefit the township and Howard Hughes: “We feel that redevelopment is the only starting point for the process going forward.” The statement concluded by reiterating the company’s request for council to initiate the redevelopment designation process.
Council discussed the Howard Hughes property in closed session. When called for comment after the meeting, council vice president Linda Geevers said: “Council will probably get together in executive session for further discussion.”
During council’s work session, the administration discussed council support for proposed state legislative bills involving the issue of telecommunication providers and business personal property taxes. Verizon’s interpretation of a 1997 taxation statute led the company to claim tax exemptions if it no longer provides dial tone access to at least 51 percent of the local telephone exchanges. The Tax Court has yet to issue a final decision in response to a lawsuit from Hopewell Township.
“As it stands, Verizon has the liberty when they hit the 51 percent, they will not pay the business property tax,” business administrator Marlena Schmid told council. Schmid said West Windsor has two Verizon-owned properties, and if the company were exempted the township could lose more than $330,000 in revenue.
The administration also discussed the Best Practices Inventory, an annual 50-question survey on financial accountability, management, and transparency, that determines whether the township will be penalized for state aid.
Schmid and township CFO Joanne R. Louth reported the township scored an 86 percent on the inventory, which the administration is required to submit to council before it’s sent to the state division of local government services.
Council president Bryan Maher asked why the administration does not publicly list salaries of personnel, an item on the survey.
Other Council News. The council approved the amended yard waste ordinance after it was introduced at the September 22 council meeting.
Council also approved: An agreement with M.N.C. General Contracting for the 2014 sidewalk repair program at a cost of $110,080; the purchase of two 2015 Ford Police Interceptor vehicles from Winner Ford for $48,488.32; the purchase of a 2015 Jeep Patriot 4WD SUV from Hertrich Fleet Services for $18,703.25; and the activation of liquor licenses for Marketfair restaurants Seasons 52, scheduled to open this month, and Bahama Breeze, scheduled to open in 2015.
