Four candidates are vying for two seats on the Plainsboro Township Committee in the November 6 election. The candidates were asked to respond to each of six questions posed by the WW-P News. Their responses are presented by alphabetical order by last name. (Neil Lewis and Nuran Nabi submitted their answers jointly and they are listed below as Lewis-Nabi.)
1.) The state DOT’s project closing several turns and jughandles along Route 1 has had an impact on drivers, Plainsboro residents, and those who work in the town. What would you do about the new traffic that has been created, specifically along Scudders Mill Road?
Krishna Jagannathan: According to recent reports from the DOT and local law enforcement, the traffic along Route 1 seems to have improved, but at the cost of increased traffic and possible illegal U-and K-turns in neighborhoods in West Windsor. I think the State has done the right thing by stepping up state-funded patrols to ensure safety in the area. It has improved traffic backups along Route 1, a safety hazard and air pollution hotspot in itself, at a marginal cost to users of the Scudders Mill on-ramp — so long as essential services are not impacted and other back roads remain accessible, I think this is a manageable transition.
Neil Lewis-Nuran Nabi: The trial project along Route 1 was initiated by the NJDOT with a goal to improve traffic flow along the highway. All of the communities involved insisted that the trial be of limited duration (three months) and that the success of the trial be measured not only by improvements on Route 1, but also on any negative impacts on our respective communities’ road systems. The Plainsboro police have been monitoring this project continuously from its inception, and report that it has been working smoothly with few, if any, negative impacts to Plainsboro. We understand that this is not the case in some of our neighboring communities, and since this is a regional project, we are committed to working with our neighbors to insure that any final decision takes into consideration both the positive and negative impacts of the project.
M. Doyle Lyons: There has been an increase in commuting time for many Plainsboro and West Windsor residents who work in or pass through Princeton to reach their jobs. I think the DOT test will underestimate the impact on the Scudders Mill Road overpass for two reasons: (a.) many northbound drivers now seem to enter Princeton via Alexander Road (complicated by its narrow bridge) creating problems there, rather than make a U-turn on Scudders Mill, and (b.) the former Merrill Lynch building on Scudders Mill is not yet occupied by Novo Nordisk.
When it becomes fully occupied, the Scudders Mill overpass to Route 1 south will become much more crowded, especially at rush hour, as happened when the Merrill building was occupied.
When the Novo Nordisk building is fully occupied, I think the crowding on the Scudders Mill overpass to Route 1 south, will cause backups on Route 1 north from cars trying to exit and make their U-turn to Princeton. This could affect hospital access at certain times, and could create problems on local roads as drivers take alternate routes to cross Route 1, and avoid Scudders Mill Road. Instead of closing the jughandles, I would redesign the jughandles at Harrison and Washington so they can handle more cars, while planning long term for an overpass at Harrison.
2.) From your observation, have there been any unintended or negative consequences from the presence of the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro?
Jagannathan: I think the township has benefited heavily from the addition of UMCPP. First and foremost, our residents have unparalleled access to a cutting-edge, modern hospital with world-class medical professionals. The tax base expansion certainly helps, although we won’t see those effects for a few years. And UMCPP helped fund several items in town including emergency traffic signal changers for Police/Fire/EMS, a public park accessible from the road, and roadway and signal improvements.
The only complaint I have heard from members of the community has been the addition of traffic lights along Plainsboro Road and the connector road adjoining the hospital. These concerns are manageable by conducting a traffic study and adjusting light sensors and timings.
Lewis-Nabi: The University Medical Center’s move to Plainsboro is part of a 160-acre Redevelopment Plan, and is the product of over six years of careful community planning. Among the factors considered as part of the approval of the plan were: financial benefits, the impacts on services and local roads, and the economic, employment and potential for business benefits to Plainsboro and the region. We are pleased to report that in all respects, this project is meeting our goals.
It is providing state-of-the-art medical facilities for our township and region, significant financial benefits for the community, and is doing this with no significant negative impacts. The UMCP at Plainsboro is truly a success story.
Lyons: I don’t see many negative consequences. While the hospital makes some payments to the township in lieu of taxes, a corporate tenant would probably have paid more in taxes to the township, and helped to hold down the increase in residential real estate taxes. The hospital is a boon to the real estate developers, in spurring demand for medical offices in the village and in Forrestal Village. Hopefully, hospital visitors and medical office employees and patients will visit Plainsboro’s shops and restaurants.
3.) If you had to cut one thing from the township’s budget in order to reach a specific figure or limit, what area would you look to first? Do you have any other suggestions for reducing the taxpayers’ burden.
Jagannathan: I think the new Community Center, while a great idea, was a bit premature. It is not fiscally responsible to spend upwards of $3 million on new construction immediately after spending $12 million on the library. The library is a fantastic building that has hundreds of daily users, and has benefited our town tremendously — and I have the best of hopes that the community center gets the same utility — but it could have been money better spent in other areas or money used to defer/eliminate tax increases.
Lewis-Nabi: For a number of years, Plainsboro has been utilizing five-year cost projections as part of our annual budget process and fiscal planning. This has allowed us to anticipate challenges and react accordingly. As a result we have avoided drastic actions that negatively impact our local services.
We are committed to continuing this emphasis on expense control and revenue enhancement that has resulted in the lowest municipal tax rate in Middlesex County, along with the highest bond rating (AAA). If we are faced with future challenges, we would approach these in the same way with careful examination of all expense and revenue items. This has proven to be successful and we would continue with this approach.
Lyons: One major concern is the increasing debt level of our township in recent years, despite the fact that our population has only increased 1.3 percent (compound annual basis), from 2000 to 2010, and is not expected to grow much faster in the future. While Plainsboro has a high credit rating, and could increase its debt further without jeopardizing its credit rating, debt service expense is a notable part of the budget. As of December 31, 2011, the township’s debt outstanding totaled $45.3 million (net of reserves for repayment), up from $39.9 million at December 31, 2010, (net of reserves) according to our bond filings. This 2011 figure excludes $32.3 million of school district debt and $25.2 million for our share of Middlesex County debt.
Since the population is no longer growing as rapidly as in prior decades, our debt levels should not need to rise as fast. We might want to start paying down debt. Actual debt service expense in 2011 totaled $3.8 million, of which $2.1 million was for debt repayment and $1.5 million was for interest expense. The 2012 budget called for $4.8 million in debt service (some for debt repayment). When interest rates finally rise, interest expense on any new debt will be higher, and will soak up more of our budget. In recent years, the township committee seems to issue new debt to replace maturing debt, rather than pay off some maturing debt.
Nearly everyone who lives in Plainsboro wants to maintain our highly ranked schools, a key reason why we chose to live here. We appreciate the parks and the wonderful new library. But I question the township committee’s decision to spend money renovating the old library at this time, with a still-weak economy and many people unemployed or earning less than before. I don’t think this is the right time to spend this money and raise taxes and debt.
4.) From an administrative standpoint, are there any areas (such as services, police, fire, economic development, etc.) that Plainsboro can run more smoothly and efficiently?
Jagannathan: Plainsboro’s relationship with its residents and businesses can stand to benefit from a little attention by the Township Committee. Committee meetings are dry and boring, and it often seems to the viewing public that decisions have been made prior to the members stepping into the room (as everyone sits down, says “yes” to everything, and then the meeting is over!).
Township committee members other than Mayor Cantu rarely voice their opinions or thoughts as it appears that decisions are handed down from Mr. Cantu himself. Public comments, although rarely voiced, seldom impact policy.
There are also some statewide reforms where Plainsboro has to catch up — we have at least one part-time or contracted individual who is enrolled in a taxpayer-funded pension (you can look it up on datauniverse.com) which is not only unethical, but illegal. These matters must be resolved to ensure that the people of Plainsboro aren’t paying to enrich the pockets of public contractors (especially ones that give money to the incumbents’ political campaign).
Lewis-Nabi: The professional staff working on Plainsboro’s day-to-day operations, are continually reviewing activities for areas of improvement. In addition, our Mayor and Township Committee serve as active liaisons for emergency services, business and economic development, environmental matters, parks and recreation, cultural affairs and public works.
We have worked hard to enhance transparency and communication through an improved, interactive website, quarterly newsletter to all businesses and residents, and an emergency communications system via e-mail, text messaging, computer, cable TV and phone contact via reverse 911. We are always open to, and interested in, suggestions and welcome participation in our township and committee meetings. Interested and dedicated residents have come to those meetings, and work with us to maintain the high quality of life we are noted for in Plainsboro.
Lyons: Any contact I have had with Plainsboro’s administrative departments has been great. The people I have dealt with have been helpful and efficient.
5.) Signage in Plainsboro has had an impact on many small businesses in town. Some business owners complain that the town’s regulations have restricted their business’ ability to attract customers. What would you do to alleviate such problems?
Jagannathan: As I noted last year, it would be beneficial to the Township and to its businesses and residents if a productive and responsive discussion occurred between the two communities. The infrastructure to make this happen is already in place — the Plainsboro Business Partnership (now part of the Princeton Chamber of Commerce) has united businesses in town — now all the Township Committee needs to do is send a representative to listen and respond to concerns. It’s simple, free, and effective — and should have been implemented years ago when the signage issues began.
Lewis-Nabi: Plainsboro’s administrative staff and elected officials are working with the business community through local and regional partnerships, and chambers of commerce, to enhance business opportunities and operations. The goal is to balance interests of businesses with community interests based on standards for reasonable signage.
Changes normally begin with private property owners and shopping center management. Plainsboro resident-volunteers on Zoning and Planning committees work with applicants on solutions that balance these business interests with community/neighborhood impacts. We are committed to the economic well being of our township community and supported changes in the past. We will continue to work with our business community in the future, focus on flexibility, and welcome suggestions.
Lyons: I have heard this complaint. I think we need broader parameters of the types of signage and size of signage permitted. We don’t want signs to be too large or unsightly, but we must support and work with our town’s small business partners, and not hurt them.
6.) Are there any other areas that you feel are of concern to the Plainsboro community?
Jagannathan: As I mentioned in item 4, the current incumbency is Plainsboro’s largest threat to new ideas, democracy, and creative, innovative solutions to the issues in town. Outsiders (anyone not on the Township Committee) are never able to impact policy. If it’s not a “campaign stop,” the public rarely sees its representatives. Many may recall my pledge last year to hold open forum “town halls” at accessible locations and convenient times for residents develop a relationship with their representatives, share ideas and thoughts about issues in town, and hear directly from their elected officials about matters that affect the residents.
Lewis-Nabi: Maintaining quality of life in Plainsboro is our key focus. Traffic and taxes are always topics of discussion, and although Plainsboro continues to have the lowest municipal tax rate in the county, and a AAA bond rating, we continue to look for ways to minimize costs, enhance efficiency, and build on our strong community assets.
We are proud Plainsboro has been recognized in recent years as a “New Jersey Future Smart Growth Award Community,, one of the “100 great towns that will feed your soul and nurture your business” [Fortune Small Business Magazine], and one of the top 10 communities in the state [New Jersey Monthly Magazine]. We will use these as points for moving forward to keep Plainsboro a great place to live and work.
Lyons: As noted in item 3, I want to see more transparency from the township committee, to permit debate and new ideas. The township committee has been solely comprised of democrats for nearly 20 years. Plainsboro is a terrific town, so they have generally done a good job. But this one-party control just isn’t healthy. We need more information about the issues debated, assuming they are debated. Can we truly say we have a township committee of five independent members? Finally, would a woman’s opinion really be that bad?
