It’s nearly budget season and Council finalized budget session dates at its February 8 meeting.
The administration’s proposed 2016 budget has been posted on the township website, and the first budget work session will take place after the February 22 meeting.
According to Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, a third year of zero percent tax increases “is unattainable” and would negatively impact the township’s financial condition.
The mayor has introduced a 2016 budget of $38.998 million, up $898,700, or 2.36 percent, from 2015. The proposed municipal tax levy would be $23.631 million (the rest is balanced by revenue). Municipal taxes account for 15 percent of the total tax bill.
Upcoming capital projects include: bikeways along the stretch of Conover Road between South Post Road and Galston Drive; sidewalk, crosswalk, and bicycle lane improvements along Village Road West between Penn Lyle and Edinburg roads; resurfacing of Alexander Road along the westerly two southbound lanes between Vaughn Drive and Roszel Road; and sewer pipeline improvements.
Council approved two ordinances. The first ordinance establishes a speed limit of 40 miles per hour for the stretch of Meadow Road between Clarksville and Bear Brook roads. The second prohibits street parking along Ascot Crescent, which was requested by the Estates at Princeton Junction homeowners association.
Resident Michael Tas cited the poor state of Meadow Road between Route 1 and Bear Brook Road and asked the township to consider improvements.
Cranbury Road. Cranbury Road residents Sarah Thomson and Donald and Ilene Watrous inquired about the first phase of the sidewalk project.
Business administrator Marlena Schmid said the township has contacted six property owners: two have indicated willingness to grant easements, two others have refused, and two have not responded to multiple township letters.
Hsueh urged Cranbury Road residents to talk to their neighbors and to request a meeting with the administration to discuss project details. He added the administration would need to consider budget implications in the event the township pursues eminent domain.
Board of Health. Township health officer Jill Swanson advised West Windsor residents to check CDC advisories before traveling to South America, where there is an outbreak of Zika virus. Swanson said the health department is not expecting local mosquito transmission of the virus, but said it is possible travelers might bring it back home.
The health division is also considering two initiatives. One is the designation of a physician for emergency pre-planning purposes, for example when the township needs medical advice or sign-off for a vaccination clinic. The health division already partners with a pediatrician for its child health clinic.
Swanson also explained changes in care for tuberculosis cases. The health division currently provides direct observed therapy of tuberculosis cases, but Mercer County is developing a shared services program to ensure the whole county is covered. Swanson said the township would contribute to the shared services cooperative on the basis of its past caseload and population coverage.
Council renewed a health education shared services agreement with the Montgomery township board of health for $13,000. Council also approved a rock salt purchase from Morton Salt for $76,700; and services for the Alexander Road improvement project from Roberts Engineering Group for $13,500.
