West Windsor Council has a $60,000 question on its hands: Should funds originally allocated for the demolition of the Grover House be used instead for its restoration?
In its long-awaited report the Grover Farm Restoration Committee argues that the house can be restored using a minimal amount of taxpayer dollars and can then be turned into a self-sustaining not-for-profit site. The Committee recommends using $53,000 of the original $60,000 for immediately needed repairs, and the property can be farmed until the TK’s lease expires on December 31, 2016. Additional repairs can be financed by 20-year bonds; and maintenance costs can be built into future rental agreements. A 501(c)(3) can be set up to help fundraise, and open space funds may also be used.
At the end of the presentation Council President George Borek thanked residents Pete Weale, John Church, and the rest of the committee for their hard work and diligence. “We will consider it carefully. We all want to exercise due diligence and read through everything carefully before we rush into a decision on what to do.”
Council member Bryan Maher added, “I would like to see the farmstead be saved. Sam Surtees could be involved; it could be a community project with older scouts or high school students, maybe from Mercer County VoTech. Look at our town seal [which has agricultural images]. Nothing epitomizes our town’s agricultural roots like Grover Farm.”
Council procedure was also a topic of discussion. Linda Geevers again suggested that Council hold discussion sessions as well as agenda meetings to give members time to discuss items before they are placed on the agenda for a vote. Council member Kristina Samonte supported Geevers’ proposal, while Maher and Kamal Khanna suggested that meetings be held on the same night to avoid additional meetings. Borek suggested trying the latter approach for six months and switch to Geevers’ suggestion if it did not work.
The new approach will get a trial on Monday, April 15, when Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed budget. “Everyone has suggested changes to the budget,” Borek explained, “and I think the fairest way is to have each of you bring those changes to the meeting on April 15. We will have a discussion before we vote on the changes. And of course the public may comment as well.” Any line item changed by 10 percent or more will be reintroduced, and if such changes are made the budget vote will be delayed two weeks to give adequate notice to the public of the changes.
Business Administrator Marlena Schmid reminded residents that Saturday, April 13, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the annual West Windsor dumpster drop-off day. Resident Alison Miller asked residents who were thinking about bringing old bicycles to dumpster day to consider recycling them through the WW Bike and Pedestrian Alliance or the Tranton Bike Club instead. “Both organizations make sure the bikes go to underprivileged or needy kids.”
Council voted 3-2 to oppose Senate Bill S2364 and Assembly Bill A3553, both of which propose creating a system of early voting in New Jersey. Samonte and Khanna cast the two dissenting votes.
In addition, Council voted unanimously to cancel the taxes for a 100 percent disabled veteran and refund his first quarter payment, and to refund the construction permit fees for Citizens Rifle and Revolver and A.J Perri Inc., at a cost of $5,473 and $250, respectively.
Council also approved a shared services agreement with Hamilton Township to provide public health services related to sexually transmitted diseases for $1,100; the purchase of a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe to replace a 2001 Dodge Durango through the New Jersey’s Cooperative Purchasing Program for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services at a cost of $39,140; and two projects relating to the Roszel Road Resurfacing Project: a contract with Gres Paving Company for $237,152; and a professional Services Agreement with Banc3 for administration and observation services for $7,990.
