Maintenance and improvements of the township’s infrastructure and downtown area are a major focus for 2011, said Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh during his 10th annual State of West Windsor address on March 7.
Hsueh told residents and the Township Council that work on realigning the Alexander Road s-curve was beginning this month. Roadway upgrades to encourage bicycle/pedestrian accessibility around the Princeton Junction train station and the Dutch Neck school neighborhood, as well as road resurfacing in selected areas of the township are also scheduled for 2011.
Hsueh pointed to the former “Plywood Junction” site at the corner of Cranbury Road and Route 571, where two longtime vacant buildings have been demolished.
“We anticipate that the Rite Aid Pharmacy will have a new home for its customers,” he said. “Across Route 571, the new property owner of the Windsor Plaza, the old Acme shopping center, received final site plan approval and will start its renovation and construction project very soon.”
Hsueh also said that the adjacent Valero gas station received approval from the county Superior Court more than a decade ago and will have a new appearance this year, complete with a new convenience store.
“The development of these three sites, plus the CDNJ building, which is the location of the Chase Bank and PNC Bank site, together with future bike/pedestrian-friendly improvements to Princeton-Hightstown Road, will create a new downtown feeling in the Princeton Junction neighborhood,” said Hsueh.
He also pointed to work the township has been doing collaboratively with the West Windsor Parking Authority to clean up the former municipal compost station to create at least 500 additional parking spaces for West Windsor residents.
“We hope to begin this work before the end of this year,” he said. “This project will be the first step towards the positive redevelopment of the area around our valuable train station.”
Hsueh referred to this year’s budget, which falls under the 2 percent mandated cap, even though it will include a proposed 5.3 percent increase in the tax levy because of exceptions to that cap.
“Meeting the cap in a community that is growing in commercial and residential development will probably be our most significant challenge in the foreseeable future,” said Hsueh.
The results of the township’s recent efficiency study reflect that challenge, Hsueh said.
“One of the conclusions of the study showed that we may expect to have more difficulty meeting the recent state-mandated 2 percent property tax levy cap going forward as a full-service community because we already run on an efficient long-term financial plan,” he said. “As a growing community, the expanding need for public services could further complicate this issue. Tonight, I am here to assure you that with our long-term financial management philosophy and approach that we have applied in the past 10 years, we should be able to minimize the tax impact to our residents and stay financially the most stable and responsible township in Mercer County.”
Right now, the township remains a full-service community with garbage collection, leaf and brush removal, single-stream recycling, and fire and emergency services contained within the taxes, he said. “Residents of many other municipalities have to pay separately for their own garbage collection and disposal and shoulder the burden of extra taxes to independent fire districts,” he said. “So far, West Windsor has been able to avoid this.”
Hsueh referred to the recent Census, which showed the township’s population increase of 24 percent, and other data that shows a house in West Windsor sells on average within three months. “I believe West Windsor’s central location, its schools, recreational opportunities, environmental quality, financial stability, our broad range of community services, and a train station with Amtrak service are among the main reasons for this good news,” Hsueh said.
During his address, Hsueh also acknowledged three residents for their contributions. The first was Charles W. Appelget, who has served on the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company without interruption since 1960, including his time as fire chief from 1980 through 1991.
Hsueh also recognized Joseph Zuccarello, a lifelong resident of West Windsor who joined the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company in 1968, after he was honorably discharged from the military. In 1971 he became chief and held that position until 1976. In 1988 he became the chief of the volunteer fire company for an additional year. He still holds the position of deputy chief today.
Mel Sanders, the third person recognized by Hsueh, joined the Twin “W” First Aid Squad in 1983, later becoming chief in 1987. He is also an EMT instructor and teaches multiple courses each week to fire and ambulance personnel throughout the region.
