More than 70 residents crowded into the Council chambers to hear Mayor Shing-fu Hsueh’s state of the township address before the May 16 Council meeting.
In his 15th mayoral address, Hsueh touted the township’s financial status. Citing nj.com, Hsueh said West Windsor has had the lowest percentage of property tax increase over the last 15 years in Mercer County: 13.9 percent, compared to the average county increase of 32.9 percent. He acknowledged that township residents pay the second highest total property tax in the county, which Hsueh attributed to high property values. He added that the township’s real estate appreciation from 2005 to 2015 was 20.49 percent.
“I have to say, when it comes to financial philosophy, I am conservative,” said Hsueh, who added that the town’s AAA bond rating has saved $1.6 million in debt service payments since 2007. In addition, the town is planning to bond $10 million in 2016. (The state’s bond rating? “A-,” the mayor said.)
The budget objective of long-term financial planning and sustainability was established at the Administration-Council retreat in 2001.
“I wish we could do the same again,” the mayor said, “but it is not easy.”
The mayor celebrated the township’s recreation and senior services. There are seven community parks with recreational facilities and the newly acquired 26-acre parcel on Conover Road is slated to become another. This summer the township will open the 120-acre Duck Pond Park, as well as the cricket pitch in Community Park.
Hsueh encouraged residents 55 and over to check out the senior center’s programs, one of which is a Tai Chi class taught by the mayor. In 2015 there were 40 ongoing programs and 34 one-time programs.
Added Hsueh: “The Center is equipped with a generator that provides power to the building in times of need. This is a move to provide for residents in emergencies — you can all come and use the facilities.”
After his address, Hsueh recognized Human Relations Council chair Barbara Ingram-Edmonds and Environmental Commission chair Michael Hornsby as this year’s two outstanding volunteers.
#b#Council.#/b# The room cleared out after the mayor’s address and Council got down to routine business.
Members of Council and business administrator Marlena Schmid opposed the prospect of an NJ transit bus shelter on Quakerbridge Road, directly across from the new Costco in Lawrence.
“If Costco wants it, let Costco pay for it,” Schmid said.
Of primary concern was the future expense of maintaining the bus shelter, as well as the assumption of liability. Council member Alison Miller added the proposed location has safety and road visibility issues.
Police body cameras. The township will purchase 35 body cameras to be worn by all on-duty police personnel. The state body camera supplier is Rockaway-based L3 Mobile-Vision, Inc.
The cost will be $39,233 and will be reimbursed through Mercer County and federal grants.
Summer camps canceled. Council approved a resolution rejecting all busing bids for 2016 Recreation Summer Camp field trips. Busing services were no longer needed after the township Recreation Commission voted to cancel the camps for grades 1 to 3 after reviewing registration numbers.
In other news, there are openings on the Zoning Board and Parking Authority. Residents can apply online at www.westwindsornj.org. Council also approved an $84,276 capital improvement ordinance for improvements at intersections along Alexander Road and Post Road.
Introduced at the meeting was an ordinance transferring ownership of foundation stones from the Grover House to the Grover Middle School as part of a school art-landscaping project. An ordinance was required because the stones are public property.
#b#Redevelopment Area Shows Signs of Life#/b#
The transit village redevelopment area is showing some signs of life.
The Site Plan Review Advisory Board (SPRAB) reviewed an application May 23 for a mixed-use development at 43 Princeton Hightstown Road. The 1.69-acre site is within district seven of the redevelopment area, which includes the Ellsworth Center and the commercial properties straddling Princeton Hightstown Road down to Alexander Road.
The applicant, Princeton Ascend LLC, is proposing two buildings that will front Princeton Hightstown Road, and one of the buildings will extend away from the street and face the adjacent Rite Aid.
One building will contain 16,000 square feet of first-floor retail and 17 rental apartments (five affordable units) above. The second building will have seven live-work condo units designed for professionals, for example a doctor with an office on the first floor and a residence above.
Attorney Gary Forshner represents the applicant. Another SPRAB meeting is expected later in the summer, as SPRAB members voiced concern with incomplete plans regarding the basement and half-story attic space.
The application will eventually go before the Planning Board.
