To The Editor:
Ratables Needed
To Ease Tax Burden
At the May 19 West Windsor Council meeting, which covered the 2008 municipal budget, it became obvious to me that the township definitely needs more commercial ratables to help homeowners’ tax burden, especially for the future of the community.##M:[more]##
In West Windsor, the tax burden ratio is 70 percent homeowner/ 30 percent commercial, compared to Plainsboro’s ratio, 40 percent homeowner/60 percent commercial. That is one reason why Plainsboro taxes are lower.
We, the voting West Windsor homeowners, have this opportunity in our hands, via the redevelopment of the 350 acres assigned for redevelopment and approved by the state. If properly managed, via a redevelopment plan from the Township Council, this can be initiated now and for the future benefits of West Windsor.
It was quite obvious to me, after township CFO Joanne Louth’s excellent budget presentation summation, increased commercial ratables will help stabilize our future budgets in the coming years. It will take time for the present economy to get back on its feet, but the West Windsor council and township must plan in consort with growth and progress to get it right.
Paul Eland
Coneflower Lane
Redevelopment That’s Right For West Windsor
Since our last forum with the West Windsor community, our design team has used the input we received to develop a master plan for our property at the Princeton Junction Train Station. We look forward to sharing these exciting plans with you and explaining why we believe they are the right fit for West Windsor.
Please join us at a public forum on Saturday, May 31, at the Princeton Hyatt, from 9 a.m. to noon, when our planners will discuss a vision for our property that includes a new parking deck for residents, traffic improvements and a new Main Street.
These recommendations are the direct result of a year of research in West Windsor. Through one-on-one meetings, surveys, focus groups, and informal chats at local events, we have identified four key community issues:
1.) There is a substantial need for additional resident parking at the train station.
2.) The local road network surrounding the train station cannot accommodate the growing number of commuters.
3.) Residents want a central meeting place in West Windsor that is uniquely their own, including mom and pop retail stores, restaurants and cafes, and public green spaces.
4.) People are concerned about rising property taxes and believe that any redevelopment should not negatively impact peoples’ tax bills and our schools.
The May 31 forum will directly address these issues, which are important and relevant to all citizens of West Windsor.
Our plan includes a mix of senior housing and market-rate housing, which will be phased in beginning in 2012. This residential component is needed to generate the revenue to pay for the construction of the resident parking deck and road improvements — none of which will be funded by taxpayers.
No doubt there is a legitimate concern that additional housing in West Windsor could translate into more school children or higher property taxes to pay for more services. We are very aware of that. That is why we are proposing a development plan that specifically addresses the community’s concern about school capacity and the impact of development on property taxes.
The market-rate housing — open to anyone — will be comprised of two-bedroom condominiums without the usual amenities that families with children are seeking. There will be no backyards, tot lots, or any other feature that would encourage people with children to settle in.
And we are taking our efforts one step further to ensure our plan will not become a financial burden. We will be phasing in the housing over a number of years — beginning in 2012.
If the development attracts more school-aged children than projected as it is phased in, InterCap will allow town leaders to stop the full build-out of the market-rate housing and convert future construction into senior units — a type of development that does not generate school-aged children.
We think this is a fair, open, and feasible way for us to undertake all the critical improvements to the train station area, while giving the Township the revenue to make it all happen.
On May 31 we will also be talking about how Tax Increment Financing (TIF) can fund major improvements without any cost or risk to residents, and the specific ways in which we can solve the major infrastructure issues at the train station.
You have given us an enormous challenge: To solve major issues at the train station and to create amenities that West Windsor can be proud of. But you have also made it clear that our efforts cannot raise property taxes or negatively affect the township.
On May 31 we will further explain how we can make this all happen. We hope you join us for a very candid and informative morning.
Steven E. Goldin
Chairman & CEO,
InterCap Holdings
Welcoome to . . .
The Twilight Zone
After leaving the May 19 West Windsor Township Council meeting, we could not help but recall the old Twilight Zone series with Rod Serling. Essentially, a Township Council member complains about delays in receiving reimbursement from his expense report, including, apparently, a lunch where he invited the current Planning Board President (an uncompensated citizen-volunteer) to attend — one on one.
He also suggests that the taxpayers foot the bill for his personal legal research and public database account (Lexis-Nexis). As a result, a resolution is put forth by the Township Council and adopted by the same august body by a 4-1 vote, granting themselves a 50 percent annual pay increase to $7,”500 per annum for a part time civic service and essentially volunteer position.
Note: Their current compensation is slightly less than $5,”000. Why any increase at all, considering the present economic climate, except possibly a cost of living increase based on the officially determined increase in the cost of living since the last Council election?
Why not reconsider the whole thing, considering the line of citizens at the meeting asking the Council to reconsider their hasty, unsubstantiated, and apparently predetermined decision? Why not work out a better reimbursement schedule and procedure? What ever happened to civic duty?
Is this “open government”? What ever happened to honor and respect of the voters who voted you into office, and, more importantly, all the taxpayers in the Township. Changing the rules midway through a term of office that you knew going into was not designed to be a highly compensated position does seem disingenuous.
Thankfully one member, Linda Geevers, sees it this way. And thankfully our Mayor sees it the same way — “veto city.” As was mentioned at the meeting, the taxpayers of this Township will not forget this one.
We guess we’ll just have to see if the petition being circulated around town gets enough signatures and wait for the referendum in the fall. Or maybe the majority of the Council members will see the light beforehand.
Richard Eland, Andrew Bromberg,
Andrew & Paola Belloch,
Andrea & Paul Pitluk, Jennifer Macleod,
James & Tamerra Moeller,
Al and Janet Lerner,
and Ram Ramachandran
All of the above are residents of West Windsor Township
‘Of Waste & Disrespect’
Council President Will Anklowitz and Councilman Charlie Morgan cited the increasing costs associated with holding the position of Councilperson as a major reason for the recently passed 50 percent salary increases.
During the Council meeting of Monday, May 19, Planning Board Chairman Marvin Gardner succinctly illustrated an example of these “rising expenses.” (It should be noted that Mr. Gardner was personally embarrassed that this was even submitted and at the Council meeting presented a personal check to Chris Marion, Business Administrator for $15 to cover his share.)
Mr. Morgan took Mr. Gardner to lunch to discuss a Township matter. According to Mr. Gardner, he and Mr. Morgan had lunch, coffee, and when they were through, Mr. Morgan then ordered a third additional entree, apparently to take out. The two left the restaurant and when they arrived back at Mr. Gardner’s residence, it was noted that the third, extra entree was forgotten.
Mr. Morgan said he did not want to go back to retrieve it. Mr. Morgan apparently submitted the entire bill (including the wasted entree) to the Township for repayment — and has even publically complained that it has taken too long to repay.
The above is not an example of the “rising cost” of being a Councilperson; it is a perfect example of waste and disregard for the taxpayers who pay for these actions. This meal expense is one of only two on record Mr. Morgan has submitted for repayment.
Michael Ranallo
Bicycling Update
May is National Bike to Work Month and we have loggerd the miles that our community bike commutes for the month on our blog https://wwbpa.blogspot.com/. Please E-mail any problems about your commute, including photographs (we can add photos of problem areas to our online bikeability map for documentation).
We are also holding a bike collection on Satuday, June 14, at the West Woindsor Farmer’s Market. Please bring your old bikes!! We are also looking for volunteers to help that day, especially students.
Ken Carlson
WW Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance
