The Trolley Line/Knight Trail proposal was not the only issue that drew resident comments at the August 5 meeting. While the administration and the entire Council is supportive of the Cranbury sidewalks initiative (see story, above), at least one resident is already speaking out against it.
Said Ray Conover: “The Township shouldn’t do it. It is not Township property, and it is not a Township problem. Sidewalks will improve their property value, but not mine, and I don’t want my taxpayer dollars being spent on it.”
Resident John Church also commented on the Township’s apparent willingness to make improvements for residents that it is not obligated to make. “My neighborhood is undergoing repaving and curb repair, and I have also noticed that the Township is replacing or fixing people’s sidewalks. Township ordinances clearly state that it is the residents’ responsibility to fix the sidewalks adjoining their properties, so I don’t think the Township should be fixing them.”
Debbie Hepler noted the lack of police presence on Old Trenton Road in the area surrounding the bridge construction project. “Robbinsville seems to have more police officers on their side, and it seems to be safer there. There are dangerous driving conditions there due to the road closure and detours. There have already been three accidents in that area. If we had more or more detailed signage, it would be safer.”.
Another topic on the agenda for discussion is the extension of affordability controls for Avalon Watch apartments in Princeton Junction, which currently has designated affordable housing units. “The Affordable Housing Committee has advised us that we must decide whether to extend this provision for another 30 years,” said business administrator Marlena Schmid. “This will satisfy our obligations under the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). We are one of the first towns to have to face this extension issue, so we don’t have much guidance. I do know that if we don’t approve it with Avalon, we will have to find another housing development with 103 homes and enter into an agreement with them.”
Asked Councilman Maher: “What are the owner’s rights? And are there any potential litigation issues?”
“The owner was advised of the discussion at this meeting,” answered Schmidt. “There is a process we must follow, including having a public hearing on the issue, and we must have a decision by October 14. And yes, there are issues with potential litigation.”
The Council went into closed session to discuss this issue, as well as other personnel matters. The affordability controls issue will likely be included as an agenda item at the next Council meeting, Monday, August 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
The Council unanimously approved the following appointments: David Lichtenstein, Alternate II on the Board of Recreation Commissioners, through December 31, 2017; Ram Ramachandran, member, Shade Tree Commission, through December 31, 2017; Drew Schoenholtz, advisor, Shade Tree Commission, through December 31, 2013; and Fatima Aziz, member, Human Relations Council, term expiring December 31, 2014.
In addition, the Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the State Office of Emergency Management for grants under the Federal Emergency Management Agency public assistance and/or hazard mitigation programs for presidentially declared major disasters, specifically Super Storm Sandy. Mayor Hsueh explained, “We spent approximately $500,000 on clean-up after Sandy. Originally the state was going to reimburse us for 75 percent of our costs; now, because Governor Christie has worked with the federal government, we will be recovering up to 95 percent of what we spent.”
#b#West Windsor Briefs#/b#
Hsueh to State BPU: Stop JCP&L Rate Hike. Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh issued the following statement in response to a report in the Times of Trenton on August 7:
“JCP&L has filed for a $30 million rate increase from its customers, which the State Board of Public Utilities will begin hearing on next month. The same article also indicated that the State Division of Rate Counsel has filed an objection to the request, alleging JCP&L earned above its state-mandated level and that ratepayers deserve a $200 million decrease. As mayor of West Windsor, I am writing in support of the State Division of Rate Counsel’s position.
“On January 25, 2013, on behalf of West Windsor Township, I officially requested Director Brand of the State Division of Rate Counsel to intervene in JCP&L’s filing to the Board of Public Utilities for a rate increase. As of today, West Windsor continues to believe that it is inappropriate for JCP&L to request the increase given their current financial status and its failure to respond during both Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy.”
Hsueh Is Running. As expected, West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh is now officially running for reelection. Hsueh and his running mates, Kamal Khanna and Eric Payne, who are both running for Town Council positions, have officially filed their election petitions to formalize their candidacy, under the slate name West Windsor Moving Forward Together (www.WWMovingForwardTogether.com).
In addition to Hsueh and his team, two other slates have announced their intention to run in the local election: Hemant Marathe, Linda Geevers, and Peter Mendonez; and Rick Visovsky, Martin Whitfield, and Debbie Hepler.
