A once simmering Council controversy may have run its course. At its January 25 meeting, Council continued an agreement with the West Windsor Historical Society and approved Michael Herbert’s firm to provide legal services to the township.
In the past two years under former Council president Bryan Maher, the mayor’s recommendation to reappoint Herbert has been voted down multiple times. However, with no replacement appointment Herbert remained the township attorney and he will continue to serve in the same capacity.
Council added a resolution to approve Herbert at the beginning of the meeting and approved it 4-0. Council member Peter Mendonez was absent. Herbert will be paid $150 an hour, down from his previous rate of $165.
A few residents strongly opposed the resolution during public comments. “In the future please don’t do walk-on resolutions, the public feels like it’s getting sandbagged,” said resident John Church.
Council also approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Historical Society of West Windsor, in which the Historical Society agrees to assume the responsibility of managing the buildings located at the Schenck farmstead.
Other reappointments. Council also unanimously approved professional services reappoints. Geevers said there were no fee increases. The following were reappointed: municipal prosecutor Jeffrey Rubin, $30,000; public defender John Hartmann, $18,240; tax counsel Harry Haushalter, $40,000; bond counsel McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, $50,000; labor counsel Ruderman, Horn & Esmerado, $30,000; township auditor Warren Korecky, $27,450; affordable housing consultant Piazza & Associates, $17,000; computer support from Vital Communications, $17,220.
Municipal judge Kenneth Lozier was reappointed for a three-year term. Arora and Associates, Van Cleef Engineering, and James F. Parvesse were also approved for engineering services.
Volunteer appointments. Drewe Schoenholtz to the Agricultural Advisory Committee; Andrew Meltzer to the Affordable Housing Committee; and Judy Loeb to the Shade Tree Commission. George Thompson was reappointed to the Affordable Housing Committee.
Cranbury Road update. Business Administrator Marlena Schmid said the township is still working with residents to acquire easements for the first stretch of the proposed Cranbury road sidewalk.
Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh said the township has the option to condemn the sidewalk, but this would be a more costly alternative that would need to be part of budget discussions.
Thank you public works. Council members commended the public works crew for digging the township out of last month’s blizzard.
Resident Jim Brennan suggested plows could push snow further away from intersections. Snow was plowed right to the curb, resulting in immovable piles of snow that obstruct the strips of sidewalk at the end of blocks.
Hsueh said the administration would talk with Public Works.
There’s an app for that. Council member Alison Miller, who has served on the Parking Authority, said commuters who park daily at the Vaughn Drive lot can now pay for their parking via a mobile application. Commuters can pay after boarding the train.
Two ordinances introduced; public hearing February 8. The first ordinance establishes a speed limit of 40 miles per hour for the stretch of Meadow Road between Clarksville Road and Bear Brook Road. The second ordinance prohibits street parking along the entire length of Ascot Crescent, which was requested by the Estates at Princeton Junction homeowners association.
In other news, Council approved a $9,900 agreement with BANC3 for engineering services for the Vaughn Drive bus shelter relocation project.
The next Council meeting is Monday, February 8. There is also a February 24 public hearing regarding the proposed expansion of the Caspersen Rowing Center in Mercer County Park. One of 16 Olympic Training sites, the boathouse expansion requires a change in land use of preserved open space.
