Officials from both Plainsboro and West Windsor discussed budgets and the proposed DOT Route 1 jughandle concept. But while the topics were the same, the tenor of the discussions was very different.
At the February 27 Plainsboro Committee meeting, Administrator Robert Sheehan presented the preliminary 2013 budget. “The total budget is approximately $25 million. This is an increase of $99,007 over the 2012 budget. The tax rate will increase 1.6 cents. For an average home, costing $385,000, this will be an increase of $61.60 per year,” Sheehan said.
Mayor Peter Cantu thanked Sheehan and the staff and recognized this was a particularly difficult budget year. “You have put so much hard work into this that I am almost embarrassed to ask this, but I am asking anyway. If at all possible, if you could get the tax increase down to 1 penny, that would be great. Also, I would like to introduce the budget as quickly as possible — by March 13, if possible.”
Sheehan agreed to modify the budget and try to have it ready for formal introduction at the March 13 Committee meeting.
Sheehan also offered some highlights of the preliminary budget, and noted that “this budget year falls between the pre-Novo and post-Novo revenue years [referring to the future opening of the new Novo Nordisk facility] and the budget reflects that.” He explained that while some revenues have decreased, such as a $2.5 million reduction at Plainsboro Plaza, reductions in assessed value of properties in the amount of $44 million, and loss of tax revenue from vacant properties, some expenses have likewise decreased, such as “health insurance expenses, which have decreased by $193,000, interest on bonds, and our legal budget. Altogether, employee expenses have decreased 48.8 percent, which marks the fifth year that employee-related expenses have decreased.”
Sheehan noted that some revenues have increased. “The expansion of the recreation summer camp has increased revenues by $60,000. That expansion was money well spent.” The budget also allows for the use of $4.3 million in surplus and assumes that state aid will remain flat. “This budget allows for aid to the library in the amount of $1.9 million, which is over our requirement. We are showing strong support for the library. Our police department now has 36 full-time officers. We are also providing $60,000 to the rescue squad.”
Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis agreed, and noted that “the Township is also providing support to LOSAC, among others. We have a strong commitment to public safety here in Plainsboro. The fire departments have received 800 calls in the past year, which is a substantial number. They are doing well recruiting new volunteers for the squads,” he said.
The Committee also considered a presentation by Princeton Healthcare System regarding the amendment of the redevelopment plan for the Princeton Healthcare System hospital site. This amendment will allow the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to open a facility on the hospital campus, and provide for additional open space in and around the campus. There will be a public hearing on the amendment at the March 13 meeting.
Finally, the Plainsboro Committee also considered the revised DOT Route 1 jughandle changes in light of the cessation of the no left turn pilot project. The Committee was generally in favor of the concept, and agreed with Mayor Cantu’s recommendation to write a letter expressing “qualified support” for the idea.
“Our objective is to improve the traffic flow, which directly impacts our community, without causing an adverse impact to our community,” Cantu said. “I want to compliment the DOT Commissioner for his willingness to come forward with a plan for this region. And I have concerns. There have been so many missed opportunities in the past to have something done because of bickering and infighting. Everyone wants something bigger and better. We could have had that in the past, when the cost was less, but for that. There is an opportunity here to get something done. We should encourage the DOT to go forward with their idea, which is a concept only at this point.”
“There is going to be a lot of controversy about this plan, and I am not sure why. This plan will help our community,” he added.
At its last meeting on February 13, the Committee unanimously agreed to enter into a partnership with the NJ Audubon Society and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to turn the Bulk Farm property into a wildlife habitat. The Township purchased the property in 2006, in an effort to preserve the 73-acre site as open space.
