Traffic safety, the Mercer County Park concerts, and code enforcement were some of the ongoing township issues discussed at the outset of the Council meeting September 15.
Alison Miller and Virginia Manzari, who are both running for Council, made public comments and advocated for left turn signals on Route 571 intersections. Referring to a recent fatal crash, Miller said a left turn signal going into Community Park would improve safety. Manzari said a left turn signal at Southfield Road and Route 571 would improve traffic flow.
On the subject of code enforcement, resident Barbara Pfeifer publicly commented on overgrown weeds and the need to maintain properties.
In response to Pfeifer’s concern, Council president Bryan Maher later expressed frustration at the Department of Public Works. He noted that taxpayers pay for municipal employee car bills, and that staff should be more attentive when driving around town.
“DPW needs to take some ownership and care,” Maher says. “It’s stuff like that that ticked me off, that got me to run for Council.”
After the meeting Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh said because of budget limits, the township does not have a full-time enforcement officer for property owners who violate municipal ordinances.
“It’s up to the private property owner to maintain,” their property Hsueh says. He noted it could be difficult to track down a property owner who does not live in town.
The township does have the ability to file notices to properties in violation of ordinances, and it contracted third parties to clean up very unkempt properties, billing the owner afterwards.
#b#Cricket pitch on its way.#/b# The construction of the Community Park cricket pitch will begin this fall and is expected to be ready for play next spring. After discussing the bid in closed session, Council reconvened and approved a 45-day agreement with Allentown-based Viviano Construction for $238,605.
#b#Affordable Housing.#/b# The township has switched to another consultant to assist with its affordable housing plan calculations. Council approved an agreement with Philadelphia-based Econsult Solutions Inc., after discussing the issue in closed session.
The agreement means West Windsor will continue to participate alongside dozens of municipalities in a statewide study calculating affordable housing obligations. The township’s actual obligation is under contention and will be determined in court.
According to Hsueh, Econsult is a group of planning researchers who have previously worked with the state and are familiar with affordable housing issues in New Jersey. The township’s current deadline to submit a housing plan to the judiciary is December 8.
The previous consultant was Robert Burchell, a planning expert from Rutgers, but he could no longer fulfill the agreement due to failing health.
Cranbury Road sidewalk update. Business administrator Marlena Schmid said wetland surveys will continue until the end of the month. The sidewalk project needs approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
#b#Vote ’em out or draft legislation?#/b# The Mercer County Park event noise affecting South Post Road residents was mentioned during Council member comments. Maher said the township has “no sway over park events” but he added that residents can vote for change in the upcoming County freeholder election.
Councilman George Borek suggested a legislative solution to address the township’s lack of authority on park events: “You can draft a bill that could go through the state legislature to get home rule, some type of township authority,” he said.
#b#A penny saved is a penny earned.#/b# After Council pulled a $45,000 professional services reappointment in January due to the presence of a lower bid, Council approved an agreement with Frenkel Benefits for health insurance consulting services for $30,000.
“The same person is doing it for $30,000 with no change in services,” Maher says. “At the end of the day I’m pleased we are cutting the cost by a third.”
#b#Township EMS.#/b# There were no public comments before Council passed an ordinance amending the township’s division of fire and emergency services. The amendment establishes a volunteer EMS unit while abolishing the EMS Division, which consisted of Twin W Rescue Squad. In addition, employee titles were codified to include fire lieutenants and firefighters, as well as per diem members and volunteer EMTs.
#b#Shade Trees.#/b# Council approved the appointments of Judy Loeb and Susan Holscher to the Shade Tree Commission.
Council also approved the purchase of a Morbark Wood Chipper for $64,289. Council also approved the consumption liquor license renewal for Pure Restaurant, and a retail liquor license transfer for Wegmans, which will allow the store to display alcohol throughout the first floor interior.
