The budget process continues to be the focus of the West Windsor Town Council. At its regularly scheduled meeting on March 4, the Council discussed the capital expenditures section of the budget, and Council will hear a report on the revenue review at the upcoming meeting on Monday, March 18. But don’t necessarily expect lengthy budget discussions at the regular Council meetings. The bulk of the budget discussions are taking place at special budget meetings. Two have already been held, on March 1 and 8, and a third is scheduled for Friday, March 22, at 10 a.m.
“I am trying to keep the Council Meeting agendas short,” said Council President George Borek, “because we are having several ongoing working meetings devoted solely to the budget. It is at these working meetings that many of the specific programs and department budgets are being discussed.”
At these meetings, which are open to the public, the Council and administration staff have been reviewing this year’s budget. Some of the budget topics discussed at the March 8 meeting involved possible improvements in technology, professional development for staff, and ways to provide more services to constituents. All five Council members praised Sharon Young and the Clerk’s Office for presenting a departmental budget that is 8 percent lower than last year’s departmental budget, in spite of the fact that the office is handling far more work with less staff.
Said Council member Linda Geevers: “you have cut your number of staff and you are all working harder. I am very impressed that you have cut your budget as much as you have.”
Council Vice President Kristina Samonte added, “I am also very impressed, and if we can help you out in any other areas of the budget, such as through our new IT committee, please let us know.”
Another area of interest discussed during the presentation of the Community Development Department’s budget was potential upcoming development. Land use manager Sam Surtees noted that there are several potential new developments on the horizon for the coming year, which may result in significant additional work for the department.
“For instance, Ellsworth will be coming to the Zoning Board for changes to the Ellsworth property [at the corner of Route 571 and Cranbury Road]. There will be renovation of the existing store fronts, as well as the construction of 24 apartments above the existing stores, as well as the addition of 20,000 square feet of retail space.”
Board Member Khamal Khanna expressed concern over this section of town. “Will this development take place in the upper level [already developed] or the lower level [vacant]? The lower level is an eyesore. People taking the train see it every day.”
Pat Ward, director of Community Development, responded that “the development Ellsworth is planning is for the upper portion. He does not own the lower portion. He is trying to buy the lower level, but the other owner is resistant to sell. The owner pays his taxes, so we can’t force him to clean it or paint it, or do anything with it. We have tried to work with him. He won’t return our calls. We ensure that he within code compliance, but we cannot condemn the property because it is part of the redevelopment plan.”
Surtees mentioned several additional developments. “Howard Hughes is on the horizon. In addition, the Thompson tract, on Old Trenton Road, is under contract with a developer to develop the property. It will need to be rezoned. In addition, there is a contractor agreement to build 16 single family homes behind Kindercare on Rabbit Hill Road.”
“Toll Brothers is now under contract to buy 46 acres of the Maneely tract, off of Bear Brook Road. They are planning on constructing 51 townhomes, 20,000 square feet of retail space with apartments above it, and a 203-room extended-stay hotel, which they will own and operate themselves. This will be their first venture into owning and operating a hotel. And there will be 72 to 75 Project Freedom units. The zoning for this is already in place, so they will likely be coming before the Site Plan Review Board in early summer, and may start construction by this time next year.”
Not all of the developments involve housing. “At the last meeting, the Zoning Board approved the application for the Institute of Islamic Studies, so they are likely to begin construction late this year or early next year,” Surtees said. “And the Korean Community Center has discussed plans to build their center in West Windsor, so that is moving forward as well. And the town is actively negotiating to purchase property to preserve open space.”
Other March 4 Council business:
The installation of sprinkler and fire protection systems at the West Windsor Fire Company and other municipal facilities, discussed at previous council meetings, was approved, as was a change order with Ground Force Inc. involving deductions of incomplete work and loss of services in November and December, 2012, that represents a decrease of $6,250.
Jeffrey I. Rubin was reappointed as municipal prosecutor for a one-year term at a cost of $30,000. John W. Hartmann was reappointed to be the township public defender for a one-year period at a cost of $19,200.
The Council also approved the reappointment of Jean Ward as deputy registrar of vital statistics, through March 9, 2016, and authorized the appointment of Eric Payne as a member of the Affordable Housing Committee, with a term to expire on December 31, 2014.
One personnel matter led to some discussion. Although the Council had previously agreed to hire Bill Dambrova, of Dambrova Designs, to complete final designs for the Environmental Education Exhibit at the Schenck Barn, at a cost of $42,100, Council member Bryan Maher expressed concern over the cost, saying that, in his opinion, the work could be done by high school students.
Borek noted that Maher’s concern was legitimate, and agreed to Maher’s request to have the consultant make a presentation at the upcoming Council meeting on Monday, March 18.
The Mayor will present his “State of the Township” address at the meeting on March 18. His address will be presented from 7 to 7:30 p.m. The regular Council meeting will begin following the Mayor’s address. The meeting will begin with a closed session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss PBA litigation.
