Two residents received proclamations for their service — one for his work within the township and one for his work overseas — during the Township Council’s meeting on September 14.
Ken Carlson, the former co-chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force from 2002 to December, 2005 and the past president of the volunteer organization into which it evolved, was honored for his volunteer efforts until 2009. Carlson, a township resident since 1993, has moved to Massachusetts to pursue an employment opportunity.
In January, 2006, the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance was established to promote bicycling and walking as well as emphasizing access, education, mobility, and safety. Carlson served as the new alliance’s president until February, 2009.
William R. Applegate, pictured above, a member of the New Jersey Army National Guard, was also honored with a proclamation. Applegate joined the National Guard in 2005 after receiving his bachelor’s degree from Castleton State College and was a member of the Burlington County Armory 1-114th Infantry, Charlie Company.
He transferred to Fort Benning, GA, and completed training in June, 2005. In June, 2008, he left for training in El Paso, TX, before being deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in September, 2008.
While in Baghdad, Applegate was a MP in the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, where he executed missions dealing with conducting detainee operations, convoy security, and operations in area support.
“William’s love for his nation is exemplified through his wife, Esther, who shares her husband’s strong love and appreciation to these United States of America, and recognizes the sacrifice and courage that it took to serve his country,” the proclamation states. “The people of West Windsor Township are genuinely indebted to such distinguishing individuals as William R. Applegate, who answer the call to serve their country, and he will forever be remembered by gratitude by this town and by American people as a man who defends the nation he loves.”
Liquor License. In other business during the September 14 meeting, the Township Council approved a $700,000 liquor license to Mac Acquisition LLC.
Mac Acquisition owns Macaroni Grill and On the Border, which was formerly Charlie Brown’s. Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh says the money collected from the liquor license sale is going to be used for capital improvements around town. “It’s more important to use that one-shot deal for capital improvements, infrastructure improvements,” than use the money to offset taxes and then have to make them up in the following year’s budget, he says.
Grover Taxes Canceled. In other business during the meeting, the Township Council also approved the cancellation of 2009 taxes for Florence Grover, the widow of LeRoy “Pete” Grover who died in January, with whom she had lifetime rights to the property.
The farm, located at 348 Village Road East, was sold to West Windsor Township in 1995 with the Grovers maintaining life rights to live in the house on the property. From 1995 to 2008, the Grovers paid taxes, which ended in December, 2008. Earlier this year, Mrs. Grover relinquished her life rights to live in the house on the property and moved out of town. In 2009, the property taxes would have been $4,312.26.
The farm has been a lasting symbol of West Windsor’s agricultural history and served as a catalyst for the township’s aggressive farmland preservation efforts, which have led to the preservation of nearly 50 percent of the township’s land.
