From the Mayors:
To the NJDOT
The following is a letter to N.J Department of Transportation Commissioner Stephen Dilts concerning restoration of the Penns Neck Bypass Project to the state’s transportation priority list, in light of the possibility of transportation infrastructure money from the Federal Stimulus Package, as well as the resolution of the West Windsor redevelopment plans.
Dear Commissioner Dilts:
As mayors representing the central New Jersey Route 1 Corridor we request that the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) restore the Penns Neck Bypass Project, which includes Route 1 improvements at County Route 571 and Harrison Street and Vaughn Drive Connector, to a high priority status. We urge NJDOT to honor the direction given by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to include the Penns Neck Bypass Project with the Vaughn Drive Connector in the “Transportation Improvement Program” (TIP), the regionally agreed upon list of priority transportation projects to receive federal funding.
The Penns Neck project with frontage roads, an overpass near Harrison Street, an elevated Washington Road over Route 1, and the elimination of all traffic lights would transform the portion of Route 1 between Alexander Road and Harrison Street from a highly congested, dangerous section of road to a safe, free-flowing thoroughfare.
The Vaughn Drive Connector project provides a road at the Princeton Junction Train station to facilitate east/west traffic through Princeton Junction to Route 1.
Even though all the improvements would occur in West Windsor, all of the Route 1 Corridor mayors, highly motivated by economic development and health and safety reasons, express their steadfast support of the Penns Neck improvements to eliminate the unacceptable vehicular paralysis on this portion of Route 1 that occurs during morning and evening rush hours, as well as on the east/west feeder roads onto Route 1, particularly Harrison Street, Washington Road, and Scudders Mill Road.
These projects were removed from the TIP two years ago, because, according to West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, NJDOT indicated that West Windsor had to finalize its train station redevelopment plan before the road could be made an NJDOT priority. This requirement has been met. The plan is being finalized — a draft of the plan passed West Windsor Township Council and the Planning Board and the final version is scheduled for a final vote by Council on Monday, March 23
The design of the Penns Neck Bypass Project and Vaughn Drive Connector emerged in 2004 after a two-year community planning process and a completed Environmental Impact Statement that reflected input from all the stakeholders in the region.
However, all of the undersigned mayors emphasize that the action being endorsed should not jeopardize other projects, especially the widening of Route 1 in South Brunswick. Even if the Penns Neck improvements become a priority, it would be several years before a completed roadway would be functioning. Therefore, the mayors conclude that the region still must obtain in the very near future a modest improvement on Harrison Street and Route 1, i.e., a turning lane to help alleviate the long rush-hour backups at Harrison. This is crucial in light of the University Medical Center at Princeton moving in 2011 to Route 1 in Plainsboro between Plainsboro Road and Scudders Mill Road.
Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, West Windsor
Mayor Peter Cantu, Plainsboro
Other signers include the mayors of South Brunswick, Princeton Township and Borough, and Lawrence.
Planning Board Did Well
Editor’s note: This letter is in response to a letter by former West Windsor Mayor Carole Carson published in the News’ February 20 edition.
Ms. Carson’s remarks regarding disrespect exhibited by both Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh and Planning Board Chairman Marvin Gardner towards West Windsor residents are probably more true in reverse than as stated. As stated, it appears to be a vicious attack upon two highly respected township officials, an attack that is both totally uncalled for and unwarranted.
I have been an ardent supporter of the completion of a Redevelopment Plan for West Windsor township since its formal beginings about three years ago, having attended most meetings concerning same, inclusive of these last three meetings of the Planning Board. These meetings were held at the request of the Town Council to review its redevelopment draft with comments and recommendations. This task was to be completed within 45 days. To its credit, the Planning Board was able to complete their task within 15 days, giving the Town Council more time to consider and plan a final rendition for submission to the state for approval.
All who wished to make public comment were able to exercise that right with no problem, including myself, other individuals and several organizations. No time limits for speaking were set. If a topic was introduced by a speaker that was beyond the scope that the Planning Board had been directed to address by the Council, the speaker was directed by the Chair to bring that topic back to the Council for discussion as there was no provision for it in the Council draft.
There was some frustration exhibited by one speaker representing an organization when unable to proceed with his presentation; however, Marvin Gardner did explain that the Planning Board did not have the authority to speak for the Town Council regarding the issue the organization wished to present, stating that the approriate place to take the issue for productive discussion was the Town Council.
I observed no disrespect intended nor exhibited on anyone’s part during any of these meetings. I was there and will attest to that.
Janet Lerner
67 Rainflower Lane, West Windsor
In Defense of Morgan
Charlie Morgan has been attacked recently over a $12,”795 proposal to put Council salaries in line with the median Council salary in New Jersey.
Linda Geevers has expressed pride in not supporting the proposal while Kamal Khanna, her running mate, says that the proposal was a waste of taxpayer money. They are talking about something that was not enacted.
Neither Ms. Geevers nor Mr. Khanna mentions that Mr. Morgan voted against the $2,”121,”388.21 increase in taxes last year — a 12 percent increase that Ms. Geevers and Mayor Hsueh both supported and that was enacted.
Ms. Geevers, Mr. Khanna and Mr. Hsueh would have us ignore the $2.1 million tax increase — a tax of more than $80 for every man, woman and child in West Windsor and an increase of more than $136 for a house assessed at $400,”000 in value — by focusing on a $13,”000 salary proposal that was not enacted — a cost of 48 cents on every man, woman and child in West Windsor that would have been a $0.00 increase in taxes if enacted.
It is unseemly to brag about opposing a council salary that would have cost only $13,”000 and did not happen while hiding from the fact that they imposed a $2.1 million, 12 percent increase that did happen.
Anyone who is concerned about their taxes should vote for Mr. Morgan and his running mates, Nitin Shah and Anupam Gupta in the upcoming election.
Brenda B. Mihan
Village Road
Bad Plan, Good Process
I still believe that the West Windsor Redevelopment Plan is a bad plan. It does not offer solutions to traffic congestion. It does not include environmental and fiscal analysis. It does not include any input from the region and very limited input from state agencies. It does not enhance mixed use all over the area but rather clusters of residential, parking and office districts. We do not have a clue what would be the impact on the residents of West Windsor, whether it is wise to build stores and offices during this terrible economic crisis, etc., etc.
But what I saw at the Council meeting on the redevelopment plan was a superb example of how the process should have been handled all along. All five Council members deserve kudos for their analysis of the plan and the input submitted to the Council, for looking at ways to benefit the residents of West Windsor and for moving fast on the many issues of this complex plan.
The work session was exactly that: working together, dealing efficiently with the issues and openly bringing in comments from all stakeholders who wanted to participate, consulting with experts and listening to local associations and residents and including their input. Wow. I was proud and grateful.
Hemi Nae
11 Wycombe Way, Princeton Junction
To The Editor:
With falling property values, it is highly unwise to increase the burden on the residents. This action is like the CEOs of Wall Street who gave themselves bonuses. I oppose the school budget increase. This is irresponsible in this recessionary time.
Meena Mishra
24 Spruce Street, West Windsor
