By: Gwen Runkle
WEST WINDSOR The township now has a community development coordinator.
The Township Council approved resident Pat Ward’s appointment to the position Saturday in a 2-1 vote with two abstentions.
Council President Charles Morgan and Councilwoman Alison Miller voted in favor of the appointment, while Councilwoman Rae Roeder was opposed. Councilwomen Jackie Alberts and Kristin Appelget abstained.
Ms. Ward will oversee the township’s engineering, planning and inspections divisions and will be paid approximately $60,000. The position replaces that of community development director, which George Fries, who also was the township engineer, vacated in August 2002.
In other business Saturday, the Township Council unanimously extended the contract of Mark Ruderman, the lawyer assisting the township in its negotiations with several labor unions, through Dec. 31. He will be paid an amount not to exceed $29,500.
Contracts with five of the township’s labor unions expired at the end of 2002.
Contracts with the Police Department’s superior officers union and the paid emergency personnel’s union have been settled. Negotiations are continuing with the other three unions, which represent rank-and-file police officers, office workers and supervisory employees.

