With momentum building, 2006 could see completion of several efforts
By: Emily Craighead
WEST WINDSOR It has been a year of planning in the township for projects that could be completed in 2006, such as the Alexander Road bridge replacement, and others that will take decades to complete.
Many projects picked up momentum with Mayor Shing Fu-Hsueh’s decisive re-election this year. His running mates, Linda Geevers and Heidi Kleinman, also won easily. They defeated mayoral candidate and former councilwoman Alison Miller, and her running mates, David Siegel and George Borek.
"As a result of my re-election, I feel I owe this community a lot, and I need to do more," Mayor Hsueh said.
During a day-long strategic planning session in September, council members and administrators attained greater cohesion as they prepared for challenges ahead by outlining priorities and a rough timeline.
The most significant project the township faces is the redevelopment area boundaries encompassing 350 acres around the Princeton Junction train station, a project that was approved by the council on Dec. 19.
The township has also moved forward on other projects to create a more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly town setting, such as amending the Master Plan to include more sidewalks and bike lanes.
One such project is the reconstruction of the Alexander Road bridge, a project that could begin in late January. The new design calls for a major widening, including a 6-foot sidewalk on the north side of the bridge. A roundabout similar to the roundabout at the Faculty Road and Elm Drive on the Princeton University campus will replace the existing "T" intersection at Alexander and North Post roads.
A half-mile section of Route 571, a major commuter thoroughfare known as Princeton-Hightstown Road, also will get a facelift.
The Planning Board and Township Council approved a plan to redesign the section of Route 571 between Cranbury Road and Clarksville Road as a three-lane, tree-lined road, with one lane in each direction and a two-directional left-turn lane in the center. Bike lanes will run along the shoulder in each direction, with sidewalks on both sides of the road. According to the plan, a light will be installed at Route 571 and Sherbrooke Drive.
The township also received a final commitment this year from Public Service Electric & Gas Co. to construct a bike path along its easements. The plan is awaiting federal approval.
Progress is moving more slowly on renovations to the former Princeton Junction firehouse, which is the future home of the West Windsor Arts Council. The arts council recently named an executive director, Eduardo Garcia, who will coordinate new programs and facilitate the move to the firehouse.
This year has been exciting, Mayor Hsueh said, because of the commitments made by various agencies, such as NJ Transit, the state Department of Transportation and the Office of Smart Growth to make these West Windsor projects a priority.
Restructuring of the Police Department took effect in January, with the council approving an ordinance that eliminated the captain’s position and one sergeant’s position. In turn, it created two additional lieutenant positions for a total of four.
In February, the mayor hosted his first open town hall meeting, citing his goal to maintain an open and effective government. February also marked the beginning of live broadcasts of council meetings on Channel 27.
The council passed a budget this year that was $29 million, with a tax-rate increase of 3 cents per $100.
The council also adopted a $1.8 million capital improvement ordinance and a $3.6 million bond ordinance, including $200,000 for skate park at Community Park and a $1.1 million senior center expansion.
A revaluation is taking place in the township this year, which, based on results from neighboring communities, could double property taxes.
With that in mind, West Windsor voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum in November to reduce the open space tax from 7 cents per $100 to 5 cents per $100 of assessed value.
The Friends of West Windsor Open Space made another important land acquisition this year, with the purchase of a 12-acre parcel of land commonly referred to as the Rogers Property. Longtime resident Ronald Rogers, whose family sold the property, was a co-founder and director of FOWWOS before he died in 1999. The land will be used for passive recreation, and FOWWOS eventually will build low-impact trails to connect the property to other preserved open spaces in the township, according to members of the organization.
Rumors of the University Medical Center at Princeton moving to West Windsor roused anger among Canal Pointe residents, who circulated petitions in their neighborhood in the spring. However, the hospital decided in December to move its facilities to Plainsboro.
The issue that drew the strongest emotional response from residents this year was the township’s proposal to change Princeton Junction’s 08550 ZIP code to West Windsor. The resolution, which had the strong backing of Mayor Hsueh, was defeated in a council vote of 4-1, with Councilman Franc Gambatese dissenting, after public outcry from residents attached to the Princeton Junction name. The issue drew e-mails with tongue-in-cheek suggestions to consider the names "Route Oneville" and "Martian’s Landing" as alternatives to West Windsor.
With the passage of the Princeton Junction area redevelopment plan however, the year is ending on a positive note for both the mayor and council.