By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — Construction workers could be found all over West Windsor in the past year as a host of municipal projects were finished in the township.
Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh oversaw the completion of two bridges, a series of recreational projects and the improvement of over three miles of roads and 39,000 square feet of sidewalks in the township.
Meanwhile, future construction also hit a milestone, as council came to an agreement on a draft plan for the redevelopment of the train station area.
The plan, which allows 524 housing units in the 350-acre area, was sent to the Planning Board this month. A mandatory 45-day review period will push a final council vote on the plan to February.
”As long as there are three votes, we will move forward with redevelopment,” Mayor Hsueh said. He added that the timing will allow him to pursue funding for this fiscal year from state and county agencies for public infrastructure.
A prominent construction project was the Alexander Road Bridge, which was opened to traffic earlier this month, to the relief of many detour-weary motorists. The bridge and connecting roads were closed July 11, when the project began, which was delayed two months by work on underground gas pipes.
Final completion of the project is planned in February, including the removal of the old bridge and moving of utility poles.
The 83-year-old bridge over Big Bear Creek on Old Trenton Road was also rebuilt this year. The repair was sorely needed, as the span had received only two points on a 100-point scale that rates bridges based on engineering criteria.
Both bridges were paid for entirely with funding from the county and state, the mayor said.
About 65,000 cubic tons of material was dredged from the bottom of Grovers Mill Pond over the summer and early fall, restoring its condition from the eyesore that it had become because of silt and plant growth.
Next year, the state will stock the pond and fishing will be permitted, Mayor Hsueh said. The nearby area where the dredged material was stored will be turned into a playing field, he said.
Various improvements to Community Park this year included dog parks, extended walking trails, basketball courts and lighting practice facilities for lacrosse and football, he said.
The lighting was funded thanks to an understanding established this year between the township and various athletic associations that split funding on projects.
”Since taking over the mayor’s office, my policy has been private/public partnership,” Mayor Hsueh said.
The first phase of irrigation of the Conover Road Athletic Complex was also begun this year. A drought in 2001 had left the lawn in poor condition, the mayor said.
”Hopefully the field will be kept in reasonable shape,” he said.
The township’s financial planning and fiscal responsibility will continue to be a top priority, Mayor Hsueh said. The township refinanced all its aggregated municipal debt with its AAA credit rating earned last November, resulting in savings of $800,000, he said.
”In the economic downturn, we have to be very careful in how we spend our money,” he said.
Achievements in planning by the township this year includes the completion of the 2008 fair share plan, which will be submitted to the Council on Affordable Housing before the Dec. 31 deadline. The township’s Master Plan was also updated to bring 5,000 homes into zoning compliance.
Looking ahead, Mayor Hsueh has an ambitious set of goals for 2009. He will be running for mayor again in the municipal elections in May with the hopes of reaching them, he said.
With an eye on historic preservation, he hopes to finish land use zoning for Berrien City neighborhoods and Grovers Mill Village, working with residents to incorporate their ideas.
”Hopefully, we will send the message that the township is going to be there to protect these established neighborhoods,” he said.
Roadway improvements slated to start next year include the realignment of the S-curve and the timing of traffic lights on Alexander Road. The connection between Meadow Road and the Route 1 bridge will also be realigned, and bicycle and pedestrian design will be added.
Other pedestrian and bicycle improvements are planned around the new Alexander Road Bridge to facilitate access to the train station.
For recreation, Mayor Hsueh said the township will examine ways to expand programs for older special needs children and young adults, in order “to make sure they all have the opportunity to participate,” he said.
The opening of the West Windsor Arts Center will also be a top priority going into 2009, he said, as well as the completion of an expansion of the Senior Center.
The project to restore the former Princeton Junction Firehouse will go to public bid early next year, he said, with hopes of it becoming a community center.
