By Amy Batista, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — Recently, the township has held two special meetings in order to address its 2012 municipal budget.
Additionally, the Township Council has met with the leaders of several of its departments and organizations for updates regarding the budget.
"We are (and) have been doing budget workshops with departments and organizations,” said Mayor Janice Mironov. “We have not introduced a 2012 budget or draft budget. I expect we will discuss (and) review (the) budget draft at (the) March 7 meeting.”
Mayor Mironov said the budget could be introduced “maybe late March” and, if so, a late public hearing in April would follow.
East Windsor’s first budgetary special meeting was held at 9 a.m. on Feb. 18. The purpose and agenda of the meeting was to review the 2012 municipal budget.
A second special meeting was held on Tuesday evening prior to the regularly scheduled Township Council meeting.
At that special meeting, the council met with East Windsor Rescue Squad District 1 and 2 chiefs as well as the leadership staff from the Recreation Commission.
Both squad leaders, Chief Scott Prykanowski, of District 1, and Chief Kevin Hood, of District 2, were told their squads’ budget proposals were “pretty level with last year” by Mayor Janice Mironov.
"We thank you for all your volunteer time and dedication to the squad,” said Mayor Mironov.
"In 2011, East Windsor Rescue No. 2 answered 901 calls,” said Chief Hood. “We operate with 17 EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) now.”
"All of our volunteers are always careful. Our rescue squads kind of lead the pack over the years on their requests. We are grateful for that,” Mayor Mironov stated.
Chief Hood was questioned on the EMT training section of his budget.
"Unfortunately, the EMT budget, (which used) to be funded by the state, is no longer eligible for reimbursing classes. So we now have to pay sometimes for somebody to come in to do our training,” Chief Hood said.
He continued, “We have been working with Capital Health, too, with some classes that we have been offering a lot for free,” added Chief Hood.
"That’s great to hear,” said Councilman John Zoller.
Chief Hood switched gears and hats and moved on to address any concerns regarding the Recreation Department, of which he is the director.
However, the council did not raise any concerns.
"It’s a self-sustaining operation and program throughout the year,” said Mayor Mironov of the Recreation Department.
The Senior Center budget is being reviewed at the moment along with its programs.
"It’s actually a reduced budget,” said Mayor Mironov of the Senior Center.
Another department discussed by the council was the Commission of Aging.
The special meeting was adjourned and followed by the regular meeting, as the mayor recognized and presented three proclamations to three 2011 Employees of the Year in three different categories whose colleagues nominated them.
During the regular meeting, the council approved unanimously a Resolution 2012-46, which allowed for additional temporary budget appropriations.
"This is a very minor change,” said Mayor Mironov in reference to the resolution and to the temporary budget that was adopted in January 2012.
Noteworthy, residents can now register cellular phone numbers for the local township reverse 911 system which is used to communicate in emergency situations.
The township received a flag that was flown over the World Trade Center during 9/11. It will be displayed in the township.
"We obviously had a national loss, state loss, and a personal loss,” Mayor Mironov stated.
The Township Council approved a resolution opposing Assembly Bill A133/Senate Bill S-743. The resolution states that the bill does not allow municipalities the opportunity to address changing conditions in their communities.
"This is another state injecting (itself) into local planning business in a way that isn’t necessarily to the benefit (of) our citizens,” said Mayor Mironov.
"Just another example of Trenton (leaders) thinking they know better than we do,” said Councilman Marc Lippman. “They know nothing about our township.”
The council approved unanimously to participate in a co-op with Middlesex Regional Educational Services Cooperation and Natural Gas Aggregation for the purpose of purchasing electricity.
The next Township Council meeting is scheduled to begin 8 p.m. March 7 at the Municipal Building, 16 Lanning Blvd. This upcoming meeting had previously been scheduled to occur a day earlier.

