WEST WINDSOR: Mayor Hsueh hears from residents at forum

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   WEST WINDSOR — Several citizens took advantage of Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh’s special public forum at town hall on June 9 to get details and explanations on their concerns regarding the town’s projects and other ongoing issues.
   From retail improvements to roadway projects, Mayor Hsueh spent roughly two hours that afternoon answering a broad range of questions from residents without the council or Business Administrator Bob Hary present.
   He told residents they could expect to see the MarketFair and Windsor Plaza renovations completed in the upcoming months, both of which are planned to contain many new eateries and stores. Windsor Plaza will also have new sidewalks and a traffic signal with a countdown timer for safer pedestrian crossing.
   The mayor also touched upon roadway project plans, which include the repavement and striping of Wallace Road in front of the Princeton Junction train station. He said he is still waiting for state funding to create three lanes in portion that stretches from Wallace Road to the high school, which would allow for sidewalks and bicycle passageways.
   Mayor Hsueh said the town also plans to submit an application to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for grant money to jumpstart the reconfiguration of Canal Pointe Boulevard once the DOT compiles the data from the Route 1 impact study that will begin in August.
   ”I will have a better idea on how the Canal Pointe improvements will fit into the whole picture,” he explained. “Conceptually, I would like to see three lanes, which would allow left turns from the central lane.”
   Although he couldn’t discuss the future of the post office building due to ongoing negotiations, the mayor did promise the residents the town would clean up the garbage and dead bushes and trees on the property.
   The mayor also took the opportunity to explain certain issues that continue to receive a lot of attention, such as the slight tax increase in the municipal budget and the demolition of the Grover homestead.
   ”I want you to know that in terms of conservation, we have clear recommendations on which farms to preserve and which are historic sites in West Windsor,” said Mayor Hsueh, motioning to a thick binder containing the town’s Master Plan. “Making changes is reasonable as long as the public decides where it wants to go, but making it a political issue is not acceptable.”
   He emphasized the Master Plan can be subject to change and confirmed that council members Linda Geevers and Kristina Samonte are working to come up with recommendations for the farmstead.
   The mayor also revisited the controversial Mercer County Community College solar farm project issue, after resident Janet Mariano inquired who residents could turn to if they experience flood or drainage problems.
   Mayor Hsueh informed Ms. Mariano and the rest of the crowd that Department of Environment Protection officials would be meeting with him in West Windsor on June 18. The officials would then meet with the residents to explain the status of the ongoing investigations and what can be done to help their drinking water.
   He also took the opportunity to address prior accusations of being an “absentee mayor,” explaining that a public referendum in 1992 voted for a mayor and council form of government that prohibits the mayor from participating unless allowed by the council.
   However, he emphasized he is always available to West Windsor citizens and puts in roughly 60 hours a week.
   The meeting became slightly tense when the mayor said he could not explain publicly why he changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat — sparking an argument between him and resident Marshall Lerner about a past meeting where racial remarks were made.
   ”Your comment out there was that I was a racist — I’m not a racist,” said Mr. Lerner, raising his voice at the mayor. “What I said was you were in contest with Charlie Morgan and you distorted that into a racial instance.”
   Mayor Hsueh disagreed and told Mr. Lerner to not get into the issue again.
   While Mr. Lerner appeared unsatisfied with the mayor’s comments and explanations, resident Andy Bromberg said he supported Mayor Hsueh and that the council, mayor and administration should be treated with more respect.
   ”Statements about criminal activity, or comments like ‘one down, one to go’ and ‘absentee mayor’ are hurtful and beyond professionalism,” said Mr. Bromberg, amid claps and cheers. “I wish the community would say less of those things because they aren’t fair and they aren’t true.”