By Christina Whittington, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — At the Aug. 7 Township Council meeting, Mayor Janice Mironov reported that the town is filing for a Small Cities Community Development Grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for up to $200,000.
This grant provides financial assistance to low and moderate income families to correct code violations in housing units.
Some examples of uses for this fund include repairs and replacements to electrical and heating systems, plumbing systems, weatherization to windows and insulation, roofs and foundations.
Mayor Mironov told the Herald on Aug. 9, “The program is a means to assist homeowners to make needed improvements and thereby helps maintain housing stock condition in the Township. The program matching funds as well as supplemental funds will come from the Township Affordable Housing Trust Fund, collected from developers.”
The application deadline is Aug. 31 and is up to the State when grant awards will be determined. Mayor Mironov indicated that the income eligibility guidelines are established by the state.
”For example, currently you might be eligible if you live in East Windsor, own your own home and for the household of one person make less than $51,179, and for a household of 3 make less than $65,802. The Township and grant administrator have undertaken some promotion of the program so as to review and pre-qualify some households to demonstrate the community need to the State. The specific application process, timelines, income guidelines and selection means will be publicly issued upon funding and kick-off of the program.”
East Windsor has applied for the grant in the past, but according to Mayor Mironov, not within the past couple of years. The Township has been successful in receiving the grants.
”Prior program experience has shown that many applications and awards go to homeowner senior citizens.” said Mayor Mironov.
In other news, Mayor Mironov also announced that the third and final component to the Township’s Bicylce Helmet Safety Program, “Bike At Night Use A Light” officially kicked off Aug. 7 at the Township’s National Night Out which was held at the East Windsor PAL Fields.
This part of the program will run through Sept. 8, at which time the required set of bicycle lights, one white light to be placed on the front of the bicycle and one red light to be placed on the rear of the bicycle and must be used while bicycling at night as required by New Jersey law and municipal ordinance, will be distributed daily at no cost at the East Windsor Township Police Station located at 80 One Mile Rd. Safety information will also be included with the set of lights.
Noteworthy, this program was underwritten by a grant from the NJ Division of Highway Safety.
Also on the council meeting agenda last week was the formal introduction of Resolution 2012-182, which supported Senate Bill S2140 and Senate Bill A3218. Both bills provide that solar facilities and solar structures on farmland are not an inherently beneficial use.
As previously reported by the Herald, the bills were discussed at the July 24 Township Council meeting.
”We had agreed that we wanted to support these two bills. It was also the council’s direction that it be done by way of a resolution,” Mayor Mironov said.
The resolution passed unanimously by mayor and council.
Senate Bill S2140 is sponsored by Democratic Senator Linda Greenstein. It provides that solar and photovoltaic energy and facilities on farmland are not an inherently beneficial use, per se, for purposes of zoning approvals.
Senate Bill A3218 is sponsored by Republican Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose, modifies the “inherently beneficial use” for purposes of zoning variance to discourage siting of wind and solar energy facilities on agricultural land and open space.
”New Jersey is fully capable of both promoting renewable energy and preserving farmland and that is the balance that should occur in the state,” said Mayor Mironov.
Also discussed at the meeting was a change in Township Council meeting start times.
” I am suggesting that we try out for the remainder of the year, starting in September, to start our council meetings at 7:30 p.m., which is consistent with what many other towns do,” Mayor Mironov said.
The suggestion was put to a formal vote since it is a change of policy.
Township Council unanimously approved the measure.
The next East Windsor Township Council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

