WEST WINDSOR: Mayor celebrates town’s progress

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   WEST WINDSOR — In his 12th consecutive Township Address, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh predicted another very bright — and busy—year for the community.
   From commercial growth to road improvements, Mayor Hsueh on Monday highlighted several projects either coming to completion or getting ready to begin. As the township continues on the path of enhancing its assets and shedding its sleepy farm town image, Mayor Hsueh’s speech lauded all the community’s efforts that have earned it local, state and national recognition.
   ”West Windsor has a lot of qualities that make it unique and many of which should make us proud,” he told the audience. “Tonight, I hope to celebrate the good that is West Windsor.”
   In the past year, PNC and Chase banks, Rite Aid, new stores and restaurants have sprung up along Route 571 down to Princeton Junction. From Jack’s Wayback Burgers to PJ’s Pancake House, a sister store from the iconic Princeton eatery, the township has seen an array of businesses recently take a stake in West Windsor.”It’s good to see business investments being made in our township in what remains a sluggish economy,” added Mayor Hsueh.It’s likely the township will be seeing even more commercial growth as the Howard Hughes Corp. moves closer to doing something with its 658-acre property on Quakerbridge Road, locally known as the “Cyanamid property.” The company has taken a firm stance in wanting to rezone the property to allow for mixed-use developments that could include housing, stores, restaurants and public parks/recreation buildings, all on the same piece of land. Despite main concerns that this could impact the school population and create more traffic congestion, Mayor Hsueh said rezoning was a step in the right direction.
   ”This presents a tremendous opportunity for progress,” said Mayor Hsueh. “I would like to see the property owner work closely with the community to adopt new zoning based on the guidelines provided under the Municipal Master Plan.”
   Residents can also expect to start parking in the new south parking lot next to the Alexander Road railroad bridge at the Princeton Junction train station this summer. They will also see the official grand opening of the long awaited Historical Museum of West Windsor at the Schenck Farm once the environmental education exhibit and public restrooms are completed.
   Mayor Hsueh has been a major catalyst for this project, which has cost $700,000 over the last 20 years. The 120-acre farm dates back to the 1750s and includes a circa-1900 carriage house and a restored one-room schoolhouse from 1890. The West Windsor Historical Society, which includes Mary Schenck, the remaining member of the Schenck family, played a major role in the farm’s restoration by filling the structures with donations of furniture, pictures, maps and farm equipment used in the West Windsor area over the last 200 years.
   ”All of these are very important for future generations growing up in this community to better appreciate the agricultural roots of West Windsor,” said Mayor Hsueh.
   The township also plans on using more open space tax money to buy even more property to add in its inventory, which already includes more than 50 percent of the township. It also intends to do more roadwork projects to make roads in the township more efficient and bicycle and pedestrian friendly.
   The Senior Center officially has become an emergency warming center, thanks to a new backup generator and a designated natural gas line at the building. The upgrade was spurred by last year’s Hurricane Sandy, which left many without power for days.
   Mayor Hsueh emphasized his appreciation of the many firefighters, emergency medical workers, police officers, public works employees and other town employees, volunteers and emergency response teams that helped keep residents safe and make it through the storm.
   ”This recent hurricane, along with Hurricane Irene, really tested our ability to respond to and manage emergencies,” said Mayor Hsueh. “These storms provided us with the opportunity to learn and develop a better municipal emergency management program for the future.”
   He also recognized Ms. Schenck and zoning board Chair John Roeder as two particularly outstanding residents in the community. Before ending his speech, he thanked all the volunteers and staff that have and continue to serve the West Windsor community.
   ”We do indeed have much to celebrate and enjoy as residents of West Windsor Township,” he said.