Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
When most mayors report on their towns at the annual “state-of-the-township” address, they may keep their remarks limited to the top 10 significant achievements., But East Windsor Township Mayor Janice Mironov was hard-pressed to do that when she delivered her annual State of the Township address last week., Instead, Mayor Mironov reeled off a list of 21 items – ranging from the opening of new shopping centers to the relocation or expansion of pharmaceutical companies in East Windsor Township., “Everything is really great. The town is booming and municipal government is strong financially,” Mayor Mironov said at the event, which was sponsored by the MidJersey Chamber of Commerce., Mayor Mironov pointed out that 2017 marks the fifth straight year of holding the line on the municipal property tax rate. There has not been an increase in the municipal property tax rate in five years., While Mayor Mironov was proud of the town’s ability to keep municipal property taxes in check, she was also proud of the new developments that have been built in East Windsor Township., Several new shopping centers have opened for business in East Windsor Township recently, bringing new stores for residents, she said., Those new shopping centers include The Galleria at East Windsor on Route 33,and The Shoppes at East Windsor on Route 130. Combined, they have brought nearly 20 new stores to the area, she said., But it’s not just new shopping centers that have opened their doors in East Windsor Township., Mayor Mironov said several pharmaceutical companies have either expanded their current facilities or moved to the township., For example, the ForDox pharmaceutical company has renovated and expanded a property on Princeton-Hightstown Road., Hovione, which is a Portuguese pharmaceutical company, has added 28,000 square feet to its existing 24,000-square-foot building on Lake Drive, while Novitium Pharmaceutical has moved into a 45,000-square-foot space, also on Lake Drive., But perhaps the most significant development is that of Aurobindo Pharma, which is based in India. The company is building a 567,000-square-foot warehouse, distribution and manufacturing center on the corner of Princeton-Hightstown Road and Old Trenton Road., And while Mayor Mironov is proud of those projects, she also pointed to the township’s ability to take care of its senior citizens through the development of assisted living facilities and apartments., The Seasons at East Windsor will be built on a three-acre site on Princeton-Hightstown Road. It is a 120-bed assisted living facility that has received Planning Board approval and is moving through other processes, she said., The Woods at East Windsor, which is basically completed, is an 86-unit senior citizen market-rate apartment development. Built by Sterling Properties, it is on Lanning Boulevard – between the East Windsor Senior Center and Wheaton Pointe, which is a Springpoint Foundation senior citizens development, Mayor Mironov said., While Mayor Mironov is proud of the new developments and tax ratables in East Windsor Township, she is also proud of the newly installed solar panel array at the Police/Court Building at 80 One Mile Road. The solar array is on adjacent land donated by to the township by McGraw-Hill, she said., The solar array will generate more than 577,000 kilowatts of energy annually, offsetting nearly 100 percent of the Police/Court Building’s energy use. The township will save $527,933 over the 15-year term of the power purchase agreement with Altus Power America, she said. The township has the option to renew the agreement for two additional terms of five years each., “I am really proud of our municipal government. It’s exciting to see things going forward – retail, small businesses, corporations,” the mayor said, wrapping up her remarks., “I don’t think a lot of towns can boast of such a healthy mix in their community. East Windsor is always becoming a better and better community,” Mayor Mironov said.
