STATE OF WEST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP ADDRESS
Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh
February 25, 2008
I would first like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming out tonight to listen to my seventh State of the Township Address. The last year has definitely been challenging in a number of areas and I sincerely appreciate the suggestions and support that I receive each and every day as Mayor of West Windsor. I am proud of all that we have accomplished to date and I am excited to move forward with additional initiatives over the next year. By putting aside our differences and working together we can turn many of these challenges into opportunities to make West Windsor a better, stronger community.
Over the last year, my administration has worked diligently to address a number of important issues as well as to improve the overall operations of the Township. We continue our focus on a number of priorities including financial planning and fiscal responsibility, traffic and pedestrian safety improvements, public safety, recreational opportunities for residents of all ages and interests and partnership with our volunteer boards and committees and community organizations. I am especially grateful for the amount of time and effort put forth by so many of our residents to serve their community.
In November of 2007, our long term financial planning was recognized by Standard & Poor’s Rating Service. I am pleased to report that West Windsor became one of only six municipalities out of 566 in the State of New Jersey to receive a Triple A bond rating, the highest rating available. This rating reflects the Township’s rapidly expanding local economy, its consistently solid financial performance, and overall favorable debt position. What does this mean for the Township? Last year the Township sold its first Triple A rated municipal bonds, which funded various capital projects approved in the 2006 and 2007 capital budgets. The prestigious rating saved the Township an estimated $115,000. The Township’s Chief Financial Officer and financial professionals are currently working on a refunding bond issue, much like refinancing a mortgage, which is estimated to save West Windsor Township approximately $700,000.
Another important financial accomplishment in 2007 was the competitive solicitation of banking services proposals. After an extensive RFP process, PNC Bank was selected to provide municipal banking and depository services for the Township. In addition, PNC Bank agreed to provide no cost credit card services for the payment of municipal property taxes and sewer rent payments currently accepted during normal business hours at the Municipal Building. The Township Finance Division is also working on the implementation of an online tax payment system that will, for a nominal fee, allow for offsite payment of municipal property taxes and sewer rent payments for the convenience of taxpayers.
And finally, one of the cornerstones in our long term financial planning strategy is our six year capital budget which allows us to plan for the purchase of important equipment for various Township departments and ensures that the Township’s infrastructure is properly maintained and improved. Ongoing capital programs include the Annual Road Improvement Program which prioritizes and paves residential roads throughout the Township; the Bike Lane Extension Program which funds improvements to the Township’s bike lane network; the Sidewalk Extension Program which enhances our sidewalk network; and the Signage and Striping Program which provides for visual improvements to intersections and crosswalks for vehicular and pedestrian safety. This year we are also recommending to Township Council the inclusion of additional funding specifically for sanitary sewer system evaluation and related upgrades which, much like the annual road improvement program, will help us prioritize sewer infrastructure needs over the next several years. The emergency sanitary sewer system repairs at Wallace and Alexander resulting from the April 2007 Nor’easter Storm highlighted the need for a separately funded capital program.
In regards to traffic and pedestrian safety-related capital projects, the Township completed improvements to North Post Road, Southfield Road, South Lane, and Millstone Road in 2007. The Township also completed and opened the bicycle and pedestrian pathway along the PSE&G right-of-way. This pathway includes a bridge across Big Bear Brook connecting the northwest side of our Township with Community Park. I would like to once again acknowledge our outstanding corporate neighbor, PSE&G, for their support in making this project a reality.
As an interesting aside, the Township held a naming contest for the pathway and bridge and received 34 entries from residents and students. I personally liked the name “Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh Pathway” but most of the entries that were submitted were much more creative and reflective of the history of the area. I am pleased to announce that the name of the pathway will be the “Trolley Line Trail” and the bridge will be named the “Pig Town Bridge”. These names capture the original use of the right-of-way as a trolley line and one of the stops near Community Park, “Pig Town.” A formal proclamation will be issued this spring. To all of the residents and students who submitted entries, thank you for your enthusiastic participation.
As we move forward in 2008, the Township will continue to work on a number of important capital projects. An analysis of intersection improvements for Alexander Road including the timing of the lights across the overpass has been initiated. A study of Canal Pointe Boulevard is scheduled to determine the appropriate number of lanes and speed along this road shared by residential and commercial properties and with numerous pedestrian crossings. A light is planned for the intersection of Meadow Road and Canal Pointe Boulevard and pedestrian crossings will be provided. The Meadow Road realignment (Phase I) should begin this summer as soon as the project is awarded.
It is important to note that the Township was awarded a $200,000 grant by the State of New Jersey Department of Transportation under the Safe Routes to Transit Program. This funding will be used to install sidewalks in the areas located around the train station and the municipal complex. This project will complement the Alexander Road Bridge project and result in the first safe cyclist and pedestrian crossing of the Northeast Corridor in West Windsor.
I am also pleased to report tonight that Alexander Road adjacent to the Princeton Township border, more commonly known as the “S” Curve, will be reconstructed to include sidewalks, bike lanes, improved drainage, and high friction pavement to increase safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The Township received a grant in the amount of $190,000 from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Local Aid Program for this project.
And finally, the Township received a $200,000 grant for improvements to Penn Lyle Road (Phase I), which will begin an engineering analysis and design this year.
I would like to point out that none of the traffic and pedestrian safety-related capital projects would be moving forward without the hard work of our Township Engineering Division and the tremendous coordination, cooperation and, when possible, financial support from Mercer County and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). I would also like to acknowledge the efforts and advocacy of the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance (WWBPA). I fully support the mission and activities of the WWBPA and recently designated our Police Chief as a direct liaison to this very active group.
In addition to serving as liaison to the WWBPA, the Chief and the Police Department have been busy over the last year with a number of important public safety initiatives.
In 2007, our Police Department achieved recognition and formal accreditation by the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. This formal assessment and accreditation was the culmination of an intense two-year review process the police department undertook to enhance its already excellent performance. Congratulations to the Chief and our officers for their hard work, commitment and professionalism.
As I am sure many of you are well aware, the West Windsor Police Department runs a number of programs to benefit our residents. One such program, RAD for Kids, is taught by police officers and provides education that enhances the ability of children and parents to protect themselves from violence and harm. Topics include home, school and vehicle safety; defense against abduction; stranger tricks and much more. Another popular program sponsored by the Police Department is the Community Emergency Response Team or CERT. During an emergency situation, CERT members give critical support to first responders and provide immediate assistance to victims. Our residents who become CERT members go through 18 hours of training scheduled over a number of weeks. We are grateful that so many have signed up to become part of this team.
In addition to the Police Department, I would like to acknowledge and commend the employees in the Emergency Services Division and our volunteers serving the Twin W First Aid Squad and our two fire companies, Princeton Junction and West Windsor, for their service to the Township. West Windsor is fortunate to have both career staff and dedicated volunteer resources to protect our community.
Another main priority of my administration over the last year has been recreational opportunities for residents of all ages and interests. In addition to the outstanding programs provided by the Recreation Commission, the Township Division of Parks & Recreation continued to hold a number of community events that the whole family can enjoy including the Annual BIKEFEST, Halloween Parade, Dad/Daughter Dance, Community Camp Out, and the Holiday Tree Lighting with fireworks.
In 2007, the Township continued to work with our sports organizations to address a number of recreational needs. We partnered with the West Windsor Junior Football Club and Lightning Lacrosse to install two lighted practice fields in Community Park. We finalized Memoranda of Understanding with the West Windsor-Plainsboro Soccer Association for utilization and eventual sports-related improvements to our municipal parks. These Memoranda of Understanding will be used as a template for similar agreements with sports groups in the future. As various sports continue to grow in popularity, we need to work together to provide appropriate playing field space so that everyone has the opportunity to participate.
In the area of senior and social services, I am pleased to report that in September 2007 our senior center received reaccreditation from the National Institute of Senior Centers. The West Windsor Senior Center is one of 146 accredited senior centers in the United States and was the first of only two municipally operated senior centers to receive this designation in New Jersey. Congratulations to the Manager of Senior and Social Services, Lynn Thornton, and her dedicated team for all of their leadership and hard work.
In addition to the outstanding programs provided at the center, another initiative that the Division of Senior and Social Services has been involved with over the last year is assisting the Mayor’s Senior Transportation Task Force. This group was formed to advise the administration on the bussing needs of seniors in West Windsor. Several recommendations from this group are included in the upcoming budget and will be discussed with the Township Council in the next few weeks. As I am sure Council will agree, we are committed to improving access to transportation for our senior community.
And finally, I would just like to report that the Township is on track to move forward in the next two months with the bids for the “phased” senior center expansion project. While we were disappointed that the original project design and related bids came in over budget, we are expecting that the first phase of the senior center expansion project will provide needed classrooms and program space. This is a top priority.
I would also like to recognize the hard work of our many residents who serve on the Township’s Boards, Committees, and Commissions. There is a lot of Township activity, which is conducted by these volunteers for the betterment of our community. A few have had special projects on which they are working or have completed.
One is the Planning Board, which among other things has been looking at the rezoning of some of the residential districts in West Windsor so that the zoning would reflect what lots actually are in many neighborhoods. This will provide residents with conforming as opposed to non-conforming lots
Another is the Environmental Commission, which completed a Sustainability Plan for West Windsor and presented this to the Planning Board and Township Council. This report will be a roadmap for green initiatives in the Township and will influence the Master Plan update due to begin this year.
Lastly, the Cable TV Advisory Board was instrumental in upgrading Council Room A with equipment to improve the quality of live meetings aired over Channel 27. They are also working to start an intern program to encourage other volunteers and possibly students to join in filming meetings and events.
At this point I would like to recognize other West Windsor volunteer organizations that have added so much to the quality of life of all residents, young and old. I have already mentioned the sports organizations that provide so much to our community. I would like to commend other organizations that also make a tremendous contribution.
The Township is assuming a more supportive role to the West Windsor Farmers’ Market to assist in its organizational efforts. The Friends of West Windsor Open Space (FOWWOS) is working closely with the Township to add a maintenance element to the Open Space Utilization Plan for passive recreational properties. The West Windsor Historical Society has been very busy this year working with the Administration and Township Council to progress restoration projects at the Schenck Farmstead. I would also like to thank the Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops that have added so much to the Township with their service projects.
Lastly, I would like to recognize a few organizations and individuals that have been very active in working with the Township and will continue to contribute to the community in the years to come. The first is the West Windsor Arts Council. This 501(c)(3) organization is working with the Township to restore and upgrade the old Princeton Junction Fire House as its new home. I would like to recognize Paul Cerna for his efforts in founding this organization through the Mayor’s Arts Center Formation Task Force in 2002.
The next person I would like to recognize is Daniel J. Gerstenhaber who established the West Windsor Annual BIKEFEST four years ago. This has been a very popular family event and will continue to grow as new trails are established.
Earlier I mentioned the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance. This important and effective advocacy group, also a 501(c)(3), grew out of the Mayor’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force. I would like to recognize Ken Carlson and Ken Naglak for forming this task force and for their commitment to finalize the West Windsor Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan with the Township and NJDOT in 2005.
Lastly, an organization that has been working with the Township on the expansion to the Senior Center is the Friends of West Windsor Seniors. This organization has been a tremendous participant in this planning exercise and has also been a tireless fundraiser for the Senior Center. I would like to recognize Ron Slinn for his efforts.
At this point in my address, some of you in the audience are probably thinking to yourselves “Hey, what happened, the Mayor didn’t mention redevelopment once during his entire speech!” I know that the topic of redevelopment and related issues have taken center stage at Planning Board and Township Council Meetings and in newspaper articles about West Windsor over the last year. Tonight, I would just like to report that it appears that several redevelopment-related items are actually moving forward. One of the largest property owners in the redevelopment area has been presenting his development concepts to community groups and township officials. The Township Council and I are working together to address the funding issue for the Vaughn Drive Connector and a related resolution should be passed by Council later tonight. The Redevelopment Finance Committee is getting up to speed on a number of redevelopment-related financial options and strategies. It is my hope that in the next month or so, the Township will be able to give guidance and direction to Hillier Architecture so that they can complete a redevelopment plan. The next few months, actually the next few years, should definitely be interesting.
In closing, I would like to thank Council President Will Anklowitz and the Members of Township Council for all of their time and efforts. I would also like to thank our management team—Business Administrator Christopher Marion, Chief Financial Officer Joanne Louth, Chief Joseph Pica, Community Development Coordinator Pat Ward, Human Services Director Robert Hary, Acting Public Works Director Alex Drummond, Township Attorney Mike Herbert and all of our Township employees for their energy, enthusiasm and professionalism.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank again my family for their sacrifice and support. Particularly, I would like to thank my wife for always standing by my side. She has been there for the better and the worse, the good and the bad. No matter what, she has always been my rock.
Thank you and goodnight.
State of Town Address in Adobe PDF for printing
