Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. The door shut. >> Hey, 7 o'clock. We're just waiting for a um make sure that all the recording is doing well.
>> We are live. >> Okay. It's 7 p.m. I call to order the business meeting of the Township Council of West Windsor for October 14th, 2025. Well, Allison, can you call the role?
>> Gawas >> here. >> Jivers >> here. >> Mandel >> here. >> Weiss >> here. >> Whitfield >> here. >> Thank you. >> And have we adequately noticed? >> Yes, we were adequately noticed on January 17th, 2025 to the Times in the Princeton packet, posted at the Township
Municipal Building, filed with the municipal clerk, and posted on the township website. Please stand for the salute to the flag. >> To the flag. of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. We have a couple of ceremonial matters tonight. Uh we have a proclamation for October breast cancer awareness month. So you would you like to take care of it?
>> Yes. Well, thank you. Um, before I read the proclamation, um, just want to say, um, few words. So, this past Sunday, October 12th, um, was the anniversary of my
first treatment for breast cancer. So um you know just looking back at the last two years um since my diagnosis and everything and how um the community came together to not only support me but my
family is like really um heartwarming and two years later today earlier today I had um an appointment with my surgeon and I'm very happy to report that he gave me a complete thumbs up that I'm all good to go and he does not want to
see me for another year for a followup. So, it's a celebration day today for me. Thank you. Hence, I'm all pinkked out today. Uh I'm very happy. Um it's like including my pom pink pom pom pen. So,
it's all pink and my daughter was very happy and she made all these bracelets for me. So, that's what I'm wearing tonight. So, it's all pink. And um later today I think um um council vice president Linda is also going to read a proclamation on Hindu American heritage
month. Hence I am decided to wear my Indian um garb today. um October breast cancer awareness month. Whereas breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the US according to the American Cancer
Society and whereas approximately 1 in eight women in the US which is 13.1% will be diagnosed with breast cancer and whereas in 2025 an estimated
36 uh 30 16,950 women and 2800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. And whereas the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month program is dedicated to increasing
public knowledge about the importance of the early detection of breast cancer and prompt treatment can significantly reduce the suffering and deaths caused by this disease. And whereas mamography and x-ray of the breast is the single
most effective method of detecting breast changes that may be cancerous long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt. And whereas the breast cancer death rate has dropped by 44%
since 1989 because of advances in treatment and earlier detection resulting in approximately 517,900 averted breast cancer deaths. Now therefore be it resolved by Mayor Hoth
Marathi and the township council of the township of Westminster, the month of October be proclaimed as breast cancer awareness month and the mayor and township council encourage all residents to talk with their healthcare provider about prevention, early detection and
support services. Breast cancer awareness month in perpetuity. Thank you, Sonia. And I hope we hear more and more good doctor reports for your >> and I I keep telling all my friends and
girls and we have some young girls in in the audience as well is um taking care of your health is very important. Early detection um selfch checkck and early detection truly saved my life. >> Right. And Sonia knew something was
wrong and when you see something say something and u Yes. >> Correct. Yes. Absolutely. Um, >> thank you. >> Um, Madame President, we have a poster um here from the health department. If the council would like to take a photo in front of the poster.
>> Sure. Do we have to sign it or do we want to >> It's already assigned um from it's last year's with the ribbons who made >> Great. Okay. >> We can do that. >> Where
a poster poster Oh, to the left. See the seal also. She's now she's Um, do we move the mayor? >> Um, thank you. Meeting is not adjourned.
Thank you. Okay. Um, we also want to recognize that this is HinduAmerican Month. So, Linda, would you like to read the proclamation, please? >> Sure. >> Whereas West Windsor is proud of its rich cultural history and the many people who call our town home. and
whereas our vibrant Hindu-American community con cons uh constitutes a vital element of the township's diverse ethnic and social fabric whose languages and cultures have enriched the lives of its citizens. And whereas through Hindu
Americans love of family, community, hard work, they have helped to uphold the founding principles of our nation for generations. HinduAmerican entrepreneurs strengthen our economy and our community through their dedication and ingenuity, inspiring the next
generation of American innovation by example. Whereas Hindu Americans have made significant contributions across all fields including science, education, medicine, law, politics, business,
culture, sports, and more. And whereas Hindu Americans in West Windsor contribute to our community every day as volunteers, first responders, educators, medical professionals, business owners, professionals, service personnel, and in
government. And whereas during the month of October, the Hindu community comes together to celebrate its heritage by focusing on its culture and diverse spiritual traditions rooted in India. And whereas we recognize the many
contributions the HinduAmerican community has made to our beloved nation, state, and township. Now, therefore, be it resolved on this 14th day of October, 2025 by the mayor and township council of the township of West Windsor, County of Mercer, and state of
New Jersey that the mayor and township council recognize October as Hindu American Heritage Month in perpetuity. >> Thank you, Okay. And like to congratulate
um new Americans for everything that they've done and um Sonia, did you want to say something? >> Um no, thank you. Um um month of October for Hindus is a is a big month of a lot
of celebrations started um with Navatri 9day celebrations of Navatri and it ends with Diwali which is uh coming up. So it's um it's a big month of cultural events all through um with various
celebrations um and um in the whole theme of that is celebrating good over evil. So I think we have that common theme um with Jewish um holidays as well that um a lot of um Jewish community
celebrated recently. I think that was really uh you know it's a very common theme among various communities. >> Thank you. And I was at um several Napra um events the Wack and Grover Middle Schools. Very festive, a lot of fun,
great music, people dancing and and even I got out on the dance floor. So >> yeah, that was good. It's good. um 16 years ago when I moved here and I put holiday lights in my house and um I
was being asked by many neighbors at that time. I think I was the only Indian family in the neighborhood when we moved. So, uh people were very confused um why I was putting holiday lights in September. And um so the
following year I started celebrating Diwali in our neighborhood to you know bring the neighbors together and a the positive part is September it's not freezing cold so you can put your lights up and you can enjoy for much
longer. So we put the holiday lights up after our festivals are ended. We shut switch switch it off and then we just have to switch it back on for for holiday holidays in December. So we
>> Yeah, it's nice. Um like I I always enjoy these holidays. Um, I seem to add little outfits in my closet for them continuously cuz I love going to the dancing and we've been to several of these already and um I'm
always have a good time and um it's just it's just a lot of fun for me. >> It is. It's a lot. And uh I was in um High School North earlier today for a for a um counselor meeting. Um we had a counselor roundt meeting and I was
really happy to see in the media um center in the library they actually had um Hindu heritage month um books out for the students. Um so I was really happy to see that even our schools are um you
know bringing that information to our um students in schools. >> Yeah. And I think this is the second time I showed up to my Jewish temple in an Indian outfit cuz I was going somewhere by So by now I think they're getting used to it too. >> Y >> Okay. Um I'm going to open up public
comment. Is there anybody that would wish to do public comment? Three minute limit. This is the first public comment. Seeing none, I will close the public comment at this time and go to administration
comments. Elena, >> good evening. >> DPW began collecting leaves and brush in zone two today and they'll be in that zone for the rest of the week. And I guess as leaves fall, um, public works
will seek authorization for overtime. Um, there will be a flu vaccine clinic at the West Windsor Senior Center, 271 Clarksville Road, West Windsor, New Jersey, Wednesday, November 5th from
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It's open to West Windsor, Robinsville, and Heightstown residents three years and older. You can register online or you can come the day of the clinic. If you do not have insurance, please
call West Windsor Health Department at 609-9368400. [Music] And then um it's also fire prevention week. It went from October 5th to October 11th.
Um, this year's theme is charge into fire safety. Lithium ion batteries in your home. These batteries power our everyday lives, but when used or charged incorrectly, they
can spark a dangerous fire. Stay safe. Use only the charger made for your device. Stop using swollen or overheating batteries. Don't charge overnight or on beds or sofas and
recycle batteries properly. Never toss them in the trash. This information is going to be on the website um tomorrow. Uh the last paper shredding event is
October 18th. This event is sponsored by Mercer County. Um it will be held um Saturday from 9:00 am to 12 pm at 6:51 South Broad Street, Trenton, New Jersey.
It it's going to be held in lot 4, which is across from the McDade admin building. There's a maximum amount of eight bankers boxes that will be accepted. It's a good time to clear
clutter from your home and it's open to all Mercer County residents and proof of mercy Mercer County residence will be required upon arrival. West Windsor Health Department will have
a rabies vaccination clinic Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Princeton Junction Firehouse at 245 Clarksville Road. Pre-registration is strongly
recommended. However, walk-ins are welcomed and you can um actually make an appointment or register online um by going to the um health department uh web page. Um each pet should be
registered separately and each pet should be accompanied with an with an indiv an individual adult. All pets must be secured on leashes. No retractable leashes. Dogs and cats must be healthy
at least 3 months, 12 weeks of age to be vaccinated. You must bring proof of a prior rabies shot to receive a three-year certificate. Without proof, a one-year certificate will be issued. An
acceptable proof is an expired rabies certificate or prior pet license. This is not the township's law. This is state law and the health department is responsible for issuing those license in
accordance with those conditions. I assume the pets do have to be licensed. >> Oh, that the pet has to be licensed in order to get the shot. Yeah, >> I I believe that's the purpose of the vaccination clinic because usually it's
an opportunity for residents to >> get a dog, you know, apply for a dog or a cat. >> Yeah. You you usually need the rabies vaccination for licensing. >> Yeah. >> So annually when you have to renew your licenses which happens.
>> Yeah. You can present a prior pet license, right? Okay. So, >> and honestly, I think whatever we can do to get our companion animals vaccinated, >> we we need to do it because the numbers
are falling off. So, >> yeah. >> And then there are several events. Martian weekend is coming up. Um, the West Windsor Histo Historical Society
is um having a trunk or treat event Saturday, October 25th from 2 to 4:00 p.m. at the historic Skank Farmstead, 50 Southfield Road. It's a kid-friendly holiday tradition. Businesses and
community groups will decorate their cars and give away candy in a controlled environment at the historic West Windsor History Museum. The museum will not be open. Uh we're asking or the historical
society is inviting local businesses, organizations to decorate their car trunks, hand out candy, and promote themselves there. and recreation and parks also needs donations to buy extra candy. There's a um email um address
where you can contact um the Parks and Recreation Division and that's posted on the website as well. October 26th, 10:15 a.m. at Grover's Mill Coffee. Um there
will be a bark um I'm sorry bike um ride departing from Groger Snow which is coffee at 295 Heightstown Road at 10:15 ages 12 plus free. It's a free event,
but registration is required and you can do so online um by going to the um website for the historical society. Um and it's the theme of the ride is to discover the Martian invasion that
thrust West Windsor into the national spotlight. And the final event that weekend will be held at the West Windsor Arts Council, 952 Alexander Road. There's plenty of parking available
um at the train station parking lot on Sunday. Um there's going to be a reading hysteria or they came through the air. Again, it'll be October 26 from 4 to 6
PM. Um, it's a staged reading of um, Hysteria or They Came Through the Air, which is an original play inspired by Orson Wells infamous 1938 War of the
Worlds, War of the Worlds broadcast. Um following the reading there'll be a lively talkback with the actors, directors, playwright and creative team. Uh a lot of planning went into this event and um I believe um you the cost
is $15 and you're asked to go to the website and register in advance. Those are the announcements I have for this evening. >> Thank you, Marina. Mayor, >> thanks India. Uh Marunia spoke about flu
clinic in uh November. That's the third flu clinic that the last one they just had a second one today from 4 to 6. I got both my mom and I got my flu shots. Um so there's a good turnout uh early in
the day at 4:00. So again, take advantage of that. It's very easy in and out in 5 minutes. Um uh tomorrow everybody's going to go and eat at Jersey Mike's either lunch or dinner. Uh that's an order. Uh uh last year uh due
to drought uh uh we canled the fireworks and had a drone show and it turned out to be so popular that people are now demanding they want a drone show. Nobody wants a firework. Uh last year the um both the fireworks and ranch show are
paid by the recreation department through their trust fund. So it's not funded by the taxpayers. Um last year they just did a uh minimal uh fund and since it was the first one they did fund it. This year the cost is much higher. I
think $15,000 or $20,000. So they will fund whatever their regular uh funding is for fireworks. But they are trying to raise money for the rest of the amount and tomorrow Jersey Mike has agreed to do a fundraiser and donate 20% of the
proceeds uh to the drone show. So please do go and support them. Um and Jersey Mike is excellent. So you don't need a reason to go there. Uh so hope to see uh some of you there tomorrow uh anytime just mention if you order online mention
the code JM gives and uh 20% of the proceeds will be given to u the rec department towards the drone show. Um not surprising but again uh this year the SNP affirmed our AAA rating. I did
get the write up. I didn't get a chance to email it to the council members, but I will do that. Uh we do hope to go uh issue short-term bond anticipation notes. So that's why we had to go and get our ratings reaffirmed from SNP and
it's no surprise that they did reaffirm our uh rating um AAA rating. By the time we do go and actually issue the notes hopefully uh uh Federal Reserve will reduce the interest rate at least once in two weeks if not twice in early
December. So hope to pay even less uh than what the current going rate is but that AAA rating definitely definitely definitely helps us. Um, another great news for uh, West Windsor uh, taxpayers is that we were very successful in
auctioning off a liquor license. Now, liquor license is a very complicated process in uh, Jersey. Uh, you need a PhD to understand how the whole thing works. But um we it's it's given basically it's given based on your
population and during the last we know during the last census uh in 2020 we were very close to um very close to uh meeting that threshold. Uh we were trying to that's why we were very aggressive in asking people to uh report
to census and make sure they were counted. Unfortunately, we did come a little short. But then uh thinking about it, somebody from uh somebody from u Robinsville approached me to ask if uh Westminster will be interested in
purchasing a pocket license since they had excess pocket license that they are not using. And I said sure, let me look into it. And then uh when we started looking into it, thanks to our crack administration team uh they found out that we don't have to pay anybody for
liquor license. We can do a mid-sensus update and get a license ourselves. So thanks to Marina, John, Kerry, and Allison. Of course, Allison uh dealt with the um whatever the alcoholic board. Uh but thanks to all of them they
they did uh they did um uh convince them and not only one we have two legal licenses we decided to auction up one this year and the next one will be next year then the next one is not a this is a consumption license the next one is a sale license. So if anybody is looking
to open a liquor store in West Windsor, stay tuned. Uh we will be auctioning off a second license sometime uh sometime next year. Uh so again, thanks to them and they did they did convince me to uh aim very high. The last time uh the last
liquor license we auctioned off since I became mayor got us $900,000. So they convinced me to go with a bid of 1.2 2 million as the minimum bid amount. We did do that. But um as as uh good news for Westminster taxpayer, the bid
we received from market flare was 1,500,777. Somebody must be James Bond fan or Boeing fan. So uh we did get a a bid which is almost uh 300,000 higher than u
what we what our minimum bid was. So, uh that's good news. Um we expect I mean um the police have to do the background check. We have to do some other checks, but we I do expect it to be on the council agenda um at the next council
meeting, right? Should be at the next or the one after that, but someday. >> So, it'll go through a review process um and then after it's done its review process, it'll come before council. >> Yeah. >> Right. So um I don't expect any of you
to say no to the $1.5 million. So uh but it will be on the agenda. Uh so that's another good news for Westminster taxpayer. Um and lastly as uh you celebrate the Indo-American um month uh Diwali is coming up uh uh this weekend.
So I want to wish everybody who celebrates happy Diwali and don't be surprised if between now and the next meeting I add a few pounds to my weight because of Diwali. So again thank you very much. >> Thanks. I had assumed the 777 was from
like the slot machines or something. It's a gamble. >> I don't know. I mean they can beat whatever above 1.2 million. So that's what when they opened the bid that's what the bid was. >> Well I'm happy. Um, Linda, would you like to
>> Yeah, definitely. Uh, good news, Mayor. Um, Dvali, uh, commences later this month and symbolizes victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. So, happy Dvali everyone and enjoy the holiday uh,
season. Uh thanks to Sonia Allison uh and health department members for organizing our annual pink ribbon tree tying event on the municipal complex and uh Andrea and um Dan and I uh joined in to to help. So that's uh sort of an
annual tradition now. So thanks for all that. And uh we're just trying to bring awareness uh to breast cancer um for this month in hopes of saving lives. Uh thanks to the Girl Scouts. It was good seeing many of them earlier here. They
got a tour of room A and and met with the mayor. So it's nice to see the young students um understanding and learning more about uh our local government. Uh as Marina mentioned, fire prevention month uh is
going on. So thank you to all our firefighters, volunteer firefighters, fire police at stations 45, 44, and 43. and uh they all train for various uh emergencies throughout the year. There's there's tremendous amount of state
requirements um in training. So uh we're thankful for their service which they give to our community 247 and that's >> thank you Sonia. Oh, um I just want to wish everybody who
celebrated um Navatri this past week and um that they had a really nice celebration and everybody um who uh uh were what's the word I think for
>> um well there was um Sim >> William Kapoor was before and then there was Suko >> Suko and recently right >> right and then Sima tourists now. >> Yeah. >> So, I hope you have um good uh
>> then happy holidays. So, >> happy holidays. I I just want to make sure I'm not saying it wrong. Um happy for to um every um resident who are celebrating um this upcoming week. It's a 5-day celebration. Um, I did get an
alert that on, uh, Monday, um, October 20th, uh, Bapt Temple in Robbinsville will be having their fireworks show. Um, last year, if I remember, um, it was a very I didn't go to see it, but I do do
remember hearing from a lot of residents that we could hear the fireworks all the way here in Wester. So, um, keep a watch on that. make sure all your pets are safe inside when the fireworks um go
off. Um our police department um is hosting their annual park drop um so they're collecting um food, toys, um all sorts of things for pets. Um which they do this annually. So um they have some
information up on their website. Um they have a wish list as well. So um anything we can donate to Barb crop would be great. Thank you. >> Thank you Sonia Martin. >> I just just briefly wanted to wish everyone happy to Dwali to those who celebrate and uh more importantly as
well. Uh so very happy to hear of the report that Sonia gave tonight. Uh to all those who have had to endure that just want to pray God's strength and blessings to be upon you. um that that you have great conviction
and continue in your strive um for health success as Sonia had mentioned is so very very important. So to all those um who have gone through this and are going through this just uh pray God's blessings of strength and awareness continuously on you and to those in the
community. Thank you. >> Thank you Mark Dan. >> Thank you. Um, I'd like to use my time here to talk about an issue that that I learned about and was raised at the last board of ed meeting. Uh, as a council
leazison, I attend all those meetings and it's an issue that I think we all really need to to dive into and be aware of and and use our voice to speak out. Um, in recent weeks there's been a a
billionaire funded organization called Wakeup Call New Jersey. Um, and they've launched a coordinated multi-million dollar campaign to smear our schools and undermine public
confidence in public education. They describe themselves as nonpartisan and nonprofit, but that is a political talking point and not the truth. Their campaign is not about helping children.
It's about politics and profit and power. It's actually part of a national effort by right-wing donors and political operatives to defund public education, replacing it with privatized alternatives that enrich the few and
roll back inclusive, culturally responsive curricula that reflect the diversity of our students and our community. Their messaging is deliberately misleading and quite frankly deeply
insulting. They make outrageous claims about our students futures based on a single test score of fourth grade students who by the way started their public education in the middle of the pandemic.
They reduce children to data points. They attack our teachers and our families and they ignore the facts. The truth is uh and and Dr. David Adderald spoke for well over 30 minutes on this. I'm not going to spend that much time, but the
truth is that the West Windsor Plains School District is, as we all know, one of the top performing school districts in the entire state of New Jersey. 97% of our students are graduation graduation ready in English. 93% are ready in math. Our SAT scores far exceed
state and national averages. 90% of our AP uh exams score a three or higher, three out of five, and nearly all of our graduates continue their education. So these are not marks of a failing education system. Um they are
actually proof of a thriving worldclass public education system. So this campaign is not about transparency. It's really about dismantling public schools, targeting immigrant and LGBTQ plus students, and
turning education into another commodity for the wealthy to control. And it's no coincidence that this campaign is running during the election cycle. So, I cannot stay silent in the face of this. Uh I think we must call it what it is.
It's a cynical partisan attack on our schools. It's attack on our children. It's an attack on our values. Public education is the heart of our democracy and the soul of our community here and so it belongs to all of us and it I
think it must remain a public good and not a private profit center. So I urge everybody to read Superintendent Dr. David Adald's full response, the 14p gauge document that's on the um the district website. Learn the facts, speak
out about it, because together we must reject these divisive tactics and stand united in defense of our public schools. Our children's future depend on it. >> Thank you. >> The the I think Dr. Adrupul's response
is also on YouTube that um can watch. >> Um so yeah the I I read the 14page uh document that he sent to all the parents because um I was >> getting messages left and right from very concerned parents.
>> The amount of advertising is obscene. >> It is. I'm seeing that >> ad like pop on >> pop up on every website >> everywhere. every website, news panels, print. Yeah, it's uh everywhere. So, >> yeah, I do thank you for that. And I do
encourage everybody to read Dr. Adold's response or watch the YouTube video that's on district website. >> Well, they picked the wrong district. >> Yeah, the wrong district. >> They picked two districts, West Windsor and Montlair. >> Yeah. Yeah. And if you're not paying
attention, Montlair is is the home of two um public figures. One happens to be running for governor and the other one is the the >> the president of the teachers union. So it's not not really >> No, no, it's Yeah.
>> And it's not really about Westminster schools. It's about this broader effort to undermine >> It is. But they're they're attacking Westminster schools directly very deliberately. Yes. Um and you know they did pick fourth graders again deliberately because these fourth graders >> they just look for they look for one
statistic to >> right and they did start and like you know it's not it's not hidden truth that um these students who started schooling during pandemic not just in Westminster but all around the world um are probably
tad bit behind but even then Westminster students are I think >> the irony is that they took took a statistic specific to West Windsor and said 34% of our fourth graders failed this test. But if you look at that same test statewide, the state average was 60%. So West Windsor actually did nearly
twice as better than the rest of the state. So again, it's this is just using numbers to to target um this town and it's um it's not okay. >> Having been a former school board member, I know that excellence and education thrives in this district. So, >> and it's about outcomes, not about
looking at individual >> test scores. >> Anyway, thank you for your indulgence. >> Yeah. Um, I'm still trying to figure out why they would pick a town that's one of the absolute top in the state that has doesn't even have partisan races and
doesn't even have anybody winning in West Windsor in opposition for schoolboard. >> So, it's a Yeah. And pick one where they can only really find one data point. So, um I have no idea it why they would pick this specific
town, but it's um and and it's um very very little information in in this thing. It's like one number they've picked. So, anyway, um I guess we'll find out as it h comes along what the what the whole long game
and what the next step is going to be. Okay. Um my turn. Um first of all, I would like to wish everybody a happy Diwali and a happy Simka. Um it's u I think as Sonia and I have
mentioned a lot of the Jewish holidays seem to occur at around the same time with the Hindu holidays which uh part of it's because we're on a lunar type calendar but they still similar holidays seem to come together and it would be an
interesting historical um thing to look at at some point. Um, I want to thank uh Girl Scout Troop 71924 who came to learn about our local government tonight. Good citizenship always starts with knowledge. And I want
to remind that everybody today is the last day to register to vote. I believe uh you can register online and as far as I know, as long as it's today, unless Alison, do you know? >> Today is the deadline at 900 p.m. >> Yep. 900 p.m. So, if there's anybody
sitting here that knows that has not registered to vote, you know, go on your phone, go on whatever, do stop whatever you're doing and please register to vote. Um, there's a number of activities the last couple of weeks. Um, we had the
council leadership office hours with Linda. Um, we tied the town pink with ribbons at the municipal center with all my fellow council members here. Um, I went to the Garber dance at the IFMP at WAC. I think this is my third or fourth time.
And uh, I still not good at it, but they're all always very tolerant and and I always have a good time. >> Um, there was a food collection at the West Windsor DPW shredding event. So, I want to thank everybody who donated
either food or money um to um to Shupe. Uh during that event, uh the historical society held their foil festival and there were several community groups and farm animals there in which I always find out I'm still allergic to rabbits.
Um air um with attitudes in reverse did a taste of hope fundraiser against suicide. I want to spe a special congratulations to West Windsor gives back and Sonia was there and she did a really they had a um uh
um video that they had put together and they were interviewing her and she did a really terrific job in that. Um and uh Amalene Scapes also from West Windsor was honored by air at the um at the um fundraiser. Then the Hindi USA school
held a nice Diwali celebration. So, uh, a few of us were at that. And then, uh, air and the Lions Club, which, uh, several Linder and Sonia and I are also members of, did a suicide awareness and prevention event, and I'm, um, happy to
support this important conversation as suicide and its mental health causes hits home here in West Windsor much too often. Some things coming up. I know some of them Marina had mentioned. Uh, Veg ER is supposed to have their grand opening on Thursday at noon. That's near
Lowe's and Starbucks. I know a lot of people in town are going to be looking forward to that because they're emergency vet vets for um uh not only for dogs and cats, but uh for certain birds and other exotic animals that we
have in town. uh and it's close by so you don't have to go all the way out uh to Twin Rivers or uh if you do have a problem and it become it's another option for emergency veterary problems. Um I'm I'm planning on walking in the
JFCs wheels for meals bike run walk fundraiser on Sunday morning. This group provides meals for those in need to over 1,900 Mercer area households each month, including 270 West Windsor residents. So, I think um if you did want to
register to walk or bike, I think the um not walk the pre-registration rate is still available today and after that it goes up a bit, but it's all going to a good cause. So, anybody wants to come or just come to cheer everybody on, that's
uh that's happening on Sunday. Hope for good weather. And of course, we're having the trunk or treat at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 25th, which for the first time is being held by the historical society on that property. So,
that's um that's always a fun event. Uh, also want to be happy to announce that West Windsor will be applying for a sustainable Jersey and PSEG grant that will inform residents about energy savings and cost savings opportunities
through PSENG for their homes. Uh, I'll talk more about this later during the council reports. I want to thank Mayor Marathi, the environmental commission chair of Ryan BS and EC advisor Pornnea Gupta for making this happen.
Um, that's all I've got. Allison, do you have uh comments from the clerk? >> I have some upcoming election dates. Um, October 22nd, uh, the the Mercer County Clerk will be mailing all registered voters the sample ballots for the
general election. The early voting period begins on October 25th and runs through November 2nd. There are eight early voting locations within Mercer County. So, as long as you're a registered voter within Mercer County, you can go to any of the eight voting
locations. And one of those includes the West Windsor uh Mercer County Library here in West Windsor, 333 North Post Road. That's added new for the general election. Um also, the uh deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail for
the general election is October 28th. We have a mail-in ballot box located here on the municipal complex next to the senior center. Um, however, there are locations throughout Mercer County. And again, they're open 24 hours a day until
8:00 p.m. on election day. Uh, registered voters in Mercer County can drop their mail and ballot in any of the secure mail and ballot locations within Mercer County. And um, and of course, election day is November 4th. Voting is from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 pm.
>> Thank you. And if you've gotten your um vote by mail, of course, don't forget to return it. Um there are no public hearings and want to go into the consent agenda. >> Okay. Consent agenda minutes. May 19th,
2025 business session. May 19th, 2025 close session. Bills and claims. >> Does anybody wish to pull anything? No. Can I get a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Gawas, >> yes. >> Jivers, >> yes.
>> Weiss, >> yes. >> Whitfield, >> yes. >> Mando, >> yes. And recommendations for administration and council clerk, >> 2025-R209, authorizing the appointment of Sagartha Argirthi as a student member of the
human relations council with a term to expire on January 14th, 2026. 2025-R210 authorizing the business administrator to purchase scanning services for township documents from Dell Marketing
LP under New Jersey state contract T3121 20- tele-1510 for $27,15740 2025-R211 authorizing the chief financial officer to increase the contract with Parker
McKay PA by $70,000 for a total not to exceed $145,000. 2025-R212 authorizing the award of a contract for the maintenance and service of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for various
township buildings to MAC Mechanical LLC for the period January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026. $48,24960 2025-R213 authorizing the full release of a performance bond for street opening
permit number 2023-27 to Hess Broadband Inc. 2025-R214 authorizing the chief financial officer to increase the professional services agreement with Aurora and Associates for
Miscellaneous Engineering Services in the amount of $300 for a total not to exceed $2,300. 2025-R215 authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute a professional services agreement with Daniel Doberilski and
associates on a consultant basis for professional landscape architectural planning and certified tree expert services for tasks related to the community forestry management plan and street tree inventory $20,000
2025-R216 authorizing the chief financial officer officer to increase the professional services agreement with Geo Geo Trek and Environmental and Surveying LLC for miscellaneous engineering services in
the amount of $20,000 for a total not to exceed $23,000 2025-R217 authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute a professional services agreement with Geotrek Environmental and Surveying LLC for professional land
surveying services for mapping of the municipal storm water and sanitary sewer collection system structures $71,480 2025-R218 authorizing the business administrator to purchase one new case loader with
tink claw from GT Midatlantic under the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey contract number 223-12 for the Department of Public Work works $250,21 2025-R219
authorizing the business administrator to purchase DJI Matrix 30T drone and related accessories for the police division from Terrestrial Imaging LLC under Bergen County Cooperative
Purchasing BC bid number 25-42 $17,61789 9 2025-R220 authorizing the business administrator to purchase new chairs for the police division dispatch center from SHI
International Corp. under New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance contract number CK04 subcontract 24-38 2748.96 2025-R221 authorizing the mayor and clerk to
execute a cost sharing agreement with the parking authority of West Windsor Township 2025-R222 confirming market fair holdings 2 LLC has been determined to be the pre-qualified bidder for a new plenary
consumption license to be issued by the township of West Windsor with a bid of 1,500,777 2025-R223 authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute a memorandum of understanding, use, and hold harmless agreement with
West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company number one. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, I'm going to pull for a separate vote 2025-R 2023
um due to some potential uh conflicts for members of our council where we would want to have a separate vote where they can't vote. Uh Mike, would you want to just explain what uh what the issue is? Why we um have to restrict the vote
on that one? Uh very very quickly this is a a agreement between the township the volunteer fire company uh it's a it's an agreement that has many levels to it you know it is a it's a high level agreement
and I think out of an abundance of safety and precaution that uh that those uh council people who have affiliation with fire element uh just abstain from this vote now beyond Yeah. >> Okay. And this would be considered a
very unusual circumstance of the >> voting. We sure it's it's in a safe spread in a safe way that can't be challenged. >> Thank you. Um what I'd like is to
entertain that we now vote on 2025 dash. Um let's see what's the first one here. 209 R. >> Yeah. So two 2025 R 209 to R 222. Can I
get a motion to um pass? >> Salute. >> Second. >> Okay. Garw. >> Yes. Gvers. >> Yes. >> We >> Yes. >> Whitfield. >> Yes. >> Land. >> Yes. Okay. Okay. And now I would like to
entertain a motion to um adopt R 2025-R2023. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Garas. >> Abstain. Gvers.
>> Uh abstain. I recuse myself. >> We >> Whitfield. >> Yes. >> Mindo. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Okay. Now we go to introduction of ordinances. >> 2025-17, an ordinance to amend and supplement
chapter 168, traffic and parking of the revised general ordinances of the township of West Windsor, 1999. Article five, traffic and parking regulations on private property. Article seven, schedules and article seven,
schedules for Princeton Greens. Okay. Can I get a motion to introduce? >> So moved to introduce. >> Second. >> Garwins. >> Yes. >> Jivers. >> Yes. >> Weiss. >> Yes. >> Whitfield? >> Yes. >> Mando?
>> Yes. >> The public hearing will be October 27th, 2025. >> Okay. Having finished all that, I'm going to open for a sub sec second public comment. Same rules. 3m minute
limit. Does anybody wish to do a public comment at this time? >> Right. I have a Mr. Cohen signed on the list. >> Please come forward and state your name and address. >> Good evening. My name is Larry Cohen. My address is 233
uh in mailing address but West Windsor. I'm simply coming here this evening to ask about um traffic situation which we've seen before because I know when we uh did a measurement on Fiser Place
several years ago there were 14,000 vehicles per week. Um lately the traffic stops uh it backs up uh almost the entire block to Fair View. Uh and then when it's not blocked up, a lot of people who
use this uh bypass of the Washington Road intersection with Route One strive to make that light because it only turns green every 5 minutes. Um I know there's there were plans for a uh
Millstone bypass that would go from Harrison Street around Sarnoff into the circle. I also suspect that Fiser Place, the 200 block, probably is going to be repaved at some point in the near future. At least I hope so, because of
all the traffic. And I'd like to suggest that traffic calming might be included in the plans for repaving, at least until the bypass is actually built. So, if anyone can help me to become more aware of what's the plan, I'd appreciate
it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there any otherbody who wishes to speak during the public comment period? >> If not, we'll close public comment and yeah have to go.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I would like to Yeah. I'm very much aware with Perl problem. I travel there twice a day, morning and evening. GPS shows that route instead of Washington road. Even I don't know why GPS shows even at 5:00 in the morning
when I go it takes me on Fisher Place. I ignore it but 5:00 there's no traffic on Washington. Makes no sense to take me to Fisher Place. Um so um it's probably because GPS shows that as
opposed to Washington every time I take um and whether it's car GPS or Google maps it both shows taking Fisher place. Um you talked about bypass that bypass was never going to happen because Princeton was involved, Plinsboro was
involved and we were involved and the state was involved. What we have been talking about or have been talking about for 8 years is a Millstone bypass that doesn't involve Princeton that doesn't involve Lingsboro. Whenever the Sarnoff
property is developed, um we have a plan for a bypass from the new circle on Alexander connecting to Harrison Street through SRRI property. And every developer that has come to me with some proposal for SRRI property has been told that that's
a requirement before we'll approve any improvement to that property. It's an expensive road. Mahar engineer um estimates about $10 million because it's a elevated surface over water. Um I have
I'm okay to contribute some part as taxpayer money because we need to get that done. I can't promise you um when it will be done but if I'm mayor it will be done. Uh otherwise SR won't um SRI
won't be developed. It will stay as it is. Um, regarding repaving, um, I'm told there was an effort to put sidewalks on Fisher Place and some people are opposed to that. Uh so when we are ready to do
repaving we will again talk to the uh because that's one way of um calming u measure putting sidewalks and putting bike lanes there and Princeton University has agreed to bring a lane right across from Fisher Place uh in
their plan and there's a traffic light and there's a you can put a walking signal across Route One and that's a much safer way to cross route on then to cross at the circle in Washington. So I cannot promise you when that will happen
but it will happen and you have to convince your neighbors not to fight for sidewalk or bike lanes when we do that. I am told that in the past when township got that topic up somebody was not happy
putting sidewalks on fisher place. So uh when it's time uh you will have to rally everybody up because we don't fight people to put sidewalks in front of their house but it will happen. Uh bike and pedestrian I've talked to them too and they know and Princeton University
knows that's why they have been bringing the path almost to route one on the other side and we have talked to Dart. So that will happen one of these days. >> Okay. Thank you, mayor. All right. Um, are there any other
administration updates? But no, let's Sorry. Council reports, Dan, >> thank you. Uh, order of ed meeting. I think we we discussed that. Mhm. >> They they did uh take the opportunity to
uh sort of kick off the school year as well with reports from the students on sports activities and theater programs which are all in in full swing. Um recreation commission met uh number of things going on there. One um during the off season there's actually a lot of
stuff happening at the pool even though it's closed. They're planning up to upgrade all the pool bathrooms um completely. >> Yes. That's >> you made you made you made Andrea's day. That's it. She's happy now. That's it.
We can all go home now. Andrea is happy. >> Yeah. So, that's in progress. That will happen during the off season. >> Um they're also >> I hope so. I >> mean, the goal obviously is to have it ready for the next season. Um they're also working to they're even though it's the offseason, they're working still
working to secure a food services vendor um for next year. um they kind of need to revise or we need to revise they need to revise sort of thinking of how the agreement is structured. Right now it's sort of the model is that as far as a fixed payment by the vendor and that not no longer
really a viable economic model and the needs of move to the% yeah percentage cost share. So, I think they're working with the uh with John to to come to an agreement that will make it easier and more desirable because at
the end of the day, the goal there not necessarily for us to make money, but to provide a service to the people. >> Yeah. People have been asking, but yeah, >> it's been a couple years. >> It's been a couple years. Yeah. >> Um, as you may know, the skate park has been closed for quite some time now
because of safety issues. Um, and they're they're working with contractors now to to make some pavement repairs, trying to get it in before it gets too cold because when it gets too cold, they can't do the pavement. Um, but in general, like the maintenance of the equipment of the park is is problematic
due to the fact that it's kind of old, hard to find parts, hard to find vendors who are willing to to to make those repairs. So, um I don't know where that's going to take us, but I think some serious conversations need to be had um in the coming years about what do
we do with that facility. >> Would be interesting to know how many people use it like unique users. >> Yeah. I mean, it's used and even when it's locked up, people break in. >> They go, I've seen them climb that fence. >> They basically, you know, they seal one hole and then the next week they cut a
hole someplace out. So, >> people are getting into it anyway. >> Go over. >> Yeah. And as the mayor pointed out, there's a our drone show for the uh replacing the winter fireworks um is on. Uh Jersey Mike is doing a fundraiser. Um
the actual the cost of this has actually gone down this year um because there's a lot of competition. Um, so what they were actually able to negotiate was for the same price they're getting 50% more drones. So I think last year there was a 100 drones. So this year there's going
to be 150 drones. And what that means is just able to create more detailed and exciting images including um like insignas or even promotions of of for um >> sponsors
>> sponsors organizations. So if we know people, if anybody knows people who are interested in u making a sponsorship, what can come with that sponsorship is is your logo up in lights for for everybody participating to see >> they're advertising that as I haven't
seen that >> they're not publicly advertising it. I think that's more the kind of thing that we do as a as a as a township organization. Um reaching out to um local businesses or large businesses who are willing to make that kind of
donation. I don't think they've gone in full swing yet. >> Um but um that's certainly an opportunity we should look at. There was um last year I think there was a discussion of adding u more imaging um
surrounding various various holidays that our diverse communities celebrate. >> They're already they're um they're thinking about new other things so that they now can actually do very precise synchronization between the music and
the actual drone. So be last year, I think it was just they had music playing and >> and that they were completely separate. Now they're actually synchronized. So they're actually doing some very planful um models of >> of the show. So I I think it'll be
better than what we saw last year. Um and I thought last year was great. >> Oh, last year was amazing. >> Yes. And I've been asked by neighboring town people are if we are doing that and they would like to come and watch it because >> it was uh something new in the area that
>> that's just going to get better. >> Yeah. Yeah. Wonderful. >> I think we put in tried to put in for an environmental thing when we were doing sustainable jersey because uh yeah it's a no pollution, no firework pollution and you can bring your pets to that.
>> There's lots of good. So, um, yeah, that's that's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Martin. >> Sure. Uh, planning board will meet tomorrow evening, 6:30 p.m. right here. Uh, be a a review resolution for Fogo Chao, a final site plan for the
restaurant. Thank you. >> Are they going to go over um there was some rule they were working on or something? >> What? >> Weren't they working on some other um something else or is it just going to be that application? No, they're Yeah, they're they're actually um I think the escrow is that what you're talking
about? >> No, I think they Okay, I'll I'll look at the agenda. I thought there was something Sorry. >> Um affordable housing met on October 2nd. Um um not much to report from that. Um last week, parking authority met on a
Wednesday. Thanks, um Linda, for attending that meeting on my behalf. It was back to school night. Um so I couldn't um attend that meeting. So thanks, Linda. So, Linda will report on that. Thank you. >> Let me interrupt. Uh, signage regulations. >> Ah,
>> signage regulations at the planning board tomorrow. >> Yep. >> Okay. So, the West Windsor Parking Authority met on October 8th. The members listened to an AI power smart parking proposal from the company parking AI for a potential future
proposal for real-time parking occupancy and inventory for the Wallace road lot. The uh through the use of uh fisheye cameras and AI cars entering and leaving the lot can be tracked along with car movements leading to both spots in which
the cars are parked and available spaces. Violation detection can also be documented regarding the redevelopment of the bus depot on Wallace Road. Insurance and demolition permits are needed from Messa Excavating Company in
order to proceed with this work. There is also an an abandoned uh underground oil tank that extends on both the Amtrak and Township properties. Legal issues of who is responsible for any additional new found contamination and the cleanup
is yet to be determined. This may be a federal issue between Amtrak and the township. In the meantime, Mercer County will review the site plan as this location is next to Princeton Heights Road. For the daily lot, uh a second pay
by phone option is being explored as a convenience for commuters. Uh, finally, the parking authority has agreed to purchase a Harley motorcycle for our police department for traffic control. It will replace an old motorcycle and a new one will be stored at the police
station. Uh, the Shade Tree uh Commission has sent its revisions to the mayor and administration uh on the Shade Tree Commission's ordinance. So, I'd like to have the revisions uh placed under new business for discussion at
council's November 11th business meeting. So, if the uh mayor administration, if you guys can uh take a look um at some of the proposed changes and uh let council know, but and then we would bring it forward for a discussion together as a council under
new business and hopefully an introduction after that. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's with the zoning board attorney as I mentioned. I I'll get it. >> No, the zoning board. Um Oh, he's looking at it. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah, the zoning zoning board's getting it. It's
>> And then the environmental commission at some point. >> Yeah, they're going to look at it and then the environmental commission should look at it, too. >> Okay. Well, whoever needs to look at it, I just want to make sure that we get >> get the shade trees. Um >> it's an ordinance for the shade it's an
ordinance for the shade tree commission, like their responsibilities and things like that. Okay. We hoping that it kind of council >> that one won't be environmental. >> Can I ask for clarification because it sounds like there are multiple reviews that need to be done and how they're going to be.
>> Okay. That one doesn't need the environmental commission. It's >> no once once I get back from that then we will talk how we are moving forward. Let me at least get it back. It's >> let me get it back. I mean they have worked for months on this. It's a complicated matter. So let me get it
back that it's legal and legit and he doesn't see any problem >> then we will talk about how to move forward. >> Right. But we want to discuss it November 11th to get this wrapped up by the end of the year. >> Um >> can you add the towing ordinance to that
too? >> We could that should be ready to go now. >> It should be ready to go. Okay. Okay. We'll look at it. >> Right. Well, we didn't we give them we gave them the comments already, right? towing. >> No, we have they res they resubmitted it. >> Well, they res. Okay. All right. Well,
we'll get all this. There's a few things >> floating around and we got to tie it all up by the end of the year. >> Um the shade tree commission met on September 24th and there were 14 permit applications in September uh for taking
down trees under chapter 170. Uh the remaining existing tree saplings from the Ellsworth Drive open space area will be uh rescued and given uh foster care at some of the members residences. Uh the commission continued its discussions
for a new bamboo ordinance. That's it. >> Thanks. um was the environmental commission um met on October 9th. As I'd mentioned,
we're be looking for that sustainable Jersey grant that is with PSENG. Um this would be a grant that would inform residents of various energy savings opportunities. Uh what it would do, it would give us $2,500 for
expenses, a free website that would be branded uh that we could put with ours. Uh they'd make a video and they would do some mailings with that. Um and that would all be with the idea of both being energy and savings and uh cost savings
obviously for the for the residents. So, um, we're going to try to get a resol resolution on the next agenda for, uh, saying that we're interested in doing that in order to get the money. Um, other things that were discussed was a
GL a gas leaf blower ordinance. Um, we've been talking about that in the environmental commission. I believe the mayor had originally requested that that be looked at um, both for pollution and for noise. Um there's a recommendation
that should have been sent from the environmental commission to uh administration to to look at the ordinance. It's or to look at the uh recommendation and come up with some form of an ordinance. The recommendation is fairly similar to what Princeton has
done. And um the we understand there's a natural lawn ordinance that's been at the attorney. That one's going to the zoning board next. Um then I should come back to should come to the environmental commission. Uh the environmental
commission has not seen it yet. We've gotten some form of a overview of where it is at this point. Uh so once it's looked at by these various organizations including the administration then it
will be hopefully presented to council where we'll probably want to have some work sessions and discussions before we adopt anything and that's what's happening um there mostly and at this point are there any
other administration updates? Yeah, I have a couple of announcements from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection just to uh remind residents, especially motorists, to be extra viligent on roadways as the fall white
tail deer rut rut or mating season gets underway. Uh peak mating season for deer in New Jersey runs from late October to mid December. Awareness of the presence of deer near or on roadways will become
an important will become even more important as daylight saving times ends at 2 am Sunday, November 2nd. Uh the drought watch is still in effect throughout the entire state. Um
so and it's due to um prolonged below average precipitation that is stressing water supplies. Uh residents are asked as well as businesses to voluntarily conserve water in order to avoid uh
further uh restrictions. And the last announcement is a pest alert from the New Jersey Forest Service. The spongy moth, formerly called gypsy moth, has been damaging New Jersey's forests since
1919. Each May and June, these caterpillars can eat leaves of over 300 kinds of trees and shrubs, especially oak trees. Um, the state does do aerial sprays. Um,
but the state is also asking for help. Fall is the perfect time to check your yard for spongy moth egg masses. They look like tan spongy oval blobs on tree bark, outdoor furniture, or even sheds.
If you find them, scrape them off and destroy them or spray the spray them with neem nem oil. That's all I have. >> Okay. Thanks. Um, we did we get anything
we can put on the website with >> Yes. Uh, this is from Well, we'll put the links. >> Okay. >> Directly. >> Yeah. I wouldn't want somebody killing the good stuff. All right. Um, Allison, you have anything else? >> I do not.
>> No. Okay. We have no closed session, so I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. Second. All in favor? I I >> Okay. Thank you everybody. You are.