You have any issues? >> Hey, what's up? >> Oh, okay. Coordinated here tonight. 7 o' 7 o'clock. >> Okay, it is 7 o'clock. >> Okay. >> Okay, we are live.
>> Thank you. I'm going to call to order the uh agenda for the business session meeting of the township of West Windsor Township for December 22nd, 2025. Allison, can you please call the role? >> Gwas here. >> Jivers here. Mandel >> here.
>> Weiss >> here. >> Whitfield here. >> Have we adequately noticed? Yes, we noticed on January 17th, 2025 to the times in the Princeton packet posted here at the Township Municipal Building, filed with the municipal clerk and posted on the township website. Um,
today we have also representing Parker McKay is Alexis Smith. Please stand for the salute to the flag to the flag of the United States of America. Thank you. Today we have several ceremonial matters. Um and what we're
going to do is we're going to read the proclamations. um council will be able to say a couple words and then we're going to do one um at the end of the three proclamations then uh council and mayor will get up and we'll take uh pictures with
everybody so that we're not jumping up and down during uh three three different times. Um, I understand Martin's family is on the way, so I'm going to switch if Henry Jacobson's ready, and I will do um Henry
Jacobson's first if that's okay with everybody. >> Council President, I do believe Henry Jacobson could not make it tonight um due to his health, but he is watching hopefully live on YouTube. >> Okay. As um
Yeah. Okay, we'll do that again. I'll do a Henry. Yeah. Okay. Whereas Henry Jacobson, a longtime resident of West Windsor Township, has tendered his resignation as a member of the West Wsor zoning board of adjustment. And whereas
Mr. Jacobson provided leadership on the zoning board of adjustment as a member and on the on-site inspection review subcommittee. and whereas he served as a volunteer on the zoning board of adjustment from November 1999 until his
resignation on October 1st, 2025. And whereas the township council wishes to recognize Henry Jacobson's outstanding achievements as a resident of West Windsor Township through his service on the zoning board of adjustment and the site inspection review subcommittee. And now therefore,
be it resolved that Mayor Marathy and the council of the township of West Windsor on this 22nd day of December, 2025, hereby recognize the outstanding years of service that Henry Jacobson has so willingly given to the West Windsor Zoning Board of Adjustment. Um, if
there's nobody from his family here, Allison, um, can you make sure that gets to him? Maybe we can bring it to him. Yes. Let me know. Thank you. Okay. Now we are going to do one for Mr. John
Church who our council is very familiar with. Whereas John Church, a longtime resident of West Windsor Township, has tended his resignation as a member of the West Windsor Zoning Board of Adjustment. And whereas Mr. church provided leadership
on the zoning board of adjustment as a member and as whereas he served as a volunteer on the zoning board of adjustment from July 1st 2015 until December 1st 2025 and whereas the township council wishes
to recognize John Church's outstanding achievements as a resident of West Windsor Township through his service on the zoning board of adjustment. And now therefore, be it resolved that Mayor Morathy and the council of the township of West Windsor on the 22nd day of
December, 2025 hereby recognize the outstanding years of service that John Church has so willingly given to the W West Windsor Zoning Board of Adjustment. And if Martin, your family still not here, then u maybe right.
>> Oh, they're here. >> Okay. Um here um does anybody want to give a couple of comments about um John Church while we're waiting here? >> Well, I just want to say thank you, Mr.
Church. Um um you have one consistent audience that we always have. So, thank you for doing that and all your work and hard work for um the zoning board and all the guidance that you have provided us. Thank you, >> Linda. Yeah, John, thank you for your
your service and thank you for coming out to almost all of our meetings and we really appreciate that and you give us public comment and you come out um and we that that is uh very thoughtful of you. Um, so we can always count on you always to uh ask the thoughtprovoking
questions before voting and you have a keen interest in land use matters and you're always vocal about that even even here at the council and we very much appreciate you know that that dedication um to to all of us here and your
presence. So thank you very much. >> Sure. I'd like to say something Mr. Church. You've always been a very integral part of this community and we appreciate everything you have done. We appreciate sometimes when you've challenged us. You've made us better.
You've actually questioned so much and uh you just have really been a big part of this community and we've never had to push you to attend meetings. You've always been a regular which is uh which we sometimes charge a lot in the community, a lot of people in the community to come to these meetings. Uh
but we've never had to do that with you. So, uh, you've been very, very important to this, uh, to this community and we thank you for everything you've done. Thank you, sir. >> John, I trying to think how many years I know you. Um, and you've always been doing something in service to this
community. Um, even before zoning board, and I think the community really owes you a lot. You've always been very honest. You've always spoken your mind. uh the the total non-politician um but somebody who tell who tells the
truth as you see it sometimes agree sometimes don't agree but I always know where it's coming from and that's very important to me so thanks mayor did you want to say coord um before I I got elected to council I
served one year on zoning board with some of these people so I served with both Henry and John and um Henry is not here were very conscientious unlike planning board, zoning board members have to go and look at the project. Uh I forgot what the committee is called
three people. Henry was on that committee for many times and um he did it for a very long time. So thank you for uh thank you him for his service. Um John John has been John's service extends beyond his owning board. Um and
John is not afraid of giving his advice. Uh, if I remember correctly, once you counted every fire hydrant in the township. You counted every fire hydrant in the township when they were charging us when they were charging us for
>> bicycle and you counted every fire. >> So, yeah. So, um, no, they were charging us for fire hydrants the township and I believe this was before my time, before I got on council, but John went and counted every fire hydrant in the township. So after your retirement I
have a project they charges for lights also I want to count every lights PSG charges is for lights so something but no uh seriously has been very conscientious not just on zoning board but uh uh council and talking about
various topics Avalon and he's not um afraid of giving his opinion uh to me on various topics and we have had um conversations about that outside of the uh council changing and um every time I
submit a budget uh when council members complain about the budget I say it has John's seal of approval means a lot. He he reads the budget as thoroughly as every council member and knows about the budget as much as everyone else. So thank you very much for your service and
uh you will be missed both you and Henry will be missed. Okay. >> Um, if we'd like to talk about Henry, Dan, you want to say anything? >> I just want to thank Henry for his services. I've not um known him as much as I've known John Church. Um, but thank
you for your services. I know you are watching. >> Yeah. I just wanted to thank Henry for his decadel long service uh to to West Windsor. The time that you have spent carefully evaluating applications is very very much appreciated. Your
expertise will be missed on the zoning board and we wish uh you good health. >> I echo the same sentiments as my council colleagues. Thank you Henry for your service to community. Truly appreciate everything that you have done. Thank you. >> I'd also like to thank Henry for his
years of service on the zoning board. Um, and by the way, mayor planning board members do go out and look at the uh look at the properties. Um, but Henry had a special job of doing that and that's um that's always a difficult thing if you have to come back telling
other people uh what you found and I really appreciate that he's done that. Okay, mayor, you you already said something or did you want to say anything else about Henry? Okay. Did Did you want to say anything else about Henry?
>> Henry? >> Did you want to say anything else about Henry? >> No. No. I I did say Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. We'll move on to Martin. Um Martin Whitfield was elected to the West
Windsor Township Council on November 2nd, 2021 for a 4-year term through January 14th, 2026. And whereas during his term on council, Martin also served as board of recreations commissioner liaison
1222 through 123122, human relations council liaison uh for several years, parking authority liaison, shade tree commission le liaison, and a class 3 member on the planning board from 115 2024 through 114
2026. And whereas before joining the council, Martin was active in local civic life, including being elected to the West Windsor Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education and general manager of the West Windsor Athletic Club. And whereas Martin is a dedicated
volunteer in the community, exhibiting the highest ideals of community service and working constantly to bring our diverse community together by emphasizing what we have in common instead of our differences. And whereas Martin trailblazed diversity on our
trail township council by becoming the first African-American man to be elected to and serve on our council. And whereas we the members of the West Windsor Township Council along with Mayor Morathi wish to recognize Martin's dedication and service to the residents
of West Windsor. Now therefore, be it resolved that Mayor Himalay and the township council of the township of West Windsor, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, expresses their deep appreciation for the service that Martin has faithfully given the council and the
residents of West Windsor Township. Thank you. Moving along, um should we go down? Would you like to say something? Uh Dan? >> Sure. Well, Martin and I have only overlapped here for two years, but it's been a pleasure working with you. Um,
and uh, one thing that I think he's taught everybody is how important it is to use your voice um, and to express um, in ways that bring the community together and and not apart. So, thank you and I um, I look forward to seeing
uh, where your journey takes you next. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Well, Martin, um, I've known you for much longer than you have been on the council and we have been on the council together as well. Um, thank you for
everything. I'm going to miss your short messages and comments, not so short. Um, but, um, you know, from the time when you were on board of ed and, you know, I was an PTA board member at that
time. So, and we have seen um a lot and worked for our community. Um you know, you have always um been the person I look forward to and look up to because you know the your main goal is to bring the community together and that's what
is um what I aspire to as well. So, thank you for your service. I'm going to miss you here. Um but um you know, we will see you around town. You're not going far, so you're here. Thank you.
>> So, Martin, we ran together four years ago. So, that's how we first really got to know one another. Um, always enjoyed working with you on council and due to your urging someday, maybe we'll have a sports facility or two uh in West
Windsor. And, uh, both of us share a love of, I guess, college basketball, too. and I almost called him when Duke lost Saturday Night late because they did not play very well. But anyway, um you g you always gave us words of building together an even stronger
community where we appreciate one another even if we disagree on viewpoints. Whether it was at your previous job at the WAC or on the school board or coaching a sports team, you inspired many adults and children to be
the best person they can be. thanks to you and your beautiful family who is here this evening for your dedication uh to our beautiful West Windsor community. So, thank you Martin. Um I'm trying to think how many
years I know you. >> Um been many. I I remember working several times when you were with the whack on some of the Shupe collections for the food collections and the Martin Luther King days. I remember you from and uh I think I I remember when you ran
for for board of ed. Uh I think I first met you. I I see Carl here. I think it was in his house. I remember meeting you when you ran for board of ed and saying, "Oh, who's this nice tall guy running for board of ed?" And then hearing you
speak. Um I was very happy that you won. And then um then when you agreed to run for council, um I remember being overjoyed that we would have somebody like that coming on the team and you know, somebody that uh
would work to bring us together and that had such a history of um volunteering, bringing bringing the township together, always on a positive note, uh always always bringing us um to to our be our
best selves and uh I think you've done the same thing on the council. It's always been about community. So I I want to thank you very much for your service. So we're sorry that you see you go, but I know when there's a higher calling for you, then that's the way you have to go.
Mayor, >> thanks. Um in true Martin fashion, I'll start by saying I'll be brief. So, I want to thank Martin for his service to the community, not only as a council member, but as a community leader long before he got elected to the
council. Uh, I first met Martin uh when he ran against me in 2013. Although we were on opposite sides during the election, we always had a productive conversations. I remember wondering why is this nice guy running against me? Um although neither of us
won at the ballot box that year, I found a good friend and a great human being. Many of my associations have started with people who were on opposite side on a particular issue. After the election, Martin continued his quest to unite the community as a member of WAC. He was
responsible for introducing so many Westminster residents to the center. He ran for the school board and had a su successful term as a school board member. When Linda and I were looking for a running mate four years ago, we were thrilled that Ma Martin agreed to
join our team. Martin has a unique ability to talk to any person whether they agree with him or not on any issue. He speaks in a non-threatening way to first understand what the other person saying before explaining his sides. I know ma many
instances where he has kept a friendly relationship with people who disagree with him. Even people who don't like warehouses don't dislike him. So that's an achievement. He has a unique way of expressing himself. I for one am glad I don't have
to comment after him at the council meeting. He will be missed as a council member. On a positive note, I believe Westminster has not seen the last of Martin as a community leader. He's taking a little time off to focus on his family and help his kids through school.
Best wishes to all his children who are here as they pursue school and playing college basketball and and as Martin pursues his own professional development. I'm proud to call him a friend and want to thank him both personally and on on behalf of all
Wester residents. You'll be missed. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, we're going to take these up and take some pictures with the um, recipients and uh, we could do some with the council mayor and then we could do some
with the family. Um, so if anyone in the families want to take the picture and Allison if you want to take some. >> I'll take the pictures. Y >> church. All right. That bad. I suggest
you One, two, three. That's it. Okay. I can Never stop. That's really good. That's pretty test. Test. Okay.
>> Thank you. Um there's a some of the good things we get to do here that we enjoy. I'm going to open public comment. It's a 30 minute period, 3 minute limit. Um Allison, is anybody signed up for
public comment? >> Um I do have list. >> Okay. >> Um person on list is um Sylvia Escarelli. >> Hi, Sylvia Escarelli, 27 Melville Road. I'm speaking on behalf of the West Windsor Bicycle Pedestrian Alliance. We
want to thank you for three contracts that are on the agenda tonight that will build sidewalks and multi-use paths along parts of Conover, North Post, and Alexander roads. Uh we feel these are big gains for walkability in West Windsor. Um both on the southern end of
town and along a busy part of Alexander Road. Um in addition, we the WWPA appreciate West Windsor's commitment to closing sidewalk gaps. um partly with the help of state grants um and making our our
town more walkable and yes more bikable since people can bike on the sidewalk. It's a commitment that we have seen over several administrations and that some of our friends in um other communities envy because they're not seeing the same
commitment to adding sidewalks in um in their part of suburbia. Um, as you know, the uh WWBPA is eagerly awaiting news on when another sidewalk gap that from Vaness Park to on Cranberry Road to the Trolley line trail
entrance on Rabbit Hill Road will be closed. Um, we know money has been allocated in the budget. Waiting on the next steps and we would also like to see more progress on making it possible uh for more children to walk to school.
something that would reduce the costs of the transportation budget that our property taxes also fund. Um we were disappointed that you had no biders for a number of those um to install a number of those um pedestrian activated yellow
flashing lights that would go near some schools and other locations. And perhaps this was just that the um the amount was too small for a contractor, but perhaps it is also a task that our DPW um could learn to take on as an extension of, for
example, their sign installation skills. Otherwise, maybe it just needs to be a bigger um bid opportunity for contractor. So, more rapid flashing beacons, which we would of course love to see. Um, and either way, we hope that
this will become a project reality in 2026. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next. >> Okay. Um, Larry Cohen. Good evening. Uh, my name is Larry Cohen, 233 Fisher Place. I live on that
block of Fisher Place that everybody uses to avoid the intersection at Washington Road and Route One. I've been here before and told you that I think there was a survey done and there were over 14,000 cars, trucks, buses, whatever you traverse that street on a
weekly basis and that was several years ago. It's not gotten better. I was here before to talk about the fact that it is a 25 mil 25 mile per hour speed limit. many of the people going down that street speed to make the light because as we know the light there is like five
minutes long. I I realize it's only part of a larger problem with traffic. I realize there are other players involved in that the university owns uh the land on the other side of Route One. However, this is not a tenable situation. In fact, the traffic on Route One is
getting worse and I want to know what the board is going to do about it. That's all I have to ask. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um for those not familiar, we will ask the mayor to answer some of the questions at the end of the public
comment. Thank you. >> Um next, Alison. >> Okay. I do not have anyone else on the list. Does anyone else in the public like to come and speak? >> Okay. Thank you very much. John Church, 11 Princeton Place. I just want to thank council and the mayor for their very
kind remarks. I've really enjoyed being on the zoning board. It started 10 years ago. It just went by in flash just like that. As you get older, time speeds up as you as as we know and as you you everyone will know as they as they uh
continue along life's path. So anyway, thank you very much for your very kind comments. It was a pleasure, an honor to serve on the zoning board and I understand you have some new people coming along and uh I'm sure they will enjoy the board just as much as I did. I have a very short anecdote about Orson
Wells, whom you've heard of before, who did the famous Halloween uh uh broadcast about the War of the Worlds and how Grover's Mill was invaded a long time ago. Well, Orson Wells uh uh after he
retired from his jobs as an actor and a director and so forth, he became a commercial maker for wine. And uh he uh I remember one famous commercial he made. I forget the name of the wine he was advertising, but he said, "We will
sell no wine before it's time." And so somebody made a spoof of that and came on later on TV and said, "Uh, I'm Orson Wells and I will tell you we we will not sell any wine before it's time.
It's time." you said it. So anyway, so it was time for me to step down from your zoning board and I really enjoyed it and I'm sure that all future members and present members will continue to do a great job on the board. It was a pleasure and an honor to serve and thank you very much. >> Thank you, John.
>> Thank you. >> Okay, please come forward and state your name and address. Hi, I'm Andy Brownberg, 24 Providence Drive. I simply came here to honor my two friends, uh, John Church and Martin.
I've known them for many years. I've disagreed with both of them, but they've been fantastic people. Uh, Martin, I had a disagreement with maybe about five or 10 years ago. Had to do with the police officers in our school system. I was
adamantly against it. Now I'm for it. Um because of the shape of our United States and uh Martin was right. I was wrong. Um John Church uh he's been a friend for a long time. I see him a few
I used to see him a few times a week. Uh Martin I've seen him all around. I think what this community, not only do we have a great community, we have great volunteers and we have the right people in on the council. People who are just
normal people, not looking for platitudes, but just really looking out for the system and and making the place very much better. But I have one question, John. Who gave you the guitar?
>> Who gave you the guitar? >> The guitar. That's right. That's all I wanted to know. >> Well, congratulations to Martin and John. >> Thank you, Andrew. >> Uh Joe Charles, Nalof Drive. Um just
wanted to say um thank you to uh Henry Jacobson and John Church for their service on the zoning board. Uh John really look forward to continuing to see you come back to the council meetings and uh hear a lot of the great input and questions that you you always ask and always bring. So uh it's great always
seeing you here at the meetings and I look forward to to seeing that continue uh in the future very much. Uh Martin Whitfield, thank you very much uh for your service to the town. Um, you an incredible, inspirational speaker. Uh, I'm certainly going to miss everything
you have to say, uh, at all these meetings. Uh, and I guarantee you the new guy coming in is nowhere near as eloquent as you, so the other council members, the meetings will probably be a little bit shorter, uh, going forward. Uh, but Martin, thank you so much for your service uh, to the community. Thanks. Thank you.
>> Thanks, Jeff. Anybody else would like to give public comment, please come forward and state your name and address. >> Nobody else wishes to come forward. I will close the public comment now.
Thank you. And we'll go to administration comments. Uh Marina may want to talk first. You can you guys can work it out. I have several holiday announcements. We
have closings and different days that we trash collection. Um, municipal offices will be closed Wednesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve, and Thursday, December 25th, Christmas Day. The offices will
reopen on Friday, December 26. Um, there will be no trash collection Thursday, Christmas Day. Trash will be collected on Friday, December 26. And residents whose trash is collected on
Friday should um also place their um containers out at the curb for Friday. So, we'll have a single day of trash collection in the township after the Christmas after Christmas.
Um likewise, township offices will be closed on January 1st, New Year's Day. Friday, um Thursday, trash collection will be collected on Friday, January
2nd. So there is no trash pickup in the township on New Year's Day. Um the town will be collected in its entirety on Friday, January 6. Recycling will be collected on Saturday, January 3rd. Due
to the holiday, um public works is uh going to be starting to collect in zone 4. Uh just a reminder that um leaves and brush will
not be picked up usually in January, February. Um and then starting December 26th, 2025, public works will begin curbside collection of Christmas trees. You don't
have to schedule a pickup of a Christmas tree. Please remember to remove lights, ornaments, garland, tinsel, nail, stands, plastic bags, and the like before you place your curb before you place your tree at the curb for
collection. Artificial trees are not part of this collection program. If you want to dispose of an artificial tree, you would place it out for your regular trash collection. Final day for curbside collection of Christmas trees, live
Christmas trees, is Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. and please have trees at the curb by 7 a.m. Or you can bring your Christmas tree to the public works facility which is located at 70 Southfield Road during
uh resident drop off hours Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to noon excluding holidays. >> That's all I have. Mhm. >> Just a quick question um about the brush
and um leaves pickup because we have been advertising um that um this is the last pickup until March. But are is there a plan to enforce that? Because I think I'm hearing a lot of complaints from people that there is um leaves and
brush being dropped once the zone their zones have been picked up as >> the complaint um usually complaints um enforcement is done on a complaint basis. >> Okay. Um, and it's hard this time of
year because our crews, as we well know, uh, may be preparing for mixed precipitation tomorrow morning. >> The rest of the week also looks like we could have a wintry mix. So, we will do
our best. Um, we ask that residents um, please report a complaint to public books. Thank you. >> Can I just um there have been a few residents who have complained that certain that residents haven't been uh
clearing their snow. Um where would that complaint go to in order to get somebody to do something about that >> department since that? >> So that should be police department, not DPW then. >> No, it's not DPW. >> Yeah, that's I just want that clar. Thank you.
>> And you have TW by ordinance you have 24 hours to shovel the snow. Mhm. >> That's by ordinance. >> Okay. Um first the good part. Um one of the many good things recreation department has started in last few years is the holiday decoration comp
competition and I've uh seen some of these houses and people do a wonderful job. Uh so this year's uh winners were announced uh recently. Uh there are three different categories and this is all decided by some team of the rec uh
commission. So neither mayor nor council members have any say in it. Uh so the town council choice award goes to six Jerger road. The tinsel and technology award goes to 8 Channing Way and the most wester award goes to 11 Abington
Lane. Uh some of these addresses look familiar. >> Yes. I think there's a map on website of all the houses that participated. I would encourage people to go and um visit those houses. Uh
they're really uh good. They do a a great job. Um and not uh such a good note. I have an update or lack of update on the Clarksville Road Bridge. Um the township and the county met with NJ dot
and Amtrak last Wednesday uh 17th of December uh to get status update on the bridge and work done so far. I'm frustrated and sorry to say that I can't give you an update on exactly what the damage is done to the bridge and how
long it would take to fix it. NJart is still working with Amtrak on a plan to inspect the bridge. Uh this is 6 weeks after the bridge has been down. So they haven't inspected the main deck of the bridge to see how bad the condition is. Everyone from the township tried to
explain how critical the issue is and how both parties NJ do and I'm track need to move much faster than the current pace. Um I had requested the spokesperson for NJ DOT to come to our council meeting tonight just to give an update as best as she can about the
status of the bridge and what steps have been planned since our meeting last week. uh since both MJ MTRA and NJ dot and MTRA assured me that they continue to work between meetings um she's not here today and we didn't hear back any
update from NJ DOT and we'll continue pursuing it. At the last meeting of NJ dot and Amtrak, I spoke about the difficulty of local businesses are facing due to bridge closure. Uh Tim Lynch, our EMS chief, spoke about the
delayed response to emergencies due to bridge closure. Uh John Taylor, our engineer, uh warned Amtrak that the trains pass under the bridge at 170 mph and it's a real possibility that pieces of the bridge may just fall down on the
train since nobody has inspected it and people who have looked at it say it's really corroded and doesn't look good at all. Uh we got a promise that they will continue to work offline and we'll have an update before the next meeting on January 7th. I had requested NJ dot to
give me an update for tonight's meeting of what happened between last Wednesday and today and I haven't heard anything back from them. Um if there's no progress made by the meeting next choice will be to um go to our uh uh assembly
people or senators and try to put pressure on both Amtrak and NJ dot to move it to emergency. I want to assure the residents that the township folks are doing whatever is within our powers trying to expedite the
process. The county NJ do and Amtrak are attending this meeting are serious but unfortunately uh the bureaucracy that I've seen will put Indian bureaucrats to shame. Um I think some Indian people laughing here.
So I'll update the people uh public on our township website on the same day following our January 7th meeting. Um in the meantime, Andrea Mandel and Sonia Gawas did reach out to the state and got a state representative to meet with the
business owners in village square mall. Um they will probably talk about it during their council uh comments. Um the the state representative did suggest several things uh that will require work. Um but administration will
continue to pursue those steps to see if we can get any help to the business owners uh from either the county or the state um as best as we can. On the second not so good news is uh the
NJ transit increased their parking rates uh significantly. Sony as a leazison to the um parking authority will talk about it. It's not controlled by the township. It's controlled by the parking authority. But the rates went up almost
60%. Uh which is crazy. So if you live in Westminster, that's another big advantage that Wester Parking Authority offers you. their rates are more than less than half of what the NJ Transit charges
by agreement between NJ Transit and um parking authority. Uh parking authority is required to charge for daily parking the same rate that NJ Transit charges because NJ Transit didn't want them to compete with NJ Transit. But NJ Transit doesn't control our monthly or permit
rates. And if you're a Westminster resident, you can just walk in and get a permit you want. You may not get a Wallace route permit but you will get a permit and that permit will be less than half the cost of New Jersey transit permit and Sonia will probably talk
about the actual rate increases and give the numbers. So thank you. >> Uh Mayor Mr. Con asked about speeding on Fiser. >> Yeah. Um again I see Princeton University has uh has promised to put a
walking path on the other side of Route One. um not me but previous mayor tried to put a sidewalk on Fisher Place and there was some opposition from a few people. So we will um we will look at
that again and it's a natural it's a lot safer to cross at at Fisher Place than in route one if you want to cross route one. So that makes uh that makes logical sense and I do see a lot of traffic on Fisher place. I take Fisher place I mean
to go to work and come back from work that gets as he said he's left but uh probably a lot more cars than whatever the last indicated I mean there's literally traffic jam halfway down Fisher place in the morning if you go
after 7 >> I think he was talking about the speeding >> yes speeding I'll ask I I'll ask the I'll ask the police chief but um apart from that we'll also see if we can do some markings on the road right now there's no No marking whatsoever on that road. So people can drive whatever speed
they can. So I'll talk to Francis and see if there's other things we can do. Just marking to remind people to slow it down. >> Yeah. Maybe we can add some signage there. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Maybe put one of those signs up that
tells you how fast you're going for a while or something like that, I guess. >> Will you have portable signs they put right occasionally? We can we can get that >> start for start. >> Okay.
>> Um, anything else? That's it. >> That's it. >> Thanks, Allison. Uh my only announcement is um the inauguration reorg and first regular business meeting
of the 2026 Township Council will be Thursday, January 15th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. um here in room A. >> Thank you. Hey, we'll go into council comments.
Dan, you want to go first? I have no comments today. >> No comments. Okay, that was quick. Sonia, >> um I just want to wish everyone happy Hanukkah um to everyone who's celebrating um Andrea. I know today is
the last day of Han Hanukkah, right? So um happy um Hanukkah to everyone. on um December 17th um we had um Andrea and I met with the um business owners, all business owners. I think 10 of them um
came. One business owner couldn't uh attend because um he wasn't feeling well. Um we met and we had Kathy Guzman from um the small business bureau in the from the state come in and talk to the businesses because that shopping center
um on Clarksville Road is um really struggling because of the bridge closure. Um they did mention they are looking at 50% low like they have lost business. Um so if something doesn't happen, if they don't get any help, um
many of them who have been I think in business in that shopping center for over a decade, maybe even 20, um are looking to see if they may even they may not be able to survive the closure. So we are looking we are really um trying
to help them um connect them with county and state. I know many of them have already reached out to um the representatives um and there are some grant opportunities. Not many of them can take um maybe few of them could take um some
of the those opportunities. Linda Jers also um joined that meeting with us um and I think it was a good meeting lot of information um um was um given um so they're all digesting that working through it. I know uh the business
owners are meeting um separately and trying to figure out their best um um step. Um they did um I think the landlord did put some signage around on um North Post Road. I've seen it on
Clarksville and um Quickest Bridge Road. Um maybe um there was one request mayor that if we could put some signage on Quickest Bridge and Village Road for the um shopping that the shopping is open, I
think that might help them. Um so um Andrea may speak a little more on that, but um overall it was a good meeting. Um I encourage all the residents to help those business owners. um this is their supposedly supposed to be their busiest
time of the year and they are 50 60% um low on business right now. So that's a big hit that they are um having. Even the businesses who are on subscription are um looking at the same uh issue. the
nursery school, the taekwondo place, um the kuman which are all subscription based even they are looking at um very low businesses because they're not getting any new business and um the grocery stores and restaurants are
really struggling there. Um um this past weekend um Andrea and I also um welcomed a new business in town. That's a good news. Um, uh, a Rahan Rahana Salon which opened on Princeton
Heightstown Road right behind where Ji Mike is. So that's a new business that um, we welcomed in town. So that was um, good to see that that little shopping um, strip mall is um, starting to get some new businesses there. So that's
that's really good. Um, congratulations to everyone who um participated in the um house decorating contest and to the winners. Um, two of them I I recognize. I think one of them.
>> Yeah. So, but um happy holidays and a happy very happy new year to everyone. >> Thank you, Sonia, Linda. >> Well, thank you Andre and Sonia for setting up that meeting. I think was very in informative. I think it went very well and uh the businesses in the
Village Square Plaza were uh very appreciative. Uh Kathy Guzman of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority um led the discussion, answered questions, and gave out um someformational flyers
on, you know, loans or grants that small businesses could get. She was also a small business owner, so she understands the plight of um when things happen um what's the next steps, what can we do to uh alleviate the pain. So, uh I I hope
um that the community comes out and supports those businesses because they're down 50 60% and they can't survive unless the community comes out and the greater public comes out to support those businesses. So, um just
keep them in mind. Uh during this time uh yesterday I joined uh the mayor and Andrea at Beth Cayam for the lighting of the eighth candle for Hanukkah. So uh I'll say h happy Hanukkah again. Rabbi Adena Blum uh welcomed all and the young
children uh sang a song. So it was it was very nice. Um I hope to see that the wave of anti-semitism ends as the terrorist slaughter of innocent Jews around the globe most recently in Australia is horrific. Anti-semitism
and murdering innocent Jews is behavior that can never ever be acceptable or tolerated. This Thursday is Christmas. For Christians, it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, signifying God's love, salvation, hope, and peace
for humanity. Merry Christmas, happy Quanza, and have a happy and healthy new year. >> Thank you, Linda. I appreciate Um, Martin. >> All right, give me room cuz uh I'm not
going to be brief tonight. I'm let you guys know ahead of time that I've I just have so many people to thank and it's been a great great run. It's not over. Still continuing, but my time on council is coming to an end in a
couple of weeks. So, I just wanted to put something together. And this is no chat GBT. I don't do that stuff. This is straight from the heart and how I write. You all know who I am. First, I would like to thank you, West Windsor. For all of your support, respect, guidance,
trust, affirmation, confidence in me, and of all your acknowledgement of who I am, what I've done throughout the years, and more importantly, seeing me for me. Of course, there have been a few people who criticize who I've supported here locally, but that took that typically took place only during election season
because they know not what they know. Overall, the general support of my work, my time, my commitment, my experience, and my love for this township has been acknowledged by the majority of West Windsor, which in turn is the reason I was elected to West Plains School Board in 2017, again in 2020, and then elected
to town council in 2021. Speaking of the election in 2021, thank you, Mayor Morate and Linda Jus, for calling me that one day and asking me to run on your ticket. You saw in me what I had always wanted others to see when we moved to West Windsor 19 years ago. That
I simply cared about my fellow neighbor, that I cared about the residents of this town, that anything I do is with the best interest of this town in mind. I graciously and respectfully answered that phone call and said yes, accepting your invitation to run on the ticket together. I remember like it was
yesterday, going over to Linda's house, taking a few pictures on those front steps before we made the announcement of our ticket to the community at large. Although we had different political affiliations attached to our name, it did not matter because the element of the human spirit and makeup of our
character collectively showed that we were 100% on one accord when it came to all things West Windsor. And I pray that our residents truly truly understand that this is not about a political affiliation, especially what's going on in this nation and world, but what about but about the character makeup of who
you are and who you have grown to be over the years in order to be a dynamic and all-encompassing upstanding local elected leader. With that, on election night, November 2021, and in January 2022, after being sworn in, we made history together. And there was no one
who could take that history away. I ar honorably became the first black man elected to town council in the illustrious 225 year history of this town at that time. Mayor Morate and Linda, I sincerely and affectionately say thank you. You have taught me so much and our friendship has been strong
for years. Your long-standing passion, dedication, and positive imprint on this community has been incredible, reputable, and should always be respected by every resident in West Windsor. You've given me great advice, great guidance, and support. recognizing and acknowledging my very own passion,
dedication, time, and commitment to this town. It has been great to work with you, and I am fully confident that West Windsor is in the right hands at this time and moving forward. To Sonia Gawas, Michael Stevens, Andrea Mandel, and Dan Weiss, it has been an honor to work side
by side with all of you to enhance and progress the township of West Windsor in a forward manner. We actually have done some great things in just a few years. With so many local businesses closing since the pandemic in this state, West Windsor has actually opened a plethora of new businesses in four years. And all
of us have been supportive and will continue to support our local businesses. As a council, we have actually challenged where things should be challenged locally. But more importantly, we have made decisions with intellect, decisions with perspective, decisions utilizing our experience, objective and informed decisions for
this township that we all love so much. Your insight, intellect, commitment to excellence, and general respect for this town has made it an absolute joy to work with all of you. Most do not know how much time, energy, sacrifice, and work we as council members put into this elected position. It is indeed an
honorable role, reputable role, and to work with all of you over the years has been great. Please continue to do what is right for the betterment of all of our residents. Please stay true to your heart. Stay true to who you are. And we as a community will then only get better and better and better. So with that
said, Sonia, Michael, Andrea, and Dan, I sincerely and affectionately say thank you. My parents are 90 and 93 years old, former teachers, educators, as my dad taught incarcerated kids, and my mom taught disadvantaged urban kids for 33 plus years. They have instilled so many
valuable character traits, lessons of learning, knowledge, experience, and wisdom in me. exposed me to greatness growing up in the home and throughout this country and overall taught me so much over the years so that I can become the man that I am. They taught me the true tenants of faith to love and be thankful to God daily. How to be loving
and dedicated to your family. How to work hard on your job while being able to serve your community effectively. They grew up in the Jim Crow South while being able to serve I'm sorry. They grew up in the Jim Crow South. Witnessed some of the most heinous things done to blacks in the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s.
but never taught us, my brother and I, that we were victims, but always taught us that we were champions, victorious, and God's children. They taught us to turn negatives into positives and respect and honor people, no matter the color of the skin, economic background, or political affiliation. I am so
grateful and thankful to God that my parents were able to see their youngest son get elected to this town by a majority of people who do not look like their son or grew up where their son grew up. Mom and dad, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I've saved the best for last, my wife and children, my family.
We moved to West Windsor over 19 years ago and did not know one person in this town. We moved into Westwinds at the time the only way we could financially through affordable housing. Our goal was to raise our children in a community that would not only enhance and support our family life, our spiritual background and livelihood, but equally
and justly permit us to grow individually and collectively as a family in a positive manner. We appreciated the ethnic diversity, the diversity of thought, the educational system, and the melting pot that West Windsor was becoming. Month by month and year by year, we became more acclimated
within the community. As our kids metriculated in the schools, we volunteered where we could and basically tried our best to become another positive fabric of this township. My wife and children, my daughter Crystal could not make it, but my wife and children in the back and I thank them so very much. So, I'm going to start to my
wife Diana. You have seen me give and give and give and give to this town and to others for many years. With us having five children, you have effectively held down and managed our household in positive impactful ways that most could not imagine. From my days at the Windsor
Athletic Club, working 70 hours a week, only taken a few days off a year for eight years, making little to no money, to the time and commitment that was needed to serve on the school board and town council. You, like a first lady in a church, have always supported my calling and purpose. I know it is not
easy to see your husband work and work and work, get paid so little while still serving in the township, sacrificing time away from our family to help and better others lives. But you have always understood my assignment, stood side by side, and so supported me like no other person could. You are an amazing wife
and mother because you have consistently helped raise our kids and been there for me while doing your incredible work in this community. Some may not know that my wife also worked tirelessly at the Windsor Athletic Club, moved on to work for West Windsor Township, and currently works in our school district. See, West
Windsor, look at all the work, time, and commitment Martin and Diana have given to this township and its residents for the betterment of this community and for all of you. The real champion is my wife and Queen Diana. Because you have paused some of your own dreams and aspirations
to support my purpose and my assignment to bless others. And due to your incredible background, experience, and makeup, you have pushed me to be greater and to be a better man to you, our children, and to this community. It takes an incredible, special, understanding, virtuous, spiritual, and
strong woman to do what you have done. God created and blessed me with the greatest wife in the world. I honor you on this evening and sincerely say thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Because none of what I have done in this township, community, or over the years could have been done without you. I love you and
thank you to my children, Bristol, Michaela, Bryson, Blake, and Brock. You have had to share your dad with Wester for many years and a majority of your lives. I've mentioned, I've mentored and helped so many of your classmates throughout the years, and you have always been there to
support my work. That too is not easy. And I thank you for allowing me to be me and for allowing me to work my assignment. You too have supported me, stood there when others criticized me on social media or in public, but I've witnessed the absolute and unconditional love, time, support, and guidance I have
for all of you. I am so proud of what each and every one of you are doing and becoming. You have made this dad so very happy because all of you are incredible and amazing young kings and queens. And take it from me, your work will always be rewarded. Throughout the years in this district, we we have had teacher
after teacher commend you on your behavior, your intellect, your ability to work with others, and so many have acknowledged your respect and care for your fellow classmates. All five of you are blessed, gifted, and talented. I'm thankful to God that you are my children, and I'm thankful to God that I have such dynamic and wonderful children
who have been gracious, kind, and so respectful that there has never been any jealousy for the time, commitment, and sacrifice I have given to my roles in this community. Thank you children for your support throughout the years. West Windsor, I will end this speech right here. As we move forward, we need more
and more residents who want to truly serve this township and their community. More and more support of our elected leaders who spend countless hours for everyone in the community. If you want to serve, serve with intent, serve with integrity, serve with passion at every level. You do not have to be an elected
leader to be a humane and respectful neighbor and to help those in need. Let's be honest, we have a very middle class to upper affluent community. That is a blessing. Be who you are and be great. But have you ever known the name brand suit that Dr. King wore, the car
that Malcolm X drove, or any material items of those in the civil rights era who paved the way for a true equality and justice for all. You haven't, right? You do not have to have a PhD to serve, a large and lavish house to serve, or the nicest car to serve. I'm proof of
just that. What you need is time, commitment, dedication, love, honor, respect, and a supreme internal passion to see others to be better, to see others to be great, and to see others excel in life. A mentor a long time ago
said to me, "Martin, how do you meet people and make everyone you meet feel that they are important and even better than they actually are? You have a gift, a talent that you will not be paid for, but a gift that will enrich and empower someone each and every time they are around you." West Windsor, I charge you
and I ask you tap into that gift. Tap into your very own gift and be a blessing to someone else. That's what this is really all about. We have never owned a home here. I've never made big-time money and we haven't driven the fanciest cars. We don't have PhDs
either, but what we do have is a love and respect for our fellow man. What we do have is an ability and gift to honor humanity. What we do have is guidance and direction from Jesus and the true and living God. West Windsor. My goal when we moved here 19 years ago, not
knowing one person in this town, was for our family to be able to make a positive impact, to contribute to the community, and you have allowed me to do just that. I thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Martin. And as always, it is almost impossible
to go after you. Um, I hope everyone had a great Hanukkah. I'm wishing everyone a merry Christmas, Quanza, and happy new year. Um, I'd like to thank uh the mayor and and Blinder for coming over to the uh the synagogue
at the last the last day for the last candle lighting ceremony. Um, I think this year that was special to do. Um uh as Linda mentioned with the very strong anti-semitism that's gone beyond name
calling uh the more that community leaders of all types can um show that we're all together and that um you know and and that we all should be safe. It's that's really what's important.
Um shop local and shop West Windsor. Uh Sonia mentioned we had the meeting with Kathy Guzman and the business owners. Uh we talked about some of the um money that's available from the state. Unfortunately uh not everybody can take advantage of
the current grants. So we have been getting some additional information from uh some other levels of government and other places that uh being passed on to us by Kathy and some of the people that she's known knows and uh we'll be
passing some of that on and we will see what we can do with uh some other levels of government to um make uh make something happen. One thing that was pointed out is that if we're not a um uh
area that's cons couldn't thank it um that if if we're not considered a disaster area that there's no extra money and that that's something that would have to be declared separately. So uh that's some that's a
hard avenue but it might be one worth looking at depending on how long it looks. this is like this um is going to last. We came away with some opportunities, some additional p contacts. Also this week, I've attended meetings with the
watershed on both the Asup Pink and the Upper Milstone River wersheds and the MS4 permit. Uh met with our Stonybrook regional sewer authority at their sewer plant on the effect of Forever Chemicals uh and the D proposals.
um went with Sonia to the Rihanna saloon ribbon cutting. Uh attended online. Uh Sonia was also there with me with the sustainable jersey kickoff for our grant. Uh and I visited our first Lego League uh Girl Scout team, the Squishy
Sharks, to review their robot and presentations before their competition. And I want to congratulate the Squishy Sharks on winning the New Jersey Regional Core Values Award for First Lego League. I want uh it's the end of the year. This
is our last meeting in uh 2025. So, I want to thank the council for the opportunity to be council president this year. Uh and to Linda Jvers for being a very involved vice president, to Allison Shehan and the staff for all the support
work that you do. Thanks to the mayor who does work with me even when we disagree. Um sometimes it gets a little loud. Um, and thank you to the public who has come to our meetings and worked with us on many issues. The council president job does a
lot of work, but it's very rewarding. Council agendas are usually 200 to 300 pages long, and I go through each item to make sure that council gets all the information we deserve to make informed decisions on resolutions and proposed ordinances suggesting additional
information and making changes. This is not the most glamorous part of the job, but one of my priorities is to make it clear that council is not a rubber stamp, but a very active partner in government. It is through these checks and balances that good government happens. The budget's another big
responsibility for the council and another chance to make sure that we not only get the information we need, but set the priorities for the township over the year. Over a period of days and months, we worked to get consensus on spending before passing the operational
and capital budget. I'm proud of the work we've accomplished this year. We've increased pedestrian and bicycle safety, moved towards improved lighting and fixing roads, increased police EMT and DPW staffing to improve services, were awarded the sustainable Jersey silver
certification and a grant to inform residents about energy savings opportunities. moved forward with regional MS4 projects involving the Asen Pink and now the Upper Milstone uh watersheds along with the watershed um
um group. Uh we've purchased new fire apparatus for both volunteers and paid firefighters, put together an affordable housing plan for round four, attended the openings of many new businesses, and so much more. Our council members served as active members or liaison to West
Windsor volunteer boards and committees. My priority has always been to do what's best for West Windsor and I want to thank you to all have shared that priority over the last year. Thank you. I just want to thank Andrea for all your hard work being president because we've
served, you know, together for a a number of years on and off and and it's like you look at every little thing, you go through the agendas and ask questions and and all sorts of additional information many times that you want from the administration and that gets
passed on to council. So, thank thank you very much for your leadership. >> Thanks, Alison. Do you have anything more? Um, I don't have any additional comments. No. >> Okay, then let's We have no public hearings tonight. Um, and let's go on to the consent agenda.
>> Okay. Minutes. March 5th, 2025. Budget session number one as amended. September 29th, 2025. Business session as amended. Bills and claims. >> Does anybody wish to pull anything? >> No, there's just one bill that's I guess
being changed. the the amount of money from $211 to $200. Um they're going to change the checks after we >> Allison, you you informed the council, correct? >> Yes. >> An email late this afternoon about an
adjustment um to a reimbursement check. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um then can I get a motion to approve? >> So move second. >> Sonia first. >> Roll call. >> Gawas. >> Yes. Jivers. >> Yes. >> Weiss. Yes. >> Whitfield.
>> Yes. >> Mandel. >> Yes. And recommendations from administration and council clerk. >> 2025-R272 authorizing the appointment of Eugene Fredken to fill the unexpired term as member of the zoning board of adjustment
to expire January 14th, 2026, 2025-R273. Authorizing the appointment of G. Chris Lemon to fill the unexpired term as alternate one of the zoning board of adjustment to expire January 14th, 2026,
2025-R274 authorizing the appointment of Sanj Menlloy to fill the unexpired term as alternate 2 of the zoning board of adjustment to expire January 14th, 2027, 2025-R275
authorizing the refund of property tax overpayment 2025. 5-R276 authorizing the request by Gary Cooknik for a 100% disabled veteran exemption and allowing the tax collector to refund
the amount of $2,37266 and to cancel all subsequent taxes per state statute 54-3.30 30 2025-R277 authorizing the request of Dunabari Gonador for 100% disabled veteran
exemption and allowing the tax collector to refund the amount of $36967 to cancel all subsequent taxes per state statute 54-3.30 30 2025-R278 authoring authorizing the request by
Michael Carteri for 100% disabled veteran exemption and allowing the tax collector to refund the amount of $2326 and to cancel all subsequent taxes per state statute 54-3.30
30 2025-R279 authorizing the business administrator to purchase personal protective equipment from municipal emergency services an authorized vendor under the New Jersey state contract 17-fleet-810
$11,9952 2025-R280 authorizing the business administrator to purchase new public safety fire and emergency mergency services equipment for the division of fire and emergency services from Motorola Solutions under
New Jersey State Contract 8390960,96510 2025-R281 authorizing the business administrator to purchase one new dump body with plow package for the Department of Public Works under the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey Cooperative
Pricing System, ESC. CJ 65MCCPS class 4-8 trucks bid number ESCJ24/2 23/241 $1119,6449 2025-R282
authorizing the business administrator to purchase three SEIN IM7000 copers for the department of community development the department of human services and the division of Fire and emergency services under the New Jersey state contract
25-om9562 for Ro America's Corporation Care of Atlantic Tomorrow's office $39,390 2025-R283 authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute a professional services agreement with a qualis for professional
storm water consulting services for the watershed inventory report $6,500 2025-R284 authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute a contract with Topline Construction Corp. for the Alexander
Road Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project $231,224.87 87 2025-R285 authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute a contract with Black Rockck Enterprises for the Conover Road
connection to Southpost Road Bikeway project $272,664.70 2025-R286 authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute a contract with Hakon for the North Post Road connection to South Post
Road bikeway way project $279,925 2025-R287 authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute amendment number four to the professional services agreement for professional engineering services with Van Clee Engineering Associates for the
DNR sewer interceptor in the amount of $64,320 for a revised total amount not to exceed $161,268 $8.15 2025-R288
authorizing the township engineer to execute the endorsement of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Treatment Works approval permit application for EES West Windsor project Avalon Watch 2025-R289
transfer of funds within the 2025 budget not less than twothirds vote of full membership required. Thank you. Does anybody wish anything pulled? >> Yes, I would like to pull R 273, R 274, and R 289.
>> 273, 274, >> 283, >> and 289. Okay. Um Allison, I would like to vote on the non-pulled items first. >> Okay. So, can I get a motion to approve
2025 R272 and then 2025 R275 through 2025R 287 >> 87
>> I believe I'm sorry 88 288 >> 288 >> Motion to approve >> okay motion to approve second >> second Sonia Roll call, please. >> Gawas, >> yes. Jvers, >> yes. >> Weiss, >> yes. >> Whitfield, >> yes.
>> Vandal, >> yes. >> Okay, we've approved the others. So, we have um R 2025 R 273. Would you like to um
state your reasoning? I want to be clear for the record about my objection to resolutions 2025 R273 and 225R274 which both propose lastm minute
appointments to the zoning board of adjustments as alternatives alternates. My objection is not based on the legality of these appointments and I'm not alleging that anything unlawful is occurring and I have no objection to the
people that are being appointed. My objection is that this process is not transparent, not inclusive, and not an example of good government. Council received notice of these
appointments only four business days ago during the peak of the holiday season. That does not provide council members with sufficient time to review candidates, speak with them, or evaluate their qualifications for service on what
essentially is a quasi judicial board. There was no public outreach, no notice to the community, and no effort to build or present a candidate pool. Instead, council is being asked to approve two appointments that appear to have been
unil unilaterally selected and fasttracked. I also want to state for the record that I am personally aware of at least one additional application for a zoning board alternate position that has not been shared with council
and thus council has not been provided with a complete list of applicants or application materials. Withholding that information prevents council from exercising its appointment authority in a meaningful way.
While the council president may place agendas may place items on the agenda, appointment authority resides with the council as a body. A process that limits information, restricts review, and leaves council with no meaningful role
in the decision undermines that authority and the principles of transparency that we owe our residents. And finally, these resolutions are being advanced immediately before our reorganization meeting on January 15th.
There's no urgency requiring action tonight. The appropriate course is to defer these appointments until after the reorganization and to conduct an open inclusive process with full disclosure to council. And so for these reasons, I
cannot support these resolutions and respectfully request that they be taken. I yield back. So does anybody else wish to speak at this point? Well, I have questioned you about um you
know um the process and thanks to our attorney the process was um followed. So that concern of mine was was um I I felt comfortable that we we did not uh miss
on any pro processes and I know um um that at least one of the applicants have um showed interest and applied for other roles on other boards and committees before um and one of them was zoning
board. So, I'm totally fine with fine with that. And um I'm pretty I I'm I'm aware that um Council President did interview all the applicants and um spoke to them before putting them on the agenda. So, all my questions and
concerns um were answered. So, I'm totally okay with that. >> Thank you. Anybody else wish to say anything? No, I I personally spoke with the applicants um and even encouraged them to perhaps check off other other
things on the application. I mean, I've been saying this for months that people you want to get involved, fill out the volunteer application, you send it into the clerk's office, it gets distributed to mayor council. Um >> because there's no timeline as such. You can anybody can apply if you wanted to
go home if somebody wanted to to get involved. you don't have to wait till after an election or something. Just get involved. I've also encouraged one of the people I spoke with for this um to to run for the school board. We need more people running for the school board and get active. Um and so I can only
encourage and sometimes people do it at the last minute because they're encouraged to do so for whatever reason or they just decide they really really want to do this. So, uh, that's my message to the community is just don't don't wait till the end of the year or something. If you're interested, check
off um whatever committees, whether it's one or whether it's uh numerous ones because we don't always know where the openings are going to be. And we did have two um resignations late this year, unexpected. I didn't know that was going
to happen, but it does happen, right? So anyway, um I know Eugene uh Fredkin, he's he's been serving I believe um for quite a while. Um it was an alternate um Eugene
>> that one that one we voted on. >> Yeah. So that's that's done. Um the other one is till Janu January 14, 2026. Um and one is to uh January 14, 2027. I don't know if the zoning board is going
to meet very early in the new year or not. Um but if they were to meet then then they've got the people on board. Um and if not then at the reorganization meeting we start the process over and
then we just we just take a vote at the reorganization meeting for the appointments. So, um, this process hasn't been to me any different than all the years I have been up here. So, um, I'm okay with supporting this.
>> Thanks, Lauren. Did you have anything? >> Yeah, I just wanted I mean, I just finished my speech, um, obviously tonight talking about serving in in this community. Um, we moved here, like I said, 19 years ago. I didn't run for election until 2013 when I ran against
the mayor, but I spent a lot of time volunteering, helping families, helping people. That's why I always say I charge individuals, not in a negative way, but in a very positive way to volunteer and to um try to help our neighbors. Some do it and do we may not know about it.
Obviously, people don't do it for claps and you know, pats on the back. Um, but there is a also a process in terms of not the legality part, but there's a process to gain the recognition from your fellow neighbors and residents when they see
the work that you do. And I mean, you don't have to follow any of our paths of doing it, but I did run for school board council and and things of that nature, but we were doing a lot of work within this community before that. And I think that's the most important thing. um that
we're pretty much trying to say is uh to be involved, to get involved, and don't shy away from your involvement. Um but your involvement will make room. Just like anything, we we we value education here. We value the collegiate experience so that officially you can have success
in life and get a good job and have a good career. It's the same thing on the volunteer side of things. I've been volunteering since I was 9 years old. I'm 52, right? It wasn't about pats on the back. it was just about volunteer and the recognition I've ever that I've ever always gotten um was because people
saw that um I was doing it with great intention and and I think that's the most important thing. So to anyone I commend any of the individuals here or listening sound of my voice um I commend anyone who wants to get involved in this community. Uh it's very very important.
It's very valuable work. Uh no one does this to get rich. You do it to you know enrich others. um and enrich the your neighbors and those who you live amongst and with. So that's all I had to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um
okay. As our attorneys confirm, there's nothing unusual, wrong, or illegal with these normal appointment procedures which fill vacant positions and have nothing to do with reorganization or inaugur inaugurations.
As president of the council, it's my job to set the council agenda. As our attorney, Mr. Herbert, has indicated to Mr. Weiss, I have not done anything illegal, abnormal, or improper as or as anyone else. Members of the zoning board, as are all appointments where
council is involved, are appointed by resolution. Anybody can apply at any time. The there's no this isn't election. This isn't something where we put out something and ask people to be candidates for these positions. People
put in for these positions. The forms come in. We decide who we're going to put up to be on the resolution and they get voted on or not. Uh anybody can apply in any time and the council president can put forth candidates when there are openings. Each member of
council gets one vote to approve or not. There are two volunteer boards where timeliness of deliberation is critical under state law and the zoning board is one of them. After moving alternates into member status, which we have done
over the past few weeks, we had two open alternate positions. I knew that our very experienced land use manager who popped his head in here before to um to um be part of the uh proclamation ceremonies uh who's responsible for
these boards would be retiring and not available for onboarding new members after mid January. Our next council meeting is three weeks away in mid January. I'm sorry. the um um the uh
land use board is going to be um retiring in midFebruary, leaving in midFebruary as far as being available. Our next council me is three weeks away in mid January. When it appeared that three candidates would be available before this meeting's agenda was set, I
did the responsible thing and selected two qualified candidates to put before the council. I'm not saying the third person wasn't qualified. There was a decision made as to who had better qualifications. The council is free to decide as it
wishes and has had opportunity to contact the candidates or ask questions. I did not do this in a vacuum. I interviewed all the candidates, all three. I spoke to the members of the council who were not aware of them, including the council elect, and let
them know who had submitted applications and discussed uh them with any recommendations and and that included all three applications. This is no power play on my part. As council president, I also set the agenda for the next meeting. So,
I had nothing to gain by doing it at this meeting. I made the responsible decision to put forth candidates to fill these positions on a timely basis for the good of the township and not wait until the last minute. In fact, the council will get to vote on whether to
reappoint two of them again at the next meeting. For Mr. Weiss to make a fuss over a standard council agenda is kind of ludicrous, mean-spirited, and just another political attack in a long line of politically motivated attacks. I hope
it is treated with the lack of seriousness it deserves and we can get back to the business of good government for West Windsor. Uh in short, I really don't see this I see this as some sort of a attempt to say there's a power play
here. There really isn't. Um we look I looked at which candidates we have. I had various discussions. I know Dan had already known about the three of three of them. and pick two candidates. Council can
vote yes, council can vote no. Um, if anything, I'm giving more time because council voting no on on the 15th of January would probably put everybody into a pretty bad position. So, they wouldn't have much of a choice. Uh, council can do that. And then again on
the 15th of January, two of those positions will be up. Um and uh then council will have to vote on those. Again, this to me seemed like the most responsible thing to do. I wish if there was a question, somebody would have just called me and say, "Why did
you do it?" and not, you know, written something where lawyers had to get involved. Uh for one thing, that does cost money. Sorry. Um to the attorneys. And um I would I would hope that in the
future that would that would be a way to do it. Um I that's why I feel that this should not have gone to that kind of a attack if you will. This is not an abnormal thing. uh decisions even when
even when um things are up the and later on and uh these decisions at the end of the year are made all the time and these just happen to be uh positions that were open and that I wanted to see filled as soon as possible
and I'll leave it open to the vote. Thank you. like to respond, I find it kind of offensive that you are accusing me of attacking you where I simply laid out my opinion and
position on what I thought was a poorly designed model to get us to approve appointments. this is not personal. And so I'm really puzzled as to why you would
respond in such a disrespectful way. >> Well, so I did inform you prior to this meeting being publicly noticed with the agenda about these objections.
So, I did do it in a way that didn't didn't require this public discussion and you chose just to ignore any of any of the points that I made. And so, for
you to now attack me because I'm expressing my opinion, I find just unacceptable. >> All right. Well, one thing what you did was write a treatise
basically demanding that these be removed. This wasn't a question. This wasn't a why do we have to do this? It was essentially a demand saying that you wanted these resolutions removed from
the agenda. And they were it was it was basically saying >> share what I wrote >> that's fine it but it was >> document was written >> it's a public document >> but it was a demand and I am saying >> we can differ on that anyone who wants
to read it you said you wanted these resolutions removed from the agenda and that was uh that was the demand that was made. I'm saying if this was a collegial
uh thing at that point I would feel that when you got that you could have say hey was there a reason to do this or what was your thinking and you could have called uh at that point not brought in lawyers I mean once you brought in lawyers now that became uh a different
level and that would be I mean that would be the way I would do it if somebody on here puts something out and and I saw that, I would call them up and say, "Hey, why are we doing that? Can we think about taking that off?" And that's
maybe the way I would see it as being a more collegial way. And then maybe they'd have a good explanation. Hey, we've got to do this now. There's good reasons. It's not going to make a difference or so whatever it is. And that's, you know, that's been an issue. I mean, we can go into a whole other
things that have been a problem. I don't think uh public needs to hear everything um complaints and all that but that's the way I read it that it was taken out. It was a demand and lawyers were being asked and copied on this and asked to do
that and that's the way I took it. >> The lawyer was was included on the email with the agenda in the first place. So I was not adding somebody who wasn't already in in the conversation. >> And again, I don't know why you feel
like you have to make this a political thing. >> I didn't you just attacked me saying that this was some kind of Yes. I felt that by saying that >> your comments was this is not an inclusive and transparent way to make decisions.
>> All right. Let me just say this. What what we what we have on the agenda are two resolutions uh to a point of two residents to the zoning board of adjustment. That's what's on the agenda. The other issue being brought up here is a process issue
and how we get to make that. But that's not that's not what we're voting on tonight. It's I can understand it's part of the the mix of the sausage making. Sometimes that gets a little ugly. >> Sure. >> Right. So, um >> and we can proceed now to vote on this. >> Right. I didn't because I I did not hear
any objection to the applicants that are on here. Um >> but everybody what we what we are discussing right now is the process. And when we when I saw the email, I did call council president. I did have the
conversation and um my first question was are there any other applicants? And you did talk to me about it. you did talk to all the applicants and we went through it and um you know um and I
think process is something else that we if we want to discuss process we can talk about it separately um but right now what's on resolution is uh appointments of two residents to zoning board so I think >> um we should move with that
>> do you want to move call the res >> and then we can talk about we can talk about process forward procedural guidelines, >> right? Procedural guidelines is something that we would um right >> we would uh we would have it on the agenda at our next at the re reorg
meetings. So >> So I'll I'll make a motion to approve uh resolutions uh 2025-R273 and 2025-R274. So I'm making a motion to approve those second those two resolutions.
Okay. Jawas, >> yes. Jvers, >> yes. >> No. >> Whitfield, >> yes. >> Mando, >> yes. Okay. >> Okay. We have remaining at this point
R 2025, R 289. Do you wish to uh discuss pulling that? Yeah, I just um thought it was important to separate this out to talk about since it's a pretty significant um transfer. Um and I understand that
you know end of year transfers are permitted and and some often necessary to ensure continuity of operations. uh but the size of this which is nearly a million dollars and the concentration of the funds here that are directed to emergency services and police I think
warrants you know our attention. Um I think the explanations provided point to pressures that appear to be largely ongoing and foreseeable things like um staffing vacancies, overtime, extended
sick leave, workers compensation claims, and higher utility costs. Um, and seeing these addressed through a significant year end transfer suggests that the original budget may not have been fully reflective of the level of
resources required to support these really core public safety functions. So, and then at the same time, the ability to reallocate this level of funding from other areas raises importance about how those appropriations were originally estimated. So, it'd be helpful for
council and the public to better understand whether work was deferred or if plans changed over the course of the year, which is happens. I get that. Um so that just that we can learn from this experience and improve future budget accuracy.
Um you know, we have as a council we have a statutory responsibility for fiscal oversight. And so earlier awareness of the scale of these emerging pressures um would have been valuable and would have allowed probably more
timely discussion. And so I mean I certainly support ensuring that our emergency responders and police have the resources that they need. I also view this as an opportunity to strengthen our budgeting and reporting processes,
especially as we move into the 2026 budget cycle. I hope we can more closely align appropriations with demonstrated needs and improve visibility into these developing variances because doing so it's going to help support
better planning, clearer accountability and and greater transparency for both council and the residents that we serve. >> Thank you. >> Do you want to answer? >> Yeah. uh
this in my 7 years 8 years as a mayor this is probably one of the larger ones uh there's always little transfers here and there this is probably larger one so uh Mr. So IC is correct that when we present a budget next year, we will take
a look at whether they're um appropriately funded or not. Uh we will certainly take a look at that. So but these things happen. I mean these are not on purpose or these are not uh done something because we are not um we won't
know um at at the beginning of the year um if somebody's going to get sick or somebody is going to go on maternity leave and uh additional resources will be required. We did hire a uh we are providing a higher level of service in
the sense we did hire two new uh EMT and one new firefighter. Uh the new firefighter was expected to reduce the overtime. So we will take a look at uh why it was needed and whether we need to hire uh more people uh to reduce
overtime. uh uh sometimes paying little over time is cheaper than hiring a new person because of the benefits involved. So that analysis will be done before we present you with the 26 budget. >> Uh if there's one one thing you should
know um council is that transfers are limited to November and December. I know >> of the at towards the end of the fiscal year. >> Yeah, we know >> what >> um actually you can transfer. No, you
>> especially >> as long as it's the last two months >> as the CFO recommends. Yeah. >> Um and then um in 2026 any um transfers have to be uh done in January, February and March for 2025
bills. So we have to keep the books open. >> Y >> I I agree it's not the best it's not a best practice. Um schools have the ability to transfer funds rather
>> more yeah >> I completely get it. I'm not I'm not really complaining. I just want to bring to light that this is a good opportunity for us to take a closer look and especially considering the size. As the mayor said, we've had retirements, especially in uh police. We've we've got
workers comp claims that I can't anticipate. Um as a result, we have to sometimes backfill those positions and the like. So, it's not ideal, but I hear what you're saying.
>> Okay. Um I know. >> Yeah. Well, now that we are work, we are starting to look at budget for next year, maybe it's an opportunity to look at where we need to make some adjustments. >> Well, and also in all fairness, doesn't
make things that easy with rate increases, especially with electricity. Um water is another um issue and natural gas and we use a lot of water for the
pool. So BPU regulates that and that's oftentimes beyond our control. Um the utilities put in way in advance and by the time they go through their hearings and do their due diligence we we feel
the aftershocks. Um, just so you know, we did ask these questions um when we first saw this um of Linder and I. And >> that caught my attention.
>> Yes. And um I actually made a list of where I felt the big numbers were um and questioned why we overbudgeted in certain places and underbudget. So >> see, we we have a lot in common. Yeah. >> Um
and um one one thing we could think about doing if it's possible if it turns out like maybe after 6 months um if it looks like something in the budget is going wonky uh maybe let the council know so we have
some sort of an idea where things may be out because I think we don't really see this till u till somebody asks us for the transfers later on. we don't really see the ongoing uh expenses and if anything is going way out of budget. So, it might be a good idea to plan
something like a six-month review with council just to give us a little update on where any of the major changes look like they may be going during that. >> I what you're saying we're on a temporary budget for almost six months after.
>> That's true. But that's true. But that's true. >> But yes, that that's crazy because >> that's true. I know it's >> we wind up putting temporary budgets for the first 3 months and then we wind up extending it. Uh just if anyone is curious of some of the answers that I
got because I did put in ahead of time um which by the way we can do when we get these um when we get these uh agendas we can send in to um to administration and say we want answers on different things. Uh so one of the
issues was um the overexpenditures were pretty much things like overtime, somebody getting sick, somebody having to be replaced, and not going into salaries or anything, but those numbers add up really fast. And they were in areas that we couldn't substitute for
for various um safety reasons and things. >> So that's that's on and you can jump in, Linder, if you want. I think you also had one person out on military leave. >> Yeah. Memo gave information as to right.
>> Yeah. So there was so some of that um the >> I think we can right >> participate in some form or have >> have a buffer for some of those >> and unfortunately by case >> yeah you've got a lot of people and if it's if you're off by three people I can
see where that's an issue. the refues for instance um you know I mentioned like don't we have a contract well how how do we wind up with extra money and part of the issue was that we were planning on certain apartments and certain buildings going online and that
we would need to have certain services. So, for instance, a lot of that 200,000 in refues was expected tipping fees, which um which either people are putting less on their garbage or also were the fact that there were some new units that
never came online this year that'll probably come online next year. So, between that, we wound up with um I I put some of the big gross numbers together. Um for instance the housing um if you remember housing that was a separate budget that we put in there for
about 51k and that originally the first year was 100k and that was a separate department because we were not sure how we were going to be able to handle the um the new lead rules from the state and so a lot of that didn't have to be spent
and most of that will probably come out of the next budget because they're aware of it. Then under construction um we there was on the other hand on the one hand we had to pay for people that we needed and on the other with
construction it was difficult to get certain people in certain positions so there was a position that remained open for a portion of the year um and we were able to I think it was down a couple positions for part of the year so that money came into the positive side and
I'm told we do have offer So that those positions will be filled thankfully because we really need them, but there was a time of the year that we didn't. Um, and another one there was a um, so that one was also public works. There was another a situation where they
weren't as fully staffed as they wanted to be because people had left. And when you have that hole, that leaves money in the budget. Um, and then there was another 80k for fire hydrants. And there are the old fire hydrants. This wasn't a matter of John Church counting the
number of fire hydrants. Um, which was the joke from before. Um, this was also something that it was predicted that we would have to put these in for developments that were expected to come online that did not go online last year that probably will go online next year,
but that money was now available because things didn't go online. So for the large I didn't go nickel by nickel but for the large categories here it looks like it wasn't a matter that anybody overbudgeted or didn't um they budgeted with the
knowledge that they had back when they did the last budget and this was where thankfully they had money that they were able to do these things. So, I do encourage everyone to if you do have questions uh when the agendas uh are
available to write them out, send them in um to administration and hopefully uh can get some answers. Um >> and I think the backup information was um well explained so that did give us a lot of information. So, that was good.
>> Well, I think it said why we had some expenditures. It didn't necessarily go into the detail of of where the money came from. Yep. >> Okay. So, I think we're all kind of in agreement. Um, personally, I feel we have to do this. We don't really have a choice. Uh, I mean, we have we spent the
money, we need to uh we have money. Thankfully, we're not in one of the positions of some of the towns where we don't have that money and now we just have to put it from one bucket to the other. Um, does anybody have anything more to say or can we go ahead and vote on this? >> Yeah. Motion.
>> Motion to approve. >> Motion second. Okay, roll call. >> Who was the first motion? I'm sorry. >> Dan, >> second. Sonia. Okay. Gawas, >> yes. >> Javers, >> yes. >> Weiss, >> yes. >> Whitfield, >> yes. >> Mandel, >> yes.
>> Okay, I believe we have now approved everything there. There are no introduction of ordinances. Um, now we have a different a second public comment. Um, which I will now open. Yes. Yes. I don't believe we have
anybody written. This one's >> hi. Sylvia Ascarelli, 27 Melville Road. Again, I wanted to follow up on the comments made by Mr. Cohen earlier tonight on about Fiser Place. I do not know Mr. Cohen, but I share his concerns
about Fiser Place, the amount of traffic on a residential road with a 25 mph speed limit. I agree with the suggestion of Miss Mandel to install one of those temporary your speed is signs both directions on Fiser Place.
um gather data and also try to reduce um the speeding that goes on because yes they people are trying to make a the light that is about 45 seconds and then you wait 4 minutes for the route one traffic but I also hope this is just the
first step and that you would please consider additional traffic calming measures. I'm sure that the staff engineers both at the township and the county can offer suggestions. You can also ask of course at Westminster Bicycle and Pedestrian Lands for their ideas, but I would say start with your
own staff. Um, and that I would encourage you after that to then meet with the residents on Fiser Place, explain why this or that might work, might be something they um to try and see what they would support. Um, and
let's try to get Fisher Place in a in a better place. It should not be a cut through for um for people trying to get to Route One. Personally would love to see a safe crossing of Route One at Fiser Place to the path that Princeton University has built that goes almost to
Route One. As you all know in Princeton University has said it would support um completing that with the blessing of NJ DOT which wants to widen Route One in 10 years or so and create an eight lane gash in our town instead of a sixlane gash. um and induce even more traffic on
Route One and therefore on Fischer Place, but that's a whole other saga. Um but please help those people on Fischer Place. Thank you. Thank you, Sylvia. Mails. Andy Brown, 24 Proidence Drive. I do have a disability, so forgive me.
doesn't slow me down too much, but um I enjoy everything. Um concerning um the discussion you had about the appointments, then I did feel it was a little uh negative. Um it did sound a
little political. Um and um I would have liked to see at the end of that discussion that you would have voted yes um because you're a good group of people and I think the explanations that were given by the other council members were
valid. Um and we also um we also have a concept in this country that if you win the election you have a say in a lot of things. So the people evaluated the c the candidates, they
made some decisions and that's the way it is. Um on um and other than that um I love this town council and um the
candidates uh who are running against the winners. How come I never see them in at the council meetings? I mean, are they really involved in the community? It's a question for Dan. Um, I went to a
a meet and greet um which was fine and Dan was there and I I really really really was super impressed by Dan. He explained to everyone how the council works, how the township works, but the
other um candidates there, they didn't really know what was, you know, how this government works in my opinion. Why aren't they showing up? if they want to be more involved, you know, just show up,
you know, it's just a it's just a comment then, you know, show up, you know, take a more of an interest. Um, I know a lot of people in town and there's easy ways to volunteer without being an elected official and we see it all over
the place. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else? Thank you all. So uh Sanjay Mandllo 17 Renfields I'm part of the list of folks. So a little bit about myself. So I have volunteered and Martin thank you for
your eloquent speech. I really appreciate that. Okay. We all have to give back to our community and I'm fortunate that this year I have the time to give back to my homeowners head of the homeowners association. I've been in this county in this community for the
last two decades. My kids are born and brought up went through the high school system. So we are Westwinds residents for now and the future long time. I have an environmental science background and software background. So I want to give back to this township as much as I can.
the township has given to me, has given to myself, my family, and uh we're really thankful for all the work that happens in this town. So, such a great town. People don't realize the gem we are, and I've got some of my colleagues from the township here with from my
homeowners with me. Yes, I it is a bigger challenge in our homeowners where we live. We have a lot of people that commute and all that, but we really want to make this a very attractive place for our kids, future generations and you
know all the comments that I was at the bike paths and the open trails. This is something that we really cherish in this township. So, we're looking forward to really spending time being part of this. And I really like what you said, show up. It's good, you know, it's good that we people do show up. So, I'm really
happy that we're seeing more and we're trying to get our homeowners to come to one of these these meetings on a regular basis so they can participate and voice what they would like to see. Thank you all. I'm looking forward to a great uh you know helping whatever I can in
whatever way in the community. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else like to get up? >> Satell 78 drive. Uh Sanjay congratulations. Um I know the transparency that you are going to provide um to the Westminster Township
the same way that you did for EPJ HOA. Um I wish you all the best and hope that uh the discourse will subside as uh the you are going to bring to the table. I wish you all merry Christmas and happy
and uh have a safe holidays. >> Thanks. Uh could you give your name to the clerk over here? We're gonna have you sign in on our signin sheet. Yeah. For our for our record. >> Yes. >> Thanks. >> Would anybody else like to go for public comment?
>> Hi, my name is Pravin Sharma. I am a resident of 73 swab drive, New Jersey, Westminster actually. I have been on my HOA homeowner association board uh for last three four years. I'm fourth year now and I'm from
same community as his uh state at Princeton junction. Um I've been working for last two years. He has been working with some of you already on the cameras in our community uh that being installed and uh I know he is a good community servant with a lot of heart in it and he
is a big problem solver in our community for sure and uh he has been leading with lot of conviction and uh resolving some of the issues that longstanding we solve. So I I fully wish him good luck. I I still hope that he's able to devote
the time to our home ownership. with devoting some time to you all but I'm pretty sure he is very resourceful and he'll be helpful here. So I thank you for doing what you have been doing and just uh happy to be here to you.
>> Thank you. Thank you >> Joe Charles 9off drive. I just wanted to say that I um as council elect I fully support the appointments of uh Sanjay Mandlloy and Chris Lamond uh to the zoning board. I haven't known Sanjay very long, but I had an opportunity to
interact with him uh on a few occasions several months ago. And what really impressed me was that, you know, he's the president of his HOA and the respect that he commanded from the other residents uh at EPJ. It was clear that everybody saw him as a uh a true leader.
So, I know he'll do a great job on the zoning board. Uh for Chris Lamond, uh I've known Chris the entire time I've lived here in West Windsor. He lives across the street from me. Um, so I've known him for about 18 years. He's been in town for for longer than that. Has been a very active member in the
community. He also served on our HOA board um in the past and he is very well read. He stays current on what's going on in town. Uh very well informed as he asked me tons of really good probing pertinent questions and I have complete
confidence that he's an outstanding candidate and highly qualified to be on the zoning board. So I support fully support both of their appointments. Thank you. >> Thank you, Joe. Does anybody else wish to get up and speak? >> Being none, I will close the second
public comment. And at this time, we'll go to um council reports. Martin, >> sure. Planning board uh met uh last Wednesday uh the 17th. uh just basically
a application uh final major site plan was approved for PB25-09 which is the towns at West Windsor. It's a four bedroomedroom uh group home for developmentally disabled adults which uh will be located right off 571 between
Old Trenton Road and Southfield Road. Uh, human relations is obviously in full preparation for MLK day serve day of service which will be held right here in this room on Monday, January 19th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Uh, they will also have a food collection for
Sinhunger Packing. And right now they're slated to have one to two dynamic speakers sharing their thoughts on how to serve the community more effectively. >> What time did you say that with me? >> 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. right here. January 19th is MLK Day.
>> Thank you. Chase and uh Dan >> um I have no report. >> No, Sonia. >> Um I have report from um the parking authority. As mayor mentioned earlier,
the parking um costs are going up. Um New Jersey Transit announced a parking increase for bus and rail across the state effective January 15th. Um daily parking um will go from $7 to $12. Um by
the contract between parking authority and um NJ Transit, the daily pricing um has to match in parking authority investments or lots to $12. So ours our daily parking is going to go to $12.
Very loud there. >> Um they're also raising permit pricing. Um, when I say they, um, NJT, uh, NJ Transit is raising their permit pricing from 294 to 504.
>> That's, as you said, I think, do the math. I think it's 60 >> $2,000 a year. >> Yeah. Something. Yeah. Um, that's right. 504. So, it's um going up really high. Um any permit any permit resident or not
who park in um New Jersey transit lots will have to pay 504. Before we had the resident and non-resident rates now it's it's and it's 504 a quarter. >> Quarter. >> Y quarter. That's 2000. Yes.
>> Yeah. So that comes to about 20 a little over 20 >> 2016 if you want. >> Right. Um and that goes in effect uh in March of 2026. Um parking authority is actually having a special purpose meeting tomorrow um to
approve the uh raising the daily parking to $12 um and also um the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday to $17 in wall slots. um parking authority will also look to
raise the quarterly permit from $150 to2 $210. >> Um not as big of a jump but they they need to do that. So they are looking into that. Um this will be the seventh
increase in 55 years that parking authority has been present. Um any resident resident who wants a permit at $210 can can get um in either the upper or the lower um one lot. There is no
waiting. So if you apply now you can get it. It's on the wall not on the wall slot but the >> upper one is not going to be with Princeton anymore. >> Um well they're >> I thought they were keeping that for a while. >> Thought they had a multi-year contract.
>> Yeah. I thought that was there. It's not the entire lot. >> It was originally it was >> there's a portion there's a portion >> train station. >> Yeah, >> right. The the parking lot closer to the train station. >> They're going to stop soon. So be available. >> Oh, okay. Last I heard they were keeping
it for a while. >> Princeton I think were using the lot closer to the Alexander roadside anyway. Yeah. Like there is >> they had origin they had originally bought the entire lot. >> Yeah. But now I think and I think they're stopping soon. very soon. We
don't have a date on that. >> Um again, just um so basically the permit for upper and one lot would be $210. Otherwise, NJT the New Jersey Transit would be 504.
So that's the difference that if anybody wants to take a >> Yeah, >> that's a pretty significant amount. >> Yeah. When you It adds up. >> Yeah. >> Right. So, you know, >> and we're still getting keeping the uh free weekends for residents
>> that yeah, that still says stay free weekends for Westminster residents. Um >> in Westminster only that's only Wallace. >> Wallace. That's only Wallace lot. Yeah. So again just I'm just repeating um the
parking authority permits are going up from um instead of 150 it's going up to 210 whereas NJ transit lots are going from 294 to 504 quarterly. So it's a big
big jump and New Jersey transit lot is um the cost is same for all resident or non-resident there's no different >> look double okay
>> so west windsor lots are a better deal all around >> yeah west lots like you know if you look at if you it comes to about 350 a day to park with the permit Whereas NJ transit would be about 8.40 40 a day.
>> But by law, we have to have the same daily >> the daily. >> Except we have that comment pricing, >> right? The daily parking. But I'm saying if if you divide the permit >> cost, that's how it comes. >> No matter what you do, it's more expensive. Mama, how you add it up, it's
more expensive, >> right? Okay. >> That's a that's a huge jump by um NJ Transit. So, >> okay. >> But it is what it is. Yep. >> Did the parking authorities say anything about what they're going to do with all this new found money >> any
projects? >> Well, right now they're they're busy on the project with the um the uh pocket park, the bus bus station. >> I know they're waiting for their reimbursement of I think it's what what was the amount? I haven't
>> 36,000. >> Yeah. And more cameras. more. They are also working on they're looking at storm management and all of that too because there are those you know 100year storms and the the tunnel fills up and
stuff. So they're working on that as well. >> Yeah, they may Yeah, that that somebody has to do something about that. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah, >> but the biggest Yeah, the biggest right now is is the cost. Uh I don't have any any other reports from any other
>> right. Um the shade tree commission held a special meeting on December 10th. The commission approved using 2025 budget funds for the purpose of buying seven 2 in to 2.5 in 4 foot high trees. These trees have been tagged and will be
planted in the spring in an area by the parking lot in West Windsor's Waterworks area there. Revolutionary Roots will be the commission's theme for Arbor Day next year. The commission will also be commencing work on the community management plan uh which is required by
the D and the D's uh deadline is December 31st, 2026. Uh my thanks to all the shade tree uh commission members and and all involved with the uh commission and thanks to Allison uh Joey Marina
um and all the uh township employees, all the staff and and our legal representation. Uh Alexa, thank you for being here. Um and uh just wish everybody happy holidays and a very happy and healthy new year.
>> Thank you, Linda. um EC met uh there were various reports. One interesting um uh review was uh one of the members is part of the works for the DP doing the
GIS mapping and we got a complete overview of how you can use the online DP sites to um check all kinds of things uh on the GEIS mapping include you know everything from flood zones to uh heat
areas and uh we found all kinds of interesting things like um artificial turf turns out to be a heat island and a big negative in environmentally and other things that people might not have really uh thought about some years ago.
But these GIS maps actually show a lot of that and you can zoom in on them now. So, those are available for free, I guess, as long as you don't try to sell them to somebody else. And, uh, I encourage everybody to take a look at them if they're, you know, want to see
uh, what's going on in different areas. Um, that's all I have on that. And there any other administration updates or anything from clerk? There's no closed session, I assume. So, can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Let Martin do that. >> I'm sorry.
>> Motion to adjurnn this evening. >> Second. Yeah. >> He He still has one meeting left. There's one planning. >> He's telling me I know he reported on the planning board. I think she was telling me >> three weeks. >> Yeah. >> He's got three weeks. >> Merry Christmas. Happy Quanza. Happy New
Year everybody. Thanks Marty. Thanks for >> Thanks Marty. >> I can get all eyes for a journ I >> Thank you all.