Okay, I'm going to call to order this meeting of the board of health of West Windsor Township. Um, Gay Gay sitting out there. I'm sorry, Alison. Gay sitting out there. I'm looking to order. Allison,
please call the RO call. Gawas, here. Mandel here. Whitfield here. And have we adequately noticed? Yes, we've been adequately noticed uh for this meeting on January uh 17, 2025 to the times in the
Princeton packet filed with municipal clerk, posted at the township building, and on the township website. Please stand for the salute to the flag. Thank you. For those who are not aware, uh the council also sits as the members
of the board of health and we are having a board of health meeting before we are having our regular council meeting. I'd appreciate if um everybody u was uh quiet so we could hear each other. And
at this point I'm going to open public comment. Now this public comment is only for the board of health. It's not for uh the council business or regular uh meeting. It's just for board of health issues. Would anybody like to speak
about board of health issues at this time? Seeing none, I'm going to close public comment and we're going to do the minutes. Allison. Okay. Approval of minutes February 10th, 2025.
Okay. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes? Salute. Second. Garwas, yes. Gvers, yes. Weiss, yes. Whitfield, abstain. Mandep, yes. Thank you. Um, and
now for discussion. Does the mayor or administration have any comments about the board of health at this point? I don't. Mayor, any comments um for Jill at this point about the board of health? No, I
always thank her for Thank you. Okay. Um we I think what we're going to do first is we usually switch this around, let Jill speak first, and then the uh council can uh
discuss or ask any comments. So Jill, go ahead. Thank you. Okay. Just I have a few quick updates for you. Um respiratory illnesses um are little closer. Is that good? Yes. Thanks. Respiratory illness rates are
improving. Um emergency department visits and admissions can continue to decrease for influenza, CO 19, and RSV. Most of the CO 19 and influenza cases that are being reported are in persons over 65. So we would encourage
precautions continue. We did have a rabies clinic in April on the 24th and we provided 25 vaccinations to pets. I would encourage any dog or cat owners out there that have not
received a 2025 annual license to do so. Our licensing rates of we've discussed in the past are dropping. So, please make sure your pets are compliant and come in and um get an updated license. a few um outreach events that
are coming up. On May 17th, we will be at the West Windsor Farmers Market with tableabling for summer safety. On May 21st from 10 to 11, we have partnered with Mercer Council on Alcoholism,
alcoholism and drug addiction for a healthy outlooks program, which is alternative approaches to managing pain. So, please come out if you're interested. And we're looking forward in June for vision screening at the senior center on June
24th. In May, we also are planning a program at some of our child care centers with our public health nurse and REHS team focused on lead poisoning prevention sessions for parents. Um, at one of those sessions, we're also going
to pilot some consumer goods testing. So, they would be products that you may have in your homes to do some testing to see if there's any lit content to those. And um starting to gauge interest in that to see if it's a program that we want to expand
on. And we are entering a busy season for the environmental health team. Um we have a lot of temporary events coming up. Last year we did 400 temporary licenses, so it's a very busy time. We also have public pool inspections that um about 28 facilities between the three
towns that are opening in May. And this is also the time of year complaints tend to increase. Um I would encourage the public to do some spring cleanup. Make sure we don't have things in the yard or around the home that
could be holding um water which would stagnate and allow mosquitoes to grow. This is the time that they start to become active and obviously as we get further into the season they become even more active. Cleaning up of brush and grass around the property is also
encouraged. Trimming low hanging branches that interfere with folks riding their bikes or walking down the sidewalk or driving in the roadway and not being able to see clearly around corners. But when doing that, we would also encourage everyone to visit the um
Department of Public Works web page and take a look at the yard waste collection rules. A reminder to be aware of when your scheduled pickup is and before placing items out, make sure you're within that 7 days prior to pickup. Yard
way should be placed in cans or loose between the curb and the sidewalk. If you do put it in the street, it's very important that it's at least 10 feet away from storm drains and we're not blocking any fire hydrants. It should be out by 7:00 a.m.
the first day of pickup. And do not put it out after DPW has already collected on the street. Regular trash. It's also the time of year folks are cleaning out garages and basements and their yards and they're putting regular trash out.
Um, and some reminders here because we have had quite a few calls into the township about violations. Um, trash should not go out before 7:00 p.m. the night or 6 p.m., I'm sorry, the night before pickup and not before 6 a.m. and
should be out before 6:00 a.m. the day of your scheduled day. Lids should be tight. No construction or demo debris. Um there are dumpsters that you could hire if you're doing a project at the house or um bagsters. You're allowed up
to 10 bags of trash and they should not weigh more than 35 pounds per grass. Um, grass should be in plastic bags and there should be no yard waste debris combined with that. So, no twigs or or large branches in with that
grass. And just a reminder, although we don't like to issue fines and we do as much as we can with education, there are fines out there and we are increasing enforcement um based on the number of complaints that are coming in. So, we would encourage
everyone to take a look at the Department of Public Works website. Um, it lays out all the rules, all the different types of items that could be placed out for trash and what should not go out. So, please pay attention and try to comply. Thank you very much. Um, I do want to
remind everyone the environmental um commission highly suggests that you don't bag your grass, that you get it cut and let it stay on. Um going to go through the council now to see if there's any questions. Anybody
in Dan Sonia any? Um just a quick um not a question but something that um um I have noticed people um with regards to the rabies uh vaccinations. um as a pet pet parent I know like you
know after 6 months you should be you have to have um the licensing done and like you know really shut and all of that and there was some confusion among some some folks that I heard um oh but it's November now maybe I can just wait
and like you know do the licensing in January or I there's something like the the rabies vaccination needs to be valid as of november nomber 1st, right, of the year or the year prior. So for adults, yes,
it needs to be valid 10 months out of the licensing year, right? So if you're licensing in 2025, that needs to be valid through to November 1st. November 1st. Yeah. So maybe a little more messaging to be pushed around that
because I have heard from um folks that were very confused about how that works. Okay. Okay. I think what you're saying is not the year prior, but it has to be valid for at least 10 months after. No, it has to be valid for 10 months of the
year the license. Right. So So it can't expire before if it expires before then it's not valid for 10 months. So you may have to overlap that back that licensing. So if you're if you're licensing in 2025,
the rabies certificate has to be valid through to up until November 1st. But if somebody moves in say and it's May, as long as it's l as long as it's valid till that November, they can it doesn't matter what happened to the rest of the
month. I think I think I'm sorry. licensing is different than vaccinations. I think what I've heard from parents is they are concerned about the overlapping of the vaccinations to have get the licensing valid. Right. So
maybe maybe if we can get some messaging out about that overlapping of the vaccinations. Okay. And it is um you you can overlap those the vaccinations. Yes. Yeah. I think we we spoke about this last time with some people didn't said hey it's not up yet
from last time they didn't want to give another vaccine but that the recommendation is that you could correct yes yes and we do offer clinics several times we do four in the year we do November December January and April
and then of course you could go to your private v also right another month or so, students will be out of school and and a lot of parents will be traveling. A lot of people will be traveling for the summer months. Um so we put out advisories or
any information, travel tips for staying healthy. We we do have some links on our web page. Um we can make take a look and make sure they're more front and center. Um, what I hear often is that if we don't have a link on the homepage, it's hard to find on the
website, which we're we're working on addressing that. Um, but yes, there are some links and we'll get it up there. Um, it's very important right now also with the measles activity that's happening throughout the world and in some parts of the US that you ensure that you're up to date on measles. um
vaccinations. Um and if you're traveling with an infant, especially with an infant that is not fully vaccinated, so 11 months or younger, have a conversation with your pediatrician. Have we had any measles outbreaks in town?
No, we've had um individuals who have been exposed to travelers because that's often what we see in the US is international travel occurs um and either we have someone that's unvaccinated that develops a case and because with measles you can um not have
symptoms but still be contagious for several days. Um there's often quite a few people exposed when an international traveler comes back and develops measles. Um, so we have had exposures where we've had to do um followup. The follow-up is for 21 days after the day
of your exposure if you're not if you don't have proof of immunity. And um proof of immunity means paper documentation of your vaccinations or a measles diagnosis being born before
1957 or having had some um immunity testing. So, that is one word of caution that because we're all out and about, um, find your find your documentation. Make sure you have it handy so if you are exposed and you're immune that it's easy
to demonstrate that you're immune, right? Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Martin. No question. No question. Mayor, did you have any Okay, I talk too early if I have questions. Okay, that's good.
Um, thank you by the way for the first quarter report that we all received. Um, I did have I see we have as of that time that that report was prepared, there was uh se 628 dog licenses and there were
only 12 cat licenses. Now I know they're due April 30th because you did I did see the sign outside the building on our new electronic sign. It said April 30th. Have we done better with the CAT licenses at this point? We we've had some more come in. I don't remember what
number we're at right now though, but um every year we're seeing a slight decrease. So I I would strongly encourage anyone out there who was unlicensed to get their pets. So So we would like whatever people could do to
remind people that that is a requirement in West Windsor. Absolutely. And we offer the free um shots of course too for rabies. So okay, interesting. And there was a mention that there were 208 communical communicable disease
investigations. Is this mostly measles or what would trigger that? No, no, it it's a combination. Um we we still have um COVID reports come in. Um we have uh a variety of food born um vectorbor
diseases that are reported and that number um represents the three communities that we follow up. So um it's a variety of ca but that's about typical for the office to see. So there's nothing special with that. No
nothing that I um I think in the notables um I mentioned um we had the measles exposures that we followed up but we had no suspect measel cases and the 21day period for those exposures has
elapsed and there were no um cases developed from those exposures. That's good for not only those people but for all the people that met those people. Absolutely. Thank you. Um but if there's nothing else, I'll open the
second public comment. This again is still for board of health uh comments only. Is there anyone who wishes to make a board of health comment? Seeing none, I will close the second public comment and I will
entertain an adjournment. Anybody wants to make a motion to adjourn the board of health? Motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? I. Okay, we have adjourned the board of health. Thank you. Thank you, Jill. As
always, wonderful. Thank you. And we will now be going into our regular meeting. Okay. I'm going to call to order at 7:17 the regular meeting of the West Windsor Township Council. And can you do a roll call for the township council?
Okay. Gawas here. Gvers here. Mandel here. Weiss here. Whitfield here. Thanks. And um we've adequately noticed this meeting also. Yes. This business meeting was adequately noticed on January 17th, 2025 to the times in the Princeton packet, filed with the
municipal clerk, posted here at the Westmin Township Municipal Building and on the township website. Thank you much. And at this point, we've already done the salute to the flag. So, we're going to go into the ser ceremonial matters of which we have several tonight. Uh first,
the first ceremonial matter is our proclamation for Jewish American Heritage Month. I'm going to read the proclamation and um then we will u present it to to a couple people tonight.
Uh whereas West Windsor is proud of its rich cultural history and the many people who call our town home. And whereas our vibrant and diverse Jewish American community constitutes a vital element of the township's diverse ethnic
and social fabric whose languages and cultures have enriched the lives of its citizens. And whereas the United States of America has proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month since 2006, recognizing over 350 years of the Jewish
people's contributions to our culture and the community. And whereas Jewish Americans love family, community, and hard work, as well as their commitment to freedom and justice for all people have helped to strengthen and uphold the founding principles of our nation for
generations. And whereas JewishAmerican entrepreneurs, researchers, and educators strengthen our economy and our community through their dedication and ingenuity, inspiring the next generation of American innovation by example. And
whereas Jewish Americans have made significant contributions across all fields, including science, education, medicine, law, politics, business, culture, military service, charity, sports, and more. And whereas Jewish
Americans in West Windsor contribute to our community every day as volunteers, first responders, educators, medical professionals, business owners, professionals, service personnel, and in government. And whereas during the month of May, the Jewish community comes
together to celebrate its thousands of years of heritage and tradition rooted in Israel in the diaspora throughout the world. And whereas we recognize the many contributions the Jewish American community has made to our beloved nation, state, and township and reaffirm
our total rejection of anti-semitism and all forms of bigotry. Now therefore, be it resolved on this fifth day of May, 2025 by the mayor and township council of the township of West Windsor, county of Mercia, and state of
New Jersey that we recognize Jewish American Heritage Month in perpetuity. Thank you. And now I'm going to um ask um Mary Cutler and Mary um to come uh
sorry Mary Sullivan to come up and uh get the um proclamations for both Beth Cayam and for the um Kabad of the Windsor. Can you hear me?
Yeah. Hello. I'd like to I'd like to thank West Windsor Township Council for this wonderful honor in recognition of American Jewish Heritage Month. Um, I'm very honored to be representing Congregation Bethheim tonight because
I'm one of the founding members from 1971 along with 20 other young families at the time and I am the uh well, I guess I'm the senior past president of the congregation from the early 1970s.
We've had a wonderful relationship in West Windsor Township beginning from the time we built our first little temple on Village Road. At that time the only village and now it's Village Road Old or Village Road East. And we were welcomed
into this community by farmer Warren Grover, who was a neighbor across the street that we never knew, who came and he plowed our three acres and got rid of all the weeds so we could break ground for our first temple in
1976. And from that time to this time, we've had just a wonderful relationship with West Windsor. and and I'm so proud once again to be here representing our congregation, which is a a large and growing and progressive uh congregation
here in West Windsor. It just so happens that I'm a resident of East Windsor, but I live just around the corner on Dutchneck Road. And uh we we represent uh the Jewish population from the Windsor and Heightstown and Robbinsville
and Hamilton, Cranberry, Plainsboro, and even Princeton. So, thank you once again. It's an honor to be here. Thank you. And I'm I'm sure that story will be very interesting to the um all the historical
society people that we have sitting in the audience here. So what we have next is we of on the um ceremonial matters is Revolution New Jersey and the 250th anniversary of the
founding of the United States in 2026. And I did want to note before they speak that we're also doing tonight under resolutions um 2025-R115A which um endorses Revolution New Jersey and recognizes this committee
as doing the 2026 celebration for West Windsor and also uh recogni I'm sorry recognizes Revolution West Windsor and then also recognizes Revolution New Jersey. So, we'll be able to send this resolution to Revolution New Jersey and
get West Windsor on the list as one of the participants in the statewide celebration of the 250th anniversary. On that note, I'm going to ask I believe Paul Leetti is going to be speaking for the con
consortium. Um, and uh, take it away, Paul. So, hi everyone. My name is Paul Leody. I'm the president of the Historical Society West Windsor. So next year, the United States of America turns 250 years
old. This anniversary marks the quarter of a millennium since 13 colonies in North America declared their independence from the British Empire. Across the nation, countless towns, cities, counties, and states will hold innumerable events to celebrate this anniversary, and West Windsor is now one
of them. So late last year, the historical society convened a townshipwide committee. It's made up of most of the town's major community groups to coordinate and cross-promote many dozens of events and programs in celebration. Our committee currently includes West Windsor Arts, the West
Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance, the West Windsor Community Farmers Market, the West Windsor Lions Club, the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company, the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company, the Princeton chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Westwinds Recreation and Parks, and a
town council liaison. Now, our initiative is formally underway. Revolution West Windsor, which is the official title of this venture, started a few weeks ago and will run to December 2026 or possibly beyond. From parades to
lectures, tours to art exhibits, concerts, dances, festivals, memorial services, time capsules, and more, the 20 plus month initiative will be filled with something for everyone. We intend to engage people of all ages, perspectives, and backgrounds in
exploring and commemorating the founding of our nation. We also aim to leave a longerl lasting legacy such as interpretive history markers and other physical installations. Revolution Westminster kicked off with a logo contest a few weeks ago and it ends this June, sorry,
more specifically June 1st. Its purpose is to depict how Wester was uniquely involved in the war for independence. The winner will be announced at the township picnic on June 14th. Now, some of you may know that New Jersey is often called the crossroads of the revolution due to its central role in the war. More
battles and skirmishes took place here than in any other state. And many of them carried critical significance. For instance, the 10 what's called the 10 crucial days, which is a period spanning December 26 25th, 1776 to January 3rd,
1777 were of paramount importance. After months of defeats in New York, many demoralized soldiers with contracts expiring at year's end and retreating into Pennsylvania, New Jersey were set to resign from Washington's army, of which was already again on the run.
However, three American victories helped turn the tide and could have saved the revolution during its darkest hours. This included the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776, the Battle of Asen Pink Creek, otherwise known as the Second Battle of Trenton on January 2nd,
1777, and the Battle of Princeton on January 3rd, 1777. These 10 crucial days restored confidence in the Continental Army, convinced many enlisted soldiers to renew their contracts and new recruits to sign up, and it eventually positioned
the uh Washington's army to repel the British from New Jersey more broadly. and signal to observers, including eventual French backers, that the revolution still had a chance. Um, that being said, all all of this is relatively well known, but a lot of people don't know that West Windsor itself also played a unique role in the
revolution. One obvious connection is that the historic Society already knows of a few dozen soldiers who lived within present- day West Windsor's borders who fought in the war. A few of their homes still stand in town, such as the house in the middle of the Cranberry Golf Club across the road from this gang
farmstead. However, there's more. For instance, Richard Stockton, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, owned about 300 acres in town, overlapping the present day Mercer Oaks golf course off of Village Road West. In 1784, another uh a lieutenant of the revolution, well, a former
lieutenant named Jacob Bergen, a West Windsor native and a prolific tavern owner, uh also who also happened to own the mill at Grover's Mill for some years, hosted the Continental Congress in one of his taverns in Trenton called the French Arms, turning it into the ninth capital building of the United
States. He later bought another inn in Dutch Neck that would serve as Westmin Windsor's first town hall starting in 1797 and that building still stands albeit as a private residence. Um, additionally, many local civilians had their barn barns burned and valuables looted by marauding Hesshin and British
troops. And on the other side of the political spectrum, the family of Thomas Hooper had to flee to Canada because of suspected British loyalties. There are also two notable highlights within Westminster itself as far as events go. A capture of British troops off of Clarksville Road on December 30th, 1776
provided Washington information about British troop movements that helped him triumph at the battle of Asen Pink Asen Pink Creek and the Battle of Princeton, cementing two of the three victories of the 10 crucial days. And on January 3rd, as Washington marched from Trenton to Princeton, he passed along Cracker
Bridge Road and through West Windsor on his way to triumph. Yet, there's also darker elements. Like the rest of the nation, slavery was also an institution in town during and well after the revolution. And westerns or may in fact have had one of the last enslaved residents in the state, one of the last
few dozen in the state in the mid 1860s, a woman named Diana Updikeke. As the founding fathers debated the nature of independence and human rights, contradictions abounded. and what are the role of women for instance who played a significant role not just on on the home front but on the battlefront as
well as nurses and cooks and even spies and soldiers in disguise. The realities of the revolution were complex and deserve a deeper look. To that end, Revolution West Windsor aims not just to be a calendar of events. It's also a synthesis of our nation's founding and
West Windsor's unique role in it. To learn much more, including the history of West Windsor's role in the Revolution, how to enter the logo contest, and to even see a map of revolution related sites in town, I encourage everyone to visit our website, which is westworhistory.com/revww. I also
encourage those who truly care about this history to join with us, to volunteer with the historical society or any of one of the other participating community groups. Um, of course, we also ask the township generally to, you know, promote these events and for everyone to look forward to much more as the year
progresses. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay. Um, at this point, actually, if there's anyone on council that has any questions of the um revolutionary group. No. Okay.
Thank you very much. I'm happy to see we're doing this and uh look forward to the next 16 18 months a little more of um of celebration. At this point, we're going
to go into a more serious discussion which is going to be on the green uh green and um complete streets. uh what's listed here as complete streets discussion, but we're going to be reviewing the uh complete and green
streets. We're not going to be taking any action on it tonight. Uh this is a discussion only. It will be voted on at a future meeting, possibly the next meeting and if not then it would be the meeting after that depending on um what
if engineering is going to be ready for the next meeting. Uh the meeting after that is before the um submission that I know bike Ted has to make. So we will make every effort um to get that to get in before that. Um and Thursday night
the environmental commission is going to be having a discussion on the on this complete and green streets also. So, um, the public comment will be with the regular public comment which, uh, which will be after the completion of of our
discussion. At this time, I'm going to turn this over to the mayor who's going to give us a summary and the background of the resolution and the policy. Thank you. Thanks, Andrea. Uh so West Windsor last adopted the complete street resolution
in 2010. Uh the professional staff reviewed the resolution and came up with an updated resolution in support of complete streets which in this case also incorporates recommendation for the use of green storm water technique uh
wherever possible and feasible. Uh so they started with a template that's provided by sustainable jersey program and then we adopted the template to suit our west's needs. I mean there were some um things in there that were not really
applicable to us and uh we didn't think it should be part of the uh policy that we adopt. Uh the recommended adoption of the updated resolution with the companion complete and green street policy to be used by staff will reinforce Westminster's
practice of providing safe, environmentally healthy, economically sound, equitable, accessible, and convenient travel along and across streets for users of all ages and abilities whenever feasible to do so. and for all modes of transportation
including motorists, bicyclist, pedestrian, public transportation vehicles and their passengers and commercial vehicles. As mayor, it's sometimes tough to strike a balance between what's ideal and what's achievable. What I always try to do is
to make sure that every project we undertake make the situation better and we move towards what's ideal and we have uh continue to work with uh bike and pedestrian alliance both for projects that we do ourselves but also advocate
for them uh on behalf of them to the county and the state whenever uh they are doing the projects and we try to do uh the best we can that's as practicable as we can. So I I hope to hear uh input on the policy both from the council and
the public and then based on the input we receive we will modify the policy and have it on the agenda for adoption at a future meeting whenever the council presidents decides. Thank you mayor. Um at this point we're
going to let the council go through this policy. Uh the first part of it is a resolution. Um there's I'm just going to put that out there. Basically what the resolution says is we're going to adopt the policy that's attached. So my first question
would anybody does anybody on the council have anything to say about the resolution itself. It's the first if you've got your packet today. It's the first two pages uh that are numbered three to four where it says a resolution establishing
and adopting a complete and green streets policy and that's just the resolution piece of it. Uh just one minor comment. Um the 15th whereas um pages well it's the the second page of
the draft resolution. Okay. Okay. It's or you know now therefore be it resolved it's two warehouses above that. So it's a a question also with that comes up in the um in the policy about a title director of community development. is is
a director of community development and township engineer because that is France I believe that is Francis's title and sometimes it says director of community development and it shows up in policy several times I
think we should be consistent because it's one one person with both right yeah okay so I just want some consistency I think in the resolution where you're looking at all exceptions must be approved by director of community development. Is that what you're looking
at? Yeah. Uh that one would be which I believe is the higher title is the director of community development. Um may mayor will it be director of community development and township engineer? No, this would be the final approval. So it's got to be it has to be
a particular title. So the the question is when we when we get later on in here, you've got some you you have something where you're showing where one person's giving to another and it's the same person, but that's a little further on in the Yeah,
but again I mean we have two different positions currently the same person occupies both may not be the case in future that's why they kept separately but we will make sure that it's consistent throughout the
policy wherever it's written the the I understand this time the same person occupies both uh the engineering and director of community development but it may not be the case going forward. Well in some cases you want engineering and in some cases you want director of
community development and so the problem occurs if one person is approving the other then you have to come up with some way that it's two different people. We we will we will do that but we don't want to change that because there's unless we eliminate one position
completely in future there may be two completely different people. That's okay but we do since we know that can happen and I'll get to that in the next section. I we will we will modify that to say or something. We have to give an we have to give an alternate so there's
two levels of people. That's I guess pretty Mike if you've got you can't have the same person make a proposal and approve it I assume and sign for if you're expected to have somebody ask for an exception and somebody else
approve the exception I assume those have to be two different people. Yes. Right. So that's that's my that's the problem with the way the uh that's written. We would have to if if we have the same person then somehow or other we're going to have to have an alternate listed there. Correct. Thank
do you understand the issue? I I made a note for myself. Okay. And that's in the piece itself where it's all in one sentence. Um okay. Anybody have any other questions on the resolution piece itself?
No. No. All right. Um we're going to go through each of these paragraphs. I'm not going to read them, don't worry. Um, and then just see if anybody has issues with anything in the um in them in the um first portion of it. Does anybody
have any issues in the um in this? Mayor, would you like to give a 10-word, whatever you want, summary of what this first section's about? I mean I I I really want to as I said we took the template we didn't start from
scratch we took the template that sustainable Jersey has provided and we modified some we eliminated some sections which we thought were irrelevant to us so I would and this was shared with the council so I would like
to get their input rather than read the same thing that's written there. No, don't worry. We're not going to read this. Um, all right. This first po portion basically says we're trying to help safety in the environment. Does anyone have any suggestions for any
changes in this first one? Nope. Second paragraph here. Does anybody have any suggested changes in the second paragraph? Okay, moving along. Number three. Um, does anyone have any
suggested changes there? No, it's just about the the title issue, but they'll look into it. Okay. Number four. Does anybody have any issue? That's the one where there's a 2-year um time period for an evaluation to be done
uh looking at our various plans and policies and um programs to make sure this is happening. Well, I was wondering if if that could be moved to uh one year instead of two years. Um, and I and I I don't know if the administration would be working with one of our our
consultants in in doing this work, but to to bump it up to sooner. Okay. Um, Sustainable Jersey suggests that that's a two-year project. Um, does anyone else I mean, I would think it would depend on
each town. I mean, yeah, no. I mean they're basically saying it's basically saying within so you could be 18 months two years or or earlier.
So the question do we want I don't know does anyone else have any question if it's possible to do say say one year mayor if they can. Yeah, I mean again as I said um I if something major happens within
one year we will definitely come but the two years is suggested by Jersey for statewide office because they realize that government nothing happens that fast every year that something happens but if something major is going to happen we can always come with every
year I this is the first two years this isn't an every year right this is just This is just like the whole major look at it and they're giving and they're saying it's probably going to take you two years to do that. It definitely will because we are going to be busy with the next round
of affordable housing coming up. Engineer does the same since the same person does uh everything. So we will probably need two years to come up with the things that you're looking for. And this is and this is just the um audit.
This isn't follow. This doesn't delay following the rest of the things in here. This is just for the audit. Correct. We're not to do one year. I'll do one year. No, no. I'm saying that this would the fact that we're if we took two years, which we may or may not to do the
audit, that's not going to delay the fact that if somebody comes in with a project, we have to follow this new policy. The policy is right away. Right. When once we pass this policy, I assume it goes out to everybody and we adopt it and please cut it.
Right. Okay. Um number five. Does anyone have any comments? Okay. And that's um that's the one that uh number five gives us the traffic calming measures and the um some of the permeable pavements and other things which combine the green and the
complete. Number six. Does anyone have any comments on six? No. Number seven. Um, this is guidelines on what we're what we're supposed to use in order to be doing doing this. What um
what kind of guides and best practices. No, everybody. Okay. Skip. Number eight. Um this one I guess is where director coordinates with the division which I guess can happen um and then talks to
other departments um for the implementations. Anyone see anything in that other than I think you had some language uh actually the one I was changing the other one where it talks about the actual approvals. That one I think
legally we need to change this one. We could look at um you know this one I think we're okay personally but they can look at it. Um okay number um
nine is um that one I feel we need to change because nine. Yeah. Okay. Nine is well actually this one's about the report. Um, under sustainable Jersey, one of the
main requirements in this is that this report be done every year. I think I sent you some detailed wording and I sent the rest of the council got that too that essentially this is supposed to be every year where there's a report
done uh essentially the engineer has to keep a keep track of this anyway on an ongoing basis. So at the at the end of every year, the engineer provides a report for what exceptions had to be done during that year. Um, and this one
is sort of worded like, well, if both the mayor and the business administrator want it, which is not uh that's not the idea of this. The idea is that it's supposed to be that the records are kept and that the report is
supposed to be given on an annual basis to the governing body and to the administration. So I think we had talked about that that it needs to be that needs to be on an annual basis. Just strike the first eight words out of
that line and that's Yeah, I gave you um alternate language on that. um just strike the first aid towards the director of community development shall provide a report so as to allow them to evaluate implementation of the policy. That's his engine. Yeah. Actually, that's the director of community
development shall provide an annual report to the mayor, business administrator, and the township council so as to allow them to evaluate evaluate implementation of this complete street and green streets policy. Is that okay?
I mean, okay, that's Yeah. Okay. I'm okay with that. I'm okay. Everybody happy with that? An annual basis, right? Yes, it'll be an annual basis and whatever annual bas whenever in the year anybody wishes to do that would it
coincide with when we do the budget hearing and we get all the other reports from other departments. Maybe it could be then or we should probably get a little earlier so we could take a look um for the budget hearings. We we would prefer if that were done in time so we
could see them before we uh be probably even before by the end in January. If we do it the year before, you never know who. So we if we do it in January, then we'll we'll be able to look at what kind of priorities we want for the budget. So that would be a preference. Should we
should we include um the term and may I suggest February because Janu if you have the report received in January it's not going to include
December statistics. So maybe February would be a good I would recommend February. Yeah. Right. And that's fine. And and the beginning end to the year isn't what's important. It's basically in one year period. All this really talks about is how many exceptions have
we made during that year. So we can take a look and see if this is working. That's really what this is for. My my only comment was like um if you could include language that specifies that this report would be done annually on an annual basis. Yes. So I think I I had
given you the wording on that. So if you could use change that. The clerk and I have the wording. Thank you. Um, moving along, we go into where some of the exceptions are. Does and number one.
Does anyone have any comments on that? Um, as I as I look at number two, I'm thinking should that sentence in number two. However, every effort to work within the flexibility allowed should be made, including design exceptions for
roadway projects. Should that line be tagged on to the end of D 1D? Um, I think that's a good idea. Yeah. So, it would read the adverse impacts of implementing this complete and green streets policy significantly outweigh
the benefits. However, every effort to work within the flexibility allowed should be made, including design exceptions for roadway projects. Would that be an I don't think there would be an E because E No, it's not an E. It's it's continuation of D. D.
When you have the however, is it kind of looked like it should be and the other option is just to remove the word however and item two starts with every effort. Every effort. That way this applies. Okay. A, B, C, D are
four different times that you would um that you would have exceptions. So, anything you add has to apply to A, B, C, and D. However you want to add it, I would just remove the word however
from two and start with every effort to work within within the flexibility allowed should be made. I'm fine. That makes sense. That looks That sounds good.
Yeah. Um and then number three talks about what would be how we would add the exceptions. And here's where here's where you get into the issue particularly where it says the request has to be submitted in writing
by the township engineer to the director of community development with documentation and then you're basically having somebody submit to themselves and then approve it. So that's where we need some kind of clarification. That's not
that's not accurate because it says his designate. So he can get somebody to submit to him, right? It says township engineer or his designate. Since he can't sign, he can't approve. He can either go outside to a consulting firm
or he can get somebody else assistant engineer or somebody else to uh request an exception. It it it does cover that. Okay. So, in that particular case, we're saying the township engineer can designate somebody else. Uh, and I would
assume that the township engineer would do that if it he was if it's the same person. I assume we don't have to put that down anywhere. He will have to do that. He will have to do that since he can't he can't approve his own. Right.
I young Linda. No, I'm interesting. his township engineer or his design knee which kind of assumed it is going to be someone um under him in his department. So someone in his department
could be anybody you know could well I don't know designate but if he was if if the if the department if the engineer worked for the director of community development we'd have the same issue though it would be it would be somebody's staff member sending it up
the line to them. The thing is right now we have the same person doing both the both roles. So yeah, but that that's that's now but that's not going to be the case in future right that won't be I don't know
may or may not be right so there are two different roles you you have to be open to either possibility possibility um I'd be okay with I think I'm I'm okay if the if it's understood that it will be the designate in this case and that
uh there will be two people signing it. Yeah. Yep. Okay. Anybody else thoughts? Nope. Good. Okay. The next thing is essentially complete terms and definitions. Does anyone have anything on those? No. And
at this point, does anybody have anything that's additional comment? something we left out, something should have been there. Anything else that anyone wants to say? What? I'm just glad that we're doing this because the last Well, the complete
streets 2010. It's a long time, right? Well, the the state of New Jersey just finished their newest one, I guess, in November, so we're kind of based on that. And now we're following up
um you know to to uh bring this up to date. And then I'm h I'm happy to see that we're adding the green streets to it and adding the um um environmental component to this too because that's very important. Um and this is by the way is
um something that can get us some points, not a lot uh from sustainable Jersey. So the timing on this is good right for the reertification. All right. Um, at this point, I think we've had a, if no one has anything more to say, um,
we'll be, um, under public comment, we'll be hearing from, um, anyone from the public. And I see see some people out there that I'm sure will say something. Um, and um, we could move move in. Uh, does anyone want have any problem with
closing this discussion at this point? Okay, we'll close this piece of the discussion and we'll um move along to the next part of the meeting which is opening of public comment. Um public comment is a limit of three minutes per
person. Please address the uh council and the chair and there is a clock that you can see up there so you'll have a good idea when your time is up. Please uh stop talking at at the 3minut time
period and uh be fair with everybody and at this point um I'm going to Oh, do you have anything else to say Allison on it? Um no, I do I do have a list already from So we're going Yes, we go with whoever signed up on the list in order first and then we will open up to
anybody that um is in the public that wishes to speak. And if you do wish to speak on any resolutions or anything that's on the agenda, we will be voting um at um on the resolution items before
the next public comment period. So please do so now. Okay. Who's on their first? Also a reminder just to say your name and address when you come forward to start with that. First on the list is Mark Pepper. Thank you for the resolution on Jewish
Heritage Month. Um I'm a former member of Bethheim, so it was nice to be here for that. Okay. Uh Mark Pepper, 43 Providence Court. Um, I am here tonight to speak about my concerns for Israel and how deeply divided the Jewish community has become, especially how so
many in our community in our community wrongly and dangerously consider criticism of Israel to be anti-semitic. For sure, I'm as concerned about actual anti-semitism as I have ever been. Finally, I wish to express my support for the two most outstanding
members of Congress that we here in West Windsor are so fortunate to have as our representatives, namely uh Congressman Bonnie Watson Coleman and Senator Andy Kim. Because of the Netanyahu regime's attempts to install a repressive, undemocratic theocracy in Israel,
starting long before October 7th, 2023, I have evolved from being a most of my life staunch Israel supporter to being a staunch and vocal Israel criticizer, but one who is still very proud of my Jewish heritage. I can assure you that I'm most
definitely not anti-Semitic. I'm extremely proud of Congressman Bonnie Watson Coleman and Senator Andy Kim for their very brave and morally correct positions in calling for an arms embargo of Israel, an immediate ceasefire, and a permanent peaceful solution for all who live from the river to the sea, whether
it be a one or two-state solution. I'm hopeful the West Windsor Township Council will soon pass a formal statement of support for both of our amazing members of Congress for their positions on the Israel Gaza conflict. There has been an endless cycle of wars starting in 1948, then again in 1956,
the year of my birth, and then again in 1967, in 1973, and on and on with lots of terrorism in between the wars committed by both agrieved peoples. An endless saga of fear and anguish, war and reprisal, terrorism and bloodshed, occupation and genocide, hostage taking,
and bold-faced lying continues to this day with no end in sight. I was in Israel two times. first in 1983 on a Jewish singles trip and then again in the spring of 2006 with other families from Bethl which I switched to as a member uh from Betham
on a trip led by Rabbi Jay Kornsold. It it concluded just before that year's war with Hezbollah in the north broke out. Jay Kornsold is the same rabbi who recently signed letters condemning both Andy Kim and Bonnie Watson Coleman for their absolutely correct positions on Israel. Shame on Rabbi Scornsold as well
as Rabbi Adena Blum, Rabbi Caner Larry Bransfaggel, Rabbi Ben Adler, and the other dozens of New Jersey rabbis who signed these letters. I'm certainly not very proud of Beth Albetham or the East Brunswick Jewish Center or any congregation that voices their
unwavering support of Israel, no matter what atrocities the Israeli leadership commits. I'm most certainly distraught that the hostages have now been held in captivity for 576 days and that Israel Israelis are also traumatized over the longest war ever for them. But I'm
equally distraught because it has also been 21,49 days. Please let me finish. Please let me finish. Just finish. has also been 21,49 days that the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza by Israel has been
going on since the 6- day war ended on June 10th in 1967. And because it has been 28, 14 days since the first Nakba commemoration of May 15th, 1948, the day after the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14th, 194. Now the
genocide and holocaust is still ongoing in Gaza and the West Bank for 576 days give or take. This must come to an end peacefully. It's not there. End of public. War has never solved anything. Only brought on more suffering and misery. Thank you.
I'm going to ask I'm going to ask that everybody please limit their comments to three minutes. That's the rules. Thank you. Who's next on the list? Next on the list is Mr. Shuitt. Thank you, Alison. Thank you, council.
Thank you, mayor. Um, my name is Michael Shouitt. Mike, just move in a little bit closer to the mic so we can hear you online. My name is Michael Shuit, 234 Windsor Court, Euing. And before um I begin, I just like to thank council for that. Mike,
you have to get a little closer. I lift the mic up. Sorry. Yeah. One second. Ready? Okay, now it's activated now. Thanks. Okay. So before I begin, um, personally
I just want to thank council for the proclamation and also my family was a member of Bethheim and I'm proud to say that my son's Eagle Scout project was uh leading the uh building of a Torah arc for
Bethheim. So I'm here tonight representing uh the Friends of West Windsor Open Space. Um I'm the acting president and with us tonight I have other board members Paul who spoke for Mike. Can you face the mic? Paul,
who spoke earlier, uh Frank Laddera and uh Benedy Gal. So, I'm here tonight to uh bring you some some good news. Um, as you all remember back earlier this year, we held uh two public hearings in this
room for the application FO's application to uh D Green Acres for funding of a of a historic trail uh approximately one quarter miles from Penlly Oil
Road to the Jacob um Court extension and and the uh historic trail would be uh on top of the uh existing sewer line. So I just want to read a letter that was
addressed to our friend Allison Miller who's the president of FOS and and is from the commissioner of D Sean Lerette and it's about the project whose whose name is the Moses
uh TH autonomy trail and it says dear Miss Miller I'm pleased to inform you that the New Jersey Department of Violent Protection has approved FO's application for a green green acres matching grant to
$268,000. The funding is contingent upon the passage of legislative appropriation. Preserving land, improving local parks and steward and natural resources are critical components of our efforts to ensure high quality cluster home recreation activities and open space for all
residents. The project represents a significant step towards our share goal of protecting and enhancing New Jersey's quality of life and I congratulate you. Greenacre staff will contact you directly and provide information to guide you through the project. We look
forward to working with fers toward the successful completion of this important undertaking. Sincerely, Commissioner uh Sean La. And I just want to thank all of you for your your support of the project early this year.
Thank you. Who do we have next up? Bills Ann Peppers. Thank you. Ann Pepper, 43 Providence Court, West Windsor. I've been a resident here for 33 years and I want to speak to offer my support for Bonnie Watson Coleman and Andy Kim. While
dealing with complex situations, human nature is to organize our thoughts using familiar labels and classifications. But sometimes we get overly focused on those labels and we argue about the labels which I think applies to the current Middle East situation. But then
sometimes while trying to use the labels to simplify complex matters, we run the risk of not looking deeper into the underlying issues. With both the Jewish and Palestinian peoples, we have two groups that have been historically oppressed
and marginalized. Historically, both groups have suffered from global violations of their human rights and have been the victims of mass atrocities. Of course, they're not the only two groups who have been so grossly mistreated throughout history, but
looking at the underlying reasons is something that I grew up with. And about 45 years ago, my parents uh became involved with um establishing a Holocaust and genocide educational resource center at Queensboro Community
College in New York. Their mission is to use the lessons of the Holocaust and many other situations of mass atrocities to educate current and future generations about the ramifications of the underlying issues which are
prejudice, racism, and stereotyping. Also in the mid 80s, closer to home, the Coppelman Holocaust and Genocide Resource Center was established nearby at Ryder University. It has a similar mission to create
educational materials and train future educators about how to explore the ramifications of racism and prejudice. I linked the mission of these two resource centers to the recent positions taken by Congressman Coleman and Senator Kim
because looking at the underlying issues in the Middle East, which are the same issues that have underlyed mass atrocities for generations, these issues can only be addressed when both sides stop the neverending cycle of violence and mutual
destruction. So, I urge the council in your future deliberations to please look at the underlying issues that are at hand and uh I urge you to continue to support our congresswoman and our
senator as they pursue peace. Thank you. Thank good evening. Um, I want to thank you for honoring Jewish Heritage Month tonight and I wanted to just say that we stand along all of our Can you start with your name and address? Okay. At Ganja and uh I'm from East Brunswick,
Burkshshire Way. Um, so I just wanted to say that we're here to um support um all of the community members here that are calling for a ceasefire and an end to the violence that we're seeing every day unfolding in Palestine. Um, and thank you for honoring Jewish Heritage Month. That's very important. and we call for
an end to Islamophobia and anti-semitism and any forms of hatred. Um, today is day 576 of the genocide. That's 576 days that Palestinians have had to survive genocide conditions without homes, jobs, schools, stores, bakeries, mosques, all
of the comforts we take for granted like heat, running water, endless sources of food and water, electricity, gasoline, etc. have all been deprived of the Palestinian people for over the past 19 months. Not to mention relentless bombing, drones, snipers, burning,
dismemberment, starvation, and death that consumes daily life for those in Gaza. Half of them being children. Now, malnutrition and famine has set in as Israel has starved Gaza for the past 64 days. Since March 2nd, no food, water, or medicine, humanitarian aid has
entered Gaza and electricity has also been turned off. Israel announced just announced that it will take full control of Gaza and not leave. Displacements of persons into concentration camps continue to happen and all these war crimes are being done by Israel and the United States with impunity. What has
this council been doing for the past 19 months to stop this modern-day holocaust? What have you done with the power given to you by the people of this township to stop the US funding of this genocide? I'm here to support all community members in bringing attention to this matter and seeing what we can do to help our brothers and sisters and
children living abroad. If it was you and your family trying to survive day 576 of a genocide or day 64 of a famine, I know that every single day would matter when it comes to taking action. You may ask yourselves, what can we do in West Windsor? You can support a resolution calling for an immediate
ceasefire and arms embargo. You can disclose any investments in the Israeli state and divest in order to put pressure on the Israeli government to stop the genocide. You can continue talking about this genocide and trying every trying to do everything in your power to stop it. We cannot continue living comfortable lives here while we
drop bombs over there. We call for diplomatic, not military solutions. We oppose the current administration's inhumane deportation policies and lame attempts to squash free speech which started under the Biden Harris administration and under the Democrats um with the widespread doxing and
targeting of students calling for an end to genocide. Just last week, three students and one other individual were arrested at Rucker's New Brunswick campus just for exercising their first amendment right to free speech. We demand the immediate release of the fourth individual who is still being held in jail and dropping of all the
charges, including some felony charges and university disciplinary actions against the students, including suspensions and campus bans. Students have a right to exercise their free speech and should never be the victims of police brutality or government targeting. So, I ask Westminster Township to please pay special attention
to protecting civil liberties of all residents. Thank you. Thank you. Um, okay. You do Shu Hugh. Please come forward and state your name and address. Uh, hi. Um, my name is Yoshi Sue. Um,
I'm from Princeton, New Jersey, neighboring town. Um, I'm here to speak in support of uh, Senator Andy Kim and um, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman for their
positions of uh, arms embargo on Israel and not selling more weapons to Israel. Um, I know it seems like at day 576 of genocide, it doesn't seem like a whole
lot, but having been an organizer for 15 years, I can tell you this is a significant shift. And Palestinians right now are going through the most difficult phase of this
genocide which Israeli politicians repeatedly come forward not hiding but openly uh advocating for ethnic cleansing of Gaza. Like they
describe it as Nakba 2.0. This is one of the founding um issues in 1948 when the uh establishment of the state of Israel was established with the ethnic cleansing and expulsion
of over 750,000 Palestinians, destroying over 500 villages. And uh now you see the inexraable uh end toward uh I guess you could call it like finishing the project which is
very alarming. Right now there is no food going into Gaza. There is no aid um for 2 months um under the excuse that this is to pressure Hamas to release hostages. And their justifications for
not allowing uh food in is like they are dual use for military use. Now I I do it does beg the question like how does bread, butter, flour, sugar, how do how does anyone justify the denial of food
to uh you know Palestinians? over two million Palestinians uh now in in Gaza uh deny them this food because uh this is supposedly going to bring the hostages back. It's uh it
strange credul and uh um I hope this city council will follow our uh you know the the the moral guidance of our representatives and you know take a position here like you might
seem like you might think that this is like too late but it's never too late like um u the there has been a huge shifts in public opinion in the United states. Um over
um I think over 50% 60% of Democrats right now support Palestinians more than they support Israel and uh um I hope you can show support of Palestinians and help save lives. Thank you. Thank you.
Next on the list is um Noal. Did I say that right? Please come forward and state your name and address. Hi, Nawal. Um, East Brunswick, New Jersey. Um, good evening. Um, I'm also here to support an immediate ceasefire
and arms embargo against Israel to stop genocide um in the Palestine. Um, I want to bring uh to this town council's attention that according to the US campaign for Palestinian Rights, over 1.8 8 million annually of federal taxes
from West Windsor could go towards um uh basically uh it was sent to Israel which could go towards one month of free rent for around 1,000 homes, free groceries for
around 4,000 families, free health care for around 600 children, teacher salaries for one year for 19 teachers, and solar electricity for around 5,000 homes. and debt relief of 48 student loans. We could do all of that with that tax money which went to Israel from this
town. So this is not an international affair. Everything matters. Every decision that you guys take matters uh for this town and the constituents of this town. Uh so when this town council talks about issues regarding affordable housing, healthcare, education, environment, taxes or really anything
else affecting our society, know that this issue is of central importance. Our tax dollars are literally going and dropping bombs on children in refugee tents, burning them alive. Um bombs on hospitals, schools, and it's it's a
shame. Uh we we also ask the town council to do everything in their power to oppose this genocide. Uh sign a ceasefire resolution. There are so many things that you can do. Si sign a ceasefire resolution, divest from Israel, and stand up for anyone speaking out against this genocide. um in honor
of six-year-old Hind Rajab. Uh I I hope you all are familiar with this name, Hind Rajab. It's very easy to remember. If if you're not, please go when you go back to home today, just Google it. Uh who was shot 366 times by Colonel Benny
Aran of Israel 4 401 Armored Brigade, who could have been seven today. She was shot 366 times by tank while she was on call asking for help
from Palestinian Red Cross. Um so in her name we asked for immediate ceasefire by an arms embargo, release of all hostages, Israeli and Palestinian and immediate passage of human humanitarian aid um as it's needed today.
And this genocide will not continue without the money of us. So every decision that you take matters and if you do not take any decision that is a decision because silence is complicity. Thank you.
Thank you. Is there anyone else in the audience that would like to come up and give public comment? Yep. Please come forward and state your name and address. Good evening. Ann Clifton, 18 Gston Drive. I'm speaking for the West Windsor
Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance. Uh we are in support of the green of the complete and green streets policy with the changes that you have indicated tonight. We thank the administration and council members for your commitment to making it safer and more inviting for cyclists, walkers, and other vulnerable
road users to get around West Windsor. An ordinance similar to what Hoperoll Burrow has will make the policy more permanent. However, the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance will be pleased to see a 2025 resolution passed in support of the new complete and green
streets policy. And we believe that uh the resolution in support of this policy uh will not only help with sustainable New Jersey resertification, but will help the township with its renewal of its status as a bicycle friendly community. Uh the application is due June 25th. We're
working to do as much as we can ahead of time before submitting it to uh our township engineer. Um and we are trying to apply as a silver community this year as opposed to bronze which we
have been recognized at since we first applied in 2011. So we've gotten two renewals as bronze since then. Um but and okay, that's enough on the policy. What I wanted to also mention was that I will be sending council members and and I guess Allison the clerk several
questions that are on the application to just solicit your input uh and to get provide some input more to put for the town to the township engineer um in particular about why bicycling why you fund you know bicycling infrastructure why it's a priority. It's a multiple
choice. There's no right or wrong answer. You're just asked to you know rank your top three. Um, and there might be other questions as to what you think are the best improvements in the last four years since we applied. So, I just, you know, appreciate your input as when I send it. It's before the end of May so I could get a draft to the engineer the
beginning of June so he's got adequate time to complete the application. Thank you. Thank you. Does anybody else wish to come up and speak? Good evening everybody. uh Dave Kimmel
at 11 Scott Avenue. Just to uh say that I also support everything that Ann said and as the council was going through paragraph by par paragraph of the uh proposed or draft complete in green
streets policy, I was looking through it also to see if I had any notes that potentially could be helpful. So I just wanted to share some thoughts then. Um again appreciate working everybody working on this to improve safety for everybody in town. Um on the third paragraph number three
referencing all the different policies and plans that are existing or known. Um I think we also know that Mercer County and state jersey are working on target zero and vision zero policies. So I think that would be another good one to include in there so that we're not
spending more time in the future. um by staff and council amending something if we know something is out there. Um and I agree with Linda's comments of number four to make it a one-year
time frame to come up with uh an audit of all the policies and procedures. I think that's doable and achievable and would make progress for what we're trying to achieve. And I also agree on number nine, what Andrea and the council
were saying that uh an annual report would be good to see what progress has been made since it's an important thing under exceptions. Uh number two, talking about roadway projects, there is a definition of
transportation projects but not roadway projects. So that might be something to correct for consistency. And on definitions too, um, transportation project seems to be the greater one, but there's also a definition for transportation
facilities. So I wonder if facilities should be nested within projects. Um, transportation facility has a line in there about however not including commercial and retail use that's not essential to transportation. I'm not
sure what that means. So, I'm looking for some clarity on whether, you know, we want the roads to be safe to get to wherever you're going, but if we they make that safe, but then once you get to the parking lot, that's not included. So, I I feel like the intent or the
spirit is that everything should be included. So, if that's not the case, I would suggest um amendments to the draft. and also wasn't clear about under
the exceptions section number three and maybe this will become clear when the audit is conducted but a lot of these things seem to be something that might be before the planning board or something like that and I feel like isn't is it not the board rather than
the staff that is granting exceptions um I think So, I'm interested to hear more about that and how that's a public process. So, there's also the public's opportunity to comment, which I know would happen at a public meeting. Okay. Thank you. That's been three minutes.
All right. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anybody else who wishes to get up and speak? Seeing none, I will close the public comment. Um, mayor, do you have any comments on particular I guess Mr. Kennel made a few suggestions.
No, as I said, we gathered uh Marina was writing down all suggestions. We'll sit down with Francis uh go over it, see what we can modify and send a modified policy to the council. Okay. Thank
you. Um moving along, we're going to go into administration comments. Um Arina. Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, yeah. Yep.
Um good evening. Um BPW crews are collecting yard waste in zone one. Um as a reminder, please do not um once crews have been through your
area, do not um put additional uh yard debris curbside. I wanted to make an announcement about residential garbage collection. Garbage collection is once a week year round, including summertime for all residential
properties. Trash should be placed at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. The acceptable items um and the requirements as to how to ready them for collection are listed on
the township website. There's a very informative um fact sheet um with uh questions and answers uh regarding um what you can what residents can put out curbside
and how they need to be bundled or assembled. Um, what is not acceptable and will not be picked up are the following. Railroad ties, pianos, concrete, bricks, I'm sorry, concrete, brick,
stone, construction or demolition debris, patio furniture, and hazardous materials. Uh, Jill talked about grass clippings earlier. They should be put out with the regular trash
enclosed plastic bags or containers with a lid. Grass clipping grass clippings will not be picked up in recycling buckets. And a reminder, loose grass clippings cannot be put out at the curb
or in the street. And please make sure yard debris is not mixed in with grass, otherwise it will not be picked up. The other announcement I have has to do with this Saturday's spring cleanup day.
It will be held at DPW 70 Southfield Road, West Windsor. The event is from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It's open to West Windsor residents only and proof of residency is required. This
is an opportune time to declutter, donate, or dump items in the dumpster. The items that can be brought for dumping in the dumpster, broken items, wood fencing, outdoor furniture, small furniture, area rugs, please. No
mattresses, no paints, no construction or demolition debris. Um, there'll be an area at the yard for recycling the following: propane tanks, car batteries, scrap metals, air conditioners,
refrigerators, freezers, tires, uh, used motor oil, antifreeze, and unboxed electronics, including TVs, laptops, computers, fax machines, copers, printers, VCRs, cell phones,
keyboards, cable, and wiring. If you have an unwanted bicycle, please bring it. And uh there'll be um representatives from the New Jersey Bike Exchange who will bring new life into um
the wheels that you no longer want. Goodwill donations will also be accepted at this event. books, movies, toys, home decor, um games, puzzles, housewares, shoes, clean clothing and
accessories, working small appliances and electronics. Please, no baby, cribs, car seats, high chairs, walkers or play pens, and that's for safety reasons because of recall possible recalls. I
also would like to remind our residents of the New Jersey D advisory. New Jersey is still in a water supply drought because there hasn't been much rain this fall, winter, and still not enough this
spring, although that might change this week. We need to make sure there is enough water for everyone, especially as the weather warms up and gear and irrigation begins. think about conserving water. Thank you. Thank you,
Marina. Mayor, thanks, Andrea. Um, I just want to remind people that tax payments are due. Uh, we are currently, uh, they're due on May 1st. So, we are currently in grace periods. Uh, please do pay your taxes within the grace
period. Otherwise by law we have to go and start charging interest from uh effective May 1st when the taxes were due. Um as Mike Shuit mentioned we did uh congratulations to FOA historical society western bike and pedestrian
alliance for getting the Moses tatami trail and thanks to council for supporting that but that also means that we have promised them a matching grant which is about $268,000. Sorry, I haven't forgotten
that. So, uh, we have to do that. Um, um, I just want to wish my mom a happy birthday. She turned 92 today. And, uh, I hope I got those jeans. And, uh, the the senior center gave her the best gift
uh, I could have asked. They going to start the bus service tomorrow. They finally found a driver. So, just a coincidence, but they're going to start the bus service tomorrow. Um, and last thing, I usually don't talk about what I do personally, but since we are talking
about bike, pedestrian, safe street, I'm happy that I completed the second New York Saunter this Sunday. Uh, it's a walk around Manhattan, 33.35 miles. Took me 12 hours. It was 80°, so it were challenging, but I'm happy to say I
finished it second time. So, thank you Thank you, mayor. Um, okay. Um, we'll have council comment now. We'll start with Martin. I don't have any council comments this evening. No comments. No. That's amazing.
Uh, Sonia. [Music] Well, happy birthday to your mom. Thank you. Happy Cinco de Mayo for everyone celebrating. That's right. Um, let's think today. Um, for the young gentlemen
in uniform there, welcome to our meeting. It's always um, uh, fun to see and I'm really glad that you guys are here. Uh, keep coming. These meetings are open public meetings. Don't come just for your merit badge. Um, I know
that's what you are here for. Um, some meetings are boring sometimes for you guys, but there's a lot to learn. Um, the gentleman who spoke over here from historical society earlier, Paul Legetti, he is an Eagle Scout. I had known him since he was doing his Eagle
Scout projects. I think I'm aging myself here, but and he is um the president of the historical society now. So, there are many projects um that he has himself worked in this town. So, if you want to chat, he's right here. you can talk to
him later. Um I the only thing I would I I want to thank everyone who have um come and spoken. Um I had the opportunity to um judge um a the verbal vortex competition yesterday. Um I was
really really impressed by all the uh students who spoke from kindergarten age kindergarten through 12. Um they had po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po po poems um prepared speeches, impromptu uh speeches and it was it was really an
afternoon um of really um engaging with these um young men and women. So that was really really um I I spent a really good time um yesterday after a very hectic um Saturday at the on the track
fields. I have my other booster mom on the in the audience. Um she knows what I was I'm talking about. Um but yeah, that was um that was the weekend um I had. But um other than that, everything's good. Thank you. Excellent. I think I
probably the first time I met Sonia was at Paul's Eagle Scout project. That's right. We had that um bike ride to Plainsboro Preserve, I believe. Uh that was I think there was a historic park. It was the historic one that went
to the art. It was like a historic Yeah. Yeah. Poured on the way back. Let's not talk about how long ago that was. Okay. Dan, uh, thank you. Thank you for everybody who had the courage to speak their truth and make comments today. I
think it's really important that we can provide a safe space for people um to share their opinion and thoughts. Um, for those who weren't around for our last council meeting, I made some similar comments. Um, it was related to
my family history and the celebration of Passover. Uh, my great uncle's um experience of uh of running a Passover seder inside the Bergen Bellson concentration camp. And one of the um
themes of my comments was uh when we say never again, we mean never again for everybody. Um and um you know what's happening in the world, not just in Palestine but also places in our
country is unconscionable. Um, and so I encourage people to continue to use their voice, uh, especially with all representatives at all levels. We're very fortunate that we have some really amazing
representatives in um Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and Senator Andy Kim, but there are 99 other US senators and another 434 if I get through the math right um
representatives. And it's incredibly important to continue to use your voice to let all of them know how you feel. Uh that's how change happens in our country. So, uh, and that's kind of an interesting segue. Uh, one of the things
that I've been thinking about regarding our council here is, you know, what are the parameters that we use to determine when we should, um, consider a resolution? Um, I've been thinking about it mostly in the context of um, support
or opposition of state legislature legislation that is in progress. Um, I guess it could equally apply to federal stuff. Of course, we're a few levels removed from that. Um, but I think, you know, council should use our leverage to
be the voice of our residents. Um, and some of these our our decisions shouldn't be just based on what we individually have opinions on, but it really should be what our residents um opinions are. And how do we figure that out? How do we learn that? Um, part of
it is how we get comments here, but I think we also have a responsibility to go out in the community and and seek out uh what people uh believe and feel is appropriate um at all
levels, especially here in West Windsor. There's lots of things going on at the state level. Uh there's uh in in sort of context to these comments, there's the uh New Jersey Immigration Trust Act, which uh is not um not out of committee
yet. It's a very important um piece of legislation in my opinion. We have a whole package of health care bills that provide provisions to ensure access to uh reproductive health care and to prevent uh adverse actions against
medical malpractice insurers related to those services. There's rank choice voting um bills out there and there's uh bills about accessory dwelling units. These are all have some impact on the residents of West Windsor. Uh the the
flip side of the coin is that if we spend all of our we could literally spend all of our waking hours reviewing legislation and passing resolutions in support of opposition to that and not get anything else done. And so we have to be you know mindful of our time and where there is most impact. Um, I don't
have an answer to what, you know, what that exact what that exactly looks like, but I think it's something that we should continue to discuss amongst ourselves and and with our community. Thank you,
Linda. Just want to thank everyone um for your comments on a variety of topics tonight. Um, I hope that there will be a diplomatic solution to the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. And there are so many people on both sides that that are
suffering in many ways and they're losing their lives. Um so I I have faith um that our world leaders in including our own United States leaders here in our country um will work hard um to find a solution to this problem because th
this is like utter devastation and and and just where where do people begin? So anyways, other parts of the world too um where there's so much suffering going on and and so we just well I just pray you know that that our leaders can find the
words and the time to focus to bring people together uh instead of all the separation that is going on. Thank you. Um and Boy Scouts um I'm glad you're here. Um May 19th we're going to be
discussing uh the budget. We have the hearing, the public hearing uh on our our budget for the municipality. Uh so that's uh another big night. It might be something that you're interested in in coming here to. So stay involved and keep coming. Keep coming. Bring your
friends. We appreciate it. Right. Right. I know there's more than three. There's four of you. So bring them all. We we like to have you guys. Uh happy Cinco de Mayo. Um, in other comments, Andrea and I held uh office hours on April 22nd uh
in room B. Uh, one of our residents expressed concerns about a recent incident involving an Airbnb. Uh, coincidentally, the administration has been working on a new ordinance regarding the short-term rentals uh in an effort to try to eliminate problems
which have arisen from time to time. Uh on April 26th, we had a very successful Arbor Day celebration in the senior center due to the rain. Uh winners of the student art contest received their awards along with participation from the Girl Scouts, the
Boy Scouts, uh and High School South's AC Capella Group, First Edition. Terresa Lureno gave remarks on the moon tree, a sweet gum tree, which is growing on the grounds at uh Dutch Neck School. Seeds from the sweet gum were on a space
mission around the moon and the school is fortunate enough to have been chosen to receive a sapling which is now several feet high and fenced in at Dutchneck. Uh next year's art contest theme uh may be about the moon tree. My thanks to the organizers of this
celebration. Um, Shade Tree Chair Helen Ranken, Vice Chair Ellen Clancy, Member Farrell Love Mixon, Advisor Michael Shuitt who joined us tonight, Township Engineer Francis Gus, and Township Landscape Architect Alisa Stannis Law.
Thanks to Mayor Morate and uh to Andrea here uh for your comments on environmental education. As a liaison, I made some remarks regarding a stone uh plaque being placed uh by a memorial tree in the Ron Rogers Arboritum in
honor of Dr. Ronald Slinn who provided uh much volunteer leadership in West Windsor uh throughout the decades. Uh despite the rain yesterday, there was a dedication ceremony of a new little free
library next to the schoolhouse on Skank Farmstead. The ceremony was led by Helen Ranken who is the Princeton chapter regent of the New Jersey State Society Daughters of the American Revolution. We thank the society for funding this
project which inspires readers and expands book access to all. Thanks also to the Historical Society of West Windsor for their participation and sponsoring the location of the little little free library. Good work. Thank
you, Linda. And I'm sure there's nothing that's less exciting the Boy Scout sitting in the back of the room than the thought of sitting through our budget here. But uh we we will try to make it interesting interesting. Yeah. Um and uh and we do
have some interesting discussions also. Um so um happy Cinco de Mayo. And uh tonight we heard from Revolution West Windsor and plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence next year. I want to remind
everyone once again of the logo contest. So I made sure to wear this t-shirt um from our 225th and that logo was the result of a contest in 2022 and it was used on shirts, ads,
flags, mugs, and magnets. So, here's your chance to become a part of history. Please go to their website and learn how to submit your logo design as soon as possible. Um, I mean the the whoever that logo it's uh we're still using a um
um believe this was a contest back here, our our town uh shield here. So, uh you don't want to miss out on a on, you know, every every 250 years we we have a we'll have a contest like this. So this you don't want to miss. On April 22nd,
as Linda mentioned, we had the office hours so that uh the residents could meet council leadership. We answered questions and we had others followed up on. It was a lively discussion. I want to thank everyone who came, but I also want to remind everyone that we're also
available outside of any kind of special hours. Thank you to West Windsor Shade Tree Commission staff presenters, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, High School South Aella, yes that's how you pronounce it group and our young artists for our
Arbor Day celebration. The kids produced some amazing artwork and this year council got to help choose the winners and it was extremely difficult. So thanks to all who submitted and attended. This has been a great couple of weeks for our friends of West Windsor
Open Space. On April 25th, I received the exciting news that the Moses Tundami trail matching grant had been approved by D along with a thank you to the mayor, administration staff, and our West Windsor Council for all our help.
On April 27th, I was out cleaning Duck Pond Park with FAUS, the Watershed Institute, and residents in a litter cleanup that will help raise money for the organization. Yes, things are happening. This past Sunday, I was at the historical society for their open
house and the dedication of a special little free library outside the schoolhouse. So, thank you to the Princeton D chapter and Helen Rankin who is also on our shade tree commission. So, things are happening there. Also, on Saturday, I shopped at the spring
opening of the West Windsor Farmers Market and met our bicycle and pedestrian alliances that were exhibiting there. We're blessed with many active groups in West Windsor. It is wonderful to see them working together to celebrate the USA's 250th
birth. Thank you. Uh Allison, do you have any comments? I do. I have a couple announcements. Um just a reminder that the Memorial Day parade is on May 26th. And uh last chance to contact the clerk's office is by May 16th if you
want if you or your organization would like to participate in the parade. Also, the primary election is Tuesday, June 10th. Um early voting does begin on June 3rd and runs through June 8th. So that's coming up already. Um
let's see. Uh we have on our website, the township website, the primary early voting locations. Um unfortunately we don't have one in Westminster Township, but there are a number of them that are online and you can go to any of the
locations that are noted here online through the Mercer County Board of Elections. Um the last day to register to vote for the June primary election is May 20th. Um, and let's see. And lastly, um, uh, candidate forms for mayor and
two council positions are available in the clerk's office. Um, they will be due back, uh, no later than August 21st by 400 p.m. sharp. Um, please contact me, uh, Allison Sheen in the clerk's office, um, to arrange for a pickup. And that's
Thank you, Alison. And even though we don't have a lo a West Windsor location, we are still working on getting a location uh for early voting for I just voted for primary. Yes, that we don't have for primary right now, but we're
we're still working on getting for the regular election and we've had some positive feedback, but we still don't have a full commitment. Yes, we did. Yeah, we had some positive feedback and we're waiting to hear about the general. Yeah. All right. Uh no public hearings tonight. Consent agenda. Consent agenda
is bills and claims. Okay. Can I have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Roll call. Okay. Gawas. Yes. Chvers. Yes. Yes. Woodfield. Yes. Mandel? Yes.
And recommendations from administration and council clerk. Okay. Does anybody go ahead and read first? I am going to note that on resolution 2025-R15 uh we were asked by um the um West New Jersey Revolution West Windsor to
include the Princeton chapter of the National Society of the American Daughters of the American Revolution as part of the committee and that change has been added to the resolution since it came out from to the public. Okay. So we have
2025-R115 resolution endorsing Revolution New Jersey and the formation of a Revolution West Windsor Committee for celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026. 2025-R116 authorizing the refund of
property tax overpayments. 2025-R117 authorizing the updating of signatures for West Windsor Township's Ocean First Bank Municipal Court and Division of Recreation and Parks Bank Accounts 2025-R118 authorizing the mayor to
execute a grant application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection 2025 hazardous discharge site remediation fund for remedi remedial investigations for the former township landfill compost facility. ility block 6
lots 17.01 and 32 2025-R119 authorizing the business administrator to execute amendment number one with Roberts Engineering Group LLC for the 2023 storm sewer
repairs project adjusting the original scope of the original contract amount of $87,200 to a revised amount of $96,000. Thank you. Does anybody wish anything pulled from this? Seeing none, can I get a motion to approve?
Yeah. Motion to approve 2025-R115 through 2025-R119 with the modification in 115. Correct. Right. Yes. With the amendment to add D. Can I have roll call, please? Garwas, yes. Gvers, yes. Weiss, yes. Whitfield,
yes. Mando, yes. Okay. There is um no ordinance being introduced now. We do have a second additional public comment period if anybody wishes to say anything. Seeing none, I'm going to close the second public comment period
and go to council reports. Linder, would you like to start? Uh Shade Tree Commission met on April 23rd and went over last minute details for the township's Arbor Day celebration. Again, thanks to the committee members and staff for their hard work. The committee also talked with a Girl Scout about a
deforestation and reforestation projects. The committee's next meeting is May 28th uh when we'll talk about a community forestry management plan among other items. Thank you, Dan. Uh the board of ed had a meeting which
we all went to. So I'm not going to repeat what we heard, but for the general public it was the formal presentation of their 2025 2026 budget which is going to result in um some additional tax increases for both West Windsor and Plansboro. The the details
of all that can be found on on their website. Uh the next board of ed meeting is on the 13th and the um parks and recreation meeting uh has not met since we last spoke. Their next meeting is uh tomorrow. No, not tomorrow, Wednesday.
Thank you, Dan. Thank you. So, um affordable housing committee meeting was cancelled so no report on that. um Westminster Parking Authority meets on May 14th um for for emergency management
related uh thing. I just want to read something from the fire company um that they want um um all the residents to make aware of. Um so I'm just here just bear with me. I'm going to read. On Sunday, May 18th, you will notice a
large presence of emergency vehicles in the area. Please don't be alarmed. This is a part of a planned training event. We're hosting a large-scale water supply training over the next two which starts tomorrow which starts tomorrow training um uh for that uh for
all local fire departments. The main exercise will be on the 18th for the county. Um and that's what the township is hosting. When I say township, the fire companies are hosting and is designed to help our crews prepare for fires in areas without hydrants or where
the demand could exceed the available water supply. This is all about staying ready and keeping our community safe. No emergencies take will be taking place is taking place. Please share to help spread the word. Stay tuned. There'll be more information coming on that. So May
18th, we will see a large amount of emergency vehicles come from out of town. Um that's not for any emergency but for training. Thank you. I mean after what happened in California, that's a smart move to be doing that. Correct. Especially in our town, we do
have many areas with uh without any hydrants. So this kind of training I think would would really help and with the water being low and stuff this way. Yeah, that's good. Thank you, Martin. I do not have any uh reports since the last meeting. Human relations will meet
tomorrow at 7 PM and the planning board will meet Wednesday evening 6:30. So, you'll be busy. Yes. Um environmental commission hasn't met since last time. They will be meeting this week on May 8th. As I'd mentioned, they will be reviewing the complete and green streets
policy that we reviewed at the meeting today. Uh and there will also be discussions on a potential program to reduce the use of gas powered leaf blowers and a review of sustainable Jersey certification submission which the next uh submission date was is
planned for miday with the last one being towards the end of July last chance. So, thank on that. Um, and at this point, I don't think there's any more. If there's any more administration updates, you're all done
on that. We don't need a close session. So, can I have a motion to adjurnn? Motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? I. Thank you all. We have adjourned at
8:54. Thank you everybody.