Seeking a fifth term on the Township Council, I am as energized as ever to continue working on issues that critically impact West Windsor. My experience as a Planning Board member and former two-term elected WW-P school board member has given me strategic insight in shaping our township into this beautiful place we call home.

 

My commitment is to continue to address these important community issues:

 

Growth: One of the most critical land use decisions that has been accomplished during the past four years is the settlement agreement Mayor Hemant Marathe negotiated with Atlantic Realty regarding the property formerly owned by the Howard Hughes Corporation. Council approved this agreement and the accompanying ordinances. As a result, no housing is permitted on this 653-acre property and a variety of 42 permitted commercial uses will bring in much needed tax revenue to offset your tax burden.

 

Budgeting: The Council has approved municipal budgets that have a zero-cent tax increase for the past two years. By making ordinance changes suggested in the recently adopted Land Use Element to the Master Plan and recommended to Council by Mayor Marathe, we have put the Township in a stronger position to attract more commercial development. This is needed greatly to offset increased costs due to the residential growth driven by affordable housing obligations. Taxes from this commercial development will also help to address many of the Township’s public safety and infrastructure needs.

 

Affordable Housing: Several applications for residential housing have recently been approved by the Planning Board. This ensures that the township will meet its Third-Round affordable housing obligations under the court approved settlement agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center. As a member of the Affordable Housing Committee, I work with its members on recommendations related to affordable housing on site plans, the monitoring of rental and for-sale affordable units and in providing assistance to residents.

 

Environmental Sustainability: I will continue to advocate for and support the inclusion of electric vehicle charging stations in development applications, strong efforts towards resolving flooding in various areas, effective stormwater regulations, rain gardens, pollinator gardens, solar panels, and the use of reusable shopping bags.

 

I have personally distributed hundreds of new reusable bags and related educational materials to residents and businesses and also arranged for our school district to receive a thousand reusable bags. This is made possible through a $10,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey through the PSEG Foundation which will encourage sustainability and inform people of a new law taking effect in May 2022. This law bans single-use plastic or paper carry-out bags and polystyrene foam containers.

 

Recently, I helped the Environmental Commission and the Green Team in completing a new pollinator garden at Community Park. Soon to come is a rain garden nearby to control problem stormwater runoff. Signs for both projects will provide an educational element. At Duck Pond Park, I met with Girl Scouts planting tree seedlings and helped Friends of West Windsor Open Space (FOWWOS) clean up garbage there and at Zaitz Park on Southfield Road.

 

Covid-19: The safety and health of our community is always a top priority. Mayor Hemant Marathe has been outstanding with communicating information throughout this pandemic. He put together a leadership team of department heads and rotating Council members such as myself to work through one of the most challenging crises of our times. With many residents being vaccinated at the Senior Center and elsewhere, we are on our way to being a safer community.

 

Finally, it has been a privilege working with so many residents as we helped others in need during the pandemic, and again as we assisted residents who were displaced from their homes in April after the devastating fire at the Avalon apartment complex. Together, our community has become even stronger.

 

I ask for your support in re-electing Mayor Hemant Marathe, and re-electing Linda Geevers and electing Martin Whitfield for Council, in the November 2nd election. Let’s continue to work together to make West Windsor an even better place to live and thrive for people of all ages.