[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6182343,"mediaKeyId","5106928-bffc64e33f1243d9389d170414b7c3eb","parentId",5106928,"title","Parking authority, council move to clean up former bus garage near Princeton Junction for parking and pocket park","audioSeconds",266,"startMs",6500000,"endMs",6766000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5106928-bffc64e33f1243d9389d170414b7c3eb&start=6500&end=6766","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5106928-bffc64e33f1243d9389d170414b7c3eb/thumbnail_6500000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6182343/West-Windsor/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Parking-authority-council-move-to-clean-up-former-bus-garage-near-Princeton-Junction-for-parking-and-pocket-park","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182343-ea9ccaffe04df85b179cbd8449675278/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193554&Signature=Hg8R4ltVxDzgdE4tJgzg9nPmrPsFIi3eUFzHTmwj62CpsG2Otc0ouFQpA7~i61X9GD~fF5t-4rEfp4Do5hM6h~XoGfp8~pGkBhtV3i0Lv1DCIoKcR5tgD6sI~GHOA3fYJMKZh9DI0LltsMstv3kRswVuMII42MyrsP~NFYEBLZXFV1uYW9eqlGpZsjhoTAvuAKiN81-ijSUHVxGBQ2-iAuUH3w0SdZgq1nHtNU0zhhFfG7P5PAjpxonkrhjS1iEfH~gpMAJGESv8wYXFROnBJcEo0gQKpg5mpOAQkNrEj7H3hQF5E--3kS6TsYRcUPPSUwXbR8Ufa7Dhi7agbZl5DQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Windsor Township, NJ","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","The West Windsor Parking Authority and township council advanced plans on May 19 to repurpose a long-idle, contaminated bus-garage parcel adjacent to the Princeton Junction station into commuter parking and a small pocket park.

The nut graf: The parking authority said removing the abandoned structure and an underground tank, remediating soil and converting the footprint to about 40 parking spaces with landscaping and pedestrian improvements will improve an eyesore, add commuter capacity and create a small public-use area. Authority officials said changing the redevelopment-plan language now enables them to apply for remediation grants.

Andy Lupo, chair of the West Windsor Parking Authority, told the council the site has been unused for decades and contains contamination that must be addressed before reuse. He described a plan to remove the building and the oil tank, create roughly 40 parking spaces, add landscaping and a small pocket park, and make the space usable for weekend programming such as food trucks. “We would then be able to repurpose the land, which would make it available for some grant money that's related to remediation of soil,” Lupo said.

Residents and council discussed pedestrian and bicycle access. A member of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance asked why specific language about Wallace Road improvements and bicycle/pedestrian access had been removed from ordinance text; the mayor and parking-authority representatives said the ordinance wording was tailored to allow the Authority to apply for remediation grants and that detailed pedestrian/bicycle improvements would be addressed through site-plan review and county coordination for the adjacent bridge and roadway.

Council adopted related zoning amendments for the Princeton Junction redevelopment plan (ordinances 2025‑06 and 2025‑07) by roll-call vote. The zoning change was followed on the consent agenda by other project resolutions; the parking authority said it will proceed with grant applications (the meeting noted the remediation/grant application deadline of July 1) and return to the Township planning board with site-specific designs that will address sidewalks, lighting and pedestrian access.

Ending: Council, parking authority and residents agreed the site cleanup is a high priority; engineering, planning and grant work are next steps. Detailed design and any changes to public-right-of-way access will be reviewed by the planning board and relevant county agencies prior to construction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","West Windsor Council Meeting, May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council adopted zoning changes to allow the Parking Authority to remediate a contaminated former bus-garage site near Princeton Junction and to repurpose it for roughly 40 parking spaces, landscaping and a pocket park; authority says remediation will enable grant applications.","taxTitle","West Windsor, Mercer County, New Jersey","taxId",54318,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182348,"West Windsor council issues proclamations recognizing Pride Month and AANHPI Heritage Month",346,70000,416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5106928-bffc64e33f1243d9389d170414b7c3eb&start=70&end=416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5106928-bffc64e33f1243d9389d170414b7c3eb/thumbnail_70000.jpg","/articles/6182348/West-Windsor/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/West-Windsor-council-issues-proclamations-recognizing-Pride-Month-and-AANHPI-Heritage-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182348-8a80bb68df8073366a149b44c0eb8622/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193554&Signature=GREi4TPPJQAKV9Yl5bEA0v210FKciBDkcAFSRbgXedCks6omjiG3q5nz3jpk66VEh9krtxew2K4D2OgyzZR-VlGrAKFfS8U98WOvzESQ~zkFO0bQxfvBaAPoUx54gG~14AWF0vySy4ucYURllv1z~fiNhGbLv-eZmCVsXqIiyBVbkeqRSnz~3KW4uOsigXpS2rMS2elF5CPDstbTZ1kd8kVjULWAv8AGgZSSAHN1DnbEDLf9Fw3eaWXnfiFGTSjD9tc4z1KJJNr~396Pp~necJDZJTp2QtcrKjiW027H58IbnP~kocpx6uU927E-sWRiZILlQMXPDzyCcXIYZuv2kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Windsor Township Council issued proclamations on May 19 recognizing June 2025 as Pride Month (also called Bridal Month in the meeting transcript) and May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.

The nut graf: Council members described the proclamations as symbolic commitments to visibility, equity and support for affected residents and highlighted local events and resources tied to the observances. The mayor and council members read event listings and urged community participation in flag-raisings, parades, panel discussions, youth events and other activities across Mercer County.

Council remarks emphasized anti-discrimination protections in New Jersey, the importance of inclusive school environments and local solidarity against hate. A council speaker said: “This proclamation is more than symbolic. It's a message to every LGBTQ plus person, especially our youth, that you belong, that you are seen, you are valued, and that you are loved.” The AANHPI proclamation noted the history of contributions and the need to condemn prejudice and discrimination.

The mayor read a list of county and municipal events around Pride and AANHPI days, including flag-raisings, festivals and an expungement clinic, and invited residents to participate. Council members also thanked community organizations that run youth and mental-health programs tied to these observances.

Ending: The council presented the proclamations at the start of the public meeting and moved on to the public-comment portion of the agenda.","Council presented proclamations recognizing June as Pride Month and May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and highlighted related community events and resources.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182353,"West Windsor residents press council for crosswalk, speed-limit and pedestrian-safety fixes on Alexander Road",1376,1077000,2453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5106928-bffc64e33f1243d9389d170414b7c3eb&start=1077&end=2453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5106928-bffc64e33f1243d9389d170414b7c3eb/thumbnail_1077000.jpg","/articles/6182353/West-Windsor/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/West-Windsor-residents-press-council-for-crosswalk-speed-limit-and-pedestrian-safety-fixes-on-Alexander-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182353-454152b70adfc382b91ae078aa27ec33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193554&Signature=LnA~lc8GVXsy8vPbd0guEjkmrOQfUkYnJk65qmEf4zmfT~xw3CQJrRrUix7Wzyi4wUDW3CyLx7UzzZOBjKle9lqPgMsJH3OMaJAS8QPIUHQtor2ysZRKi2BPdrNxe2oJuyA~ksZgmko2eaxnsTg2l4ZJS272-KuHlqDg8IQhXU0qrX5i0jKmjyAcXozEPueGKTv7izm5zm9TRFkvMtAaYLeI81KZLOOonOtlwkPSzN8Jj0XE5hEIoQLY4GTMLVVAQWCCSXEzgsUmvO8ydjpRQcX7osJnvRL9OOXKE9AKSafRg4TlIkFnoNKAtWwFq40KJwO7GZkyluCzHhUxW0RGFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of the Princeton Junction/Berrien City neighborhood pressed the West Windsor Township Council on May 19 to prioritize pedestrian-safety fixes on Alexander Road and nearby intersections, citing missing signs, lack of flashing beacons and dangerous crossings used by schoolchildren.

The nut graf: Multiple residents asked the council to use funds in the adopted budget for near-term measures — notably lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour on a stretch of Alexander Road and adding crosswalk flashing beacons at Alexander/Harrison and Alexander/Scott — and asked for clearer information about timing and the decision process.

William Rutledge, a resident, told the council: “We’re hoping and requesting that there will be funding available this year to begin making the safety improvements, including reducing the speed limit, to 25 miles an hour all the way to Route 571 and improvements to the crosswalks.” Susan Conlon and other neighbors described a follow-up walk with staff and requested clearer communication and a point of contact so projects do not “go into a black hole.”

Council and administration responses: the mayor said funds for pedestrian and roadway improvements are in the adopted budget but explained that projects won’t start immediately after budget adoption; a bond ordinance and CFO certification must follow before work begins. The mayor also said the county engineer is aware of a nearby roundabout with a low center and has reviewed it, and that some signs previously placed in roadway medians have been removed or vandalized.

Engineering action on the agenda: as part of the consent agenda the council adopted Resolution 2025‑R127, authorizing a professional-services agreement with Aurora & Associates for survey and design at the Wallace Road & Alexander Road intersection and the Old Trenton Road & Bear Creek Boulevard intersection (noted in the meeting as $10,500). Council also approved 2025‑R126, awarding the Edinburgh Road resurfacing contract that includes pedestrian-safety improvements. Mayor and staff committed to notify the neighborhood after the budget and bond steps are complete and advised residents to email the mayor’s office (Cynthia monitors the inbox) for status updates.

Ending: Residents and council agreed on continued follow-up. Engineering, administration and neighborhood groups (including the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance) will continue reviews and may propose low-cost interim measures (bollards, movable signage) while design and grant applications proceed.","Neighbors from the Berrien City/Princeton Junction area urged the council to fund near-term safety work — lowering the speed limit to 25 mph, adding flashing beacons and improved crosswalks on Alexander Road — and the council pointed to budget funding and an engineering contract for intersection surveys.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182358,"West Windsor council adopts 2025 municipal budget with no municipal tax-rate increase",540,3751000,4291000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5106928-bffc64e33f1243d9389d170414b7c3eb&start=3751&end=4291","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5106928-bffc64e33f1243d9389d170414b7c3eb/thumbnail_3751000.jpg","/articles/6182358/West-Windsor/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/West-Windsor-council-adopts-2025-municipal-budget-with-no-municipal-tax-rate-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182358-b09e1dace5a5b1e32cd337e9781507bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193554&Signature=V9pVdTOXknDDplbx0~sdnnXW4OLgXtJft9KDXBlSoK2bWIPnhH5lH61MPQU8eUSvsVxF9MyH8kuZLPe4xJOekUyoeflor6bu0ko13qrArWD3TC1XbsZrr8pjZJZbewwtwcIqUFWH6qKX5FgNVmKqP~MTOIyM8QGUOdlc8~OAY90hfuWdvgVee2mejsz5yB45WI20n9uP9NGaq91r8sgIIjxTwzqUUjb4I2rdLRtjIvtpZKNOciJb8fqVoBrT-UpgYAGp3HUuxkBvaHpOHh9FYnbVVHvHEuxwIg~ma4YzTBk4lD8bv~FIDR6ya7ksl49OAeDdCRzESNbp3r4n-niLQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Windsor Township Council adopted the 2025 municipal budget on May 19, approving a $53,000,004 total budget and keeping the municipal tax rate unchanged.

The council also adopted an ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limit (the COLA ordinance), allowing the township to increase appropriations up to 3.5 percent and to bank unused appropriation authority. Chief Financial Officer John said the ordinance will provide a cap bank of $854,000 to be used in the following two years. “Adoption of this ordinance permits an additional $382,006.47 increase in the final appropriations and will provide us with $854,000.82 and 67¢ as a cap bank,” John said during his presentation.

The nut graf: Council members and administration said the budget funds public safety and infrastructure needs while avoiding a municipal tax-rate increase. The budget increases total appropriations 6.36 percent over 2024 and adds seven new municipal positions — two police officers, two emergency medical technicians, one firefighter and two public works employees — to respond to population growth and increased service demand.

Council and finance staff presented details: the budget totals roughly $53 million, a 6.36 percent increase from 2024; salary and wages rose about 4.73 percent (driven by the seven new positions and an average wage increase of about 3.25 percent); “principal payment” (debt service) rose by roughly $1.4 million as the township begins permanent debt repayment; and solid-waste (refuse) collection costs rose $321,000 after the township moved to once-per-week summer collection under the new contract. John said the township’s revenue performance was positive: interest income rose after securing improved banking terms, and construction-related fees remained a strong revenue source.

During public comment and council discussion residents raised questions about capital project timing and neighborhood infrastructure. Council members and the mayor explained that passing the budget is only the first step: once the budget is adopted the township can pass a bond ordinance, the CFO can certify funds as available, and then capital projects proceed. “Just because they passed the budget doesn't mean the project can start tomorrow,” the mayor said, describing the required post-budget steps. Council members also noted the administration’s recent practice of more council involvement earlier in the budget process, including departmental presentations and a January prioritization workshop.

The council unanimously adopted the appropriation-cap ordinance and the budget in roll-call votes. The mayor, administration and council described the budget as cautious and forward-looking: fund balance increased in 2024 and the municipal portion of the tax levy remains unchanged for 2025.

Ending: The CFO said approved capital projects and professional-service contracts stemming from the budget will be brought to council in coming weeks; some projects will not begin until later in 2025 after bonding and bid processes are completed.","Council approved a $53 million municipal budget and a COLA ordinance allowing a 3.5% appropriation cap and a $854,000 cap bank; budget adds seven staff positions and funds increased debt service and once-weekly summer trash pickup.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parking authority, council move to clean up former bus garage near Princeton Junction for parking and pocket park

West Windsor council issues proclamations recognizing Pride Month and AANHPI Heritage Month

West Windsor residents press council for crosswalk, speed-limit and pedestrian-safety fixes on Alexander Road

West Windsor council adopts 2025 municipal budget with no municipal tax-rate increase