West Windsor mayor outlines budget hires, presses county on Route 571; council adopts Princeton Junction zoning change

West Windsor Mayor Hemant Arathi on March 3 presented highlights of the township’s 2025 budget that add seven new positions for public safety and maintenance and reiterated ongoing efforts to advance county-led improvements on Route 571.

Arathi told the council the Route 571 project — which he said has been on drawing boards for “15, 20 years” — is funded in part by a federal grant tied to a council resolution from 2004 and will go to bid in two sections, with the first section expected to be advertised this summer. “If we stop the project now, it’s probably next 70 years. It won’t be done till, all of us have moved out,” Arathi said, urging continued momentum on the corridor project.

The mayor summarized budget staffing additions and service plans: two new police officers, two emergency medical technicians (to start a 6 a.m.–3 p.m. dedicated ambulance seven days a week with a stated long‑term goal of 24/7 coverage), two additional public works employees and one person for building and grounds. Arathi said the budget shows no municipal tax increase and highlighted rising fund balance totals: $5,726,000 on Jan. 1, 2018, and $18,242,000 on Jan. 1, 2024, which the township has been using in part to balance operating needs.

Arathi and Councilmember Andrea Weiss reported joint advocacy at a Mercer County commissioners meeting seeking an early‑voting site in West Windsor. Arathi described commissioners as “supportive but noncommittal,” and the council said it will continue pressing county and state officials.

On affordable housing, Arathi reported that Fair Share Housing Center filed an appeal proposing a 489-unit figure; the council earlier adopted a 392‑unit number. He said two other appeals were filed by builder groups and that the township expects to file its compliance plan in June.

Public comment included resident John Church, who raised local traffic and road condition concerns tied to ongoing construction at the Avalon Bay project near Princeton Junction: “There’s an enormous pile of dirt…This is going to put additional strain on our roads, especially Washington Road,” Church said, urging attention to truck routing and pavement wear.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2025-01 (amending RP‑1 Princeton Junction redevelopment plan to permit pet daycare as a principal use): adopted by roll call (Yes: Gauvas, Jeevers, Weiss, Whitfield, Mandel). Public hearing opened and closed March 3 and council moved to adopt the ordinance the same evening.

- Consent agenda and professional services (adopted): multiple resolutions reappointing or contracting municipal professionals and approving purchases, including: reappointments for tax counsel, labor counsel, financial advisor, affordable housing consultant, municipal auditor, bond counsel/redevelopment attorney and conflict counsel; WSP consulting for design of a new fire suppression sprinkler system at the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Station (resolution referenced in the meeting); purchase of four Motorola portable radios and accessories under state contract for $30,850.56; technology equipment for police from SHI for $16,149.18; Morton Salt contract increase by $120,000 to a not‑to‑exceed $280,000. All consent items were approved by roll call.

What the council decided vs. what remains in progress

- Decided: the council adopted the RP‑1 zoning amendment allowing pet daycare in Princeton Junction and approved the listed professional service contracts and purchases on the consent agenda.

- In progress: Route 571 construction will proceed under county administration and phased bidding; the township continues advocacy for an early voting location and expects to file its affordable housing plan in June, after which courts will review compliance and potential numbers.

Why it matters

The budget staff increases and ambulance plan signal an effort to expand local public‑safety capacity alongside ongoing development. Route 571 improvements and the Avalon Bay senior project near Princeton Junction have direct impacts on traffic, sidewalks and local infrastructure, while the affordable housing appeals and court process will shape West Windsor’s housing obligations and planning this year.

Sources: Remarks and motions at the West Windsor Township Council meeting, March 3, 2025. Direct quotes and status updates are taken from remarks by Mayor Hemant Arathi and public commenter John Church recorded at the meeting.