Karl Aponte

The Council meeting primarily focused on legislative actions and contract approvals. Key discussion items included a presentation by the Mercer County Engineer regarding the replacement plan for the East Ward Street Bridge over Peddie Lake. The Council conducted a public hearing and subsequently adopted Ordinance 2025-07, which establishes salaries and wages for non-union employees for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2027. Additionally, the Council introduced and approved on introduction Ordinances 2025-08 and 2025-09, pertaining to salaries for CWA Local 1032 and adopting a redevelopment plan for 19 Probasco Road/430 Wyckoff Mills Road, respectively, setting public hearings for both on October 14, 2025. Ordinance 2025-10, modifying the redevelopment plan for 329 & 359 Wyckoff Mills Road to permit light manufacturing use, was also introduced. Furthermore, Ordinance 2025-11 was approved on introduction to establish a 2% municipal transfer tax and a $10,000 annual license fee for Class 5 Cannabis Retailers. Several resolutions were approved, including the award of a contract for leaf disposal to Mendies Farm, LLC (Resolution R2025-159), approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with CWA Local 1032 (Resolution R2025-162), approval of an MOU for the ARRIVE Together Program with Capital Health System, Inc. (Resolution R2025-163), approval of a shared services agreement for substance abuse prevention grant funding (Resolution R2025-165), and approval of the Title VI Non-Discrimination Policy (Resolution R2025-166). Appointments were made to various boards and commissions, and the various bills lists were approved following requested clarifications and removals.

The ordinance authorizes the acquisition of property located at 270 Princeton-Hightstown Road from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the public purpose of developing residential units for veterans with special needs and/or for affordable housing and/or open space. It outlines that the property will revert to NJDOT if used for any other purpose. The Mayor, Municipal Clerk, Township Manager, and Township Attorney are authorized to execute necessary documents for the acquisition.

The East Windsor Township Council meeting included discussions and actions on several key areas. The council approved waiving participation in the New Jersey Division of Local Government Services Budget Self Examination Program and requested a review of the 2025 Municipal Budget by the same division. They also discussed and carried resolutions related to the adoption of the 2025 Municipal Budget and Garbage District No. 1 Budget to the next meeting. Additionally, the council approved a grant application to Mercer County for the East Windsor Municipal Alliance for Prevention of Substance Abuse, supported Senate Bill S-1535 concerning the taxation of certain business personal property, and approved certifications for the 2024 Recycling Tonnage Grant Application and Expenditure Report. Furthermore, they authorized repairs to the HVAC system for the Police/Court Building, the purchase and installation of a replacement air conditioning unit for the East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, and the purchase of uniforms for the Department of Public Works. The council also established and adopted the East Windsor Township 4th Round Affordable Housing Fair Share Number and appointed Joseph Miczak to fill a Council vacancy. Finally, they discussed and approved grant applications related to child passenger safety, autism and law enforcement interaction training, and pedestrian safety.

The East Windsor Township Council meeting addressed several key areas, including the approval of filing a grant application with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the Local Aid Infrastructure Fund 2026 Grant Program. Council members discussed and approved various bill lists, with requests for clarifications on specific invoices, such as the animal shelter contract and the Custom Bandaq invoice. Additionally, there was an agreement to proceed with sidewalk repairs on Hickory Corner Pathway, to be charged to a state grant, and a discussion about conducting a park inventory of benches and tables.

The East Windsor Township Council meeting included presentations for the Earth Day Recycling Poster Contest Awards, National Library Week, Alcohol Awareness Month, and Yom Hashoah. The council moved the public hearing for Ordinance 2024-03 to May 28, 2024, and adopted Ordinances 2024-04, 2024-05, and 2024-06. Resolutions approved included the release of a performance guarantee for Innovation Park LLC, reaffirming the creation of the East Windsor Green Team Advisory Committee, approving a cooperative pricing agreement with the New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance, and agreements for affordable housing administrative agent services and the CDBG Small Cities Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program. Additionally, the council approved filing a grant application to Mercer County for the East Windsor Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse and authorized the purchase of a vehicle and animal control carrier for the Police Department.