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In an effort to improve community and local government cooperation, I am calling on our leaders to host regular town halls to discuss all of the upcoming changes to West Windsor. Thanks to Nicole Rosenthal from Patch, we just learned that West Windsor is receiving two major state grants from the DOT for bikeway, transit and pedestrian safety improvements. Read more about that here.
I believe that the community should take part in determining the best use for those funds. The governing bodies should seek advisement from those who will be impacted the most. Which sidewalks will be improved or added and will they be directly relative to the train station? The article breaks down the grant, in that, $377,000 is part of the state’s Local Bikeway Program, so what does that mean logistically? Residents should be able to chime in as to what their experiences are while biking in our town. With the possible industrialization of the region, what measures can be planned to safely separate pedestrians and cyclists from the hundreds of tractor-trailers per hour the Township intends to add to our streets? Our residents are intelligent and resourceful and should participate in the planning. This is only one project, but we should regularly take part in the evolution of our town. As the article points out, $222,000 is from the Safe Streets to Transit Program, which is aimed at improving access to public transportation. How far from the train station qualifies for improvement? Surveying commuting residents would inform the best use for the grant. We want to ensure that the funds are used for what they were intended, improved access, in a way that optimizes local commuter benefit.
It is a very general category and oversight is paramount. Please stay in the know. Stay involved and help to guide our legislators to best serve our community. Write to your legislators, attend in person meetings and take advantage of public comment opportunities. All you need to know can be found on the Township Planning Board website and the Town Council page.
Have a safe and wonderful holiday season and give to those most in need.
