April 19, 2019

1. NO TAX INCREASE Again in 2019 Municipal Budget Adopted by Mayor Janice Mironov and Council Members on April 16. Thus, the 2019 municipal tax rate component remains the same for seven consecutive years -- 2013 through 2019, at the rate of 43 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. This means that for the average current residential assessment of $258,825, the 2019 municipal tax is $1,120. The East Windsor municipal component remains at less than 15% of the total local property tax bill, and is among the lowest amounts in the entire region and well below the statewide average. The 2019 municipal tax levy also is well below the available state cap levy amounts. The fiscally conservative 2019 budget document of $22.45 million dollars, which reflects a slight spending decrease from 2018, will continue to deliver a high quality level of services to residents. The NO TAX INCREASE municipal budget is a result of the Township's commitment to continually seek out additional efficiencies, cooperative purchasing avenues and service sharing opportunities, a significant increase in new businesses and ratables, a low debt level, and pro-active efforts to carefully plan and to closely monitor expenditures and revenues throughout the year.
2. East Windsor Township Will Hold Recycling Day on Saturday, April 27 from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M., Rain or Shine, at the East Windsor Senior Center (40 Lanning Boulevard). This Township event is sponsored by Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Members of Council, in conjunction with the East Windsor Clean Communities Committee. Free document shredding will be available to East Windsor residents. There is a limit of ten boxes per household, and no commercial drop-offs are permitted. Residents also will be able to drop off cell phones, fluorescent bulbs and toner cartridges, as well as used electronics, computers, computer equipment and televisions. The East Windsor/Hightstown Lions Club will be collecting used eye glasses. RISE will have trucks on-site to collect clothing, shoes, blankets, housewares (plates, mugs, and related items) and working household appliances and electronics. For further information, call (609) 443-4000, ext. 215.
3. East Windsor Township Holds Kick-off on April 13 for 2019 Community Garden, located adjacent to the Disbrow Hill Playing Fields and across from Etra Lake Park, was attended by Mayor Janice S. Mironov, Deputy Mayor Marc Lippman, Council Members Denise Daniels, Alan Rosenberg, Perry Shapiro, John Zoller, and Health Advisory Board Chairperson Nancy Toledo along with Board members and community garden participants. The community garden provides residents with the opportunity to rent a plot of land to plant their own fruits and vegetables and is part of the Township's ongoing sustainable community efforts.
   
   
   Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Council Members Denise Daniels, Marc Lippman, Alan Rosenberg, Perry Shapiro, and John Zoller join with Health Advisory Board Chairperson Nancy Toledo and Board Members and gardeners to formally kick off the East Windsor Township Community Garden on April 13 at Disbrow Hill Park.
   
4. Township Environmental Commission Promotes Arbor Day with Free Distribution of Tree Seedlings on Saturday, May 4 (rain date Saturday, May 11), beginning at 10 A.M. and continuing to 12 noon or until supplies run out. Northern Red Oak tubelings will be available on a first-come first-serve basis at the East Windsor Police Athletic League fields on Airport Road. The Northern Red Oak is the New Jersey State Tree. Information about this variety can be found at www.arborday.org.
5. Arbor Day Foundation Names East Windsor Tree City USA Community for 2018 for the Township's Commitment to Community Forestry. East Windsor Township, for the 19th year, has earned this national designation meeting the four standards set by the Arbor Day Foundation: having a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance. The program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.
6. Elementary School Winners of the Township Earth Day Recycling Poster Contest Were Recognized by Mayor Janice S. Mironov at Council Meeting. The poster contest theme was to promote the 4 R's of the Township Recycling Program: "Recycle, Reuse, Reduce, Rebuy." Winners received Mayoral Certificates of Recognition and gift certificates to Barnes and Noble, donated by corporate sponsor Shiseido America. The Grace Norton Rogers students were awarded the Earth Day Proclamation for the most participating students in the poster contest. All of the posters are on display in the East Windsor Municipal Building through May. Congratulations to all the participating students and to all of the winners! The video may be viewed on the Township website CLICK HERE.
   
   GRADES K-2:
   1st Place - Aman Mohammed (Walter C. Black) and Alyssa Berg (Walter C. Black); 2nd Place - Nicholas Durovich (Ethel McKnight) and Madeline Hayston (Ethel McKnight); 3rd Place - Emilie Gatzemeyer (Walter C. Black) and Connor Dale Mahoney (Ethel McKnight); Honorable Mention - Aadhav Saravanababu (Ethel McKnight).
   
   GRADES 3-5:
   1st Place - Dhruva Sribuddharaju (Perry L. Drew); 2nd Place - Julia Eden Mahoney (Perry L. Drew); 3rd Place - Rucha Shah (Grace Norton Rogers) and Larkin Sosa (Perry L. Drew); Honorable Mention - Usmaan Shariff (Grace N. Rogers).
   
   
   Mayor Janice S. Mironov recognized the Grades K-2 student winners of the East Windsor Earth Day Recycling Poster Contest. Pictured (from left to right) are: Emilie Gatzemeyer; Aman Mohammed; Connor Dale Mahoney; Mayor Janice S. Mironov; Madeline Hayston; Nicholas Durovich; Aadhav Saravanababu, and Alyssa Berg.
   
   
   Mayor Janice S. Mironov recognized the Grades 3-5 student winners of the East Windsor Earth Day Recycling Poster Contest. Pictured (from left to right) are: Usmaan Shariff; Julia Eden Mahoney; Rucha Shah; Mayor Janice S. Mironov; Dhruva Sribuddharaju, and Larkin Sosa.
7. East Windsor Will Participate in Operation Medicine Cabinet on Saturday, April 27 from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M., offering residents the opportunity to dispose of unused, unwanted and expired prescription medications in an environmentally responsible manner and reducing possible access by unauthorized persons and young people to these drugs. The Township has a drop box in the lobby of the police/court building at 80 One Mile Road for the collection of these various medications. This special one-day collaborative event with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is intended to focus community attention on the importance and opportunity for secure and responsible disposal of medications. Collected medications will be turned over to the DEA on the next business day for final disposal. The Township maintains a year-round 24/7 accessible permanent medicine drop box in the lobby of the police/court building.
   
   
8. East Windsor Continues Distracted Driver "U Drive, U Text, U Pay" Campaign Underwritten by $5,500 Distracted Driving Enforcement Grant. The $5,500 NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety "U Drive, U Text, U Pay" grant, part of a statewide initiative, is for targeted enforcement of distracted driving behaviors, such as texting, holding a cell phone, grooming, reading, and using other electronic devices while driving. This initiative is geared to promote the responsible operation of motor vehicles for everyone through increased public awareness and education as well as enforcement of existing state distracted driving laws. Motorists should give their full attention to the roadway while driving and do their part to help keep our roadways safer for all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
   
   
9. East Windsor Participated in Annual Watershed Institute Stream Cleanup on Saturday April 13. Over 48 volunteers participated and 357 pounds of trash and recycling were collected at Etra Lake Park. The Watershed Institute works with residents, municipal, county and state leaders and local groups on a wide variety of initiatives and actions to plan smart, grow community and preserve and protect our natural resources.
   
   
   
   
   Local volunteers, including Mayor Janice S. Mironov, Council Members Denise Daniels, Marc Lippman, Alan Rosenberg, Perry Shapiro, and John Zoller, scouts, and area residents, gathered to participate in the East Windsor Township-Watershed Institute Annual Stream Cleanup at Etra Lake Park on Saturday, April 13.
10. East Windsor Encourages Community Groups to Participate in 2019 Township Adopt-A-Spot Program. Under this program, participating groups "adopt" a public property and keep it clean during the year. A placard is erected on the site indicating that it has been "adopted by" with the name of the group. The groups are expected to perform clean-up three times per month from April 1 through November 30. Adopt-A-Spot is a great program in not only ensuring public areas of our community are well-maintained, but also has been a wonderful educational tool for teaching young people social responsibility and community pride. To participate, interested groups should send a letter to East Windsor Clean Communities Committee, ATTN: Mayor Janice S. Mironov, 16 Lanning Boulevard, East Windsor, NJ 08520.
11. East Windsor Recreation Department Offers 2019 Spring Break Camp for Students in Kindergarten through Second Grades. The Nature and Exploration Camp will be held at the Etra Lake Park Environmental Center, April 22 to April 26, 9 A.M.to 3 P.M. Campers will explore nature and investigate wildlife while engaged in hands-on art, science and outdoor activities. Online registration and payment is available at (CLICK HERE). Program information is available at the Township municipal building, local libraries and online at (CLICK HERE). For additional information call (609) 443-4000, ext. 225.
12. East Windsor Recreation Department Summer Camp Registration Is Open for Township Residents. Recreation day camps will be offered for students entering grades Kindergarten through 6. The Explorer camp is designed for campers entering grades Kindergarten and 1, the Adventure camp is designed for campers entering grades 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and the 2019 Travel camps are offered for campers entering grades 5 through 9. Camp Care for before and after care of campers is also available for an additional fee. Online registration and payment is available at (CLICK HERE). Program information is available at the Township municipal building, local libraries and online at (CLICK HERE). For additional information call (609) 443-4000, ext. 225.
13. East Windsor Township Launches Nixle Communications System, implemented by Mayor and Council, to enable immediate text messages to registered cell phones and email addresses, to alert residents and businesses about safety and health subjects of concern, such as severe weather conditions, traffic disruption alerts, road closures, flooding conditions, power outages and important public health notices, as well as other significant community updates and important announcements. The Nixle communications tool will assist the Township in notifying large numbers of people in real time concerning conditions or issues affecting safety and travel issues. Residents are encouraged to register for the notifications by texting "08520" to the number 888-777 from their cell phone. Residents also can register online (CLICK HERE) to receive the notifications via email and/or mobile phone. IMPORTANT NOTE: Regardless of your zip code, you must register under the zip code 08520 to receive East Windsor related Nixle alerts.