May 17, 2019

1. East Windsor Township Earns Major and Significant Municipal Bond Rating Upgrade from AA to AA+ by S&P Global Ratings, announced Mayor Janice S. Mironov.  Township officials requested this review by the independent rating agency while preparing for the recent refinancing of $6.5 million in general obligation bonds at a lower interest rate, which specifically resulted in over $350,000 in savings.  The S&P Global Ratings review underscored the Township's sustained positive operating performance, with strong financial management policies and practices.  S&P highlights many positive East Windsor financial attributes, including:  Very Strong Economy with numerous additional development projects in progress;  Strong Management with a conservative approach to budgeting;  Strong Budgetary Performance with stable tax rate, constrained expenses and cost-cutting actions, increased revenue and robust fund balance, and Very Weak Debt with positive low overall net debt of only 2.7 percent of market value.  The fiscal review by S&P incorporates six years of historical data with a five-year forecast and surplus projections.  The S&P bond rating upgrade reflects the Township’s very strong and stable financial condition.  Additional taxpayer savings are anticipated on future financial transactions with this upgraded municipal bond rating.
2. East Windsor Township Awarded $10,000 Sustainable Jersey Grant to Develop and Upgrade Arboretum at Etra Lake Park.  The grant from the Sustainable Jersey Grant Program and the PSEG Foundation, one of seven $10,000 grants awarded statewide, will fund cleanup and access work, planting of native trees, signage and markings and preparation of map and informational materials.  The arboretum will serve as a "living" outdoor museum to share information on the legacy of trees and forest ecology in a creative and fun convenient park setting for the entire community.  Sustainable Jersey is a statewide voluntary certification program for New Jersey municipalities wanting to go green, save money and sustain their quality of life over the long term.  East Windsor Township has achieved prestigious Silver Level Sustainable Jersey Certification and in 2018 was re-certified to this Silver Level.
   
   
   Mayor Janice S. Mironov accepts at an awards ceremony the Sustainable Jersey $10,000 Grant awarded to the Township for development and update of the Arboretum at Etra Lake Park.  Pictured (from left to right) are:   Randall Solomon, Executive Director, Sustainable Jersey;  Rick Thigpen, Senior Vice President Corporate Citizenship PSEG and Chairman of the PSEG Foundation;  Mayor Janice S. Mironov;  Ronald Balint, Chairperson, East Windsor Environmental Commission and Green Team, and Anne-Marie Peracchio, Chairperson, Sustainable Jersey Board of Trustees.
   
3. Roadway Improvements to Cypress Drive from Meadowbrook Road to One Mile Road South, and Spruce Road, Are Scheduled to Begin on Tuesday, May 21, with drainage inlet replacement and concrete repairs to curbs and aprons.  The project, awarded to Richard T. Barrett Paving Company of Trenton, New Jersey, will include milling and paving, and is anticipated to be completed in late June, weather permitting.  Work hours are Monday to Friday, 7 A.M. to 5 P.M.
4. Roadway Improvements to Old Cranbury Road between Route 130 and the Millstone River bridge at the Township border, Rocky Brook Road from Old Cranbury Road to Oak Branch Road, and Holland Lane from Old Cranbury Road to Oak Branch Road, Began on Wednesday, May 15, with repairs to drainage inlets.  The project, awarded to Top Line Construction of Somerville, New Jersey, will include concrete repairs to curbs and driveway aprons, handicapped ramp installations, and milling and paving, and is anticipated to be completed in early July, weather permitting.  Work hours are Monday to Friday, 7 A.M. to 5 P.M.
5. Roadway Improvements to Oak Creek Road from Windsor Center Drive to Heathwood Drive, and Heathwood Drive from Oak Creek Road to Dutch Neck Road Continue with repairs to drainage inlets and concrete repairs to curbs and driveway aprons.  The project, awarded to Top Line Construction of Somerville, New Jersey, will include concrete curb and handicapped ramp repairs, milling and paving, and is anticipated to be completed in late June, weather permitting.  Work hours are Monday to Friday, 7 A.M. to 5 P.M.
6. Mayor Janice S. Mironov Issued Proclamation for National Volunteer Week and Recognized the Volunteer Members of the Township Clean Communities Advisory Committee.  The volunteer members of the Clean Communities Advisory Committee, who truly exemplify the spirit of volunteerism in local government and public service, plan and carry out many activities to promote community recycling and litter clean-up, including Township-wide recycling events, the East Windsor Township Adopt-a-Spot program, the annual Earth Day Recycling Poster Contest for elementary school students, Litter Free recognition for local businesses, participation in the Mercer Green Fest, educational programs about the environment for local elementary schools, and other outreach and education initiatives.  
   
   
   Mayor Janice S. Mironov issued Proclamation for National Volunteer Week and recognized the members of the Township Clean Communities Advisory Committee.  Pictured (from left to right) are:   (back row) Council Member/Committee Liaison Alan Rosenberg;  Abhinav Mahesh, Student Member;  Oscar Guerrero;  John Donnelly, Clean Communities Committee Chairperson;  Douglas Greene;  Aneesh Acharya, Student Member;  (front row) William Egbert;  Vandana Mathur, and Mayor Janice S. Mironov.
7. Hightstown-East Windsor Memorial Day Parade Is Monday, May 27, and will kick-off at 9 A.M. on Stockton Street and proceed through the center of Hightstown.  The annual community event will feature many local groups including veterans associations, rescue squads and fire companies, school musical groups, scout organizations, religious organizations, and other area participants.  At the completion of the parade, refreshments will be served at VFW Post 5700 on Dutch Neck Road. 
8. "Click It or Ticket" Seat Belt Campaign Funded by $5,500 Grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (NJDHTS), will run from May 20 to June 2.  The NJDHTS 2019 "Click It or Ticket It" seat belt campaign is a statewide campaign aimed at increasing compliance with State law that requires the use of seat belts.  These funds will be used to pay the salaries of Township police officers who will be assigned patrol activities directed toward the identification and ticketing of motorists who fail to use seat belts as required by State law.
9. Township and Mercer County Will Hold Special Passport Day on Thursday, June 13 from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. at the East Windsor Municipal Building (16 Lanning Boulevard).  Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello are sponsoring this special Passport Day locally at which the Mercer County Clerk’s Office will process United States passport applications on-site for residents.  Residents can just show up, but are encouraged to call (609) 989-6473 to reserve a specific appointment time.  To apply, residents will need: (1) proof of U.S. citizenship in the form of a state certified birth certificate, a U.S. naturalization certificate or a previous U.S. passport, and (2) proof of identity in the form of a current driver’s license or state issued identification card.  Cost of the passport is $110 for adults, and $80 for minors, plus a processing fee of $35.  Passport photos can be taken on-site if needed for $15 or $10 for senior citizens.  Only checks or money orders will be accepted.  For further information on requirements and documents needed to obtain a passport, visit www.mercercounty.org and click on County Clerk, or call (609) 989-6473.
10. Legends Grille Celebrates Ninth Anniversary with Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting.  Legends Grille, located in the Days Inn at 460 Route 33 East in the area of East Windsor Exit 8 of the New Jersey Turnpike, celebrated their ninth year of operation with a ceremonial  ribbon cutting attended by Mayor Janice S. Mironov, accompanied by Council Members Denise Daniels, Perry Shapiro and Peter Yeager.  The Legends Grille offers a wide selection of Mediterranean-American dishes and caters to all dietary restrictions upon request.  Current hours for dining are Tuesday to Friday 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. for lunch, Tuesday to Saturday 5 P.M. to 10 P.M. for dinner, as well as Sunday 4 P.M. to 9 P.M.
    
    
    Mayor Janice S. Mironov cuts the ceremonial ribbon celebrating Legends Grille 9th Anniversary.  Pictured (from left to right) are:   Council Member Perry Shapiro;  John Krakowski, Jr., Legends Grille part owner;  Mayor Janice S. Mironov;  John Krakowski, Legends Grille part owner;  Kelly Krakowski;  Council Member Denise Daniels, and Council Member Peter Yeager.
11. No Township Curbside Garbage Collection Will Occur on Monday, May 27 and All Township Offices Will Be CLOSED due to the Memorial Day holiday.  Residents of Area #1, who would normally have garbage collection on Monday, May 27, are to put their garbage out on the next regularly scheduled collection date which is Thursday, May 30.  Visit the Township website (CLICK HERE) for additional garbage collection information.
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. CALENDAR:   East Windsor Township Free Summer Events at Etra Lake Park:

    Saturday, July 6 (rain date July 13)  East Windsor Independence Day Celebration: 6 P.M., Jerry Rife's Rhythm Kings Dixieland Jazz Band, 6 piece band from the Delaware Valley area best known for its traditional jazz sound.  7:30 P.M., Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One, 6 piece ensemble from Central Jersey performing "Americana" and a variety of popular melodies.  Approximately 9:30 P.M., Fireworks. Saturday, July 28 at 6 P.M.  Danny V’s 52nd Street Band:  Billy Joel Tribute. Sunday, August 11 at 6 P.M.  The Mahoney Brothers:  Long Live the Beatles Tribute. Sunday, August 18 at 6 P.M.  Endless Summer:  Beach Boy Tribute. Saturday, August 24 at 7 P.M.  Family-Night-In-The-Park:  Large screen showing of the movie "Ralph Breaks the Internet" preceded by inflatable rides and games. These free events are made possible through the generous contributions of many area businesses.