April 13, 2018

1. NO TAX INCREASE Again in 2018 Municipal Budget Introduced by Mayor Janice Mironov and Council Members. The 2018 municipal tax rate component remains the same for six consecutive years -- 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013, at the rate of 43 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. This means that for the average current residential assessment of $258,287, the 2018 municipal tax is $1,121. 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 2018 municipal tax levy also is well below the available state cap levy amounts. The fiscally conservative budget document 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. REMINDER: East Windsor Township Will Hold Recycling Day on Saturday April 14 from 10 am to 2 pm, 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 Kicks Off Distracted Driver "U Drive, U Text, U Pay" Campaign Underwritten by $6,600 Distracted Driving Enforcement Grant, to Run Through April 21. The $6,600 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.
   
   
   Mayor Janice S. Mironov and police department kick off "U Drive, U Text, U Pay" Campaign. Pictured (from left to right) are: Police Officer Giuston DeBlasio; Mayor Janice S. Mironov; Police Sergeant Ryan Ballard, and Police Officer Robert Davison.
   
4. Join in the Co-Sponsored East Windsor Township/Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association Stream Cleanup on Saturday, April 21, from 9 am to 11 am at Etra Lake Park, Rain or Shine. Volunteers should wear boots and long sleeves and bring work gloves, if possible. Adults must accompany minors. Supplies, T-shirts, and refreshments will be provided. For additional information or to register, visit the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association website at www.thewatershed.org or contact Volunteer Coordinator Eve Niedergang at eniedergang@thewatershed.org or (609) 737-3735, ext. 51.
5. Mayor Janice S. Mironov Proclaimed March Women's History Month, joined by NJ State Senator Linda Greenstein, NJ State Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Mercer County Freeholder Ann Cannon, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello, Mercer County Surrogate Diane Gerofsky, West Windsor Council President Alison Miller, West Windsor Council Member Ayesha Hamilton, and East Windsor Township Council Member Denise Daniels. The Proclamation recognizes "the many accomplishments and substantial contributions of women over history to our civic, political and cultural life, and their extraordinary leadership and extensive work and commitment to the betterment of the lives of the citizens of East Windsor Township and the State of New Jersey."
   
   
   Mayor Janice S. Mironov issued a proclamation recognizing Woman's History Month, joined by local, county and state elected officials. Pictured (from left to right) are: West Windsor Council Member Ayesha Hamilton; Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello; East Windsor Township Council Member Denise Daniels; Mayor Janice S. Mironov; NJ State Senator Linda Greenstein; West Windsor Council President Alison Miller; Mercer County Surrogate Diane Gerofsky; Mercer County Freeholder Ann Cannon, and NJ State Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson.
6. East Windsor Will Hold "Operation Medicine Cabinet" on Saturday, April 28, from 10 am to 2 pm, a program offering residents the opportunity to dispose of all unused, unwanted and expired prescription medications in a safe manner. The Township has installed a permanent drop box in the lobby of the police/court building (80 One Mile Road) for the collection of these various medications, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Collected medications will be turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on the next business day for final disposal. "Operation Medicine Cabinet" provides a secure and legal means to dispose of these prescription medications in an environmentally responsible manner and reduces possible access by unauthorized persons and young people to these drugs.
7. Township Accepting Applications from Residents for Participation in the 2018 East Windsor Community Garden. The Community Garden is located on the Disbrow Hill Road open space property, adjacent to the Disbrow Hill playing fields and across from Etra Lake Park. The Community Garden, which will kickoff on Saturday, April 21, provides residents with the opportunity to rent a plot of land to plant their own fruits and vegetables. To obtain an application or further information, contact the Municipal Clerk's Office at (609) 443-4000, ext. 238.
8. East Windsor Encourages Community Groups to Participate in 2018 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.
9. East Windsor Recreation Department Summer Camp Registration Is Open for Township Residents. Recreation day camps are offered for students entering grades Kindergarten through 5. The Explorer camp is designed for campers entering grades Kindergarten and 1, and the Adventure camp is designed for campers entering grades 2,3,4, and 5. The 2018 Travel camps are offered for campers entering grades 6 through 9. Camp Care for before and after care of campers also is 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 more information, call (609) 443-4000, ext. 225.
10. East Windsor Department of Public Works Continues to Make Additional Passes through the Township to Pick Up Brush and Debris, in response to the recent weather events. Please place branches curbside for collection. Additional passes will be made as time permits, without a set schedule. Residents who hire contractors to remove or cut trees on their property must ensure that the contractor removes those materials from the property and streets. For further information, contact Department of Public Works at (609) 443-4000, ext. 215.
11. Watch "Spotlight East Windsor" with Mayor Janice S. Mironov Wednesdays at 7 pm on Comcast Channel 27 and Verizon Channel 38 to View the Latest News and Information about the Township. This week's topics include 2018 Municipal Budget, Community Garden, Annual Stream Clean Up, U Drive, U Text, U Pay Campaign and New Community Bus. "Spotlight East Windsor" re-broadcasts on Mondays at 7, 8 and 9 pm and Thursdays at 5 and 7 pm. CLICK HERE to view the latest episode online.