Minutes from the July 10, 2003 West Windsor Bicycle/Pedestrian Meeting

Meeting Attendees: Roger Alig, Peter Bilton, Ken Carlson, Meg Cicco, Bruce Ellsworth, Myra Hochman, Alison Miller, Ken Naglak, Sandy Shapiro, Don Smart

Note: Our web site, http://www.princetonol.com/groups/bikeped/ has been updated. Bob Stango, a friend of Ken and Ken’s, has taken over responsibility for the site. Our thanks to Bob. Many thanks to Vasuda Veergowda for establishing the site.

· Millstone Road Sidewalk Project- Bruce Ellsworth reported that Andy Pratt is in the process of getting his neighbors to sign a petition in favor of sidewalks. His neighbors are willing but curious to know what will happen to shrubs, etc. in their front lawns as a result of the project. The next step is to set up a walking tour of the potential project with Jim Parvese to get an estimate and understand the scope of the project.

· Sidewalk Inventory- The group reviewed the revised sidewalk inventory map updated by Jim Parvese and Brian Aaronson. The map looks closer to the final product, but there are still areas that have not been inventoried (e.g., Village Grande) and some annotation that is in need of correction. The next step is for Roger to cut the maps into sections and to distribute these sections at the next meeting for further updating. Don suggested that we think about creating a Bikelanes inventory map. It would be less extensive than the sidewalk map but it would help us in understanding where we need to focus.

· Sidewalks on Scott Road- Ken, filling in for Sue, told the Task Force that Sue Conlon and colleagues have applied for a grant to construct sidewalks on Scott Road. We were also informed that town council has added $25,000 to the capital improvements budget for pedestrian improvements in Berrien City.

· New sidewalks- Sidewalks are currently being put in along Clarksville Road between the Municipal Center and the Firehouse. Sidewalks were put in along Rabbit Hill Road in front of Dey Farm estates by the developer.

· Local Aid Grant – The Local Aid grant that Don had written was not submitted at this time. The Township had submitted a Local Aid grant application for the PSE&G ROW trail and did not want the two applications to compete. The grant application will be deferred to the next cycle. Sam stated that Don did a great job. Note- Jack Molenaar, the transportation planner of Plainsboro, said that they often put in multiple applications for the same grant. Plainsboro simply gives each application a priority.

· Advocacy for Route 1 Bike/Ped bridge- Ken and Ken updated the group on the progress with the advocacy of the Rt. 1 Bike/Ped bridge.

· The online petition has over 290 signatures. We are shooting for a goal of 500.

(http://www.petitiononline.com/rt1brdg/petition.html )

· Ken N was interviewed for an article in the Trenton Times. The article appeared in the 8/14/03 edition (http://www.nj.com/news/times/mercer/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1058169923295944.xml )

· The Sign on letter that was circulated to local organizations has been effective. To date, 11 local organizations have signed on as well as 12 elected officials. Arnold Kelly was successful in getting a letter in support of the bike/ped bridge from Rush Holt.

· Alison will try again to have Town Council pass a resolution in support of the Bridge. The Task Force edited a previous draft of the resolution at the meeting.

· Sandy recommended that when we send in our written comments on the DEIS, including the Sign-On letter and the petition, we should include the governor, Rush Holt, Shing, the DOT Commissioner, the Federal Highway Commission, among others.

· It was recommended that we submit an article or letter to Town Topics.

· Local Planning Assistance Grant – Sue Blickstein of Orth-Rogers & Associates has completed a draft of her scope of work for the Planning Assistance Grant. The scope was circulated ahead of the meeting and several task force members had a chance to review it. The overall impression of the scope was that it did not emphasize pedestrian issues sufficiently. Pedestrian safety and mobility issues in West Windsor are equal to and perhaps exceed bicycling safety and mobility issues particularly in neighborhoods within reasonable walking distance to the Train Station. It was decided that Ken C would write an e-mail to Sue Blikstein with our concerns. This was done and Sue said she appreciated our input and would consider our suggestions. Note: We were told by the DOT that our point of contact for the Planning Assistance Grant should be William Riviere of the DOT and Sam Surtees, and not Sue Blikstein. However, we should include Sue on all our minutes and Task Force e-mails.

Action Items

· Set up a walking tour of Millstone Road with Jim Parvese- Bruce

· Cut the revised sidewalk inventory map into sections and distribute for updating at the next meeting- Roger

· Start the process of creating a Bikelanes inventory map

· Find out the due date for the next Local Aid grant- Ken

· Provide the Task Force with a copy of Local Aid Grant for Southfield Rd Bikelanes- Don

· Encourage friends and family to sign the on-Line Bike/Ped Bridge Petition- everyone

· Circulate the Scott Ave Grant application- Sue

· Submit an article or letter on the bike/ped bridge to Town Topics- the Kens

· Alert the Task Force when Data Ram goes up for re-zoning of its property on Rt. 571 in front of the Planning Board (we need to lobby for inclusion of sidewalks and bike path)- Alison

Next Bike/Ped Meeting

· August 14th, 7:30 PM. Agenda items so far:

· Grant application for Scott Ave and plan for $25,000 in capital improvements in Berrien City- Sue

· Sidewalk Inventory- Roger