Minutes from the Oct. 9th, 2003 West Windsor Bicycle/Pedestrian Meeting

 

Meeting Attendees: Roger Alig, Peter Bilton, Ken Carlson, Meg Cicco, Sue Conlon, Chris Duckworth, Bruce Ellsworth, Dan Gerstenhaber, Arnold Kelly, Ken Leon, Marcus Loecher, Daryl McMillan, Alison Miller, Sandy Shapiro, Don Smart

 

Invited guests: Newell Benedict, Ilene Watrous

 

Web site:  http://www.princetonol.com/groups/bikeped/

 

Misc.

·        Meeting with the Mayor- Ken C gave an update on a meeting with the Mayor held on 9/18.  Ken C met with Shing, Jim Parvesse, Pat Ward, and Dan Dobromilsky to give an update on the activities of the Bike/Ped Task Force.  The primary discussion topics included the Millstone River Trail, Millstone Road sidewalks, the Sidewalk Inventory, Orth-Rodgers Consultants, the Trolley Line Trail, the WW Bike Tour, and North Post Rd. road improvements.  Information from this meeting will be added to the relevant sections of these minutes.

 

·        Orth-Rodgers Consultants/Local Planning Grant- The first meeting of the Steering Committee will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 21st.  Ken C. and Ken N will be in attendance and will report back to the Task Force.

 

·        Coordination with the WW Recreation Commission- Newell Benedict, a founding member of the Commission was in attendance at tonight’s meeting.  The Commission has a longstanding interest in supporting projects that will improve recreational opportunities in town.  The Commission has a trust fund and is considering helping to fund the development of a recreational trail and is asking the Bike/Ped Committee for trail candidates.  The funding could be significant, providing up to $20,000-30,000 for a project.  One trail possibility is the Duck Pond Run Trail that would run along a sewer easement from Penn Lyle to Clarksville Roads.  It was suggested that a walk of the Trail be arranged in the coming weeks and a map be provided for Newell to present at the next Commission meeting.

 

·        Bike Tour of WW- Ken C. recounted from the meeting with the Mayor that the Mayor understands that the township will need to get involved in the planning of a bike tour, and suggested Ken Jacobs, the Manager of Recreation in WW, as a contact person.  The Mayor would like to see a bike tour proposal from the Task Force. Dan presented further ideas for a WW Bike Tour/Event, based on what he has learned of the Hamilton Sept. Fest Bike Event.  It was suggested that there could be a series of events over several weekends, including a focus on bike safety, bike repair, and culminating in a bike tour.   It was suggested that the event could be held on the same day as the Community Camp Out in Community Park in Sept.  Ken Leon, Roger, and Myra have volunteered to help Dan to come up with a proposal for the tour.  It was also suggested that members of the Recreation Commission may want to participate. 

 

·        Trolley Line Trail- At the update meeting with the Mayor, Ken C learned that the township has received an additional grant for the Trolley Line Trail under the PSE&G power lines.  The township was awarded a $100,000 grant to fund the trail from South Mill Rd to Mercer Co Park.  The twp has already been awarded a $200,000 grant for the section from Rabbit Hill Road to Bear Brook and a bridge over Bear Brook.  The twp is currently in negotiations with PSE&G trail over access rights to the right of way.  The discussions have been positive.

 

·        North Post Rd improvements- From the update meeting with the Mayor, Ken C learned that as part of the N. Post Rd improvements, there will be a 6 ft bikelane on the north side of the road for the whole length of the road (except where it crosses Duck Pond Run).  Sidewalks will not be made continuous in this project.

 

Sidewalks

·        Sidewalk Inventory- Roger collected the edited segments of the Bike Inventory and will compile the edits into the next iteration of the inventory.

 

·        Millstone Road Sidewalk Project- Bruce presented on the next steps in the Millstone Road Sidewalk Project.  Bruce is working with Jim Parvesse to set up a time for Jim to come out to Millstone Road to scope out some of the details for a potential sidewalk.  While Jim is out, Bruce would like Jim to take a look at Cranbury and South Mill Roads as well. 

 

·        Sidewalks on Cranbury Road- The group discussed the possibility of sidewalks on Cranbury Road.  Ilene Watrous, a friend of Sandy Shapiro’s who lives along Cranbury Road (between the bridge over Bear Brook and Millstone Road) was present and made it clear that there is a critical need for sidewalks on this road.  It was suggested that the project could be done in phases, with the first phase between Sunnydale Road and Rt. 571.  The next step would be to discuss the possibilities of sidewalks with neighbors.   Sandy informed the group that there was a meeting recently with local neighbors over plans to build an Eckerd drug store on the corner of Cranbury Rd and Rt. 571 where there is currently a gas station.  This would include the construction of sidewalks on that corner. 

 

·        Sue brought up the point about seeking funding/support for sidewalk construction on Harris Road.  The Task Force should consider advocacy for this project and needs to begin the process of prioritizing projects.

 

Recreational Trails

·        Recreational Trail Grant- Millstone River Trail- Ken C gave an update on the Millstone River Trail Grant that was awarded.  It was agreed that FOWWOS should pay for construction costs and seek reimbursement from the DEP directly.  The $6250 in matching funds will largely be provided by in-kind labor provided by the township.  Don, Arnold, Ken C., Andy Pratt, and Harley Pickens walked the trail recently.  The project will likely start in the spring, with planning occurring over the fall and winter. 

 

·        Next Recreational Trail Grant- The funding deadline for the next DEP grant is in Dec.  It was suggested that we seek funding for the continuation of the Tow Path on the WW of the D&R Canal south of Alexander Rd. 

 

Action Items

  • Set up a walk of the Duck Pond Run trail and provide map to Newell Benedict- Ken C
  • Begin to formulate proposal for Bike Tour.  Contact members of the Recreation Commission, particularly Newell Benedict and Ken Jacobs- Dan and Bike Tour Committee
  • Compile bike inventory segments and get next iteration of Inventory to Jim Parvesse- Roger
  • Canvas neighbors along Cranbury Rd between Sunnydale Rd and Rt 571 about the possibility of sidewalks- This needs a volunteer
  • Scope out D&R Tow Path on WW side below Alexander Rd for next Recreational Trail grant- This needs a volunteer
  • Investigate Safe Routes to School Funding- Meg
  • Obtain copies of map of proposed bikelanes/recreational trails for Task Force members- Ken C

 

Next Bike/Ped Meeting

·        November 13th, 7:30 PM.