Minutes from the October 14th, 2004 West Windsor Bicycle/Pedestrian Task Force Meeting

 

Meeting Attendees: Roger Alig, Kevin Appleget, Peter Bilton, Ken Carlson, Meg Chicco, Susan Conlon, Bruce Ellsworth, Arnold Kelly, Marcus Loecher, Alison Miller, Ken Naglak, Art Pope

 

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

 

General Business

·         October 14th Harvest Festival- Volunteers needed to staff a Task Force information table at Harvest Festival- Ken C, Alison, and Arnold volunteered

·         Timing of feasibility study for Bike/Ped Bridge- No progress at this time.  Peter suggested that we put off this effort to a future date due to the uncertainties of projects such as the BRT.  The consensus of the group was to move ahead with this effort and get as much lined up as possible ahead of a possible feasibility study.   A letter to Princeton University President Shirley Tilghman asking for an easement through P.U. lands is the likely next step. 

·         Previous Action Item: Discussion with County re: bikelanes on Edinburg Road- No progress at this time.  Ken C. will bring up with Mayor in an upcoming meeting.  (Note after meeting: Mayor Hsueh spoke to the County about Edinburg Road and they appeared amenable to placing “Share the Road Signs” along the road).

·         Previous Action Item: Timetable for sidewalk improvements at Acme- No progress at this time.  The next step is to follow-up with Sam Surtees and Pat Ward.  Ken C. will follow up with Mayor in an upcoming meeting.

 

Recreational Trails

·         Zaitz Park Trail- Kevin Appelget, a FOWWOS Trustee and member of the Environmental Commission, presented his concept plan for recreational trails through Zaitz Park and adjacent lands. Zaitz Park is located off of Southfield Road and consists of soccer fields and a large section of upland forest.  Kevin has been working closely with the township and FOWWOS to negotiate the donation of land to the township as part of the development of a Restricted Age Senior Community on the Baker tract, located off of Old Trenton Road and adjacent to Zaitz Park.  As part of the negotiations, the developer will donate upland forest on the property to the township and contribute $100,000 towards a nature center.    Kevin is interested in submitting a Recreational Trails Grant application for the trail.  The Task Force was considering submitting a Recreational Trails grant application for the Duck Pond Run Trail, but the members of the Task Force felt that the Zaitz Park trail should take priority.  The Task Force is willing to help on aspect of the grant application.  It was suggested that Kevin lead a walk of the existing trails.

·         Millstone River Trail- Ken C. gave an update on the status of the Millstone River Trail.  Dan Dobromilski, WW Twp. Landscape Architect, prepared a trail map overlaid on an aerial photograph of what is now being called the Millstone River Preserve.  Ken and Dick Snedeker paid a call on four neighbors whose property border both trail entrances (on Melville Road and Millstone Road) to inform them of the trail improvements to be made.  Reactions to the trail improvements were positive.  Ken has drafted a joint press release from FOWWOS and West Windsor Twp. about the trail improvements.  Members of the Task Force and FOWWOS helped to edit the press release.  Necessary environmental permits for the trail are being prepared by Kevin Appleget.  There will be an informational public meeting held on October 27th.  (Note after meeting: Ken C. and Dan Dobromilski presented plans for the trail on Oct. 27th.)

·         PSE&G Trail- Alison discussed the latest draft of the PSE&G easement with the Task Force.  She explained that the original draft had not allowed construction within 50 feet of any transmission tower, making the project impossible.  Thanks to her pointing this out, the latest draft bars construction within 25 feet of any transmission tower, but this will still cause problems as there are many places where there is less than 25 feet of cleared land next to the towers.  (Note after meeting, Mayor Hsueh informed Ken C. that the agreement with PSE&G will reflect the fact that the trail will be 25 feet from the towers where feasible). 

 

Review of Project Prioritization

·         The recently assembled project priority list was briefly reviewed.  Ken and Ken will review the priorities with the Mayor and Chris Marion at an upcoming meeting.  In addition, the project priority list will be on the agenda at the next Task Force meeting where Mayor Hsueh will be present.

·         Among the large-scale projects are bike-ped improvements to Alexander Road between Vaughn Drive and the D&R Canal.  Susan suggested that we break this project down and first focus on making bike/ped and traffic calming improvements to the S curve.  Susan told the group that she and Meg discussed potential improvements to the S curve with Congressman Holt recently. 

 

Review of Orth-Rodgers Draft Final Report

·         Meg brought a copy of a letter she drafted in support of the Orth-Rodgers recommendations.  The Task Force will present this letter to the Planning Board on October 27th and in addition members of the Task Force will make public comments in support of the Orth-Rodgers recommendations.  (Note after meeting: The support letter was finalized and a copy was sent to members of the Planning Board, the Mayor, and members of Town Council.  Ken C. read a statement in support of the Recommendations at the Oct. 27th meeting.  In addition, Ken N. and Alison made public comments). 

 

Action Items

·         Arrange a walk of the Zaitz Park trails- Kevin and Ken C.

 

 

 

NEXT MEETING- Nov. 11th

·         Mayor Hsueh will be in attendance.