Q & A
1. How would you balance the need for economic development — such as commercial, warehouse or housing projects — with concerns from residents about traffic, school capacity and neighborhood character?
Marathe
If given a choice, I would keep new housing developments in West Windsor to a small scale and restrict commercial development to industries that are less labor intensive and along Route 1.
We are preserving neighborhood character by setting standards, as the planning board is doing with Penns Neck and Berrien City.
However, given state mandates and the need to build a certain number of affordable units every 10 years, I have been very proactive. I have aggressively purchased open space, engaged land so less is available for housing, and used all available credits to minimize new housing units.
To address traffic concerns, we hired eight new police officers to increase enforcement. We collaborated with neighbors and the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance to identify and fix local issues. We added a right-turn lane from Village to North Post Road and banned right turns on red at certain intersections.
Whenever we do a road project, we pay special attention to what can be done to make the roadway safer for all.
Geevers
As West Windsor continues to expand, my 20 years on Township Council and experience on the Planning Board have given me the perspective to balance community needs.
I have worked on ordinances, the master plan, annual budgets and various boards and committees, and I strive to listen to residents at public meetings, community events and privately.
There are significant needs for additional police, fire and EMS services, and the township has hired additional public works employees to keep up with park maintenance and tasks like leaf and brush pickup.
With per-student annual costs at about $21,000, we need increases in commercial ratables. Residents have expressed major concerns about taxes, especially those who want to remain in West Windsor after retirement. Attracting businesses helps people of all ages and incomes live in our welcoming, diverse community.
Charles
New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the nation, and our town does not need more endless development, sprawl, traffic and higher property taxes.
That said, we are constrained by state mandates and a legal framework that is more favorable to developers than to towns trying to preserve character and maintain open space.
To mitigate the tax burden on residents, we need to balance any future residential growth with commercial ratables that contribute to the tax base.
2. Given the glut of warehouses throughout the state, and the slow office market, what other ideas for development are viable for the township?
Marathe
I took criticism for approving warehouses on the former Howard Hughes property. That difficult decision has turned out to be a win-win because it prevented us from building more than 2,000 homes during the fourth round (of affordable housing requirements). The warehouse market has changed, so it may take many years before those buildings are constructed, if ever.
We have been aggressively pursuing an indoor sports facility for soccer, cricket and pickleball. I discussed this early in my first term with the West Windsor Soccer Association. We have had advanced discussions with commercial developers, and I am confident West Windsor will see a sports facility sooner rather than later.
We are working with Princeton University and the New Jersey State AI Hub, based in West Windsor, and have interacted with many companies and individuals interested in working with the hub.
We remain attractive to small businesses. Most of our commercial and retail establishments survived the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in West Windsor’s history, we have two fine-dining establishments—Seasons 52 and Eddie V’s—and a planned Fogo de Chão.
Geevers
Artificial intelligence businesses and research are a strong match. The AI hub on Alexander Road is a collaboration between Princeton University and the State of New Jersey to support new innovators and drive long-term growth.
Along Route 1, Eddie V’s has opened at MarketFair, and a Fogo de Chão and Chick-fil-A are anticipated behind the new Wawa. There is popular demand for additional athletic facilities for indoor and outdoor sports.
Charles
Industries that may be desirable include pharma/life sciences, medical, technology/AI, sports facilities and restaurants/retail. These can diversify ratables and better match community needs than additional warehouses.
3. All towns in New Jersey must meet affordable housing obligations. What is your opinion of the town’s plans to comply while preserving quality of life?
Marathe
I was elected to council at the end of the third round and learned from that experience. As mayor, I planned for the fourth round (2025-2035) by engaging large parcels so we would not be forced to build a large number of housing units.
By approving development on the former Howard Hughes property, we reduced our fourth-round obligation by about 500 affordable units, or 2,000 total units. The state initially wanted 661 units; we reduced that to 480 in the first court hearings and are currently arguing that the real number should be 238.
For the fourth round, we selected sites that take advantage of bonus credits while minimizing disruption to existing residents. Careful planning has allowed compliance while minimizing impacts on quality of life.
Geevers
In June, the Planning Board met the statutory deadline and unanimously adopted the housing element and fair share plan after a public hearing, and the Township Council unanimously endorsed it by resolution. The plan was carefully crafted by the administration and was generally well received.
For example, it repurposes the existing Bristol Myers Squibb building near Nassau Park, allowing bonus credits for affordable units constructed on previously developed sites. Another site in Carnegie Center will benefit residents who want to live and work nearby. Other sites have minimal impact on surrounding areas, support retail, or provide a group home for developmentally disabled individuals. Fourth-round sites are distributed to avoid further impacting areas being built for third-round obligations.
Charles
This is a critical long-term issue. State-mandated obligations are based on macro-level formulas that do not fully account for roads, traffic and schools. Some towns simply accepted the state’s number. That was 661 units for West Windsor.
Assuming we integrate residents into the community and keep projects economically viable without local subsidies, West Windsor has historically aimed for 20%–25% affordable units in new developments. At 25%, 661 affordable units implies 2,644 total units—bringing significant traffic, student growth and service costs that residential taxes alone won’t cover without corresponding commercial development or higher property taxes.
The Planning Board thoughtfully reviewed the state’s numbers—which can be flawed—and proposed 238 units. I read the 108-page plan and attended the Planning Board/Council meeting where it was discussed.
Residents near Alexander Road/Canal Pointe Boulevard raised concerns about a specific proposal there; those concerns need to be addressed. Overall, the plan is a well-reasoned response. While 238 may face litigation, the approach is sound.
4. What are your top priorities for addressing traffic congestion, especially along Route 571, Alexander Road and the Penns Neck corridor?
Marathe
Traffic congestion correlates with housing development. The most effective way to control it is to limit new housing. Traffic would be far worse if 2,000 homes had been built on the former Howard Hughes property, or if the 575-apartment complex on Route 571 had been approved.
I am committed to building the Penns Neck bypass and the Vaughn Drive bypass. The first phase of Vaughn Drive is operational and allows Avalon residents to go directly to Alexander Road, and we are working to connect it directly to Vaughn Drive. My record on Vaughn Drive should give residents confidence that the Penns Neck bypass will be built.
On Washington Road, we worked with the county to make it more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. The plan is for a single lane in each direction with a center turn lane and bike lanes between Cranbury and Clarksville Road. The project is funded and expected to start in 2026.
Geevers
Traffic on Washington Road (a county road) is being addressed with the new roundabout near the mostly residential development at the train station. Further data may be needed to determine whether a traffic light is justified in Penns Neck to allow left turns onto Washington Road.
When the SRI property is redeveloped, a Penns Neck bypass will be required as part of the application, moving vehicles off Washington Road to a northerly point on Route 1 and alleviating congestion.
In the Berrien City area, Alexander Road speed limits will be 25 mph in both directions upon adoption of an ordinance already introduced by council. Safety enhancements—improved crosswalks and flashing beacons—are being added there and elsewhere. The Vaughn Drive bypass has recently opened, and the Community Development/Engineering Department is considering plans to extend it directly to Vaughn Drive.
Charles
I’ve knocked on doors in the Route 571 area. The initial Vaughn Drive bypass opened very recently, providing another connection between Route 571 and Alexander Road so traffic can reach Route 1 via Alexander instead of Route 571.
A phase-two Vaughn Drive bypass is planned to create a more direct connection. If the Sarnoff property is redeveloped (previously approved for office, R\&D and a hotel conference center), the goal is a new Penns Neck bypass connecting the Route 571 circle by the Avalon development to Route 1 near Lower Harrison Street. That would relieve congestion on Washington Road at Route 1.
On Old Trenton Road, we recently met with leaders at the MCGP to see firsthand how traffic exiting the mosque can be improved through changes to entrance/exit flow.
5. How would you craft a municipal budget that addresses resident needs while minimizing the property tax burden?
Marathe
My experience as school board president and small-business owner has helped minimize the property tax burden over the past seven years. During this time, the increase in municipal taxes for an average home has been about \$8 a year. Many taxpayers are unaware of municipal performance because county and school taxes keep rising.
Beyond a tax-increase cap, the state imposes an appropriation cap that restricts spending each year. We have hit the cap every year.
My challenge is prioritizing spending so the highest priorities are addressed. I canceled second garbage pickup during summer months to reallocate funds to higher-priority items such as lights and sidewalk repairs. With the appropriation cap, we cannot do every project residents desire; projects are chosen with input from police and engineering.
Geevers
For the past eight years, municipal taxes have been mostly flat due to Mayor Marathe’s stewardship and council’s diligence. Careful budgeting has come from a needs-vs.-wants analysis using data from the administration.
Council holds public budget meetings with department directors, with time for public comment. Overall tax bills have risen due to Mercer County and school district increases, which the township does not control.
Charles
As a CPA, I focus on rational cost-benefit analysis. A prime example is twice-a-week summer garbage pickup, which was changed to once a week this summer.
Continuing twice-weekly service would have meant an increase of \$2.92 million over five years vs. \$1.78 million by moving to once a week—about a 64% higher increase for just three months. The \$1.14 million savings can go to police, lighting, emergency services and other priorities. While unpopular with some, it’s common sense.
In the budget, I will prioritize police/fire/EMS, traffic safety, and bicycle and pedestrian safety over “nice-to-have” items like twice-weekly summer pickup.
6. How will you ensure that township council decisions are made transparently and communicated clearly to residents? What would you improve?
Marathe
West Windsor has been one of the most transparent and communicative governments. I respond to residents by email, social media and phone. I attend town halls and homeowner association meetings to address neighborhood-specific issues.
We have reached out to Verizon, PSE&G and JCP&L on behalf of residents. During my last reelection, an opponent mocked me as “Facebook mayor.” I take that as a compliment and proof of responsiveness.
We are upgrading our website to improve user experience and make it easier to report issues and find information. The new site is expected next year.
Geevers
Council holds publicly noticed business meetings, often focused on specific subjects. Public comments are taken at the beginning and end, and during hearings. Meetings are posted on the municipal website and sent via an e-bulletin residents can subscribe to. We also livestream meetings on YouTube for rebroadcast.
I hold monthly open-house hours at the municipal building for residents. Council could consider posting on the website a synopsis of major issues before and after decisions.
Charles
Our government is more transparent than most. Every council meeting is livestreamed and available for playback on YouTube—something other towns and the county do not consistently provide.
I am committed to being transparent and responsive on social media, where the “Peeps” Facebook group functions as a de facto town forum. Our opponents have chosen to ignore resident questions there; I will not.
7. What environmental sustainability initiatives—such as open space preservation, stormwater management or green building practices—would you support or expand?
Marathe
I support open space purchases and have pursued them whenever possible, including condemning property when necessary, as with the Hall farm.
The Planning Board adopted a Green Development Checklist to ensure future projects are environmentally friendly; we will update and expand it this year.
We support zero-emission vehicles by encouraging EV charging stations in new developments and have added two EVs to the municipal fleet. We also plan an Adopt a Drain program with volunteers to prevent stormwater blockages.
We are proud of our Sustainable Jersey Silver, SolSmart Silver, Tree City USA and League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community certifications.
Geevers
I’ve supported adding EVs to the township fleet, Sustainable Jersey Silver initiatives, stormwater improvements to address flash flooding and green building practices for the municipal complex renovation.
We are considering an “Adopt a Storm Drain” program and initial consideration of a township composting program through the Environmental Commission. The township is currently more than 50% preserved open space, and I will continue to support future purchases.
Charles
Open space preservation is a top priority. Preserving land prevents further sprawl. New Jersey has 1,263 people per square mile—the most in the U.S.—so I will advocate purchasing available parcels, preserving farmland and otherwise engaging land to prevent unnecessary sprawl.
8. Are there any other issues residents should know about you or your campaign?
Marathe
I have a 24-year record of public service. I tell it straight about what can and can’t be done and ask voters to judge me by my record. Even if I disagree with you, I will listen, understand your concerns and explain my decisions. Everyone will be treated with respect.
It has been an honor to serve West Windsor, and I hope to earn your vote.
Geevers
I will support funding increases for additional streetlights, repaving deteriorated residential roads and continued funding for sidewalk replacements and extensions.
I ask for your vote to re-elect me to council, and for my running mates—Mayor Hemant Marathe and Joe Charles—for council.
Charles
Our campaign has no ties to outside political organizations, and we do not accept donations from political parties, committees, PACs or super PACs. I am not beholden to outside influence—I have West Windsor’s best interests in mind.
