We Only Get One Planet, by Sophie Salgian

My name is Sophie Salgian, and I am a lifelong West Windsor resident and a senior at The College of New Jersey. I urge you to take a couple minutes to read my story below about the mayoral election. Don't forget about the environment when you vote in this election.

West Windsor has seen tremendous growth over the past three decades revealing a strain on local infrastructure and exposing the cracks in our township. Residents have increasingly felt their concerns are being overlooked for financial prospects as our township fails to maintain a balance between development and sustainability.

As a lifelong resident I question the future I will be able to have in West Windsor. I feel it is time to assess and move forward thoughtfully to protect the landscape of West Windsor, the town we call home.

The JDN Warehouse - The newly constructed JDN warehouse along Route 571 has completely altered the local landscape, raising huge concerns among residents. The warehouse brings along with it an influx of trucks and environmental concerns including higher diesel emissions, increased noise, and persistent light pollution.

Road Safety - Between 2020 and 2025, West Windsor has experienced a troubling pattern of fatal and severe motor vehicle crashes. Mercer County recorded 34 fatal crashes in 2024 alone, including the fatal April 12th 2024 crash between a van and a tractor trailer involving two West Windsor residents. These tragedies are still reverberating in the community as grief and concern is exacerbated by the negligence of the township to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.

New developments must prioritize public safety.

Bridge Point 8 - Bridge Point 8, located at the corner of Clarksville and Quakerbridge Roads, is slated to consist of seven warehouses totaling 5.5 million square feet. The project would also include 910 loading docks and will decimate 64 acres of wetlands.

Large-scale industrial developments do not align with what residents want in our suburban community, despite opposition to BP8, the township dismissed residents’ concerns and approved the project. The development lacks permits applications from the County, Department of Transportation, and NJDEP and still faces litigation with the Watershed Institute. BP8 is a test of how much risk our township is willing to accept at the expense of safety, the environment, and quality of life in West Windsor.

The Flawed Economic Argument - Mayor Hemant Marathe argues that such developments provide a significant economic benefit to the township, including a projected $14 million contribution to local school taxes. Local CPA Stephen Francis found that, on average, warehouses only contribute about $0.99 per square foot in taxes, amounting to around $5 million, only a fraction of what the mayor suggests. These projects are unlikely to deliver the financial benefits that have been promised, and they immediately place a burden on local resources, while being detrimental to the quality of life.

Transparent Housing Solutions - The issue of overdevelopment in West Windsor extends beyond just warehouses and highlights a pattern of poor decision-making by the township. Under Mayor Marathe’s leadership, high-density housing projects have been approved to meet state requirements, but the planning process has lacked transparency and meaningful community engagement leaving residents feeling excluded from decisions directly impacting their quality of life. Affordable housing is essential for young professionals, teachers, first responders, small business owners, seniors, and young families and must be approached openly and thoughtfully, to allow the entire community to thrive.

The Environment Can’t Wait - BP8 requires the clearing of 64 acres of wetlands, exacerbating stormwater runoff and increasing the risk of flooding - issues that have already affected West Windsor. The loss of wetlands, combined with increased impervious surfaces from large-scale warehouse development, pose a major threat to local ecosystems and biodiversity. As climate change accelerates, West Windsor’s vulnerability to severe storms and flooding will only increase.

A Vote for Change - West Windsor’s current leadership has had eight years to direct the township, but they have not been successful in addressing the fundamental concerns raised by residents about overdevelopment, environmental degradation, and infrastructure strain.

Gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill has already expressed concern about the rapid development of warehouses calling for a moratorium on new warehouse projects, committing to working with local communities to create more sustainable development models.

West Windsor faces a critical decision: continue with the status quo, or elect new leadership that prioritizes thoughtful, sustainable development. Team Marathe has had eight years to prove its approach, and the results speak for themselves: development lacking a sustainable vision, traffic congestion, infrastructure degradation and our quality of life spiraling down.

It’s important that residents continue to engage with the community and advocate for the environment.

As a lifelong resident, I’m ready for a change. Our town should not be sacrificed for short-term profits. I want to live in a community that prioritizes green space, environmental preservation, and a balanced approach to growth. I urge you to vote for Singh, Tomar, and Winters. It is time to vote in fresh voices who are determined to listen. Let’s create a sustainable future for West Windsor, together.