Councilman Dan Weiss, West Windsor NJ

05/29/2026

Earlier this week I had the honor of serving as the keynote speaker at the West Windsor-Plainsboro School Climate & Culture Summit.

The event brought together educators, counselors, administrators, and student leaders from across the district to focus on something that matters deeply: creating school environments where students feel safe, respected, supported, and like they truly belong.

In my remarks, I spoke about vulnerability, resilience, identity, empathy, and the importance of creating spaces where young people feel safe being themselves. I also reflected on some very personal experiences from my own life and how those experiences shaped the way I think about belonging and community.

I was deeply moved by the response and incredibly grateful for the thoughtful conversations that followed throughout the day.

At a time when the world can often feel loud, divided, and uncertain, I continue to believe that kindness, empathy, and human connection matter more than ever.

I shared some reflections from the event on my website:

Supporting School Climate, Belonging, and Student Well-Being: Reflections on the West Windsor-Plainsboro School Climate & Culture Summit, where educators, counselors, administrators, and student leaders came together to strengthen school climate, inclusion, and student well-being. The event highligh...

05/28/2026

This week, I had the privilege of joining the Windsor-Hightstown Area Ministerium for a thoughtful conversation about elections, civic trust, and the role faith and community leaders can play in helping residents feel informed, prepared, and steady.

The discussion was not about politics or partisanship. It was about how trusted community voices can help reduce anxiety, share accurate information, and strengthen confidence in the democratic process.

I left encouraged by the care, seriousness, and sense of responsibility these leaders bring to our community.

A healthy civic culture does not begin at the polling place. It begins in the relationships we build long before Election Day.

Read the full reflection here:

A reflection on a meaningful conversation with local faith leaders about elections, civic trust, and the role trusted community voices can play in helping residents feel informed, prepared, and steady. The discussion focused not on politics, but on how neighbors can reduce anxiety, share accurate in...

05/21/2026

What’s on the agenda for Tuesday’s Township Council meeting (May 26)?

If you don’t regularly follow Township meetings, here’s a quick overview of several items residents may want to know about:

100 Years of Service Proclamation
Council will recognize Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company #1 for 100 years of service to the community. The proclamation honors a century of volunteer firefighting, emergency response, and public service in West Windsor.

Brush and Leaf Collection Discussion
Council will hold a discussion regarding a Department of Public Works proposal related to brush and leaf collection services. This is expected to focus on operations, logistics, and potential future changes to when these services are provided. Residents who care about yard waste collection and neighborhood maintenance may want to follow this discussion closely.

Village Road West Emergency Repairs
Council will consider authorizing emergency pavement repairs on Village Road West and New Village Road following roadway issues that required immediate attention.

Neighborhood Security Camera Agreement
A proposed agreement with the Estates at Princeton Junction HOA would support installation of license plate reader camera systems and equipment.

Technology and Software Investments
Several resolutions involve renewing and purchasing municipal software systems and subscriptions used for Township operations and services.

Community and Recreation Items
Other agenda items include:
• Appointments to Township boards and commissions
• Clean Communities grant funding
• Mercer County 250th anniversary mini-grant funding
• Agreements for outside swim teams and summer camps to use WaterWorks facilities

Public comment is open during the meeting, and residents are encouraged to participate either in person or by watching the livestream.

Township Council meetings are where many of the operational, infrastructure, and community decisions affecting daily life in West Windsor take place. If any of these topics impact you, it’s worth tuning in.

05/15/2026

There is finally a clearer path forward regarding the Clarksville Road bridge closure.

This week, NJDOT presented the results of its engineering evaluation and outlined an interim repair strategy that would reopen the bridge in a limited one-lane configuration with alternating traffic flow controlled by signals.

NJDOT estimates the interim repair project may take approximately 9 months due to the complexity of working above Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor rail lines and the limited outage windows available for construction work.

Importantly, NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain has now designated the project as a high priority and authorized overtime and weekend work to help accelerate progress.

In my latest update, I summarize:
• the proposed interim repair plan
• the expected timeline
• the role of Amtrak coordination
• the status of the permanent replacement project
• and what residents should expect moving forward

Follow the link for the full story.

After months of inspections and delays, NJDOT has identified an interim repair strategy for the Clarksville Road bridge that would restore limited traffic flow using alternating one-lane operations. State officials estimate repairs may take 270–365 days, while permanent replacement planning contin...

04/24/2026

What’s on the agenda for Monday’s Township Council meeting (April 27, 7pm)?

If you don’t follow Township business closely, here’s a quick summary of the key items being considered:

*Clarksville Road Bridge*
Council will vote on a resolution urging the State to fund the reopening and replacement of the Clarksville Road bridge. This continues ongoing efforts to push for progress on a closure that has impacted traffic, safety, and local businesses.

*Parking rules update (Public Hearing)*
There will be a public hearing on changes to parking enforcement at the Princeton Junction train station. Highlights include:
• Requirement to keep your license plate visible for enforcement cameras
• New fines for parking in the wrong lot (“zone errors”)
• More flexible mobile payment options

The goal is more consistent and efficient enforcement, but it’s an important opportunity for residents to ask questions and share feedback.

*Infrastructure and road improvements*
Several resolutions authorize engineering and design work for:
• Harris Road improvements
• Cranbury Road sidewalks (Phase 3)
• Annual road improvement program
• Village Road West project

These are early steps that move projects toward construction.

*Local operations and services*
Other items include:
• Renovations to WaterWorks facilities
• A temporary Health Officer services agreement
• New online payment processing for Health Department fees
• Appointment to the Affordable Housing Committee

Want to weigh in?
Public comment is open at the meeting, and residents are encouraged to participate. You can attend in person or watch live online.

04/23/2026

For some young people, this is the only prom where they can truly be themselves.

Last year, I had the chance to attend HiTOPS Q***r Prom at the Arts Council of Princeton. It is hard to fully capture what it felt like to be in that room.

There was joy. You could see people relax into themselves. There was a real sense of belonging.

I helped organize part of the evening’s entertainment, including performances by drag artists. For many of the youth in attendance, it was their first time experiencing that kind of live performance or connecting with artists in that space. It was fun, expressive, and genuinely empowering.

More recently, one of the performers who volunteered their time reached out and asked if they could come back again this year. That tells you everything about the impact of this event.

HiTOPS is organizing this year’s Q***r Prom on May 29 in Princeton, and they need community support to make it happen.

If you are able, please consider contributing:
https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/hitops/hitops-queer-prom

Not able to sponsor? You can help by donating from their wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2N0LLHXQZEUYA/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

And if you know a young person who would benefit from attending, you can find details and tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-topia-hitops-queer-prom-tickets-1984560222047?aff=dw

Every share helps too.

https://www.danweissnj.com/post/hitops-prom-2026

HiTOPS Q***r Prom returns to Princeton this May. Support a safe, inclusive celebration for LGBTQ+ youth ages 11–18 where they can show up fully and freely.

04/20/2026

New Jersey has made voting more convenient.

You can now apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot online for the June 2 Primary Election.

The process is quick and straightforward.
Apply here: https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-by-mail.shtml

A few things to keep in mind:
• The deadline to apply is May 26
• Apply early to avoid any delays
• Secure ballot drop boxes are available across Mercer County and are a reliable way to return your ballot

For Primary elections, you must be registered with a political party to participate. If you are unaffiliated, you can declare a party when you apply.

Making a plan to vote is the most important step.

https://www.danweissnj.com/post/online-vote-by-mail-application

A new online Vote-by-Mail application system is now available in New Jersey, making it easier for residents to participate in the June 2 Primary. Find out how to apply, important deadlines, and options for securely returning your ballot.

04/15/2026

If you use parking at the Princeton Junction train station this is worth a look.

The Township Council has introduced an ordinance to update parking enforcement rules for areas managed by the West Windsor Parking Authority. The proposed changes reflect newer technology and aim to improve consistency and clarity in how parking is managed.

Some of the updates include:

• A $35 fee if a license plate is not visible for scanning
• A $35 fee for parking in the wrong lot or zone
• Expanded mobile payment options
• Clarification of existing enforcement rules

The ordinance was introduced on April 13, and a public hearing is scheduled for April 27.

This is an opportunity for residents and commuters to learn more about the proposal and share feedback before a final decision is made.

Follow the link for more information about the proposed ordinance update.

This is an opportunity for residents and commuters to learn more about the proposal and share feedback before a final decision is made.

West Windsor has introduced updates to parking enforcement rules that could impact daily commuters. The proposed ordinance addresses license plate scanning, parking zone errors, and mobile payments. A public hearing is scheduled for April 27, and residents are encouraged to review the changes and sh...

04/01/2026

Every year at Passover, I return to a story written by my great uncle, Josef “Jupp” Weiss.

It is not a story told around a comfortable table.
It is a story of a Seder in 1945, in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

I carry that story not just as memory, but as instruction.

If the lesson of Passover is liberation, then it cannot be selective.

If the lesson of our history is survival, then it cannot come at the cost of another people’s survival.

And if we remember what it means to be dehumanized, then we are obligated to resist that dehumanization wherever it appears.

Memory, on its own, is not enough.
What matters is what we do with it.

I wrote more about this, and about what this story asks of us now.

I carry the story of my great uncle not just as memory, but as instruction. That instruction leads to a place that is not always comfortable to say out loud: “Never again” cannot mean only for us. If the lesson of Passover is liberation, then it cannot be selective. If the lesson of our history ...

03/26/2026

I believe government should serve people and strengthen our communities.

What we’re seeing right now raises important questions about where we’re headed.

The use of ICE agents at Newark Airport during a DHS shutdown is being framed as a temporary fix. But it reflects something bigger.

A shift in how government operates.
From public service to enforcement.
From helping people to exercising control.

I wrote more about why this matters:

What’s happening at Newark Airport reflects a broader change in how government operates and how taxpayer dollars are spent.At Newark Liberty International Airport, travelers are accustomed to long lines, security checkpoints, and the familiar routines of modern air travel.What they should not expe...

03/20/2026

At the March 9 Township Council meeting, the Council approved a zoning change allowing a stand-alone car wash in the B-2A Neighborhood Center district. I was the only member of Council to vote no.

My vote was based on concerns about consistency with the Township’s Master Plan. But something else happened that evening that deserves attention.

Several residents took the time to speak thoughtfully and respectfully about their concerns. Participating in local government takes time and effort, and our community is stronger when people are engaged. Unfortunately, the tone used to respond to some of those residents did not always reflect that same level of respect.

When residents ask questions about a policy decision, they deserve clear answers about the policy itself, not criticism of the people raising the questions.

I’ve written more about the vote, what happened during the meeting, and why it matters how we treat residents who share their perspectives.

Follow the link to read the full article.

What do you think respectful public discussion should look like in our community?

When residents ask questions about a policy decision, they deserve clear answers about the policy itself, not criticism of the people asking the questions. A healthy public discussion focuses on the issue at hand. When it shifts from policy to attacking the people raising questions, the purpose of t...