Ordinance introduced to appropriate money for design services
By: David Weinstein
Hoping to ensure playing fields are ready for action in the fall of 2001, the Township Committee on Monday night unanimously introduced an ordinance to appropriate an estimated $75,000 for design services relating to the township’s latest open-space acquisition, the Robert Wood Johnson estate.
It is anticipated, the ordinance reads, that Princeton Borough will contribute 31 percent of the total amount, or $23,250.
A public hearing and second reading of the ordinance are scheduled for Dec. 18.
In mid-October, a consortium of private and public entities announced the purchase of the land for the township, which will use money from its open-space fund to aid in the purchase.
And while the township does not yet hold title to the land, the funds appropriated by the ordinance are important, Township Attorney Edwin Schmierer said, "so that during the winter months, park planning can proceed and the development of the park can start."
Closing on the $7.4 million Rosedale Road property is expected in late spring 2001, at which time the township will formally gain 53 acres of park land, about six of which will be playing fields – comprised of two soccer fields and a softball diamond. The rest of the parcel is to become a passive recreation area.
Mayor Phyllis Marchand said Monday night that the township needs to move quickly on the development of those playing fields. Township Engineer Bob Kiser agreed.
"It’s important that the design of those fields be completed soon so that in April or May, we can let the contract so our fields can be completed for the fall of 2001," Mr. Kiser said.
"We don’t want to lose a whole season," Mayor Marchand added.
In other business, the Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution regarding the settlement of a lawsuit concerning Elm Court, a senior rental housing complex that now, because of the settlement, will be expanded by 68 units. Elm Court is currently 88 units.
The litigation was filed in September 1999 by several neighbors living on roads near Elm Court. The defendant was Princeton Community Housing, among others. The lawsuit centered on deed restrictions on property bought by the township to further the project.
The settlement consists of, but is not limited to, the reduction of the number of new units from 74 to 68; the building of those units on only 3 acres of the 4.3 acres in contention – leaving the remaining area as open space; and an agreement for no further expansion on the property.