Marchand set for a repeat as mayor

Leadership is expected to stay the same

By: David Campbell
   The leadership of Princeton Township is expected to stay the same in 2003.
   Mayor Phyllis Marchand will likely be selected by her fellow Township Committee members at the township’s annual reorganization meeting Sunday to serve another year as mayor.
   Mayor Marchand was unavailable for comment Thursday, but according to Deputy Mayor William Enslin, "I think there’s an excellent chance she’ll be reappointed.
   "I will second her nomination," Mr. Enslin continued. "She has done a great job."
   Mr. Enslin said he couldn’t comment on whether his colleagues on the Township Committee will select him to serve as deputy mayor again this year. But he said he has not heard his fellow committee members express interest in the job, and indicated he would welcome the opportunity to serve again as deputy mayor.
   Committeeman Leonard Godfrey said Mayor Marchand will likely be selected by her colleagues to serve another year.
   "I think so, because she’s done a very good job," Mr. Godfrey said. "She’s hardworking, she knows the stuff. It’s fair to say she will be reappointed."
   Committeewoman Casey Hegener and Committeeman Bernard Miller were not available for comment Thursday.
   The township is scheduled to hold its reorganization meeting at noon Sunday at the Township Hall, with a dedication ceremony for the new municipal building to follow.
   Mr. Enslin, who won re-election in November, will be sworn in to a second three-year term. Mr. Miller, who was appointed in July to complete Steven Frakt’s term and won election in November, is scheduled to be sworn in for his first three-year term.
   Mr. Enslin said a goal for the coming year will be to work with the school district and members of a planned blue-ribbon panel to decide the best use for the Valley Road building site once the schools are finished using it for "swing space" during their systemwide construction upgrades.
   Another goal, he said, will be to follow through on a recommendation by the Princeton Parks Task Force to restructure the Joint Recreation Department into the Joint Recreation and Parks Department, and create a parks manager position to oversee the Princeton community’s 36 parks.
   Mr. Enslin said he would also like to see more management training by the township’s supervisory staff.
   Mr. Godfrey said his personal goals for the coming year will be to work with Princeton Borough over financing of joint agencies and schools, noting that he believed township residents pay more than their fair share.
   The future use of the Valley Road building site and the possibility of a school district referendum to raise more money for a rehabilitation and expansion program at the high school are also issues that demand attention in the coming year, Mr. Godfrey said.