Committee reviews $4.1 million capital budget.
By: David Campbell
The Princeton Township Committee held a work session Monday night on nearly $4.1 million in capital spending to be approved for 2003, including about $1.4 million in roadway projects.
Proposed spending for road projects this year includes $240,000 for improvements to Princeton-Kingston Road between Poe Road and Carnegie Drive linked to a sewer-line installation there; $300,000 for resurfacing Lambert Drive; and $425,000 for reconstruction of Sycamore Road.
The township engineering department is proposing to spend $100,000 for improvements to Bunn Drive, to be offset by $78,160 from developer Hovnanian; and $300,000 for realignment work on Cherry Valley Road, to be offset with a total of $193,406 in contributions from Pulte Homes and Commerce Bank.
In addition, $70,000 for road-improvement design is proposed for Herrontown Road from Snowden Lane to River Road; $125,000 for a Mercer Road-Princeton Pike overlay, with Mercer County to supply equipment and labor; and $120,000 for overlay work on various streets, according to township budget documents.
The Engineering Department’s total capital budget for road projects this year is about $1.6 million, but with developer and bank contributions, the Township Committee would be approving about $1.4 million in spending by the township.
According to Township Engineer Robert Kiser, his department has been working to repair and replace all of the township’s 99 miles of roads, starting with those most heavily traveled, over a cycle of 25 years.
The capital budget is expected to be introduced at the committee’s May 19 meeting. If approved, the spending would then be authorized through a separate ordinance, said Township Administrator James Pascale.
The total capital budget for 2003 is $6.3 million. That number includes joint spending with Princeton Borough and projects already bonded. The remainder, nearly $4.1 million, still needs approval by the Township Committee.
The proposed capital budget also allots $810,000 for pathway projects, including $650,000 for a Stony Brook pedestrian and bicycle bridge in the vicinity of Jasna Polana, to be offset with nearly $600,000 in federal and state funds; and $600,000 for intersection improvements.
The capital budget allots $523,550 in proposed funding for township police, largely for computer and communications upgrades.
In addition, $200,000 is proposed for general improvements for the Municipal Complex, and $100,000 for lot paving and lighting improvements there.

