Borough Council plays Santa Claus after all.
By: Jennifer Potash
Yes, Borough Merchants for Princeton there is a Santa Claus.
In this case, the role of jolly gift-giver was played by the Princeton Borough Council.
The council agreed Tuesday to fully fund the Borough Merchants’ request for $7,500 for the Old Fashioned Holiday program that includes downtown holiday decorations along Nassau and Witherspoon streets and strolling street musicians and horse-and-carriage rides.
On Oct. 5, the council allocated only $5,000 of the request, citing a tight municipal budget, but encouraged the Borough Merchants to return Tuesday to make a case for the rest of the money.
In the past, the borough had contributed $5,000 to the program, but upped the donation to $7,500 last year as a goodwill gesture in light of the parking problems created by the downtown garage and library construction.
Kathie Morolda, president of the volunteer Borough Merchants group, said the program costs about $12,000 a year, but many corporate donations, as well as contributions from downtown businesses, have fallen off sharply in recent years.
"We’ve had a tough time," she said.
Some council members were reluctant to commit additional borough funds.
"This program is specific to the downtown area but the taxpayers of Princeton Borough are being asked to foot over half of the bill," said Councilman Andrew Koontz.
Borough Councilman David Goldfarb said the problem illustrates the need for a downtown Special Improvement District, which would collect receipts from a special tax on downtown businesses within the district and use them to pay for marketing, beautification and redevelopment projects.
"The cost would be shared equally," he said.
A group of merchants, along with Princeton Future, the nonprofit organization that promotes a holistic approach to downtown planning, is researching the SID issue.
Councilwoman Wendy Benchley lobbied her colleagues to give the Borough Merchants group the additional $2,500, arguing that the borough’s financial health is tied to a successful downtown.
Borough Administrator Robert Bruschi proposed a compromise. He suggested the council earmark the donation $5,000 for the decorations and $2,500 for advertising with the stipulation that the merchants’ group include mention of the borough Spring Street parking garage in their advertising and promotional material. The full $5,000 was included in the borough’s 2004 budget, he said.
"This way we’re getting back something for the money that we’re spending," he said.
The council approved the extra funds with a 5-1 vote, with Mr. Koontz casting the no vote.
Ms. Morolda said the merchants’ group would be delighted to promote the garage in the advertisements.
The council also put the merchants on record not to count on a similar donation next year.