Princeton Township Committee postpones action, extends public hearing to Dec. 6.
By: David Campbell
The Princeton Township Committee on Monday night tabled a $17,400 bond ordinance for repair and replacement of sidewalks and driveway aprons along the western side of Snowden Lane between Braeburn Drive and Franklin Avenue, extending the public hearing to Dec. 6.
Mayor Phyllis Marchand recommended tabling the bonding measure in order to consider it alongside the related matter of sidewalk installations being contemplated for Snowden Lane between Hamilton and Franklin avenues in the township a proposal that has drawn considerable opposition from township and Princeton Borough residents there.
The mayor said a joint meeting of the committee and the Princeton Borough Council is scheduled for Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. in Borough Hall to discuss the matter of the proposed installation, which crosses jurisdictions.
She said that when the committee takes up both matters at its Dec. 6 meeting, there might be issues raised by the public that affect the planned repairs to be covered under the bonding ordinance. Therefore, the mayor said, it would better to hold off acting on the ordinance until then.
The improvements being contemplated would be done in conjunction with roadway upgrades.
Under the project to be covered by the $17,400 bonding ordinance, which was introduced last month, residents along the westerly stretch would be assessed 75 percent of the repair and replacement costs to be paid back in yearly installments over 10 years, with the township covering the balance.
The subject area consists of about 1,700 linear feet of existing sidewalk between Braeburn Drive and Franklin Avenue, of which 433 feet of sidewalk and 74 feet of driveway aprons need to be replaced. The existing sidewalks date from the late 1960s and early 1970s. The life of the improvements could be from 20 to 50 years, Township Engineer Robert Kiser has said.
The upgrades would link up with a stretch of new sidewalk being considered for Snowden Lane between Hamilton and Franklin avenues in the township. Residents there have said new sidewalks would destroy the rural character of the neighborhood.
Because the proposed installations would border the borough, a dozen borough residents would be assessed for the portions of the sidewalk along their properties. The assessments would range from $1,121 to $4,127. The sidewalks would be built entirely in the township’s right of way.
The Borough Council had introduced a $30,000 bond ordinance for the installation of sidewalks on Snowden Lane where it borders borough properties, but tabled it following outcry from residents.