Safety concerns are cited in aftermath of two recent accidents near Princeton High School.
By: David Campbell
The Princeton Regional Board of Education will decide if it wants to weigh in on a proposal by Princeton Township to install sidewalks on a portion of Snowden Lane along the Princeton Borough border, a plan that has some neighbors up in arms.
At the school board’s meeting Tuesday night, member Joshua Leinsdorf proposed a resolution in support of new sidewalks on Snowden Lane, a motion that was seconded by member Michael Mostoller.
But following a brief deliberation by the school board, Mr. Leinsdorf agreed to withdraw his resolution until the board’s January meeting to give members some time to confer with elected officials in the township and borough.
In making his case, Mr. Leinsdorf referred to two recent incidents of district students being hit by motor vehicles while crossing the street in the vicinity of Princeton High School. He urged the board to take the "responsible leadership position" that he claimed the Princeton officials haven’t.
"I think the governing bodies should be prodded," Mr. Leinsdorf said.
But Terry Kehoe-Walker, parent teacher organization president at Littlebrook Elementary School, said the presence of sidewalks did not prevent the accidents. She said the youngsters had stepped off the sidewalk into the street when they were hit.
Board President Anne Burns said, "I’m generally in favor of sidewalks," but said she would like more information before the board makes a decision whether to weigh in on Snowden Lane. Ms. Burns said talks should be held with municipal officials "to make sure we’re considering all our options."
Earlier this month, the Township Committee and the Borough Council held a joint meeting to try to resolve the contentious issue of installing sidewalks on a portion of Snowden Lane as part of roadwork there.
The council took no action, and the committee deadlocked in a split vote on an ordinance introduction that would have authorized construction of the sidewalks. The issue is expected to be taken up again, however. Mayor Phyllis Marchand was absent from the joint meeting.
Among the concerns weighed by the divided committee members who did vote was the need for greater pedestrian safety on Snowden Lane with sidewalks versus preserving neighborhood character without them. Committee members said they were open to investigating other solutions.
The subject area is Snowden Lane between Hamilton and Franklin avenues in the township. The project would be built entirely in Princeton Township. But because it would be on the borough border, about a dozen borough residents with properties fronting on Snowden Lane would be affected.
Several months ago, the Borough Council introduced a companion $30,000 bond ordinance for the installation of the sidewalks where they would border the borough properties, but tabled it indefinitely following outcry from residents.
The township has proposed to do the work as part of a street and sidewalk improvement project, but a dozen borough residents would be assessed for the portions of the sidewalk bordering their properties. The assessments range from $1,121 to $4,127.

