Opening of Greenway Meadows Park was a highlight for year.
By: David Campbell
As Princeton Township bids adieu to 2004, elected officials here look back on a year that brought completion to the new downtown public library and results from a deer-management program that used to raise cries of protest from some quarters.
The past year also witnessed the start of a complex public discussion of the University Medical Center at Princeton’s future, and other notable milestones like the official opening of Greenway Meadows Park on the former Robert Wood Johnson estate off Rosedale Road.
"That to me is probably one of the highlights of the town the opening of our new library," Mayor Phyllis Marchand said. "Far and wide I have heard comments about the beauty of it, and its extraordinary programming and staff."
Last March, the Princeton Public Library closed up shop in its temporary headquarters at the Princeton Shopping Center and moved into its new facility in downtown Princeton Borough. It’s named the George and Estelle Sands Building, after the local couple who donated $5 million toward the library’s capital and endowment campaigns.
The old facility off Witherspoon Street closed for good in November 2001 to make way for the new state-of-the-art building, which opened its doors to the public during the celebration of Communiversity in April, and held an official dedication ceremony in May. The township contributed $4 million and the borough $1.9 million toward the new library.
Other Township Committee members concurred with the mayor. Committeeman William Hearon cited the "phenomenal response" from the community to the new library, which he added has been receiving national recognition as well.
"The top of the list as far as I’m concerned was the opening of the new library," agreed Committeeman Bernard Miller. "It’s just a wonderful facility, and it’s great for our community."
Mr. Miller also cited the opening of Greenway Meadows Park for active and passive recreation, and noted that 2004 also witnessed the start of construction of new park facilities at Coventry Farm off The Great Road. Greenway Meadows, which hosts two soccer fields, a women’s softball field, parking and other amenities, formally opened to the public in May.
Other 2004 benchmarks cited by Mr. Miller include the approval of a new shade-tree ordinance; the re-election of Ms. Marchand and election of Lance Liverman to the Township Committee in November; and the success "both in the courts and on the ground" in maintaining the township’s deer population.
Deputy Mayor William Enslin said the township is entering the last year of its five-year deer-management program, which has included lethal culling at bait sites and a pilot birth-control program, having witnessed a reduction of more than 60 percent in deer-motor vehicle accidents, which he said shows it’s been successful.
"We’re well within reach of meeting our five-year objective, and it looks like the immunocontraceptive is working," he said.
The deputy mayor also agreed that 2004 witnessed a marked reduction in controversy from people opposed to the program, which was at times fierce in past years. In turn, he continued, "I think the support for the program in the general community has never been higher because of the results."
Ms. Marchand said the outgoing year also was noteworthy for the start of a public discussion of the future of the hospital site off Witherspoon Street. Princeton HealthCare System is currently weighing whether to replace its existing facilities or relocate to a larger campus in the region. The township and borough have formed a task force that has held several public forums on the topic.
"I think this year the issue of the hospital’s future was really presented to us," Ms. Marchand said. "For the first time, it was really a major presentation for us to consider the options for the hospital whether it stays or moves."
The mayor also said she was pleased with the "extraordinary use" of the township’s new municipal facilities during 2004. "It has been wonderful to come in at night and see every room filled with different groups meeting," she said.
Committeewoman Casey Hegener was not available for comment.

