Downtown merchants voice concerns over garbage

Disagreement over whether a special improvement district is best way of solving problem

By: Marjorie Censer
   Several dozen Princeton Borough merchants, council members and residents agreed Monday that garbage disposal in the downtown is a significant problem — but disagreed on whether a special improvement district was the best way to solve the problem.
   The group, convened at a meeting to discuss the potential implementation of a SID, did not come to a conclusion but offered several ways garbage collection might be improved — with or without a SID. Attendees discounted the other potential benefits of a SID, such as marketing.
   Under the SID concept, receipts from a special tax on downtown businesses within the district would pay for marketing, beautification and redevelopment projects.
   Many at the meeting said Princeton is already well-known and attracts numerous visitors annually. The problem, they said, is keeping the downtown clean and attractive for customers.
   Jack Morrison, owner of Blue Point Grill, Nassau Seafood Co. and the yet-to-open Witherspoon Grill, said a SID could be in charge of cleaning and beautifying the downtown.
   "You have to think about what is their experience when they pull in on Nassau Street and get out of the car," Mr. Morrison said, referring to visitors. "I think it’s worthwhile."
   Councilman David Goldfarb said the creation of a SID would make coordinating garbage collection easy.
   "Even if that’s all a SID does, I think it’s a major step forward for the town," Mr. Goldfarb said.
   Other attendees said the SID could also facilitate signage for visitors and could unify the merchants into a single voice.
   But some said a SID was not necessary — particularly in a community where business appears to be thriving.
   The downtown was packed with people last weekend, said Leo Arons, owner of The Gilded Lion.
   "If it’s ain’t broke, don’t fix it," Mr. Arons said. "Right now, I think we’ve got a very successful business community."
   Barry Weisfeld, owner of the Princeton Record Exchange, said garbage collection should not be the only reason to create a SID and also discounted the marketing a SID might do.
   "Really, businesses need to learn how to do their own marketing," he said. "I don’t know how the town can take responsibility for that."
   Before creating a SID, Jan Weinberg, owner of Weinberg Management, said the borough should focus on enforcing garbage laws — and the merchants should put pressure on the Borough Council to accomplish that. He explained that the borough has ordinances against leaving trash out on the sidewalks.
   "We have laws, we have police," he said. "I think we have the wherewithal in this town to get that done."
   Even though many spoke against a SID, Frank Armenante, owner of the Alchemist & Barrister property, said creating one is harmless — it could be funded on an as-needed basis.
   "It may not be necessary right now," he said. But it could be formed and run on a volunteer basis until member property owners see a problem arise that requires a funded SID.
   Borough Administrator Robert Bruschi said he will summarize the night’s meeting and pass on the information to Borough Council members — most of whom attended the meeting.