Another nominee, Kevin Wilkes, was disqualified
By: Marjorie Censer
The Princeton Borough Council appointed Barbara Trelstad to serve a roughly one-month term on council Tuesday after nominee Kevin Wilkes was disqualified earlier in the day.
The Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee had nominated Anne Waldron Neumann, Ms. Trelstad and Mr. Wilkes for the vacant council seat and highly recommended Mr. Wilkes to fill the vacancy. But Borough Attorney Michael Herbert told council members Tuesday they would be unable to appoint Mr. Wilkes.
Though he now lives on MacLean Street in a home he bought in July 2005 Mr. Wilkes lived in Montgomery Township temporarily, after he sold his home on Cleveland Lane in July 2004. New Jersey state law requires elected officials to reside in the "local unit" in which they serve for at least one year before the appointment is made.
Members of Borough Council criticized the law.
"Clearly, the law is intended to prevent carpetbagging," Councilman Andrew Koontz said. "What we’re seeing here is because of this particular law a candidate who has as deep roots in this community as many of us behind the dais has been disqualified."
Mr. Wilkes apologized to the council and said he would remain involved in civic life.
"I’m deeply grateful for the support the Democratic Committee gave me, and I assure you I will keep trying to do good things for the town," he said.
The council voted 3-2 to appoint Ms. Trelstad’s after a question-and-answer period with both candidates.
Both Ms. Neumann and Ms. Trelstad emphasized the need to increase Princeton University’s financial contribution to the borough and said they support affordable housing in the borough.
Members of the council posed tough questions grilling the two candidates on specific ways to get more funding from the university and asking how they would reduce the burden on borough taxpayers.
"We can talk about all the wonderful conversations we should be having with the university," said Councilman Roger Martindell. "But it doesn’t pay. Where’s the beef?"
Ms. Neumann told Mr. Martindell and the other council members she would like to use the possibility of a special improvement district in the borough and the state Council on Affordable Housing regulations as "legal wedges" to force the university’s hand.
Ms. Trelstad said she would like to make a thorough list of the costs imposed on the borough by the university, as well as the various ways in which the university offers financial support.
"I said I had no magic answers and I certainly can’t be a savior but I can help brainstorm ideas," Ms. Trelstad said.
Councilwomen Wendy Benchley and Peggy Karcher and Mr. Koontz voted to appoint Ms. Trelstad, while Councilman David Goldfarb and Mr. Martindell backed Ms. Neumann.
Mayor Mildred Trotman said she was glad she did not have a vote.
"The choice is just too difficult from where I sit," she said.
Ms. Trelstad will be sworn into office at the council’s Dec. 6 meeting and will serve until Dec. 31 when Mayor Trotman’s previous term expires.
The Democratic Municipal Committee will then appoint three nominees again, and the council will again appoint one of those nominees to serve the start of Mrs. Trotman’s new unexpired council term which she won last month. In November 2006, there will be an election for the remaining two years in that unexpired term.

