Large, overarching themes ran through township agendas this year
By: Rachel Silverman
Large, overarching themes such as the environment versus development, and services versus savings ran through Princeton Township agendas this year.
Environmentalists clashed with developers in September, when the Regional Planning Board of Princeton heard and approved a major housing development on Bunn Drive.
The "Four Seasons at Princeton" project, slated to begin construction in 2006, will bring 140 age-restricted condominiums to a 21-acre tract next to Hilltop Park. While housing advocates strongly supported the plan, which will bring much-needed senior housing to the township, environmentally minded residents decried what they said was the degradation of the sensitive Princeton Ridge area. The application passed in a 7-3 vote.
Another major development on Bunn Drive for 98 age-restricted housing units near Princeton Community Village and the Governors Lane development also began hearings in September. The application was delayed, and it is expected to reappear before the Zoning Board of Adjustment in January.
Land use also was a hot issue with Stephen Distler’s proposed jazz club at Route 206 and Birch Avenue, which withstood a series of heated hearings earlier this year. While Mr. Distler and his associates argued the club would allow residents to enjoy a combination bar, restaurant and music venue, opponents cited impacts on neighborhood quality of life. The club’s application is expected to resurface in 2006.
Development-environment interfaces also had a trickle-down effect from the state level, with New Jersey forging ahead with clean-water legislation. An effort to protect water quality, the new law requires all 566 municipalities in New Jersey to assume some version of a stormwater management plan.
The township adopted a flood-mitigation plan in September. Compiled by the Princeton Township Flood and Stormwater Management Committee, the plan outlines flooding issues in the municipality and recommends a number of measures to mitigate the damage.
Township officials turned theory into practice in December, passing a policy initiative limiting the amount of impervious or paved surface permitted on residential lots. It also requires homeowners who want to go above a certain threshold to construct drainage retention devices, such as drywells, detention basins, pipes and underground tanks.
In addition, a new leaf-and-brush collection program emerged from the stormwater overhaul. The program, adopted in March, offers specific collection times for each neighborhood in the township. It also mandates collection rules and landscaper registration with the municipality.
Development processes took shape on Route 206 in November, when township residents aired safety, traffic and neighborhood-preservation concerns to a team of experts. A $100,000 Route 206 review, funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, will continue problem-solving with neighbors through the new year.
Infrastructure development namely, sidewalk construction and roadwork emerged in a big way this year. Though some neighbors, such as those on Snowden Lane, did not take kindly to the "improvements," the township continues to work toward its goal of a creating a more walkable, bikable Princeton community.
Roadwork this year included the largest road and construction enterprise to date an $8 million overhaul.
Environmental issues re-engaged residents in September, when the Township Committee approved another season of bow hunting for deer in select municipal parks.
Then in December, the township renewed its deer-culling contract with White Buffalo. This latest round will include a continued immunocontraceptive program, as well as sharp-shooting and net-and-bolting practices. The $60,000 contract comes on the heels of a controversial five-year deer-management program, which aimed to reduce the deer population to 20 animals per square mile. Beginning in March, White Buffalo will cull roughly 150 animals.
Monetary prudence became another underlying theme in Princeton Township this year, as officials sought to balance municipal services with municipal checkbooks.
In May, the Township Committee unanimously adopted a $29.8 million budget a spending package that, although it was $400,000 less than last year’s, still boosted the tax rate in the township by about 10 percent.
These figures took center stage at election season, with Republican challengers Gordon Bryant and Thomas Pyle calling for increased fiscal responsibility. A newly formed watchdog group the Princeton Taxpayers Association also joined in the chorus. On election night, however, Democratic candidates Bernie Miller and Vicky Bergman claimed victory, retaining the party’s 5-0 hold on the governing body.
Monetary issues headlined again with the Police Department, as officials dealt with recommendations of a $100,000 police-efficiency study. The study, unveiled in June, suggested the municipality could reap significant cost savings by reducing its rank and file. Specifically, it suggested that up to $3 million could be pocketed by eliminating seven positions one lieutenant, two sergeants, one detective and three officers from the force.
In November, township officials started to institute these changes, asking its 35-officer police force to slim down by four. Though initially subject to harsh criticism by the municipality’s police union, a compromise deal was struck. The terms of this negotiation took layoffs off the table. Instead, the department will slim down to 31 entirely through attrition.
A leadership change of guard also followed the reorganization, with Police Chief Anthony Gaylord, who had been at his current post for 12 years, leaving the department and Capt. Mark Emann filling the vacancy on an acting basis.
Another $70,000 police study analyzing the possibility of joint dispatching services between the Princetons is slated for review in the coming year.

