Letters to the Editor, April 25

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, April 25

Morgan Estates should be denied
To the editor:
   
The following is excerpted from a longer letter to Princeton Township Zoning Board of Adjustment:
   
Morgan Estates LLC’s application seeking use and other variances to construct 98 age-restricted condominium units off Bunn Drive and abutting Governors Lane should be denied. The undersigned is very familiar with construction undertaken in the immediate vicinity since the mid-1980s. This is an extremely difficult site from a number of perspectives. The applicant’s own expert witness used the word "challenging." For an applicant’s civil engineer to so characterize a site immediately begs the question of site suitability and feasibility.
   As a civil engineer, I offer several observations:
   • There has been only sketchy consideration of actual site conditions without benefit of sufficient borings, permeability tests, etc., commonly required to develop a fully engineered site plan. Of course, the claim is this is just a concept and this application does not require such investigation.
   • There will be serious drainage and stormwater compliance issues. Active streams emanate from this site now that did not exist when we moved here in 1989. Adjacent properties are routinely flooded. Last year, after eight days of rain, streets were flooded and, worse still, the huge basin at the foot of Governors Lane was filled to capacity and nearly overtopped the emergency spillway. The offhand notions mentioned by the applicant’s engineer as possible solutions to these issues, such as pervious pavements, groundwater recharge, basins and so forth, are textbook approaches, yet to be demonstrated as applicable to this specific site given extensive rock and shale. The size and location of any basin is of special concern given the heavily forested site and the need to remove many trees and rock. The claim will be only a small basin will be needed; however, water entering the proposed project site from upland as well as the potential runoff originating on the site will have to be accommodated as the history of Governors Lane amply demonstrates. Looking at the site in isolation will not do.
   • The development concept appears to be only a skeleton of a marketable, upscale condo for active adults. Where are the amenities for active adults, where will they be located, and how much additional clearing and impervious surface?
   As to any special reason justifying the extreme variances requested, the developer is grasping at every straw. His hired economist tries valiantly to make the case that the town will make a small tax revenue gain in the school budget due to limits on children. The need for senior housing crept in. The witness for the project conveniently ignored the fact that this site was not included in the designated senior overlay zone in the township after extensive investigation. Why? Because it was not deemed suitable compared to other sites.
   Finally, to sell the project, the concept plan stretches beyond a credible limit the preservation of the forest canopy characteristic of the area. The first concept even showed green space preserved that was actually outside the project limits. Further, no basin was shown as cleared area. Last, forest was shown so close to buildings that there was insufficient space to accommodate heavy construction equipment to erect the buildings, let alone clear areas for placement of utilities and underground storm drains that probably will be required.
   This application should be denied.
John Clearwater
Governors Lane
Princeton
Goerner backed in primary race
To the editor:
   
I am writing to voice my support for Chad Goerner for Princeton Township Committee in the June 6 primary.
   All the talk of Princeton being a one-party town has practically ignored the fact that having a contested Democratic primary election this year is a great opportunity for our party and for our township. Instead of being forced to pull the lever (or push the button, these days) for the same old ideas, this year we have the ability to make a real difference in the person we chose to send as our candidate for Princeton Township Committee.
   We need a new face on the Township Committee — someone who has creative ideas and brings a new perspective, someone with the financial acumen to help keep our spending in check and to balance the growth of our community with the affordable housing needs of our seniors and low-income families.
   I believe that someone is Chad Goerner, and I strongly urge you to vote for him June 6.
Kathleen Hutchins
Duffield Place
Princeton
Sustainability presents challenges
To the editor:
   
The Whole Earth Center is honored to have received the Princeton Environmental Commission’s first Sustainable Princeton Leadership Award. Our deep gratitude goes to the commission and to the Princeton-area residents who nominated us for this award.
   When we started 36 years ago, we never dreamed how far we as a nation and a community would have come in embracing organic agriculture, fair trade, reuse and recycling, and many of the other environmental and social issues that inspired our start.
   But success has created new challenges. Increased demand for organic foods has led to the industrialization of organic agriculture, which threatens the livelihood of many of the small to medium-sized farms that started this movement. Rising demand for environmentally friendly alternatives has led to rising confusion over which products and companies are truly green. And consolidation and standardization are bankrupting small businesses and homogenizing the American landscape.
   In the face of these challenges, we remain committed to being a store where Princeton residents can use their food dollars to support small-scale local organic farmers; reward farmers who commit to feeding their cattle only on grass, never on grain; buy only cruelty-free body care products; reduce the miles that organic foods travel and the extensive packaging that accompanies it on that journey; and fund environmental education and activism within the local community.
   Sustainability reflects a deep commitment to the health and wellbeing of future generations. Princeton, with our pedestrian-friendly town center, fertile farmland, community of locally owned businesses, and forward-thinking residents and government, has the potential to become a national leader in sustainable living. The challenges are many, but we look forward to working with our community to make that dream a reality.
Laura Huntsman
Herbert Mertz
Barbara Parmet
Susanna Waterman
Whole Earth Center Board of Trustees
Nassau Street
Princeton
Needle exchange sends wrong message
To the editor:
   
Gov. Corzine is pushing needle giveaway programs for drug addicts. The concept is that if addicts get clean needles, it will cut the spread of AIDS because they will not share dirty needles. This will only cause more public health problems and divert resources from better methods of preventing AIDS.
   AIDS is transmitted primarily through high-risk sexual contact, even among intravenous drug users. Contrary to prior assumptions, a recently released 10-year study found that the biggest predictor of AIDS infection for drug users is high-risk sexual behavior, not sharing needles. High-risk homosexual activity was the most significant factor in AIDS transmission for men and high-risk heterosexual activity the most significant for women.
   Treatment should be our priority. Treatment and education reduce drug use as well as AIDS transmission. We need to provide treatment and education for those addicted to drugs. Needle giveaways should not be funded at the expense of treatment and education and other public health measures.
   Supporting needle exchange programs will send the wrong message to our children. Provision of needles to addicts will encourage drug use. Government needle giveaways are inconsistent with the goals of our state youth-oriented anti-drug campaign.
David G. Evans
Executive Director
Drug-Free Schools Coalition
Main Street
Flemington
Make summer special for inner-city kids
To the editor:
   
Each year, families and individuals in Princeton make summer special for inner-city children from New York City as volunteers for The Fresh Air Fund. As National Volunteer Week approaches, I would like to give my deepest thanks to our Fresh Air heroes: dedicated hosts, volunteers and supporters. Year after year, they demonstrate their compassion and concern for the well-being of others by their commitment to New York City children from low-income neighborhoods.
   Our caring Fresh Air host families open their homes and share the everyday joys of summertime with their Fresh Air guests. Our local volunteer leaders — many of whom are also hosts — give by serving on our local Friendly Town Committee, planning summer activities, raising funds for special events, publicizing the program and interviewing prospective host families. I would also like to thank all individuals and businesses that have generously given their time and resources to make the Friendly Town program throughout this area a great success each summer.
   The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children since 1877. For more information on how you can help to continue this wonderful tradition of volunteering, please call Betsy Bloemeke at (609) 448-1027 or The Fresh Air Fund at (800) 367-0003.
Amanda Cortese
Director of Public Relations
The Fresh Air Fund
New York