Township Committee approves budget amendments accounting for more than $2.3 million in grants
By: Courtney Gross
For the Princeton Township Committee on Monday, it was all about accounting.
Approving a number of budget amendments relating to grants of more than $2.3 million, as well as its annual audit, the committee conducted business as usual following the introduction of its hospital-zoning ordinance.
The committee unanimously approved budget amendments centered on grants of $300,000 from Mercer County and $800,000 from the state’s Green Acres Trust that will go toward acquiring portions of the Tusculum property, the former estate of John Witherspoon. A signer of the Declaration of Independence and former Princeton University president when it was known as the College of New Jersey, he resided on the 58-acre property on Cherry Hill Road for 15 years before his death in 1794.
The budget amendments unanimously approved Monday allow the township to expend grant funds that were received throughout the year, Township Administrator James Pascale said.
The other grants that were accepted into the budget on Monday are as follows:
$100,000 from the state Department of Transportation for a walkway on Guyot Avenue.
$984,900 from the state Department of Community Affairs for Elm Court II.
$100,000 from the Department of Transportation for a pathway on Rosedale Road.
$9,200 from the state Department of Law and Public Safety’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety for a child safety and booster seat program.
$54,579 from the state Solid Waste Administration for recycling.
In addition, the committee approved its annual audit along with a supplemental corrective action plan.
The recommendations made by the township’s auditor include monitoring in greater detail the off-duty police trust fund that was overextended in 2005 by $1,855, the township’s Chief Financial Officer Kathryn Shaddow said. The fund is used for police working for outside vendors needing additional police service during sporting or other events.
The auditor also suggested monitoring more efficiently capital fund cash accounts to avoid deficits.
Mayor Phyllis Marchand said Monday the recommendations were standard for any municipality.
Also on Monday, Olivia Applegate, a resident of Random Road, questioned whether township officials will be addressing the flooding that occurs near Harry’s Brook within her neighborhood following a tour of the water-logged area last month.
"We’re not asking you to put the 30 feet (of the bank of Harry’s Brook) that (is) gone" back, Ms. Applegate said. "We’re asking you to protect what’s left."
Committee members and township officials said they were aware of the problem. Township Engineer Robert Kiser said the Flood and Stormwater Management Committee that toured the area would be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss its findings.
But Mr. Kiser said Monday that while the township could technically assist property owners within the flood-prone area, it may not be responsible for covering the cost of damage done on private property.

