"Very complicated and involved negotiation" cited
By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
Township resident Jill Weiner attended the Princeton Public Library Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday to ask questions about the two municipalities’ discussion on re-implementing the parking subsidy that was canceled in February.
Specifically, “Why the long wait?”
Both mayors responded by repeating their hope that an arrangement will be reached before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Library Director Leslie Burger said library patronage is still on the decline.
In the last several months, library officials have blamed that trend on the cancellation of the subsidy, which occurred because the municipalities’ could not agree on a new cost-sharing formula.
Still, Borough Mayor Mildred Trotman said an agreement isn’t likely to come in time for the November meeting.
Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand said there are a number of factors causing what she called a “very complicated and involved negotiation.”
She added, “Getting people together for meetings is not always as quick as we would like. There are also some financial figures that have to be extrapolated from a larger picture just concerning the garage.”
Now, the township and borough administrators, as well as former library board president Harry Levine, are continuing to meet on a subcommittee level, she said.
Both mayors noted that the any proposed resolution would then have to come before both governing bodies for approval.
Ms. Weiner, who has been in contact with Mayor Marchand about her concerns, said it’s an issue that many residents are worried about.
”This is a town that thrives on the educational part of it. And the library is a very, very big important part of it. We spent a lot of money on it,” she said. “And to not have any parking if you’re coming here for just an hour — other than outside parking or paying for parking here — is not really something that I think that people would like.”
Board President Katherine McGavern said the board appreciates that kind of feedback.
”Public input is very important to us and also lets our elected officials remember that the public is very interested about this issue,” she said.
”Just as long the lines of communication are still open, at least it’s not a lost cause,” Ms. Weiner said.
Mayor Marchand said those lines are indeed still active.
”The bottom line is it hasn’t changed yet. We’re still negotiating,” she said. “Mayor Trotman and I do very often talk about this.”