By Lauren Otis, Staff Writer
Princeton Borough Council backed off purchasing three new police vehicles and a Mercedes-Benz Smart Car for use in parking enforcement following a merchant’s plea for policymakers to look at cheaper alternatives.
”Why are we replacing vehicles when tax money is so tight?” Henry Landau of Landau clothing on Nassau Street asked the council at its Tuesday night meeting. “When there is a blown engine, replace the blown engine.”
The total purchase price for the Smart Car the borough was contemplating acquiring was $15,056 according to a retail order distributed at the meeting. Mr. Landau said the municipality of Belmar, where he keeps a boat, uses all-electric vehicles for parking enforcement at a cost of $8,000 to $8,500 per vehicle.
”Here is something that is nonpolluting, that costs less than a Smart vehicle,” Mr. Landau said of the electric vehicles. Smart Cars have two seats, requiring the parking enforcement officer to exit the vehicle into traffic, and are wide enough so they block the traffic lane when stopped, Mr. Landau said. “How is that a smart vehicle for doing what you wanted to do?” he asked.
In an email following the meeting, Borough Administrator Robert Bruschi said the approximate price of the current Cushman Go-4 vehicles used for parking enforcement is between $24,000 and $28,000.
He said the borough did look into the electrical vehicle Mr. Landau mentioned but it was not road worthy. “We would need to add significant options such as but not limited to lights, mirrors, bumpers, heater, seatbelts, charger systems and upgrade the electrical to provide for the overhead lights etc. When all is said and done it would be well over $20,000,” he said.
Mr. Bruschi said Princeton University does operate several of the electric type vehicles so the borough will follow-up on their success with them, but would likely continue to strongly recommend moving forward with the purchase of a Smart Car.
”We know that it can work in our situation. It also would have some residual value to other departments when it is done service in the enforcement department,” he said of the Smart Car.
Noting that he can replace the engine and drive train of his boat and “have a brand new boat,” Mr. Landau also questioned replacing municipal vehicles which might simply need a mechanical overhaul.
”As a taxpayer I don’t mind spending the money but let’s spend it wisely,” he said.
The borough was contemplating purchasing a 2009 Dodge Durango for $20,695 and two 2009 Ford Crown Victorias for $21,738 each for the police force.
”I share Mr. Landau’s concerns,” said Councilwoman Barbara Trelstad. She made a motion to table the resolutions for vehicle purchases until Mr. Bruschi could supply council with more information on why the vehicles needed replacement and whether there were alternatives.
Councilman David Goldfarb said council should review the borough’s whole fleet, and fleet repair and replacement policy, while it had the opportunity.
Ms. Trelstad’s motion was adopted unanimously, with Council President Andrew Koontz absent.
”Mr. Bruschi do you get what has been suggested by Mr. Landau?” said Borough Mayor Mildred Trotman.
”Absolutely,” Mr. Bruschi replied.
Also at the meeting, Borough Council unanimously adopted an ordinance which would increase plumbing, smoke/heat detector, fire sprinkler and other extinguisher system fees as part of new construction, renovation and repair projects. The fees were uniformly increased approximately 10 percent.
At a Jan. 29 Borough Council budget workshop Councilman Kevin Wilkes had noted the borough’s fees for rehabilitation work appeared lower than surrounding municipalities, and offered to look into the feasibility of increasing construction fees as a way of generating more income for the borough.
In an interview, Mr. Wilkes said that after working with Martin Vogt, the borough’s construction code official, it turned out that state regulations required permit fees and construction department expenditures to be in line, and fees could not be raised arbitrarily to generate municipal income. There did appear to be some leeway to increase certain fees related to plumbing and fire systems, which typically account for less than 20 percent of building projects, Mr. Wilkes said, noting “it will bring a modest amount of additional income” to the construction department.
Borough Council additionally adopted a resolution to pay Edgewater Design LLC, based in Milburn, $18,000 to complete design drawings and other work in preparation for bids to be put out for the rehabilitation of Harrison Street Park. Edgewater Design had previously received $22,295 from the borough to create a rehabilitation plan for the park and had come up with a plan estimated to cost $850,000.
At its Feb.17 meeting Borough Council had agreed to go forward with the Harrison Street Park rehabilitation, but break it up into pieces because the current budgetary environment precluded funding the full $850,000 renovation at once.

