By: centraljersey.com
With the New Year around the corner, there are many issues that will impact Princeton Borough and Township coming to a head in 2011. Most are issues that have captured the attention of and involve both communities, like the Community Park Pool and possible municipal consolidation or more shared services.
With such large issues, it will not be an easy year for either town.
Consolidation/ Shared Services
"Topic number one," said Andrew Koontz, outgoing Borough Council president. "Huge topic for next year, if all goes according to schedule, it will be on the ballot in November 2011."
"Joint consolidation and shared services are uppermost in my mind," said borough Mayor Mildred Trotman, who also serves on the commission. "I think it’s something most people will be talking about and I hope we can get everything done so we can get it on the ballot in November."
"This is the most important issue in the year ahead," agreed Roger Martindell, borough councilman. "I see more advantage to consolidation than increased shared services between the two Princeton municipalities."
The next step in the process is completion of the baseline report, said Chad Goerner, deputy mayor of Princeton Township and member of the Joint Shared Services/Consolidation Commission. "It gives us the initial building blocks for the next round of planning, which will involve examining the options that are available through consolidation or shared services. The committee will also be broadening its community engagement for more feedback."
Many officials from both towns are looking forward to hearing the work of the commission, hoping for financial savings and increased efficiencies.
The Joint Services Consolidation Commission will make presentations to the public on Jan. 26 and at Princeton Future’s March meeting.
In addition to considering the consolidation of the borough and the township, the commission is looking at the possibility of more shared services, particularly the police and public works departments.
"Increased shared services can also be achieved by finding opportunities to share with county governments and other nearby municipalities," said Mr. Martindell.
Politics
Politics will have a large role in the future of the two municipalities this year. A mayoral race will take place in the borough with it’s council form of government where the mayor is elected by the voters.
"There will be a mayoral race at the same time the consolidation issue could be a ballot question, and those two items on the ballot together will make consolidation a very hot topic next year," said Mr. Koontz.
"My health will dictate the future of politics with me," said Mayor Trotman, who will decide about another run for mayor in the first three months of 2011. "Obviously I have to decide very soon, I would certainly like to (run again). I enjoy it."
With Mr. Koontz leaving the Borough Council for the Mercer County Freeholders, the council will be selecting a new president on Sunday. Word on the street is that Councilmen David Goldfarb and Kevin Wilkes are jockeying for the position.
There will also be a power shift in the township, with Mayor Bernie Miller stepping down, and Mr. Goerner rumored to be a shoo-in for the mayoral seat. A new deputy mayor will also need to be selected if this happens. The Township Committee selects the mayor and deputy mayor from among it’s members.
Redevelopment
The redevelopment of Witherspoon Street will be in the spotlight this year with three possible projects in infant stages.
The first is the hospital, as it looks for a new buyer in preparation to move to its new Route 1 facility in Plainsboro in 2012. Second is the old Valley Road School in the township. Princeton Regional Schools announced recently it is looking for proposals for the site. Third is the purchase of eight parcels along Witherspoon Street by J. Robert Hillier, an architect who would like to bring a mix of residential, retail and offices to the area.
"As a community we need to exercise our values when it comes to redevelopment and that would mean we would want to encourage affordability and diversity in the community," said Mr. Goerner.
"I am extremely concerned about the hospital site. I live on Witherspoon Street and own rental properties on Witherspoon Street," said Lance Liverman, township committeeman. "It is important that the next owner of this site has a true love and respect for this community. I want the future site to offer something that will help, not hinder this community. Housing and retail space is great, as long as, it is affordable."
Planning long-term is also key for borough officials.
"Any redevelopment of the hospital/Witherspoon Street area should consider the future of that area over the next 50-plus years," said Mr. Martindell. "To imagine redevelopment over that length of time will require leadership of the sort that Princeton Future can bring to the issue. Residents of the area should be brought into the process at every opportunity."
Princeton Future will be addressing what it’s coining "Witherspoon North" at its February meeting The group also plans to address the hospital site at its May meeting.
For the Valley Road site, a few proposals have already been floated and include constructing new facilities for Corner House, a current tenant of the school, a new First Aid and Rescue Squad building and expanding the neighboring firehouse so all emergency services would be housed in one location. Other ideas include space for community and non-profit organizations.
The idea of consolidating all the fire services in one location isn’t so exciting to others who worry about the impact it will have on volunteerism.
"The thing to look at down there is what the community is going to do about the firehouses in town and if they are going to consolidate them," said Mr. Koontz. "I have concerns about that with how the future of the department will be planned and attracting new members. We need to think about the future of the department as a volunteer department." Fire department consolidation might not work because the three firehouses work as attractors for volunteers, he explained.
"This corridor is going to be completely changed in 10 years," with the way things are going, said Mayor Trotman, "We never know how the consolidation of these lots will turn out," with Mr. Hillier purchasing multiple lots on the street.
"I would like to see the completion of Hullfish North, (the $1 million town homes at the corner of Hullfish and Witherspoon streets)," said Mayor Trotman. "For a number of reasons, not the least of which, those units will go on our tax rolls and the disruption in our downtown will be lessened."
Another development project on the back burner is the proposed staff housing for the Institute for Advanced Study, which is proposing to build adjacent to the Princeton Battlefield Park.
Community Park Pool
The refurbishment or replacement of the Community Park Pool will be a deep issue for the new year as well, in light of the Borough Council’s failure to move on its share of the funding for the $6 million project at its last business meeting of the year.
"I’m looking forward to approving a bond for the new pool," said Jenny Crumiller, borough councilwoman. "We had a setback when the bond ordinance came to us before a plan had been worked out that was acceptable to the majority, but I have confidence we’ll be able to approve one in the near future."
"The cost and design issues are likely to be resolved in the next month or two, at which time plans to begin the project in 2011 can be finalized," added Mr. Martindell.
Officials in both towns remain hopeful for the health of the project and hope it can progress in 2011. Many feel it is essential to the social fabric of the community and all agree it is well beyond it’s expected life span.
"It’s no secret that I’m disappointed with Borough Council’s delay in passing the pool bond ordinance," said Sue Nemeth, township committeewoman. "Much progress has been made by the Recreation Department and the Joint Recreation Board in collaboration with interested members of the community. I remain hopeful that we can come to an acceptable compromise on the few remaining issues and move forward fast enough to break ground in September 2011."
"I suspect there will be enough support in council to move ahead with this," said Mayor Trotman. "I am anxious to move ahead with this because time is of the essence."
With the pool beyond the stage of routine maintenance keeping it running, it needs total replacement, said Mr. Koontz.
The pool project also has the potential to bring the communities closer and improve communication.
"(We need to) increase our level of communication with our borough colleagues and increase our communication," said Mr. Goerner. "As two governing bodies we need to make sure we work effectively with the rec department in corralling all the various ideas and concepts that have come forth to come up with a plan to move forward."
Municipal budget/ 2 percent cap
Municipal budgeting will not be an easy process this year, as statewide reforms have been put in place that restrict increases in the budget from exceeding a 2 percent cap. There are exceptions to the rule such as healthcare and pensions.
"We face a number of budgetary challenges, such as likely cuts in state aid and benefit obligations outside of the cap (pensions and health insurance)," said Ms. Nemeth. "We anticipate increases in costs and decreased aid, but can’t project precise figures at this stage. We are actively working to reduce costs where we are able, and anticipate savings on utility costs in 2011."
Township departments have been asked for no increases in operating expenses and personnel costs are being carefully weighed.
"I think as far as the municipality is concerned we have an austere budget process and we will continue that," said Mr. Goerner. "It will get intense around March or April when the state’s aid numbers come in," but he doesn’t see any increases in spending and will try to find creative ways to cut costs while maintaining services to the community."
In the borough, Mr. Martindell said they "achieved a 0 percent tax increase over the last two years. We can do it again."
The biggest issue for Mayor Trotman is keeping services intact, "with the shrinking amount of money and never knowing what we’re going to get from the state, it can get kind of tricky at times."
Transportation
"I think transportation issues will be at the forefront of our planning efforts in 2011," said Kevin Wilkes, borough councilman. "We still need to improve our mass transit connections, coverage area and reliability for the Dinky and buses. We need to address the numerous vehicular choke points that lead to traffic congestion and plan parking strategies that are workable and practical for residents and visitors."
Princeton Future will examine transportation issues again in April when it presents an Alexander Road study.
One transportation proposal includes the expansion of shuttle service in both municipalities.
"I’ve been working hard on expanded shuttle service, and that’s the Free B, and I’m hoping to put together some estimated fundraising numbers in January with the working group and to see what level of service we can put in place with that," said Mr. Goerner.
The biggest transportation issues at the forefront of municipal officials’ minds are a proposed bus rapid transit line in town and Princeton University wanting to move the Dinky station some 450 feet and construct an arts and transit district at the current Dinky location. The Dinky train runs between Princeton Borough and the Princeton Junction train station in West Windsor.
The mayors have differing opinions on BRT, with Mayor Trotman supporting it, saying it would "keep cars out of Princeton," and help move people around.
"I believe that BRT in Princeton is a dead issue and will not come up again in ’11," said township Mayor Bernie Miller.
Whatever transit decisions get made the thinking must be long-term.
"A responsible approach to long-planning must include analysis of the possibility that NJ Transit may simply abandon the Dinky," said Mr. Martindell. "What then?"
Mr. Koontz thinks the towns need to "look awful hard" when the new hospital opens that mass transportation is established between the Princetons and the new site.
For cyclists, Mr. Goerner also said Witherspoon Street would be a prime candidate for sharrows, which are improved markings for bicyclists on the roadway, since it is a major north-south artery. Harrison Street and Hamilton/Wiggins would also be considered for the markings.
Arts & Transit district
Princeton University is proposing to build an arts and transit center at the current Dinky station location. Municipal officials all seem to be on the same page in regards to not moving the Dinky.
"I’m excited about the university’s ambitious plans to expand their arts offerings for their students, but I don’t think they need to move the Dinky to accomplish this and they can adapt their plans to include the Dinky where it is," said Mr. Koontz. "I think it’s a good thing for their students, but they shouldn’t have to move the Dinky."
If all parties are involved in planning, the arts district could work, said Mayor Trotman. The arts and transit district – "There will be a joint meeting (between the borough and township) in January and this will be discussed for a great part of 2011," she said.
The proposal brings up other issues like zoning and the university’s contribution to the municipal budgets.
"We’ll also be challenged in dealing with the university’s zoning requests for its arts campus," said Ms. Crumiller. "I couldn’t agree more with the notion that brilliant minds could come up with a plan that preserves the location of the Dinky station."
Paying for additional taxation on municipal resources is a concern as well.
"If the university is planning to bring into our community hundreds of thousands of more visitors each year through an arts and transit neighborhood, the university should contribute substantially more to the municipal operating budget so that the cost of police, fire protection, street maintenance, and other municipal costs don’t fall only on our overburdened local taxpayers," said Mr. Martindell.
At least one official is hoping this project can open the door for a deeper discussion on transportation and bring the two municipalities closer.
"I hope to find a solution working with my colleagues in the borough that everyone is comfortable with so the project can move forward in some way, shape or form," said Mr. Goerner. "This will lead to more broad-based transportation discussions, looking at solutions for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. We should use this development as an opportunity to improve all modes of transportation and not divide the township and the borough, but bring them closer together."

