By: centraljersey.com
A baseline report detailing the current state of services and finances in Princeton Borough and Township was released Joint Consolidation/Shared Services Study this week.
The commission will use the 173-page tome, "Municipal Services and Financial Overview," to explore consolidation and shared services options , said Anton Lahnston, chairman.
"It doesn’t make much sense to consider looking at consolidation or any more shared services without a reasonable understanding of what currently exists," said Mr. Lahnston. "That’s why I like to call the report ‘who does what and what does it cost,’ that’s what the report really does talk about."
The report contains a complete picture of the current state of services and financials in the two municipalities.
"It helps to raise questions and comments to give us pointers and direction as we begin to think about moving forward with some of the options and possibilities," he said. "It’s a stimulus for that. We’re going to help people understand the elements and how to digest the report and what questions does it raise? What does the public want to tell the commission from the report?"
The baseline report will be discussed at a public meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 at John Witherspoon Middle School.
The commission’s next meeting is on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Township Municipal Complex. The group will be preparing for the public meeting the following week. Commission meetings are open to the public.
The report can be downloaded at www.cgr.org/princeton.

