By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
A critical vote on whether to recommend full municipal consolidation of the Princetons or to share additional services is set for Wednesday night’s Joint Shared Services Consolidation Commission.
The group must decide which option to send to the municipalities’ governing bodies this summer for discussion and possible approval so the question can appear on the ballot in the November general election.
Full municipal consolidation would mean Princeton Borough and Princeton Township would be combined into one municipality called Princeton and be governed by the borough form of government. This would amount to a savings of about $3.3 million in staffing and efficiencies. There would also be some municipal savings as duplicate positions would be eliminated.
”Wednesday’s meeting is the next important step in the process. The commission has worked for the better part of seven or eight months to make a decision; to make a decision whether to recommend consolidation or shared services,” said Joseph Stefko, director of public finance for CGR, the outside organization that was hired by the municipalities to oversee the process. “It’s nearing the culmination of the almost year-long process to determine if consolidation or shared services is in the communities’ best interest.”
”It will set the stage for what the community conversation is throughout June, July and August and throughout the fall,” he added.
Under full consolidation, the police departments and public works would be consolidated.
If more shared services are recommended, the police departments could be combined for an estimated savings of about $2.1 million. Public works would remain as is.
Public comment will be taken before the commission takes an action or begins their discussion.
Consolidation attempts have taken place before and been defeated at the polls.
Tomorrow’s meeting is at 7 p.m. at the township municipal building.

