By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
The Princeton Township Committee re-elected Chad Goerner as mayor and swore in Lance Liverman and Liz Lempert as committee members at the Township’s Jan. 3 annual reorganization meeting.
Former Gov. James Florio swore Mayor Goerner into office, something that Mayor Goerner greatly appreciated. Mr. Florio became a role model for Mayor Goerner during Mayor Goerner’s college days when he worked on Mr. Florio’s campaign.
”His ability to stand by his principles and make difficult decisions but the right decisions even when they weren’t always the most popular inspired me to become involved in politics,” said Mayor Goerner.
Mayor Goerner commended the township for the tasks and goals that were accomplished in 2011. He praised the groundbreaking decision to merge both Princetons, something he has long been working toward.
”Many of us worked tirelessly to move consolidation forward,” he said. “From the time I was first elected to Township Committee in 2006, this has been one of my key goals. And we did it.”
Princeton Township was also able to create a zero increase municipal budget due to the difficult economy, a feat that has not occurred in the township in at least 25 years. Mayor Goerner attributed this success to the help and hard work of the Citizens Finance Advisory Commission, staff and Township Committee.
Mayor Goerner applauded the township’s promise to work collaboratively with the Princeton Borough on the university’s arts and transit complex. This resulted in the Memorandum of Understanding, a written agreement that establishes funding for a study to create a long-term transit service for the community. This combined effort also produced the approval of the arts and transit ordinance, designed to bring a vivacious art presence to Princeton.
Efforts to create a new community park pool complex were initiated with the pool construction remaining on schedule.
”We are currently monitoring completion and are hopeful to have the project completed in time for a Memorial Day weekend 2012 grand opening,” Mayor Goerner said.
The township also fulfilled its promise to become a certified sustainable community by attaining the bronze level, an accomplishment that Mayor Goerner said is only the beginning for the town.
Mayor Goerner along with Deputy Mayor Sue Nemeth were also able to negotiate a significant increase to the voluntary financial contribution created last year with Princeton University.
”This means the university’s voluntary contribution to the township in 2012 will total $775,000 with $250,000 of that to assist us in transition costs we merge into one community,” Mayor Goerner said.
Mayor Goerner has no intention of slowing down in the upcoming year and plans to focus on making consolidation a success, a process he calls near and dear to his heart.
”Princeton has proven its leadership and set an example with consolidation, in terms of effective governance and efficiency, in a state that has been afraid to embrace consolidation,” Mayor Goerner said. “Consolidation is not a silver bullet for all of the state’s financial woes. Instead it is a part of what needs to be a total comprehensive set of solutions to help us manage our state more efficiently and effectively.”
Mayor Goerner emphasized that the most important goal for 2012 is to create a smooth transition through effective collaboration with the borough and the residents.
”So much of what we do is connected that when we don’t work together we end up failing both of our constituencies,” Mayor Goerner said. “Working with my colleagues on Township Committee, I plan to expand this effort in 2011.”
He also stressed the importance of achieving the savings stated in the consolidation commission report as well as trying to find additional savings where possible.
”We know there will be challenges and obstacles,” Mayor Goerner said. “But to quote the spirit of the Moody Blues, we will ‘keep as cool as we can and face piles of trials with smiles.’”
He described 2011 as a whirlwind, action-packed year and said it was an honor to serve his community. His hopes and goals for 2012 continue to be ambitious for Princeton.
”When I first became active in politics, I was guided by the hope of ‘making a difference,’” Mayor Goerner said. “We’ve certainly done that and I believe the future is bright for the town that will simply be called Princeton.”

