The council voted 5-1 last week to introduce a bond ordinance that among other things pays for “preliminary expenses” of a 30,000-square-foot garage that would house public works vehicles and equipment.
By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Princeton’s $97 million municipal debt apparently is not deterring council members from moving ahead with an expensive public works project that will require more borrowing.
The council voted 5-1 last week to introduce a bond ordinance that among other things pays for “preliminary expenses” of a 30,000-square-foot garage that would house public works vehicles and equipment. The garage would be located on town-owned property on River Road, officials said.
Earlier this year, Robert Hough, the municipal director of infrastructure and operations, went before the council to make the case for what is being called a cold storage facility. At the May 13 council meeting, he explained that leaving equipment outside, exposing it to the elements, reduces its monetary value due to a shortened life span.
At the moment, more than 90 percent of the equipment and vehicles are stored outdoors at three locations around town, municipal Engineer Robert V. Kiser said in a phone interview Friday. He said most towns that officials are aware of store the equipment inside.
Back in May, Mr. Hough urged council to get behind the idea, an entire project that would cost an estimated $1.7 million. Work would start in June 2014 and be complete by October.
But on Friday, town Administrator Robert W. Bruschi called the $1.7 million amount “a number that was being discussed.”
”Between now and the public hearing we are going to be working that number a little bit harder. I would like to think we can drive that number down somewhat to make the project more affordable,” Mr. Bruschi said in an email.
The public hearing Mr. Bruschi referred to will allow for the community to comment at the Dec.9 council meeting before council members vote on the bond ordinance that would pay for so-called soft costs, including design and stormwater consulting.
For her part, Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller said Friday that the garage “has been on the to-do list for 20 years.” She called it “irresponsible” to leave vehicles to deteriorate outside.
Although aware of the debt issue, she said the garage is a “responsible use” of taxpayers’ money. She hopes the ordinance is adopted next month, although she could not guarantee its passage.
But fellow Councilman Patrick Simon has raised some caution flags. He believes the town should weigh whether this project is more worthwhile than any others officials will consider in the future.