By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Princeton Councilwoman Heather H. Howard said Thursday that she would avoid any “appearance” of a conflict involving a personal home improvement project that needs approval from a local land use board whose members she appoints.
She and her husband, Hunter Labovitz, want to install a 7-foot-attic dormer to their roof to create headroom for a second full bathroom at their Aiken Avenue house. Documents were filed with the town in March. A hearing is scheduled May 19 in front of the zoning board.
“On submission of the application I consulted with (town attorney) Trishka (W. Cecil) and (town administrator) Marc (D. Dashield) and decide(d) that to avoid even an appearance of conflict, I will not attend that meeting and have had no contact with staff about the matter,” Ms. Howard said Thursday in an email when contacted about the matter.
As a councilwoman, she and the rest of the governing body vote to appoint the members of that board — a body that handles projects that are at odds with municipal zoning rules. She will not be at the hearing.
“Hunter and our architect will attend the zoning board meeting to discuss the application,” she said.
Ms. Cecil could not be reached for comment.
Municipal officials have to navigate the times when there is a real or perceived conflict of interest involving them. For example, Ms. Howard works for Princeton University and recused herself from voting in 2014 on a seven-year-agreement calling for the school to contribute a total of $21.7 million to the town.
