Departure will be six months earlier than expected.
By: David Campbell
Princeton Township Committeeman Steven Frakt said Monday he will end his last term in office six months early.
In January, Mr. Frakt decided not to seek another term as deputy mayor and announced he would not seek re-election this November.
Mr. Frakt said he plans to stay on Township Committee until June 30, long enough to finish outstanding work on the 2002 municipal budget and other business.
Township Administrator James Pascale expressed his admiration for the departing committeeman, who is serving his third three-year term in office.
"As the full-time paid professional for the township for the last 20 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with Steve for almost nine years," Mr. Pascale said. "He has been a mentor to me personally. He’s the ‘go to’ guy on Township Committee when the chips are down and when we need guidance and direction.
"The township is a better community because of the public service Steve Frakt has volunteered in Princeton Township," Mr. Pascale continued. "He really is a very special man, and I will miss him."
Mayor Phyllis Marchand said that to her knowledge township Democratic Party leaders have not yet selected nominees to recommend to finish out Mr. Frakt’s term.
Under state law, the governing body must select from among three candidates put forward by the outgoing committee member’s party to fill a vacated chair.
"They’re big shoes to fill, both literally and figuratively speaking," Mayor Marchand said. "But we’re not saying goodbye to him yet. There’s still a lot of work that will be accomplished before he leaves."
Michele Tuck-Ponder, Democratic Party municipal chair for Princeton Township, said three names will be submitted to the committee in about two weeks.
Mr. Frakt retired from the staff of the New Jersey Legislature in 1998, ending a 20-year career with the state.
The committeeman was assistant state treasurer under the administration of former Gov. Jim Florio, and went on to serve as special assistant in pensions and health benefits.
Following his retirement, Mr. Frakt took on a part-time teaching position at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, which he continues to hold. Mr. Frakt said he is a writing tutor in public-policy issues for graduate and undergraduate students.
As a member of the Township Committee, Mr. Frakt has helped further several long-standing projects, including increased senior housing, the new municipal building currently under construction on Witherspoon Street and open-space acquisition.
He said Monday his early departure from Township Committee will free him up for other opportunities "if I wanted to move in other directions or if something came up."