Volume LXXV, Number 4
Morven Series Spotlights Grand Homes, Gardens . . . . . . 5 Nader, Justice Advocates to Share Views at Forum . . . . . . 10 Council Approves Consulting Contracts, Gets Update on Senior Center . . . . . . . 14 Lewis Center Presents Online Production of Unbecoming . . . . . . . . 18 PU Men’s Hockey Alum Davis Excited To be Coaching at Alma Mater . . . . . . . . 28 Zullo Helps Spark PHS Boys’ Hockey to Win in Opener . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
This Week’s Book Review Marks Mozart’s 265th Birthday . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors . .20, 21 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 24 Classified Ads . . . . . . 37 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 16 New to Us . . . . . . . . . . 26 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 35 Performing Arts . . . . . 19 Police Blotter . . . . . . . 11 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 37 Religion . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
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Princeton Seminary Sells Tennent Roberts Campus To Local Developer Princeton Theological Seminary is under contract to sell its Tennent Roberts campus to Princeton-based development firm Herring Properties. Founder James Herring said that while plans are still in the early stages, he is leaning toward the construction of apartments, or possibly condominiums, the majority of which would be market rate but a percentage of which would be affordable housing. The Seminary spent more than a year considering a project to build new student apartments on the campus. After extensive planning, proposals, and meetings with neighborhood residents, the school announced in November 2019 that it would not proceed with the project. As part of the plan, the campus was designated a redevelopment zone, which proponents said provides for more control over design specifics than the traditional zoning process. But during neighborhood meetings, there was pushback from some residents who were concerned about density and increased traffic. “When the Seminary decided to no longer seek construction of new student apartments on its Tennent Roberts campus last fall, we then reassessed our campus master plan and made adjustments in keeping with the priorities and vision for our community,” said Executive Vice President Shane A. Berg in a statement. “The Seminary will continue to house students on its main campus in Princeton and at the Charlotte Rachel Wilson apartments in West Windsor for the foreseeable future, as well as lease and sell excess real estate. The Tennent Roberts complex is under contract with Herring Properties, a potential project in the very early planning stages. The Seminary’s focus is on continued efforts to restore and renew other buildings on our main campus to enhance our life together and foster spaces where a sense of community can flourish.” An architect has yet to be selected for the project. “We want to build something that is very appropriate for the neighborhood, the site, and for the town,” Herring said on Monday. “I grew up here, my businesses are here. I’m on the board of McCarter Theatre and am very involved in the community. I certainly will build something I can be proud of. The Seminary had a very challenging time coming up with an open form design, and we’re Continued on Page 11
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COVID-19 Vaccine Shortages Continue to Frustrate Many frustrated residents of Princeton and elsewhere in New Jersey are eager to get the COVID-19 vaccination, and government officials, health care workers, and businesses are possibly even more frustrated and anxious to see the state’s residents vaccinated. But the state’s vaccination clinics cannot get enough doses, and most individuals trying to schedule appointments by phone or online are told to wait. “Please be patient with this process and do not call or email asking about appointments,” Princeton Mayor Mark Freda and the Princeton Council wrote in their Monday, January 25, newsletter. “Currently, there is a severe vaccine shortage. The Princeton Health Department has the resources to hold clinics and vaccinate residents as soon as the vaccine is available.” The local health department receives vaccines through Mercer County, which receives vaccines from the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). In a Tuesday, January 26 email, Princeton Press and Media Communications Director Fred Williams added, “We are all still grappling with the availability of the COVID-19 vaccines. We are just as disappointed in the rollout as anybody. But without a supply of vaccines, we must focus on limiting exposure to the disease
by continuing to message the benefits of COVID-19 safety measures while being prepared to participate in the distribution efforts when more vaccines arrive.” As of the morning of January 26, the NJDOH reported 605,397 doses administered in New Jersey (523,008 of those were the first of two necessary doses), 15,072 doses administered in Mercer County. The goal is for New Jersey to vaccinate 70 percent of its adult population, about 4.7 million people, by the end of June. In his January 22 COVID-19 email update, Mercer County Executive Brian
4 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
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Hughes also urged patience. while pointing out that the state and the county are dependent on the federal government for an adequate vaccine supply. “The effort to administer COVID-19 vaccinations here in Mercer County and across the state has been slowed by a lack of vaccine coming to New Jersey from the federal government,” he wrote. “We expect the situation to improve in the coming weeks with a new administration in Washington pledging to significantly ramp up vaccine production and distribution. In the meantime we are facing a supply that falls far short of demand, but we will Continued on Page 12
New Counseling Suite To Boost Wellness As PHS Faces Challenges of Pandemic
As Princeton Public Schools (PPS) continue to navigate the challenges of hybrid education in the COVID era, renovation and construction projects, funded by a 2018 facilities referendum, are moving forward with a focus on the post-pandemic return in person of all students and staff. With extensive renovations in the works, Princeton High School (PHS) will see four new classrooms, an educational commons area, a new grab-and-go dining
option, and reimagined counseling and athletics spaces. Counseling in many schools throughout the country has been changing significantly in recent years, said PPS School Counseling Supervisor Kristina Donovan in a January 25 phone interview, and the pandemic has created additional challenges as well as opportunities. Donovan sees the new construction Continued on Page 10
BRAVING THE COLD: A pair of joggers didn’t let the chilly weather stop them as they got some exercise alongside the D&R Canal in Princeton on Sunday afternoon . Residents and visitors share the healthy habits are that carrying them through the winter season in this week’s Town Talk on page 6 . (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)
Peaceful Views, Plentiful Space, Perfect Locale Barbara Blackwell Broker Associate
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Located in a leafy enclave just off of Princeton’s most picturesque winding road, close to a selection of renowned schools, sports fields and charming Pretty Brook Tennis Club, this all brick house has no shortage of space or style. $2,185,000 Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Subject To Errors, Omissions, Prior Sale Or Withdrawal Without Notice.