Volume LXX, Number 17
www.towntopics.com
Council Tables Measures On Municipal Budget, Civil Rights Commission
Jefferson Kisses the Ground at Stratford and Obama Visits the Globe: Celebrating Shakespeare on the 400th Anniversary of His Death . . . . . . . 15 Princeton University Orchestra Presents Strauss and Shostakovich In Mindlin Concert . . . 19 Girding for Showdown With No . 1 Yale, No . 5 Harvard, No . 2 Tiger Men’s Lightweights on Positive Trajectory . . . 28 PHS Girls’ Lacrosse Edges Allentown 11-8 As Lis Enjoys Big Senior Day Performance . . . . . . . 31
This Week’s Profile in Education Features Renaissance Music Man Steve Kramer . . . . . . . 10 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 26 Cinema . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Classified Ads . . . . . . . 38 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Music/Theater . . . . . . 19 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 37 Police Blotter . . . . . . 14 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 38 Religion . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . . 6
At its meeting Monday night, April 25, Princeton Council decided more investigation is needed before voting to adopt the proposed 2016 municipal budget of $61.9 million. The governing body also tabled the introduction of an ordinance to establish a new Civil Rights Commission. Various options were discussed as ways to balance the budget. One would involve raising taxes by an extra $150,000 in 2016, which would add about $20 to the municipal portion of the average assessed home’s tax bill. That would keep the town from continuing to use money from its reserves, something some members of Council have warned against because of worries that it could impact the town’s AAA bond rating. Other options mentioned included a hiring freeze or rollback, an across-theboard cut spread among different departments, and cuts to Access Princeton and Princeton Public Library. At one point, Councilman Patrick Simon made a motion to cut the library budget by $16,000. He, Jenny Crumiller, and Jo Butler voted in favor while Lance Liverman voted against it (Heather Howard and Bernie Miller had recused themselves because of ties to the library). “It seems ludicrous to cut anyone’s budget without looking at the limitations that would cause,” said Mr. Liverman. “The library is the one place in town that is welcoming to everybody.” The motion was later overturned when it was determined that legally, four “yes” votes are needed for the measure to pass. Municipal administrator Marc Dashield said across-the-board cuts would be a bad idea, adding that alternatives such as a hiring freeze are being considered. Another public hearing on the budget will be held at the May 9 Council meeting. Regarding the formation of a Civil Rights Commission, Council heard from members of the town’s Human Services Commission about whether to introduce the measure, even though questions about how much power it would have were still under discussion. The municipal attorney’s statement that the Commission would serve in a largely advisory role, and would have no special authority, caused some to caution that it would have “no teeth.” Continued on Page 14
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Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Edens: Shopping Center Is “Princeton’s Second Downtown”
Edens, the company that has owned Princeton Shopping Center since 2012, is committed to “catering to the community,” the company’s vice president of development David Germakian told Princeton Council at a meeting of the governing body Monday night. Mr. Germakian said that Edens, which owns 120 retail centers along the east coast and in Texas, sees the shopping center as “Princeton’s second downtown.” But some members of Council and the public expressed concern about the direction in which the 60-year-old shopping center on North Harrison Street is headed. Mr. Germakian was at the meeting to give an update on ongoing construction and renovations at the shopping center, which he said should be completed by next September. Edens’ recent decision to not renew the lease of Jordan’s, a popular stationery and gift store that has been at the center for more than three decades, has touched a nerve among residents who count on the complex for basic services. “What I think people fear is that you’re hoping for high-end stores instead of
useful ones, like Jordan’s,” said Council member Jenny Crumiller. “Will you have any bargain-type stores?” Local resident Anne Neumann, a candidate for a seat on Council, commented that most Princetonians don’t shop in the downtown, instead patronizing stores at the shopping center for hardware, groceries, laundry, and other services. “I hope you’ll take back to your management [these thoughts] about turning Princeton Shopping Center into too much of an upscale center,” she said.
“We like it the way it is.” “This is our local shopping center,” added resident Kip Cherry. “It’s not MarketFair. It’s not New York City. I’m just concerned that we may be missing the mark.” Mr. Germakian responded, “We want to continue in the form [the shopping center] was conceived. Local is very much something we see as the vision for the shopping center, with some national retailers mixed in.” Continued on Page 13
Stockton to Become Municipal Engineer When Robert Kiser Retires in Late June Deanna L. Stockton, Princeton’s assistant municipal engineer, will succeed Robert V. Kiser as municipal engineer when Mr. Kiser retires at the end of June. Mayor Liz Lempert announced the appointment to a round of applause at the beginning of the Council meeting Monday evening. Ms. Stockton has been involved in major municipal projects of the consolidated Princeton or the former Princeton Town-
ship for more than 12 years. Included on the list are the dredging and dam restoration at Mountain Lakes, improvements at Community Park pools and recreation facility, the renovation of Monument Hall to serve Corner House, and roadway improvements on Park Place, Moore Street, and Vandeventer Avenue. Most recently, she has overseen the reconstruction of Mt. Lucas Road between Cherry Hill Continued on Page 4
May 7 & 8, 2016
Morven Museum & Garden welcomes thirty-six fine craft artists from around the U.S. The juried show will feature jewelry, furniture, wearable and decorative textiles, ceramics, mixed media, and more. Mor v And while you’re here… take advantage of the best heirloom welcomes plant sale in New Jersey!
May May 7 & 8, 2016
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May 7 & 8, 2016 Morven Museum & Garden welcomes thirty-six fine craft artists
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