The Princeton Township Department of Engineering's outlining of its road reconstruction plans usually runs like clockwork this time of year. This year, however, those plans may have already hit a speed bump.
Members of Township Committee Monday night looked at the Engineering Department's report calling for nearly eight miles of road improvements costing just over $3 million, then looked at pending budget caps in the form of state mandated tax reform, and said that this could be the year when some residents might have to live with a pothole or two.
In years past, the Township has outlined vigorous road improvement plans, and this year is no different. Township engineer Robert Kiser, through a PowerPoint presentation, outlined a comprehensive look at this year's proposed project that would include the completion of a connector road at Route 206 and Cherry Valley Road, lighted crosswalks at the D&R Canal crossings at Alexander Street and Harrison Street. Improvements to Mountain Avenue, and the continuation of the Riverside district improvement project were also added to the mix.
But Committee members remained in a holding pattern over how to approach the need for extensive roadwork in a year of potential budgetary obstacles. Additionally, Deputy Mayor Bernie Miller worried that while the Engineering and Public Works Department presentations typically come earlier than others, looking at funding for roads outside of the full budget cycle could be "out of context.
"I'm very uncomfortable not knowing where we're going with the entire budget, and I have great reservations committing to spend this kind of money without knowing what our entire budget looks like."
Committeeman Chad Goerner agreed, calling for a more "holistic" approach toward budgetary matters, particularly when it comes to projects funded over the course of several years. "Yes, we need improvements, but there are several projects on here that I don't feel comfortable approving."
Bill Hearon, a former member of Committee who was in attendance Monday night, said that Committee could entertain the idea of budgeting now for road projects in future years. "Maybe you should budget this year for next year, though in order to do that, we might have to skip a year of road projects," he said, adding that putting off road repairs for extended periods of time could prove costly to the Township in the future. "We're close to these streets really deteriorating to the point where it's going to cost us much, much more later on."
Other roads outlined in Mr. Kiser's presentation included Hutchinson Drive, Leabrook Lane, Linwood Circle, Pardoe Road, Province Line Road, Turner Court, Audubon Lane, Herrontown Circle, Clover Lane, Deer Path, Marion Road East and West, Maclean Circle, the lower section of Edgerstoune Road, and Winant Road.
Township Committee will examine a revised project plan at its February 26 hearing.