Looking for labor-saving measures in oversight for Corner House, the joint-Borough/Township counseling organization for youth and families, Princeton Township Committee unanimously voted Monday night to create a board that will handle governing responsibilities for the 34-year-old agency.
The Township's action will only be effective, however, if Princeton Borough Council enacts a mirror ordinance, which is expected to be up for a vote in the coming weeks.
If passed by both municipalities, the nine-member Corner House board will assume oversight from the 27-member Princeton Alcohol and Drug Alliance (PADA) board. Corner House, whose annual operating budget hovers around $1 million, is too large an entity to be governed by the PADA board, said James Pascale, Township administrator. PADA will retain oversight for its own programming, and the Alliance's bylaws will have to be changed to recognize Corner House's independence.
The new board would consist of three residents from each municipality, one liaison from each governing body, and an ex-officio member representing the Corner House Foundation.
Three weeks ago when Township Committee first introduced the measure that would create an independent Corner House board, there was little opposition. However, at Monday's public hearing, the climate was somewhat different.
Maureen Marchetta, PADA board vice chair, said that while she embraced the concept of separating Corner House from the rest of PADA operations, a midsummer vote, when several PADA board members are away, was not an appropriate time for such considerations:
"I'm really disappointed that this vote was scheduled for the month of July," she said, asking Township Committee to delay its vote. The PADA board, which last met in June, will not convene again until September, she said, pointing out that those board members "could have added value to this process."
Ms. Marchetta asked Committee to delay its vote until September when PADA board members are back in town.
But Mr. Pascale contended that the summer is the "perfect time" for a vote because it would ensure that the new entity's structure is in place when the school year begins. He also tried to answer concerns that the new board's creation was a "slap in the face" to PADA.
"That is completely not true," he said, but added that the system in place now "just doesn't work."
Committeeman Lance Liverman, who serves as the municipal liaison to PADA, supported the creation of the Corner House board, but echoed Mr. Pascale, saying that Corner House has grown to the point where it is "almost impossible" for PADA to oversee operations.
The PADA board members have "other functions that they can concentrate on. It's not that the PADA board has done anything wrong, they're doing a great job, and I want to see them do more," Mr. Liverman said.
But that increased activity should not include Corner House, he went on to say: "This is a way to fine tune Corner House as it moves forward."
Nominees for the Township representation on the new Corner House board are: Raphael Costa for a one-year term; John Curtis for a two-year term; Wendy Jolley for a three-year term; and Mr. Liverman serving as the municipal liaison.
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In other news, as expected, Bayard Lane resident Chad Goerner was unanimously appointed to fill a vacancy on Township Committee created when Bill Hearon resigned last month citing time restraints involving CARD Management, the business he runs with his wife, Joan Bartl. Mr. Goerner, who won the Democratic primary in June, will carry out Mr. Hearon's term, set to expire December 31.
Mr. Goerner is running unopposed in the November elections and so is all but guaranteed a win for a proper three-year term beginning January 1, 2007.
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Finally, Township Committee rejected a request by the Princeton Recreation Department to hire two additional maintenance staff workers, primarily to maintain playing fields. The Committee was split, with Mr. Liverman and Mayor Phyllis Marchand voting in favor, and Deputy Mayor Bernie Miller and Committeeman Chad Goerner voting against, citing budgetary constraints. The tie vote ensured a defeat, as Committeewoman Vicky Bergman was absent. Committee did move to hire one new staff worker to fill an existing vacancy.