Speaking to a packed room of citizens and representatives of local, county, and state government, Mayor Liz Lempert ushered in 2016 at Princeton Council’s official reorganization meeting Monday evening by going over accomplishments of the past year and touching on some plans for the new one.

Starting with a look at consolidation three years after the merger was put in place, Ms. Lempert told the audience, “Today I’m happy to report that it is working, and working well.” She touted net savings of $2.77 million since Princeton Borough and Township were made into one entity, and said more savings can be expected in coming years.

Ms. Lempert began the meeting at Witherspoon Hall by recognizing former Borough mayors Mildred Trotman and Marvin Reed and former Township mayor Phyllis Marchand, with a special proclamation for Mr. Reed. He and his wife Ingrid have recently moved from Princeton to Montgomery, and Mr. Reed has stepped down from the Planning Board. The audience gave him a standing ovation.

Also in attendance were U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, state Senator Kip Bateman, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, Mercer County Freeholder Andrew Koontz, and other county politicians. The oaths of office were administered to fire chief Dan Tomalin, deputy chief Kyle Rendall, and assistant chief Salvatore Baldino.

Council members Lance Liverman and Heather Howard were sworn in for new terms. Mr. Liverman was voted new Council president after being nominated by outgoing president Bernie Miller. Citing Mr. Liverman’s status as the only elected official in Princeton who was born in the town and attended its public schools, Mr. Miller called him “a real Princetonian who understands our town and the workings of our community.”

Each member of the governing body except for Patrick Simon, who was unable to attend, offered brief remarks. “I don’t take my elected position lightly,” Mr. Liverman said when it was his turn. “Moving forward is the new theme.” Councilwoman Jo Butler thanked staff members, particularly the town’s engineer Bob Kiser, who has announced he will retire this year, for their efforts. She also thanked resident Holly Nelson for bringing landscape students from Rutgers University and the innovative ideas they offered for the re-design of Mary Moss Park.

Ms. Howard cited public safety in her remarks, with special praise for the police department. She also recognized the Health and Human Services departments for their work on a Community Needs Assessment during the past year. “I also want to thank all the voters of Princeton for their engagement in the political process,” she said.

Ms. Lempert called consolidation “a massive undertaking by elected officials, municipal staff, and citizen volunteers. It will forever be a seminal event in our town’s history and has cemented the municipality of Princeton’s reputation as a place for government innovation,” she said. She singled out various departments including Recreation, Health, Human Services, and Cornerhouse for their accomplishments.

Affordable housing was a major focus of the year, she said. Princeton, like all other towns across New Jersey, is required to file an affordable housing plan due to a New Jersey Supreme Court decision made last year. “Princeton will present its case in court with the advantage of having a strong historical commitment to affordable housing that predates state requirements,” she said.

There is still more to be done in the coming year, but the “nuts and bolts” of consolidation are in place, Ms. Lempert said. Harmonizing the land use code, creating a bicycle master plan, and deciding whether to designate the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood as historic are among the priorities for next year. Those and other topics will be the focus of Council’s Goals and Priorities meeting on Wednesday, January 13 at 7 p.m.