A public dialogue between Princeton Council and Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber turned testy November 9 when a member of Council confronted Mr. Eisgruber about his response to the way local police handled the arrest of University Professor Imani Perry early this year. Also prominent in the discussion at Monument Hall was the fate of Springdale Golf Course.

It was last February that Ms. Perry was pulled over on Mercer Street for speeding, and arrested on a warrant for unpaid parking tickets. Controversy erupted after Ms. Perry criticized police on social media and Mr. Eisgruber published a letter in The Daily Princetonian calling for an investigation into the patting down and handcuffing of Ms. Perry to a desk.

An investigation into the incident, including a video, showed that the officer involved had followed proper police procedure. There was talk among some residents and officials that Mr. Eisgruber should have publicly recognized that conclusion.

“I don’t think you acknowledged that С actually even after it happened С our police were following good procedures,” Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller said to Mr. Eisgruber. “When Professor Perry was arrested, you refused to acknowledge after an investigation that police followed procedures and were blameless.”

Mr. Eisgruber countered that he has great regard for the Princeton police chief Nicholas Sutter. “I respect the way the chief runs his department and the way he carried out duties in the case, but I also respect the pain our professor went through and the reactions she had,” he said, adding that his comments at the time were inspired by sympathy for Ms. Perry, who is “genuinely beloved” by the students.

Ms. Crumiller was not satisfied with his response. “You’re not really addressing my issue,” she said. “I don’t think you ever acknowledged after that that our police were following good procedures. You never acknowledged our efforts.”

Councilwoman Heather Howard said that the town was considering body cameras for local police, but that it would cost about $200,000 to obtain them. Mr. Eisgruber was open to the idea of the University partnering in the effort. “I’m sure we could get to a proposal we could support,” he said.

Councilman Bernie Miller suggested that the University steer startup companies from its Entrepreneurship Hub to stay in Princeton once they graduate and make use of available real estate. The idea is “strongly consistent with the University’s mission,” Mr. Eisgruber said, adding he would like to explore the concept.

Springdale

The University has indicated in its master plan that the Springdale Golf Club’s course, which borders Alexander Street and Springdale Road and is owned by the school, is under consideration for possible development in the future. While nothing is planned for the site as yet, the club’s lease expires in 2036 and a provision would allow the University to bring it to a close a decade earlier. Several residents of the neighborhood, part of a standing-room-only crowd at the meeting, voiced concerns that development would change the character of the neighborhood and make the area dangerous for children.

Lynn Durkee, who lives on Springdale Road, pointed out that development of the golf course had originally been ruled out by the University last April. But more recently, the plan was changed. “From our neighborhood perspective, the communication has been minimal at best” she said. Consultants working on the plan have not talked to the residents of the neighborhood, and concerns need to be taken into account. “We would like you, the Council, to consider talking to neighbors before anything critical is decided,” she said, referring to the University’s intention to confirm phase three of the plan in December.

Mr. Eisgruber emphasized that no plan is underway for development of the golf course “within a ten-year window.” But he acknowledged that it could very possibly happen in the future.

The meetings between Council and Mr. Eisgruber have become an annual event since Mayor Liz Lempert initiated them three years ago. In his remarks at the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Eisgruber stressed that among his priorities are socio-economic diversity on the campus and in the town, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.