By Anne Levin

The reading of special proclamations, swearing in of Princeton Fire Department officials, and presentation of several awards drew a standing-room-only crowd to Princeton Council’s meeting Monday evening at Witherspoon Hall.

Most of the well-wishers departed once the ceremonies were over and Council got down to government business, which included the passage of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of 25 acres of vacant land, the introduction of the municipal budget for 2025, and several resolutions. A scheduled presentation on the Princeton Community Transit Plan by the consultants Nelson Nygaard was replaced with a brief update by Deputy Administrator Deanna Stockton.

Several members of the Princeton Fire Department were presented with awards for their years of service. Sworn in were Fire Chief Adam Kooker, Fire Official Frank D’Amore, and Firefighter David Phillips.

Kathryn Korwin was honored with a proclamation on her retirement from the Princeton Health Department, where she has served as Public Health Nurse since 2006. Longtime community activist and Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood resident Thomas Alfred “Tommy” Parker was given a Community Recognition Award, accepted by his wife and members of his family as he was not well enough to attend. The family was given a standing ovation after the proclamation was read aloud.

Before Council voted unanimously to purchase the acreage at 660 and 680 Cherry Valley Road, several members of the public offered remarks in support. Wendy Mager, President of the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS), noted that the property is important to wildlife for food, mating, and cover. It is also key to meeting the challenges of climate, flood mitigation, and population level changes.

Representing Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart, board member and parent Mark Sullivan spoke in favor of the acquisition, as did Mike Pisauro of The Watershed Institute.

“It will help preserve the wetlands, to make sure they are better protected,” said Pisauro. “We really support this and really appreciate Princeton’s leadership on this.”

Patricia Shanley of The Ridgeview Conservancy and members of The Ridgeview Turtles youth conservation group also commented in favor of the acquisition.

Updating Council on the transit study being conducted by Nelson Nygaard, Stockton said the consultants have held four open houses, targeted stakeholder interviews, and public surveys since being hired by the town in September 2024. Short-term and long-term strategies will be identified next, and a presentation to Council will be made in the near future.

Municipal finance officer Sandra Webb made a presentation introducing the 2025 budget, which at $77,982,417.10 is 3.5 percent higher than last year’s final appropriations. A public hearing will be held on April 14. Details of the budget are available on the agenda of the Monday meeting (March 10) at princetonnj.gov.

The next meeting of Council is Monday, March 24 at 7 p.m.