June 29, 2016

Town Launches Website For Neighborhood Study

Two months after hiring a consultant to take a hard look at residential zoning in Princeton, the town has launched a website to keep citizens abreast of efforts to stem the speed of teardowns in local neighborhoods and the buildings that replace them. The site, princetonneighborhoods.org, also invites residents to provide comments on zoning issues.

The website is part of a community planning effort created in response to citizens’ concerns about residential development and the changing character of the town. All of the four candidates in this month’s Democratic primary election stressed these issues as priorities in their campaigns. Republican mayoral candidate Peter Marks has also focused on zoning and preserving neighborhood character.

Princeton Council voted April 25 to hire the RBA Group, which recently headed a similar project in Haddonfield, for the project. It comes at a time when efforts are being made to harmonize the zoning ordinances of the previous Borough and Township. “We see on the ground, in almost every neighborhood, the motivation for why we need to take a step back and review what the laws are on the books,” Mayor Liz Lempert said last month. “We need to know whether they are in line with the vision we have for our community.”

A subcommittee from the town’s Planning Board including Mayor Lempert, Jenny Crumiller, Wanda Gunning, Tim Quinn, and Gail Ullman is leading the initiative with a goal of creating strategies, policies, guidelines, and regulations to shape future development so that it better complements the character of Princeton’s neighborhoods and streets. The fact that each of the town’s neighborhoods has its own character adds to the challenge for those involved. Residents are encouraged to participate by adding their comments on the website.

The site includes a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that links to research on studies carried out in other communities. Questions range from how long the study will take to whether a moratorium on residential development will be considered in New Jersey.

The website indicates that one of the first and most important steps in the project is to collect data in order to understand the geography and scale of residential expansions, demolitions, and development in Princeton. Short-term changes expected to be adopted within the next four months could include “quick fix” revisions to site plan review and zoning standards “that will lead to improved outcomes from the demolition of older houses and the siting, design, and construction of new houses and yards,” the website reads.

Mid-term changes are identified as possible master plan amendments or additional zoning adjustments that set the stage for more significant changes that could be adopted in the long-term, and could be implemented in six to eight months. Long-term, substantive changes, which could go into practice within a year, might include substantive changes to the structure of residential zoning.

The RBA Group, formerly Brown & Keener Urban Design, was previously involved in developing the concept for Princeton’s Hinds Plaza and Spring Street Garage. Architects, planners, and landscape architects from the firm will participate in the project, partnering with Urban Partners. Both firms are based in Philadelphia.

To provide comments, write to the email address contact@princetonneighborhoods.org or mail comments in a sealed envelope to Neighborhood Character and Zoning Initiative, care of Princeton Planning Department, 400 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.

 

November 26, 2014

Council to Continue Discussing the Future Of Witherspoon Corridor

More discussion is in order on the future of the Witherspoon Street corridor, the mile-long thoroughfare between Valley Road and Nassau Street. At a meeting Monday night, Princeton Council decided to allow additional time for debating the merits of coming up with new zoning as opposed to leaving the current zoning of the street as is.

The consolidation of the former Borough and Township has allowed the opportunity for creating a new vision for the street, but the question is whether new rules are necessary. Planning director Lee Solow presented a comprehensive capacity study at the meeting, going zone-by-zone to explain the limits and opportunities associated with each section of the street. There are eight zoning districts in the corridor, most of which have been in place for more than 30 years. Some of the designations are complicated, with the floor-to-area (FAR) ratios not representative of how much square footage is actually allowed.

The capacity study included a look at individual lots to calculate the maximum building potential, using information from the tax assessor’s office. Parking requirements are controlling development possibilities, Mr. Solow said. The existing zoning allows for more density than is actually dictated by the requirements.

Witherspoon Street is home to the close-knit Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, several businesses, and the former Princeton Hospital, currently being demolished to make room for the 280-unit AvalonBay rental complex. The corridor was first discussed at a meeting last September, during which several area residents and business owners spoke out, some in favor of leaving the current zoning in place and others hoping for new designations that would be more restrictive to developers. Still others were interested in further development.

There were fewer members of the public taking the microphone at Monday’s meeting, a situation that caused some comment. “I’m concerned that there are not many members of the neighborhood here tonight,” said local resident Kip Cherry. Ms. Cherry added that the area is “going through an evolution,” and stressed the need for maintaining its character.

Former Borough Mayor Yina Moore summarized comments made about the issue at the most recent meeting of the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood association. Calling the corridor a “very important spine of the community,” she said “There is a real concern about developers buying multiple properties.”

Ms. Moore mentioned the possibility of incompatible designs, absentee ownership, and increased gentrification, among other negative results. She urged Council to take a form-based approach when looking at the zoning “to really bring the neighborhood into conformity,” urging that the zoning limit financial institutions, encourage more owner occupancy, and limit businesses to the first floor of a building.

Marvin Reed, chair of the town’s master plan committee and former Township mayor, also weighed in, urging Council to be aware of the fact that properties are being purchased on Witherspoon Street with the idea of further development. The town should have solid policies in place before potential developers make applications. “The existing zoning, while confusing, isn’t so bad,” he said, expressing views of neighborhood residents, adding that there is a strong emphasis on saving the area’s historic character.

Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller asked Mr. Solow what the potential is for developers coming in and putting in large buildings out of scale with the neighborhood. “There’s a real threat there,” Mr. Solow said. “There’s also a real opportunity.” He added that while the current zoning is complicated, it has worked.

“We embarked on this because the current zoning is confusing to the lay person,” said Mayor Liz Lempert. “Does it work well enough for us to be okay with it, or do we go to the next step? We want to do this only if we’re putting something together that’s not already there, such as a form-based code.”

Council president Bernie Miller said he thinks there is a need for more dialogue and more input from residents. “I’d like to hear more before I say ‘Let’s get a visioning statement’ or go one way or the other,” he said.

Council decided to hold another public discussion of the situation at a future meeting, probably in early January. Councilwoman Jo Butler suggested inviting some of the architects of an original study of the corridor done by the organization Princeton Future when that meeting takes place.

 

January 29, 2014

Concerns About Hospital Demolition Inspire Council Vote

At Princeton Council’s meeting Monday night, no action had been expected to be taken during a work session on the developer’s agreement with AvalonBay. But after concerned citizens and some Council members voiced anxiety about the possibility of hazardous waste left over from an incinerator that was once on the former Princeton Hospital site, the governing body voted to hire an independent licensed state remediation professional, for up to $5,000, to ensure public safety during the demolition process.

AvalonBay is still waiting to close on the contract to build a complex of rental apartments and townhouse units on the site where Princeton Hospital stood until moving to Route 1 in Plainsboro over a year ago. The developer plans to hold a meeting with neighborhood residents before beginning demolition. Jon Vogel, AvalonBay’s vice president of development, said he expects the final contract to be signed in early February.

Mr. Vogel said the company has worked with municipal staff and industry experts to determine what the incinerator was used for. It has not been operational for more than two decades, he said, and was used to burn medical records only. The incinerator is no longer on the site, but the floor drain below where it once stood is a concern, according to Princeton’s land use engineer Jack West.

“We are addressing the issues,” Mr. West said, in response to a comment that AvalonBay is “running the show.” “They have agreed to find out what’s behind walls before knocking them down.” Regarding the incinerator, he added, “They’ll see if there are any breaks in the line, and if so, there will be soil testing. The staff is very involved. We’re not quite done, but we have addressed the majority of the issues.”

As part of the agreement, officials will be videotaping the review of the incinerator room. Bob Kiser, the town’s municipal engineer, said that the Department of Environmental Protection does not have significant concerns about the incinerator but does have possible concerns about the presence of underground fuel tanks.

Harris Road resident Marco Gattardis, a cancer researcher, told Council members that many hazardous materials were thrown down drains in past decades before rules on disposal were tightened. “I think it’s cavalier to say we don’t have to worry about these things,” he said. “I don’t believe them [AvalonBay]. And it’s a bigger issue than the incinerator itself. We need independent testing.”

Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller said hiring an independent professional was a “no-brainer.” “We shouldn’t have AvalonBay telling us what’s safe and what’s not. Of course they’re going to say it’s safe.”

Mr. Vogel said AvalonBay was not relying on the hospital’s statement that only medical records had been incinerated. “That’s why we’re looking for drain breaks and soil contamination because we think something else might be there,” he said. “I want to be very emphatic about that.” Mr. Vogel added that the residents complaining about the process were the same ones involved in litigation with the company over development of the site. “They are really just trying to stop this project.”

Members of the audience loudly protested, with one man yelling, “Hey, we’re residents, pal!”

Noise and dust monitors are also planned for the property. Water will be sprayed over the site to prevent hazardous dust from being airborne.

Also at the meeting, Council heard from Scott Sillars of the Citizens Finance Advisory Committee about how to best manage its budget surplus and how to plan for the future. Mr. Sillars said that about 15 to 20 percent of total appropriations is recommended as a good cushion of savings for unexpected expenditures like Hurricane Sandy. Mayor Lempert called the surplus “a rainy day fund” that means the municipality doesn’t have to raise taxes if the surplus dips too low. “With a small margin, then your tax rate is going up and down every year, and you don’t have stability,” she said.

Mr. Sillars said the surplus should increase by another million dollars this year. At its next meeting on February 18, Council will review a financial debt policy. Both the surplus and debt policies will likely be adopted as part of this year’s budgeting process.

Council voted to introduce an ordinance regulating parking along portions of Alexander Street, in the commuter parking lot and the Alexander Street retail parking lot, all of which have been affected by construction of Princeton University’s Arts & Transit development and the relocation of the Dinky train station.

“This is a first step, but alone it will not solve what has become a constant source of frustration and tension for those of us who use the Dinky but don’t arrive at the new lot by 7 a.m.,” said resident John Heilner, adding, “We urge everyone who has had problems parking in the new lot to come to the public hearing on February 18.”

 

March 6, 2013

Dudeck Case Goes to Prosecutor’s Office

Allegations of misconduct involving Princeton police chief David J. Dudeck have been turned over to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Dudeck, who has not been at work this week, may or may not return to the job.

“Dave remains the chief of the department,” said Princeton administrator Bob Bruschi on Monday. “The whole department is managing through a huge distraction. They’ll continue to do their jobs while we work our way through. He is trying to figure out the best way of dealing with this, not only from his own perspective but from the department’s perspective. I don’t know when he’ll come back, and I honestly don’t know if he will.”

It was through leaks late last week to area news outlets that it was alleged that Mr. Dudeck has made inappropriate comments to officers over the past two years. While local officials declined comment on the allegations, they did stress that they are of an administrative nature, not a criminal one.

“There is no concern that these are criminal issues,” said Mr. Bruschi. “The policy we have to deal with is set by the state attorney general’s office, and that is if a complaint is lodged against a police chief it has to be referred to the prosecutor’s office. They would conduct an investigation if there was one, but one has not been started.”

Efforts to reach Mr. Dudeck were unsuccessful.

Mayor Liz Lempert said Tuesday that it would be inappropriate for her to comment directly on the issue. “We are following the state attorney general’s guidelines on how to handle personnel matters regarding the chief,” she said. “It is also important to note that the department has been doing a great job in coming together with consolidation, and that work continues in making sure we’re delivering the best possible services to residents, seeing where we can enhance services, and staying focused on that mission.”

Last week, Princeton Council’s public safety committee, which includes Ms. Lempert, Heather Howard, and Lance Liverman, met with First Assistant Mercer County Prosecutor Doris M. Galuchie, who handles internal affairs of police departments. Mr. Dudeck and Mr. Bruschi also attended the meeting. “We had a two-or-three-minute briefing on it, and that was all,” Mr. Bruschi said. “It was about personnel issues, for lack of a better word, but I won’t get into specifics.”

Mr. Bruschi stressed that contrary to some previous reports, Mr. Dudeck was not issued an ultimatum to either resign or be investigated. “It is nothing like that. He’s had some discussions with the prosecutor’s office,” he said. “We’re just trying to step back and get a handle on what’s been thrown out there.”

Should the prosecutor’s office decide to launch an investigation, and there is something they need to report to Princeton Council, the governing body would then decide if any disciplinary step needs to be taken. “There is a lot of concern that this be handled professionally, and that we make sure it’s done well,” Mr. Bruschi said. “We’ve been told not to rush through the process, and to let it unfold.”

Mr. Bruschi added that while there has been no official discussion of the situation among members of the Council, they have been informed “only in the very generic sense” about the process.

Mr. Dudeck began work for the Borough police in 1983, and was chosen to lead the department following the death of former chief Anthony Federico in 2009. Last year, he was chosen to be chief of police for consolidated Princeton. He is a 1977 graduate of The Hun School and has been its head football coach for 10 years.

Prior to consolidation, Princeton Township police Chief Robert Buchanan accepted an agreement to leave the department last March. Previous to that in the Township, Chief Mark Emann left following charges involving improper trading of police weapons.

“It’s really important to have a force that’s working well,” said Ms. Lempert this week. “And whatever we have to do to get there, we will.”

February 27, 2013

Citizens Comment at Council Meeting On AvalonBay’s Appeal of Board Decision

At a meeting of Princeton Council on Monday, February 25, several opponents of developer AvalonBay’s housing plan for the former Princeton Hospital site voiced their opinions of an appeal filed February 20 by the developer in Superior Court. The appeal seeks to overturn the “illegal denial” of their plan issued by the Princeton Planning Board last December, and names the Board, the mayor, and Council as defendants.

Kate Warren, a member of the group Princeton Citizens for Sustainable Neighborhoods (PCSN), called the appeal “one more bullying tactic” by AvalonBay. PCSN has been a constant presence at meetings about the plan over the past year, challenging its density, design, and possible environmental problems with testimony from experts and attorneys. “We are asking you to put your full support behind the Planning Board’s decision,” Ms. Warren told Council.

PCSN member Alexi Assmus pointed out what she said were inaccuracies in the filing, specifically regarding affordable housing. In a statement, PCSN said, “We strongly urge Princeton Council and the Planning Board to fight the AvalonBay lawsuit against the town. We are considering all of our legal options.”

AvalonBay’s appeal asserts that the Planning Board was biased in its decision to reject the proposal for 280 rental units at the old hospital site on Witherspoon Street. “When the Planning Board voted to deny AvalonBay’s site plan application, it was clear that AvalonBay was an unwelcome corporate outsider,” the appeal reads. The developer was fully willing to comply with site plan and zoning ordinance requirements, it continues. “Unfortunately, AvalonBay’s compliance with the law was insufficient to obtain site plan approval from the Planning Board.”

The suit also contends that the Board’s decision violated the Mount Laurel Doctrine on affordable housing, and was not supported by evidence presented in several public hearings. The developer asks the court to reverse the decision and approve the project. They urge the Court to make a decision by May 1, at which time AvalonBay says it will have to back out of its contract with Princeton HealthCare System because of time and money constraints. The contract has a June 30, 2013 deadline, which the lawsuit says cannot be extended. The company also wants the court to award legal fees and other costs, which they expect to reach more than $2 million by the June date.

The hospital issued a statement last Thursday saying, “We are not a party to the lawsuit filed by AvalonBay and therefore are not in a position to comment on it.” AvalonBay also declined comment on the appeal.

Planning Board attorney Gerald Muller said Monday that he was surprised by the manner in which the suit was filed. “It’s an order to show cause, which we don’t think is appropriate here,” he said. Once the court sets up a briefing schedule, Mr. Muller added, the Board’s decision will be proven to be legal. “We think we have valid legal ground. And in our opinion, a number of standards in the ordinance have been violated.”

Mayor Liz Lempert said Monday a decision has not yet been reached on whether the task force which has been meeting regularly to discuss possible rezoning of the hospital site will be continued.

February 13, 2013

Chamber’s Revamping of Kiosk Design Receives Mixed Reception From Council

A proposal to revamp the information kiosks located on Nassau Street at Witherspoon and Vandeventer streets got a lukewarm reaction from members of Princeton Council on Monday night. But the Council agreed to hold off voting on the plan, which was presented by Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce President Peter Crowley, until after the Traffic and Transit committee takes a look at it.

“I feel like this is appropriate for a mall,” said Council member Jenny Crumiller, citing the portions of the kiosks that would display advertisements from local businesses. “Advertising is an assault. I’d rather not see it. Let’s not have it on our street corner. You have definitely improved the design, but advertising is what I object to.”

The Chamber has spent nearly a year developing a plan to upgrade the kiosks, which have been a fixture in town since the 1980’s. Used by the public to post notices of apartment rentals, meetings, cultural events, and other information, they are cluttered by multiple postings often layered on top of each other. “The kiosks have so much information on them that nobody gets the information,” Mr. Crowley said.

In addition to advertising, the proposed improvements include free tourism information, maps, and at least two cork panels for the public postings at the kiosk outside the Garden Theatre at Vandeventer Street. The other kiosk at Witherspoon Street would display the maps and municipal information along with advertisements, but not the public postings.

Each of the kiosks would cost about $20,000 to refurbish. The Chamber would maintain the kiosks, leasing them from the town. They would be designed with low-energy LED lighting. As much of the existing structures as possible would be maintained. Information posted on the kiosks would be limited to a certain size, for a specified length of time.

Mr. Crowley said he didn’t know yet how much businesses would be charged to advertise in the kiosks, but said that those prices would be tiered among Princeton businesses and Chamber members. Council member Jo Butler asked if Route 1 businesses would be included, and Mr. Crowley said that local organizations are preferred. Council member Lance Liverman questioned whether non-profits would be allowed to advertise. Noting that the Chamber has more than 100 non-profits as members, Mr. Crowley said their notices would be posted on a rotating basis, in a locked glass case.

Some Council members said that limiting the number of public notices could impinge upon the kiosk tradition of free speech. Mr. Crowley said the new design, while allowing less room than is currently available for such postings, is not intended to discourage putting up public information. When Ms. Butler expressed concern that the advertisements on the kiosks not face Nassau Street, where they could cause a distraction for drivers, Mr. Crowley replied that the ads would not face the road.

In a press release from the Chamber, Traffic and Transportation committee chair Anton Lahnston expressed support for the initiative. “The kiosks are a mess, they contribute to sign pollution in general. Anything you can do to help with that would be great.”

Princeton resident Chip Crider commented that the proposal has advantages and disadvantages. “It’s important that we don’t make our town too sterile,” he said, referring to the loss of some of the public posting space.

In other actions, the Council voted to approve an ordinance introduced last month to charge $107.60 an hour to pay police officers for extra duty at school events, parties, and other functions. They also voted to introduce an ordinance establishing fees for dog licenses at $12 for neutered pets, and $15 for un-neutered. A public hearing for that will be held at the February 25 meeting of Council.

January 9, 2013

New Council Convenes To Hear Citizens’ Concerns And Advice From CGR

At a January 3 meeting devoted to goal-setting and prioritizing, the new Princeton Council heard from residents about their concerns for consolidated Princeton after listening to a talk about how best to go about addressing them.

Joe Stefko of CGR, the company that helped guide the merger of Princeton Township and Princeton Borough into one municipality, delivered a power point presentation designed to “start a dialogue,” he told the Council. “Recognize that you are still very much in a transition process. Navigating it is really going to be critical.”

During the hour-long presentation of charts and data, Mr. Stefko used the analogy of a hospital emergency room. He urged Council members to avoid the “tyranny of the urgent,” which can put certain, less crucial-seeming policy matters at risk of being ignored. Mr. Stefko displayed a “word cloud” on the screen, incorporating results of a survey that asked department heads and others to identify the most crucial issues facing Princeton. Not surprisingly, the hospital site on Witherspoon Street and parking issues were printed in the largest type.

Among the smaller typed issues were recycling, teamwork, cost savings, and historic preservation. But the latter was one of the first topics to be addressed during the public comment portion of the meeting. John Heilner, a proponent of the Morven Tract Historic District, urged the Council to decide whether to make a 51-home section of Princeton’s western section a historic district. “This is unfinished business which was only held up by a sly 11th hour legal maneuver by opponents of the historic district who requested an injunction to prevent the Borough Council from finalizing its earlier draft ordinance,” he said, referring to action at the last Borough Council meeting.

Resident Mary Blair asked the new Council to make leaf and brush collection a priority. “We have a once-in-a-lifetime moment to get this program right,” she said, noting that the Borough and Township had two very different programs which made the system confusing. Another resident urged the Council to look into the issue of power losses. “In 2012, aside from Hurricane Sandy, we had four days when the power went out with no storms,” she said. “Why do the lights keep going out in Princeton?”

Repeating concerns she has addressed to the former Borough Council, resident Leslie Vieland asked the new Council to take on the issue of a cell tower on Snowden Lane. Citing health issues and the possibility of dropping real estate values, Ms. Vieland said she has come up with alternative sites for the cell tower, which are not near any residences.

Resident Pam Machold urged the Council to have a representative attend meetings of the Shade Tree Commission, and to take care of Princeton’s parks. Henry Singer said to the Council, “I hope that you educate yourselves and commit the new Princeton to open government.”

Mr. Stefko said that the Transition Task Force website www.cgr.org/princeton/transition/ will remain active as the Council sets its goals so that members of the public can offer suggestions on priorities. A second meeting devoted to goal-setting will be held at a date in later January to be announced.

December 12, 2012

Council President To Be Named Soon; Officials Review Rules

Mayor-elect Liz Lempert and members of the new Princeton Council met on Friday morning in a closed session to discuss, Ms. Lempert said, “personnel matters.” Selecting a president for the governing body was presumably among the items on the agenda, though no final decision has been announced.

Ms. Lempert also reported that a “training meeting” was scheduled to take place this week. Transition Task Force attorney Bill Kearns would be present, she said, to “make sure everybody knows what all the details are in a borough form of government.”

Council members include current Township Committee members Bernie Miller and Lance Liverman; current Borough Council members Heather Howard, Jo Butler and Jenny Crumiller; and newcomer Patrick Simon, who has not held office before, but served on the Princeton Joint Consolidation and Shared Services Study Commission; and the Information and Technology, and Finance Subcommittees of the Transition Task Force. Ms. Lempert is a Township resident. All seven are Democrats.

Speculation about who the Council president will be has included Mr. Miller, perhaps the most seasoned member of the newly created Council, and Ms. Howard. There has also been some suggestion that the president should be someone from Borough Council who has had experience with that form of government.

The new Princeton municipality will consist of a council governing body of six representatives and a mayor, all of whom are elected at-large. The mayor will serve a term of four years while the council members will be elected for three year terms. The mayor will not vote, but will preside over the body and break tie votes.

Because the mayor and Council have not officially assumed their respective offices, no voting can occur at any of these meetings.

In the new year, the new mayor, with the consent of Council, will be selecting members to serve on the municipality’s successor Boards, Committees, and Commissions (BCCs), with the highest priority placed on those BCCs governed by state law. In the meantime, the Transition Task Force’s Committees and Commissions Subcommittee has asked those interested in being on a committee to use the volunteer form available online at the Borough and Township websites, or to mail print copies that can be obtained at the Princeton Public Library or municipal clerks’ offices.

The next meeting of the mayor-elect and Council open to the public will be on Wednesday, December 12, at 5 p.m. in the main meeting room of Township Hall. Another open meeting will follow, in the same place, on Thursday, December 20, at 7 p.m.

March 14, 2012

Candidate for Princeton Council Would Promote Robust Financial Management

To the Editor:

I am running for Princeton Council because I am very concerned about this moment in our town’s history. It is essential that we seize the opportunity to set off on the right fiscal path and create effective government while preserving and enhancing services that Princeton residents have come to expect.

My recent experience as chair of the Township’s Citizens Finance Advisory Committee combined with a successful background in corporate financial management make me uniquely qualified to understand the complexities and meet the challenges as we transition to one Princeton. I will promote robust financial management and transparency to enhance decision making, budgeting, and long-term capital planning.

As Princeton residents, we value our diverse community and unique resources. Our world-class library, human services, open spaces, and a vibrant downtown are at the heart of who we are and why we choose to live here. As Vice Chair of the Joint Borough/Township Transition Task Force, I have been working to achieve the contemplated savings identified in the Consolidation Commission’s report, and on the Council I will demand a balanced approach between fiscal discipline and preserving a high quality of community for our citizens.

I look forward to strengthening relations with Princeton University and our other world-class institutions. The lines of communication need to be open and frank as we wrestle with issues of development and growth.

I have lived in Princeton for 14 years, 9 years in the Borough and 5 in the Township, and look forward to a bright future as we transition to one Princeton.

Scott Sillars
Battle Road

Former Township Mayor Plans to Run For Council, Seeks PCDO Endorsement

To the Editor:

In the past few weeks I have given much thought to running for the new Princeton Council in the primary election in June. After talking through the prospect of a campaign with many of my family, friends, and colleagues, I have decided that I will enter the campaign and seek the endorsement of PCDO for the primary election.

I have arrived at this decision because I believe that the successful campaign to unite Princeton was not a culmination but a beginning. Much remains to be done during the next few years to carry forth the work of the Consolidation Commission in order to ensure that our community can realize the benefits of consolidation. In addition, during the last few years we have built a vastly improved working relationship with Princeton University. It is important to make certain that the new Princeton Council continues to build on that relationship for the betterment of the community.

For the past ten years I have been honored to serve the people of Princeton Township as a committeeman, deputy mayor and mayor. I was a member of the Consolidation Study Commission and worked for consolidation. I am a member of the Transition Task Force that is working with the professional staffs of the Borough and Township to merge our two communities into a new town of Princeton.

I ask for your support to help move our new Princeton forward and to implement what we as a community voted to do on November 8, 2011.

Bernie Miller
Governors Lane