TOWN-GOWN CHAT: Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber (center, right) visited Monday night’s Princeton Council meeting, and he and Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert (center, left) led a discussion on collaboration, equity, sustainability, and a number of other topics important to both the town and the University.

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber made his annual visit to Princeton Council on Monday night, February 24, at Monument Hall, and the freewheeling conversation with Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert and Council members ranged widely over a number of issues that are important to both the town and the University.

Collaboration — past and present, as well as future possibilities — was the main theme as the discussion focused on sustainability, equity, growth and development, public safety, and transportation.

Starting with an appreciation for Mayor Lempert’s work, particularly in opening channels of communication, Eisgruber highlighted renowned Princeton mathematician Oscar Veblen and his impact on the University, the Institute for Advanced Study, and the town of Princeton.  Eisgruber noted Veblen’s early efforts to help refugees coming out of Europe before World War II.

“He helped to start us on a trajectory, a commitment that we share around this table,” Eisgruber said. “One of the things that I appreciate about this town and your leadership, Liz, is that you’ve set a tone of inclusivity, welcoming to immigrants, creating an atmosphere that allows people of all backgrounds to thrive and flourish.”

Eisgruber went on to mention the University’s efforts, including a lawsuit against the federal government, to support the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He also highlighted the current Princeton University Art Museum reconstruction as a project with significant benefits to both town and University.

“I appreciate our collaborations,” said Councilwoman Leticia Fraga. “Most important for me has been building community, and there is much more we can do, many opportunities to work together to continue to make this a welcoming community and a vibrant community.”

Eisgruber agreed and emphasized, with appreciation to Princeton Police Department (PPD) Chief Nicholas Sutter and his leadership, how important it is to faculty, staff, and students at Princeton University that the town is such a welcoming place.

Council President David Cohen, who is

a member of the steering committee for the town’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), applauded the University’s “forward-thinking and aggressive policies and cooperation in implementing the CAP.” Cohen noted in particular the areas of stormwater management and transportation. Councilwoman Eve Niedergang later followed up on the issue of stormwater management, pressing Eisgruber to comment on the impact of the University’s future development.

“Sustainability is an important area for our collaboration,” Eisgruber said. “And it is clear that we need to be able to find ways to do the things we do in more sustainable ways with a smaller carbon footprint.”

As the conversation moved to the issue of planning, for up to 50 years in the future, Eisgruber again noted the value of open channels of communication and collaboration with the municipality. “The long-term planning process is hugely beneficial,” he said. “It helps you to see the choices, and we want to be thinking about those choices mindfully.” 

Looking to address the issue of the decline of the African American population in Princeton, Councilman Dwaine Williamson called on Eisgruber and the University to combine expertise and resources with the town to explore the future of the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood.

“One of the things that makes this a welcoming place is that we share a commitment to diversity,” Eisgruber responded. “The University has become more diverse in ways that are multi-cultural. It is important that this town remain diverse and that it have a strong African American community.”

The Council continued to discuss with Eisgruber possible ways in which University students could become more involved in the town — not only on Nassau Street, but beyond.

“There are great opportunities to collaborate,” Eisgruber said. “There are more and more students who are interested because there are so many positive things happening in town. The welcoming attitude is important in facilitating this connection.”

In background material sent to the mayor and Council, Princeton University Director of Community and Regional Affairs Kristin Appelget noted several highlights among new community partnerships in 2019, including two new Princeton University Art Museum locations at Art@Bainbridge and the Art Museum Store, both on Nassau Street; a collaboration with the municipality, Friends of Princeton Open Space, and Daughters of the American Revolution to provide funding to restore the Princeton All Wars Memorial; the Princeton University Library and Office of Community and Regional Affairs summer youth employment program; Community House, celebrating its 50th anniversary of supporting underrepresented youth in the Princeton area; and the Princeton Fire Department Associate Member Program, celebrating the 10th anniversary of University employees augmenting the daytime fire department ranks.

In other Council business Monday, John Bailey presented an update on the Witherspoon-Jackson Community African American Mural Project at the Mary Moss Playground. Bailey is in the process of fact-finding, fundraising, and collaborating with a wide variety of local organizations and individuals in planning the creation and installation of a mural to celebrate African American heritage and participation in the town of Princeton.

Bailey presented to Council the plans and progress so far and the ongoing process, with an anticipated unveiling at the Joint Effort Witherspoon-Jackson Community Celebration in August 2020.

In preliminary figures on 2019 police department activity, Sutter reported significant decreases in both motor vehicle accidents and pedestrians struck by cars in Princeton. There were 877 reported motor vehicle accidents in 2019, down from 944 in 2018 and 1,001 in 2017. The number of pedestrians struck was 13, the lowest number since 2010 and down from 17 in 2018.

Among other items on the packed Council agenda was the introduction of an ordinance regulating the keeping of backyard chickens on residential property. “We are trying to make sure we have rules and that the rules are clear,” Lempert said. “This ordinance helps give clarity to what is allowed and what is not.”

Backyard chicken owner Karen Zemble noted the successful introduction of the ordinance with “no dissenters in the audience or on Council. In two weeks, on March 9, they will vote it into law.”