To the Editor:

The task force to be charged with making recommendations to implement consolidation of Princeton Borough and Township is getting off to a slow start, partly because of apparent confusion over how to proceed in this uncharted water. This is to suggest one method for steering the municipalities on an appropriate course.

First, the municipal governing bodies must recognize that they, as the local elected representatives (and not the State or any appointed collection of residents), are charged with the responsibility of consolidation. Thus, the governing bodies must take the initiative and define the responsibilities of all interested parties.

Second, the municipal governing bodies must act together if consolidation is to become a reality.

Third, the governing bodies can act together only by joint written resolution adopted by vote. The resolution should identify who will be in charge of making recommendations concerning consolidation, the powers and resources granted to such persons, and the nature and timing of the product to be delivered to the governing bodies for action next autumn. The joint resolution should be discussed in public and, as those who serve on the task force will be required to follow its mandate, they should be able to comment on its mandate before adoption.

Fourth, after adopting a joint resolution that defines the tasks to be performed, the governing bodies should select volunteers to serve on the task force. The task force itself should not be much larger than about 15 persons, so that it is manageable. But to aid the task force, the governing bodies might select a much larger group of volunteers to serve on subcommittees. The subcommittees could include local experts assigned to address specific issues, such as consolidation of police, public works, and finance.

Fifth, the selection of task force members by the governing bodies should be an open process in which the criteria for selection are publicly acknowledged and discussed. Should residence (as opposed to office) in the Borough or Township be a requirement for appointment to the task force or its subcommittees? Should employment by Princeton University or service on the Consolidation Study Commission bar appointment to the task force or its subcommittees? If the public is going to have confidence in the task force, the selection process should be thoughtful and transparent.

The sooner the governing bodies move along this course, or any other reasonable and publicly-decided course, the better will be the implementation of consolidation that the voters required by their vote last November.

Roger Martindell
Patton Avenue, Member, Princeton Borough Council