While concerns about the town’s handling of possible exposure to the Ebola virus (see accompanying story) dominated Monday night’s meeting of Princeton Council, there was additional business on the agenda. The governing body passed resolutions to accept a 2013 audit, the first since consolidation, and to approve a related corrective action plan. Also approved was a resolution to officially oppose the Penneast Pipeline Project, among other actions.

Mayor Liz Lempert said she was pleased with the results of the town’s audit. Discussion was led by Robert Morrison of the Highland Park firm Hodulik & Morrison. Mr. Morrison said there were only minor concerns with the report, which did not affect the fairness of the financial statements.

In response to a recommendation that data entry privileges for financial accounting software be modified to limit them to authorized personnel, the municipality said there is new software in place that allows only Kathy Monzo, the town’s director of finance, and Sandra Webb, its chief financial officer, to have access.

It was also recommended that reports of parking costs by credit card be obtained and checked against the amounts paid by credit card companies to make sure parking revenues are obtained in a timely manner.

Members of the Princeton Environmental Commission delivered a presentation about the “Leave the Leaves” initiative, which encourages property owners to use fallen leaves as mulch and ground-cover rather than piling them up at the curb for pickup. Piles of leaves can cause safety concerns for drivers, said Stephanie Chorney, PEC member. Having the town pick up the leaves “is not sustainable, and it increases energy consumption,” she said, adding, “It hauls away rich nutrients.”

The PEC recommends mulching leaves with a mower, spreading leaves on the garden to hold in moisture, using leaves to control weeds, and creating a “leaf corral,” a circle of wire fencing to help contain leaves. Robert Hough, the town’s director of infrastructure and operations, said the mega-storms of recent seasons have prevented his department from documenting whether professional landcapers deal properly with leaves, but they hope to do more in the future. “I think you should tell them that Princeton customers want that kind of service,” said Council member Jo Butler.

Resident and environmentalist Steve Hiltner commented that an ordinance dealing with the dumping of leaves needs to be strictly enforced. Mayor Lempert said educating the public about the issue is important and Council will work with the PEC on the problem.

Council approved resolutions to allow United Bow Hunters of New Jersey and White Buffalo Inc. Wildlife Management Services to control the herds of deer in certain areas. Also approved was a resolution allowing the Rodgers Group to develop a strategic plan for the Princeton Police Department.