At Princeton Council’s meeting on Monday, March 28, members got a first look at the proposed budget for 2016. For the average household assessed at around $810,191, taxes will go up about $110, according to the town’s administrator Marc Dashield. 

Along with voting to introduce the $61.9 million municipal budget, Council approved a settlement with two former police officers involved in an illegal gun trade issue dating back six years. The governing body also heard reports about a growing bike share program on the Princeton University campus that is due to expand to the town, and efforts by local police to curb speeding, among other topics.

In his presentation, Mr. Dashield said the town’s expenditures are up about 1.2 percent. But they have dropped $743,526 or 1.19 percent since 2011, he added. Three staff members are being added for recreation and open space maintenance. The budget “aligns with Council’s strategic goals to promote long-term fiscal planning and provide a financially sustainable community,” Mr. Dashield said. “I would characterize this budget as really being a maintenance budget for this year.”

Since council members Bernie Miller and Lance Liverman were absent at the meeting, a more detailed description of the budget will be given when they are present, likely on April 18, Mr. Dashield said. A public hearing would then be held on the issue April 25.

Lawsuit Settlement

The resolution to award former Lieutenant Michael Henderson and Corporal Arthur S. Villaruz $200,000 dates from 2010. The issue concerns the illegal trade of an antique rifle, owned by the department, with a gun dealer in 2007. As part of the deal, then-Chief Mark Emann had received two weapons in return.

Mr. Emann implicated himself, Mr. Villaruz and Mr. Henderson to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Villaruz and Mr. Henderson denied wrongdoing. While not charged criminally, they both retired and later claimed they were coerced into doing so. They left the department in 2010, along with Mr. Emann, who avoided criminal prosecution by taking probation. Mr. Henderson and Mr. Villaruz ended up suing two years later, claiming they were being denied money in terminal leave and unused time owed to them. They also said the town had not turned over property they owned.

Bike Share

Kim Jackson, Princeton University’s Director of Transportation and Parking Services, told Council that the school’s Zagster bike share program has been expanded from 10 to 70 bikes, available at eight locations across the campus. Started last November at the Dinky train station, the program has been enlarged due to popular demand.

“It has been hugely successful,” Ms. Jackson said. “We have over 300 active members who have taken over 1,300 rides. There really is a strong appetite for this and we’re really excited about having the municipality join us.”

The University bikes are available to all, not just the school community. But the town is hoping to install a Zagster program of its own by early fall, Mayor Liz Lempert said in a press meeting earlier in the day. Users pay a one-time membership of $20 and get two hours free, paying $2 for every additional hour after that. The idea is to encourage eco-friendly methods of traveling both on and off the campus.

Speeding Crackdown

Ms. Lempert reported to Council that local police had been out on South Harrison Street Monday enforcing speed limits, a practice that is to continue in other neighborhoods all over Princeton. “They are looking for speeders, but the intention is not to get revenue,” she said. “It’s to change behavior. It’s not supposed to be a trap.”