By Anne Levin

Princeton Council introduced the 2018 municipal budget at its Monday, March 26 meeting, calling for no tax increase.

Originally proposed to charge the average household an increase of $41.86, the budget was amended following a unanimous vote by the governing body. Mayor Liz Lempert and Municipal Administrator Marc Dashield credited the Citizens Finance Advisory Committee (CFAC) for their work on the issue, which involved using surplus funds to bring the increase down to zero. A public hearing on the budget will be held on April 9.

Princeton Police Chief Nick Sutter took Council members through the 2017 Annual Police Report. A community survey that yielded zero responses from the Hispanic community in 2013 got 59 responses in a second survey done last year, plus nearly 200 from other residents of the town. “They were almost overwhelmingly positive,” Sutter said.

The biggest concerns cited among residents were related to speeding, specifically regarding pedestrian and bicycling safety. Asked about motor vehicle stops, Sutter noted that 70 percent of them are warnings, rather than summons. “We’re not driving revenue,” he said. “We’re there to raise awareness, and that’s what it’s about.”

The survey also focused on recruiting. Sutter said that since 2013, the police department has developed a reputation for its increasing diversity. “We have 3,000 interests for our next recruiting, and it hasn’t even been announced,” he said.

With longtime Planning Director Lee Solow about to retire, Council approved a one-year contract with Banisch Associates, Inc., for work related to planning and zoning plan review, at an amount not to exceed $30,000, paid out of escrow. Rates for planning reviews will be higher during this time, Lempert cautioned, because using a planner not on staff is more costly. “Mr. Banisch actually had one of the better rates of the people we looked at, but we probably are going to hear from people and I just wanted to give people that warning.”

A resolution authorizing approval of recommendations on traffic speed reductions and “calming” devices was also approved. Council President Jenny Crumiller said the data-driven plan evolved after a long and deliberative process. Traffic enforcement and a plan for traffic calming that is equitable for all neighborhoods are the major components.

“This has been on the wish list and the goals list for quite a while and it’s great to finally see it,” said Lempert. She asked if there will be a speed table at the renovated Mary Moss Playground on John Street, which is targeted to reopen soon. Ms. Crumiller said the slope of the street makes that a problem, but the issue will be revisited.