By Anne Levin

The introduction of a new municipal arborist, a report on pedestrian safety efforts, and some new ordinances related to the ongoing harmonization of the former Princeton Borough and Princeton Township were among the topics at the Princeton Council meeting on Monday, April 23.

The governing body voted to bring back to Princeton a county nutrition program for the elderly, which has been operating in Lawrence for the past five years. The program will be returned to the Princeton Senior Resource Center.

The town’s new arborist is Taylor Sapudar, replacing Lorraine Konopka, who departed the position last year. Sapudar’s background includes work in New York’s Central Park for Hill International. He grew up in Mercer County and graduated from Mercer County Community College and Rutgers, and has been an arborist for the past decade. Sapudar will start work on Monday, April 30.

The Council gave a round of applause to departing planning director Lee Solow, who is retiring after more than 23 years working for the town. Council President Jenny Crumiller said she first met Solow when she was an objector at the former Princeton Hospital site (now Avalon Princeton apartments), before she served on the governing body. “He is really understanding to objectors, and that’s a really hard job,” she said. “I just want to thank him for that.”

Surinder Sharma, a current candidate for Council, reiterated to the governing body that the public should be better informed about progress on how the town is going to meet a court-ordered affordable housing requirement of 753 units, issued last month. The same issue was raised by members of the public at the previous Council meeting on April 9.

In response, municipal administrator Marc Dashield said that in the closed session that preceded the meeting, Council had reviewed one of the housing options they will recommend the beginning of next month to the Planning Board. Between May and June, he continued, the housing element and fair share plan will be prepared. A notice to the court must be submitted by June 22, and a compliance hearing will take place around July 23.

“Roughly in June, we will have some public meetings to review the final plans with the public,” Dashield said. Mayor Liz Lempert added that a link to an “FAQ” (Frequently Asked Questions) will be posted on the town’s website.

Lieutenant Christopher Morgan of the Princeton Police Department updated Council on efforts for the Street Smart campaign promoted by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. Princeton police have been participating twice a year in the public education program to increase awareness of traffic safety among pedestrians and drivers. The weeklong campaign includes issuing handouts, having conversations with pedestrians, using social media, issuing some summonses, and partnering with Princeton University.

Busy traffic on Nassau Street and a recent fatality at the intersection of Nassau Street and Washington Road have made the issue especially concerning. During one week, for four hours a day, three to four officers took part in the effort, making an average of over 1,000 contacts a day, Morgan said. The officers handed out literature, in English and Spanish, at the recent Truckfest and following Sunday Mass at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church.

“We don’t just do it for that one week. We also do this daily,” Morgan said. “Messages for motorists are to obey speed limit and stop for pedestrians. For pedestrians, it’s to use the walk sign and cross at the crosswalk, and get your head out of your cell phone.”

Morgan concluded by asking members of the public to bike, rather than drive, to Communiversity on Sunday, April 29. Councilman David Cohen added that there will be free “valet” bike parking at HiTOPS on Wiggins Street during the event.

The two ordinance introductions Council approved were related to land use and streets and sidewalks. Earlier in the day, Lempert said the goal of the ongoing harmonization is to have a single code book by next year, acknowledging that the project “is a heavy lift.” The public hearing for the ordinances is May 21.