By Anne Levin

Some much-needed infrastructure improvements are included in Princeton’s 2023 capital budget, which Princeton Council voted to approve at a meeting on Monday night, June 12.

Previously deferred projects funded by the budget include the replacement of eight sanitary sewer pumps, improvements to the sewer system’s pipes, six storm sewer culvert replacements, open space improvements, streetscape projects, and safety and traffic calming projects.

Chief Finance Officer Sandy Webb told Council that an initial request of $47 million, “a huge number,” was reduced to about $35 million following extensive meetings with various municipal departments. The restructuring of some departments included the consolidation of engineering and infrastructure operations. The normal capital budget is around $20 million.

Councilmembers praised the municipal staff, particularly Webb, for their work on managing the budget. Council President Mia Sacks, who chairs the Infrastructure and Operations Committee, said the consolidation of the two departments was “a critical step to more effectively channel the efforts of our highly skilled workforce in addressing the backlog of infrastructure improvements.”

Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros said the budget addresses decades of deferred maintenance. “At the same time, we are acknowledging the impact of climate change on our town,” she said. “And we’re really taking action to counter it. These are all critical investments we need to do now. We can’t kick the can down the road any longer. So I’m really grateful to this team for being able to move this forward. It’s tremendous, and it’s historic.”

A statement detailing the infrastructure improvements provided some specifics. Many of the sanitary sewer pumps to be replaced are in flood-prone areas and have exceeded their useful life. The replacements will reduce disruptions during extreme weather events. The six storm sewer culvert replacements address increasing rainfall and runoff, helping to reduce over-topping and property damage.

Safety and traffic calming projects include the enhancement of crosswalks on Route 206 at Herrontown Road and Mansgrove Road; sidewalks, bike lanes, and traffic calming on a portion of Terhune Road; repaving and traffic calming on University Place, Alexander Street, and Dickinson Street; and additional measures.

Among other actions at the meeting was the introduction of a budget for the Special Improvement District; a public hearing will be held at the Council meeting on July 10. A resolution was approved for an agreement with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for purchase, installation, and maintenance of optically controlled emergency pre-emption equipment on the traffic signal at Nassau and Witherspoon streets. This allows traffic to be stopped to make way for emergency vehicles at the intersection.

Council reached a consensus to allow a food truck from the restaurant Jammin’ Crepes to park in a space across from 20 Nassau Street, from which the eatery is temporarily displaced during work on the building as it is being converted into the Graduate Hotel. Jammin’ Crepes is among several retail businesses that have had to vacate while the safety work is carried out, a period which could take several weeks.

Co-owner Kathy Klockenbrink said the truck will sell food Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The restaurant has contracted to use a commissary kitchen at Princeton Shopping Center to cater private events, its Saturday hours at the West Windsor Farmers Market, and the Jammin’ Community Cafe at Princeton Public Library.

The next public meeting of Princeton Council is on June 26 at 7 p.m.