By Anne Levin

At its meeting Monday night, Princeton Council introduced two ordinances and approved several resolutions, including one that authorizes a supplemental professional services agreement with the architecture firm Clarke Caton Hintz for additional services related to the reworking of the town’s master plan.

The town’s municipal staff and a steering committee have been working on revamping the master plan for over a year. The resolution calls for $50,000 to be allotted to the Trenton firm to continue the process. Council President Mia Sacks expressed appreciation to Municipal Planner Justin Lesko “who has moved mountains to make this happen in an incredibly short time,” also recognizing Municipal Administrator Bernie Hvozdovic. Reworking of the plan is still on track to wrap up by the end of this year, “which is nothing short of miraculous,” Sacks said.

Council voted to authorize a professional services agreement with dentist Lehka Tull for a community block grant dental care program, now in its second year. The grant funds dental care and screening for low- and moderate-income Princeton residents.

Among the other resolutions was a shared services agreement between the town and the Mercer County Improvement Authority for curbside collection of recyclables, from January 2024 through the end of December 2028. The new agreement “comes at a very significant rate increase as we’ve been experiencing with all aspects of our waste,” said Councilwoman Eve Niedergang, citing a rise of 82 to 84 percent. “The cost for getting rid of things has just continued to go up. As a community and a nation, we have to think of better alternatives.”

Ordinances were introduced related to the property management policy for the Lanwin II property, which will preserve 153 acres of undeveloped land in Princeton, bordering Hopewell Township and Montgomery; and the leasing of 14 Clearview Avenue to the Housing Initiatives of Princeton Charitable Trust, to be used as part of the nonprofit’s transitional housing program. Both ordinances will be the subject of public hearings at the July 10 Council meeting.

Council issued a proclamation commending the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice for “proving itself to be an inspiration and meaningful organization that serves as a necessary and essential community activist hub, education bridge, and dedicated safe space for LGBTQIA youth, intersectional families, and all our marginalized individuals and groups, connecting diverse and disparate communities, both locally and nationally in their fight for equal rights and recognition.”

Robt Seda-Schreiber, chief activist for the organization, thanked Niedergang, Councilman Leighton Newlin, Mayor Mark Freda, and the Princeton Police Department for their continuing support. “There is a tremendous community here in Princeton,” he said. “The majority of folks are doing their best. We want to be here for you as you have been here for us.”

The next Council meeting is July 10.