By Anne Levin

A resolution authorizing an agreement with a consulting company for the revamping of Community Park South was among the actions taken at a brief meeting of Princeton Council on Monday evening, January 13.

Council voted unanimously to give The Bowman Consulting Group $709,201.50 for the first phase of the initiative, which involves renovation of the 26-acre expanse bordered by Route 206, Birch Avenue, Community Park School, and Community Park Pool. The project has been on Princeton’s “to do” list since the mid-1980s, officials said.

The contract with Bowman is for the entire three-phase program, but the town can’t afford to do it all at once.

“We will look at how to phase it,” said Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros. “Once we start this process, we can really go out and look for funding. We need state, local, and federal grant programs, or corporations that might want to help us. This is a gem of a unique park and the heart of our community. There is a real importance to investing in it and looking at it for the long term, for the health and fitness of all ages.”

Additional resolutions passed by the Council included an agreement with Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton for behavioral health and community services, for $53, 494; an agreement with the architecture firm Clarke Caton Hintz for planning services for affordable housing not to exceed $71,000; the appointment of six probationary officers; and renewal of a contract with the Center for Modern Aging Princeton for an amount not to exceed $171,965.

Lambros and Assistant Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell reported that the consultants Nelson\ Nygaard are entering the second phase of a study on the town’s transit system. The next phase will involve stakeholder meetings with the business community, health community, residential developments, and public schools, among other groups. A presentation on their findings is planned for the February 24 Council meeting.

At Council’s annual reorganization meeting on January 7, Mayor Mark Freda was sworn in for a second term by Gov. Phil Murphy; State Sen. Andrew Zwicker administered the oath of office to newly elected Brian McDonald for his first term, and to Councilwoman Mia Sacks to continue as Council president; and former Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer swore in Councilman Leighton Newlin for his second term.

Departing Councilwoman Eve Niedergang thanked each colleague individually for their collaborations during her six years on the governing body. Each Council member and Freda offered brief remarks about accomplishments during 2024 and hopes for 2025.

McDonald mentioned former Mayor Liz Lempert, the late Bernie Miller, and Scott Sillars as important influences. He cited affordable housing, climate resilience, sustainability, and partnerships with nonprofits as important goals for his initial term. Councilwoman Leticia Fraga talked about tasks that lie ahead, particularly in regard to those in underserved communities.

Councilman David Cohen referred to the results of the recent presidential election. “It seems we should be doubling our commitment to those who could be most affected,” he said. “When I think about my grandkids, what keeps me up at night is climate change.”

Newlin said it is important to keep history in mind, particularly in regard to the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood. “We’re standing at a crossroads, perhaps one of the most critical times in Princeton’s history,” he said. “Take a walk down Witherspoon Street. Homes that once sold for $150,000 are now pushing $700,000. This isn’t just about rising property values. It’s about displacement, people losing their place in the story of Princeton.”

The next meeting of Council is on Monday, January 27.