By Anne Levin

At its meeting on Monday night, April 14, Princeton Council voted to pass a budget that is 3.04 percent higher than that of last year. The total figure will rise from $75,674,457.12 to $77,982,417.10.

This means that a home of average value in Princeton will see its taxes increase by about $133, said Sandra Webb, the town’s chief finance officer, during the public hearing. This year’s budget was driven by the usual things, she said: garbage and trash collection, insurance, debt service, participation in the Stony Brook Regional Sewage Authority, and the public library.

Councilman Brian McDonald commented that though he considers Princeton Public Library to be “one of our crown jewels,” he was concerned that their increase of 5 percent, from $4,738,184 to $4,975,094, was high. Mayor Mark Freda, who sits on the library board, said he had advised the board that next year’s budget is not likely to provide that much of an increase.

“A few meetings ago I mentioned when they were reviewing their budget that we, the town, cannot continue to shoulder that kind of burden year after year, and that they should assume that next year will be a different story with Westminster [the choir college property that the town has purchased] coming on. Our finance committee should talk to them to help prepare for that.”

Council voted in favor of an ordinance amending fees for zoning permits. Councilman David Cohen commented that the change was a good one.

“It makes fees a little more scalable related to the amount of work required to process the permit,” he said.

A second ordinance lowering speed limits on Mt. Lucas Road, Route 206, and Cherry Hill Road was also approved. McDonald and Councilman Leighton Newlin commented that they hoped additional reductions in speed limits will be made on other roadways in and around town.

Representatives from the Princeton Salamander Crossing Brigade, which helps amphibians safely cross Herrontown Road during their annual migration to breed, delivered a presentation about the initiative. Among those speaking were two Princeton High School students who have been active in the effort and said salamanders are “a keystone species.”

Following their presentation, the students shared with Council some cards written by third grade students from Community Park School, thanking police and “crossing guards” for their efforts keeping salamanders safe.

Princeton Police Chief Christopher Tash reported that five new police officers were hired in February to fill vacancies. He also announced that, on June 12 at 6 p.m., there will be a presentation on traffic laws and traffic safety, geared to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians at Witherspoon Hall. He urged members of the public to sign up for the event.

The Council voted unanimously to appoint Dawn M. Mount the new municipal clerk.

There was some discussion of a resolution authorizing the Arts Council of Princeton to hold its Outdoor Art Market on May 6. While Council voted to approve the resolution, some members commented that the event causes traffic problems and should be moved from Paul Robeson Place to the section of Witherspoon Street between Nassau and Spring streets that can be legally closed for street fairs.

“We’re not going to decide this tonight,” said Freda. “This will be an ongoing debate.”