By Anne Levin

At a meeting Monday night, Princeton Council held a work session on a proposed plan for upgrades to Nassau Street from the Montclair-based street design firm Arterial, consultants on the project. The improvements would stretch from Bayard Lane to Moore Street.

The project has been ongoing since 2016, and has included a series of public outreach meetings. The most recent presentation was held June 14 at Princeton Public Library, followed by an online survey to which more than 200 people responded to questions about Nassau Street, said Arterial designer James Ribaudo.

Ribaudo provided details about materials, seating, and other aspects of the project, using before-and-after views of Millburn and Union as examples. Among the proposed ideas are reducing the number of travel lanes on Nassau Street between Witherspoon Street and Vandeventer Avenue, to create a bike lane on the north side of the thoroughfare.

Since Nassau Street is a state highway, the project would require approval by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The firm’s full presentation is available in the agenda packet from Monday’s meeting, on princetonnj.gov. The final schematic design is planned for this coming September. Subject to financing, construction is projected to begin in late 2024 or early 2025.

Also at the meeting, Council voted to approve a $367,000 budget for 2023-2024 for Experience Princeton, formerly known as the Princeton Business
Partnership.

Councilmember Leticia Fraga read a statement about the changed wording of the “Welcome to Princeton” signs at entrances to the town. As of last Friday, the wording on the signage no longer reads “Settled in 1683,” to reflect “an important first step in recognizing and acknowledging that Indigenous people were the original caretakers and stewards of the land long before any settlers arrived,” Fraga said, adding that the acknowledgement does not negate or dismiss the contributions of those who came afterward.

“Instead, it allows us the opportunity to embrace a more complete and inclusive understanding of history that recognizes the important role of Indigenous people

while also highlighting the diverse narratives and experiences that have shaped our community,” she said.

A campaign to change the signs was begun by former Princeton University Vice President Bob Durkee, and taken up by Princeton’s Civil Rights Commission. Fraga thanked Deanna Stockton, Princeton’s deputy administrator for infrastructure and operations and municipal engineer, for getting the project completed.

Stockton reported on ongoing efforts to educate residents about leaf and brush regulations, which prohibit leaving piles on the street, per ordinance. “We continue to educate residents to gain compliance,” she said. “We aim for compliance and not for penalties. Our goal is to make sure our sidewalks are safe for all users.”

Municipal code allows the issuing of a summons to court for those who do not follow the rules. During the first two weeks of July, the town’s compliance officer issued 142 “oops” notices specifying the rules. “After they were issued, she went back and issued 40 notices of non-compliance, in keeping with the ordinance,” Stockton said. “They have five days to correct that.”

As of Monday, all but nine residences had complied. Stockton said the staff recommends charging  a fee of $100, to cover the costs of collection, for those who do not remove the piles from the street. Councilmembers discussed the issue and agreed to the request.

The next meeting of Council is August 14 at 7 p.m.