By Anne Levin

At a meeting on Monday, August 28, Princeton Council passed resolutions related to possible improvements to Hinds Plaza, Princeton’s deer management program, and parking in the Westminster lot, among other topics. Council also introduced an ordinance related to floodplain management, which will be given a public hearing at the next meeting on September 11.

The resolution authorizing a professional services agreement for conceptual design development of improvements at Hinds Plaza is for the consultants Arterial LLC, not to exceed $32,500. The company has previously provided expertise for the Witherspoon Street Improvement Project in 2020.

Opened in 2004, Hinds Plaza now requires maintenance in its concrete and brick surfacing, among other areas, Municipal Engineer Deanna Stockton wrote in a memo to the governing body. She praised Arterial’s practice of soliciting comments from the public as part of their process. Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros expressed similar praise before the unanimous vote was taken.

A resolution changing the speed limit on Washington Road from 40 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour was also unanimously approved. Lambros and Councilwoman Eve Niedergang expressed their support for the resolution, especially as it could relate to the promotion of bicycling on and around the Princeton University campus.

There was extensive discussion about three resolutions related to Princeton’s deer management program. Niedergang said a resident suggested adding the word “humanely” to a contract proposed for bow hunting services, with which she agreed. Among the other issues raised was one questioning whether hunters would refrain from killing doe with faun that were still nursing.

Voting five to one, Council approved a second extension to the license agreement with Rider University for public parking on the Westminster Choir College campus. Stockton explained that this extension allows the program for business permits to continue. It reduces the number of spaces for businesses from 193 to 107, and reduces the municipality’s payment to Rider from $2,000 to $1,000.

Stockton said the resolution also includes a provision allowing Princeton High School students to park at the lot.

Niedergang was the one Council member to vote against the resolution. “I just have to say that I’m fundamentally opposed to providing parking for high school students,” she said.

Council voted unanimously to reject bids for a high-water rescue truck, directing substantial revisions to be made to the specifications. Niedergang said she appreciated the municipal staff’s report on the issue, and their arguments for redoing the contract.

Council President Mia Sacks added, “For the members of the public that think things just come before the Council and get rubber stamped, there are seven people here minding the store. If there is something that doesn’t look right, we ask for more clarification and wait until it comes back in a form that makes sense for the people we represent.”

The next meeting of Council is at Witherspoon Hall on Monday, September 11 at 7 p.m. Visit princetonnj.gov for details.