By Anne Levin

A comprehensive community transit program study, focused on how the routes of Princeton’s mini buses can be more effectively used, was approved by Princeton Council at a meeting on Monday, June 24. A resolution to retain Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Inc., which the town has utilized in the past, was unanimously approved by the governing body.

The idea has been in the works for several years. The goal is to design a program pairing Princeton’s free Muni transit with services “not currently utilized in order to maximize access for all Princeton residents,” Deputy Administrator Deanna Stockton wrote in a memo to Council on June 18. “Consideration will be given to optimize service connections with Princeton University’s Tiger Transit.”

Council President Mia Sacks thanked members of the Public Transit Advisory Committee and Sustainable Princeton for their work on the initiative. “We are going to be looking at how our routes can more effectively connect people to places they want to go, so we don’t have empty buses riding around every hour,” she said. “We are looking forward to hearing results from Nelson\Nygaard, which will be implemented next year.”

Council also passed two resolutions related to upgrading the existing sewer systems. Arcadis, U.S. Inc. and Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson Inc. were awarded agreements having to do with pump station improvements and the documentation of maintenance holes in flood hazard areas.

“This is important not just for maintenance, but as a response to climate change,” said Councilman David Cohen. “We need these pump stations. With rising flooding, these locations are particularly vulnerable. This is a real climate change/sustainability thing.”

Council approved a resolution supporting a grant application for improvements on North Harrison Street. The municipal aid grant, from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), would be for resurfacing and widening of sidewalks, and narrowing of the travel lanes between Nassau and Franklin streets, an area where speeding is a problem and pedestrian safety is a concern. Stockton said notification on obtaining the grant would come in November.

Resolutions supporting the awarding of professional services agreements for continuation of the Community Block Grant vision and dental care programs were also approved. Funding not to exceed $17,000 will go to dentist Lekha Tull, and funding not to exceed $11,343 will go to ophthalmologist Alma Jacobsen, both of whom have been providing care for people who could otherwise not afford it.

“I know this is a program that has impacted individuals who might not otherwise have access to these services,” said Councilwoman Leticia Fraga. “These are really true life-changing services we’re providing.”

Deputy Administrator/Director of Health Jeff Grosser said that in 2023, 16 people took advantage of the dental care, while 39 visited the ophthalmologist. “For almost 50 percent of them, this was the first time they’ve ever visited an ophthalmologist or a dentist. So that’s life-changing.”

Council meets next on Monday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Visit princetonnj.gov for more information.