Township Committee Sets Stage for Improvements

Ellen Gilbert

At its Monday evening meeting, the Princeton Township Committee unanimously approved a bond ordinance providing for “various capital improvements” in the Township. The ordinance would appropriate an aggregate amount of $2,249,995, and authorize the issuance of Township bonds or notes amounting to $1,332,218 to finance part of the cost of the improvements.

Township Administrator Jim Pascale described projects subsumed under the ordinance (which do not include road improvements that are already underway), as projects that will continue for five years or more, and that sometimes will be done in collaboration with the Borough. Mr. Pascale said that prospective projects include equipment purchases for public works operations and the police department, upgraded information technology, improvements to Recreation Department fields, library enhancements, and sewer repairs. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held on September 8.

In keeping with recent efforts by local police departments to crack down on truck traffic using inappropriate area roads, the Committee also approved an ordinance that would allow magistrates to fine trucks up to $1,000 if they are over weight limits or in disrepair. Committeeman Chad Goerner pointed out that the penalty hike from a previous high of $50 is actually a compromise; the Traffic Safety Committee believed that the legal limit of $2,000 would be prohibitive for smaller trucking concerns. This ordinance will also receive a public hearing on September 8. On a related note, the Committee voted in support of an Assembly Bill that would train county sheriffs so that they can participate in efforts to enforce weight and size regulation of trucks on local roads.

Motorists may want to note the Committee’s approval on Monday evening of a resolution supporting the “over the limit under arrest 2008 statewide crackdown,” which will be in effect from August 15 through September 1. Under this agreement, the New Jersey Department of Highway Safety will pay the Township Police Department $8,000 to support 100 extra hours of enforced monitoring of “impaired driving.”

Other resolutions passed by the Committee that evening included approval of the appointments of new Zoning Board of Adjustment member Brent M. Krasner, Library Board of Trustees member Richard J. Levine, and Environmental Commission representative Pamela Machold.

Township Engineer Robert V. Kiser reported that repairs to Cherry Hill Road were “substantially completed,” and that the skate board park is under construction. Sanitary sewer work on Ewing Street will begin shortly, and, Mr. Kiser noted, residents of both sides of Ewing Street recently voted unanimously to share the cost of installing sidewalks on the west side of the street.

Chief Financial Officer Kathryn Monzo reminded everyone that third-quarter taxes are due this Friday, August 15.

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