H1N1 Inoculations at 3,500 and Counting; Tower Access a Boon

Ellen Gilbert

More than 3,500 Princeton residents have been inoculated so far for the H1N1 virus, reported Township Committee Member Sue Nemeth on Monday evening. She noted that there will be additional public clinics in the coming weeks, and that appointments are required. Residents are encouraged to check the Borough and Township websites for details.

Mayor Bernie Miller described Princeton’s response to the swine flu pandemic as a “massive effort” that would not have been possible without “all the volunteers who came out and participated.”

Other business at the Monday evening meeting included an effort to improve Police Department and Emergency Services communication abilities in the northwest portion of the Township by approving a resolution and agreement to “lease,” at no charge, space on and adjacent to the Mount Rose Telecommunications Tower in Hopewell Township.

“Mount Rose Wireless owner Toby Laughlin, a former Princeton resident, has graciously allowed us to hang equipment from the tower, remedying a long-standing communication problem,” said Township Engineer Robert Kiser. The First Aid and Rescue Squad will also benefit from the arrangement using the Province Line Road facility.

The agreement, spearheaded by Mr. Kiser and Police Chief Mark Emann, permits the Township “to locate and operate up to three municipal antennas and appropriate equipment” at the tower, with “no rent due or owing from the Township.” In accordance with the maximum term allowed by the Local Public Contracts Law, the lease is for 50 years, with a 25-year automatic renewal option. Under the lease the Township will be responsible for purchasing, installing, and operating its own equipment, any required utilities, and will need to obtain any relevant approvals and insurance.

Area residents were encouraged by Committee member Lance Liverman to “watch Town Topics” for regularly-appearing ads describing the work of the Princeton Alcohol and Drug Alliance, and to “share them with your family.” The Alliance promotes the advocacy, education, and provision of resources for the prevention of substance abuse in the Princeton community.

Single-stream recycling will begin in the Township after the New Year, and Committee member Liz Lempert counseled everyone “not to be concerned” if they see both types of recycling cans being dumped into one truck. Information on this “more efficient” operation will be available on the Township’s website.

Ms. Lempert also commended the Public Works Department for its handling of the recent snowstorm. 

Township residents were asked by Mr. Miller to “stay tuned” for details on a meeting about leaf management, coming up on a Monday evening in February.

Princeton Township Committee will hold its annual Reorganization Meeting on Sunday, January 3, at noon in the main meeting room at Township Hall, 400 Witherspoon Street.

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