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Vol. LXIV, No. 42
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010
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Vol. LXIV, No. 42
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010
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Believing it to be “not in Princeton’s best interest,” Township Committee voted unanimously at its Monday evening meeting to support a resolution protesting the State government’s proposed abolition of the Delaware & Raritan (D&R) Canal Commission.
The resolution, which will be delivered to the governor and other elected and administrative officials, was lauded by Friends of Princeton Open Space President Wendy Mager. “The canal and the canal park are not only wonderful assets for Princeton, but for the entire state,” she observed. Noting that while there are “people of different political persuasions” involved, they are “all united in opposing the end of the Commission.”
In response to the governor’s argument that terminating such programs would result in cost-saving, Ms. Mager pointed to evidence showing that “the canal commission is revenue-neutral,” since it relies on unpaid volunteers and collects income from permit fees.
Township resident Kip Cherry echoed Ms. Mager’s sentiments, noting that “the Commission has done a tremendous job.” For more information, see www.dandrcanal.com/drcc/index.html.
Coordinator Diane Landis brought the Committee up to date on Sustainable Princeton’s community-wide efforts to reduce local reliance on fossil fuels, decrease energy consumption, improve access to fresh produce, and liase with each of the public schools in the district. She reported that the organization is currently competing its application for 501(c)3 status. Receiving this designation in 2011 will make it eligible for additional grant money. The group’s website, sustainableprinceton.org, features four videos made in partnership with TV 30, and is updated weekly. (See related story in this issue.)
In response to the Borough’s indication of its willingness to participate, Township Committee approved a reworded resolution to update its approval of a “joint” revaluation commission.
Councilwoman Sue Nemeth reported that applications and information for flu immunization clinics are available on the Health Department’s website, www.princetontwp.org/healthmain.html.
Both Mayor Bernie Miller and Deputy Mayor Chad Goerner expressed concern about the Department of Transportation’s proposed prohibition of vehicular left turns onto Route One from both Washington Road and Harrison Street, saying that the restrictions would result in increased traffic problems. It was agreed that a proposal regarding plans for these two intersections would be prepared for a future meeting. Mr. Miller also noted area mayors’ displeasure with work stoppages at several sites that were supposed to improve Route One access.
Representing Mr. Miller at a meeting to ask New Jersey mayors to encourage legislative follow-up on the governor’s “tool kit,” Committeemen Lance Liverman said that being mistakenly referred to as “Mayor” was not necessarily a bad thing. The “tool kit” is a list of proposed cost-saving fixes intended to help local governments cope with the new two percent cap on property-tax increases.