To the Editor:

I am very dissatisfied with the plans for digging up and changing Hinds Plaza [“Council Hears Report From Consulting Firm on Revitalizing Hinds Plaza,” October 30, page 1]. Why fix something that isn’t  broken? The trees are healthy and mature, there are beautiful engravings, and plenty of moveable chairs and tables to eat lunch at.

“The plan also includes removing the mature trees from the plaza. The Princeton arborist states in the proposal that the trees in Hinds Plaza are not healthy. Bill Flemer, of Princeton Nurseries, said in a letter to Town Topics [Mailbox, November 13] that he believes they are mature and there is no reason to replace them. more

To the Editor:

Hinds Plaza is undeniably a cherished and iconic community space in Princeton, a sentiment I feel confident my Council colleagues share. All physical infrastructure, however, requires maintenance and upkeep. Our Engineering Department has identified several issues that must be addressed to ensure the plaza’s longevity and functionality. The recent Council work session was part of a nearly year-long process that included a public open house and survey to gather community input, regular steering committee meetings, and a thorough review of several design alternatives. After the initial concepts were introduced at the work session, Council received many questions regarding the project’s process, scope, and rationale, which I’d like to address here.

Taking a long-term approach to fiscal responsibility — addressing these issues through routine, cost-effective maintenance — will be less costly than allowing problems to compound over time. The need for this project stems from the deteriorated condition of the pavers and concrete, as well as an inadequate stormwater management system that channels rainwater directly from paved surfaces to Harrys Brook. The proposed redesign follows new regulations requiring improved water quality controls through green infrastructure.   more

To the Editor:

Thank you for bringing our attention to the Harrison Street Corridor concept plan that was presented to Princeton Council on November 12 [“Council Hears Report on Harrison Street Corridor,” November 20, page 1]. I am glad that pedestrians and cyclists are getting a high priority in planning. While I am at various times, driver, cyclist, and pedestrian, it is hard to consider the needs of all three simultaneously. The concept plan seems to manage this particularly well by proposing separate lanes for bicycles and increasing the sidewalk coverage around the Princeton Shopping Center area. While the “road diet” (reducing four lanes to two) sounded strange to me at first, I realized that Route 206 is one lane in each direction, and that works most of the time.

The plan proposes that the section of Harrison along the shopping center be divided into car lanes, bicycle lanes, and sidewalks in both directions. Pedestrians will find the sidewalks on both sides of Harrison at the shopping center to be a life saver.

The driver in me applauds a traffic light at Route 206 and Ewing Street. Roundabouts at Bunn, Terhune, Valley, and Nassau may help relieve car and truck congestion, and cyclists will be directed to more peaceful roads to avoid much of Harrison Street. Slowing traffic at the D&R Canal will be very helpful to runners, walkers, and cyclists, since the flashing lights are not visible around the sharp corner heading north.

While I am feeling positive so far about the plan, some questions remain in my mind. Will roundabouts have pedestrian crossing lights? Will cyclists need to become pedestrians to safely enter and leave the roundabouts? I find roundabouts to be intimidating as a cyclist, since many drivers are not happy when a bicycle occupies a full lane. Are the new apartments surrounding the Princeton Shopping Center fully considered in the traffic data? I am looking forward to hearing more about this large and complex plan.

Alice Macnow
Bunn Drive

To the Editor:

The kiosks on Nassau Street are the everyman publicity system. No matter how small or poor your organization — at the least you can afford a poster on the kiosk.  It may be primitive, but the kiosks are a physical manifestation of the first amendment right to speak in public. Kiosks present ideas to the random people who walk the street. Someone sees a poster on the kiosk and takes action. That is valuable.

Remove the kiosk and you silence those least able to speak. The idea that you will replace the kiosk with something “digital” is a slap in the face to everyone who does not use a smartphone.  You are pushing out the paper era while lots of people can’t read a digital kiosk.  more

To the Editor:

This is a shout out to the Princeton Public Library and staff for the way in which they provide effective communication for their patrons with hearing difficulties.

The library is equipped with hearing loops at the information desks, the check-out counter, and in the Community Room and other public meeting spaces. These systems can be used by anyone using a hearing aid fitted with telecoil.  For those people whose hearing aid does not include a telecoil, the library provides on request receivers to connect instead.   more

To the Editor:

I wish to add my voice to those opposing removal of the Nassau Street kiosks but from a slightly different perspective.

Twenty years ago, I began visiting the kiosks several times a week for a period of eight months. My initial goal was simply to photograph material relating to the then-unfolding presidential campaign. Soon, however, I became fascinated by the way all the posted items, not just the political ones, related to each other, how the weather and the imposition of new messages over old were creating a kind of running museum exhibit, one that changed weekly if not daily. My ambitions became more artistic and eventually the Princeton Arts Council hosted a well-received exhibit featuring a wide range of images.  more

To the Editor:

Many thanks to Town Topics for announcing the official opening of the 153-acre preserve [“Ribbon Cutting to Officially Open 153-Acre Green Space Preserve,” November 13, page 1]. As the former chair of the Princeton Environmental Commission (PEC), I remember the development plan, which consisted of multiple large homes, for this parcel coming before the commission. The commissioners’ hearts sank at the thought of this vital land being extracted. The loss of ~4,000 trees that partially consist of old-growth forest was only a fraction of its intrinsic value in the eyes of the commission.

I also remember former commissioner and Princeton University Ph.D. candidate Harrison Watson stepping up to lead efforts with our NJIT partners, Daniil Ivanov ’21 and Harleen Oza ’21 and their professor Dr. Zeyuan Qiu, an environmental economist and professor of environmental science and policy in the Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, to report on the financial value of two of Princeton’s essential pearls in the Emerald Necklace. Although financial value is commonly performed for commercial products to properly price them in the marketplace, it is not at all common to do so for nature.  more

To the Editor:

We are writing to express our strong opposition to the recent decision by the mayor and Council to remove two informational kiosks from our town. These kiosks serve a vital purpose in our community, providing a centralized location for sharing local news, events, and announcements.

As Richard K. Rein stated on TAPinto Princeton, these kiosks are “a valuable community resource” that foster connection and engagement among residents. They offer a democratic space for all community members to share information, regardless of their access to digital platforms. more

To the Editor:

I am writing in response to the recent Princeton Board of Education election results. First and foremost, I extend my congratulations to Ms. Franceschi, Mr. Santarpio, and Mr. Meisel on their election to the Board. Their dedication to our community is appreciated, and I trust they will work diligently to serve the best interests of our students.

However, I must express my disappointment at the placements of Lisa Potter and Shenwei Zhao. Although I no longer have children in PPS — my 19-year-old is now in their second year of college — I remain deeply invested in the future of our education system. After witnessing the tumultuous four years my child experienced in high school, marked by challenges such as COVID-19 and administrative upheavals, I recognize the significant impact that Board of Education decisions have on our students’ lives. more

To the Editor:

On page 1 of the October 30 issue of Town Topics is a report of a discussion by the Princeton Council of a proposal to “revitalize’” Hinds Plaza [“Council Hears Report from Consulting Firm on Revitalizing Hinds Plaza” ]. In my opinion, the plaza is a valuable, charming, and functional component of the downtown landscape just as it is, and is in no need of reconstruction.

What particularly galls me is the assertion by the consultant, Mr. Ribaudo, that the honeylocust trees in the plaza are at the end of their life span and need to be replaced. more

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my gratitude to the Princeton community. I am humbled and honored by the support shown in reelecting me to a second three-year term on the Board of Education.

Thank you to everyone who hosted a lawn sign, amplified my name, and otherwise supported me. It is a privilege to serve you all and, most especially, the children of Princeton. I look forward to continuing my work on the Board and building on the positive momentum in the district as we work together to provide the best education possible for all our children.

Running for the Board is demanding and difficult. I applaud all the candidates for the effort they put into their races and their dedication to public service. Their ideas and perspectives challenged us all to think more deeply about our schools’ needs and future. It has been a pleasure getting to know them and I look forward to working with Chris and Ari on the Board.

Thank you again for your support.

Mara Franceschi
Greenhouse Drive

In the October 16 issue of Town Topics readers were presented with the decision of the Princeton University Trustees regarding the fate of the John Witherspoon statue on Firestone Plaza [“Despite Controversy, Witherspoon Statue Will Stay at University,” page 1]. After two years of “debate and deliberations,” the Trustees decided the statue should remain. The question Princeton Trustees had to wrestle with was whether to honor Witherspoon’s legacy in light of the fact that he was a slave owner and advocate against abolition.

One of the main arguments forwarded by Witherspoon’s apologists during those two years of deliberations was that Witherspoon was “more enlightened” than many others of his time, as he provided educational opportunities for some “free Blacks” and made some semblance of arguments for eventual abolition. They also lauded Witherspoon’s advocacy for the humane treatment of the enslaved.  more

To the Editor:

This is a request to all Town Topics readers who have a birdbath in their yard.

As the days and weeks tick by with little or no rain, I’ve observed an ever increasing number of birds of all kinds (and squirrels) drinking from the two birdbaths in my yard from dawn ’till dusk, indicating to me that their usual sources of hydration have vanished. Yes, we need to conserve water more than ever, but the joy that New Jersey’s native flying feathered creatures bring to our lives merits the small amount of effort and resources required to keep these avian water resources of last resort clean and replenished.

Waking up to the sound of birdsong may seem like a small thing, but life’s simple pleasures are often the things we take for granted, until they’re gone.

George Point
Lawrenceville Road

To the Editor: 

Imagine receiving a card from your mother or another loved one that reads, “I’ve given you a lifetime subscription to an organic fertilizer program from the oldest and most trusted provider in the U.S. It will be delivered free of charge and tailored to your location. Application will take about the same time as you spend mowing. You won’t need to spend on chemical fertilizers as you have been. Love, your Mother.” 

Then, imagine going to great time and effort to drag that gift to the curb to throw it away, knowing that when it reaches landfill it will generate methane which harms the climate.  more

To the Editor:

I appreciate the opportunity to address Cyril Kucera’s inquiries published in last week’s Town Topics regarding Sustainable Princeton’s report on the Climate Action Plan [“Raising Questions Regarding Town Services, Recycling, Garbage, Leaf Collection Rules,” Mailbox, October 30] and how Princeton is addressing waste management, environmental sustainability, and local compliance. Below I’ll answer the questions directly.

Why is the Municipality spending money on environmental studies and making service changes? more

To the Editor:

I read with interest the proposed plans for refurbishing the Hinds Plaza [“Council Hears Report From Consulting Firm on Revitalizing Hinds Plaza,” October 30, page 1]. I was on the committee that selected the art for the plaza. Recently the Princeton Public Library began to put together the history of the plaza, and I gave my records of our meetings to the library.

As mentioned in the article, Shirley Satterfield was on the committee. James Floyd was also on the committee. Members of our community will remember Jim as the first African American mayor of Princeton (Township).  more

To the Editor:

Water drainage in West Windsor has become a major problem. On August 6, 2024, the flooding in West Windsor was so severe it was covered by CBS News. A developer is planning to fill valuable wetlands to construct large single-family homes on Block 16, Lot 24, which is a 22-acre parcel of land adjacent to the West Windsor Little League Fields, between Penn Lyle and North Post Roads. We live next to this property on the same block, and we experienced heavy and dangerous flooding on August 6. You can view a 13-second video of what we experienced at tinyurl.com/wwflood. Our car was totaled, and we are grateful to be alive.

In an area with such severe storm drainage issues, should a developer be allowed to fill in the wetlands adjacent to our homes? Why would we choose to exacerbate this water drainage problem? If the wetlands are filled, where will that stormwater drain to? Who benefits from destroying our homes and reducing our town’s property values? The letter from the developer’s engineer says the plan is to fill in the wetlands to build a single-family home. In actuality, their construction plans show six large, single-family homes and a road that would increase impervious surfaces and runoff. Can the township or the developer guarantee no negative impact to the surrounding neighborhoods? more

To the Editor:

With a critically important national election less than a week away, one could be forgiven for paying slightly less attention to some of the other races at the state and local levels. But, in a democracy, who we choose to lead our institutions has a significant influence on our daily lives, from elected officials in the White House to the “schoolhouse.” The race for Board of Education, here in Princeton, is no exception. The coming year will bring a number of pivotal decisions that will shape the school system, and — by extension — the town, including the hiring of a new superintendent, the advancement of a referendum to fund the needed improvement of our schools, and a continued focus on closing any learning gaps that opened up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At this pivotal moment, Princeton needs a Board of Education that is values-driven, and ready to take the necessary steps to continue to ensure a brighter future for our children on day one. We couldn’t think of two better candidates to join the Board than Erica Snyder and Chris Santarpio. Erica and Chris are currently the co-presidents of the Community Park Elementary School PTO, where our daughter has been enrolled since kindergarten and is now in third grade. To put it simply, we believe they are the best candidates to fill these important roles.  more

To the Editor:

Reading the article “Sustainable Princeton Reports Progress on CAP” on the front page of the October 2 issue, I was disappointed in what direction the town is heading.  Instead of extending their services for residents paying really high property taxes, it is looking like Princeton is creating new obstacles and is spending money for environmental studies, “how to handle garbage, recycling, leaves, shrubs collection, and food scraps program.” To enforce these new rules the town is even hiring a new position of “environmental cop.”

These facts are raising several questions: Why is the town significantly reducing services? Why do we have to place leaves into bags instead of leaving them at curb line as we did for years? Why can’t landscape contractors place leaves at the curb line? These leaves are still from our yards. Why do we not do recycling the way it has been done for years in Europe (separation of glass, plastic, paper, cans)? And why are homeowners legally responsible for the kind of machinery landscape contractors are using?

Cyril Kucera
State Road

To the Editor:

I am delighted to pound the table in support of the candidacy of Ari Meisel for PPS Board of Education member. In the interests of full disclosure, Ari and I are good friends. In fact, my wife and I hosted his 40th birthday party in our home. So while I firmly stand by everything I have stated below, the reader of this letter should note that I am unabashedly Team Ari.

Let’s be honest, Princeton’s school system has made some mistakes in recent years. Yes, our public schools still do a good job of educating our children. But for better or worse, good isn’t good enough anymore. There are too many high-performance school systems in Mercer County — let alone New Jersey and the nation — to be satisfied with providing our students with a B+ educational offering. more

To the Editor:

This is my first letter to Town Topics and I’m doing so to fully endorse my wife Erica Snyder’s candidacy for a seat on the PPS Board of Education.

In the fall of 2009, I met Erica while she was working as a hardworking teacher at Garinger High School in Charlotte, NC. This was the third opportunity, in a row, that Erica chose to teach at an economically disadvantaged, diverse, inner-city school following Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Chicago, Ill. (Garinger has a 96.5 percent minority enrollment — 2024 numbers). Erica worked tirelessly to ensure her students received the latest in innovation, with project-based learning and new technologies, she communicated clearly with the faculty, parents and students in English and Spanish, and she dedicated countless hours in coaching struggling teenagers to ensure they met grade level curriculum standards.  more

To the Editor:

Eight years ago, my wife, Liesl Geiger, and I moved here with two kids, then 4 and 9. After over two decades in New York City, we chose Princeton for a variety of reasons, but mostly for the schools — and the committed citizen oversight that makes them great.

It’s a rite of fall in Princeton. Trick-or-treating takes place amid the lawn signs of civic-minded neighbors we’ve met at school, on the sports fields, or around town.  more

To the Editor:

Princeton Public Schools (PPS) needs leaders who offer independent thinking and act decisively during complex situations. That is why we are endorsing Lisa Potter and Shenwei Zhao for the Board of Education. Both candidates bring distinct strengths that will help PPS thrive.

With extensive human resources experience, Lisa Potter emphasized proactive communication to avoid preventable conflicts. Reflecting on these same situations, Potter shared how earlier action would have minimized disruption and maintained stability. Her focus on risk management and strategic foresight will be critical as PPS navigates challenges such as hiring a new superintendent and deepening community engagement. more

To the Editor:

There is a growing concern in our community that certain Board of Education candidates are being unfairly labeled as racist, often without substantial evidence. These accusations can be especially damaging when they come from influential figures within the dominant local political organization, whose voices hold considerable weight in shaping public opinion. It is vital that we question these claims and not accept them at face value, as they can undermine both the integrity of our elections and trust in our democratic processes.

What is particularly troubling is that these accusations seem to target not only those who hold differing opinions on how best to support minority students, but also those merely perceived as having such views. In education, as in any field, there are often multiple perspectives on how to address complex issues. Yet, if a candidate’s viewpoint — or even just the perception of their viewpoint — conflicts with the beliefs of key figures in education and the community, they may quickly find themselves unjustly branded as racist. This happens not because of what these candidates have actually said or done, but because their opinions seem to rub leading figures the wrong way. more

To the Editor:

Thank you to Jenni and Gordon for their letter [“Writing in Praise and Support of Jugtown Neighborhood Restaurant,” Mailbox, October 16] and for choosing Trattoria Procaccini to host your 50th wedding anniversary dinner party. We do our utmost to create an amazing experience for all our clients with great cuisine, an amazing atmosphere, and professional and courteous staff.

It has always been my goal to make everyone feel like extended family when they dine with us, and it gives me great pleasure to know that you both feel the same. Your kind words are greatly appreciated and we thank you for your long-standing support over the years and by dining local. Many of us small businesses rely on loyal customers like yourselves and it means the world to us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

John S. Procaccini
Lifelong Princeton resident
Gretalia Hospitality Group
Tree Farm Road, Pennington