Princeton Borough Council voted last week to introduce its annual budget. which includes no increase in the municipal tax rate. This is the fourth year in a row that property taxes will not be raised.

The Council voted unanimously to introduce the preliminary $26.2 million budget. It is expected to be formally adopted in a public hearing scheduled for April 10.

The March 6 meeting also included a discussion by Council and administration of goals for the remaining months before consolidation becomes a reality next January. Improving relations with Princeton University, better trash collection on Nassau Street, an inventory of trees, and the preservation of the Dinky station and right-of-way as a historic site were among the topics mentioned.

Council members raised specific issues on which they would like to focus. Barbara Trelstad asked about the status of the proposal to designate a historic district in part of the western section of the Borough. The historic preservation review committee is considering the issue, which has neighborhood residents on both sides, and is expected to make a recommendation soon, she was told.

Kevin Wilkes suggested sharpening the focus on Witherspoon Street, where there is “no coherency,” he said. “With the number of properties being flipped, vacant properties, and properties under renovation, the streetscape there looks a lot worse than along Nassau. We need to get developers working in the neighborhood to participate. But we need to take the lead to come up with cohesive design standards. We should revisit the need and get key players to participate at least in a joint meeting, to identify some of the needs.”

Mayor Yina Moore requested that attention be paid to the status of properties under the aegis of the Housing Authority of the Borough of Princeton (HABOP). Jo Butler expressed concern about trash on Nassau Street. A discussion of the Historic Preservation Element of the Master Plan and a Complete Streets Policy Resolution were among the topics to be discussed at the Council meeting Tuesday night.