All right, good evening everybody. Thanks for being here. It is December 22nd, 2025. This is a meeting of the mayor and council of Princeton, New Jersey. Uh madame deputy clerk, could you read the meeting statement, please? Notice of this meeting was provided in
accordance with the requirements of the open public meetings act and state regula regulations governing public meetings, including the time, date, and location of the meeting and clear and concise instructions to the public for accessing the meeting and making
comments. In addition, the agenda and all related materials were posted electronically and made available to the public on Princeton's meeting portal in advance of the meeting. >> Thank you. uh Leticios could do the land acknowledgement for us tonight. >> Yes, thank you. We gather today on the
land of the Lenny Lape. As members of the Princeton community, we aspire to show appreciation, respect, and concern for all peoples and our environment. We honor the Lapi and other indigenous
caretakers of these lands and waters, the elders who lived here before, the indigenous today, and the generations to come. Thank you. Who have roll call, please? >> Mr. McDonald >> here. >> Miss Peron Lamrose >> here. >> Mr. Cohen
>> here. >> Miss Saxs >> here. >> Miss Frogga >> here. >> Mr. Nulan >> here. >> Mayor Freda >> here. All right. If you'd like to, and if you're able, if you'd stand and join us in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. All right, we have four sets of minutes to approve. Thank you, Leticia. We're
moving those in block. Brian's got the second. Any questions or comments on those? >> All right, all in favor, please say I. I. Hi. >> Uh, next up, council announcements. Any Michelle, was that a hand up? >> Yeah,
>> thank you. Um, just an announcement regarding the um municipal transit uh system we had put out for a community uh input. Uh, we got dozens of great ideas to name the bus routes. Uh, we came up with and settled on. There was one that
said Tiger Loop. Uh, so we tweaked that slightly and made it the Princeton Loop. So, we set it on the Princeton loop and we're hoping to have a graphic design to show uh the public and council in the very near future. Thank you. >> Okay. Other council announcements or
reports? >> Okay, great. I'm not going to force any >> over here. >> I'm sorry. Oh, I missed that. >> Leon, >> just encouraging people to shop local, dine local, be local. Thank you. >> Thanks, Leon.
Okay. Anything at the table before we get to the police report? >> Okay, chief. >> Thank you, Mayor and members of the council. This evening, I am presenting the Princeton Police Department November monthly report. As we move through the holiday season, I would like to take a
moment to highlight several of the community-based initiatives the department participated in during the month of November. First, many members of the police department volunteer their time to serve Thanksgiving dinner to the residents of the Harriet Bryan House. This annual event held in partnership
with the Princeton Community Housing is something our officers genuinely look forward to each year. It provided an opportunity to share meal, enjoy meaningful conversation, and give back to members of our community. An especially fitting way to begin the holiday season. Throughout November, the
department also collaborated with the Jewish Center of Princeton on a winter coat drive. Dozens of coats were collected and donated to the Princeton Cornerstone Community Kitchen at the Princeton United Methodist Church. These donations will help keep our neighbors warm as they have access to meals,
groceries, and other essential services through Cornerstone's outstanding volunteerdriven program. And lastly, Princeton police officers once again participated in the No Shave November. In addition to some creative facial hair, officers raised
$1,600, which was then donated to Princeton Human Services to support holiday gift assistance for members of our community and families in need. The Princeton Police Department remains committed to standing with and supporting all members of our community, and we look forward to
continuing that commitment as we enter the new year. So, with that, I would be happy to answer any questions from mayor and counsel. Okay. >> Any uh any questions for the chief? Okay, great. Thank you, Chief. Thank you.
>> Next up, Leighton has a proclamation he's going to present. Thank you, Mayor, fellow council members. gives me great pleasure to read a proclamation honoring Elizabeth Kim on the occasion of her
retirement. Whereas the municipality of Princeton is proud to recognize Elizabeth Kim, historic preservation officer in the department of planning for her dedication to public service on the occasion of her retirement. And whereas
Elizabeth began her career with the former township of Princeton in April of 2000 in the role of development review official. And whereas Elizabeth transitioned to land use development
review official after the township and burrow consolidated in 2013. And whereas Elizabeth was promoted to historic preservation officer in 2014,
overseeing one of the most active historic preservation commissions in the state of New Jersey with 21 distinct locally designated historic districts comprising about 15th of the parcels in
Princeton. And whereas Elizabeth and the Historic Preservation Commission achieved state and national recognition for award-winning projects such as the 1792 Stonybrook Bridge restoration and
whereas Elizabeth's retirement from the Municipality of Princeton will be effective January 1, 2026. And whereas Elizabeth has dedicated 25 years to serving the municipality of
Princeton. And whereas Elizabeth has served the community of Princeton with pride and upon the occasion of her retirement is deserving of recognition and the highest commendation.
Now therefore be it resolved that I on behalf of Mark Frereda, Mayor of Princeton, and the Council of Princeton, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, extend the municipality's humble
expression of appreciation and sincerest congratulations to Elizabeth Kim. We offer our best wishes for a long, happy, and healthy retirement. Given under my
hand and seal this 22nd day of December, Mayor Mark Frereda. Thank you, Elizabeth. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, you guys can feel free to sneak out. You don't need to Hey, you don't need to stay for the whole meeting.
>> Okay, all good. I just want to make sure. I don't want you to feel obligated. >> Okay. Next up is another proclamation. I'll read that one. This one. So, a proclamation honoring Edwin W. Shmeir Esquire on the occasion of his
retirement. Whereas the municipality of Princeton is proud to recognize Ed Municipal Attorney for his extraordinary dedication to public service on the occasion of his retirement. And whereas Ed was appointed attorney for both the former burrow of Princeton and Princeton
Township on May 1st, 1980, serving as burrow attorney through December 31st, 1983. Township attorney through December 31st, 2012, and continuing in service to the consolidated municipality of Princeton through March 2014.
And whereas through his tenure, Ed served in Municipality of Princeton under more than 15 mayors, six administrators, and we're not sure either seven or eight municipal clerks, uh, and seven chiefs of police, >> providing trusted legal counsel, and
ensuring continuing stab stability and excellence in municipal governance. Whereas upon his many accomplishments, Ed played a central and indispensable role in the historic cons consolidation of Princeton Burough and Princeton Township, providing legal guidance to
the consolidation study commission beginning in 2011, developing a clear legal roadmap through an uncertain statutory framework and resolving the complex legal and operational issues necessary to establish the municipality of Princeton on January 1, 2013. And
whereas Ed has dedicated over 33 years to serving the municipality of Princeton. And whereas Ed has served the community of Princeton with pride and upon the occasion of his retirement is deserving of recognition and the highest commendation. Now therefore, be it resolved I, Mark Freda, mayor of
Princeton, and the council of Princeton, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, extend the municipality's humble expression of appreciation and sincerest congratulations to Ed. We offer our best wishes for a long, happy, and healthy retirement.
Oh my goodness. I just want to chair the seal from the corner and seal from the seal. engraving. Gratitude for your dedication and
service to the community of Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Okay. Next up is a uh presentation on the triathlon. >> Um that will not be taking place this
evening. Uh Mr. uh Lwood was not able to make it this evening. >> Okay. All right. Next up then is a presentation of Princeton's 25 to 29 2025 to 2029 community forestry management plan and
our municipal offer arborist Taylor >> Taylor is here to take us through that very close. >> Yeah. Good evening council. Thank you. My name is Taylor Saputo and I'm the municipal arborist and New Jersey
licensed tree expert of Princeton. So this is our 20 2025 to 2029 community forestry management plan. So every 5 years the state of New Jersey requires um every municipality or it's encouraged every municipality to submit their 5-year plan.
So before I begin, I just want to say special thanks to our contributors, our Sha Tree Commission. Um I don't think they get enough credit for the amount of hours that they put in. Uh it's all volunteer hours that they do and they do do a phenomenal job. Like I can say I've been working with them for about eight years now in my tenure here and it's
been nothing but an enjoyable experience. So I just want to say thank you to them. Uh our Princeton Environmental Commission, our ad hoc tree canopy committee. Thank you council. And then finally Davyy resource group our consultant for this project.
Just a little background of the CFMP or the community forestry management plan. This is a proactive guide and informed management of our urban forest. So they are valid for a 5-year term. This CFMP or community forestry management plan is for 20 2025 through 2029. Princeton
Township has had a CFMP since 2006. The benefits of having a CFMP builds community support and partnerships for our urban forestry initiatives, makes us eligible for state grants, liability and protections, and eligibility for sustainable Jersey points.
Princeton's achievements of our last 5-year plan. We completed a partial inventory in 2022. We did a tree canopy assessment complete in 2024. Continued our tree city USA designation for the 29th year in a row. If anyone's not familiar with that program, it's through
the Arbor Day uh foundation. There's five street signs throughout town. Um all coming in throughout Montgomery, Lawrenceville, Tree City, USA. We've had it for 29 years in a row. Uh we continue to update our tree and shrub ordinance. um micro forest creation. If anyone's
not familiar, Quarry Park at Spruce Circle, a micro forest where about 2,000 plants were installed uh using the Miwaki method. Um I must say that it's been um it's it's been a great experience doing that project and we've had multiple municipalities reach out to
me and our open space manager to really get tips uh as if they're going to um create one for themselves. So, it's been a really rewardable experience with that. Uh, 45 acre forest restoration in Community Park North. So, we just wrapped that up uh last month. And at
2025, more than 250 street trees were planted all throughout town, focusing on species diversity and that right tree, right place. That's far exceeded our previous goal in the previous plan. Community outreach. One of the biggest components of our CFMP is community
outreach. What we continue to do are Arbor Day presentations for all of the third graders in Princeton, landscaper education with Sustainable Princeton, one of our great partners, tree giveaways at community night and porchfest, and then multiple or various social media posts such as the tree of
the month, tree tips, etc. So the CFMP mission statement, Princeton strives to proactively preserve, enhance, maintain, and grow a sustainable community forest that provides lasting aesthetic, social, cultural, economic, environmental,
health benefits while ensuring public safety for all who live and work in the community. We are committed to achieving tree equity across the municipality through thoughtful stewardship of our urban tree canopy. And our goal is to balance sustainable growth with the protection of natural ecosystems,
foresting, environmental resilience for current generation, current and future generations. 2025 to 2029 are objectives and action action items. So continue our training and education. Um I'm proud to say that about 95% of our day-to-day tree work is
accomplished with our in-house tree crew. Uh we're one of the few municipalities that can say this. I can't say enough of the staff that works under me. Um the amount of training that we do internally and externally really makes one I can honestly say one of the best crews in New Jersey. Uh community
forestry ordinance to continue to work on that as best management practices develop. Tree resource management community and capacity and finally disaster planning partnering with our uh police force and our emergency majesty team. Our recommended action items for this
new plan, strengthen stream buffers, prepare and complete a green streets policy, one of our council goals, continue to uh street tree plant. This goal is at least 1500 trees throughout our capital contracts. Continue to acquire open space parcels, maintain our
Tree City USA designation, prepare debris, a more thorough debris management plan, and then support the preparation of wildfire wildfire protection and evacuation plan. So, finally, our next steps. We'll be submitting our five-year program to the
state this week in prep in preparation for the 2025 annual reports for Mayor and Council Tree City USA and the New Jersey urban and community forestry yearly plan that goes directly to the D. Okay. there was a quite a long more
detailed information and everything attached in the agenda which we're not going to read page by page but hopefully everybody has taken a look at it. I know this isn't the first time that the governing body has had a chance to take a look at this uh comments or questions for Taylor on this. First off, Taylor,
thank you. >> Yeah, >> great presentation and it is pretty amazing all we're doing. David. >> Yeah, I just wanted to comment that uh I got an un unexpected email from my brother-in-law who teaches environmental science at Yale
uh sharing an article about our micro forest which apparently is incredibly um innovative in the US. You know, these are things that have been done. I guess it started in Japan and has spread
elsewhere around the world, but this is really one of the first implementations in the US. So, kudos on that. >> Thank you, >> Brian. Well, go ahead. Thanks. >> Yeah, I just want to thank you for the
micro forest at Quarry Park and also thank you for the difference made on my street in general in Birch Avenue in Princeton. We have a lot more trees that are dotting the landscape and it it is it is welcome. Uh so just want to say thanks not just for the Birch Avenue but
for the whole Witherspoon Jackson neighborhood and for all the neighborhoods in Princeton that you know needed trees and that was identified through the research and the data that you guys did and you planted them. That is that's beautiful work and it's much appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Excellent Brian. Um, yes. I also want to add my thanks to Taylor and to the Shade Tree Commission and the Environmental Commission, but especially to the Shade Tree Commission. I'll have more to say about them in a few moments. Uh, but uh,
this plan represents a lot of hard work. Um and uh the the two commissions really dug in deeply. Um and uh made what was going to be a a very good plan, an excellent plan, and I commend it to all
of you. Um it's not that long. It reads very well and there's a lot of interesting information and a lot to be learned and so thank you. >> Yeah, it's pretty amazing all the detail and all the information that's in there. I mean, it is good reading. Anybody
else? Uh Janet Stern, I think you had signed up to talk. Did you want to talk about this or something else? >> Okay, the ordinance. Sorry. I should read what you wrote, I guess. Sorry. All right. Anybody else commenting on
this? All right. And we need to uh accept this. >> Yes, please. >> Is that the proper accept approve? >> Yes. >> Okay. Does somebody want to Brian make the motion? Thank you. Mia's got the second. Questions or
comments? All in favor? >> I I >> There we go. >> Thank you. >> Go plant more trees. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Now we have three public hearings. The first one is on ordinance 25/19,
an ordinance by the municipality of Princeton regarding tree removal permit requirements and amending chapters 22 and 10B of the code of the township of Princeton, New Jersey, 1968. Is there a motion on that? Thank you, Brian.
David's got the second. Uh comments up here first and then we'll go to the public. Yeah, Brian. Uh yes, I have had the privilege of working with again uh the environmental commission and the shade
tree commission this year and um it's my first year but I can't imagine any BCC has dug in more deeply than the sha tree commission on an issue. Um they've been working on this ordinance for somewhere between three and four
years and it's fantastic that we're going to have an opportunity to vote on it tonight. Um it really strengthens um how we treat our shade trees in Princeton and it's a bit stronger than
the state um recommends and that's appropriate. Um, and we'll, you know, hope that this really cementss Princeton as a not just a Tree City USA, but a a very special community in uh, Princeton,
you know, in our care of our of our trees and our shrubs. And I want to um recognize two members of the Shade Tree Commission in particular who spent an extraordinary amount of time on this. uh Janet Stern who's here tonight and
Sandra Chen um who spent uh really uh I don't know how many hours but um again it's a case where uh members of a commission can really have an incredibly positive impact on our community and um
their work um made this ordinance uh better than it would have been uh without their hard work and detailed detention and so thank you uh to the shade tree commission. Okay. Any other comments or anything up
here? Okay, Janet. And Janet, when you come up, if you just say your name, your address, and in theory, our threem minute timer might turn on on the screen up behind me, maybe.
>> Is that microphone on? Here he comes. >> We're gonna just a second, Janet. It's just if the microphone doesn't pick you up, then the people on Zoom can't really hear you. So, let's just see if we can fix that. >> Well, I think we're going to We might be bringing a replacement microphone out.
>> There we go. >> That is very strange. >> Thank you. I really appreciate Brian's comments and everybody's concern. Um I am Janet Stern. I'm a member of the Chry Commission and uh the STC urges approval
of the updates to the Princeton trees and shubs commission uh ordinance which will reen render it as strict as the model tree ordinance and thus bring us into state compliance. And for this reason and many other worthwhile changes,
the updates need to be imp approved. Now I want to speak not as an STC member but as a resident because the following remarks are my own. I was disheartened that other provisions in the draft ordinance researched and
crafted by this STC over the past four years were removed. They would have made our ordinance stricter and more effective in counteracting climate crisis and building canopy. For example, stricter noticing requirements so that neighbors really do get noticed and then
have the opportunity at least to suggest options besides clear-cutting a whole site just so trucks can get on it. Clarifying the enforcement officer's authority to deny tree removal on private property based on the nine criteria that the EO must currently take
into account. The STC revised the criteria to focus on trees ability to counteract climate crises and canopy depletion, but they were rejected. And I'm still confused by the explanation that since the EO
doesn't deny tree removal permits, there's no need to amend the list of criteria that allow him to deny a permit. These provisions were aimed at increasing canopies. So that the planning board meeting last week, I was heartened to hear the concern of members
about the comm canopy, a reflection of its importance in the master plan and CFMP. I was further encouraged by the receptiveness of the council members who attended recent STC meetings and I really appreciated that and I and they
agreed to consider the following. One, an ordinance that would prevent clear-cutting townwide. Other municipalities have banned it for decades, but in Princeton, the practice continues unabated and Canopy continues to decline. Two, a review of other towns
stricter tree removal prohibitions, recent court cases that challenge those ordinances and how those cases were decided. Three, adopting into chapter 22 the elaborate tree protection standards already enumerated in the land use code. Every mature healthy tree is now
considered a community asset like wetlands. Removing one oak tree radically disrupts an e ecosystem of an entire block and cities around the world are instituting the public health 33300 rule recognizing the urgency of living
near trees. In my 12 years as a member of the STC, I have learned that the trees trees with the municipality's best weapon against climate crisis. Given a 100 degree days most summers, their numerous benefits should make them the first thought, not the afterthought.
Princeton's by annual planning program and replacement tree requirements make me very proud. And in 25 years, if I'm still here, I will be grateful. But new trees generally have only a 50% survival rate. how they
will fare in predicted droughts. We need to meet the climate moment now. Planting saplings won't save us. They can't compensate for cut or justify cutting down mature trees. I plead with you to seek bold but urgent solutions townwide.
Princeton loves its trees, but our legacy depends on tirelessly protecting them. And thank you so much for your concern. >> Thank you, Janet. Any other public comment from anybody in the room?
Okay. Um, anybody on Zoom that has a comment on this? All right. Seeing no hands up, I'll close the public hearing and ask for a roll call vote. >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes.
>> Miss Peron Lamrose, >> yes. >> Mr. Cohen, >> yes. Miss Saxs, >> yes. >> Miss Frogga, >> yes. >> Mr. Nulan, >> yes. >> Okay. Next up is ordinance 2521, an ordinance by the Municipality of
Princeton updating certain lane use reservations and amending chapter 11 of the code of the Township of Princeton, New Jersey, 1968. If someone would move that. Thank you, David. And Michelle has the second. Questions, comments, whatever from the
group up here. David? Yeah, just comment that um this amendment is a minor change to correct a confusing situation that drivers have encountered uh southbound on North Harrison when they reached
Terune Road. Uh used to be you could go straight from two lanes, but now if you go straight from one of those two lanes, you end up in the bike lane. So, uh, the the turn indications on the on the roadway are going to be changed, uh, to
clarify that. And I think it's, um, a response really to comments from the public and an excellent, uh, amendment. Thanks, David. Any other questions or comments up here? Okay. Anybody in the room that wants to
speak to this? All right. Anybody on Zoom that wants to speak to this? All right, seeing no hands up and nobody in the room, I'll close the public hearing. Can we have a roll call vote, please? >> Mr. McDonald, >> yes. >> Miss Peron Lamrose, >> yes.
>> Mr. Cohen, >> yes. >> Miss Saxs, >> yes. >> Miss Brag, >> yes. >> Mr. Nulan, >> yes. >> Next up, ordinance 2522, an ordinance by an ordinance of the mayor and council of Princeton concerning salaries and compensation of certain personnel of the
municipality of Princeton. Is there Thank you, Leticia. Is there a second? Thank you, Mia. Bernie, do you want to just give a synopsis? >> Yes, mayor. Uh, this is an ordinance we typically do at least once a year. It's really housekeeping. Uh, mostly to
update job titles. For example, in this one, uh, the titles of IT supervisor and network specialists were added. There's a couple others. Uh, it also adjusts the, uh, the salary ranges for the positions. Uh, so there's nothing particularly interesting in it, but it
is a more of a housekeeping than anything. >> Y Thank you. Okay. Comments, questions, or anything up here? >> Okay. Anybody in the room? Anybody on Zoom?
>> All right. I'll close the public hearing and ask for a roll call vote. >> Mr. McDonald? >> Yes. >> Miss Peron Lamrose? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohen? >> Yes. >> Miss Saxs? Yes, >> Miss Braga. >> Yes, >> Mr. New. >> Yes. >> Okay. Next up are resolutions.
Resolution 25410, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton approving police promotions for 2025. Leticia has the motion. Leighton has the second. Questions or comments. I'll say congratulations to all. Uh, seeing no other comments. All in favor,
please say I. >> I. I. Resolution 25411, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing the award of a professional services agreement to USA Architects for facilities programming and conceptual design for various facilities in Princeton, New Jersey for an amount not
to exceed $469,91. Mia's got the motion. Michelle's got the second. Somebody just want to enlighten the public as to what this is. Thank you, mayor. So, this is a professional service agreement to um
complete two well almost three phases now. Uh one phase is for programming services to uh investigate the space needs for public works related to the
river road site. And um depending on phase two, which is an actual analysis of the River Road um municipal property to um determine its capacity to house
public works as well as additional um improvements or departments. Um if if there is additional capacity on the site then in phase one there will also be um
some review of programming needs um associated with um I think police were on our list and a couple of other groups. Um, additionally, there will be work to identify
um or prepare a phase 2 document related to the site as well, which is an environmental report regarding um the um potent any potential contamination that might
exist. So that is uh the work that is included in this professional service agreement. Uh the idea will be that all of these tasks are completed in a 90-day term. Um we will then use the final
report to uh put together a scope of work for con uh construction document preparation uh plan preparation because we are looking to relocate uh our public works
from John Street and Harrison Street to this new facility. >> Thank you. questions, comments up here. All right, seeing none, all in favor, please say I. I. >> I.
>> Next up, resolution 25412, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing a final change order for the 2024 roadway resurfacing project for Kara, how do you say that? Koi. Ko something. >> Koch, >> huh?
>> Krochia. >> Krocha. Thank you. company in the amount of negative $387,253. Let me just say that again. That was a negative number which is very unusual for us. Uh authorizing a final payment of $60,99456
resulting in a final contract amount of 1,391,32320. releasing the performance bond and accepting a maintenance bond in the amount of $266,78643. And David will move that. Brian will second that. Thank you, Deanna or Jim.
Anything to comment here other than Okay. Uh I'm sorry. Any comments up here? Questions? No. All in favor say I. >> I. >> 25413. Resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing the award of a contract to SHI International
Corp for Open Gov Virtro Software for 69,3569 utilizing New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance contract number CK0424-38. And Brian's got the motion, Michelle's got the second. Uh this is just our
normal open gov contract or this is an addition to what we >> Yeah. No, it's just to renew the software platform. We use it for permitting and licensing and it's simply to renew it for another year. >> Thank you. >> Any questions or comments? >> All in favor, please say I. >> I.
>> I. >> Resolution 25414, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing a one-year extension to the contract with Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association, Inc. for transportation services for cross town for an amount not to exceed $158,000.
Mia has the motion. David has the second. Questions or comments? >> I seeing none. All in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> I. >> 25415 resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing an agreement with the Princeton Farmers Market for use of Hines Plaza on
specified Thursdays in 2026. Michelle's got the motion. Brian's got the second. Questions or comments? All right. Seeing none, all in favor, please say I. I. I. >> 25416, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton supporting a regional collaboration led by Montgomery
Township for the preparation of a watershed improvement plan for the lower Milstone River wershed. David has the motion. Mia has the second. Questions or comments? It's a great thing. Glad we're part of that. Thank you. All right. All in
favor, please say I. I. >> I. >> 25417. Resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing agreement with Princeton Mobile Food Pantry for temporary use of 237 North Harrison Street. Leticia has got the motion. Leighton's got the second. Questions or comments?
>> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> 25418 resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing the purchase/renewal of licenses for for Microsoft Office 365 from SHI International Corp. for $28,5586
utilizing New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance contract CK04BC-B24-38. Thank you, Leighton. David's got the second. Questions or comments? >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. Resolution 25419, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton
authorizing the purchase of tasers from Axon Enterprise LLC for an amount not to exceed $178,320 utilizing New Jersey state contract 17-fleet-38. Thank you, Leticia, for the motion. Michelle's got the second. Questions or comments?
>> All right. All in favor, please say, "I." >> I. Resolution 25420, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing the purchase of APX 8000 radios from Motorola Solutions for $57,867.30 utilizing New Jersey state contract
83909. Thank you, Michelle. Leticia's got the second. Questions or comments? >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Next up is the consent agenda. We're paying some bills and we're approving some transfers. Leticia has got the motion. Brian's got the second. All in
favor, please say I. I. >> I. >> Next up is public comments for items not on the agenda. And Felicia Spitz had signed up. If Felicia, you know, just introduce your name and address. >> Felicia Spitz, 5 Hlett Avenue. Um, I'm really sad that I have to be here
tonight. Um, the lack of support that the housing authority has gotten from the municipality is one thing. Um, but I'm speaking here tonight to raise serious governance concerns about the municipality's treatment of the housing authority that should matter to every
resident of this community. I recently learned that a letter I provided at the request of Council President Saxs was disclosed that was for close session, I was told, was disclosed to a third party and is now attached to a tort claim
notice seeking $3.7 million in damages from the housing authority and the municipality. My letter was submitted by our board attorney for executive session. I reasonably expected that it was
confidential. The disclosure occurred without my consent and without notice to or discussion with the PHA board of commissioners. This raises serious concerns about OPMA compliance, preservation of privilege,
and adherence to basic governance protocols. It also exposes both entities to legal and financial risk. In seeking clarification, I requested information regarding who authorized this disclosure and under what legal
authority. To date, the municipality's attorney, Kevin Vanheis, has declined to provide that information and in all irony indicated the answer is not available
for disclosure. and I quote, "While I recognize that council may be constrained in what can be discussed publicly, the absence of an explanation heightens my concern rather than resolving it.
Beyond the legal implications, this raises a broader concern for all residents when materials intended for closed session are disclosed without proper authorization or transparency. When questions about disclosure go
unanswered, it undermines confidence in the governing body with its respect to or lack of respect to the public trust. Residents expect their public officials and legal representatives to handle
sensitive matters lawfully, responsibly, and with appropriate accountability. They do not expect to be sued for close to $4 million as a result of responding to a request from an elected official. I'm not here to litigate facts or to
assign blame in public. I'm here to request clarity and corrective action. Specifically, I am asking mayor and councel who authorized the disclosure and to identify the legal basis relied
upon and outline the steps being taken to prevent a reoccurrence. The municipality and Princeton Housing Authority share a statutory responsibility and a common mission to provide safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.
That work depends on trust, on confidentiality, on disciplined adherence to state statutes and oaths of office. When those principles are compromised, both governance and public confidence are affected. I would like a response by
the 26th. In absence of a satisfactory response, I'll be forced to seek assistance from the DCA's Office of Local Government Services. Thank you. >> Thanks, Felicia. Okay. Any other public comment? Anybody online?
Okay, that's the end of the agenda. >> Move to return. >> Is there a second? >> Thank you, Michelle. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Meeting is ended. Thank you all.