All right. Good evening everybody. Thanks for joining us tonight. Today is September 8th, 2025. This is a meeting of the mayor and council of Princeton, New Jersey. Madame Clerk, could we have the meeting statement, please?
Notice of this meeting was provided in accordance with the requirements of the open public meetings act and state 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. Michelle's going to do the land acknowledgement. We gather today on the land of the Lenin
Lape. As members of the Princeton community, we aspire to show appreciation, respect, and concern for all peoples and our environment. We honor the Lape 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. Can we have roll call, please? Mr. Mr. McDonald here. Miss Peron Lamrose here. Mr. Cohen is absent. Miss Saxs here. Miss Frogga here.
Mr. Nulan here. Mayor Freda here. If you're able and you'd like to stand and join us in the pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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. Any council announcements or reports at the end? Yes. So uh as many of you may be aware uh
Princeton is a member of uh national uh welcoming America and every year uh we take part in uh the annual welcoming week uh celebration and events. This year welcoming week uh starts on September 12th and goes through the
21st. There will be many events throughout the week uh host some of them hosted by our community partners but starting on the 12th Friday the 12th uh at 4:30 uh at Hines Plaza in collaboration with
uh the library human services is uh hosting uh culture sh exchange night and we have many participants community partners and families who will be joining to share their culture. So, we welcome everyone.
It's free and open to the public. Thank you. We have other council. Brian, today the mayor and council received a very thoughtful and compelling letter from the current president of the Jewish Center, several past presidents, and
many other leaders of our Jewish community. in it. They expressed great concern about a significant and increasing number of anti-semitic acts, some in the form of graffiti, some in the form of speech at public gatherings, and have noted that these acts are alarming and have created a climate
where Jewish residents feel unsettled, frightened, upset, and unsafe. I have been in touch with Chief Tash and Captain Saliv, and they have assured me that the police department is taking these incidents very seriously. As Bernie has reported to us, there has been an increase in anti-semitic
graffiti in the municipality, particularly around our parks. Our officers have completed investigative reports and the detective bureau is actively investigating the incidents. In line with attorney general requirements, the police department, pursuant to protocols surrounding hate speech and
acts of bias and intimidation, has also reported these cases to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, the New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey Office of Holam Security and Preparedness. In addition, our police have taken
proactive measures, including increased patrols at the Jewish Center and in areas where graffiti has been reported. The police department has also met with representatives from the Jewish center to hear their concerns and outline the steps the department is taking to address the situation. The letter has
some specific suggestions for us to consider and we will do that and respond to the letter once we have all had time to fully digest it. Thank you. Thank you, Brian. Other announcements or reports?
Okay. Uh we have a couple proclamations. Leighton, you're going to do uh the first one. Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening. Proclamation. Office of the Mayor Municipality of Princeton. Proclamation
celebrating welcoming week 2025. Whereas Princeton takes pride in being a diverse, inclusive community that values the contributions of residents of all backgrounds, identities, and cultures. And whereas welcoming week celebrated
September 12th through the 21st, 2025 brings together neighbors across the nation and around the world to deepen understanding and strengthen belonging. And whereas Princeton is proud to celebrate its 10th year as a welcoming
community, marking a decade of commitment to equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all who call Princeton home. And whereas welcoming week provides an occasion to honor our shared values, celebrate the vibrancy of our
community and reaffirm our dedication to ensuring that every resident feels seen, valued, and connected. And whereas at a time when diversity and inclusion are increasingly questioned and challenged,
Princeton affirms that these values are essential to our civic identity, democratic vitality, and collective future, and we pledge to continue strengthening them through our policies, programs, and partnerships.
Now therefore, I, Mayor Mark Freda of the Municipality of Princeton, and the Council of Princeton, County of Mercer, state of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim September
21- 21st, 2025, as welcoming week in Princeton, and invite all residents, businesses, and organizations to join in celebrating Princeton's 10th year as a welcome wcoming community given under my
hand and seal this 8th day of September 2025. Mark Freda, mayor. Thank you, Leon Leticia. Yes, thank you. Uh, mine is a proclamation observing September 15th
through October 15, 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month. Whereas National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed each year from September 15th to October 15th to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions
of those living in America whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. And whereas the theme for 2025 is collective heritage, honoring the
past, inspiring the future. And whereas the observation of National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was
expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15th and ending on October 15th. And whereas the day of September 15th is significant because it is the
anniversary of independence for the Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September
16th and September 18th, respectively. Finally, day of the races or the de la Rasa, which is observed October 9th, falls within this 30-day period. And whereas the Hispanic and Latino
community has helped build and strengthen our society for generations at every level in government, science, business, culture, sports, education, and the arts. And whereas Hispanic and
Latino Americans represent a significant and fast growing demographic, and we honor the invaluable ways they contribute to our community as friends, family members, teachers, elected officials, essential workers,
co-workers, and much more. And whereas Princeton municipality hereby commits to highlighting the rich diversity of peoples and histories within the Latino community. And now therefore, I, Laticia Fraga, on behalf of Mark Freda, mayor of
the municipality of Princeton, and the council of Princeton, County of Mercer, state of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim September 15 through October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month, and call upon the people of Princeton to join in
this special observance by seeking out celebrations, educational programs, and community activities. ities to learn more about the role Hispanic and Latino Americans have played in our nation's history. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Okay. Next up, we have two public hearings on two ordinances. Uh so the first one is ordinance 2514 an ordinance by the municipality of Princeton authorizing the lease of a portion of community park south tennis
facility for a public purpose to the Princeton tennis program pursuant to local laws and built local lands and buildings law NJSA4A12-14 C and NJSA48-12-15 I would someone like to move Michelle's
got the motion me's got the second we'll start with comments up here and then we'll go to public comment after the council comments. Michelle, thank you. Um, so I'd like to uh thank uh Princeton Tennis Program as well as
the uh US Tennis Association. Guess this is a really um good week for tennis. Um so I'm really uh grateful to all the work that you've put into this. Uh we have had a long decadesl long uh
relationship with uh Princeton tennis program. Uh they bring a lot to um to the table with helping us with all the programming managing uh the tennis program as well as uh the ongoing uh
repairs and maintenance. uh the past years the repairs and rema maintenance have really cost the taxpayers because we have not been able really to cover costs. So going forward once we um are able to do the construction of the new
tennis uh uh courts uh t Princeton Tennis will not only be um doing this uh $300,000 uh contribution towards the beginning of the uh new construction, but they will also be covering all the costs a as well
as there's um also incentive for continuing our our relationship in the years to come. So, I thank you for putting these funds together, for being patient, working with us. And I just also want to thank um Princeton Tennis program, for their commitment to the
community and doing a lot of um serving the economically disadvantaged, uh seniors in the community, uh lots of children's programs, and really bringing tennis to people that may not have been able to afford tennis before. Uh this is
uh really strengthening our community. So appreciate that commitment as well. Thank you. Thanks, Michelle. Other comments or questions? Mia. I want to thank Councilwoman Lamrose for working so hard and long on this agreement, which was really important.
And um and thank you to anyone who's here from PTP um and who was patient in um getting us to this point. And I also just want to echo um Michelle's comments about the the long relationship with PTP and you know Princeton was one of the
first um was a forerunner in the state and offer offering integrated tennis programming um for everyone in the community at at a point that they could afford um and was accessible to everyone. Um, and that that was a
partnership between PTP and the municipality and I'm really glad today that we're continuing that partnership and thank you again Michelle for your work on this late. Yeah, I'll be brief. I just want to say thank you um in particular for for
really leaning into the equity piece and um acknowledging that you know tennis is to be shared by everyone and we really seek to to extend those values throughout the neighborhood and throughout all the neighborhoods in Princeton. So I just want to thank you Michelle for the good work that you did
um making sure that this contract serves the needs to all Princonians. It was well done and and I'm really proud that we're we're um continuing on a a good and long-term relationship. Thank you. Any other comments or questions up here?
All right. Anyone in the public wants to come up and comment on this one? When you come up, just state your name, where you're from. Also, Jack, can you just say who you are so we have it on the tape?
Um, in my previous lifetime, I was the recreation director for about 110 years. So, uh, never thought I'd be back here. But at any rate, uh, speaking on behalf of the board of trustees of Princeton tennis program, we also commend all the
people who work so hard, not only Michelle, but the legal team who put together all the moving parts necessary in this lease agreement uh largely because of Green Acres restrictions and and and qualifications. So, uh, we are
very excited to move this forward. The concept being solid in the lease agreement and that is we want to give money to the town and move it forward so that we can uh perhaps prioritize this
aspect of the community park restoration and get tennis courts that we all could be very proud of. And we're more than delighted to program them and to manage them uh because it's what we do. So, thank you so much to all of you.
Thank you. Pretty much it. Thank you. Is there anyone else in the room that wants to comment on this? Anybody on Zoom that wants to comment on this? All right. See no one else that wishes from the public that wishes to speak about it. We'll close the public
hearing. And can we have a roll call vote, please? Mr. McDonald? Yes. Miss Peron Lamrose? Yes. Miss Saxs? Yes. Miss Froga? Yes, Mr. Newan. Yes. Thank you. Next up is ordinance 2515, an
ordinance of the municipality of Princeton amending chapter T10B entitled land use of the municipality of Princeton by creating the affordable housing district 14 AH-14 in furtherance of the Fair Housing Act.
Is there a motion on that? Thank you, Leighton. Is there a second? Thank you, Leticia. Questions or comments from the governing body? All right. I I've got a a a couple. Um, you know, I know that for years we've tried to do
or achieve a number of things with our affordable housing program. And looking at the concept plan for for this particular site, I'm just a little concerned um that it appears that a the affordable units are going to be in separate
buildings, which I know is allowable, but so we're separating the affordables from the rest of the units. I would assume the unit sizes are smaller, which I understand is allowable, but concerning.
And it also I have to be curious as to whether the interior finish quality will be consistent between the affordables and the market rate units. Um, and I know this ordinance does not specifically address all of this, but I
would imagine that there were some discussions with the potential developer while this was all coming to this point that it would be discussed here. So, I don't know if anybody here that was involved in those negotiations or anyone else has uh can speak to any of those
points. So, I I know Mark, you sent those questions and detailed answers were provided to you. Did you have a chance to read those or are you asking on behalf of the public? Uh, doesn't matter who I'm asking on behalf of. Yeah, of course. I I read the
response and my questions just now were tailored. Having read the response that was sent because I thought having read them maybe you would most be the one who wanted to provide the answers. I'm sorry. I thought having read them maybe you would want to provide the answers. Well, no, because the answers there were
very not specific and to the point other than saying this is allowable. So, I was curious as to whether any of these points were discussed in detail with the potential developer and if anyone involved in that knows for sure, like on the interior finishes, will they be the same as the market rate units? Maybe
someone involved in that has the answer. If the answer is yes, that's great. If the answer is no, then I think that's concerning. So, um I think David would be the one best equipped to uh answer this because he's most involved as an
architect with these details, but I'll do my best. Um the uh interior finishes from my understanding I are are um comparable. Um I'm not sure what falls under interior finishes in terms
of the them being in separate buildings. That is how for the most part across New Jersey for sale units are built. Um the there was a lot of work done by municipal staff and Councilman Cohen in
particular to make sure that the buildings were integrated according to U-Hack rules. Um the uh buildings with affordable units cannot be in a lesser in a place that's less desirable. Um, and I know there was
a lot of time spent um by municipal staff and Councilman Cohen, as I mentioned, to make sure that the units were that the buildings were all integrated with um similar um access to um light and views and
circulation and and so on. But the project as a whole conforms to U-Hack rules for for sale stacked flats, which is what this Yeah. No, I know they conform to the rules, but I would think I would hope that in Princeton we go a little further than what the rules allow. So,
well, we can't go further than what the rules allow because it would be considered cost generative, which is and this is not a redevelopment site. So, in redevelopment sites, we are able to impose standards that are above the rules. in a site like this which is um a
standard uh it's being reszoned. We are not able to um mandate anything that is above the law which is why we prefer redevelopment. I believe that we probably do have the ability to pass ordinances to address
some of these specifics that I'm talking about. Well, our attorney is not here tonight. I guess we could hold off. Would you would you want to hold off on passing it? Is is there a consensus? It's going to be up to the entire government body, not just me. But I'm I'm just I would just be concerned. So I
will I know there's another development in town that was built years ago. And if you look at the affordable units there, the interior finishes are significantly below the market rate units. And basically what has happened in those cases is the people that have
the least amount of money are the ones that are faced with having to do upgrades and replacements of interior cabinets, counters, etc. And these are the people that can at least afford to do it, but they're going to be forced to do it more and more often. So my hope is that's not going to happen here just
because these are for sale units. And I know the state has different guidelines for for sale versus rental and those uh regulations are going to change in the near future possibly, but I would hope that we were addressing those during this process. Leighton, did you
have a Yeah. Thanks, Mayor. First, um I want to say can you for uh bringing that important uh issue up.
I too uh was concerned about the uh thank you the intermix and the interdispersal of the affordable units with uh the market rate units. So, I spent probably about
an hour today, don't want to out people, but sitting down and talking with Justin Leco about just that and also about the finishes. And uh now I understand that for sale units
under the U-Hack rules are treated differently than rental units. Yep. Um but that was a real concern of mine because and I just want to keep keep this real. people know I try to do that. You know, I I think the value system we do have here in Princeton and I and I
believe this to be true whether it's written as an ordinance or not is that we want affordable units to mimic market rate units in all situations. However, this is kind of our first time out in a for sale situation
and and it is treated differently. So, so once I understood that and you know know that you know that Justin was telling me the truth and being truthful with me uh I kind of you know do understand now a little bit better. I still
as you said would love to see the interdispersal of them but I think on balance you know my decision would not be to you know to as Bernie used to say don't let good be the enemy of perfect
or don't let perfect be the enemy of good. I think that's why I would roll with this. Even though I don't really like that the affordable units are separate from the market rate units, we're going to get 17 affordable units
for sale in Princeton to people that would not be able to live here in Princeton. So, I got to go with this. Even though I feel the same way you feel about the part of it, but on balance, I think it's a good deal.
Thank you. Yeah, Michelle. And again, it's not redevelopment, so we're prohibited from, you know, how much we can add anything that's cost generative. Um, but, you know, at the same time, you know, this is for sale
units and we talk about needing to um give the opportunity to build intergenerational wealth um by home ownership and there's so little ability to do that. And I think town homes um and then having some affordable town
homes is moving in that direction. So I think it it does address that and like Leighton just said, you know, let's not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I think that was it. Um and I think that this is a really great step in the right direction. And again, this
isn't a site plan, you know, right now. Um you know, that will go to the planning board. Uh but I think that this u I think we should move forward. I think this is part of our affordable housing plan and um we David has worked
particularly hard um on this with with the architect um as an architect and and it's really a shame he's not here tonight to talk more to it u but he's done a tremendous job and they've been very receptive to to those changes but
again we are and I'm sorry Kevin's not here to talk about the legality of it but our hands are tied as far as this when we have redevelopment we can do we have a little bit more we have a lot more leeway this is not redevelopment and I think we've gotten you know maybe
some some of that background where we have been able to do that before but this is not and we have other affordable housing ordinances that are going to come that are not redevelopment just FYI thank you any other comments Mia yeah I I mean I just want to say one
thing that because it's for sale there is no standard package of amenities. You there is um I mean there is a standard package which everyone can buy but you know people who are buying market rate units want might want to upgrade their package. Um people who are purchasing
affordable units could upgrade their package but you know I mean I do think that the people who are able to purchase affordable units in Princeton will be very happy to do so. These are beautiful units. Um, and I mean to your point that
you think that the affordable units will be smaller, the affordable units are subject to minimum standards by Princeton's ordinance, which the market rate units aren't. And in many of our uh newly built structures in Princeton, we're finding that the that um the
market rate units are actually smaller than the affordable because they are not subject to those minimum standards. So that's not a concern. But in you know in this particular development the municipality was interested in having more missing middle for sale
opportunities and so they worked with the developer to try to keep the overall price point down for the market rate units as well. um it's we hope going to be in the 7 to9 range which is almost unheard of in Princeton and you know so
there this site overall is achieving a great deal um and I understand your um reticence to have um affordable units in a building by themselves but you know we are about to approve Princeton Community
Housing um a a a building on Chestnut Street and that is all affordable units by themselves as are our other municipally sponsored project and we're very excited about those projects. So, you know, we have embraced municipally
sponsored housing in Princeton which is um um you know, Princeton Community Village, uh Elm Court, um Harriet Bryant, and we don't look down on those. And I don't think we should look down on these structures either. So,
yeah, I'm not suggesting anyone look down on any of these. I'm not sure where that came from. Anyway, I I'm not sure that this meets the values that we usually try to uphold, but that's fine. Okay. Any other Do we want to hold it? I mean, we could we could hold it until um you know, the attorney is here next week and can see
if there's any legal room. Uh personally, I'm comfortable moving forward. I just wanted to make one other comment which is to say we are really dedicated to the value of it in all the rental uh properties of mixing in and
making sure that the you know the amenities are the same. But to Mia's point the when they're for sale people can choose a variety of levels of types of appliances and and finishings and so on. So it's it is different uh in terms of that. So, I just wanted to point that
out and I'm very comfortable and I think we should move forward, but that's my personal take. Thank you. Should we take a consensus and see if people want to move forward? Well, we made a motion. I'm going to I need to ask for public comment. Is I'm hear exactly what you said, but
anyway, anybody in the audience that wants to comment on this? Hendrickx, when you come up, just you know the drill. Say your name and a little further. There you go. [Music] I've not been able to
keep a breast of what's going on in town, reading the newspaper and that sort of thing for the past couple of years, unfortunately. Uh, but if what I'm hearing is that
there are 17 units of housing for sale in the affordable market. Is that right? There there'll be a de That's correct. There's a yeah, there's a potential we
are passing an ordinance that will allow a potential development that will include 17 affordable for sale units along with another market rate units. MG, that's wonderful.
I've been asking and pleading for this for at least 15 years that the township or the town of Princeton Yeah. went back to township and burrow times uh would uh give attention to the need for
affordable housing for sale to residents. So this is great news. The other question is did I hear some did you is the affordable range
700 to $900? That's the market rate. That's the market. Oh, okay. Okay. Cuz because it it it it could have been that as but uh uh Okay. So, that's wonderful, too. And then
third question um is there is this open to the wide catchment area of our Koa or is there any possibility of a Princeton historic preference for
the affordable units for sale? Unfortunately, not because this is part of our court mandi mandated plan. So, we have to do the regional marketing. Okay. Thank you. But we hope that there will be units
once we've met our number um that we can work on. We can be more creative with and we're we're that's why we're trying to get to our number so that we can move beyond it. Great. I hope that there is an effort made to uh reach out to
uh people in the community who are hoping and and yearning to become homeowners here and who have been doing so for years and years and years. to get
them prepared for this so that they at least have the opportunity to to um to become a homeowner here and uh get them in the mix and get them prepared uh as
best you can. And if I can be of any help in that regard, I'd be happy to to provide assistance. So, thank you for for that. Thank you. Any other public comment from anybody in the room? Anybody
on Zoom? Okay, we'll close the public hearing and ask for a roll call vote. Mr. McDonald, yes. Miss Peron Lamrose, yes. Miss Saxs, yes. Miss Braa, yes. Mr. Newan,
yes. Okay, moving on to resolutions. First one is resolution 25305. Resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing the extension of the term of the professional services agreement with Arcadus US Inc. for Hamilton Avenue sanitary sewer
replacement engineering design and bid phase services for a length of time necessary for the completion of the actual construction with no change to the contract amount. Would someone like to move that? Thank you. Brian Leighton's got the second. Questions or
comments? All right. Seeing none, all in favor, please say, "I." I. I. Resolution 25306, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing and amending Princeton affordable housing program home rehabilitation loans 2025-1
and 2025-2 not to exceed $39,300. Latisia has got the motion. Leighton's got the second. Questions or comments? Right. Seeing none, all in favor, please say I. I. Resolution 25307, resolution of the
mayor and council of Princeton authorizing an increase of $65,000 to the contract with Gen Electric, Inc. for traffic signal maintenance services for a new not to exceed amount of $17,040 for the January 1, 2025 through December
31, 2025 term. Thank you, Brian. Is there a second? Thank you, Leon. Questions or comments? I I just um wanted to note that I reached out to Jim Purcell today, Indiana, because it references uh our 14
traffic signals. And I tried to make a list and came up with 38. Um and Jim was kind enough to reply that actually there are 42 um but only 14 that are owned and operated by the municipality. All the
others are NJ dot or uh the county or um the university the seminary um Princeton Day School. So um there are many more traffic signals than those referenced here, but uh this is what's needed to um
complete a series of uh upgrades and repairs between now and the end of the year with a vendor who's been very um good to work with apparently. Great. Thank you for that. Thank Thank you for doing that inventory for us, Brian, too. Any other questions or comments?
Okay. All in favor, please say, "I I." Resolution 25308, resolution of the mayor and Council of Princeton endorsing Princeton's application to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife for designation of a special deer management area in approval of Princeton's 2025
2026 community-based deer management plan. Brian's moving that. Michelle has the second questions or comments. We will see what happens with this. Yeah. I wonder Yeah. Just wondered if uh uh Trisha wanted to
say anything. Um in the last meeting of the animal control uh group um there was discussion and there's been discussion uh online since then about our real desire to introduce non-lethal
methods to control the deer population and um somewhat surprisingly this has met with significant resistance um at the state level and Trishka has persisted mightily
um in trying to make this um possible for our community to um manage our deer population using not just uh lethal means but non-lethal means which we hope to make progress with but you know it's
it's been a lot of work and it's been frustrating to date unfortunately I mean yes I think a brick wall may be an apt description for this agency as we've been trying to get them to authorize allow Prince to
use sterilization. Unfortunately, the deer are a state-owned resource. And that's why we require the state's authorization to do anything with the deer. I mean, frankly, including hunting them, but in Princeton's case, using
alternate methods, including uh sterilization, which also requires separately a research permit. So, we did apply for that research permit in early June and we have not yet obtained it. The state has not outright denied it. They
have asked us for clarification on a number of issues, but given the volume of information we've provided to date um and there and the position they've taken on two very key issues, I think it's pretty clear that the answer is no. But
I think we still want to persist. Although, you know, in all honesty, I think at this point we the solution may be political. You know, to be perfectly candid. I think that there are roadblocks. There's even a there's a
question. I don't want to go into massive detail on the record, but on the other hand, the public probably does have a right to know this. Um it's unclear if the log jam is with the division of fish and wildlife which is a state agency within the department of
environmental protection and these are really you know these are staff members or if it lies with the fish and game council which is sort of a semiautonomous agency within the state. Um some of what I am hearing through sources is that it's the chair of the
fish and game council who is the roadblock and who has basically stated this will not get approved. Now again this is all rumor if you will but it's highly plausible and that's why I say it may be that at this point um it could even be
for all I know that at the division level the staff members also may have their hands a little bit tied. So I to the larger question, why is there so much resistance? I have absolutely no idea. I don't get it. I just don't get it. And I don't have an answer for you
on that one. But the it is incredibly frustrating. And um you know, one of the good things for Princeton is that your quoteunquote provider, White Buffalo, who's been doing this for decades now, I would say,
is even more exasperated than we are. And because White Buffalo has done this in other communities, it has seen how well it works. What an effective tool it is for deer management. And you know, they're tearing their hair out as well. And I think if it's possible for them to
be more determined than we are to get this approved, they're more determined than we are to get this approved. So at least you have a a very knowledgeable and acting active partner. But you know, one last comment, and this I think I made it last year when this came up.
South Carolina approved this type of program in four days. Four days. Ohio has approved this type of program. New York State has approved this type of program. But it also just baffles me that New Jersey is okay. I'm sorry, but
lagging behind South Carolina, Ohio, and any number of other states for a state that prides itself on being out in front of issues. I just can't wrap my head around the fact that we've this is now our third or fourth year trying this. We keep getting roadblocks and South Carolina was able to approve sterilization in a sum total
of four days. I leave you with that. In the meantime, what is in front of you for tonight is really essentially the same program that you've been doing for a long time. As I explained in my memo, just like we did last year, we are going to bifurcate the sterilization from the rest of it
because I think the worst thing would be for the division to deny the entirety of the application because of the sterilization component because that will set Princeton back massively both
financially and you know logistically after Having a lot of involvement in this last year, I can think of nothing polite to say to add to what Trisha has just said. So I am going to call it at that. But it is unbelievable trying to deal with the state on this.
But anyway, thanks Trisha. Any other comments or questions on this one? All in favor, please say I. I. I. I. Resolution 25309, resolution of the mayor and council authorizing the award of a bid contract to Dan Sees and Sun,
Inc. for North Harrison Street traffic striping and pavement markings for an amount not to exceed $132,193.75. Would someone like to move that? Brian, thank you very much. Is there a second? Thank you, Leticia.
Questions or comments? I I I have a question. I'm trying to figure out how doing the markings from Clear View to Cher Hune is going to cost $132,000. I know we're doing a lot of street markings, but And it was the lowest bid. Mayor, I'm sorry.
It was the lowest bid. It was a It was bid and that is the lowest bid and it is a lot of money. Yes, it is. Does that include the um bike lane dividers? I'm trying to remember. Can you just
keep that microphone closed? So, I I know it's part of the corridor program and if David were here, he would uh say it's a very important experiment for our community to uh engage in to see if we can make a major roadway safer for
uh cyclists and pedestrians. and the uh INO committee has spent uh multiple meetings discussing this and um all felt that this was a worthwhile investment um that if it works it may have
applications on other roadways that could save us money um in other places as we try to make the community you know as we move towards vision zero and try to be a more bike and pedestrian friendly community. the um the delineators, the things that
stick up I think that you're asking about. They're in here. That's about 19 grand. Yeah, that's Jan Har. Okay. I I mean, I guess we could always rebid it, but I'm just kind of astounded that
it's $132,000 to do this work, but whatever. All right, it's been moved and seconded. Any other questions? All right. All in favor say I. I. I. Any opposed? Okay.
132,000. Resolution 25310, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing the execution of a development agreement with PCH Development Corporation for an affordable housing development in connection with the municipality's fourth round affordable housing plan.
Uh, Laticia has got the motion. Leighton's got the second. Question. Do you have a question? Not a question. I just want to make a comment. Um, a few meetings ago, uh, Chief, uh, Willie Shields came in. Um,
he and others have a lot of history with the Chestnut Street Firehouse. It was, um, there were different firehouses, uh, that, you know, have a long history. And I just wanted to mention that I did due diligence. I did talk to Chief Fire
Chief Adam Cooker um about, you know, some of the nostalgia there. Some of the there's a lot of like um uh memorabilia uh that we can still preserve. And I know that PCH in their plans want to
have a community room, but in addition to that, what we do with our firehouse, our main firehouse, there's other opportunities. So, I just wanted to say to the community and those that are really um you know feel the history of that that property um that you know it
all won't be lost. the memorabilia can be uh preserved and you know in in memory but uh you know I think in in what we've decided that it makes sense that this is the the best use uh for the community um what we're doing with PCH
and PCH being such a wonderful partner but I did just want to mention that we did do um some research and some discussions on that. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Yeah, I just wanted to echo what my
colleague Michelle said. You know, William Shields is a dear, dear gentleman. And he spent years and years and years at that fire department, as have others. He loves the history. He loves the nostalgia. and and Ed, if if
you could find it in your heart, maybe to embrace him and even even to include him and just as a momentto and give him a little place of feeling, I think it would be uh a win-win situation for both your organization and and the fire
department to have some sort of connectivity. Thank you. Yeah, I I I would just comment also that following up with what Michelle said and echoing to some degree is that when the Hook and Ladder firehouse on Harrison Street moved and be came in came into the Witherspoon
Street firehouse, all their memorabilia and everything was absorbed into this firehouse. And as Michelle has talked to the fire chief, room will be made for anything and everything that the fire company on Chestnut Street wants to bring into the firehouse here on Witherspoon Street.
And if PCH wants to do something with that fire company and keep some of the memorabilia there, that's between PCH and that fire company. But Willie painted a picture and I think he painted half the picture and not the entire picture. So no one should be concerned
that number one's history and memorabilia are going to be in a dumpster behind the firehouse. Uh anyway, yeah, just want to thank Ed Truselli who's here tonight for all your work on this and for all your patience with the
municipality. It's been a long road to try to figure out the design. It's a complicated site, adaptive reuse, very constrained site and it's a beautiful design for adaptive reuse of a building which is not actively being used um and which you know you have very generously
and graciously um offered to host um you know the community room that will pay homage to the building's history um in fighting fires in Princeton um and providing a space for firefighters there. Um, and I'm exciting that excited
that this will be a permanent home um, for 100% affordable units all on their own. Um, which we're equally excited about. Um, and um, thank you so much for sticking with us um, for this what was a
long road and I hope that you can get your funding in this first round because that will be essential. So, Ed, do you have the need to say anything on either one of these resolutions that were I just figure you're here. So,
just a just a quick word. Thank you very much. I appreciate all the kind words and your confidence in us. And uh this is going to be an exciting very exciting development. It's right in the middle of town. It is infill. It's checks a lot of boxes, but most importantly, it'll be a place for people to call home and a
great community. So, thank you for your assistance and confidence in us. Thanks, Ed. Thanks. Thanks, Ed. Okay, no other comments or questions on this one. All in favor, please say I. I. I. Okay. Okay, next up is uh resolution
25311, resolution of need for the construction of an affordable housing project on property located at 13 Chestnut Street, block 30.02, lots 39.01 and 39.02. Leighton's got the motion. Let's got the
second. Questions or comments? I'd see none. All in favor, please say I. I. Resolution 30, oh, excuse me, 25312, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton in the county of Mercer, New Jersey, determining the form and other
details of one or more notes relating to the construction financing loan program of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to be issued in the aggregate principal amount of up to $6,300,000 providing for the issuance and sale of such notes to the New Jersey
Infrastructure Bank and authorizing the execution and delivery of such notes by Princeton in favor of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. All pursuant to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank construction financing loan program. 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. I. Next up is the consent agenda. There are three items on the agenda. If nobody has a problem with those being voted in block, Brian is a block. I'm sorry. I move as a block.
Move them in block. Let's got the second. All in favor, please say I. I. Okay. Next up is public comments for items not on the agenda. And looking at the signup sheet, uh Hendrickx, you were first. So, let me just remind everybody
as you come up for public comment, if you would say your name and your address, and you have three minutes to make your comments. Good evening. Hendricks Davis, 232 John Street. I am here because I am concerned that
someone could die on the street on the sidewalks of Princeton, New Jersey, and someone could die because of the sidewalks
of Princeton, New Jersey. I've spoken to the council in prior meetings and at prior public meetings at the arts council about the need for the sidewalk conditions to be addressed on
John Street in particular and all of the streets that connect John to Witherspoon. They are very dangerous. And I'm not speaking just because of this recent
development of my blindness. I've fallen on those on going up John Street three times prior to becoming blind. And I've mentioned the particular locations that are hazardous.
One in front of the new townhouse development. One in front of number four. 148 and 152. I think they are a twin unit there that I call that one the widowmaker.
I'm not married. So, but I could be dead because of the conditions of those sidewalks. I'm also speaking on behalf of others who have mentioned to me that they have fallen on the sidewalks
in the neighborhood uh in the John Witherspoon in the Witherspoon Jackson neighborhood. But also very recently, a new a new person to me uh mentioned that she had a
tremendous fall on Nassau Street in the area between the CVS and um uh Wells Fargo Bank. Indeed, uh, four Princeton Angels came to her assistance and they
called the, uh, first responders and the police showed up as well. She ended up with a black eye and, um, the need to get uh, medical treatment to determine if further injury,
internal injury has occurred. Um, this is not something that is a trivial matter when I say someone could die because I'm sure you all know that the highest
cause of death among senior citizens is not car accidents, is not heart attacks, is not um cancer, but is false. heard it on NPR and confirmed it by
asking Alexa, "Please do the same. Please take some action in my neighborhood, in Nassau Street, and in other neighborhoods, uh, where the sidewalks are indeed treacherous. Thank you, Hrix." Thank you.
Thank you, Hendrickx. Okay, next up, we have four of you that are going to talk about vote 16. So, you guys come up in whatever order you want. Again, just state your name and what street you live on and and talk to us.
Just watch the monitor for the you each got three minutes. So, just Okay, sounds good. Hello, my name is Karina He and I live on Walker Street, uh, Walker Drive. I'm a senior at Princeton High School and I'm joined by some members of
Princeton's youth civic leader club, which is a civic engagement club at Princeton High School. And we would like Can you just try to get that microphone close to your mouth? Of course, because the people on Zoom can't hear if it doesn't go into that microphone. Thank you. Um, but we would like to
introduce the vote 16 civic engagement initiative, which is a little bit different from what you all have been discussing on the agenda today, but we've been working with council member Brian McDonald for the past few months on this, as well as the statewide vote
16 organization. So, the aim is to infranchise 16 and 17 year olds to be able to vote in Princeton Public Schools Board of Education elections, which on the surface may seem a little controversial, but we hope today we'll be able to introduce some of our
reasoning. So, I'm going to cover more of the logistical aspects and then my peers will share their personal experiences. To start off with a few facts, 16 and 17 year olds have relevant civic knowledge. And research shows that there's no significant difference
between 16 and 17 year olds and 18 plus year old citizens in terms of their civic knowledge, which is especially visible within the Princeton public schools education system with how robust our civics education is starting from um the elementary schools. But even better,
these age groups are interested in civics and likely to vote. So we saw in Tacoma Park, Maryland, where this initiative was able to pass over four times uh 16 and 17 year olds were four times more likely to vote than their 18 plus counterparts. So this is especially
important here in Princeton where we see is usually under 50% of voter turnout rates and it's always good to be increasing that and having our younger people uh engage in these civic processes. But then a lot of these big
supporters of this initiative include our very own District 16 Senator Andrew Zwicker, the current governor Phil Murphy. And as we lobbyed at the Trenton State House, a lot of the senators were open to hearing and engaging in dialogue
um with us. And then mechanically speaking, the Secretary of State's office would be charged to create a se a separate ballot. And then that cost is reimbursed by the state for those separate ballots to be printed. So it ultimately comes at no cost to Princeton
or Mercer County. In terms of legality, this was recently passed a few months back in New York and it also is uh passed in some counties throughout Maryland, California, and Vermont. And lastly, we will reach out to be in
touch with you all individually to hear more opinions if you are willing, of course. And to be completely transparent, our ultimate goal is to be able to at least propose an ordinance within the town council of Princeton to infranchise 16 and 17 year olds um in
these processes. So if you have any if you want to see any of our statistics, past presidents, or more questions, we'd be more than happy to engage in so via email or other means. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Hello, Councilman. My name is Ash Nean
and I live at 213 Steuart Road East and I'm a senior at Princeton High School. So, I'd like to talk about how Princeton High School and the curriculum as well as the community are great to set us up for being able to vote as 16 and 17 year olds. So, as eighth graders at Princeton Middle School, we are required to take
civics. And then at PHS, US history is required the first two years. Um, this is when students are typically 14 to 16 years old. I'm currently studying AP government and politics. Um, and I know that every teacher at Princeton High School really stresses how important um, the right of voting is and how important
it has been throughout history. I know that in Miss Taylor's class, we've dove deeply into um, different suffrage movements. So, I know it's not lost on students how important it is to be able to vote. But that said, there's been a lot of disconnect um between students,
not just at Princeton, but all across the country and politics because they don't feel like they have a lot of impact on these political systems. But the youth voice still is and has always been a leader in politics. And we protest for gun rights and climate actions. And um we've risen as a
generation that's ready to take action. So I think this is a really important step to take. So the purpose of our education is obviously to make us successful young adults. And in order to do that, we have to practice the things that will make us successful. Um, the same way that a student who wants to pursue biology, for instance, would take
classes and engage in extracurriculars to prepare them for that, we as youth have to practice civic engagement and duty. And I would say that one thing that will make us successful citizens and adults is exercising the right to vote. Princeton and Princeton High School have so many fantastic resources that support its students. But I think
one of the most important resources we can give students is support. And in this case, giving students the right to vote while they are still um 16 and 17 and living at home where they have the support of their parents and their teachers um and their school community, which they've been with for most students um at least a couple years,
will provide them with, like I said, more support um and they'll be more likely to vote. We also know that um by allowing 16 and 17 year olds to be able to vote, it'll start conversations with parents, which like Karina said, will hopefully increase the voter turnout rate, not just in kids, um but it will
invigorate um more older adults to vote as well. Um and a lot of people um some of the backlash we receive from this movement is just that people think that students or 16, 17 year olds will vote the same as their adults or their parents at home. Um, but I think that
the Princeton community uh is one that teaches our students and our youth to be civically engaged because we have teachers that are really passionate about what they teach and we have open dialogue and vivid vivid demonstrations of activism within our community. So I don't think that um Princeton students
are unable to form these political ideas for themselves and that we really want them to be engaged with the school boards that hopefully they can pursue these democratic processes as well in the future. Um, so I just know that we all need to be prepared to vote as adults and this is one step in increasing that preparedness. So, thank you.
Thank you. Hello. Um, I'm Avantica Polyaker and I live in 45 True Bridge Court. So, what I would like to talk about, and I'm a current junior at Princeton High School. So, what I would like to talk about is I would like to emphasize the importance of letting 16 and 17 year olds vote in
schoolboard elections because of course the school board is what decides like for example, schedules, our curriculum that is taught at our school, what can be shown um at our school and what can't. And the students themselves are directly affected by it. The 14, 15, 16,
17, 18 year olds and the fact that um currently they do not have a voice in what um elected officials they want in the school board. Um who are who are ultimately going to make decisions that are going to affect them personally
rather than the adults who vote um right now. I think it is extremely important to give them a voice because they are the ones directly affected by all the issues by all um the issues and the problems that the um school board
members might be campaigning for might be campaign campaigning against and so it's ext I would like to emphasize of course the extreme how it is extremely important to make sure that we represent
we properly represent our constituents Right? Because the school board isn't really making decisions on how the adults, the parents of the students are going to live, on how they're going to be educated, but rather the children. And while of course the students themselves might influence their parents
vote, it really isn't the same as letting the students themselves vote. And also this by creating a a voting body that includes Princeton High School students, it provides an act an extra
guarantee that those campaigning for the school board aren't only trying to appeal to the parents of the children who go to Princeton High School, but also to the students themselves and making sure that each school board member puts the students first. Thank you.
Thank you. Um, good evening council members. My name is Claire and my address is 86 Cedar Lane and I'm currently a junior at the high school. While my peers have already covered some of the groundwork, I would like to leave you with the final thought on the concept of
responsibility. At the age of 16, the state is able to issue us driver's permits, which I know it can be a scary thought for most parents out there, but it's also holds us responsible for the safety of others on the road. Businesses employ us, holding us responsible for their
operations and customer service. We're even old enough to pay taxes, unfortunately, just like many adults. In this in the high school, we're also learning about civics in real time. We're studying government, politics, and we're having discussions about real-time
issues and formulating our own opinions on it. By giving us the chance to vote, this is a chance to take learning outside the textbooks beyond the classroom, therefore strengthening our democratic foundation. More importantly, we're still at home surrounded by the
support system of our families and the direct guidance of our teachers. There isn't a more important environment for us now than how to learn how to engage with democracy. Contrast that with 18. So many of us would be moving away, starting college,
and dealing with the immense pressure of adulthood, often without that daily support system. 16 is a perfect age to introduce voting on a smaller scale before we learn how to vote in the presidential election or general elections. Critics will often argue that
we are too young or too impressionable, but we are the focus of the very discussions that happen in this room, yet we have very little say in them. Lowering the voting age is an investment in our young people. It tells them your perspective matters in this community.
So, let's not just prepare our young people for the future. Let's empower them to shape it starting with a vote. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Brian, you seem to be the connection to the to the group so far. Uh yes, uh I have been in dialogue with
the group and they've been working very hard on this uh including work with some of the members of the faculty. Um, and they know that this is the beginning of a of a process and um I look forward to
working with Trishka um to better understand the legal side of this um and we'll verify um with the state, you know, that there would not be an additional cost borne by the municipality. Um, I've reached out
to our county clerk who also is seeking additional information and um, I' been clear that we would welcome the opinions of any members of the board of education who would be interested in offering them. Um, so I think that um we'll have
the opportunity to see our our students again um as we continue to move forward and cons give more consideration to their uh thoughtful requests that we uh infranchise them to vote in schoolboard elections.
Okay. And so if any of us have questions or comments, it might seem to funnel them to you and have you the you remain the conduit so we're not all the more we all know what the information going back and forth is. So if we go through one single point, it's easier. I will share more information than you
may wish to receive. um as this group's been very thorough in uh sharing the pros and the cons um and uh they've been really um impressive and thoughtful and diligent. Yeah. Thank you, Michelle.
No, I I look forward to hearing more and thank you um for coming. That's very informative. I just have one just general question maybe I'm not understanding. Are we talking about infranchising all 16 and 17 year olds throughout Princeton? because there are
a lot of p private school um you know students obviously that would be also deciding on the school board which is for the public school. So I just wanted to clarify that one point that we're talking about voting across the board in the municipality. Okay. Thank you. Yeah.
So private school students would be work would be voting for the Princeton public schools school board. Yeah would have to Yeah. And just in schoolboard elections, not municipal elections, just school. So, I know Brian will give us more
information, but my understanding is that right now there needs to be a change at the state level in order for us for municipalities to um to uh opt in. Trisha, is that your understanding? Can
Can we I'm sorry. Let me just jump in. This is not usually what we do with public comment. We don't usually get into a debate or go back and forth. So, I would encourage that if any questions or comments we have, we funnel to Brian. And if Brian has the answer immediately, he'll get back to us. And if not, he can work with the group to make sure we all
have the proper information. But thank you for coming. It's really great to see PHS students at council. Always. I wanted to comment first. Thank you for coming and presenting. Uh I just want to share with you I'm the liaison to Princeton's youth advisory committee and one of their interest is uh they have
several interests but one is in civic engagement and I think it would be great if you would like to come to one of their meetings. They meet the first Thursday of every month. Uh this week it's actually their reorganizational meeting. So, I would wait until next
month. I can get your contact info from Brian to invite you to come uh to their meeting. It's in person in this building to perhaps share with them um what it is that you're advocating for.
That's great idea. Okay. Thank Thank you very much. All right. Is there any other u anybody else in the room that has a public comment for an item not on the agenda? Anybody on Zoom that has a comment for an item not on the agenda?
All right, seeing none, does someone want to move that we adjourn? Thank you, Michelle. Is there a second? Thank you, Brian. All in favor say I. I. I. We are done. Thank you all for being here. Have a great night. pleases of mind and