Meet Your Next Mayor

Daily Princetonian (DP): As mayor, how will you make sure that consolidation is implemented smoothly?

Liz Lempert (LL): We have already saved $705,000 this year because of staff attrition due to consolidation. We are on target to save $2 million in 2013, the official year one. The goal is to trim budgets through finding efficiencies, without impacting services.

Richard Woodbridge (RW): I would take advantage of my experience as former mayor of the Township and as former council president of the Princeton Borough Council and work to bring the different groups together and make sure they are committed to achieving the goals of the Consolidation Study Commission.

DP: How can the University responsibly construct the Arts and Transit Neighborhood?

LL: I support the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the Township, Borough and Princeton University which is intended to 1) mitigate the negative impacts of moving the station further from downtown, 2) set up joint funding for traffic and long-term transit studies and implementation and 3) prevent the further moving of the station without the consent of the municipality.

RW: The vast majority of townspeople were disappointed by the move back of the Dinky by 460 feet, including many University faculty. Princeton may be unique in being the only town to move light rail out rather than in.

DP: Do you think the levels of the University’s PILOT payments are sufficient?

LL: No, the University should pay more. They are not required to pay property taxes on most of their holdings, which places a burden on the rest of the taxpayers. The goal should be to find the right balance so that the University is paying its fair share.

RW: The New Jersey League of Municipalities is planning to do a statewide study of PILOTs and I would like to see the results of that. You will never find two people who can agree on what the right number is.

DP: What do you think of New Jersey Assembly Bill No. 2586, which would allow the University to expand without local approval?

LL: I oppose the bill because it takes away the ability of towns to zone. Zoning laws, local environmental regulations and other elements of the municipal land use law all serve an important purpose. Private colleges and universities are valued members of the community, but they shouldn’t be above the law.

RW: Every local official I know opposes A-2586 and so do I. As a citizen I don’t see how one can arbitrarily carve out one class of people for privileges that others don’t have. It’s totally undemocratic. As a lawyer, I can’t see any legal rationale.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

DP: If elected, how will you work to establish a good relationship with the University?

LL: I will build upon the model that we’ve had in the Township and encourage dialogue that strives to find common ground. There will certainly be times that we may disagree, but I will work to keep the lines of communication open and foster more regular meetings with the University administration.

RW: As an alumnus of the great Class of 1965, former club and class president, current member of the Executive Committee of the Alumni Council and 35 year P-Rade Marshall, it hurts me to see the increased strains with the University.

DP: Do you think the local mayor should be on the University’s Board of Trustees?

LL: It could help improve communication and deepen the understanding between town and gown, but I’d want to make sure it would not create a conflict of interest under New Jersey law. There are private universities that include their towns’ mayors on their boards of trustees, including Carnegie Mellon University and Temple University.

RW: The answer is, it depends. If the mayor’s position is strictly ceremonial, then no. On the other hand, if the role is active and there is an opportunity for a robust exchange of views, then yes.