Facing shortfalls in state and federal funding, Princeton Public Schools will now receive money from the municipality to maintain public facilities, the Princeton Town Council voted on Monday.
The funding will come from payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) from Avalon Bay, a developer building an apartment complex near Princeton Shopping Center. In New Jersey, property developers, particularly those working on affordable housing, may agree to PILOTs in exchange for an abatement on property taxes.
“This [agreement] is an important way of acknowledging the schools and providing them with critical resources that help to educate our town’s children,” Councilman Brian McDonald said.
Many members of the school board were present, including the Interim Superintendent Kathie Foster.
Daphne Kendall, the president of the Princeton Board of Education, said that the agreement was the product of “years of thoughtful dialogue and collaboration.” She also noted that the district’s state aid would be reduced by three percent as of April 2025, and that they were facing an additional $1 million loss in federal funding.
During the rest of the meeting, the Town Council discussed public service and a New Jersey bill about superfunds.
The meeting opened with a conversation about a proposed proclamation to designate May 18–24 as “Public Works Week” each year in Princeton. The week celebrates professionals who “focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to public health,” Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros said. 2025 marks the 65th annual National Public Works Week, which is sponsored by the American and Canadian Public Works Associations.
Following a photo with the newly signed proclamation, Princeton Police Chief Captain Christopher Tash discussed a “walk and wheel Wednesday event” in Princeton that took place in March. The police department teamed up with Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association to host the program, geared towards students who walk and ride bikes to school each day. The event was “really well attended,” according to Tash.
The council also highlighted that on June 12, from 6–8 p.m., the police department will hold a workshop to inform Princeton road users about their rights and responsibilities on the road.
Next, the council discussed the establishment of a new stop intersection at Jefferson and Terhune Road. The public hearing to amend the code of the township of Princeton and make this change will take place on May 27.
The council then discussed the passing of a resolution in support of the New Jersey Climate Superfund Act. Under the act, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection would establish a Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program that would come into effect statewide. This act would hold major fossil fuel companies accountable for increasing the effects of climate change.
This resolution would mark the “beginning [of] a momentum across the country to address the climate disaster issue,” according to a volunteer from Food and Water Watch who spoke at the meeting.
The council also passed three resolutions authorizing the purchase of vehicles for the Animal Control Officer, who addresses various alleged animal cruelty and neglect violations, and the Princeton Police Department.
The funds for the vehicles are “[given in] a lump sum and [don’t] specify the number of vehicles, which is an outcome of the scarcity of the supply chain issues that came out of COVID,” noted Councilman David Cohen.
Next, the council discussed authorizing a financial reward for computer equipment to SHI International Corp., a major provider of IT infrastructure and cybersecurity services in Princeton. The funded equipment includes CrowdStrike endpoint detection, which is a security program.
Lambros said, “[This is] one of those really necessary expenditures because of the threats of cybersecurity.”
The council then talked over a resolution that would authorize a professional service agreement with T&M Associates, a civil engineering firm. This agreement would allow for an inspection for the closure of the Princeton sanitary landfill.
“This is solely related to a degradation of the cap of the landfill, and we have areas where we need to go in and do some repairs,” Councilwoman Deanna Stockton said.
The meeting concluded with the council approving the placement of a banner over Washington Road by the YWCA, a women’s advocacy group, from May 26 to June 2. The organization will be advertising its Firecracker 5K.
Meetings for the town council take place on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for May 27.
Clara Docherty is a News contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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