Volume LXXV, Number 46
www.towntopics.com
Stockton and Grosser Promoted in Restructure Of Municipal Staff
Audio Program Honors “Women in Conservation” . . 5 School Board Expected to Authorize Referendum . . . . 7 Renewable Energy Program Coming to a Close . . . . . . . 8 Thoughts on Veterans Day, Shakespeare, and John Lennon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Westminster Choir Presents Concert of Comfort and Celebration . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Kelli O’Hara Makes Her McCarter Debut . . . . . . . . 21 PU Football Tops Yale, Will Play For Ivy Title in Finale . . . . . .30 PDS Boys’ Soccer Falls in NonPublic B State Title Game . . 35
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Part One of Readers' Choice Awards Results . . . . . . . 12 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 27 Classified Ads . . . . . . 40 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Music Review . . . . . . . 20 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 28 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 38 Performing Arts . . . . . 24 Police Blotter . . . . . . . . 9 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 40 School Matters . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Theater Review . . . . . . 21 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
Two key members of Princeton’s municipal staff have been promoted to newly created positions. Municipal Engineer Deanna Stockton is now deputy administrator for infrastructure and operations, and Health Officer Jeffrey Grosser’s new title is deputy administrator for health and community services, according to information released Tuesday. Stockton will now oversee the Public Works and Engineering departments, as well as the municipal arborist and newlyhired open space manager. Grosser is now in charge of the recently combined Health and Human Services departments, as well as the Recreation Department. The promotions are the result of a year-long analysis of how the municipal staff is structured, begun in the Personnel Committee with previous Municipal Administrator Marc Dashield, and continued with Bernard Hvozdovic, who took over the post last spring. “These promotions recognize Deanna Stockton and Jeff Grosser’s many years of outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the municipality,” Hvozdovic said in a press release. “They have earned the respect, trust, and confidence of their colleagues, the governing body, and the many residents who benefit daily from their commitment to Princeton. This restructuring will ensure that the municipality functions in a more efficient and cost-effective manner as well as being even more responsive to community needs and priorities.” Hvozdovic is supervisor to Stockton and Grosser. He also directly oversees the Princeton Police Department, the Municipal Court, and the Clerk’s Office, as well as Emergency Services, Finance, Information Services, and Community Development, which includes Planning and Historic Preservation. Stockton has been municipal engineer since 2016. Prior to that, she was the assistant engineer, and a design engineer with Princeton Township before consolidation. She has worked for Princeton for more than 15 years, overseeing various design and construction projects ranging from the Stony Brook Bicycle and Pedestrian bridges to the reconstruction of Community Park Pool and renovation of Mary Moss Playground. “I am excited to lead the combined organization and the great teams within Continued on Page 10
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Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Vaccinated Princeton Has Few COVID Cases As the state of New Jersey has reported increases in new COVID-19 infections and transmission rates, Princeton case numbers have remained steady at an average between one and one-and-a-half cases per day, according to the Princeton Health Department. Princeton Deputy Administrator for Health and Community Services Jeff Grosser reported on Tuesday a “consistent stream of positive cases” without significant increases or decreases in numbers. The Health Department on Monday announced 12 new COVID-19 cases in Princeton in the previous seven days and 19 new cases in the previous 14 days. “The Health Department has tracked recent cases linked back to Halloween social gatherings leading to subsequent household outbreaks,” Grosser said. “But due to Princeton’s high vaccination rate (82 percent of those 18 years and older, 100 percent of those 65 and older) the cases we’re seeing are predominantly previously vaccinated individuals with mild or no symptoms at all.” On Tuesday the New Jersey Department of Health recorded a 31 percent increase from a week ago in the sevenday average for confirmed positive tests and an increase from 1.04 to 1.08 in the
statewide rate of transmission, with any rate above one indicating that the virus is spreading. During his COVID briefing on Monday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy suggested that the state will soon be expanding and simplifying booster eligibility rules, going beyond current federal guidelines to allow boosters for all residents 18 and older. He emphasized the urgency of the coming holiday season and encouraged people to get boosters as soon as possible
even if they are unsure of their eligibility. State officials have acknowledged that guidance from the CDC and many different sets of eligibility rules by age groups, occupations and types of vaccines can be confusing. California, Colorado, New Mexico, and New York City have recently announced that all adults in their jurisdictions are eligible for boosters. Grosser noted that 24 percent of Princeton residents 18 and older have received boosters as of November 9, Continued on Page 9
Cannabis Task Force Prepares Report, Proposals for Council
The Princeton Cannabis Task Force (CTF) is planning to present a report and recommendations, based on more than seven months of research, discussion, and public meetings, to Princeton Council and the public at a November 30 special Council meeting. According to CTF Chair Eve Niedergang, who is also a Council member, the presentation will include a recommendation for a maximum of three retail dispensaries in town, with five potential designated zones, along with specific suggestions on hours of operation, social equity criteria, historical background in-
formation, and commentary on concerns raised in public meetings. In a November 12 telephone conversation, Niedergang discussed the work of the 23-member CTF. “The thoughtfulness with which this group of people has approached this issue has really impressed me,” she said. “There’s been a lot of debate and very frank discussion and definitely differences of opinion, but I think we’ve heard a diverse group of residents speak about an important issue, and despite the differences there’s been the theme of concern for making sure that Continued on Page 11
TREASURE HUNT: Book lovers searched through thousands of titles in a broad range of categories at the Friends of the Princeton Public Library Book Sale, held last weekend in the library’s Community Room. Participants share their finds in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)