Volume LXXVII, Number 48
TigerTransit Powers Ahead with Sustainable All-Electric Bus Fleet . . 5 Womanspace’s Communities Of Light Set For December 3 and 4 . . . . .8 “Journalism in Democracy” Forum Explores Concerns About Disinformation . . . . . . 9 Shakespeare and George Eliot “In the Company of Good Books” . . . . . . 16 PHS Soccer Star Carusone, Tiger Field Hockey’s Keegan Get Nod as Town Topics’ Leading Fall Performers . . . . 28-29 Hun Girls’ Hoops Falls In Opener But Shows Plenty of Firepower . . 31
Xaivian Lee Stars as PU Men’s Hoops Improves to 6-0 . . . . . 24 Art . . . . . . . . . . . .20, 21 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 22 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 32 Holiday Home . . . . . . . . 2 Holiday Magic. . . . . . . . 3 Mailbox . . . . . . . . .13, 14 New to Us . . . . . . . . . . 23 Nonprofit Spotlight . . 18, 19 Performing Arts . . . . . 17 Police Blotter . . . . . . . 11 Real Estate. . . . . . . . . 32 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
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Proposed Concept Design For Community Park South Is Presented to Council During a work session at its meeting Monday evening, Princeton Council heard a report on the proposed renovation of Community Park South, the 26acre expanse bordered by Route 206, Birch Avenue, Community Park School, and Community Park Pool. Since last February, a steering committee made up of municipal staff; two members of Council; and representatives from the Princeton Environmental Commission, the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, the public schools, and other stakeholders — along with Suburban Consulting Engineers — have been holding public meetings and soliciting information through public surveys. Seven possible concept designs were considered before the Princeton Recreation Commission recommended Concept A, “following strong considerations that whenever possible open space for structured and unstructured play should be provided, and that mayor and Council should work to provide additional parking convenient to the site,” according to a letter sent to Mayor Mark Freda and Council last week. The proposed design includes the construction of new tennis courts, pickleball courts, a new paddle tennis court facility, two restrooms, and new playing fields for coached and non-coached sports. Two fields for softball and baseball would be oriented to angles of the sun to accommodate right-handed and left-handed batters. Extensive landscaping improvements and additions include the retention of mature trees and the removal of invasive plants, particularly along Route 206. A family zone would include a new, accessible playground; game tables; sitting areas; picnic spaces; and a large green area, with shelters from wet weather. The two existing dog parks would be improved, at a cost of $1,350,000. Other improvement costs include $1,900,000 for the new tennis courts, $600,000 for irrigation, $950,000 for landscaping, and $400,000 for playground equipment and surfacing. The total projected cost is $28,125,600 if sports lighting is included, $24,125,600 if it is not. “What we want to do tonight is get feedback from Council on what the Recreation Commission has voted on and Continued on Page 12
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Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Debate Continues Over Proposed Master Plan As of Tuesday afternoon, 688 people had signed a petition started by the Princeton Coalition for Responsible Development (PCRD) urging the Princeton Planning Board to pause the approval of the Community Master Plan. The plan, which has not been updated since 1996, was presented by the town’s Planning Board last month, and was the subject of a public hearing on November 9. Because time ran out before all of those signed up had a chance to comment, the Planning Board has continued the hearing to its meeting this Thursday, November 30 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Municipal staff and consultants have been working on the plan for the past year and a half. Surveys, interviews, open house events, and special listening sessions were included in the process. But the petition calls for more public input. “As residents of Princeton, New Jersey, we are deeply concerned about the proposed Draft Master Plan, which up-zones many properties to allow for increased density on each lot,” the petition begins. “This proposed plan could have serious unintended consequences due to proposed changes to the land use plans. It appears that there has been a failure to take into account the impact on our environment, existing infrastructure, schools, property taxes, traffic and parking conditions, and even our mature trees.
Princeton is known for its beautiful green spaces and historic charm. The current up-zoning proposal threatens the very characteristics that attract residents and visitors to Princeton.” Assisted by members of the Planning Board, the town’s Planning Office issued a lengthy FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document last week. The FAQ, which is available on the municipal website, addresses the need for an updated plan, the process involved, zoning, the
“missing middle,” engagement with the community, up-zoning, and whether the Historic Preservation Commission has been considered, among other points that have raised questions. Regarding what the plan envisions, the FAQ states, “Princeton will be a vibrant, growing, and welcoming community with a diverse mix of land uses that accommodate a broad variety of needs, housing ample and diverse enough to accommodate all who want to live here, a robust Continued on Page 11
Sustained Focus on Students’ Needs is Board of Education Post-Election Priority
With the 2023 election results officially certified on November 22, the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE) will be welcoming two new members on January 1, 2024, as two incumbents step down. After a year marked by controversy and turbulence, and with the search for a new superintendent about to begin, disagreements remain, but the district and the BOE seem to be in accord on the importance of prioritizing the needs of the district’s 3,760 students. “We need to focus now on returning our attention to the students,” said BOE President Dafna Kendal, noting that Acting Superintendent Kathie Foster would
provide a stable presence at the helm in the coming year, giving the BOE time to find the best candidate for permanent superintendent. Final election results showed challengers running strongly with incumbent Michele Tuck-Ponder (15.27 percent) losing her seat, new candidate Eleanor Hubbard winning the most votes (24.92 percent), and Incumbent Beth Behrend (20.43 percent) and challenger Adam Bierman (19.91 percent) grabbing the other two available seats. New candidate Rene Obregon (19.46 percent) was a close fourth place, falling short by just 78 votes. Some, including Bierman and Obregon, saw the election results as a call Continued on Page 10
KICKING OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON: The Annual Palmer Square Tree Lighting on Friday evening featured musical entertainment by the Sensational Soul Cruisers, the Flying Ivories, and the Princeton High School Choir, along with a visit from Santa. Attendees share what they are looking forward to this holiday season in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Sarah Teo)
Happy Holidays to You & Yours from Linda Twining, Sales Associate IN THE TOP 2% OF AGENTS IN MERCER COUNTY IN 2022* c 609.439.2282 o 609.921.1050 4 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542 *Source: Bright MLS closed sales: 1/1/2022 - 12/31/22. Each office is independently owned and operated.