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any particular relevance, and it was just junk. But I saw all sorts of flyers for emotional well-being, group activities, music lessons, education, and political and faith activities. I’m thinking about the importance of civil society and I feel very strongly that written materials are important.” The kiosks were installed in the late 1980s and began life as public phone booths and newspaper box receptacles. Over time, they have taken different forms, eventually becoming a place to post flyers for everything from searches for roommates to meetings of special interest groups. Attempts by the town to clean them up or remove them have met with considerable public protest. Stockton said she welcomes ideas of what the kiosks might look like in the future. While a two-sided replacement is proposed, that idea can be expanded to include additional sides. “We are a town full of architects and I’m sure there are a thousand opinions of what a kiosk could look like,” she said. Members of the public who want to offer suggestions can email the staff at engineering@princetonnj.gov. Also at the Monday meeting, Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber made his annual visit
to the Council, reporting on University issues and answering questions from Council members. While he is excited about more than a dozen new projects including the reopening of the Princeton University Art Museum, Eisgruber said the current political climate has created serious matters for higher education, “a kind of crisis we have not faced for 70 years since the Red Scare.” Cuts being made to research funding in universities and agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the threat to academic freedom — about which Eisgruber recently wrote in the March 19 issue of The Atlantic — are major concerns, he said. McDonald asked Eisgruber to clarify the definition of an endowment, since he has heard some people say Princeton’s is a large, discretionary source of funding that can be used for any purpose. Eisgruber said he welcomed the question because the University’s endowment is currently under attack. The endowment is “a collection and a product of the gifts the University has received over time, with a promise to steward them for future generations,” he said. “People think of it as a kind of savings account for rainy day purposes, and that misunderstands what an endowment really is. It is much more like a retirement annuity. It needs to pay out every year. It is really critical that people understand what
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is going on with endowments and how to protect them.” Sacks commented that local politics can seem trivial compared to what is going on in society as a whole. “How can you inspire us in our own little world here to try to fight for the preservation of civil society?” she asked. Eisgruber responded that work on issues that might seem mundane needs to continue. “Part of what we have said to our own [University] community is that everybody needs to continue to persist in their mission. And that applies with regard to the town as well,” he said. “These civic institutions are the core of our civic life. I think what is really important in these times is to know what it is we stand up for, and stand up for it and be willing to speak for it — everything from universities to libraries to houses of worship. Far from being distracted, we need to recognize that this is a time to double down and speak up.” In other matters, Assistant Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell reported that improvements to cell phone service are underway due to upgrades by Crown Castle with equipment from Verizon. He also reported that the town’s food scraps drop-off program that started in October has been expanded to include additional container sites at Littlebrook and Riverside elementary schools, and on General Johnson Road near the entrance to Johnson Park Elementary School. The town hopes to add more sites in coming months, creating a total of 12. The next meeting of Council is April 14. Visit princetonnj. gov for more information. —Anne Levin
Before her service in Up- Senior Center Workshop on Baldeo Named New PPS Asst. per Freehold, Baldeo was Understanding Hospice Care Sup. of Special Services
Margar it a B a ldeo w i l l join the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) on May 27 as assistant superintendent of special services. She will be taking over from Interim Director of Student Services Annie Kosek.
Margarita Baldeo The PPS Board of Education (BOE) unanimously approved the appointment at its March 18 meeting, also elevating the position from the “director” level to the “assistant superintendent” level in the best interests of the students we serve,” according to BOE President Dafna Kendal. In a press release the BOE noted that Baldeo, who has 18 years’ exper ience in special education and mental health services and has spent the past three years as the director of special services in the Upper Freehold School District, “has dedicated her career to supporting students, families, and educators in creating environments where all children can thrive.”
a child study team member and supervisor of student services in the Hamilton Township School District. She is a licensed clinical social worker. “We are thrilled to welcome Margarita to the district,” said Kendal, emphasizing in particular the value of Baldeo’s bilingualism in English and Spanish. “Our district is renowned for its outstanding special education services, but there’s always room for improvement. Margarita is dedicated to working collaboratively with families and staff to ensure the best outcomes for all students.” Baldeo received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in clinical social work from Rutgers University and completed school administrative certifications through NJEXCEL and Thomas Edison State University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in clinical social work at Rutgers, focusing on developing tiered mental health support systems for students. “As a bilingual educator, Margarita is committed to ensuring that all families feel welcomed, involved, and empowered in their children’s education,” said Kendal. “We are excited to have a child-centered educator leading our special education programming.” Baldeo stated, “I am honored to join Princeton Public Schools as assistant superintendent of student services and bring my passion for student well-being, equity, and inclusive education to this incredible district.”
The Center for Modern Aging Princeton ( CMAP) invites the community to a free hybrid workshop, “W hat Is Hospice? ”, on Tuesday, April 1, from 4-5 p.m. Available both in person at CMAP’s Nancy S. Klath Center for Lifelong Learning, 101 Poor Farm Road, and via Zoom, the session is designed to help attendees better understand hospice care and the importance of early planning. Participants will gain insights on what hospice care is and how it differs from other care services, why it is important to start planning early, common questions and concerns about hospice, and resources to help ease decision-making for the future. Hospice care is an essential service designed to provide comfort, dignity, and support for individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families. This free workshop offers a welcoming space to ask questions and help ease concer ns about end-of-life planning. Individuals, caregivers, and families are urged to attend. Registration is required, and there is no fee to participate. Visit cmaprinceton.org.
IS ON
Pretty Brook Tennis Club Open House Saturday, Sunday, February 24, 2024 April 6, 2025 2:00pm 2:00pm Prospective members are invited to tour our first-class racquet and sports facilities, including squash, paddle, indoor tennis, outdoor har-tru green clay courts, pickleball, swimming pools (adult and baby) fitness center and newly renovated clubhouse. Meet our squash, tennis and paddle coaches to hear more about the Club's adult and childrens' programming. Learn about our kid's Summer Camp and sample our best-in-class food service. Reservation required. Register Today at bit.ly/prettybrookopenhouse
Please email manager@prettybrook.com with questions.
9 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2025
Council