Volume LXIX, Number 37
See Page 10 for School Open Houses Senior Resource Center Director Susan Hoskins Discusses What Makes Princeton an Age-Friendly Community . . . . . . . . . 9 Patricia Elizabeth O’Malley, 59, Who Died Friday at Merwick, Participated from 1977 to 2011 in Day Programs at Mercer ARC . . . . . . . . 33 Princeton Football Opening 2015 Campaign At Lafayette . . . . . . . . 24 Senior Rosenthal Providing Leadership, Production As PDS Boys’ Soccer Gets Off to Promising 2-0 Start . . 29
The Work of Former Poet Laureate Philip Levine (1933-2015) Provides Posthumous Commentary for Michener Art Museum Exhibits on Jazz and Industrial Art . . . . . . . 12 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Area Exhibits . . . . . . . 14 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 23 Cinema . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Classified Ads. . . . . . . 34 Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Music/Theater . . . . . . 16 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 33 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 34 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . . 6
www.towntopics.com
Planners and Council Hear From the Public On Affordable Housing The future of affordable housing in Princeton was the topic of a standingroom-only public meeting of Princeton Council and the town’s Planning Board in Monument Hall last week. The lengthy discussion included numerous comments from members of the public as well as questions and suggestions from the governing bodies themselves. The town wants to hear the public’s opinions on the issues covered in a document on housing goals written by a Princeton Community Master Plan subcommittee of the Planning Board, planning director Lee Solow said during his presentation. Mr. Solow stressed that the document is not final. Just how much affordable housing Princeton and other towns in New Jersey must provide is a question to be decided by Mercer County Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson. The group Fair Share Housing has recommended that Princeton be obligated to build 1,000 new affordable housing units over 10 years under new state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) rules. Several towns in New Jersey have joined a lawsuit that challenges the COAH rules, which require 200,000 new affordable units across the state. Currently, Princeton works with prospective developers with a goal of setting aside 20 percent of all residential units as affordable housing. Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller suggested at the meeting that the number be raised to 40 percent. In a review of a 2008 affordable housing proposal, it was suggested that a parking lot on Franklin Avenue opposite where the AvalonBay rental complex is being built become a site for affordable housing units. Residents of the surrounding neighborhood have expressed concerns about that proposal, urging instead that the site be turned into a public park. The lot is owned by Princeton University and is being donated to the town. Several residents weighed in on the town’s document outlining proposed goals for affordable housing. “What you’ve written is lovely, but it has no teeth,” said Mary Clurman. Heidi Fichtenbaum suggested that encouraging housing that is sustainable is not enough. “Be specific about what we expect,” she said. “All of this was brought into crystal clarity when Continued on Page 8
75¢ at newsstands
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Shopping Center Makeover Begins at McCaffrey’s
You might say McCaffrey’s has got you coming and going these days. A sizable renovation of the front of the store, due to be completed in about two weeks, has meant that entrances and exits periodically need to be reassigned to accommodate workers and their stockpiles of wood amid the store’s displays of pumpkins and other seasonal fare. In addition to the work at McCaffrey’s, EDENS, the Shopping Center’s owner, has plans to refurbish the parking lot and other stores during the coming months. The goal, EDENS says, is to update the look of the Center. McCaffrey’s manager Steve Carney has no problem with the ongoing work. Store personnel participated in choosing the design (“it went back and forth a few times”), and widened doorways promise greater convenience. The addition of “massive” planters is both aesthetic and functional; designers hope to deter any more accidents like the one in 2011, when a motorist drove into the building through the exit door, injuring two shoppers. Now, no one seems to be complaining about the adjustments. According to EDENS Communications Manager Claire Propsting in a recent interview, “We will be re-paving the entire parking lot, correcting circulation issues, expanding sidewalks, enhancing landscaping, upgrading furniture and bike
racks, adding energy-efficient lighting throughout the parking field and making the center much more pedestrian friendly.” In addition to the McCaffrey’s renovation, Ms. Propsting said, “we will be retrofitting the vacant service station to accommodate Nomad Pizza, while maintaining the mid-century modern look and feel of that building. This will activate that part of the site and create energy with an outdoor patio and pedestrian connection facing the shops along North Harrison Street.” Asked why McCaffrey’s and Nomad Pizza are particular areas of focus, Ms. Propsting explained that they “presented
two stand-alone opportunities to make an immediate impact and refresh the feel of the center.” Like McCaffrey’s, Nomad was involved “throughout the planning process,” and EDENS says that it will work “closely with other retailers to help refine their storefront displays.” “We are very excited about this renovation,” said Ms. Propsting, who spoke from EDENS’s Bethesda, Maryland office. “It will significantly enhance the visitor experience by creating an even more inviting atmosphere.” Like Mr. Carney, Ms. Propsting isn’t too worried about customer complaints. “We Continued on Page 8
Boychoir Begins New School Year At New Location in Hopewell Despite a financial crisis which has landed the American Boychoir School (ABS) in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, classes at the choral academy began this week at the school’s new location in Hopewell. Some 32 boys are enrolled, including eight new students, at the Rambling Pines camp, according to a September 10 report to supporters of the organization by Rob D’Avanzo, the Chairman of ABS’ Board of Trustees. That fig-
ure is down from 50 students, as reported on the ABS website last spring. “When I last wrote to you on June 11, it was to announce our plans to go forward with the work necessary to open ABS this fall under a ‘homestay’ model,” Mr. D’Avanzo said. “Over the course of the summer, we have completed that work. The staff has moved into our new facilities, the homestay structure is in place, Continued on Page 15
PUSHING FORWARD AND KICKING HIGH: Montgomery High School cheerleaders capturing the spirit of community excitement at Sunday’s Montgomery FunFest. Held at Princeton Airport, the event featured more than a hundred booths showcasing local businesses, art, contemporary crafts, culinary delights, helicopter rides, games of chance, and live music by the bands GoodWorks, Acoustic Road, Fitz and the Cats, Dangerous New Highs, Perfectly Sharp, and The Shaxe. Participants report on the fun in this week’s Town Talk. For a cross-section of images from the event, see page 22. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)
20% OFF
Online Orders with promo code TT20 expires 9/30
(609) 924–4700 180 Nassau St. Princeton, NJ 08542
nakedpizza.biz easy online ordering join our mailing list
WE DELIVER