Marvin R. Reed, MayorMarvin R. Reed, Mayor8/31/98 Q: Dear Mayor Reed,
This question will be quite lengthy, but I am furious with the borough of Princeton.
I believe Princeton Borough has more parking problems than just those highlighted in Mr. Daniel Novak's letter of July 12th.
I received a parking ticket that had an ambiguous violation. Aside from the fact that I felt I violated no law, I attempted, by mail, to find out what the fine was.
I received no response.
A couple of weeks later I received a "failure to appear" notice, to which I replied with a letter and the payment requested of $25. The check never cleared.
Last week I returned home from vacation to find a notice that my license had been suspended. I took me most of a working day, plus $103 in fines to correct the situation.
When I visited the municipal offices, I spoke with Ms. Shapiro who assured me there was nothing shady going on in her department.
My problem has nothing to do with anything shady going on, just what happened to my letters?
I mail dozens of documents weekly, and in my two years in Princeton, only these two did not arrive.
The only common factor among all the documents I mail and this situation is the address of PO Box 390.
There is something wrong here.
I would appreciate it if you would look into this and get back to me.
I was going to include copies of the two letters that I originally sent, but that would only make this query too long. I would be happy to send them to you if you would like to see them.
Sincerely -
Pat Ammirati
Princeton
9/8/98 A: I will check to see what record the Borough has of your two violatios notices, the problem in getting replies, and the subsequent additional penalties.
Meanwhile, it would help if I had copies of the two letters you sent to the Borough at P.O. Box 390. Send them to my attention by e-mail or fax to 924-9714.
7/30/98 Q: Dear Mr. Reed,
I've been reading about the proposed ban on public drinking. I think that intentions for the new ordinance are good, but I think existing laws, namely that minors should not buy or consume alcohol, should be enforced now, without waiting for a new ordinance.
Joel Fuhrmann
East Windsor
8/1/98 A: We do have an ordinance against the purchase or public drinking by underaged teens. And, it's enforced when necessary. Not all the complaints about streetside drinking involve teens. It's often a problem of older eligible drinkers mixing with teens. After a few too many beers get passed around from car to car, up and down the block, the level of voices -- and the volume on radios -- seem to get louder and louder. Residents expect passersby on their sidewalks, they don't expect curbside party gatherings. We believe the proposed ordinance -- used with discretion -- will go a long way to help keep our summer nights cooler.
7/23/98 Q: Mayor Reed
What can be done about the heavy traffic of large trucks on 206, (Bayard Ln., Stockton St., etc.)? Not only do they destroy the roads but they tie up traffic.
Is there anything that can be done legally to stop this outrage?
Dr. Gregory J. Maffei
Lawrenceville
8/1/98 A: During the past year, we were successful in getting NJDOT to reduce the speed limits in all sections of 206 running through Princeton Borough and Township. This has given our Police Dept. added ability to crack down on the worst offenders. (Publicity on our crack down campaign seems to have slightly reduced the volume of trucks attempting to route themselves our way.)
Citizen leaders from our town our municipalities have been working with those from Lawrence, South Brunswick, and Franklin Twp. to get the sections of 27 and 206 between Kingston and Lawrencevilled historically designated as the "King's Highway" and so listed on the National Historic Register of "historic roadways." NJDEP has been cooperating with us in this endeavor. It will give us another handle for keeping the State Department of Transportation in check.
So far, unfortunately, NJDOT insists that it has a responsibility for the "Movement of Goods" that they say keeps them from putting weight, length and other limits on the trucks using this highway.
Princeton Township and Princeton Borough have hired a well-known historic bridge specialist to conduct stress and load tests on the Stony Brook Bridge on 206. With the results from this study we hope to be able to make a legal case and force NJDOT to restrict this size and weight of trucks crossing this section of 206.
We would welcome any cooperation from Lawrence Twp. authorities in these efforts to confront NJDOT. It is a continual, uphill battle.
7/13/98 Q: I work with a small theatre company in trenton called Magnet Theatre Company. We are planning a Festival of Irish Theatre for the Spring of 1999. This will include three adult plays, a children's show, some music and dance over five weeks from 2/18 - 3/21. Someone tells me that there is a festival planned for Princeton sometime soon. FInally, my question, do you know anything about the Princeton festival? Who can I contact to get some details?
Mark Jacobson
Trenton
8/2/98 A: We're currently finishing the Opera Festival of New Jersey here at McCarter Theatre in Princeton. It's been running since June 20. There' also the Amadeus Festival, a summer celbration of Mozart being done by the N.J. Symphony at Richardson Auditorium during July and August.
Talk to the managers at those two auditoriums if you are into booking something on a fairly large scale.
If you have small-scale events in mind, try the Arts Council of Princeton at 102 Witherspoon St. They've got more intimate performing space. The director there is Anne Reeves at 924-8777.
7/12/98 Q: Why in a town with so little public parking, does the township insist on raising the already exorbitant parking fees? Moreover, just recently, the township extended the meter-hours to 7:00 PM, not only making Princeton one of the few places with such long meter hours, but also making Princeton a place inhospitable and even hostile to both residents and visitors. Specifically, I have in mind the township-owned pay lot on Spring-street and South Tulane. This lot eliminated the 30 minutes of free parking, extended the hours of payment to 9:00 PM, and instituted a fee schedule that increases at ridiculous intervals. Residents of apartment buildings have always been prevented from parking near their homes, and now they are effectively prevented from stopping near their homes without penalty. Homeowners who wish to come to the center of town are made to pay for meters well after the end of the workday, or for parking in an unmetered lot until well beyond that; and, the meters even cost more, with a recent increase that gives you only 20 minutes for a quarter. Is the township so in need of funds that it has to make the daily life of its visitors and residents so consistently frustrating? This last round of rate and meter-hour increases causes residents to feel that the town of Princeton is becoming more an adversary than a home, and is a great disappointment to us all.
Daniel Novak
Princeton
7/14/98 A: Ask anyone in the University's Economics Department and they'll help explain the basis for the recent rate increase and time extension for metered parking spaces in Princeton Borough. (It's the Borough, not the Township. I know it gets confusing.)
It's called "supply and demand."
We have too few spaces for the large number of residents and visitors who come into town to park. Price is the best way to ration those spaces and encourage shoppers to either parking remotely and walk a few blocks, use the enclosed garages, or expedite their business.
Center-of-town residents learned a long time ago that they often cannot find a space near their house or apartment. We continue to rent them overnight spaces in the public lots at a very low rate. Some prefer to go autoless. An increasing number of walk or bike.
The day may come when the Borough will be able to construct more off-street parking, but such structures on valuable downtown land will be expensive. We will still have to charge in order to amortize the cost.
A new phenomenon has been "Princeton night life" spurred by an upsurge of attractive new downtown restaurants and "watering holes." That, however, made the supper hour the busiest and "most spaceless" time of day -- hence the extension of hours to 7 p.m. Hopefully, restaurant workers coming on the job in the late afternoon will stop gobbling up the choicest center-of-town curbside spots.
Please note that in the middle of all this we continued free parking for residents using the Public Library -- in fact, we extended this time in order to balance out the rate increase.
While it may cost a bit more, you should at least now be able to find a few vacant spaces when you arrive in the center of the Borough. Please try -- and do keep us posted.
7/10/98 Q: Why is the Governor's mansion located in Princeton and not Trenton?
F. Carranza
Miami, FL
7/14/98 A: Princeton has two -- not just one -- Governor's mansions.
The first, now called Historic Morven and run as a museum, was a gift to the State from the family of a former Governor.
The more recently developed is Drumthwacket. It resulted from fund-raising among a variety of major corporations and is run by a Foundation. Gov. Kean and his family seldom lived here, Gov. Florio did, and the current Governor -- Christine Todd Whitman -- prefers her country home about 20 miles north. Drumthwacket is used for various official receptions. Charitible groups are also able to pay to use it for major fund-raising events.
The State itself has never invested much money in the Governor's house. We're such a small state that even if the State did rennovate a handsome Trenton mansion for the Governor he or she would probably still commute home at night -- just like most of the rest of the people who work in State government do.
Both Morven and Drumthwacket are tax-exempt. It's sometime fun to speculate what they might add to our tax base if they were privatized.
7/2/98 Q: As one of the last residents in my area who cuts his own lawn and yardwork, I believe that the yard debris pick-up by the borough is an essential service. The vegetative waste dump on the Princeton Pike is well run, but not always convenient. Also, since the county stopped picking up grass clippings, I have been mulching, but sometimes the grass has gotten so thick that it needs to be picked up. Do you have an update on the borough vegetative waste pick-up and any possible solutions for getting rid of grass clippings (other than starting my own compost)?
Boot Seem
Princeton
7/10/98 A:The Borough has restored every-other week pick ups of yard waste. Leave it at the curb.
The east side of town is collected one week, the west side the other.
Since the County discontinued pick up of grass clippings, the Borough is suggesting mulching (as you're doing) or composting (which produces good dirt for next year's plantings). In weighing costs and alternatives, it seemed best to concentrate on tree trimmings and yard waste.
6/6/98 Q: I'm on vacation in Mesa, Arizona, from June 3 to June 7 and I check my E-mail and notice the Princetonol.com newsletter, which announces that Council meeting agendas are now online. So I check it out and discover a June 4 meeting (on a Thursday instead of a Tuesday?) and that Branch Alley is on the agenda.
As you know I have made many efforts to be notified of Branch Alley matters, but this is the only notice I received of this meeting, and it got to me three days after the fact and 2,500 miles away.
Is this the way Borough Council is going to notify residents of potential actions impacting their property? And what action, if any, was taken with respect to Branch Alley?
Regards, Rich Rein.
6/6/98 A: We have a report from the title search company. The office, I believe, tried to notify you.
However, we did not discuss Branch Alley or present any report last Tuesday night even though it was listed for the agenda.
When will you be back in Princeton?
I will ask the office about "notification" to nearby neighbors.
5/28/98 Q: I'm thinking of moving to the Princeton Junction area and was wondering who I should talk to about improving the parking conditions at the station? As it stands now, it's pretty hard to find a spot if you don't get there crack of dawn! Any chance of a parking garage coming up in the near future? Thanks for your time.
6/3/98 A: My best advice for obtaining a permit parking space at the Princeton Junction Rail Station would be patience and vigilence.
Right now the large lot there is over-crowded and over-subscribed.
You might try the permit lot at the Dinky Station in downtown Princeton Borough, which is operated by Princeton University. (See the signs at the lot for the phone number to call. They may have a few vacancies -- or at least a shorter waiting list.)
Meanwhile, watch for the grand opening in several months of the new N.J. Transit Hamilton rail station. It is being built at the intersection of Sloan Ave. and I-295. It's only a short drive from the Junction and should be diverting quite a bit of the Junction parkers. (Hopefully that will free up spaces.)
Good luck.
5/7/98 Q: Backyard composting in Princeton! Commendations to the Mayor, Council, Garden Club of Princeton, and Stony Brook Garden Club for undertaking this pilot program.
Two thoughts. . . . Consider at some point including residents and businesses who wish to try with indoor composting trays. The Borough could probably secure quantity discounts for distribution of the tray and red-worm kits. I've seen these trays in use in other areas and it is fun, educational, and of course ecological, and would contribute to the objectives of reducing the solid waste stream.
Also, your well-written letter of 20 April is unfortunately printed on two sheets of paper rather than duplex (back-to-back). This illustrates the ongoing need for education in the workplace, even Borough Hall. The slight extra effort in printing on both sides of the page would help fulfill the most important of the three 'R's of environmentalism: Reduce/Reuse/Recycle.
Good luck with the project.
5/11/98 A: Let me talk to the Garden Clubs about those indoor composting trays and the red worms. If we continue to get good response on the backyard composters, this may be the next step. Meanwhile, I'm glad you noticed the two sheets of paper. I knew better. In fact, you saw the word "(Over)" at the bottom of page 1. Unfortunately, the print shop where these were run is so automated what was clearly intended to be back-to-back came out as a traditional two-pager. We'll keep prodding the paper proliferators.
3/14/98 Q: Dear Mr. Mayor: This is more in the nature of a question and suggestion. I recently became a frequent visitor to our public library and since I don't spend a lot of time in the library I take advantage the three 15 minute parking spaces in the library alley, which I assumed were specifically there for library patrons. However, several times I witnessed people parking there not going into the library. I have approached these people on several occasions and questioned them about parking in library parking and their response is "It does not say library parking only" and they're right. I've asked some of the library personnel and they think it's for only library use too. Is this meant to be short time parking for library patrons only? If so, it should be specifically marked as such and monitored. Us old folks need all the breaks we can get.
Thanks
Joe King
3/27/98 A: Good Query. Let me use it to pin down our Police Department on how they really do enforce the parking limit at those spots.
2/4/98 Q: Dear Sir/Madame
That is regarding a retailer in NJ called Princeton Direct. I ordered from them a Notebook Toshiba 750-CDT which he claim that he have it in stock and accesseris for $5298 (total charge with shipping). I agreed with him the order must be shiped Fedral Express in the same day of the order (January 28, 1998) because it is going overseas and it has to be rushed to Fed. Ex. (it takes them three days to deliver it thier). After charging my American Express card he never send anything to Fed. EX. or even the next day or until now. American Express called him and he claim that he send it in the same day like we agreed and when they asked him for the Tracking Number for the shipment he said that he will sen it to me later which never happen.
I called him today and he claim that he send it and it came back (certainly his a laier) and he have to charge shipping & restocking fee, but when I asked him about the Fed. Ex.Tracking Number for the shipment he said that he doesn't have it. He never have the marchandise and never shiped anything (within this period of time).
They can't do busness in Princeton - NJ over a fraud basis. Falsely claiming they have or send the marchandise to collect restocking fees. The name of the manager there:
Mr Frank Robertson - Tel: (609) 520-0200
Ismaiel Elsayed
Clearwater, FL
2/6/98 A: I do not know of a computer mail order business by the name of Princeton Direct that is actually in Princeton, NJ.
As best I can determine from the phone book, there is a Princeton Direct, Inc. at 5 Vaughn Drive. That would place it in West Windsor Twp. The phone number given for it is 609-520-8575.
I am forwarding a copy of your e-mail message to me to the Clerk of that municipality to see if it has a consumer bureau that can follow up on your complaint.
12/15/97 Q: Hiya Marv -
With the advent of the holiday season, and the loss
of some great shopping institutions in town, I am prompted
to reflect on the Princeton of old, and maybe make a
suggestion for it's future.
I remember when the only chain store in town was
our dearly departed Woolworth's, Wawa (both functioning
as town essentials for residents) and the few stores
at the shopping center (designated as a harbor for chains).
This was such a matter of pride, that in 1975 (I believe),
the Princeton Packet actually had as an April Fool's item
a story about McDonalds moving into the Dinky Station.
>From what I understand, they were flooded with phone
calls from "calender-challenged" residents who nervously
took the story seriously.
Then in the '80s, when conspicuous consumption became
the norm, Princeton turned it's back on one of it's
fundamental strengths in favor of quick pay-off ( $$$ )
and the hype of the day. Like a young jock that starts
smoking to be cool, or an artist who puts down his
brushes to join "the real world", Princeton allowed itself
to become like any other town and be littered with
national chains that cared little about the residents or
the town's special charm. Princeton now COSTS too much
for many small business without the buffer of a national
budget to run.
The argument is often given that the malls are to blame
for small stores like Landau's going out of business.
But don't you think that a large factor could also
be that Princeton charm has become dilluted by all
those chain stores? Wouldn't it be better to provide
more small business incentives and more barriers to
national chains?
One can point to the abundance of small store still in
Princeton, but every chain that moves in takes a further
bite out of Princeton's soul. When Burger King moved in,
there was concern about thier environmental policies.
Now there's the threat of Woolworth moving their
child-labor-loving sneaker store in. While the university
will always be a big draw, the fact is (and I know) the
university keeps the general public at arm's length. There
is a need to keep defining the town itself as being special
on it's own... as standing for something once again.
This is what will draw people back to our small stores -
to the heart of Princeton. Is there any movement being
done in that direction Marv? I appeal to you for
Princeton's quality because I think you are a man
of quality yourself. Don't let the temptations and
ephemeral mores of the day ever let you forget that fact.
Trust me on that. Take a Stand!
Keep the faith and make us proud Marv,
Andreas Falley P.S. Does it surprise you that a professional web programmer
such as myself feels this way about the nature of
"progress" in Princeton? The web is infinite and allows
for every little indulgence (YEEHAAA), but there will
always only be one piece of real estate folks lovingly
call Princeton (NJ).
Princeton, NJ
12/23/97 A: Andy, it's good to hear from you again. But, c'mon, as you suffer through the latest wave of consumer withdrawal symptons, let's get a little perspective on downtown Princeton's continually changing retail scene.
Whether stores are chains or individual proprietorships hardly tells the story. (If fact, how would you have us distinguish in our zoning code and other regulations between "type of ownership"? We'd be in front of a federal restraint-of-trade judge in no time.)
Yes, downtown Princeton has its share of chains -- but it still has a good mix of independently owned stores.
What currently costs too much are "rents" -- and that's a sign of success, not of desperation. In fact, several of the independent "mom and pops" that you loved when they ran local stores have now opted to be the landlords of the buildings they own and rent to "chains." "Mom and pop" don't like working 12-hour days seven days a week. It's easier to come in just occasionally to collect the rent. To be a successful retailer these days -- to compete effectively with the "big box" stores out on the highway, is VERY HARD WORK. Talk to "mom and pop." They're tired.
I know that Landau's has signs up for their "Bankruptcy Sale," but what makes you think that they're going out of business? They're doing quite well with their new pricing policy, thank you.
Come down to the east end of town, which is where all the good, reasonably priced take-out food stores now congregate. Noodles, diner, Thai, deli, hoagies, pizzas, croissants, fish -- there isn't a chain among them. (We've had inquiries from chain outfits such as Boston Markets, but haven't encouraged them. George does ribs better.)
Count our restaurants in town. Are any of them chains? Mediterra and Teresa's Cantina are part of a family-owned business that has other locations -- but I'd hardly consider them a "corporate chain." Quilty's now has a new branch on Prince St. in NYC's Soho -- but that hardly makes them a "chain." The rest are individual entreprenuers working very hard in their individual kitchens.
Count our coffee shops -- which we've now got lots of. Small World's individual partners started the trend. Bucks County is sort of a small "chain" -- but hardly a giant. Starbucks has been a late starter and is hardly driving the others out.
Roam around the west end -- 20 Nassau St. & Chambers St. How many chains do you see? They're all individual entrepreneurs. Go up and down Witherspoon St., there isn't a "chain" in sight. (McLaughlin's has two other stores on Madison Ave. in Manhattan. That to me hardly qualifies as a "chain.")
Even around Palmer Square -- half the stores are individual proprietorships. (Check the newest, Etc.) Sure Skirms Smoke Shop has gone by the boards, but so have the smokers who used to puff away there. Nostalgia has its place, but so do styles and fashions. They change and the town changes with them.
When Wild Oats (a moderate-sized chain) reopens where Davidson's (a small- sized chain) was there'll be a super market again -- but frankly one that will be trendier and able to pull customers from farther afield. (Davidson's will tell you that it couldn't keep its out-of-town customers and the local base is too small to compete with the larger highway stores. It's not enough to just have in-town customers who like you are determined to resist at all costs.)
Princeton is continually redefining itself ... and it keeps coming back to the qualities that make small town life vital. But the entrepreneurs -- and the chains -- that are here know that. Large or small, individually or corporate owned, they know that they have to go the extra mile to be friendly to customers and win them over with personal service. The chains that don't recognize this -- like the top executives of the Woolworth Corp. -- will be the losers. Princeton will still be here long after the Woolworth Corp. has been taken over by some other multinational corporation.
10/22/97 Q: One of the major reasons for encouraging the
consolidation of the borough with the township
was to broaden the tax base of both municpalities while
reducing over time the cost of duplicate infrastructures
supporting services such as police and township
administration. Is it true that had the borough merged with
the township the need to seek incremental revenues from our
most important borough institutions, our tax-exempts, would
not be necessary?
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Rush Taggart
Princeton
10/22/97 A: As I indicated during the debate when I supported Consolidation, the Borough remains at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to property taxes. We are essentially built out. What incremental increase we experience from increased valuations and new ratables is balanced off by other properties that are being removed from the tax roles.
The Institute for Advanced Study is in the Township; but, except for the school children from visiting scholars that are added to our school costs, Institute operations are low-key and relatively benign.
The other three major tax-exempts -- the University, the Seminary, and Westminster Choir College -- are mainly in the Borough. We bear the brunt of enrolled students and visitors in our midst, but are left with almost 50% of our space exempt from taxation.
The Borough Council suggested several legislative approaches -- there are others -- by which the institutions, the State, or both might join together to begin to correct this imbalance.
Notice also that, because we are so built up in the Borough, any effort to find room for improved service facilities generally sends us looking in the Township, around the University, or even out-of-town.
10/1/97 Q: It seems a shame to hassle a man like Arnold Brownell for
making beautiful balloon creations that give joy to youngsters
and adults alike. Here is a man who is recovering from drug
addiction and is working instead of collecting from the system
and this is how we treat him?
It is certain that he has brought many more smiles to townies
and visitors than the 3 or 4 complaints you have received.
Pedestrian traffic is not impeded, safety is not compromised and
he brings life to our otherwise ho-hum town. Perhaps it is time
to change this inane law.
Could you please address this issue for us?
Robert Carstensen
Princeton
10/4/97 A: Some college towns thrive on the flea market ambiance of their downtowns. There are pushcarts, sausage vendors, jewelery makers, even jugglers and dancers.
Traditionally Princeton has decided not to go that way.
To keep a balanced attractive downtown we've limited sidewalk activity. State law says we cannot ban street vending -- especially by veterans -- entirely. But, we are allowed to regulate where and how it might reasonably be carried out.
The question of Arnold Brownell is not whether HE is on the street, but how many others will insist on the same opportunity. It would be hard to permit the selling of balloons but then ban other novelties or hot dogs or tee shirts or fake Rolex watches. It would be hard to permit recovering addicts -- no matter how sympathetic we might be about assisting them -- and then ban those who've always stayed clean. We'd have to open up the public sidewalk to every hawker that came along.
If people really want to keep a balloon man active in downtown Princeton, there are several ways it might be done.
A number of private stores have large front entryways or private plazas where they could give permission for balloon crafters to hold forth. I can't promise how the Borough Council might respond, but it might be possible for a private charitable organization -- perhaps one that specializes in assisting recovering individuals -- to request of the Borough a special corner of the public right-of-way where that organization might sponsor a very specific self-help enterprise.
I am confident that there is some way that people of good will could work out a specific plan. It's just that opening up the public sidewalk to anyone who wants to vend anything they want isn't one of them. In today's Princeton, our downtown would be over-run.
8/20/97 Q:
Dear Mayor Reed: Two or three years ago I wrote to you about the deplorable condition of Hodge Road. You answered that repaving was scheduled in the next year or two. The time has come and gone without any work on the roadway. When will it happen??
David Atkin
Princeton
10/26/97 A: David, several weeks ago you queried me about the timetable for Hodge Road. Excuse me for not responding immediately ... but I wanted to get a little more definite before I answered. (After all, that was the nature of your question.)
This coming Tuesday night (Oct. 28), the Council will be reviewing road projects for next year. That includes Hodge Road and we will be discussing the design work and how soon we can expect completion and when, in 1998, we can expect the digging to commence. This meeting will be at Borough Hall at 8 p.m.
On Tuesday (Nov. 11), the Planning Board will hear a report from Garmen Associates, the traffic engineering firm that we hired to study all the Western section streets. This report will include specific recommendations for the reconstruction of Hodge Road. The report will include several suggestions for reconfiguring the road in order to slow traffic down and discourage use of these streets as a speedway to cut through town. This meeting will be at Township Hall at 7:30 p.m.
Join us if you can -- or at least check the follow-up newspaper stories which I am sure will cover the details. E-mail me again with any further specific questions.
9/16/97 Q:
Dear Mr. Mayor,
I realize this may be out of your pervue, but I need to
ask anyway. If I were to set up office space in a commercial
building in Princeton, how much square footage would I have
to set aside for each employee, and how many parking spaces
must I provide? Is there someone in the building department
I should ask instead?
Thanks for your time.
Mike Lombino
Princeton
9/18/97 A: Yes, Mike, the Borough does have zoning standards for offices located in the Central Business District or in the nearby Neighborhood Business and Residential Business/Office Districts.
Square footage requirements -- and limitations -- are not so much related to numbers of employees, but to the size of the parcel of land on which the office building is located.
Parking for employees is checked. Based on a standard ratio of employees to square footage, a required number of parking spaces is calculated.
There are appeal and added review procedures by which special circumstances and variations can be considered.
Bring in your plans. Ask to see our Zoning Officer, Frank Slimak. That's your first stop. He should be able to help with estimates and get you started. His phone number is 497-7629.
9/8/97 Q: Dear Mayor Reed:
I am writing to enlist your assistance in cleaning up
Princeton Borough. My wife and I own and operate Edy's Place.
We are out of the main stream of center-of-town businesses and I
think we are somewhat neglected by the Borough in service that we
should receive. I have three areas that I would like to see some
immediate action on, specifically:
1. Send the street sweeper past our place at 146 Witherspoon
St. on a regular basis. Since we opened in March of this year I
do not believe the street in front of our store has been swept at
all. (Yesterday I was told by a local resident that the sweeper
travels down Witherspoon St. as far as the Library and then turns
around and goes back towards Nassau St.). The street is dirty
with debris, leaves and branches, broken glass, etc. On a windy
day one would think it to be the prairie with the dirt and dust
blowing around.
2. The painted road markings for the metered parking stalls
in front of our place are almost totally gone. One of our
customers inadvertently put money in the wrong meter because she
was confused as to which meter belonged to the place where she
parked. She received a parking ticket even though she explained
what she did to the ticketing officer. That customer has not
been back to our store since receiving the ticket. How do we get
these stalls remarked?
3. The sidewalks down our way are in disrepair. Sunday
(9/7/97) a woman tripped and fell on the sidewalk about a half
block down from us. An ambulance and three police officer were
dispatched to aid the woman. Can our sidewalks be brought into
good repair?
The weather is quite nice around this time of year and we are
a short walk from Borough Hall. I suggest some noon time
exercise down our way would allow the Borough decision makers to
see the conditions first hand between Hamilton Ave and the
Community Park School area.
Kind regards,
Edward A. Moshey
Princeton, NJ
9/10/97 A: Your note was just what I needed to review what's happening -- and not happening -- on Witherspoon St.
You are right on about sweeping (you should be swept just like other business districts) ... and sidewalks (you're reinforcing other complaints I've been getting) ... and the painted lines.
You've just added to today's agenda. Let's see what response I get ... and let's connect in about a week to see if we've made any progress.
Hope everything else with your business is going well.
7/23/97 Q: Mayor Reed, I've seen that
you (like me) feel the demise of Woolworth's will leave Princeton
without a badly-needed general store downtown. I was wondering
if there were any way the company might be persuaded to keep this
one (consistently profitable) store open, perhaps with a portion
of it devoted to a kind of 5 and dime museum commemorating
Woolworth's contribution to American culture. If I understand
correctly, the firm will continue to operate its retail
establishment outside the US, so the presence of one additional
retail outlet would perhaps not be prohibitive.
(As one who travels most often shank's mare, having
Woolworth's on Nassau Street has been extremely helpful. I'd
surely like to see it, or something like it, continue, as Foot
Locker will do nothing at all for my life!
If you know some way some Princeton VIP could persuade the
Woolworth folks, I'd be delighted!
Rita Saltz
Princeton
7/28/97 A: I'm meeting with the manager of Woolworth's on Monday morning to see if there is any possibility of keeping a "Princeton Five and Dime" functioning here in town. I know he appreciates the many loyal customers he's developed here in town. I'll keep you posted on the chances of keeping a local variety store alive and kicking in our downtown.
Q: Did you grow up in Princeton? How
high is the crime rate?
Amber E. Paynter
Rochester, NY
5/13/97 A: Amber, you should know that I have only lived in Princeton about 40 years. I did not go to Princeton H.S., which means I'll never qualify as a "native Princetonian." But, as you can the town is tolerant and has accepted me sufficiently to re-elect me to top office twice.
In 1995, Princeton Borough had an overall crime rate of 55.5 offenses per 1,000 population. We're a peaceful town, with a violent crime rate of 2.1 offense per 1,000. This compares to a rate of 5.4/M for the county and 6.0/M for state as a whole. However, we reported 55.5 non-violent crimes per 1,000 population compared to 39.9/M for the county and 41.3 for the state as a whole. Having a large university in our midst contributes to an unsually high number of bicycle thefts and other petty thefts.
Q: Dear Mayor Reed,
I'm doing research on the Sunshine Law and its uniformity
from State to State. In Florida, for example, the Sunshine
Law states that all voting done by a public body must be
done in public. In other words, you can discuss matters in
closed session but you must vote on them in open session.
But the way I read NJSA 10:4-6 to 10:4-21, New Jersey does
not compel a public body to vote in public. What is your
position on this? Do you feel an implied obligation to vote
on all resolutions in public, or do you feel a public body
has the right to vote in closed session?
Thank you,
David Livesay
Pennsville, NJ
5/10/97 A: Your understanding of the Florida Sunshine Law is the same as mine. Public bodies may discuss matters in closed session but must vote on them in open session.
We believe the New Jersey Law is different.
We may not take any votes in closed session. In fact, we are strictly limited on what we may even talk about in closed session. Only matters pertaining to "contract negotiations," "litigation," and "personnel" may be discussed in closed session. However, when we take a vote on a contract, on litigation, or on a Council personnel policy or decision, that must be done in open session. (An individual employee has the right to be present if we are discussing or voting on that specific employee.)
Q: Dear Mayor,
I visited your city last week and stayed at a downtown hotel
which required parking my car overnight. Being from a small
midwest town, I parked on a quiet side-street instead of an
expensive garage. After diligently reading all posted signs, I
parked in an area denoted for meter parking between
8:00AM-6:00PM. I parked there from 7:00PM to 7:00 AM since this
was apparently allowed.
You can imagine my dismay to find a ticket the next morning
citing me for parking overnight and giving me 1 month to pay a
$12 fine (coincidentally the cost of the municipal garage). If a
city ordinance prohibits overnight street parking, why is it not
posted with other meter parking regulations for visitors unaware
of local ordinances?
Although I think there is a matter of principle involved, I
will pay the fine since I am not in a position to contest it in
your municipal court (probably the normal response the borough
expects from visitors). With other lodging options available, It
is unlikely I will ever stay in downtown Princeton again because
of this parking situation. This may also be the normal response
other visitors have.
I hope you are able to work with your council and police board
about enforcing unposted (ie secret) parking regulations. It
detracts from the otherwise good visits to your town.
Sincerely, PS: This on-line question area is a great idea.
Mike Levy
Hannibal, MO
5/10/97 A: There are signs on all the roads as you enter Princeton Borough that warn that there is "No Parking -- 2 to 6 a.m."
As a guest at the Inn you should have been warned by the desk clerk when checking in that you cannot leave a car on the street overnight.
We will, however, be checking -- as you suggest -- to see if the decals can be added to the meters and the other parking limit signs in the center of town.
Our apologies for your inconvenience.
Q: Have you considered Household
textile recycling for Princeton ?
I read your home page with interest - and commend you on it.
Since I am
in the textile recycling business I went to your refuse
/recycling page
to look for textiles - and as you are aware, I did not find any
reference to them.
My company sets up
recycling programs for communities throughout the northeast. In
New
Jersey we recycle the textiles for Somerset County, Cape May
County and
several municipalities. Our newest site is a few miles south of
you in
Fanwood New We are active in Maryland and Pennsylvania as well.
We offer communities an environmentally sound and economically
rewarding manner to dispose of unwanted clothing, paired used
shoes, and
household textiles, Our method requires NO SIGNIFICANT UP FRONT
EXPENDITURE BY THE MUNICIPALITY.
I look forward to hearing from you. Michael Aronson
Best Regards,
General Manager
5/10/97 A: Thanks for the information on Textile Recycling.
We in Princeton are closely reviewing our entire recycling and solid waste program. If we break away from the Mercer Co. system and go it alone, we may well be looking for vendors interested in new forms of recycling -- like separating textiles -- that could be part of our own local program.
4/26/97 With all the attention given
to petrol-power leaf-blowers, can't help but mention another
annoying source of noise pollution that is driving us bonkers:
the ice cream man--yes, the truck that comes through town usually
around 5-7 evenings. This particular truck is equipped with loud
blaring recorded 'bells'. Very annoying! Traditional bells were
pleasant--but the artificial, electronic amplified ones are much
too loud. Is there an ordinance on the books to prevent such
noise? Do mobile food vendors such as this require any type of
license or permit, from either state or municipal governments?
What steps would you recommend in order to try to politely but
effectively encourage mobile vendor(s) to reduce their noise
volumes?
Anon
From the Princeton Public Library
4/30/97 A:We'll check on that ice cream vendor to see if his recorded bells are playing at a higher decibel level than the noise ordinance allows -- at least whether his recorded bells are louder than real bells used to be.
We'll also doublecheck his vendor's license -- and remind him about what it takes to remain welcomed.
It also seems to me that he is driving faster through neighborhoods than the old "Good Humor Men" used to do -- but then circling twice after kids have had time to run out. If we find that kids are out in the street chasing after the driver because of this practice, that might be a new-fangled hazard nobody ever thought of before that we'll have to correct.
In any case, we'll do our best to make sure the ice cream man -- as long as he's a Princeton ice cream man -- sticks to his traditional style
4/16/97
Dear Mr. Reed,
I am planning my wedding in Princeton this fall and need to
know who I should contact to perform the wedding ceremony?
My older sister said she contacted the mayor in her town
when she got married and he performed the ceremony.
Please send some information as I am not from that area.
Your attention would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Linda Andreakos
Jersey City
4/17/97 A: New Jersey mayors are authorized to perform weddings anyplace within the state.
If my schedule permits, I usually try to be accomodating for weddings of Princeton residents or weddings actually within Princeton (e.g. the Nassau Inn, the Peacock Inn, Mountain Lakes House, Prospect House, etc.). We can also do weddings at Borough Hall or outdoors next door at the Morven gardens, at Marquand Park, at the Battlefield Park, etc.)
For the wedding you plan in the fall, you may contact my office (609-497-7617). Give them the date and the place you have in mind. They will take down the necessary information and send you a sample of the text I normally use (which suggests ways of adapting the ceremony to your personal preferences).
Normally, persons performing a wedding expect some kind of honorarium. I forego this, but suggest instead that a donation be made to Womanspace, a shelter for battered women that operates here in Mercer County. Details come with everything else from my office.
September and October is a good time for weddings, especially here in Princeton. You produce the groom and we'll do the rest.
4/11/97 Q: Hey Marv!
Listen, I was watching a show about Marton Luther King's
march(es) on Selma. During the first attempt, when all hell broke
loose, a Unitarian Clergyman by the last name of Reed was killed.
Any relation to you? If so, I imagine that might have something
to do with your desire to serve our local community (so well I
might add), and leave this place a bit better than you found it.
I know that there are quite a few Reeds in the US, but there
seemed to be more than a little coincidence in this case.
Well anyhow, stay wired, stay funky and keep fighting the Good
Fight.
Andreas Falley P.S. Last time I was in town several weeks ago, I noticed
there just weren't enough places to get a good cup of coffee (or
bagel for that matter). Could you get on that?
(Princeton's Own Forrest Gump)
*grin*
4/13/97 A: The Unitarian clergyman was not a relation, but I do remember the incident because it was widely recognized in Unitarian circles at the time.
All of that -- plus the fact that the U.S. Army treated me to one-and-a-half years of residency in Alabama back in the "separate but equal" days -- has had its impact in focusing my commitment to public activitism.
Thanks for noticing.
By the way, how do you like the way Princeton has become an "on-line" community? We've really made progress since the time you first tought me how to surf.
3/10/97 Q: Hello Mayor Reed,
I actually have a comment, not a question. I recall reading a
statement you made a while back in the Town Topics about possibly
opening up the borough to cable TV competition. I would like to
add my voice of support to this idea. C-TEC raised me cable
rates twice last year, apparently to cover expanded services such
as the video game channels. Since I only subscribe to the most
basic cable (20 channels or so), I find this infuriating. I am
now paying almost $20/month for network TV while my friends in
neighboring towns pay half as much! I hope that Princeton can
soon take advantage of the deregulation of the communications
industry and rescue us from the C-tec monopoly. Thank you for
listening.
Regards,
Matt Blumrich
Princeton
A:Matt, your's is not the only voice we hear asking about "basic" service -- and rates charged by C-TEC.
Our Cable TV Committee has a review session coming up soon with the C-TEC management. We'll add your comment to that discussion.
There seems no doubt that "competition" is going to be the big issue when the local cable franchise comes up within the next year or so. We'd tried the last time -- but Bell Atlantic (the phone company) wasn't up and running with video services -- and may not be for a few more years. Competing wire technologies could really help.
Of course, that may also mean competing phone service -- with C-TEC ready to get into that race.
Cheaper cable, better phone service -- let's hope we can gain both.
12/23/96 Q: Marvin, it's not a
question. However, for more than two weeks, I've been meaning to
write to ask that you convey my thanks to those responsible for
installing the crosswalk between Cox's Market area and the 185
Nassau/Thomas Sweet area of Nassau Street.
As a constant pedestrian, I find the new crosswalk most
welcome, and also appreciate the funky "yield to pedestrian" sign
which signals that crosswalk. Much appreciation to those
responsible.
Now if only there were some way to drill manners into both
drivers and pedestrians so that the former would observe the NJ
laws regarding pedestrians in crosswalks religiously--and so the
latter would wait for WALK signals at lighted intersections, so
that cars making turns do not have to contend with foot traffic
at times when they as motorists have right of way. But that goes
beyond what the borough can do, I fear!
Happy holidays.
Rita Saltz, Princeton
A: Thanks for the compliment, Rita. After two years trying, we finally got all the wires properly crossed at NJDOT and got the State to put in this new mid-block crosswalk. We know that the pedestrian signs are a little funky ... but someday I'll tell you the saga of how I had to battle with the NJDOT engineers to allow us to violate their rule book and "try this experiment." (They've been afraid that a car hitting the sign might send it flying into a pedestrian. Hence, these signs of ours are small, are anchored with bolts into the pavement, but are supported by flexible plastic which flops over if struck.) My best advice when using the crosswalk is be assertive. Look any on-coming driver straight in the eye. Hold up your hand in his face. He may look shocked, maybe even curse you out. But, hey, we walkers were here in town before cars came. The law, which could always use more enforcement around this state, is on our side.
12/17/96 Q: On what basis was
The Institute for Advanced Study granted a change in the zoning
of
the area known as the Institute Woods to permit the construction
of 276 housing units?
This area, a very important ecological and historical treasure,
was protected from
development (aka destruction) until 1993. What changed? And why
are local governments
and organizations contributing to the legitimacy of this highly
questionable manuever instead
of fighting it in the courts and all other venues. I think the
record will show the Institute
was able to acquire those lands as cheaply as it did without the
opposition of local citizens
and their government because there was an implied promise the
woods were to be protected.
What happened?
Ken McCarthy, Montclair, NJ
A: You don't understand. The Institute for Advanced Study, including all of its Woods and farms, was originally zoned for traditional 2-acre residential lots. This would have meant more than 500 homes scattered all over.
When we did our 1989 Master Plan, the Regional Planning Board recommended a drastic change. Preserve the Woods, preserve the farms, and cluster the remaining area for fewer homes, denser townhouse-type residential development.
The Institute sued. Eventually, in a negotiated court-approved settlement the Institute agreed to accept the rezoning -- many fewer units (276), more compactly concentrated in a development area that is currently open back fields. (The Institute preserved its "value" and we avoided charges of a "taking.") All of the Woods and the two main farms along Quaker Road were thus preserved.
Now there's an attempt to buy out the development rights for the residential portion to add this as a conservation area to the large areas of Woods and farms already preserved in the zoning adopted after the Court settlement.
Whether or not sufficient money is raised to do this, the Woods and two farms will not be overwhelmed by houses as the original traditional-style zoning threatened to do.
12/18/96 Q: Regarding my previous
post, the bureaucrats I am refering to are the
current administration of the Institute of Advanced Study. I
understand
the local government has worked hard to reduce the damage the
Institute
feels is necessary to inflict on these woods. If the integrity of
this
ecologically and historicallly important area is ruptured by
"development", this may be a case of citizens not supporting
their local
government's efforts on their behalf. If there had been more
political
and social pressure applied on this matter, the future of these
woods
would not be in doubt as they are today.
I also can't help but point out the lack of media attention on
this
issue which does not reflect well on local journalism. For an
area as
wealthy as Princeton to tolerate the loss of its woods for lack
of a few
dollars is beyond belief. Once they are gone, they're gone for
good. A
theft from future generations.
Ken McCarthy
A: I'm printing out your latest add-on ... and will share it with the people I know who are trying to raise funds for the Institute Development Rights buy-out.
11/27/96 Q: Dear Mayor Reed:
I was wondering if you could tell me about the basis
for the "50/50" representation on the Princetons'
joint agencies. Is this split based on their respective
populations (or perhaps on their "equality" as sovereign
governments)?
Thanks and best regards, Richard Reid,
Princeton
A:Actually 50:50 is the cost sharing ratio for only a few of the Borough/Township joint services.
Most of the joint services -- and certainly the biggest of them budget-wise -- are split on the basis of assessed valuations in the two towns. (Theoretically this means that a taxpayer in the Borough pays the same proportional amount toward the support of a joint service as a taxpayer in the Township.)
Those split on the basis of ratables include: the Regional School System, the Public Library, the Recreation Department, the Board of Health, the Animal Control Officer, and the Planning Board.
Those split on a 50:50 basis include: the Commission on Aging, the Suzanne Patterson Senior Center, the Civil Rights Commission, and the Enironmental Commission.
The Fire Department is split on the basis of taxable and non-taxable valuations (approximately 42% Borough: 58% Township). This was deemed more proportional to demand and recognizes that the Borough receives larger amounts of donations from the University (ostensibly in recognition of fire and police protection costs).
10/29/96 Q: Why is it that the
Borough does nothing to stop Princeton
University's student FM radio station, WPRB, from interfering
in UHF television roof-top reception (expecailly channels 11,
12 and 13)? WPRB has been guilty of this violation of FCC
regulations many times over the six years I have lived in
Princeton, though the current 10-day blackout of these channels
by the station's backup transmitter is the longest assault on
the greater Princeton community's TV viewers I have experienced.
Given that my bloody property taxes have jumped from $4,200
a year to $6,400 (more than 50%) in the six years I have lived
here, I expect a little better help from local government than
you and your colleagues seem able to provide. Maybe consoldiation
is a good thing if only to get rid of you!
Sincerely,
Ashley Wright, Princeton NJ
A:Sorry you got blanked on Channels 11, 12, and 13.
I'm forwarding your query to station managers at WPRB to see if they've heard of this problem before.
10/15/96 Q: I read in the
Princeton Packet that you support the Millstone bypass. If you
still hold that position, would it (your position, that is)
change if you found out that the rain run-off into Carnegie Lake
that currently comes from the surrounding fields would be
contaminated by the roadway?
Avery Matthews
Princeton
A:Drainage into Lake Carnegie is a general problem throughout the Princeton area -- not just from the roadways connecting out to Route 1. There's already runoff from Alexander and Washington Roads, as well as from Harrison St. In addition, there is considerable runoff expected -- unless adequate detention basins are constructed -- from the new University Stadium and new buildings in the Stadium area.
Of major concern eventually will be any major construction which the University contemplates in the area where revised connections to Route 1 are planned. The ultimate measure will be how many roadways are constructed and how many are closed down on the south side of the lake. Under the most recent DOT proposal most of Harrison St. would be end in a cul-de-sac, with a short connection the new roadway, not out to Route 1. The DOT proposes ending the connection at Route 1, although many Princeton residents are arguing to keep that connection open -- even if the new Washington Road overpass is built further to the east.
Your question begs for some analysis as to how much wooded area remains between any of the roadways and the lower areas by the Canal and the Lake. Whether this area is adequate to provide detention and pollution absorbtion should be tested.
9/16/96 Q: I am curious about the
following situation which recently occurred in Princeton.The
Bourogh Rental Board fined a landlord for alleged abuses. The
landlord turns out to be a local attorney and Borough Council
member.The Borough Attorney jumps to his defense and voices the
opinion that the Rental Board exceeded its authority and had no
right to fine the landlord/council member.Who is the Borough
Attorney representing? Is the Borough Attorney acting in the best
interests of the taxpayers? Is he representing the Borough Rental
Board? Is he representing the landlord/councilman as a member of
the Borough government? Has he privately been retained to
represent the landlord/councilman? And, if so is this a conflict
of interest? What benefit do the taxpayers derive from this
situation?
John Hurley
Princeton
A:John, the Borough Attorney works for the Borough -- not for any individual Council members or boards.
When asked by the press, he indicated that the Rental Housing Board ordinance envisions that board using mediation procedures to hear both tenants and landlords. In the instance you cite, the Attorney advised that the Council member should have been given a chance to appear -- and should have appeared before the Board -- before a decisions was rendered.
That's the balance we should maintain.
9/12/96 Q: What are some of the
good techniques you used to get elected
into office? I'm running for freshmen class president, and I was
hoping to get some good ideas for my campaign (video speech,
posters, flyers, etc.)
Jacqueline Antonious
Redington Shores
Florida
A: Good luck on your campaign for Feshmen Class president, Jacqueline. Here's my advice:
Take the time and effort to get a good photo of yourself to use in all materials.
Have a less-than-one-page biography of yourself.
Pick a few strong points about yourself. Stick to these reasons why you like your school and your classmates and seek this office to help them.
Boil everything down to a single sheet of paper that you can hand out.
Never miss a chance to talk to the media, newspaper reporters, etc. Have an answer for every question. Be honest. Don't duck. But, admit you don't know something rather than trying to fake it. NEVER say: No comment! And, almost never let them say: Jacqueline Antonious was not available for comment -- or, worse yet, did not return this reporter's phone call.
Don't go negative. Stress what you can do.
Don't bad mouth your opponents. Don't let them bait you into personal back-and-forth attacks.
Be sure to let me know if you win.
Q: I recently (July 1996) noticed
a new sign on Nassau Street just south of Snowden Lane welcoming
people to Princeton. It just so happens that this is the broder
between the Borough and the Township and the inference to those
who don't know better is that they have just entered Princeton.
Do you know who installed the sign and why at that location?
Bob Levine
Princeton
A: Bob, the Borough installed the signs because we want a quick way of alerting trucks that our weight limits and speed limits are "strictly enforced."
There's a possibility that the Township might join us in the effort, in which case the signs will be moved to the outer entrance to the community at the Township line.
Q: Dear Mayor:
We have a small business providing technical support and
internet management to schools throughout NJ. We would like
to relocate to Princeton Boro, but cannot find housing. The
only apartment complex we found (clay st) has a 3-5 year
waiting list and only rents to Princeton residents. Would
you be able to provide any assistance for us. Thank you
for your time.
Jeff Gorman
President
(Old Bridge, NJ)
A:You're right about Clay Street's waiting list ... but c'mon let's see if we can't be creative and help you with your possible location.
Any chance that you could drop by Borough Hall during the next week. Let's talk. Maybe I can help with some ideas and suggested possibilities.
I'd like to learn more about your venture ... and share what's happening here in town ... in our schools ... at our library ... we're an on-line community!
How about this Friday (July 19)? I'm relatively unbooked. Please suggest a time. [Phone if you like 497-7617 or just hit the 'reply' button.
Hope to see you!
Q. Several times during the winter of
1995-96, we reported to the local electrical utility, Public
Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), burnt-out street lamps
downtown.
When the lamps remained dark after many months, we inquired with
PSE&G of the repair status (hoping to avail ourselves of the
Company's advertised service guarantee to credit a customer's
account if the company fails to respond to outages within a
certain number of hours). PSE&G soon sent a technician to the
reported location for follow-up, and informed us that--alas!--it
is the "The Borough of Princeton" which has responsibility for
street lamp maintenance in the Palmer Square vicinity! Seeing
that these and various other Borough street lamps have been in
disrepair for extended periods, we wonder: This was prompted by the fact that, in this case, a hazardous
intersection is poorly lighted at night because there are two or
more street lights in need of relamping. If a pedestrian and/or
automobile accident should occur, would the Borough not risk
"exposure" from a liability standpoint?
- "In the Dark" in Downtown Princeton
A. Sorry I was away last week when you sent your July 9 query about street lights.
Yes, you are so right! The street lamps around Palmer Square are special and should be kept in repair by the Borough. (You're query will stir some action ... because we''ve probably been relying on alert neighbors alerting us rather than any special night-time inspection team.)
Don't hestitate to use this on-line query to let me know what's on and what's off. Be specific as to location of what you think you ought to see but don't. We'll get on it.
Thanks.
A. Sorry to be so tardy in replying to your query regarding the possibility of opening a Thai restaurant in Princeton. (I have just returned from a two-week study tour in South Africa and am just catching up.)
I would be happy to talk with your friends about restaurant possibilities in Princeton. We have one small Thai take-out chop ... and I think the townsfolks and students would welcome a full-scale sit-down Thai restaurant. (We have several very successful Chinese restarants and am just getting our first Sushi bar. We could use more variety and choices.)
When it comes to serving alcohol, beer, and wine ... that's a different problem. The State of New Jersey drastically limits the number of such consumption licenses ... and about the only way to come upon one is to buy out an existing licensee. Unfortunately the going rate for such buy-outs runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars ... which goes to the previous holder not to the Borough.
I would suggest that, if your friends are interested in pursuing their idea, they make an appointment to drop by Borough Hall to talk with me about what might be possible. I could review alcohol and restaurant licensing procedures with them and suggest a few experienced realtors who would be familiar with possible locations.
I can be reached at 609-497-7617. Borough Hall is at 1 Monument Drive, near the corner where Route U.S. 206 intersects with N.J. Route 27 at the west end of the downtown area.
Thanks for your interest.
A. Chris, while the Borough and Township share Snowden Lane up to Franklin Ave., there's some agreement by which the Township assumes jurisdiction for enforcement on this road.
Since it's not a State or county road -- and just a residential local street -- I believe that it is assumed that the speed limit is 25 mph.
You might want to check with the Township Police Station (921-2100) to see whether and when they run radar checks there. I'll see what more I can find out when our municipal building reopens on Tuesday. I know that there have been complaints about speeding on this road in the past -- even though it starts as a residential street.
When questions have come up about this road at the Planning Board with respect to widening Snowden Lane iin front of new developments being built there, it's always been argued that it's the intent of the municipality to keep it as a two-lane historic byway. Therefore, I assume everyone's prepared to enforce speed limits to keep it as a moderate travel route. If there really aren't any speed limit postings, perhaps a few should be installed -- just above Nassau St. and just beyond the Hamilton and Franklin Ave. intersections.
BOROUGH MAYOR MARVIN REED
A.Sally, now you've got me curious. Where did POL get that "dome" that's used as the "government" icon for PRINCETON ONLINE?
It looks like the State House in Trenton to me. See ... but .... what do those people in Princeton know anyway?
I hope that my mentors at POL are reading this and can give you an update on your "deposits".
MARV REED
Editor's Note: Where is the dome? Why, it's right here in Cyberspace.... We hope that it will be a useful navigational icon for people visiting us here online. Wouldn't it be great to have Borough Hall for the Government icon, a photo of a Nassau Street merchant for the Business section, and a scene from one of the many Community events for our Community Groups section? We think so -- next time we update the graphics, we'll consider making Princeton Online look more like Princeton Offline!
A.Jack Wallace queried last week about "Project Turtle." Please note that several members of the Borough Council have asked for a list of locations where "turtles" have been painted in Princeton Twp. Upon inspection to see how they actually look, they may wish to reconsider painting a limited number in the Borough, too.
Q.
Dear Mayor,
I am in ninth grade and I attend school at Princeton High
School. I am doing a science project for school. The project
is about the hunting laws of deer in Princeton. I would be
very grateful if you could send me information on the hunting
laws in Princeton. If you can not get information it would be
a great help if you could tell me where I could get this
information.
Your friend,
Travis Ruscil (Princeton)
A. You asked about information on hunting. Stop by Borough Hall (at 1 Monument Drive, next to that big Battle Monument at the west end of Nassau St.). Ask them for a copy of N.J. Fish & Wildlife Digest "Summary of Rules and Management Information." It's a 28-page newspaper filled with all the rules you'll ever need -- or want -- to know about hunting in New Jersey.
There's one exception however. To find out specific about hunting deer in Princeton Twp., you better stop by Township Hall (at 369 Witherspoon St.). The Township has a special ordinance. (You can't hunt in the Borough.) As it applies to deer, there are special Township rules for bow hunting, and there's a special short season -- just a few days -- when hunters may get permission from certain landowners to hunt deer.
Hope this helps you find what you need to do a really good biology project.
MAYOR MARVIN REED
Q.
The idea for a Princeton web site is excellent.It would be an
even more
valuable resource to the community if you would announce all
township,
borough, and committee meeting dates and agenda.
Congratulations on a fine job.
(Norman and Lisbeth Winarsky, Princeton)
A. Norm and Lizbeth ... ... we're working on the agendas, etc. from Borough Hall. Just about got all the work stations there on cc:mail. Now we need to show the staff there how to upload to ezweb.com. But, we're getting there. Keep checking our page.
MAYOR MARVIN REED
Q.
The Woodrow Wilson House is seeking information about
places, streets, schools, things, named in honor of
President Wilson. Last year we had an exhibit of these
called Around the World with Woodrow Wilson. Except for
a few items from the University, we could not easily
locate "wilson-named" things from Princeton itself, the
private, reisdential, Princeton. Any ideas?
We are planning to have the show travel to Europe and a few
places in the USA. What sites would you recommend in Princeton?
It is mostly a panel/photo show.
Can you think of anyone in Princeton, maybe with the
Historical Society or in cultural affairs/tourism activities
who might be a good laison for us to work with on future
Woodrow Wilson issues/questions?
We welcome a visit by you when ever you are next in Washington DC
The Wilson House can be found
on the National Trust Home Page
and at Presidents,
a home page about the American Presidency.
Delighted to see Princeton on the web!
Michael T. Sheehan, Director
WOODROW WILSON HOUSE
2340 S Street NW
Washington DC 20008
(202) 387-4062
A. Michael ... I will share your note with the Historical Society of Princeton and ask them to give you a run-down on off-campus Wilson items. I know there's the Woodrow Wilson residence still on Library Place ... and we have Wilson Road nearby.
Perhaps our Historical Society would like to join forces with you on "Around the World with Woodrow Wilson." (They may even have photos and other memorabilia to lend.)
I'll ask them if they want to be the "first offer" as a possible site for the exhibit to visit here in Princeton. (They're just about finished with one on Einstein in Princeton.)
Thanks for the invitation to visit. When I'm next in D.C., I will put that on my must list.
MAYOR MARVIN REED
Q. Dear Mayor Reed, On one of my recent trips to Princeton, I noticed several stores and restaurants that had opened recently in the downtown area. (The Triumph Brewery comes to mind...) What efforts have been made by your administration to foster such opportunity in Princeton? George M. Nimeh (Philadelphia)
A. You asked: What efforts we made here in Princeton Borough government to encourage new stores ... and especially new restaurants (e.g. Triumph Brewery).
A couple of years ago we realized that no one was opening sit-down restaurants. All we were getting was "take out." It was obvious that our zoning requirements for on-site parking spaces (in a high-density downtown, no less) didn't make sense. So we exempted the square footage for tables and chairs as long as the restuarant was not too big and in the Central Business District (where there are municipal parking lots and private garages). Voila! We opened up the system. We also made it possible for the restaurants to count parking spaces they lease in nearby garages for their employees.
MAYOR MARVIN REED
Q. My nerves are shot and my son is sleepless -- how much longer will the Elizabeth Water Company project on Bayard Lane continue? Furthermore, why must this work be done only at night? It is rumored that your office had an opportunity to submit a traffic routing plan which would have permitted daytime work. However, and again according to the rumor, your office failed to submit a plan to NJ DOT by deadline. You now appear powerless to alter or speed up the timeline on this project. My perception now is that you and the borough council value good traffic flow (particularly trucks) over the welfare of the borough residents. This will be remembered at next month's election!
(Matthew Cottle, Princeton)
A.
We certainly do know what an impossible situation Elizabethtown
has caused!
Believe me, we did press DOT to allow daytime detours and daytime
work. We
suggested Wescott/Library Pl. and/or Mountain Ave./Elm Road. DOT
-- not we
(regardless of who suggested to you otherwise) -- said "no way."
We were told: finished by mid-September, then (when they hit
subsurface
concrete) they told us end-of-the month. Then, after they
finished the main
pipes they took a break but, as you distressingly found, came
back with a
vengence to "connect laterals" into homes.
Last word I got said "October 15th" -- but I doubt that you
believe me.
(I'll believe it when I see it.)
Bottom line: we had some bad fires in the Bayard Lane
neighborhood and knew
that sooner or later new main lines had to go in. Pre-DOT
resurfacing plans
cause the hit to come now.
Don't hestitate to berate me some more when necessary. That's
what e-mail is
good for.
Q. This is a wonderful service you have offered. How many questions have you received?
(John Thurber, Trenton)
You liked this service and said you wanted to know: How many
questions have
you received?
I've been averaging about one query every three days. Some have
been from
old friends who were glad to find me on the WEB, others were easy
queries
like yours. Only one or two irate constituents so far, but ...
hey ... once
we get going I'll probably get more of those.
Q. Hi, Marv...are you having as much fun now as you used to have when you headed up communications at NJEA?! What chances do you give the latest consolidation effort of succeeding? Does it drive you crazy that every podunk town in the area thinks it's in Princeton?! I was in the Novotel the other night and the desk clerk INSISTED he was in Princeton! I told him to try calling the Fire Department there....
(Gerry Jurrens, Kingston)
A.
Gerry, great to hear from you after all this time.
You asked: Am I still having fun?
Everything I learned in more than 30 years in Trenton was simply basic training for being Mayor. Some days it gets a bit overwhelming, but more often than not it's satisfying. There's nothing quite like being stopped by a stranger who says: "Oh, you're the mayor, aren't you? What a great town, we've got. Hope you can just keep it this way."
You also asked about the consolidation referendum that the Council and Township Committee put on this November's ballot:
I'd love to here from more "Web wanderers" how they feel about consolidation. I'm not getting much of a stir from local folks. Is anyone out there really curious?
You also asked: What do I think about all the other "podunk" towns that think they're in Princeton?
I guess I'm feeling generous these days. If they get an extra kick out of borrowing our name, what the heck! (Although if WalMart tries, that may be the last straw.) Be sure to tell the Novotel desk clerk to first call "911." That'll get him his South Brunswick fire volunteers. If he starts a big enough blaze, I'm sure our three companies from "the real Princeton" will chase out there, too. They like to reciprocate whenever there's enough excitement.
Stay in touch.
Q. What's your favorite aspect of Princeton?
(Charles Chen, Princeton)A. I like the small-town atmosphere, with regular tree-lined streets, where it's easy to walk or bike to what you want. That's why we moved to the Borough more than 20 years ago. My wife says: We're a half a block from Davidson's, Nassau Seafood, Chez Alice, Y.Y. Doodles, George's Ribs, and HOAGIE HAVEN! We WALK to them all. We eat well, and we're not moving!
Q. What is the future of computing in Princeton?
A. Only a year ago a lot of us gathered at Borough Hall to talk about a community network. Thanks to Princeton University, we got our Public Schools and Public Library on line so that students and anyone else can have public access. We talked about municipal government and other town information -- and now, thanks to Princeton OnLine, we've got our own public-private partnership that's getting us connected. A lot of other towns are doing freenets and community networks. We'll be right up there with them.
Q. Is it true that the town is going to bring fiber-optic cabling to most neighborhoods?
A. Thanks to our local cable system, C-TEC, we've set up a local institutional network that now have fiber optic (i.e. high-speed transmission) linking the Public Schools, the Public Library, and the University out to the Internet. Next year, let's hope we'll switch the Borough Hall, Township Hall, and Arts Council connections from copper coax to high-speed fiber optic, too. I know that C-TEC has moved its corporate headquarters from Wilkes Barre, PA down here to Carnegie Center. I think they're getting ready for the big- time competition. They've linked all their local franchise areas together with fiber optic cable ... and I think it's just the beginning of shifting even moreso for individual home and business accounts. Meanwhile, Bell Atlantic has been quietly getting ready for the competition by installing amplifier boxes at key locations around town whereever they need them for effective fiber option use. Within a year or so, Princeton may well be one of the most competitive battlegrounds for fiber optics services from cable, phone, and/or integrated services.
P.S. I'm sharing this with Peter Thompson and Ferdi Serim at the school system who once told me I'd be doing this some day.
Q: How are we doing on recycling?
(Ted Nadeau, Princeton)A:You would ask me "how are we doing on recycling?" right after Labor day and another Monday holiday fiasco.
Normally, we do quite well in the Borough. Our volume is way up. High percentage of participation. Our rebates get bigger, to offset our garbage collection costs.
But, those Monday holidays are a literal mess. No pick up on holidays, with the pickup then set for the following Sunday. But, who remembers?
Too many people put out their filled-up green cans and yellow cans on Sunday of the holiday weekend, then let them sit there after they find no one coming on the holiday. In too many cases, everything stays at the curb for the week because people can't remember when the recyclers are coming. They just hope.
Don't despair. They should come again in the Borough on Monday, the 18th. I think we'll all be back on schedule then.
Editor's Note: We have recycling info online
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