Marvin R. Reed, Mayor

Ask The Mayor: Responses from Mayor Reed

Click here for an archive of answers from before September 1998.

1/21/01 A: All the buildings along Route One between the Millstone River and Quakerbridge Road are located in West Windsor Township. Inquiries should be directed to their Municipal Building.

Further south of Quakerbridge Road is in Lawrence Twp.

Further north of the Millstone River up to the College Road overpass is in Plainsboro Tpw. Beyond the College Road overpass is South Brunswick Twp.

Although all of these properties have Princeton post office addresses ... none of them are in Princeton Borough or Princeton Township.

1/11/01 A: Scott ...

Mercer Mall may have a Princeton address ... but it's not in Princeton. It's in Lawrence Twp.

Sounds as though your problem, however, is not with local police -- but with the security people at the Mall.

You might want to make a phone call to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Its executive director is Deborah Jacobs and the phone at her office in Newark is 973-642-2086.

The ACLU has won several court cases that declare "malls" to be public places where individual rights prevail.

11/29/00A: Sorry, wish I could help.

But, I'm not the mayor of Manhattan. (I think his name is Guiliani, nnut I don't know his website address.)

Good luck.

11/21/00 A: Please give me more details.

Exactly where were you sitting -- where is this new "fish and ships" store to which you referred?

Most of the benches along Nassau St. were installed and are owned by the Borough. However, a few of them were donated by individual store owners -- especially those at the east end of town. (Is that where you were?)

Unless you were dripping olive oil from your hoagie (which makes a mess of the sidewalk underneath), I can't think of what anyone could claim against the way you choose to munch on your sandwich as you sit on one of our public benches.

11/27/00A: Here's what I learned from an attorney I know who has done some immigration counseling here in Princeton.

"There are a number of routes to get a green card in the United States. Some routes are easier than others. Depending on whether this person has family or employment links to the U.S. will determine whether it's possible to get a green card. Many people begin their journey to lawful permanent residence (signified by receiving a green card) through temporary immigrant visas. Others apply directly for a green card because they have a U.S. citizen or green card-holder spouse, parent or child in the U.S. who can petition for/sponsor them. I'd like to communicate with this person directly to get more specific information about their background."

I'll give your e-mail address to the attorney, who I believe will contact you.

10/16/00 A: We suspected something like this.

Now you're confirming it.

I'll take your note to our Master Plan Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday morning. I suspect we in Princeton will be very concerned about adding traffic load to Cherry Valley Road (the intersection at 206 is already a mess).

I suspect that we on the Princeton side of the line will want to join your protest.

10/2/00 A: I'll ask our Finance Office to let you know the multiplier used to calculate your sewer bill.

As for parking space lines, here's the problem: in most cases, when we have repaved a street, we have not repainted individual parking space signs. Our engineers say we would have to abide by State codes which general call for longer spaces and setbacks (from driveways) that would reduce the number of cars that might fit. I know that sometimes four cars don't fit, but if we painted "official" lines we might never be able to fit more than three painted spaces.

Motorists should stop and "yield" to pedestrians whenever they are IN a designated crosswalk.

However, when there is a traffic signal, the pedestrian is expected to abide by the light and cross only on "green." We are expecting the Palmer Square Corporation to install a traffic control light at the Chambers/Robeson/John intersetion soon. Then you and the automobile driver will be expected to be guided by that light.

The Borough has just connected its computers to a high-speed T-1 line. If we switch this website to our own servers, we might be improving it as you suggest.

9/3/00A: I don't know about where you live in California ... but in our state the maximum speed on any freeway is 65 mph.

SLOW DOWN!

9/3/00 A: The Green in front of the Nassau Inn is a public park owned by the Borough of Princeton.

The policeman was right. There's no reason why you can't take photographs -- even of Equity Actors. If they choose to perform out in the open -- not in a private theater -- there's not much we can do to contrain avid photographers like you who want to snap beautiful public events in our beautiful downtown.

Thanks for the tip off. I'll talk to the producers of the acting company.

8/14/00 A: Yes, there is a Norman Rockwell mural of "Yankee Doodle" behind the bar in the Tap Room at the Nassau Inn in Princeton. The phone number is 609-921-7500.

8/14/00 A: Thank you for your observations. As you noted, this situations was far more complex than simply finding someone taking a puff on a joint.

Borough police officers are trained to minimize the use of physical force, but when it becomes necessary it must be sufficient so that they protect themselves as well as others nearby.

7/31/00 A: There may be computer experts in Princeton who specialize in inventing games, but I don't know them.

Sorry.

7/6/00 A: No, you can't get a nickel for your soda bottles and aluminum cans in New Jersey. That's a New England and California thing.

Here, in New Jersey, we have municipal recycling. Phone your Plainsboro Municipal Offices (799-0909) and ask them when recycling pick up is scheduled in your neighborhood.

6/9/00 A: I don't know what the course is to which you are referring. Do you think that someone in the Princeton Community, at the Princeton Medical Center, at Princeton University, at the Princeton Theological Semenary, or at the Institute for Advanced Study is offering something on Healing Touch or Therapeutic Touch?

4/6/00 A: I don't know. He's not the Governor here in New Jersey.

4/1/00 A: Thanks for your continued interest in jitneys -- and other ways of improving pubic transportation for seniors and young people.

I've been hoping for some time now that we could get a joint meeting scheduled at which the Borough Council and Township Committee might hear and discuss the TMA jitney proposal.

The cost you saw in the newspapers is TMA's estimate of operating costs. NJ Transit would donate the vehicles under a new federal grant program. How the town meets the operating costs is up to the governing bodies to figure out if they want to proceed with such a programs.

Some towns -- like Maplewood, NJ -- have instituted free jitney service at town expense because they didn't want train commuters using up parking lots near downtown businesses or parking on nearby residential streets.

Some charge a fare.

The governing bodies could approach this in a lot of different ways:

TMA has offered to contract with the municipalities to operate the service. But, we might want to set it up on an RFP and have other private businesses compete. (I'm not sure that it's a big enough operation that we would gain anything by trying to set it up as a municipal operation and manage it ourselves. Our experience in sub-contracting Crosstown '62 indicates that public-private partnerships can respond to public needs at low cost and efficiently.)

Stay tuned and let's see how this flies whenever the governing bodies get together to talk about it.

4/1/00 A:There's a "Roseland" in New Jersey, but the only "Rose" in New Jersey that I know of is a woman, not a town.

4/1/00 A: You have good eyes.

Thanks for the observation

A: Come on up on Saturday, April 15. That's the one day of the year -- Communiversity Day -- when we shut down Nassau and Witherspoon Streets and let the people take over the streets.

Unfortunately, it takes a hoard of police officers to block the cars that keep trying to stream through our town. If we could get the State to reroute US206 and NJ27 and County 571 some other way, we could certainly have more carfree days.

3/9/00 A: I will share your message with the Council.

We are currently reviewing parking throughout the downtown area -- particularly on the fringe neighborhoods outside the Central Business District. Some of these streets have a 2-hr. parking limit that discourages daytime parking. Others -- like Maple Street -- do not have daytime limits.

If you would ever like to speak directly to the Council about your concern, you're always welcome on the second Tuesday of each month (March 14, April 11, May 9, etc.) at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall.

3/2/00 A: Our attorney will be reporting to the Council on this again at our meeting on March 7.

Our interest in dissolving the non-profit corporation stems from new legislation that was recently passed broadening the powers and providing more flexibility to a municipality when it acts as a redevelopment agency.

We believe we can streamline our work, keep everything operating at public meetings, and avoid some of the unnecessary entanglements we got ourselves into when dealing with Shirley Court, Maclean St., etc.

The Affordable Housing Board should be strengthened. All Borough affordable housing (new construction & rennovations) should be reviewed by that board and directly reported to the Council -- not to or through a third non-profit corporation.

The Housing Trust Fund remains intact, because it's now largely supported by the 1.0% commercial construction fee and 0.5% residential construction fee that the State allowed us to impose and which COAH says we can spend in no other way.

All of this should be reflected in a Year 2000 Housing Program Budget, which will be adopted by the Council as part of the regular Borough Budget making process.

P.S. We are revamping the Rental Housing Board and getting it back into operation.

2/21/00 A: I'm sorry, Ann. I can understand your anxiety ... but, I'm not a lawyer and the kinds of questions you ask come under State statutes ... not municipal ordinances.

You'd best consult with your own attorney ... or a local Legal Aid Society in your area.

2/20/00 A: Try writing to:

Summer Sports Camps
Athletic Department
Jadwin Gymnasium
Princeton University, NJ 08544

I am not sure which sports will be featured for which age groups this coming summer, but wresting for your age group may be among them.

2/8/00 A: RCN, Inc. currently has a franchise with the Borough and Township of Princeton in order to provide cable television.

The franchise does not at this time cover Internet, phone service, or other RCN telecommunications services which it may be marketing in the area.

However, this question of packaged services may well become an issue in the current re-franchising process in which we are engaged.

I'm forwarding your query to Bernie Miller, chair of our Cable Television Committe. This is a joint committee that represents the two municipalities in the franchise process.

A: Hello, Maurice in Quebec.

I have a website ... but no pins as yet.

12/30/99 Q: Shouldn't our water utility be responsible for providing us with information about Y2K effects on our water supply?

I went to their web site (http://www.ftpbaum.com/index.htm) today (December 30, 1999) and discovered the following:

"We are experiencing problems.
Details will be posted on this site as they become available.
Click here for more details."

Of course, clicking did not yield any details.

I dug a little deeper, and found a section called "Year 2000 Will Not Affect Your Water Service." Clicking on this yielded this useless information:

"The coming of the Year 2000 is an important issue even though it is still more than a year away. One of the primary concerns related to the new millennium is how that year will affect computer systems, a concern referred to as the Y2K problem. "

There was a bunch of blather after that, but because the lead-in looked so dated, I assumed it was useless.

I went to the "Lates Press Release" link (http://www.ftpbaum.com/pr_y2k0100.htm) and found the following:
"MIDNIGHT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:

Donna Gregory
(908) 301-3235
(908) 482-4695 - cell

Erin Reilly
(908) 301-3234
(908) 482-4697 - cell

ELIZABETHTOWN, MOUNT HOLLY, LIBERTY AND EDISON WATER COMPANIES ENCOUNTER NO Y2K PROBLEMS

WESTFIELD, NJ - January 1, 2000 - Elizabethtown, Mount Holly, Liberty and Edison water companies, are pleased to announce that their water service to customers has not been affected by the phenomenon known as the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem.

The company formed a team in April 1998 to investigate the company's Y2K readiness. All systems and services that could potentially be affected by Y2K were identified and addressed.

E'town Corporation is the parent company of Edison Water Company and Liberty Water Company. Liberty Water Company serves approximately 17,300 customers of the city of Elizabeth. Edison Water Company serves approximately 11,200 customers of Edison Township. Elizabethtown Water Company and The Mount Holly Water Company serve business and residential customers in 54 municipalities in Burlington, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Ocean, Somerset and Union counties. The following is a list of towns that are served in each one of these counties: "

So, here we have a utility on which all of us critically depend, that seems to have found itself in a time warp. My attempts to get information about the Y2K effects on our water supply yielded the following findings:

1) There is a problem, but they don't have any details for us.
2) Year 2000 is more than a year away, but
3) The company is so confident that there will be no problems come midnight December 31 that they have already issued a press release at least 30 hours in advance.

George Orwell's vision for the future looked sane compared with picture of the year 2000 painted by Elizabethtown Water!

Since their web site provided no way to complain to them about this lack of credible information, I'm hoping that a message from you office might get their attention. Thanks.

Don Gallo
Princeton

12/31/99 A: I will have our Police Dispatch desk on Friday morning check directly with
the emergency numbers we have at Elizabethtown.

There have been continual problems in bringing what was the Floyd-flooded
plant back into full operation. But, Elizabethtown has had adequate supplies
of water to keep full pressure available here in Princeton.

If they are posting a "problem," I suspect it's much more related to getting
all those once-flooded valves working properly than it is related to
computers and electronic controls.

Thanks for the alert. It's worth checking.

12/31/99 A: We checked for you.

As we suspected, that Website you found is not the official E'town web site.

Check for updates at etownwater.com

We are assured that all E'town systems are running. They do not anticipate any flow or pumping problems.

They tell us that they are experiencing no problems.

12/19/99 Q: Hello! My name is Michelle and I'm a freshman in high school. I have a research report due that requires that I recieve valid email from an expert to answer a given question. Could you please send me any information on your areas of studies? Even a simple sentence telling me your favorite part of your job will suffice. I would really appreciate it. Any help would be immensely appreciated.

Thanks!
Michelle
Milan, OH

12/21/99 A: C'mon, Michelle, you can't do research unless you ask someone a question.

Don't just say send me e-mail about anything.

That's not research.

12/14/99 Q: Dear Mayor:

Today I had an unkind situation with your violation bureau. Last September, my mother in law recived a parking ticket in the Borough, she paid it within 24 hours and send the ticket and check to your department. Last week I got in the mail from my Leasing Company a letter stating that the ticket was not paid, and that I would be reciving a $50.00 penalty from my leasing company. I then got a copy of the cashed check and took it to Brough hall today.

The clerk was very unhelpful, all she wanted to do is take care of the "internal" situation and made me wait about 1/2 till she took care of it. I waited, waited and waited 45 minuites. She finally found the problem, and handed me a recipt that the ticket was in fact paid. No sorry, we apolgoies, nothing........

Mr. Mayor, this is a small town. The main reason I moved here. My kids got to the schools, I work locally, I coach baseball, I am a pack leader for cub scouts 43. Let get real and be nice to each other and use "hosptality" greetings.

Now, I have to write a letter to my leasing company and get the fee removed. Something I should not have to do. And I would not mind doing it, if I had gotten a sorry!!!! (We all make mistakes...I know that!)

So, I thought you should know whats going on in your "hall"

Happy Holiday,

Paul Gray
24 Roper Rd

12/16/99 A: You're right. The check should have never been misplaced in the first place. You should not have had to wait 45 minutes for an explanation -- and the apology should have been much more generous and forthcoming.

My sincere apologies.

Your comment helps review procedures so that others in the future will not have to go through what you did.

11/10/99 Q: Who was the first US President to have a Christmas tree in the white house?

Taylar Knippling
Canton, SD

11/10/99 A: I don't know.

The Congress met several times in my town, but the President never lived here.

Let me know when you find out.

11/9/99 Q: Mayor Reed:

I have been a local resident of the Princeton "suburbs" for the last 15 years and have watched many of the Princeton "Institutions" depart as mentioned in the recent Packet article relating to the Garden Theatre.

I moved to the area and have enjoyed it for all these years in no small part due to Princeton and all it offers. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful and culture-rich area.

The Garden Theatre has always been a favorite place to see a movie save for the fact that it is in such a state of disrepair. We recently sat through the new Kevin Costner movie "For the Love of the Game" and it was only my love for baseball that kept us in the theatre for the whole movie. This theatre needs to be renovated and brought back to the "limelight" as a Princeton "locale".

We enjoy coming to the movies and then having our choice of so many great restaurants, taverns, inns and shops to wander around in and patronize. This gives the movie-going experience a special touch. It cannot be compared to the mass-market, screaming, crowded mall theatres. The two don't compare. The Garden is a special place in a special town.

May I suggest that you enlist the support of the local community and "put it out there" somehow. Get the community involved and maybe something will happen to allow this theatre to return to its rightful place on Nassau Street as an anchor of the "North End".

I will gladly come to see all the new releases if they can put the theatre right. Maybe they can sell special passes for multiple viewings like the ski slopes sell season passes to guarantee a certain draw and help cashflow.

I would be glad to attend Friday night "openings" of new movies at the Garden. These nights could be made into "events".

Please don't let this hold-out from the bygone days fall prey to the mass-market, cookie-cutter, pattern-stores of the '90's.

I have marched in the Memorial Day parade in Princeton and know how "small-town" America it feels (pardon the cliche). Princeton has an aura all of its own and a good part of that comes from the deep roots is has as a great American "town". Please work to keep it that way once again as you have done so many times in the past.

Thanks.

Carl Wischmann,
Plainsboro, NJ
(a suburb of Princeton)

11/11/99 A: Carl, you're down right inspirational. I'm going to use your "testimonial" to the Garden -- and your pleas for renovations as we stir up community support for its upgrade.

Thanks

10/6/99 Q: Mr. Mayor,

Are there any public parking facilities in downtown Princeton (Nassau St.) where I can pay to park my car for the day? Prices?

J. Medlin
Colts Neck

10/7/99 A: The Borough's Park-and-Shop lot off Spring St. next to the Public Library is not designed to encourage all-day parking. It's prices escalate after 4 hours to become much more expensive than other alternatives.

The Palmer Square Management Co. operates two downtown garages off Chambers and Hulfish Sts. Phone them at 609-921-2333. They are in the best position to quote you a monthly rate for a regular all-day permit.

10/6/99 Q: Once again, I have a recycling question.

Approximately two weeks ago, my yellow recycling bucket disappeared from my back yard. I called the Mercer County Improvement Authority at 278-8100 to ask how to replace it and was told to call the borough's Engineer's Office at 497-7634. When I called that number, I was told that I could go to 27 North Harrison Street, "behind the firehouse," to pick up a new bucket. However, I went there three times and every time the building was locked. I tried calling the Engineer's Office again and the clerk assured me that "there is always someone there" and I should enter by the "garage door." I tried again, but could not find any door except the two I had already tried--and both of those, once again, were locked.

I see no point in calling the Engineer's Office again, as they have already given me all the information they have, so I am passing the buck to you. How can I get a new recycling bucket? I assume I am not the only person in the borough who has ever needed to replace a bucket, so there must be some way to obtain one. (If you are able to answer my question, I suggest that you send a copy of your response to the Engineer's Office so that they will be able to give correct information to callers from now on.)

Amy Livingstone
Princeton, NJ

10/7/99 A: Amy, e-mail me your address and I'll deliver a yellow bucket to you.

You should never have had to go through all that hassle.

10/4/99 Q: Mr. Mayor,

At the Borough meeting in August you told us in response to our question about trailer trucks traveling down Mercer and Alexander that would have an answer for us soon. that you would address our concerns. There is, as you know a 4 ton limit on Mercer and no trucks on Alexander after University Place. It is almost a month and a half since the meeting in August.
Thank you

Virginia Ashenfelter
Princeton Bourogh

10/4/99 A: I think there are two parts to your question, aren't there?

First, you were among several people who asked how the DETOUR got set up this summer, when the University had Washington Road set up.

We changed that ... put up more directional signs toward University Place ... and I think relieved Alexander ... somewhat.

But, now, if you're telling me that big trucks are still going down Alexander St. between Mercer and Unversity St. I'll have to get the police back out there again. IT IS ORDINANCED, the DOT had approved it for a 4-Ton limit.

I'm sure that's what you want enforced.

9/30/99 Q:

thank you again for finding my cousin. now i'm hoping you can help again. i'm looking for any information on any of the guthbrodts lois's fathers people i think they are all buried there in princeton. and went to church there to she says she was raised protestant but also native american because her mother was indian. if you could help me again or the group of people who also helped any names addresses or dates for these people thank you again.

pat haug
buffalo

9/30/99 A: It's hard without names to track down geneology material. It was easier to have our Senior Resource Center check nearby nursing homes to find your cousin.

9/23/99 Q: Dear Mayor: On my commute to work I pass though an extremely hazardous intersection which is actually in the Township, but I hope you will get this letter to the right person. With a diagram I could show you the danger very easily. It's harder to describe verbally, but I'll give it a try. This death-trap is the intersection of Washington Road and Faculty Road, at the end of the Washington Road bridge over Lake Carnegie. This intersection seems to have good visibility, etc., but it has one hidden danger: When you are making a left-hand turn Westbound from Faculty Road to cross the bridge, the slope of the hill coming down to the intersection in the opposite direction (heading East on Faculty Road) is extremely forshortened. Also, because of the steep bank next to the boathouse, the left turn lane for Eastbound cars turning North up Washington Road to go into town is actually the straight path, whereas the lane for cars heading STRAIGHT WEST on Faculty Road (and therefore crossing the path of left-bound bridge traffic) swings out to the right of the left-turn lane. The result is that if a large vehicle (like an S.U.V. or truck) is paused waiting to turn left from Eastbound Faculty Road and go up the hill, it will hide until the last minute cars hurtling down Faculty Road and intending to go straight through the intersection towards Harrison Street. Cars always rush this light. I know about the hazard, so I always pause in my left-hand turn to make sure there is no hidden traffic preparing to hit me broadside. However, it is only a matter of time before someone new to town turns left and prepares to cross the bridge, only to be hit by an unseen vehicle speeding down the hill. If it's an S.U.V. that broadsides a car (particularly with downhill momentum) the results would be fatal. I have even seen a delivery truck be completely hidden by an S.U.V. until the last minute -- the foreshortened perspective permits a vehicle to hide a slightly larger one. The proliferation of Range Rovers etc. in this town makes the situation that much more urgent. Please do something in response to this letter, if only to forward it to the right person, and let me know who that is. Unless you have made the turn yourself, my point may seem silly, but I'm sure readers of your page who make that turn will agree it's an unmarked and potentially fatal hazard.

Anne Studholme
Princeton (borough)

9/25/99 A: Thanks for being so observant of the increasing volumes of traffic on Washington and Faculty Roads.

The University will be coming before the Planning Board soon with plans for their big new garage off Faculty Road. That will be a good time to raise points like yours when we review that application.

9/22/99 Q: My question concerns crosswalks in the Borough. Drivers seem to be more aware of pedestrians, and in most places they stop to let pedestrians cross. However, one place where pedestrians seem to have a difficult time crossing is on Hamilton and Chestnut/Walnut. With all the students from the High School, Middle School, and the Choir College crossing at that intersection, would it be possible to put in brick crosswalks there to raise drivers' awareness? It is working well on Washington Rd. for the University, so perhaps the Choir College would be interested in providing a safer crossing for its students.

Thanks

Jean Mahoney

9/25/99 A: KNowing what we now know, we probably should have bricked the crosswalks at the Hamilton/Chestnut/Walnut intersection just as we did at Chestnut/Spruce.

In fact, we probably should have tried a raised intersection as we are contemplating for Hodge/Morven and Hodge/Lilac.

However, there has been long consideration of the possibility of installing a traffic light at this intersection -- and we currently have Garmen Associates examining that possibility for us.

As the School Board continues its studies for expanding its secondary campus and Princeton H.S. and J. Witherspoon Middle School, we will undoubtedly have to do further work on the intersection -- at least with crosswalks and further traffic calming devices -- and, perhaps, even that traffic light.

9/13/99 Q: Marvin

I still would like to know what has happened to your great idea for a Princeton Summer Arts Festival. I asked this question several months ago and you did not answer it in your latest update.

Niels Nielsen
Princeton

9/16/99 A: The Opera Festival changed marketing directors and didn't get their new one on board until mid-year ... but the idea is still perculating.

I had several people contact me ... but they wanted to be hired by the municipality to bring in performers by creating new programs.

I don't think that's really necessary. There's a lot happening already -- Opera, Barishnikov, Mostly Mozart. The key will be in getting the separate marketing directors to agree to joining forces to blend all their efforts and market a common "Festival" approach.

Incidentally, the Opera Festival was amazingly successful with their season this summer. They had many more full season subscribers and had early sell outs on most of their performances. If they're going to want to market more seats or more subscribers next year and thereafter, they're going to have to expand the number of performances they offer.

9/9/99 Q: Dear Marvin

How much longer before the "eyesore" trailer is removed from in front of police headquarters? What's its purpose?

Kate Warren
Princeton

9/18/99 A: Good question, Kate.

That "eyesore" is a Police Trailer. It's their locker room left from our reconstruction. We are still at an impasse with the contractor over final completion of the project -- added expenses vs. credits the Borough believes it deserves because of delays in deliveries and other problems that required us to stay out in rented quarters (like this Locker Trailer) more months than anticipated.

We're not ready to concede -- and absorb the added expense. The contractor is holding the lockers -- that finally arrived months after they were due. This -- and a host of other issues -- are the subject to voluntary mediation in which we've agreed to seek a settlement. We trust we'll prevail on most issues -- but we think it's a better approach than more costly litigation.

We're as anxious as anyone but conclude the project, but there's too much money at stake.

9/19/99 Q: Where can I get current, up-to-date & official information on the Elizabethtown Water Crisis?

I have seen nothing on TV news. The Princeton Boro cable access channel contains only a criptic message which has not changed since it was first put up - you can't tell by looking at it if it is current or out of date.

The boro website has nothing on the water problem - that would be a good place to post extensive info - but it would only be useful if the posting indicated how up-to date it was.

I receive the following, very disturbing, message about the crisis but I can't tell how accurate it is:

TV36, 35, 34 and each of us need to do something about this. Etown Water is having great diffficulty getting word to the public via the news media. Our email and local TV networks need to swing into action - please relay this to everyone you know; and Phil, Dave and Bill - please get this on TV. The Leader is sending this to our hundreds on its email minder list - but more needs to be done; and on a regular basis until the emergency is over.

The water emergency is worse than suspected with longer impacts as more info becomes known by Elizabethtown Water of Westfield, 600 South Ave. 908 654-1234; Fax 908 232-2719; serving 213,000 customers in 54 towns in Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union Counties. Contact is Erin Reilly at number above with ext. 234 plus cell phone 908 482-4697. According to interview with horace corbin of The Westfield Leader:

1. The company is trying to get the governor to declare their service area a state of emergency as the flood damage is much more serious than imagined. Their Bound Brook treatment plant essentially is their entire and only first line of supply; It is out of service for unspecified amount of time; emergency old wells and old treatment plant have been brought into service; it can't keep up and quality is serious concern as well as they are running out of water. Three of their service towns, I understand in Middlesex County, have no water at all. Our area will be seriously threatened for some time.

The Bound Brook Water Treatment Plant has had all its electrical gear and instrumentation flooded with obvious serious and difficult to fix damage. It has just been today that engineers have been able to reach the plant by building an emergency road as the flood waters recede.

Everyone must not use the water because of the severe shortage - plus, it is not safe to drink until further notice. Quality concerns are also for washing clothes and other similar uses. The longer this goes on and the more water the public uses water, the worse the situation will become.

If any of us are media experts at all - we need to mobilize with this message.

If the Mayors and Town leaders are reading this message, I urge an emergency TV information action to the public. The Leader can't do anything with the newspaper until Thursday unless a special issue mailing is done to everyone in our towns. Maybe the government should do this?

More later; please get back to me with any suggestions. Thanks for any help.

regards,

horace corbin
publisher
The Westfield Leader

Steve Gates
Princeton

9/19/99 A: We are struggling to get out emergency information on the water crisis.

In the past, Princeton has always relied to WHWH Radio Station as our primary source of up-to-date community emergency news (school & road closings, weather alerts, snow emergencies, etc.)

Recently that station moved from Witherspoon St. out to West Windsor ... and in the process shifted from community news/chat to 24-hour Wall St. financial format.

In the Borough, we had to resort to hand-delivered fliers and telephone phone ins.

At the moment, all we are able to tell people is: DON'T DRINK THE WATER ... AND USE IT SPARINGLY.

There are emergency fresh-water tanks at of the Monument in front of Borough Hall ... we sent over to Pennington and obtained a supply from their wells ... but take no more than a gallon if you can't boil what you need.

By Monday, we will try to get the Cable TV bulletin boards (Borough Channel A-40, Township Channel A-50) in better shape ... but, in the meantime if you need to, phone the Health Department (497-7608).

9/5/99 Q: When will Borough taxpayers know the exact cost of the Borough Hall renovations? Do you have any plans for a "Grand Opening"? How about signage? Any progress in that regard?

Kate Warren

9/8/99 A: So far, the amount budgeted for the Borough Hall renovations is $4.3 million.

We have not voted any more than that.

Everything is on hold as we try to settle claims and counter-claims with the contractor.

The contractor has stopped completing the finishing touches, punch list items, etc. while we resolve this dispute.

We've stopped the architect from doing anything more (i.e. spending any more on his final supervisory work). That includes completing signage, furnishings, etc.

The staff has a list of $100,000 in additional new furniture that they'd like. Much of this was cut from the original budget when we saw the change order claims piling up. I've put those requests on hold, too.

We have to get the contractor to accept less than his claims. (We say the delays were his fault and he should reimburse us for extra rent, etc.) If the result of our mediation, results in our having to pay him all he expects, then we'll have to raise the available budget above $4.3 million. But that will all be duly noted, advertised, and subject to public hearings and debate.

The public's been welcomed to the re-opened building. But, I haven't scheduled a "Grand Opening" because there are too many details that appear unfinished. I want to make sure that all the bills are paid before we throw a party.

8/31/99 Q: are there any hotels within walking distance of 202 Wall St.? also, is ther public transportation?

Johnny Kelly
Boston, MA

9/1/99 A: Sorry, Johnny, other than the local small-plane Princeton Airport, there's not much of anything within walking distance of 202 Wall Street.

That address actually is not even within Princeton, even though it benefits from having a Princeton address.

It's part of an office park about three miles north of town on U.S. Highway 206. If you can hike that distance, the nearest hotel would therefore be the Nassau Inn down in the center of town.

9/1/99 Q: I'm looking to get involved in local politics. Whether it's volunteering on a committee or just getting involved with my local political party. I'm young and am having trouble finding information on different groups I could join. If you can lend a hand and give me some advice on where to get started it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill Green

9/2/99 A: Welcome aboard.

Local politics in the Princeton area can be very rewarding. You get to deal with real issues -- trucks, traffic, open space, libraries, tax bills, policing, fire-fighting, social services, recreation, ball fields, tennis courts, senior centers, teen centers -- things, not theories, that make this Central Jersey area such a good place to work, live, shop, and play.

How about a phone number?

How about an address -- so I know in which municipality you reside?

Normally, I'd say phone my office at Borough Hall (497-7617) and drop by to chat -- but I don't like to do my politicking there. Try my home phone (921-1470) and I'll get you connected.

8/27/99 Q: I have posted message after message, and I have downloaded math tutorial after math tutorial. I have not as of today, Saturday, July 31st, 1999 received any of the math assistance I am seeking. I am preparing to retake the NTE for accredidation in teaching special education students. Right now, If I speak the truth, I feel as if I am in this world alone. That is, as far as getting the help I need, to acquire the skills necessary to successfully pass this exam. Please, if at all possible, help me to find additional math aids, and practice exercises to internalize these math skills.

Sherry Jones
Baltimore, MD

8/27/99 A: If you are having difficulty passing the National Teacher Examination because of math, I am not sure that you are going to find the answer in a "tutorial." Educational Testing Service here in Princeton, I am sure, will tell you that you can't cram for one of their exams without a basic foundation from studying the subject.

Have you talked with advisors at a local community college? Completing the basic college-level math courses may be the best preparation for the kinds os mathematics covered by the NTE.

8/27/99 Q: The parking situation on Maple St., where I live, is awful. With the new restaurants and video store on Nassau St. causing even more people to park on Maple, those of us who live on the street and must park there overnight are often without a spot. In part this is due to the fact that people often park incorrectly and thoughtlessly take up the space for 2 or even 3 cars. Question: can lines be painted on Maple St. as has been done on Madison to maximize the parking spaces and force people to park correctly? This could easily free up several parking spots during the peak hours.

Thanks
Sally Hayman
Princeton

8/4/99 Q: I have a cousin in a nursing home in your town. lois guthbrodt, she called me said she was lonely, ive been trying to find her so she isnt lonely but to no avail i forgot to get her address she said she would write me i have no money to call long distance but i thought maybe the mayor could help me find her it would be appreciated i have a pay phone number from the nursing home ill include it 409-448-9825 sure hope you can help me its very important to her and me sincerely,

pat harrington

im looking forward to your answer God bless you and yours

8/14/99 A: Through our Princeton Senior Resource Center, we have been able to locate a person that we believe is your cousin, Lois Guthbrodt.

Try her at:

Lois Guthbrodt
Sunlawn Nursing Home
576 North Main Street
Hightstown, NJ 08520-3098

The telephone number there is: 609-448-0528.

We hope this helps you make a connection.

8/1/99 A: You're query is a good one. Before its repaving, Maple St. had marked parking spaces. They had become admittedly faint, but they once were there. They also marked driveways, a real safety factor.

When the question was last raised, there was some concern that the standard spacing required for striping might actually reduce the number of cars that could be accomodated.

We're reviewing street work at our Council meetings this month. I'll pass on your comment and see whether it's time to restripe.

7/19/99 Q: My question has to do with recycling.

Today I came home from work early and found myself on John Street behind the recycling truck. Since I couldn't pass it, I waited and watched as the workers loaded the recyclables into the truck. When the back of the truck looked pretty full, I saw some kind of mechanism swing into action, apparently crushing the entire lot of material--aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, and some obviously non-recyclable materials like a paper Coke cup that had been tossed into the can--into a uniform rubble. I had always assumed that after our recyclables were picked up at the curb, they would go to a facility to be sorted and shipped off to plants that could use the materials. But it looked to me like what that truck contained was fit only for a landfill.I admit I didn't get that close a look at the truck, so maybe I'm mistaken, but if the recyclables *weren't* being crushed, it's hard to imagine how the truck could manage to carry them all. And if they were being crushed, it's hard to imagine how that stuff could ever be usefully "recycled." My question is this: are the recyclables we put out by the curb truly being recycled, or is the Borough paying for a service it isn't actually getting? I realize you may not know the answer to this question, but I thought at least you would be able to tell me where else to ask.

Amy Livingston
Princeton

7/20/99 A: Good observation

Your note will give us something to use with MCIA to get an answer to the questions that obviously came to your mind.

6/13/99 Q: Mr. Mayor,

The Young Adult group from St. Paul's is interested in finding a local service project that they could take on. I was wondering if any of the local parks require a clean up or if you are aware of any other projects that could be handled in a day's time.

Thank you,
David Jamieson
Princeton Junction

6/15/99 A: The Harrison St. Park and Playground in Princeton Borough would greatly benefit from a one-day local service clean-up project.

Please phone our Public Works Supervisor Wayne Carr (497-7657). He'll outline what kind of branch and debris pick up would be most beneficial. He'll even supply trash bags and other supplies that will help.

Thanks so much for your generous offer.

6/4/99 Q: Do you need any special training to be mayor?

6/4/99 A: No ... there's no legal requirement in New Jersey that I have any special training to become a mayor.

However, when I first stood for election, I certainly had to demonstrate to my constituents that my past history gave me some preparation and skills in order to do a decent job. That could be formal education (what kind of schools, colleges, courses, degrees helped me get ready to do this). It could also be experience (what had I ever done before that showed that I knew something about running meetings, leading an organization, planning, organizing, delegating, motivating, etc.)

The voters can tell whether you've got what it takes.

5/24/99 Q: I live on Leigh Avenue and there are several properties whose bushes have overgrown the sidewalk which makes it impossible to travel without stepping off the pavement. Are there any ordinances regarding this issue? How would one go about having this situation taken care of? Also: There are two properties on Leigh which are owned by the Boro as affordable housing units. There are six possible living quarters but have only 50% occupancy. One is 112 Leigh Av and the other is the multiple unit at 100 Leigh Av. What is being done to fill these units? Also: Is there any representative who oversees the area of John/Witherspoon Street?

Also: There is a tremendous eyesore of a municiple building in our neighborhood. With a little paint this rusted roof, graffiti covered building could be prettied up a bit so it's not as unpleasant to the eyes of the neighborhood and those who travel to Community Park School. What do you say?

Also: There seems to be a tremendous amount of broken glass and scattered garbage around Community Park, recently my son cut his hand on glass hiding in the grass. I go by there daily and noticed that it remains unattended. Is there a parks department crew that could clean up such garbage on a regular basis? How does that work?

Thank you for your attention.
Todd Lewis
Princeton

6/4/99 A: Yes, there are ordinances regarding overhanging bushes. In fact, just last week I was prompted to ask our Public Works Department where we were on this year's effort to notice home-owners wherever trimming needs to take place.

Sounds like you want Leigh Ave. spotted for a shave and a trim. Right?

The Borough owns 100-105 Leigh Ave. (next to you). Two units are currently vacant and we're soon starting to renovate one unit at a time. Occupants will move temporarily from one unit to a renovated vacant one until all are done.

We also are renovating 114 Leigh Ave.

The Borough Council member who lives closest to the John/Witherspoon neighborhood is Mildred Trotman at 181 Witherspoon St. Phone her sometime at 921-0385.

Tell me more about the "municipal eyesore" building covered with graffiti. Exactly which building, where do you mean? What street is it on? Near what corner?

Now, let's get at the issue of glass and garbage "around Community Park" -- and here's where we need to dive through the bureaucracy to see just who needs to be primed to do the picking. Is it around the Community Park School? (The school board's maintenance staff does that building and yard -- inside the fence.) Is it within Community Park? (The Recreation Department has a separate maintenance staff and should do that.) Or is it in the streets, on the sidewalks, and in the long parking lot below Birch Ave. between John and Race Streets? (That would be Township's road crew.)

You covered quite a few points. I'll share them with various folk who might be in a position to do something.

5/28/99 Q: Hi:

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.

Lakshmi Govind
Iselin, NJ

9/1/99 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.

5/7/99 Q: Honorable Mayor Reed, Does the city of Princeton enforce property maintenance standards ? Your city has always given the appearance of a picture-perfect college town. Do you attribute this image to general pride in ownership or do you maintain high standards of property maintenance in a zoning ordinance ? If the latter, who enforces these standards for your city ? I am referring to the general property maintenance violations such as lawn parking, inoperative vehicles, weeds and outside storage. Thank you in advance.

Dana Anderson,
Rancho Mirage, CA

5/7/99 A: No, we don't really have a Property Maintenance Ordinance here in Princeton, NJ. We've talked about it from time to time, but have generally found that the enforcement gets a bit much when we get down to those kinds of details.

There's a lot of pride in Princeton. That goes a long way.

Our big institutions -- the University, the Seminary, the Institute for Advance Study, Westminster Choir College, the Governor's Mansion, the Battlefield State Park, etc. -- all set pretty high standards for themselves.

We also have four Historic Districts in Princeton Borough -- neighborhoods where there is pretty thorough architectural review before permits are issued for exterior changes. This ordinance has been very successful in protecting -- and increasing -- property values.

Once in a great while we have an overgrown lawn, which we treat as a health hazard and press for trimming. The same goes for rental properties, for which units must be rented and inspected.

if we can help with further details, let us know.

4/28/99 Q: Last night I parked in a public lot at 7:00PM. When I returned after dinner at 10:00 I found that I had received a parking ticket. After a phone call I found out that I needed to prepay since I would be in the lot after 9:00PM. I said I did not know about the need to prepay and was told that it is printed on my parking stub.

I checked and it does say that prepay is required. When is the last time you or anyone you know actually looked at a parking stub when you get it? Also I checked and there is no sign posted at the entrance to the parking lot relating to prepayment. Also, who ever heard of prepayment. After I spoke to several people, I found that Princeton has quite a reputation relating to parking. The stories I have heard are unbeleiveable. It is an embarrassment! Youe need to do something about this mindless, bureaucratic system you have.

Jack Sunday,
Belle Mead

5/2/99 A: Jack, there are clearly signs at the entrance to our parking yard -- including one right on the ticket-issuing machine -- that tells people that if they're planning to stay beyond 9 p.m. that they should pre-pay.

I'll check to see if it also says that on the back of the ticket. If an attendant told you that and it doesn't say so, that might be good reason for the judge to review your ticket.

We know that sometimes the parking scheme in Princeton can seem strict to those not used to towns as busy as ours ... but so far it's the only way we know to ration scarce parking spaces and make sure that some will be open for you when you come.

4/28/99 Q: I have a report due on the 29th of April about the hydroelectric dam on the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg. Could you please comment on the following:

1. Explain the exact plan in some detail.

2. How much power will be generated by the plant relative to three mile island?

3. Will the project be cost effective (What will be the income from power sales relative to the costs of installation?)

4. What will be the environmental impacts, social, biological, economic, and political, of the dam?

If you could help, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank You
Misty

5/2/99 A: Sorry, Misty never gave an e-mail address.

Besides I have nothing to do with any generating plants in Harrisburg, PA. I'm a New Jersey mayor.

Misty should have started doing research for the April 29 paper well before April 27.

4/22/99 Q: I AM A MEMBER OF AN AMERICAN LEGION POST 329, PEARL RIVER,NT 10965. MESSAGE BEGINS: IN OUR POST WE HAVE A PICTURE OF ONE LT. BRIGGS K. ADAMS, WHO BORN IN PRINCETON NJ, ON MAY6,1893. HE JOINED THE CANADIAN AIR FORCE DURING WW 1 AND WAS KILLED MAR 14 OR 15 1918. WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS PICTURE GOT INOUR POST. WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO A FAMILY MEMBER. FOR MANY YEARS WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LOCATE A FAMILY MEMBER ONLY BE MET WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. AS THE MAYOR OF PRINCETON, WE HOPING YOU CAN HELP US OR MAYBE THIS PICTURE COULD BE DONATED TO PRINCETOWN NJ.

THANK YOU
DAN MULLANE

5/7/99 A: If you would like to forward the picture of Lt. Adams at me, I will present it to the Historical Society of Princeton which may be able to identify surviving family members -- or at least add it to their extensive collection of remembered Princetonians.

My address is:

Mayor Marvin R. Reed
Borough of Princeton, NJ
One Monument Drive, P.O. Box 390
Princeton, NJ 08542

Thank you for finding me and letting me help.

4/13/99 Q: First I must start to apologize, so my adress to you might sound a litle frivolous, but indeed I think you might be the most able person to being able to help me.

I am new in the area, but I do work in Princeton, and my favorite hobbie is scrable-yes the game.

I heard there is a scrable club, located in Princeton, but I can't locate it- tried the information service, and they no nothing under that name.

So I wonder, as you being a person atentive to all city business, and all cultural events, etc, if you wouldn't know about location, and phone number of that club- it might be associeted with some other one...

I would apreciate any kind of help, you might be able to provide... thanks again for your time.

with my best cumpliments,
P. Ferreira

4/15/99 A: Sorry, for chess I might be able to help, but scrabble fans have not as yet engaged in any polital protests that would cause them to come to the local government's attention. 5/26/99 - This from Janie Wilkins at the Princeton Public Library: I don't have a question, but I do have an answer to the question that was posted by P. Ferreira to you on 4/13/99 in regards to the local Scrabble Association for Princeton. I hope you can forward this information.

There is a national Scrabble Association and Princeton has a Chapter (no. 513). Information about tournaments and Scrabble clubs worldwide can be found at www.scrabble-assoc.com.

This is the entry for the Princeton club.

>NO. 513: PRINCETON, NJ
>Barnes & Noble (1st Tues.)
>Princeton Market Fair
>Borders Books (all other Tues.)
>Nassau Park Blvd.
>Lynda Woods Cleary (732) 274-2314

I too am a Scrabble fan, but I have not yet had time to play with this group due to scheduling conflicts. I looked them up when I moved to Princeton in October... hopefully I will get the time to play a game or two with them over the summer. Hope this helps!

3/4/99 Q: Hello, my name is Brian Kraybill and I am a resident of the borough. I live at 35 Bank street and have been there for over a year now.

My question is reguarding the Sprint PCS mobile phone tower which I have heard has been built here is Princeton for the use of people who have Sprint mobile phones. The information that I was told is that the tower has been built and that Sprint is having trouble getting a permit from the borough to turn the tower on. If this is so, I am wondering what the problem is. Can you please elaborate on this subject?

I am a graduate student here at the university and plan on being an active member in the community for quite some time. I have a limitted budget and have only recently acquired this cell phone because it is just barely affordable to me and Sprint is the most economical choice, unless I will continue to have problems using it in my own home. I am most interested in hearing why and more importantly when, this tower will be operational, so that I can change mobile phone plans before my trial period is up. I am not the only one in the community who is concerned with this problem and we would appriciate you help in resolving the issue.

I hope that I have written to the right person and am waiting a reply.

Sincerely,
Brian Kraybill

4/15/99 A: The Borough Council has awarded a telecommunications company a contract to replace the current police/emergency system tower adjacent to Borough Hall. This will be a state-of-the-art monopole with arrays of transmitters for Borough and Township Police as well as municipal Emergency Services. In addition, the company will rent space for cellular phone transmissions and the Borough will share in the rental income. Sprint has shown interest and will probably locate on this antenna. So probably will Comcast. These systems should be functional in a couple of months.

4/4/99Q: Good day from Quebec, Canada, Congratulation for your website. I am a collector. At present I collect label pins (or city pins) from cities around the world. I already have a lot of them in different categories from different countries. I will be very happy and pleased to get one from PRINCETON, NJ. I also collect small items like : patches, badges, ball-pens, lighters, caps, etc. Thanks! In advance… Maurice Granger, 770 Radisson, LaSalle (Quebec)

4/5/99 A: Sorry ... we do not have a lapel pin for the Borough of Princeton, NJ.

10/11/98 Q: Hi Marvin -

I'm wondering if Princeton is doing anything to permanently memorialize the late Sandra Starr?

Although she tragically didn't serve the town for as long she and many others might have wanted, the caring and people-centered zeal that she served the town as councilwoman with should be remembered in some sort of recurrent and official manner, so that future officials with shorter political memories can still have her example of good service to the community to guide them.

I know she was too humble to want too much fuss made over her per se, but I also know she was passionate enough about her beliefs of people-centered decision-making in government to want that paradigm to outlive her.

-Andreas Falley

P.S. I spoke with you for a while at the funeral, but later found out that you didn't recognize me. It's amazing what barbells and a haircut can do. :-)

10/30/98 A: My apologies for missing your hair ... but I, too, have begun to discover the difference barbells can make.

Yes, I am quite certain that as we do the Monument Drive reconstruction project that one of the new trees that will be part of the revamped landscaping will be dedicated to Sandra. She put a lot into planning that project ... so I am sure that something within it will help to memoralize Sandra's dedication to the community.

Tell me more about what you're doing these days ... besides the barbells and barbers.

11/2/98 Q: My husband is cortically blind from a stroke 5 months ago,I have been searching the web looking for someone that can help I came across Computer Therapy which Princeton had published a Bulletin on the web for a Scientest Bernard Sabel that is visiting for one year Myself has left several messages and my husbands therapist has tried to locate Him, with no response I am comming to you in hopes you can shed some light on this matter ,I find that not returning said message is very disturbing while I have heard back from several scientists from all over that I should get in contact with Bernard Sabel at Princeton though I am not having any luck in doing so Please if you can be of some help we could use it about now.we are a young couple with a small child that would really like to have his father back and if this scientist is able to help I would love to hear from him or at least get back to us and tell us he can't at this point in our lifes we are willing to take the risk thank you so much Susie Pinkalla in need of response!!!

11/3/98 A: I can find no reference to a Bernard Sabel in either the Princeton University directory of faculty or in the Princeton Area telephone book. Sorry. I wish I could be more helpful. If you have any more details than the name, perhaps I can track down who he is.

10/11/98 Q: Do you think calculators should be used in school?

10/13/98 A: Yes, I do believe that -- AFTER students have mastered the basic skills of arithmetic (adding, subtracting, multiplying, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages -- they should also see these functions applied on calculators. In fact, it is often easier for students to grasp the mathematical principles involved when they see the numbers applied on a calculator without having actually to do the mechanics of the arithmetic involved. Seeing that "fractions" and the same as "division" and a variations on "percentage" comes more readily when it's seen performed on a calculator. Why did the numbers come out this way? Students can see in on a calculator, then prove it with their application of the arithmetic.

In recent years, people have become less dependent on hand-held calculators and now do the same applications directly on spreadsheets and programs on computer screens. Calculators are now an in-between step that students need to go through as they see the whole relationship of "spreadsheet math."

8/31/98 Q:We reside at 56 Armour Road, which is the corner of Elm and Armour. We and our neighbors are very disturbed at the traffic volume, speeding, and illegal left turns onto our street. There are no sidewalks yet high pedestrian traffic, including Constitution Hill residents on their way into town.

Many children and pets reside on our street. To whom do we address a formal request to abate this problem, including posting a "No Left Turn" or "No Thru Traffic" off Elm Rd? Can this action be included in the Western Section Traffic Abatement Plan, which principally addresses similar concerns on Hodge Road?

Alan & Cathy Hegedus
Princeton Borough

9/27/98 A: On Tuesday, October 6, 1998 at 8 p.m., the Borough Council will devote most of its agenda to discussing design alternatives for the reconstruction of Hodge Road.

This will include proposals for a new master plan for the streets in the Western Section.

I will include your query regarding Armour Road as part of the agenda.

Your welcome to join us if you wish. The meeting is held at the Large Auditorium in the University's Computer Science building at Williams and Olden Streets.

It's obvious that cars are short-cutting through Armour Road in order to avoid the backups at the light at Elm Road and Nassau Street. As part of the original Western Section planning we had a proposal to widen Elm Road at Nassau Street to provide separate left-turn and right-turns onto Nassau Street. However, many neighbors in the area petitioned against this, saying they feared Some years ago the residents to Allison Road petitioned us to make their street one-way west-bound.

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