Dinky ordinance will not affect Arts and Transit Neighborhood

The right-of-way ordinance gives the Borough the ability to maintain the Dinky train tracks for future train use. Chou said the move to preserve the right-of-way of the tracks would not hold much meaning in light of the University’s plans for moving forward with the Arts and Transit Neighborhood, according to Planet Princeton. Part of the neighborhood plan would involve moving the Dinky 460 feet south.

Because the University filed its site plan for the Arts and Transit Neighborhood last week, any subsequent ordinances would not impact the plan because of a recent change in state law.

Save the Dinky member Anne Neumann, who is listed as a plaintiff in lawsuits filed against the University, commenting on Chou’s presentation, noted that the Borough should still adopt the ordinance because “contingencies might arise.”

Borough Councilman Roger Martindell also made a public presentation about a motion by the Township to nominate an acting police chief following the March retirement of Chief Robert Buchanan. Martindell said the move “raise[s] serious questions about the integrity of the Township’s police.”

Martindell said the appointment favors the new Township police chief’s chances at becoming the new chief of the consolidated Borough and Township police departments. Consolidation is slated to occur in January.

“In that context it makes no sense for the Township to promote one individual’s chances for employment by the new Princeton,” he said. “The only issue that should be considered is what is in the best interest of the new Princeton.”

“Paying a policeman an acting chief salary is an unnecessary expense ... It places a higher value on cronyism than merit, sending the wrong message to the other officers in both departments and to the taxpayers they serve,” Martindell explained. “Given the Township’s management of the last three police chiefs, each of whom retired in questionable circumstances, this latest proposal ... we should have no part of it,” he added.

Another councilwoman suggested that the Borough Council bring the appointment up for consideration at the next joint meeting of the Borough and the Township. Martindell’s comments led to other statements by Borough councilmembers who expressed discontent with the way the Township has managed the relationship between the two municipalities as consolidation approaches.

Borough Councilwoman Barbara Trelstad said the Council should keep in mind that creating one Princeton is the ultimate goal, suggesting that everyone should work together collaboratively.

Another item on the agenda was the Borough’s 2012 budget, which has no proposed increase in municipal property taxes. The budget would involve decreases in funding for the Planning Board, Health Department, Corner House, Department of Recreation and Princeton Senior Resource Center, among other areas. There will be a proposed increase in the allocated budget of $54,000 for the Sewer Operating Committee and $45,000 for the public library. Neumann, who also represented the Affordable Housing Board at the meeting, asked for the Borough to fund a loan program for residents who can no longer afford their property taxes, especially for those who have suffered from the recent property reevaluations.

The final vote on the budget is scheduled for the next Borough Council meeting on May 8.