Mayor and Council of Princeton

Municipality of Princeton, NJ 400 Witherspoon St Princeton, NJ 08540 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, July 14, 2025 7:00 PM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87238336484 Webinar ID: 872Chambers Main Council 3833 6484 Mayor and Council of Princeton Mayor and Council of Princeton Meeting Minutes - Final July 14, 2025 Page 1 of 1 Mayor and Council of Princeton Meeting Minutes - Final July 14, 2025 I. JOIN MEETING - PLEASE CLICK LINK BELOW: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87238336484 Webinar ID: 872 3833 6484 II. STATEMENT CONCERNING NOTICE OF MEETING Notice of this meeting was provided in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act and State regulations governing public meetings, including the time, date and location of the meeting and clear and concise instructions to the public for accessing the meeting and making comments. In addition, the agenda and all related materials were posted electronically and made available to the public on Princeton's meeting portal in advance of the meeting. III. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT "We gather today on the land of the Lenni Lenape. As members of the Princeton community, we aspire to show appreciation, respect, and concern for all peoples and our environment. We honor the Lenape and other Indigenous caretakers of these lands and waters, the elders who lived here before, the Indigenous today, and the generations to come" Mayor Mark Freda read the Land Acknowledgement. IV. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Brian McDonald, Council Member Michelle Pirone Lambros, Council Member David Cohen, Council Member Mia Sacks, Council Member Leticia Fraga, Council Member Leighton Newlin, and Mayor Mark Freda V. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience participated in the Pledge of Allegiance. VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Mayor and Council of Princeton- Regular Meeting- April 14, 2025 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: David Cohen SECONDER: Brian McDonald Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin Absent: Council Member Sacks 2. Mayor and Council of Princeton- Closed Session- April 22, 2025 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: David Cohen Page 1 of 9 Mayor and Council of Princeton Meeting Minutes - Final July 14, 2025 SECONDER: Brian McDonald Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin Absent: Council Member Sacks 3. Mayor and Council of Princeton- Regular Meeting- April 28, 2025 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: David Cohen SECONDER: Brian McDonald Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, and Council Member Newlin Absent: Council Member Sacks Abstain: Council Member Fraga VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS Councilman Brian McDonald had no reports or announcements. Councilwoman Pirone Lambros reported the NJ Economic Development Authority has an initiative, the New Jersey Motion Picture and TV Commission, which has a program called "Film Ready New Jersey". There is a five-step certification and marketing program to educate municipalities on the basics of motion picture and television production. It enables cities and towns to effectively accommodate on-location filming and marketing for their communities as a filming destination. The program sets the basic standards for attracting film making and positions the state as a top production destination. The "film ready" designation provides an elevated platform for certified communities to promote themselves as a filming destination and connects film and TV professionals with skilled and knowledgeable liaisons across the state. They can provide local expertise and support to create easier, faster, and better access to nearby resources and location information. The program has huge potential and economic development benefits when Princeton is selected to film a movie or TV show. With so much content development these days putting the initiative into place makes good sense. Councilwoman Pirone Lambros noted there is a sample ordinance, and if council agrees, our attorney can look at it, review it, and then bring it back to council. That would be one part of the five-step certification. Another step is to designate the Administrator as the town's film designee with the Municipal Clerk as the back up. The three remaining tasks can take place with Experience Princeton, who has already been working on locating photos of various locations, writing descriptions of the locations, gaining permissions, and compiling a directory of business services. Councilwoman Pirone Lambros feels it is a worthwhile pursuit and would like to move it forward. Councilman David Cohen mentioned the municipality's Vision Zero web page went live about a week ago. It is serving as the information center for what the municipality is doing to try and reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries, and where citizens can go to get Page 2 of 9 Mayor and Council of Princeton Meeting Minutes - Final July 14, 2025 involved. He is encouraging everyone to take the pledge to be a safe driver and to check out the initiative. Council President Mia Sacks had no reports or announcements. Councilwoman Leticia Fraga announced currently our Human Services Department is in the process of conducting their 16th annual Back to School Backpack Drive. The program is to benefit students from kindergarten to 8th grade. Any families wishing to participate as donors or to be recipients of the backpacks and school supplies can contact the Human Services Department. The application deadline is August 1st. Councilman Leighton Newlin wanted to remind everyone the Joint Effort Safe Streets campaign will take place during the first week of August and the event is open to everyone to attend. Mayor Mark Freda had no reports or announcements. There were no staff reports or announcements. 1. Chief's Monthly Report - May 2025 Chief Chris Tash noted May was a busy month for the department in terms of some of the community policing activities they did. Some of the activities highlighted were a K9 presentation at the Riverside School, assisting the Mercer County Technical School's Criminalistics program with teaching and testing, and they met with the Princeton Shopping Center security team and the merchants to go over basic security measures, especially during the upcoming holiday season. Chief Tash also mentioned three events that are upcoming. First, on July 23rd, for the first time they are conducting mock traffic stops which is aimed at new drivers. The program will consist of a classroom session which will review what your rights are and what to expect when you get pulled over. Then they will go out into the parking lot and conduct mock traffic stops with the new drivers. Next, the Youth Academy will take place from July 29th through the 31st. Finally, Community Night Out will take place on 8/1 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Community Park Pool and the event is open for all to attend. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Page 3 of 9 Mayor and Council of Princeton Meeting Minutes - Final July 14, 2025 The Mayor and Council will take comments first from members of the public attending the meeting in person, then from members of the public attending the meeting via Zoom. Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes. No immediate action will be taken on any public comment issue. IN-PERSON: Please use the sign-up sheet on the podium. After everyone who signed up has had the opportunity to speak, the Mayor will invite any additional comments from members of the public. Please line up at the podium if you plan to speak. ZOOM: To make a comment or ask a question during the meeting via zoom, raise your hand using one of the following alternatives: 1. Windows or Mac platform: Click on “Participants” at the bottom of the screen, then click on “raise hand” (Windows shortcut: Alt+Y; Mac shortcut: Option+Y). 2. Android or iOS device: Click on “raise hand” in the bottom left corner of your screen. 3. Telephone: Press #9 Mayor Mark Freda opened public comment for items not on the agenda first to those attending the meeting in person then to those via "Zoom". In Person: William Shields, member of the Princeton Fire Department, read a prepared statement regarding the proposal for the re-purposing of the Chestnut Street Firehouse with a low-income housing project. He suggested the town needs to take into account the integrity of the building, the preservation of historical records, and a memory of its impact on the community must be taken into account before any changes are made. Mr. Shields is asking to find a way to preserve the legacy of the firehouse and urges council to reconsider the proposed plan and explore alternatives that would honor our present and our past. In Person and via "Zoom": Members of Resistencia en Accion NJ, residents of the Princeton community, Princeton University and PHS students, and residents of neighboring communities came out in numbers to urge council to pass a resolution supporting the Immigrant Trust Act. They shared personal stories, experiences, fears, and the need for urgency in passing a resolution. Seeing no one further in person or via "Zoom" Mayor Freda closed public comment. Page 4 of 9 Mayor and Council of Princeton Meeting Minutes - Final July 14, 2025 IX. ORDINANCE PUBLIC HEARING Anyone wishing to comment on or ask a question about an ordinance(s) listed below for public hearing and adoption can do so by either in person or Zoom. In person use the sign-up sheet on the podium. To make a spoken comment, either click on "Participants" and use the "raise hand" function, or- if attending by telephone- press *9. When it is your turn to speak the meeting host will unmute you and the Mayor will recognize you. 1. An Ordinance by the Municipality of Princeton Increasing Princeton’s Sewer Service Charges and Amending the “Code of the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey, 1974”- Roll Call Mayor Mark Freda opened the public hearing and seeing no one in person or via "Zoom", closed the public hearing. RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: David Cohen SECONDER: Michelle Pirone Lambros Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin X. RESOLUTIONS 1. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing an Increase of $25,000.00 to the Not to Exceed Amount for the Professional Services Agreement with PS&S, LLC for Professional Engineering Services in Connection with the Terhune Road Pedestrian Improvements Project for a New Not to Exceed Amount of $178,500.00 Councilman David Cohen noted the reason for the change order is to include raised crosswalks at several intersections. He thinks it will be a wonderful safety enhancement. RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Michelle Pirone Lambros SECONDER: David Cohen Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin 2. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing the Award of a Contract to UniFirst Corporation for Uniform Purchases for an Amount Not to Exceed $60,000 utilizing Sourcewell National Cooperative Purchasing Contract 011124-UFC Page 5 of 9 Mayor and Council of Princeton Meeting Minutes - Final July 14, 2025 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Michelle Pirone Lambros SECONDER: Leighton Newlin 3. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing an Increase of $40,000 to the Not to Exceed Amount for the Professional Services Agreement with Maraziti Falcon, LLP for Legal Services in Connection with PCRD Litigation for a New Not to Exceed Amount of $105,000 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: David Cohen SECONDER: Mia Sacks Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin 4. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing the Award of Two Contracts to Gabrielli Truck Sales for a 2025 Kenworth T480 4x2 Vehicle Chassis for $146,720.31 utilizing Sourcewell National Cooperative Purchasing Contract #032824-KTC and to Jet Vac Equipment for an 800-HPR Eco Series IV Truck Mounted Jet for $231,079.01 utilizing Sourcewell National Cooperative Purchasing Contract #101221-SCA RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Brian McDonald SECONDER: Leighton Newlin Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin 5. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing the Award of a Professional Services Agreement to French & Parrello Associates for Construction Administration Services for the Rehabilitation/Replacement of Two Pedestrian Footbridges in the Mountain Lakes Preserve for an Amount Not to Exceed $175,986.00 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Mia Sacks SECONDER: Michelle Pirone Lambros Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin 6. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing the Award of a Professional Services Agreement to Subuhi Asheer, MPH, Firefly Research & Advocacy for a Community Needs Assessment for an Amount Not to Exceed $30,616.00 Page 6 of 9 Mayor and Council of Princeton Meeting Minutes - Final July 14, 2025 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Leticia Fraga SECONDER: Michelle Pirone Lambros Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin 7. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing the Arts Council of Princeton to Hold an Outdoor Art Market/Street Fair on Saturday, November 8, 2025 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Leticia Fraga SECONDER: Leighton Newlin Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin 8. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Approving Triumph Restaurant and Brewery’s Request to Hold an Oktoberfest Celebration on Saturday, September 13, 2025 on the Palmer Square Green Erin Shaw, Attorney for Palmer Square Management, LLC from Troutman Pepper Locke, noted a portion of The Green is owned by Palmer Square Management and that the request submitted to the town by Triumph was improper under the two agreements that are in place from 1982 and 1983. Eric Nutt, Triumph Brewery, explained they have a 30-year history of working with community neighbors and businesses and that the Octkoberfest event they are trying to organize is a family/community building event. Council held discussion and decided to take action on the resolution with the stipulation that the decision is subject to the municipal attorney's detailed review of what the Palmer Square Management Law firm sent over. RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Leticia Fraga SECONDER: Michelle Pirone Lambros Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin XI. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing the Payment of Bills and Claims RESULT: ADOPTED Page 7 of 9 Mayor and Council of Princeton Meeting Minutes - Final July 14, 2025 MOVER: Leticia Fraga SECONDER: Michelle Pirone Lambros Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin 2. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing Tax Exemption for Municipality of Princeton Properties RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Leticia Fraga SECONDER: Michelle Pirone Lambros Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin 3. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing Release of a Performance Guarantee in the Amount of $1,140.00 to Honey Brook Estate LLC for 225 Mountain Avenue Minor Subdivision, Block 6704, Lot 1 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Leticia Fraga SECONDER: Michelle Pirone Lambros Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin 4. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Approving the Placement of a Banner Over Washington Road by Jewish Family & Children’s Services, Monday, September 29, 2025 to Monday, October 6, 2025 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Leticia Fraga SECONDER: Michelle Pirone Lambros Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin 5. Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Approving a Chapter 159-Special Budget Item for State of New Jersey Food Insecurity Issues Grant- $60,000.00 RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Leticia Fraga SECONDER: Michelle Pirone Lambros Page 8 of 9 Mayor and Council of Princeton Meeting Minutes - Final July 14, 2025 Aye: Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros, Council Member Cohen, Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council Member Newlin XII. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn at 10:15 p.m. was made by Councilman David Cohen, seconded by Councilman Brian McDonald, and carried unanimously by all members present. Respectfully submitted, Dawn M. Mount Municipal Clerk adjourned RESULT: ADJOURNED MOVER: David Cohen SECONDER: Brian McDonald Page 9 of 9