Princeton seeks state cleanup reimbursement for Terhune Road
Council approved a NJDEP grant application for $983,126.36 tied to contamination cleanup on a public access easement at 365 Terhune Road.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — njdep hazardous discharge site remediation fund, next meeting date announced, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The grant would cover remediation tied to Princeton public easement, not the private shopping center property, and the municipality had to apply for that public portion.
A buried cost surfaced at 365 Terhune Road. Princeton Council approved Resolution 26-205, authorizing an application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for $983,126.36 through the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund Grant Program. The money would reimburse remediation costs for areas dedicated to the municipality at the property, specifically a public access easement in perpetuity that the mayor said Princeton plans to improve for community use.
Before the vote, the mayor laid out why the town is involved. He said contamination turned up while Princeton pursued public betterments in the easement area. The shopping center dates to around 1953, he said, when dumping practices were less restricted, and contaminated material had to be hauled away, including to Pennsylvania, which drove up the cost. He argued that if the grant is not available, those added costs could land on the municipality. He described the approach as working with a community partner rather than pursuing litigation.
Council members spent part of the discussion on process. One said most of the governing body knew little about the matter until receiving a memo from attorneys on Friday, even though a committee had been handling it for months. Another said the state cleanup program is the right tool for environmental remediation and stressed that this application covers only the public easement portion; the private owner could seek separate funding for private property cleanup. The resolution passed, and the mayor said Princeton will soon face similar remediation-funding agreements for two affordable housing sites conveyed to Princeton Community Housing.
Next Meeting Date Announced
The next regular meeting is set for September 3. That was the main piece of business in the closing moments of the board’s meeting.
The Choir announced the date directly before members wrapped up. After that, board members traded a few brief closing remarks and looked ahead to seeing one another again soon.
There was no additional action attached to the announcement. The item served mainly as a marker for when the board will return to its regular schedule.
Council previews racial equity toolkit rollout
A resident asked whether Princeton racial equity impact assessment toolkit is actually being used, and the mayor said the town plans to roll it out within the next month or two. Council members said recent committee work has focused on how broadly the toolkit should apply across departments and how it should connect to economic and social services questions.
A resident pressed council on rolling out Princeton’s racial equity impact assessment toolkit to departments.
Princeton hires engineer for Rosedale intersection
Council approved a professional services agreement with Aurora Associates PC for up to $121,500 to design improvements at Rosedale Road, Elm Road, and Cleveland Lane. Princeton will cover design costs under a shared-services arrangement with Mercer County, while the county is expected to fund construction and maintenance; staff said the design includes pedestrian access, crossing improvements, and sidewalks on the south side of Rosedale Road.
Council awarded $121,500 in engineering for Rosedale-Elm-Cleveland intersection improvements with Mercer County.
Needs assessment maps barriers across Princeton
A new community needs assessment found persistent pressure around food, health care, housing, transportation, and internet access for residents facing systemic barriers. The study drew on surveys and listening sessions, and staff said the next steps include sharing findings with community partners, improving the social services directory, and folding recommendations into future planning and budgets.
The community needs assessment highlighted housing, food, healthcare, transportation, digital access, and older-adult barriers.
Council grants Jugtown affordable housing waiver
Council approved a bedroom-distribution waiver for a 10-unit project at Nassau Street and North Harrison Street, allowing both affordable apartments to be two-bedroom units. Staff said the request reflected site constraints in the Jugtown Historic District, changes in state and local rules, and Princeton existing surplus of designated three-bedroom affordable units.
Council approved an affordable-housing waiver letting both Jugtown units be two-bedroom instead of one three-bedroom.
- Princeton Mayor and Council. During public comment on agenda items, a resident asked about implementation of Princeton’s racial equity impact assessment toolkit and whether it was being used and producing changes. The Mayor and Council members described recent committee discussion and plans to roll it out to department heads soon.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Princeton had 28 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCECorrecting final payment amount for sewer rehabilitation project (change order correction). Council corrected a mathematical error in the final payment amount previously authorized in Resolution 26-175 for the sewer rehabilitation project, setting the final payment amount to as stated in the meeting.
- GOVERNANCEFY2027 NJDOT Municipal Aid Grant application (Pretty Brook Road improvement project 00595). Council authorized submission of a FY2027 NJDOT Municipal Aid Grant application for the Pretty Brook Road improvement project (00595) and execution of the grant contract.
- GOVERNANCECouncil marks Bastille Day and watch party. Council issued a proclamation recognizing Bastille Day and Princeton’s sister city relationship with a city in France. A council member also announced a Bastille Day watch party and celebration at Hinds Plaza tied to the France vs. Spain match.
- GOVERNANCEFriends group adopts two park areas. Council approved Adopt-a-Park agreements with Friends of Herrontown Woods for Autumn Hill Reservation and Herrontown Woods. The group described years of trail work, invasive species removal, preservation efforts, and community programming.
- GOVERNANCECouncil accepts 2025 audit after presentation. An external auditor presented Princeton’s 2025 audit, reporting an unmodified opinion, strong fund balances, high tax collection, and no single-audit compliance exceptions, while explaining standard New Jersey accounting language in the report. Council then accepted the 2025 audit and group affidavit by resolution and thanked the CFO and staff.
- GOVERNANCEConsent agenda: paying bills and special budget items (three items). Council approved a consent agenda block consisting of three items, described as paying bills and two special budget items.
- GOVERNANCEAdjournment. Council adjourned the meeting following a motion, second, and vote.
- GOVERNANCECouncil clears Hinds Plaza outdoor dining agreements. Council approved a license agreement with DWM Holdings for outdoor dining at Hinds Plaza and also approved a second amendment to the related ground lease with Princeton Nassau HKT Urban Renewal Associates. Discussion included boundary clarity for the plaza area covered by the arrangement.
- GOVERNANCEResolution — Toll NJ1 LLC, Preliminary/Final Major Site Development Approval, 29 Thanet Circle (Block 5502, Lot 7), Zone AH-14. The Board considered a resolution memorializing preliminary and final major site development approval for Toll NJ1 LLC at 29 Thanet Circle. Members discussed wording related to affordable unit fees and U-HAC/UAC references. The resolution was approved by roll call vote.
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