Princeton Mayor and Council votes to buy electric shuttles
A grant would cover about $400,000 of an approximately $700,000 purchase, but smaller buses and charging needs drew questions.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — council moves ahead with electric shuttles, authorize contract with pmc wireless llc, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The proposed shuttles would carry 7–9 fewer passengers than the current vehicles, even as the town considers how to grow ridership.
The Loop’s next shuttles may need a charging stop mid-route. Princeton Mayor and Council voted to proceed with buying two electric shuttles after reviewing their cost, range and effect on service. One member voted no. Sustainable Princeton presented a quote of approximately $700,000 for the pair, with a grant covering about $400,000 and the municipality paying about $300,000. Presenters said the municipal share was comparable to the cost of two gas buses.
The choice involves more than the purchase price. The Express route covers about 30,000 miles a year; the Local route covers about 45,000. Under the conditions used in the presentation, a 150-mile-range shuttle on Express would need about 30 minutes of daytime fast charging. A 200-mile-range shuttle on Local would need about an hour. Council members asked how charging would affect schedules and what would happen if a vehicle broke down. They raised concerns that the proposed vehicles have 7–9 fewer passenger spaces than the current shuttles.
The shuttles are now expected to be available in June 2027. Presenters said replacing gas shuttles would cut emissions by 93.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. They also flagged mileage-based warranty limits: at the projected use, coverage would end in about two years for the 200-mile bus and about three and a half years for the 150-mile bus. The vote moves the purchase ahead, but the charging and service questions remain part of putting the vehicles on the Loop.
Authorize contract with PMC Wireless LLC for police department radio system upgrade (state contract)
Princeton Mayor and Council approved a contract for a police department radio system upgrade. Resolution 26-306 authorizes PMC Wireless LLC to do the work for an amount not to exceed $475,000. The municipality will use state contract 25-LE-2990 for the purchase.
A motion and second brought the resolution to a vote. Mayor and Council approved it by voice vote, without substantive discussion recorded in the meeting summary. The account provides no member-by-member vote tally or description of the equipment covered by the upgrade.
The $475,000 figure is the contract’s maximum authorized amount, not a reported final cost. The approval identifies the vendor and purchasing route, but the meeting summary gives no installation schedule. For now, the council’s recorded action is permission to proceed with the radio system contract under that spending limit.
Council closes comment period without speakers
Princeton Mayor and Council opened public comment for matters not on the agenda, but no one spoke in person or via Zoom. The mayor asked for speakers in both settings before closing the period. No topics or requests were raised.
Residents who missed the meeting have no off-agenda public comments to follow up on from this period.
Council reviews flood study and revised maps
Princeton Mayor and Council heard a four-year flood study that replaces approximate boundaries with surveyed flood elevations and limits. Staff said revised FEMA maps take effect February 7, 2027, and local permits apply to construction within the 500-year flood limit. A resident urged attention to severe storms, groundwater and sewer infrastructure.
Revised flood boundaries can affect construction permits and whether some homeowners face federally required flood insurance.
Council approves deer plan and contractor
Princeton Mayor and Council approved the 2026–2027 deer management plan, endorsed an application for special management designation and authorized up to $120,000 for White Buffalo Inc. Council members discussed which public lands the work covers, safety requirements and obstacles to a birth-control pilot.
The contract funds deer management work on public land, where site choices and safety rules affect nearby residents.
Council passes updated sign rules unanimously
Princeton Mayor and Council unanimously passed an ordinance consolidating and updating signage rules across two sections of the municipal code. Members credited staff outreach and said clearer rules would help businesses understand requirements. No one spoke at the public hearing.
Businesses seeking signs will have updated rules to consult, while residents can see how sign decisions are made.
- Mayor and Council, Princeton. During public comment on the flood study topic, a resident in the Harris Brook floodplain area urged the town to treat “100-year” and “500-year” storms as recurring risks, recommended reflecting the Harris Brook sewer interceptor on tax maps, and emphasized groundwater and geology factors affecting flooding.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Princeton had 19 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEAward contract to Compan Inc. for Harrison Street Park playground equipment (NJ cooperative purchasing). Council approved a contract with Compan Inc. for Harrison Street Park playground equipment in the amount of $80,560.56 using NJ Cooperative Purchasing Alliance contract BC-B-24-35. Council discussed accessibility and inclusive design features.
- GOVERNANCECouncil discussion: Community Park South fundraising initiative framework. A council member proposed launching a Community Park South fundraising initiative through a donor-advised fund with the Princeton Area Community Foundation and forming an advisory committee. Council members raised concerns about timing, project scope, approvals, and fundraising expectations before the full project plan and costs are presented.
- GOVERNANCEAuthorize submission of NJDOT municipal aid grant award extension request for North Harrison Street improvements. Council authorized submission of an extension request to NJDOT for the LA-2025 Princeton Mercer North Harrison Street improvements (Nassau Street to Franklin Avenue) municipal aid grant project, seeking additional time to award the construction contract beyond the original November 13 deadline.
- GOVERNANCEOrdinance regulating restricted parking spaces for persons with disabilities on Clay Street (public hearing and vote). Council held a public hearing and voted on Ordinance 26-33 regulating restricted parking spaces for persons with disabilities on Clay Street by amending Section B19-30 of the Borough Code (1964).
- GOVERNANCEExtend consulting agreement with Gable Associates Inc. for energy consulting services (six months). Council approved a six-month extension of the consulting agreement with Gable Associates Inc. for energy consulting services. Staff stated the extension would allow completion of work related to awarding and transitioning Princeton’s community solar program support.
- GOVERNANCEAffordable housing fund to pay for repairs at two homes. Council approved Affordable Housing Trust Fund money for repairs at 427 Brick House Road and 2 Shirley Court. The approvals direct housing funds to repairs at both properties.
- GOVERNANCECancel contract with National Autofleet Group for two 2026 Toyota RAV vehicles. Council approved canceling a previously authorized contract with National Autofleet Group for two new unused 2026 Toyota RAV vehicles totaling $69,428.78 because the vehicles could not be fulfilled due to lack of availability.
- GOVERNANCEReduce performance guarantee and inspection fees; release cash performance guarantee for Landmark Princeton LLC (Block 5502, Lot 1). Council approved reducing the performance guarantee and inspection fees and releasing a portion of the cash performance guarantee for the Landmark Princeton LLC project (Block 5502, Lot 1), with remaining amounts retained for final items and transition to a maintenance guarantee.
- GOVERNANCEAward contract to CivicPlus LLC for 2027 website hosting and modules. Council approved a contract with CivicPlus LLC for 2027 website hosting and various modules in an amount not to exceed $45,432.93. Council discussed ongoing website usability issues, including search function quality and prior Safari compatibility concerns.
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