Volume LXXVII, Number 41
Latin American Women’s Group of Princeton Marks 40 Years . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Story Behind The Lawrenceville Stories is Subject of Screening . . 8 Helene Lanctuit Named CEO at Share My Meals . . . 9 Fitzgerald’s Gatsby Headlines the Library Book Sale . . . . . . . . . 15 PU Orchestra Opens Season With Cello Soloist . . . . . 16 PU Women’s Hockey Bringing Sense of Urgency Into 2023-24 Season . . 28 Senior Star Kiesewetter’s Versatility Sparking PHS Girls’ Soccer . . . . . . . 31
Nyla Flamer Stepping Up For Stuart County Day Field Hockey . . . . . . . 33 Art . . . . . . . . . . . .23, 24 Best of Fall. . . . . . . . . 22 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 25 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 37 Fall Home Preview. . . . 19 Luxury Living . . . . . . . . 2 Mailbox . . . . . . . . .12, 13 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 26 Obituaries . . . . . . .35, 36 Performing Arts . . .17, 18 Police Blotter . . . . . . . 11 Real Estate. . . . . . . . . 37 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
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Princeton Nonprofits to Get $1M+ in Grants From NJ Historic Trust Morven Museum & Garden, Dorothea’s House, and the Princeton Battlefield are slated to receive a total of approximately $1.198 million from the New Jersey Historic Trust for projects intended to save and promote historic sites. There are 71 projects throughout the state that are on this year’s list of grant award recommendations. The New Jersey Historic Trust, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), recently approved a total of more than $14 million in grant recommendations from the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund. Morven, former home of Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was awarded funds for three different projects, as it gears up for the United States Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary celebration) in 2026. The historic 18th century house, museum, and garden will receive $500,000 for outdoor site improvements, in particular for refurbishing Morven’s driveway and parking lot, and for the addition of exterior lighting so that visitors can move safely through the grounds. “Our regular visitors know that Morven’s driveway is a constant issue with recurring potholes each season,” said Morven Interim Director Beth Allan as quoted in a Morven press release. “A rehabilitated driveway and parking lot will provide a smoother and safer surface for entering and exiting the grounds on foot, bike, or vehicle.” The press release added, “As we anticipate heavy visitorship in 2026, Morven requires better lighting in the parking lot, in the rear of the property, and throughout our main walking paths. Adding lighting to the historic structures will also enhance our street view while providing increased safety to visitors after dark. The upgrade will be appropriate for the historic nature of the site and energy efficient, adding additional power drops and sitewide WiFi connectivity so we can more effectively and efficiently hold outdoor events and programs.” To support marketing efforts, Morven was awarded a $75,000 Heritage Tourism Grant from the Historic Trust, which it will use to overhaul its website, update marketing materials, create and Continued on Page 10
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Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Council Votes to Continue Stormwater Study Following a presentation by Clay Emerson of engineering consultants Princeton Hydro, Princeton Council approved a resolution at its Monday, October 9 meeting to proceed to the next phase of a Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study, for an amount not to exceed $149,853. More frequent and more severe rainstorms have increased the problem of stormwater runoff in Princeton. A stormwater utility is a mechanism to raise sufficient funds for management of stormwater, and allocate its costs more equitably. Gov. Phil Murphy signed the Clean Stormwater and Flood Reduction Act into law in 2019, giving municipalities the ability to create stormwater utilities and establish fees. More than 40 states already have them, but there are none so far in New Jersey, according to Emerson. “You are one of the first municipalities to consider this,” he said. Council first considered creating an ordinance for a stormwater utility in 2021. Princeton Hydro was brought on in 2022. Princeton Hydro has completed the first phase of the four-part study, reviewing needs and analyzing data. After holding two well-attended focus groups, the consultants evaluated current services
and costs related to stormwater management, and identified unmet needs and future initiatives. The phase also included the analysis of data sources for fee allocation, the preparation of a potential impacts report, and user fee rate options. Phase II, Emerson said, “would be an even deeper dive.” After conducting several interviews with municipal staff members, the consultants found that current expenditures are estimated at $760,000 a year for services
related to stormwater. The issue is typically met in a reactive rather than proactive fashion, and shifting to a proactive approach is recommended. “That takes a stable revenue source that is bigger than what is currently available,” Emerson said. Having staff dedicated specifically to stormwater would also be favorable, he added. Phase II of the study will include an indepth analysis of costs, rates, educating the public, and a program plan. Four more Continued on Page 11
Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart To Close at the End of This School Year
Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart announced last week that, due to financial challenges, it will be closing at the end of the 2023-24 school year. The school, located on a 50-acre campus on Great Road, was founded in 1999 in seeking to meet the need for a “valuesbased” private school for boys in grades K-8, according to the Princeton Academy website. A letter to the Princeton Academy community signed by the school’s Board of Trustees Chair Olen Kalkus and Head of School Alfred (Rik) F. Dugan reports,
“Princeton Academy continues to face financial challenges brought on by changing demographics and rising costs.” The letter notes that the board had been pursuing various options to keep the school open, including sales of assets, efforts to increase enrollment, additional support from donors, and possible mergers with other institutions. The letter continues, “However, despite our best efforts to find workable solutions, and after careful consideration, reflection, and discernment, the Board of Trustees has unanimously made the most difficult Continued on Page 10
FUN WITH BOOKS: Author Gabrielle Balkan entertains young fans at the Princeton Children’s Book Festival on Saturday at Hinds Plaza. Presented by the Princeton Public Library, the festival featured nearly 50 acclaimed authors and illustrators of children’s literature along with arts and crafts activities. Participants share what books they found at the event in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Weronika A. Plohn)
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