Volume LXXVIII, Number 50
Actor in A Christmas Carol Credits McCarter with Inspiring Her Career . . . .5 Princeton Public Schools Takes on Positive and Negative Potential of AI . . . . 11 A Week of Wonders: Emily Dickinson, Hector Berlioz, and John Lennon . . . . . . 17 PU Concerts Presents Award-Winning Vocal Ensemble. . . . . . . . . . 18 With Freshman Gunty Providing a Spark, Tiger Men’s Hockey Defeats Union, RPI to Extend Winning Streak to 4 . . 26 Featuring Battle-Tested, Talented Senior Crew, PHS Boys’ Swim Team Primed For Big Winter . . . .31
PHS Fencing Coach Aaron Sam Blanchard Dies at 56 . . . . . . . . 35 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 23 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 24 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 37 Holiday Gourmet . . . . . 12 Holiday Home . . . . . . . . 2 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 16 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 25 Obituaries . . . . . . . 35, 36 Performing Arts . . . . . . . .19 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 37 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
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Town Health Officer Offers Advice on Flu, COVID-19, RSV As the season for cold weather, holidays, and respiratory illnesses advances, the Princeton Health Department will be closely monitoring the health of Princeton residents, particularly those most susceptible to serious sickness. Deputy Administrator/Director of Health Jeff Grosser stated that his department’s “greatest concerns right now are the seasonal increase in respiratory illnesses and ensuring that the community remains prepared.” He continued, “Of course we focus much of our efforts on our most vulnerable, our younger and older population. With respiratory infections rising, particularly flu and RSV, the focus is on vaccination efforts, public education, and maintaining health care capacity.” In its most recent update on December 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that acute respiratory illness causing people to seek health care had recently increased to a moderate level for the first time this season, though the numbers of severe cases in New Jersey remain low. Nationally, emergency department visits with diagnosed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are moderate, low for influenza, and minimal for COVID-19. Nationally COVID-19 and influenza activity are predicted to increase from their current low levels. Grosser noted that rhinoviruses, the most frequent cause of the common cold, have been seeing higher levels than the other common respiratory illnesses recently. RSV is following a typical seasonal path, he said, while influenza hospitalizations are predicted to remain similar to or slightly lower than last season. COVID-19, Grosser pointed out, remains a concern, but widespread vaccination and improved treatments have resulted in generally less severe cases. “COVID-19 is now endemic,” he said, “meaning it will continue to circulate seasonally similar to the flu. The availability of vaccines and boosters is a key factor in combating severe cases and hospitalizations, particularly if more virulent strains come about.” Grosser explained that COVID-19 has evolved into an illness that is now managed like other respiratory viruses, with public health responses shifting from emergency measures to routine
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Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Council Takes Next Steps for Seminary Redevelopment Princeton Council introduced an ordinance at its Monday, December 9 meeting that approves an application for a tax exemption and PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement with the redeveloper of the former Princeton Seminary property on Stockton Street at Hibben Road. Herring Properties, formally known as HP 108 Stockton Urban Renewal LLC, plans to build a multi-family residential development of 240 units, 48 of which would be designated as affordable housing. The plan, which has been controversial, also includes public open space, 262 parking spots, and the renovation of an existing historic house. According to a memo by Mayor Mark Freda recommending the agreement to members of Council, the project “will result in significant benefits for the health, welfare, and financial well-being of the municipality and its citizens.” In addition to the 20 percent affordable housing setaside, Freda notes a $200,000 contribution by the redeveloper to the town’s Sustainable Transportation Fund, the enhancement of the gateway into town, and the creation of jobs during the project. “However, the redeveloper has identified certain costs associated with the
project, including the provision of the affordable housing units, that are beyond those customarily confronted by a developer,” the memo continues. Herring Properties submitted the application for a tax exemption under the Tax Exemption Law from the municipality. A public hearing for the ordinance is set for Thursday, December 19, at 7 p.m. Another topic that has sparked some recent controversy is the removal of the informational kiosks on Nassau Street; one at Vandeventer Avenue and the other
at Witherspoon Street. Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros reported that the municipality is working on replacing them, and more details will be available in January or February. “There will be something there,” she said. “There are some really good options. So wait, please, and we’ll get there.” Councilman Leighton Newlin spoke briefly about a recent procurement disparity report by the State of New Jersey revealing that less than five percent of
As the town of Princeton, along with the whole state, prepares to face changing federal priorities from the new Trump administration, a panel of New Jersey leaders will gather on Thursday, December 19 at 6 p.m. in the Nassau Presbyterian Church (Livestream available) to discuss “State of Protection: Strengthening New Jersey’s Rights in Immigration, Healthcare, Environment, and Law.” NJ Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, Princeton University Professor and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and
Senior Services Heather Howard, and ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha will be leading the deliberations, moderated and organized by State Sen. Andrew Zwicker (District 16). “After the results of the presidential election, I started to think quite a bit about the first Trump administration and what I could do as a member of the N.J. state legislature to protect the people of New Jersey from what we expect will be coming out of Washington, D.C. over the
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NJ Leaders to Discuss Protecting Rights; Platkin, Howard, Sinha Join Zwicker Panel
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SEASONAL SOUNDS: Members of the Princeton High School Choir entertained passersby Sunday afternoon on Witherspoon Street. Residents and visitors discuss their holiday plans in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Sarah Teo)
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