Volume LXXVII, Number 8
“Felon” Solo Show, Related Events Highlight Need for Reading in Prisons . . . . .5 Washington Painting Discovery Will Enhance New Visitors Center . . . 8 Hun Students, Staff Help Teach Young Women in Afghanistan . . . . . . . 12 Vardaro Stars as PU Men’s Lax Rolls Past Monmouth In Season Opener . . . 27 Junior Standout Weber Helps PHS Girls’ Swimming Win Sectional Title . . . .32
This Week’s Book Review Celebrates Carson McCullers (1917-1967) . . . . . . . . . 15 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-24 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 25 Camp Guide . . . . . . 18-22 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 36 Green & Natural Princeton . . 2 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 13 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 26 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 35 Performing Arts . . . 16-17 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 36 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
www.towntopics.com
University Prepares Electric Bus Fleet, Vast Mobility Plans Emphasizing sustainability and efficiency, Princeton University’s presentation on their transit and mobility programs, delivered to the Princeton Town Council on February 13, provided an array of ideas for initiatives and collaboration. In their report, Princeton University Director of Transportation and Parking Services Charles Tennyson and Assistant Vice President of Communications and Regional Affairs Kristin Appleget emphasized the ultimate goal of making walking and biking so appealing that few people choose transit, and motorized vehicles are mostly behind the scenes. The Tiger Transit bus fleet has new routes as of January 30, more frequent and easier to understand, Tennyson said, and all buses will soon be electric. “We’re pleased to see that people are coming back to transit post-pandemic,” he added. “I think we’ll continue to see our new routes grow in ridership with the improved design, and we’re really excited about electrification of the system.” The University expects to decommission the entire diesel fleet in the coming months so that by summer only electric vehicles will be operating around campus and around town. “When this work is completed the University will be among the very few operations in the country with a fully-electric fleet,” Tennyson said. He went on to emphasize that “everything on this network is available to every member of the community with free open access for all.” On the side of every bus will be printed “Free Shuttle Service For All,” said Tennyson, “so there’s no mistaking who can ride it.” The vehicles, which produce zero emissions, will be charged at two sites, a smaller charging station on campus in the parking lot at Elm Drive and Faculty Road and a larger charging facility at a University-owned property on Alexander Road in West Windsor. Extending far beyond Tiger Transit, the University’s mobility program also includes a 15-vehicle Enterprise carshare fleet, primarily for student rentals, which provides about 700 trips per month for the University community. There is also a University contract with Zipcar for two vehicles located at Princeton Station and one at Princeton Junction, available for Continued on Page 10
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Wednesday, February 22, 2023
PPS to Host “State of the District” Event Seeking to bring the community together, to highlight an array of programs, and to present the Princeton Public Schools’ (PPS) new Strategic Plan, the schools are inviting the Princeton community to a State of the District celebration on Monday, February 27 at Princeton High School (PHS) from 6 to 8 p.m. PPS Superintendent Carol Kelley urged everyone in the Princeton community to attend the event and promised many opportunities to learn more about what’s going on at the schools. Participants will have the chance “to learn how we’re championing our students and how parents and the community can contribute,” she said in a PPS press release. “I hope our parents and community will join us on Monday to help celebrate what we have accomplished and to take a look at where we want to go.” In a David Letterman-style countdown, Kelley listed the top three reasons why people should come out for the event. “Reason No. 3 is the chance to chat with principals, administrators, supervisors, and students who will staff more than 20 expo tables highlighting PPS programs,” said Kelley.
She continued, “Reason No. 2 is that students are giving tours of the high school, including the new wing. If you are a community member or have students in our middle or elementary schools and have never been inside the high school, here is your chance.” And Reason No. 1 is to bring the community together. “We will have cheerleaders, student presenters, refreshments, and a raffle for a basket of PPS spirit wear,“ said Kelley. “But, most importantly,
it will give everyone a chance to come together in fellowship.” The press release emphasized that “fellowship is central to Dr. Kelley’s leadership and ethos.” The wide variety of expo tables throughout the high school will give visitors the opportunity to explore: what school counselors do, nursing services at PPS, English as a second language, world languages pre-K to grade 8, dual language immersion, special services and Inclusion, and Continued on Page 10
Replacement of Gas Lines Beginning Between Hulfish and Clay Streets
Following a brief delay, work on PSE&G’s gas modernization project in Princeton was scheduled to get underway on Tuesday evening (after press time). The project is designed to make the delivery of gas to local residences safer, cleaner, and more reliable. The replacement of the town’s aging cast iron gas pipes with new plastic or coated steel piping was to begin with work between Hulfish Street and Clay Street. In this area, Paul Robeson Place and
Wiggins Street, as well as Witherspoon Street, are to be closed to traffic from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays as the project continues. The project will replace 12 miles of gas mains throughout Princeton. It is part of the utility’s plan to replace more than 875 miles of pipes, along with other gas infrastructure improvements, across New Jersey. Initial work has involved testing soil and digging test holes to verify existing gas pipes. Once trenches are dug, Continued on Page 12
CELEBRATING GEORGE WASHINGTON: Gingerbread baking, quill pen writing, fun facts and quotes, reenactors, and more were featured at George Washington’s Birthday Celebration at the Johnson Ferry House on the New Jersey side of Washington Crossing State Park on Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)