Volume LXXVIII, Number 20
Watershed Institute And Partners Launch Trenton Tree Planting At Cadwalader Park . . . 5 Isles’ Series of Virtual Forums Has Become an Annual Event . . . . . . . 7 Of Tom Ripley and Patricia Highsmith, the Barnard Graduate . . . 14 PSO Enthralls Audience With Piano Soloist . . . 15 PU Softball Wins Ivy Tournament, Will Face Louisiana in NCAA Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Singer Stars as PHS Boys’ Lacrosse Edges Robbinsville to Make MCT Semis . . . . . . . . 26
Profiles in Education: PHS Science Teacher Mark Eastburn . . . . . . 8 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 20 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 21 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 32 Green & Healthy . . . 18, 19 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 12 New to Us. . . . . . . . . . 22 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 31 Performing Arts . . . . . 16 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 32 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
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Meeting on Jugtown Historic Property Goes Into Second Session Testimony was set to continue at Witherspoon Hall Tuesday evening on an application for a 15-unit addition to the Joseph Hornor House, an 18th century property at the corner of Nassau and Harrison streets that was recently listed by Preservation New Jersey as one of the 10 most endangered historic places in New Jersey. Some 40 people, many of whom live in the Jugtown Historic District where the house is located, attended Monday’s 5 p.m. special meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to express their views on the proposed project. Because Princeton Council was to meet in the room at 7 p.m., the HPC ran out of time before any of them had an opportunity to speak. With this in mind, the commission scheduled a second meeting for 5 p.m. Tuesday, after press time, without a time limit. Developer and property owner Daniel Barsky wants to add the 15 units, three of which would be designated affordable, to the rear of the building. Fifteen parking spots are also included in the proposal. The earliest part of the house, which dates from the 1760s, would be retained. The HPC is to either approve or reject the proposal, passing their recommendation on to the Planning Board, which is scheduled to consider the project at a meeting on May 23. Those opposed to the proposed plan have said the four-story addition would overwhelm the original building, make traffic more dangerous for vehicles and pedestrians, and set a precedent for future additions at the historic crossroads. They want the HPC to follow standards in the Historic Preservation Ordinance by making the proposed building smaller and more compatible with the historic district. Monday’s meeting began with an overview of the project by Elizabeth Kim, Princeton’s preservation officer. “The applicant really did everything right, until the end,” she said of revisions that would step back the building from the Harrison Street right of way, cut 4.5 feet off the fourth floor, relocate the sidewalk to make it safer for pedestrians, and alter the architectural style. “While these efforts deserve to be recognized,” she continued, “they are not enough.” Continued on Page 10
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Wednesday, May 15, 2024
PU Gaza Encampment is Winding Down Nineteen days after its start on April 25, the Princeton University Gaza Solidarity Encampment appeared to be preparing to leave Cannon Green on Tuesday, May 14 following a warning sent by Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber the previous evening. About 40 demonstrators continued to occupy the space in the early afternoon on Tuesday, but signs of decamping included piled up blankets, tarps, and other supplies, as well as barriers surrounding the green with signs stating: “This space is closed in preparation for University events.” About a dozen public safety officials were present around the perimeter of the green, and a number of University facilities workers were hanging electrical cords and lights in the trees. It is not clear how and when the withdrawal from Cannon Green will be completed. A mid-day Instagram notice from the protesters stated that Eisgruber “failed to let us know how, when, or on what timeline the camp would be cleared,” and the “urgent update” concluded, “Administration and public safety are currently encircling the camp as we deliberate our next steps.” Protesters talked with administrators several times during the day on
Tuesday, but at Town Topics press time uncertainty remained as to what the next steps would be. In his May 13 message to the Princeton University community, Eisgruber warned that protesters must leave Cannon Green, though he did not set a deadline. He also noted measures the University would take in responding to several of the protesters’ demands. “We are now letting the protesters know that they need to clear Cannon Green
and respect the University’s need for it and other common spaces, so that the University may prepare for and produce end-of-year events. The sit-in makes it impossible to ready the green for Class Day and other events.” He added, “To continue the sit-in would involve significant and impermissible disruption of University activities. The protesters are of course free to express their views in many other permissible, nondisruptive ways.” Continued on Page 9
Improvement Projects Currently Underway Provide Opportunities for Bike Facilities Plan At its meeting on Monday evening, May 13, Princeton Council held a work session on the 2024 Bicycle Facilities Implementation Plan. Assistant Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell talked about how to work elements of the Master Plan Bicycle Mobility Plan into programs that are taking place to resurface roads, make capital improvements, and repave sidewalks. “We have some opportunities this year,” he said. “PSE&G’s gas system modernization project is underway. Twelve miles of gas mains are being replaced, so they are tearing up the roadways.”
PSE&G is required to replace existing markings on the roadways, and will be asked to add some new ones. “Given limited resources, we want to implement these elements when we can,” Purcell said. “With all the construction and PSE&G work, this is an opportunity.” Key elements of the implementation plan are the bicycle network section of the Master Plan, the Complete Streets transportation policy, and the availability of resources. Details include repaving existing markings and installing new markings for Continued on Page 11
CARDING THE WOOL: Visitors learned about sheep shearing, wool spinning and use, sheep herding and care, fleece cleaning, and more at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township on Saturday. The program was part of the farm’s series of weekly Saturday events. (Photo by Sarah Teo)
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