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Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing the Award of a Professional Services Agreement to Mason, Griffin & Pierson, P.C. for Legal Services as Municipal Attorney for 2026 for an Amount Not to Exceed $400,000.00
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WHEREAS, the Municipality of Princeton (“Princeton”) has a need for a Municipal Attorney for purposes of providing legal services for 2026; and
WHEREAS, it has been determined that the value of the contract will exceed $44,000; and
WHEREAS, Mason, Griffin & Pierson, P.C. (“MGP”) has proposed to provide these services for Princeton for an amount not to exceed $400,000.00; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1)(a)(i) of the Local Public Contracts Law, Princeton may award a contract for professional services without public advertising for bids; and
WHEREAS, this contract is not being awarded as a “fair and open” contract as defined in N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.7; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5., Princeton may award a non-fair and open contract to a business entity if, during the preceding one-year period, that business entity has not made a contribution that is reportable by the recipient under P.L. 1973, c.83, N.J.S.A. 19:44A-1 et seq. to any municipal committee of a political party in that municipality if a member of that political party is serving in an elective public office of that municipality when the contract is awarded or to any candidate committee of any person serving in an elective public office of that municipality when the contract is awarded; and
WHEREAS, MGP has completed and submitted the required pay-to-play forms which certify that MGP has not made any reportable contributions to a candidate committee in Princeton in the previous year, and that the contract will prohibit MGP from making any reportable contributions through the term of the contract; and
WHEREAS, the Certified Financial Officer has certified that Princeton has appropriated sufficient funds for these services; and
WHEREAS, the term of this contract shall be for twelve months, from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of Princeton, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, as follows:
1. The Mayor and Council, or their designee, are hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with Mason, Griffin & Pierson, P.C. for Legal Services as Municipal Attorney for 2026 for an amount not to exceed $400,000.00 without competitive bidding as a Professional Service in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1)(a)(i).
2. The Term of this contract shall be for twelve months, from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2026.
3. A copy of this Resolution, Pay-to-Play Forms, and contract will be kept on file in the Office of the Clerk.
4. Notice of this action shall be published in the official newspaper as required by law.