Municipality of Princeton, NJ  
400 Witherspoon St  
Princeton, NJ 08540  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Monday, September 8, 2025  
7:00 PM  
Webinar ID: 822 0800 6480  
Main Council Chambers  
Mayor and Council of Princeton  
I.  
JOIN MEETING - PLEASE CLICK LINK BELOW:  
Webinar ID: 822 0800 6480  
II.  
STATEMENT CONCERNING NOTICE OF MEETING  
Notice of this meeting was provided in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public  
Meetings Act and State regulations governing public meetings, including the time, date and location  
of the meeting and clear and concise instructions to the public for accessing the meeting and making  
comments. In addition, the agenda and all related materials were posted electronically and made  
available to the public on Princeton's meeting portal in advance of the meeting.  
III.  
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  
"We gather today on the land of the Lenni Lenape. As members of the Princeton community, we  
aspire to show appreciation, respect, and concern for all peoples and our environment. We honor the  
Lenape and other Indigenous caretakers of these lands and waters, the elders who lived here before,  
the Indigenous today, and the generations to come"  
Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros read the Land Acknowledgement.  
IV.  
ROLL CALL  
Also Present: Bernard Hvozdovic, Administrator; Justin Lesko, Municipal Planner; and  
Trishka Cecil, Municipal Attorney  
Council Member Brian McDonald, Council Member Michelle  
Pirone Lambros, Council Member Mia Sacks, Council Member  
Leticia Fraga, Council Member Leighton Newlin, and Mayor  
Mark Freda  
Present:  
Council Member David Cohen  
Absent:  
V.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The audience participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.  
VI.  
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS  
Councilman Brian McDonald reported that Council received a letter from the current  
president of the Jewish Center, several past presidents, and other leaders of the Jewish  
community expressing serious concern regarding an increasing number of anti-semitic  
incidents, including graffiti and speech at public gatherings. He stated that these acts have  
created a climate in which Jewish residents feel unsettled and unsafe, and he outlined actions  
taken by the Municipality and the Princeton Police Department in response.  
Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros had no reports or announcements.  
Council President Mia Sacks had no reports or announcements.  
Councilwoman Leticia Fraga announced that Welcoming Week 2025 will take place from  
September 12 through September 21, 2025. She noted that various events will be held  
throughout the week in collaboration with community partners. The week will begin with a  
Culture Exchange Night hosted by Human Services and the Princeton Public Library on  
September 12, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in Hinds Plaza. The event is free and open to the public.  
Councilman Leighton Newlin had no reports or announcements.  
Mayor Mark Freda had no reports or announcements.  
Staff Reports:  
There were no staff reports or announcements.  
VII. PROCLAMATION  
A Proclamation Celebrating Welcoming Week 2025  
1.  
Councilman Leighton Newling read the proclamation proclaiming Welcome Week 2025 in  
Princeton.  
A Proclamation Observing September 15th Through October 15th, 2025 as Hispanic  
Heritage Month  
2.  
Councilwoman Leticia Fraga read the proclamation observing September 15, 2025 through  
October 15, 2025 as Hispanic Heritage month in Princeton.  
VIII. ORDINANCE PUBLIC HEARING  
Anyone wishing to comment on or ask a question about an ordinance(s) listed below for public  
hearing and adoption can do so by either in person or Zoom. In person use the sign-up sheet on the  
podium. To make a spoken comment, either click on "Participants" and use the "raise hand"  
function, or- if attending by telephone- press *9. When it is your turn to speak the meeting host will  
unmute you and the Mayor will recognize you.  
An Ordinance by the Municipality of Princeton Authorizing the Lease of a Portion of  
the Community Park South Tennis Facility for a Public Purpose to the Princeton  
Tennis Program Pursuant to the Local Lands and Buildings Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12-14  
(c) and N.J.S.A. 40A-12-15(i)”- Roll Call  
1.  
Mayor Mark Freda opened the public hearing first to those attending in person than to those  
via "Zoom".  
In person:  
Jack Roberts, former Princeton Recreation Director, speaking on behalf of the Board of  
Trustees of the Princeton Tennis Program, commended the parties involved in developing  
the agreement and expressed enthusiasm for moving the program forward.  
Via "Zoom":  
There was no public comment from those attending via "Zoom".  
Seeing no one further, Mayor Freda closed the public hearing.  
An Ordinance of the Municipality of Princeton Amending Chapter T10B Entitled  
“Land Use” of the Municipality of Princeton by Creating the Affordable Housing  
District 14 (AH-14) in Furtherance of the Fair Housing Act-Roll Call  
2.  
Mayor Mark Freda voiced concern that it appears the affordable units are going to be in  
separate buildings from the rest of the units, the units will be smaller, and he inquired if the  
interior finishes will be consistent between the affordable units and the market rate units.  
Councilman Leighton Newlin stated he felt the same way as Mayor Freda but after  
conferring with the Municipal Planner and learning more on how "for sale" units are handled  
differently under U-Hack rules (NJ Uniform Housing Affordability Controls), he is okay  
with moving forward and thinks it is a good deal.  
Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros noted because the project is not redevelopment,  
limitations exist on cost-generative elements, but she viewed the ordinance as a step in the  
right direction.  
Council President Mia Sacks explained that because the units are "for sale" rather than  
rental, there is no standard amenity package; the affordable units are subject to minimum  
standards by municipal ordinance, while market-rate unit rates are not.  
Mayor Mark Freda opened the public hearing first to those attending the meeting in person  
than to those via "Zoom".  
In Person:  
Hendricks Davis, 232 John Street, expressed support for the ordinance and inquired about  
unit pricing and the possibility of a Princeton preference. He encouraged outreach to  
residents interested in homeownership opportunities within the community.  
Via "Zoom":  
There was no public comment from anyone attending via "Zoom".  
Seeing no one further, Mayor Freda closed the public hearing.  
RESOLUTIONS  
IX.  
Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing the Extension of the  
Term of the Professional Services Agreement with Arcadis, U.S., Inc. for Hamilton  
Avenue Sanitary Sewer Replacement Engineering Design and Bid Phase Services for  
the Length of Time Necessary for the Completion of the Actual Construction with No  
Change to the Contract Amount  
1.  
ADOPTED  
RESULT:  
Brian McDonald  
Leighton Newlin  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent:  
Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing and Amending  
Princeton Affordable Housing Program, Home Rehabilitation Loans 2025-1 and  
2025-2 Not to Exceed $39,300.00  
2.  
ADOPTED  
RESULT:  
Leticia Fraga  
Leighton Newlin  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent:  
Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing an Increase of  
$65,000.00 to the Contract with Jen Electric, Inc. for Traffic Signal Maintenance  
Services for a New Not to Exceed Amount of $107,040.00 for the January 1, 2025  
through December 31, 2025 Term  
3.  
ADOPTED  
RESULT:  
Brian McDonald  
Leighton Newlin  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent:  
Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Endorsing Princeton’s Application  
to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife for Designation of a Special Deer  
Management Area and Approval of Princeton’s 2025-2026 Community Based Deer  
Management Plan  
4.  
ADOPTED  
RESULT:  
Brian McDonald  
Michelle Pirone Lambros  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent:  
Resolution of the Mayor and Council Authorizing the Award of a Bid Contract to  
Dan Swayze & Son, Inc. for North Harrison Street Traffic Striping and Pavement  
Markings for an Amount Not to Exceed $132,193.75  
5.  
ADOPTED  
RESULT:  
Brian McDonald  
Leticia Fraga  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent:  
Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing the Execution of a  
Development Agreement with PCH Development Corporation for an Affordable  
Housing Development in Connection with the Municipality’s Fourth Round  
Affordable Housing Plan  
6.  
Ed Truscelli, Executive Director of Princeton Community Housing, thanked Council and  
stated it is going to be a very exciting development. It is right in the middle of town, is infill,  
will check a lot of boxes, but most importantly it will be a place for people to call home in a  
great community  
ADOPTED  
RESULT:  
Leticia Fraga  
Leighton Newlin  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent:  
Resolution of Need for the Construction of an Affordable Housing Project on  
Property Located at 13 Chestnut Street (block 30.02, lots 39.01 and 39.02)  
7.  
ADOPTED  
RESULT:  
Leighton Newlin  
Leticia Fraga  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent:  
Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton, in the County of Mercer, New  
Jersey, Determining the Form and Other Details of One or More Notes Relating to  
the Construction Financing Loan Program of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, to  
be Issued in the Aggregate Principal Amount of up to $6,300,000, Providing for the  
Issuance and Sale of Such Notes to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and  
Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of Such Notes by Princeton in Favor of the  
New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, All Pursuant to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank  
8.  
Construction Financing Loan Program  
ADOPTED  
RESULT:  
Michelle Pirone Lambros  
Brian McDonald  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent:  
X.  
CONSENT AGENDA  
Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing the Payment of Bills  
and Claims  
1.  
2.  
3.  
ADOPTED  
RESULT:  
Brian McDonald  
Leticia Fraga  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent:  
Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Authorizing 2025 3rd Quarter  
Refunds of $61,318.93 Overpayments  
ADOPTED  
RESULT:  
Brian McDonald  
Leticia Fraga  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent:  
Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Approving the Placement Pole  
Banners on Nassau Street by the Princeton Ballet School, November 15, 2025 to  
November 29, 2025  
ADOPTED  
RESULT:  
Brian McDonald  
Leticia Fraga  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent:  
XI.  
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA  
The Mayor and Council will take comments first from members of the public attending the meeting  
in person, then from members of the public attending the meeting via Zoom. Speakers will be  
limited to 3 minutes. No immediate action will be taken on any public comment issue.  
IN-PERSON:  
Please use the sign-up sheet on the podium. After everyone who signed up has had the opportunity  
to speak, the Mayor will invite any additional comments from members of the public. Please line up  
at the podium if you plan to speak.  
ZOOM:  
To make a comment or ask a question during the meeting via zoom, raise your hand using one of the  
following alternatives:  
1. Windows or Mac platform: Click on “Participants” at the bottom of the screen, then click on  
“raise hand” (Windows  
shortcut: Alt+Y; Mac shortcut: Option+Y).  
2. Android or iOS device: Click on “raise hand” in the bottom left corner of your screen.  
3. Telephone: Press #9  
Mayor Mark Freda opened up public comment for items not on the agenda first to those  
attending the meeting in person than to those via "Zoom".  
In Person:  
Hendricks Davis, 232 John Street, expressed concern regarding the condition of sidewalks  
on John Street and surrounding streets, citing safety hazards and requesting Council action.  
Carina He, 19 Walker Drive, introduced the Vote 16 Civic Engagement Initiative, which  
seeks to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in Princeton Public Schools Board of Education  
elections, and discussed logistical considerations.  
Ash Nieman, 213 Stuart Road East, spoke about how Princeton High School, the  
curriculum, and the community prepare the students to be able to vote at ages 16 an 17.  
Avantika Palayekar, 45 Trewbridge Court, emphasized the importance of letting 16- and  
17-year olds vote in school board elections.  
Claire Yang, 86 Cedar Lane, shared concluding thoughts on youth responsibility and civic  
engagement.  
Via "Zoom":  
There was no comments from individuals attending via "Zoom".  
Seeing no one further Mayor Freda closed public comment for items not on the agenda.  
XII. ADJOURNMENT  
A motion to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. was made by Councilwoman Pirone Lambros, seconded by  
Councilman McDonald, and carried unanimously by all members present.  
Respectfully submitted,  
Dawn M. Mount  
Municipal Clerk  
approved  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
Michelle Pirone Lambros  
Brian McDonald  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Council Member McDonald, Council Member Pirone Lambros,  
Council Member Sacks, Council Member Fraga, and Council  
Member Newlin  
Aye:  
Council Member Cohen  
Absent: