For most, summer flows at a different pace than the rest of the year. Schools are out, summer camps are in, and many families use this time to take a vacation or time off to enjoy loved ones and the weather. Summer is also a time that more people spend outdoors rather than cooped up inside, which means people notice a lot more of what’s going on around them.
In this month’s Princeton Perspectives, we take a closer look at some of the actions and realities you may see locally in the issue Nuisance or a Necessity? Physical Changes You May Encounter Around Princeton.
Of course, we wanted to know what changes local residents are noticing around Princeton this summer. You can see what people shared in this month’s Pulse of Princeton. Perhaps you agree with them?
Whether you’re going to the beach or to the office, you’re likely noticing the traffic or other vehicles on the roadways with you. Are There More Trucks and Traffic Coming at You From Every Direction? This article looks at what is happening in town and nearby in both West Windsor and Montgomery, sharing today’s realities and a look into the future.
If you like to look back in time, Princeton is home to sites of some very influential moments. The history of America was outlined by decisions made at sites like Princeton Battlefield, and many efforts have been made to ensure visitors can learn and experience them. What is Needed to Make Princeton Battlefield an Historic Destination takes a look at what’s been promised and what hopes to get done.
As the decades progressed from revolutionary times to modern day, so have people’s needs. Marvels of engineering and technology keep everyday life flowing, literally. But recent recognition of the state of the local sewer system means changes need to be made to improve it and prevent major problems going forward. Princeton’s Necessary Sewer Improvements Could Come at a Cost to Users explains the situation – one you likely never even thought much about.
To the contrary, hardly a day goes by where you don’t think about the ladybug-looking critters strolling among your property. They’re Quieter and Prettier Than Cicadas, but Spotted Lanternflies are a Nuisance details the state of these bugs today and what you can do about them.
Perspectives Revisited provides current updates to stories we’ve shared with you in the past. This month, we’ll highlight the latest about traffic safety and the elimination of charges to make medicinal marijuana more accessible.
We hope that you are taking advantage of the warm weather and sunshine. Read this issue while sitting on in your yard or relaxing at the Community Park Pool. And let us know if there’s something you want us to write about in future issues by emailing us here. Stay safe and enjoy. Next month we’ll be back to share more about what matters to Princeton.
Lisa Jacknow spent years working in national and local news in and around New York City before moving to Princeton. Working as both a TV producer and news reporter, Lisa came to this area to focus on the local news of Mercer County at WZBN-TV. In recent years, she got immersed in the Princeton community by serving leadership roles at local schools in addition to volunteering for other local non-profits. In her free time, Lisa loves to spend time with her family, play tennis, sing and play the piano. A graduate of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Lisa was raised just north of Boston, Massachusetts but has lived in the tri-state area since college. She is excited to be Editor and head writer for Princeton Perspectives!
Have you noticed many new things while working from home, such as birds chirping, lawn machines roaring or your neighbors habits? Working from home rather than commuting to an office also means that residents are often on the roadways at times that differ from traditional rush hour. This not only creates changes in traffic patterns, but it also causes people to be around to see things they may not have seen as often in the past. In January, in the article 
“There’s a 4-ton weight limit, however the ordinances have exceptions if that load is going to or from a local roadway,” Sgt. Murray explains. “Terhune Rd, for example. Terhune has a 4-ton weight limit, but those trucks are exempt because of the construction site at Terhune and Thanet. And, you have to allow them to get to that roadway.”
While it may appear that more trucks are traveling along State Highway 206 or through Nassau Street/NJ Rt. 27 as well, Murray suggests it may simply be that more eyes are out and about spotting them. Princeton also is unique in the fact that there is no bypass around town. So, there aren’t many other options to travel from North to South and vice versa.
“There’s definitely been an increase in smaller vehicles like 
Traffic consultants, focusing on peak periods of the day, indicated they expect approximately 75% of the traffic to travel on Quakerbridge Road and Route 1. 25% of the traffic is anticipated to flow on Clarksville Road, though concerns have been voiced those trucks will take it to use 571 to the NJ Turnpike. The study focused on rush hour periods and cited an estimated influx of 60 trucks in the morning and 90 in the evening during phase 1 of the project.
Traffic was only part of the concerns voiced by many West Windsor residents who pushed back against the approval. Environmental impacts to the town were also highlighted. The property under consideration has been a constant point of discussion for the past 30 years, with past possibilities including relocation of Quakerbridge Mall or Princeton Hospital. All previous ideas were rejected.
Marathe expects trucks will take the shortest route, therefore coming from the port near Newark Airport most will often take the NJ Turnpike to Route 18 to Route 1, while those coming from Delaware or Philadelphia will likely travel 295 to Route 1, limiting the truck traffic through town. But residents like Schectel worry the county may not put in all the proper measures to limit through-town travel, such as prohibiting a left turn from Clarksville Rd. onto Rt. 571.
If you’ve driven north on State Highway 206 out of Princeton into Montgomery, you’ve likely seen signs for new shopping plazas for years and a lot of active construction. The first, just north of the Princeton Airport, has long been anticipated, but nothing yet has been noticeably done on the site.
When completed, there will be 62,00 square feet of retail and restaurant space at Village Walk, behind which 52 residential apartments are being built. Residents of these apartments will have their own parking area and can come and go from either loop road.
Mini systems, trunk lines, pump stations. You may not be familiar with these terms, but they all refer to aspects of our sewers. Most people don’t notice sewers (if they’re working right) as they’re not pretty or fun to talk about. But they are an essential part of many Princeton resident’s everyday lives. In fact, almost all homes outside of the northwest region of town are serviced by public sewers, that’s nearly 80% of Princeton homes. And while one may normally get bleary-eyed and tune out upon discussion of sewers, if you’re going to be paying for it, you may want to know what you’re paying for.
If the sewers aren’t kept in tip-top shape, that could lead to unnecessary problems and expenses. It’s recently been assessed that leaks in the pipes (which are intended to be water-tight) are allowing rainwater and groundwater to seep into the sewer system and 40-50% of the total flow is coming from that unwanted water. That means local sewer users are paying to treat water they are not generating. Deferred maintenance and age (Princeton’s system is significantly older than our neighboring communities) got us to today, where many parts of the Princeton sewer system need to be addressed. It appears some things hadn’t been tended to properly in the past, but today’s municipal administrator and staff are keenly on top of what’s wrong and needs to be done.
The 2022 fee for the average single-family sewer user in Princeton is $435. If things go as planned, every year until 2031, that bill will increase approximately $40-50 to cover debt service and operations and maintenance needs, which will be in addition to the 
Last month Council approved approximately $5m in capital for 2022 sewer projects. Over the next month or two, pump stations across town that are near or have reached their end of life are being analyzed to figure out the best technological options for replacement. The six included are All Saints, Crooked Tree, Herrontown, Mercer, Winfield and Pretty Brook. Once analyzed, a full design and specifications will be configured with hopes of being ready to award a contract later next year.
As the 
Using flow-metering data from 2017-2019, the sewer department is also now figuring out which areas of town need to be rehabilitated first and this will be the basis of the next 6-year plan. While the rehabilitations and repairs take place, you may encounter some roadway and household disruptions, but they’ll likely pale in comparison to what could be, should the town not take these actions. And now, going forward, you’ll think about and be grateful for updated mini systems, pump stations and trunk lines each time you flush your toilet.
Has it been a bit challenging lately to find your calm? Chances are high you could name five people you know who have had COVID in the past month. It sometimes feels like it’s spreading like wildfire. Despite the most careful following of safety protocols by some, they are getting it, too. Similarly, if you have money invested in the stock market, it can be harrowing to watch it hit new lows day after day, even if you take great care to invest responsibly.
Music is known to have many benefits. It can reduce stress, enhance your mood, increase your adrenaline and more. And the best news is that you can often access music at your leisure to reap such rewards. Listening to your procured playlist is one option, but in the Princeton area, there are a myriad of ways to listen to, perform or be entertained with live music. As summer 2022 kicks off, take some control of your desires and engage in music through one of many local offerings.
The 
The festival also provides an opportunity for people to get to know the Sourland Mountain area, with historians and geologists on site as well as a “Cool Critters” area to get to learn about the animals of the Sourlands.
Last month, baritone Jean Bernard Cerin and Néron (pianist) entertained supporters in a private Princeton home to celebrate the organization’s founding. A Celebration of the Art Song from Haiti shared the talents of Cerin and Néron while tracing the flow of Haitian music through various times and places. This was the third FAS event in the Princeton area. A benefit concert featuring tenor Paul Appleby, soprano Bridgette Gan, and baritones Elem Eley and Scott Johnson was held Labor Day weekend 2021, and the first Songs from Outside the Box concert was performed October in collaboration with 
“FAS is about collaborations, and associations. We wish to work together with other organizations in order to further our mission: to educate the public on the expanding catalogue of song repertoire from a multitude of sources and communities, thus benefiting audiences and artists alike,” Néron adds.
Budding artists, who may someday find themselves on the stage at one of the above festivals, are honing their skills now as part of 
“In addition, Princeton Boychoir has appeared on NBC with Michael Bublé in his 2021 Christmas in the City special, at the Baltimore Boychoir Festival, the International Boy’s and Men’s Choral Festival in Arizona, and will make their international debut in Prague and Vienna in 2022,” notes Sienicki.
“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.” – William Butler Yeats
If you are good with technology, 
If you’re comfortable with joining a club to open some new doors, there are many connections that can be made. Back in 1898, a group of Princeton-area women that wanted to come together to engage in cultural and intellectual activities with like-minded people founded 
Beyond the lectures, the club has expanded to form interest groups like bridge, current events, photography and more. Day trips to the theater or guided tours at museums are also a regular occurrence. And of course, there are celebratory parties at their clubhouse. You may have driven by it often and not realized, but the home at 72 Stockton Street was purchased in 1930 and has since been The Present Day Club’s permanent space.
“The main change to the founding ‘rules’ is that there is no longer a two-year maximum time of joining. In fact, we have members who have belonged for over a decade and some who left the area only to come back at a future date and join again,” explains Cathylee Healy, NC&F Marketing VP. “We invite women to ‘check us out’ prior to joining. They are welcome to come to a Social Coffee event, a Friday with Friend event and to try one Interest group gathering.”
“During the year of the pandemic, 1/3 of the membership volunteered to lead others in the organization’s and the YWCA’s endeavors. We shared programs on Historic Princeton, The Female Supreme Court Justices, and the differences between stereotypes and useful generalizations. We led hikes, walks, bike rides and virtual explorations of towns and cities. We played bridge, mahjong, pickleball, golf and solved mind benders and puzzles. We read a wide variety of authors, watched and discussed films of cultural diversity and studied some the most challenging of current affairs,” shares member Donna W. “I am grateful for the growth this organization has generated in me and the beloved and trusted lifelong friends I have found here.”
For men and women looking for community, both can find it in a downtown location that just opened last month. Inside Nelson Glass House on Spring Street, 
Members can take advantage of the coffee and enjoy the cigars from a private humidor inside the club, but it also has a bar for camaraderie, a den and library for like-minded people to find each other and relax, think and enjoy civility. Lastly, The House is a place for adventurers, where guests can plan for a motorcycle ride, Iron Chef dinners or a master class.
“I was the first person in the Chinese community to run the half marathon. Then in 2016 there were a few people that finished. Now, from that group, there are already 3 Ironman completers,” says Wu. “It’s a little to my surprise, I didn’t expect a lot of people to be persistent with it. This is now the 7th year. We started with around 10 people, then the word spread attracting runners and walkers who usually go out on Saturday and Sunday morning to run or walk along the canal.”
From arranging regular meetups through WeChat, the group easily began sharing pictures of their runs and lives. They began talking about their families and gathering for parties throughout the years as well. And, as members of the local Chinese community, started discussing ways to better integrate with the rest of Princeton. This past Memorial Day weekend, Princeton Running Team held its first formal event, the 
“Pickleball is the only sport we know that does not discriminate against gender, body size/type or age. It is a cross between tennis, badminton and ping pong,” details Sharon Voelzke, co-owner of 
It is not uncommon, especially in Princeton, to see and hear people speaking up for what they believe in, educating others to make a change or simply providing a service themselves – and by doing so, making a difference.