A focal point of the meeting was the “Bloom local” spring campaign, which aims to promote civic pride, kindness, and community participation. The initiative plans to involve schools, senior centers, scout groups, local businesses, artists, and historians in various activities, such as cleanups, donation drives, and events. The campaign will also feature a spring photo contest, a video interview series, and a reassessment of signage to encourage neighborly behavior, including a “walk your wheels” campaign. Council members showed support for “Bloom local,” suggesting it be tied with existing events like Earth Day and stream cleanups to maximize its impact through community involvement.

The engineering department provided updates on several fronts, notably the federal grant awarded through the US Department of Agriculture to expand the town’s food scrap recycling program. This grant will allow the siting of 10 additional food scrap recycling drop-off locations across Princeton. The success of the program was highlighted by its near-zero contamination rate and its accessibility to all residents, which bolsters equity and encourages widespread participation, including those in rental housing. Furthermore, a neighborhood meeting was announced to discuss the impending construction of Witherspoon phase 3 improvements, which include the creation of a demonstration rain garden.

In terms of community engagement, Isaac from Experience Princeton reported on initiatives such as the Main Street New Jersey application for Princeton and the upcoming Experience Princeton Restaurant Week. Additionally, his organization has been selected to present at the Main Street Now conference on the interplay between mental health and downtown revitalization.

Another point was the council’s discussion of a public hearing on an ordinance authorizing the lease of a portion of the community park south tennis facility to the Princeton tennis program. The council noted the significance of their longstanding partnership and the program’s role in managing the tennis facility and promoting tennis activities among the community.

The council also tackled new ordinances and resolutions. The introduction of ordinances included one concerning noise from gas-powered generators, the acceptance of real property donation, and the vacation of an abandoned sanitary sewer easement. A discussion on a proposed ordinance regarding the Princeton Fire Department was also held. On the resolutions front, the council authorized a Professional Services agreement with Remington and Vernick Engineers, extended a contract with US Athletic Fields Inc for turf management, and approved an extraordinary unspecifiable Services agreement with Sustainable Princeton. Additionally, a Professional Services agreement with Clark Conners for affordable housing planning services was discussed.

The council debated a resolution in support of establishing a New Jersey Target Zero commission as proposed in Senate Bill 361. A resolution was approved to execute and submit an application for the 2024 First Responders radio Grant, aimed at enhancing communication capabilities for first responders. Alongside these discussions, the council addressed several administrative matters, including a resolution authorizing the release of a performance guarantee to Snowden Development LLC for a major subdivision.