During the public comments portion of the meeting, an advocate from Voter Choice New Jersey, Larry White, presented a case for RCV, a system allowing voters to rank candidates by preference, which aims to ensure a more democratic and representative electoral outcome. White’s remarks stirred a conversation among council members and administrative staff, revealing a mix of interest and skepticism. The topics of maximizing voter turnout, minimizing election expenses, and eliminating the spoiler effect were central to the discourse. There was a consensus on the need for thorough research to understand the full implications of adopting RCV, yet the council appeared to be open to further exploring this electoral innovation.

The RCV discussion led to questions about the process for putting a referendum on the ballot. Additional public comments reinforced the argument for RCV, with residents expressing support and drawing parallels to electoral systems in other countries, further underlining the community’s desire for a voting method producing more equitable results.

The meeting also involved a discussion on the 2024 Municipal budget ordinance 20241, which included provisions to exceed the municipality’s budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank. The average assessed value was reported to result in an increase in the municipal tax portion, notably influenced by the loss of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding and a noted increase in the police other expense budget. The Chief Financial Officer addressed the budgetary challenges posed by the reduction in ARP funds and outlined strategies to mitigate the impact. Council members engaged in a dialogue about the budget’s expenditure side, including cuts, increased surplus from filing tax appeals with underpaying commercial property owners, and pilot payments to cover capital costs.

Sustainable Princeton’s presentation on the town’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) was a key highlight. The executive director of Sustainable Princeton updated the council on the progress made, emphasizing the community’s participation in setting goals and actions. The presentation covered achievements in energy efficiency, residential solar installations, and efforts to promote low-carbon transportation options. The council also discussed updates to the CAP that would align emission goals with global standards and incorporate environmental justice priorities.

The public comments section surfaced concerns about the police department’s budget, specifically an increase in funding for salary and wages. A council member clarified that the increase was due to a change in dispatch services, which would ultimately reduce overall costs, providing transparency to the community’s inquiries.

Several ordinances were debated and voted on, including amendments to funding for park improvements, probationary terms within the police department, traffic regulations, and the exclusion of heavy trucks from certain streets. A resolution authorizing a consulting agreement for renewable energy services prompted questions about Princeton’s chances of participating in a community solar program, with a senior associate from Gable Associates clarifying changes in the application process.

The council approved resolutions for vehicle purchases, road pavement preservation, surplus property auction, and shared service agreements for IT support and health services. An urban tree canopy assessment and the replacement of non-bicycle safe inlets were also discussed, with a focus on environmental justice and public transparency.