The meeting began with the recognition of six police officers, whose promotions underscored their commitment to community service. Sergeant Craig Humble, noted for his extensive background in law enforcement with a focus on narcotics and violence investigations, was the first to be promoted. Following him, Sergeant Eric Dawson, recognized for his commendable career and service awards, was also promoted. Each officer was called forward to be recognized and sworn in, their families’ support and contributions to their careers acknowledged by the police chief.

Sergeant Darwin Kefir was highlighted for his family legacy in law enforcement, with his roles in both patrol and detective units earning him a promotion. Corporal Steven Laten, specializing in K9 operations and traffic safety, was also promoted, along with Corporal Deshawn Crib, whose skills in community relations and crisis de-escalation were particularly noted. Finally, Corporal Dan Enstrom, with a diverse career and community safety awards, concluded the promotion ceremony. Applause filled the room as each officer was sworn in, reflecting community support and appreciation.

Amidst the celebratory mood, a council member raised concerns about municipal spending practices. Citing a disparity study revealing that less than 5% of state procurement spending benefits minority- and women-owned businesses, the member called for Princeton to lead by example in equitable spending.

Attention then turned to deer management strategies, a topic that revealed challenges faced by the council in obtaining approval for non-lethal management approaches. An application submitted earlier included both lethal and non-lethal components, but feedback from the Division of Fish and Wildlife raised concerns about the non-lethal plan. The agency requested further clarification and suggested bifurcating the application, allowing the lethal component to proceed while delaying the non-lethal portion. Council members expressed frustration over these bureaucratic hurdles, reiterating their commitment to pursuing both lethal and non-lethal options and emphasizing transparency with residents regarding these challenges.

The council also addressed amendments to outdoor dining regulations, focusing on Nassau Street. The amendment aimed to lift restrictions related to state and county rights-of-way, facilitating prompt issuance of outdoor dining licenses upon state approval. One council member praised a fellow member’s advocacy for outdoor dining, acknowledging the positive impact the changes would have during warmer months. The ordinance received unanimous support in the roll call vote.

Further discussions included Ordinance 2024-40, concerning municipal personnel salaries and compensation. Adjustments reflected changes to job titles, gender neutrality, and the elimination of obsolete positions. The Personnel Committee’s efforts, particularly in supporting planning and zoning positions, were acknowledged as necessary to meet ongoing departmental demands.

Ordinance 2024-41, involving a tax exemption and financial agreement with HP 108 Stockton Urban Renewal LLC, was introduced, with a public hearing scheduled for later in December. The council also reviewed several resolutions, including one for a change order related to Witherspoon Street improvements, noted for its uncommon minus figure, resulting in a final contract total of approximately $3.95 million.

Resolution awarded a bid for the Cherry Hill Road shared-use bike path, emphasizing the importance of community accessibility. Meanwhile, Resolution addressed roadway improvements on T Hune Road, partially funded by state grants, with council members expressing satisfaction with the progress.

Resolution 24358 called on state leaders to allow online news platforms to qualify as legal newspapers for publishing notices, given the decline of print newspapers. This resolution highlighted the need for modern public communication methods amidst the decrease in traditional print outlets.