November 24, 2011, 1:24 pm
The Borough Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 29.
An ordinance will be considered to create a rail transit zone, which would preserve the current publicly owned right of way under the Dinky tracks and train station. The transit zone would not interfere with the University’s arts campus buildings. While the transit zone may not prevent Princeton University from moving the Dinky station, it would be prevented from placing buildings on the area. A transit zone would preserve a possible route for a rail connection to Nassau Street in the future.
Draft Transit Zone Ordinance (pdf)
Princeton University map showing right-of-way (pdf)
An ordinance creating a Special Improvement District that would place an assessment on Princeton University’s Alexander Road properties will be considered.
Draft SID ordinance (pdf)
November 20, 2011, 8:48 pm
Now that consolidation has passed, the Borough Council and Township Committee will be appointing a transition team. The team will consist of two elected officials and four residents (three residents plus one alternate) from each municipality. We are now soliciting applications from residents. If you are interested, please provide your resume and a cover letter outlining the specific areas of expertise that you feel you could provide to the transition team and why you are interested in serving. The deadline for applications is December 7th. The appointments will take place in January, so the vote will include the new Borough Mayor, Yina Moore and Council member Heather Howard.
You can send your information by email to
Andrea L. Quinty, Borough Clerk at lquinty@princetonboro.org or
Linda McDermott, Township Clerk at lmcdermott@princeton-township.nj.us
October 29, 2011, 8:49 am
This is an excellent letter supporting Yina Moore for mayor by my good friend Dan Preston.
To the Editor of the Town Topics:
As a Princeton Democrat, I support Yina Moore for Mayor of Princeton
Borough. I also support uniting Princeton to build a better future for
our community.
Some say political party should not matter in local elections.
Candidates who agree have the option of running as independents. Yet
both candidates for mayor chose to run as partisans. Voters – and
reporters – should ask why? What does each candidate’s party and track
record tell us?
Neither has held office in Princeton before. But each has a
professional, volunteer and political history that rounds out the
meaning of the “D” or “R” by her name. Their websites provide many
details. In short, Yina Moore’s record demonstrates a highly
qualified, progressive Democrat who will ably represent 100 percent of
the residents of Princeton Borough, with special care toward those
most in need.
Jill Jachera’s website lists many activities. Her work with the YWCA
is appealing across the political spectrum. Her professional and
political involvement, however, should give progressive voters pause.
As a lawyer at Morgan, Lewis, Bockius, she “was devoted to the
representation of management in employment matters.” In practice, that
meant defending corporations against employee claims of
discrimination, and against consumer claims of violations of financial
disclosure laws. In these times especially, does Princeton Borough
really want a mayor who has been fighting on the side of corporate
power?
Ms. Jachera’s political history appears limited. But Federal Election
Commission records show that she donated the maximum possible ($4,800)
to Scott Sipprelle’s effort to defeat Rush Holt last year, which would
have added to the conservative takeover of the U.S. Congress. Since
the Supreme Court equates money with speech, I think that speaks
louder than any lyrics to a silly song offered in jest.
…
Dan Preston
Moore Street
President, Princeton Community Democratic Organizatio
October 19, 2011, 12:12 pm
Below is a letter I sent to the Town Topics, published on Oct. 12, endorsing Yina Moore for Mayor.
To the Editor of the Town Topics:
I am writing to enthusiastically endorse Yina Moore for Mayor of Princeton Borough.
I ask my Democratic neighbors who might be considering voting for a Republican Mayor to ask themselves: What makes a candidate a Republican and what makes a candidate a Democrat? Party identity reflects a deep philosophical divide. It matters, even at the local level.
For example, Republicans give more importance to individual property rights in land use matters. One of the most important roles for the Mayor and Council is in shaping the future of our community through zoning policy. Similarly, Republicans are less likely to value social programs like Human Services, Corner House and Affordable Housing, agencies with very small budgets but which provide valuable services to residents who need them. In this way our government reflects our values as a community.
Yina has excellent credentials, with an AB from Princeton University and a Masters in real estate development from MIT. She is a long-time resident of Princeton Borough and has a record of commitment to the vitality of our downtown, our merchants, and our historic neighborhoods. Her deep roots in the community and her experience in government as a Planning Board member have well prepared her to hit the ground running as Mayor.
By electing Yina we will not only affirm our identity as a progressive community that embraces Democratic values and ideals. We will also be choosing the best person for the job.
January 11, 2011, 10:38 pm
The revaluation has finished its report. It will be presenting the report at an upcoming meeting soon.
Revaluation Commission Meeting Schedule
Documents and Links
State Division of Taxation reference material on appraisals – a list of useful links and information
Appraisal Systems letter explaining many aspects of the revaluation (pdf)
Appraisal Manual Vol I (pdf) — Official manual used by appraisers, explains methods
Appraisal Manual Vol II (pdf)
Borough Neighborhood Map (pdf)
Township Neighborhood Map (pdf)
Township FAQ on revaluation (pdf)
Contract with Appraisal Systems(pdf)
Revaluation FAQ from the NJ Office of Legislative Services (pdf)
Title 54 – Property Tax Code (Word Document)
Borough Sales Study - Excel – Information on Borough properties including sales, assessment, land/ improvement breakdowns etc.
Township Sales Study - Excel
Revaluation Relief Act of 1993 (Word)
Statute on Assessments (pdf)
Mercer County Chapter 123 Rates
Reassessment Program FAQ (pdf)– Document from Bridgewater, NJ which uses an annual reassessment program to keep revaluations current
ASI website- Borough
ASI website – Township
Legislation pending that would allow interior property inspections every 8 years instead of 4.
Google Earth Maps illustrating property values and shifts
To view the maps offline on your own computer, click on the link, then download and install Google Earth and then click on “open in Google Earth” which will download the map file.(maps were created by Jon Crumiller using Google Earth. If you would like the code he used to translate the data into the visual information on the maps he’d be happy to share it, use contact form)
NJ Property Tax Assessments – color coded map showing housing values based on assessments on residential properties
Code: Dark red = less than $250,000 Pink = $250,000 – 500,000 Yellow = $500,000 – $1,000,000 Green = $1,000,000 – $2,000,000 Blue = greater than $2,000,000 Dot in the middle of the icon = Borough.
Increase/ Decrease from Revaluation – color coded map showing increases and decreases as a result of revaluation
Code: Blue > 30% tax decrease /Green between 0% and 30% tax decrease / Yellow between 0% and 30% tax increase /Pink: between 30% and 60% tax increase /Dark Red: > 60% tax increase / Dot in the middle of the icon = Borough. / White means no data
October 11, 2010, 8:13 am
Increase/Decrease Map based on a sample – not all properties are shown. This map was done using Google Maps, which does not allow as many locations as Google Earth which uses satellite imagery and a separate program to display. Click here to see more comprehensive data in Google Earth.
note that this is a random representative sampling so only 1000 of the approx. 2100 properties are shown - click on image to see larger image
This is a map showing the estimated increases and decreases in property taxes in the Borough according to the recent revaluation information using geocoding (data provided by Krystal Knapp, local journalist, mapping done by my husband Jon Crumiller).
The code is the following:
greater than 30 percent decrease – yellown(( (yellow)
0 – 30 percent decrease — green
0 – 30 percent increase – blue
greater than 30 percent increase — red
May 3, 2010, 11:33 am
Thank you voters of Princeton Borough for electing me. I strive to serve you well.
As a new council member in January 2010, I have been appointed to the Shade Tree Commission, Corner House, Princeton Alchohol and Drug Alliance and the Affordable Housing Board.
I am also a member of the Citizen Finance Advocacy Taskforce, a committee of citizens interested in improving Borough Finances.
Please contact me with suggestions, questions or concerns about Princeton Borough. I would love to hear from you.
Jenny Crumiller
187 Library Place
Princeton, NJ 08540
Phone: 609-924-2545
Click here to email me.
