Princeton Council

Princeton Council
Name	Princeton Council
House type	Unicameral governing body
Jurisdiction	Princeton, New Jersey
Foundation	0 2013
Preceded by	Princeton Township Committee and Princeton Borough Council
Leader1 type	Mayor
Leader1	Mark Freda
Leader2 type	Administrator
Leader2	Bernie Hvozdovic
Political groups1	Governing (6), Democratic (6)
Meeting place	Princeton Municipal Building, 400 Witherspoon Street
Website	www.princetonnj.gov

Princeton Council is the legislative governing body for the consolidated municipality of Princeton, formed in 2013. It consists of six members elected at-large, including a mayor who presides over meetings and a deputy mayor. The council operates under the Council–manager government system, setting policy and adopting a municipal budget while a professional administrator oversees daily operations. Its jurisdiction encompasses the historic communities of the former Princeton Borough and Princeton Township.

History

The council's creation was the direct result of a historic municipal consolidation, approved by voters in 2011 and implemented on January 1, 2013, merging the separate governing bodies of Princeton Borough and Princeton Township. This merger, one of the most significant in modern New Jersey history, ended over two centuries of separate governance dating to the American Revolution. The first election for the new consolidated council was held in November 2012, with Liz Lempert becoming the first mayor of the unified Princeton. Key early actions included harmonizing ordinances, unifying the Princeton Police Department, and integrating public works departments from the two former municipalities. The council has since navigated issues of historic preservation, particularly concerning sites like the Princeton Battlefield, and managed significant redevelopment projects, including the transformation of the former Princeton Hospital site.

Government and politics

Princeton Council operates under a Council–manager government form, as outlined in the Princeton Community Master Plan. The six council members are elected at-large in partisan elections to staggered four-year terms; the mayor and deputy mayor are selected by the council from among its members. The council appoints a professional Municipal Clerk and a Municipal manager—currently Bernie Hvozdovic—who serves as the chief administrative officer. The council's committees, such as the Finance Committee and Infrastructure and Operations Committee, review policy matters. Princeton is a stronghold of the Democratic Party; all current council members, including Mayor Mark Freda and former Mayor Liz Lempert, are Democrats. The council works closely with other entities like the Princeton Public Schools board, Princeton University, and the Princeton Planning Board on regional initiatives.

Demographics

The council governs a population that reflects the characteristics of the former borough and township. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated Princeton has a highly educated populace, with a significant percentage holding advanced degrees, heavily influenced by the presence of Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study. The demographic profile includes a mix of long-term residents, university affiliates, and professionals working in sectors like pharmaceuticals and finance in nearby corridors such as Route 1. The area has a notable international community, with residents from countries like China, India, and across Europe, contributing to a diverse cultural landscape supported by institutions like the Princeton Public Library and the Arts Council of Princeton.

Economy

The council oversees a local economy anchored by major institutions, most prominently Princeton University, one of the largest employers in New Jersey. Other significant employers and economic drivers include the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the West Windsor-based Bristol Myers Squibb, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The council's Economic Development Commission supports local businesses along commercial corridors like Nassau Street and Princeton Shopping Center. A substantial portion of the municipal tax base is derived from residential properties, with significant commercial properties like Princeton MarketFair and office parks along Route 1 also contributing. The council manages finances to support services while maintaining a high bond rating from agencies like Moody's Investors Service.

Education

While the council does not directly operate schools, it collaborates closely with the Princeton Public Schools district, which serves students from kindergarten through high school at institutions like Princeton High School. The council provides funding and coordinates on issues such as infrastructure, safety, and community programs. The presence of Princeton University profoundly influences the educational environment, with resources like the Princeton University Art Museum and McCarter Theatre Centre being accessible to the public. Other notable institutions within the municipality include the Princeton Theological Seminary and the American Boychoir School. The council also supports lifelong learning through the Princeton Public Library and community programs run by the Princeton Recreation Department.

Notable people

Many individuals associated with Princeton have served in local government or been influential in civic life. Early leaders included Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence who lived at Morven Museum & Garden. Former mayors of the consolidated council include Liz Lempert and Mark Freda. Numerous nationally and internationally notable figures have been residents, influencing the community's character, including theoretical physicist Albert Einstein of the Institute for Advanced Study; author Joyce Carol Oates; former First Lady Michelle Obama, who spent part of her childhood in Princeton; and mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr., subject of the film A Beautiful Mind. Business leaders like former eBay CEO Meg Whitman have also been residents.

Category:Government of New Jersey Category:Princeton, New Jersey Category:2013 establishments in New Jersey Category:Legislatures of municipalities in New Jersey