Letter to the Editor: Will the Princetons Be Trailblazers or Be Left Behind?

The residents of the Princetons have the opportunity to make history in New Jersey on Tuesday, November 8 when they vote, once again, on the issue of consolidating Princeton Township and Princeton Borough.   

In the next few weeks, the Princetons can become a model for the state, showing municipalities how to consolidate; from the earliest planning stages through implementation of a completed merger.  The Princetons are poised to forever be known in New Jersey for their leadership and courage to connect.

These towns have been at it a long time. Through their previous three attempts at consolidation, laws have been changed and new policies have been created to address the residents’ concerns. These efforts have supported the growing municipal consolidation movement in New Jersey.

Just last week, Gov. Chris Christie threw his support behind municipal consolidation efforts, by proposing the state invest in helping towns merge, spreading the costs over five years with the state offering to pay for the first year’s expenses.

The Princeton Consolidation Commission has recommended consolidation.  They based their decision on the comprehensive consolidation study which estimated that the initial average savings would range from $200 to $240 per household.  The savings are expected to increase to $400- $500 over the next three years as redundant staff positions are combined and extra assets are sold or re-utilized.

A merged Princeton would continually be finding new ways in which to save money and better serve their residents, while taxpayers throughout the rest of the state face up to a 2 percent tax increase each year, with little opportunity for improving services and local infrastructure.  

On November 8, will Princeton voters choose to lower their taxes by coming together, or continue to see their taxes rise as two separate entities?

There is now a growing movement across New Jersey to take a stand against the costs of redundant local government. Citizens, municipal officials, fire commissioners and school boards across the state are realizing that consolidation should no longer be feared or ignored. For most towns, it is the only viable option for stable, long-term finances and a bright future in which municipal government can continue to provide a high level of service.

We all fund the redundant structure of 566 municipalities and 605 school districts across the state with our income taxes, our property taxes and half of one percent of our sales taxes. Citizens are beginning to realize that we are all in this together.  

Residents have already initiated a consolidation study for the first time in history in Merchantville. This group is working with the Cherry Hill Mayor and Township Council to create a stronger, more affordable connected community. Scotch Plains and Fanwood, like the Princetons, have a consolidated school system and see themselves as one community. The residents in these towns are now just 100 signatures away from being the first-ever, citizen-driven effort in two towns to start the consolidation process.  

Every community in the state has the power to find significant savings through consolidation. Courage to Connect New Jersey, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, is serving as a resource for towns who want to explore these important benefits.

The steps to consolidation can be initiated by anyone.  Citizens around the state are using Courage to Connect New Jersey’s downloadable guidebook – The Tools For Municipal Consolidation In New Jersey – to start a movement in their communities.

If Princeton voters opt not to consolidate the towns, the law states that they cannot reconsider for at least five years. Instead of being trailblazers, they would be left behind; unable to participate as other municipalities move toward consolidation to better serve taxpayers.

Residents of the Princetons, you have this amazing opportunity on November 8 to lead New Jersey. You drove the innovations that make consolidation easier. Be the beneficiary of your own hard work. Be the leader of this growing movement across the state.  

Gina Genovese

Executive Director, Courage to Connect New Jersey