October 18, 2023
Perspectives on Governing Princeton
Mark Freda
Mayor, Princeton
Perspectives on Governing Princeton
Mark Freda
Mayor, Princeton
Introducer: Len Berlik/ Speaker: Mark Freda
Minutes of the Seventh Meeting of the 82nd Year
On Wednesday October 18th, 2023, the Old Guard met with John Cotton presiding. The invocation was led by Frances Slade. The minutes of the October 11th meeting on “Visual Perception, The Art of the Brain,” by Sabine Kastner, were read by Kathy Aleš. Ninety-five Old Guard members were present, no visitors in attendance, and members of The Old Guard had a moment of silence for a departed member, William B. Russell, who died on September 24, 2023.
Our guest speaker was the Honorable Mark Freda, Mayor of Princeton, who was introduced by Len Berlik. Mayor Freda is a life-long native Princetonian, elected in 2020, serving as Princeton’s second mayor since the town's consolidation in 2013. He entitled his discussion “Perspectives on Governing Princeton.”
Mayor Freda, a native of Princeton, stands as a paragon of civic dedication with a lineage tracing back to his early years as a volunteer firefighter, commencing in the year 1974, when he was just 18 years old. One year later, in 1975, he joined the Princeton Rescue Squad, embarking on a journey of unwavering service to the community that has now spanned nearly five decades. Prior to the transformative consolidation of Princeton in 2013, Mayor Freda served as a distinguished member of the Borough Council for 14 years; he credits former Princeton Borough Mayor Barbara Sigmund for his ascension and interest into being an elected official. His cumulative commitment to the Princeton Fire Department and the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad, where he currently assumes the mantle of Operations Chief, extends to a total of 40 years. This record is rendered even more remarkable when juxtaposed with his responsibilities and his job as mayor.
Mark's intellectual acumen is evident through his academic pursuits, which culminated in the attainment of a degree in political science from the College of New Jersey. He augments his civic endeavors with a media presence, engaging in the art of podcasting to expose the greater Princeton community to individuals of interest and insight.
Mayor Freda spoke with pride when recounting the steadfast response and management of the Covid-19 crisis by the municipality's Department of Health. He adroitly navigated the complexities surrounding the abrupt closure of the Princeton Care Center, while extolling the professionalism exhibited by the first responders who extended solace and support to residents and their families.
Transparency, openness, and accountability form the bedrock of Mayor Freda's administrative philosophy. Above all, his cardinal principle is accessibility, an attribute often overlooked in political leadership. Notably, he espouses the virtue of acknowledging one's limits, welcoming the embrace of humility, and the readiness to recalibrate one's stance in the face of new evidence, imbuing his leadership with a sagacious quality uncommon in contemporary politics.
In delineating the roles of the governing body, Mayor Freda paid homage to the municipality's exceptionally talented and professional staff. He underscored how their expertise enables elected officials to set goals and priorities at a higher policy level, a testament to the collaborative ethos of local governance.
The mayor delved with scholarly precision into a wide spectrum of challenges facing Princeton, from the intricacies of smart growth and affordable housing to the impactful ramifications of the Mount Laurel Decision, a legal milestone dating back to 1975, which has mandated affordable housing obligations for all municipalities in New Jersey. He expressed some level of disappointment regarding the current situation, particularly the delegation of this process to the jurisdiction of the courts. The utilization of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to meet affordable housing goals and its potential long-term ramifications for Princeton were also referenced. He underscored the town's imperative relationship with developers, especially in the context of inclusionary housing, which plays a pivotal role in addressing these obligations.
A core theme of the mayor's address was the imperative to provide housing for the "missing middle," a demographic often overlooked in affordable housing discussions. He highlighted the need for lower-income individuals and families to achieve generational wealth through home ownership, an issue of profound socio-economic significance. Mayor Freda went on to elucidate the present and future development sites and demographic shifts that are poised to impact Princeton's cultural and architectural fabric.
Moreover, he expounded on the imperatives of economic development, transit and parking, infrastructure enhancement, and their interplay with the town's educational institutions. He contemplated the question of density and its perplexing dialectic between abundance and excess, further emphasizing the need for profound community engagement to address these complexities.
Furthermore, the Mayor provided insights into the ongoing Master Plan Update, a critical blueprint that will chart the town's trajectory. He also acknowledged the recently approved Special Improvement District, tasked with revitalizing Princeton's Central Business District and bolstering economic development and the retail landscape, thus strengthening the town's economic vitality.
Closing his remarks, the mayor delved into the weighty matter of municipal-owned real estate, specifically referencing Monument Hall. He emphasized the importance of retaining municipal assets over time, viewing them as an income stream and a valuable resource for future growth and posterity. In this context, he drew attention to an ongoing facility study that is expected to furnish recommendations shortly.
In conclusion, Mayor Mark Freda provided a nuanced and comprehensive perspective on the pressing issues of housing, development, and urban planning that are at the forefront of Princeton's evolution. His insight into these matters, along with his emphasis on inclusive housing, affordability, and the town's cultural preservation, underscores his dedication to the well-being and continued prosperity of Princeton and its diverse community.
Respectfully submitted,
Irving Leighton Newlin II
On Wednesday October 18th, 2023, the Old Guard met with John Cotton presiding. The invocation was led by Frances Slade. The minutes of the October 11th meeting on “Visual Perception, The Art of the Brain,” by Sabine Kastner, were read by Kathy Aleš. Ninety-five Old Guard members were present, no visitors in attendance, and members of The Old Guard had a moment of silence for a departed member, William B. Russell, who died on September 24, 2023.
Our guest speaker was the Honorable Mark Freda, Mayor of Princeton, who was introduced by Len Berlik. Mayor Freda is a life-long native Princetonian, elected in 2020, serving as Princeton’s second mayor since the town's consolidation in 2013. He entitled his discussion “Perspectives on Governing Princeton.”
Mayor Freda, a native of Princeton, stands as a paragon of civic dedication with a lineage tracing back to his early years as a volunteer firefighter, commencing in the year 1974, when he was just 18 years old. One year later, in 1975, he joined the Princeton Rescue Squad, embarking on a journey of unwavering service to the community that has now spanned nearly five decades. Prior to the transformative consolidation of Princeton in 2013, Mayor Freda served as a distinguished member of the Borough Council for 14 years; he credits former Princeton Borough Mayor Barbara Sigmund for his ascension and interest into being an elected official. His cumulative commitment to the Princeton Fire Department and the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad, where he currently assumes the mantle of Operations Chief, extends to a total of 40 years. This record is rendered even more remarkable when juxtaposed with his responsibilities and his job as mayor.
Mark's intellectual acumen is evident through his academic pursuits, which culminated in the attainment of a degree in political science from the College of New Jersey. He augments his civic endeavors with a media presence, engaging in the art of podcasting to expose the greater Princeton community to individuals of interest and insight.
Mayor Freda spoke with pride when recounting the steadfast response and management of the Covid-19 crisis by the municipality's Department of Health. He adroitly navigated the complexities surrounding the abrupt closure of the Princeton Care Center, while extolling the professionalism exhibited by the first responders who extended solace and support to residents and their families.
Transparency, openness, and accountability form the bedrock of Mayor Freda's administrative philosophy. Above all, his cardinal principle is accessibility, an attribute often overlooked in political leadership. Notably, he espouses the virtue of acknowledging one's limits, welcoming the embrace of humility, and the readiness to recalibrate one's stance in the face of new evidence, imbuing his leadership with a sagacious quality uncommon in contemporary politics.
In delineating the roles of the governing body, Mayor Freda paid homage to the municipality's exceptionally talented and professional staff. He underscored how their expertise enables elected officials to set goals and priorities at a higher policy level, a testament to the collaborative ethos of local governance.
The mayor delved with scholarly precision into a wide spectrum of challenges facing Princeton, from the intricacies of smart growth and affordable housing to the impactful ramifications of the Mount Laurel Decision, a legal milestone dating back to 1975, which has mandated affordable housing obligations for all municipalities in New Jersey. He expressed some level of disappointment regarding the current situation, particularly the delegation of this process to the jurisdiction of the courts. The utilization of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to meet affordable housing goals and its potential long-term ramifications for Princeton were also referenced. He underscored the town's imperative relationship with developers, especially in the context of inclusionary housing, which plays a pivotal role in addressing these obligations.
A core theme of the mayor's address was the imperative to provide housing for the "missing middle," a demographic often overlooked in affordable housing discussions. He highlighted the need for lower-income individuals and families to achieve generational wealth through home ownership, an issue of profound socio-economic significance. Mayor Freda went on to elucidate the present and future development sites and demographic shifts that are poised to impact Princeton's cultural and architectural fabric.
Moreover, he expounded on the imperatives of economic development, transit and parking, infrastructure enhancement, and their interplay with the town's educational institutions. He contemplated the question of density and its perplexing dialectic between abundance and excess, further emphasizing the need for profound community engagement to address these complexities.
Furthermore, the Mayor provided insights into the ongoing Master Plan Update, a critical blueprint that will chart the town's trajectory. He also acknowledged the recently approved Special Improvement District, tasked with revitalizing Princeton's Central Business District and bolstering economic development and the retail landscape, thus strengthening the town's economic vitality.
Closing his remarks, the mayor delved into the weighty matter of municipal-owned real estate, specifically referencing Monument Hall. He emphasized the importance of retaining municipal assets over time, viewing them as an income stream and a valuable resource for future growth and posterity. In this context, he drew attention to an ongoing facility study that is expected to furnish recommendations shortly.
In conclusion, Mayor Mark Freda provided a nuanced and comprehensive perspective on the pressing issues of housing, development, and urban planning that are at the forefront of Princeton's evolution. His insight into these matters, along with his emphasis on inclusive housing, affordability, and the town's cultural preservation, underscores his dedication to the well-being and continued prosperity of Princeton and its diverse community.
Respectfully submitted,
Irving Leighton Newlin II