Council hears updates: Crown Castle/Verizon cell upgrades, food‑scraps program expansion and Vision Zero outreach after downtown pedestrian death

Municipal staff provided several operational updates at Tuesday’s meeting, reporting measurable progress on cell‑service upgrades, expansion of the food‑scraps diversion program and a renewed push on pedestrian safety after a recent fatality.

Cell service: Public works staff reported that Crown Castle — a third‑party infrastructure provider — has submitted 89 applications since the May 2023 community meeting to add or replace communications equipment; 61 of those applications have been approved and 44 new or upgraded facilities were reported “on air” as of last Friday. Staff said 12 of the new facilities went live in the prior month. The applications include equipment for Verizon and T‑Mobile; AT&T typically installs its own facilities and currently has no pending installations in town. Councilmembers asked staff for a map of locations that are on air and a status memo for approved or in‑process applications.

Food‑scraps diversion: The town expanded its food‑scraps drop‑off program on March 5 to add three sites using locked, hands‑free metro‑store bins at Little Brook Elementary, Riverside Elementary and the Johnson Park access. Staff reported 314 residents are now enrolled in the program and said the town is diverting over two tons of food waste per month to Trenton Renewables, where the material is converted to biogas; residual solids are used as soil amendment. Staff said processing costs at Trenton Renewables run about $65 per ton, while county solid‑waste tipping fees are currently $135 per ton, meaning a roughly $70 per‑ton tipping saving when food waste is diverted.

Vision Zero and pedestrian safety: Mayor Mark Frieda and councilmembers acknowledged a recent pedestrian fatality near the public library and noted the municipality’s Vision Zero task force is working to reduce fatalities. Staff said the municipal website will soon host a Vision Zero video and encouraged drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to exercise heightened caution.

Other community notices: Council members also announced upcoming volunteer and recycling events including an April 12 volunteer fair hosted by the Princeton Food Task Force and an April 5 spring Shredfest in partnership with Sustainable Princeton. Staff said these events and program updates will be publicized in the municipal newsletter and that additional outreach materials for cell‑service and kiosk planning will follow.