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Council adopts equity toolkit resolution directing municipal departments to apply racial and social justice lens

Mayor and Council of Princeton, New Jersey · October 28, 2025

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Summary

Council voted to affirm Princeton’s race and social justice work and directed municipal departments and boards and commissions to use an equity toolkit in policy and program decisions. Several councilmembers paid tribute to Tommy Parker and the Civil Rights Commission’s work; public commenters asked for an implementation plan and oversight.

On Oct. 27 the Mayor and Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25‑363, affirming Princeton’s race and social justice work and directing municipal departments to apply an equity toolkit when considering policies, programs and services.

Councilmember Leticia Fraga, who presented the measure, said the toolkit had been spearheaded by the Civil Rights Commission and Tommy Parker and would formalize practices that departments were already using in some cases. “This was presented to the governing body years ago by the Civil Rights Commission and, spearheaded by Tommy Parker… Tonight's resolution will formalize that practice by directing all of our departments,” she said.

Leighton and other councilmembers praised the commission’s work. Leighton read a personal statement recognizing Tommy Parker’s leadership and urged the council to honor his contributions; several speakers noted Parker’s recent health challenges and asked the public to lift him and his family in support.

During public comment, members of the public welcomed the resolution and requested clearer next steps. Linda Oppenheim asked who would oversee implementation and reporting of outcomes. Another commenter asked that the toolkit be applied to large municipal investments — specifically citing the Westminster Choir acquisition — and urged an implementation plan with measurable steps.

Councilmembers and staff said plans to brief department heads had occurred previously but that formal adoption and direction had not been completed until the resolution’s passage. The council approved the resolution without amendment.