Princeton adds $75,000 to library budget, adopts amended 2026 municipal budget

The Princeton Mayor and Council voted April 27 to amend the municipality's 2026 budget to provide an additional $75,000 from surplus to the Princeton Public Library and then adopted the amended budget after a roll-call vote.

The amendment, which councilor Brian moved and Michelle seconded, directs $75,000 to the library to close part of a $149,000 shortfall the municipality and the library have agreed to address jointly. "The municipality is proud to support the library and the high quality programs and services that you provide to the community," Michelle said, describing a plan that also includes the library reducing employee parking permits and pursuing $75,000 in fundraising or other revenue.

Why it matters: The funding change preserves free parking and access that residents and students said were threatened by earlier proposals and restored some confidence after weeks of public debate. Library trustees and many residents urged the council to protect hours and services that community members — especially students and families — rely on.

Library and public reaction

Chris Van Buren, president of the Princeton Public Library board of trustees, thanked the council for working with the library to reach the agreement: "Thank you very much," he said during public comment. Several student speakers described the library as an essential study space and community resource; Sophie Blavos, a Princeton High School student, told the council that adding fees felt "hypocritical" when residents already fund the library through taxes and urged the body to keep access universal.

Council discussion and votes

Councilors held a roll-call vote on the amendment; the recorded roll calls in the meeting transcript show affirmative votes from the named members present. The council then approved Resolution 26-132 to adopt the just-amended 2026 municipal budget.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 26-17 (cap bank under NJSA 40A:4-45.14): adopted by roll call. - Budget amendment — $75,000 to Princeton Public Library from surplus: motion moved by Brian, seconded by Michelle; approved by roll call. - Resolution 26-132 (adopt amended 2026 municipal budget): moved by Mayor Mark Frieda, seconded by Michelle; adopted by roll call. - Ordinance 26-18 (amend allowable business uses): introduced for public hearing May 11, 2026. - Ordinance 26-19 (conveyance of term deed of conservation easement to NJDEP for Community Park North): introduced for public hearing May 11, 2026. - Resolution 26-133 (sale of surplus property): approved. - Resolution 26-134 (award extension request — LA2024SST00038, Trujune Road pedestrian improvement): approved. - Resolution 26-135 (agreement with Landscape Forms for trash receptacles — not to exceed $162,521.60): approved. - Resolution 26-136 (designation of an area in need of redevelopment): approved. - Consent agenda (5 items including bills, fireworks display, fire department membership, half marathon, May Day march): approved en bloc.

What the budget decision does and does not do

The amendment is a one-year appropriation from surplus to close part of the library’s budget gap. Multiple speakers urged the council and library trustees to pursue sustainable, long-term funding solutions; public commenters and at least one councilor described the $75,000 as a necessary step but not a permanent fix to restored hours or other service restorations.

Background and next steps

CFO Sandy Webb opened the meeting's budget sequence and outlined the process for adopting the cap-bank ordinance and holding the public hearing on the municipal budget. The council set public hearings for introduced ordinances on May 11, 2026. The council also recognized the long service of CFO Sandy Webb during the budget adoption vote.

The council adjourned the meeting after completing scheduled votes. The municipality will post finalized budget documents and the public hearing schedule for the introduced ordinances on its meeting portal.