Butler Committee Meeting Minutes 12.10.07

Submitted by Jane Phillips, Recording Secretary

Committee members present: Shannon Hughes (Chair), Chin Jou (Social Chair), Patrick Ross (Treasurer), Agatha Lenartowicz (Garden Co-coordinator), Audra Pompeani (Bugle Editor), Jane Phillips (Recording Secretary), Brownwyn Smith (Community Room Coordinator), Jeff Dwoskin (Housing Rep).

Community members present: Tara Mccartney and four other community members.

Officers present: Jim Lanzi (Public Safety), Tom Murray (Princeton Twp Police).

Meeting called to order at 8:03 pm.

Safety overview:

Officers: Discussed the burglary incidents. They suggested that we get to know our neighbors and try to keep a "town watch." Also suggested that we call in suspicious people, and leave our outside lights on so that we can see out windows if necessary. Also suggested that we keep screens shut and windows locked, and put away valuables when we leave the house. Princeton Twp officer noted that Butler was not built with security in mind. He agreed that we should get to know our neighborhood. Burgulars look around when no one is there, probably look for open windows and/or screens. Also suggested that we empty our mailboxes every day to make sure it's not obvious that no one is home. (Before going away, temporary stops can be put on mail delivery through USPS website.) Identity theft is also an issue in Princeton as a whole. Overall, when in doubt they recommend reporting potential safety issues to Public Safety. All safety issues that happen on campus are recorded and can be found at the Public Safety website. There have been actual break-ins at Butler (not just entering open windows, etc.). They suggested leaving a radio or television on as a deterrent to burgulars. Resident voiced a concern about vehicles driving the wrong way through Butler (including Public Safety vehicles). Officer noted that Public Safety officer has admitted driving the wrong way, and will not do it again except in case of emergency. The number of one-way signs in Butler is in accordance with Township regulations. It was suggested that residents report people driving the wrong way on the one-way streets to Public Safety.

A concern was voiced that Public Safety had not directly notified Butler residents about security concerns in the neighborhood. Public Safety has policy to report all incidents to residents, and Jim will check up with Public Safety and may be able to also inform the Committee and Community directly in the future. Apparently they are not under any legal obligation to inform the community of an incident if someone has already been arrested, although in those cases they usually do report on it anyway. The officers also reminded us to wear proper reflective clothing, use lights, wear helmets, etc. on bicycles especially at night. Apparently NJ has the highest number of bike fatalities per capita in the country. Shannon asked that the officers send us a written form of all of this information so that it can be sent out to the Butler community and posted on the website. Agatha noted that the crosswalk near Sycamore could be moved further south so that people could walk straight from Harrison onto Sycamore without needing to walk across Sycamore when walking back to Butler. The Township is trying to move toward video-based sensors at traffic lights to try to get around problems like those at Faculty Rd. and Harrison St.

Committee meeting:

Christine noted that the emergency phone outside the Community Room does not work. Jeff Dwoskin has also reported this as broken, and it appears to have been fixed a number of times, but still is not working. It probably needs to be replaced. The Committee asked Tara to try to make sure that this is made a top priority.

Tara has reminded Patti Smith on multiple occastions to have the piano leg fixed in the Community Room, but, since it was donated to the Community, the University is under no real obligation to get it fixed.

Shannon (Chair): Winterization clinic at end of November went well - had about 10 people total (half of capacity). Listserv got fixed, and door codes should probably be re-sent to the community. It was suggested that the information about how to use storm windows go on the website. Andrew and Shannon talked with Tara about potentially putting up a collection of winterization tips online, but it appears as though the legal people say that the Committee could be held liable for problems. Jeff suggested that we come up with a standard list of winterization tips (things that Home Depot suggested). It was voted by show of hands that the Committee would not post tips from residents online, but would post tips from Home Depot eventually.

Chin (Social): Chinese New Year is February 2nd. There will be a party, and we will talk more about it at the next meeting. It may be held on January 31st.

A community member (Tao) wants to hold a movie night in Butler, and asked to get funds to rent a projector (~$58) and buy food (~$30), etc. Tara noted that a resident in Lawrence is doing something similar, and that student was funded half by the GSG and half by the Lawrence Committee. Community members could contact GSG events board and will get an email back from the GSG. She is considering doing the event in early January.

Audra (Bugle): Will do a winter Bugle in the coming months.

Patrick (Treasurer): Wine and cheese was ~$600 total. Princeton balance is $1277, and we are expecting $300 for wine and cheese. Garden account has $479.

Tara: Person taking over her job is starting in the new year. She has experience in this type of job. Tara might not be at any more Butler Committee meetings, but if we need her for anything in the near future, we can contact her.

Bronwyn (Community Room): Yoga wants to have three days reserved in the Community room, but it was rejected because they wanted every Thursday night. Another group wants every Monday and Friday, but the Committee agreed that it could only be given on a conditional basis, where if another group wants the room one week in advance, the group who is scheduled for every Friday would have to give it up.

Jeff (Housing): Housing is trying to figure out a new policy for occupancy limits in living spaces across campus. Information will be forthcoming.

Meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm.