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Thursday, August 11, 2022 |
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LAMBERTVILLE MATTERSReady. Set. Enjoy! |
Dispatch from City Hallby Mayor Andrew Nowick |
I only have a few things to report this week. The culvert repair at 1 Arnett Ave is complete. The upper Arnett Ave culvert repair is making steady progress—the concrete floor was poured yesterday and the project should be complete in the next two to three weeks. The interlocal agreement with West Amwell for the boom mower has been fully executed and we can now schedule some time to trim vegetation along our streets. The bid opening for the Swan and Ely Creek repair project is scheduled for this morning and the bid opening for the Ida related repair work to roads and storm drains will be on August 17. On Tuesday evening, I dashed to the roof of City Hall to look at a rainbow I knew would arch in the eastern sky. |
Quiet though it may seem, there is always work to do. One of my projects this summer is working with the construction office and City professionals to communicate more effectively with applicants who appear before the Planning or Zoning boards. Most of this is just adding or clarifying language on the forms, but I may also adapt the way professionals—the Planner and Engineer—review the applications and interact with applicants. The goal is to provide the applicants as much information up front so they have a fuller understanding of timeline, process, and costs. It’s slow, mindful work and I value Crystal Lawton’s expertise in overseeing any improvements we can make on behalf of residents and developers. Crystal’s days are so full of regular business, finding time to take on projects like this is not easy. Her first draft of proposed changes came to me on a weeknight, after dinner. |
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Like Crystal and everyone else who works for the City, I am committed to my job. And this may be as good a time as any to encourage residents to consider the value of a full-time mayor. I cannot think how Mayors Fahl and Delvecchio managed to run this City while managing their professional careers. Though much of my time this year has been spent working through Ida repairs, I know the City will run more effectively and smoothly with my continued commitment to forty hours a week. Just getting the DPW up to full staff again feels like a great thing to me, even if I could make the argument that another part time employee or two would make an even greater difference to your quality of life.
As Mayor I am keenly aware of the direct relationship between City services and staffing levels. That said, I’m still feeling my way along and want to make responsible choices that balance cost, need, and quality of life. For now we’ll hum along as we are, but it’s a question we should be considering more formally at some point in the years ahead. Be well and be kind, Andrew |
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The County is looking for your input! This is the first of several opportunities to have your voice heard during the development of the County’s Growth Management Plan. |
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Participate in this survey to share your thoughts about what would be great to have in Hunterdon. Click here to check it out.
To learn more about the Growth Master Plan for Hunterdon, click here. |
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Drought Conditions Continue |
Earlier this week a Drought Watch was declared in the state of New Jersey. |
| Residents have been asked to be aware of their water use and conserve whenever possible. During summer months, outdoor water use can be a strain on resources. Instead of watering your lawn, let it “go to sleep.” Browning grass is a sign of dormancy - a naturally occurring state that grasses experience in an effort to conserve water and nutrients.
Enjoy all that extra time not mowing and go to the beach, or take a dip in the river.
You can do your part to help New Jersey conserve water during these dry months.
Check out more tips here. |
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Public Notice: Sale of Public Property |
The City of Lambertville will be selling public property no longer needed for public use online through Public Surplus. Click to learn more and view the list of sale items. All bidders will need to sign onto the Public Surplus website at www.publicsurplus.com/ to create an account. |
Today I Learned |
On August 11, 1934, the first civilian prisoners arrived to be housed in a new high-security penitentiary off the coast of California. Over the next three decades, Alcatraz became the stuff of legends, as it became home to the most dangerous prisoners in the penal system. Al Capone did time on “The Rock,” as well as several other big-time crime bosses, before it was eventually closed due to high maintenance costs. |
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Today the island is maintained by the National Park Service, and tours attract more than 1.5 million visitors each year. Sea birds make their homes on the rocky cliffs and agave plants thrive in the coastal climate. |
In the Know |
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