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Thursday, September 15, 2022 |
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LAMBERTVILLE MATTERS |
Dispatch from City HallMayor Andrew Nowick |
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Stormwater. Stormwater. Stormwater.
On Tuesday, I trudged through the poison ivy and rosa multiflora behind the Union Firehouse to look at recent Ida-related repairs to a woodland culvert that conveys stormwater from Philips Barber Rd and Alexander Ave down to Arnett Ave and eventually to the river. Yesterday morning, I woke to find a resident had stayed up late the night before drafting a letter on my behalf to send to the NJ Department of Community Affairs to address Lambertville’s concerns for their Ida Recovery Action Plan. I have reviewed, or am about to review, four separate storm-water related grant proposals the City is submitting to various agencies this month: |
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I recently walked Music Mountain with engineers and residents to discuss green infrastructure, bio-retention systems and other stormwater mitigation efforts. At the last Planning Board meeting, I listened as board members grilled an applicant about stormwater management plans for the site. A different day I met with residents at their home to consider how stormwater runoff might be mitigated as it passes through their property. I attended at two-hour Zoom presentation detailing what will be more restrictive DEP regulations for the City’s MS4 Permit next year, which will likely include mandating the naturalization of detention basins, as well as more rigorous inspections and reporting of stormwater infrastructure. I visited the Arnett Ave culvert repair several times this week. I’ve blocked off my calendar next Tuesday and Wednesday to help the DPW make repairs to catch basins and storm drains. (The department is short-staffed and it’ll be good to get out of the office) I have scheduled pre-construction meetings for our FEMA and USDA grant-funded Ida repair projects. I have arranged for representatives from NJ Futures and the NJ League of Conservation Voters to make a presentation on Stormwater Utilities at our October 4th City Council meeting. I am actively working toward the day (hopefully this fall) when we will clear debris from a pile inhibiting the flow of Alexauken Creek. And yet, I never feel like the little Dutch boy with his finger in the dike waiting for the villagers to come in the morning. The villagers are already here. There is no way one person can secure the dike, even if he himself feels he must. At every turn this year, I have been met with people who understand what we’re up against: people who stay up late or get up early to write letters and grants, people who trudge the woodland culverts, people who wade knee-deep in a flooded stream of paperwork, people who show up with heavy equipment and good ideas, people who serve on our boards and ask the challenging questions. I don’t dare start naming these people in print so numerous are they. If ever I begin to feel as if it’s all too much—and yes, it happens—I begin saying these names in my head and remember that Lambertville succeeds (or fails) by our strength as individuals committed to our community. |
Be well and be kind, Andrew PS. If you have a storm drain near your house, do your neighbors and the DPW a service in keeping it clear. Thanks! |
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There is no one in Lambertville who wasn’t affected by Hurricane Ida
and her aftermath. Insight from residents is the best way to paint the picture
of what happened on that long night last September. Residents from all parts of town are encouraged to complete this survey about Hurricane Ida. It is also available on the City website. |
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An ANCHOR for Homeowners and Renters |
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New Jersey taxpayers can now apply for the Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program. The State's ANCHOR program replaces the Homestead Benefit and helps eligible renters and homeowners to offset local property taxes. To qualify, the applicant must have either owned, or rented, their residence as of October 1, 2019. If a homeowner or tenant has moved since then, including out of state, the person is still eligible to file if they meet the other requirements. Homeowners may file online, or by phone. However, certain homeowners may need to file by paper. Tenants may file online, but a paper application is available if preferred. Tenants have no option to file by phone. Eligible homeowners require an ID and PIN to file electronically. Tenants will need to have a valid taxpayer identification number (Social Security number or Individual Tax Identification Number) to file. ANCHOR recipients can specify on the applications whether they want to receive a check or direct deposit payment. The due date for the application is December 30, 2022. The Division expects to issue payments in May 2023. |
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An Evening with NBA star Chris Herren |
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On Tuesday, October 11 at 7pm, former Division I athlete and NBA baseball player Chris Herren will be coming to the South Hunterdon Regional School District for a community presentation in the high school auditorium. |
In his presentation to the community Chris will share his recovery journey
in a brutally honest format
with just a microphone.
The event will start with a 5 minute film introducing Herren and showing highlights of his basketball career in the NBA. From growing up in Fall River, Massachusetts to playing Division I basketball and in the NBA, he will take the audience on his journey from addiction to sobriety. |
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Additionally, he will relate his story to the audience addressing themes of gateway drugs, prescription drug use, vaping and the responsibility of prevention starting with us all. Chris will conclude the presentation by taking questions from the audience. This event will be free for the community.
Click here to register to attend.
This program is being paid for by the Lambertville Area Education Foundation (LAEF) |
Flowing Together: Story Circles Local artist and resilience team member Lauren Rosenthal McManus will lead
a monthly story circle addressing the risks and responsibilities of living
with the river. This month’s program focuses on participants’ experiences with Tropical Storm Ida, and will include time for individual sharing, group listening, and discussion. Each participant will also create a unique cyanotype (sun print) using photos of the storm and its aftermath. Image caption: McManus with students at South Hunterdon High School / Alexauken Creek Community Education & Public Art Project |
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We will gather at the Closson Farm property Saturday, September 24th at 10:30am (rain date Sunday, September 25th). Click here to register. Participation is limited to 8. |
Before Lambertville was Lambertville |
During the 1700's, a ferry named Coryell's Ferry operated on the Delaware River between what are now Lambertville, NJ, and New Hope, PA.
At that time, both towns were called Coryell's Ferry. Coryell's Ferry's became an important crossing during the Revolutionary War
in June 1778, when the Continental (American) Army crossed here
prior to the Battle of Monmouth. The British army had been occupying Philadelphia, and General George Washington and his army were camped about twenty miles away in Valley Forge. In early June, the British abandoned Philadelphia to cross into New Jersey. After learning of the British movements, Washington decided to leave Valley Forge. On June 20, they arrived at the New Hope side of Coryell's Ferry. |
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The following day, General Washington crossed over into New Jersey
(now Lambertville), and made his headquarters at the Holcombe house (on the Closson Property). It took a total of three days for all of the troops to cross into Lambertville.
Early the next morning, the army began their march in pursuit of the British troops. On June 28, they encountered the British forces at Monmouth Courthouse (in what is now Freehold, NJ) and fight the Battle of Monmouth, the longest continuous battle of the war. |
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The Florian Schantz Jazz Combo was formed in 2012 by then 9-year-old Florian Schantz. Since then, the band has delighted audiences in hundreds of venues in the greater NYC Area and in Germany. The group specializes in thematic historical musical programs of many musical genres such as traditional/ hot jazz (Dixieland), Broadway and Hollywood music, and many kinds of holiday and international music. They will be sharing their Broadway and Hollywood program with us. September 17, 2022, 1:00-3:00 pm
On the Library Lawn or in the Library Gallery if it rains |
Banned Books Week is September 18 - 24! |
Access to knowledge is the cornerstone of our democracy, and books are being banned across the country at an alarming rate. Books most frequently targeted are those written by and about people of color and from the LGBTQ+ community. Representation is essential in the promotion of human rights. |
| The Lambertville Human Rights Council invites you to celebrate Banned Book Week by adding your favorite banned book(s) to a “Little Library” around town for neighbors to enjoy. Why would a book get banned? Who does the banning? Can it get un-banned? Learn more at your local library, or click the links below. Lambertville Free Public Library American Library Association NY Public Library |
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The NJ Safe Passing Law (NJSPL) (A5570/S2208), in effect since March 1, 2022, provides clear rules of the road for all motorists about when and how to pass people sharing the road on bicycles, on foot, on scooters, wheelchairs or in other legally permitted ways to travel other than a motor vehicle. Drivers are required to use “due caution” whenever they see vulnerable people on the road. The law states that:
⦾ Drivers must follow all current
no passing, no speeding laws
and move over a lane if there’s
one to move into. ⦾ On a single-lane road, drivers must allow at least a 4-foot safety zone when they pass.
⦾ If 4 feet is not possible on a section
of road, drivers must slow to 25mph and be prepared to stop until they can pass safely without endangering those sharing the road. |
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Penalties can include driver's license points, a fine, community service, and/or insurance surcharges. For more information visit the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition, or Bike Lambertville. |
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If you’ve walked past the Phillip L. Pittore Justice Center this month, you may have noticed that its windows are filling up with words and images that describe our community’s collective experience weathering Tropical Storm Ida. If you’d like to contribute to this display, please drop off your photographs, written words, and artwork at City Hall before the end of September during any open hours. You can also now find all flood-related social media posts using the hashtags #lvillerising and #risingtogethernj at www.risingtogethernj.org, where flood stories from all over the State are being collected and shared to help us better prepare for future weather events. This project is ongoing, so it's never too late to add your images, videos, and flood experiences. |
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In the Know |
City Council Meeting tonight at 7pm at the Phillip Pittore Justice Center
View the agenda Have you registered your pet with the City? Any outdoor pet (all dogs and outdoor cats) need to be registered annually. This can be done at City Hall,
or you can register online! |
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