| | | | | LAMBERTVILLE MATTERSReady. Set. Enjoy! | Dispatch from City Hallby Mayor Andrew Nowick | You haven’t lived until you’ve pulled the lid off a hot trash can on a summer day and removed a week’s worth of used diapers in bags so heavy you weren’t sure you’d get them in the truck before they broke open on the street. You’ve got to have a strong stomach and a quick step. In fact, when you’re working the trash truck, every lid you pull off has the potential to revile the senses and quicken the pace. On Friday, because there was only one driver, I volunteered to help the crew pick up the recycling and trash.
I’m not going to list all the things I learned on the route - I’ll keep some aside for another day - but I did learn it’s a very hard job, and, like Sisyphus fated to push the boulder back up the hill, it’s never done. |
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| I learned many of our residents do not use proper trash bags or seemingly ever hose out the bins. Our trucks are old, noisy, and always in need of some repair. | | I learned people drink a lot of beer and wine. (Who knew? Maybe it’s a summer thing)
I also learned that Brittany Kerr earned her Commercial Driver’s License permit. When we rolled into Lambert’s Hill, Lester hopped down and Brittany took the wheel for the first time. Congratulations, Brittany, the Mayor is proud of you!
I went out to support the crew and to see what I could learn.
Beyond the sheer volume of trash, I learned there is too much food waste in these containers. |
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| As much as I’d like to, I cannot change the consumption habits of 4,000 people, nor can I seem to get a municipal composting program back off the ground. While I’m working on the latter, I strongly encourage residents to hire individual composting companies to collect your food waste. Sending it into the trash stream adds enormous cost to our tipping fees (and your taxes) and it’s very bad for the environment.
According to a Washington Post article, “The carbon footprint of U.S. food waste is greater than that of the airline industry. Globally, wasted food accounts for about 8 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental consequences of producing food that no one eats are massive.” | Chickens: Thank you to everyone who sent emails about backyard chickens. While this wasn’t a data driven survey, I’m glad people expressed themselves well and thoughtfully on the subject. If you haven’t weighed in yet, this will be the last week to do so. The matter will be on the agenda at our City Council meeting on August 18. | Lastly, thank you for a wonderful birthday. It was the first time in my 58 years anyone has dared to surprise me. My friends at City Hall put out a dozen handmade yards signs and honored me with a buffet breakfast in the conference room. It’s possible their announcement of my birthday on the City Facebook page was in violation of our strict social media policy, but I’m not going to write anyone up for it. Thanks to all the well-wishers, whether on Facebook, at City Hall, or yelling from cars and sidewalks. I usually do not like this kind of attention, but truth be told, all day I felt a little like Jimmy Stewart in the final scene of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Stay cool, be kind, and yell “Thanks!” to the DPW crew next time you see them. Andrew | | Beginner French lessons will be offered at Lambertville Library starting in September. The free six-week course will consist of 45 minute lessons (that can also be accessed remotely). All learning materials are provided. | | Commercial Fire Safety Notices | | Attention all Business Owners, Commercial Tenants, Residential Landlords, and AirBnB Owners
The annual Fire Safety invoices were sent out in February of this year. If you have not already done so, please submit your payment to the Fire Safety Office/Construction Office.
If you need a copy of your invoice,
please email Crystal at construction@lambertvillenj.org
The Fire Official is in the process
of scheduling the required inspections
and will be in touch with you to
make arrangements. |
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| | A big thank you to all of our residents who have already paid their
3rd Quarter property taxes. | | If you still need to pay your property taxes, the interest-free grace period ends Wednesday, August 10th at 12pm. After that, interest will begin to accrue on outstanding balances. Taxes can be paid in person by check or cash, in the mail, or online! In addition to paying online, you can also confirm payment, view tax history, or check your balance.
Pay online or check status here. |
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| A Horrific Friday Night | Hosted by local horror creators for local horror creators, the Midnight Society screens both cult classic films on long defunct media, and experimental films by local genre directors. This week, Friday, August 5: Screening of 'The Fog' PLUS Delicious handmade caramel corn, free coffee and spooky vibes… |
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| As for the “society” aspect of the Midnight Society, we hold pre-show VHS swap meets, invite local businesses we want to spotlight, and have member suggested screenings.
Catch up with all things Midnight Society on Instagram and Facebook! @midnightsocietynj. $8 donation per person. | Today I Learned | The US Coast Guard was founded today, all the way back in 1790! The Coast Guard is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces. The fleet consists of over 250 coastal and ocean-going ships, 200 small vessels, and 200 aircraft including helicopters and sea planes. |
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| At any given time, members of the Coast Guard are deployed to and operating on all seven continents to save lives, enforce laws, ensure safe and secure commerce, and protect the environment - and that’s in addition to protecting over 95,000 miles of coastline in the US. The Coast Guard was created upon request from Alexander Hamilton, and is the longest continuously-operating naval service in the US. | In the Know | Bid opening for the city sale of
150 Swan Street is today at 1pm.
More info here. New Convenience Center drop-off dates:
Saturday, August 6 9am to noon
Wednesday, August 17 3pm to 5pm
Saturday, August 20 9am to noon |
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