By Karen Taylor
Mayor Fahl began Thursday’s meeting by expressing her appreciation to council members Beth Asaro and Madeline Urbish, who will end their terms in office on Jan. 5.
Councilman Sanders and Councilwoman Taylor added their comments, and Councilwoman Asaro thanked the others. Councilwoman Urbish made a lengthy statement expressing her concern about the hostile nature of discourse in the city and the insults and threats she has received. She also questioned whether a man serving on council would have received the same treatment.
A proclamation honoring Harry Heller for his many years of service in the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance Rescue Squad was passed.
The bills list and consent agenda were passed. Councilman Sanders recused himself from voting on Resolution 165 to avoid any possibility of conflict of interest.
Ordinance 17, authorizing funding professional work and commission services related to purchase of the Closson property, was passed on second reading. There were no public comments.
Ordinance 18 adopting the police station redevelopment plan was also passed on second reading with no public comment.
The mayor reminded everyone that city offices will close at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 23 and all day Dec. 24 and 25. They will also be closed all day on Dec. 31 for New Year’s Eve.
During the holidays, garbage for Thursday and Friday will be picked up on Thursday, Dec. 24 and Thursday, Dec. 31.
Let’s hope the new council (and especially Mayor Fahl) will be more considerate to the taxpayer, and put aside their grand schemes and work to reduce the economic burden on Lambertville residents. With the Covid crisis being as stressful as it has been, now is not a good time for local government to squander other peoples money. Let the example of the eviction of Council Members Asaro, Urbish be a lesson to all government officials not to anger the taxpayers with frivolous projects.