LAMBERTVILLE: Mayor looks at the good and bad

Annual state-of-the-city address

By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
   LAMBERTVILLE — The city held its annual reorganization Jan. 1, when the council president was re-elected, new council members were sworn in and the mayor addressed the economic difficulties that are “the new norm.”
   Mayor David Del Vecchio presented his annual state-of-the-city address. He touched on many positive highlights of the past year, including road reconstruction projects and upgrades to the historic City Hall that for the first time made it completely handicapped accessible.
   He also spoke of the difficulties that continue to challenge Lambertville. The city in 2011 will see “another year of tight resources, of having to make every dollar go farther than before and making every piece of equipment last a little longer,” he said. “There is very little room for error.”
   Last week, the city laid off a five-year veteran of its police force. This year the city will continue to operate with a reduced number of personnel in the Clerk’s Office, the Public Works Department and the Municipal Court.
   ”These are not decisions I enjoy making, nor that I make lightly,” the mayor said. “But they are the decisions being made in city halls all across New Jersey, and they are the new norm.”
   Councilwoman Beth Asaro also spoke of troubling times. “Regardless of a possible recovery, economic pressures continue to be the majority of the focus of our efforts, and that’s what is keeping us up at night,” she said. “We will continue to look for creative ways to share services, reduce costs, revise debt structures and find new funding sources.”
   There was good news, too, over the past 12 months.
   ”Despite the sluggish economy, we saw new businesses come to our town, and old favorites remain,” Mayor Del Vecchio said. “We saw a successful Shad Fest, even when Mother Nature decided to rain on Sunday. We welcomed in what I hope will be a new summertime tradition — Friday night fireworks on the Delaware River.”
   However, he continued, “it was not a year without its challenges.”
   He thanked his “wonderful team” of council members who bring special knowledge in specific areas to the table.
   ”Because in this climate, we need to make sure we have the best people and the best minds at work,” the mayor said. The economic climate in the city includes approximately $300,000 in state aid lost over several years.
   Councilman Wardell Sanders, who was sworn in Saturday to a second term in office, “has proven himself an invaluable colleague,” the mayor said. Mr. Sanders leads the joint work group that is working with South Hunterdon Regional High School to try to contain costs. He also is experienced in the health care field and advises the city on its needs, the mayor said.
   Following his first three years in office, Mr. Sanders said he is most proud of his work on issues related to the library and the city’s insurance policies, “which while not glamorous endeavors, will likely save the city about $25,000 to $30,000 a year.”
   Mayor Del Vecchio also praised returning Councilwoman Elaine Warner, who was elected to an unexpired term that ends in December 2011. She was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2010.
   ”She led our special task force on municipal waste management, and is currently working with neighbors from the south end of Lambertville to examine our longstanding parking issues,” Mayor Del Vecchio said. “Not a bad rookie season.”
   Steven Stegman will again serve as the City Council’s president. He won re-election last fall with a term ending in December 2013. Judge Ronald Pittore, a former council member, administered the oath of office. Judge Pittore also administered the oath to Ms. Warner and Mr. Sanders.
   Ms. Warner pledged her oath on a Bible held by her husband, Robert Warner.
   Mr. Sanders’ term expires December 2013. His family — wife Erica Rubine and children Lily and Ian Sanders — held the Bible as he pledged his oath.