LAMBERTVILLE: Del Vecchio remembers the good things about 2012

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
   LAMBERTVILLE — Reflecting on the city’s accomplishments in 2012, Lambertville Mayor David Del Vecchio said the switch to collecting trash and recycling on the same day marked a major step forward.
   ”I am grateful to Lester Myers and his team at the Department of Public Works for taking this idea and turning it into, I believe, the best-run, most cost-effective and most-efficient municipally run trash and recycling program in New Jersey,” the mayor said during his Jan. 1 inaugural address.
   ”And, most importantly, I know that this has not only made recycling easier for residents, but it has also has the desired effect of lessening the amount of trash we send out to landfills, which has saved the city thousands of dollars,” he added.
   Another big plus in 2012, he said, was the move to a third-party purchasing agreement for electricity used by city departments.
   ”This is expected to save us 15 percent on our power bills over the next two years. When coupled with the recent conversions of city buildings to natural gas heat, it means that we are going to have more efficient and money-saving systems all-around.”
   He noted other gains by city government during his inaugural address.
   ”In partnership with our police department, we instituted a new drop-off program for unused prescription drugs and other pharmaceuticals at police headquarters,” he said.
   ”And our commitment to creating a more environmentally sustainable community has gained statewide recognition, with our recent award of Bronze status from Sustainable New Jersey,” the mayor noted.
   Last year also saw groundbreaking for floodgates along Ely Creek, which the mayor called “a troubling source of flooding in the northern part of town. I especially commend the work of John Miller, who has spent many hours in service to the city on this and other flood mitigation projects. We may never be able to tame the waters that have flooded our area for generations, but hopefully we can lessen their impact on our homes and businesses.”
   ”Meanwhile, on the south end of town, the city entered into a new contract with Friends of Lambertville Library to provide a permanent home here at the Justice Center for their Acme Screening Room movie series.
   ”Since 2008, the Friends have turned the Acme Screening Room project into a true cultural gem for our city, and I am proud that it will continue,” Mayor Del Vecchio said.
   ”The city also instituted its new reverse 911 program this year … and just in time. This tool was invaluable in making sure that residents were kept informed in the wake of Sandy. This was something learned from Hurricane Irene,” he said.
   ”Finally, this year saw the installation of new light poles at Ely Field,” the mayor added.
   LOOKING TO 2013, he said: “This year, the city will aim to complete the purchase of the acres on the hill overlooking North Franklin Street for preservation, funded in part through a loan and grant received from Green Acres. Over the past several years, developers have produced proposals to build new homes on the hill, but I believe that some things just shouldn’t be spoiled. Now, this hill won’t be.
   ”We will also take advantage of $300,000 in Green Acres funding to renovate Cavallo Park. For families and visitors alike, Cavallo Park is a special place. My hope is that we will be able to create a true outdoor community center as well as an inviting gateway to Lambertville for those entering the city along the canal.”
   For the city, 2013 will bring upgraded backup generators to both City Hall and the Free and Public Library, he added. “Especially in the wake of Sandy, we saw how important it was to have ample power generation capabilities not only to ensure the ability of the city to function in an emergency, but also to allow residents a place to come in from the cold and recharge their phones and computers. With these projects, we will not only ensure that the City Hall remains a community hub during an emergency, but that the library can also serve this vital purpose.”
   The mayor said the city’s commitment to sharing services with other municipalities remains strong.
   ”We will also continue our cost-sharing and cost-saving partnership with East Amwell, Delaware and West Amwell townships for animal control,” he said.
   ”And I am committed to continuing talks with our neighbors to bring efficiencies into the way we provide police and fire protection to our communities.
   ”As you know, I am a long-standing and strong advocate for shared services. I believe that a community’s identity or individualism is found in its people, not in the letters painted on the side of a truck.
   ” When an emergency happens, the only thing that should be considered is how long it takes first responders to arrive — not whose town’s name is on the vehicle. Shared services work. They save money and ensure the delivery of essential services.
   ”And so long as I am mayor, I will not shy away from considering sound proposals for shared services that make sense to our city and its taxpayers.”