Trucks, drainage, police on agenda for 2001
By: Cynthia Williamson
LAMBERTVILLE Mayor David Del Vecchio and City Council members John McManus and Steve Stegman were sworn to new terms when a reorganization meeting was held Monday in the all-purpose room at Lambertville Public School.
"We’ve enjoyed a successful year," Mr. Del Vecchio said. "But, as always, there is still much to do and more to accomplish."
Trucks, traffic, drainage projects and completion of a new headquarters for police are on the mayor’s agenda as he starts his 10th year in office. But real estate taxes were foremost on his mind New Year’s Day.
"The council and I will work hard to maintain stable taxes for municipal services," he promised. "This is a commitment I made when I first ran in 1991, and it is a commitment I have kept."
The drainage work "will be messy" but the projects will be "more than worth" any inconveniences they may cause, he said.
Two projects are slated for Cottage Hill on South Franklin Street and a four-block section between Studdiford and Skillman streets and Swan Street and Highland Avenue. The state Department of Transportation is scheduled to resume work in the fall on a $5 million drainage project designed to alleviate flooding at the school and nearby residential neighborhoods on North Main, North Franklin, Buttonwood and Elm streets and Arnett Avenue.
Mr. Del Vecchio said the council will work to make a temporary truck ban on Route 29 "permanent."
"Trucks have affected our lives for too long, culminating in the loss of Joan Eschen on May 12 of last year," he said. "Transient trucks do not belong on our roads. Period."
Mr. McManus, who was re-elected council president, thanked the board for "having confidence in me."
He welcomed the "newest Steve" to the council. Mr. Stegman, who was appointed in August to fill former Councilman Steve Frankel’s vacant seat through 2000, ran unopposed in the November election for the remainder of his unexpired term. Mr. Frankel resigned from the board in July because he was moving out of the area.
Councilwoman Cynthia Ege expressed appreciation to the community, the council and city employees for "working together so hard throughout the year."
Mrs. Ege remarked she "misses" Mr. Frankel on the council, saying he "devoted a lot of time to the City of Lambertville."
She also welcomed Mr. Stegman, saying he "stepped in and has been a true asset" to the board.
Mr. Stegman drew chuckles from the audience of about 50 people when he said if "someone had told me a year ago I’d be sitting here, I would have said I’d be more likely to drive a getaway car."
He was referring the ride he gave to a suspect in a jewelry store heist that took place last month in Lambertville, The suspect, Timothy Little, 36, of Philadelphia, flagged him down, claiming an elderly woman had been robbed, and said he wanted Mr. Stegman to chase the thief who had sped away in a car. Unbeknownst to the city councilman, Mr. Little apparently was fleeing from police. He and two accomplices are accused of stealing two diamond rings and a sapphire ring valued at more than $50,000 from Roger Thompson, owner of Goldsmiths at 26 N. Union St.
"Being on the council has been a great experience for me," Mr. Stegman said. "I enjoy working with a group of people I admire, trust and seek counsel from."
He encouraged citizens to "get out and get your voices heard."
Councilwoman Marie Warford did not attend the meeting due to illness.
On behalf of the council, Mr. McManus presented Helen "Bambi" Kuhl with a resolution thanking the director of the Local Public Assistance Board for "many hours of service."
In addition to the turkeys she provides to needy residents at Thanksgiving to the gifts at Christmas, Mr. McManus said she lends a "comforting ear in times of stress."
Mr. Del Vecchio said the Fire Department saves homes but Ms. Kuhl "makes sure no one is homeless."
Ms. Kuhl resides in Lambertville with her daughter and husband, Paul, who is a member of the Board of Adjustment.
The council approved the following board and commission appointments made by Mr. Del Vecchio:
?Mr. Stegman and Paul Cronce, one-year terms, Timothy Korzun and Carol Armstrong, four-year terms, and John Hutchinson, alternate two-year term, Planning Board.
?Karen Conlon, four-year term, and Steven Wolock, alternate one-year term, Board of Adjustment.
?Laurance Torok and Gay Greenwald, three-year terms, Environmental Commission.
?Lou Toboz, five-year term, Shade Tree Commission.
?Paul Gorecki, five-year term on the Lambertville Sewerage Authority, replacing longtime member Eugene Lelie.
?Leanne Parks, a four-year term, and Richard McDonough, a one-year term, to the Local Public Assistance Board.
?Sharon Hallanan to a five-year term and Lorah Hambach to a three-year term on the Lambertville Public Library board of trustees.
?Norman Weiner was appointed to a five-year term on the Cable Advisory Committee.
?Robert Pierman to a five-year term on the Recreation Commission.
John Flemming is the zoning officer; William White is the construction code official; Fred Koegel is the plumbing subcode official; and John Barczyk is the fire prevention official/inspector.
Drake Rizzo will serve as substitute fire subcode official/inspector.
David K. Burd was reappointed to a three-year term as emergency management coordinator.
The following individuals were appointed to one-year terms on the Emergency Management Council: Ms. Kuhl, Mr. Del Vecchio, Mr. Cronce, Ray Force, Mitchell Ege, Michael Haldeman, Gene Venettone, Richard Carmosino, Mark Hilton, Alex Palilonis, Christopher Colt, Donald Hart, Al Komjathy, Keith Wood, Brian Conner, Sue Kramer, Frank Kramer, Cathy Frank-White, Kenneth Williamson, Mary Elizabeth Sheppard, Bruce Cocuzza, Toni Slack, Ron Tillett Jr. and Kevin Snyder.
The council will continue to meet at 7:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month at City Hall, 18 York St., with the exception of next month’s meeting set for Tuesday, Feb. 20.