A copy of the speech given by Mayor DelVecchio at the January 1, 2007 Reorganization Meeting
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for joining us this New Year’s Day.
Mr. Council President, Council members Ege, Kramer and Pittore, today we look forward to continuing the great progress our city made in 2006.
I am lucky to have such a dedicated team of public servants to serve alongside me on the governing body, and I owe each of you my gratitude for all you do to make Lambertville a model community in our state.
Ladies and gentlemen, this morning I took the oath of office as mayor for the sixth time.
I was honored to have earned your trust as Mayor the first time I took this oath, and I am even more humbled to have had the opportunity to continue to serve as your Mayor.
But as I am honored to have earned your support, I am blessed have the support of my family. My wife Karen and sons Alex and Matthew keep me grounded and frankly this makes a better Mayor.
And when I wonder whether the hours spent tending to city matters are worth it, I simply have to look at my family and all that this City means to them to realize how much the work we do here matters.
Much has changed in our City since I first took office in 1992. But luckily, much also has stayed the same.
As I look forward to 2007 and beyond, the goal of my new term will be to maintain the progress our city is making on many fronts, yet also ensure that change does not destroy the rich quality of like we enjoy.
As many of us know one of the greatest threats to our city is not man made – it is the river that has defined our city for generations.
In less than 2 years, we were forced to deal with three major episodes.
And we are working hard to mitigate the danger the river poses to our city.
Last year, we hired the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study our flood problem. We are now working with the USDA and water supply officials to finalize the government’s findings.
This month, working with T&M Engineers we will begin to take those recommendations which include a pumping station and gates and begin to move them from drawing board to reality.
Today, we introduced an ordinance to size the structure, so that we can begin the process of pursuing final design and funding decisions.
It is my hope that we can tame Swan Creek using OPM (Other People’s Money) or at minimal cost to taxpayers.
The city also has contracted with Princeton Hydro to study flooding with regard to the various tributaries in the northern part of our city.
We also have approved a hazard mitigation plan for the City, and we are working with FEMA and the state’s Office of Emergency Management on amendments to gain their final approval. Once in place, we will look at the feasibility of mitigation by elevation for the Lambert Lane homes and businesses.
I wish I could stop the river from flooding, but that is up to a much higher power. But we can and must do all we can to minimize the threat of flooding, and limit the damage structurally, financially and emotionally that floods cause.
Another pressing threat to that quality of life is property taxes.
Let me begin by stating that Lambertville is fortunate to not face a property tax crisis to the extent that many of our neighboring municipalities do according to the Star Ledger.
I am proud that since I first took office, taxes have increased a service for municipal total of 16.41 % in 15 years.
To put it another way, municipal taxes have risen as much in 15 years as some towns have seen in two or three years.
We have been able to provide government services efficiently and effectively in the face of State Aid that has been flat for six years straight.
I think it is a testament to the governing body’s hard work and diligence in safeguarding our finances – only 12 cents of every property tax dollar goes to deliver municipal services.
But there is more we can do.
And, as President of the State League of Municipalities, I intend to use my position to work with the Governor, administration, and state Legislature to move our State forward toward real and lasting property tax relief and reform.
As we look around our great City, we see lots of sign of progress or at least large orange signs detouring you around the areas where progress is being made.
The State’s reconstruction of Route 29 will continue through much of the year, and we will be vigilant to ensure that residents are inconvenienced as little as possible.
On Cottage Hill and Music Mountain, our ongoing drainage projects funded by NJDOT will be completed by late spring, and will signal the first time that all three hills will have adequate drainage.
Thanks to more than $2.2 million in funding from the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission and additional funding from the State Department of Transportation, the city will begin the reconstruction of Ferry Street, Quarry Street, George Street and the paper portion of Mount Hope Street.
The city also will undertake traffic calming measures along North Union, Delevan, and North Franklin Streets, as well as Lambert Lane.
Good roads and streets are vital to our City’s quality of life and economy.
These improvements will make our City safer for pedestrians, more pleasant for residents, and more welcoming to visitors.
But even as we make our streets more modern, we are working to protect our city’s historic structures.
The renovations of City Hall and the Public Library also will move forward in 2007 – with the overwhelming majority of funding coming from sources other than city taxpayers.
At City Hall, funded with Historic Trust and Small Cities the extensive work on the building and the addition of an elevator will make the Holcombe House an even more beautiful and functional building, and it will finally meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The renovation of the library is currently under bid. It is my hope that we soon will begin a project that will rehab the building, improve its exterior, and maintain the Lilly Mansion as a wonderful place for learning.
These buildings are a vital link to our past and we must ensure that they last long into the future.
Finally, this year, I hope to make the long-envisioned Connaught Hill pocket park a reality. The City has the funding and the ownership of the land through the Department of Community Affairs Community Development, County Open Space and the Recreation Committee is finalizing the plan.
Also, we introduced an ordinance today to construct handicapped accessible bathrooms and a permanent snack shack at Ely Field. This project will be completed with funds from the state Department of Environmental Protection, Habitat for Humanity as well as some funding from City taxpayers.
These two projects will give residents even better open spaces to enjoy.
Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, our plates are rather full.
But I would be remiss to mention something that is not bricks and mortar, but just as vital to our city’s identity.
In six weeks, the new state law recognizing civil unions for same sex couples will take effect.
Lambertville’s gay and lesbian community has been an integral part of our city, yet the man same sex couples that call Lambertville home have been unable to enjoy the simple rights that other families take for granted.
Thankfully, that will soon change.
For a state that is recognized nationally for its progressive attitudes, I am proud that Lambertville has been at the forefront in promoting tolerance and understanding and been so welcoming to so many same sex couples and their families.
Some of my mayoral colleagues have already said they will not perform civil union ceremonies. As mayor, I will perform civil unions for gay and lesbian couples.
And, it is my hope that we will be able to set an example for other communities by celebrating one of the first – if not the first – civil unions in the state when the law takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on February 19th.
Let me close by again thanking you for the support you have given me these past 15 years.
And, with your help, we will ensure our city’s progress will continue through 2007 and beyond.