The library’s rehabilitation took center stage as a focal point of the meeting. Mayor Nowick and council members emphasized the importance of the library to the community and the need for regular maintenance of city buildings. Karen J. Kominsky, a member of the library board, expressed gratitude for the council’s support and specifically thanked Mayor Nowick for his active involvement. The positive impact of investing in the library’s infrastructure was acknowledged, with the understanding that such investments would benefit the community in the long term.

In addition to the library project, the bond ordinance encompassed several other capital improvements. These included road projects, sewer pipe replacement, the Music Mountain project, and the school parking lot. Mayor Nowick provided detailed explanations for each project, including the reimbursement structure for the Music Mountain project and the upfront payment requirements. The discussions around these projects primarily revolved around the allocation of funds and project updates.

The council also addressed beautification and maintenance in the downtown area, discussing the need for new planters, the removal of old signage, and updating outdoor furniture. The adoption of a veteran program and the pursuit of grants for these initiatives were considered to enhance the town’s appeal to tourists. The importance of maintaining the downtown area was a recurrent theme, with plans to incorporate these projects into the next bond ordinance.

Fire safety was another key topic during the meeting. A proposed ordinance aimed to change the lead fire official agency to the Firehouse to improve fire safety and compliance with regulations. Despite delays due to the state’s lack of responsiveness, Mayor Nowick outlined plans for a community session to educate businesses about the fire prevention program. This initiative was met with agreement from the council members, emphasizing the necessity for improved fire safety measures and community engagement.

Financial management was highlighted by the City Clerk, who reported an amount of fees and permits collected, particularly from parking and parking leases. The council also discussed the income from hotel/motel taxes and the positive impact of hiring a part-time accounting clerk. Mayor Nowick shared positive financial news, including an increase in surplus and total revenue generated, plans for a long-term bond issuance, and the cancellation of unused bond notes.

However, a resident raised concerns regarding transparency in the city’s budget, specifically calling for clarity on the allocation of funds for the library, street repairs, and maintenance. This emphasized the council’s need for increased transparency and communication regarding budget allocations and expenditures. In response, Mayor Nowick acknowledged that the only budget allocation for building maintenance was for cleaning, with no provision for essential maintenance like painting or gutter cleaning, and proposed the inclusion of such in the upcoming budget.

Two new ordinances were adopted at the meeting. Ordinance number 02-2020 prohibits construction without a street opening permit or police department approval, a common-sense measure following issues in December. Ordinance number 03224 authorized an amendment to the lease agreement between the city and Wells Fargo Bank, changing the termination notice and lease duration.

The council made board appointments, including Monique Bell as the alternate number two on the Zoning Board of Adjustments, and discussed upcoming deadlines, office closures, and other announcements. The council recognized the need to speak louder in the absence of microphones and jokingly mentioned taking theater and comedy classes to improve their public speaking.

Liz Pelli, representing the chamber, thanked councilwoman Kominsky for her engagement with the chamber and expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations to boost Lambertville’s commerce.