The meeting began with the swearing-in of a new police officer, Nicole Barrett, and transitioned into a public participation session. A resident of Wilton Street raised concerns about the timeline for an affordable housing agreement with Khabian, highlighting the urgency for public access to this information. The resident sought clarity on when details would be available for public review, expressing frustration over the lack of transparency. This is particularly significant as the city grapples with development pressures and the need for sufficient infrastructure.

Mayor Andrew J. Nowick responded by acknowledging that the redevelopment agreement would be discussed in a closed session, which was canceled due to the absence of the Council President. Nonetheless, the Mayor anticipated that the agreement would be finalized and sent to Khabian by the end of the month, though the public would not have immediate access to the initial document. Emphasizing community involvement, the Mayor encouraged residents to provide input throughout the process, stating, “I absolutely encourage anybody to send me anything that they think should be incorporated.”

The discussion then shifted to urban planning challenges, as the resident addressed issues related to parking, tree ordinances, and stormwater regulations. Concerns were raised about the ongoing parking crisis in the town, exacerbated by development without adequate parking infrastructure. Illegal parking, including in driveways, was highlighted as a growing problem. In response, the Mayor mentioned that Captain President would oversee the parking lot project, which had been delayed. Revising tree ordinances was also discussed, with a suggestion to require developers to replace any trees removed during construction.

Following the public comment period, the focus turned to the Lambertville New Hope Rescue Squad, led by President Lisa Aaron. The squad’s presentation highlighted its unique status as a state-certified entity with both paid and volunteer EMTs. Personal anecdotes from squad members underscored their commitment to community service. The squad faces financial challenges, primarily due to rising operational costs and a decrease in volunteerism, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The squad’s payroll costs are expected to reach approximately $750,000 this year, while billing income is around $565,000.

To address these challenges, the squad’s leadership has considered regionalization as a potential solution to improve service coverage and financial stability. A pilot program tested relocating an ambulance temporarily to Ringo’s, though its future remains uncertain. The squad is also awaiting the arrival of a new ambulance, expected to be operational by the end of the month, to replace an older unit.

In addition to these major topics, the council approved three resolutions, including a contract amendment for remediation services at a local park, repaving a portion of St. John’s parking lot, and donating $5,000 from the city’s emergency fund to local food pantries. The latter highlights the city’s continued commitment to addressing food insecurity, supported by a state of emergency declared by the governor.

Further discussions included potential future updates to the city’s master plan, focusing on zoning ordinances related to affordable housing, and efforts to establish a local farm market. This market is planned to operate from mid-May through October.

The meeting also addressed proposed changes to food license administration fees, influenced by county revisions. These changes would lower the temporary food license fee while adjusting other risk category fees. The council emphasized the need for stronger enforcement measures to ensure compliance with food vendor licensing.

Finally, the council discussed potential shared service agreements with West Amwell Township for court services. The meeting concluded with announcements of upcoming city events and a second public participation period, where concerns about enforcement of food licensing late fees were raised.