The meeting began with a tribute to the late former County Executive Brian Hughes. The mayor expressed condolences to Hughes’ family and friends, highlighting his years of service and contributions to Mercer County, particularly his impact on the Lawrence Township community. As a mark of respect, flags were ordered to be flown at half-mast, following a directive from Governor Phil Murphy. A moment of silence was observed.

In a move aimed at addressing community needs, the council discussed the work of the mayor’s task force on the Lawrence Community Center. Established in October 2024, the task force has been gathering data to inform the council on the future vision for the center. Bonnie Gigglio reported the task force’s findings, which included insights from a town hall meeting attended by approximately 100 people and an online survey with 159 responses. Mary McKillip, a local resident with a PhD in sociology, volunteered her expertise to analyze the data. The council conveyed gratitude for McKillip’s involvement, and Gigglio announced that further information would be presented at the next council meeting.

Attention then shifted to Edgar’s Crossing Village, where Mr. Fred Green of the Lawrence Nonprofit Housing board provided an update. Celebrating 50 years since its establishment, the village recently completed $2.5 million in improvements, including infrastructure updates and safety enhancements. Green invited council members and community partners to visit the site to observe the upgrades firsthand, emphasizing the community’s transformation into a modern neighborhood. He also highlighted initiatives such as job training workshops and youth tutoring programs, which aim to empower residents.

The council also addressed the successful completion of the town’s first Lawrence Pride Fest. Despite rainy weather, the event attracted 50 participants and featured 32 scheduled vendors. Organizers thanked town officials, emergency medical technicians, and local businesses for their support and contributions, which were instrumental in the event’s success. The event fostered connections among attendees and enhanced community spirit, with organizers encouraging visits to the Lawrence Pride Fest website for more information on future events.

In addition to celebrating community events, the council discussed ongoing administrative matters. These included the awarding of bids for the residential concrete sidewalk program and the introduction of an ordinance to amend previous allocations for municipal building improvements. The council clarified that the sidewalk program’s costs would be covered by participating property owners over five years, while the ordinance aimed to reallocate existing funds rather than incur new expenses.

They assured residents that the resolution outlining the settlement terms would be made available once the necessary documentation was received. The council acknowledged the urgency of the case and scheduled a special meeting on June 5th to address the litigation.

Looking ahead, the council announced a Juneteenth celebration at town hall, featuring a speech by Assemblywoman Verlina Jackson and a performance by the Lawrence Township Gospel Choir. Senator Shirley Turner’s letter, recognizing the town’s efforts in commemorating Juneteenth, was read, emphasizing the importance of cultural awareness and education.

The meeting concluded with updates on the ongoing renovations in the council meeting room, aimed at reducing costs by approximately $20,000, and the impending retirement of the current Chief Financial Officer. The council also discussed the planning board’s progress on a fourth-round housing plan, which is set for submission to the state. The council expressed interest in inviting the planner to present the plan at the next meeting, facilitating further discussion and clarity.