A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to public comments advocating for the ITA, which seeks to limit the involvement of local law enforcement with federal immigration authorities like ICE. A group of students from Lawrenceville School, participating in the Hudson Scholars in Civic Life program, presented their civic campaign titled “Trust Our Neighbors.” They underscored the importance of community trust, sharing personal experiences as children of immigrants and emphasizing the detrimental effects of current immigration policies, such as racial profiling and fear of accessing public services. The students urged the council to pass a resolution in support of the ITA, pointing out that other municipalities, including Trenton and Newark, have already done so.

Community members, including Dr. Chris Woolly, chair of the board of trustees for Every Child, supported the students’ call for action. Woolly shared insights from a youth center model in Franklin Township, suggesting Lawrence adopt similar community engagement strategies to support a broader demographic, including families and seniors. Eli, an organizer with Resistencia and Axion New Jersey, echoed the urgency of passing the ITA, emphasizing the fear ICE actions induce in immigrant communities. Eli recounted experiences of arrests during community rights information efforts, stressing the ITA’s necessity to prevent local police-ICE collaboration.

The public participation segment resonated with emotional testimonies, including those from Jessica Defelo and Phil Duran, who shared alarming anecdotes about ICE activities in public spaces and the lack of centralized community information. Defelo emphasized that the ITA is about civil society at large, not just immigrant rights, urging the council to turn promises into protective policies. Another speaker, Anna Fasmino, highlighted the ITA’s urgency by noting ongoing threats to freedom of speech and potential increased attacks on immigrant communities, while advocating for collaboration between the council and community organizations.

The council also faced questions about the procedural and environmental aspects of vacating a “paper street” on Harrison Avenue. The ordinance proposed reverting ownership of the unutilized street portions to adjacent property owners. While some residents supported the move for personal safety and property tax revenue, others raised concerns about potential environmental impacts, particularly the existence of wetlands and implications for future green space development. The council acknowledged the need for thorough environmental review and community engagement before proceeding.

Environmental concerns were further highlighted by residents expressing the lack of green spaces and walkability in South Lawrence. One resident lamented diminished green spaces and increased traffic, emphasizing the need for community input in planning decisions. There were calls for the council to consider public input on issues like walkability and green spaces, with suggestions that improved pedestrian infrastructure could boost local economic activity.

Other council business included the addition of agenda items, such as an auction of former council chamber pews, and discussions on awarding bids for snow plowing and park improvements. The council also handled routine matters, such as passing resolutions for tax refunds and professional service agreements. Public comments addressed ongoing litter issues and the need for ordinances to tackle public health concerns, with particular attention to areas reported to have persistent litter problems.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of upcoming community events, including a food drive and Veterans Day celebration, and an acknowledgment of a 103-year-old resident’s birthday celebration. A resident also raised concerns over an unprogressed $725,000 grant, urging the council to act on previous recommendations. The council acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing the importance of addressing them promptly.