New Hope Free Press • 4th September 2024

Lambertville, NJDOT Officials To Look at Pedestrian Safety - New Hope Free Press

The city and state will work on a pedestrian safety plan.


City of Lambertville last month passed a resolution that will enable officials to work with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to create a pedestrian safety plan.


The council submitted a form to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Assistance Program.


The main reason the city is joining is to address safety issues associated with walking and biking in the City of Lambertvi...

New Hope Free Press • 29th August 2024

Forever Chemicals Found At Lambertville High School Redevelopment Site - New Hope Free Press

Residents continue fighting the proposed Lambertville High School Development Plan and make their options heard on the site in the city.


In addition to public outcry against the redevelopment plan, the site now faces a new hurdle: forever chemicals on the site. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, commonly known as PFAS chemicals, were found on Connaught Hill, which is where 200 housing units were planned to be built.


PFAS chemicals can contaminate the water supplies and have been linked t...

New Hope Free Press • 8th August 2024

Lambertville Residents Voice Frustration Over High School Site Redevelopment Plan - New Hope Free Press

Residents have made their voice heard on the proposed Lambertville High School development.


The summer heat hasn’t kept City of Lambertville residents away from voicing their frustrations over the Lambertville High School site redevelopment plan. 


The topic has become a hot-button issue among residents because many worry it will cause more congestion to the city, exacerbate the city’s flooding issues, and some believe there are better options available. 


K. Hovnanian, a large home buil...

New Hope Free Press • 23rd July 2024

New Hope Borough Hall Getting Roof Refresh - New Hope Free Press

New Hope Borough Hall will be getting fresh roofing.


A roofing restoration project at the borough building was unanimously approved by New Hope Borough Council at a recent council meeting.


The roofing project will entail removing and disposing 5,600 square feet of asphalt and shingles and replacing it with new material. The project will also include the removal and replacement of a drippy faucet, officials explained.


Vertex Roofing is contracted to complete the roofing project, and it...

New Hope Free Press • 20th May 2024

Under Plan, Developer Could Build 200 Residences To Lambertville High School Property - New Hope Free Press

The site could become a new residential development.


The site of the former Lambertville High School is moving closer to possible redevelopment as a residential neighborhood.


At last week’s city council meeting, Mayor Andrew Nowick introduced an ordinance to amend the city’s redevelopment framework for the site. The updates follow the 2018 redevelopment plan and amendments made in 2020. The changes also comply with a 2020 court-agreed settlement that removed the city’s power of eminent do...

New Hope Free Press • 6th May 2024

New Hope-Solebury Breaks Ground On $2.5 Million Stadium Project - New Hope Free Press

The project has begun and is expected to be completed by next fall.


The New Hope-Solebury School District celebrated the groundbreaking of its new stadium project last Wednesday.


The ceremony marked the start of construction for a facility featuring a fieldhouse, additional seating, a modern sound system, and a press box dedicated to Pop-Pop Heath Sr., a beloved figure in local athletics.


The stadium for the New Hope-Solebury Lions is scheduled for completion in fall 2025.


The stadi...

New Hope Free Press • 3rd May 2024

Lambertville Sells New Bond Amid Improved Credit Ratings - New Hope Free Press

A rising municipal bond market did not stand in the way of the City of Lambertville in its recent bond sale.


The city rolled several existing Bond Anticipation Notes (BAN) from previous years, as well as some newly acquired debt, into a bond sale in last March to reduce the overall debt principal and interest payments in the coming years, according to official.


The winning bidder for $8.15 million general obligation bond was Roosevelt and Cross Inc. and Associates, a New York City-based...

New Hope Free Press • 29th April 2024

New Hope Hiring Fire Inspector - New Hope Free Press

New Hope Borough will soon be searching for a new fire inspector. 


During the most recent April council meeting, Council President Ken Maisel read a memo from the New Hope Eagle Fire Company stating that their fire inspection duties are set to end of the month. 


The new fire inspector, once hired, will work part-time at 16 hours a week and will be paid $40 an hour. They will serve a 90-day probationary period to start this role, officials said.


Since fire inspections for 2024 will begi...

New Hope Free Press • 25th April 2024

Longtime Solebury Officer Hired As New Hope's Next Police Chief - New Hope Free Press

New Hope Borough’s new police chief is familiar with the area.


Last week, New Hope Borough Council unanimously voted to hire Kevin Edwards as their new chief. He will fill the role left vacant when Chief Michael Cummings, who served the borough for 15 years, retired earlier this year.


Borough Manager Peter Gray said Edwards will make $145,000 per year.


Edwards, a sergeant in neighboring Solebury Township, is accustomed to the New Hope area and Bucks County. He graduated from Pennsbur...

New Hope Free Press • 25th April 2024

Lambertville Re-Establishes Green Team - New Hope Free Press

The Green Team is back in the City of Lambertville.


The city council reinstated the team at April’s city council meeting. 


If you are wondering what the Green Team is, they are a team of volunteers devoted toward the pursuit of green initiatives. The focal point of the team is to keep the city clean and environmentally friendly. 


The team will be comprised of 13 volunteers serving over a three-year term. There will be an Environmental Commission representative, Parks and Recreation Com...

New Hope Free Press • 9th April 2024

Lambertville Hires Deputy Fire Official - New Hope Free Press

The City of Lambertville has hired Christopher Sorrentino as deputy fire official. 


Sorrentino will be helping Fire Official Frank Ur complete fire safety inspections of commercial properties, per Mayor Andrew J. Nowick. 


Sorrentino will work on a part-time basis and is only hired for a three month period from April 1 to June 30. He will not work more than 10 hours a week. 


A longtime New Jersey resident, Sorrentino is also the fire prevention officer for the nearby Clinton Township and...

New Hope Free Press • 3rd April 2024

Lambertville Moves Closer To Stormwater Ordinance Changes - New Hope Free Press

The City of Lambertville Council is closer to voting to amend the city’s land use ordinances as they pertain to stormwater control.


The long-awaited amendments to the land use ordinances underwent its first reading last month.


A public hearing a second reading will take place on April 18.


The introduced ordinance establishes minimum stormwater management standards for major development, according to Mayor Andrew J. Nowick.


The standards apply to new major development and aim to miti...

New Hope Free Press • 3rd April 2024

New Sign Erected At Union Square - New Hope Free Press

The sign was approved by New Hope Borough last November.


A popular retail and office center in the heart of New Hope Borough just built their new sign.


The Union Square sign now boasts a more sleek and modern look.


Union Square built the new sign because of the wear and tear it’s received over the years, officials said in the past.


What makes the Union Square sign unique is that it’s one of the first impressions tourists have of the borough if they’re driving or walking on West Br...

New Hope Free Press • 22nd March 2024

New Hope Council Denies Application That Would Impact Walkway - New Hope Free Press

A walkway near Union Square in New Hope Borough is staying. 


The New Hope Borough Council voted against an application that would remove part of the walkway near Union Square at the council meeting on Tuesday.


50 West Bridge Street, which is New Hope Condo LP, is the closest property to the right of Union Square.


The property owner’s application was a certificate of appropriateness to remove the pedestrian walkway facing east, according to the council meeting’s agenda. 


The applicat...

New Hope Free Press • 12th March 2024

Lambertville Planning For Flood Prevention & Eco-Friendly Upgrades To Holcombe Park - New Hope Free Press

What the City of Lambertville is going to do with Holcombe Park has been on the minds of residents, especially after the city won a $308,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).


At a recent public session, city residents had their chance to voice their opinion on what upgrades should be coming to Holcombe Park.


The session gave the public an opportunity to check out a presentation outlining the ins-and-outs of the grant followed by a public participation session wh...

New Hope Free Press • 4th March 2024

Lambertville Hires Interim Fire Official - New Hope Free Press

Frank Ur was named the interim fire official for the City of Lambertville at January’s city council meeting.


The city council voted unanimously to appoint him as interim fire official.


Mayor Andrew J. Nowick said he was pleased to have Ur joining the city government.


Ur will serve in this role until his interim contract is up on April 30.


The appointment comes after the previous fire official resigned last November. 


A longtime firefighter, he’s served in the City of Lambertvil...

New Hope Free Press • 27th February 2024

New Hope Prepares For 2024 Road Paving Program - New Hope Free Press

New Hope is looking to pave several roads this week.


New Hope Borough Council unanimously approved to advertise it’s 2024 Road Program at its most recent meeting.


Officials said St. Andrews Circle, Stoney Hill Road, and Glen Eagle Road are all expected to be paved in this year’s road program. 


The council will solicit bids and award a contract at a future meeting.


For decades, the borough has performed a road pavement rotation.


During the council meeting, Mayor Larry Keller sta...

New Hope Free Press • 26th February 2024

New Hope Chief Cummings Bids Farewell, Search For Successor Continues - New Hope Free Press

New Hope is searching for its next chief.


New Hope Borough Police Chief Michael Cummings announced his resignation back in August 2023. On his final days as New Hope’s police chief, Cummings delivered his farewell speech to a packed crowd at a recent council meeting. 


After a 10-minute-long speech, the crowd gave the beloved chief a thunderous standing ovation.


The resignation speech was a career retrospective and included a lot of thank yous, such as one to Mayor Larry Keller and the...

New Hope Free Press • 19th February 2024

Pet Registrations Required For Lambertville - New Hope Free Press

It’s a new year. And that means pet owners living in the City of Lambertville need to register their pets again.


The news was announced by officials recently in the city.


Pet owners have until February 29 to submit their pet registration form to renew their pets in the city.


Owners of pet dogs and outdoor cats are required to maintain a current pet license once the animal reaches 7 months of age.


The fees are as follows: for spayed or neutered dogs, the cost is $15; for dogs that...

New Hope Free Press • 8th February 2024

Lambertville City Council Passes Ordinance To Keep Sidewalks Clear - New Hope Free Press

The sidewalks in the City of Lambertville will be getting more clear.


The City of Lambertville Council passed an ordinance last month that prevents small businesses and other entities from obstructing the sidewalk. 


Now, businesses and other entities must notify the city and obtain a permit before blocking sidewalks.


If they fail to meet these requirements, they will be subject to various penalties outlined by the city. 


The new ordinance will enhance public safety, according to May...

New Hope Free Press • 7th February 2024

New Hope Police Chief Retiring After 47-Year Career - New Hope Free Press

The borough’s chief is leaving his post.


The new year is bringing changes to the New Hope Police Department.


Police Chief Michael Cummings is retiring after proudly serving the borough for 15 years. He announced his plans to retire back in August 2023.


The chief’s resignation will be effective this month.


Cummings early announcement gave the borough a six-month head start to find his replacement. 


Cummings received a standing ovation from a crowd of borough residents when Mayor...

New Hope Free Press • 29th January 2024

New Hope Council Appoints Ken Maisel As President  - New Hope Free Press

New Hope Borough has a new council president. 


At January’s reorganization meeting to kick off the new year, Councilperson Ken Maisel was appointed as the borough’s new council president. 


Maisel, a Democrat, has served on the borough council since 2016. His term will last four years and will end in 2027, per Borough Manager Peter Gray. 


A seasoned local politician, Maisel served on the finance committee and the land use and historic preservation committee as a council member prior to b...

New Hope Free Press • 25th January 2024

Lambertville Extends Lease Agreement With Fisherman’s Mark - New Hope Free Press

The City of Lambertville Council voted to extend their lease agreement with Fisherman’s Mark to use a portion of the city-owned property on 260 North Main Street for another six months. 


The vote came at a council meeting last month.


Fisherman’s Mark has leased the city-owned property since December 2021 and the extension will allow them to continue operations into 2024. 


Fisherman’s Mark is a New Jersey-based nonprofit that focuses on serving vulnerable communities within Hunterdon Co...

Bear Goggles On • 19th January 2024

This Chicago Bears player deserves more credit

Every football team has a player who deserves more credit. When it comes to the 2023 Chicago Bears, it has to be Cairo Santos. Yes, a kicker. For the season, he made 35-of-38 field goals (92.1%) and 31-of-33 extra points (93.1%), per Pro Football Reference. Santos was a sure thing if there ever was one this season. His golden leg single-handedly carried the Bears to victory on multiple occasions. During some games, he scored the Bears' only points. He did so in a 12-10 win over the Minnesota Vik...