Mayor says, “Blocking this ordinance is nothing less than gross malfeasance.”
December 23, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora released a statement on three city council members voting no blocking the Lead Service Line Replacement Program. Full statement below:
Other stories on Trenton Water Works:
TWW to Seek City Council Approval for State Funding to Remove More Lead Services From Its Water System
NJDEP Requests NJ Attorney General To File Legal Action Against Trenton For Failure To Comply With Safe Drinking Water Act
Attorney General, DEP File Lawsuit Asking Court to Address Violations at Trenton Water Works that Pose Risks to Public Health
Trenton Water Works Issues 2020 Water Quality Report
Trenton Water Saga Continues: Statement From Mayor Gusciora
Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora file photo
Last night, Council President McBride, Councilwoman Vaughn, and Councilman Rodriguez blocked the efforts of Trenton Water Works (TWW) to replace lead service lines throughout our regional service area. TWW has made great strides in its initial phases of lead service line replacement and this $15 million bond ordinance was needed for the third phase scheduled to start later this year. In addition, the third phase would have triggered a program from the N.J. Infrastructure Bank that would have given 50 percent forgiveness on the bonds. The ordinance fell one vote shy of the five needed to pass, which will effectively freeze the service line program for the near future.
The council members who voted against the ordinance have effectively told their constituents as well as customers in other service municipalities that they do not care if lead is removed from their water. The fact remains, TWW is under a Consent Order with the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Trenton faces a lawsuit by NJDEP as well as other service municipalities that TWW is not working fast enough to adhere to environmental standards as well as service line replacement. The three council members who voted against the ordinance have made that worse.
The lack of foresight is staggering. Council’s failure to approve this ordinance jeopardizes our plans to remove all lead services from the TWW system within the next six years. The well-established threat of lead in drinking water did not move the council members who voted against this proposal. Neither did the fact that half of $15 million proposal would have been forgiven under a state grant, which is a tremendous benefit for our city’s strained budget.
So long as homeowners have galvanized lead service lines running to their homes, they could be affected by lead-tainted water. It was time for City Council to take the appropriate action to protect its constituents and TWW service area consumers from these environmental hazards. Blocking this ordinance is nothing less than gross malfeasance.
Council members voting in the affirmative for the bonds were City Council Vice President Marge Caldwell-Wilson and Councilmen Jerell Blakely, Joe Harrison and George Muschal. –Statement from Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora
December 23, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Around 3:05 pm Trenton Fire Department, TEMS, Captial Health Medics, and Trenton Police Department responded to a serious accident on Mulberry Street near St. Joes Avenue. It was reported that a car collided with a utility pole and the person was unconscious and trapped behind the wheel. When fire and EMS arrived the driver was removed from the vehicle and transported to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. Trenton Police set up detours in the area while PSE&G cut the power to the lines that were down across the roadway. PSE&G had a crew en route to replace the utility pole. Trenton Police investigated the crash. No further information is available.
Photos by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News
December 23, 2020
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–On the July morning Brian Lotito slipped the surly bonds of this Earth after his motorcycle collided with another vehicle on Route 130 near Woodside Road, he was at peace.
More importantly for Paula Lotito, her son was not alone.
Thanks to Robbinsville resident Eric Steinberg.
“Eric said he prayed Jewish prayers over him,” Paula said. “He said Brian was peaceful, and he held his hand as he slipped away. Who does that? This was a nightmare for Eric. He saw it. He heard it. But he stayed, and I am forever indebted to him.”
Because of his selfless and compassionate act of human kindness, Eric Steinberg was presented with the first David L. Fried Humanitarian Award on November 28.”
Many of us may ask ourselves what we would do in such a moment, and deep inside our heart of hearts we all hope to do what Eric did for Brian and his family that morning,” Mayor Fried said. “There is no plaque or medal big enough, no amount of words eloquent enough, to honor Eric for his humanitarianism on July 11.”
Brian was a talented musician and vocalist and studied music and performing arts. According to his obituary, he was unique, driven and “an advocate for anyone that could not be one for themselves.
“When the day comes we can gather again at another State of Robbinsville Township Pay it Forward event, Eric Steinberg will be the guest of honor. Paula Lotito and her family will be there, too.”
It could have been anyone. Eric would have done it for anyone,” Paula said, holding back tears. “He would have stayed by their side. That’s just who he is. We are so grateful to Mayor Fried and the Township for creating this award for him. Eric is a man of grace and he will probably be embarrassed by all this, but if this motivates more people to be kind to others then this story needs to be told.”
(L) Eric Steinberg and (R) Mayor Dave Fried
December 23, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The New Jersey Lottery headquarter building reopened Wednesday following a temporary shutdown due to a positive case of Covid-19. The building has been professionally deep cleaned and will remain closed to the public until Monday, December 28.
Wednesday’s mid-day drawings for Pick-3 and Pick-4 will be conducted today at 12:57 p.m. according to regular procedures. The mid-day drawings will be broadcast and livestreamed on the Lottery’s Facebook and Livestream pages. Wednesday’s evening drawings will also return to normal procedures.
An individual employed by a Lottery vendor tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, December 22. The individual was last in the building on Thursday, December 17. As of today, no confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been reported by Lottery employees. All employees who had close contact with the individual have been notified and are taking appropriate action.
Operations, including Tuesday night’s drawings, were moved to the Lottery’s Business Continuity Site, which is designated as a back-up facility to ensure continuity of critical business functions in the event that Lottery Headquarters is ever closed or inaccessible for any reason.
The New Jersey Lottery has numerous protocols in place meant to protect workers and the public. The building is cleaned daily and employees follow state and CDC recommended safety measures, including wearing masks and socially distancing.
The New Jersey Lottery will reopen to the public by appointment only on Monday, December 28. Claimants should call the NJ Lottery at 1-800-222-0996 to schedule an appointment during normal business hours. Players without appointments will not be accepted at this time. Claimants are required to wear a mask or face covering when visiting the office.
In addition to mailing, players can also deliver claims to Lottery Headquarters using the new drop box located next to the lobby at our Headquarters in Lawrence. The drop box is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. No appointment is needed to access the drop box, and the drop box is monitored by Lottery Security Officers.
The media and public are being apprised of the reopening of the Lottery studios with this release and through our social media and other public-facing communication channels.
Yesterday’s story here: Coronavirus Hits The Lottery!…NJ Lottery To Close Building Due To COVID-19
December 23, 2020
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–At 2:03 am the Robbinsville Fire Department was dispatched to the 1100 Block of Route 130 for a vehicle fire. Upon arrival they discovered that a generator on a trailer was well involved in fire in a parking area for trucks and heavy equipment. Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the flames before spreading to other trailers and vehicles parked in the area.
