Resident says Lambertville court delayed playground safety information; council urged to follow up

A longtime Lambertville resident told the council that a municipal court hearing over construction and inspection documentation for a school playground had been postponed and that the town had not provided requested inspection records since May.

Judy Gleason, who identified herself with a street address, said she was "shocked and appalled" that the court pushed the hearing into a future month after the town had repeatedly requested information about inspections and safety measures on the playground built at a school on York Street. "We've been asking for and waiting for the city," Gleason said, adding she was troubled that different parties appeared to receive different treatment.

Why it matters: The commenter framed the issue as both a public-safety concern and an equity question about whether some entities receive preferential treatment when town processes are enforced. Council members responded that municipal judges set court schedules and that the council could not direct court timing; however, they noted the construction office and zoning officers have authority to shut down work lacking permits and that staff can and should follow up on outstanding enforcement steps.

At the meeting a council member explained that if a party is in violation the construction office can shut down the work, and that the planning board has exercised that authority in the past; the council did not record any new enforcement action at the meeting.

Next steps: The resident requested clearer follow-up; the council acknowledged the concern and said staff would report back about enforcement steps rather than relying solely on municipal-court timing.