Township of Hopewell, Mercer County, New Jersey

The August edition of the Hopewell Township e-newsletter is out!

See Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning and Commissioner Kristin McLaughlin interviewed. https://lnkd.in/eA-zyPgE

What’s happening in Hopewell Township this week Monday, July 22 7pm Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Hopewell Township Municipal Building Wednesday, July 24 6:30pm FREE Concert in the Park- Pennington Station Band Woolsey Park More info- https://lnkd.in/dp6VhMgk Thursday, July 25 Freon appliance pickup day, fee required More info- www.hopewelltwp.org/freon 7pm Planning Board Join- https://lnkd.in/dyy-w5_X Agenda- https://lnkd.in/dnVv64cX Saturday, July 27 9am- 1pm Hopewell Valley Green Team Recycling Pennington Farmers Market at Rosedale Mills More info- https://lnkd.in/dcVe3cM www.hopewelltwp.org

A Statement of the Hopewell Township Committee Regarding the PILOT and the Upcoming School Referendum As a part of Hopewell Township’s state-mandated plan to meet its affordable housing obligation, and to ensure that neighborhoods that include an affordable housing component are financially feasible, the Township entered into a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with Lennar, the builder of the new inclusionary neighborhood at Hopewell Parc. In light of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District (HVRSD) Referendum that will be in front of voters in September, residents have raised questions about the PILOT and how it may impact the HVRSD. Here, we aim to answer these questions and clarify some misconceptions that are circulating in the community. The HVRSD and the Board of Education have noted that their bond Referendum contemplates improvements at all schools in the District, including roof and HVAC maintenance that have nothing to do with growth from any of the planned inclusionary neighborhoods. It also includes replacement of the trailers at Bear Tavern Elementary School, which have been housing students since 1994, with the construction of a new wing. This new construction will allow for expanded pre-K programs, in addition to accommodating additional students from our new inclusionary neighborhoods. The estimated cost of construction of the new Bear Tavern wing is $17.1 million, which represents approximately 19.6% of the total amount of the Referendum. The Hopewell Township Committee noted in 2016, and has reinforced over the years, that it is committed to using a significant portion of the funds from the PILOT to offset any costs of improvements at Bear Tavern Elementary School that may, at least in part, stem from any additional students that will come from our court-approved affordable housing plan. In fact, the PILOT agreement with Lennar itself specifically notes using PILOT funds to support the HVRSD and the new Senior and Community Center. The roadblock in putting specific numbers to this commitment is the current pending litigation initiated by Hopewell Borough and Pennington Borough against Hopewell Township (Hopewell Borough, Pennington Borough et al. v. Hopewell Township et al.) that seeks to invalidate the PILOT agreement. The Township has already won the case in the lower court, but the case is currently on appeal to the Appellate Division. So long as there is ongoing litigation surrounding the PILOT agreement, the Township Committee is unable to commit to any specific funding plan. Read more- https://lnkd.in/eC-p6Xdh

Hopewell Township this week Monday, July 15 6:30pm Township Committee Hybrid- both virtual and in-person Hopewell Township Municipal Building Register- https://lnkd.in/ee53Jpar Agenda- https://lnkd.in/eZy72VMw Tuesday, July 16 7pm Environmental Commission Join- https://lnkd.in/efnH26_5 Agenda- https://lnkd.in/ett5mFc9 7pm Historic Preservation Commission Hopewell Township Municipal Building Agenda- https://lnkd.in/esyZ3_22 Wednesday, July 17 8:30pm FREE Movie in the park- Encanto Postponed from last week Woolsey Park More info- https://lnkd.in/ed5JXN8x www.hopewelltwp.org

Hopewell Township Senior Services email newlstter is out! https://conta.cc/4cFyfWB https://lnkd.in/e4BAB3xP

The Mercer County Board of Elections is actively recruiting Election Board Workers for the November General Election. Mercer County residents who apply and complete a required training session can earn up to $300 during a Full Day shift (Half Day shifts are also available and offer $150). Bilingual residents who speak English, as well as Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Gujarati or Punjabi, are especially needed. Election Board Worker program details are available at: https://lnkd.in/ePx9_mH4 And Board Worker Applications can be accessed at: https://lnkd.in/e67-AcG Flyer- https://lnkd.in/eDVTR6yu

It’s another scorcher today! Heat advisories and air quality warnings are in effect. The heat wave is expected to continue into the weekend. Don’t underestimate the danger of extreme heat! Never leave people or animals in cars, even for a minute. Stay hydrated, and out of the heat as much as possible. We have an Ozone Action Day and a Moderate fine particulate level today. Ozone levels are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Both of these can cause problems for the very young, the elderly, people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women. These people should avoid strenuous activities, especially in the highest heat of the day. There are cooling centers in the Hopewell Valley you can visit if you need them. ·       Hopewell Township Municipal Building ·       Pennington Borough Hall ·       Mercer County Library-Hopewell Branch Don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 if you need help. More information can be found at https://lnkd.in/ehpw8nj.

What’s happening in Hopewell Township this week Wednesday, July 10 6pm Tourism & Economic Development Advisory Committee Hybrid- both virtual and in-person Hopewell Township Municipal Building Agenda- https://lnkd.in/eFhF3UfZ 7pm Citizens Equity Advisory Committee Hopewell Township municipal Building 8:30pm FREE Movies in the Park- Encanto Woolsey Park More info- https://lnkd.in/eSigZ7tR Thursday, July 11 7pm Woolsey Park Advisory Committee Hopewell Township Municipal Building Saturday, July 13 8am Wildwood Family Day with the Recreation Department Sign up- 609-737-3753 or recreation@hopewelltwp.org More info- https://lnkd.in/eXHnNfyV Sunday, July 14 11am Color Fun Run + Walk with the Hopewell Valley Arts Council Woolsey Park More info- https://lnkd.in/e-6FUZuC www.hopewelltwp.org