The Hopewell Township Committee convened for a brief meeting last Monday, June 24. The meeting covered resolutions, some discussions about civic improvements, and several conversations with residents during the public comment section of the meeting.
Traffic light
Township Engineer Jim Hutzelmann addressed the recent accident at Ingleside/Route 31 intersection on June 21. Hutzelmann explained that last fall, Hopewell Township contacted the Department of Transportation about installing a traffic light at this intersection. In response to the accident, Hutzelmann has followed up on this request and is awaiting a response.
Pennington Borough has submitted a resolution to the County objecting to a traffic light installation at this intersection. This objection was made out of concern that it would cause traffic backups, according to Hutzelmann.
Princeton Farms Sewage Remediation
Hutzelmann also reported that the Township has seen its first full month of data since the Princeton Farms Sewage Remediation was completed. Even with the heavy rainfall of last month, the Township notes a clear improvement in the flow.
Success of the Township Vaccine Clinics
The single vaccine clinics in April and June were a great success, according to Deputy Mayor Uma Purandare. More than 30 people were been vaccinated through this effort.
New Health Officer
Gary Dorsi has been appointed as a new health officer for the Township. Snyder introduced Dorsi as a registered environmental health specialist, a certified health officer, and a certified health education specialist. Purandari looks forward to his help with health department policies in the wake of COVID.
Blackwell Dairy Farm
During public comment, Mark O’Day came to speak to the Committee about the Blackwell Dairy Farm. O’Day requested that the Township make a formal resolution in support of preserving Blackwell Dairy Farm as private farmland, as opposed to converting the land into a park. No action was taken during this meeting. Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning thanked O’Day for his comment.
Public concerns about ADA
Also during public comment, Richard Fletcher spoke to the Committee about ADA compliance at ShopRite. According to Fletcher, shopping carts are regularly positioned to block the ramp, making the space inaccessible to people in wheelchairs. He asked if some direct action could be taken by the Committee.
