As part of MercerMe’s mission to keep Hopewell Valley residents informed and engaged, we invited both Hopewell Township Committee candidates in this year’s contested election to share their backgrounds and priorities. Incumbent Democrat Uma Purandare and Republican challenger Bob Zansitis have provided their perspectives on the key issues facing the Township. Below are their responses to help you make an informed decision at the polls.
1. Please briefly share your background and any relevant experience that qualifies you to serve on the Hopewell Township Committee, including any public service experience.
Purandare: I have been serving on the Hopewell Township Committee for the past three years, and this year I am serving as Deputy Mayor. Before being elected, I volunteered with several groups, including the Hopewell Valley PTO, Girl Scouts, the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry, and A-Z Mentoring. Additionally, I was a member of the Hopewell Township Zoning Board. My family and I live in Brandon Farms, and our two children graduated from Hopewell Valley Central High School.
I am profoundly honored to serve our remarkable Township and its residents on the Hopewell Township Committee. I take this responsibility very seriously as we ensure the affordability, health, and safety of our community. I am proud to represent our diverse residents and want to build Hopewell Township a welcoming community.
Zansitis: I’ve lived in the western part of the Township for 15 years. Kim and I share a beautiful home that I proudly built 7 years ago. It’s our sanctuary, where we live with our cherished Chihuahua, Paco, who brings us endless joy. We’re also fortunate to care for two beloved horses, Holly and Brandy, who are part of our family and add a special sense of peace and connection to our environment. I have owned and operated Zansitis Painting for over 30 years, which has given me the opportunity to get to know the residents who call Hopewell home. Being out in the community has given me a unique perspective on how the decisions of the Township Committee affect the lives of residents across Hopewell. I also am a Trustee of the Woosamonsa School House, which has given me the opportunity to help preserve Hopewell’s history and character.
2. What motivated you to run for a seat on the Township Committee?
Purandare: I have been a resident of Hopewell Township for 26 years. While my career as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry initially brought me to this area, my family and I chose Hopewell Township as our home because of its rich historical and unique rural character. From the very beginning, this community warmly welcomed us. Hopewell Township has not only played a significant role in advancing my career as a pharmaceutical research scientist but has also enriched my personal life in so many ways. I am excited about the opportunity to continue to give back to this wonderful community.
Zansitis: I decided to run because our township deserves more than one voice guiding its future. Our community thrives on diversity of thought, and I believe real change is needed to ensure every resident is heard and represented. It’s time to bring fresh perspectives and stand up for the values that make Hopewell strong. I care deeply about the future of Hopewell, and I believe we are heading down the wrong path. With a steadfast commitment to doing what’s right for all of Hopewell’s residents, I will work tirelessly to ensure our community thrives—guided by integrity, fairness, and a love for the town we call home.
3. What do you see as the most pressing issue currently facing Hopewell Township, and how would you address it?
Purandare: Preserving Hopewell Township’s character and environmental resources while accommodating growth is an ongoing challenge. By balancing development with focused conservation efforts, Hopewell Township aims to maintain its rural character and quality of life while meeting its obligations and fostering sustainable growth.
Zansitis: I see two glaring issues – balance and unification – being crucial as the basis for addressing the many issues that our Committee faces. I say that because many of these issues were caused by an out-of-touch government body controlled by one party.
- Balance – We need balance on the township committee. Having all five members from one party creates an echo chamber. Hopewell deserves diverse perspectives and someone to represent a different voice in decision-making.
- Unification – Restoring and repairing relationships with our neighboring boroughs is key. It is an essential component for creating a more cohesive future for our community, our children, and our environment. We need to focus more on working together to create a more unified Hopewell.
Additionally, In my upcoming term, I aim to address key issues: halt overdevelopment and adhere to our master plan to protect the environment, lower property taxes while stopping targeted reassessments, and end the use of surplus funds that mask overspending.
4. How does the School District budget impact the Township’s finances, and what is your approach to managing that relationship?
Purandare: The School District sets its own budget, just as we in Hopewell Township set our budget. By law, the Township is obligated to collect whatever the School District requires. While that affects the bottom line of tax bills, it does not affect how the Township calculates municipal taxes. This year we named a liaison to the School District as a way to continue to improve communication. Overall, I believe we have a solid relationship with the School District.
As for the Township’s budget, developing a budget is the most important job I have on the Committee. Working with my fellow Committee members this year, we kept this year’s increase to 1.99%, which is far below the national rate of inflation of 3.48%. As we do our best to hold the line on taxes, I believe that we must continue to help reduce taxpayers’ burden overall and improve our financial position by attracting more commercial ratables, such as BeiGene, that will help offset our residents’ property taxes.
Zansitis: As evidenced by the recent $87 million referendum being voted down, Hopewell residents understand that the two are intertwined since the funds come from tax-payers one way or another. I supported the NO vote as part of my campaign because the referendum seemed exorbitant and included items that were non-essential. Clearly, the referendum process could have benefitted from some outside input. Going forward, I think that the school budget may benefit from Township input.
5. What are your thoughts on potential development in Hopewell Township, particularly in areas north of Pennington-Titusville Road?
Purandare: Without public water or sewer, any commercial development is a challenge. There are very few undeveloped areas north of Pennington-Titusville Rd that have access to public water and sewers.
Zansitis: I’m genuinely concerned that it might not be the right approach. Most sites that are being identified have reasonable proximity to sewers, which does not exist in this area. The southern tier has already been flooded with new housing. I think we should be looking to distribute housing throughout the township more responsibly.
I also suspect that all this new development has stressed our drainage system. I fear this could have been the culprit with the most recent flooding of the Pennington Circle and surrounding areas in proximity to these new developments. With storm activities ever increasing I worry about the existing residents, their safety, the integrity of their dwelling structures, and existing public infrastructure.
6. What is your stance on the future of the Pennytown property?
Purandare: The Pennytown property is for sale. With no public water or sewer, there are limits on potential uses. For example, there could be some residential development. Or it could be used for small-scale commercial or retail development, providing commercial ratables to the Township and taxpayers. I am willing to listen to all proposals.
Zansitis: The Pennytown property was obviously a mistake for the Township. At this point, regardless of what is done with the property, the Township will lose money. The property should be sold at a loss, either to a non-profit that can develop the property into something that would benefit the Township, or to a business that would fit in with the surrounding community.
7. Should the Township pursue commercial development? If so, where should this occur, and what challenges might need to be addressed?
Purandare: Hopewell Township should pursue commercial development guided by its Master Plan.
Zansitis: It should be noted that the housing going up on Scotch Road was supposed to be a mix of commercial and residential with some talk of retail and big box. The original idea was to bring in ratables without overwhelming the schools and burden on the taxpayers. That seems to have been replaced with over-priced condos and a PILOT program that does not contribute to school taxes. The main challenge would be the amount of development that is already going on with housing. Any commercial development would need to be done in an area that did not further compound congestion.
8. What is your stance on preserved open space and farmland within the Township?
Purandare: As a member of the Township Committee and the Environmental Commission (where I led the effort for the Township’s certification as a eco-friendly community by Sustainable NJ), I am proud that our Township has the most land preserved of all municipalities in Mercer County. In fact, 42% of all land in Hopewell Township is open space, preserved farmland, or parks and recreational space. I am a very strong supporter of our local farming community.
Zansitis: Preservation has been a point of pride for Hopewell for a long time and I am in favor of it. In the face of all of the development going on, open space and farmland help to preserve Hopewell’s rural identity. It seems particularly valuable at a time like this.
9. How has Hopewell Township responded to the Mount Laurel decision, and what do you believe is important for residents to know about the ongoing development of affordable and market-rate housing?
Purandare: MercerMe has done an outstanding job of reporting on affordable housing, and I encourage anyone who wants to understand the full story to go to your website. Hopewell Township has followed the state-mandated requirements in the most fiscally responsible way for our community. Our new neighbors are moving in and I will welcome them with open arms, just as I was welcomed when I came to the Township.
Zansitis: The Mount Laurel decision has been problematic for townships all across the state, which is why some are going to court to fight the decision. Typical of anything that government does, there are unintended consequences. In this case, the numbers of required units seem excessive and random. The severe influx of housing will stress schools, traffic, and our natural resources. As far as the actual building goes, I would like residents to know that the overwhelming majority of the units being built are market value by a 4 to 1 ratio. Specifically, I believe that a 4 to 1 ratio of market and affordables was quite excessive. As I understand it, our obligation was only for affordables; the current Township Committee did a poor job negotiating with the developer in that regard.
10. Do you believe the election process in Mercer County has been safe and fair?
Purandare: Absolutely.
Zansitis: I don’t think anyone could make that claim, based on what happened with widespread failures in Mercer County just a few years ago. There is still an active lawsuit against Mercer County on this matter. I do not feel that the change in equipment and addition of mail-in ballots has been an improvement over the previous machines. We do not even get results on election night anymore because of mail-in ballots and delays in counting votes. Residents need to be confident that elections are fair and secure. Perception is reality, and Mercer has a long way to go to restore confidence.
11. Do you follow MercerMe for news about what is happening in the community? If not, how do you stay informed?
Purandare: Of course! MercerMe provides a vital community service. I hope that when there is news, people continue to report it to MercerMe so factual information can be shared as quickly as possible. I truly appreciate this opportunity to speak to your thousands of readers.
Zansitis: I follow MercerMe for its excellent local news coverage and enjoy MercerWe The People of HV’s monthly newsletter for the same reason. I also stay updated on social news through Instagram and local FB groups. I’m grateful for the opportunity to introduce myself and answer questions for the community.
