The Hopewell Borough Council adopted three ordinances and outlined preparations for both the Sept. 11 commemoration and the upcoming water system referendum during its Sept. 4 regular meeting.
Water System Referendum
Mayor Ryan Kennedy reminded residents that the next public information session on the proposed sale of the municipal water system to New Jersey American Water will take place Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall and via Zoom. Slides are already posted online, but Kennedy emphasized they are meant to be viewed alongside the live presentation and discussion.
“We encourage residents to come, ask questions of our professionals and New Jersey American Water, and hear the full presentation,” Kennedy said.
In addition, this past week New Jersey American Water has launched www.voteyeshopewellwater.com, a new website featuring details about the proposed sale. The site highlights projected savings, infrastructure investments, and includes a rate calculator that allows residents to compare current bills with estimates under NJAW ownership. According to the company, the average household would save about 36% annually — roughly $433 per year — if the referendum passes. The vote is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Sept. 11 Commemoration
A piece of the World Trade Center that lives in the Hopewell Valley is changing locations and moving to Hopewell Borough. A piece of steel has been in the Hopewell Branch of the Mercer County Library for the past year and will be relocated to Hopewell Borough Hall on Sept. 11. The processional will start near Hopewell Elementary around 8:45am and then go down Broad St. arriving for a ceremony at Borough Hall beginning around 9:15am. Kennedy called it a moving event, thanking first responders for organizing the display.
Resident Concerns
Residents raised several issues during public comment, including pedestrian safety at crosswalks, Planning Board meeting cancellations, and questions about the use of nonprofit fundraiser proceeds. Council members explained county rules limit creative crosswalk painting but said municipal options could be explored. Kennedy clarified that Planning Board meetings are held only when applications are pending, as the Board functions in a quasi-judicial role.
Ordinances Adopted
The council adopted three ordinances after public hearings, each aimed at strengthening borough code and addressing long-standing needs.
Ordinance 903 – Vacant and Abandoned Property Registration
This new law establishes a registration program for properties that are vacant or abandoned. Owners will be required to register such properties with the borough, and fees will escalate the longer a property remains unused. Mayor Kennedy said the goal is to ensure these buildings are “secured, and with some tools to encourage their more quick… reuse.” Emergency management officials, including Hopewell Valley OEM, also contributed to the development of the ordinance.
Ordinance 904 – Property Maintenance
Now the borough more authority to act on neglected or unsafe properties, supplementing the work of the health officer, zoning officer and construction officials. Kennedy noted that prior to this ordinance, “there just wasn’t anything in our code that let us do something” when faced with severely neglected properties.
Councilwoman Heidi Wilenius raised concerns about language requiring premises to be free of weeds, ragweed, and poison ivy, noting that “I don’t think it’s possible that there’s no poison ivy on [an] acre” of land. Mackie and Kennedy responded that the ordinance is intended to target egregious cases—such as “three-inch diameter vines of poison ivy growing up the side of a building”—rather than penalize residents for minor growth.
Officials emphasized that enforcement will be complaint-driven, with notices and opportunities to cure issued before any violation moves forward. “They’re not going to go, ‘I see one poison ivy leaf, I’m writing a citation,’” Mackie said, stressing the ordinance is a tool for serious cases of blight.
Ordinance 905 – Department of Public Works Facility Funding
This ordinance provides a $630,000 supplemental appropriation for renovations and expansion at the DPW facility, financed with $590,500 in bonds or notes. Kennedy called the upgrades “things that our amazing public works team really deserve,” adding that final design and cost estimates are still being developed
Other Business
- Council approved new library assistants and authorized steps on the Safe Routes to School program.
- The 2024 municipal audit was received with no concerns.
- Council reports covered upcoming events including PorchFest (Sept. 13), the Harvest Fair (Sept. 20), and the Halloween Parade (Oct. 26).
