To the Editor:
Hopewell residents will soon vote on whether to sell our community’s water system to New Jersey American Water. I urge my fellow residents to vote NO—not because we’re rejecting change, but because we need time to explore realistic, community-focused alternatives.
In just a few months, a small group of volunteers—without paid consultants or outside funding—reviewed hundreds of pages of documents and consulted state and national experts in water management. Their diligence has already led to a significant breakthrough: the Atlantic Foundation has pledged $150,000 in matching funds toward one promising solution, a philanthropic fund that could help preserve local control. Other options, including forming a Municipal Utility Authority, are also being studied.
Selling the system to a private corporation is irreversible. Once ownership is gone, it’s gone for good. But taking a pause by voting NO costs us nothing—and keeps all our options open. If, after further study, no better path emerges, New Jersey American Water and the other bidders will still be there. They are profit-driven entities whose duty to shareholders ensures they will gladly bid again on this increasingly valuable resource.
A “no” vote is not a rejection of progress—it’s a responsible call for due diligence, transparency, and community self-determination. Let’s take the time to make sure the decision we make is truly in Hopewell’s best long-term interest.
Vote NO on selling our water system.
Sincerely,
Betsy Keller
Hopewell Resident
