At the first Pennington Borough Council meeting of 2026 on January 5, Mayor James Davy and council members passed resolutions and ordinances advancing several projects that had been under discussion throughout the past year. Following the meeting, Davy spoke with MercerMe about public service and what the role means to him.
Much of the meeting focused on water-related issues, including quality, safety, and the cost of service.
Council approved an agreement with South Jersey Water Test, LLC to provide routine laboratory sampling and analysis.
On the issue of lead service lines, council authorized the borough to advertise for bids from businesses capable of providing lead line replacement services.
Council also passed an ordinance addressing water and sewer rates. The ordinance states that the Pennington Water and Sewer Utility continues to experience increased operating costs, requiring rate increases for residents. It further specifies that rates will be more clearly differentiated based on customer usage.
Fire inspection services were also discussed. Council announced that Pennington is no longer receiving inspection services from Hopewell Township and is now being served by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety within the Department of Community Affairs. The state agency will provide inspections for life-threatening uses and, on a temporary basis, for non-life-threatening uses. The borough is currently seeking to hire a qualified fire official to assume responsibility for non-life-threatening inspections.
In other business, council discussed rules governing the borough’s mobile electronic message board, which is used to convey government messages and promote events. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status may also post messages for a $100 fee, with an application submitted to the Superintendent of Public Works.
Council announced that Edmunds GovTech will continue providing software support, allowing residents to make online payments for tax and utility bills.
The Senior Advisory Committee recommended upcoming programming, including All About the iPhone, scheduled for January 28 at 1 p.m. Residents are encouraged to see the Senior Spirit newsletter for additional details.
Looking ahead to 2026, Borough Administrator GP Caminiti briefly highlighted several projects expected to be in focus this year, including IT infrastructure upgrades to strengthen cybersecurity and website functionality, sidewalk repairs, vehicle leasing, improved code enforcement, and a graduation within the Police Department, which will be announced at a later date.
In a statement following the meeting, Davy reflected on the responsibilities of public service.
“Serving as the mayor of Pennington has been both a profound privilege and a meaningful responsibility,” Davy said. “Every day, I am reminded that public service is fundamentally about people — their hopes, their concerns, and their right to live in a community where their wellbeing comes first.
“For me, the benefits of this role are clear: the opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to me, the chance to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, and the honor of working alongside dedicated public servants and engaged residents,” he said. “But with these benefits come serious challenges — chief among them the weight of knowing that every decision we make has real consequences for real families and their everyday lives.”
Davy emphasized the importance of considering both intended and unintended impacts when making policy decisions.
“Those of us entrusted with decision-making authority must never lose sight of this fundamental truth: our choices affect our neighbors,” he said. “When we consider new projects, policies, or changes to our community, we have an obligation to think carefully about potential impacts — not just intended outcomes, but unintended consequences that could create hardship for those we serve.”
He added that collaboration is essential to effective governance.
“The best solutions emerge when we work together, when we listen to each other and those who will be affected, and when we prioritize the common good,” Davy said. “We must always ask ourselves: ‘Will this decision help or harm people? Will this bring our Hopewell Valley community together or divide it?’”
The next Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 2, at 7 p.m. Residents can find access information on the borough’s Zoom meeting page.
