Hopewell Borough Council moved forward Thursday night with several procedural steps tied to the pending sale of the Borough’s water system, while also advancing ordinances related to affordable housing, cannabis business operations, and public safety improvements.
Council approved Ordinance 908, granting municipal consent to New Jersey American Water to operate, maintain, and expand water facilities within the borough — a required step in the transfer of the municipal water system following voter approval last fall. Mayor Ryan Kennedy said the ordinance is one of several deliverables required for approval by the state Board of Public Utilities.
“This is one of the next steps that we do to have BPU approve the transaction that was approved by the voters in November,” Kennedy said, noting that the transition is not expected to occur before June.
During public comment, there were questions raised about the process and the financial implications of the sale. Kennedy reiterated that the borough is in the process of finalizing a debt defeasance plan and that in the years ahead, the sale proceeds could free up approximately $1 million annually, which would ultimately be subject to future council and public input on how it is used.
Intersection Safety Improvements Discussed
Council also heard a presentation on proposed pedestrian safety improvements at the Broad Street and Greenwood Avenue intersection, one of the borough’s most heavily used crossings — particularly for children walking to Hopewell Elementary School.
Councilmember Krista Weaver outlined a county-recommended leading pedestrian interval as a low-cost safety measure endorsed by the Federal Highway Administration. A leading pedestrian interval, or LPI, gives pedestrians a three- to seven-second head start before vehicles receive a green light, allowing them to establish visibility in the crosswalk. Weaver said federal data shows the measure can reduce pedestrian-vehicle crashes at intersections by approximately 13 percent and noted that the LPI proposed for the Broad Street and Greenwood Avenue intersection would be activated only when pedestrians are present.
According to county traffic analysis, all recent crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists at the intersection occurred during left turns from Greenwood Avenue onto Broad Street. The recommended change is expected to reduce conflicts while adding only minimal vehicle delay during peak hours.
County officials also recommended future curb extensions at the intersection, an idea that aligns with the borough’s Safe Routes to School planning and Complete Streets efforts.
Affordable Housing and Cannabis Ordinances Introduced
Council introduced several ordinances connected to the borough’s Fourth Round Affordable Housing Plan, including measures to establish development fees and update administrative requirements to ensure compliance with state law. These ordinances will be reviewed by the Planning Board later this month before returning to council for second readings and public hearings in March.
Another ordinance would modify borough regulations for cannabis businesses, extending retail operating hours from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and shifting required tax reporting from monthly to quarterly — a change officials said would reduce administrative burden while maintaining oversight.
Board and Committee Updates
Council also introduced an ordinance to expand the Board of Health by allowing alternate members, a move intended to maintain quorum and continuity as board members travel for professional obligations.
Committee and liaison reports highlighted a range of upcoming community activities, including:
- A metal recycling event this Saturday at the Hopewell Township Municipal Complex
- Planning for Arbor Day events and forestry grant applications
- Ongoing efforts to improve emergency services funding, including independent fundraising for a new ambulance equipped with a power stretcher
- Early steps toward forming a 501(c)(3) for the Hopewell Public Library to expand grant eligibility
Mayor Kennedy also thanked public works crews, county partners, and residents for cooperation during recent snowstorms, noting improved compliance with parking restrictions and sidewalk clearing.
The meeting concluded with recognition of Heidi Kahme, who recently retired after decades of service as director of the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance.
The next Borough Council meeting is scheduled for March, following Planning Board reviews of the affordable housing ordinances later this month.
