The Hopewell Township Committee postponed discussion and a vote on its proposed capital budget during its March 16 meeting due to the absence of two committee members. The matter is expected to return to the agenda at the committee’s next meeting on April 13.
The proposal under consideration would authorize the issuance of approximately $5.05 million in new bonds to fund capital projects in the township. The amount is slightly lower than the $5.402 million capital bond ordinance approved in 2025, according to township staff. If approved, the total the capital budget is expected to be a little over $5.9 million.
Also Monday night, the committee introduced an ordinance related to the recent transfer of Hopewell Borough’s water system to New Jersey American Water. If adopted, the ordinance would allow the utility to install and maintain piping beneath township streets serving homes in the neighborhood adjacent to the borough that receive water from that system. Public comment on the ordinance is scheduled for the committee’s April 13 meeting.
Changes to Public Notice Practices
The committee also discussed changes in how the township will publish certain public notices. In line with revised state policies, Hopewell Township will make greater use of its website and online news outlets to distribute information about meetings and municipal actions.
Notices related to topics such as leaf pickup, recycling, hunting season, Board of Health meetings, and administrative matters will appear on the township website rather than in local or regional newspapers. Public hearings involving development issues will continue to be posted on the website and in approved online news publications.
Film Production Ordinance Introduced
The committee introduced an ordinance to adopt New Jersey’s Film Ready Program, which establishes guidelines and fees for film productions seeking to operate in the township.
If adopted, Hopewell Township would be added to a statewide database used by film location managers searching for sites for motion picture production.
Grant Accepted for Senior Services and Vital Records
Committee members also accepted a $50,000 grant from Capital Health System that will support the township’s Senior Services Coordinator position and the Registrar of Vital Statistics.
Farmland Preservation Projects Move Forward
In another action, the township agreed to submit letters of support to the New Jersey Agriculture Development Committee for three farmland preservation applications.
The projects include:
- Southwind Farms, a 218-acre parcel bordered by Burd and Woosamonsa roads
- A 138-acre farm owned by Robert J. Hoch Jr., located on Pennington-Washington Crossing Road and Scotch Road
- The Gillespie farm, a 130-acre parcel on Harbourton-Woodsville Road that is in an earlier stage of the preservation process.
Trail Closure Planned
A portion of the Lawrence-Hopewell Trail near Moore’s Mill-Mount Rose Road will be temporarily closed in the coming weeks while an overhead electric line is relocated underground.
The work is part of an easement agreement with a nearby landowner and will include tree work associated with the relocation project.
The Hopewell Township Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for April 13, when the capital budget and the New Jersey American Water ordinance are expected to return for discussion.
