Hopewell Borough Council postponed a vote on June 4 on a proposed four-way stop at the intersection of Columbia and Seminary avenues, opting to gather additional traffic data before deciding on a measure that has sparked debate among residents, emergency responders and borough officials.
Council continued the public hearing on Ordinance 915, which would establish all-way stop control at the intersection, and signaled that no vote would be taken at the June meeting while engineers complete a temporary traffic study.
The issue has become one of the borough’s most closely watched local safety debates. Supporters argue the intersection poses risks for pedestrians, particularly children traveling to and from Hopewell Elementary School and the YMCA, while opponents — including members of the emergency services community — have warned that a four-way stop could create traffic backups and slow emergency response times.
Mayor Ryan Kennedy told residents the borough is expecting additional information from its engineers and from a study being conducted in coordination with the fire department before the ordinance returns for consideration.
“We’re expecting more information from our engineers and a kind of test study that they are doing alongside the fire department,” Kennedy said during the meeting.
According to Borough Administrator Jerry Giaimis’ monthly report, temporary four-way stop signs will be installed at the intersection for a 48-hour study on June 10 and 11. Traffic cameras and monitoring equipment will collect data on vehicle movements, heavy vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles during morning and afternoon peak travel periods. Engineers will also evaluate traffic queuing before preparing a summary report for the borough.
The delay follows extensive public discussion at the council’s May meeting, when residents and emergency responders offered sharply differing views on the proposal.
The ordinance itself states that the borough engineer conducted an engineering investigation and determined that all-way stop control is justified under state traffic standards. The ordinance notes that the intersection is within 500 feet of Hopewell Elementary School.
Water System Transition Information Coming Soon
Council also provided an update on the pending transfer of the borough’s water system to New Jersey American Water.
Kennedy said residents can expect additional information, including a sample informational packet and details about billing changes and customer assistance programs.
“Likely this weekend, we will have an email packet out and posted on the website of some transition information about the upcoming turnover,” Kennedy said.
He said the materials will include information on what future bills will look like, how the transition process will work and resources available to residents who may need financial assistance.
“We want to help get the word out for anyone who is eligible, or we think could use payment assistance,” Kennedy said. “There are significant avenues for needy residents to receive assistance through various programs.”
Final approval of the sale remains pending before the transition can be completed.
New Pedestrian Safety Measure Activated
Councilwoman Krista Weaver highlighted a recently installed pedestrian safety improvement at the intersection of Broad Street and Greenwood Avenue.
The new Leading Pedestrian Interval gives pedestrians a seven-second head start before vehicles receive a green signal. The change is intended to increase visibility and reduce conflicts between turning vehicles and people crossing the street.
“The point of this is to increase visibility for crossing pedestrians, reduce conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, increase the likelihood that a motorist yields to pedestrians, and enhance safety for pedestrians who may be slow to start into the intersection,” Weaver said.
Weaver noted that previous crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists at the intersection often involved vehicles making left turns onto Broad Street.
She said the improvement is part of broader Vision Zero efforts aimed at reducing serious traffic injuries and fatalities and is being coordinated with Mercer County.
First Responders, Pride Month and School Centennial Recognized
The meeting began with several proclamations recognizing Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day, Pride Month, First Responders Recognition Day, Hopewell Elementary School’s upcoming 100th anniversary tree planting and National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
Kennedy thanked Councilwoman Krista Weaver and community volunteers who organized the borough’s Pride flag-raising ceremony earlier in the evening.
Council members also promoted several upcoming community events, including the June 10 tree planting commemorating the 100th anniversary of Hopewell Elementary School and an informational session on New Jersey’s new e-bike regulations scheduled for June 10.
The e-bike program, organized through a partnership between the Hopewell Public Library and Council President Debra Stuhler, will address registration requirements, insurance, licensing and other changes associated with the new law.
Hopewell 57 Prompts Public Comment
The Hopewell 57 redevelopment project again generated public comment during the meeting.
Before residents spoke, borough attorney Arthur Sypek explained that because the Planning Board is currently considering the application in its role as a quasi-judicial body, council members would not engage in discussion about the pending project.
“This doesn’t mean you cannot come up and have your five minutes and speak to anything you want with regard to the Hopewell 57 project,” Sypek told residents. “But there will not be an interaction with regards to the application.”
Several residents nevertheless raised concerns about the project, Planning Board scheduling and opportunities for public participation. The Planning Board continues their discussion on Hopewell 57 on June 10.
The next Hopewell Borough Council meeting is scheduled for July 2.
