Hopewell Valley Stage moved one step closer to serving alcoholic beverages during performances Monday after Hopewell Borough Council approved a theater liquor license. The application must now be reviewed by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control before the license can be issued.
The license was approved following a required public hearing. No members of the public commented before council unanimously adopted the resolution.
If approved by the state, the license would allow Hopewell Valley Stage, operated by the Hopewell Valley Arts Council, to expand its offerings as the organization continues to build its schedule of live music, theater and community events.
The remainder of Monday’s meeting focused largely on updates to ongoing borough projects, including the water system transition, pedestrian safety improvements and future traffic-calming measures.
Water transition continues
Mayor Ryan Kennedy encouraged residents who have not yet done so to register with New Jersey American Water to receive project alerts and updates as work continues following the June sale of the borough’s water system.
The new water main construction along West Broad Street remains underway. Once that work is completed, New Jersey American Water will begin replacing lead, potentially lead and galvanized steel service lines as part of the state’s lead service line replacement requirements.
The utility is also preparing to begin replacing water meters, starting in the area around Hopewell Elementary School before students return this fall.
Kennedy contrasted New Jersey American Water’s positive communication with residents and the borough with recent utility work performed by Elizabethtown Gas, saying the borough has been frustrated by last-minute changes to road closures associated with the gas company’s paving project.
“We’re doing our best to hold their feet to the fire,” Kennedy said of Elizabethtown Gas, noting that borough officials have met weekly with New Jersey American Water and received regular updates on its construction schedule.
Safe Routes project moves forward
Council also advanced work on the borough’s Safe Routes to School initiative.
Administrator Jerry Giaimis said the borough has selected WSP Engineering to complete preliminary engineering work for the project. The work is funded through a $775,000 federal grant that he described as fully reimbursable.
Giaimis said the borough also expects to discuss additional traffic-calming measures at a future meeting once paving work around town is completed. The improvements are intended to complement the Safe Routes to School project.
Dark Sky initiative progresses
Council members also reported continued progress on the borough’s Dark Sky initiative.
Borough officials recently met with representatives from PSE&G to discuss warmer, shielded streetlights that reduce light pollution while improving nighttime visibility. Although most streetlights are owned by the utility rather than the borough, they said the discussions have been positive and could position Hopewell as a test case for updated lighting standards.
The borough also said work continues on a draft dark sky ordinance governing lighting for future development projects, with the goal of bringing it before council later this year.
Other business
In other business, Giaimis reported that the borough has submitted an application to participate in a regional Resilient New Jersey planning effort led by Lambertville. The initiative would help participating municipalities prepare for climate-related hazards and long-term resilience planning.
Council members also encouraged residents interested in serving on borough boards and committees—including the Board of Health, Senior Advisory Board and Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Advisory Committee—to contact Borough Hall about volunteer opportunities.
