We are collectively experiencing a threat to our health and to our community. It is important for all of us to continue practicing social distancing. We can best protect ourselves if we behave calmly and kindly with the assumption that people you meet outside are positive for COVID-19. Do not assume that people have been tested and are aware of their health status.
If you are in need, the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry will be starting on March 23. The Hopewell Regional School District is coordinating with Pennington Borough, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, and multiple volunteer organizations to help families who have financial need and/or require help with food delivery. This is a Valley-wide program. Volunteers and donations will be needed starting next week. For more information, click here: https://mercerme.com/hvrsd-and-partners-open-mobile-food-pantry/
Please know that volunteers will be limited in number, separated from one another, and using protective gloves. Seniors who need services should call Randi Knechel at 609-537-0236 or email her at [email protected] for community resources.
I would like to update residents as to what steps we have taken to protect our employees and community during the novel coronavirus crisis:
The Township of Hopewell has been working closely with local, county, and state Health Department officials to monitor, plan for, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Since January 31, we have had a series of meetings planning for and creating protocols for emergency crews responding to requests for assistance. We have met with our employees and Health Officer to allow essential services to continue while keeping contact with the public to a minimum.
Last Friday, March 13, Township Administrator Elaine Borges posted the following information on our website:
- The Senior Center located in Pennington is closed, but the Mercer County Nutrition program will provide take out meals. All other Senior Programs are cancelled. We will reassess on March 26 and will advise the community accordingly.
- All Recreation Department Activities are cancelled, and we will reassess future activities on April 9.
- All municipal fields are closed to teams, and we will reassess future activities on April 9.
- The Township Administrator is currently looking at various technologies to provide open, public meetings electronically.
- The Township Municipal building is closed to all visitors. Visitation will be by appointment only.
- Anyone needing to get documents to the Municipal building can use the drop box located outside the building. The Township will do its best to communicate electronically or by mail with our visitors.
- Outdoor inspections will continue as scheduled.
Monday night, the Township Committee declared a State of Emergency in Hopewell Township that allows us to access additional state and federal resources and to respond quickly to a health threat that changes in magnitude on a daily basis.
Thank you to our Health Officer, Stephanie Carey, our Township Administrator, Elaine Borges, our Township employees, our own first responders and our partners in emergency response: the Fire Districts and first aid response teams in Pennington, Titusville, and Hopewell Borough. These individuals and groups are committed to protecting the community and the volunteers who risk exposure.
We, as a community, are working together towards the common goal of limiting exposure to the virus, protecting all our citizens, especially the most vulnerable, and ensuring that our health care resources are not overwhelmed. It takes a community-wide effort to achieve these ends – I have seen and appreciate the incredible response and resolve by our residents to keep everyone healthy.
For more information regarding COVID-19, go to hopewelltwp.org, nj.gov/health, or call 1-800-962-1253 or 1-800-222-1222.
Stay safe.
Julie Blake
Julie Blake serves on the Hopewell Township Committee and as Chair of the Township Board of Health. She is writing as an individual
Note from MercerMe – more coronavirus information is also available by going to our homepage and clicking the “Coronavirus Advisory Information” tab in the middle at the top.
