A potential legal challenge and questions about elected officials’ advocacy dominated Thursday night’s Hopewell Borough Council meeting, as residents continued to debate the proposed sale of the Borough’s municipal water system to New Jersey American Water.
During public comment, J. David Waldman read a prepared statement announcing his intent to file a court action challenging the wording of the referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot.
“I intend to file an action in lieu of prerogative writs to block the Clerk from counting the vote on the referendum as the language of the referendum is misleading and does not accurately reflect the terms of the contract with NJAW,” Waldman said.
After the meeting, Waldman told MercerMe that he did not wish to elaborate until after his filing was complete.
Residents question advocacy and contract terms
Several residents raised concerns about the Borough’s handling of the proposed sale, including both the language of the referendum and details of the contract itself.
Keith Hovey questioned provisions of the agreement with New Jersey American Water and asked Borough officials to clarify how enforcement and accountability would work once the system changes ownership. Hovey also expressed concern about elected officials appearing in promotional materials, saying it blurred the line between information and advocacy.
Courtney Palmbush said she appreciated the Borough’s posting of contract documents online but disagreed with officials’ involvement in communications that appeared to promote a specific outcome.
Councilmembers and the mayor responded that their advocacy reflected their responsibility to share the reasoning behind their decision to put the question before voters after years of analysis.
“Yes, I am advocating for this,” Mayor Ryan Kennedy said. “It is both under our requirements ethically and right to do so. And I will not use Borough funds to do so.”
Council President David Mackie said officials had spent extensive time studying the system’s future and wanted residents to understand their position. “We have been transparent about every step,” Mackie said.
Councilwoman Sheri Hook added that neutrality would not be appropriate. “It would be a dereliction of my duty to say I’m just neutral,” she said. “You elected me to make these decisions.”
Tensions ahead of referendum
The exchange reflected the divide in the community as voters prepare to decide whether to approve the sale.
Throughout the meeting, residents questioned contract details, rate implications, and long-term oversight of the water system. Several said they wanted more assurance about how future costs would be managed if the sale proceeds.
Officials reiterated their belief that the proposed sale is in the Borough’s best financial and operational interest and encouraged residents to review the full materials before voting.
The referendum will appear on all Hopewell Borough ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 4, asking voters to approve or reject the sale of the Borough’s water system to New Jersey American Water.
