The Hopewell Township Committee gave its formal backing Monday to Arc Mercer’s plan for new group homes and a teaching farm, while also fielding public concerns on PFAS contamination in Titusville and traffic safety on Bull Run Road.
Arc Mercer project presented
Arc Mercer Executive Director Steve Cook presented updated details for the project on two preserved farm parcels along Mine Road. The plan calls for four six-bedroom single-family homes for adults with developmental disabilities—two existing residences plus two new homes—alongside agricultural programming designed to provide residents with meaningful work opportunities.
The site design includes a farm stand, starter greenhouses, beehives, and a chicken coop, with cornfields providing feed for the chickens. Cook described it as a sustainable loop that will supply eggs to Arc Mercer’s 24 homes across Mercer County while teaching vocational skills.
A proposed cistern and access road are being researched with a goal that the cistern could support firefighting needs in an area without water infrastructure. “We really wanted this to be a resource for the whole community,” Cook told the committee.
Cook noted that special-needs housing carries unique weight in New Jersey’s affordable housing system. Each bedroom counts as more than one credit, meaning the four homes could yield up to 48 affordable housing credits, already factored into Hopewell Township’s Round 4 housing plan. He added that residents will not impact local schools, since none of the adults served are school-aged.
Arc Mercer is still working to secure funding and expects development to proceed in phases over the next two years, beginning with infrastructure work at the Fox Run property. For neighbors or residents with questions ARC Mercer provided contact information for the project Phone: 609-649-9577 and Email: [email protected]
Following discussion, the committee unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a letter of support for the project.
PFAS concerns raised in Titusville
During public comment, Tracy Zarodnansky of George Washington Drive said multiple homes recently received New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection letters showing PFAS contamination above state limits and recommending they no longer drink their water. Zarodnansky asked the township for help requesting water deliveries and more clarity on what was happening.
Peters-Manning replied that the DEP oversees the testing program, but pledged to call the township health officer the next day to determine how to connect residents with DEP and ensure concerns are addressed. “Please don’t come away with the impression that we are not interested in helping get you water,” she said.
Since the meeting Monday, Peters-Manning and others in the Township have been in touch with NJDEP and the Zarodnansky’s. Any resident that has received this notification should be saving all receipts related to water purchasing because they’ll be reimbursed through state dollars for those costs.
The Township is also investigating a possible water filling station at the Township buildings. There are more resources on PFAs on the Township website.
PFAS contamination has been an ongoing issue in Hopewell Township for years. In 2022, NJDEP testing found elevated levels of the “forever chemicals” at Bear Tavern Elementary School, Timberlane Middle School, and in more than 40 private wells in Titusville and along Route 31. The state has since expanded sampling and urged homeowners to test their wells, with those above safety limits eligible for DEP-funded filtration or treatment. Filtration systems were added to both schools. MercerMe has also reached out to the NJDEP for more information on where testing is continuing in the Township.
Bull Run traffic and development
Residents from Ewing and Hopewell again pressed for improvements at Federal City and Bull Run roads, where congestion and cut-throughs remain a safety concern. Township officials said the county favors a roundabout rather than a traffic signal, and that Ewing is leading preliminary studies with the three towns and Mercer County.
An interim sketch envisions a stop on northbound Federal City and a widened arc from Bull Run, though utility relocations remain a challenge. Peters-Manning acknowledged the process has been slow but said officials remain in active talks with Ewing, Lawrence, and the county engineer.
The mayor also reiterated that any development at the TCNJ-owned Bull Run site as part of the round four of affordable housing is “many years away,” with wetlands reviews, traffic studies, and full planning board approval required before anything moves forward.
PILOT appeal update
Officials said a notice of petition for certification has been filed with the New Jersey Supreme Court by Pennington Borough in the Hopewell Parc PILOT litigation, with a Sept. 22 filing deadline and an 18-day response window. Peters-Manning stressed the township’s $16.1 million commitment toward Bear Tavern Elementary expansion remains in place, though final agreements must wait for the appeal to conclude.
Pennington Borough is asking the state supreme court to hear on the case after the appellate court ruled in favor of Hopewell Township last month validating the Township’s PILOT agreement.
Ordinances and resolutions
The committee also:
- Approved an on-call brush collection program for residents at $50 per ~9 cubic yards, plus $35 for each additional load, aimed at post-storm cleanup outside regular pickup.
- Accepted the Hopewell Parc Pump Station and force main following performance completion.
- Established a process for Diverty Road residents to connect to the Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority system if they have failing septic systems.
- Declined to purchase an expiring-controls affordable unit, opting instead to receive 95% of the difference when the home is sold at market rate.
- Authorized a $18,044 change order to add dedicated bike lanes on Denow Road.
- Approved the Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s Amazing Pumpkin Carve at Woolsey Park and other consent agenda items.
Proclamations
The township issued proclamations recognizing Patriot Day (Sept. 11), Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15), Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
