On December 20, 2021, Hopewell Township Mayor Julie Blake and the Township Committee honored volunteers on boards, committees, and commissions who have served 10 or more years. Each person received a certificate of appreciation and a commemorative 2021 quarter depicting “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” sealed in a case. Citizen volunteers play a critical role in service to the Hopewell Valley community. We have six Advisory Committees who provide input and counsel on Affordable Housing, Open Space priorities, Deer Management, Senior Services, Recreation, and Agricultural preservation. Additional, volunteers serve on the Environmental and Historic Preservation Commissions, the Planning Board, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Hopewell Township has nearly 100 people serving the Township and we are thankful that they have volunteered their time, talent and service to our community.
The list of honorees who have served for 10 years or more:
Zoning Board of Adjustment
William Cane – 2002 – 2021 – 19 years
Planning Board
Karen Murphy – 2003 – 2021 – 19 years
Paul Kiss – 2009 – 2021 – 13 years
Russell Swanson – 2002 – 2021 – 18 years
Environmental Commission
George Kerr – 1997 – 2021 – 25 years
Michael Aucott – 1999 – 2021 – 23 years
Rex Parker – 2000 – 2021 – 22 years
Nora Sirbaugh – 2007 – 2021 – 15 years
James Gambino – 2008 – 2021 – 14 years
Historic Preservation Commission
Max Hayden – 2000 – 2021 – 22 years
Richard Hunter – 1999-2003, 2004-2007, 2018-2021 – 10 years
Board of Health Advisory Committee
Michael Rothwell – 2007 – 2021 – 15 years
Affordable Housing Committee
Christine Herman – 2005 – 2021 – 17 years
Timothy Keenan – 2011 – 2021 – 11 years
Lauren Williams – 2009 – 2021 – 13 years
Open Space Advisory Committee
Kurt Vollherbst – 2009 – 2021 – 13 years
Judy Clarke – 2011 – 2021 – 11 years
Carol Kleis – 2002 – 2021 – 20 years
Alan Hershey – 2001 – 2021 – 21 years
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Lucia Huebner – 2001 – 2021 – 21 years
George Sciarrotta – 2012 – 2021 – 10 years
Recreation Advisory Committee
Kurt Vollherbst – 2009 – 2021 – 13 years
Mike Chipowsky – 2008 – 2021 – 14 years
Deer Management Advisory Committee
William Cane – 2011 – 2021 – 11 years
Michael Van Clef – 2011 – 2021 – 11 years
John Piepzak – 2012 – 2021 – 10 years
Later in the meeting, a Joint Legislative Resolution from Senator Shirley Turner and Assembly Members Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Anthony Verelli was presented by the Committee to Mayor Blake, paying tribute to her for her record of service to Hopewell Township, her leadership, and commitment. 2021 was a difficult year and, as Mayor, she rose to the occasion by providing guidance through COVID, promoting responsible budgets, encouraging future leaders, and more, always with the goal of listening to all perspectives and uplifting those who are disadvantaged in the community. Each member of the committee, County Commissioner Nina Melker, and several members of the public paid tribute to Mayor Blake and Committee Member Kristin McLaughlin, who both will be moving on in 2022 -Blake will return to life as a private citizen and McLaughlin has been elected to serve as a County Commissioner.
Submitted by Hopewell Township