A recent letter from Pennington Mayor Davy raised concerns about the financial impact the Scotch Road housing development would have on local taxpayers, particularly regarding the Hopewell Valley Regional School District’s proposed $87-million referendum. In response, Hopewell Township Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning clarified the Township’s position, emphasizing the Township’s commitment to using funds from the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement to support improvements at Bear Tavern Elementary School, should ongoing litigation be resolved in their favor. See Mayor Peter-Manning’s letter below:
To the Editor:
I’d like to correct the record on Pennington Mayor Davy’s letter regarding the Township’s PILOT Agreement with Lennar, the developer of the inclusionary Hopewell Parc neighborhood on Scotch Road, which is a part of our affordable housing plan.
The Hopewell Township Committee noted in 2016, and has reinforced over the years, that it is committed to using a significant portion of the funds from the PILOT to offset any costs of improvements at Bear Tavern Elementary School that may, at least in part, stem from any additional students that will come from our court-approved affordable housing plan. In fact, the PILOT agreement with Lennar itself specifically notes using PILOT funds to support the HVRSD and the new Senior and Community Center.
Mayor Davy stated:
Unfortunately, the Township Committee refused the District’s request, saying that because the Township was in litigation over the PILOT with the Boroughs, they could not even consider such a contribution.
That is just not true. We clearly stated many times over the years, most recently just last month, that we are committed to helping fund the addition at Bear Tavern, should the litigation be decided in our favor and we have PILOT revenue.
Thank you for the opportunity to give the public the right information.
Courtney Peters-Manning
Hopewell Township Mayor
