With early voting underway and Election Day approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 4, a write-in candidate has entered the Hopewell Borough Council race. Justine Levine, a Hopewell resident since 2014 and Dean of Rockefeller College at Princeton University, notified MercerMe that she is running a write-in campaign and has completed our candidate questionnaire to ensure voters have comparable information alongside the two declared candidates.
Levine shared in an email that she hadn’t intended to run, but decided to step forward after reviewing her ballot, saying she believes “people deserve choices, not elections that are already decided,” and that small-town issues benefit from “civil conversations” and fuller context rather than social-media sound bites. In her statement and questionnaire, Levine highlights past service on the Flemington Board of Education, board work with Women’s Crisis Services (now Safe in Hunterdon), and local volunteer efforts including the Green Team, Food Truck Friday, Harvest Fair, and Communities of Light. Her priorities include clearer communication from the Council, pedestrian safety, and thoughtful support for local businesses and future development.
Below, MercerMe presents all three candidate questionnaires—the two declared candidates, Paul Buda and Krista Weaver, and the new write-in candidate—so residents can compare positions in one place. Hopewell Borough residents will elect two council members.
- Please briefly share your background and any relevant experience that qualifies you to serve on the Hopewell Borough Council. Include public service experience, and if you are an incumbent, a review of your time on the Council.
Buda: As an architect with 40 years of experience, I am used to listening to all sides regarding the building process. I believe in respectful discussion and compromise as a way forward. We don’t always get everything we want; however, we can proceed and modify in real time with our hearts and minds. Since 1997 My wife and I have lived in Hopewell Borough. Our son grew up here. FACTOID: In 1998 when presenting our application (restoration/addition project for our historic home built in 1897) to the Planning/Zoning Board, I was soon asked by Mayor Padgett and Councilman Knights to join the Planning/Zoning Board. I served on the Board for 10 years (including time as vice chair). I appreciated working with dedicated volunteers that share a desire to do what is right for Hopewell. As an architect I have had the opportunity to present many applications to the Planning/Zoning Board including Sourland Cycles that became an important part of our local business community 10 years ago. I want to help rebuild and improve our local business community so it will provide many benefits to Hopewell. Although I never had political aspirations, with all that is happening at the federal level – I feel that I might be able to help fellow Hopewellians on issues that affect daily life in the borough.
Levine: I served on the board of ed in Flemington in 2012, where I learned a lot about listening to people with different experiences and perspectives in order to make fair decisions about complicated issues on behalf of a community. I served on the board of Women’s Crisis Services (now Safe in Hunterdon) for several years back in the early 2000s. I’ve managed volunteers as the parent coordinator for the CHS marching band and pitched in when I’ve been able with Food Truck Friday, the Green Team, and Communities of Light. I’ve been a dean (at Rutgers and Princeton) for 25 years where I’ve managed a budget and been the first point of contact when any of my 800 students are struggling, and I help to craft intelligent policy that impacts thousands of people.
Weaver: I was first elected to council in 2022. Before taking office, I drafted our Vision Zero resolution committing the town to improving traffic safety. In 2023, I authored our Safe Routes to School grant application that won the borough $1.51 million, plus up to $750,000 in design funding, for projects to improve safety for children walking and biking to school. That includes sidewalk connections, including to St. Michael’s Farm Preserve and Kings Path, flashing crosswalk beacons along Broad St. and near the school, overhead flashing lights near the school and upgraded crosswalks.
I worked with Mercer County officials to lower the speed limit on the entirety of Broad St. to 25 mph and prohibit right turns during red lights at key intersections. I’m leading a traffic calming project for N. Greenwood Ave that will be implemented following repaving. I’d like to implement similar treatments elsewhere in town.
- What motivated you to run for a seat on the Borough Council—or to seek reelection?
Buda: At this time in my life, I have come to the realization that we are here to connect with others, by making things and making moments. I believe the council is best when it has members with different backgrounds and experiences. Considering there are proposals for major construction projects in our borough, I believe i might add to the thoughtful discussion in making sure that they “fit” appropriately in Hopewell. I am interested in bridging ideas and building community.
Levine: I’ve lived here since 2014, raised two kids here, and I love our small town. And honestly? I opened my sample ballot and felt depressed about democracy. I feel like we’ve forgotten that we deserve real choices. I want people to feel like their voices are heard and talents are valued, even when we can’t make everyone happy.
Weaver: I originally ran for council to improve pedestrian and bike safety in the borough. It turns out that this is a slow-going process that requires deep resources and even deeper patience. I’m running again to continue the work I’ve started, such as helping oversee the design and implementation process of the Safe Routes grant, updating our Complete Streets Policy to encourage more green infrastructure, and ensuring that the traffic calming project on N. Greenwood is installed so that similar projects can be used elsewhere in the borough.
Earlier this year, I organized a field trip for first graders to visit borough hall, and we just scheduled another trip for the fall. I’d like to see this become a tradition as I believe it’s extremely important for young people to learn how important and rewarding civic engagement can be.
- Borough residents will vote this fall on whether to sell the municipal water system to a private company. Do you support the sale? Why or why not?
Buda: This is a complicated issue to comprehend. I am continuing to learn about this issue directly from American Water Representatives, our Council and Members of the Hopewell Public Water Alliance. For me it comes down to “How are we going to pay for the water system major repairs and costs associated with federal/state regulations.”
Levine: Like many folks I’ve talked with, I’m still on the fence. I wish that October meeting had happened months ago, because even if we’d ended up with the same proposal before us, we might have been able to bring more people along. I want to feel like we’ve thoroughly explored all of the alternatives before we sell. I have talked with neighbors about pressing infrastructure problems, and that worries me; they need relief. But will selling help us in the long term? It feels harder to say.
Weaver: I believe that selling the water utility is the best option for the borough. As a member of council, it’s my job to do what’s best for the entire community. Keeping the system means unsustainable rate increases. I understand why some folks are attached to the idea of retaining local control, however I would not be a responsible fiduciary of the borough if I didn’t support the sale.
Business owners and residents have asked council to ease the burden of high water costs. I believe this is the single most important thing we can do to support our businesses and increase affordability. High housing costs and taxes mean Hopewell is already unaffordable for many. Some families have privately expressed that water prices and other costs may force them to relocate, and others may decide not to move here at all.
As a child, my mother and I wanted to move to the borough but couldn’t afford it. I don’t take for granted the good fortune of being able to live here now. This makes me particularly wary of any policy that could exclude other families from our town.
- Beyond the water system, what do you see as the most pressing issue facing Hopewell Borough over the next five years, and how would you address it?
Buda: The most pressing issue is how to grow our town without losing what makes it “Hopewell.” For example, the proposed “Hamilton 57” apartment project must “FIT” into Hopewell. The “FIT” involves many aspects from infrastructure such as traffic, parking, public transportation, water, three dimensional massing, trees, open space, and storm water.
Levine: Thoughtful development and pedestrian/bike safety, which go hand in hand. Like all things, Hopewell can’t stay the same forever. We need to figure out what to do with empty spaces and properties like Hopewell 57 and the old Castoro site without completely changing the character of the town or bringing too many cars that don’t look out for pedestrians and cyclists or that have nowhere to park. How can we attract developers that want to invest in the unique community we have here? We need ideas and energy like the folks exploring the idea of a food co-op in the old Brothers Moon.
Weaver: The borough faces many issues, but my priority remains improving safety for vulnerable road users in the borough and beyond. Advocacy for this issue is what led me to run for office, which then drove me to learn more about transportation planning. I decided I didn’t want to just demand change, I wanted to learn how to create it. This led me to pursue a Master of City and Regional Planning at the Bloustein School, which is one of the top schools in the country for planning and public policy. I’m eager to put my evolving knowledge to use to improve safety in the borough.
A walkable town doesn’t just keep us safe and healthy; it draws us to our public spaces. It attracts visitors who shop, dine and participate in community events. These types of activities have paid dividends in towns that have embraced this sort of change.
- Flooding and stormwater management are ongoing challenges in the Borough. What steps should be taken to address these issues?
Buda: We need to access the research and knowledge that our local Watershed Institute speaks to with expertise. What occurs on one property effects another, especially when you consider the multiple streams that run under and through Hopewell Borough.
Levine: I don’t pretend to be a hydrogeologist, but I suspect that part of the solution has to do with permeable surfaces and native plants. Climate change will continue to bring new challenges, and we need to be ready to enlist the expertise of researchers. It turns out we have a lot of geology professors and other experts who live in town…I’d love to hear what they have to say.
Weaver: I’ve been looking to update our Complete Streets Policy – first put in place in 2012 – to a Complete and Green Streets Policy. Complete Streets is essentially a guide to creating transportation infrastructure that is safe and welcoming for all road users, not just drivers of motor vehicles. Complete and Green Streets encompasses the Complete Streets Policy and incorporates green infrastructure elements like more street trees and rain gardens. Using these and otherwise increasing permeable surfaces helps manage stormwater and prevent polluted runoff from entering the sewer system.
Having green traffic calming treatments is the ultimate goal. Not only would this help with flooding and stormwater management, it will further beautify the town and draw even more visitors. With this new policy we can show potential funding sources that we are prepared to walk the walk, which is incredibly important for small municipalities with limited resources.
- What is your position on the use of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements in the Borough, and what do you see as the potential benefits or drawbacks?
Buda: Thanks to my neighbor who brought up this issue at a 2024 council meeting and educated us to the details of PILOT. I have real concerns about this because as an American I believe in “equal protection under the law.”
Levine: While I don’t love quick fixes that could have unforeseen long-term implications, I can see where in some circumstances it could be a useful negotiating tool. I think my answer to the question depends on the site, the project, and the long-term contribution to the town. One council can promise to distribute the funds in a certain way, but how do we ensure that’s true even when new people are in leadership roles?
Weaver: The borough currently has no PILOTs, though we’re considering using one for Hopewell 57. I understand that PILOTs can be controversial. I don’t think many people in the borough are happy with the township PILOT. However, they can be a useful tool for attracting developers to areas that would otherwise not be appealing.
With Hopewell 57 we have an opportunity to repurpose a site that has frankly been an eye sore, makes little contribution to our municipal tax base, and contributes nothing to achieving our broader goals such as increasing affordable housing and economic activity. Redevelopment of the site offers a rare opportunity within the borough to add affordable housing and bring in new customers to support our businesses. If the borough uses a PILOT to facilitate this aim, we’ll have a say in where the money goes and the opportunity to ensure the school district gets its fair share.
- Hopewell Valley shares a number of services across the Boroughs and Township. Are there additional opportunities for shared services that you believe should be considered?
Buda: At one time, Hopewell Borough had its own police force. It is my understanding that the reason we don’t- is because for a borough of 2,000 people we can’t afford it. I strongly believe we need to maintain our own local government, fire and EMT departments. I can’t think of anything left that could effectively be shared and still maintain the character of Hopewell.
Levine: I don’t think I know enough about what the options are, but I’d be eager to learn, especially if savings in one place could help us in others like repairing aging infrastructure.
Weaver: I think this administration has done a good job of exploring more shared services and the door should always open to that. We are a small municipality with limited resources. It’s not cost effective to do everything on our own. However, the borough being geographically isolated does somewhat limit our options for shared services. County officials have continuously expressed an openness to talk about how we can work together to be as efficient and cost effective as possible.
I’ve been particularly happy with the Hopewell Township Police Department. They’ve been very cooperative and engaged with our recent bike/ped safety initiatives and education campaigns and under the leadership of Chief Rosso, have been very responsive to our town’s broader needs.
- Do you believe elections in Mercer County have been conducted safely and fairly?
Buda: Yes, I do. I would also like to say that every time my wife and I have voted in Hopewell, we have been treated kindly and professionally by the poll workers.
Levine: I do, though I also know people have been frustrated by voting machine snafus and what feels like a frequent change to process.
Weaver: I’m not aware of evidence to the contrary. I think it’s great that we have so many options for exercising our right to vote now, like mail-in voting and early voting. I’d also like to shout out our poll workers. It’s a tough job. Thank you for doing it!
Bonus Question: Do you follow MercerMe for news about what is happening in the community? If not, how do you stay informed?
Buda: Yes, and I appreciate it as a reliable news source.
Levine: I do! As AI complicates media consumption, I’m really grateful for a reliable local news source. I also try to hear from others about what’s going on in town, because I know my perspective is limited.
Weaver: As the spouse of a reporter, I greatly appreciate the work of local journalists and know all too well the demands and unpredictability of the job. We are lucky to have local news sources like Mercer Me, especially as many other communities see their news sources disappearing.
While I don’t do much social media, I’m fortunate to have a good network of friends and neighbors who help keep me abreast of what’s happening in the borough and our surrounding communities.
