Despite a seemingly light agenda, the Hopewell Township Committee had a lot to discuss at its February 4 meeting.
The Committee passed multiple resolutions, the most notable being an increase in voucher costs for residents using Hopewell Valley Rides. The cost has gone from $3 to $5, the first increase to the price since 2012.
“This has been discussed extensively with the Senior Advisory Board, some of whom are participants in this program,” said Mayor Kristin McLaughlin. “It had not been increased in a number of years and this will provide a little cushion so that more people can continue to enjoy that service.”
Committee Member Kevin Kuchinski also addressed an issue raised at last week’s meeting with regard to the agenda posted on the Township’s website. The agenda supposedly included a resolution regarding affordable housing, and was taken unexpectedly off the day of the meeting, which sparked public outrage. Kuchinski presented screenshots at this week’s meeting illustrating that the agenda was revised the Friday prior to the meeting.
“I don’t sit around looking at the town webpage, doing a refresh every three seconds,” said former mayor John Edwards. “The real point in all of this, of course, is that the public would like some time. We would like to make sure that the process itself is an open one and one that allows us to have enough time to read it, digest it, and comment on it before it gets passed.”
The Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19 at 7 p.m, in observance of President’s Day on Monday.
