Pennington Borough Council used its March 2 meeting to finalize key pieces of the borough’s affordable housing plan, review the developing 2026 municipal budget, and approve a resolution supporting a federal grant application to repair a deteriorating section of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail.
Affordable housing plans approved
Council approved adoption of several ordinances needed to meet New Jersey’s affordable housing requirements.
Addressing members of the public who may not have attended earlier meetings, council members noted that the ordinances had been discussed in detail during several prior public sessions. Residents also participated in Pennington’s housing survey or submitted written comments to the borough.
After the adoptions, Mayor James Davy thanked council members, saying, “We now have a fully developed and put in place affordable housing plan.”
The adopted ordinances are posted on the borough website on the 2026 Ordinances page.
2026 budget set for adoption
Borough Administrator GP Caminiti reviewed factors shaping the borough’s 2026 budget, highlighting several steps taken to limit cost increases.
Among them were switching health insurance providers to reduce rising premiums, consolidating staff positions, and expanding shared services with neighboring municipalities.
Caminiti also pointed to ongoing operational expenses that affect the budget each year, including energy costs, road repairs, garbage collection, facility maintenance, and 911 emergency dispatch services. Other non-discretionary expenses include insurance, Social Security, pensions, library funding, and utilities.
The borough’s 2026 budget is scheduled for adoption at the April 6 council meeting.
Lawrence Hopewell Trail seeks support for reconstruction grant
Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT) Chair David Sandahl asked council to support a federal funding request to reconstruct the Elm Ridge Road segment of the regional multi-use trail.
The section runs through property formerly owned by Bristol Myers Squibb and is part of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail network connecting communities across Mercer County. Tens of thousands of residents use the trail annually.
Sandahl explained that the segment has deteriorated significantly after more than two decades of use and now requires full reconstruction.
“The cost of reconstructing this trail segment is over a million dollars, and that is a significant amount of money for us,” Sandahl said. He emphasized that LHT is not asking the borough for funding, only a resolution supporting the grant application.
The trail section was originally constructed in 2005 using a pervious paving system designed to reduce flooding and stormwater runoff. Beneath the surface are layers of crushed stone and drainage materials that allow water to filter through the trail. Because of this design, Sandahl said, the path cannot simply be repaved and must instead be rebuilt from the base up.
Bristol Myers Squibb granted the nonprofit trail organization an easement allowing construction of the trail across the property. When the campus was later sold to Lincoln Equities in 2020, the easement remained in place. Under its terms, however, the trail organization is responsible for maintaining the path. If the trail falls into disrepair, the easement — and public access — could be lost.
Sandahl said the organization learned of the federal funding opportunity only recently and is working on a tight deadline to submit its application through the congressional appropriations process. LHTC has sought support from local governments and federal representatives, including Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman.
After Sandahl’s presentation, council approved a resolution supporting the application.
Environmental Commission updates
Councilman Dan Rubenstein shared updates on several community initiatives led by the Environmental Commission.
He reported that the borough’s Community Energy Survey had received about 100 responses as of March 2, with additional responses expected before the March 8 deadline. According to the survey website, the results will help the borough better understand local energy use, upgrades residents are considering, and barriers they face.
Residents who missed the commission’s recent community conversation can watch “Rainwater Solutions for Stormwater Runoff and Clean Waterways” on the Hopewell Valley Green Team YouTube page.
The commission is also planning an Arbor Day tree-planting ceremony on April 23 near Toll Gate Grammar School.
Historic Preservation Commission confronts the “jaws” of development
Councilwoman Amy Kassler-Taub reported on topics discussed during a recent meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Among them was interest in preserving structures on the Blackwell property along Brookside Avenue and North Main Street. One of the buildings served as office space for author Peter Benchley, who rented it while writing the novel Jaws which later became the 1975 film.
The commission is also considering applying for a Mercer County Historic Preservation grant to support work at the historic Smith Farm property.
Next meeting
The next Pennington Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m. Residents can check the borough’s Zoom meeting page for participation details.
