Home » Pennington honors Eileen Heinzel and Beverly Mills

Pennington honors Eileen Heinzel and Beverly Mills

by Colleen Murphy-DePaolo

Mayor Jim Davy and the Pennington Borough Council members issued two proclamations at the Monday, March 7 meeting in honor of the extraordinary contributions made by two women: Eileen Heinzel and Beverly Mills. Eileen Heinzel was granted a leave of absence from her position as Borough Administrator effective February 15. Beverly Mills resigned from her position as Borough Council effective January 6.

Davy began by reading the proclamation honoring the long and distinguished service Heinzel has provided to Pennington over many years. Heinzel served first as a member of the Council and then as Borough Administrator. Davy stated: “Eileen has provided extraordinary professional guidance and expertise in leading the Pennington Borough Municipal government to many significant accomplishments.” 

Heinzel, an attorney, spearheaded countless projects in the Borough, including improvements to water utility, automated trash collection, the police department restructuring, and the tree grant management program. She was instrumental in Pennington’s recognition as a Tree City USA Community and in aiding the Hopewell Valley Green Team in receiving Sustainable NJ Bronze Status Recognition. 

Heinzel negotiated the contract with PSEG for a solar field at the Pennington Public Works site. She worked to acquire property through funding by the NJ Greenacres Program for the property surrounding African-American Cemetery as well as the purchase of the arboretum behind Toll Gate Grammar School.

Davy announced that the first tree planted in the Borough’s new arboretum will be dedicated in Eileen Heinzel’s honor for her service to Pennington Borough. Davy thanked Heinzel on behalf of the Council and the citizens of Pennington for her hard work and dedication to Pennington Borough over so many years.

Heinzel thanked Davy for his comments stating, “I have enjoyed every minute I have worked in this town, so to be honored means a lot to me. Thank you, everyone.”

State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli was present at the meeting to honor Heinzel’s service. Heinzel worked with Persichilli’s late husband Anthony during his 12-year term as mayor of Pennington. “Tony would want me to thank you for all of the help you gave him each and every day. You are a good and faithful servant. You were the highlight of not only his time in public service but actually, his time in Pennington.”

NJ State Treasurer Liz Muoio expressed her thanks to Heinzel stating, “Every corner of our hometown has benefitted from your dedication and hard work over the years on our behalf.”

Joe Lawver, former mayor of Pennington, also spoke, expressing thanks to Heinzel. “It’s that behind the scenes, what can I do, who can I get involved, and how can I make this a better place. That is what drove you every day. It was just a great honor working with you.”

The second proclamation of the evening was in honor of Beverly Mills, who resigned from her position as a Borough Council Member. A lifelong resident, Mills is an active church and community member. 

Davy read the proclamation, although Mills could not attend the meeting. “Beverly’s talent, wit, intelligence, and strong community ties were a great asset to the Council and will be sorely missed,” stated Davy.

Mills served on the Council since 2016, as a member of the Police and Court Review Committee, the Finance Committee, the Library Board of Trustees, and the Borough Personnel Committee. She is currently writing, with co-author Elaine Buck, a second book on the history of African American people in the Hopewell Valley. Click here for more information about that project.

About Us

MercerMe is the only hyperlocal, independent, online news outlet serving Hopewell Valley in Mercer County, New Jersey.

Contact us: [email protected]

Search Our Archives