At the December 2 Borough Council meeting, Mayor Davy and Council members recognized several people and organizations that contribute to the quality of life in Pennington, Hopewell Valley, and beyond.
New Jersey recognizes Pennington resident Joann Held
Council passed a resolution honoring Joann Held for earning Sustainable Jersey’s November 2024 Sustainability Hero award.
Sustainable Jersey is a program that recognizes municipal governments for actions they take to support and improve the natural environment and quality of life. Participants can choose categories of focus, such as energy efficiency, farmland preservation, food security, community gardens, green building design, land use, and more.
Known as the “Queen of Green,” Held was recognized by Sustainable Jersey for protecting the environment through education, advocacy, and regulations.
Pennington’s resolution joined Sustainable Jersey in acknowledging Held for her local leadership as chair of the Hopewell Valley Green Team, chair of the Pennington Farmers Market, member of Pennington’s Environmental Commission, member of the League of Women Voters Natural Resources Committee, and president of the league’s Hopewell chapter. She is known for her success in promoting recycling and waste reduction, and several other projects.
Earlier in her career journey, Held worked at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for 26 years where she developed the DEP air toxics program. An early researcher in environmental justice, Held worked with the city of Camden on air quality issues. To read Sustainable Jersey’s complete bio on Held, see 2024_November_Hero_Held_final.pdf.
After thanking the Mayor and Council for presenting the resolution, Held announced a Green Team recycling event. On February 8, residents can bring assorted scrap metal to the Hopewell Township Public Works building between 12 and 3 pm. To learn more about acceptable metal items, visit Recycling Events – Hopewell Valley Green Team. To volunteer for the event, contact [email protected].
Communities of Light Day supports the work of Womanspace/Younity
Mayor Davy read a proclamation recognizing Womanspace/Younity for its work in providing support services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Davy urged households to support the organization and the concept that “peace begin at home” by placing luminaries along their driveways and sidewalks to support Communities of Light Day which took place December 2. Residents were able to purchase luminary kits at The Front Porch on Main Street.
Proceeds from the event support the organization’s ongoing services which include a 24-hour hotline; trained volunteers who work with police stations and hospitals to provide in-person support; safe, short term and transitional housing; court advocacy; education; and more.
Davy thanked Pennington resident and Environmental Commission Chair Kieran John for his work in organizing the town’s Communities of Light event. John said it was a family effort and thanked his wife Shobita and his son Jaihan for their work in making the event possible.
Womanspace was founded in 1977 and eventually changed its name to Younity to reflect the reality that it provides support for men and children as well as women. The Pennington proclamation states that the organization has provided services to more than 128,000 women, 17,000 children, and 9,000 men, and has assisted close to 324,000 hotline callers over the past 47 years.
To learn more about the organization, visit Younity – Together We Are Stronger Than Abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, call the hotline at 609-394-9000.
Christmas Tree and Menorah Display brighten Main Street
Chris Murphy, Owner of The Front Porch on 24 South Main Street, and Chair of Pennington’s Holiday Walk, introduced Andy Hamlin, the event’s fundraiser. Hamlin said this year’s event had raised $14,000. Donors included the Pennington Business and Professionals Association and individuals, including 53 new contributors. The event, which took place December 6, featured the lighting of a Christmas Tree and Menorah which will be on display throughout the holiday season at Howe Commons, 65 South Main Street.
The Holiday Walk, which celebrated its 40th anniversary, featured a visit from Santa, music and dance entertainment, ice carving, activities from Pennington’s Methodist and Presbyterian churches, and a wine garden.
Murphy thanked everyone who participated in the event and set up the displays, including the Pennington Fire Department, Public Works and Council President Kit Chandler and Borough Clerk/Assistant CFO Betty Sterling.
In support of wildlife habitats, Pennington and Hopewell Township to join forces
During Council discussion, member and environmental commission liaison John Valenza introduced the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Community Wildlife Habitats program. He recommended that Pennington join efforts with the Hopewell Township environmental commission, which is adopting the program.
NWF protects and restore wildlife populations and their habitats, address climate issues, and promotes environmental justice. Towns and communities that partner with the NWF’s Community Wildlife Habitats program create gardens and landscapes with wildlife in mind, promote the use of native trees and plants, reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals, and integrate wildlife-friendly practices into town master plans.
Council members agreed that engaging with Hopewell Township in community based projects was a good thing to do. Davy concluded that the Council would announce a formal approval in January.
Mayor and Council welcome new police officer
Douglas Leubner Jr. was sworn into the Pennington Police Department by Borough attorney Walter Bliss
After Leubner took his oath, Bliss read his bio. A summary of his career journey follows:
Leubner graduated as Salutatorian at Manville High School in 2012. He studied at Raritan Valley Community College prior to enlisting in the United States Army Reserves that same year. Leubner served eight years as an Intelligence Analyst stateside, and served in an overseas deployment to the Kingdom of Jordan in support of Operation Eager Lion. Upon his completion of service, Leubner worked at the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office where he eventually became a sheriff’s officer in late 2022. He completed the Basic Course for Police Officers at the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains. Among numerous roles at the sheriff’s office, he was member of the Community Outreach team, and he became certified for Standardized Field Sobriety Testing in July 2024.
After his bio was read, Leubner was welcomed by the Mayor, Council members and Sergeant Novin Thomas. Leubner said he is excited to join the Pennington department and looks forward to meeting everyone.
Other business: Council approved amendments to its existing stormwater control ordinances to reflect current regulations from NJDEP. Council member Nadine Stern said that progress is being made on Pennington’s revised Master Plan. Sergeant Thomas reminded residents to inform the department if they observe any activity that seems suspicious, and he wished everyone a safe holiday season.
The Borough will hold an end-of year Council meeting December 30 at 3 pm. The first Borough Council meeting of 2025 takes place January 6 at 7 pm.
