Isabel Vega
The Hopewell Township Committee met for the first hybrid-style regular meeting on May 2. The Committee celebrated a promotion in the Police Department, and heard proclamations and staff reports.
Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning began the meeting with a resolution promoting detective Alexis Mirra to the position of sergeant in the Hopewell Township Police Department. Police Director, Robert Karmazin spoke to the Committee expressing his excitement for Mirra.
“What’s most exciting about this [promotion] is that she’s one outstanding officer, she’s going into her twelfth year as a member of the department, five of which were spent as a detective. One thing I’m very proud of [Mirra] for is the work she’s done for the community, so much so that I’ve nominated her for the New Jersey Women Law Enforcement Award for Community Service. There are at least 10 to 12 areas of which she has taken the time to work in to better our community. While working her full time job as detective, she also completed her Master’s Degree in psychology, with a focus in law enforcement,” said Karmazin.
“I’m really excited for this next chapter in my career and I’m very humbled by the support,” said Mirra.
Peters-Manning then moved on to the proclamations on the agenda, starting with the recognition of Older Americans Month 2022. The next was for the 53rd annual professional clerk’s week, running from May 1-7 2022. The last was a proclamation recognizing the significance of Asain American and Pacific Islander heritage month.
The Committee then heard staff reports, starting with George Synder, Director of Public Works. “Our recycle coordinator submitted the 2021 Recycling Tonnage Grant on Saturday, so we hope to see those funds next year,” said Synder.
Synder also shared that they had a meeting with the internal staff about the EV electric vehicle charging stations to make sure those can be operational in the near future. Community Development Director, Jim Hutzelmann shared with the Committee that they met with Suburban Consultants about the final steps for the Lawrence-Hopewell Trail and hope to have preliminary plans very soon.
Treasurer Julie Troutman gave the Committee an update on the 2022 budget: “We introduced our budget on April 18, every third year we are reviewed by the State of New Jersey; so as of right now we are awaiting a representative of the State to be assigned to our budget to be our reviewer.” Once the budget is approved, a public hearing and adoption will be set for May 16.
Municipal Clerk Laurie Gompf shared that, on April 23, the County began mailing out the vote by mail ballots, and all ballot drop off boxes were open on April 25. For a list of locations residents can go to the Mercer County website. Deadline to register to vote for the June 7 primary is May 17. “The county is in desperate need of poll workers, you will be needed for both the early voting locations,” said Gompf.
The pay rate for poll workers on election day is $300 for a full day, and $150 for a half day, for early voting it is $21 an hour. If interested, applications are on the Mercer County website.
Committee member, Uma Purandare shared that a COVID-19 booster shot clinic will be held in the Township building on May 12 from 5pm to 8p.m, registration is required.
Deputy Mayor Michael Ruger shared that there was a meeting with Suburban Consultants today to discuss the Woolsey Park Bandshell. “This was our introductory meeting, we provided the list of suggestions we shared a couple weeks ago and they were very happy with the work that was done,” said Ruger. The group then looked at potential sites and will have more information in the coming weeks.
The next Hopewell Township meeting will be held on May 16.
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