Hopewell Township Committee officials honored their colleague, Committeeman John Hart, with a proclamation expressing appreciation for his years of service.
The proclamation, along with kind words, were spoken during his final township committee meeting.
Hart, the lone-republican on the committee, will not be returning to the committee after losing his bid for reelection this past November.
“I have served with John [Hart] for three years and have been very impressed with his deep connection to our community. His store, Rosedale Mills, serves the community not only as a place to pick up supplies, but a place to exchange information,” Mayor Kristin McLaughlin said. “John takes time to talk to people and listen to their concerns and his roots into the community extend deeply.”
She said Hart has been a willing listener and problem solver for the residents of Hopewell Township for more than 20 years.
“His dedication is notable and I feel confident he will continue to advocate for the causes and people he cares about and this community moving forward,” McLaughlin said.
Hopewell Township officials said there were a grove of 10 trees planted at the 387-acre Mount Rose Preserve in honor of Hart.
“The committee made that possible because we think that they will grow long in this community, reach upward and will embrace the light and warmth of the sky above and bring it down here to Hopewell,” Committeewoman Julie Blake said.
Hart has served on the township committee from 1995-2000 and 2013-2019. He served as mayor in 1997 and 1998.
Committeeman Kevin Kuchinski said even though the two committee members may not have agreed on every issue, he has respected Hart and his point of view.
“It has been five years and he is one of the long-standing veterans of this committee,” Kuchinski said. “I think what he has done as a local businessman is support causes important to our community is commendable.”
Deputy Mayor Michael Ruger said that Hart’s knowledge of the Hopewell Township is “encyclopedic.”
“There is a lot that you do that folks probably do not know publicly. Thank you for what you have done and will continue to do in the years ahead,” Ruger said.
Hart has also served on planning board from 1997-98 and as a Class II member from 2005-12, the environmental commission from 2005-13, Agricultural Advisory Committee from 2001-13, as well as, serving as liaison on various boards, committees and commissions.
Jim Waltman, executive director of the Watershed Institute, said Hart is one of few people who can be considered as an institution.
“He has been a strong and forceful voice and has asked tough questions. It is important that any deliberate body has his spirit, as someone who speaks his mind,” Waltman said. “He has been a real key force for farmland preservation, he speaks with authority and experience in that effort. John [Hart] has been a great neighbor to the Watershed. We have even borrowed some baby chicks from him for our Easter celebration one time.”
Hopewell Township’s five-member committee will now consist of just Democrats when Courtney Peters-Manning takes her oath of office at the Jan. 2 reorganization meeting.
