At the latest Hopewell Township Committee meeting, officials reviewed the recent wildfire response, upcoming fire prevention efforts, water management issues, and financial planning.
Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning opened by thanking the more than 250 firefighters who contained last week’s wildfire near Poor Farm and Woosamonsa Road.
The fire burned nearly 300 acres but did not destroy any structures. Firefighters from Hopewell Valley Emergency Services, volunteer departments from Pennington, Hopewell, and Union, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service worked together to control the blaze.
To prevent future wildfires, Public Works Director George Snyder announced that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service plans a controlled burn on March 10 along Hopewell-Wertsville Road, weather permitting. The burn took place on the Betty Wold Johnson Hillside Farm Preserve, owned by the D&R Greenway Land Trust, as part of ongoing fire prevention efforts.
After addressing fire safety, the Committee moved on to another important topic: Women’s History Month.
The Committee officially passed a resolution recognizing March as Women’s History Month in Hopewell Township. Mayor Peters-Manning said that Hopewell Valley has a strong history of female leadership, especially in local government, and this resolution was a way to honor the contributions of women in the community and beyond.
The Committee also issued a proclamation declaring March 9-15 as National Groundwater Awareness Week. More than 85% of Hopewell Township residents rely on groundwater for drinking water. Officials encouraged private well owners to test their water, with information available on the township website.
Mike Pisauro, Policy Director of The Watershed Institute, asked the township to join Pennington Borough, Lawrence, and Princeton in funding a joint watershed improvement plan.
The plan is required under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. It will assess stormwater runoff, identify pollution sources, and propose solutions to prevent flooding and contamination.
The NJDEP requires municipalities to submit a plan by December 2027. Mayor Peters-Manning confirmed the request would be added to the March 18 agenda.
The Committee announced a special budget meeting on March 20 to discuss funding priorities for public safety, environmental management, and infrastructure.
