Hopewell Township plans to form Youth Advisory Committee

Public hearing on proposal slated for March 6.

By John Tredrea
   Involvement of local youth in Hopewell Township government would gain official, organized status under a proposed ordinance that would create a Youth Advisory Board to the Township Committee.
   The full committee voted unanimously Feb. 6 to introduce the ordinance, which is scheduled for a public hearing and adoption vote March 6.
   Since the text of the proposed ordinance has yet to be drafted, it was introduced by title only.
   Details on the proposed youth advisory committee, such as how many members it would have and what they would do, will be in the forthcoming text, which will be published as a legal notice prior to the March 6 meeting.
   "This is a chance to get some youngsters involved in the process of local government," Committeewoman Marylou Ferrara said of the proposed measure
   Ms. Ferrara said Tuesday that members would be young people in grades seven through 12. "There will be seven positions on the advisory board. Students will apply to be appointed through a process that will require written essays, recommendations (at least one from a teacher involved in a social studies area), and an interview," said the deputy mayor.
***
   Also introduced by title was a proposed amendment to an ordinance covering use of the township’s open space tax revenues.
   Under the proposed amendment, language would be added authorizing the township to spend open space tax money for purposes of historical preservation of structures on tracts preserved as open space. This ordinance also is scheduled for a public hearing and adoption vote during the committee’s March 6 meeting.
   Adopted by a unanimous committee vote Feb. 6 was an ordinance under which two alternate members may be appointed to the township’s five-member Agricultural Advisory Committee.
   It was at the request of that committee that the ordinance on two alternate members was enacted, Ms. Ferrara noted.