‘We’re all in this together and only together will we succeed’

GUEST OPINION

By Fran Bartlett, Arlene Kemp, Vanessa Sandom
   Over the past few months, those of us in Hopewell Valley and beyond have been faced with sobering news on the home and international fronts — the imminent war with Iraq, the Columbia shuttle tragedy, the drastic cut in New Jersey’s public services and the precipitous drop in the Stock Market, to name but a few.
   We live in difficult times, yet our strength to overcome these difficulties stems in large part, as it always has in times of crisis, from our families, friends and community.
   It is against this backdrop that we set about governing our township in 2003. Beyond the budgetary challenges that currently strain all levels of government, there are many other key issues that your Township Committee must face. Thus, during the coming months, we plan to focus on three areas: (1) improving the financial health of our township, (2) preserving the health and well-being of our residents, and (3) controlling the development of our remaining open space.
   Given that Hopewell Township is not insulated from today’s harsh economic environment, we will introduce a major financial initiative, the goal of which will be to keep our tax rate as low as possible in 2003.
   We propose creating a Financial Advisory Committee comprised of township citizens. Their primary responsibility will be to work with the Township Committee in analyzing the budget line by line, in determining our financial goals, and in making the inevitable tough financial decisions required to meet those goals. This will include:
   • Managing expenditures of our professional subcontractors (e.g. legal and engineering services) through enhanced monitoring and accountability;
   • Finding opportunities for cost reduction and increased efficiency in the delivery of township services; and,
   • Expanding opportunities for interlocal agreements. Given the expected efforts and expertise of the future Financial Committee’s members, we’re confident we’ll uncover other ways to hold down and/or cut the costs of our municipal government.
   The safety, health and well-being of our community require that we be prepared for any eventuality, while at the same time going on about our business.
   On Feb. 6, we enacted an interlocal resolution to share bioterrorism professional services with the City of Trenton in case of a national disaster.
   Additionally, a new round of safety initiatives aimed at further reducing truck traffic is being crafted, and new strategies to manage corporate traffic are being evaluated.
   Despite this winter’s abundant snowfall, recent summer droughts have reinforced the community’s need to protect one of our most precious natural resources: water.
   With this in mind, we are updating the township’s well ordinance to measure how proposed development might affect water levels in the surrounding areas.
   In updating our septic ordinance, we are standardizing the process by which septic tanks and fields are tested when someone sells a home.
   We will also once again offer arsenic testing of well water to township residents at a discounted rate through our Health Office.
   We will convene a Wastewater Advisory Committee to evaluate waste management alternatives that we hope will lead to innovative solutions for the township’s distressed neighborhoods and ensure resource-based development throughout the township.
   Equally critical is open space.
   Ever mindful of this rapidly diminishing resource, we are targeting future open space acquisitions in populated areas of the township, and further developing management plans for acquired land.
   We are reviewing the township’s active and passive recreation inventory and needs.
   We intend to continue to fine-tune the recently adopted zoning ordinance through our ongoing dialogue with large landowners and other affected community members with the goal of reintroducing the ordinance this spring.
   We will provide creative solutions to meet our affordable housing needs throughout the community, while at the same time ensuring that no particular area or group is singled out.
   We recognize that many of these issues bring forth passions and have the potential to stir conflict. While for some this may seem problematic, it is — in our minds — a source of great pride . . . for it means that our democracy is alive and well, even in these most difficult times. We firmly believe there is much to be gained from open and above-board debate surrounding these often-contentious issues.
   This column is but one way we plan to communicate with you over the coming year. Our township newsletter, televised township meetings, and our Web page also will be used to keep you informed of our activities.
   The latest election revealed a desire for new and improved ways of handling our most controversial challenges, for encouraging forthright discussion, for nurturing and respecting the contributions of each and every citizen in our community.
   We will continue to strongly encourage increased citizen participation in local issues, as well as enhanced stakeholder input in every single township development application. We’re all in this together, and only together will we succeed.
   If interested in serving on either the Finance or Wastewater Advisory committees, please contact Fran Bartlett at 737-1152 [email protected].
Fran Bartlett is mayor of Hopewell Township. Arlene Kemp and Vanessa Sandom are members of the Hopewell Township
Committee.