Hopewell considers returning Princeton Avenue to county

Council also adopts resolution to help pay for interlocal police pact study

By Aleen Crispino
   Talks are under way about the possibility of transferring ownership of Princeton Avenue from Hopewell Borough to Mercer County.
   Hopewell Borough Engineer Dennis O’Neal and borough Administrator/Clerk Michele Hovan have begun discussions with representatives of the county. Among them were Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Director Aaron Watson and county Engineer Gregory Sandusky.
   "We’d like you to consider giving it back to them," Mr. O’Neal told Hopewell Borough Council on Monday.
   Mr. O’Neal and Ms. Hovan approached county officials with this proposal at a recent Mercer County Municipal Assistance meeting, said Mr. O’Neal, mainly because of the anticipated cost of repairing the road the borough will incur if it retains ownership.
   "I can’t think of any drawbacks in giving the road back," said Mr. O’Neal.
   Council members explored the issue of whether the borough would lose control over significant decisions affecting Princeton Avenue — which becomes Carter Road once it enters Hopewell Township — if the county were to own it.
   Councilman David Knights said the state Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is responsible for approving speed limits, regardless of whether the borough or county owns the road.
   "We’re not prepared to give an opinion now, at least I’m not," said Councilman Paul Anzano.
   Other Council members agreed that more information is needed. A chart of the pros and cons of transferring ownership of Princeton Avenue to Mercer County may be drawn up to assist officials in future deliberations.
   IN OTHER BUSINESS, council approved resolutions to:
   • Join with Hopewell Township in applying for a $6,600 state SHARE (Sharing Available Resources Efficiently) Program Grant to pay for a study of the interlocal agreement that covers police services for the borough. Hopewell Township has been providing those services for years. The current agreement with the township expires at the end of this year and is being renegotiated. At this point, talks about the cost of 2006 services between township and borough officials are deadlocked. Thus, the decision to have an outside consultant — Jersey Management Services — study the proposed agreement and report to those involved in the spring. The borough will contribute $660 from its current budget to the cost of the study.
   At issue is the township’s request for an increase in the borough’s annual payment, which is $318,000 for 2005. The township would like to see that payment increase to $500,000.
   • Support of state legislation encouraging competition in providing cable, telephone and other communications services to state residents. The resolution, which council voted to table after discussion at its November meeting, was prompted by a letter from "Verizon groups," Mayor David Nettles said at the November meeting.
   Mayor Nettles said Monday that Comcast recently announced an increase in cable service rates. "Basically what Verizon is asking for is to provide video service," said the mayor. Comcast can already provide telecommunication services without getting approval, he said, adding that he supported the resolution in order to encourage competition.
   Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 26, only if necessary, to complete end-of-the-year business, said Ms. Hovan. Council’s reorganization meeting will be held Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m., in Borough Hall.