HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP UPDATE
By John Tredrea
On Monday, the Hopewell Township Committee appointed Judith Lenarski a school crossing guard, at $18 per hour, effective Sept. 6.
The committee also accepted the resignation of Joseph Lenarski as school crossing guard, effective Aug. 16.
With the elimination of nonhazardous courtesy busing by the school district this year, the need for crossing guards has increased. Township police Chief George Meyer said the township is always accepting applications for this job. Training is provided and work may be available on a fill-in as well a regular basis.
The chief added that police presence has been increased before and after school in areas where courtesy busing has been eliminated. Many of the students who now have to walk to school unless they are driven by a family member or friend live in the 1,300- unit Brandon Farms development, where Stony Brook Elementary School is located.
Chief Meyer said things are improving on a daily basis in Brandon Farms and the police will continue to monitor the situation there and elsewhere in the township closely.
"A lot of parents have been dropping off and picking up their children," he said. "The real test will come on the first rainy day. There have been some complaints about speeding and motorists passing school buses. Our officers are out there and summonses definitely will be issued for these violations if we see them," he said.
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Debra Gelson was appointed acting municipal judge of Hopewell Township, effective Aug. 1, under a resolution approved unanimously by the committee. Ms. Gelson will be paid $300 per session of Municipal Court.

