Township comitteewoman resigns from governing body to take post
By John Tredrea
As expected, the Hopewell Township Committee voted unanimously Monday night to appoint Judy Abbott Niederer as township recreation director.
Ms. Niederer resigned from her seat on the committee just prior to the vote.
"I have enjoyed serving Hopewell Township as an elected official. I have learned more about my community than I could have imagined possible. I’m excited and honored to serve in this new capacity. I will work hard to give the residents the respect and professionalism they deserve," said Ms. Niederer, a lifelong township resident.
Mayor Vanessa Sandom said Ms. Niederer brought to the Township Committee "a perspective on the town and the community that we never had before."
"Judy is as genuine a person as you ever will know," added Committeeman Mark Iorio. "Dedicated, detail-oriented."
Ms. Niederer, whose appointment was effective Tuesday, replaces Michael Hritz, who recently resigned as Hopewell Valley recreation director. It has been decided that recreation director should be a township position rather than a Valley position. The director’s office is in the township municipal complex, and the director’s salary is paid by the township.
Ms. Niederer will make $61,000 a year. A key aspect of Ms. Niederer’s job "will be to work closely with the two boroughs," Committeeman John Murphy said.
Her unexpired term on the Township Committee ends Dec. 31. Under state law, the committee will appoint her replacement from a list of up to three candidates submitted by the township Republican organization.
Ms. Niederer, a Titusville area resident, attended Hopewell Valley schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. She is the mother of two daughters, Jennifer and Laura, and is married to Robert C. Niederer.
Ms. Niederer received her bachelor’s degree from Trenton State College, where she majored in recreation administration. She was on the Dean’s List, was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society, was president of Recreation Majors Club, played varsity field hockey and served as co-captain for three years. She also was a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference All State team.
At one time, she worked at her father’s business, Abbott’s Marine Center, Titusville, as a sales representative. She later served as senior administrative analyst for the Mercer County Park Commission. Her work there included responsibilities for park management, advertising, ordering suppliers, maintaining ticket offices for the county’s revenue-producing facilities (including various county golf courses), operating the Belle Mountain office when it still was open and administering tennis programs, leagues and tournaments.
She is the recipient of the James E. Cryan Achievement Award for contributing to the life and growth of tennis in Mercer County. She also is the recipient of the Trenton State College Athletics Distinguished Alumni Award.
Ms. Niederer also was involved in the creation of the Hopewell Valley Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and has served on the Hall of Fame Committee.