Don’t favor township’s and Pennington’s ordinances
By Aleen Crispino, Special Writer
After discussion, Hopewell Borough Council chose not to amend its underage drinking ordinance to conform to ordinances recently passed by Hopewell Township and Pennington Borough or to add penalty options.
The borough ordinance, adopted in July 2006, prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under age 21 on private property unless in the presence of a parent, guardian or relative of legal drinking age. It includes exceptions for religious observances, employment and culinary arts and hospitality education programs.
Mayor David Nettles said Hopewell Valley Regional School Superintendent Judith A. Ferguson informed him of a high school counseling program that could be mandated by the municipal court judge for high school students during the school year.
Councilman and Mayor-elect Paul Anzano, an attorney, suggested that the judge be made aware of the program as a sentencing option, but that there was no need to amend the ordinance.
The only basic difference between the three ordinances, said Mayor Nettles, is a provision in the township and Pennington ordinances to exempt from prosecution underage drinkers who call police to report this behavior by others.
Council President David Knights and Councilman Anzano said they feared the potential for abuse by teens eager to avoid arrest.
”You hear the cops and all the phones are going to go off,” said Councilman Knights.
Councilman Anzano added he was not comfortable with permitting an exemption on private property that was not also permitted on public property.
Councilman David Mackie said he felt the value was in encouraging someone to call to report a dangerous situation without fearing prosecution themselves. “I’m less concerned with the actual penalty than with the perception on the part of the person who is drinking,” said Councilman Mackie.
Mayor-elect Anzano said he was willing to watch the experience of the township and Pennington and to revisit the issue if necessary.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, council adopted a resolution agreeing to pay $3,000 to Hopewell Township for recreation services for the 2007 budget year.
The resolution, adopted by a vote of 4-0, is an amendment to the Recreation Interlocal Services Agreement entered into in 2003 by the township, Hopewell and Pennington boroughs and Hopewell Valley Regional School District. The school district elected not to participate in the agreement in 2007 due to program changes and other factors, according to the resolution, which also stipulates a $3,000 contribution to the township from Pennington Borough.
Hopewell Borough is negotiating with the township on terms of a recreation interlocal agreement for 2008, said Borough Administrator/Clerk Michele Hovan.
In an unrelated development, council adopted an ordinance abolishing the Hopewell Borough Parks and Recreation Commission, replacing it with separate committees for parks and recreation, each consisting of three borough residents serving three-year terms. The two committees are already in existence. The ordinance specifies their responsibilities, said Ms. Hovan.
A public hearing on an ordinance that would change the zoning map according to recommendations made in the 2007 Hopewell Borough Master Plan was postponed. A special council meeting has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 19, which will include opportunity for public comment before a vote by council.
Council also voted unanimously to increase dog license fees to $13.80 per dog plus $1.20 for a registration tag, for a total of $15, and cat license fees to $10. An additional fee of $3 will be charged for each dog or cat of reproductive age that has not been neutered.
A third ordinance was adopted appropriating an additional $600,000 for the borough’s contribution to the purchase of the former St. Michael’s Orphanage property for open space preservation and related uses, which brings the borough’s total contribution to $1,400,000. The borough expects to receive a state grant for $300,000 and will finance the remaining $300,000 by issuing bonds or notes.
This was the last regular council meeting for Mayor David Nettles, whose term expires on Dec. 31, 2007 and who did not seek re-election. He will be succeeded as mayor by Councilman Paul Anzano, a Democrat, who ran unopposed.
When Mayor Nettles was asked what are the accomplishments he is most proud of in his four-and-a-half years as mayor, as well as eight-and-a-half years on the Borough Council, he said, “finally getting us at least on the road to having an ADA-compliant municipal building,” adding, “I would have liked to have had a solution in place for the library as well.”
Mayor Nettles, who is also a Democrat, had high praise for bipartisan cooperation between the mayor and council members of both Republican and Democratic parties.
”It’s been a wonderful experience,” said Mayor Nettles. “Another thing I’m proud of is that in 13 years we’ve never had a party line vote on any issue, and I think that speaks volumes about the borough and the way things work here.”

