New Pennington Public Works building opens

Event on Nov. 28 at site

By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
   Nov. 28 was a day of deliverance for the Pennington Public Works Department.
   That day marked the culmination of nearly 10 years of planning and effort, as the borough’s new 10,000-square-foot, $1.3 million Public Works building opened. The structure is off North Main Street, in Hopewell Township just north of the borough line.
   ”I’m very happy about it, that’s for sure,” Public Works Supervisor Jeff Wittkop said Monday. “It improves our efficiency. We have enough room to work now, and we can store all our equipment indoors now. From the aspect of our crew, this is a vast improvement in their working conditions. The Pennington Public Works crew is a great crew. They do an amazing amount of good work.”
   The new building replaces a sorely dilapidated structure near the defunct Pennington landfill, between East Delaware Avenue and Broemel Place.
   ”Back there, our crew could be forced to work outdoors on as many as three vehicles at a time,” Mr. Wittkop said. “If it was raining, you did that work in the rain.”
   The Nov. 28 ribbon-cutting at the new building was attended by about 70 residents, officials and former officials. Among them were Pennington Mayor Tony Persichilli and former mayors Jim Loper and Sue Riley. David Garber, Joseph Lawver, Weed Tucker, all current Pennington Council members, also attended, as did County Executive Brian Hughes and Hopewell Township Mayor Vanessa Sandom.
   Mr. Wittkop said Mr. Garber’s efforts were a major factor in making the new building a reality. Mr. Garber is council’s liaison to Public Works.
   ”We now have a safe and secure working environment for our Public Works employees,” Mr. Garber said Monday.
   ”We can finally move our employees off the site of the former dump, where working conditions were poor. The new building also will protect our equipment and vehicles in which we have a significant capital investment. Previously, much of the borough’s equipment was stored outside and was subject to damage and wear from water, snow and ice. The new building and improved working conditions are already providing benefits to the borough in the form of increased efficiency of operations. Many people, going back as long as 10 years ago, share responsibility for making the new Public Works building a reality. Particular thanks go to former Mayor Sue Riley, former Mayor Jim Loper, and former Council members Susan Porcella, and the late Jim Byrnes.”