By: centraljersey.com
Democrats David Mackie and Sean Jackson were sworn in for three-year terms on Hopewell Borough Council at Monday’s reorganization meeting.
The ceremony marked Mr. Mackie’s fifth term on council and a second term for Mr. Jackson.
Longtime Councilman David Knights, a Republican, was unanimously re-elected as council president.
In his mayoral address, Paul Anzano, A Democrat, said the borough is a small community that "really cherishes" its volunteers because they contribute "a lot of time."
"A lot of people step forward to help this place be what it is," he said. "People on the outside refer to (the borough) as, ‘Mayberry,’ but that’s not accurate because a lot really goes on here."
Mayor Anzano said that "community-defining events and institutions," such as the annual Hopewell Harvest Fair and Memorial Day and Halloween parades, make the borough a special place to live.
"A lot of people tell me how much they like living here and that they don’t want to live anyplace else." But, he said, the borough is still faced with "perennial issues," that include property taxes, speeding on borough roads and parking.
Looking back, Mayor Anzano said the borough was able to weather a number of challenges in 2010 that included an ongoing bridge reconstruction project, completion of several playgrounds and an increased number of residential tax appeals. "I think it’s a good testament to the tightness of the community," he said. "I am happy to be mayor here."
In the year ahead, borough offices, as well as Municipal Court, will be moving into the former Masonic Temple at 88 E. Broad St., the site the borough purchased in 2006.
A $1.46 million renovation and addition of a two-story, 6,540-square-foot facility is set to begin in February and is anticipated will take seven months to complete.
Municipal offices currently share space with Hopewell Fire Department at 4 Columbia Ave. Once the borough relocates to the new building, the fire department will occupy the entire two-story building.
STANDING COMMITTEES of the mayor and Borough Council are as follows:
Paul Anzano – Building, Finance and Personnel.
Sean Jackson – Communications, Finance, Economic Development, Public Safety and Recreation.
David Knights – Building, Finance and Water Planning.
Robert Lewis, a Republican – Recreation, Municipal Alliance and Communications.
David Mackie – Public Works, Personnel, Building and Water Planning.
Sky Morehouse, a Republican – Personnel, Water Planning, Public Safety and Health.
Deb Horowitz, a Democrat – Shade Tree, Communications and Library.
COUNCIL unanimously approved a slew of appointments to its boards and commissions. Mayor Anzano noted there are still a few vacancies to be filled, which will be completed in the coming weeks.
The appointments are as follows. Terms are for one year unless otherwise noted:
Board of Health – Allen Edwards and Ted Klett to three-year terms. Emergency Management – Coordinator William Springer and Deputy Coordinators Herbert Ruehle and Michele Hovan.
Economic Development Committee – Lance Edwards to a five-year term.
Hopewell Valley Open Space Committee – Judy Jengo, Joe Miko and Sean Jackson.
Recreation Committee – Eric Hendrickson to a three-year term.
Hopewell Valley Senior Advisory Board – Rosaline Fleming to a three-year term; and Michele Hovan and Robert Lewis.
Advisory Shade Tree Commission – Council Liaison Deb Horowitz.
Hopewell Valley Green Team – Hugh Connolly, Angela Clerico, municipal representative Michele Hovan and governing body liaison Deb Horowitz.
Mercer County Board of Human Services – Lottie Doverman.
Board of Education Representative – Gordon Lewis.
Central Jersey Transportation Forum – Michele Hovan, Dennis O’Neal and Paul Anzano.
Municipal Prosecutor – W. Reed Gusciora.
Public Defender – John Holliday.
Custodian of Municipal Deeds – Dennis O’Neal.
Search Officer – Donna Griffiths.
Municipal historian – Beverly Weidl.
Clean Communities coordinator – Herbert Ruehle.
Recycling coordinator – Herbert Ruehle.
Library Board of Trustees – Katherine Dresdner to a five-year term; and mayor’s representative, Deb Horowitz.
Planning Board – Michele Hovan and David Mackie; Chris Crowell and Jackie Perri to four-year terms; and Alternate 2 Brad Lyon to a two-year term.
Historic Preservation Commission – Alison Baxter to a four-year term; and Eric Hendrickson to an unexpired four-year term to expire Dec. 31, 2013.

