New speed limit in effect
By John Tredrea, Special Writer
Hopewell Borough Council has adopted an ordinance authorizing a revaluation of all the properties in town, according to Michele Hovan, borough administrator/clerk.
The ordinance was adopted at council’s July 1 meeting.
Council hopes to conduct the revaluation in time for the 2014 tax year. The last revaluation in the borough was done in 2004, for the 2005 tax year.
Councilman Sean Jackson announced that the Mercer County ordinance to lower the speed limit in the center of town is in effect.
Council petitioned Mercer County several months ago to lower to speed limit on Broad Street, resulting in the new 25-mph limit between Louellen Street (Route 518) and Princeton Avenue.
The balance of Broad Street on the east and west ends remains at 30 mph to the Hopewell Township boundaries.
ALSO AT THE JULY 1 meeting, council formally accepted the 2012 audit of the borough. The borough received excellent marks on the audit, as it contained no recommendations for any changes in how the borough handles its finances.
— Council decided to carry, until its August meeting, a proposed ordinance that, if adopted, would permit parking on the north side of East Prospect Street, between Princeton and Seminary avenues, when school is not in session. Hopewell Elementary School is on Princeton Avenue.
— Council also reintroduced an ordinance pertaining to alcohol consumption at private events at the town’s Railroad Place railroad station, which is owned by the borough.
Under the reintroduced measure, only beer and wine would be allowed at those events, and renters of the station would have to provide the borough with a certificate of insurance coverage for an event at which beer and wine would be allowed.
— Council also discussed the addition of a third cruise night town event, which the Economic Development Committee (EDC) has scheduled for July 26, from 5-8 p.m., on Broad Street.
Cruise Nights have become very popular spring and fall events, with each one attracting more attendees, classic cars and street-side offerings than the one before it.
Ray Disch, EDC member, expressed concern to the mayor and council that expanding the number of cruise nights could “dilute the brand,” but was willing to go along with other members, who favored an additional night, and test the waters in July.
Mr. Disch and council members shared a common concern that too many events could be disruptive to Broad Street- area residents, but noted that no such concerns had been expressed to date.
In addition to the July event, the EDC has scheduled its regular fall cruise night for Sept. 20.