Hopewell Township officials are still actively searching for a full-time health officer to lead the township’s health department.
Montgomery Township Health Officer Stephanie Carey has been the interim health officer for the township since the resignation earlier this year of former health officer Robert English. She had been made interim health officer through a shared service agreement between Hopewell Township and Montgomery that was originally approved in February.
According to Business Administrator Elaine Borges, the township is currently advertising for a full-time health officer.
“Currently we have an active post and are accumulating resumes for review. It is the intention of the township to interview eligible candidates and if a qualified candidate is found to hire them at the next regularly scheduled meeting after the interview process is complete,” she said.
In the meantime, Carey will continue as interim health officer after the Hopewell Township Committee approved a resolution extending her appointment until July 25.
Mayor Kristin McLaughlin, Deputy Michael Ruger, Committeeman Kevin Kuchinski, Committeewoman Courtney Peters-Manning and Committeewoman Julie Blake voted ‘yes’ for the extension on July 7.
“I want to make clear that this is just a short term extension while we move to hire a permit health officer for Hopewell Township. That process has begun,” Kuchinski said during the meeting.
Montgomery’s Health Department now provides health services to Hopewell Borough, Pennington and Hopewell Township.