Hopewell Township - Municipal spotlight

Form of Government:

Hopewell Township has a Township Committee form of municipal government. All Committee members are elected at large for three year terms. Each year, the Township Committee elects one of its members as Mayor. The Township Committee regular meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Municipal Building, located at 201 Washington Crossing- Pennington Road.

Three types of governmental actions that are vested in the Township Committee and Mayor are passing resolutions, adopting ordinances and presenting proclamations. Each of these is described briefly below.

Resolutions. A resolution is a formal expression of opinion, will or intent of a governing body. The Township Committee is the governing body in the Township of Hopewell. Resolutions are normally introduced and passed at the same meeting. Most administrative matters such as approving contracts, raffles/bingo licenses, bond sales and authorizing tax refunds are handled by resolution.

Ordinances. An ordinance is a local law established by the Township Committee. The Committee is the governing body of Hopewell Township and is vested with the authority to amend or promulgate ordinances. Ordinances (local laws that apply only within the geographic borders of the township) must be introduced by majority vote at an advertised, public meeting. Once an ordinance is introduced, the Township publishes the ordinance in newspapers designated for that purpose at the beginning of the year. The publication indicates the date and time established by Committee for the public hearing on the ordinance. At the public hearing, the ordinance is read by title and then the floor is opened to members of the public who wish to make comments on the ordinance. After the public is finished commenting, the public portion of the hearing is closed and the members of the Committee vote on the ordinance. If passed, the ordinance is again published in the local paper and takes effect immediately upon publication or following the statutory waiting periods.

Proclamations. A proclamation is a document given by the Mayor and Committee to formally recognize an individual, organization, special event, achievement or cause, etc. Proclamations are generally read at public meetings and presented to the person or group being recognized. Examples of proclamations include recognizing township residents who have attained the Eagle Scout Award in Boy Scouts, Gold Award in Girl Scouts or declaring appreciation for a community volunteer or organization.

Elected Officials:

Mayor Vanessa Sandom

Deputy Mayor John Murphy

Committeeman David Sandhal

Committeeman Michael Markulec

Committeeman James Burd