HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Health officials reported that a bat found in a private home in the Elm Ridge Park neighborhood on May 9th has tested positive for rabies. The bat was submitted for testing at the New Jersey Public Health & Environmental Laboratory on May 10th and test results provided to the Township Health Department on May 12th were positive.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can be prevented by avoiding contact with animals that may be rabid. Rabies is spread from animals to humans, mainly through bites, but also when an animal’s saliva contacts a person’s mouth, eyes or an open sore. If a person has significant exposure, getting vaccinated right away can prevent disease. People who did not touch the bat are not at risk of developing rabies.
Although most bats pose no risk of rabies, a bat that behaves unusually, such as lying on the ground or being active during the daytime, is concerning and people should not attempt to handle it but instead contact Hopewell Township Animal Control right away. It is important to note that an infected bat might also behave normally. Anyone who is bitten or has bare skin contact with a bat should report the episode to their Local Health Department. For more information about bats and the risk of rabies please visit
To prevent the spread of rabies, the community should make sure their pets are up-to-date with their rabies vaccines and avoid handling wildlife. Rabies poses a real threat, especially to unvaccinated dogs and cats. Raccoons, skunks, and coyotes are among the animals that can also develop rabies. Human rabies cases in the United States are rare. For more information about rabies disease, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html
If you or a loved one are bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal, or an animal suspected of having rabies, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and then seek medical attention. Ask your medical provider to report and coordinate with the Hopewell Township Health Department. Reporting bites is a legal obligation of exposed individuals and medical professionals to assure rapid actions are taken to protect the individuals involved and the public at-large. Not all situations require post-exposure treatment. Health Department and Animal Control staff will work to locate, capture, and test suspect animals in an effort to definitively identify if the animal is infectious.
Take these steps to protect your family and pets from rabies:
Make sure your pets and domestic animals are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations
Keep children and pets from approaching or touching wild or strange animals
Make sure that any openings to your home such as crawl spaces, chimneys, attics, porches or garages are sealed or covered with thick wire screen to prevent entry by wild animals.
Discourage wild animal foraging by not leaving pet food outside and by securing garbage cans
Avoid feeding, touching, or housing stray or wild animals
If you see an animal that is sick, injured, orphaned, or behaving oddly, leave it alone and contact Hopewell Township Animal Control. Do NOT handle the animal yourself. If possible, keep an eye on wandering animals to assists Animal Control with finding the animal for capture.
Animal Control Daytime Number (M-F – 8:30-4:30) – (609) 537-0278
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)– The College of New Jersey’s Department of Physics is pleased to share the following update:
Based on visual examination, density measurements, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, and examination and input from retired meteorite expert Jerry Delaney (Rutgers University/The American Museum of Natural History) we are happy to confirm that the object is a stony chondrite meteorite. It is most likely type LL-6, which means that it is lower in iron than most chondrite meteorites, and has been highly metamorphosed by intense heat even before entering the Earth’s atmosphere.
“Getting the chance to examine the meteorite yesterday was a rare and thrilling opportunity for me, as well as for a group of physics students and professors at TCNJ,” said Nathan Magee, chair of TCNJ’s department of physics. “We are excited to be able to confirm that the object is a true chondrite meteorite, in excellent condition, and one of a very small number of similar witnessed chondrite falls known to science.”
Some additional preliminary facts:
· The meteorite is likely to be named based on the nearest postal address, thus likely to be officially dubbed the “Titusville, NJ” meteorite
· Best estimate of landing time is approximately 12:14 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 8, 2023. The home owner confirms that it was still warm when she found it at approximately 12:35 p.m. Several reports of flight-streaks and loud noises appear to agree with the timing estimate
· The total weight is 984 grams (2.2 lbs), volume approximately 317 cubic centimeters, bulk density of approximately 3.2–3.3 g/cc. That density is in the usual range for chondrite meteorites and significantly greater than most crustal rocks on Earth
· About 1,100 LL chondrites have ever been found and are known to science; of these, around 100 were witnessed falls (~50 in category LL6)
· The parent-body asteroid origin of LL chondrites is not yet known precisely, but it is understood that these are objects from the main asteroid belt, with an age of approximately 4.56 billion years (fairly close to formation age of the sun and Earth, and older than any dated rock on Earth (4.0 billion years)
· Additional measurements could establish mineral composition more precisely, and confirm or perhaps change the preliminary LL chondrite classification
· Advanced isotopic analysis could be done elsewhere to establish more precise ages of the mineral components and perhaps provide more information on the trajectory and timeline of travel from the asteroid belt toward Earth
Nathan Magee, chair of The College of New Jersey’s Physics Department, examines the “Titusville, NJ” meteorite on May 10, 2023 (photo credit: Anthony DePrimo)
The “Titusville, NJ” meteorite undergoes analysis at The College of New Jersey (photo credit: Anthony DePrimo)
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hopewell Township Police say that a metallic object believed to be a meteorite struck the roof a residence located on Old Washington Crossing-Pennington Road. The ranch style home was occupied at the time but there were no injuries reported. The object, which is described as approximately 4” x 6” is oblong in shape and appears metallic. It penetrated the roof, the ceiling and then impacted the hardwood floor before coming to a rest.
Hopewell Township Police Department has contacted several other agencies for assistance in positively identifying the object and safeguarding the residents and the object.
This may be related to a current Meteor shower called the Eta Aquariids. The investigation is on-going.
Hopewell Township Fire Department, EMS and Trenton Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team also responded to the scene.
Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri wants to warn the public of a telephone scam where a caller falsely claimed to be a law enforcement Officer employed by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
On April 20, 2023, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Cyber Crimes Unit, was contacted by the Cranbury Township Police Department in Middlesex County and advised that a victim reported that they received a call from a number purporting to be the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the caller falsely claimed to be “Sergeant Whitlock” with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. The scammer claimed the resident had a warrant for their arrest and directed the victim to drive to a drugstore to purchase gift cards.
As a reminder, law enforcement will never ask for payment of any type over the phone, nor will they ask for personal identifying information that could be used for fraudulent purposes. Law enforcement, government agencies, and courts will never ask you to pay by unusual methods, such as gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Scammers often research their potential victims on the internet and social media. Scammers will call and deceive their victims into thinking the callers are law enforcement officers, prosecutors or police employees. Scammers may spoof a law enforcement telephone number, falsely showing on the victim’s caller ID. Spoofed phone numbers are typically done through a VPN (Virtual Private Network) making it difficult for law enforcement to track the actual caller. The scammers may threaten their victims with arrest for outstanding warrants or other legal issues.
Should you receive a call from a police department within Mercer County and/or the Prosecutor’s Office, please confirm with whom you are speaking. If you believe you received a scam telephone call, hang up and call the main phone number to the police department or Prosecutor’s Office (609-989-6351). If legitimate, you’ll be connected with a Police Dispatcher or receptionist who can verify the caller’s identity. Report any scam calls to your local law enforcement agency.
Pennington, NJ – Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell is now a NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) affiliate site of the Atlantic Health Cancer Consortium (AHCC). As a participating site, Capital Health Cancer Center will now offer residents in the greater Mercer and Bucks County region access to new and innovative NCI-sponsored clinical trials in the cancer prevention and control, screening, care delivery, and treatment areas.
“The vision for our Cancer Center is clear,” said Al Maghazehe, President and CEO of Capital Health, “To deliver exceptional care for our patients in a convenient location, with the clinical and support services they need and the research to support their fight and the advancement of care. Our participation in NCORP brings more opportunities to our patients, who are at the heart of everything we do.”
“Capital Health is known for its commitment to providing people of the greater Mercer and Bucks County regions with the highest quality care close to home,” said Dr. Cataldo Doria, medical director of Capital Health Cancer Center. “With the NCORP site designation, our Cancer Center will provide patients access to cancer clinical trials and cancer care delivery studies that are available at top institutions around the nation. We look forward to contributing to NCORP’s national network of research that focuses on cancer prevention, screening, and treatment, especially in regard to how it affects access to care among underserved populations. This aligns well with Capital Health’s mission to serve urban and suburban communities in our area.”
“Academic medical centers play an important part in cancer research, but most cancer care is provided in local communities,” said Dr. Doria. “By expanding research outside academic settings as an AHCC NCORP site, we will provide access to a larger patient population that is more diverse and better reflects the complexity of cancer care.”
As part of AHCC NCORP, Capital Health Cancer Center’s team of providers and researchers will help patients gain access to clinical trials across a broad range of cancer care benchmarks, including symptom management, prevention, screening, surveillance, care delivery and quality of life. The NCORP network’s diversity in patient age, race, and geographic location, provides a natural laboratory for developing improved strategies for cancer prevention, more efficient cancer trials, and a better balance between the risks and benefits of interventions.
“On behalf of the entire organization, I am excited to welcome Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell to Atlantic Health Cancer Consortium Community Oncology Research Program (AHCC CORP), the only New Jersey-based NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP),” said Dr. Eric Whitman, principal investigator at AHCC CORP and medical director of Atlantic Health System Cancer Care. “Together we will continue to advance the science of cancer care and shine new lights on cancer journey pathways for our patients.”
To help connect patients to advanced care options, research staff at Capital Health Cancer Center will select trials from the NCORP research portfolio that may benefit the Center’s patient population. Appropriate studies are then presented to oncology physician teams to determine if they are good fits for specific patients. When a match is made, a primary investigator is appointed, and Capital Health research staff open the trial for Capital Health Cancer Center patients.
To learn more about open clinical trials at Capital Health Cancer Center, visit www.capitalhealthcancer.org/ncorp, sign-up for email updates or call 609-537-6363 to schedule a consultation with one of our physicians.
The company’s flagship U.S. facility will include biologic manufacturing and late-stage research and clinical development of innovative cancer medicines
March 21, 2023
Hopewell, NJ – Meyer, an award-winning architecture and interior design firm based in Philadelphia, and Integrated Project Services (IPS) celebrated the topping off Tuesday of BeiGene’s new flagship U.S. manufacturing and clinical R&D center in Hopewell, N.J. This state-of-the-art facility at the Princeton West Innovation Campus will support BeiGene’s continued growth and expand its pipeline of life-saving cancer medicines around the world.
IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC., a global life sciences consulting, architecture and engineering firm, is leading the overall design of the campus, which includes approximately 400,000 square feet of total development at the 42-acre site. Meyer is providing ground-up architecture and interior design services for BeiGene’s 100,000 square foot office and lab building.
BeiGene plans to recruit hundreds of new employees from the area’s thriving life sciences community to support the company’s Hopewell operations and its ongoing commitment to advancing a global pipeline of cutting-edge oncology drugs.
In helping to bring the facility online, Meyer and IPS worked to combine critical office and clinical research functions for the building.
“Working with IPS, Meyer wanted to craft a space that honors BeiGene’s commitment to growth and innovation,” said Phil Burkett, Meyer Principal and Corporate Practice Leader. “We designed BeiGene’s stunning facility to reflect these principles, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with IPS and BeiGene as we work to bring these buildings online.”
Meyer’s interior design team includes Principal Christopher Scarafile, Project Manager Jon Weber and Senior Designer Giselle Hipkins. Project Manager Glenn Sarsale, MBA, AIA, NCARB, and Architectural Designers Deanna Rosini, Krista Soh and Sam Turner worked with Burkett to provide architecture services for the project.
“IPS, in partnership with Meyer, is proud to help BeiGene bring this state-of-the-art facility to realization,” said Gene Martini, IPS Executive Vice President. “Building on the legacy of the Hopewell community’s life sciences industry, BeiGene’s new manufacturing and research center will create jobs and contribute to countless life-saving scientific breakthroughs.”
About Meyer Design
Meyer is an award-winning architecture and interior design firm based in Philadelphia. A national leader with over 40 years in business, Meyer specializes in creating innovative and people-focused design solutions for clients across the workplace, life science, healthcare, higher education, senior living, and multi-family markets.
For more information, please visit meyerdesigninc.com.
About IPS
IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC is a global leader in developing innovative solutions for the consulting, architecture, engineering, project controls, procurement, construction management, and CQV of technically complex facilities worldwide. With technical expertise spanning R&D to pilot-scale to large-scale production, our team specializes in the technology, trends, and regulatory environment to successfully deliver capital projects and improve operations.
Headquartered in Pennsylvania, IPS is a multinational company with over 1,800 professionals and 23 offices in 10 countries in the United States, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, China, and India. With the newest acquisition of Linesight, IPS has over 2,700 professionals in 45+ offices across 17 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Linesight specializes in cost, schedule, risk, program, and project management services in various market sectors, including data centers, life sciences, and high-tech industrial.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office is aware of a scam using letters claiming to be from a fictitious Tax Assessment Securities division of Mercer County. This is not an official notice from the Mercer County Board of Taxation.
It is believed that this is an attempt to scam residents into paying a fake tax debt. The fraudulent notice has a bold heading claiming the notice is a distraint warrant and a toll- free number listed on the letter, which may lead recipients to believe this is a legitimate piece of communication. These letters attempt to scare residents to respond by stating it is a final judgmental notice and that the recipient must call within 15 days of receiving the letter to avoid enforcement and additional penalties, fees or interest.
Residents should not take any action or call the number listed on the notice.
Property owners with questions can contact the Mercer County Board of Taxation at (609) 989-6704, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email botinquiry@mercercounty.org.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP – Hopewell Police say that a fire occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. this morning, in a parking lot of the Captial Health Medical Center Hopewell Campus. The fire totally destroyed two vehicles – a 2019 Subaru CrossTrek and a 2017 Honda Civic LX. The fire also damaged two other vehicles in the vicinity – damaged tire and damaged front bumper. The fire occurred in a grass divider which separates the parking aisles. The vehicles were unoccupied at the time, and there were no injuries. The quick response from the Hopewell Valley Emergency Services Unit, Union Fire Company, Pennington Fire Department, West Trenton Fire Department and the Hopewell Fire Department prevented further loss of property. All fires in the Township are investigated as suspicious in nature until proven otherwise. This fire is no exception and is undergoing a criminal investigation, which includes sifting through the debris. Hopewell Township Police are working closely with the Hopewell Valley Emergency Services Unit to determine the source and cause of the fire. Anyone with additional information, please contact Detective Adam Liotta at 609-737-3100 or aliotta@hopewelltwp.org
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (Mercer) – A tractor-trailer overturned and came to rest on its side just feet from a home on Ingleside Avenue this morning (Saturday, Feb. 18).
Volunteer firefighters from Pennington, Union (Titusville) and West Trenton fire companies, along with volunteer and career EMS personnel from Pennington First Aid Squad and Hopewell Township Fire District 1, were dispatched at 10:53 a.m. for a reported overturned vehicle at the intersection of Washington Crossing-Pennington Road and Reed Road/Ingleside Avenue.
Township police and emergency personnel arrived to find a tractor-trailer laying on its side on the front lawn of the home at 219 Ingleside Avenue. The driver was not trapped and was reportedly uninjured.
Police and emergency personnel from Mother’s Recovery using a heavy-duty wrecker working to upright the wreckage and cleanup the scene.
The Pole Farm, Reed Bryan Farm and Hunt House regions of Mercer Meadows will be closed to the public until further notice, beginning Tuesday, February 14, 2023 for prescribed burning. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has determined that the weather conditions will be safe and suitable for prescribed burning. Rosedale Park will remain open. For your safety, please observe all closure signage posted at parking lots and on the trails.
The fire will be lit, monitored and managed by the Forest Fire Service officials who have undergone rigorous training and are experienced in conducting safe and effective prescribed burns. Specific conditions must be met in order to burn, including temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction. All appropriate safety measures and precautions will be taken by those performing the burn, including having a contingency plan. While the burn is in progress and until the Section Warden has deemed the fire out, there will be law enforcement and fire personnel, equipment and vehicles present at Mercer Meadows and surrounding areas.
Forest Fire Service officials and Mercer County Park Commission staff will be onsite and actively monitoring the burn site until it is determined the park is safe to reopen to the public. Local police and fire departments have been made aware of the activities.
In the days following the prescribed burn, it is normal to see smoldering and smoking logs and debris. If you believe fire is a threat, call 1-877-WARNDEP. Once reopened, park users are encouraged to please stay on the trails.
For thousands of years, fire has been an active part of the New Jersey landscape. Fires caused by natural conditions, lightning strikes, or fires intentionally set by Native Americans shaped the ecological communities present in our state today. With the current lack of intermittent fire, many of the species that evolved with this disturbance have suffered. Properly conducted prescribed burns can replace the natural fire disturbance that was historically a piece of the New Jersey natural lands. Fire encourages native seed germination, reduces invasive plant pressure, and cycles nutrients into the soil; these effects all aid in increasing habitat quality and diversity, while promoting forest regeneration and grassland establishment.
While managing invasive species and promoting habitat regeneration and enhancement is an important component of the burn plan for both Mercer Meadows, the Park Commission anticipates the burn to have additional benefits such as reducing hazardous fuel loads to prevent unplanned, higher intensity wildfires. Prescribed burns have also been successful in reducing tick and insect pest populations.
In addition to the Park Commission, land managers throughout the State have been using this management tool for its ecological benefits and to reduce the chance of unplanned forest fires.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and Hopewell Police Chief James Rosso reported today that two teenage males have been arrested for last week’s fatal shooting of 20-year-old Philip Urban.
The 16-year-old male from Pennington, NJ, and the 17-year-old male from Hopewell, NJ, were taken into custody this afternoon at the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Both defendants are charged with murder, felony murder, robbery and weapons offenses. They will be lodged at the Middlesex County Youth Detention Center pending detention hearings.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Hopewell Township Police Department. At approximately 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2022, Hopewell police responded to the Hopewell Valley Nature Preserve off of Harbourton-Woodsville Road. Upon arrival, officers located a white Mercedes C300 on a trail with a male slumped over in the driver’s seat. The victim, later identified as Urban, 20, of Manalapan, was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound a short time later.
Investigation revealed that the juveniles planned to rob Urban of a quarter-pound of marijuana for $800. It is alleged that both defendants participated in the preparation, murder and coverup. Urban was lured to the gravel entry to the nature preserve where he was robbed of the marijuana, then shot and killed.
Because the defendants are juveniles, any further identification is being withheld. The case will be screened by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office to determine if it is appropriate to seek waiver to adult court.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Post University Basketball Player, 20-year-old Philip Urban, Manalapan, NJ
Post University Basketball Player, 20-year-old Philip Urban, Manalapan, NJ
The scene at the Nature Preserve in Hopewell Township, NJ where they shooting occurred.
Post University Basketball Player, 20-year-old Philip Urban, Manalapan, NJ graduated from The Pennington School last year.
The 16-year-old male from Pennington, NJ, and the 17-year-old male from Hopewell, NJ, were taken into custody this afternoon at the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Both defendants are charged with murder, felony murder, robbery and weapons offenses. They will be lodged at the Middlesex County Youth Detention Center pending detention hearings.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported today this his Cyber Crimes Unit is investigating recent telephone scams where callers spoof the non-emergency telephone numbers for various police departments within Mercer County in an attempt to scam residents. The scammers falsely claim the resident has a warrant for their arrest. As a reminder, law enforcement will never ask for payment of any type over the phone nor will they ask for personal identifying information that could be used for fraudulent purposes. Law enforcement and government agencies will also never ask you to pay by unusual methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
Scammers research potential victims on the internet and social media. Then they call and deceive their victims into thinking the callers are law enforcement officers, prosecutors or police employees. Scammers may spoof a law enforcement telephone number, falsely showing on the victim’s caller ID. They threaten victims with arrest for outstanding warrants or other legal issues.
Should you receive a call from a police department within Mercer County or the Prosecutor’s Office, please confirm who you are speaking with. If you believe you received a scam telephone call, hang up and call the number back. If the call is legitimate, you’ll be connected with a police dispatcher or receptionist who can verify the caller’s identity. Report any scam calls to your local law enforcement agency. Please share this message with your family and friends, especially the elderly, to help prevent phone scams.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and Hopewell Township Police Chief James Rosso reported that a 20-year-old Manalapan man was fatally shot in Hopewell Township Saturday evening.
At approximately 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2022, Hopewell police responded to the Hopewell Valley Nature Preserve off of Harbourton-Woodsville Road. Upon arrival, officers located a white Mercedes C300 on a trail with a male slumped over in the driver’s seat. The victim was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound a short time later. The victim has been identified as Phillip Urban of Manalapan.
The shooting is under investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Hopewell Township Police Department. Preliminary investigation indicates Urban arranged to meet an acquaintance at the preserve and was shot at some point during the encounter. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the MCHTF at (609) 989-6406 or the HTPD at (609) 737-3100 ext. 5740. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
Phillip Urban of Manalapan is listed on the Post University Athletics, 2022-2023 Men’s Basketball Roster in Waterbury, Connecticut. He graduated from the Pennington School this past June.
This past weekend we lost one of our own to a tragedy. Phil, you will be missed by the entire Post community and especially your teammates and coaches. My condolences to the Urban family. Please join me in praying for his family! Gone too soon.
Post University Men’s Basketball | 12/19/2022 11:19:00 AM
It is with great sadness that Post University announces the passing of student and men’s basketball player, Phil Urban.
Urban passed away tragically in a shooting near his home in New Jersey on Saturday evening.
“Phil was well liked by everyone in the Post community. His quiet sense of humor was infectious and he was a valuable part of our basketball program,” Head men’s basketball coach Marc Kuntz said.
The Post University community expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy to Phil’s family, friends, teammates and all of those who loved him.
This kid has dealt with a lot of adversity in the last year and if I told you how he handled it, you’d be proud too! Super excited for Philly man— stayed humble, trusted the process and accomplished a goal! #earnedithttps://t.co/EIBZx7Tg37
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hopewell Township firefighters were dispatched to 6 Madison Avenue in Hopewell Township, just outside of Pennington for a structure fire at 1:35 a.m. Upon arrival of police and firefighters the 6,300 square foot mansion was fully engulfed in fire. Firefighters used two LDH – large diameter hose lines to supply a master stream from Tower 51 and at least six handlines to knock the flames down. Several tankers were also called to the scene for precautionary measures in case more water was needed. There were cars in the driveway but it was unclear if anyone was home at the time of the fire.
According to Zillo the mansion was 6,300 square feet and had five bedrooms, and five and a half bathrooms. The “Zestimate®”: $1,463,400.00 in value. According to Hopewell Township tax records the property is Block 72 Lot 1.16, 6 Madison Ave., Owners are Dowdie George & Donna Chance with a yearly tax bill of $32,240.60 on a total Township assessed value of $1,077,200. with the November 1, 2022 payment listed as “open”
HOPEWELL, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and Hopewell Police Chief James Rosso reported today that a township man has been arrested and charged with the death of his father.
Joelle Jackson, 54, is charged with murder and weapons offenses. He was taken into custody Tuesday evening at the Hopewell Township Police Department. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Jackson pending trial.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, Hopewell police responded to an apartment in the 700 block of Denow Road on the report of a man stabbed. Inside of the apartment, officers located Ishmeal Jackson, 82, on the kitchen floor suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Hopewell officers secured the apartment and notified the Mercer County Homicide Task Force. Investigation revealed that on or about Monday, November 21, Joelle Jackson stabbed his father to death in the apartment they shared on Denow Road.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Joelle Jackson, 54, is charged with murder and weapons offenses. He was taken into custody Tuesday evening at the Hopewell Township Police Department. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Jackson pending trial.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–In the wake of numerous issues with voting and counting on Election Day, challenges that are still under investigation, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes is calling for a thorough public review of what went wrong and a comprehensive overhaul of the elections process in Mercer County.
“After issues in the last two elections, I have come to the conclusion that we must fundamentally change the management of the election process in Mercer County because it is clearly not working,” the County Executive said. “There are legal limits to what I can do as County Executive but rest assured that I will do everything within my power to ensure the integrity of elections in Mercer County and will tolerate nothing less.”
In Mercer County, three separate entities, the Board of Elections, the Superintendent of Elections, and the Office of the County Clerk each plays a role in elections. Board of Elections commissioners are appointed by the respective County Chairs of the Republican and Democratic Parties, the Superintendent of Elections is an appointee of the Governor, and the County Clerk is an elected position.
“I am happy that Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello requested that the County Prosecutor look into the election. But we also need a more thorough and public review. We’ve got too many people in control and the quality of our elections has suffered as a result, undermining peoples’ faith in the democratic process,” Mr. Hughes said.
Moving forward, County Executive Hughes proposes the following:
Request a special meeting of the Commissioner Board to bring together the Clerk, Superintendent and Election Board Chair explain to the public what went wrong.
Reform and simplify our election process by merging and unifying the Office of the Superintendent and the Board into one, and having an experienced Executive Director oversee our elections.
Call on legislators to enact changes that will allow Mercer County to reform our system.
Pledge any county resources needed to ensure every vote is counted and help get to the bottom of what went wrong hasten and conclude investigation.
“I pledge to you that we will get to the bottom of this and that every vote will be counted,” Mr. Hughes said. “I have listened to the people of Mercer County and have spoken with election officials, and we are committed to finding out how we can improve the election process and to prevent future incidents as the one on Election Day.”
In Mercer County, the Office of the County Executive does not supervise the Board, their offices, nor does it have jurisdiction. The board is responsible for selecting polling places, training board workers, receiving and counting vote-by-mail ballots, and counting and certifying provisional ballots. The Superintendent of Elections handles voter registration, renews registration records, investigates provisional ballots, and is the custodian of voting machines. The County Clerk designs and prints all election ballots, processes vote by mail applications, and officially certifies the election results.
File photo: Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes
File photo: Robbinsville Township Mayor Dave Fried
Robbinsville Township Mayor Dave Fried said in a Facebook post:
“Regarding the events of Election Day, here is what we know so far.
Either the machine scanners did not work, or the ballots were printed incorrectly and the machines did their jobs and correctly spit them out as invalid. An investigation is reportedly under way, and Robbinsville will join other elected officials across Mercer County to see that the investigation is complete and transparent.
Let me be clear: I am not blaming anyone. Honestly, I do not know how this happened. Pointing fingers without all the facts is not productive. We do know that this is the second straight year the County process did not work as it should have, and I am not happy with much of what I saw.
One of the basic tenets of our democracy is the right to vote, and that every vote will be counted.
As of today, it appears our District 5 ballots (Library) have been found after having been misplaced. That information was given directly to our Municipal Clerk Michele Seigfried from the County.
Just a quick note about our clerk’s office. Michele and her team of Deputy Clerk Kaitlyn Macellaro and Sandy DeLorenzo performed exceptionally under extremely difficult conditions this past week. I cannot thank them enough for their service to our Township. The same goes for our Administration team, led by B.A. Joy Tozzi, each of whom worked all hours of the day and night in the chaotic aftermath of Election Day.
Over in Princeton, it seems they discovered ballots still in their machines. During in-person voting on Election Day, two slots for placing ballots were used. The first was the so-called emergency slot. This was used in the early part of the day because officials had hoped the scanner problems could be fixed before polls closed. As the day went on, that emergency bin became full and the scanners were removed so the main bin could be used. They discovered Princeton’s ballots were still in some of those containers since both sides were not emptied. It also appears that the documentation of the chain of custody regarding our ballots was quite poor, allowing the ballots to be apparently misplaced for a time.
The courts have ordered all the machines returned to the Mercer County Board of Elections for inspection to ensure there are no more ballots in those machines, including the ones deployed in Robbinsville.
I DO NOT believe there was any type of fraud, and I DO NOT believe there are any conspiracies at work here. I do believe mistakes were made at a time in our nation when it can ill-afford to stumble on Election Day.
We have spent millions of dollars on these machines and ballots, and they clearly did not work as advertised. It is time to reassess and come up with a better system. Those of you who voted early did not seem to have any issues. Perhaps we need to consider moving entirely in that direction. I will be attending all upcoming Mercer County Commissioner’s meetings until we have a real and fortified plan. Together, I am hopeful we will come up with a solution. Robbinsville has no intention of paying for this process unless real change is implemented.
I have no reason to believe, even with ballots that may or may not still be out there, that our local results will change.
Thus, I sincerely congratulate our three new Board of Education members – Jeffrey Pierro, Raghu Nandan and Peter Oehlberg. I wish each of you the best of luck, and I am sorry your first election was fraught with so much turmoil.
I have always said putting your name on a ballot is one of the most difficult – but potentially rewarding things – a person can do. Although no candidate should have to wait days for results in 2022, each of you earned your rightful place among your other BOE members.
While Ballot Question #1, which sought to combine our Planning and Zoning Boards into a consolidated Land Use Board, did pass, Ballot Question #2 regarding an increase in our Open Space tax to preserve more land and slow development did not. I know times are tough. That is why we put items such as these questions on the ballot. Sometimes we think we know what the residents want, but this process helps us know for certain.”
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello told MidJersey.News in an email, “Although this is under the board of elections, I have been informed that they were all found by them and are being counted.”
As reported yesterday by MidJersey.news a bag of Robbinsville emergency ballots went missing, and also 3 Princeton districts also appeared to be missing as of this morning.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Spokesperson Casey DeBlasio, told MidJersey.news in an email, “I can confirm the county clerk did reach out to the prosecutor today. We are reviewing her concerns to determine what further action should be taken.”
MidJersey.news did reach out to Mercer County Board of Elections this morning and have not received a reply yet.
Check back with MidJersey.news we will update as information becomes available.
*Results are not official until all votes are counted and certified. This includes ballots cast by mail, provisional, and ballots requiring a signature cure. These first two reports above must be ADDED for a cumulative total (until further notice)! –Note the PDF files below and the above link must be added together to get the most accurate until updated by County Clerk’s Office
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Robbinsville Township reported on social media that due to a Mercer County-wide system outage, all voting machines are currently down in each district across the County.
Voters can still report to their respective polling locations and vote on a standard ballot and insert their ballot into the “emergency slot” in the machine. However, Mercer County officials will be unable to tally those votes tonight and are working to fix the system issue.
8:00 a.m. UPDATE:
Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello posted on Facebook that there is a glitch with the Dominion scanners. Voters can still vote by completing their ballots and placing them in the top of the scanning machine in the slot where the emergency ballots are placed. Everyone can vote manually, so rest assured no one will be disenfranchised.
8:08 a.m. UPDATE:
Mercer County reports: The Board of Elections has advised the county of issues with voting machines. Poll workers will be on hand to walk voters through the process. The board is working with Dominion, the machine maker, to resolve the issue.
“All votes cast in this General Election will be scanned on high capacity scanners by the Mercer County Board of Elections, at their central location, instead of at the polling locations by the voters. The Board of Elections is a bipartisan commission. Fortunately, we have hand-marked paper ballot system.
The Mercer County Clerk’s Office does not oversee voting machines or the voting equipment, but all three offices work together to make sure that the process is secure and transparent.
We made it through Hurricane Sandy, through 2020 and we will make it through this one too and no one will be disenfranchised.”
Update from the Mercer County Superintendent of Elections Nathaniel Walker
November 8, 2022 – 2 p.m.
Soon after polls opened this morning, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, poll workers became aware of an issue with the voting machine scanners. Voters are being asked to fill out the ballot as they normally would. A contingency plan is in place for all ballots cast at all locations to be scanned at the secure Board of Elections office.
Again, ballots will be scanned just as they would at the polling location. Every ballot that has been cast will be counted, no voter will be disenfranchised, and the integrity of the election is intact and secure.
Additionally, provisional ballots are available to those who would prefer to vote provisionally. A provisional ballot can be obtained at a voter’s polling location.
Further information will be reported as it becomes known.
– Nathaniel Walker, Mercer County Superintendent Of Elections
Back on September 22, 2021, four cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported in Hamilton Township, Mercer County between May-August 2021, along with an additional reported case from November 2020. On August 29, 2022 Two cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported in August 2022 from the section of Hamilton Township, Mercer County, served by Trenton Water Works (TWW). Two additional cases were reported, respectively in April 2022 and December 2021. Of the four, one individual has died.
Today the NJ Department of Health made this announcement: The presence of Legionella bacteria was identified in water samples collected from more than half of 30 homes within several municipalities served by Trenton Water Works (TWW), the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) announced today. This includes homes from Trenton, Ewing, and parts of Lawrence and Hopewell Township served by TWW.
The testing was conducted in September 2022 following the detection of Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, in several homes that were voluntarily tested within the Hamilton Township area served by TWW in July 2022. The homes tested in Hamilton Township were part of an ongoing investigation to determine potential causes of Legionnaires’ disease previously detected in Hamilton Township, with five cases including one death reported since December 2021. The most recent case was reported to health in September 2022.
To determine if other municipalities served by TWW were affected, health officials recruited an additional 30 homeowners from across the TWW distribution area, focusing on areas outside of Hamilton Township, to voluntarily have their homes tested for Legionella. NJDOH has notified all volunteer homeowners of the results from this sampling.
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that people can get after breathing in aerosolized water (small droplets of water in the air) containing Legionella bacteria. Individuals cannot get Legionnaires’ disease by drinking water that has Legionella. Though uncommon, people can get sick when water containing Legionella is aspirated into the lungs while drinking (“goes down the wrong pipe”). NJDOH receives approximately 250-350 reports of Legionnaires’ disease each year throughout New Jersey.
NJDOH is now urging that all residents and building owners who receive water from TWW to take actions to reduce the risk of Legionella growth in their household and building plumbing. These recommendations are available below.
It is not known if individuals with Legionella detected in their homes are more likely to develop Legionnaires’ disease. While it remains rare for a healthy person who is exposed to Legionella to become sick with Legionnaires’ disease, people who are 50 years or older, especially those who smoke, or those with certain medical conditions, including weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease or other chronic health conditions, are at increased risk.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches, which are similar to symptoms caused by other respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal but is treatable with antibiotics. It is important that anyone who thinks they have symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease contact their health care provider and seek medical evaluation immediately.
Health officials are urging healthcare providers to collect lower respiratory specimens for Legionella PCR and/or culture, in conjunction with use of the urinary antigen test, when suspecting Legionnaires’ disease. This is especially important among residents who receive water from TWW. The urinary antigen test is the most common diagnostic method but can only detect Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. PCR and culture of lower respiratory specimens can detect all Legionella species and serogroups.
NJDOH continues to partner with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and TWW to investigate factors that may be promoting the growth of Legionella bacteria and to evaluate remedial actions that can be taken to reduce Legionella in the system.
Following NJDEP’s finding of significant concerns with TWW’s operations and management, including intermittent failures to fully maintain treatment processes, monitor water quality, employ adequately trained operating personnel, and invest in required maintenance and capital needs such as upgrades to aging infrastructure, Governor Phil Murphy NJDEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette issued a Unilateral Administrative Order that will, among other things, facilitate the immediate deployment of a capacity-building force comprised of managerial and technical experts who will focus on improving routine operations and maintenance, as well as resolving immediate capital needs.
According to NJDOH, individuals, particularly those at high risk, can follow recommended steps to decrease the risk of Legionella exposure and best practices to limit the growth of Legionella in household water systems and devices:
Avoid high-risk activities. If you are at an increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease, consider avoiding hot tubs, decorative fountains, power washing, or similar activities, which may generate increased amounts of aerosols or mist. A conversation with your health care provider may help you assess your individual level of risk based on underlying health conditions and co-morbidities. Your health care provider may recommend that you consider installing specialty biological 0.2-micron filters on your showerhead if you are severely immunocompromised and receive water from Trenton Water Works.
Maintain in-home medical equipment. If using medical equipment that requires water for use or cleaning such as non-steam generating humidifiers, CPAP or BiPAP machines, nasal irrigation devices such as Neti Pots, and attachments for nebulizers, follow manufacturer’s instructions for use and maintenance. This often includes using sterile water instead of tap water in the device.
Clean and/or replace your showerheads and faucet aerators (screens) per manufacturer’s instructions whenever buildup is visible. This is particularly important if you haven’t cleaned your showerheads or faucet aerators recently. Cleaning might require you to remove the showerhead and hose and soak in a solution (such as white vinegar or a bleach solution) to remove buildup. If using chemicals, follow instructions found on the back of the bottle for safe use.
Keep your water heater set to a minimum of 120o This temperature will reduce Legionella growth and avoid potential for scalding (hot water burns). Setting the heater to a higher temperature may better control Legionella growth, especially if you have household members at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease. However, if the temperature is set to greater than 120o F, make sure you take extra precautions to mix cold and hot water at the faucet and shower to avoid scalding. If you have household members at increased risk of scalding, such as young children or older adults, you may consider installing a thermostatic mixing valve. A mixing valve allows your water to be stored at a higher temperature within your water heater to help kill bacteria while eliminating concerns with water being too hot at sinks or showers. If you decide to install a mixing valve, be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions for routine cleaning and maintenance to avoid bacteria growth within the valve. Consider consulting with a licensed plumbing professional and ensure you are following your local codes and ordinances for home plumbing repairs.
After cleaning showerheads and faucet aerators and increasing the temperature of the water heater, thoroughly flush the water at each tap (e.g., sink, showerhead) for 20 minutes. Try to minimize exposure to splashing and mist generation, for example, by leaving the room while the water is running.
Conduct routine flushing. Sinks and shower taps that are not used often can increase the risk of Legionellagrowth in other areas of the home. Let your faucets and showers run for at least three minutes when they have been out of use for more than a week. Minimize exposure to splashing and mist generation, for example, by leaving the room while the water is running. Additionally, you may consider flushing your water following any water disruption to your home, such as low pressure or discoloration, resulting from a water main break or nearby hydrant flushing.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining your water heater and expansion tank, including periodic flushing, draining, and removal of sediment. If manufacturer’s instructions are unavailable, seek advice from a licensed professional.
Clean and/or replace all water filters per manufacturer’s instructions. All whole-house (e.g., water softeners) and point-of-use filters (e.g., built-in refrigerator filters) must be properly maintained.
Drain garden hoses and winterize hose bibs. Detach and drain the hose, shut the water valve off inside the home, and drain the pipe when not in use for the season.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining your hot tub.Ensure disinfectant levels (e.g., chlorine) and maintenance activities (e.g., cleaning, scrubbing, replacing the filter and water) are followed. For more information, be sure to review CDC’s recommendations for residential hot tub owners.
Operate and maintain your indoor and outdoor decorative fountains according to manufacturer’s instructions to limit your exposure to Legionella. Household members at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease should avoid exposure to decorative fountains. If manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance are not available, minimum cleaning frequency recommendations can be found in CDC’s Legionella Control Toolkit.
Remove, shorten, or regularly flush existing dead legs. Plumbing renovations can lead to the creation of dead legs, a section of capped pipe that contains water but has no flow (or is infrequently used). For future renovations, ensure your plumber avoids creating dead legs.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR BUILDING OWNERS
Complete this quick yes/no worksheetto determine if your building, or certain devices in your building, need a Water Management Program. Resources to help you develop a Water Management Program and for Legionella control in common sources of exposure are available at NJDOH’s Legionella website.
Store hot water at temperatures above 140°F and ensure hot water in circulation does not fall below 120°F (or at highest temperature allowable by local regulations and codes). Install thermostatic mixing valves as close as possible to fixtures to prevent scalding while permitting circulating hot water temperatures above 120°.
Clean and maintain water system components.This includes devices such as thermostatic mixing valves, aerators, showerheads, hoses, filters, water heaters, storage tanks, and expansion tanks, regularly per manufacturer instructions.
Flush hot and cold water at all points of use (faucets, showers, drinking fountains) at least weekly to replace the water that has been standing in the pipes. Healthcare settings and facilities that house vulnerable populations should flush at least twice a week.
Remove dead legs or, where unavoidable, make them as short as possible. Where a dead leg (a section of pipe capped off with little or no water flow) cannot be avoided, it should be flushed regularly to avoid water stagnation. This may require the installation of a drain valve.
Monitor water quality parameters such as temperature, disinfectant residuals, and pH regularly. Adjust the frequency of monitoring based on stability of values. For example, increase frequency of monitoring if there is a high degree of measurement variability. Pay particular attention to water quality parameters following a water disruption event, such as low pressure or discoloration, resulting from a water main break or nearby hydrant flushing.
Safely operate and conduct regular maintenance of cooling towers to protect staff, visitors, and the adjacent community from exposure to Legionella. Use a Water Management Program to establish, track, and improve operation and maintenance activities.
Follow recommendations from the NJ Department of Health when reopening your facility following a prolonged shutdown or reduced operation due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Recommendations are available at: https://bit.ly/3CG2s8S
ABOUT LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE AND LEGIONELLA
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella bacteria. Legionella is a type of bacteria found naturally in freshwater environments such as lakes and streams and becomes a health concern when it enters and grows inside human-made water systems. People can get Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in aerosolized (small droplets) water containing Legionella. Aerosolized water can come from plumbing systems and devices such as cooling towers (part of the cooling system for large buildings), hot tubs, cooling misters, and decorative fountains. Less commonly, people can get sick by aspiration of tap water containing Legionella. This happens when water accidently goes into the lungs while drinking (“goes down the wrong pipe”). People at increased risk of aspiration include those with swallowing difficulties. Home A/C units do not use water to cool, so these home units do not aerosolize water and are not a risk for Legionella growth. Legionnaires’ disease is generally not spread person to person. Additional information regarding Legionnaires’ disease and Legionella can be located at NJDOH’s website.
Follow the New Jersey Department of Health on Twitter @njdeptofhealth, Facebook /njdeptofhealth, Instagram @njdeptofhealth and LinkedIn /company/njdeptofhealth.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Following a months-long compliance evaluation of conditions affecting Trenton Water Works (TWW), Governor Phil Murphy, Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette, and Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora today announced the launch of a new Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) initiative to better support and improve TWW. Through this initiative, the State will work with the City to enhance TWW’s technical and managerial capacity with the goal of improving the operations and maintenance of TWW to ensure that the system reliably produces safe drinking water that meets all requirements of the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act.
Despite many recent efforts at the local level to improve operating conditions and advance long-overdue capital improvements at TWW, the system continues to struggle in maintaining compliance with regulatory obligations and requirements. To ensure that maintenance and operational needs crucial to the protection of public health are met, and that long-overdue capital improvements may receive the benefit of new and considerable state and federal funding, DEP has determined that a capacity-building program with direct operational oversight is necessary to ensure TWW’s near- and long-term success in meeting the needs of the 200,000+ residents served by the system in Trenton, as well as portions of Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Lawrence.
“Since the outset of my Administration, the provision of clean, affordable drinking water and the promotion of healthy communities have remained among our foremost priorities,” said Governor Murphy. “Protecting our children, families, and businesses is a responsibility that all levels of government share, and one that we must leverage every existing partnership to fulfill. Under the leadership of the DEP and in coordination with the City of Trenton, we will work tirelessly to safeguard our residents and return water system quality to the level our communities deserve.”
“The health of the residents is of paramount importance and we want to see Trenton succeed at all levels of government,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, who serves as Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs. “Ensuring public health and safety is a core principle of municipal services. The Division of Local Government Services, which has some fiscal oversight of the City, will assist DEP in any way it can to ensure TWW succeeds in providing safe drinking water for its residents.”
“Clean and safe drinking water is a human right but delivering this public good is a far more complex undertaking than one might expect,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “The depth of managerial, technical, and financial expertise required to ensure consistent operation, maintenance, and improvement of a water system is significant. Yet, not all systems are created equal, and we must invest more time, attention, and resources in those that need our help. Through direct operational oversight, DEP will help Trenton Water Works build the capacity necessary to better serve the public. Through this initiative, DEP and the City will more fully assess the system’s needs, meet its challenges, and ensure its long-term success for the benefit of the people of Trenton and the surrounding communities that this system serves.”
“We are committed to strengthening Trenton Water Works, improving its operations, advancing capital projects, and maintaining high water quality in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental,” said Mayor Gusciora. “As we’ve dealt with City Council obstruction, we are resolute and determined in our efforts to build on the substantial progress we’ve made, fulfilling the promise I made to modernize the TWW system to ensure clean and safe drinking water for our customers and service-area residents for generations to come.”
TWW draws water from the Delaware River to provide water to more than 200,000 people in Trenton, as well as portions of Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Lawrence. The system has intermittently struggled to fully maintain critical treatment processes, monitor water quality, employ adequately trained operating personnel, and invest in required maintenance and capital needs, including significant upgrades to aging infrastructure such as the seven-acre, open-air finished water reservoir that stores and provides already treated water to about 70 percent of TWW’s distribution system. The initiative launched by the Murphy Administration today with the support of the City is intended to remedy these concerns.
This initiative, which will be implemented in accordance with an administrative order issued by DEP, has two primary phases that will be pursued concurrently: (1) immediate retention and deployment of a capacity-building force comprised of managerial and technical experts who will focus on improving routine operations and maintenance, as well as immediate capital needs; and (2) a full-scale assessment and preparation of organizational and operational recommendations.
To effect Phase 1, TWW will facilitate the direct oversight and monitoring of the system by DEP and its consultants, including a third-party adviser that will be embedded in the system for the purposes of monitoring and assessing all system operations and maintenance, adding necessary technical and managerial capacity to the system, and making technical, managerial, and financial recommendations necessary to bring the system into full compliance with applicable law.
To effect Phase 2, the third-party adviser will undertake a comprehensive technical, managerial, and financial capacity assessment of the system that will result in a report of organizational and operational recommendations, as well as short- and long-term asset management and capital improvement recommendations that will serve the basis of future action and investment.
DEP and the City will collaborate to ensure that the progress and outcomes of this initiative are open and transparent to the public.
As of October 12, 2022, water quality sample results submitted to DEP by TWW reflect that the water system meets applicable water quality standards. DEP will continue to closely monitor water quality parameters and other indicators of the status of the TWW system. If TWW exceeds a regulatory standard for drinking water quality, or if DEP otherwise determines that an acute risk to public health exists, the public notification would be issued to all TWW customers.
“First, I want to thank Governor Murphy and NJDEP Commissioner LaTourette for their decision today to bring Trenton Water Works (TWW) under direct oversight of NJDEP,” said Mayor Martin. “I want to also thank my fellow Mayors, State Legislators, County Officials, and the Hamilton Township Council who have remained steadfast in their focus on ensuring TWW meets their most basic obligations to their customers.” Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin
“Said in a more simple way – today the State is taking over running TWW,” continued Mayor Martin. “This is a major step towards reaching our simple goal: to ensure all TWW customers have reliably clean and safe drinking water. Further, the Order from NJDEP requires the City Council to approve all items necessary to ensure our goal is reached; guaranteeing a road block to progress is neutralized.” Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin
“Hopewell Township residents, particularly those in Brandon Farms, depend on Trenton Water Works for safe drinking water. We are grateful to the state Department of Environmental Protection for their quick response to our concerns about the facility,” says Hopewell Township Mayor Peters-Manning. “Thanks go to Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin for his leadership on this issue. The staff at Trenton Water Works has been nothing but professional in their dealings with the Township, and we look forward to continuing to work with them and the DEP to safeguard the future of our water supply.”
For information on DEP’s regulation and oversight of drinking water systems in New Jersey, visit DEP’s Division of Water Supply & Geoscience website at: https://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/
For information about water infrastructure investment opportunities provided by DEP, visit: https://www.nj.gov/dep/wiip/
HAMILTON – TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Mayor Martin, State Senator Greenstein, Assemblymen DeAngelo, and Benson, Mercer County Executive Hughes, Mercer County Board of County Commissioners Chair Nina Melker, Ewing Mayor Steinmann, Hopewell Township Mayor Peters-Manning, and Lawrence Township Mayor John Ryan are joining together to call on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to take over direct supervision and operation of Trenton Water Works (TWW) after years of failure to comply with safe drinking water obligations.
TWW supplies approximately 29 million gallons of drinking water daily to more than 200,000 people, including residents of Trenton and four neighboring municipalities – Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Lawrence Townships.
In 2020, the Attorney General and DEP filed a lawsuit against TWW, which the municipalities served by the water utility joined, seeking to compel the City of Trenton and the water utility to take the necessary actions after failing to comply with Administrative Consent Orders to provide safe drinking water. These failures include but are not limited to filling vacancies critical to running the treatment plant and the covering of the Pennington Reservoir, which funding for was denied by the Trenton City Council months after the lawsuit was filed. This week, the NJDEP sent the City and TWW a letter again citing failure to comply with these orders and stating that the DEP is “disturbed by the current City Council’s continuing failures or refusals to authorize resolutions necessary to advance critical capital improvements and ensure that ordinary maintenance and operational needs crucial to the protection of public health are met.”
“The residents of Hamilton have suffered far too long due to the failures of Trenton Water Works and left us with absolutely no confidence in their ability to operate the utility,” said Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin. “The Trenton City Council’s refusal to authorize public safety projects is putting people’s lives in danger and has prevented TWW’s ability to provide safe and clean drinking water. I call on the Governor and the State of New Jersey to immediately place TWW under direct state control to end the years of gross incompetence.”
“The most recent inspection report from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection validates the charge that, time and time again, the residents of this region have been failed by the Trenton City Council and Trenton Water Works,” said Senator Linda R. Greenstein. “Despite the actions of some to try and resolve these long-standing issues, it is readily apparent that a change in leadership is desperately needed. I call upon the State of New Jersey and NJDEP to immediately take all steps necessary to establish state control of Trenton Water Works, to ensure the health and safety of our residents remain top priority.”
“We shouldn’t wait for another disaster before taking action, the safety of our residents must come first,” said Assemblyman Dan Benson. “The NJDEP letter shows that the current operation of Trenton Water Works is unacceptable, it’s time for action,” added Benson.
“Trenton City Council has showed us time and again that they are not interested in bringing Trenton Water Works up to the standards set up by the Department of Environmental Protection,” stated Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo. “At this point, the gross negligence that they have shown has led to an increased risk of waterborne pathogens that threaten the safety of not just Trenton but also the neighboring towns that it serves. I cannot, in good conscience, watch as this continues to escalate. That is why I believe that the control and maintenance of Trenton Water Works should be given to the State so that they can properly bring Trenton Water Works up to the standards of the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act.
“Access to safe drinking water and a well-functioning water system is not an unreasonable expectation by the Mercer County residents who have no alternative to the city-operated Trenton Water Works,” said Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes. “While I am encouraged by Mayor Reed Gusciora’s determination to address the ongoing compliance issues and substandard water quality noted by the NJDEP, I condemn the irresponsibility and recklessness of the City Council for its egregious neglect of the water system, its disregard for the directives set forth by the NJDEP and the injustices it has placed on communities of color and on all Trenton Water Works customers.”
“The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s latest Compliance Evaluation and Assistance Inspection dated September 27, 2022, of Trenton Water Works, is extremely disturbing and concerning,” stated Mercer County Board of County Commissioners Chair Nina Melker.” It is now evident that an intervention is needed at a state level to ensure that Trenton Water Works can fulfill their obligation to provide safe and clean drinking water to the residents throughout Mercer County in their service designation.”
“The findings in this report confirm why Ewing joined with its neighbors Lawrence and Hamilton to protect its citizens from this failing authority,” said Ewing Township Mayor Bert Steinmann. “ It is time for legislation that will provide a meaningful remedy to the suburban ratepayers being held hostage to the Trenton City Council’s intransigence. On behalf of the citizens of Ewing, we implore DEP to act immediately to compel TWW to correct these deficiencies and ensure the safety of the water provided by TWW to its more than 200,000 consumers.”
“Residents deserve safe drinking water. We are deeply disturbed by DEP’s findings regarding the lack of progress on long-term projects necessary to keep the residents of Hopewell Township and Mercer County safe,” said Hopewell Township Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning. “Hopewell Township has appreciated our working relationship with the professional staff at Trenton Water Works. However, change is necessary,” continued Peters-Manning.
“On behalf of the Trenton Water Works customers within Lawrence Township, it is time for the operations of the water utility to be taken from the City of Trenton,” stated Lawrence Township Mayor John Ryan. “For far too long, the customers of TWW have lived with the fear, and at times reality, that the water they drink and use daily is unsafe. The report from the NJDEP dated September 27, 2022, demonstrates that the City of Trenton cannot meet the needs of its water utility customers by producing clean and safe water. We stand with the other municipalities fighting for their residents’ health and safety. We must do better.”
Mayor Gusciora Responds to State and Local Concerns Regarding TWW
TRENTON, NJ – Mayor Reed Gusciora issued the following statement today regarding progress made at Trenton Water Works (TWW), compliance with State agreements, and attempts by state and local officials to enact a “major shakeup” at the City-owned utility.
“I share the concerns expressed by area officials that we want safe drinking water for our constituents. However, the comments made by those elected officials do not recognize the substantial progress made at Trenton Water Works over the last four years. I wholeheartedly agree that if the Trenton City Council had done their job, we would not find ourselves in this position. They voted down critical projects including decommissioning the reservoir, replacing water mains, lead remediation, heavy equipment, facility upgrades, chemical purchases, and debt service. Council leaders even engaged a court battle to stop executive action in support of various water quality improvements at TWW.
In addition, one of the main items I ran on was improving Trenton Water Works. In 2019, we developed a $405-million, six-year capital plan to undertake critical projects within its central pumping station, water-filtration plant, and distribution system. These projects are designed to maintain high water quality and make the 163-year-old public water system more resilient.
Despite the efforts of City Council to undermine TWW as a utility of the City of Trenton, I welcome working in tandem with the State DEP to resolve any outstanding issues and ensure safe drinking water for our consumers for years to come. In that vein, I will announce shortly our proposed plan to address the issues raised by the DEP and to give comfort to our ratepayers and residents by showing demonstrative improvements in our water delivery system.”
Purchased by the City of Trenton in 1859, Trenton Water Works is one of the oldest and largest publicly owned water systems in the United States. TWW supplies approximately 28 million gallons of water per day to a quarter-million consumers in a five-municipality service area comprised of Trenton, Ewing Township, parts of Hamilton Township, Lawrence Township, and Hopewell Township.
TWW operates a 60-million-gallon water-filtration plant and water-distribution system that consists of a 100-million-gallon reservoir, 683 miles of water mains, three pump stations, nearly 8,000 valves, 3,517 fire hydrants, and six interconnections between TWW and other water suppliers. TWW serves approximately 63,000 metered customers.
HOPEWELL BOROUGH, NJ (MERCER)–Around 4:30 a.m. firefighters were dispatched to the first block of Heart Avenue for a well involved house fire. Upon arrival a burn victim was found on the street in front of the home and a medical helicopter was called but unable to fly due to foggy weather. Numerous surrounding fire departments and ambulance squads were called to the scene of the fire. The fire was placed under control at 5:35 a.m. No additional details are available at this time.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–It was reported that sometime around 3:13 a.m. a commercial automatic fire alarm was received for 130 Washington Crossing Pennington Road. Hopewell Police and Hopewell Firefighters arrived shortly and reported a well involved commercial building and called for 2-Alarm tankers. Firefighters placed a 2 1/2″ line in service and the bulk of the fire was reportedly knocked down at 3:37 a.m. The fire went to a 3-alarm equivalent for manpower and apparatus before being fully under control at 5:31 a.m. Many area fire departments responded to the scene from both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Hopewell Police Closed the roadway during the fire and the related investigation and the roadway was reopened at 8:00 a.m. This is still a developing story please check back for official information when it becomes available.
Fire Investigation Update:
8:00 AM: Washington Crossing Pennington Road is now open.
ROAD CLOSURE: Fire investigation
Washington Crossing Pennington Rd (County Route 546) between Scotch Rd. and Dublin Rd. Is closed for fire investigation.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–According to New Jersey State Park Police (NJDEP), the body of an unidentified man was recovered from the Delaware River on Monday, July 18, 2022, in the vicinity of the D&R Canal State Park and Scudders Fall Bridge in Ewing Township. The New Jersey State Parks Police is leading the investigation. Agencies assisting in the search and recovery efforts included Hopewell Township Police Department, the Upper Makefield Police Department (Pennsylvania), and the State Police Marine Unit. Identification of the victim is pending confirmation.
Numerous fire departments from NJ and PA searched the river Sunday night and a NJ State Police Helicopter was called to assist in the search. The initial search was close to the visitors center on the Pennsylvania side and rescue crews searched north of the Scutters Falls Bridge.
Flagship U.S. Facility Will Include Biologic Manufacturing and Late Stage Research and Clinical Development of Innovative Cancer Medicines, Sixth U.S. Location Adds to Global Expansion and Brings New Jobs to New Jersey
April 29, 2022
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ: BGNE; HKEX: 06160; SSE: 688235), a global biotechnology company focused on developing innovative and affordable medicines to improve treatment outcomes and access for patients worldwide, today announced the groundbreaking of its flagship U.S. manufacturing and clinical R&D center at the Princeton West Innovation Campus in Hopewell, N.J.
“Our planned flagship U.S. R&D and manufacturing center supports our commitment to fight for life for people living with cancer around the world, through state-of-the-art commercial-stage biologic pharmaceutical manufacturing, late-stage research and clinical development capabilities,” said John Oyler, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of BeiGene. “The Princeton-Hopewell area is an excellent location for BeiGene and the thriving life science community, with a deep talent pool as we continue to advance our pipeline of innovative cancer medicines and work to diversify our global supply chain.”
The initial phase of construction is expected to include approximately 400,000 square feet of dedicated commercial-stage biologic pharmaceutical manufacturing space, with capacity for up to 16,000 liters of biologics formula. Construction of the initial phase is expected to run through 2024. BeiGene intends to recruit hundreds of new hires from the area’s attractive talent market to support its continued growth and its commitment to producing life-saving oncology medicines.
“BeiGene’s plans for hundreds of new jobs in New Jersey speak to our efforts to grow our state’s business-friendly environment and to our commitment to fostering innovation,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “We are proud to welcome BeiGene to the Princeton area and look forward to the company manufacturing innovative cancer medicines in its new state-of-the-art facility.”
In November 2021, BeiGene acquired the Hopewell property from Lincoln Equities Group and has retained DPR Construction as its construction management firm and IPS as its architectural and engineering firm. The property has more than one million square feet of developable real estate for future potential expansion.
Added Oyler: “At BeiGene, we are committed to not only delivering innovative and affordable medicines but also to upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship. This commitment applies to everything we do, including the development of BeiGene’s Hopewell project.”
“As a leader with a long history in New Jersey’s biotech industry, Hopewell Township welcomes BeiGene to our community,” said Hopewell Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning “We are pleased that BeiGene will bring their state-of-the-art technologies, manufacturing, and R&D center to Hopewell, whose products will help countless people all over the world. We look forward to continuing to work with BeiGene and are excited about what will be produced here in Hopewell.”
BeiGene currently has five offices in the U.S., in San Mateo and Emeryville, Calif., Cambridge, Mass., Ridgefield Park, N.J. and Fulton, Md. Globally, the company has more than 30 offices across five continents.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes has presented to the County Board of Commissioners his administration’s proposed 2022 budget, a $358 million spending plan that stays within the state-mandated 2-percent cap and would result in no increase to the tax levy.
Mr. Hughes on Feb. 22 presented an overview of his administration’s budget proposal to the commissioners, who will review the document over the coming weeks before voting on its adoption.
Of the total budget, $269 million would be collected through property taxes, the same levy as last year.
“This document represents our effort to provide the best possible government in the most cost-effective manner to the taxpayer,” Mr. Hughes said. “The ongoing pandemic has tested us as never before. While we may have changed the way we deliver some services, I am proud of the fact that we have continued to provide resources our residents expect, and I applaud the creativity of our county workforce, including this board, for their flexibility.”
A resident’s actual tax rate will rise or fall depending on his or her municipality once the county rate is equalized to reflect the difference between municipal property assessments and property market values.
The budget proposes that $6.5 million of the County’s surplus be used, leaving a $33 million balance, along with $22 million from the federal American Rescue Plan fund to “help offset the enormous expenditures incurred during the unprecedented pandemic response,” Mr. Hughes said. The spending plan “reflects our continued response to the challenges brought by the pandemic and the toll it has taken on the health of our residents, as well as our county finances, and as a result of our responsible planning, we can propose a budget that is considerate of our taxpayers and offers relief by holding the line,” Mr. Hughes added.
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes File Photo Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes File Photo
Free tax preparation assistance available in Mercer County
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)— Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes reminds residents that many sites throughout Mercer County offer free income tax preparation assistance to help them prepare and file their 2021 taxes. The deadline for filing 2021 tax returns for both state and federal taxes is April 18, 2022. Below is a list of sites where free income tax preparation assistance is being provided to qualified individuals. Call the site for required paperwork.
AARP Tax-Aide program sites in Mercer County
The AARP Foundation provides Tax-Aides to assist people with low to moderate incomes with 2018 tax preparation at Mercer County Connection, libraries and other sites. For more information, including a list of documents to bring to the Tax-Aide site, visit www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/.
Ewing Branch, Mercer County Library System, 61 Scotch Road, Ewing Wednesdays, 1:30 to 5 p.m. Appointment necessary; call (609) 882-3148.
Lawrence Headquarters Branch, Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Ave., Lawrence Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointment necessary; call (609) 882-9246.
Lawrence Senior Center, 30 East Darrah Lane, Lawrence Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointment necessary; call (609) 844-7048. Seniors preferred.
Mercer County Connection, through United Way, 957 Route 33 (Acme shopping center), Hamilton Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Appointment necessary; call (609) 890-9800. Mercer County residents only.
Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon St., Princeton Mondays, 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointment necessary; call (609) 924-9529, ext.1220
Princeton Senior Resource Center, 45 Stockton St., Princeton Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Appointment necessary; call (609) 924-7108.
RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Mercerville Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Appointment necessary; call (609) 584-5900.
West Windsor Senior Center, 271 Clarksville Road, Princeton Junction Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointment necessary; call (609) 799-9068.
IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program sites in Mercer County
The VITA Program generally offers free tax help to people who make $54,000 or less, people with disabilities, and limited-English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in local communities. For more information, visit www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers.
Boys & Girls Club of Trenton, 212 Centre St., Trenton Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, noon. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins welcome; call (609) 392-3191 for required paperwork.
Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County, 1040 Spruce St., Lawrence Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, noon. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins welcome; call (609) 392-3191 for required paperwork.
Catholic Charities of Trenton, 39 North Clinton Ave, Building 1, Side Door, Trenton Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, noon to 3 p.m. Walk-ins welcome; call (609) 394-5181 for required paperwork.
United Way of Greater Mercer County, 3150 Brunswick Pike, Crossroads Corporate Center, Suite 230, Lawrence Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5 to 8 p.m., Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon, and Saturdays, noon to 3 p.m. Appointment required; call (609) 896-1912, for required paperwork.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP – Flames consumed a large building belonging to a landscaping business early Sunday morning (Feb. 6). All Hopewell Valley volunteer fire companies – Pennington, Hopewell and Union-Titusville – were dispatched about 1:57 a.m. for a reported structure fire. Pennington Fire Chief Jim DeForte arrived to find a working fire involving a storage building and several vehicles located behind a residence in the 1500 block of Reed Road, near Diverty Road. He requested the balance of the first alarm be dispatched, resulting in mutual aid resources being sent to the scene from Ewing Township’s career staff and West Trenton Volunteer Fire Co. and Lawrenceville Volunteer Fire Co. from Lawrence Township. An engine and aerial apparatus were positioned behind the residence, with water supplied via large diameter hose laid down the driveway from a hydrant on the opposite side of Reed Road. The aerial was raised and its master stream placed in service. Water was also flowed from several handlines. The blaze was declared under control at 2:37 a.m. The Signal 22 canteen unit from Trenton also responded to the scene to provide drinks and other refreshments to the wet and weary firefighters. The temperature at 3 a.m., as crews continued to overhaul the smoldering ruins, was 16 degrees Fahrenheit. The cause of the blaze was under investigation by Hopewell Township police and the township fire marshal’s office.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hopewell Township Police told MidJersey.News that, at approximately 12:25 p.m. today, Hopewell Township Police responded to a report of woman who had fallen through the ice in Rosedale Lake at Rosedale Park off of Federal City Road. Several callers reported the woman was in the water up to neck. Officer’s Peterson and Pauciullo were the first responding officers on the scene.
Once on scene, the officers located the woman in distress, who was approximately 25 yards from the shoreline. The woman was flailing around and struggling to keep her head above the water. Utilizing a water rescue throw rope, officers along with several other responding emergency personnel, were able to safely get the woman to shore.
Once safely on dry land, the woman was treated on scene for potential hypothermia by the Pennington First Aid Squad, Hopewell Valley Emergency Services, and Capital Health Paramedics. She was later transported to Capital Health Hopewell Hospital in stable condition.
Multiple departments arrived to assist. They were the Hopewell Valley Emergency Services, Pennington Fire Department and First Aid Squad, Union Fire Department, and the Mercer County Park Police.
MidJersey.News 
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