Why Vote NO on November 4th
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It's a BAD DEAL for Hopewell
The contract with NJAW doesn’t guarantee what they claim. Hopewell Borough accepted a contract that benefits NJAW, and provides no guarantees for Hopewell rate payers.
- No guaranteed rate decrease.
- No clear plan for the $7 million “capital improvements”.
- No specification of what will be repaired, or when.
- The Borough will have no oversight or recourse if those “improvements” don’t meet our standards.
Read the legal analysis by Keith Hovey, JD, BSN. -
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Rate increase with NJAW
Did they mention that 22% of water accounts in Hopewell Borough will get a rate increase on day one if the sale is approved?
Households that use < 5,000 gallons per quarter will receive a rate increase. -
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No Emergency
There is no urgent need to sell our water system. We are being targeted by American Water because of the high value and profitability of our system.
- Our water system is not failing. The NJDEP determined the Borough"did not demonstrate a lack of financial, technical, or managerial capacity to adequately address any of the foregoing on a sustainable basis or own and operate the system in a way that supports economic activity in the municipality on a sustainable basis".
- The Borough did not explore alternatives to selling the water system.
- The sale would be permanent, which means a permanent loss of democratic control of our water resources.
- Our water system is not failing. The NJDEP determined the Borough
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No tax relief for Hopewell Borough taxpayers
The Council said, after they pay down the debt in the general budget from selling our water system, they plan to spend the annual tax revenue they collect from us on undefined projects year after year.
- There’s no long-term strategic plan for how to spend our tax dollars.
- Demand Borough accountability for debt in the general budget.
Hopewell has BETTER options
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Water is a precious, natural resource.
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Our water system must not be sold to a for-profit company that prioritizes profit over public interest.
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We are empowered to restructure the management of the water system to meet the requirements of our community.
East Windsor and South Brunswick operate their water systems with an MUA. Learn more in this deck.
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We have an opportunity to shape the future of our water system, ensuring it remains a community asset for generations to come.
Legal challenge centers on neutrality
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Under New Jersey election law, interpretive statements must provide neutral and objective context about a ballot question. The lawsuit contends the framing of the referendum question is persuasive rather than explanatory, signaling a preferred outcome to voters.
About the Public Water Alliance
We are residents and taxpayers of Hopewell, united by a shared concern about the proposed sale of our water system and the lack of strategic thinking that led to it. Our goal is to foster collaboration and dialogue among all residents to find a long-term solution that serves the public interest. Join us in shaping a sustainable future for Hopewell’s water.
Don’t give up HOPE —
Save our WELL
Paid for by Hopewell Borough Public Water Alliance