March 27, 2020

Modifications to Hopewell Township Operating Procedures in Response to COVID-19

Updated March 27th 2020

To: Hopewell Township Residents, Business Owners and Other Community Members

Please consider this memo an update to my memo of March 13, 2020 regarding new operating procedures as a result of COVID-19.

Changes to Township Operations will be as follows:

• The Senior Center located at 395 Reading Street in Pennington will remain closed. THE MERCER COUNTY NUTRITION PROGRAM WILL REMAIN OPEN BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 11 AM TO 12:30 PM FOR MEAL PICK-UP.
• All other Senior Programs will continue to be cancelled until April 12th. We will reassess on April 9th and advise the community.
• All Recreation Department Activities and municipal fields will remain closed through April 12th. We will reassess future activities on April 9th
• The Township Municipal building will remain closed to all visitors until April 12th. This will also be reassessed on April 9th. Doors will continue to remain locked during the day. Visitation will continue to be by appointment only. Please check the Hopewell Township website at www.hopewelltwp.org to find the number for the department you need to meet with.

Anyone needing to get documents to the Municipal building can use the drop box located outside the utility door at the northeast corner of the building. If documents are too large for the drop box, please call and arrange for a document exchange outside of the building on the covered area by the main doors. The Township will do its best to communicate electronically or by mail with our visitors

• Any outdoor inspections will continue as scheduled.
• Based upon the temporary rule relaxation issued by the Department of Community Affairs on March 25, 2020, the MCO will follow the instructions listed below with regard to scheduling and conducting inspections.

1. All required inspections for new unoccupied construction shall be performed as usual.
2. All required inspections on the exterior of structures shall be performed as usual.
3. No Inspector is to enter an occupied structure
4. Rough inspections for new additions shall be performed, provided no entry to the occupied building is required.
5. No inspector shall conduct any inspection within an occupied structure. In an effort for projects to continue, this does not prevent the contractor from communicating construction activity to the appropriate inspector who is not on-site. Examples of communication may include: a signed sealed letter from the design professional, telephone call, photograph, video etc. This correspondence shall be in a manner which the inspector understands and can verify code compliance.
6. All required inspections of Minor Work – on the interior of occupied structures – shall be deferred until after the State of Emergency has been lifted. Inspections shall be scheduled within 30 days after the State of Emergency has been lifted.

• Township Committee meetings will be conducted via Zoom. Instructions for participation will be included with the agenda when posted.
• An update to this memo will be issued when further guidance has been provided for Planning and Zoning meetings.

As we continue to adjust to our “new normal” which seems to be the phrase lately, I ask the continued support of our community to help us provide quality services that are both safe for our residents, businesses and employees.

Respectfully,

Elaine Borges Administrator/CFO