Courtney Peters-Manning will serve another year as Hopewell Township mayor.
During the Hopewell Township Committee’s reorganization meeting, fellow committee members unanimously voted for Peters-Manning to continue leading the governing body and township on Jan. 2.
She previously served in the position for 2022 and 2024. Committeeman Kevin Kuchinski nominated Peters-Manning as mayor. There were no other nominations.
“Courtney has served our community tirelessly since first being elected in 2019, Kuchinski said, adding that while they don’t always agree, he is confident the township committee can build on the progress made with Peters-Manning as mayor. “She is a strong advocate for our first responders and has led the charge to support them with new equipment and increased staffing.
“She has challenged the township team to find new and more efficient ways to deliver the services our residents expect for less. She is a strong defender of the environment, an advocate for open space and trails, and she has been a great communicator with our residents and other community partners.”
Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (D-15) swore in Peters-Manning as mayor.
“… We have a lot to be excited about in Hopewell Township in 2025,” the mayor said.
“Progress on the senior and community center continue. We have received several grants, hired an architect, had community meetings, and worked on site planning. Shortly we will be sharing drawings with the community and then issuing bid documents for construction. I know this has taken a lot longer than we would have liked but we wanted to make sure to get input from the entire community to make sure we get this right.”
Peters-Manning highlighted that the township has worked hard to plan for the future to make sure first responders have what they need as they welcome new neighbors.
“We have increased our police force from 33 to 35 sworn officers and six new officers will be hired this month and will start the academy in February,” she said. “We are working closely with our fire district on a new fire station for our career staff, while also supporting and encouraging our volunteer department.”
The Mayor’s Awards for first responders, which was first held in 2024, will return again in 2025 and the hope is it becomes an annual tradition, Peters-Manning said.
“We remain committed to using PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) funds to support the Hopewell Valley Regional School District (HVRSD),” she said. “While the joint demographic study confirmed no new school building will be needed as a result of our growth, we understand that improvements are needed at Bear Tavern, and we look forward to discussions with the school board and administration on the details of how we can best support them in accomplishing this.”
Additionally, Peters-Manning highlighted BeiGene, a pharmaceutical company that specializes in cancer medicine, that opened its a clinical research center at the Innovation West campus and has brought in commercial revenue.
Peters-Manning nominated Committeeman David Chait to serve as deputy mayor in the township for 2025. Fellow committee members unanimously voted to elect him as deputy mayor. There were no other nominations.
“David is about the smartest person I know, but more than that he is thoughtful, kind, compassionate and he listens,” Peters-Manning said. “David is a hugely successful entrepreneur, but you might not know that by just talking to him.
“Amazingly, he has also agreed to serve our community on the township committee bringing his entrepreneurial skills, experience, and passion for communication and service to our team.”
This will be Chait’s first time serving in the position. Verrelli swore him in as deputy mayor at the meeting.
“Thank you, mayor, for your nomination and to my fellow committee members for the incredible honor and responsibility of serving as deputy mayor this year,” Chait said. “Thank you for placing your trust in me and to the residents of Hopewell Township, it’s a privilege to serve our wonderful community in this capacity
“As deputy mayor I’m committed to serving every resident of our diverse and dynamic community with dedication and an open door. I invite you to reach out to me either by phone or email or in person because your voices, ideas, and concerns are essential to the work we as a committee do.”
He added how he will continue to serve with a focus on pragmatic fiscal responsibility, transparency in communications, and steadfast commitment that every decision they make is in the best interest of the community.
At the start of the reorganization meeting, with family in attendance, Committeewoman Uma Purandare, who served as deputy mayor in 2024, had been sworn in to serve her second three-year term on the Township Committee by Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-15).
The five-member Township Committee consists of Peters-Manning, Chait, Purandare, Kuchinski and Committeeman Michael Ruger.
Courtney Peters-Manning (right) with family by her side is sworn as township mayor for 2025 on Jan. 2
David Chait (right) with his family is sworn in as deputy mayor in 2025.
