Hopewell Township Prevails in PILOT Litigation as Supreme Court Denies Appeal
Decision Affirms PILOT Agreement and Unlocks Funding for Bear Tavern Elementary School
Hopewell Township, Mercer County, NJ — Hopewell Township has been notified that the New Jersey Supreme Court has denied Pennington Borough’s petition for certification in the PILOT litigation, bringing the case to a final conclusion.
In its order, the Court stated: “A petition for certification of the judgment in A-003086-22 having been submitted to this Court, and the Court having considered the same; It is ORDERED that the petition for certification is denied.”
With this denial, the Supreme Court will not hear any further appeals, and the Appellate Division’s decision remains in effect.
This outcome upholds the legality of Hopewell Township’s PILOT agreement under its third-round affordable housing obligation and allows the Township to move forward with its $16.1 million commitment to Bear Tavern Elementary School - supporting a building expansion that moves students out of trailers and into permanent classrooms.
“We are pleased that the Supreme Court’s decision brings this long-running matter to a close,” said Mayor David Chait. “The litigation created unnecessary cost and uncertainty for Hopewell Township residents, and this ruling allows the Township to move forward responsibly, and uphold the provisions of the PILOT agreement. It is a positive outcome for our residents and students.”
“Thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision, Hopewell Township can finally unlock up to $16.1 million to support the Bear Tavern Elementary School construction project,” said Committee Member Michael Ruger, liaison to the Hopewell Valley Regional School District.
Media Contact:
Fiona Lenzo
Confidential Executive Assistant to Administration
Township of Hopewell, Mercer County, NJ
Phone: 609-737-0607
Email: info@hopewelltwp.org
Website: www.hopewelltwp.org