Hamilton PPost ost Hamilton NOVEMBER 2025
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Parish celebrates 250 years with banquet
Report details failures at water works
BY RICH FISHER
BY BILL SANSERVINO
On Oct. 19, the First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton Square held a banquet at the German American Club to celebrate its 250th Anniversary. The event was hosted by current pastor Kyle Doebler, while former pastors Andrew Barton and Jan Koczera were on hand to provide remarks about their time at the church. Also included in the program was local historian and former Steinert history teacher James Federici, who gave an in-depth history on the founding and growth of Hamilton Square. Pastor Doebler read a proclamation celebrating the church from township Mayor Jeff Martin, while Sen. Linda Greenstein and assemblywoman Tennille McCoy were on hand to offer comments. Senator Greenstein also read a proclamation to the church from District 14 members. Attendees were asked to compete in a church trivia quiz, which was won by Reagan See CHURCH, Page 8
The bad news continues to flow out of Trenton Water Works. A sweeping report released in October by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection warns that persistent staffing shortages, bureaucratic delays and infrastructure failures continue to threaten the safety and reliability of the regional water utility — with even greater risk looming once its Pennington Avenue Reservoir is taken offline. The 164-page Comprehensive Performance Evaluation, completed in May 2025 by engineering firm H2M Associates of Parsippany, concludes that TWW remains plagued by “chronic deterioration” and a host of operational, administrative and physical vulnerabilities that “pose the most consistent and predictable threats to the efficiency and effectiveness of the TWW system.” The utility serves approximately 225,000 residents across See TWW, Page 10
Hamilton West senior field hockey goalie Ava Frascella, third from left, after setting the school record with 500 saves. With her are her aunt, Jamie Gerard, uncle Frank Frascella, and mom Adria Frascella.
Frascella breaks goalkeeping records for West field hockey BY RICH FISHER Here’s all one needs to know about Hamilton West senior Ava Frascella. While playing travel softball in 7th grade, she dislocated her left kneecap; then played three games that day before undergoing surgery. Asked how tough that was to endure that kind of pain all day, Frascella said, “It
bothered me more to sit on that bench.” Oh wait, there’s another thing to know. She is the Student President of West’s Unified Club, where she helps Gaby Bennett, Shannon Maher and Marissa Chiarello incorporate outside activities. Frascella has also worked with the Mercer Miracle League. “It’s very rewarding getting
to help those kids,” she said. “They’re normally included in our pep rallies and our regular experiences in school. They don’t get those experiences that I have like playing field hockey or softball. So to let them have that experience for one day and see the joy on their faces when they get to have that fun, that’s the best part.” See FRASCELLA, Page 14
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